Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Day 335 - 30th November 2016 - Frost, Bling and Ice

The last day of November - leaves us with rainy memories.  I'm back to the cleaning today, should be able to finish off the bowling alley. Curtains all down, walls and ceilings done yesterday and windows started.  Had to stop to do some lunch box prep and a meeting in town late in the afternoon. Since we've got a usable bathroom now, I'm going to wait til after the holidays to do the messy, dusty dry wall filling and sanding. It will come together sooner or later. After a chilly walk to enjoy all the frosted sights in the morning, it warmed up and was quite nice by lunch time.
Tuesday's frost finished off this burst of yellow.















 Nothing like a little bling reflecting in the water.
 Everything was frosted.
And a little shell ice looked like stained glass windows along the shore.







Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Day 334 - 29th November 2016 - Hydrangeas, Rose Hips and a Downy Woodpecker

A very frosty morning out there although the sky is clear with stars. It's the first day of the Lobster season here, wishing luck and safety to all those out on the water this morning.  Yesterday didn't go quite as plan, had Larry home with the "man cold", he's feeling mostly better today and will be back to work. I sent him back upstairs to bed where he spent most of the day but didn't think it was wise to crank up the tunes and make as much noise as I could. However, I did managed to cover a chair, cleanup the new bathroom and a few other relative "quiet" chores around the house. Lexi and I roamed a little when I could drag her away from the sick bed. Pretty quiet out there most days - can hear Nuthatches and Woodpeckers in the trees. The feeders were fairly busy with Mourning Doves, Blue Jays, Goldfinches, Chickadees and the odd White Breasted Nuthatch and Red Breasted Nuthatch. Have a meeting in town this afternoon, so will try to get as much done as I can before heading into for that.

Hydrangeas hold their shape but look almost like brown paper in the fall.






























Rose hips.















Downy Woodpecker









Enjoy your day!

Monday, November 28, 2016

Day 333 - 28th November 2016 - Grasses, Chickadee and Goldfinch

Can't believe we are nearly to the end of another month - where does the time go! Had a great day shopping on Sunday in Yarmouth and feel that I got something accomplished. A few names crossed off my list and some started. As nice as it would be to get it all done in one trip, it never happens that way. The stores weren't overly crowded and the weather held except for a few showers when we are getting ready to head home. Looks like mostly fine weather for tonight but then rain in the forecast for most of the week. It may just be what fills the swamps and brings winter on it's way. Got a busy day - lots to get done so must get started.
 I think I found the Chickadee's hiding spot.
 Goldfinch.
 Grasses blowing in the wind.
Yellow needles.





Enjoy your day!

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Day 332 - 27th November 2016 - Chickadee, Red Breasted Nuthatch and a Squirrel

A wet morning, although as I check out the lake and the swamps on my roaming through the hood we are still in need of water so no complaints from me. Halifax east has a snowfall warning, not quite ready for that yet. Tammy and I are off to Yarmouth this morning - yup - get some of the Christmas shopping under my belt. Have a list started and will finish it up before I go. Of course the biggest problem is coming up with great ideas for my family.  It was surprisingly mild yesterday. Did my walk, puttered around, Larry and his brother tackled the plumbing and I think this morning they just have a few finishing touches, then to slap up a few more sheets of gyproc and I should soon see an end to this project...I hope! Breakfast at our Firehall this morning - I'm sure they will head there first.
 A little foam floats by.
 When you start filling the feeders, no guarantee only the birds will be there.
 I think he had this seed stashed somewhere.
Red Breasted Nuthatch - usually too busy to pose for a shot, obliged yesterday.





Enjoy your day!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Day 331 - 27th November 2016 - Old Man's Beard, Purple Finches and a Mourning Dove

Dark sky this morning with a few scattered stars and calm - not a breath of wind. I can hear a few ducks quacking for their breakfast in front of a neighbours. Rain on the way for later today and tonight, parts of the province look like they might get a mess but so far we are good in the Banana Belt. Had a good day on Friday, lunch with Margie at Clyde River then we took a run to Barrington and picked up a few groceries. Exciting excursion but good to get out. Today I'm hoping to see some plumbing done in the bathroom. Time to get that project finished up. A little late this morning - technical difficulties.
Old Man's Beard hangs in branches throughout the woods.













Two male Purple Finches and a Goldfinch.



The Mourning Doves like to hang out on the fence.








Enjoy your day!

Friday, November 25, 2016

Day 330 - 25th November 2016 - Hairy Woodpecker, Grasses and Red Breasted Nuthatches

Milder morning and I'm up way too early again. Groan - another long day in the making. But it's Friday and I've got a lunch date with a friend, haven't been out of the hood all week so will be a nice change to have a little excursion. A little more progress made cleaning Thursday and my gout seems pretty good this morning. The wood are so quiet these days when Lexi and I roam, the only thing you can hear is the crunch of dry leaves underfoot. Occasionally a Woodpecker at a tree or the Ravens as they move around. There's about 2 dozen Goldfinches now that come every day, no sign of the Purple Finches yesterday.

 Several Woodpeckers hung around the feeders yesterday. The Blue Jays even bother when they are in the feeder.


A few grasses in b/w

Red Breasted Nuthatch.







Enjoy your day!

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Day 329 - 24th November 2016 - Pine Siskin, Purple Finch and Ferns

Stars and a sliver of the moon are shining brightly in the sky this morning - grass and deck are glistening with frost. Wednesday's weather was a repeat of Tuesday - cold, rain, sun - a mixed bag. It seemed to make the feeders busier, I kept my eye on the flock of Goldfinches which is steadily growing and was rewarded with a Pine Siskin. Hoping this winter the Redpolls return. It's been several years since we've seen them.  Lexi and I roamed the hood, I continued with the joys of housecleaning although at a slower pace since I've got gout again, this time in my wrist. Thank goodness for the meds that kick in quickly and cure it within a few days, until the next time. 
 First Pine Siskin of the season arrived with the flock of Goldfinches.















One of two handsome male Purple Finches. No sign of females yet.
 Sometimes the flowers are just as pretty when they've gone to seed.
Ferns - just as interesting at this stage as when they are green.






Enjoy your day!

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Day 328 - 23rd November 2016 - Mourning Doves, Blue Jay and Goldfinches

Tuesday was another fun filled day of bizarre weather - rain, snow and the sun made periodical visits.  The wind had the feel of winter - raw and cold. However, as much as we are moving into the season we like to complain about I still love the four seasons - changing from the long hot days of summer to the beautiful leaves and landscapes of fall, white winters (not too much snow) and the growth of spring.  I'm making headway in the cleaning department, kitchen and pantry finished on to the living room today. Decided to jazz up supper with a twist on a Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo over rice. Nice change but maybe a bit too much heat. Lexi and I managed a couple of roams through the hood and a quick tea with Lois.
 The Mourning Doves are getting more plentiful.
 These two spent most of their time bickering, but when they left...
 the greedy Blue Jay filled his belly.
The Goldfinches are happy to wait or find the smaller feeders.







Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Day 327 - 22nd November 2016 - Lupin Leaves, Wildflowers and Goldfinch

Yesterday was a mixed bag of weather - rain, sun and by evening, some wet snow. Temperatures are certainly cooling off. Lexi and I got caught several times in those rain showers! Made it out to exercise class last night - my love/hate relationship with that continues.  I stuck to my plan on Monday and got the upstairs finished off with a start in the kitchen and pantry. I really dislike housecleaning but it has to be done and the weather really wasn't optimum for much else. I guess today will be a continuation - at least in the kitchen I can keep my eye on the bird feeders, which may or may not be a good thing. Sometime I've got to find a couple of spare hours to finish off an online course I've started.
 Seeing Lupin leaves along the side of the road is more spring like than winter moving in.
 Mushrooms are popping up everywhere.
 A spot of yellow from some wildflowers.
The flock of Goldfinches are growing.







Enjoy your day!

Monday, November 21, 2016

Day 326 - 21st November 2016 - Berries, Fungi and Clover

Had a great breakfast in Ingomar yesterday morning then headed back home to get some work done. Door #2 is on the bathroom - with some frustration, but no tears (HA!HA!). It was an afternoon for making muffins, lunch box prep and a walk in the hood. Our streetlight was replaced with one of those new LED lights - pretty good it lights up the whole south side of the yard. Drizzle and rain filled the weather for the day but by suppertime the sun was setting in glorious hues of pink. Looks like more rain for today but I'm going to seriously get into gear and tackle the housecleaning. No more putting things off, there is just a little over a month til Christmas and I have no shopping, no baking and no cleaning done. Perhaps panic mode will move me a long!



Beautiful red berries dipped in rain water.










Buffleheads at Round Bay.

 Finally found some pretty fungi
Still some pink clover around.






Enjoy your day

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Day 325 - 20th November 2016 - Goldfinch, Chickadee and Waves

Saturday remained gray, overcast with rain showers. With the shorter daylight hours and overcast day you can certainly get to feeling a little blah! I understand what all that you need sun to thrive is all about. Maybe that's why I feel lazy too. Even the feeders aren't terribly active - it's just too mild I guess. Not to complain, the cold chill of winter will soon be upon us. Larry got one door hung in the bathroom. Old houses always mean a job that should normally take a few minutes will end up taking hours. I puttered around the house, went for a quick walk in the drizzle and made pizza for supper. I try to keep that somewhat healthy - a mixture of whole wheat flour and white flour for the crust, chicken, broccoli, spinach and cheese for the toppings. Looks like another wet day today. We're heading off to Ingomar for their Firemen's Breakfast and then it will be home for more work on the bathroom.
A small flock of Goldfinches are becoming regular visitors once again.














 Black Duck silhouettes
 Chickadees are like little acrobats
Watching the waves at Blanche




Enjoy your day!

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Day 324 - 19th November 2016 - Waves, Shorebirds and Great Blue Heron

Friday was mostly a wet day, rain and a little wind. The last ( I hope) of our renovation stuff ( gyproc, doors and lumber) was delivered in the afternoon. The phone saga continues, I managed to make one call yesterday morning before it was dead again. My patience is wearing very thin but on an up note - no telemarketers lately and I will have a lower bill next month.  The cleaning progress continues slowly. Since I was stuck waiting for deliveries and phone man (who never appeared) no roaming in the hood for me, but had company in the afternoon which nicely distracted me. This is the Christmas weekend in Town -  Santa last night, craft show today and parade this evening. Hopefully they will get a window without rain tonight for that.
Lots of surf at Baccaro the other day.
 More Cat tails.
 Shorebirds skimming over the water.
Still the occasional Great Blue Heron to be found.







Enjoy your day!

Friday, November 18, 2016

Day 323 - 18th November 2016 - Cat Tails, Black Bellied Plover and Golden Crown Kinglet

The saga of the phone continues. Worked in the morning but gone again after lunch. As funny as it may be, it's getting tiresome. Well we decided to take a run to Barrington yesterday morning and pick up doors, some more gyprock, lumber, etc., since they deliver on Fridays we'd have the rest of what we needed for the renovation by the weekend. Of course we didn't take a direct route, but followed the shore down through to Blanche, Baccaro and then up to Barrington. A few birds around - probably a flock of 100 Robins, Chickadees, a couple of Yellow Rumped Warblers, Golden Crown Kinglets and a few shorebirds at Blanche including Black Bellied Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones and Dunlin. Back home after lunch to get some household chores done.  So today, I'm house bound waiting for the building supply delivery and hopefully the phone man ...again!
Cat Tails
 Chickadee
 Golden Crowned Kinglet - can never seem to get a clear shot of these little guys
Black Bellied Plover







Enjoy your day!