Day 342 - 12th December 2017 - Reflections, Squirrel and Red berries

Cool this morning but not cold. Quiet - no sound of Owls or Ducks along the lake. Whatever weather system they were expecting for today seems to have fizzled out, now just some rain but not heavy rainfall until this evening. Oh and maybe a little snow early this morning. So it just might be a day to run to Yarmouth and finish up my shopping. Would love to get that done and I have a list - knowing what I want/need is a big part of the battle and means we can make a quick trip of it. Should be able to get back home before supper. Had a flock of about 30 Goldfinches yesterday morning, only a few came down to the feeders while the rest sat high in a tree. Got a lot crossed off my list - all gifts are wrapped, started putting together the tins of sweets - 7 done and a tray so far (many more to do), they are in the cold room and a few domestic things around the house. Even made it to exercise class last night.

 Reflections

 Seems to be a lot of Squirrels around again.

Red berries peeking through the snow




Enjoy your day!

Day 341 - 11th December 2017 - Brown Creeper, Goldfinch and Blue Jay

It's a white morning out there - ground and deck are covered in snow. According to the weather sites, this is one of those - snow inland, rain along the shore so it probably depends on where you are. Lots of rain again tomorrow afternoon/night but then it's known to change, so who knows! After all, it's not like you can tell Mother Nature what to do. Picked up a few groceries Sunday and we had Friday Night Club - always a fun evening. Managed to cross some things off my list yesterday, depending on how today goes, might be time to bring the tree in and put it up. The yard and feeder are getting busier. Saw a Brown Creeper yesterday, lots of Nuthatches and the Goldfinches are settling in. Although last year this time I had Pine Siskins, Evening Grosbeaks, Purple Finches and Juncos. No sign of those yet.

Brown Creeper

 Goldfinch

Blue Jay






Enjoy your day!

Day 340 - 10th December 2017 - Branches, Sunflower and Goldfinches

Saturday was a wet one, rain all day and hard rain last night. I'm sure the swamps, ditches, rivers and lakes must be up now. No complaints - we need it and you don't have to shovel it. Got a few things crossed off yesterday and should finish the last of the cherries and dipping today. Have a parcel to do up so it can be sent, will start some wrapping and if the weather breaks I'm taking Big B for a walk in the hood.  Seems she's been neglected lately. Had a  nice staff party last evening. Good to see everyone in a social setting. It's Friday Night Club and Aggravation tonight, the last one we'll have until after the New Year.

 Snow dipped branches

 I consider "chopping down" the sunflowers but even now I like the texture and look of them

Goldfinches appear







Enjoy your day!

Day 339 - 9th December 2017 - Sunflower, Blue Jay and Birdhouse

Friday I bypassed the baking for a change of pace. Some housework - laundry, sorted through Christmas gifts, etc. It was Thelma and Louise Day so truthfully I don't usually overexert myself anyway. I wanted to give my hand a little more rest before diving back into finishing the baking this morning and it seems to be pretty good.  Friday night club was postponed to Sunday night this week. Tonight we are off to a staff party. Tis the season for get togethers. The upcoming week of weather seems to be - rain, rain or snow, snow or rain, love when they give us options. The yard and feeders are getting more active, I've got one male Downy Woodpecker who is quite tame, enjoying the suet while I chat to him. The Goldfinches are getting more settled as well. Of course the Mourning Doves send everyone flying. They seem to be nervous birds with high anxiety.

 Sunflowers were dipped in snow, the squirrels and birds have picked them clean.

 The Blue Jays add some nice color to the yard, even though they are a bit greedy

The bird house sits waiting for spring and hopefully Swallows will return and nest.




Enjoy your day!

Day 338 - 8th December 2017 - White Breasted Nuthatch, Junco and Sunlight

It's Friday and it's snowing! I'm up a little too early but went to bed  way too early. If you are falling asleep in the chair it's time for bed, or that's my theory anyway.  At least my hand is feeling somewhat better this morning, not 100% yet but getting there. I pushed it yesterday and got most of the dipping done I needed to do. Still have some more liquored up cherries to wrap and dip and that will finish off the baking unless I get wild and crazy and do some more. Oops, I still have some cookies that need frosting. Think I'll skip the baking this morning and get some things done around the house - laundry caught up, etc. Also want to sort out my Christmas shopping and make a list of what I still need. Some time this week we should find a tree too. Oh well it will all get done, I'm sure.

 I love watching the Nuthatches - White Breasted.

 Junco - saw this one a while ago, but haven't seen them around the feeders yet.

A hazy morning on the lake with the sun shining through the trees.







Enjoy your day!

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!