Winter Solstice

Shriveled red peppers cling to their plants, still standing in frozen ground. The starkest contrast of life and death, warmth and cold. We didn't get up any of the plants this year, just let them fade and take whatever form came most naturally to them. The peppers hang on the longest. Ironically, that food which rarely stands alone in a meal remains alone in our garden. All signs of life removed and still it sprouts proudly from the ground.

Though the days will soon be getting longer-first comes the cold. The old adage "going to bed with the chickens" plays itself out each night, here. Our girls flee to the warmth of the roost, nestled together. Beaks tucked under wing until the sunshine of the morning warms their coop.

I let the squirrel eat for a while -this time of year he's earned the luxury of leaving his home in the woods crossing the road and sneaking over our cattle gate for a scant bite of scratch feed. When I open the door, releasing Ike & Dolly he'll scurry home-heart racing from the chase but with hunger satisfied.

Each morning the cast of characters expands at the single feeder. Female cardinals are Drew's favorite-the slight hints of red in her mostly grey ensemble (much like those peppers in the garden). The more frequent-the loyalists I call them- appeal more to me: chickadee, tufted titmouse, and finches of all hues. They gather, fill their bellies, and fly off to the barren apple tree until time for lunch.

The life in our yard, this day, belongs to animals-not plants. But it's enough to sustain my heart until the thaw. Although next year a goat might be a nice addition.

Animal Tails

It's story time friends. see what I did with the title there This morning while Ike and I watched a documentary about solitary confinement we were disrupted by what sounded like someone trying to get into the house. He perked up his ears and like the good guard dog I am I got up to either run for the gun or hide behind the chair. I hadn't yet decided.

Then I saw about 6 birds come over to the window right beside our chair and I soon realized they were the ones causing the ruckus. When the door wouldn't open they tried the window:

This little guy pecked on the screen for a good while before giving up. I couldn't decide if they were there to hold me hostage until I put out bird seed or if they were seeking supplies for nests (which I think it may be too late in the year for, I'm a bird-watcher not a bird-psychic).

Since it's summer and I trust they are finding food easily I decided to give them supplies for a nest, should that be what they're after. Ergo:

My second animal tale is a humorous one...probably should've started with it. I took my comforter to the cleaner's last week  to drop off because it smelled like Ike and I wanted it to be clean before I give it away.

I took it in a garbage bag because it is also covered with Ike. The man kindly asked me if he would find any "surprises" in said bag. I responded no and he proceeded to tell me about a woman who came in with a similar bag but wrapped in her comforter was dog poo.

This left me with the uncomfortable task of having to utter the phrase, "No sir, there's no shit in that bag." I can only hope that opportunity will present itself again in my lifetime.

And here's a picture of my favorite animal tail:

 

Actually now that I think about it I have lots of pics of legit animal tail, for your viewing pleasure;

 

 

 

 

I have a real knack for snapping pictures of God's creatures as they run away from me. It's my gift.

Weekend Update

So on Thursday we had this:

 



 

But then Saturday morning we had breakfast on that very same patio and watched bluebirds fight over our bluebird house for 2 hours. I haven't watched anything that entertaining in ages. Here are some snapshots:

 

 

 

I swear to you it was like watching house hunters. They would come look and fly away. Then come and sit, then more would come and look and then they would fight over it. So out of necessity, my husband created this masterpiece:

 

 

 

 

Built with his own 2 hands. While he did that, I spray painted every chair I could get my hands on:

 

 

We took a brief rest to go to the international street fair, where we had some yummy not-health department approved international cuisine.

 

 

Then we came home and planted some seeds:

The sun was bright, which is why I have no eye balls.

 

 

Today we went to early church, took a nap outside on the pallet bed and then had dinner on the patio at the Cellar.

 

 

I assure you Ike had water although it may not appear so here and I also assure you that I had nothing to do with the fact that my husband is wearing camo crocs in public.....with socks.

 

This is Drew saying, "I'm so sexy I can wear crocs and it doesn't even matter."

 

 

Tonight we had a bonfire and s'mores with lots of friends: old and new. Some had to Skype in but that was just as great.

 

 

So basically we've only been inside to sleep this weekend. But oh thank you Jesus for this sunshine. It has been heavenly.

 





Is bird watching résumé worthy?

I have a new perch. When Drew gets home I'll make him take a picture of me sitting at it (try to contain your excitement) But, currently I'm watching 2 blue jays eating seed on a stump in my yard. They look as though they are discussing gun control over brunch, just like every other American today. I kid, but they do look very serious.

My new seat of choice is in the kitchen where I can enjoy my newfound hobby: bird-watching. Remember my bird-feeder purchase a while back? Well I promised an update and today is that day, get ready people.

While I started only modestly with a single feeder, the plethora of birds living in a brush pile across my yard quickly informed me that it simply wasn't enough. Thus:

Disclaimer: I don't own a camera, ergo bird pictures from my phone.

A bell:

Seed on the shelf:

 

 

Seed on a stump:

 

 

And my newest venture:

Bird Seed on toilet paper rolls!!!

 Which also allows for some sibling antics before use:

And please don't be like my negative Nancy husband and say: "What happens when they get wet?" Because my answer is I don't know, but it's probably soggy and gross.

I'm also studying up:

 



I realize I'm not in Tennessee but this was a free book from mother dearest so I'm becoming an expert on lesser yellowlegs and dickcissels both real birds in my new bird book. And I also know the names of all of the fowl I posted pictures of, ask me anything.

 

 

I'm aware that this may not be exciting to many of you, but I also know many of you will soon be snowed in and may be hard up for reading material so my bird blog may seem a little more exciting in the midst of your cabin fever tonight.

 

 

I'm off to wait on the snow and take unclear pictures of my birds in said snow. Keep warm everyone! 

Recent Happenings, Crockpot Love and Hair Update

It seems its time for a blog that won't warrant serious discussion. I mean perhaps someone will want to discuss whether or not my hair really is naturally curly. Or whether or not the crock pot makes life too easy. Or someone may want to argue that Virginia is not the most beautiful state in the fall. Okay that last one is taking it a little too far. But please let's put our opposing views aside for this incredibly important post.

Curls

First of all: an update on the curls! (not to be confused with the "girls" cause those are just fine).

Some of you may look at it and think, that poor girl with the mess atop her head. But I look at it and say hallelujah, my curls are back. Granted there are still days I go around like this:

Awkward facial expression and all. Eek. And admittedly I still love my "do-rags" as some would say. Others may say bandanna. I like to call it my Rosie the Riveter look. But all in all I'm pleased with my curls when I take the time to fix them.

Crockpot Cooking

 As things have become more busy with school, observation, and research I'm grateful that Drew has picked up another wife to help around the house. Her cooking is much better than mine and it takes her no time to get cleaned up. Frankly, she makes me look bad. Okay, I kid. But using the crockpot is totally like having another set of hands around here to help with dinner. Tonight she is making us chicken and rice. A couple of days ago she made us spinach dip. In the past couple of weeks she's made tomato basil parmesan soup, white chicken chilli, pulled pork bbq, beef roast and deer meat. Please ladies, do yourself a favor and let someone else do the work. There is nothing better than a crockpot meal on a cold night. Pinterest is full of recipes, I'm thinking of starting a whole board just for those recipes I can put on in the morning and have it ready for me when I get home. I'm much more pleasant when I don't have to come home and still make a "home-cooked" meal and this way we still get good home-cooking and I'm not scowling by the time we finally sit down to dinner. If anyone needs some recipes comment or send me a message I would be happy to share my knowledge to make everyone's life easier.

Recent Happenings

A couple of weekends ago Drew's parents came to visit. We headed to Floyd to Chateau Morrisette winery. It was beautiful and we had a great time and I think Drew's parents did too. We had lunch there and it was delicious. (Their wine is amazing also and I know for a fact they carry it at Food City in Wise so go grab some Wise Countians, just look for the black dog on the bottle).

After lunch we explored the winery and headed to downtown Floyd to the Country Store for some ghost stories.

It's truly like going back in time. I believe with all of my heart that Drew and I will live there one day. If you never visit any other small town in Virginia, make it Floyd. And if you can make it on a Friday night all the better. My Appalachian Geography professor plays bluegrass outside the country store every Friday night. I mean not just him, but lots of people. Even you if you want, take your banjo or guitar and join in.

 I took this pic on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sweet Virginia.

It was a fun weekend and I was glad that Drew's parents got to come for a visit!

 Other happenings have been that I purchased my first bird feeder right before our first snow. We were out buying a propane heater, gallons of water and a Coleman stove in case we lost power. And Drew looked at me like I had 3 heads when I told him we have to help the birds prepare for bad weather too.

 As a bird lover's daughter I know birdies are like people and they love to eat when it snows. It has been out for almost two weeks and I finally saw three eating at it yesterday. The mistake, however, was telling my mom because she immediately quizzes me about what kind of birds they were. And I'm left saying things like "the regular kind" or "small and black" she's never been more ashamed I'm sure.

Other than that excitingness we have just been doing the regular ol' things. My mom asked me the other night if we were "the party house" because we were having people over again. But I love having people here. Granted I have to close off the disaster that is our bedroom right now but I love that people feel comfortable just stopping by or staying the night. So anyone in the mood for a road trip come see us! I hope to have Christmas up in the next week or so, so come one come all. The crock pot will cook us an amazing meal and I will let you fix my hair. It'll be a blast!

Getting My Stuff Together

My mother called me crude this week so I will try to keep the cursing to a minimum but just know what I wanted this title to be. I've spent a small fortune since I've started feeling crafty again ($100 at JoAnn's and $30 on junk out of the dollar bins at Michael's, $40 at Hobby Lobby) but for someone who is unemployed and married to a college student that's lotsa moola. So in the name of to started to take it more seriously I decided to create my own little "craft corner" (original I know but my husband thinks I made it up myself and loved it, nerd).

Drew has a desk he does his homework at (or more frequently plays StarCraft at, again I say nerd) and that is kind of our catch all room, where the futon (dog's bed) and the ironing board are. Since it's off to itself a bit I started piling all of my purchases in there.

Luckily Drew and I don't iron much, unless it's for church and then we end up just trying on 18 different outfits until we find one that doesn't HAVE to be ironed (but still probably should be).

I thought about taking over Drew's desk but I guess since he is in school it wouldn't be fair but then I had an epiphany. A couple of months ago Drew and my dad almost lost their religion while carrying an armoire up 3 flights of stairs to our apartment. My parents wanted to get rid of it and what is my apartment if not a thrift store haha. Deno and Drew were none too happy but Lisa was happy to be rid of it and I was happy to have a huge piece of furniture to take up a good portion of a really long (and undecorated) wall in my apartment. And so.....

TA-DA!

And when I make a huge mess I can just close it off.

Oh and in case no one noticed I will tell on myself. I did not read a book this week, I have no great excuse I just didn't, however I could have read several while I waited in the doctor's office Tuesday had I had any with me. But it was totally worth the wait when my gyno called me a fashionista and listened intently as I described how I made my diy scarf.

Also I'm conducting an experiment and being mocked mercilessly by my husband. I wanted to see just how hungry birds here in the NRV really are so I am trying to feed them.......

You guessed it, the off brand frosted mini-wheats. So far I haven't seen any but my mom always says it will take the birds a few days to find the feed you put out so that's my excuse. I will keep you posted on my bird sightings.