Today's Flowers

This little cutie Orchid is blooming now and the 1/2" blossoms smell like baby powder. There are many buds still to open.
Thanks so much to all responsible for hosting this gorgeous site. To see more beautiful flowers click on the Today's Flowers on my side bar.

I have to tell you the temperature right now at 10:30PM Saturday is 8º and falling ! The sky is crystal clear, and there is also fog. It was another beautiful day with lots of sun.
These two pictures were taken on the windshield of our daughter-in-law's car. I see the bottom section of a broom in this one.

On Black Friday we went to Wal- Mart and got caught in this heavy snow storm that dumped 6" of snow on us before it moved on.

On the back of our woodshed is this huge pile of snow sliding down the steel roof. I wouldn't want to be caught under it when it all slides off.

An early visitor to my feeders this afternoon. White Crowned Sparrow.

We had our family Thanksgiving today, and had a wonderful time. It's so nice to get together. I'm pooped, and thought I'd post this tonight because I'll be busy again tomorrow. It's our granddaughter's 6th birthday.

Stay warm everyone.

Thursday afternoon the sun came out, and we decided to take a short ride to enjoy this rare beauty.
This first shot is on Findley Lake. It isn't completely frozen yet, and in the open water there is lots of ducks, and of course this Great Blue Heron took off as soon as I stopped. I was looking for Trumpeter Swans, but didn't see any. These three Mallards didn't seem to mind if I took their picture.

I spotted another Heron, and he took off too.

On the way home we drove by this field and these two horses were right by the road. I didn't tell them, but they were free, and didn't know it. The electric fence was buried beneath the snow, and they could have stepped right over it and got out. Instead they were nosing beneath the snow looking for grass.

A beautiful Appaloosa.

A stream out in the woods didn't offer any wildlife.

I saw this hawk, but couldn't get a very good close up with out it being blurry, so I don't know what kind it is. Anyway it flew away before I got more pictures.

We're having our family Thanksgiving on Saturday. My sister is coming. She had to work Thursday, so now we'll all be together. There will be 8 of us.

Snow report. Another 6" today bringing the total for this season to 54" Anybody need some?

SkyWatch Friday

This is a rare sight -sunset- We get so few of these in late November. It was a beautiful day too.
Thanks so much for all the hosts of this great site. Click on http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to view more SkyWatch photos.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I return to this place for Thanksgiving,
Hills created with scarlet and gold...
And hear whispered from treetop to treetop
The nostalgic memories they hold.

I bow now in prayerful remembrance
And thank thee O God, for this day...
For these friends who embrace me so warmly
For these hills in their autumn array.
Gelia K. Parker
Happy Thanksgiving to all the bloggers out there and their families. Have a wonderful and memorable day.

Watery Wednesday

OK, I've had enough winter already! Another 5" -6" of heavy wet snow over night, it is snowing really hard right now and more coming today. Total for the year is 46". The local ski resort is open.
Here is where we want to be. Back in March of 2003 we rented an island on the Homosassa River on the West coast of Florida. We spent 6 days on this island in a beautiful "cabin". An experience of a lifetime. No phone, no TV, no fresh water and no contact with other people unless you take the pontoon boat 20 minutes up the Homosassa River to the Marina. That will be another story.
Have a wonderful day, and thanks to the host 2sweetnsaxy at http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/ for more great water pictures.

Ruby Tuesday

Happy Ruby Tuesday everybody. This is an old antique egg grader. When I sold lots of eggs years ago, I always graded them all. On the scale now is one of my blue eggs.
Have a wonderful day, and Thanks to mary/the teach for hosting this site. If you want to see more red photos just click on the side bar Lady bug. Don't forget to click on the photo to enlarge it, and see my regular post for today below.

It was a bit foggy yesterday morning when we went to town. On our way crossing on the bridge over French Creek I spotted the Bald Eagle. I haven't seen him all Fall, and was so glad he was still around. As I was taking pictures, and I'm sorry they aren't very clear, but he was so far away, Gary said" Look there's another one", and on the opposite of the bridge was it's mate. Now I'm really happy. Two in one day.

First stop was the post office in Clymer, New York. A small Dutch community. They have a windmill at all 4 roads leading in / out of the town. In the spring there are Tulips planted at the base of the windmills, and during Christmas there are lights all around.

There is a pond there hosting plenty of ducks and the ever present Canada geese. This is the stream that feeds the pond.

The water level is now low, and some of the water is already frozen.

OK, I know everyone is tired of all the geese pictures, but you have to admit they do look "cool" standing out on the ice.

A bunch resting.

Enough for today. We have another winter storm watch for tonight and on into Wednesday. Wonder how much snow we'll get this time.

Barns

I did take pictures today, but mostly of the snow and ice, and I know we're probably already tired of white, SO here are a few of the barns from my barn file. All these were taken within the past 3 years. Some old and some new. This one has a fairly new paint job.

This poor old barn fell down about 3 weeks after this picture was taken during a heavy snow storm.

An Amish barn near where we shop at the bulk food store. Notice the wash hanging from the house to the barn. I bet it gets dry within minutes.

This one appears to be leaning.

Another Amish barn where they were preparing for an auction. You can see some of the farm equipment out in the field.

I especially liked the grape vine wreath on this barn.

Another one past it's prime.

A new door is in order.

I have lots more, but I'll let you rest for now. Have a wonderful day, and stay warm.

Good Morning all. Right now the sun is out, and it is a beautiful bright sunny day. Now remember me saying this because we don't get that many nice days during the winter. I didn't get out to take many pictures yesterday. I did make some Hodge Podge soup ( my own concoction ). I just love homemade soup, and decided yesterday was the day. I looked in my freezer for soup bones, but couldn't find any. We drove to the little grocery/ meat market 5 miles from here and after I waited in line at the meat counter 6-7 minutes left with out any soup bones. They were so busy, and the weather was turning ugly, so we headed for home. At that point I thought I might as well make soup from all the left overs in the fridge. It turned out so delicious, who needed soup bones anyway. In it were 2 pieces of Swiss steak, with rice and peas, black beans and rice, cabbage, carrots, beef stroganof, spinach, 2 cut up small potatoes, 1 qt. of beef stock, and 1 qt. of home canned tomatoes. I simmered it about 3-4 hours, and what a treat !. Now my fridge looks better too.
Frost on the window this morning.

A few birds stop by for a snack.

Our fire in the wood stove is keeping us toasty on this 16º F ( -6c) morning.

I can't get enough Mourning Doves. They are so gentle looking, although I have seen them fighting amongst themselves. Also they must have had such a good crop of youngsters this year, because I have many more than ever before.

I have so many Juncos this year.

By the way the Cooper's Hawk was here twice yesterday. One time he even landed on top of one of the feeders. I ran to get the camera, but scared him away. The next time he showed up he only stayed for a few seconds. Both times he left with out a meal.

Camera Critters

All summer long I have been stalking the Great Blue Heron. Never can I get a very good picture. This morning looking out my computer room window I saw a movement down on the creek. It's about 150 yards away, and I had to get the binoculars. It appears to be 2 Great Blues. As I watched and photographed them the one on the right chased the other one away, and they were both gone.
Thanks to Misty for hosting this fun site. Click on the Badge on my side bar to see lots more critters.


My regular post for Saturday is below.

We did manage some sun yesterday afternoon. It was very welcome, and although it didn't offer very much warmth, it sure did uplift the spirit. This strange looking Cardinal stopped by for a snack. I think he is a juvenile, although his feathers look a bit ruffled.

I think this "Snowbird" is taking a quick nap.

During the sun today was a good time to check for ice.

I got this one just as it was dripping. I like the shape too.

I'll take this sky over the white snowy kind any day. We get very few sunny days in the winter. The Meteorologist where I send in my weather reports says we only get 4-5 sunny days during the month of December. Bummer !

Have a wonderful day all.

Total snowfall for this season so far is 36". The near by ski slopes will open this Sunday.