Winter’s Last Blast? And More Slow-Motion Birds at the end…

One can hope this is the last blast. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am certainly ready for Spring!

We took a drive and that little dusting of snow we were supposed to get suddenly turned into blowing, nasty, drifting snow. But alas, we kept driving…

I thought these two babies were perfect.
 

One of my very favorite barns in the area.. or at least all we can see of it from the road.

As we continued down the road, it began to look worse.. but we kept on moving to our destination.

you might guess where…

Tougher women than I – in these frigid temps and blowing snow…

Quickly, after passing through more snow drifts, we ran in one Amish store for oat flour, quinoa, wheat bulgur, black strap molasses, the best super sharp cheddar cheese, and a few assorted other items which cannot be purchased in our “regular” grocery stores. 

Bless this fella.. spreading manure in the snow and cold.

Then it was a slow trip home through the drifts. Once home, Mr. W plowed the driveways out (yet again..), and I couldn’t resist making another slow-mo bird video in our blowing snow (yes, I finally figured out what I was doing.. ha!).
Be sure to watch at about 1:20 for the Male Northern Cardinals fighting. You’ll also see a grumpy red-bellied woodpecker (he’s also very persnickety and wasteful with the seeds… hmmmpph!). Also a few other assorted birds. I love watching these videos in slow motion because in normal speed, they are too quick for my eyes and I miss the really cool stuff!

Blizzard and Birds, Take II

Hope this is winter’s last hoorah.. how about you? Are you ready for Spring yet?! Be safe and warm!

Of Blizzards and Birds

It’s here – the second round! Snow is piling up.

This was truly an accident – don’t know how I did it, but I videoed in slow-mo earlier this morning during the peak of the blizzard.

Kinda cool, really, if I do say so myself!  If I had to do it all again, not sure if I could figure out how…
If you watch carefully at about 3:10-3:20, a goldfinch is feeding its mate a sunflower seed.. awwwww!

Be safe out there, everyone affected by this. It is beautiful, but scary at the same time.

Winter Storm.. again

10 inches (more or less) on the ground in our neck of the woods.

An ice dam has formed on our roof and is causing another slow leak in this ol’ house.

The Blacksmith has been plowing and plowing. The Fiddler has been scooping. We are sufficiently dug out, for now.

Another dumping of snow is coming over the next couple of days. So it all begins again…

This weekend I spent lots of front porch time, in coat and stocking cap, with coffee by my side, doing this…
{my kind of snow fun!} I’m sure anyone driving by knows I’m crazy! I ♥ “my” birds.

This red-wing blackbird told me Spring was here.
I don’t believe him, do you?

What’s happening where you are?

Wherever you are, stay safe, be well! Before we know it, Spring will be here. Right?!

Preparing for Thundersnow

I really don’t care for that term, but that’s what the weather service is predicting for our region beginning late tonight.

It seems that everyone is preparing for the impending weather. I love these two “yard buddies” side by side, gathering fallen sunflower seeds. Mr. Squirrel was fixin’ to take off…

I am editing and updating this post to add some music from our son, the Fiddler and friends. Hope you enjoy. We’re all putting on our Snowshoes here!

Be safe out there, friends!

Weekend Walk: the Blues (in a good way)

blue sky with first quarter moon shining through

driftwood reflection

Nuthatch on the front porch, resting between sunflower seeds

oh, sweet ducks.. why don’t you stay with us?

We had a gorgeous Sunday.. so Blessed! Could there be a winter storm brewing though?

Valentine’s Barn

One of my favorite things: road trips with my Sweetheart.

Bonus: barn captures along the way!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Is there something you’ve always wanted to do?

Give it a go! For years I have wanted to try oil painting, or watercolor, or.. well, just something in the painting area. Since the first of this year I’ve watched various youtube videos, checked out my favorite painters’ websites and tips, skimmed some painting books, and collected a few basic supplies. What can I say, I am a DIY kind of gal. Finally, after all that… I had to try. No turning back! Here she is, my first oil painting. You might have guessed my subject.. hee haw! This is Ruby (based on photo on the sidebar to your right).

Check out the PERFECT easel that Mr. W made me ♥

Please don’t judge – I’m just happy she looks like a donkey. ;) To make it fair, I’ll eventually have to do a Gracie painting. I actually used water mixable oil paints. Since it is winter and we are cooped up in the house, it seemed like a good idea to avoid toxic fumes.

Now, all that’s left to do is sign this one, and decide what to paint next. Hmmmm….!

                                          via

Meet Burl

Mr. W was about 12 years old when he first laid eyes on “Burl.”

{beauty is in the eye of the beholder}

It was an impressionable meeting, and Mr. W never forgot about Burl…

even though he didn’t see him again for 44 more years.

Burl began life as a “blister” on a walnut tree, and has since matured into a very large {huge} unusual “creature.”

(Hazel inspects)

Recently, they were re-introduced. Burl was no longer vertical, and the Blacksmith (aka Mr. W) rescued him, using a whole lot of tractor-power. It was a lot of trouble.

But Burl was SO worth it.

Soon, we’ll see if Burl is as beautiful inside as he is on the outside. We’ll keep you posted.

Read more about Burl Wood here.