St. Louis Red

I've always seemed to match places we've lived with different colors. Washington state was purple, maybe it was all the beautiful flowers planted by my older sister, or because I love purple. Florida is blue, blue because the water and sky were so light, white sandy beaches surrounding the blue ocean which were near our home. England is green, no matter what time of year green is the beautiful backdrop of that island I love so. Missouri (St. Louis) is red, red because though I usually won't wear or buy red things, red are my special visitors that come to our garden and red are the beautiful colors the leaves turn in the Fall. 

Like red bullets with our green backdrop, the cardinal is the star of the show every day in our Chesterfield home.

I'm not sure how, but everyone squirrel we call Squirrel Nutkin.

 

Being A Part-Time Pet Owner

We are fond of some animals, but having allergies has narrowed down the window of who we could invite into our home, and the thought of having a "forever toddler" has really soured our desire to add that to our plate, especially as we've had 3 kids in 3.5 years, diapers were our song for many years.  When it comes to having that as a responsibility, it just hasn't fit with our travel and adventure lifestyle.
Since moving to St. Louis, however, we have fallen in love with an animal, the cardinals.  The kids take this job very, very seriously.  They clean out the bird bath every other day, we've researched exactly what seed to buy to attract this specific bird, and I'd like to say it feels like we have the perfect budget/travel friendly pet.  Best of all, I don't have to clean up after them in the house (they do get a bit messy outside), no vet bills or that big of a responsibility.  It's a win win!
We first saw the female cardinal all alone in the bird bath when the brilliantly colored red cardinal arrives. She leaves shortly after. "Don't mind if I do!"

He was going to town, splashing and making a big, big, big mess.

When all of a sudden he looks right at me, "Who you staring at?  Who, ME?  Bad hair day?  NO!"

Cardinal's Garden

 Our feathered guests make our garden a fun place to watch.  This is Spikey, he is the most brilliant shade of red we've seen in our Cardinal visitors.  

Never Tire of These Garden Visitors

Snowy Saturday in January

 Saturday we had our first real snow day!  It started around breakfast and lasted the whole morning.

 Today was full of cardinal watching, snow catching, laundry, shoveling, snowman making and hot coco.  I'd say that was a very productive day.

The Brilliantly Crimson Feathered Friends Who Frequent Our Garden

These little feathery friends are a highlight of our day.  I think we've turned into bird watchers!

Many Things to be Grateful For

 The highlight of my week was the little red cardinals that would come and visit our garden.  We have seen at most 5 eating away at the seeds at one sitting.  We say it's the five Shockley cardinals.
 While Nana visited we created our very own thatched English gingerbread cottage.  Lovely, just lovely!

A Fall Break in Greece

 Fall time might be chilly for the Greek but coming from England it's a nice warm treat!  The shoulder season are our favorite time to travel, you get to avoid the extremely hot summers, less tourists and find the best rates.  Santorini is our favorite Greek island, the chalk white homes and blue domed churches perched on top of the island are picturesque.

 This is the first time we've seen a one blue-eyed dog.  He must be good luck, as the Greek have a bus eye ornamenting around everywhere to ward off evil.

 The kids loved how there seemed to be a cat or dog on every corner.  That aspect reminded me of Turkey.

 Oh sweet Baklava!

 The best Souvlaki and pita I've ever had in my life!

I am in love with the Greek windmills and blue doors.

These Two Have the Right Idea!

Our New Buddy, Lacey

 We were lucky enough to have Lacey over for the night, we went on a lot of walks, runs and had a lot of snuggles.  Lacey, the sweet dog!!

My New Friend

This Maternity photo shoot had two parts and the second was at the H. home.  Little did I know this sweet little guy would be there to greet me.  I think Walle's twin must be Wallace (another furry friend living in Florida).

Sir Wallace

We've never had a pet until now. This is Wallace, my brother's half Westie/Maltese pup. I've never seen such an obedient and quiet four legged creature in my life. It's as if he's part of the family, that is for a week and a half until his really family returns from their trip to the Pacific Northwest.  Wallace, if we could special order another like you, maybe in a few years we'd consider getting one.