My Yard ~ Overwintering Spicebush Swallowtail Chrysalis

This past winter I had 3 overwintering Spicebush Swallowtail chrysalis.  I wasn't sure when they would eclose but hoped I'd be home.  For 2 of them they eclosed early in May when I was still in AZ but today I turned around while working outside the garage and saw that the third butterfly had eclosed.  Here is a picture taken while it was still drying it's wings.

My Yard ~ American Lady Caterpillar

Gardening for butterflies means having both Host plants and plants for the butterflies to nectar on.  This is an American lady caterpillar on it's host plant - Pussy toes.

My Yard ~ Start of the Gardens

I got home yesterday and was happy to take a walk around the yard to see what's growing from last year and to also admire what's now in bloom.  Gardening provides me with so much satisfaction and soothes my souls when I am stressed, sad or troubled.

Newton, KS ~ Charlotte's Sew Natural

I had planned to visit Charlotte's Sew Natural in Newton after birding at Quivira NWR but when I spent so much time at the refuge, I wasn't sure I should chance it due to time.  I looked up online and found out they were open later than 5PM so decided to go for it. It was a nice scenic drive across the state>  I was so glad that I did because the shop is just amazing.  It's in 3 stores on the Main Street that were build in the early 1900's.  It's rooms, rooms and rooms of  fabrics, notions, and quilt samples.  It's one of the best shops I have ever been in.  I would love to live near by and take advantage of their shop.  Right now for 2019 they are doing a Block of the Month quilt but in a twist they are using 1 of 4 panels, layer cake packages and cake mixes which are preprinted sheets to make faster pieced 1/2 square triangles.  Cake Mixes are similar to Thangles.  They decided on this type of project to get quilters more comfortable in working with both panels and the cake mixes.

2019 Block of the Month using car panel.

2019 Block of the Month using nature panel.

2019 Block of the Month using basket panel.

2019 Block of the Month using quilt blcoks and saying panel

Wool - lots & lots of wool

And more wool and samples

I loved the tablerunner

Cool way to decorate a corner

One of the many helpful employees.

Stafford, KS ~ Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

Hundreds of Wilson's Phalarope flying

Spotted Sandpiper

Common Nighthawk

Red-headed Woodpecker

And another Red-headed Woodpecker

Wichita, KS ~ Botanica ~ Lego's Exhibit ~ Made by Sean Kenney

Just happened that there is a Lego's Sculptures Exhibit throughout Botanica.  The start of the exhibit was Mother's Day and it will ran through September. I must say it's amazing what he has done with the legos.  Here is a sampling of what's there at Botanica.

Wichita, KS ~ Botanica