A Winter Fledgling

Good Morning sweet friends!  I hope your day yesterday was filled with productivity and that you found a few moments(if not a lot)of joy.  I had a good day yesterday~went to the gym and pushed it hard, which I felt last night and then met a dear friend for lunch.  Marlene was the first blogging friend I ever met; in fact, my family thought it was a bit awkward to meet someone that you only knew online.  We don't see each other much, but she always inspires and teaches me.  She is a published author and also very knowledgable in homeopathic/holistic remedies-so most of our conversations are about different products.  I did find out that there are companies that will come to you if your children have head lice.  We all know that the over the counter remedies are very toxic-which is why they work, but there are some simple natural remedies that work just as well without the toxicity.  In fact, there is a company in Fort Collins that you can go to who will take care of your children lice.  This is one thing that really geeks me out!
After lunch I got home and we had a quiet afternoon and had chili(yum) for dinner. I saw this young Hawk in our tree yesterday afternoon;  at first I wondered if it was a Dove, but upon a closer look realized it was a Hawk.  
Today we will be getting my Highlander filled up, washed-before the snow returns and hit Costco.  I've got a granddaughter coming over this afternoon to help me figure out some things to do for our Valentine Day party.  It should be fun and it will be here before you know it.  I love it that our grands love spending time with us.  I hope you have a fantastic day today!
Blessings~
Noreen

The Beauty of Birds

Happy Friday to you! Well, you've all heard me whining about the cold temps, ice and snow-though it is beautiful! I love going for a drive with hubby, when the weather permits, when we see the fresh pristine snow with horses running or cattle looking for food. Such beauty, especially when you can stay inside. Yesterday morning I saw this flock of doves(actually it was about half the flock) sunning themselves on our pergola. I thought about a conversation we had with our friends at the ugly sweater party last weekend-the topic was movies and everyone remembered Alfred Hitchcock's movie The Birds. At the time that movie was released it was so scary and a classic thriller. When we moved to northern California, we explored the town that it was filmed in and I can still see the movie in my minds eye. Thankfully, doves don't pose a threat and I love watching them.

Later on, I was opening our drapes in our bedroom and saw lots of doves in our neighbors yard; it appeared they were eating, but I know they neighbors didn't feed them so maybe there were bugs to be had.

I can't believe that in one week we will be celebrating Christmas.  So much work that goes into the day and it will be a fun one.  We actually open presents together, as a family on Christmas Eve morning; we have a brunch and then enjoy seeing the kiddos play.  On Christmas we will have a dinner at our oldest daughters home with everyone, including her mil who is flying in from Ca.
This weekend we will have a visit with some old neighbors and go to a Christmas show that all our grands will be in at their church.  Life can't get much sweeter than this!
How about you-are you all ready for Christmas?  Will you be at home or away?
May you day be filled with joy!
Noreen

Snow Birds

Happy Wednesday to you! I hope you are staying warm, either inside or bundled up when you need to be outside. Those in Florida and on tropical islands are probably just shaking their head at me. During the winter, we still have our small birds-like Sparrows, Juncos etc. but we also get Magpies which I love. I really wish we got Cardinals or Blue Birds, instead we get lots of Canadian Geese(messy) and some Bald Eagles that winter here. This magnificent guy is a Cooper Hawk and we get them a lot here, but never had one this close.

The doves stay around all year, but I loved how tucked in they looked in this bare tree.

When its cold and icy out, I've decided that staying inside is a better choice for me. I love walking and have missed taking Hunter out the last week, but it's just too cold.I think of those who live in the north and how you must be laughing at me.
Enjoy each moment of every day, life passes by too quickly.
Joy to you.
Noreen

Birds Of A Feather

Happy Monday to you! May this be a day that you walk in gratitude and thanksgiving, for life and love. One of the joys of living in a new home is getting used to different species of birds and wildlife here.  I have always loved Doves and are pleased that they love our Pergola; this was the site that greeted us this morning. The snow is beginning to melt and the sun is shining; it looks like it will be a fantastic day.

Another bird that is new to us is the Black-billed Magpie. I saw these constantly in the islands, but have never seen them here in northern Colorado. They weren't here all summer or fall, but just started making their appearance this last week. I'm thinking I need to research them more; I do know that they are related to a crow, but am surprised they are wintering here.

Photos of the Magpie are courtesy of the Audubon Society.
Today will be a quiet day as hubby is off to the golf course for some misc. jobs and the laundry is calling me. I may even get a few hours of sewing-yippee. I am hoping that the sidewalks are clear enough for a walk with Hunter.
Today I am thankful for: The Giver of Life, life, health, faith and grace, salvation, love and family, Hunter, God's creation and the different seasons, joy in the little things, friends, sunshine and snow, books to enjoy on a cold day, a warm home to shelter us from the storm.  How about you-what things in life are you counting as blessings today?
Joy to you~
Noreen

Happy Thursday to you! Yesterday hubby was at the golf course and took these photos. If I'm not mistaken, these are Grey Heron's. I have never seen a nest of this bird before, so it was pretty exciting.

Hubby loves trying to get Pelicans landing or taking off and I think this is a great photo.

Yesterday I walked twice and received several mosquito bites(ugh), went to the pool with the grands and my girls, ran to Joann's to get some quilting supplies and finished drawing my design on the quilt top. Today, amidst other things, I hope to get the back pieced so I can begin sandwiching the quilt. I didn't sleep well last night, in fact was awake until about 1:30ish, so feeling a bit tired today. Kam and Lexie are coming over to walk this morning. It will be another hot day here and I'm hoping for some pool time. We do have a luncheon engagement with our financial planners, so that might interrupt the pool plans.
I hope you have a great day, remember to smile as it will make your day  better and someone else's.
Hugs,
Noreen