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| Apple Blossoms @ Hickory Hill Farm |
I hope everyone had a restful weekend. I actually did much more than I originally intended, as there were multiple tasks that needed to be accomplished around the farmhouse. I did manage to get a little rest in, too.
Great news! Over the weekend, the hummingbirds have returned to the farmhouse (and I had the feeders waiting for them!), and yesterday I saw a stunning indigo bunting. The Baltimore orioles are pigging out on the grape jam in the feeder, and I put out a fresh orange for them, too. I moved a few more hooks closer to the apple tree and filled those with goodies for the blue jays, cardinals, red wing blackbirds, cowbirds, woodpeckers, sparrows, gold and purple finches, and bluebirds. Handsome's aerial acrobats, the barn swallows are back and patrolling the yard again much to our delight. It really is a flashy feather show around here these days!
I have two more weeks (at this point) of extra hours, so I'll be at work today, tomorrow and a full day on Friday. I'll be glad when they finally hire some reliable folks to take the hours off me. I have pursuits I'd much rather be doing here.
I have to go now, but I'll try to keep up with the home things I love so much, to make sure you have something more interesting to read than my work schedule. I'll be back tomorrow. See you then!
Really interesting about birds and the grape jam. I'm not sure my husband would want to give that up :)
ReplyDeleteHi Judy:
DeleteI don't share my home canned grape jam. I purchase grape jelly from the store for the orioles. They and a few others love it. We've always said we're surprised there aren't a lot of diabetic birds in our yard! (Handsome wouldn't give up the homemade jam either!)
xoxo
Donna
We have a lot of birds now too.
ReplyDeleteOther than the regular Chickadees, Blue Jays & Blush Bellies, Downys, & Hairys, we now have Orioles, Evening Grosbeaks & a large Red Headed Woodpecker.
We love the birds, they are fascinating to watch!
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn:
DeleteWe love them, too. Handsome gets miffed when they disappear when the barn cats are out. (Truthfully, I wish I could just keep them inside, but they insist quite noisily.) I told Handsome I'm glad the birds fly off for a while. I know they're safe then.
xoxo
Donna
No hummers or orioles here yet. I need to get my feeders out this week.
ReplyDeleteI have all the other birds plus the wild turkeys, do you have any idea how loud
a Tom gobble is when you are talking to him and he is standing right next to you?
I just love all of my creatures.
It's such a busy time of year for home keeping, both inside and out, but it keeps me out
of trouble.
Enjoy the week.
Shirley
Hi Shirley:
DeleteI'm sure it won't be long before they're in your yard, too. I can only imagine how loud the turkeys are up close. I know they're loud out in the fields around us, but they're rank amateurs compared to the sandhill cranes! I have so much I want and need to do at home, but work is getting in the way. My boss hired a new cashier and her first day is the 20th. I can't wait. Maybe I can get back to my normal hours by the end of the month?
xoxo
Donna
It's wonderful to hear all the birds chirping away. Haven't seen a humminbird yet this year and it's doubtful we will because we're three stories up and they rarely come up that high. One year we managed to find a fuschia at the nursery in time and attracted the wee birds but alas no fushia's to be had this year, at least not where we've been.
ReplyDeleteHi MA:
DeleteI keep my window open at night now, and in the mornings I awaken with the bird songs. (Mind you, I don't get UP that early, but I wake up long enough to know they're singing. lol) I wonder if putting out a hummer feeder might attract them to your level? They sure are wonderful to have around. I might try if I were you. You just never know.
xoxo
Donna
We've thought of putting up a feeder but if we do it would mean we'd have to forego having a hanging flower. I opt for flowers simply because they're so pretty and, if I can get a fuschia the hummingbirds might visit. They did a couple years ago but we haven't been able to find a plant since then.
DeleteSherryofcreateology: I honestly do not know how you are keeping the work hours you do. I would love to have extra cash for my wants however I know my body and I just could not work at this age and condition. I remain grateful for my life and for not having to work. There is life after money! I think of you every day and pray you stay well and safe.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry:
DeleteTruthfully, I don't know how I do either. I'm just so protective of my boss, as I've known her since she was a little girl. Don't really need the money, but it's a welcome bonus. I get home and my legs are just about ready to drop off. Thankfully, someone brings my till drawer up from the basement, so at most, I only have to make the up/down once a day. Most days, someone offers to take it back down for me, too, but stubborn me hates to ask. She hired a new cashier to start on the 20th. If the gal shows and sticks around, perhaps I can get back to my regular schedule by the end of the month. Fingers crossed! Plus, if I get the MRI on my injured knee, I may need time off for the surgical repair. Of course, I'm in no way looking forward to ANOTHER procedure, but our elder son is also an EMT and said I'd likely need surgery to fix something that won't heal on its own. We'll see. sigh Thanks for your prayers, dear. I can use all of those I can get.
xoxo
Donna