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

Birthday Book

I love blurb.com!!!
I have been working on this small book about my mother’ gardens for her birthday. I ordered it and it came about 5 days later. It looks great! The paper used is top quality and the dust cover is beautiful.

It actually looks better than I thought it would (having seen others made from different sources). I have not given it to her yet, but fear not, she will not see it on my blog as she has no (realistic) idea how to use a computer. She recently started watching NCIS and she now thinks that everyone (i.e.-me) with computer has the same capabilities as the NCIS and the same knowledge as Abby for using it.

Anyway, everyone around here knows that come Spring, my mom can be found in her gardens or in someone else’s garden digging and planting. She loves her flowers and no one has flowers like she does. Anything grows in her garden. So, not being a person who ever wants gifts, I thought I would make her a book. I think she will like it.

I have been busy with all kinds of things lately (in my head); wish I had the time and energy to do them all. However, I did start a project that I had in mind for a while. Last week I posted pictures I took of Claire. I printed them out on vellum and started to put a collage of sorts together of several different poses. Here is what I have at the moment.

I covered painted blocks of wood with them with gesso.

Hope to have some finished ones when I check in next week.

Until then...God Bless and Keep you. Mary

some new pics

I had an idea for a particular project, part of my wood block project I told you about last time. Naturally, Claire was a willing subject. She hears a camera click rooms away and shows up with a ready smile. It is also a good thing that she is the perfect model. Because I am her mom, she is pose-able; she moves and responds naturally and comfortably when she is being photographed. I have a few really good ones for my project and some for the family scrapbook as well. Here are a few to look at now.

Until next time...Mary

Sunday Morning

I woke up this morning to a glistening of frost on the grass and the sun breaking through the trees. We have had warmer days and cold nights this past week. But Spring is really trying to break through!

The domesticated Mister “M” was cooking sausage and listening to “County Classics” on the “same radio he bought with paper route money over 30 years ago”.

One kid is in the shower. One is on the floor rolling around with the dogs, and I am on my computer blogging… a Sunday morning tradition around here. Church service starts at Noon and the rest of the day is all planned out. Its catch-up day…I catch up on the laundry (and put a second coat of paint the bedroom, make dinner and such…), Gabe and Claire catch up on homework and house work, and the Magnificent Mister “M” is fixing my breaks. How about that ladies…A hubby who fixes breakfast and then your car…I swear he can do anything!!!

Hopefully I can get some play time today. I have a plan and 20 or so primed pieces of wood, again, thanks to the “Crafty Mister “M” who cut and sanded them to my specs. I will post my finished pieces if I get a chance (to start on them).

I will leave you with a new scrapbook page I was playing with this week.

Until next time...Peace and Blessings...

Mary

Not much happen’n

Not much to talk about…I think I am thawing out from the long winter. Here is what is happening today in my neck of the woods. Monday is my day off, so I made curtains for the bedroom and the bathroom (I will post the before and after pics when I am finished), caught up on all the housework, nursed my sick baby girl (very bad cold), and cooked dinner.

Here is dinner…

Jambalaya, Buttermilk Soda Bread, and a Blueberry Cheesecake mixture. This is a great quick and easy soda bread recipe…let me know if you want the recipe-it is really good. All there is yet to do is play on the computer, and wait for NCIS to come on (my new fav).

Any snow that was lingering was washed away from this weekend’s torrential downpour.
Here is the front and the backyard today. I dropped in a summer shot of the backyard to show you the difference!!!! I am seriously tired of all the grey!

Now, I have never been the type of person who believes

dogs should be on furniture. In fact, I still maintain that I am not a dog lover - over all…dogs are dogs. I just like my dogs…(yea, I know…how come we keep getting dogs…) but this little one, our newest, Teddy boo, has stolen my heart. Against my better judgment, I taught him to jump up and sit on my lap (and give kisses), all with permission of course. I... have... created... a monster! Now, I can not read without Teddy attempting to get my attention…he is “outa” control…but he is just so stinking cute…!

Here he is…He Who Will Not Be Ignored...!

Until next time..Take care and lots 'a' Blessings Mary