This afternoon I was able to get several pictures of this Northern Flicker at the feeder.  He must have been pretty hungry because I took about eight shots of him before he flew away.

When I was out on Saturday in the morning I was looking for decorations for my family dinner on Easter.  I had found a wreath but not what I really wanted but I thought I could make it work.  I’ll call it #1.  I pick up some flowers on sale and a little rabbit.  I found some flocked rabbits, grass for my basket and candy till heck won’t have it. 

After the birthday lunch in the afternoon with my friends we went by Michaels and I found a larger grape vine wreath which is what I actually wanted.  I’ll call that #2. 

On Monday I worked on both wreaths and this is the results.

This was wreath # 1. 

This was wreath # 2 which is hanging on the front door. 

The next project is to mount my bunny family on foam board to sit on the coffee table.

I had made these bunnies long before I ever moved up here.  I packed them in a box and forgot them until this year.  I spent today trying to make a wagon for the twin baby bunnies to rest in.  I’ll try to show it when I mount the bunch of them.  It is a little sad but when you don’t have a pattern you fudge it!

We had bare ground for a couple of days up here with the only snow being what was piled on the side of the driveway and on the yard on the east side of the dome.  But peeking out this evening we seem to have gained about an inch of the white stuff after dark. 

Do stay comfy, healthy, and happy until we visit again!

It is 15 degrees by the thermometer in the corner, the snow is melting off the driveway, and the wind is not bad at all.  Add one anxious dog, a Sunday paper in the box down roughly 200 feet of driveway, and you have a mix that becomes a challenge after an exciting day yesterday of living through a big surprise.  But this was going to be another first!  The first time I have walked down that driveway since 11-20-07 and by golly I was going to do it!  Truth be told I did with Brandy investigating the ground under the pines in the yard to check for treasures only a puppy could want to smell and Momma staggering around trying to smell the coming Spring. 

In the side gardens (and I use that word with a smirk on my face) on the east side of the dome I can see the pale green shoots of Hyacinths and Daffodils reaching up to find the sun.  The Rose Of Sharron at the bedroom window and the Sand Cherry bush at the entrance to the deck are showing signs of new buds.  This is not saying that the snow won’t fall again but it does open the door of hope for the warm weather, the green leaves on the trees, and sunny days to come.

Hope if you are out and about you too are seeing these same things and that your Springtime door is about to swing open wide.

The day started gray, cold, windy, and depressing.  Then this happened!

Dear friends Mike, Darlene, and Pammie came to tell me they were taking me to a belated birthday lunch.  Indeed I was greatly surprised.  My only thought was it was a good thing I took a bath this morning because although they didn’t come to see the house they did come to see me.
 

This Sneaky Pete knew all about the luncheon date and only said that maybe the dismal day would get better later!  Yep the man can keep a secret!

So off to a great lunch with the waiter and waitresses singing Happy Birthday, a dish of ice cream and a red balloon to top it off. 
Back home we cut the chocolate cake Pammie had made and I looked over my gifts. 

Because we make Jam Pammie thought a Preserves Pot was just the thing to set on my kitchen shelf.  She also brought some items to help with my embroidery projects.  The long promised chili and chicken soup she had made for me when I first had my operation now resides in my freezer.

Just when I thought there could be nothing else due to my ripe old age I received two plaques with words of wisdom on them.
The first from Pammie:

The other from Mike and Dar:

Now to find a place to hang them.  I swear if this keeps up I’m going to be the smartest old broad.I know!

Seriously this was the best surprise I’ve had in a while.  Thank you again Friends!

The last two mornings at around 2 to 3 am my sleep has been interrupted by Brandy having to go outside to do her duty.  Upon returning inside the first morning I felt an urge to sit and read a while.  Duma Key by Stephen King, a gift from SEB and family, lay on the dining room table.  I had read on Juniesplace that she had started it and was quite taken with it. 

I sat quietly for an hour and stepped into the world of Duma Key.  As I started to cool down I decided that was enough for the first visit. 

Last night I found my bookmark that Mrs. Dof had made me and marked my place in the novel.  Later in the morning after Brandy’s visit outside I again picked up the novel for another hour visit.  As I started to read it felt like a lover’s hands had covered my cheeks to draw me into this other world.  Again after an hour I closed the book and crawled back in bed.

After I awoke this morning I picked up the novel to read with my breakfast because Jay had eaten earlier.  I again felt the gentle hands on the sides of my face as I opened the book to the page.  I also noticed that my bookmark contained the same colors as the illustration on the book jacket.  Interesting but really not unusual—just fascinating to see.  I think I am going to love this adventure.

Yesterday I had guests for lunch!  One was on the upper level dining area with a hairy wood pecker questioning his right to intrude on a peaceful meal. The other on the main floor looking up once in a while to complain about the quality of seeds the first one was dropping down.  This means I have two squirrels to shout out the door at now.  I’ll tell you an old woman’s work is never done—it just increases with the rising sun!!!!! 

Cindy and David left a few hours ago because she had to be at work by 5:00 pm.  At least we had a breakfast date. Jay was our cook and every one enjoyed it. She did a little posting and a little washing (that is called multi-tasking).  When you work like she does that is the only way to get everything accomplished. 

Before dinner I decided to set up my next project.  I reviewed my floss to see if I had all the colors I needed. I took a quick trip to Fairway in Otisville to obtain the colors I lacked.  I started laying them out and numbering them when Jay said the roast was done.  So I took time out to make gravy and we ate dinner. 

After I got the kitchen cleaned up I came in to check the blogs while the new Eagles Cd played. 
I have three newspapers to catch up on and the laying out and numbering of the floss to finish. 
Jay gave up the computer and has gone in to lay down a while.  Brandy is asleep on the couch and Molly in the Lazy Boy.  Spirit is whistling and talking to the music. 
I just turned around and started disc 2 of the album with the remote.  If you like the Eagles their new CD is $11. and change at Wal Mart exclusively for a two disc set.  A lot of mellow sounds along with the regular Eagles style.  It is called “A Long Road Out Of Eden” and well worth the money my friend.  I find myself rocking gently over the keyboard to the beat of the music!

It is kind of a sweet finish to the weekend that ended my birthday celebrations.  Now it is time for the real world again. Write the monthly bills out tonight to go out in the morning mail.  Take the garbage done on Monday night.  I have an appointment to get my teeth (all six of them) cleaned on Tuesday.  Yes Life goes on even if you are a year older and ain’t that great!!!!

I’m not admitting I’m slowing down.  I’m just sayin’ it takes some of us a little longer to celebrate a birthday ( that is among other things). For me turning 73 took about 10 days.  Not that I’m complaining because any time your children (who are pushing old fartdom themselves) come to visit it is worth every minute of the wait!!!

This time I’m going to tell you about the cake of all occasions.

This mouth watering Chocolate on/in chocolate delight was created by Anne ( my daughter-in-law, wife of SEB, mom to Courtney Jenkins).  So you see it doesn’t matter what they call you as long as they call you!!!!  They brought KFC ( Kentucky Fried Chicken—I forget you don’t all live in Michigan and may not have one of these ) with all the trimmings for our dinner so it was a very tasty meal.

My gift was this

(I do love that wish list).  The sweater book has some delightful items including skirts and dresses in it.  Even though it is knitting I can see a few things I would really like to make.  I think my days ahead will be filled with many different activities.  ( Aw I may have trouble getting my washing, vacuuming, sweeping , and other boring things accomplished).  I wonder if I can plead senility! 

This morning Child # 3 and hubby are coming for breakfast because she has to work yet today.  That completes my birthday wish of having ( my ducks all in a row—no my chickens all in the nest—no) my children all home to see me.  I am a happy old broad I’ll tell you!!! 

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