Monster Assassin Bug!!

WARNING! If you don't like insects, don't read this post. There is a picture of a huge, freaky insect in it. A huge freaky insect that I just may run into in my yard!!! Scary!!!

So remember my mystery insect that I took as part of Creativity Bootcamp?

Well, I mailed a picture of it to the Ohio Department of Agriculture because it looked suspiciously like a wood borer and thought they needed to know. The exotic insect expert didn't know what it was (not a wood borer - Pheww!) so he mailed it to an etymologist with the department, and what I happen to have is the nymph form of the wheel bug, a type of assassin bug, which is actually a beneficial insect.

BUT, it's darn HUGE and UGLY and SCARY looking in it's adult form. Check this out!

Yes, these are breeding in my yard!!!! Here's another picture of the nymph, but this one is scarier than mine.

So apparently, at some point, that pretty little blue bug I photographed is going to turn into Mama Alien, and then, just like the Alien burst out of Fisher, the adult form will burst out of the nymph.

To become this honkin' HUGE bug that will spear and paralyze Japanese Beetles, Ladybugs, Aphids (which seem like a tiny little snack for this whopper), and various other insects, and then suck their insides out.

Yay!!!

So, if you are as freaked out as I am right now, here are some pretty insects for you to gaze at.

Photos from We Heart It, Google Images, and Me!

Time for Tuesday!

Tuesday Following



We're Following the leader, wherever she may roam!

I Do Love a Good Quilt

What brightens up a room like a quilt?

What makes a picnic more lovely?
Is there anything to make journaling nicer than a quilt?

Quilts can be English chic or funky cool.
How many other things can claim that grand distinction?

Is there anything your cat or dog loves cuddling up more in?
Is there anything better than cuddling in a soft, well loved quilt with someone or something special?

Cuddling, picnicking, brightening, warming, beautifying.
Knowing the work and the love that went into that amazing quilt.

How can you not love a good quilt?

All photos We Heart It

I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggonit, People Like Me!

Many thanks to Elana of The Twinners Rewards and Giveaways for awarding me with the Hardworking Mommy Blog!

-If you are awarded the "Hard-working Mommy Blogger Award" you need to pass on the love to 7 other Hard Working Mommy Bloggers. I think everyone is worthy of this award so I wish I could have given out more awards! Congrats to everyone on being a hard working mommy!

-Accept the award (by leaving a comment on the original award post)

-Post about the award on your blog (include the image of the award) together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and her blog link.

-List 7 other Mommy Bloggers that you want to pass the award along to (no backsies). Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Passing on the Love:

Bárbara d'Alte
The Budget Mommy
The Housewife Eclectic
Mum in Bloom
Just Thinkin'
Latté Mama
Little Miss Momma

Excuse our dust!

So I'm working on converting the blog from a two to a three column design so that I can perhaps take on sponsors (more on that later). So for a bit the blog might look a bit unfinished. I'm trying to make it look like it did, but I don't think my background comes in a three column design. I'll also have to make my header a little longer, and I'm having trouble getting a photo header to post. So I have work to do!

xo Erin