Crocus & the Bees

The Sun Returns

At long last, we had 16 degree C temperatures, with sun, with only tiny little breezes and blue, blue skies. I spent the day yesterday in the garden doing a variety of chores; raking, picking up branches beneath the Maple trees that winter ice and winds brought down, on hands and knees cutting back perennials, tidying up around shrubs, some pruning of shrubs, lots of admiring and contemplation about what needs to be done around the yard and garden and watching the honeybees from a neighbours hives search out the first blossoms -tiny crocus and snowdrops. After 5 or 6 hours I was exhausted.......but very satisfied with what I had accomplished. JJ spent the day with the chainsaw and pruning saws cleaning up some of the extensive damage done to our trees this past winter with the heavy wet snow and ice. We had a fire going all day to burn any debris that was dry enough to burn, the wet stuff was piled along the creek banks to rot down, firewood stacked in the barn to dry and larger branches hauled off to the town compost site. We sometimes burn the branches but the dry grass around the burn pile wasn't cut back last fall making the fire hazard too great right now.

We took our friends out to dinner last evening (the ones who looked after Nellie) as a thank you gesture. After walking the dogs when we returned home, we lit candles all around the house after turning everything electrical off, and enjoyed their company while sharing dessert and a bottle of Pelee Island Rouge (a Canadian Merlot). It was a great way to spend Earth Hour evening!

Too bad today was cold and rainy -on the bright side, it isn't snowing and it will green things up even more. So I spent most of today on the computer doing reports and lesson planning for school.

Enlarge the pictures and look closely to see all the bees on the tiny blossoms!

Beach Birds

White Ibis strolling down the beach......
....the Black Skimmers (by the hundreds) were great fun to watch as they swooped and wheeled about.... sometimes in perfect unison..... sometimes shattering into many directions only to regroup again to continue up and down the beach....

Western Sandpipers dodged the wave edges alone or in small groups....

Willets were in pairs or in flocks of 30 or more but rarely alone......

Some people love crows and hate gulls....I happen to hate crows and love gulls......these Laughing Gulls could be a family of many ages judging by all the colour variations.


SEA GULL

I rise on spirit wings.

Like the sea gull, I soar over the waters of life.

I glide to Otherworlds where the powers of the Old Ones are strong.

I open my heart and mind to the gods.Their messages are clear to me.

Spiritual Messengers
Sea Gulls are messengers from the gods, especially ancient Celtic deities. They bridge the gap between the living world and the spirit world. Opening yourself to their energy enables you to communicate with the other side.
Sea Gull can also give you the ability to soar above your problems and see things from above. Seeing all the different viewpoints.

It was so lovely to sit on warm white sand to watch the birds on the beach -Boca Grande Beach this day. The skies were blue, the Gulf of Mexico waters were multiple hues of blue, turquoise and green......I can go back there any time just by looking at some of the images I captured on that warm March afternoon..........

Connecting

Our vacation to Matlacha Florida was just short of "absolutely perfect in every way." I'll share some of my most favourite photos -not always technically the best photos but the most meaningful. Tonight, just an overview. My husbands sisters house is on the water, but Matlacha Pass (which is a mixture of fresh water and sea water) is between the barrier islands -Pine Island, Captiva, Sanibel, Cayo Costa etc. and the mainland of Florida (southwest coast). Stunning view of Mangrove islands and water on 3 sides. But, a trip to the beach at least once is must -I love the beach, the seashore, the sand, the waves etc. We choose beaches that are not crowded -except by wildlife. This year I was fascinated by these 2 kids playing -especially the little girl. I took lots of pictures of them (with their parents permission but promised not to post any that showed their faces to the world). One of my trip highlights was watching this little girl strolling up the beach in the gentle waves towards me, grinning from ear to ear, oblivious to the world, singing in a delightful high little girl voice..."I love it, I love it, I love it...." When she reached me and we had a little chat, I asked her.... what is it that she loves? She stopped.... looking very serious....looked all around her....smiled....then exclaimed with a shrug and wide open arms...."I just love it all!' ....out of the mouths of babes....summed up my feelings for the day as well! It became my mantra for the week........"I love it, I love it".......I found myself humming under my breath......

The southwest coast of Florida has become known as the "Creative Coast" It is a mecca for artists, musicians and people who love that sort of stuff!! Matlacha is one of the "last" true fishing villages and tiny little art galleries. I think there are something like 17 galleries within a couple of miles. They are all totally unique, many local artists that have moved to this area from ALL OVER and lots who simply visit and display their work either seasonally or all year. You can take classes all year from artists in every medium and style -from drumming to watercolour, goldsmithing to pottery. I have favourite artists and look forward to seeing their new works each year -I get so inspired!!! The people in this area are so down to earth, so friendly and eager to share -stories, ideas, techniques....awesome people!

As a lover of sunrises and sunsets, sky watching and watching the light change on the water -it is the perfect spot. Temperatures were in the low 80's F during the day (the pool warmed up with the solar blanket to 90F -loved that) I was in the water as soon as I got up, during the day and then watched the stars while floating on my back before I went to bed -what can get better than that! On it, in it or just watching it -I love water.

Birdwatching, another of my pastimes it amazing in Matlacha. This year I photographed 36 different types of birds -about 8 that I'd never seen before in Florida. These Skimmers were especially fun to watch and photograph. John agrees I need a better camera to capture them .

It was a lovely lazy, relaxing, warm, fun, inspiring holiday that I spent with my dear husband. No TV, no radio, no phone, no computer, no work.......just the 2 of us doing things we love to do -together. We lead busy lives at home and love to get away to reconnect. It was like a honeymoon only better!!

Florida Bound!

Crazy busy at home and school this week, so I'm extra thankful that our March Break has officially started. JJ and I have to leave home in the middle of the night to drive to the airport to catch our flight which leaves at 6 a.m. I haven't even started to pack!!! Not like me, usually I'm so organized when it comes to traveling...just too darn busy! So, we are off to Matlacha Florida for a lovely lazy holiday by the ocean. The weather has been cooler than normal both here and there but the temperature is bound to be better than below freezing here -STILL!! Nellie will be staying with her doggy friend Abbey and 3 cats-she'll love that!! I may post pictures if the computer works at the house we are staying at....if not see everyone next weekend...blessings to everyone! I really have to go and pack now -I travel very light so it won't take me long...................

....living simply...simply living....

I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing. Agatha Christie

After several months of sometimes bitterly cold temperatures, too much ice and snow, long miserably dark days, great pain from some rather unfortunate injuries this winter........all seemed right this morning as we walked along the river (now open) under a leaden sky, when the sun magnificently broke through the clouds to shine all around. Soon the clouds disappeared, the birds started to sing, the newly arrived geese and ducks took to the skies to seek out food left over in the farmers fields from last falls harvest.........yes... I felt good...it is good to be alive ......."tis a grand day to be alive", as my Irish dad used to say,..."a grand day indeed!".

Ice & Snow -Departing Shots!

After another deep freeze last week and this, the gulf stream has shifted northward allowing warmer weather to invade the area. Temperatures today are rising above zero and predicted to last for the next week. YEA! I snuck away from school after a few parent teacher interviews (had to go back from 5:30 -8:00 for more interviews) and took some shots of the snow drifts in the yard which likely won't be the same after a few days melt.

Snowdrifts along the creek's north side....

Ice chunks along the rivers edge this morning.....

Caught the sunrise in a patch of clear sky -the rest of the sky is cloudy -expecting drizzle all day......really looking forward to the weekend...it has been a very exhausting week at school...way too much going on.....need rest......

Moments..

A time honoured winter tradition in Canada -ice fishing -in this bay there have been dozens of huts since January but on the weekend many were removed due to the river beginning to break up.
After a thaw for 2 days last week, the bitter cold has returned - -30C wind chill this morning, still at -18C this afternoon with a biting north wind. Nellie and I headed for the evergreen woods for our afternoon walk to get out of the wind. It was beautiful, silent, with tracks galore in the snow -yes, the ground is still completely covered in snow and ice!!!. I heard some liquid sounding peeeet sounds behind me and turned to look for the source...way up just for a moment in the tree tops I spied some White Winged Crossbills -females by the colour. I was looking into the sun so could barely focus and snap before they disappeared.

Nellie raced off and as I rounded a corner in the trail I spied a large black object up in a tree ahead -just the neighbours cat, but my heart jumped when I saw the black object up in the tree -all I could first think of was the Marten whose tracks I've seen lately in the forest.

The only thing worthy of note (other than reading all 3 of the Stonewylde books that I got last week) that I accomplished this weekend was to make a large batch of dog bones. I gave my friend half for her dog -she'll make the next batch and share with me!

Ranch Style Beef Bones

(makes about 80 small bones)

1 pound (500g) lean ground beef

2 eggs, beaten

3 cups (750ml) whole grain flour

1 cup(250 ml) quick cooking rolled oats

1 cup (250 ml)water

1.In a blender or food processor, combine meat and eggs.

2.In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and oats. Add beef mixture, blending with your hands until well mixed.

3.Add water to form a sticky dough.

4.Knead mixture on a well floured surface (about 2 min), adding flour until it is no longer sticky.

5.Roll dough to about 1/4 - 1/2 thickness, cut with dog bone cookie cutter (or just cut with knife into squares or rectangles).

6.Place close together onto parchment paper or lightly greased cookie sheets.

7. Bake 1 hour at 350F, cool on rack.

(I usually leave mine in oven to cool after 1 hour with door slightly open as Nellie likes then hard and crunchy. I store mine in a container in the fridge , but the book said they can be stored at room temp. in a container with a loose lid).

Loved the Stonewylde books -read them in rapid succession, Thurs., Fri. nights after work, and on Sat. until they were done -now I can't wait for the next book(s). My husband poked fun at me ...now he is half way through the second one.