A Rural Journal

Your Sunday Best #19: A Pregnant Pause.

2012-05-26T12:26:00.000-05:00

Taken on Highway 75, Jensen Arabians, Blair, Nebraska, USA

Sharing with Camera Critters.

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A brief recap on this past week --

I love Cardinals. But there is one specific Cardinal that

is a pain in my ass this week.

Remember this post last week, where I stated he was

enamored with his own reflection?

Seems he thinks it's an interloper, determined to

steal his harem of female cardinals (of which he has none, because he's too

busy "fighting" his reflection, minute by minute,

hour by hour.)

We've tried all sorts of barriers...

bed sheets, towels, twine strings, printouts of my hubby's face (no lie,)

even an owl decoy... but all have failed.

It's not only annoying, he's scaring away the hummers.

Get over it already!

Cardinal peeking around a towel.
Can't fool me!

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I had a Dr. appointment on Wednesday, but that didn't prevent me from

thinking about the photos I might capture

on my way to town.

Here's what I saw:

Sharing with Weekly Top Shot.

Sharing with The Simple Things.

Sharing with Foto Friday.

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My son Jesse is in New York this week

for Fleet Week (US Navy Reserves.)

He had his picture taken with the

stars of Men In Black 3: Will Smith and Josh Brolin.

Service has it's benefits.

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And I have to show you a few photos of our little gosling,

who's not so little anymore.

Sharing with Finagle a Foto.

Sharing with Shoot. Edit. Submit.

Wishing you a joyful, relaxing Memorial Day Weekend (for my U.S. readers.)

But please, let's not forget the fallen.

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We have a graduation party to attend this weekend and

Shane's mom is in town, so I may be AWOL

for awhile.

I'll play catch-up after the holiday.

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Welcome to Your Sunday Best --

a weekly photo challenge where you may
post your best photograph of the week.

Guidelines:

Please only post photos you have authority to use.
One post per week, per person, please. Family-friendly photos only.
You may use a Polaroid, a point-and-shoot, an iPhone, a fancy Nikon or Canon, or a Kodak Brownie -- everyone is welcome.
Include the Your Sunday Best badge, or a link to my post, in your blog post.
Leave a link to your current Your Sunday Best blog post url (not your main blog url) at the InLinkz prompt.
Consider visiting some of the other blogs listed, because they rock ... meet new photographers, comment, view, learn and enjoy!

: : :

Rural Thursday Blog Hop #18

2012-05-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

I made a variation of the following recipe for Spicy Oil and Vinegar Bread Dip for Mother's Day and it was a big hit.

I ground my own corn meal, using an electric coffee grinder.

I baked a couple of loaves of French bread in loaf pans and prepared three different varieties of the bread dip, using dried thyme, rosemary and basil from my herb garden.

Spicy Oil and Vinegar Bread Dip Recipe
(Allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

1 cup extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cup aged balsamic vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a bottle with a lid (I used canning jars,) mix the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, kosher salt, and pepper. Seal bottle, and refrigerate mixture 8 hours, or overnight. Shake well before serving. Store in the refrigerator.

(I followed the recipe with the exception of the basil, oregano and thyme ingredients. I tripled the recipe using the remaining ingredients, but added basil to one, thyme to the second and rosemary to the third.)

Cut up one loaf of the bread into large cubes and put into a serving bowl. Pour the season oils into separate ramekins or small dipping bowls and leave a label by each one, identifying the main herb.

We ate the bread/oil leftovers with pizza one day and spaghetti on another day. I also used the basil oil to fry a T-bone steak for my hubby over the weekend. I will definitely be making this recipe again.

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Rural Thursday is a Weekly Blog Hop where participants can share information and photos about what's currently happening in and around their rural/country/farm home.

Here's how you can join in:

1. Publish a blog post about

general information describing what's happening in your country/rural/farm life,

or a post relating to a rural-themed subject that will benefit all Rural Thursday readers and participants,

such as

farming,
rural-themed photography,
recipes,
homesteading tips,
critters and pets,
DIY projects,
rural-themed giveaways
anything and everything that embraces living the simple life.

2. Please make sure to add the Rural Thursday button to your blog post and link back here.

3. Please link to your actual post and not your home page.

4. If you don't have a blog, you are welcome to leave a comment below our post regarding what special things are happening in your rural world.

Your hosts for Rural Thursday are Nancy @ A Rural Journal and Lisa @ Two Bears Farm.

(The Hosts of Rural Thursday reserve the right to remove any links that are deemed inappropriate.)

Have questions? Please feel free to contact Nancy or Lisa.

Thank you for visiting!

: : :

Window on this world...

2012-05-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Our senses are indeed our doors and windows on this world, in a very real sense the key to the unlocking of meaning and the wellspring of creativity. ~Jean Houston.

Most of my memorable photos have been taken outside the window
directly in front of my computer desk.

Not a coincidence, the bird feeders are placed in close
proximity to this window.

I have witnessed many a miracle moment, some sad, some happy,
in the past few years that I have found
my passion -- photography.

A few were not digitally captured,
but are still easily recovered in my mind's eye
at a moment's notice.

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Barn Charm.

2012-05-21T05:46:00.000-05:00

Another charming barn in Washington County, Nebraska.

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Sharing with and supporting these fellow bloggers:

Barn Charm, Homestead Barn Hop, Texture Tuesday, Inspired Tuesdays, Friday Fences.

Tones on Tuesday, Photo Tip Tuesday, Tuesdays Around The World,

Weekly Kodachrome

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Confidence texture by Kim Klassen

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2012-05-20T08:17:00.000-05:00

I haven't participated in Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday for a few weeks and decided I needed to spark some creativity, (which I admit has been sorely lacking as of late.)

The prompts this week are Rainbow, Fluffy, Letters, Metal and Tree(s).

~ Rainbow ~

Weekly Top Shot, Finagle a Foto.

~Fluffy~

Female Baltimore Oriole

Camera Critters, World Bird Wednesday, Shoot. Edit. Submit.

~Letters~

I Heart Macro.

~Metal~

Foto Friday, The Simple Things.

~Tree(s)~

View other Scavenger Hunt Sunday participants' entries or submit your own.

(I spent some time off-line this weekend with my hubby and my eldest son, Chris -- because family is, after all, the highest priority...)

Will be catching up today with everyone online to see what you've been up to.

In the meantime,

wishing you all a beautiful and photogenic week ahead!

xoxo

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Your Sunday Best #18

2012-05-19T17:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Your Sunday Best --

a weekly photo challenge where you may
post your best photograph of the week.

Guidelines:

Please only post photos you have authority to use.
One post per week, per person, please. Family-friendly photos only.
You may use a Polaroid, a point-and-shoot, an iPhone, a fancy Nikon or Canon, or a Kodak Brownie -- everyone is welcome.
Include the Your Sunday Best badge, or a link to my post, in your blog post.
Leave a link to your current Your Sunday Best blog post url (not your main blog url) at the InLinkz prompt.
Consider visiting some of the other blogs listed, because they rock ... meet new photographers, comment, view, learn and enjoy!

: : :

Rural Thursday Blog Hop #17: DIY Decorative Garden Pick

2012-05-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

On Mother's Day, my sister surprised me with a new garden pick. And, she made it herself -- which is surprising and endearing, because she's never been much of a crafter.

To cut to the chase -- here's what she did:

Chose a small ceramic elf figurine with a hole in the bottom.

Inserted an aluminum knitting needle through the hole, and made sure the top of the needle was positioned all the way to the top of the inside of the figurine.

Glue the knitting needle, using a strong epoxy or glue, around the inside of the hole and let dry thoroughly.

Isn't it cute and what a great idea! Thank you sissy!

Sharing with Cottage Garden Party, Thursday Favorite Things, Show and Tell Friday, Farm Girl Friday, Feathered Nest Friday, Farm Fresh Friday.

: : :

1. Publish a blog post about

general information describing what's happening in your country/rural/farm life,

or a post relating to a rural-themed subject that will benefit all Rural Thursday readers and participants,

such as

farming,
rural-themed photography,
recipes,
homesteading tips,
critters and pets,
DIY projects,
rural-themed giveaways
anything and everything that embraces living the simple life.

Your hosts for Rural Thursday are Nancy @ A Rural Journal and Lisa @ Two Bears Farm.

(The Hosts of Rural Thursday reserve the right to remove any links that are deemed inappropriate.)

Have questions? Please feel free to contact Nancy or Lisa.

Want to receive a weekly reminder when the hop goes live? Subscribe to our newsletter

Thank you for visiting!

Edit Me Challenge Week 20 -- Here Come Da Judge!

2012-05-16T05:16:00.001-05:00

Just a brief post about this week's Edit Me Challenge -- you might recognize not only the judge, but also a photo of one familiar fuzzy face around our farm.

First, here's how the Edit Me challenge works:

This challenge is all about taking a photo and making it your own with the editing program of your choice! It is also about learning a little bit from each other, and exploring new styles! There are no restrictions (unless specifically stated within the post for the week), but we do ask that you share a little bit about how you arrived at your finished product.

And the prize this week for the lucky winner -- a seat in an awesome Photoshop and Photoshop Elements editing workshop hosted by Kim Young at Mom Tried It.

So -- head on over to the Edit Me Challenge and put your editing skills to work! I can't wait to see everyone's edits!

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~Comments are off.~

The Honest Kitchen Smooches Dog Treats Product Review

2012-05-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

My two German Shepherds love their treats. I keep them in a cookie jar on the kitchen table and I always know when it's treat time -- they run to the table, sit and wait for me to decide whether they deserve one!

I recently received a box of The Honest Kitchen SMOOCHES Dog Treats from Mr. Chewy. I chose these treats because they are homemade with human-grade ingredients.

Smooches contain all natural ingredients with emphasis on chicken and cranberry flavors. Once my dogs warmed up to them, they loved them. I was only sorry that there weren't more -- and so were they!

I would recommend these dog treats if you are concerned about feeding your dogs healthful food products. Absolutely no worries about that if you choose any of the products made by The Honest Kitchen.

I received a free box of The Honest Kitchen Smooches Dog Treats from Mr. Chewy in exchange for my review.

My opinion is my own and was not influenced in any way due to the free product received.

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Rose-breasted Grosbeak

2012-05-15T05:01:00.000-05:00

This little feller, along with his Mrs. (and apparently, his brother and sister-in-law,) have been enjoying the sunflower seeds at the feeders for about a month or so now.

The rose-breasted grosbeak is one of my favorite birds -- they have a beautiful color combination

and pleasant disposition. I've observed this particular bird wait his turn patiently, is never a bully, and stays for long periods, as if he hasn't a care in the world.

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According to Allaboutbirds.org, here are a few fun facts about the

Rose-breasted grosbeak:

•The nest of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is so thinly constructed that eggs often can be seen from below through the nest.

•The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak participates in incubation of the eggs, accounting for about 1/3 of the time during the day (the female incubates over night). Both sexes sing quietly to each other when they exchange places. The male will sing his normal song while near or actually on the nest.

•Breeds in deciduous and mixed woodlands, especially at the edges, second-growth woodlands, orchards, suburban parks and gardens. Winters in open tropical forest.

You can listen to his song here.

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Kim Klassen Providence Texture

Nancy Claeys Xeveria Texture

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Sharing with and supporting the following bloggers:

Texture Tuesday, Tones on Tuesday, Photo Tip Tuesday,

Tuesdays Around The World, Weekly Kodachrome, World Bird Wednesday

Barn Charm.

2012-05-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Another vintage red wooden barn located within a few miles of our farm.

I always love to see the metal roofs -- they are the best addition a farmer can make to his barn(s), as it helps to maintain the underlying structure for many years.

The blue silo, manufactured by the A.O. Smith Company, is not your typical silo in Nebraska.

According to busn.uco.edu,

In the late 1940s a new, revolutionary silo began appearing. The A.O. Smith Company of Milwaukee, manufacturer of glass-lined water heaters and beer vats, began making steel, glass-lined silos--Harvestores, the company called them. This first glass-lined silo was, in reality, a beer storage vat stood on end. Although they were considerably more expensive than the popular concrete stave silos, the blue silos began dotting the upper Midwest, especially Wisconsin.

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Sharing with and supporting these fellow bloggers: Barn Charm, Homestead Barn Hop.

Your Sunday Best #17: John Deere

2012-05-12T17:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Your Sunday Best --

a weekly photo challenge where you may
post your best photograph of the week.

Guidelines:

Please only post photos you have authority to use.
One post per week, per person, please. Family-friendly photos only.
You may use a Polaroid, a point-and-shoot, an iPhone, a fancy Nikon or Canon, or a Kodak Brownie -- everyone is welcome.
Include the Your Sunday Best badge, or a link to my post, in your blog post.
Leave a link to your current Your Sunday Best blog post url (not your main blog url) at the InLinkz prompt.
Consider visiting some of the other blogs listed, because they rock ... meet new photographers, comment, view, learn and enjoy!

: : :

Mirror, mirror.

2012-05-12T06:04:00.002-05:00

This cardinal decided to rest awhile on a Shepherd's hook, right outside our dining room picture window.

Snap, click, snap, click.

He posed for me -- even while I changed out camera lenses.

Twice.

That never happens.

Seems he's infatuated with his reflection in the glass.

If I were this pretty, I would be too...

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Wishing you all a Happy Mother's Day weekend.

Your Sunday Best Photo Challenge will be

posted at 5:00 PM today -- would love

to see you there!

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Sharing with Camera Critters, Weekly Top Shot, Shoot. Edit. Submit.

I plead guilty.

2012-05-11T06:51:00.000-05:00

I bought another orchid.

Our local grocery store had a display for Mother's Day and I couldn't resist.

There were so many different colors from which to choose, but I picked the yellow.

Now, I have an orchid in each of my kitchen windows, surrounded by some of my

favorite knick-knacks.

I mean, a girl's gotta have something to look at while she's washing the dishes, right?

I'm easily entertained.

Sharing with and supporting these fellow bloggers: Studio Sneek Peak, Foto Friday, Photo Friday Link Party, Show and Tell Friday, Farm Girl Friday, Farm Fresh Friday.

Rural Thursday Blog Hop #16: Climbing Roses.

2012-05-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

Last year, our roses did very poorly and this particular climber had no blooms at all.

This year, it's thriving and blooming -- and is as beautiful as I can ever remember.

Perhaps it was the mild winter we experienced. In any event, I'm loving these roses!

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Do you have roses?

Are they doing better or worse this year as compared to last?

Sharing with and supporting these fellow bloggers:

Share the Joy Thursday, Little Bits of Happiness, Thursday This or That, Thursday Favorite Things

Live, Laugh, Linky Thursday.

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Welcome to the weekly Rural Thursday Blog Hop.

Rural Thursday is a Weekly Blog Hop where participants can share information and photos about what's currently happening in and around their rural/country/farm/sustainable home.

Here's how you can join in:

1. Publish a blog post about

general information describing what's happening in your country/rural/farm life,

or a post relating to a rural-themed subject that will benefit all Rural Thursday readers and participants,

such as

farming,
rural-themed photography,
recipes,
homesteading tips,
critters and pets,
DIY projects,
rural-themed giveaways
anything and everything that embraces living the simple life.

Your hosts for Rural Thursday are Nancy @ A Rural Journal and Lisa @ Two Bears Farm.

(The Hosts of Rural Thursday reserve the right to remove any links that are deemed inappropriate.)

Have questions? Please feel free to contact Nancy or Lisa.

Rural is a state of mind!

You need not live in the country or rural setting to participate.

Thank you for visiting!

Large and in charge.

2012-05-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

I had to share a photo of one of our goslings that has not one, but three goose mamas --

I don't really know who hatched this little guy --

and it really doesn't matter...

He's healthy and learning and strutting around the farmyard like he's the boss.

Life is good.

: : :

Sharing with Finagle a Foto.

Texture Tuesday.

2012-05-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm so pleased at the variety of birds at the feeders this year.

And many are so colorful --

American Goldfinches and House Finches, Yellow-bellied woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Cardinals, Nuthatch, Sparrows (of course,) one lone Robin, Rosy-breasted Grosbeaks and even our Baltimore Oriole couple has returned to the farm. I need to remember to pick up some oranges as a treat for them this week.

This is a photo of one of many American Goldfinches that visit the feeders throughout the day. They seem to prefer black sunflower seed and eat from the platform feeders I made from old picture frames (tutorial to follow shortly.)

I believe this is a little female, but I ❤ the males' deep black cap and shoulders, which contrasts perfectly with their lemon-yellow body. And she seems to have picked up a bit of fluff -- cottonwood seed? -- on her left foot. Who knows where Miss "Jenny" {Cottonwood} Seed will choose to deposit Mother Nature's little kernel of life? Or is it building material for her nest?

What birds are frequenting your feeders this spring?

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Pat Texture @ 100% Multiply

Chase Texture @ 48% Lighten
Xeveria Texture @ 80% Overlay
Erase all textures from Goldfinch
Duplicate copy background image @ 25% overlay

( I've been dealing with a very slow computer since last week and am doing my best to get back to you lovely people that have commented over the past few days. I have yard work to get done today and won't get in much computer time, but am shooting for tomorrow and hoping my computer is back to somewhat normal. Thanks for your patience. xoxo)

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Sharing with and supporting these fellow bloggers: Texture Tuesday, Tones on Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Photo Tip Tuesday, Tuesdays Around the World, World Bird Wednesday, Finagle a Foto.

Barn Charm.

2012-05-07T03:48:00.002-05:00

A small gray barn located by the side of a country road in Washington County, Nebraska.

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Sharing with Barn Charm, and Homestead Barn Hop.

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Your Sunday Best #16

2012-05-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

~ In the garden today ~

Sharing with Seasonal Sundays.

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Welcome to Your Sunday Best Photo Challenge -- where you may link up your favorite or best photo of the week.

Guidelines:

Please only post photos you have authority to use.
One post per week, per person, please. Family-friendly photos only.
You may use a Polaroid, a point-and-shoot, an iPhone, a fancy Nikon or Canon, or a Kodak Brownie -- everyone is welcome.
Include the Your Sunday Best badge, or a link to my post, in your blog post.
Leave a link to your current Your Sunday Best blog post url (not your main blog url) at the InLinkz prompt.
Consider visiting some of the other blogs listed, because they rock ... meet new photographers, comment, view, learn and enjoy!

: : :

Sunday Morning Editorial.

2012-05-05T11:14:00.000-05:00

Note: I took this post down for awhile to delete the photos I felt I didn't have permission to publish.

Please also know this has nothing to do with commentators on my blog -- whether you comment or not, I'm glad you are here.

Now that we've cleared the air, here's the post some of you were looking for:

I've had a few thoughts brewing -- for awhile.

And I fear if I don't set them free at some point,

I believe I will

implode.

So, in no order of significance, and no disrespect to those who feel otherwise,

here's a few of the marbles I'm allowing to escape from the canning jar today...

1. Baby photos of newborns photo-shopped (I hope) into disturbing positions.

I would say I'm sorry (but I'm obviously not,) these images of otherwise adorable, innocent, sweet-smelling, miracles-of-life babies morphed into some strange contortion --I find upsetting.

Isn't it enough that newborn babies are perfect just as they are? Is it necessary we alter Nature's supreme gift into this, this

techno-freakish-malformed-peanut-shaped un-baby -- just because we can?

I say no. Forget about Occupy Wall Street -- Occupy web-sites that put these images on display.

Just my humble opinion -- if you like these types of images, rock on with your bad self.

2. Visit me dammit.

If you are going to host a blog hop, for Cripes' sakes, please consider visiting your participants.

I mean, comment on their blogs. Make their day.

Is that too much to ask?

I know I have more free time on my hands than most, but if you can't acknowledge your base, what's the point?

Okay, I said it.

3. Moon shots are not my forte.

I can't shoot the moon to save my life.

I've tried and failed, many times.

And I'm at the point, I'm really okay with that.

Last night, hubby asked if I was going to photo the Super Moon.

I said, moon shots are not my forte.

It felt good to make that statement. I can't do it all. Well, I could, but that would require more work on my part.

4. Dreams are not reality, that's why they are called dreams.

I feel somewhat guilty about publishing last week's post concerning my dream to visit Paris. Because, in all good conscience, I have no desire to actually visit Paris.

I don't like to fly, I'm an introvert, we don't have the money, and I really don't want to visit Paris. (Well, if it was across the road from my house, I would!)

This photo is all about the delusion, the fantasy, the thought, concoction, reverie, invention, daydream...

Na ga happen. But thanks everyone for your encouragement. You are all so very kind.

5. I'm not a perfect person, although I play one on my blog.

A couple of things happened this week that humbled me. As a person and as a wife/partner, I mean.

Let me back up a bit by saying, I like my blog to be a happy place -- a place we, you and I, can come to feel good. To celebrate the awesome goodness of what life has to offer.

That's my choice.

But that's not to say that I don't thoroughly enjoy reading blogs that are about real drama, relationships, sadness, gritty feelings, the stuff of reality. Because I do. I envy these bloggers that can share the seamy side. It takes guts.

So, in an attempt to be a bit more transparent, a couple of things happened this week on the farmstead that were upsetting to me --

Our Magpie Duck hen has been setting on her nest for over a month, which I respect in the deepest sense -- and hatched her first duckling yesterday.

What should have been a moment of triumph, was reduced to feelings on my part of angst and failure -- because the chickens, that I failed to keep away from Mrs. Duck, took the firstborn duckling and played with it as if it were a T- bone from Omaha Steaks. Dead Duck.

I'm ashamed that I didn't foresee this happening after all my years of raising birds. I was sick.

The situation has been remedied, but not without a piece of my heart being devoured in the process.

Secondly, there's the asparagus patch.

While hubby is in Vermillion, South Dakota all week, slaving away to pay the bills to allow me to live the life I love, one of a few small tasks I have been given while he is away -- monitor the asparagus patch and harvest as necessary.

As apparent by the 3-foot asparagus spears gracing our patch, I was not living up to my responsibilities.

Well, in all fairness (here comes the denial,) it rained for two days and I didn't get to the patch as I should have.

Yesterday, he brought to my attention, if I didn't get the spears harvested, the season would be over in no time.

I felt awful.

Lesson learned -- you have to work to keep what you've got. And don't forget it.

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After this catharsis, I'd appreciate your thoughts, my readers.

Was it a good post, or should I stick to posting the happy stuff?

You won't hurt my feelings. Well, not much anyways.

: : :

Sleeping on the job.

2012-05-05T04:32:00.000-05:00

While I was mowing the other evening, I caught Jack taking a snooze

on the old school desk sitting by our back door.

: : :

Sharing with and supporting these fellow bloggers at
Shoot. Edit. Submit., Weekly Top Shot, Camera Critters, The Simple Things.

Pretty little things...

2012-05-04T08:44:00.002-05:00

I may have mentioned in a past post or in my comments to you on your blogs,

I am in the process of de-cluttering the farmhouse.

As is customary in the hoarder community --

it's often difficult, if not downright painful,

to decide what gets to stay,

and what must be banished to a cardboard box

or to, gulp, the trash.

As I wandered around the house this morning,

I began to look at those pretty little things

I had chosen to grant a reprieve, a pardon if you will...

Silly, corny, tacky, useless

pretty little things that make me smile

on a daily basis.

: : :

A canning jar of vintage marbles that sits on the windowsill by my computer desk.

Depending on the time of day, the light filtering through these round

pieces of glass catches my eye and makes me happy.

A glass cat wind chime my sister gave to me for a birthday one year.

Too fragile to use outside, it's found a place

hanging from a tapestry rod in the dining area.

A find at my local thrift, a wooden fruit container

perfect for holding recent cards I've received.

A vintage handmade duck decoy I purchased at a flea market many years ago.

Most of the paint is gone, but I love it just the same.

A handmade leather moose picked up as a souvenir at Tamarac Lake

in Minnesota before Shane and I were married.

It was our first vacation together.

A glass bowl filled with spent orchid and rose petals.

It sits on the window shelf in our kitchen, where I

admire it during frequent dish washing sessions.

Another thrift purchase -- a Homco ceramic duck.

Although I have banned most of the 1980's goosey, ducky, country stuff

from the house -- this little duck looks so content and pleased with himself,

I just couldn't move him from his spot on top of the green and yellow

vintage icebox in our dining area.

Not really a thing -- but a situation I often leave alone

where other neatniks would be hard pressed to ignore.

A few viburnum petals resting on top of our.

wood stove -- I just like the way they look.

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Sharing with and supporting my fellow bloggers at Foto Friday, Weekly Kodachrome, Farm Fresh Friday.

Rural Thursday Blog Hop #15: Rhubarb Streusel Cakes

2012-05-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

I have been searching for rhubarb recipes online and came across some really good ones at Gourmet.com.

This recipe for rhubarb streusel cakes caught my eye -- they looked easy to make and the ingredients -- most of us would have in the fridge or cupboard.

They taste amazing -- are moist, flavorful and the rhubarb retains just the right amount of tangy-ness that I prefer. I used Canada Red rhubarb from my garden. I would defiinitely give these a try.

Sharing with Thursday Favorite Things, Show and Tell Friday,
The Country Homemaker Hop, Farm Girl Friday.

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Now it's your turn to share.

Rural Thursday is a Weekly Blog Hop where participants can share information and photos about what's currently happening in and around their rural/country/farm home or what you are doing that embraces living a simpler, more sustainable way of life.

Here's how you can join in:

1. Publish a blog post about

general information describing what's happening in your country/rural/farm life,

or a post relating to a rural-themed subject that will benefit all Rural Thursday readers and participants,

such as

farming,
rural-themed photography,
recipes,
homesteading tips,
critters and pets,
DIY projects,
rural-themed giveaways
anything and everything that embraces living the simple life.

Your hosts for Rural Thursday are Nancy @ A Rural Journal and Lisa @ Two Bears Farm.

Wood Thrush.

2012-05-02T08:08:00.000-05:00

I apologize for the quality -- but it was dark and rainy the day I took this photo,
plus I think my hands were shaking.

This was a first for me -- seeing a wood thrush at our feeders.
Specifically, he was enjoying an orange suet cake.

Here's what I learned at Whatbird.com about the wood thrush:

The Wood Thrush was first described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. It is best known for its hauntingly beautiful song.

It is the official bird of the District of Columbia.

The genus name is a direct translation of its common name, derived from the Greek words for woodland and thrush or fieldfare. The species name comes from the Latin mustela, or weasel.

A group of thrushes are collectively known as a "hermitage" and a "mutation" of thrushes.

Range and Habitat

Wood Thrush: Breeds from Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia south to Florida and Gulf of Mexico. Spends winters in tropics. Found in moist, deciduous woodlands with a thick understory; also well-planted parks and gardens.

On a side note, I saw my first hummingbird today.

Sadly, no photo -- but I'm sure he'll be back.

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Sharing with World Bird Wednesday.

What a day for a daydream.

2012-05-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'll admit it -- I'm somewhat infatuated with Paris. The city. Not Hilton.

Although it's very likely my going there is not ever going to happen,
I would love to see Paris in the Spring.

Yep, that old cliche.

In any event, the next best thing I find is French design and cuisine.

No, I'm not acting out Julie & Julia in my kitchen on a regular basis, nor am I purchasing vintage French aprons or bake ware on ebay -- I have neither the financial means nor the attention span really to do either.

At this moment in time, I just like French stuff.

So when I spied the Eiffel Tower paper weight at the thrift store, I knew it was an easy way to capture the Esprit Français I was totally looking for.

For $1.00 U.S. Plus tax.

So even if I can't physically fly to France and see the Eiffel Tower, I can at least hold a reasonable facsimile in my hand and imagine, sort of, what it would be like. To go there.

*sigh*

Paris is prolly over-rated anyways.

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Textures courtesy Kim Klassen

Sharing with Sweet Shot Tuesday, Photo Tip Tuesday,
Tones on Tuesday, Tuesdays Around The World, A Return to Loveliness,
White Wednesday, Home and Garden Thursday, Show and Tell Friday.

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PS: Apparently, no Texture Tuesday today per Kim Klassen's website -- I must have misread something. Just thought I'd save you a trip.

Also, my computer kept crashing last night and I gave up trying to visit y'all around 6 p.m. and shut 'er down. Old Bessie seems to be working much better this morning. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Hope your Tuesday is a good one.