Thursday, February 26, 2015

Our snow day


I used to have this sweet little girl that loved going out in the snow. We would get our warm clothes on as soon as the snow started falling and wouldn't come in until we were frozen popsicles. We had inner tubes, sleds, snowboards. We lived near a golf course and had a neighborhood full of kids that were friends. We would stay out until midnight sledding on those hills with all those kids and parents.  What a time that was.

My little girl is in college now, enjoying the snow with others, Gerry has been out all day shooting news, and here I am with three chickens that are not having it. Check out that look on Sybil's face. She said to me, "Oh hell no, you are not taking me back out in that cold ass snow"!


So I came in and sat at the window with my Audubon bird book and discovered all the new birds that showed up today. I bought a new bird feed and somehow every bird in the area came on over for dinner. How do they know where to find this food? Do they tweet each other, haha?!  We had red bellied woodpecker, red headed woodpecker, thrasher, titmouse, song swallow, cardinal, bluejay, wren, a yellow finch and a few others I couldn't quite identify. I have never seen this variety of birds before. We have never had a red headed woodpecker, although we do get the ladder back ones and the red bellied ones. The red head was amazing. There were two of them.

As I sat there, I thought how lucky I was that all I had to do in the world was to sit at a window and watch beautiful birds eat and fly around. There's a lot to be said for being over fifty. Worries are different and priorities change. You slow things down.......


The girls came out of the coop just long enough to peck around under the bird feeder, but they are really not amused by all this snow. Poor things, we got about 6 inches, and its so light and fluffy they just sink up to their bellies.


I made a pot of vegetable soup for supper and a french baguette that might just be the best loaf of bread I have ever made. I love baking bread on snowy days. I made some banana bread this morning. I woke up to an empty house, so I thought I would just bake in the quiet of the morning.

 Gerry called me while he was out looking for utility crews to photograph and asked if I would make some eggs and grits and bacon if he came by the house. Well, how could I say no to that when he was out in the snowmageddon working?! So we had a late breakfast and then he went back out looking for more news photos. Although, now he competes for play with all of the fools that are tweeting in their own photos at the request of the local news stations.

I swear journalism in this country has gone straight to hell. Can we just let the pros make the beautiful photos so we don't  have to filter through all the crap!? We can save our own pretty pictures for Facebook and twitter and our blogs, but please on a news website I would like to know that professional and talented journalists are doing what they do best. If there even is such a thing anymore.......
gone to hell, I tell ya!

Stay warm if you are out there in it!
peace y'all
xo

8 comments:

Laurie said...

That's one awesome looking baguette! It's been a while, but that may just inspire me to bake one soon.

Tracey Broome said...

Laurie, the recipe came from the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Got it at the library, easiest bread I have ever baked and very good!

Lori Buff said...

The birds have been crazy around here for the past few days. We’ve been able to spot a few types that we haven’t seen in the past. Isn’t that fun?
Stay warm.

Michèle Hastings said...

That is a nice looking bread! It's definitely been baking and cooking weather. I think I have spent more time in the kitchen than in the studio.

Unknown said...

I love the snow dat picture. After reading your blog for awhile I've decided to restart mine. www.garrisonsgarret.blogspot.com If your around the internet I'd love if you's stop by. I'm a sculptor.

just jody said...

Blessed indeed to slow down and really begin living! You know I love my feathered ones…they will empty the feeder every other day here. Our chickens weren't bothered by the cold but did a LOT of one leg standing while trying to unthaw those popsicle toes under their feathers. Now….would you please pass me some of that bread?

Tracey Broome said...

Lori, it is so fun to see these birds. I also left off doves, we have a pair of them, so sweet.
Michele, I often think I should just move my bed to the kitchen I am in there so much! Indeed the perfect weather for warm foods.
Hi Maryellen, so glad you left a comment, I'll have to come visit your blog!
Jodi, mine won't even do the one leg thing, they just refuse to come out in it! Come on over and have some bread :) and yes, life is good after 50!

Shannon said...

hooray for birdwatching, Tracey! Yes, the red-headed one is a show stopper and jaw-dropper. Your chickens are gorgeous, too. glad you've got the aviary to keep you company.