Purling Oaks

Sunday's Backyard View

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This photo was taken a little after 9 AM this morning.  I love how the finch feeder is full of birds and, if you look closely, you can see a squirrel tail on the far feeder.  It started raining early this morning but, as you can see, the snow has started. 

Mom's flight from California made it into Detroit just fine this morning but her flight to Appleton was canceled.  Now, she is on a flight to Minneapolis with hopes of arriving home on a third flight this afternoon.  Good travel thoughts for Mom are much appreciated.

Yesterday, I rented the wallpaper steamer machine from our local hardware store at noon.  DH brought it back at 4:30 PM after we removed the wallpaper from our basement bathroom.  I was afraid this would be a beast of a job but only a normal amount of effort was expended.  One hint for those of you applying wallpaper....remember to prime the surface first, even if it is only a patch.  If you don't prime, the wallpaper will stick, stick, stick when you want it to release should you or someone else ever want to remove the paper.  DH has all ready removed the vanity and replaced the toilet from the old blue (yes, 1970's blue) ceramic.  Now, to research what flooring to install.  Vinyl or Ceramic (on concrete) or some other option?

Spirit renewal and feathers

It is raining today and the air smells clean and woodsy. I stood on our front porch and drew in several big breaths, filling my lungs with the goodness. I love this smell of the pines and earth and rain. The rain is renewing--cleansing the air and engaging my spirit. I wish I was more of a wordsmith so I could give you the same feeling.

Living in the country has challenges and rewards. Today is a reward.

Here is the view from my seat at the dining room table this morning.

I bought the long thistle feeder this October with our Jung dollars, kind of as a joke. It has turned out to be very entertaining and we've seen birds covering the feeder just after filling it.

These are gold finches with their drab winter garb. In Spring, we will see more sunny yellow feathers.

Just after taking these photos, there were some more visitors to the backyard.......

We tried to count the turkeys and agreed that there are over 40 birds, but we couldn't settle on a grand total because they were in constant motion. I heard the turkeys this morning from the front porch and spied them through the trees in the field to my west. They must have made their way into the woods and then out into the yard.

We have a quiet New Year's Eve celebration planned for tonight. Dinner will be venison tenderloins, probably pan-fried with a little garlic, little red potatoes, and something green (I'm still deciding) with a bottle of cabernet sauvignon that was a holiday gift from friends who know wine, so it should be very nice. Oh, yes, and we will be watching the Packer game and crossing our fingers for a good result. I enjoy the games but this wild card game selection is for the birds. :-) Have a safe and happy New Year celebration!