Blue Skies Reflected in My Birdbath

The slight shimmer of the water when nothing else is moving is amazing to me. I am still exploring the magic of live photos converted to GIFs. You never know how they are going to turn out. If you want to get good ones, just be sure to make multiple photos and delete the ones that didn't work out. That's what I have been doing with my bird photos. I have a busy Monday morning ahead of me. Snow is coming and I have to get more birdseed in addition to ingredients for my morning smoothie. More about those later. Stay snug.

xo

Determined Red-bellied Woodpecker

I watched this red-bellied woodpecker for quite a while. He was determined to get all the hidden seeds from beneath this concrete ball. He is a male and I know that because of his red crown. The female's head is white on top but she does have red going up the back of her head.

 He looks as if he's sharpening his bill but he's throwing the sunflower seed shells. Look closely and you'll see them bouncing off the ground.

I hope you aren't geeting tired of watching these animated live photos called GIFs. I can't get enough of this beautiful fellow; he's one of my favorites. Every now and then I look out my window and see snow flurries. But when I look again they've stopped. Enjoy the last weekend in February and stay warm if it's cold at your house too. 

xo

FABLE: THE LOBSTER AND THE CRAB

 

 

      THE LOBSTER AND THE CRAB

"On a stormy day, the Crab went strolling along the beach. He was surprised to see the Lobster preparing to set sail in his boat. "Lobster," said the Crab, "it is foolhardy to venture out on a day like this." "Perhaps so," said the Lobster, "but I love a squall at sea!" "I will come with you," said the Crab. "I will not let you face such danger alone." The Lobster and the Crab began their voyage. Soon they found themselves far from shore. Their boat was tossed and buffeted by the turbulent waters. "Crab!" shouted the Lobster above the roar of the wind. "For me, the splashing of the salt spray is thrilling! The crashing of every wave takes my breath away!" "Lobster, I think we are sinking!" cried the Crab. "Yes, of course, we are sinking," said the Lobster. "This old boat is full of holes. Have courage, my friend. Remember, we are both creatures of the sea." The little boat capsized and sank. "Horrors!" cried the Crab. "Down we go!" shouted the Lobster. The Crab was shaken and upset. The Lobster took him for a relaxing walk along the ocean floor. "How brave we are," said the Lobster. "What a wonderful adventure we have had!" The Crab began to feel somewhat better. Although he usually enjoyed a quicter existence, he had to admit that the day had been pleasantly out of the ordinary. 

Even the taking of small risks will add excitement to life.

I love that you can learn a lesson when you read a book to a child. One of the agents in my office welcomed her first grandchild two days ago and she's over the moon with her tiny granddaughter. xo

See the other Fables from this book HERE.

Last Year's Limelight Hydrangeas

I need to prune these old blooms very soon before the new growth begins. We are having a windy Friday morning in the low 40s but overnight it's going down to 19° so I will wake up to a very cold Saturday. I like this gentle movemen in this live photo set on bounce. Have a great weekend. I am trying a new layout for my blog. Let me have your comments. xo

Old Table for Kitchen Island

This antique marble topped refrectory tagle is perfect in this kithen, isn't it? The client's request was to design a kitchen that looked like it had always been there yet worked for modern life.⁠ I think she got her wish, don't you? Found on Instagram here. 

xo

Personal Home Library for One

Well, do you love this or what? It's called a reading nook in the MLS but I would call it a personal library for one, wouldn't you? The rest of the house is equally wonderful and I can't wait to tour it at the first open house. 

xo

My Kitchen and Presidents' Day

This is one of my favorite photos of my kitchen. A few things have changed -- there is now a microwave on the counter to the left of my tall case clock. The electrical outlet behind the artwork on an easel was faulty and I finally had an electrician fix it along with a few others outside a while back. My kitchen table was a mess all weekend but I finished my taxes and am in the process of clearing it off again. 

Washington’s Birthday by Charles Baugniet, 1878 

Indianapolis Museum of Art

Read an interesting article in this link 

WHY WE HONOR GEORGE WASHINGTON 

When I was in school, we celebrated George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays separately but now they are grouped together for Presidents' Day in order to have a long weekend.

George Washington February 22, 1732

Abraham Lincoln February 12, 1809

Have a great Monday.

xo

Greenhouse in Winter

It should be waking up soon. One of my friends who had a greenhouse called hers an adult sandbox. This one is pretty wonderful, isn't it? Enjoy the rest of the weekend. xo

Found here.

My Deer is Back

My young 4-point buck is back to feed in yesterday's rain.

He is still on the lookout and seems nervous in this photo. This time he is alone. The last time he was with another male with a large rack and a female. I took both photos from the window over my kitchen sink.

Happy Friday. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

xo

Me & My Shadow + More Photos Outside My Cottage

Me and my shadow two days ago on an afternoon walk around my property. The sun was getting low and the sky was still blue. We have rain at the same time today ending at sunset. I had an outside inspection for a real estate customer and got it in before the rain started.

This is a photo using the wide angle lens on my iPhone.

This is the beginning of what I call the "way back".

This is my cottage from near the end of the way back.

The snowdrops are popping up along my brick wall.

Every year I transplant clumps and am always surprised when I see snowdrops thriving in a new location. It seems like Friday but it's only Thursday so enjoy what's left of the day.

xo

Starling Attack + Photos Around My Cottage

Wednesday morning at the bird feeder.

I finally have some blue sky with clouds photos. Lately i've had nothing but gray overcast ones that were too boring to post.

I love my antique cast iron green frog. He has a hole in his mouth to become a water feature/fountain but I have never used him as one.

Longer view showing actual size of my frog.

Here's hoping you are enjoying some sun and blue skies with clouds too. If not now, then sometime soon. I am enjoying them today but some rain is coming Thursday and Friday. xo