Anvil Lake, Eagle River, WI

This Labor Day weekend we took our first trip to the North Woods in Wisconsin. The weather was cool and rainy, sunny and gorgeous, and absolutely perfect. I wouldn't have traded a moment spent with my family for anything in the world. I have to say that I will forever love Kentucky for its rolling mountains and my safe home, West Virginia for its grand rivers and hiking trails, and I love Wisconsin for its fantastic beauty. I am taken away each time I go and just fall a little more deeply in love. This trip brought about fishing, walking in the forest, swimming, cooking, strolling through downtown Eagle River, browsing through junk stores, and simply making good old fashioned memories.

our front yard

leaving

I tried to catch this process in action. But, as it is, I missed the butterfly coming out of the chrysalis. I am bummed. But this is the footage I do have, compiled into a quick time movie. Enjoy. :)

Credit to Neko Case for the tune (one of my all time favorites!).

(ps...sorry for the crappy quality...I'm off my game.)

September brings emergence

I checked on this glorious being first thing this morning. I noticed how clear and colorful the chrysalis/butterfly appeared. I then whipped up breakfast for the kiddos, got Sam off to school, and sat in the kitchen trying to awake the zombie inside me with a cup of joe. As Celia finished her breakfast she went in our living room to check on the butterfly. She was ecstatic, "Mommy!! Mommy!!! The butterfly came out!!! Look! Look!" I was shocked and soooo disappointed that I missed her emergence. We ran outside and adjusted the garden cam so it would take images every 20 seconds; I didn't want to miss her exit flight! And, for the next hour we stalked her, taking photos and watching the moisture drip from her wet wings. Then, she was gone. poof. I'm working on the video. I'll post it as soon as I can. Here's to a new day, and a day filled with flight.