My 2008 Headers

I'm dedicating this post to Roy http://fenlandwalker.blogspot.com/. He has been a good blogging friend since shortly after I started blogging in March of this year. Without his inspiration I may never have begun to explore the world of Header Magic. I am going backward in time here to my very first header, a beautiful work of art that I created from a not so great photo of my garden. While searching the world of bloggers I found The Fenland Walker because of his beautiful Poppy Header that wasn't a photo, but an actual work of art that he painted from a photo he'd taken in a field where he'd walked. I commented that his Header looked so much like mine, but in a different sort of way. Thank you Roy for being such a good friend and wonderful inspiration. All my guinea friends minus one...(she didn't fly up), maybe this is her below...Oh that's a he!!! a beautiful sulphur butterfly.Everyone thought this would make a beautiful card! Oh my bluebird came back in the fall to think about nesting this spring.

My beautiful view.The hay bales of summer.My favorite Clay-colored Sparrow...Buzz buzz buzz! The Helenium in my new garden! A Northern Harrier in a beautiful sky. A sand dollar from my Maine vacation. Young guinea friends. And the original Sunny Side Up. All great fun, and wonderful memories to share!

Happy New Year to all my great friends! You all make me smile each and every day!

Whoops forgot this one!Aw the memories of Fall!!

And I forgot this one TOO!!!Maybe I need new glasses...or maybe I just need to eat more fruit!!

Been Busy...

As busy as I have been with the work to get ready to sell the house there always has to be a little time to watch the turkeys.We've been cleaning out the house... and I said good bye to my tractor today. It was sold to a man who was very happy to get such a beautiful tractor to replace his old "red" one that has seen better days. Did you notice all our snow melted??? Let's hope it says melted!!

We had some warm weather and rip roaring winds yesterday!

And after putting the guineas to bed, I had to take a photo of the beautiful sunset. I can only hope I have some beautiful skies down south!

Christmas Morning

Last night my mom and I were looking for something tasty to make for Christmas morning. We had bananas and fresh cranberries so I googled them with bread on the end and we found Joy the Baker http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/archives/181. We went to work and an hour and 10 minutes later we had this!The perfect treat for Christmas morning!

Thanks Joy!

Merry Christmas to All

Winter came early this year! This would've been me in about a week but we just sold the tractor so I'll have to figure another way to get the snow out of the driveway! Maybe Spring will come early!!!! (hahahah!)

Digging out to the coop has become a daily event. Is that a downy on the suet feeder?The wind is ever blowing here and I have waves in my yard. Look Steve! I have an ocean view just like you!!! We're wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas and a very merry New Year!

Then and Now...

June 6, 2008December 21, 2008
The only way to go back in time.

Pale Dove Update

It's a busy time around here and I've been slacking on my blog but I wanted to update you on my pale Mourning Dove. I've seen him or her a number of times over the seasons and he or she seems to always have a mate. So everything is working out well except...This last ice storm seems to have taken his or her tail feathers! This happens from time to time and I even saw a Mourning Dove with extra feathers stuck to his or her tail!! (sorry no pictures). So anyway tail or no tail, that is one tough Mourning Dove!! Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest but LOOK at that silly Blue Jay!!!

Weekend Photos

Within these 5 photos I have found the "Five Greatest Joys I find in Nature". I've been tagged by Mary at http://faithfabricandphotos.blogspot.com/,

this is what they call a "meme" I don't really know what that is but we'll just play along.

I started out just planning on posting these 5 photos from the weekend then thought, well they would work just fine. So my Five Greatest Joys are...

1) Birds

2) The gift that makes earth a habitable planet.3) Plants that give us oxygen from our CO2.4) The miracle of all things beautiful.5) The gift of friendship.

Now I'm supposed to tag 5 other people!!

This is hard...but if you don't play I wont be offended!!

Jenny you've already been tagged so....

1) Helen! http://wingsnthings07.blogspot.com/

2) Roy do you feel like playing? http://fenlandwalker.blogspot.com/

3) Tina...are you up for it? http://tinasbirdyarns.blogspot.com/

4) Barb??? http://mybirdtales.blogspot.com/

5) Shelley??? http://birdinginmichigan.blogspot.com/

Thoughts and Prayers go out to the North East

This brings back the memories we have of January 8, 1998. My daughter Rachel, who woke up on her 14th birthday to this and the flu actually just said to me..."I had so much fun during that storm!" We went to my "second favorite place to be" best friend Deb's farm and all gathered together. The next morning I was able to get out and buy a generator and since my husband was in Korea serving his country, my good friends and my husband's First Sergent came to lend a hand. The generator was hooked up and running for 15 days. It was a time of hardship, yet when you are faced with such a demand of strength it really brings it out in you. My thoughts go out to the people of the Ice Storm of 2008, but they will get though it with memories of unbelievable power, emotion, and the love of humanity.
Ten years later there are still the visual memories here in the wild trees with branches tipped toward the ground. The trees really took a hit and communities will re-plant to bring their neighborhoods back to life.
I can see the tears, and the laughter in the faces of the people brought together by this storm.
Endure, love your neighbor and you WILL come out the other side.
This video really says it all.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=metrowestvideos

Ice Storm

Although we had a good icing we were spared the damage that is now disrupting lives to our east. Over 100,000 people are without power other parts of NY State and New England. I know all too well what it's like to endure an ice storm. I was living on generator power for 15 days, while my husband was in Korea on duty and Morgan was 3 months old. It was a challenge but now a story to look back on and see that with the help of loved ones and good spirit most of life's adversities can be overcome.
This sundog was smiling down on me as I was thankful to be in my warm home.

Fall Ice

Yesterday morning started out with a steady rain which turned to ice as it hit the ground. Everything was covered with ice in no time. Luckily it didn't get too thick and cause any real damage. It makes for some beautiful pictures though.This little Tree Sparrow had a hard time on the icy slope there. I wish my camera battery had lasted a little longer!

I don't think my camera likes the cold!

Fun in the North Country...

I ran in town to do some errands Monday and this is what I found!Today all the snow in my yard has melted...now it's freezing rain....and

by tonight we should have another inch or two of snow on the ground!

The Guinea Whisperer...

After the gang was all settled, Morgan and Buddy decided to have a seminar for all the kids.

Lessons in being a well trained Guinea Fowl.

First you learn to shoulder...Then up to the top... Are you getting this class? Now pose nicely...

hey... pay attention!! Then when climbing down try not to tail lift. Good job kids!Now go have fun!

Sunday Fun...

First let me say sorry about the quality of these pictures. I hope to make up for their lacking in the story to follow.

Yesterday Morgan and Ole went out to play after a bit of snow fell this weekend. I always give the guineas an open door in case they want to brave the snow...(unless it's just too cold then the door is shut). One brave guinea came out to play with them and at the same time Daisy was asking to go out to play too. So I opened the door and swoosh out she went. The next thing I saw was a guinea on the coop! Morgan didn't know what to do!! "Daisy scared her up on the roof!!!" We were all proud of our first time "roofer" for sure!After a few minutes of being the star of the show she took the big leap with the gang all looking on! Every one following along wishing they could fly like that!

Note Daisy's butt behind Ole!! Ha Ha Ha!! No one said Guineas were graceful in flight. Then everyone decided to join the fun. Did you fly up there too Daisy Lu? Wow that is really not becoming of you! That's a little better!Feathers were flying everywhere! Most everyone made it to the table. Well, these guys must have gotten sidetracked!

All in all it was great fun for everyone. More pictures tomorrow. Today the guineas will be taking a break...it's -12 degrees out this morning!