Letting Go of the Bay Leaf: Flicker

Showing posts with label Flicker. Show all posts

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Mosaic Monday #26 - Dithering April

Leafy Aster in our garden

I found April to be a month of contrasts. An in-between month, almost like a teenager that wavers between the simplicity of childhood and the desire to be considered an adult. The sun was out but the air was still cold. I had some recurring events, but in general I was less scheduled. The "dead" of Winter was slowly losing its grip to the life of Spring. All in all, I enjoyed the variety that was April 2019.

I am so glad this is the only

day Spousal Unit wears

this sweater!

The ski season ended with a cool vibe as Whitefish Mountain Resort hosted Employee Ski/Ride Day. In keeping with the "fun" character of the resort, costumes were encouraged and each department adopted a theme to identify its employees. In the case of the Mountain Ambassadors, everyone decked out in retro/60s gear. We don't often get the opportunity to ski/board at the same time, so this was treasured team bonding.

With skiing wrapped up for the season, I welcomed the free time to finish a key project, a Shutterfly book. This labor of love documented the life of our new house from inception of the dream in 2006, through its first two years. I chose this timing because April 24 marked the two-year anniversary of the date excavation began on the property. It was a surprise for Spousal Unit, and it gave me great joy to present it to him on April 21 - once I had it in my hands, I couldn't wait to share it!

Salted Caramel

My open schedule also allowed me to simply pounce on some opportunities that came along. Like the day Spousal Unit texted me that local ice cream company Sweet Peaks was giving away free ice cream - I was all over that! (Sweet Peaks opened its Whitefish shop in April 2010 and now has 6 additional shops throughout Montana, Idaho and Washington State.)

As long as we're focused on my sweet tooth - I was spoiled at Easter by a basket from Spousal Unit and from a dear neighbor.

It was such a delight to join my fellow Arts and Environment committee members to decorate our church for Easter. After the barren symbols of rocks and branches during Lent, the color and life of Easter flowers and lilies was a feast for the eyes and the nose.

In past posts, I have written about my search for options to enact true charity. Last month, Spousal Unit and I attended a fundraiser for the Samaritan House, a homeless shelter and transitional living program in Kalispell, Montana. Its mission is to provide shelter and basic needs for homeless people, while fostering self-respect and human dignity. The Twelfth Annual Cowboy Up event featured a live auction, silent auction, Chinese auction, wine pull, dinner and live music. We bid on several items and were pleased to win a rustic bucket full of gardening-related items.

As one who likes structure, I garner contentment from my recurring activities. My cooking adventures for the month included Shawarma Chicken, Pan-seared Cod, Chicken Taquitos and Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake. Only the Shawarma Chicken passed muster. We liked the Chicken Taquitos IF IT HAD MORE BUFFALO SAUCE, MORE CHICKEN AND LESS CHEESE. In other words, that's a different recipe!

Shawarma Chicken Salad

Pan-seared Cod

Chicken Taquitos

I have continued experimenting with my spotting scope/phone camera combination, and one morning was thrilled to have Spousal Unit join me. We observed a Belted Kingfisher in the dead trees on the edge of the lake, but didn't manage any good photos. It probably didn't help that mist was rising from the lake due to the brisk morning temperature. But I am very proud to report that Spousal Unit snapped these entertaining Flicker photos through the spotting scope. He might just be hooked!

The trail cams have also documented April's fickle ways.

I am sure the deer thought we were done with the whole snow thing!

The diversity of wildlife seems to be on the rise - whether migrating or emerging from winter dens, they are on the move and in some cases, vying for territory.

Upper middle and right: BADGER!

Perhaps the best wildlife story is captured in this video. One morning, Spousal Unit and I were on the lower level, deeply engaged in our photo album project, when we heard a succession of "whap, whap, whap" on the glass doors. Since it sounded like bird strikes, I wondered out loud about the chances of several birds striking the windows in such short order. Then the sound came again. WHAT??? Away to the windows we flew like a flash … and what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a crazed Tom Turkey, intent on fighting his reflection in the glass. We just love living in the woods!

Of course, with the passing of Easter, my limited Easter decorations have retreated to storage, leaving our dining room table lacking in adornment. But never fear, creativity and our back forty soon came to the rescue with a simple green and white arrangement. Welcome to the month of May!

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us.

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Mosaic Monday #24: No Hurry

All's calm at Lake McDonald - Glacier National Park

In Northwest Montana, this time of year is often referred to as a "shoulder season," a quiet time in between bouts of tourists - those that arrive in winter for skiing/other winter entertainment, and those that flock to the area in summer to visit Glacier National Park.

I find myself in that lull; our employment as Mountain Ambassadors has come to an end for the season, and yet it's too soon for many of our summer activities. And when presented with ample time, less seems to get done. "I have plenty of time for that," the thinking goes.

Then I heard this Zac Brown song on the radio. It captures my sentiment completely. Jettison the "to do" list, folks, and relish some life in the slow lane.

NO HURRY

Forget the dirty car, bills, cleaning and laundry!

You know my old car needs washing

And the front yard needs a trim

And the telephone keeps ringing

And the bossman knows I know its him

And the bills ain't gonna pay themselves

No matter anyway
'Cause I ain't in no hurry today

Stitching and American Idol by candlelight

There's nothing wrong with an old cane fishing pole

And the smell of early spring

Sit down in a fold-up easy chair

On a quiet shady river bank

Let the world go on without me

Wouldn't have it any other way

'Cause I ain't in no hurry today

Sweet Peaks Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Neighborhood sky (and more stitchin')

Ain't in no hurry

I'd be a fool now to worry

About all those things I can't change

And the time that I borrow

Can wait till tomorrow

'Cause I ain't in no hurry today

A little night-time reading

More stitchin'

Cocktails at Spotted Bear Distillery

When I must return

To the cold cold ground

Have 'em take their time

When they lay this sinner down

Heaven knows that I ain't perfect

I've raised a little cain

And I plan to raise a whole lot more

Before I hear those angels sing

(Gonna get right with the Lord)

But there'll be hell to pay

Coffee and cake doodles; Bird-watchin' with Maggie the Cat
Clockwise: Ruffed Grouse; American Robin; Turkey; Flicker

But I ain't in no hurry
Ain't in no hurry
Be a fool now to worry
About all those things I can't change
And the time that I borrow
Can wait till tomorrow
'Cause I ain't in no hurry
Ain't in no hurry
Ain't in no hurry today
Songwriters: ZACHRY ALEXANDER BROWN,WYATT DURRETTE,JAMES ALLEN OTTO © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.,REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING

Happy Easter, everyone!

Mosaic Monday

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Jolly January

I am so excited to be linking up with some of my favorite memes - jolly, even. What better way to celebrate the end of the first month of 2019? Let's take a look at some of the highlights!

CRYSTALS: You only have to stick your nose out the door to find a winter wonderland here.

Or you can just look through the window.

It's been a light year for snow, but when it arrives, you know about it. One night, in less than 9 hours, a foot of snow.

This ski season, Spousal Unit and I landed roles as Ambassadors at the Whitefish Mountain Resort. We are blessed to have this view from our 'office.' Yep, we are in a deep love affair with winter!

Chicken Cacciatore - not a fan of the recipe

COMFORT FOOD: Do you remember those Campbell's commercials in which the little boy/snowman comes in and melts as he slurps up tomato soup? In winter, that's what comfort food is all about - a veritable tantalizing aroma that wafts out the door and beckons you home.

I have continued my once-a-week cooking regimen (almost), and two of the three are keepers.

We constructed Meatball Bombs in the midst of the playoff games, so I did not make the time for any pictures. I borrowed this shot from the Internet, 'cause these are SOOOO good and easy-peasy to make! (And destined to be a kid favorite with the word 'bomb' in the name)

And - drum roll - my favorite of the three - a recipe I found on Pinterest under the label Taco Pasta. Since it reminded me of my Mom's goulash with a bit more heat, we have re-named it Mexican Goulash. It only took one pan and 30 minutes to make - give it a try!

CATS: even our furbabies have adapted to the crisp temperatures (and they have fur!)

Maggie gets a little warmer-upper on the vent

Josie helps with my cross-stitch

Of course, there's no place like a lap or the couch near a human …

This month, we had a health scare with Josie, the younger of our two furbabies at the ripe old age of 15. She has been urinating outside the litter box (sorry to be graphic, folks), mainly on our new wood floors. Suspecting a urinary tract infection, off to the vet we went. Long story short, she has a stone in her bladder that would cost $800 to surgically remove. Gulp. Hard to justify at her age, especially with no guarantee that it would solve the problem. But we also cannot afford to have our floors ruined - what to do?

We opted for some behavioral solutions … and they appear to be working. One: I am cleaning both litter boxes more frequently during the day. Two: when I see her use the litter box, I give her a treat and lots of affection. Three: we put some liquid-proof pads on the spots she had been frequenting, and she has not repeated there or moved to other locations. My heart is glad - the prospect of the unspeakable had me crying my eyes out! Wouldn't you, looking at this adorable face?

CRITTERS: Outdoor animals seem to be thriving despite the depth of the snow. My trail cams may capture different creatures than in the summer, but wildlife is still abundant!

Upper left: Bobcat Upper right: Coyote

Look carefully at the upper picture, about midway on the left-hand side. It's an ermine with a white coat for the

winter! Another day I only got its tail in the picture!

For the last couple of weeks, I didn't realize I had wolf photos. It wasn't until I was flipping through a bunch

of pictures that my eye caught the dramatic size difference! These were taken one day apart in the same

location - do you reckon the coyote (top) and the wolf were smelling the same thing?

Do you prefer video? The other day, I was minding my own business, gazing out the window at the falling snow when a Flicker landed on the logs and started eating flies who had died in the effort to gain entry.

While snowshoeing, an American Dipper kept me entertained with his bobbing and swimming. Never mind that the stream water must be near freezing!

On that same outing, I took a picture of the lake and realized I had deer in the frame. Here they are crossing the frozen lake …

CAMEOS: Some of my December pix deserve a cameo appearance in the post. Just too good to let them pass us by.

This mural is in downtown Cincinnati, on the side of a parking garage. I have since learned it is called the Singing Mural. Designed by nationally renowned artist and Cincinnati resident C. F. Payne, the mural is a tribute to the Queen City's vibrant arts community.

Did you or a family member have an Erector set as a child? During our visit to Union Terminal, I was delighted to see this display. We had an Erector set, and I can still remember little fingers attaching metal beams with nuts and bolts. Endless hours of fun constructing and dis-assembling - long before video games or cell phones!!!

If you read my January 19 post, you know about my Mom's 90th birthday. What you don't know is that our family home was burgled some 20 years ago (before she moved to her current cottage), and one of the items stolen was the cameo from my father that she chose to wear on her wedding day. Coming full circle, my oldest sister gave her a very similar cameo at the birthday celebration - just a few tears that day, happy tears.

What made you jolly in January?

Linking to: