Monday/Tuesday

It's already Tuesday night. The week is flying by. The shredding still hasn't got done. I really, really need to stop procrastinating on that! I have yet to take the book boxes to be donated. I don't think I'm going to make it there tomorrow either. I have a hair appointment midday, and I have to go to the post office and pick up a couple things at the shops. Unfortunately, the library (where I donate the books) is nowhere near where I'm going. They will have to sit there until next week. Sigh. Maybe I can fill another box by then - the limit is four boxes. Perhaps I should make that my goal! 

I chatted with Baby A for quite a while yesterday. She was quite chatty. She doesn't say a lot of words, but she was certainly telling me something! It was funny as, at the end, she'd wondered off somewhere so daughter and I chatted a bit more and then daughter said goodbye. She rang back almost immediately and said Baby A wanted to say goodbye! Apparently when daughter was saying goodbye and hanging up Baby A rushed over wanting to say goodbye. Baby A gave me a couple of waves. She is adorable. I'm on the countdown until we go see her! 

Today I spent far too much time wondering around the woods. Literally. It turned out really lovely after a chilly start. Lots of birds singing and signs of Spring actually starting to pop. The leaves are starting to come back on the trees! I forgot to take photos while I was in the woods, but I took one when I got home!

The evergreens, well, the leaves are always there lol, but the tree next to it is starting to look quite leafy. I'm so happy as it's at the bottom of the garden and once it fills out, I can't see the neighbour's house back there anymore! I do like to be able to sit out on my (really small) back deck and watch the birds. 

A few birds from the garden

Sunday Adventure

It was better this morning. Bright and sunny if a little chilly when we went out. We had a couple of nice little walks along a couple of beaches. We were pretty lucky seeing birds today. We saw a Loon along the pier on our first stop just as we were getting ready to leave. We ended up staying a little longer so I could get some photos. 

It actually came quite close which was really nice!

The second nice viewing of the day were some Horned Grebes. We saw these at both places we went, so I suppose they are probably moving through the area

There were a few fishermen out along the pier. They were all bundled up as it was quite chilly. We saw a couple of them catch some fish though I'm not sure what kind

Even though it was a little chilly we had a lovely time. It was really quite beautiful out and not too windy, so it wasn't bitterly cold. It really does look like it should have felt really quite warm but it wasn't!

I sorted a couple of bits when I got home, but not a lot. I tackled some of the post that's been hanging around, sorted through it and have a stack of shredding that needs to be done this week. I asked son to sort through his so I can add that to the shredding. Not sure I'll do that tomorrow, but it will be done this week!  I've got most of the meal planning done and a list done for tomorrow. I'll probably try to tackle a bit more of the porch too. I'm really pleased with how it is coming along. I am quite confident it will be mostly sorted by the end of the month. We don't go to daughter's house until next month though so I might plan on using a small corner of it to store the things we are taking to her house. 

Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend!

At-home Day

Well, we did get snow, quite a bit and the blowing was fairly bad. We still have the warning, but I think we're just about done with the snow now, thank goodness! We didn't lose power, though some people did. It was really cold today so I'm glad we didn't. 

I had an at-home day though I wasn't as productive as I hoped. I always feel...off if I don't go out first thing. Sounds strange but once I'm past the time I get home usually, I'm ok. I got distracted first thing as I heard crows in the garden, so I opened the door to take a look and scared off a hawk sitting on the back porch. He flew into a nearby tree. I managed to get a few photos of him. As he sat there, seven deer came into the garden and up to the feeder table. They were obviously looking for food as it is harder for them to find it in the winter. The hawk sat there in the tree for ages so there weren't any other birds around. It finally left and they came back. 

I did get all of the things done on the list I had written down. I'm glad I wrote them down or I would have daydreamed the whole day away. It was a busy housework day (which I had sort of forgotten) and I did manage to get all the house-y stuff done too. 

The book series I pulled off the shelf consisted of (including a couple extras) SEVENTEEN books! Woah!

I struggled with the craft room bit. I had to force myself to get rid of a few items from there. I actually managed TEN items, but it was tough. It's not like I've used them, or plan on using them. I just struggled. Obviously, something I am going to have to work on. 

I still really like these, but - sigh - am I going to actually use them? I want a space that makes me feel like creating and that's what I have to keep in mind as I go forward. I think I am going to have to be a bit more brutal about getting rid of craft items, but I'm not sure I'm ready to do it quite yet. 

A few photos from the garden today

Saturday

So windy here today. There were several times I wondered whether the trees in the garden would survive! We don't have a huge garden but there are several pine trees at the back that are huge. They sway and groan in the strong winds. So far, they have survived!

We did take a ride in the morning to the lakeshore. The waves weren't wild when we went but I did manage to see a new-to-me bird. An American Avocet. Four of them. I thought, at first, that they were some kind of seagull as they had their heads tucked into their bodies, but when they raised their heads, I could see their curved beaks. They actually curved upwards. 

I took several photos with my camera - here's a couple

 

We got home in time for husband to go to the Celebration of Life. I did a little crafting this afternoon and listed a few more Ebay auctions. Tomorrow we're off for a walk somewhere. Don't know where yet. The clocks here go back in the early hours so it will be a strange day. I always seem to struggle the first couple of days after any clock change. 

I hope everyone is having a good weekend

Day 309

A nice walk on a windswept, empty beach

Weekend

 It's hot here again. I was hoping for cooler days when I got back as they had a horrible really hot few weeks when I was gone. Unfortunately it's hot again. The air conditioner is back on for a little while longer. 

Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I have missed the blogging community, but I just haven't felt like posting most days. I am going to make an effort to get back to posting even if I'm not doing too much. The days are passing and some are good, but some are filled with sadness and some tears. I'm finding it quite difficult some days. I know that things will get better with time. 

I am slowly sorting through photos I took while in England.  I made sure I got out each day even if it was for a walk. There are a couple of lovely parks in town and I spent a lot of time there and took lots of photos of the gardens and the birds.  I managed to catch sight of some lovely birds. Nature certainly makes things a little brighter. 

Two good upcoming things:-

* while I was in England my sister told me that my neice was having another baby in the New Year!

* daughter is getting married next month.

Photo for today :- a lovely English Robin. I loved seeing these little birds. Some of them were so curious and came quite close. 

Beginning of Another Week

 It was rainy this morning. I almost gave up on the walk, but then the rain moved off and I texted my walking friend and we had a quick one. It was lovely and quiet and - admittedly - still a little drizzly, a light mist seeming to fill the air. We chatted about what we had done at the weekend and stopped to admire a blue heron as it flew across the lake and listened to the spring frogs and toads making their noises. I didn't take a lot of photos, but sometimes it's just nice to look and listen. 

Yesterday was a completely different date. It was sunny and quite warm. Husband and I had a lovely walk in the morning. In the afternoon I sat on the back porch and watched the birds in my garden for a little while. I've been waiting - quite impatiently I might add - for the Orioles to come back to the garden. I've had a little bit of grape jelly (sort of a smooth jam with no pips or bits in it) sitting out. The Orioles love this. I've had it out for a few days but I finally saw one! I can't believe how something so little made me so happy. 

Look at his lovely bright colour! Spring has definitely arrived!

Trying to start positively for the week I have put a notebook back on the little table by the side of my chair. If something comes to me - something I have to remember to do or lists I write them down. I have meals planned for the week and most of the food purchased (this will save on trips to the shops). I have also made a note to participate in Eileen's Photograpy Challenge and what the theme is for May. I always think about it and then forget and then I can't remember the theme. This month I shall try to do better. 

Hope everyone had a good Monday. 

Sunday Adventure

 It was quite a fun day today. It was chilly and mostly cloudy but we got out and had a good time. It was a good bird day. We saw several different kinds of duck at Grand Haven State Park and had a little walk along the beach. We then meandered back down the lakeshore and stopped at Holland State Park where we saw more different ducks and a juvenile Bald Eagle who sat in a tree near the channel. A couple passing by said it had been a regular visitor for a few days - a nice treat for us though as we don't usually see them down where we live. While in Holland we decided to stop at Windmill Island Gardens. This is where they have the tulip festival in May. We've never been but we were close so we thought we'd at least see what the place looked like. There is a windmill there that was brought over from Holland. This area of Michigan is quite well known for its Dutch population. Hence the windmill, I suppose. Obviously at this time of year none of the buildings were open but you could walk around the grounds. We got to see the Windmill up close. Also as we walked past the river we saw a Kingfisher. 

As we made our way back home driving along some back roads husband saw something in a tree and safely pulled over to the side of the road (there was nobody behind us). We looked up in the tree and there sat a Kestrel! It's the first time I've seen one in the wild. It was very pretty. When we got home and I was having a hot flush I decided to sit outside for a few minutes and got to see a hawk land in the tree close to me. 

So - as you can see - quite a bird day! I haven't been seeing a lot of wildlife on my daily walk at all so I was really pleased. 

I've made a list for tomorrow and a meal plan (and what I need to pick up from the shops) so I am on track to begin the week. How was your weekend? I know there is a pretty strict lockdown in the UK. Mum is a little more resigned to it this time I think. It is winter so she usually spends more time inside, but still it isn't easy. 

Photo of the day - yesterday's sunrise. So happy to see one! We haven't had a lot of sunshine lately. 

What Day is it?

Earlier I thought it was Wednesday and when I was getting ready to write this I was just about to title it Monday...Another Beginning. Sigh. I feel as though I'm going crazy!

A moan - I don't moderate my comments, but I'm really tempted. Today there were at least ten spam comments, all the same comment, same person on my page and another two from someone else. Sigh. UPDATE ON THIS - I have turned on moderation as I received more spam comments.

Another week plodding along. Can't say I've been up to much. Walking. Reading. Crafting. House stuff. Some days I just feel like a hamster running on a wheel - round and round and round. We didn't go far Sunday as the weather was lousy. It was cooler but with it came the rain. We did go out for a drive and a quick walk along the beach, but not to the wildlife place we were going to go.

I have - finally - been sorting through a pile of magazines and books that I needed to go through. I was a bit more brutal with the magazines this time. Some I am donating but a lot got a project ripped out and then were put in the recycle. Some of the clutter has been getting on my nerves again which is the perfect motivation for sorting through it. There isn't any point hanging onto some of this stuff so I determined to be a little selective on what I keep.

I have also started a new cross stitch project (out of one of the magazines I sorted through). I need something to keep me awake. I'm having an awful time with sleep right now. I feel so sleepy sometimes in the afternoon. I think it has something to do with pre-menopause as I went through something like this a few months ago. I just need to get over the fact that I feel guilty if I sleep during the daytime and just do what my body demands.

Photo of the day - American Goldfinch. I love watching these birds in the field where I walk in the morning. There are so many wildflowers growing back there. I am trying to take photos of them, find out what they are and make myself a little book.

The weather has been all ups and downs. It's making me quite dizzy and my body is finding it difficult to adjust (that may have something to do with my age too lol). One day it's sunny and quite warm, the next it's cold, blustery and snow showers (that was this morning's walk). Spring is definitely in the air though as the buds on the trees are beginning to open. I can't wait until spring does spring and the trees become full of various shades of green. It's a beautiful time of year - when it happens lol.

We went for a walk on Sunday which was quite nice. The sun was shining and it was definitely a little warmer. I can't wait until we can go back to our Sunday adventures and further afield as I feel as though we are walking the same places over and over again. At least we are able to get out.

On the nice days I've been sitting in the garden for a little while and watching the antics of the garden visitors. It's quite fun to watch the different personalities of the birds and the squirrels. I have to admit the favourite of my squirrels are the little red ones we have here. They are so funny. They seem to bounce across the garden and are so speedy. They seem to find goodies everywhere - even the ones hidden by the other squirrels!

This one was hiding up in a tree (looking rather relaxed) as he waits for a couple more squirrels to chase one another. He was certainly patient and bided his time!

Daughter has reported there are six eggs in the nest on her front door! She has purchased a suet feeder and put it up in a nearby tree in her front garden. The dogs don't go out in the front by themselves so this is the best place for it. This isn't the greatest photo but she took it through the front door as it is the best way for them to see the eggs without getting really close and disturbing the birds. The angle is tough but she managed to get it! As you can sort of see it is completely built in the wreath!

I hope everyone had a good weekend! I have some catching up to do - don't I always!

Weekend

We avoided the shops as much as possible this weekend and instead got out for a couple of walks. Yesterday we took a trip to the local bird sanctuary. They have some rescue birds and some wild birds. We fed the swans and ducks (the place sells corn) and then took a walk around the lake.

We had time after that to take another quick walk at a nearby park before I had to Skype Mum.

Today we got up early and were out at the lake bright and early. It was already quite busy despite being cold. They have cancelled church services in a lot of places and it seems as though everybody was outside instead! There were lots of people out fishing. The car park at one park was packed full of cars with trailers that had pulled boats!  I suppose it was because it was a lovely sunny day so people were taking advantage.

We took a lovely walk along a trail called The Lost Lake trail. We've done this one before but we did it the opposite way this time as there is a part that is quite wet and marshy and as the water levels are so high we wanted to make sure it was accessible. It was quite wet but there were board and thick tree branches across the worst parts. We made it to the lake and the water was so high it had covered most of the trail on one side! We did manage to make our way around the other side to the path we needed to go on. Phew!

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

Maybe an Early Spring?

We've had a little bit warmer weather the past few days and the birds have been out and about. I was really excited to hear my first red-winged blackbird of the season. To me they usher in the first days of Spring. As soon as the days get longer and the sun seems to come more often they appear. Their song is quite distinctive and I heard them before I saw them. I also saw my first chipmunk! If they are coming out of hibernation it certainly must mean something!

I have been out walking every day this week. On Monday there was still quite a bit of ice at the local nature park. I took a drive to the lakeshore as the sun was shining in that direction and had a wonderful walk along the beach. It was lovely and sunny there and pleasant to walk in. There was still quite a bit of ice at the beach. I liked that there weren't too many people around as it was a work day.

As I've been out a lot things haven't been progressing too much on the Homefront. I am keeping up with my everyday things, but nothing extra seems to be getting done. I have started working on a card for my sister. I've finished one, but want to make another as I have an idea in mind. I might be asking for help deciding when I've finished the second. It's what I'm going to work on tomorrow as it needs to be posted to get to my sister on time.

Tomorrow is also Mum phone call day. We're trying to decide on a holiday and dates before I book my plane tickets. At first she didn't want to go away for a week and now she's decided that she wants to. We were thinking about a trip to Ireland but she's going to check and see if there are places on the holiday before I decide on dates.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Are you seeing signs of spring where you are?

Easing Back into the Week

I  managed to get some errands done yesterday - though I forgot to make a list and forgot two of the things I needed to get done, so ended up having to go back out again! Grrrr… I was going to leave the running around until today but yesterday our area popped up with a Winter Weather Advisory due to a snow storm and I hate driving in the snow so decided to go on Tuesday. Today when I woke I was glad that I did go yesterday! It was horrible out first thing - snowy and grey - the hill outside my house didn't look great. I ended up wrapping up some gifts and cleaning up some more before calling mum. We hadn't talked for a week so it was really good to chat with her. After I hung I saw that things had cleared up a little outside so I decided to wrap up warmly and go for a quick walk. Some days I feel really cooped up in the house and a walk always helps. The sun was actually shining a little! I think the birds were stocking up on food. They were out in droves when I put out food.

This little bird pinched a peanut off the porch railing. The peanut was almost as big as the bird!

While we were in Minnesota I did manage to persuade the others to stop at the gardens in St. Cloud. I was so glad to be able to see them in July while things were at full bloom. I was interested in getting another look at them. It was quite eerie walking along. I was the only one walking the cleared path. It wasn't possible to get in many of the gardens - I can't imagine there's much call for everything to be ploughed during winter. With the white, undisturbed snow some of the features seemed to stand alone - including the one below.

If the roads are cleared tomorrow I hope to finish my shopping and then come home and finish the wrapping. Admittedly I shall be glad when it is all finished!

Snowy Day

It rained all day yesterday so I didn't go for a walk. It was supposed to be dry today - a little dusting of snow overnight - so I was ready to go for a walk today. Nope. I woke up and there were already a couple of inches outside. Obviously this was one of the 'miss' days for the weather forecast. It didn't stop snowing most of the day! I don't like driving in the snow BUT I have a new-to-me car that has all wheel drive so I thought I'd give it a go and just go down to the park for a walk. I managed to get there and back all right but then I stayed home. No more going out for me! Middle son called and said he was on his way to our place. I wasn't sure he would come because of the snow, but apparently he did only get a dusting where he was! Once he got here he couldn't believe how much we got - I think he thought I was joking!

Because I was indoors I did manage to get my Mum's calendar finished and I made two more gnomes to take with me to daughter - one for her and one for her boyfriend's mum.

I think because of the snow the birds were going crazy out in the garden. We're going to have another cold snap - as I write this it is -7C/19F. Poor daughter is -24C/-11F (and it feels even colder than that!). I'm hoping they warm up a bit by the weekend when we visit. Anyway I'm pretty sure that the birds can tell when bad weather is coming as they tend to stock up. I put out bird seed a couple of times today.

Here's a couple of photos from today out in the garden.

Hopefully the snow has ended for now and maybe I can go out a little longer tomorrow - as long as I have my long undies on!

Saturday...and a funny

Typical Saturday here - walk with hubby and then Skype with Mum. I got a couple of daughter's packages out and now that those are sorted (one more of misc. to go) I'm a little more relaxed. I decided not to do anything holiday related this weekend. I did clean up my craft room a little and sort out a couple of things in the living room to get ready for putting the tree up. Tomorrow isn't supposed to be too bad out (cold, but that's a given) so we'll be off for our Sunday walk.

Hubby must have been really tired. He fell asleep downstairs after doing his own hobby stuff. He made it up to bed later. We said goodnight and I told him I'd see him in the morning. He said 'yeah, for a little while'. I stared at him, not sure what he was talking about. So I said 'why? Are you going somewhere?' He looked at me a little puzzled and said 'work'. He hasn't been working overtime for a few weeks so I said 'are you going to work tomorrow? It's Sunday". He thought it was Monday! I looked at where he usually set his work clothes and sure enough they were all laid out ready to go! He must have still been half asleep!

Here's a photo from yesterday. I sometimes forget that, when things are frozen, the birds find it really hard to find fresh water. So yesterday I got rid of the frozen water in the bird bath and added some fresh water - they really enjoyed it!

Joy had asked about the Peppermint Patties recipe. I will post it tomorrow. Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

Rabbits, Rabbits....a day late!

Okay so I'm a day late, but I did think it yesterday! How many other people always feel the need to say 'rabbits, rabbits' on the first of the month? Another one we always used to say was 'pinch, punch, first of the month' to which someone would invariably say 'a punch and a kick for being so quick'. I blame my wandering thoughts of this to Sue over at The Cottage at the End of a Lane . She always writes such great posts about old folklore and traditions.

On that note, as I saw her post the other day I had to pull out my copy of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden. I actually went out and found my own copy after Sue had mentioned it. It's a really gorgeous book. Lots of lovely tales and beautiful illustrations. It really is wonderful. I was looking through November's pages and there is an illustration of a green woodpecker. I was lucky enough to see one while I was home visiting Mum. I don't remember seeing one before or, more likely, I haven't paid attention. It seems lately I've been seeing red tailed hawks everywhere here. I'm sure it's not the first time they've been around, more likely because I now know what they are I see them more often.

Isn't it gorgeous?

The hawks I've been seeing are on my walk in the woods, on the way to the shops yesterday, one flew in front of my car last week and in my neighbour's tree a couple of days ago! I came home from my walk and wondered why there was a deafening silence - no birds, no noise, nothing - the food on the bird table had barely  been touched despite being early in the morning. A few minutes later I saw it!

No wonder the birds were so quiet!

Now that November has rolled around I'm thinking of the holidays (I'm not saying the 'c' word yet lol). I'm actually going to make a list! I have a few accessories left over from last year and I don't want to repeat buy. That's one of my goals for today. I couldn't sleep - woke up when husband did (4am) and couldn't get back to sleep. My mind started going a mile a minute so I didn't doze off again. I laid there until hubby and son left for work (5.30) and then got up. So I have extra time  though I'm pretty sure I'll be ready to doze by this afternoon.

What's everyone else up to this Friday?

Dreaming of Spring...and Summer

The sun is shining! The sun is shining! After two days of clouds, cold and snow showers the sun is finally out today. It makes me really excited. I just feel warmer and seem to have more energy when the sun is out. If only it would warm up - maybe by the weekend.

I did go out for a morning walk. I still dressed in my long undies, thick gloves and hat, but the sun felt nice on my skin (what little was showing!). I rang Mum today too - had to remember the time change (here). Instead of five hours ahead she's currently only four. She thought her clocks changed this coming weekend, but apparently not until the weekend after. We always do 5.30 her time so it's up to me to work out the correct time. It's really not that difficult, just confusing sometimes lol.

I booked my trip home to England so Mum and I had been chatting about where we'd go on holiday. We usually book a coach trip. We've decided on two five-day holidays this year - one to Torquay and one to Wales. I've been through Torquay (we went that way a couple of years ago) but not spent any time there. The only time I've been to Wales was on holiday when I was a child. The thing I remember most is losing my beloved doll somewhere near Llandudno. I'm excited!

Anyone else thinking of their summer hols?

Here's a photo from the birdfeeder. The Starlings can be quite vicious to one another but sometimes they don't mind sharing!

Another Week

We've really had a range of weather this week - snow, rain, freezing rain, fog, sun and clouds. Phew. Quite a week! After over a foot of snow last weekend it has slowly been clearing. The roads are now clear but there is still a lot left on the grass despite the above-freezing temperatures for most of the week. It's supposed to be an okay weekend so we will be glad to be able to get out and about. We really need to start walking or we won't make our walk on our camping trip lol.

My bed topper hasn't really done much good. The bed is a lot more comfortable but my back still aches when I get up in the morning. Not sure a new mattress would help. It just seems to be laying down at all that does it. Sigh. I do think walking and exercise helps it. I think I'll give it a bit longer and then see if it's still hurting. I hate going to the doctors.

My father-in-law got some results from his surgery. He had a mole taken off his back and some lymph nodes taken out. They found 'a little' cancer in one of his lymph nodes. I'm not sure any cancer is good at all. I think the in-laws are still in shock at this point. They have another appointment in a couple of weeks to talk to the doctor as to what comes next. Seems like a long time to wait. Mum got in really quickly once her diagnosis was made.

I've had fun watching the birds this week. They have been coming in droves once the sun came out for a little while. I like this photo of some birds at this bucket. The one in the middle looks like it has an attitude. When I saw them I could almost imagine the conversation they were having. 

I hope everyone has a good weekend. 

More Birds at the Feeder

I'm so glad I ended up getting the bird feeders. They have brought some much needed colour and the birds are so fun to watch. Just when I think I've seen all the different kinds of birds that are attracted I am surprised with another. I don't know much about birds. I'm going to have to either borrow a book or more than likely google what kinds of birds I'm seeing.

These two showed up yesterday

This one showed up at the feeder in front

As well as the Cardinal showing up again. I only know what this one is called as it is so bright and cheery I asked hubby and he actually knew!

The cheeky squirrel turned up again. I'm never sure whether to chase him away or take lots of photos of how goofy it is trying to get to the food!

Hope everyone is having a good week!