{'Ravy', my Toyota RAV4 is 15 today!}

My 'Cute Ute' has another birthday! You can find a link below photos, about last year's post with lots of info and photos. But today 'Ravy', my Toyota RAV4 turned 15! Still love him and keep him. Such a loyal Mini SUV, so why ditch him? As written about in a magazine in 1998, for being a small, spunky, head-turner - to me that's still valid. The New Car Test Drive in 1996 called it: The new king of the minis. It's a shame that they discontinued making the 2-door since 2000. Even now, with high gas prices it would be even more relevant for having a car with such good fuel economy. 

The Chicago Sun Times wrote: Toyota's new, hot-selling RAV4 small sport/utility vehicle is terribly cute, practical and more affordable than larger sport/utilities. AMEN to that!

Ravy looks still cute and is in excellent condition. Always being loved, even though he worked hard for us... When this 2-door launched, it became hugely popular in France. 

That's me on July 13, 1997 after Ravy's first 1,000 miles. This is at the Philadelphia Franklin Mill's Outlet Mall. We parked, and funny enough, there were two RAV4 4-doors parked as well; Ravy's big brothers...

Here we are at the Delaware river in Philadelphia, with the Benjamin Franklin bridge in the back.

Ravy did bring us all the way to Pennsylvania, from Georgia, to visit also Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Our second visit, but now as Americans and it meant a lot.

Visiting the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Pieter in front of the Liberty Bell...

Me in front of the Liberty Bell...

Oh, Ravy hauled many a load with this cute trailer that Pieter himself has put together. He ordered it from Northern Tool + Equipment and added the upper part himself.

I still love Ravy today...  together we age!

Related link:
'Ravy', My Toyota RAV4 is 14 today! | previous post by me

{Our Copy Cats}

Raising a feline family is not difficult because you have one and the rest are just 'Copy Cats'. Have a look at some of our Copy Cats. These photos were taken the day before we went on our cruise to the Bahamas. When I came outside to empty the bucket after mopping the floors, they were lined up on the retainer wall and I had to make some photos. It was just hilarious. See for yourself and tell me if you too have cats that mimic one another. It is so much fun to watch them get along. When we work in the garden, they follow us like a doggy. Also when we make the rounds, at the end of the day for instance to check our wood garden and other garden, they follow us on foot. Our dear friend Mariëlle called that: The Cat Walk...

Here Barty, our male Alpha Cat, (to the right) is instructing Speckie our youngest girl how it is done...

Okay, let's line up now! Barty is in the center and Bandido is in the front...

The alternating look: Bandido looks to the right, Barty to the left and Speckie to the right...

Now all facing the road to the left!

Turn around and look the other way... Bandido is not yet turning his head as he listens to Barty!

Okay, got it! But it's my fault for not capturing Speckie's face...

This 'Copy Cats-show' made me laugh! 

Guess cats do have a great sense of humor too.

{Our Fragrant Magnolia Grandiflora}

Our huge Fragrant Magnolia Grandiflora 'Namnetensis Flore Pleno' (see link with more info below post) is still blooming and will so through July. Just want to show you some photos that were taken the day before we went on our cruise to the Bahamas. They look so gorgeous each year and this tree has been very rewarding over the years. It is almost 20 years ago that we've planted it and it has grown fast. Of course, a subtropical type of climate does help all along but still we are amazed at the wonders of nature. Despite the tropical heat we get here during the summer months of July and August. Enjoy the photos and if anyone does have this variety, let me know as we would love to hear how yours is doing.

After some rain, either natural or from the sprinklers, they look so stunningly beautiful.

Fragrant Magnolia 'Namnetensis Flore Pleno'

Look for more info below this post in the link about it.

The pollen provides a 'Bee Happy Magnolia Restaurant', see link below...

This beauty is in the front of our home, alongside the driveway and we can view it from our bedroom...

Southern Charm at its best.

Young green leaves and always new buds. Even now they still show up.

Hope you enjoyed them and thanks for your visit.

A special welcome to all my new readers as well!

Related links:
{Our Fragrant Magnolia Grandiflora 'Namnetensis Flore Pleno'} | previous post by me
{Our Bee Happy Magnolia Restaurant} | previous post by me