Day 337 - 7th December 2017 - Cattails and Golden Crowned Kinglet

 We had lots of rain on Wednesday, neighbour checked his gauge and reported 25 mm. That should help fill up the swamps and ditches, meaning winter is on it's way. It stopped late in the afternoon and cleared off. I'm late this morning, partly because it's slow uploading photos and partly because I was awake half of the night then camped out on the sofa for a couple of hours. The arthritis ( I think that's what it is) has flared up in my right hand - might have something to do with rolling, cutting and baking cookies. Not quite as bad this morning, at least the pain is easing up, although the swelling is still there. So plan B - suck it up and move on - stil have lots to do today. Wednesday I did 10 dozen gingerbread people, 5 dozen sugar cookies and 2 dozen cherry macaroons. There is light at the end of the tunnel, almost done. Today's plan is to get the liquored up cherries started and begin dipping things in chocolate that need dipping. By Saturday morning (hopefully only a few hours) I'll be finished with the baking.

 Cattails

 Still hard to catch these Golden Crowned Kinglets in one spot






Enjoy your day!

Day 336 - 6th December 2017 - White Breasted Nuthatch, Chickadee and Squirrel

A wet and wild morning out there. In all honesty we do need the rain, the lake is up some but not where it should be for this time of year and the cranberry ditch is still dry. Didn't spend the whole day in the kitchen Tuesday but did make 2 kinds of Fudge, Cherry Blossom Snowballs and Cathedral Windows (Chocolate roll).  Got out for a quick walk and then proceeded to search for the Christmas paper. For 30 years I've kept it in the same place, last year decided to move it.  Found it in the most logical spot - with the decorations in the closet under the stairs. Cleared off my cutting table in the sewing room, so I'm now ready to wrap. Last night of Trivia for this year, we won and there was the most fabulous Cheesecakes you have every eaten - Thanks Wendy!

White Breasted Nuthatch

Chickadee

Just where I like to see Squirrels - high in trees.


Enjoy your day!

Day 335 - 5th December 2017 - Goldfinches, White Foam and Cranberries

Cold this morning, heavy frost, everything sparkles in the moonlight. Monday was a good start to the week. Did well in the baking department, hopefully by the end of the week I'll have it all done. Cherry Balls, Rum Balls Turtle Fudge, Shortbread Cookies and Billionaires done. Today I''ll continue working on the list. One thing I've discovered - my back won't take standing for hours and hours at the counter like I used to. Must be age! The Goldfinches are starting to use the feeders - a little skittish these first few days but it won't be long and they will just ignore me. Nice to watch the Chickadees, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, Blue Jays and even the Mourning Doves around the feeders. No sign of Purple Finches, although there is often one or two Ruby or Golden Crowned Kinglets flitting through the Lilac and Honeysuckle bushes. Exercise class last night, I'm surprised I can lift my arms this morning. Last night of Trivia tonight til the New Year.

Goldfinches

White foam and Natures debris along the lake.

Still some cranberries in the ditch.





Enjoy your day!

Day 334 - 4th December 2017- Crows, Sign and Churches

Sunday was a day in the kitchen. It was nice to start the baking although technically nothing was actually baked, but you know what I mean.Oreo Truffles, Peanut Butter Balls, Date Balls and Nougat are crossed off the list (still need to dip some in chocolate). I like to do the dipping and frosting another day, this way I can toss some things in the freezer for later. Went for a walk around lunch time, my back was telling me time to stretch and move away from the counter. Larry is progressing well, he piled wood for a while outside but needs to build up his stamina and the strength in his leg again. I tell him gradually, but he does what he does!

 Two Crows....or maybe Ravens

 I like the signs that are mounted on the poles in Mahone Bay

Couldn't leave Mahone Bay without a shot of the three Churches, but they are known for boats as well.



Enjoy your day!

Day 333, 3rd December 2017 - A Day in Mahone Bay

Saturday was a great day! We went to the Father Christmas Festival in Mahone Bay - now I can cross that off my list. It was fun, we roamed around, relaxed, didn't worry about anything and just enjoyed ourselves. Might have over done Larry with the walking, think we probably did 4-5 miles in total.  Best of all we got to visit Barb & Darryl who we only get to see when they come to the cottage down here. So it was nice to have tea and catch up with them on their home turf. If you haven't gone, it's still on today or there is always next year. Been a long time since we've been in Mahone Bay, but it's still a lovely little quaint town, best of all it's walkable.  We stopped in Bridgewater on the way home and did a little more shopping - not much and were home before supper. So today it's out in the kitchen/pantry for some baking. Drizzle/light rain in the air this morning.

 All through town were wonderful figures - some realistic, some whimsical,  shop windows were decorated and magic was in the air. Just a few of the photos I took.

And some were real!







Enjoy your day!

Day 332, 2nd December 2017 - The Lake, Mallard and Grandmother's Journal

Friday was a very good day!  I've got the kitchen and pantry down to a dull roar, ready for baking. Two friends have become new grandmothers this week which makes me happy for them. It was Thelma and Louise Day so off to town for lunch and a few errands. Got good news from another friend that they indeed are fine and good even though they've been off the grid for several months at the cottage (worry had set in when you don't hear from or see someone fairly regularly) and my cousin found me in the mall parking lot with beautiful gifts - cranberries and a Chickadee carving done by Ducky Shnare. Went out for a walk before supper and Larry had been given some lobsters when I got home. The evening was spent playing aggravation. Truly a lovely day and I feel very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family in my life. (I'm a little long winded this morning 😉).
Grandmother's Journal:
1 December 1977 - Bob took Kim and I over to go with Barb this morning. Started to ice pellets on road just before we left here. Roads slippery but frozen under the ice. Became mild, changed to rain. Very slippery and bad on way home tonight. Have to drive slow now.  Played bridge at Ruth's this afternoon. Had a good game. Sue Warner got off the road on way to town. Broke her muffler.
2 December 1977 - Picked Judy up to go to town. Had a good day. Late getting home. Sidney came back for the weekend. Nasty weather but mild.
3 December 1977 - Good day. Got ready for party at Lore's. Made baked stuffed potatoes. Bobbie got a wild cat today. Bettie Scott and Thelma came up early, we played cards. Had a lot of laughs.

Beautiful afternoon on the lake

 A Mallard is settled into the old bent tree on the lake.

Came across the flock of Goldfinches on my walk.






Enjoy your day!

Day 331 - 1st December 2017 - Mushroom, Blue Jay and Song Sparrow

Good Morning December! It's a mild morning, our bouncing temperatures feel like they've gone up again. Forecast says some rain for today but not a lot. Thursday was my last day of work til after the holidays, had a great day. Got to exercise class last night, finally getting back into the swing of things again. Hoping to get the kitchen and pantry finished off today, then baking will commence on Sunday. Being Friday that means it's Thelma and Louise Day and Friday Night Club - yup going to be a busy day.  Also need to sort out my Christmas shopping so I know what else to get. Hoping on Saturday to head to Mahone Bay (unless the weather is miserable) to check out the Father Christmas Festival. It's been on my bucket list so this year it might just get crossed off.

 Still a few mushrooms around.

 Blue Jay

Song Sparrow hiding out in the yard.




Enjoy your day!