Lancaster County -Amish farm

Some of the Amish have farms that they also sell gifts and handmade items to the "English" as they call those outside of their faith. The farms are always in pristine shape and most of the time have flower beds in front of the house. We visited one and then drove over to another covered bridge.

Riehl's Quilts and Crafts ~ Leola, PA

Hunseckers Mill Covered Bridge ~ Its length of 180 ft.
makes it the longest single-span covered bridge in the county

Lancaster County ~ Out and about with Philippa

Lancaster County is always popular with quilters not only because of the Amish and the gorgeous quilts they make but there are a number of great fabric shops in the Intercourse/Bird-in-Hand areas. Today we stopped at Zook's Fabrics and The Country Store which has reopened having been bought by several of the employees.  We also made a trip down to the Quilt Shack.  At Zook's and the Quilt Shack I bought a wonderful selection of rainbow colored fabrics to use with my charity quilts.  I also bought a good number of yards of beige background fabrics to use with the kits I make up for the tops. Philippa found more fabrics to her liking at The Country Store.  We also wanted to do more sightseeing so at Zook's we asked about local covered bridges and were directed to one about 3 miles from the store.  After lunch we took a drive to an Amish farm that also has a shop where there is lots for the tourists to buy.  Going there we passed an Amish family with 3 toddler's flying kites.

Eshleman's Mill Covered Bridge

Amish Cemetery

Lancaster, Pa ~ Philippa arrives

For the past 23+ years I have been writing to a girl in New Zealand.  She answered an add I had placed in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine for a penpal.  I was looking for a nurse who also quilted and Philippa answered my ad.  Today, I was lucky enough to finally meet her.  She has come to spend 9 days with me.  Philippa arrived in Lancaster County, PA via the train.  Quilters are always interested in seeing Lancaster County and seeing the Amish who are wonderful quilters.  After a family style meal at Good & Plenty I drove us around some of the area around Bird-In-Hand where we saw some of the pristine Amish farms.  We saw a number of Amish school houses.  Surprisingly, there were more Amish youth out on the roads in their open air courting buggies than I had ever seen.  We also saw 4 large volleyball games going on in some of the areas we visited.

Beth & Philippa

Amish youth playing volleyball

York, PA ~ Lexy's Baby Shower

It's always excited to be invited to a baby shower.  I love when 2 people conceive a baby as a show of their love for each other.  Today's shower was for Lexy who's married to Andrew.  I watched Andrew grow up and now he's ready to raise a family.  Some of those at the shower included his Mother, Linda who at one time was my roommate before we both got married. Also his sister, Lisa who now has two children of her own along with his Aunt Susan and her children.  What a fun afternoon everyone had enjoying the party.

Quilt made for Baby Morrow by myself

Aunt Susan & Mother, Linda

Sister, Lisa ~ mother to Kori & Finley

Kori, age 2

Finley, age 1 month

Cape Island Creek ~ Kayaking

This weekend Adam and Brook are visiting so today we were out early morning to kayak.  Lots of Fiddler Crabs are out and this Willet was taking advantage of them and catching a snack.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Gray Catbird singing

Wordless Wednesday ~ My Yard

Brown Thrasher

My yard ~ Sachem Skippers

Sachem Skipper  (Dorsal View)

Female Sachem Skipper

North Cape May ~ Escape The Cape Triathlon

This year is the second year of the "Escape the Cape Triathlon." A number of my coworkers from CRMC are participating in this event that starts with a jump off the back of the Cape May -Lewis Ferry with the swim in the Delaware Bay.  Then there is the traditional biking before the 5K.  It was fun to see them jump 12 meters off the back of the ferry and I am not sure it's something I'd be willing to do. Pictured running are Lisa and Natalie.

Cape Island Creek ~ American Oystercatcher

Last week when was kayaking on Cape Island Creek, the first birds I saw were American Oystercatchers feeding along the edge of the salt marsh.  Much to my surprise one of the pair had 3 tags on his legs.  When I came home I went online to send off information American Oystercatcher Band Database.  Today I received an email with information on "my" Bird.  It was captured and tagged 6/26/2006 in Avalon, NJ.  It was been seen 2009, 2011 and 2013 wintering in Charleston Inter-coastal waterways.  Summer of 2013 it was spotted in Hereford Inlet, Stone Harbor Point.  So my bird is 5 years old and has been spotted and reported 10 times in 5 years.

Cape Island Creek ~ Kayaking

As always kayaking can be both fun and relaxing. I love being able to glide by to the birds and get close up pictures of them.  The Osprey's were out in force and I was able to also paddle up one of the side creeks to see the Osprey nest a little closer but no chicks as yet.  There were Terrapin turtles sunning along the way.  Plus again I was able to spot a number of Clapper Rails.