Sadie had some dog company today. Skylie a 5 YO Golden retriever/Yellow Lab mix and Bendi, a 10 week old Yellow Lab pup. Sadie had a lot of fun playing with the Puppy. She hasn't any chances to play with other dogs let along puppies. She used to live with puppies so she knows how to play with them and be gentle. She pushed Bendi around with her nose and batted with her paw. Very cute!

We went to  see Leon Russell last Friday night. These are two of the worst photos I have ever taken, The first is us in a mirror, with the flash!

Photos were not allowed during the concert, so while the band was leaving the stage I held the camera up over my head and snapped one photo.......

Heron, Geese, Sap Sucker, swallow

I am way behind on posting photos, so here are a bunch. 


This Heron came walking out of the bushes and was immediately attacked by Red Wing Black birds. You can see the reflection of one  BB in the water, the real bird is mostly in the reflection of a post. The RWBB is smart to chase the Heron off, Heron is not at all above taking eggs/baby birds out of the nest. The RWBB comes swooping down and almost lands on the back of the Heron. After a few minuets the Heron has had enough and flies off. 

A family of Canada Geese, the first photo, in the pouring rain, was taken about a week before the others. I may have gotten carried away with all the pics, but it's hard to stop at a few when you have all this cuteness. Between Jim and I we probably took at least twenty.  I might try to make some note cards from a couple of the good shots. 

 A woodpecker hit the dining room window. He was okay and flew away, just left a few feathers behind.

First photo is a Black Headed Grosbeak, they nest in the woods nearby, and sing a very beautiful song.

Second photo is an Evening Grosbeak. They travel in flocks and call to one another constantly.

This is an excellent example of the Red Breasted Sapsucker that drills all the wholes in our trees. They also drum on things, signs, bird houses, electric transformers, ladders, picnic tables,  anything to make a loud noise to attract mates or mark territory.

Jim was lucky to catch a Cormorant when it came up with a fish. 

Okay, last bird photo. 

One of my favorite birds, a swallow. An amazing flyer, sleek, fast, able to make incredible turns, with the sweetest chirp. 

Tree Swallow. 

This Rhododendron is called "Taurus". We bought it in honor of our Mothers, who are both astrological sign of Taurus. It is a beautiful deep, rich red, always dependble and blooms end of April to first of May.

Place mats

Finally finished sewing place mats for the GKids. Approx 13 1/2 X 17 1/2.  Pink is for Addy, Dinos for Riven. This is my first attempt at doing applique. I practiced zillions of forks before I felt confident enough to   work on the real thing. Some outlines are a little shaky, but for my first time, not too bad. In real life the utensils on Addy's are a darker green. 

Bird Nest

Look at this cute little bird nest under the hard hat sitting on top of an upright piece of drift wood. I have not seen the bird, Jim was unable to identify, other than to say "it was small and brown". I will update when/if we can identify.

Chickadee in Woodpecker hole

We have a very dead tree in the yard with lots of woodpecker holes, some small and shallow, some large and shallow, and a few just (almost) right! There is a Chickadee working on one hole getting it cleaned out to it's satisfaction. You can hear it working inside chipping away at the rotten wood. The tree is so rotten I hope it does not fall before the chicks fledge. Here are a few photos. First, the hole.

Next the Chickadee.

This is the Chickadee with chips in it's beak from hole cleaning.