February Photo Challenge

This month's challenge in the architectural theme is stairs.   I live in a single story home! Except for a few steps out on the front porch, I don't have too much of an altitude change!

  I know that I am a home body and that the traveling bug has expired within me but I didn't realize how much so until I realized that every subject for this photography challenge, unlike the last one, cannot be fulfilled by taking shots of things in my house or yard.  This morning when I was telling Mom how another whole month has passed and I didn't get out once for a photo, she said, 'Come on!  We're going on an adventure!'   I grabbed the camera and we took off in the car to find stairs!  This month's challenge.

These are the steps that lead to Mom and Dad's winter home.

These back steps are where I would sit in the Spring when we would leave the northern snow to visit Bill's parents and my kids all played on these steps, too, to soak up some sunshine!

On to the little town nearby!   This church has some real stairs even if they don't climb very high!

 The town center has this gazebo with a few more steps!

Arranged in front of the gazebo, where local talent strums for the crowd, there are several sets of risers which are another form of steps!

 Across from the park is a beautiful home with a few steps up to the front door, which is a pretty common type of home.

 A few of the older homes have an outside stairway leading to an apartment.

One of our restaurants has this set of stairs for coming down from the eating area to walk out onto the pier.

When we arrived back to my house, I remembered I had another set of steps that I enjoy daily-the steps to my pool patio!

And the favorite set of stairs lead right into the pool!  I am grateful for a loving parent's encouragement still so I could participate in this challenge in the right spirit!  Thanks!

Architectural Photo Challenge

I am participating in another photo challenge.  Each month we will post a different architectural feature and this month the subject was doors.   I spent the month mostly on the couch so didn't get out to any of the wonderful old homes to catch a picture of their front doors.  Since I didn't want to bow out completely, I have included my front door.........where the welcome mat is well worn with the passing of many loved ones' feet!   You would be welcome here, too!

 I pledge to have many more entries for February's feature;  I am starting to feel like my normal energetic self again!

Zee Finish Line

Zipper stash.

 Zig Zag stitch.

 Zip drive for embroidery stitches.

 Both of these cats have them-so do you........

a beautiful example of Zygomatic bones!

(cheek bones!)

eXactly

Xacto knife.  

This one is 30 years old-the tip is broken but it sharpens pencils for me and not too much else anymore!

Pitiful amount of photos but I found one for X!

Wonderful!

 Welcome wreath.

 Bead weaving.

 Walking wheel.

 Watermelon.

 Wool.

 Woolen weaving.

 Woven basket.

 Wandering Jew plant.

 Waffle iron.

 Waffle weave towel.

 White yarn waiting for dye day.

 Pool Water.

Valuable!

 

We had a Marty Stouffer moment recently;  there was a great commotion in the front yard so I ran out expecting to see a dog which usually is the source of the cats all freaking out.  But it was this vulture who decided to dine on our sidewalk!  Bill scooped the squirrel and gave it a toss off to the side of our property.  

Soon, there was quite a scuffle for this prize!  I caught a picture of these venerable vultures!

 This is the chair where I spin-it has a vibration cushion which is wonderful to extend my spinning time!

 Vinegar is an important ingredient in my house-I use this in the dyeing process for my wool and we have another jug that goes to the beach with us because it is an excellent antidote for jellyfish stings, stingray stings and any cut you incur from fish or shells in the ocean!

This is my cordless vacuum which does an excellent job removing dust bunnies from my hardwood floored home!

Bougainvillea Vines!   

 Vinca vine.

 Mandavilla vine!

Jasmine vines!

Trumpeter vines.

Ubiquitous!

 Uh, oh, I am late but here we go-Utility pole in our front yard.

 Underside of the magnolia leaf-don't you just love the bronze coloring?!

 A right-of-way driveway on the edge of our property that Bill is responsible for the upkeep.

 Unity among friends......

 Unfurled ferns.

 Underbelly of our truck!

 A yard urn.

Pool patio umbrella!  That's all until next time!

Tempestuous

 Tabby cat, Sissy, who is on Bill's mountain of pillows and cushions where he elevates his errant foot.

Stormy asks for equal time as a Tabby cat on the blog!

 Antique teacups in my china cabinet.

 Our Roselle tea bush which stands 8 feet tall and is covered with buds!

This is a different view of the plant so you can see the color and texture of the plant!

We bought this tea blended from the dried plant and look forward to making our own.

 I have two of these Ti plants gracing my front yard.

 This thread cabinet was a find we bought at a clothing factory auction many years ago.  It is an incredible treasure trove of thread!

See what I mean!  Each drawer is filled with spools of thread for sewing.

 I have a rack of serger thread,

 quilting thread,

 and machine embroidery thread!  Hi, I'm Cindy and I like to sew...........

 This is a testimonial-I highly recommend everyone to use Thieves Oil for good mouth health!  You only need a drop of this essential oil on your toothbrush each morning or evening for white teeth and healthy gums.  It is great for anyone who suffers with sensitive teeth, too!

I never get tired of the texture of the sand at the beach.

That is all I will take the time to blog about!

 (Bill is grounded with another explosion of cellulitus in his foot; he is in a ton of pain and can't walk on his foot.  We have started another round of a stronger anitbiotic; pray for its effectiveness!)