Put-In-Bay Winery and Crystal Cave

 

Owned and operated by Heineman Winery, Crystal Cave helped save the family-run winery from demise during Prohibition.

Tours of the cave helped pay the bills,

while other wineries on the island closed.

Discovered by workers in 1897 while digging a well for the winery 40 feet above, Crystal Cave is the world's largest geode. The walls of this cave are covered in strontium sulfate, a blueish mineral called celestite. These crystals range from 8 to 18 inches long.

The original cave was much smaller than what appears today,

as crystals were harvested and sold for the manufacturing of fireworks.

More info HERE

 

 Someone's interpretation of the formations in the cave.

 

 

 

Joining Lesley for:

signs, signs

Black and White Wednesday 010616

Ringing in the New Year 2016

in Black and White

Happy New Year for anyone stopping by from Wordless Wednesday

 

A favorite majolica jar

 

Still Life from the top

 

 

Joining
Black and White Wednesday

 

Backyard Birds Outdoors 010616

A sunny early morning in January atMuldoon

 

Cold on the outside; Warm on the inside

 

The feeding area has donned it winter coat.

 

And the winter morning sunshine is casting its beauty.

 

We provide and they come.

High

and Low

and so darn cute!

and all puffed up

 

 

  So much fun taking the photos but

hi ho, hi ho it was off to work I go.

 

A frosty view from inside my vehicle.

 Joining Susan for:

Outdoor Wednesday

and Stewart for:

Wild Bird Wednesday

 

 

Another Tenacious Tree 010515

Not only is this tree tenacious

it tends to snag quite a few lures and bobbers

at this popular state park fishing spot.

 

Joining :

Trees and Bushes

New Year 010516

Ringing in the New Year

 

 

 

Joining:

Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday

 



A Favorite Majolica Treasure 010416

Judith has shared some lovely flattop still lifes

which I really liked. So I thought I would give it try.

I was also inspired by some other still lifes

shared by Teresa of Eden Hills recently as well.

 

This is a favorite treasure of mine

It was probably a bridal shower gift in 1947 which my mother always referred to as a 'mayonaise jar'. It wasn't used though and occupied a spot in a knick knack shadow box in our home.

A more refined title might be a covered majolica pottery jar to be used for salad dressing.

 

 It is a piece of 'occupied Japan' pottery

My research found that majolica often has a lead glaze

so it's probably a good thing it wasn't used.

 

Joining Judith for:

Mosaic Monday

Barns: The New and the Old 010316

Another look at this farm

Focusing on the Barns in this shot.

Contrasting the New and the Old

 

Nice contrasts for Black and White too.

 

From a photography standpoint

the fence serves as a horizontal line leading the eye to the barn.

 

 

 Wishing everyone a

filled with Joy!

 

 

Joining Tom for:

The Barn Collective

Not the Norm 010216

A Hairy and Downey Woodpecker

Unusual for two birds to feed at once

especially two varieties.

 

 

Wishing everyone a

filled with Joy!

 

 

 

Joining Eileen for:

Saturday Critters

Finally a Fence 123115

The routes I have been taking just haven't been forthcoming

in the fence department lately.

3D Fencing - a fence - through a fence - through a fence.

 

Glad to be back with Theresa at:

Good Fences

The Barn Collective 122715

This Barn is fairly close to home.

 

For some reason I never really took it in.

 

Joining Tom for:

The Barn Collective

Saturday Critters 122615



Malachi, the boy next door

comes a courtin' Lucy

in his Christmas finery.

Joining Eileen for:

Saturday Critters

Christmas Robin and Friend

 

 Wishing everyone a Blessed and Joyful Christmas.

 

Joining Sue for:

Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday

Christmas Robins

A flock of Robins came out of deep woods hiding (unusual for December)

to join our backyard bird community for the holidays.

 

Following their lead for coming together I am joining the following to wish everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas

celebrating the birth of Jesus.

 

Mosaic Monday

 

Wildbird Wednesday

A Different View 121715

We share photos of our homes, nature, crafts, family, travel and more in the hope of bringing inspiration, incite, or a little smile to the faces of those who view the post.

And its a boost to our morale to receive comments and put a little smile on our own faces.

 

I'm sure we each make the attempt to choose our 'best' photos.

 

But . . .

 

Today I went a different route and decided to share what I'm calling my OCD Therapy for the day. All the while repeating to myself " this mess is o.k., this mess is o.k."

 

 

 

One more variety of cookie and a nut bread to go.

Better keep at it.

 

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas

 

 

Joining 

Fun Friday Favourites

and

Five on Friday

 

 

Willy Nilly 121815

#1 - A thrifty find from the RG

 



 



#2 - "Mary Did You Know"  (click on title to hear)

One of the Judges on The Voice said he had never heard it before.

It has been a favorite Christmas solo at our church for many years.

 



 

#3 - I posted this on the link-up 'signs, signs'.

Do you think they had a bike stolen or were advertising for someone to do their dirty work?

 

#4 - “One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore. "Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Books are o.k. by me
 

 

 

 

#5 - Wishing everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas

 

 

 

Joining Tanya for:

Willy Nilly Friday