2011 Family Dinners

Hi Everyone,

This is a summary of our Dinner Lottery and 2011 Line-up.
I'll post it on peaceofthecreek.blogspot.com so you can check any time.

#1 - 2011 - Ryan & Jenna
#2 - 2012 - Steve & Rebecca
#3 - 2013 - Kristen & Andrew
#4 - 2014 - Mom & Dad

Jan. - bye
Feb. - bye
Mar. - Kristen & Andrew
Apr. - Mom & Dad
May. - Ryan & Jenna
June - Steve & Rebecca
July - Ryan & Jenna
Aug. - Steve & Rebecca
Sept. - Ryan & Jenna
Oct. - Kristen & Andrew
Nov. - Kristen & Andrew (Thanksgiving)
Dec. - Mom & Dad (Christmas)

Each couple is in charge of family dinner for the months they selected.
You find a date agreeable, select a menu, and choose location (our house is
always available).
You can request dishes be brought or cook yourself.
Details can be posted on peaceofthecreek.blogspot.com.
In December, 2012 monthly drawing will be done with Steve & Rebecca having
1st choice.
Let me know if you have any questions.

Love,

Mom & Dad

LOVELY LUNA Life Cycle Complete!

July 4th, 2010

What a wonderful way to mark the 4th of July!

Independence Day this year is marked by the completion of the Lovely Luna Life Cycle!

It all began on May 1st when a group from Del Tech was netting bats for a study on our local Big Brown Bats. We had the blessing and good fortune of a large Luna Moth getting caught in the net. I took it home with me and it turned out to be a female who laid some eggs over the next few nights.

About 10 days later they began emerging from their eggs and readily started eating Sweet Gum leaves which I had read were a good food source.

After a couple of weeks the caterpillars were eating way more leaves than I could provide so I decided to switch them to walnut leaves which were larger and more plentiful. They made the change easily and kept on eating until mid June, going through several instars. Finally, they started rolling up some leaves to make their cocoons for their Marvelous METAMORPHOSIS!

It seems like forever to wait, but it took about 2 weeks. I went out to the porch this afternoon and there in their enclosure was the first Luna Moth to emerge!

It's a male and I'm calling him my Yankee Doodle Dandy because he was born on July 4th!! I hope to have several more emerge to contribute to the Luna Moth population here in the White Clay Creek area.

Turtle? Tortoise? Terrapin?

Earlier this month, while I was in search of beaver at the beaver pond I came across a creature that I haven't exactly identified. Is it a turtle? Is it a terrapin? I doubt it is a tortoise. It's not a ROCK, and it's not a snapper.... But just what it is, I'm not sure. Take a close look and if you think you know what it is... Let me know. It's not the sharpest of pictures, but the sun was going down and I was loosing light.

Beaver Season

My good friend Ray shared this great picture he got of our beaver recently!

BEAVER Tail Slap

Monday, April 5th, 2010 is a day I'll never forget!
John and I decided to take a ride down to the Beaver Pond
to see if there was any activity and BOY were we surprised!
Not only did the beaver come out; I got some great video clips.
One was of the beaver doing a terrific tail slap!
CHECK IT OUT! I also got a clip of the beaver on patrol.

4 BLIZZARDS -- OFFSPRING OF WINTER

4 BLIZZARDS -- OFFSPRING of WINTER

We have had 4 Blizzards so far this winter.
And it's very possible we may have more!
We're going on 80 inches of snow.
Who could have imagined it!

4BLIZZARDS -- and each one unique...

just like children

BLIZZARD # 1 December 19, 2009
PRECOCIOUS!!! Arriving a few days before the official start of winter. Lots of heavy snow, but welcomed by many to set the atmosphere for Christmas!

Then a break between the 1st and 2nd of a few weeks.



BLIZZARD # 2 February5/6, 2010
BIG andBOLD!!! A sizable child

over 2 feet of snow,
filling up our driveways, decks and roofs;
beautiful in its massiveness!!!

BLIZZARD # 3 February 9/10, 2010

ALMOST A TWIN Coming just 4-5 days

after Blizzard # 2. Massive in size,

almost as big;

a layer of sleet in its middle.

Beautifully dense snow pasting

everything like papier mache!

BLIZZARD # 4 February 25/26...2010

Unexpected SURPRISE

Late Bloomer.....Full of Bluster

Snow - Tiny, crystalline - like granulated sugar

Reminiscent of "March of the Penguins"

Tests our patience

February 5-6, 2010 Blizzard

Big Blizzard February 5-6, 2010





No Grillin' Out Tonight

No Gettin' Out Today

Bo Has a Problem Too



Come Help Shovel