And Then There Were Six

Ancona ducks in the snow There are risks to letting the birds free-range during the day. duck feather in the snow

Two ducks disappeared. duck feather in the snow

Nothing was left of them but a few feathers in the falling snow. duck feathers in the snow

There are risks. drake ancona in the snow

But I like to think it’s about the quality of life. Ancona ducks in the snow

Between the legions of furry, sharped-toothed animals and the freezer, many of our ducks won’t live long. But they’ll all live well.

Ancona ducks in the snow

And that makes all the difference.

For those of you who have been wondering, the ducks do fine in the winter. They always can go in and out of their house and on very cold sunny days they usually sit inside soaking up the rays coming through the windows. But, as you can see, even when it’s snowing, they’d rather be outside.

I Got Pooped On Today

Feb16

I got pooped on today, but it’s all right.

It was just a little bee. honey bee

And I was wearing John’s jacket.

honey bee

During the winter bees won’t defecate in their hive. Instead they wait for a bit of mild weather and then fly out on “cleansing flights”. Which is a very polite way of saying that if you are out walking near the hives when the snow stops and the sun peeks out for a moment you might be lucky enough to get pooped on by bees!

A Winter’s Night Toast

Feb11

“Brew me a cup for a winter’s night.
For the wind howls loud, and the furies fight;
Spice it with love and stir it with care,
And I’ll toast your bright eyes, my sweetheart fair.”

~Minna Thomas Antrim, “A Night Cap,” A Book of Toasts, 1902

winter night

I know. I know, you read this twice already, go ahead and skip to the end to find today’s blogger!

Sky Blue Daze suggested I participate in the 3 Day Quote challenge. I thought it sounded good, but then I found out, there were rules.

Post on 3 consecutive days
Post one to three quotes per day
Challenge three different bloggers each day

Rules…

I’m not so good with arbitrary rules, but I’m pretty good at making up new ones!

So, instead of nominating three new bloggers to participate every day I’m instead going to introduce you to one a day. Partially because I’m contrary like that but mostly because I sincerely hope that you will all follow my link and find a new fantastic blogger on the other end. And, if said fantastic blogger wants to share some quotes in the next few days that’s just a bonus.

My last blogger introduction is one who is fairly new to me. I’m not sure how I found Melissa and her Ever Growing Farm. But if I had to guess I’d say it’s the goats. The goats may have drawn me in but I’ve stuck around because she loves her chickens’ eggs in a way I can relate to and she’s one of my favorite people to sit down with over a virtual cup of tea. And, of course, the gorgeous pictures. (Speaking of pictures you should probably look her up on Instagram. Just today she shared glimpses of a gorgeous frosty sunrise, a goat and a baby chick!)

Stop by her farm, share a hot beverage, meet the goats and say hello!

Winter Birding

Feb9

Junco

“There is an unreasonable joy to be had from the observation of small birds going about their bright, oblivious business”
― Grant Hutchison, The Complete Lachlan

nuthatch

Sky Blue Daze suggested I participate in the 3 Day Quote challenge. I thought it sounded good, but then I found out, there were rules.

Post on 3 consecutive days
Post one to three quotes per day
Challenge three different bloggers each day

Rules…

I’m not so good with arbitrary rules, but I’m pretty good at making up new ones!

Today I highly recommend you visit Summer Crow Photos. Her photos of rural Pennsylvania are amazing. The line of cows in Keeping Warm are my current favorite but I love them all from the activity in Harvesting to the still life in Cherries. And, as if that’s not enough, she sometimes post photos of her visits to Assateague Island. Yes Marguerite Henry fans, that Assateague Island!

Please, go check her photos out and say hello while you are at it, all us bloggers love comments!

This Moment – Lookin’ Around

Jan15

A Friday ritual.

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

John and Jane

In interest of full disclosure I feel compelled to share with you that this picture was not taken this week. It was taken last week. I’m sure there is no one other than me that finds that important. But now, when I look back on this in years to come, I’ll know that this was taken the first week of January and not the second and, clearly, that will make all the difference.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Rule of Thirds

Feb24

Weekly Photo Challenge: Rule of Thirds

These last few leaves seemed to glow on what was otherwise a grey and snowy winter morning.

This Moment – Here She Comes!

Feb13

A Friday ritual.

A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Today’s Fashion

Feb10

Today fashionista Jane recommends full princess attire. Crown, (any type) and dress are, of course, mandatory to attend any indoor events. Sparkly shoes are a must but may be taken off if you are planning on sitting on the table to play Legos. And, while wielding double wands is preferable, she is willing to overlook the lack of them if only because she already has the only two in the house.