"Regrets, I've had a few but then again too few to mention ...." can't say that I ever heard anyone but Frank Sinatra sing that.
I regret that at this time of year I don't have the time for blogging that I'd like to have nor do I have enough time to properly read and comment on other blogs. It's not cause I'm such a busy person it's because we don't, by choice, have an internet connection at the cottage and when we're home there is so much other stuff that has to be taken care of that computer time is a bit of a luxury. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! And did I mention there's no time for sewing, etc. either? (grin)
I'd like to thank my new followers for becoming followers and extend my gratitude to all of you - without you this would be like talking to myself.
The photo below is of a Showy Lady Slipper that was growing in our yard at the cottage - this variety is considered rare by some authorities, which makes it extra special. It's as beautiful as in the photo.
I believe I neglected to mention in a previous post that the robins nesting in the tree by the deck at the cabin survived the wind and low temperatures so we're looking forward to all the activity once the eggs hatch - should be fun. We're still waiting for the tree swallows to return and raise their family in the birdbox. There were some barn swallows checking out the verandah and I fear we may have to do some evictions when we return.
We pass this old homestead going to and from the cottage ... there is something compelling about it and we often stop. I wonder if the story behind it is as interesting as we think it might be. Don't you love that crooked evergreen?
Several weeks ago Linda from Razzle Dazzle Quilter awarded me the Liebster Blog Award - thank you, Linda. I've made several unsuccessful attempts at copying the Liebster button to my blog and cannot fulfill the obligations of the award until I accomplish this. I shall keep trying.
The weather has been dreadful this past week here at home and at the cottage - cold, windy, and wet ; there's been frost and even some snow. It's got to be tough for the farmers and the birds and critters. Over the weekend we saw 3 Canada Geese families with 11, 8, and 6 goslings who are no longer yellow but still fuzzy ... they're so cute!
One night whilst at the cottage it was +2 C in the evening and the hummingbirds were flitting back and forth in front of the windows, through the verandah, and around their feeder sometimes hovering at a window, then one of them sat on the window ledge for about 15 minutes before flying away .... I was afraid they might not make it through the night especially since it was 0 C the next morning. I was delighted to see them flitting around the next day! Here's the little guy - can you see him peeking between the blind slats?
I'd whined mentioned to my DH that it would be nice to have a washing machine at the ctg. so we didn't have to cart linens back and forth. So look what I got .... isn't he a sweetie?!?!
The garden is doing well at the cottage, which is more than I can say for the one at home. I'm thinking about sod for the garden at home next spring.
Interestingly, I had 'scheduled' a couple of posts to appear whilst we were away - neither did so I guess I did something wrong! Always lots to learn. I picked up the mail at the post office and our mailbox was FULL and when I checked our email inbox there were over 200 messages - what the heck? Needless to say I am still going through the email messages as time permits. What I really miss is the time to look at all the blogs that I follow.
This is a Lavatera in last year's garden ... isn't she gorgeous!
We've been busy planting the vegetable garden at home having planted the one at the cabin last week. I took my hubby to the greenhouses with me and I've been busy planting his purchases .... now, why is it that he buys, I plant /I buy, I plant - something wrong with this picture. (grin) I enjoy working in the gardens even though my backside sometimes often complains. The hubby does all the rototilling so he's doing his fair share, too. The garden is totally planted and we're just waiting for some rain but there is a frost warning out for tonight - hopefully this is it for several weeks.
Yesterday we had our first rhubarb pie of the season ... it was so yummy!
I stitched this one in 2004 ... I used to date my work. I was looking through an old CrossQuick magazine (June/July 89 - now that's old!) and came across this design and said "self, you've stitched this one ... what did you do with it?" That led me to my stash of unfinished x-stitch - yes, I confess, I do have a few unfinished projects. There it was and I decided to finish it right away. It's a mini wall hanging and I used triangles on the back for hanging - it will go to the cabin. Do you see the bottom left side and the top right side - they're wonky but matching wonky .... don't know how I managed that since I measured and re-measured before I started sewing. Alas, it's proof that it was handmade.
We're just back from several days at the cottage/cabin/fishing shack/home away from home/our piece of heaven on earth .... goes by many names! There was quite a mixed bag of weather from cool to hot with some rain thrown in and WIND - oh my, the wind was relentless at times and that seems to be happening right across the prairie provinces. Interestingly, on our way there there was just a green tinge on the trees and everything was in full leaf when we headed home!
I didn't spot any goslings but my hubby did and we saw no ducklings so we're expecting to see plenty of them next trip down.
Hum (Ruby Throated Hummingbird) arrived on the evening of May 12 and we were ready for him - they always amaze me that they come looking for nectar at the same spot every year! Mrs. Robin made a nest in the big spruce tree by the deck .... she was a very busy lady for an entire day but then disappeared for about 24 hours - perhaps she and her fella were off on their honeymoon! We had visits by the Myrtle Warblers and Yellow Warblers and a family of Evening Grosbeaks hung around for a few days. The day before we left a Goldfinch arrived to dine at our feeders. One afternoon whilst loafing on the deck a pair of Common Mergansers swam back and forth before the female climbed up on the dock to preen herself; her partner just swam around keeping an eye on her and for any danger that might lurk and finally decided to join her on the dock but little dog spotted him and sent them on their way (yes, we scolded her) .... and wouldn't you know it that the camera was inside and I just knew that opening the door would frighten them off - luckily, I had managed to get a photo of them swimming around a few days earlier. Nigel, the squirrel, loves to torment little dog and eats all the bird seed!
It was overcast for the Super Moon but the next night we managed to get this brief glimpse.
Such splendour to arise to!
Our resident Common Mergansers - she is just as pretty as he is.
Mrs. Robin built her nest here ... I like how the reflection of the sun was framed.
Leaving on a jet plane .......
Had these really nice but plain napkins in the linen closet and decided to fancy them up! Simple lavender sprigs was just the thing.
We said goodbye to Old Dog today - she's at the Rainbow Bridge. She blessed us with 15 years of companionship for which we're grateful. We miss her.
I was Suzy Homemaker today ..... made a pot of soup with some pork hocks, a foccacia. and some frugal butter - guess what we had for lunch? Just now I have some butter softening to make some Walnut Squares. I don't have pix of the soup or bread so I thought I'd show off share pix of my tea cozy and coffee cozy. The coffee cozy that wraps around the coffee press never seemed to keep the coffee hot enough so with this one we get to have a second cup of hot coffee!
