New Year's is always a day filled with mixed emotions for me. Anybody else feel like that? 2011 had it's high notes and some low ones as well. I miss those who are no longer with me. I treasure those who are here and i hope it shows. I truly love life and all that it brings, even when times are tough. i always learn something and become stronger and hope fully wiser from each experience.
So cheers to the old and the new, i wish health and happiness to all. May your resolutions be simple and make the world a better a place for a t least one person.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Protect the Whooping Crane
online.nwf.org
Tar sands oil threatens the lives of America's Whooping Cranes and many more cherished wildlife. Tell the Obama Administration to refuse dirty oil companies the access to build a tar sands oil pipeline through America's heartland.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Thoughts for the Day
Today I am thinking about Fall and all the season brings. Halloween costumes, warm foods like soup and muffins and preparing the outdoor pets for winter.
Halloween costumes are in the works, one son would like to be "scarecrow" from Spiderman and some bats have been ordered through the new Etsy site Lifeseasoning! A Halloween party is also being discussed.................
The weather is supposed to be more like summer this weekend but I am still craving muffins and soup. I will have pumpkin muffins and other treats at my Tastefully Simple open house on Saturday so stop by if your in the neighborhood!
The outdoor pets, being rabbits, need some new hutches and a better location. The 4H club is supposed to be building hutches at the enxt meeting so hopefully that will get me started in a positive direction. It seems like a daunting task and I am determined to break it down into managable steps and see it through. Any volunteers out there?
Lately I have been very conscious about food and making it healthier. Probably because I joined committee to promote National Food Day. If you havent heard of it just google food day and check out all info and events. It's all about eating healthy, teaching our kids to eat healthy, learning where our food comes from and supporting local farms and food pantries.
Future posts will include meals I am preparing and trying to makeover for a healthy and tasty result.
Halloween costumes are in the works, one son would like to be "scarecrow" from Spiderman and some bats have been ordered through the new Etsy site Lifeseasoning! A Halloween party is also being discussed.................
The weather is supposed to be more like summer this weekend but I am still craving muffins and soup. I will have pumpkin muffins and other treats at my Tastefully Simple open house on Saturday so stop by if your in the neighborhood!
The outdoor pets, being rabbits, need some new hutches and a better location. The 4H club is supposed to be building hutches at the enxt meeting so hopefully that will get me started in a positive direction. It seems like a daunting task and I am determined to break it down into managable steps and see it through. Any volunteers out there?
Lately I have been very conscious about food and making it healthier. Probably because I joined committee to promote National Food Day. If you havent heard of it just google food day and check out all info and events. It's all about eating healthy, teaching our kids to eat healthy, learning where our food comes from and supporting local farms and food pantries.
Future posts will include meals I am preparing and trying to makeover for a healthy and tasty result.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Fracking
Is your water flamable? It may be someday!
Ask Your Members of Congress to Support the FRAC-Act!
Sign the petition below to ask your representative to protect your drinking water by passing the FRAC Act (S. 587 and H.R. 1084).
As a constituent, I urge you to support the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (FRAC Act) of 2011 (H.R. 1084 and S. 587).
It has become clear that hydraulic fracturing can threaten our drinking water, our health, and our livelihoods.
The FRAC Act would lift the exemption from regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act granted to hydraulic fracturing in 2005. In addition, it would require oil and gas mining companies to disclose the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations.
In order to protect our drinking water, our farms, and our health from the the dangers that can be brought on by fracking, I urge you to pass the FRAC Act.
Sincerely,
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wild life garden in your yard
Make Your Yard A Wildlife Oasis
Take our Garden Wildlife Quiz to learn what plants attract the most birds, butterflies and other critters
Turtle Saves
Anyone who really knows me, also knows how much I care about wildlife including frogs, toads and turtles. So yes, I am one of those people who stops to let them or help them cross the road. So far this year my turtle saves are four. I think they were all painted turtles, but I wil do some research and find out.
There is one turtle - I think it is the same one - that crosses Denton Lake Road on a regular basis. Next time I see it, I will mark it to be sure ( no harm will come to the turtle )
There is one turtle - I think it is the same one - that crosses Denton Lake Road on a regular basis. Next time I see it, I will mark it to be sure ( no harm will come to the turtle )
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
So Who's running the country?
I never intended to get political here, after all, my goal is help those in need and add some fun to daily life, so when something affects our families and our quality of life, I think it should be included.
I don't think of myself as a politically involved person, (I guess I should have been paying more attention earlier in life?) but the more I see, hear and read about political red tape and delays, and the rising price of gas, which affects us all and out quality of life, the angrier I get. I certainly don't feel the urge to run for any political office but I don't mind making some noise to send a message. This was just brought to my attention:
which brought to mind the question of Who is REALLY running the country if the president can't do anything about large corporations who are bringing down the country through greed.
If this is the land of oppotunity, why should the opportunity to survive be dictated by something like gas prices? So instead of deciding if you can have healthy, organic food because it costs a bit more, you can decide whether to eat or put gas in the car to get to work. that may sound a bit drastic but for those people just getting by, that could be a not so distant choice.
So, if you put gas in the car, then you can drive to the food pantry because you can't buy food now, and the cost of feeding more families gets passed on to local municipalities and in turn the government, which is in debt already................what a vicous cycle. So where do we go from here?
I don't think of myself as a politically involved person, (I guess I should have been paying more attention earlier in life?) but the more I see, hear and read about political red tape and delays, and the rising price of gas, which affects us all and out quality of life, the angrier I get. I certainly don't feel the urge to run for any political office but I don't mind making some noise to send a message. This was just brought to my attention:
which brought to mind the question of Who is REALLY running the country if the president can't do anything about large corporations who are bringing down the country through greed.
If this is the land of oppotunity, why should the opportunity to survive be dictated by something like gas prices? So instead of deciding if you can have healthy, organic food because it costs a bit more, you can decide whether to eat or put gas in the car to get to work. that may sound a bit drastic but for those people just getting by, that could be a not so distant choice.
So, if you put gas in the car, then you can drive to the food pantry because you can't buy food now, and the cost of feeding more families gets passed on to local municipalities and in turn the government, which is in debt already................what a vicous cycle. So where do we go from here?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
April Showers
A rainy Tuesday, not what I really wanted but the new growth outside could use it. I am very happy to see flowers coming up and green buds on the trees! The birds don't seem to mind the rain and it's not too cold so I won't complain.
So it's not the best day to go out garden but I did find a great gardening blog thanks to a friend on facebook. http://www.lifeonthebalcony.com/. I hope my blog someday is as wonderful as this! Great ideas for small space gardening; now I know how to make a vertical garden from a wood pallet!
I do feel more creative and energetic when the sun is out but I will busy myself with some spring cleaning and baking. What am I baking? Amish Friendship bread! My neighbor gave me a starter bag 10 days ago and today is baking day. I will keep one bag for myself again and bake the rest if I can't find someone willing to go through the process. I'm sure I won't have a hard time finding anyone to help eat it!
Speaking of baking; I have become aware that several friends have food allergies, especially where wheat is involved. I am on the hunt for some alternatives for baking. I will be researching and baking with other types of flour so I will also be looking for some folks to sample these concoctions!
I know that other flours can be expensive and the only source I am aware of, other than grocery stores, is King Arthur Flour company. the hunt is on for other markets....................and recipes............................
So it's not the best day to go out garden but I did find a great gardening blog thanks to a friend on facebook. http://www.lifeonthebalcony.com/. I hope my blog someday is as wonderful as this! Great ideas for small space gardening; now I know how to make a vertical garden from a wood pallet!
I do feel more creative and energetic when the sun is out but I will busy myself with some spring cleaning and baking. What am I baking? Amish Friendship bread! My neighbor gave me a starter bag 10 days ago and today is baking day. I will keep one bag for myself again and bake the rest if I can't find someone willing to go through the process. I'm sure I won't have a hard time finding anyone to help eat it!
Speaking of baking; I have become aware that several friends have food allergies, especially where wheat is involved. I am on the hunt for some alternatives for baking. I will be researching and baking with other types of flour so I will also be looking for some folks to sample these concoctions!
I know that other flours can be expensive and the only source I am aware of, other than grocery stores, is King Arthur Flour company. the hunt is on for other markets....................and recipes............................
Monday, March 14, 2011
I see Spring!
I really think I saw signs of spring today! Even through the brief snow flurries! Isee some green shoots coming up out of the ground-Irises! More color at the bird feeder - lots of yellow finches today.
Friday, my 4H club started making plans for a garden. We will grow some things for our furry friends, some for our feathered friends and some for us! We planted some flower seeds at the meeting to take home and start indoors now.
Sewing classes are in the works, I should have a scedule next week. My Mom and I are starting a site on Etsy soon too. I convinced Mom to sell some of quilting to help support her passion. i can't wait to see what she is willing to part with. Whatever it is will be very special, and not just because she is Mom; she has won several awards at quilting shows.
Baking this week was very sweet-an angel food, vanilla pudding and pineapple cake with whip cream for Mom's 83rd birthday! So light and fluffy we all wanted more!
Friday, my 4H club started making plans for a garden. We will grow some things for our furry friends, some for our feathered friends and some for us! We planted some flower seeds at the meeting to take home and start indoors now.
Sewing classes are in the works, I should have a scedule next week. My Mom and I are starting a site on Etsy soon too. I convinced Mom to sell some of quilting to help support her passion. i can't wait to see what she is willing to part with. Whatever it is will be very special, and not just because she is Mom; she has won several awards at quilting shows.
Baking this week was very sweet-an angel food, vanilla pudding and pineapple cake with whip cream for Mom's 83rd birthday! So light and fluffy we all wanted more!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Bully Birds
Monday night I went to a presentation about bullying that was very informative. There were kids and adults present so there was a good mix of questions, opinions and experiences. It was presented by Putnam County DA along with other officials from the county. They are working to get the their message out to as many people as possible and would like to do more presentations; they need to be invited into schools.
Tuesday morning I was reading Wildlife Conservation magazine and came upon an article about the Nazca Booby, a bird that lives on the Galapagos Islands. Apparently these birds, as chicks, will fight and kill their siblings right after they hatch. It seems they do this to improve their chance of survival. These surviving chicks tend to be bullies even into adulthood. The chicks who have no siblings in the nest do not appear to be aggressive as adults.
I wonder if there have been studies on bullying and siblings in humans? It would be interesting to see if more bullies come from large familes and does birth order have any affect........................
Tuesday morning I was reading Wildlife Conservation magazine and came upon an article about the Nazca Booby, a bird that lives on the Galapagos Islands. Apparently these birds, as chicks, will fight and kill their siblings right after they hatch. It seems they do this to improve their chance of survival. These surviving chicks tend to be bullies even into adulthood. The chicks who have no siblings in the nest do not appear to be aggressive as adults.
I wonder if there have been studies on bullying and siblings in humans? It would be interesting to see if more bullies come from large familes and does birth order have any affect........................
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Birders to do list
I just realized that I did not add my To Do list to the birdcount message! Right now is migration, and believe it or not, nest building time. So put out some bird food and suet (see recipe below), get the birdhouses out and clean them up. It is also helpful for the birds, if you put out some nesting materials like yarn scraps, string, dryer lint work, fabric scraps, cottonballs; put them in something like a suet feeder and hang close to the feeders. When my wonderful dog, Ginger, was with us, I would take her outside and brush out her winter undercoat. The loose fur would make big poofy reddish brown tumbleweeds. At one point I was gathering them and throwing them away until one day when it was windy and I lost quite a few. About a week or two later I was watching a bird fly back and forth building a nest and when I got a good look at the nest I noticed that it was kind of furry and the same color as Ginger's fur! So after that I stopped throwing away the fur.
Recipe for bird treats that look good enough to eat:
Melt 1 cup shortening and 2 cups chunky peanut butter over low heat, then mix in 5 cups cornmeal. Fill paper cupcakes liners and top with nuts, bird seed, dried berries. Cool in refridgerator.
This recipe is from Birds and Blooms magazine, Jan 2011 issue
My 4h club made these for the backyard birdcount. I will attempt tp post a picture!
Recipe for bird treats that look good enough to eat:
Melt 1 cup shortening and 2 cups chunky peanut butter over low heat, then mix in 5 cups cornmeal. Fill paper cupcakes liners and top with nuts, bird seed, dried berries. Cool in refridgerator.
This recipe is from Birds and Blooms magazine, Jan 2011 issue
My 4h club made these for the backyard birdcount. I will attempt tp post a picture!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sewing for Spring
I am feeling very inspired by the spring weather this week! I am also in need of a new favorite purse/hangbag. So I think my sewing class will be some easy to make bags! I will go searching for the perfect fabrics tomorrow! I am thinking of offering classes during the day for adults and Sunday afternoon fro both kids and adults. I will put it out there next week and see if what kind of feedback I get. Most likely I will start out church - Gilead, Carmel, NY - and possibly hold some at the White Pond center as well.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
My bird count and bird to do list
I would like to thank my friend Michelle for posting and asking some questions! What was my bird count you ask? Well, I did not even attempt to count the flocks that took over my yard for a good portion of the official count. My regular birds were easy to count. I usually have about 8 cardinals, a mix of male and female; 6-8 Juncos; 8-10 black cap chiccadees, 2 nuthatch; 3-4 house finch; an assortment of other sparrows; 4-5 titmice; 3-4 bluejays (who also eat my cat food); occasional starlings and a few pesky squirrels.
Dont now what those are? Come on over for a cup tea and I will show you! You can also sample the banana bread. And the cookies are delicious- I ran out of white flour so I used whole wheat and they are good and healthier too!
Dont now what those are? Come on over for a cup tea and I will show you! You can also sample the banana bread. And the cookies are delicious- I ran out of white flour so I used whole wheat and they are good and healthier too!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
What happened to early spring ?
I thought that Punxatawny Phil did not see his shadow and we were supposed to have an early spring? What exactly does that mean? That it won't snow after the first official day of spring?
I don't know about the rest of the countrty, but in my neighborhood it still looks like winter doesn't want to go yet. Yeserday was bazaar weather; pouring rain, then the sun almost came out, then freezing rain, then snow that came down so hard and fast that the ground was covered in minutes!
My 4H club met at 5:30pm for about an hour. During the meeting, it drizzled and the wind really kicked up so everything froze. It was very slippery and the door handles on the car were fozen and the ice was sharp so it hurt to open the doors! I know March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb but this is too much for me.
More snow and ice is predicted for tonight and through Tuesday. I can feel the urge to bake already.
I continue to watch the birds and marvel at how they manage in the winter. I have a group of cardinals that are here all day, about a dozen, and after they eat they all sit on the branches of a honeysuckle shrub and rest together. I need a camers with a better zoom so I can capture the image closer.
Today's baking must include the standard; chocolate chip cookies. I also have some bananas for bread, maybe some chips in there too; never enough chocolate around here!
Since I will be inside and baking, I will need something to do while the stuff is in the oven. I choose knitting and crocheting today; I am working on a hat fro my mother, I'm sure if I get it to her this week she will still get some use out of it! I also have a scarf that I started for James, I found camouflage yarn for him!
This week I would like to plan a vegetable garden and maybe pick up some seeds to start. I guess I better plan containers in case I put the plants out and then they need to be brought in again........................
The best spot for sun is right outside my kitchen door. I don't have a lot of level ground so I will be investigating ways to use vertical planting. I have seen wall/stand mounted growing walls. I think I will give that a try this year.
I don't know about the rest of the countrty, but in my neighborhood it still looks like winter doesn't want to go yet. Yeserday was bazaar weather; pouring rain, then the sun almost came out, then freezing rain, then snow that came down so hard and fast that the ground was covered in minutes!
My 4H club met at 5:30pm for about an hour. During the meeting, it drizzled and the wind really kicked up so everything froze. It was very slippery and the door handles on the car were fozen and the ice was sharp so it hurt to open the doors! I know March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb but this is too much for me.
More snow and ice is predicted for tonight and through Tuesday. I can feel the urge to bake already.
I continue to watch the birds and marvel at how they manage in the winter. I have a group of cardinals that are here all day, about a dozen, and after they eat they all sit on the branches of a honeysuckle shrub and rest together. I need a camers with a better zoom so I can capture the image closer.
Today's baking must include the standard; chocolate chip cookies. I also have some bananas for bread, maybe some chips in there too; never enough chocolate around here!
Since I will be inside and baking, I will need something to do while the stuff is in the oven. I choose knitting and crocheting today; I am working on a hat fro my mother, I'm sure if I get it to her this week she will still get some use out of it! I also have a scarf that I started for James, I found camouflage yarn for him!
This week I would like to plan a vegetable garden and maybe pick up some seeds to start. I guess I better plan containers in case I put the plants out and then they need to be brought in again........................
The best spot for sun is right outside my kitchen door. I don't have a lot of level ground so I will be investigating ways to use vertical planting. I have seen wall/stand mounted growing walls. I think I will give that a try this year.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Birds and rabbits
Today is the last day of the Great Backyard birdcount. After all the data is entered it will be interesting to see if anyone else in this area experienced the swarm of birds that I did. I will continue to log their arrival, quantity and species; hopefully they will disperse sometime soon! My regulars have to wait to eat breakfast and I am going through seed quickly.
I briefly read through anarticle the other day about a dwindling rabbit species in the Northeast. After reading the entire article, it seems that the native New England Cottontail has declined so much that it is being considered for the endangered species list. I did not realize that there were two seperate species, the other being the Eastern Cottontail. The Eastern was actually introduced in this area and is not a native to New England. It seems that the Eastern is thriving better than the New England native which is much more dependent on it's native habitat.
To see more snow today was not very appealing, although it did make it easier to walk out to feed my critters. the slush and ice build up is treacherous. Spring can' come soon enough for me. I have circled the day that Daylight savings ends on the calendar!
Seeds were on sale in the grocery store today and I had to really stop myself from buying them!
I briefly read through anarticle the other day about a dwindling rabbit species in the Northeast. After reading the entire article, it seems that the native New England Cottontail has declined so much that it is being considered for the endangered species list. I did not realize that there were two seperate species, the other being the Eastern Cottontail. The Eastern was actually introduced in this area and is not a native to New England. It seems that the Eastern is thriving better than the New England native which is much more dependent on it's native habitat.
To see more snow today was not very appealing, although it did make it easier to walk out to feed my critters. the slush and ice build up is treacherous. Spring can' come soon enough for me. I have circled the day that Daylight savings ends on the calendar!
Seeds were on sale in the grocery store today and I had to really stop myself from buying them!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Backyard birdcount continues
Well the birdcount went better today; except for the starlings who returned in record numbers. At 7 am today, there were several hundred birds all over the ground and flying back and forth from tree to tree! It was an unnerving site for sure! It was a mix of starlings, redwing blackbirds and rusty black birds. My poor neighborhood birds didnt stand a chance at food. I had to wait until lunch time to go refill the feeders. I must be the only one in the neighborhood who throws seed on the ground........................but the outdoor cats had fun chasing them all morning! It was quite a site to see when the whole flock took off at once.
Heart shape donuts were a treat in sunday school today for a special 4 year old birthday; my class is growing size each week.............maybe word is getting around that we do snack and play games.
More sewing on tap for tonight, not sure what yet. Sewing classes will be scheduled soon; something fun for spring.
A hearty chicken and dumpling stew for dinner. We need something to warm us as we brace for more SNOW - hopefully just a few inches.
Heart shape donuts were a treat in sunday school today for a special 4 year old birthday; my class is growing size each week.............maybe word is getting around that we do snack and play games.
More sewing on tap for tonight, not sure what yet. Sewing classes will be scheduled soon; something fun for spring.
A hearty chicken and dumpling stew for dinner. We need something to warm us as we brace for more SNOW - hopefully just a few inches.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Beginning
First day blogging so bear with me.
The Great backyard birdcount is not going well for me today; it's too windy for the birds. I put out special treats made by my 4H club and a flock of Starlings ate them all in about 5 minutes! Try again tomorrow and report findings to http://www.birdcount.org/
Today's craft project is more bird treats and some catnip toys for the kitties. Cold and wind always make me want to bake so it is time for chocolate chip cookies and banana bread. My favorite recipes are from the Nestle package and Curious George's banana bread. There really is a Curious George website; when Will was 6 we had a Curious George party with a jungle theme.
The Great backyard birdcount is not going well for me today; it's too windy for the birds. I put out special treats made by my 4H club and a flock of Starlings ate them all in about 5 minutes! Try again tomorrow and report findings to http://www.birdcount.org/
Today's craft project is more bird treats and some catnip toys for the kitties. Cold and wind always make me want to bake so it is time for chocolate chip cookies and banana bread. My favorite recipes are from the Nestle package and Curious George's banana bread. There really is a Curious George website; when Will was 6 we had a Curious George party with a jungle theme.
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