What you do if you're iced in...

Well, you hang around your kitchen window

 looking at all the critters and birdies who are looking for a snack...

Critter feeding is pretty messy business.

This is the frosty view outside my kitchen window above the sink.

It seems a certain little somebody was trapped when the icy rain started coming down in buckets. She had to take cover under the wagon. Looks pretty chilly...and uncomfortable.

can you see her?

As soon as it let up the bluebirds were back. I've lived here 10 years and only seen bluebirds a handful of times, but a little Bluebird "couple" have taken a liking to the feeder up here, so now they're regulars.

Now, look who's back...

She didn't like all the ice pellets in her food pan.

It was a battle all afternoon, 

birds vs. squirrel.

I don't have a zoom telephoto lens, so I just had to use my regular lens. These aren't the best photos, but if you look closely you'll see the variety I had on the feeder. Purple finch and Sparrow on the feeder, a goldfinch on top of the faux evergreen and a little wren waiting turns.

...got some fluff going on here.

My little female bluebird on the feeder again.

The bluebird is the Missouri State Bird

 and speaking of "state birds" we couldn't leave out the Cardinals...

And yes, I had a little help from the "Official" Bird Watcher.

We never lost our power, but it did cut out off and on for awhile.

This has been a long week of feeling lousy, 

but I'm better now.

I think I slept about 16 hours a day most of the week.

and that's with having a flu shot.

I guess if you are going to be sick it's best

when it's snowy and icy,

...a good time to be snuggled up at home.

I hope the rest of you are making it through the snowstorm.

Stay warm.

Spring will be here soon...

I think.

p.s. EpicLinen is still having a discount 

on all orders until March 3.

Head over and look around.

xoxo,

For every thing there is a season

I buy my calendars for the New Year, usually in the fall. I love picking them out, and then waiting for the day I take the old one down and put up the new one. I have said before how much I love the change of seasons. They give me something new to look forward to. I love them all. To me they have not only physical beauty in their differences, but also it is a time mentally and spiritually to think of "change".

Spring is about new life and revival

Summer is about enjoying the growth

Fall is for bringing in the harvest

Winter is for quiet, rest and contemplation

This is my calendar in the kitchen by Marjolein Bastin. I so enjoy her endearing artwork of animals and nature. Each month I look forward to see what she has painted from her own home in The Netherlands.

As I put it up recently I paid special attention

 to the quote for January.

"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy."

William Blake 

It reminded me of the verses from Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. 
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.

A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. 
A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.

God provides the seasons. Each one is new and different. I need to learn and be mindful that each season is there for a purpose, a time to learn and grow, to experience life and His Presence. I want to be fully in the moment whatever He sends my way. To embrace the days He has for me.

I used to "grade" myself on productivity. Did I get accomplished what I needed to for the day? Did I waste my time? Lately I have had a shift in thinking. Live the day for what it is... meet it fully and learn from it.

To live my life for what it is, each and every day.

These pictures of the snow were taken

Sunday afternoon out my windows...

I love to feed the birds and squirrels, and an occasional possum, rabbit, and raccoon. Look at the tracks. There are all varieties.

These two evergreen trees in the back yard of our neighbor's are home to dozens of varieties of birds. Seeing them active on a day like this is wonderful.

This is a view out my front door. I have mentioned that we live right on the edge of the city and across the street is a wildlife and nature area with a large lake. The preserve is several miles wide and probably over one mile deep. Deer are protected and flourish there. They visit frequently to dine on my hydrangeas.

So this is what we saw Friday as we sat in the kitchen. Looking out the front door here also, I used my zoom lens to get a better picture of our little friends.

At one point we counted nine deer at one time.

So, I'm enjoying the Season. Winter can be a lonely and depressing time for some, but not for me. I always look forward to those days inside. For me it is a time to "regroup", to contemplate life, and to be thankful.

Enjoy whatever "season" you are in.

Blessings,

Debra