Day 31 -- 31st January 2017 - Blue Jay, Mourning Doves and Evening Grosbeaks

We say goodbye to January - already the first month of the year has passed. Time flies by so quickly. It was a busy Monday, at the hall all morning, then the kitchen most of the afternoon. Lexi and I roamed the hood, it was a good day for walking. Snow flurries this morning, temperature is cooler. I guess today I better go back and tackle the library and get it ready to move the spare bed there and turn into an "invalid's room".  Things are falling into place, now we just need a date! Maybe I'll get back in the sewing room for an hour or so today too.

 Larry' new feeder he got for his birthday. Thought the little birds would use it, didn't expect the Blue Jays!

Mourning Doves hanging out on the fence.

And the Evening Grosbeaks returned - hungry and active.






Enjoy your day!

Day 30 - 30th January 2017 - Evening Grosbeaks, Mourning Dove and Grandmother's Journal

Looks like a decent day - weather wise, temperature reads -1 but feels cooler.  Got the cooking done I needed to do yesterday morning while Larry was working the breakfast, little housework, etc. He got the bathroom painted after returning home. Looks good, love the color. It's called Herb Garden, he calls it "army green" but I'm not paying any attention - it's jut what I want. HA!HA! So back to Monday and a busy day!
Grandmother's Journal:
30th January 1977: Snow overnight, 3-4 inches. Bob, Bobbie, Mike and Tom went early but no cats. Home 3:30. Kim was up over night, went home this morning. Pup doing good, I'd say. Seems lonely and wouldn't be surprised if she's gained some. Cute & smart. 
31st January 1977 : Beautiful snow on the trees but a mess on the ground. Everything looks beautiful Bob, Tom went up home back before noon. I washed this afternoon. We've been lucky, storms everywhere. No tracks to day. Ontario, Ohio, New York State and many others, hard hit.

After being out of bird feed for a couple of days, the Evening Grosbeaks weren't long returning.













 And they were sharing with a Mourning Dove

Part of the gang.





Enjoy your day!

Day 29 - 29th January 2017 - Reflections, Red Berries and Tulips

A day filled with wacky weather - snow flurries which looked like a blizzard at times, winds and stormy clouds. When it was all said and done, it didn't amount to much. Did the trip to town - groceries, errands and picked up paint for the bathroom. Larry got the primer on so maybe today the main color will go up - can't wait to see how it looks. Of course the laundry room portion still needs some sanding etc before painting but the priority is the bathroom portion. Headway is being made! Breakfast at the Fire Hall this morning, Larry's turn to work so I'll get his muffins done for lunches and a pan or two of sweets for a funeral reception at the hall on Monday. No wind this morning so it's not as cold - looks like we've got options today - rain and or snow but not much of either.

Reflections in the cranberry ditch.

Red Berries pop out of the little snow we had.

Those look like Tulips springing out of my flower bed.





Enjoy your day!

Day 28 - 28th January 2017 - Grasses, Fog and Alder Branches

Certainly turned cooler this morning, although temperature is at 0, the wind is colder and there is a layer of white stuff on the ground - not a lot. Saturday and the day for groceries, maybe pick up paint for the bathroom and bird seed. Between feeding the birds and Lexi, doesn't seem like much left for us. Oh well... 
Friday rounded out the week with a bit of fun. Margie and I did our weekly lunch date, this week meeting with a great guy who does printing. I've been introducing her to a few of my contacts from my old job, just so she can put a face to the name kind of thing. It's beginning to feel like Thelma and Louise day but we don't get into any (much) trouble. Picked up an ice cream cake for Larry's birthday (not on his diet - but we shared it), cooked him a nice pasta and shrimp supper and then we went to Friday night club - where all world problems are solved in 2 hours. That was fun too! The lake all opened back up again yesterday, in the morning there was just a wide channel in the middle, by supper time it was mostly open in the coves as well.

 Grasses with raindrops.

Fog hovering over the lake.

A few alder branches, wet with rain.







Enjoy your day!

Day 27 - 27th January 2017 - Mayflower Buds, Squirrel and Lichen

Mild Thursday, but the wind was a little cool. Buzz around and did some housework in the morning, then Greta and I headed out to Yarmouth in the afternoon with the Diva Lexi. More improvements but not quite there yet. I was a little disappointed, but best to get her levels up there where they should be to make her truly healthy and happy. This good weather is great for the woodpile, every day I don't build a fire first thing in the morning is more sticks of wood that I save for later. Although I feel bad for those on dirt roads - they are a mess! Looks like another good day on the horizon, Friday so that means Margie and I will have a lunch date and try to stay out of trouble.

Sign of spring  - Mayflower buds

Seems to be a lot of Squirrels around

Lichen




Enjoy your day!

Day 26 - 26th January 2017 - Leaves, Cranberries and Fog

The rain cleared on Wednesday, remained mild but mostly foggy. It was nice to escape to town if only for a short time. Sometimes it's good to get out of my own head and interact with people during my so called quiet season, other times I enjoy the hermit life. If Lexi had been up to being left home all day on her own I would have spent the day - but I did get a few minutes to catch up with a couple of  friends. Lexi is back to normal but the predisone she's on makes her want to eat and drink more often so I don't like to leave her for long periods of time. Hopefully today when we visit the Vet her levels will be back to where they should be and we can start weaning her off of those drugs. The telehealth conference was interesting - all about the do's and don'ts after the surgery and what to expect, etc. I've got to tackle some housework this morning.  It's mild out but windy - a few showers in the forecast. 

The ditches and swamps are really full now.

I love looking in the cranberry ditch and seeing the various layers.

Fog rising up behind one of the Islands in the lake.








Enjoy your day!

Day 25 - 25th January 2017 - Ice, Leaves and Pileated Woodpecker

Well Tuesday was a wet and dismal day. Icy under foot on our walks so we tried to stick to the woods rather than the road sides. Of course we ran between rain drops. Spent a good portion in the kitchen - cooking and puttering - big pot of soup, brown bread rolls, entrees for Larry's lunches. And dishes - the joy of cooking is doing dishes way too many times!  Just a little rain coming down now, but I'm off to town later this morning. First time I've been in during the work week in almost 2 months. Some errands to do, then this afternoon Larry and I go to a Telehealth Conference about his upcoming surgery (wish they'd give us a date, even if it's a month away) - all the fun things about what to expect, etc. Which means I've got to get the library sorted out and rearranged so we can move one of the spare beds in there for him.  Having everything on one floor will make things easier. Someone suggested giving him a bell so he can ring  for me - no thanks!HA!HA!

You can peek through the break in the ice and see leaves, spills etc.












So many layers - water, leaves, ice.

The Pileated Woodpecker once again - still hiding behind some limbs.








Enjoy your day!

Day 24 - 24th January 2017 - Ice, Crows and Evening Grosbeaks

The back deck is all icy this morning, but now the forecast is  "rain fall warning"  - somewhere between 30 and 70 mm. Drive with care on your morning commute to work and on the way home this evening. Wondering where all this rain was last summer as we faced our worse drought in years - the one thing we can't control is Mother Nature. Lexi and I will run between the raindrops today, going to be short walks. Changed our appointment at the Vets today for Thursday, wasn't quite sure how long the freezing rain would last so decided to take no chances.  Might put on a big pot of soup or chili today. Some home made brown bread rolls sound good too. Monday was mostly a day spent on the computer doing work, but Lexi and I did escape a couple times to run the hood. Exercise class last night - oh yes we continue with our love/hate relationship, but sometimes I really do need it (don't tell Cindy).

Icy patches in the water holes through the woods.















Too far away to see good, but the Crows were playing hockey on the lake.

Regular visitors these days - Evening Grosbeaks.





Enjoy your day!

Day 23 - 23rd January 2017 - Pileated Woodpecker, Cranberries and Blue Jay

Looks like a good day on the horizon, weather system moving in on Tuesday- one we don't like includes freezing rain (not nice), then rain.  Lots to do today - grant application to work on this morning, then some sewing and housework. Of course Lexi and I will roam the hood, especially if it's going to be nice. Exercise class tonight.
Sunday was pretty quiet, went for a walk in the hood - not a thing around but I did chase a Pileated Woodpecker around the yard/across the road for a bit. Not great shots, seemed she was always behind a limb or two. Evening Grosbeaks, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Goldfinches, Nuthatches and Chickadees at the feeders. I puttered around - laundry, lunch box prep, muffins - just a few things in the house. Larry threw some more wood in the basement and worked on the bathroom walls.

Female Pileated Woodpecker

What's in here?

Cranberries

One of the regular visitors - Blue Jay






Enjoy your Day!

Day 22 - 22nd January 2017 - Evening Grosbeaks, Red Breasted Nuthatch and Logs

Quiet Sunday morning. I'm up too early so it will be a long day, although curled up with my coffee reading isn't such a bad way to start off. Lexi got up but decided I was crazy and went back to bed, she's returning to her old self.  Think I'll take a good roam around the hood today, see what's happening and of course there is the lunch box prep, etc. to do. Larry got a fair amount of wood put in the basement from the woodshed yesterday and then he went to the Shelburne Fire Dept. Smoker last evening. He always enjoys the evening out with the guys. It was good to go into work yesterday, been about a month so nice to get out. No one around but did some database entry and grant work with our Curator.

Both Male and Female Evening Grosbeaks

 Red Breasted Nuthatch checking out part of Lois' feeding station

Just a sliver of snow between two logs






Enjoy your day!

Day 21 - 21st January 2017 - Sunrise, Blue Jays and Hydragea

Had a great Friday - got a few things done around the house and a jaunt with Lexi in the hood in the morning. Then Margie and I headed to Clyde River for lunch - we have a serious addiction for Lobster Poutine! After that we visited a lovely old gentleman for a few hours - been a long time since I've seen him and was great to catch up. I'm off to work this morning, been a while since I've been  and I'm looking forward to the day. Larry's chore is replenishing the wood in the basement.

 A little red in the sky Friday but it turned out to be a beautiful day!

 Blue Jays at the feeder

The Hydragea are quite pretty even when they are dry.






Enjoy your day!

Day 20 - 20th January 2017 - Blue Jay, Evening Grosbeak and Goldfinches

Mild day with a few wet snow flurries. Lexi and I got out for a run in the woods, first time we've gone that way rather than on the road or private road. It was nice for her to run through the woods. So it was another day of puttering around and helping out with grant applications, my ambition has been low this week - but that's ok. Some days are good to just chill and take life easy. The large flock of Evening Grosbeaks were back but hung mostly in the high trees. I counted a flock of 54 Goldfinches. It's really cool to watch flocks - they start off in the top of the big Willow or an Oak tree and then gradually come down to the Apple and Fir tree before the Honeysuckle and then feeders. I suppose they check for predators at every vantage point. But their transition is so smooth. It's Friday, looks like good weather so Margie and I are off to lunch and to visit an old friend.

Blue Jay

Male Evening Grosbeak

Goldfinches






Enjoy your day!

Day 19 - 19th January 2017 - Evening Grosbeaks, Ice and Grandmother's Journal

I just couldn't seem to get warm yesterday even though the temperature went up to -3 in the afternoon I felt chilled to the bones. A bit worried I was coming down with something, but feel fine this morning. Puttered around the house, started cleaning the library , Lexi and I went walking. She's getting so much better - we walk further and she has more pep in her step. The Evening Grosbeaks were all back at the feeders, along with Blue Jays, Juncos, Song Sparrows, Chickadees and Mourning Doves. Up the road someone said they had a flock of Waxwings - not sure if they were Cedar or Bohemian. I only see Cedar Waxwings when the apple trees are in bloom.
Grandmother's Journal: 
19 January 1977 - Beautiful winter day - deep snow, everything laden this morning. A few light flurries. Cleaning snow everywhere has deep high piles around town. Bob, Bobbie up to check on pups. Everything ok. Tom on cat but to late in the day. Barb went home tonight. Kim stayed home to babysit tonight. Bridge this afternoon. Ploughed out today. Catherine had to stay in town back home tonight. 
20 January 1977 - Very fine snow early this morning. Then a beautiful winter day. Very cold over night. Kim up for supper. 

Whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

Just a few of the Evening Grosbeaks














The ice makes cool patterns






Enjoy your day!

Day 18 - 18th January 2017 - Evening Grosbeaks, Inkspots and Red Breasted Nuthatch

Nice mild day on Tuesday, although the wind made it feel a bit cool. Sun was good and was feeling stronger. Well the doughnut business was a disaster - not sure what went wrong but once I figure it out I'll try again. If anyone has made them in an airfryer, let me know. I spent most of the day in the kitchen after doing some grant work. Made  Turkey Soup, Biscuits and Chocolate Chip Cookies.  It was Cathy's day to visit on her way home from work so I sent the cookies home with her, and fed her soup and biscuits hot out of the oven.  Had the whole flock of Evening Grosbeaks at the feeders - it was flurry of yellow - bright and beautiful. I counted at least 36. Lexi and I did a little roaming, she's going further each day and I can notice a big difference in her now. Trivia last night - we almost won - got down to a three way tie but we lost on the second round of that. What fun!

Male Evening Grosbeak

Part of the gang - all the feeders were filled.

Nature's Inkspots.

Red-Breasted Nuthatch at Lois' suet feeder.






Enjoy your day!

Day 17 - 17th January 2017 - Sunlight, Branches and a Blue Jay

The temperature went from -17 in the morning to -1 in the evening, I prefer the later. Lexi seemed perkier yesterday, a little more zip in her step when we went for our walk and we went a little further. So I think we are on the road to recovery. Thank goodness! I puttered around, not straining myself yesterday - a little housework, laundry, muffins for Larry's lunches and sewing. Looks like a good day on the horizon. Have some grant applications to go over this morning. I've been thinking for several days of making doughnuts - not that I've made them before but...figure I can do them in the new airfryer - might make them a little healthier! HA!HA!

I took these yesterday morning as the sun was just shining through the branches. 

The Blue Bandit filling up at the feeder.





Enjoy your day!

Day 16 - 16h January 2017 - Canada Geese, Northern Harrier and Geese

It warmed up a bit on Sunday but not a lot, we headed out to Barrington later in the morning, quick trip around Cape Sable Island. Nothing of great note, but it was nice to get out. Saw a couple of Northern Harriers (love Raptors), Canada Geese, lots of Gulls and a few Ducks.  On the way home, we nearly hit a Bald Eagle on our road or he scared us. Came up out of the ditch in front of the car - darn my camera wasn't ready!  Turkey for supper - so it will be a week with leftovers. Cold this morning, a few stars in the sky. Monday so back to getting some things done. A little housework, laundry and maybe back to my sewing room for a while.  Meeting this afternoon and exercise class this evening.

Canada Geese flying over















Lots of water around the sheep fence at the Guzzle.

Saw two Northern Harriers an couldn't get a really good shot of either.













Those lovely domesticated Geese with Ducks in the background - mostly Mallards.









Enjoy your day!