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a rare bird
7
Author Archives: Shanda
bird pics//sugar crinkle cookie recipe
Monday night we had two baseball games at the same time so Rich and I wandered between two fields, it was freezing cold outside and I had a winter coat, a pair of jeans over leggings, gloves, a big scarf, boots on my feet, and a thick blanket around myself like a native american. We watched more of Caleb’s game than Seth’s because the older kids know more about the game and therefore do more exciting things. Seth’s team surprised us, though, we saw a few nice plays and Seth got the game ball.
Yesterday Dave had an orthodontist appointment at 11. I was out in the field until the very last moment and then rushed to get him from school. Afterwards we went to Panera for lunch. He was craving a broccoli and cheese soup bread bowl. We sat near the garbage can and were shocked at how much food grown ups were throwing away. For example, we were there for about 20 minutes and two people threw away their entire bread bowl after just eating the soup out of the inside, “criminal” says Dave. One wonders if the parents say the words, “finish what’s on your plate” any longer. Or, “don’t let your eyes be bigger than your stomach.”
Yesterday’s after school activities were 1) Dave had a baseball game 2) Seth had a baseball game, and 3) Caleb had a band concert. All at the same time.
I made tacos for dinner, dropped D and S off at their respective fields, went back home to get C, and went to the concert while Rich got home from work, changed his clothes, and went to S’s game. I pulled Caleb out of the auditorium as soon as band (the only thing he was in) was over because I just could not/would not sit through another 2 hours of chorus and awards, and we went to D’s game down the road just in time to see him get his one and only up to bat–a nice base hit. Seth’s team lost, David’s team won by the mercy rule so we were home just in time for Dave to watch his favorite TV show “Flash” at 8pm with Michael and the girls (who had stayed home together). In fact, David’s baseball expertise is stealing bases and his nickname is “Flash”. oh boy. Have I mentioned he’s taller than I am now? This morning I am washing dirt and taco sauce off of his white baseball pants because he didn’t eat his dinner until after the game.
This morning I’ve been crazy busy trying to get the upstairs ready for the professional carpet cleaner guy to come at 10. Although we use a gate on the bottom of the stairs, Parker continues to do some “marking” in Sarah’s room whenever he finds it left open and although I cleaned it the best I could with my small shampooer, I felt it was time for the big guns, so to speak. The carpet guy is also cleaning two area rugs on the main floor. Jacob is sleeping downstairs in his room.
The dog is not on my good side as he is also digging huge holes in my gardens. HUGE!
Tonight David has another game and Caleb has practice. And the weather is till winter-like. (currently 50 degrees)
Jacob is going to drive to Vermont to get Ethan tomorrow with Rich’s truck because E is done with finals and ready to come home for the summer. Grace and Jacob are both going to Senior banquet on Friday and then…….FRIDAY is ALSO Brimfield antique show with my brother, sisters, and sons and the weekend is more sports and church and then next week Rich is gone on a business trip and Ethan starts his new job………and life is just going too fast……all I can do is employ a good sense of humor and let out a necessary ahhhhh (scream) now and then.
so let us watch birds and make cookies for a little rest and relaxation, shall we?
I took these photos yesterday from 9 to 10 in the morning.
As I took these I thought I was shooting the same yellow bird, but when I got home and looked at them closer I realized they were different. One has a black mask. Taking bird photos is surprisingly hard, imagine trying to focus from across the room on a ping pong ball during a game. And then put trees, branches and leaves in the way.
Maybe bird watching isn’t as relaxing as I thought. LOL
These birds were moving around in the grass so quickly I didn’t even know they were sparrows until I looked at the photos later.
Ah, now we’re seeing something exciting…..
I ADORE the colors in these bluebird photos. So calming.
Aren’t the early springtime trees beautiful?
My friend Mr Mallard Duck, I saw him the other day, too. I refrained from saying an excited Hello as I did not want to scare anyone else away.
like this Solitary Sandpiper! I do so love to see these birds. They do the funniest motions when they walk, bobbing up and down. They are pretty little water birds with long legs and a long beak. It’s my favorite photo of the bunch, I love the reflection in the water, the muddy bank and the blurred out grasses in the foreground. Not to mention the bird itself is pretty, too.
Delicious cookies for Mother’s day or any other day!
Sugar Crinkles
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup shortening (I used half butter and half butter flavored crisco)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
sugar
Cream together the sugar, brown sugar, shortening, vanilla, and egg. Add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Mix well. Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 350 oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
I was a little late picking up Grace from school the other day because these were baking in the oven but she was pacified with three fresh and warm cookies (the ones in the picture!) when I finally arrived.
bless all the dear children
See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
In church on Sunday Seth walked past his seated siblings in the pew to get to me. He had his fidget spinner in his hand and looked at me with intense eyes. “Will you put this in your purse Mom, or I’m going to play with it,” he confessed. I gave him a little hug, “You can fidget for now, Seth! Really, it’s okay!” and he went back to his place, Sarah and Caleb between us.
I thought about how easy it was to say “it’s okay” this time instead of “give me that!” and how it softened my own heart as well as his. I know it softened his because very soon he came back and sat himself between me and his sister, snuggling up close to me with his small hands holding the spinner. Eventually during the sermon the fidget spinner did end up in my purse, but even that was okay, because Seth knew that sometimes it’s okay to spin and sometimes it’s not okay to spin, but his Mom loved him and understood his thoughts and ways. He knew he was a good boy.
We listened to his Dad preach and I thanked God over and over for the small son next to me, leaning into me, playing with my hair, my hands, the rings on my fingers. I scribbled sermon notes on a piece of paper and meanwhile Seth was thinking about Mama and wondering and thinking thoughts so he leaned over and whispered, “Are you going to be sad when we’re all grown up?” and I looked at him and nodded a sincere “yes”.
He smiled as he sat back in his seat because it reinforced what he knew was true, “My mom loves me.”
I want to shout it from the rooftops:
BEING A MOM HAS BEEN THE MOST WONDERFUL BECAUSE the CHILDREN HAVE BEEN THE MOST WONDERFUL.
It’s not so much that I myself am a “good mom”, it’s that I know children are gifts from above and I have deep appreciation for the opportunity to love and be loved by them. Wow, what a blessing. So often I have this in mind as I bend down to hug, or reach over to pat any one of my children next to me in the front seat of the car.
WHY DID GOD GIVE me CHILDREN?
One of the reasons is, not only that they need me, but BECAUSE HE KNEW I NEEDED THEM. They, without even knowing it, have served and ministered to my heart in countless ways.
I need their love, I need their childlike wonder to show me what really matters.
We all do….teachers, bus drivers, coaches, aunts, uncles, dads; we are all enriched by the little people in our worlds. We can learn so much from them.
****
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.
He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God
like a little child
will never enter it.”
And he took the children in his arms,
placed his hands on them and blessed them
life itself is grace
(violets for thia) my friend
“Real love creates a generous openness. Have you ever been so caught up in something that you just had to share it? When you are walking alone in the woods, something takes your breath away–a sunset, a waterfall, the simple song of a bird–and you think, ‘If only my beloved were here’. The best things in life were meant to be shared.”
The Sacred Romance, by John Eldredge
I do so love to share life with you here. We had a full and happy weekend and I know you did, too. Isn’t it grand? Air to breath, faces to smile, good food to enjoy, family, friends, sports, hometown plays, children, grown ups, secrets?
beautiful things don’t ask for attention
open your eyes and notice (be on the look out!)
often life brings me to tears
lovely things are silent
Lovely things are silent….
Rosebuds waxing bloom,
Shadows stealing softly
In a darkened room;
Dragonflies on rushes,
Stars in dark blue skies;
Hatching, fuzzy birdlets,
Love in sweethearts’ eyes.
Lovely things are silent. . .
Rainbows in the sky,
Violets shedding fragrance,
A soft breeze waltzing by;
An apple tree in blossom,
Sunsets all aglow;
Moonlight on the water,
Falling soft white snow.
Lovely things are silent. . .
Foam clouds in the sky,
Hummingbirds at flowers,
Butterflies gliding by,
A spider’s dainty spinning,
Wild flowers on a hill.
I bow my head in silence
And in my heart I’m still.
~Betty Fox Solberg
It’s 44 degrees at our place this morning and there is a cheerful fire going in our wood pellet stove. I’m still in my comfortable clothes, with thick socks and slippers on, too. Jacob is getting ready for college and work, our chocolate lab is snoring at my feet. Cat snoozing on the windowsill behind me. The house is quiet and peaceful.
Outside purple and white violets are still in bloom. Some of our town has lilacs open, but mine are not flowered yet. I worry about the trees because last year’s gypsy moth eggs have hatched, there are tiny baby caterpillars everywhere. Baby turtles were found on the bank of the pond this weekend, a miracle in miniature.
‘Tis the season of shivering as we watch our boys play little league baseball.
My husband preached yesterday in church. The whole service did something to my heart; softened it. Love was in the air.
Our daughter Grace is a senior in High school. There is nervousness in the family because we know “last times” are happening and happening fast. In the fall, our three oldest children will be going away to college.
This weekend was “the last school drama production”. I cried and so did she. Oh how she has loved being part of it all. . . .
Grandma and Grandpa came to watch her. We had time for a ramble in the woods and a trip to town, too. Ice cream cones, laughter, games of catch for the boys.
* * * *
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory.”
“. . . .this happened (life itself?) so that the work of God might be displayed.”
girls visiting before getting ready for the play on Saturday; Brittany and Grace
our family pianist
Grandma’s here!
my mom, my friend
we enjoy the same things; home decorating, kitchen life, family, and nature, birding. . .
I ran the baby turtle back to the house to show the children. A wonder and a marvel.
thick grapevine growing up and into a tree
marsh marigold, ferns growing
crossing the stream with a handful of apple blossoms
garden flowers
granddaughter and her grandma
the brothers were practicing baseball and grandpa couldn’t resist joining in
I think ofttimes as the night draws nigh
Of an old house on the hill,
Of a yard all wide and blossom-starred
Where children played at will. ~Author Unknown
coffeeshop
street bench
little lady with her grandpa, eating chocolate
ice cream
Grace’s last high school drama production: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
dancing in the middle of the stage with the boy in white shirt
“Old bamboo” number
scene at the beach song and dance
very old inventors “The Roses of Success” song and dance (Grace is in the middle)
teamwork song (second to end, next to her friend Jenna)
“The Bombie Samba”
final bows
finale
a touching tribute to their beloved director, as this was her last musical
after the show on Saturday night
lots of hugs
with her proud Grandpa and Dad
after the show on Sunday
many tears were shed
Dad with his precious daughter; we are so proud of you, Grace.
Happy Monday friends!
thankful for:
friendship
love notes on the counter from an older brother
little hands touching my hair
questions from curious minds
my husband’s embrace
my husband going to the gas station to get me cream for my coffee this morning
a caring school nurse calling to tell me Sarah has a sore throat
purring cats
warmth inside when outside is shivery
guitar clips via text from Ethan, who is coming home this week
the start of a fresh new week; may God bless us everyone!
“And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water.” Isaiah 35:7
{this moment} catnap
{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
birds and blooms
American Goldfinch; in the trees at the dam by the stream
Eastern Phoebe; wire fence by stream
Black and White Warbler; high in treetops
Ovenbird; in the woods (next pic shows the stripes on the top):
Tufted Titmouse; tree by my house
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; bushes by the driveway (first sighting) It’s a small and very pretty bird.
Sparrow; very common, however I loved him because he threw and stiffened his whole body into his singing.
It takes a powerful amount of energy to be a song bird.
This bird was in the woods this morning, I identified it as a Veery using the Merlin ID app on my phone.
Chipmunk frozen in fear in the woods because he saw me.
Warbling Vireo; bushes on the edge of the field
(not positive about the identification)
Catbird; I love the way they sing
This unidentified hawk (?) made several passes over us all (myself and the little birds) which put a damper on things because he (I’m sure) likes eating little birds. But maybe he was looking for mice?
Common Yellowthroat; isn’t it’s black mask and yellow bib pretty?
I think this is a Female Eastern Towhee but it was difficult to get a photo. It was on the ground the whole time, scratching into the leaves finding food. As soon as I found it in the camera frame it would hop out of it again. The bird book shows a female looking like this with a white breast (which this one may have but I couldn’t see it). A male Towhee was singing up in the branches which also led me to believe it was it’s mate.
Male Eastern Towhee
Mallard Duck; I sat on a boulder with him in the distance but close enough that I could still hear him quacking now and then. Very companionable.
Cardinal; isn’t it pretty with all the gray background and spots of red buds?
Apple blossoms
and Marsh Marigolds
The gypsy moth egg casings are hatching out which means that there are tiny caterpillars EVERYWHERE, it’s rather like a plague. It’s a nature phenomena that I have never seen before in the 10 years we’ve lived here. WAY too many. So I’m hoping that all the birds (and chipmunk) photographed in this blog post like to eat them.
I brought home a branch of apple blossoms and put them in a blue vase by the sink. I picked some white and purple violets, too.
frosty sunday morning
Time to be, time to dream, time to do nothing but wander in outside, free, in nature.
It’s invaluable for young and old.
Doesn’t the red winged black bird remind you of an English Guard?
There is beauty abundant in each ordinary day……and it often stops me in my tracks.
Tom the Turkey.
We wanted to see a Tom with his feathers all fluffed out but it didn’t happen during my visit at Mom and Dad’s until I was on the highway leaving Albany and I saw one on the side of the road with a hen.
*****
“Then there were long, lazy summer afternoons when there was nothing to do but read. And dream. And watch the town go by to supper. I think that is why our great men and women so often have sprung from small towns, or villages. They have had time to dream in their adolescence. No cars to catch, no matinees, no city streets, none of the teeming, empty, energy-consuming occupations of the city child. Little that is competitive, much that is unconsciously absorbed at the most impressionable period, long evenings for reading, long afternoons in the fields or woods.” Edna Ferber
46 photos if I’m not mistaken
HAPPY MAY 1ST
Today is a “catch up day” on the ol’ blog of all the photos I want to share from the last week and a half. I have 46 photos in this post. Life is good, full, beautiful, cherished.
“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” — Willie Nelson
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 1:9
Mom, as she always does, made homemade meals when I was visiting; soup on Friday.
pumpkin bread on Friday evening; I grated the nutmeg and ground the cloves.
pizza on Saturday night
with homemade sauce preserved last fall from her own garden tomatoes
It was so good I was almost crying as I ate it. Tears of joy and of sadness because I can’t make pizza like she does and I have been trying for years. Mostly joy though, I ate three pieces.
She showed me how to make breadsticks using leftover pizza dough. She divided it into pieces and we rolled it out thin (like a snake), drizzled lightly with olive oil, and then twisted it and pressed it through a sprinkling of spice mix of mom’s own choosing on the counter. I remember smoked paprika, fennel, sesame seeds, pepper, poppy seeds. We put them on a cookie sheet to bake and they ended up delicious and fragrant. The next day Mom and I each took one and used it as croutons on salad by crumbling it on top of the greens.
Salad fixings on Sunday afternoon; asparagus, seasoned chicken, tomatoes, cheese, homemade salad dressing.
I went with Dad to his drumming lessons with Kubla the dog.
And for several walks with my parents.
And a nice long walk by myself on a sunny Sunday.
Sunday morning we woke up to frost and a pileated woodpecker! God knew what would get us outdoors in that kind of weather…Mom and I quickly pulled on our coats and boots and had a lovely walk before church, birdwatching. In fact, come to think of it, I do have more photos of that morning but they are on another memory card so I’ll have to share those maybe tomorrow, if ever.
It was a thrill to see the pileated woodpecker; they are the largest woodpeckers in our area and so pretty with the red hat on top.
Mom and Dad’s cat Asian.
Mom’s vegetables started at the window. She uses cut down milk cartons to transplant the tomato seedlings into as they grow bigger.
Dad keeps busy doing wood and keeping the fire going. Even this is picturesque with the wood sheds and rock path, wood smoke, forest in the background, and Dad in his pop of orange.
Sunday afternoon was fun. The frost had melted and the temperature had risen enough to make being outdoors the very best place to be. We worked in the flower bed by the driveway. Mom has a “Rusty Garden” with a collection of old rusty things that she uses as decoration. It’s a fun theme. We took everything out and threw it behind us on the grass.
You can see the different objects she has, most of which came from her Dad’s farm and land years ago before they sold the property.
We cleaned up the edge of the bed and thoughtfully replaced everything in new spots. By the end of summer the plants will fill in among the decorations and be so pretty.
Back at my own home; last week was The Week of the New Lens. The first day it came it was raining outside. (sobs) But then the weather cooperated and I was able to try it out. (cheers)
I was quite far away from these birds and I am thrilled with the photos.
Baltimore Oriole! I stood and listened to it’s beautiful voice before I finally saw it. It was hard to take a photo through all the tree branches–my camera didn’t know what to focus on.
It’s too bad that the roof of the car was in the way but nonetheless, I was so happy to get this photo of a female cardinal and her mate. In my peach tree.
And then on Friday there were four ducks on the pond! I sat on the bench and snapped bout 50 pictures with perfect ease. 🙂
I texted Rich “this lens is awesome!”
He texted back, “I love you, too.”
It’s so funny when they go “bottoms up”.
quacking!
Rich was on a business trip and sent me this selfie! 🙂
Thursday was “take your child to work day” and Seth was the chosen child this year. He went to work wearing clothes just like his Dad wears and with his hair slicked back all handsome. By bedtime he was asking/begging me (and not Dad) to tuck him in and I understood he had had a huge dose of Dad that day. His little love tank was full to overflowing.
Which leaves us with photos from Saturday; Little League Opening Day! It was hot and bright all day long. I went to Home Depot before the game and to my sister’s house. I picked up Naomi and Weston so they could watch the games, too.
The photo of Seth is from the National Anthem. Rich took it with my new lens.
Caleb at bat.
I was sitting on the bleachers!!! So happy with my camera!
After making a double play!
This boy is very verbal and keeps his attention on EVERYTHING, encouraging his teammates and getting them ready and watching for the next plays. He gets VERY into the game, even at home it’s all about baseball with this boy now.
(By the way, he’s a Yankees fan) LOL
I’m going to get him that black stuff that you smudge on your cheeks.
POOR SETH!!!!!!!! He gets TERRIBLE allergic reaction to the dust; his eyes were so red and swollen by the end of the day. Bless his heart. I’m giving him allergy medicine and eye drops now. He’s a good ball player, too, and got to pitch for a few innings.
And that dumb string was dangling all day long. I never did get close enough to tell him to put in inside his pants where it belonged. 🙂
Isn’t he so cute!?!?!
Last, but not least; DAVE! He is 14 and on Juniors this year. He’s known for his speed around the bases, he runs around them just as fast as his dad did when he played. He’s like the Flash (his favorite show on TV).
LOOK at that face of intensity!
I’m so proud of my baseball players. There is practice and/or a game every evening but it’s all worth it. We get outdoors, talk to friends, and watch our boys do great things. In every game there are impressive catches, scores, etc. The moms laugh and try to keep track of everything. Even when the team loses it’s fun simply because they are working together and learning so much. Pastor says baseball is a spiritual sport because “you’re trying to get home”.
ALSO: in pond news: the toads came and mated and then left again (leaving their long strings of eggs behind to hatch and grow on their own)
I had a moment of peace on Saturday evening down by the pond with the toads.
*****
It’s May 1st so try to include flowers in your day or better yet surprise someone else with them. That’s my advice for the day.
Time for me to get off my behind and get to work. Be blessed, my friends. 🙂
{this moment}
waiting for warm ups to begin for the first game of the season
cleaning & shopping together
Well, part of the reason why I went to Mom and Dads was to help Mom out with some spring cleaning. We ate eggs and the homemade pumpkin bread that we had made the night before for breakfast and made a list of what our Saturday would entail. Could we do it all?
We cleaned for hours and hours and then when we decided we had done enough we headed out to visit some of our favorite places and one new place. Dad had plans with Uncle Brian so it was ::girl time::. (whenever Sarah and I end up alone we sing to each other “GIRL TIME” and give high fives.)
(“vintage” grocery store, LOL) Just like when I was a little, it was so small! Why are grocery stores so big these days is what I want to know.
Perry’s ice cream is the best because it’s what I grew up on.
Perfect way to end the day.
It was A-MAZE-ING how much we accomplished!
*****
Things I bought, in their new home:
Over the master bed I’ve been collecting flower prints that I love. The second one from the right is the one I purchased with mom for only 8 dollars. It’s an old framed print of Irises.
wire egg holder shaped like a pig! Perfect for me in many ways. 5 dollars
(filled with eggs from my flock)
Mom had told me once that her Grandma suggested brown glass bottles for rooting plants. So I bought this old one with the paper label charmingly almost gone for 6 dollars. She sent me home with a begonia stem to root. It’s on my kitchen windowsill and I can’t wait to see the roots start to grow.
Striped fiesta round platter (bigger than a dinner plate)
Fiesta salt and pepper shakers, and a small souvenir plate from the factory. I can’t remember the exact prices of the fiestaware but it was very good because it was half off.
Last but not least, all that cleaning inspired me to come home and clean my own house. I’ve been itching to deep clean the pantry (one of my favorite little rooms) and I tackled it this morning. I wiped down all the shelving with yummy smelling Method cleaner, pulled the freezer away from the wall and cleaned the filthy floor under it, washed the dusty windows, and rearranged the foods and other items on the shelves.
I wiped down the glass doors on the hutch and moved it away from the wall, too.
You know that feeling when you clean one room spotlessly and then realize how messy every other room in your house feels? That’s the feeling I have now, but Jacob told me to get over it because it’s not a very nice one. And the house is clean enough. 😉
