Catch me if you can!

 

 

The mad dash was on for the one with the fish! (In case you can't tell, it's the one on the bottom right)

Backyard Birds and Garden Frills

This is my first post using Windows Live Writer(click to download) and so far I’m loving it! It took me a while to find the program on my computer after I downloaded it, which I guess Rhoda had a similar problem, so try not to be too discouraged if the same thing happens to you. Not to mention as with any program you’ll need to figure out how it works but by the time you do I guarantee you won’t be going back to blogger anytime soon. I would also suggest using WLW in combination with Minima Stretch as a template for optimal results but I’m sure it works with other templates as well.

Why I’ve never been to Backyard Birds & Garden Frills (Rt. 1, York, Maine) I’m not sure. It’s not far from me but it’s sort of off my beaten path.

As you can see I went there on a snow day about a month or so ago (yeah, I’m always late with my posts). There are bird feeders filled to the brim all around the building. It’s a bird lovers paradise! In the summer you’ll find places to sit and have lunch or just enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.

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Beautiful items to be had, and I wanted them ALL!!! I’ll bet I could even make the ‘FLOWERS’ blocks if I really tried . . .

 

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Part of the store is Bell Farm Antiques. Lovely linens, pottery, etc., no junk here. Check out the black carved birds up on top of the jelly cabinet on the right. They would go perfect in my family room! The store is somewhat high end so I had to browse this time instead of purchase.

Bird houses . . . you know I love bird houses! They had plenty of them too, along with about every other bird supply you could possibly want, including many varieties of seed.

 

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Easter decor was plentiful and gorgeous! Although the picture on the right with the sleigh didn’t come out very bright I decided to show it anyway. Those bunnies were incredible in person. I could have spent all day in this store, there was so much to dream of owning and drool over! Looking around the store their attention to detail was obvious.

Did we have a lot of snow or what! Wish I could have shown you more of the store, there was so much to look at.

As temps continue to rise I’ll have to take a trip back to Backyard Birds & Garden Frills/Bell Farm Antiques. If you live in the area I would suggest making the trip as well. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

http://www.backyardbirdsandgardenfrills.com/

http://www.bellfarmantiques.com/

 

FYI ~ Blogging Help

She's at it again. Rhoda@Southernhospitality has some great blogging advice! If you are a regular blogger I would suggest reading her latest post: Windows Live Writer(click to download). Not only does Rhoda tell you about this helpful blogging tool, she also has great advice for NEW bloggers (and maybe a few that have been around a while). And if you've never been to Southern Hospitality you're missing out on a great blog!

Rhoda is also the one who taught me how to enlarge photos. If you're interested in reading that post you can view it over on the right hand side of my blog under Ten of my favorite posts of 2008. At first I didn't think I would upload WLW but she says it will upload large photo's like mine so I'm going to give it a shot!

Thanks Rhoda (and other experienced/organized bloggers) for making blogging a little easier for all of us :)

*** 7:30 am Sunday morning: I just downloaded Windows Live Writer and I have to say after playing with the program for only a few minutes I already am very pleased! Give it a shot!

Wild Turkeys in the Field

2 weeks ago, after I dropped my daughter off at work in the early morning, I decided to take a side road and see what's out and about. Sure enough the Wild Turkeys were strutting their stuff! In all I estimated about 40 cruising around the corn field.

Abbey Road Wild Turkeys

Cape Porpoise Harbor, Maine (Lighthouse View)

If you are ever find yourself in the Kennebunkport, Maine area do try to stop by Cape Porpoise Harbor. I have to warn you, parking is extemely limited in this whole area so you may just end up driving through, but it's gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.

In the above photo we're looking out to sea and at the Goat Island lighthouse, built in 1859.

It was a bright but cold day making the water sparkle like diamonds. Nice that we happened upon the area during low tide too.

I intend on heading back up to shoot some more of the local area once it warms up. Also while my husband and I were in town very little in the way of shops and restaurants were open. How I longed for a bowl of clam or seafood chowder! It was not to be.

This immediate area is really all about fishing, though there are two small restaurants in the harbor, both closed for the season. Not sure where you would park in the summertime to eat at either one but I would imagine there might be a tour bus that comes through, or you could walk, or even ride a bike!

I still have more photos to share with you which I'll do soon!

Days gone by

Beauty may fade

and a once perfect view my grow imperfect

but if you look very close

you will see what has always been there

true love

Swans

There's nothing like a beautiful pair of Swans t0 start out a day at work. Running into these two was a lovely chance, though I think he would have prefered I not be so lucky. In hindsight I would have taken more time (much to Mr. Swans dismay) and tried different settings so as to get better definition of their feathers. But I'm not a professional and I still think they are beautiful.

The male Swan, (the Cob), right, kept a very close eye on the female (the Pen), left. I was suprised he was bigger and whiter than her. In the past I'd never noticed the difference.

I've never heard a Swan cluck before but that's exactly what he was doing as he came towards me. Mr. Swan was very protective of his mate and I could tell he felt threatened.

See how he kept looking back at me? He wanted to make sure I wasn't following him or threatening his lady.

I'm assuming they have moved inland by now. At the time many of the local ponds and lakes were frozen over, and though some still are, some have just a small amount of ice remaining, or none at all.

Thank you for stopping by. I'd love to hear from you!

Robins

I know we've all seen plenty of Robins by now ... but here's a few more anyway

We were actually in a parking lot outside the old Home Depot (now known as The Christmas Tree Shop) when I spotted this flock in a large group of Sumac. They were grateful for a semi-warm day and something to eat.

By now I'm sure they have all filled their bellies with plenty of worms. Protein, it does a body good ; )

Even though she remained somewhat hidden behind the Sumac, this female Robin was sweet nonetheless

Have a nice Tuesday : )

Breakfast time

I'm trying out a new layout with my photo's to make them a bit larger. Not sure if it's computer friendly unless you have widescreen but Ivar makes it work so I just wanted to give it a shot, if only temporarily. Thank you Ivar for your assistance.

If you haven't been to his blog then you are surely missing out on some phenominal photography. I suggest you stop by:

Ivar Ivrig

Sitting at Chapman's landing, trying to get some close up shots of some very uncooperative Ducks and Geese I happened to notice this Crow making a fuss. Over and over again, he just wouldn't stop.

Finally I turned around to see this right behind me . . .

What he was eating I don't know. I suspect a mouse of some sort but it's too difficult to tell.

Once he saw me looking at him, which was about 2 seconds after I took this photo, he was gone. It was breakfast to go.

NYC Memories

As I plan a family trip to NYC in April I can't help but remember our trip to the Big Apple last April 19th. The same day the Pope was in town. The same day it was 80-something degree's. The same day we walked miles upon miles, and lost my daughter on the subway. The same day I ended up very sick.

Hopefully this trip will be a little bit more enjoyable as we are staying IN the city, plus my husband is coming along so I won't end up by myself on the bathroom floor with the paramedics picking me up and taking me to the ER. Lucky him, he had to drive down to Stamford, CT (a 3 hour drive) with a friend so the friend could drive my car and the girls home, while he sat with me in the ER for several more hours. Food poisoning ... total exhaustion ... not sure what it was I had but it wasn't part of the plan. Ah yes, the good old days ; )

There are some good memories though and this is one of them:

The girls and I had stopped into a cafe' for something to eat and drink, as well as cool off and rest our feet. When we walked out the door I noticed this man and his adorable little dog sitting in a car, obviously waiting for someone.

I'm telling you this dog lives a better life than I do! Aren't they so freakin' adorable? If my husband owned a porche I can guarantee he would NOT let the dog ride in it. He doesn't even let the dog ride in the car he owns now and it's a Subaru! lol!

I've always wondered what happened to the little dogs ear. Attacked by a larger dog perhaps? Is it a rescue dog? Either way, the lifestyle it leads obviously makes up for any previous hardships.

Chapmans Landing Ice Out (Looking up river)

Spring is coming on strong once again. Chapmans Landing, where I took these photos, is located between the towns of Stratham and Newfields, and only about a 1/2 mile downriver from where I shot pictures of the bob houses. Though I haven't made time to stop back in to see if the bob houses are still there, it would stand to reason they are not.

Rain had fallen the previous day which helped to melt much of our snow pack along with the ice on the river. Large chunks of ice are making their way out to sea, at last. It is a welcome sight after such a long winter. The Canadian Geese are pleased (of which you will see more of later on).

I thought it was so pretty watching the mist rise from the snow and water. A fleeting moment to be sure.

Wouldn't you know that as soon as I arrived home the sun came out and it was gorgeous! I could only imagine what it must have looked like with the orange and pink shades on the river with the mist rising . . . rats! I missed it!

Suprisingly I've never actually seen a boat at this dock though I may have just missed it. A beautiful place to live (and up for sale) but there is plenty of traffic as it's a busy road.

After a week of up and down temperatures (mostly down) we are headed back up again. Yippee! Looks like we are finally going to get out of the 30's. It's about time!

*It's been a busy week here. I plan on catching up on blogging this week-end. Thanks for stopping by!