Some Buffalo but no Mulch!

The weekend didn't go as I had thought- but we made the best of it.

There are two buffalo farms near us with and this group is located close to the highway known as US31/M37 which is a pretty busy well traveled road into Traverse City.

We were headed home after doing errands and the buffalo were really close to the fence today.  We see them out in the pasture a lot but rarely this close to the fence line.  Dan drove up the road and turned around so I could capture a few pictures.

I stood outside of the car on a sandy ridge with a pretty powerful wind pushing me.  Nothing will stop this woman when she's on a mission!  LOL.... I told Dan I could just see me falling down the little hill and all the cars passing by taking pictures and I'd make the 6:00 news- but I didn't!

I zoomed in a bit and as you can see they are shedding their winter coat.

I did a panoramic shot which came out pretty good.

We had planned to get mulch out this weekend but the weather was all over the charts.  Saturday we had threatening clouds and as the day went on the wind picked up and the temps dropped.

In the morning I woke to this.  It was 32 degrees and we had a coating of snow.  I can' believe I'm saying that in mid May but I am.  This was pretty rare even for us.

I was ticked about the snow and decide to tear into my cupboards again.  I've had a mish-mash  of stuff in the glass door cupboards but when I get done it will be only be creamy white dishes that will show.  I don't know where the other things are going but that's half the fun- right?

Eventually the temps climbed into the low 50's so that was great but it was windy and made it seem very chilly. Just the same- it turned into a pretty day and that was a nice reward after last nights crap weather!  This doesn't look like much but once the trees are fully leafed out and the plants are filled in it becomes  quite a different look.  Visit my 2nd blog "Sit With Me In My Garden" which I mainly focus on my gardens and things around the outside of the house.  

The turkeys are still visiting quite regularly.  They're used to me now coming around to taking pictures and let me get closer now.  We've had 4 toms visiting trying to get the attention of the hens.  This shot is actually 3 of the toms.  Though it's fun to see them they are hard on the landscape.  They drink from the bird baths and pick leftover seeds from the bird feeders.  They forage for food and the ground gets really torn up.  

Buh-bye for now!

I will be joining-

Dishing It & Digging It 

Inspire Me Tuesday 

Share Your Cup
Thoughts Of Home On Thursday

Friday Quick notes and Ideas #7

I've never done this before I've picked a word for this year and it is 

"Strength"

I chose it because it seems like this year may be the year I need it most.  My my mother is 93 years old and dementia has a good hold on her.   My sister's and I are really struggling with what to do.  My three sisters have been keeping up with her needs quite successfully now for the past 5 years or so.  One of my sister's has moved in for 5 days a week and the other two take over on the weekends.  They are all burning out and I feel badly for them.  I always have tremendous guilt for not being closer to home (I live 250 miles away) but when I do visit I pitch in as best I can.

Mom knows who we all are, she knows her home and has a routine but she truly isn't competent any longer.  It's really hard to watch someone going through this.  I've seen a noticeable change in her in the past year.  We've tried to keep her from having to live in assisted living but sometimes things aren't always in our control and I don't know how much longer this can go on the way it is.  My family and I can use your prayers for "strength" to endure and make the right decisions.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stopped in at Pier 1 Imports and their Christmas stuff is 75% off!

I scored on a couple of items.

 I picked up a few of these- they were originally $6.95 and I only paid $1.68!  I know I'll use these next Christmas!  

This made me super happy.  It was $59.95 originally and I paid $14.98!  I invested a lot in the tartan plaid this past Christmas so I decided to go ahead and add this to my inventory!

Both the items I bought are no longer available on line but I'm sure there must be something left at other stores too! 

Turkeys!

While putting the living room put back together I looked out and realized the turkeys were visiting!  I've seen them many times but it's always a surprise especially when you are used to seeing small songbirds at the feeders.  They parade around in large groups stopping traffic as they cross the road.

 They were out back poking around looking for bird seed that may have fallen to the ground.  

Fresh air and the sun's benefits!

Freshly fallen snow and the sun sure can be pretty!

A local tv station has a doctor on once a week to talk about random health issues.  In one interview he said that for people who suffer with "SAD" (season affect disorder) just going outside for at lest 10 minutes a day and increasing your activity can greatly improve your mindset.  I know that breathing in fresh outdoor air sure makes me feel better!  

Well I guess that's all for now!

Wishing you a great weekend!

"Blue" birds and sniffling!

 I've been bird watching from my kitchen table and was thrilled to see this special visitor! 

 It's called an Indigo Bunting.

 I had to slide my door open ever so slowly to try and get a picture.  They are a bit wary of my presence and leave quickly.

I was thrilled to see that there are three of them!  See the one on the far left in between the branches of the shrub!  I'm guessing there are females visiting too but I haven't spotted them- they are plain and less obvious as it goes in the world of birds.

Intresting fact about these "blue" birds:

 Indigo Buntings have no blue pigment; they are actually black, but the diffraction of light through the structure of the feathers makes them appear blue. 

I also have Orioles visiting and of course the American Goldfinch's have been here for a while. 

These are Rose Breasted Grosbeaks that I always enjoy seeing visit too.  There are two females and two males in this picture- but no partridge in a pear tree! LOL

I picked up a cold the end of last week and I've had the classic sniffling, coughing and lethargy that comes with it.  I'm getting better, but you know it's never fast enough!

  Oh and yes we have wild turkeys that pay us regular visits too!  

It's been a real bonus living at the location we are when it comes to birding.  Not far away there is a lake, fields behind our property, and this big stand of woods next to us which combined together make for a great spot for a nice variety of visitors.

We are also visited by raccoons, chipmunks and squirrels which will each every bit of seed we have in no time at all so that's why we built this multi feeder with the metal baffle attached to keep them off.  

 It's not super cute or pretty but it's a great feeding station and definitely attracts the birds.  I chose plant hangers to be mounted on this 12 ft. post to hold the bird feeders and we chose random heights to stage them. This picture is from the first year when it was built. 

I'm itching to be outdoors but we've had a lot of rain lately.  It's pretty classic spring weather for us and no I am not complaining!  My daffodils are blooming and soon the tulips will be.

I did do a little something interesting in the living room just before I caught the cold and I hope to get my act together and get some pictures taken!

 
I'm joining
Between Naps on the Porch
for
Metamorphosis Monday