Happy & Sad–The Pug & I

Spring has sprung!  And that makes me ever so very very very very happy!  We went from a few feet of snow to nada in no time.  Lickety split!  I am amazed. 

Out most recent venture to the pond showed great promise. 

The snow was 99% gone.  That made for much easier walking.

A little color is starting to show.

Things are awakening.

What a wonderful time of year!

For anyone who has read any of my recent posts, you will know that I have posted about a pair of swans that we (the pug & I) see and feed at our favorite little spot.  We have been there twice over the past two weeks, and sadly, each time only one swan is there.  She (I think it's the female) seems very depressed.

Her head perked up when we arrived.  (Sorry for the picture quality – she was at quite distance.)

We weren’t of much interest though.

It wasn’t her mate so she quickly recoiled.  I am so sad.  I wonder where her mate is yet in my heart I prefer not to know.

Oh Sunny Day – The Pug & I (Plus 1!)

A beautiful sunny day and it’s about 40 degree.  Now that’s something to take advantage of at this time of year!   Time to get outside! 

In addition to the pug and I, we were joined by my daughter, Olivia.

We were pleasantly surprised to see that someone had cleared a path around the pond.  Strange…but good for us.

Elsa loves it here because she's free to run off leash.

You coming?

It was beautiful but the snow was soft and we were sinking every few feet.  Good thing I picked up some cheapie boots yesterday.  Thing is at this time of year, they only have really small sizes or really big sizes left.  I opted for kayak size – 11!

We weren’t the only ones making footprints on this sunny afternoon.

We had company!

The swans came right up to us as they are used to being fed by people.  Unfortunately we came in my daughter’s car today and my bread supply was back home in my car.

Hope you had a good day too!

Out & About – The Colors of January

When I started my blog a year or so ago my intention was to track my garden and outdoor shenanigans.  Nothing of much interest to anyone else.  Just for me.   I was OK with that.  The thing is that I am finding kindred spirits and find that I love to show what’s going on in my neck of the woods as much as I love seeing what’s going on everywhere else.

To the few who check in and read what I have to say and see my pictures, thank you but more importantly, thank you for sharing your world with me.

Without further ado, here’s what has happened in the last week in Massachusetts.

ANOTHER snow storm hit on January 12th and lasted all.day.long.  About 20”.

20 or so inches later…..

The troops arrived in droves the next day for clean up….and food!

Bird by bird, peck by peck, the crew was here to dig out the seed.

Within two days between the work crew and the sunshine, the seed was uncovered.

Oh!  Look!  A bird party!

A woodpecker, goldfinch and a bunch of bluebirds.

I  was thrilled to see bluebirds at this time of year.  Today I went to the seed shop and I was told that I was indeed lucky.  They do appear here and there in winter but not very frequently.  If you have the good fortune to have bluebirds you will notice that they tend to be in groups of 6-10.  That is their winter pattern.  Once the warmer weather comes they will become territorial and will only be found in pairs.  How lucky that they came upon my feeders!

When the winter doldrums hit, it is nice to see these flashes of color!

The Ups & Downs of W-I-N-T-E-R

This past week has been a crazy ride weather-wise.   This is what was outside my front door last week at this time….

  

It may have stopped us in our tracks but by the next day….

These troopers were lurking….with their sights on the feeders.

….and then she was alone but not for long.

A saucy little wren made an appearance.

r And took over the joint!

With very few food sources, that’s how it went for the rest of the day.  In & out.  Back & forth.

Here a Titmouse waits patiently for the Mourning Dove to finish.  How polite!

Over the course of the next few days I cleared the deck to get access to the feeders to refill them.  Now here’s the kicker…… exactly one week later, the temps have been hovering around 60 degrees for the past 3 days!    When it comes to weather, New England is a crazy place.

Same view!

The birds don’t seem affected one way or another.

Even when the garden is not alive ‘n kicking, we are still blessed by nature.

I hope you are blessed with wonderful things in 2011!

Happy New Year!

Brrrr……One Warm Coat

It’s incredible how affected we are by the weather isn’t it?  Here in New England we flip flopped from unseasonably warm temperatures last week, to unseasonably cold this week.   Time to pull out the winter woollies!

The nip of cold sent me running for the coats, sweatshirts and socks!  I am kind of anti-sock and each year I put off wearing them for as long as possible.  Their appearance on my feet is a sure sign of things to come yet I feel fortunate to have what I need to keep me warm.  Not everyone does.

Each year when we pull our coats out of summer storage, we downsize the collection.  With three daughters, there are always a few to pass long.   Last year I found an organization that collects coats for those in need.  It is nationwide and you can donate a single coat or organize a drive.


How about you?  Need to free some closet space?  Want to help someone in need?  Want to do a green “deed”?

I am joining Suzan of Old*Grey*Mare for the November edition of Project Genesis.  Won't you?

A Wonderful Autumn Day

The garden may be over for the season but Autumn is still a wonderful time to be outdoors.  Yesterday was one of those days!

And that was in the shade!

A perfect day for bedding on the clothesline.

Leaves are quickly covering the ground.  Oh, and acorns too!  I think there are approximately 3 trillion of them in my yard.

Smudgie sunning.

 

Elsa (aka City Dog) enjoys nature’s bounty of acorns as toys.

The brugs are enjoying the weather – no longer panting from excessive heat.

I don’t ever recalling having to water in October!

Geraniums really seem to enjoy cooler weather.

Last year I was in a little store where they bring in their geranium flower boxes and over winter them in a window.  Even though it’s a drafty spot, they survive and actually thrive.  I may try that this year.

I hope you are enjoying good weather too.

Fall is in the Air - Out & About – Fertilizer Friday

Wow!   Fall sure didn’t creep in this year!  We went from 90 degrees and sweltering to a high of 70 and very cool nights in just a few days.

September 8th was the last time I had visitors at the Hummingbird feeder.

I figured it might be the last time.  Boohoo - until next year.

The Morning Glories were in full swing just a few days ago…..

….and now they are fading.

The daturas are still blooming but…..

…..starting to put out seed pods for next year.

One of the prettiest weeds is showing up everywhere….

Pokeweed!  I love those deep purple berries.

On a recent jaunt, my new roomy, a former city dwelling dog, is being introduced to the suburban life.

A few days ago on a trip to a pond a few minutes from here, Elsa met some new “beasts”.  And much barking ensued.

“What is that!?!?!” she barked.

The beasts were very curious too.

There were every bit as interested in her as she was in them.

They followed us along the fence.  And at one point even showed off by kicking up their heels and prancing around.

I would have loved to get a little closer but didn’t want to spook the horses.  Maybe next time.

So what’s going on in your neck of the woods?  A good place to see what 's going on elsewhere is to visit Tootsie’s Fertilizer Friday.