Winooski Riverwalk

We've driven by, but never stopped to explore the Winooski Riverwalk in Winooski, Vermont. So we took a picnic lunch and our dog Lucy there late in the afternoon.

There's a bridge that leads into the wooded area.

Just over the bridge there's a view of the Woolen Mill that we don't usually see.

I left Lucy and Geo at the picnic table while I ventured into the woods along the river.

The further I went, the more interesting were the tree formations that I saw, including one that looked a lot like a canoe.

Even an obstacle along the way...

So many possibilities for interesting photos!


















Geo was waiting for me when I returned.

We spotted a dog fetching a ball in the water. We later learned that this was Jackson.

Lucy kept her fur dry, but was glad to meet Jackson.

Lucy and we will return to the Riverwalk again, great place for a picnic and a short hike.

                                                 "Woof!"

An Evening at Shelburne Museum

 There was an opening reception today at Shelburne Museum. This year there's a fun exhibit highlighting the imagination and featuring robots and time machines. 

The peonies are in full bloom. They were the centerpieces for each of the tables set up outside the exhibit.

Geo and I took a walk to see one of the gardens. Here's a photo of one of the roses.

I'm sad that one of my favorite exhibit sites is gone ~ The Fifties' House. Good news is that there are plans for a new year- round facility at the Shelburne Museum, one that will be used for exhibits and education. Excavation is underway.

Here's a poster depicting the new building. It's scheduled to open in Fall of 2013.

A lovely evening. On the way out, I couldn't help but get another photo of the Round Barn.

With our membership, we plan on spending lots more days here ~ so much to see, so much to enjoy, so much to learn!

Cruise on Lake Champlain

Mid-June, blue skies, an ideal morning to be on Lake Champlain. 


Geo and I decided to do the Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise.

Some days it is fun just to be a tourist. I think we blended in quite well with the tourist crowd.

Once we were out on the Lake, it got pretty windy. 

Some views along the way:

                                 Camel's Hump to the east

                             A view of the Adirondacks to the west

                                                Rock Point

                                        Rock formation

                                  The Burlington skyline.

                                        Echo Aquarium

      Heading back to dock, the Boathouse and Splash restaurant.


We had lunch at the Skinny Pancake before heading back home.
Here's another tourist blending in with the crowd. Meet Pansy.

A great day on the lake, and another great day in Burlington!

A Day at Button Bay

Addie recommended that we spend some time together out 

enjoying nature. A perfect Saturday to do this: sunny, light 

breeze, temps around 70 degrees. Not sure who suggested 

Button Bay State Park, but that is where we headed.

We found a picnic table for Geo while Addie and I took

to the nature trail.

It was about 1/2 mile to the Nature Center where we
were headed.

I spotted these guys out on the water. (Sometimes I miss
my Wisconsin fishing days...)

This was a great spot just to take in the breathtaking
scenery.

We spotted this butterfly (Swallowtail?) along the trail.
I must've taken about a dozen shots to get this one.

These flowers were near the Nature Center. Lots of bees
buzzing around. 

We agreed that the time we spent here was all too short.

 Next time I promise to pack a picnic lunch, tablecloth and all. (Those granola bars didn't do it for us!)

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Garden Update

I noticed the garlic is beginning to form scapes. I planted lots of garlic last September, the easiest of anything to grow. They're ready to pull out of the ground after the tall leaves begin to turn brown, usually in July. Before that, the scapes can be used in cooking.

Then I noticed the first peas in the garden! There are enough to pick to saute for dinner tonite.

I've never been a great fan of peonies. My memories are of picking them from my Mom's garden, bringing them into the dining room, then finding ants crawling all over the table! Ugh. But I am reconsidering peonies, especially after seeing the spectacular displays at the Shelburne Museum each year. So I conceded and decided to start my own peony garden ~ one plant.  I must say I am impressed with the first two blossoms. Guess I will have to add to the collection. Here's the debut of the peony in our garden.

Blueberry Dump Cake

Geo spotted the blueberries on special at the grocery store. We bought two pints.


Since today is a cool, overcast day, it's perfect for baking. So I went to work putting together a simple Blueberry Dump Cake. Here's my recipe:


Mix together 4 cups of fresh blueberries with 1/2 scant cup sugar and 1 Tablespoon cinnamon.
Spread in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Take 1 box of cake mix and sprinkle the dry mix evenly over the berries.
Melt 1/2 cup butter (I used the defrost cycle on the microwave) and drizzle over the cake mix.
I added a few chopped walnuts ~ optional.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.


Drizzling the melted butter is the tricky part. Do it slowly to evenly cover the mix.


Here's what it looked like just after coming out of the oven.

And this was Geo's first slice, served warm with vanilla ice cream.

So easy to make. George is loving it!

Baby Birds and the Rabbit

Whenever we opened our dining room window, we heard a lot of loud chirping. There must be a nest out there somewhere, so I went to investigate. This is what I discovered:

I was happy to have a zoom lens to snap a few more photos. I like this one of the bird not-yet-quite-in-flight.

When I returned inside, I looked out the window and spotted this cardinal in a nearby tree. I zoomed in and took this photo through the screen. This must be the proud parent of the little birds.

Later I was looking out the living room window, and there was a rabbit near the flowerbed, just chillin' out as relaxed as can be. ( I suspect this one of chomping down my lilies and beans!) My camera was nearby, and this was definitely a photo op. 

Sometimes I feel a little like "Mrs. Mcgregor" with all the rabbits in the garden, but I have to admit, they are kinda cute!