"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Flash

Winter is on the wane. How do I know?  I'll tell you at the end.


This is how I amuse myself on those cold winter days when I don't venture out much.


The same nuts I bought for $4.98 per bag before Christmas are now 75 cents per bag and I buy lots of them.  The squirrels are waiting on the porch each morning when I raise the shades.  I'm afraid I've let them get too friendly, but they make me smile.


Of course, the weenies come running to chase them away, but the squirrels have little fear of them.  Sister is momentarily guarding the lot.


In an instant, the squirrels are back.  I'm surprised they even run away from the weenies as they don't go more than a few steps away.

The weather will be warm today and I'll be out cleaning up some flower beds, in between watching the wildlife.  Everyone has been sick with a form of the flu; I think we've all had variations of the same virus.  I am at the end of mine, but this one saps your energy so I may be doing more watching than working.

Besides cleaning the flowerbeds, I'll be making a loaf of bread from friend Monique's blog.  I haven't made bread in years, so I am going to have to be patient and let it rise for a long time.

And lastly, winter is on the wane.  At the farm, I always looked for the changes of the seasons. Signs of spring, like the wild onions and mayapples are the first to appear. In the city, the birds are busy popping in and out of the birdhouses, feathering their nests.  Both the males and females are bringing in dried grasses and feathers, prepping for their spring hatch.  Seems early, but there you are.


"Do you know why swallows build in the eaves of houses? It is to listen to the stories."

Peter Pan





38 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

Donna, today here the birds have been singing all day. You are quite right, Spring is only just round the corner, I hope I am not tempting fate by saying so.

donna baker said...

I think as time has speeded up considerably these later years, the changing of the season is a constant. Spring is my favorite time of year.

La Table De Nana said...

That little shopping cart:)Something tells me
You could write and illustrate a charming little wildlife story.
Our squirrels are all over the place,the snow is coated in ice..I see them sitting on it and I shiver☺️Hope the bread turns out!Walnut and cranberry?Should be fine..I am spotting it here and there ❤️It is not mine though☺️Glad your virus is on the adieu!

Joanne Noragon said...

That is a heart catching quote.
My sparrows, for I have none other, are shagging like spring birds.

angryparsnip said...

Adore your photos that is a fun way to see and feed the "wildlife".
I have to be very careful feeding the wildlife here. To many predators.

I think we had at the most a week of Fall tha ran into 3 days of winter. Very little rain and snow. Bad bad bad bad summer coming .
Thank You again for the Scotty plate and everyone loves it.

cheers, parsnip and mandibles

donna baker said...

Monique, I've seen squirrels eating the swelling buds of trees in early spring so I hope they stored some of the nuts under bark. We'll see how it turns out. I may start baking bread all the time after this. Can't wait until tomorrow.

donna baker said...

I guess I never noticed, Joanne, how early they begin their preparations.

donna baker said...

So glad you love it Gayle. It found its way to a good home. We've had very little rain this winter and I am worried about wildfires this spring. The ranchers will start burning off fields soon and with the drought, it ought to be dangerous. Only predators in the city are the red tailed hawks and the sparrows hide in the bushes when they come around.

Michelle said...

I have birds at the feeders, but no one is singing, just yet. More snow predicted here in KY. February is supposed to be brutal for us.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

We are currently in a weird January thaw (this too shall pass) and I have been seeing more squirrels in the past few days then I have all winter! Our squirrels, however, do no have their own shopping cart with which to transport their nuts. -Jenn

Ry @ Sotto Il Monte Vineyards said...

Good to know as I am more than ready for spring to roll around. Hope you continue to feel better, this year has been a bad one for the flu. Very worrisome. I have felt under the weather for two months now. Seasonal allergies have nailed me. Nice to see you blogging again!😊

Out on the prairie said...

I am ready for spring! I like the shopping cart, I put lots out for them and they do tame down.I make all my bread during the cold months, it is therapeutic.Plus I eat better with it.

ellen abbott said...

the cardinals are engaging in mating behavior but I haven't seen any activity around any of the bird houses. the 10 petal anemones started blooming. I'll prune my roses on the 1st. I used to wait til the 14th but by then these days they have already budded out.

donna baker said...

I hope not Michelle. But, it'll will make spring all the better.

donna baker said...

Another Canadian talked of her squirrels and I just hope the squirrels up there store their supplies above ground.

donna baker said...

Always so nice to hear from you Ry. With spring comes all things good. At least that's what I tell myself.

donna baker said...

I'm afraid I'll eat the whole loaf. I could live by bread alone.

donna baker said...

I am itching to plant, but know it's too early up here. I've even thought of starting seeds, but what a mess I make when I do that.

Amanda Summer said...

Hahahaha!!!! I love the squirrel pushing the tiny shopping cart!
You are such a creative Donna :)))

Cobalt Violet said...

Hi!
The squirrel with the nuts is adorable!!! I love it! You’re so funny.

Things have been crazy for me and I’ve been gone and/or occupied. I have a new man in my life (I actually knew him in high school!) and it’s long distance so he stayed with me for over a month in the fall and then I went over the holidays for over two weeks to his place - on the north shore of O’ahu. Plus I had a pre planned trip with cousins to Boulder and my big trip. It’s been crazy.

Anyway... trying to get caught up and go through your posts. How’s your back doing? And I’m so sorry to read that about your sis. By now I’m hoping she’s got a great doc and really good plan in place for healing. I’m thinking of you and sending hugs and good juju!
Big blessings to you for this 2018.
Xo
Ps my computer is now in the shop - it froze up after all so hopefully it can be fixed and I can share more Edinburgh soon. I’m writing this from my iPhone.

donna baker said...

At the farm, the little shopping cart was for fruit, then junk so I brought it to the city for little granddaughter to play in her kitchen, but her parents said no, so the squirrels inherited it. They keep pushing it over. How are you Amanda. So glad to hear from you.

donna baker said...

So good to hear from you Lucinda. I guess computers are passe nowadays. I got my daughters new Macs for Xmas and one hasn't even opened it. Seems the younguns are now using their phone for everything. They are necessary for photos though and I can't wait to see more from your big trip. Great news about the new beau and a surfer at that. You are a catch so I hope he know that. Keep me posted from time to time. Remember, I live vicariously through you. PS - Sis is carrying on. It is all one can do.

Debbie Nolan said...

Oh Donna - I just adore your entertainment. What a truly wonderful way to spend winter. Unfortunately spring is still several weeks away for us. In fact snow is on its way again tonight. We did have a lovely Jan. thaw. Well take care and don't overdo in those flowerbeds. Hugs!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Girl, you are hilarious !
I hear the squirrels every morning on the roof, I'm scared they will get inside the eaves, as they did in my potting shed, and ate everything in sight, even the vents :)
The bread baking sounds wonderful, I love the smell of freshly baked bread, simply one of life's pleasures.
Keeping fingers crossed we'll be facing spring weather and warming up in the next few weeks.
Stay well dear friend.
Hugs
~Jo

Kirsten Steen said...

Yay! So glad you're back. And thank you for stopping by. Hoping all is well in your world and I'm with you... spring is the best time. Enjoy all the little signs popping up all over. Hugs to you!

donna baker said...

Sadly Deb, I didn't overdo it. I have tomorrow to finish before the next arctic blast.

donna baker said...

You too dearest Jo. Another blast is coming this weekend and I plan on vegging out. Oh wait I can't. A dear friend's mother is turning 90! and I wouldn't miss her party for anything.

donna baker said...

You too Kirsten! Glad to hear from you.

Down by the sea said...

The squirrels made me smile too! Sarah x

donna baker said...

Two of a kind, Sarah.

jerilanders said...

As soon as I saw those rabbit ears I began laughing! Remember adjusting those things?!! Only if your OUR age. Even though the squirrel buddy is irresistible, everyone must be wondering where that little shopping cart came from?!

donna baker said...

I thought the rabbit ears were cute. The basket was a fruit holder then a junk holder so I brought it to little granddaughter to play kitchen with. Her parents didn't want it at their house, so it holds nuts for the squirrels. Will go to Goodwill before too long. It does look funny when the squirrels push it. Three are regular beggars.

Share my Garden said...

Providing a shopping trolley for the squirrels? Too much encouragement, Donna! They breed like rabbits. Soon you'll be wanting to give them a suitcase so that they can pack and go somewhere else.

troutbirder said...

Interesting stories and pictures and I love the wry humor....:)

donna baker said...

Like in my house Rosemary. One ventured in the other day.

donna baker said...

Thank you.

Curtains in My Tree said...

The weenies are so cute and so is that fat squirrel getting into the cart to get a nut.
I don't know where you live however no sign of spring here, it was 4 degrees this morning.Snow for tomorrow.
I love spring and will be glad to clean out my flower bed.

donna baker said...

Me too. I am not a winter fan. Can't wait for warmth. My weenies are my children.