Day 218 - 26th November 2018 -Red-Winged Blackbirds, Evening Grosbeak and Sharp-Shinned Hawk

I think it's been too long since I last posted. The weeks are flying by so quickly. So what have I been up to? It's my fall cleaning season, most of which I've almost got done. I'm certainly having a few problems with that, I clean, Larry destroys. Well not that he literally destroys rooms but he's been in a painting mood - mostly floors at the moment.  I must admit that the stairs and upstairs hallway look great with a fresh coat of paint. That was the first place he tackled and didn't make any new mess. Then he started on the library which I had just cleaned up, made all nice and cozy for me to enjoy netflix and knitting. Years ago we had done that floor with boat paint (stands up well) of course we still have some left and it was good. Long story short - he's got 1/2 of that floor repainted and I can still smell it! He's now ripped up the flooring in the upstairs bathroom to paint those floor boards. I've put my foot down and told him he can paint the kitchen floor after the holidays! So that's kind of my excitement lately. We've made a few attempts at Christmas shopping which is going very slowly. On a up note the yard has been busy with birds - lots of Juncos, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers. Have had Red-Winged Blackbirds, Evening Grosbeaks, Starlings and Grackles.  And our recent Sharp-Shinned Hawk has made an appearance or two.

 We went to the Father Christmas Festival in Mahone Bay yesterday. They have such beautiful Santas throughout the town. Had a great breakfast at the Biscuit Eater Cafe - lovely little spot.

Bufflehead Ducks

 Red-Winged Blackbird

 Evening Grosbeaks

Sharp-Shinned Hawk





Enjoy your day!

Day 202 - 10th November 2018 - Blue Jay, Evening Grosbeaks and Junco

It's a wet and wild morning out there folks. Yes another day of rain and no we shouldn't complain but.... Seems lately with the rain we get really high winds  and today is no exception.  So I guess it's going to be an inside day and I need to get some things done around here. I started the week well - got some computer work done, my clothes room cleaned out and then my good intentions when out the window and truthfully I've accomplished little to nothing the last couple of days. That's not going to get my "fall" cleaning done. Larry's home so may be I'll put him to work too, not sure how that's going to fly but will give it a shot. Weather looks good for Sunday so if we work hard today perhaps an excursion for tomorrow. The yard and feeders have been busy this week (some of my distraction), Evening Grosbeaks, Nuthatches, Song Sparrows, Chickadees, Tree Sparrow, Juncos and a couple of Purple Finches.

Blue Jay

Evening Grosbeaks

Junco






Enjoy your day!

Day 198 - 6th November 2018- American Tree Sparrow, Berries and Oak Leaves

We are back in our rainy season again. Looks like every other day this week is rain, too bad it would spread it's self out a bit in the summer. Guess we better not complain - the well is full now and I'm sure this rainfall will top up the swamps. The lake is back up to normal. Mother Nature looks after her own. I started the "fall' cleaning yesterday. Was in a purging mood, so a couple of garbage bags of clothes are going to the roadside this morning. The yard is busy with birds these days, would be even busier if I remembered to buy some sunflower seeds and fill the feeders. The last few days have brought about 15 Juncos, Chickadees, Brown Creeper, Goldfinches, Nuthatches, a few Robins, Blue Jays too many Mourning Doves and an American Tree Sparrow. Most of them seem to be happy picking through the grass or in the apple trees. Going to continue with the cleaning today, do some computer work and maybe make a chili. Rainy days seem to be the right time for one pot cooking that simmers on the back of the stove. Trivia tonight.

 American Tree Sparrow

 The last of the berries

Oak leaves still hang on





Enjoy your day!

Day 196 - 4th November 2018- Hornet's Nest, Spruce Grouse and River Banks

The wind has been howling all night, still seems to be blowing hard this morning. Whistling through the tree branches, I almost thought a bird was singing.  Hopefully it dies out later. The rain stopped last evening - as much as we needed it all summer, it feels tiresome now.  So for the last few days I felt the jet lag more than I did when I actually got home, but this morning I was up at 4:30 (new time 3:30 am) so I must be back to normal. Guess I should have set my clock back before I went to bed. I truly dislike this time change, the long dark mornings and early dark evenings. Larry went into camp with Kenny yesterday and stayed the night. I took the opportunity to go the Chase the Ace in Jordan with the girls (no wins) then the dinner theatre at the Lions Hall last night. It was fun and an entertaining evening out. Think maybe we'll head to Barrington to do some grocery shopping later today and  check out CSI to see if there are any birds around. Maybe something new will have blown in. This morning I've got the finish up some computer work, tomorrow I should start the "fall" cleaning. By the look of this house it was needed 2 months ago.

 Hornet's Nest

Spruce Grouse

Banks along the Athabasca River







Enjoy your day!

Day 193 - 1st November 2018 - Water, Ice and Mountains

Wow here it is November already, this year will soon be over. Time if flying by. Well we had a fabulous vacation - some of the bucket list crossed off, great company and family time spent together. The trip coming home wasn't all that great as we started Tuesday morning off sitting in the airport then the plane waiting for fog to lift. That put all our connections off, but I must credit Air Canada with having us on new connections with boarding passes when we got to Calgary. By the time we got in the house Wednesday morning it was 3:30am. For me that's the time to get up not go to bed. Well I crawled in about 7am and got up again at 9am. It was enough to get me going. Started catching up on some laundry and a few things around the house but did't work too hard. My back and knees were aching - probably from sitting so much on planes but seem a bit better this morning. It was good to get out for a roam in the hood - it's great to go away but as they say "there's no place like home". A lot of the leaves have gone now, swamps are filling (not quite full) and there was a peacefulness in the air. Stopped for a tea and a catch up with Lois. Halloween last evening - 4 kids here. Not many anymore. So today I have to start getting into the swing of things - more laundry, go through pictures and get my cameras unpacked and put back together.

 A few more trip pics!

Enjoy your days!