More signs of Spring

If there were any doubts about Spring, all the signs around our house have put those to rest. It seems like every time I look outside there's some new critter in the back yard. Last week I looked out to see this female duck just laying there, all by herself. She usually comes with her "husband". Usually one of them keeps a lookout while the other eats the corn or sunflower seeds laying on the ground. The beautiful Goldfinches have turned back to summer yellow and empty out that little feeder, with the help of the Chickadees, in about a day. If the squirrels decide to help out, it's a half day. Then the other night I was out on the back deck when I heard this "chittering" noise and looked down to see three baby raccoons walking along, calling out for their mama. They walked out on a log that was in the pond, climbed over each other and walked back to land. When no mama appeared they finally walked off along the edge of the pond. I'm sure they found her, eventually, because she's been at my bird feeder too, sometimes not even waiting for nightfall, but coming in the late afternoon. I figured she must really be hungry to come so early and now I can see why, having 3 little babies to feed. They are cute at that age but I don't find their mama so cute, emptying out my feeder in just one night! She hangs onto the post with one paw and scoops out the seed, right into her mouth, with the other. When I walk outside to shoo her away, she glances back over her shoulder and begrudgingly shimmies down the pole and saunters off into the woods. Usually it takes two or three shoo sessions before she finally leaves for good.

You just never know from one day to the next what type of animal or bird will appear. Usually the ducks stay just long enough to raise a few babies and then off they go, probably flying north for the summer. One year we had a mama with 8 babies but we also had a fox in our backyard that year so in a short time those 8 babies were down to 6. I keep waiting to see baby woodchucks too because there were two of them swimming around in the early spring and even built their "house" on our small pond. I'm sure a family of little woodchucks can't be too far behind.

Ah, Nature. It's all around us, even here in suburbia!!

Happy Birthday Amber!!!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Amber, Happy Birthday to you!!!

Our "little girl" is 27 years old today. At this time 27 years ago we were the happiest new parents in the world as our little girl had just arrived. She's been a joy (mostly) all of those 27 years. Even during the teen years she didn't give us much to complain about. Now she's all grown up (and has been really for quite a few years) and will be starting her own "family" in a few short months when she and Andrew get married. I know it's cliche but even if I am lucky enough to live to the ripe old age of 100, she'll still be my little girl! We love you honey!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

Your brothers love you too!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

Zoe loves you!! Nic & Drew love you!!


We all hope you had a wonderful 27th Birthday!!

Happy Mother's Day (all you mother's)

What a great weekend!! Imagine our surprise when bright and early Saturday morning Howard is looking out the window and sees someone walking up our driveway. Without his contacts he can't tell who it is. When I look out I recognize someone we surely were not expecting: AMBER!! She flew in for Mother's Day! What a great surprise! Those are the kinds of surprises I love. We spent the rest of that day shopping and checking into shower locations. Sunday was spent in the yard with everyone pitching in with planting and weeding. It goes so much faster when everyone helps! I planted some of my flowers and tomatoes in pots. Everything is starting to look so green. My dogwood is blooming this year, the second year in a row. Usually we have some freak frost just as the buds are setting and it doesn't bloom. It is so pretty right now.


Later in the day Scott went over to pick up my Mother so she could join us for dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. As she approached the table she did a double take when she looked at Amber and realized who was sitting at the table. We enjoyed a really nice dinner but then had to get Amber ready for her return trip to the airport and back to Virginia. What a whirlwind weekend! The weather was gorgeous, we got to see Amber and got so much accomplished! The cute little angel statue was a gift from Scott and Howard for Mother's Day. We really missed Tyler. This was the first Mother's Day without him here. He called me first thing this morning and I opened his gift while talking to him. He sent me some Hawaii souvenirs! He's doing well, spring classes ended Friday, summer classes start tomorrow and he says he's been going surfing every day. What a life!

This evening while cleaning up the kitchen I found this little critter cleaning up right outside my kitchen window. He likes to run through my window box and dig things up in there, probably looking for nuts he buried last fall.

Girls Weekend!!

What a nice weekend!! The Bunco girls (well most of them anyway) drove up north this weekend for some fun. We did a little shopping, a little eating and drinking and game playing but mostly a lot of laughing and catching up. Pam's new home was absolutely gorgeous and we all felt like we were staying in a beautiful Bed and Breakfast. The weather was sunny but just a little cool. Traverse City is a nice place to visit, known for it's cherries. The cherry trees were just starting to bloom and in a couple months the road side stands will be full of yummy cherries.

Here's Pam with her new friend, Pierre.

Sunset on the Bay

View from the Deck