Allison

Allison has a very nice black fleece.  No white anywhere but on her head, and her tongue (often an indicator of the color she'll be, ie black tongue, dark fleece, pink tongue, light fleece,) is black on the top and pink on the bottom!  So who knows.  The shepherd did say she has a healthy set of lungs...

Proud papa

First lambs of the year born on Wednesday.  This is Jefferson's first "crop" of lambs.  So far, so good. 

A carpet of blue

It just seems that every day gets more colorful in our yard. The Glory of Spring has taken over the bed by our gate and provides a carpet of blue.  So pretty, and so welcome after our long winter.

More Signs of Spring

You may recognize these plants that are coming up in The Shepherd's garden.  Some people call it pie plant and it does make great pie - especially if you mix it with strawberries and put a crumb topping.. strawberry rhubarb pie...yum.  Land'o Lakes has s great recipe on their web site.  Check it out.

Spring is just around the corner

The "Glory of the snow" is coming on. By next week you won't see any brown ground ...it will be a sea of blue.

Blackbird sing

I really should have taken a video rather than a snapshot the other day.  These blackbirds were ALL singing at the top of their lungs...I'm not sure what they were trying to settle but we were reaping the benefits with their beautiful music. 

Crueller than I thought it was going to be...

Poor little tulips got totally covered in our snow storm this afternoon.  Did I mention that I am really ready for winter to be done??

Mother Nature is so cruel

I guess I was premature in thinking that spring was springing...more snow today.  So ready for winter to be gone!! 

The fruits of his labors

This is always the most fun part of shearing, seeing what this year's "crop" looks like.  What do you think?

Bah bah black sheep have you any wool?

Yes sir, yes sir one bag full.  And it's got great crimp to it!

Kayla

Kayla has a beautiful black fleece.  He will be taking it to the show in Oregon in June, so watch out.

Time for a haircut

It's shearing day at Marietta Shetlands.  Five down and five to go. 

Spring is springing

At last. 

New wheels...

Ever since my fall last October I have been using my old standard walker, the kind that really isn't designed for outside walking, but, hey, life happens.

It has become clear to me that my knee has become pretty unstable (and taking the time off from work right now to get it replaced is out of the question) and going it with just one cane was probably bot safe for me anymore.  So I started looking at "rollators" - four wheeled walkers designed to go over hill and dale. 

Sadly they are not covered by insurance and this was a little bit more $$ than I was thinking (plus I got it from a local store - $125 more than online!!!).  I was able to get them to come down $50 in price - The Shepherd and I like to buy local when ever we can - so as the old saying goes, I bit the bullet and bought it.  Then are some challenges ... it weighs about 18 lbs,  getting it in and out of the trunk, and up and down our back steps is going to take some work, but I like it and I hope it will help me to be more mobile too.

She needs a name - right now I'm thinking Maybelle...

Happy Valentine's Day

My friend Mary Ellen snapped this wonderful picture last week up in Vancouver - she didn't see the heart in the icy water until she got back home and downloaded her pictures.  What a wonderful gift from Mother Nature.  

By the way, Mary Ellen writes two newsletters - you can read them on FaceBook - or get them delivered to your email inbox  - no matter how busy I am, I always stop to read what she sends.  

Follow Pet Tips 'n' Tales - always a happy ending
https://www.facebook.com/PetTipsandTales

 

Follow Angel Scribe - always something good to think about
https://www.facebook.com/AngelScribe1111

 

Do you like Valentine's day?  When I was a kid, it seemed like I would always get those Valentines with a hippo or an elephant on them :-(     

 

It is Random Acts of Kindness Week.  Do something nice for someone, it will make you smile.  

Gracie's romp in the snow

 Hello effury body and effury kitty - 

I've been spending a whole lotta time on the foot of Mummy's bed - I really like having her home all day long - she just lets me be and is always there for me to give a snuggle to.

This snow was all the way up to the bottom of my skirts.  Yikes!












 Now what do I do? 

The Shepherd said that he could see everywhere that Gracie went out side - one place was into the bamboo.  We figure she was looking for burdies in there. 

A couple more wintery pictures

 This maple looks like it's been dipped in plastic.  All told, we were snowed or iced in for a full week.  First time that's happened in years.  And we didn't really get as much snow as we've had in the past, but it would snow, then rain, so everything was like a skating rink

I like the ice hanging off the bell. 

Ever the optimist, before our witch hazel got hammered by the northeaster last week.  

And then it really started to snow.

Gracie was going outside, but it was snowing so hard, you can see her skid marks as she ran back into the house...

The Shepherd worked tirelessly to keep a clear path between the house and the barn.

"Hey, you - make it stop snowing.  My water is frozen"

Jefferson and Buddy didn't think much of the snow. 

The ice storm nearly broke the limbs off our Cedrus deodara

But once it warmed up "a little" The Shepherd
was able to knock some of the ice off.  Luckily it didn't damage the branches.

After this one last hurrah, where we got another 3 or 4 inches of snow, the wind switched from north to south, and the temps just climbed about a degree an hour from mid 20's to almost 45 degrees in about 24 hours.  The snow just seemed to disappear almost over night. 

Thank goodness! 

An Ice Day

Well, we've taken a page out of the Portland weather book today.  Ice every where and as you can see , our river birch is caressing my car, which looks like it is beginning to lose its ice cube look .. must be warming up a little.  No difference to me,  I'm not going anywhere today.  Got this good book on my Kindle and maybe some popcorn and hot chocolate...

Snow day

I should say. another snow day.  This is getting old. 

Live is good...

Actually, live is great.  What a fantastic band.  All very talented musicians.  Big smile on my face tonight!

Pre-show reception

As a member of the theater we get a pass to a pre show reception.  Many times you get the drummer or a road manager.  Whoa. Jesse Cook did his own talking.  Fascinating man and very funny too.  Really looking forward too his music.   Check out his web site to hear some of his tunes!

Concert at the Mt. Baker

We're at the Mt. Baker Theater tonight to see one of our favorite musicians, Jesse Cook.  Flamenco and World Music.  If you ever get a chance to hear him don't miss it!!

Yes, Women's Rights ARE Human Rights

Today was, I hope, a pivotal day for America, and the world.  Nearly 5 million people world wide marched in solidarity - not to protest the new administration, but to remind it that Women's Rights are Human Rights, "regardless of a woman’s race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, sexual identity, gender expression, economic status, age or disability"

Human Rights should come first, not greed, not bullying,

Inspired by the Women's March on Washington there were almost 700 "Sister Marches" all around the US and around the world  (VISIT: SISTER MARCHES here)

The city of Bellingham, that The Shepherd & I call home had a march today. - I saw one report that there was an estimated 5000 people there. 

 

  You can see from this picture (sent to me by a friend from church, thanks Sonja) how big the crowds were.  

Sadly, I did not feel that I was physically up to the challenge to go - The Shepherd said - "Well we could have gotten you a wheel chair" - and "Who would have pushed it", I asked? 

So I lived vicariously through my church friends - This is our God-daughter and her mom.  (and many thanks to Margot for these two pictures)

Our Minister, Rev. Amy, with another group of our members.  I am looking forward to hearing all about it tomorrow at church! 

 Meanwhile, on the "other side of the State" - my older sister lives in YAKIMA, WA.  It is, to say the least, a "conservative" area, but she and several other members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Yakima, encouraged and inspired by the other marches that were being planned all around the US began planning their own.  They had imagined that they might get between 250-400 people - They got over 1000!  My sister was beyond thrilled.  (That is her just to the right of the banner, carrying the bright pink sign - "1972, An original Ms.")




 The march ended up at their church which is in downtown Yakima.

Blessings on all those who have spend the past couple of months, planning and working (and knitting those crazy pink Pussy-Hats).

May you sleep well tonight, safe in the knowledge that a new day has dawned, and it looks like it's going to be a good one. 

Happy birthday to me

I became a Medicare patient today.  Well, not actually a patient, but 65 years ago today, my grandma wrote in her daily diary that they got 35 eggs and Glennie  (my mom) had given birth to a baby girl.  That was it...not even a line on how cute I was or anything.  65...who'd a thought.

Friends took me to lunch yesterday and my BFF and I went to Applebee's for lunch today.  I have coupons for free tacos and free pizza, plus two free dinners in my email in box.  Finally pays to get old.  Ha ha

Pretty pictures from Hawaii

No, I'm not in Hawaii, but my sister is and she sent me this stunning picture of a hibiscus yesterday.  She also said it was 80 degrees.   Sigh.

Sunny Saturday

Our mountain, she is enjoying this cold weather.  I am so ready for spring, and it's a long ways off yet. 

Swans!!

This is the time of year when the swans come through on migration. We were on our way home from getting groceries and The Shepherd had seen them in this field the day before so he took a chance that they would still be there.   This is the closest I've ever seen them.   They are so beautiful.  .

Find a penny..

Leave a penny.

My sister finds coins - everywhere. Nickles, dimes   but mostly pennies.  We call them Angel Pennies, from her spiritual cheerleaders. 

And she leaves coins for others to find...good karma we decided.  I keep telling her that she needs to start buying Lottery tickets. 

This penny was on the ground by my car at home.  Don't know how it got there, I'm pretty careful with my pennies - maybe I have spiritual cheerleaders too.

Hope you have a safe and happy new year! 

Catermonday report

Gracie here today with a little report for you. 

Well it snowed a WHOLE lot last night.  Clear up to my elbows!!!  So, I'm just hanging out with mummy in bed (she keeps making noises about getting up but I don't see any movement there). Ha ha...

I think it has stopped snowing though and The Shepherd has gone out to check on the sheepies. Mummy says it is supposed to stay cold for a week in the high 20s (what ever that means) brrrr. Maybe I'll figure out how that box of sand works...

Snow day

 I didn't realize it had been such a long time since I posted - Holy cow, Thanksgiving?  Part of the issue is that I've gone back to work - at the office.  4-5 hours a day - kicks my butt some days, but I'll get through it, sooner or later. 

It has snowed the last couple days here.  Self imposed exile here.  Can't afford another fall.  Ever...

Thanksgiving dessert

We're at our friend Nancy's home for Thanksgiving dinner.  I brought creamed corn and pies for dessert.  I made this apple tart this morning trying  those apple roses that you can find on Pinterest.  I think with a little practice I could make them even better.  It makes a fun looking dessert. 

A butterkin pie

Here's the pie I baked yesterday afternoon.  I'm not sure why the crust looks so yellow - must have been from the lighting.  It was OK...pumpkin pie is not exactly my favorite...but the shepherd liked it and that was what counts. 

The view from here

Cloudy and grey here today.  Just finished making a butterkin pie. Butterkins are a cross between pie pumpkins and butternut squash.
(I roasted the left over chunks of the one I used to make a casserole of pork, apples, squash and sweet onion last nights get. It was tasty!). Anyhow -   They have a very similar taste to pumpkin. (Actually the canned "pumpkin" you get in the store is more than likely a hybrid squash as well). If you have never made pumpkin pie from the real deal you are missing something delicious.  And chances are you'll never go back to the canned stuff...I'll take a picture when it comes out of the oven. :--)

What the heck?

OK, it's the 8th of NOVEMBER already - and it is voting day (yes, I dropped my ballot off at the courthouse yesterday :-) )  And it is 72 degrees out!!!!

It is absolutely beautiful out - and the sun actually feels warm - not like that watery cold feeling sun of most Novembers.  Holy cow.  I have a feeling that we are breaking a few temperature records today!  Think I'll go get the sunscreen and sit on the porch - ha ha ha...

Signs of fall

Ah, daylight savings time.  Dark so early!!  I don't do well with darkness anyhow, none of the little solar lights I got from Amazon.com work but what has worked is the roll of "glow in the dark" duck tape that I got. I put it on the feet of my walker, it's on the edges of our bed , door jams so I can find them, etc.  It looks like a swarm of deranged fireflies in here at night.  Ha ha.  But it keeps me from barking my shins on things -whatever works, huh??