DUCK day on Cotton Wood Creek

Seems like every spring we get some new baby ducks-some times twice in the spring. Every year, we (softly) say NO (because the coyotes or some other critter usually gets them eventually) and they seem to magically appear. They are so darned cute. So this is DUCK day on Cotton Wood Creek.

“Oh God…not more ducks…” Bindi has been through this before.

Teddy can’t get the idea that he is a lot bigger and they do not want to play with him, so he is watching from the house-poor Teddy (all he wants to do is play)

All Dusty wants to do is play with Claire-he does not seem to regard the ducks any more than he would a couple of lady bugs under his feet…He is also in the house with Teddy for that reason.

Here is Momma Duckie (Gabe) leading the way … Look at his little flipper…so cute.

Not much more happening on Cotton Wood Creek as we had a family member in the hospital this week-she is doing okay now, but we had a few scary minutes there for a while..

Until next week…God Bless you, your families, and our great country

Mary

Spring Clean Up

First, I am sorry that I did not post last week. I had, what I am absolutely sure, was a memory card of excellent Easter photos. My plan was to post a few of my best. However, I had some computer troubles, and when I put my memory card in all photos were erased! That never happened to me before. I believe I have since fixed the problem as it has not repeated this action (apparently screaming-swearing-pushing keys doesn’t just work on TV’s and remote controls…).

I did not want to go another week with out posting as it was my goal when I started this to be consistent. So I have for you today a very special treat…yes…it is the official, yearly, cleaning of the pond!!! Here is a very attractive pic of the slushy Mister “M” dressed for the occasion (as always).

And of course… what outside job would not be complete without overseers…here Claire and Bindi Loo watch from a safe distance---away from Gabe.

I, the head overseer, was busy trying to sneak pictures of Gabe working (not always easy to capture on film…) I have to be like one of those National Geographic Photogs…having lots of patience, waiting for that “once in a life time” moment…

Got it!

Here is a little turtle wondering what all the fuss is about…

Welcomed proof that Spring has actually arrived here on Cotton Wood Creek

Next week, if all digital gadgets cooperate, I hope to be able to share one of Claire’s songs she is planning to sing at her school’s talent show. Until then… and if I may be so bold...

God Bless America…Mary

Birthday Dinner

The Mysterious Mister “M” and I are lucky that our mothers were born on the same day (a couple years a part; one is 39 years old and the other is 41-we will leave it that). I always like to have something special for them. This year, feeling in the mood for a smaller, peaceful gathering, I made dinner, and we celebrated a quiet evening. I cooked a rib roast with a delicious crunchy garlicky-peppery-salty crust and a porcini, bacon au jus for the main course. We had asparagus in puff pastry with a lemon-wine-butter sauce for a first course. Lastly, I attempted a Martha Stewart recipe for the birthday cake. It was a hummingbird cake with dried pineapple flowers on top. It did not look like the picture when I finished it. It looks okay here, but that is because I am not posting the real picture (sorry Martha, I wanted to save you the embarrassment!). Tasted okay though…
I made one mother a book of her gardens from BLURB (see last post for link). She loved it. I made the other mother a collage of sorts of pictures our kids (yes her grand-kids)-I used some scrapbook pages that I sized very small and printed out a Walgreens. That worked out well. I also gave some gift cards; she likes to shop. I wrapped the book in scrapbook paper and fashioned a flower on the top with matching paper. I used the other gift as a center piece to make the table look pretty. Here are some pictures of the gifts and the table.

I love to really dress it up and make it special. Sometimes that is much more work than having all the family over. I was exhausted at the end of the night, but they seemed as if they enjoyed it. I always make enough for leftovers, that is another benefit of doing the cooking.

Tonight, the weather forecast calls for 4-6 inches of snow!!!!! We shall see about that.

Until next week, have a blessed Holy Week. Mary