WW - Birds Nests Seen on My Morning Walk

Linking to

http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/2013/02/february-20.html

and

My Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them.)

This past week was Canada Day and 4th of July.  I hope everyone had a fantastic and safe holiday and enjoyed their day of patriotic celebrating.  I know we did.  It was very hot here, much to hot to barbecue.  I couldn't bear the thought of standing over a grill in 107 degree heat!  Instead, we had a spread of delicious cold food and relaxed indoors, out of the sun and heat.

I occasionally drive the dogs into the nearest town to walk, for a change of scenery.  We found this patriotic converted barn while walking the other day.  It was too cute not to photograph.

Patriotic Barn Side, Phto by Tori Beveridge

It's official and there's no turning back now.  We ordered our chickens!  Happy, happy, happy!

Here's what we're getting:

The Girls:
2 Rhode Island Reds
2 Barred Plymouth Rocks
2 Speckled Sussex
1 Silver Laced Wyandotte

We're also getting a Barred Plymouth Rock Rooster.  We read that the Plymouth Rocks tend to be kinder, friendlier roosters, yet are still brave.  Here's hoping.

They will arrive the week of July 16th as little, days old, balls of fluff in a box at the Post Office.  I can't wait.

They'll be in the garage in a special little home we're making for them out of a storage container.  You'll get to see it when they arrive, as I'll be taking lots of pictures.

For those of you who have chickens and blog about them, I'll be reading your blogs and maybe even asking your advice.  I know I'm frequently over at Fresh Eggs Daily reading and taking notes, doing my research.

On my art blog, I've been taking part in Twinkle Twinkle's Summer of Color 2, Ice Cream Inspirations and been having a blast.  I'm enjoying creating art inspired by the ice cream flavor of the week.  It has me setting aside time for art, which I haven't always done lately, which makes me very happy.

What made you happy this week?  Share your bliss.

I'm linking up with Liv Lane's Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them.)

Bliss is a cooler day today after so many hot humid days.  It has me re-energized.  All outdoor activities have had to happen between the hours of 6am and 10am because the weather was so hot and humid and the sun was scorching. We seem to get more accomplished, which is always good.

Bliss is listening to the Whip-poor-wills.  They must have known that I needed to get up early, for they were outside the bedroom window calling me with their distinct repetitive song every morning starting at 4:30am.  Sometimes I simply smiled and rolled over and slept for another hour.  It may sound annoying to some of you, but to me it's always had a rather romantic appeal.  I remember when we first moved here, how delighted I was to hear them for the first time, after reading about them in so many novels.

Bliss is a bowl full of cherries...

Cherries, Photo by Tori Beveridge

... and ripe pears. 

Cherries and Pears, Photo by Tori Beveridge

What made you happy this week?  Share your bliss.

I am linking up to 

Liv Lane's Little Bliss List Link Party

My Little Bliss List - Anticipation

"Good things come to those who wait."

This week I'm finding bliss in the anticipation of things to come.

I'm waiting for mulberries.  They are still green for the most part, due, I'm sure, to our dry, hot weather.  There are a few ripe ones, much to the delight of the birds and this squirrel who was having a picnic in our largest mulberry this morning.

Squirrel in The Mulberry, Photo by Tori Beveridge

My daughter, Melissa has been appearing in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" this week in Toronto.  It's the 8th season of Bard in the Park, at Kew Gardens in The Beach.  There are performances tonight and tomorrow night at 7pm and matinees tomorrow and Sunday at 2pm.  Melissa is playing Beatrice.

Admission is free, but donations are always gratefully accepted.  There is limited seating, so picnic blankets or your own chairs are encouraged.  If you're in Toronto, it would be a lovely evening out.

Sadly, I can't be there but I am looking forward to pictures of the performances, which I will blissfully share with you.

Melissa as Titania in "A Midsummer's Night Dream" in 2010.

My daughter Melissa in "A Midsummer's Night Dream" June 2010

Of course, there were many ordinary blissful moments this week, watching and laughing through a couple of hours of Jeff Dunham with Mr. B., gardening, clearing out brush, morning walks... as the Carly Simon lyrics say "these are the good old days".

What made you happy this week?  Share your bliss.

I am linking up with 

The Little Bliss List Link Party

Wordless Outdoor Wednesday

3 Day Lilies Photo by Tori Beveridge

Blue Hydrangeas Photo by Tori Beveridge 

Blue Hydrangea Photo by Tori Beveridge

I am linking to

My Simple County Living's Country Garden Showcase #24

and

A Southern Daydreamer's Outdoor Wednesday #179

My Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them.)

Listening to the dogs and cats snore.  Yes, really.  It makes me smile.

Knowing that Mr. B. is on leave now for two months!  Count them, two months!  Finally he's able to take all the leave he's been accumulating.. I think he'll still have some left over, he has so much.

Our chicken coop has been delivered!  It's on Mr. B.'s list of things to do, so will be built soon.  I'll post pictures.

Morning walks are always blissful.  At the boat launch, we saw these geese marching in line, with the one in front honking the way.

Geese Marching in Line, photo by Tori Beveridge 

Our nephew, was given an award at school for handing in ALL his assignments this year on time.  Way to go Matt!  I know it made him happy to be recognized for all his hard work.  It makes me and Mr. B. happy too.

I'm a stalker!  I've been stalking a red headed woodpecker, trying to get pictures of him.  He likes to breakfast, lunch and dinner on our old security light pole.  Every time I see him, and try to get a picture of him, he flies away.  I'm determined to get at least one picture and I'll sure have fun trying.  You'll know when I get it, because it will certainly be in my Bliss List.  Why is this in my list?  You'd think it would be frustrating, but it's become a challenge.  I hear Woody Woodpecker laughing in my head every time he flies off. (hahahaha hahahaha hhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa)  The whole situation has become very cartoon like, and it makes me "lol".

Lastly... The berries are coming!  The berries are coming!

Blackberries Photo by Tori Beveridge

I don't see any caterpillars.. 

I have fond memories of spending time at my grandparents and walking along the river to a berry patch, dodging the red wing blackbirds as they swooped at me and my sister when we passed near their nest.  We'd watch for otters along the river for awhile and then pick berries, eating as many as we took back.  We'd rinse them and then sprinkle sugar on them and wait for any teeny tiny green caterpillars to crawl out.  There were always a few and I'd wonder how many we'd eaten while picking.  (extra protein our Gramps would say)  We would all enjoy the berries as a simple dessert with milk poured over them.

I think I see berries and milk in my future.

Share your bliss.  What made you happy this week?

I am linking up with

The Little Bliss List Link Party

Deborah Jean's Dandelion House's Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop #61

and

Friday - My Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them)

A happy coincidence.  Color my bliss list pink this week!  It's one of my favorite colors and this week pink is in each of my photos.

One of the joys of country living is the dreaded country ditch, which runs along the road.  Our's is on the steepest angle and makes mowing very difficult.  We've planted roses and lilies along it.  It looks like they've survived the winter and the early summery weather.  I was so happy to see this brave little rose blooming, with many, many buds waiting to burst into bloom.

Brave little pink rose.

Thanks to Operation Write Home, I'm actually taking time to sit and make some cards, which I haven't done in a long time.  Their Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop starts at midnight tonight and I'm taking part on my other blog, Cruzines.

If you've never heard of Operation Write Home, they provide hand made cards for soldiers deployed overseas to write home to their loved ones on.  They do this through the help of hundreds of paper crafters who create and donate the cards to them.  I love this idea.  I know that when Mr. B. was deployed, I would have loved to have received a beautiful handmade card from him.  Skype is great, but sometimes it's nice to have a handwritten note or letter.  I can't show you what I've made, becauseI have to save it for the Blog Hop, but you're welcome to drop by and take a peek tomorrow.

We had some gorgeous sunsets this week, which I got to enjoy with Mr. B.

Coral Pink Sunset

Pink Sunset

What made you happy this week?  Share your blissful moments.

I am linking up with:

The Little Bliss List Link Party

and 

  

Friday - My Little Bliss List

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them)

Another week of blissfully beautiful weather.  I love it.  The dogs love it.  I captured this picture of Pamunky and Otis patiently waiting for me to finish taking pictures so we could finish our walk.

Pamunky and Otis during a picture taking break on our walk

Mr. B. is home on leave.  It has been bliss.  I love it.  The animals love it.  (lots of love its this week)  I found Mr. B., Otis and two of our cats napping on the couch... so funny.. I tiptoed away to get the camera and tried to be quiet but the cats were very aware that I was taking pictures... Otis and Mr. B., not so much.

Mr. B., Otis, Sniper and Recon piled up on the couch napping

And.. true bliss..  The mama fox and her three kits, which had moved in under our addtion aka the master bedroom, last week, are gone!  Mr. B. managed to get them to move out, after a few sleepless nights listening to them squabble, play and rustle around under the floor boards.  It sounded like they were right in the room with us.  Pamunky and Otis, of course would bark.  It was chaos and no one was getting any sleep.  Not only that, we had to clean up after them every morning.. they would leave the carcasses (snake, chicken, smaller birds, moles, a rabbit) of what they ate outside by the side of the house.  It's been blissfully quiet for three nights now with no signs of them.  We've been able to get a full night's sleep again.

(the quality of the following pictures isn't the best, I was taking through them a window and screen and the foxes were moving)

Mama Fox

One of the kits

Oh.. Tomorrow, I will be sharing my new cookbook from last week's Bliss List with you.  Drop back to read all about it.

This post is being linked to:

The Little Bliss List Link Party

Friday - Bliss and Morning Walks

My Little Bliss List (Remembering the things that made me happy this week, because it's so easy to forget them)

I called and wished my Mom, Happy Mother's Day last Sunday.. doh!  Don't tell me I'm the only one who forgets that it's the second Sunday in May and not the first.  So, I get to do it again, this Sunday.  Bliss for her and for me.

I finished three pieces of art this week.

I discovered the absolute best cookbook ever!  My new all time favorite.  I will share it with you all... later.  Right now I want to hold it close, all to myself and savor it.

Mr B. finally has the weekend off, after working three weeks straight, with both weekends included in there spent away from home.  It's going to be nice to relax with him, watch movies and just enjoy having him here.

The weather has been gorgeous!  Cool but sunny, perfect for walking the dogs and working outside.

Here's what I've seen this week during my morning walks with the dogs:

Hang The Moon, Photo by Tori Beveridge

Morning Ride, Photo by Tori Beveridge

Good Morning, Photo by Tori Beveridge

Weeder Wanted, Photo by Tori Beveridge

This post is being linked to:

The Little Bliss List Link Party

and

Ahh... Country Barbecues - A Repost

I originally posted this on my art blog, Cruzines, on September 21, 2010. 


Today, hearing the target practice of one of our neighbours, I was reminded of it and decided to repost here.

When you think of life in the country, you think of peace and quiet and relaxation.  After all you're far from the hustle and bustle and noise of the city and all the dangers that come along with it.

My husband and I are originally from the city, to be more specific, Chicago.  My husband is an ex police officer.  He's been shot and shot at while working.  My car's passenger side window was shot out while I was driving one night with him in the car.  The bullet missed him by a few inches.  I've seen the bullet holes in door frames, bullets that missed him by a few inches.

What does this have to do with country barbecues? Weeell...

Sunday night, I asked my husband to go and put the yummy steaks I had seasoned onto the barbeque.  I followed him outside with a fork and clean plate.  He lifted the lid on the barbeque and we heard a loud SNAP and then the sound of something hitting the deck.  We both thought that something had snapped off the barbeque, but what?  There really wasn't anything that would break by him lifting the lid.

He put the steaks on the grill and looked down at the shelf on the right near the burner.  There was a big hole.  He then looked down on the deck and picked something up.

 

You may have guessed by now.. it was a bullet from a .22 rifle.

We hadn't heard the report when the rifle was fired and he worked out a trajectory based on how the bullet hit (police officers lol ) and figured out where it had come from.  We most likely hadn't heard the shot fired because the bullets can travel up to 2 miles and honestly, we hear alot of shots everyday, as people are always shooting squirrels and other "pests" out here.

Once again, the bullet had missed him by inches.  He was standing off center of the grill, almost in front of where the bullet had hit.

So next time you think of life in the country as idyllic, it can be, but it's filled with more dangers than you'll ever know.  Remind your friends not to shoot up into the air at nothing, for no reason.  What goes up, must come down.  Make sure you have a target, so you don't end up hitting someone's grill 2 miles away.  Sometimes I think these things could only happen to us, because you may as well call us Oliver and Lisa Douglas from the old Green Acres tv show.  I have stories!  I actually am thinking of naming our place Green Acres. 

Anyway, in typical police officer and police officer's wife form, we shrugged off the bullet.  After all, it really hadn't scared us, as we thought it was something breaking and it turned more into a puzzle than anything else.  Of course I now have a hole in my barbeque, which I'm not thrilled about, but we have a story to tell and I guess that makes for a great conversation starter. 

Oh.. the steaks were delicious.  We ate inside.