butterfleyecandy

So there are not many butterflies around so much these days. I tried to photograph one yesterday, but he was just way too active and busy to slow down. He was a teeny thing, had bluish tint to him and I couldn't get a good enough look to know more. In the meantime, I made one instead. He looks nothing like the one I spotted on my thyme, but he was something I was playing with probably two years ago when I had intended on creating this site. He was supposed to be some kind of butterfly logo, however, he didn't reduce so well, and I don't think I could have stood looking at those colors all the time on a web site.

Butterfly Quote

My favorite quote, er blessing, but favorite nonetheless. I've made this one into a butterfly collage art piece, which I will have to find and post tomorrow.

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing

Good Bye Summer

Well, I guess it's official (not according to the calendar mind you), summer is over. It was successful where the butterflies were concerned, and I've seen some I never did before, but I also did not get to plant a single thing. No veggies, herbs, perennials, annuals, bushes, trees... nothing. :( One could say that I have enough to take care of as it stands with the gardens now, BUT, there are some very massive bare spots where the moles ate whole sections of lavender, some yarrow, all the asters, and now all I do is weed them, so planting something in their place wouldn't create any extra work.

The inability to get anything planted is of very little importance when compared to all the other issues and circumstances we're trying to stay ahead of at the moment. Two weeks ago we got the best news we could have received, but it looks like that may have been premature, or quite possibly completely inaccurate and now we play a waiting game again to find out the truth. It really is true that when it rains, it pours. Not knowing how personal I want this blog to become, I'll not go into all the nasty little details and spare you the whining, however, so as not to be too cryptic... the unresolved, and what-the-hell-are-we-gonna-do issues are as follows:

• a wayward teen who is on the fence and it's getting harder for just two parents pulling him over to our side, when you have a whole world out there wanting to pull him the other way.
• a heart condition brought on last winter by some crazy virus and one setback after another ever since... all in a young man in otherwise excellent health... which is the only reason he's still surviving they tell me.
• an insurance company that has depleted all we've worked for over the last 15 years... i don't even want to go further into insurance companies at this point.
• a barn that decided it wasn't in nearly as good shape as we thought (old termite damage from way back). but only on one end, which doesn't seem so bad, except that it's pulling the rest with it.

and that's all the negative/whiny things i have to say for today. I'll be certain to find something wonderful to post about next time. I spent all day yesterday cleaning up "my room", which is where the magic happens... not that kind of magic for those dirty minds out there. ;) I'm talking my room that houses all the stuff that may or may not be used in future projects. Making collage art is very therapeutic for me, so I'm getting ready to start on some Christmas cards. A jump start on inexpensive, yet meaningful gifts while we await news this week will keep my mind occupied.

Something New

I decided to pull together all the different designs that did not make the cut when I was designing this site and a few others and post them here. I may make them for sale, depending on the feedback I get and a little more research about them. I love designing the templates and have quite a few in my arsenal. Here is the first one I was working on today.

Odd Sightings for 2007

This past week I've seen a few Variegated Fritillary, which I've never seen before. According to my big book o' butterflies, PA is in the scarce/regional range for these guys. In mid to late summer, during strong flight years, they can be seen as far north as the New England states. I'm guessing it's been a strong flight year, and that those out butterflying in the upper northeast might be catching sight of some butterflies they don't normally get to see.

Another one I don't see all that often is the Common Buckeye, although it's not supposed to be uncommon in this area and there is plenty of host plant material for the females to lay eggs. This is another one I've seen for the first time this year and I see them often.

Then there is the Red-Spotted Purple that are quite active right now. I've seen these before but I've never taken any photos. I tried yesterday and I thought they'd be easy. They love to hover around me and play when I'm mowing, and then they just sit, with wings wide open on the mulch right outside the back door. Yesterday when I wanted to capture one and post it here, all of a sudden, the butterfly decided he did not want to sit still any more... so, no photo yesterday. Today is overcast and misty, so I can't take the camera outside. I'll have to wait for another day to get him on film. They are SO very pretty.

Last week I found a Red-Spotted Purple in perfect condition, except for the fact that he was no longer alive, but when I dropped him without knowing it because I was trying to be gentle, I stepped on him and crushed a wing.

Last of the Monarchs

The final Monarch (at least final as far as my little sanctuary is concerned) has hatched and flown away. Not certain how long I should be keeping them until it's too late for them to fly south, I let Mother Nature take her job back this time of year. The mornings are just about as beautiful as weather gets the last few days and I love watching them fly around on their first flight.

I got a jump start on my fall homing that takes over when the weather starts to change. A pot of chili was on the stove and simmering by lunchtime yesterday. The hubby certainly doesn't mind! I even made it full-flavored, no fat-free, lower anything, so it was delicious to say the least.

With the changes in weather and no more butterflies to release or report on, I've decided to document the projects I get myself into during the fall season. This usually consists of things I've grown, found or bought that get made into little gifts for get-togethers or sometimes stashed for baskets of goodies for Christmas gifts. I've made a lot of wreaths recently and since everyone I know already has one and it's time to find new gifts to give, I'll be debuting their appearance online at my new Wreath Boutique. I love making them and they take up a lot of space, so it's time to do something about that. The site is just about completed and will most likely be open for business by the end of the week.

Well, for now, I must load my belongings into the car for a sailing/boat work excursion we'll be taking after a stop for some steamed crabs at a holiday cookout with the family. Happy Labor Day Weekend to everyone. Enjoy and be safe! Thank you for the kind comments on the butterfly photos! I like to share. :)