Happy 2013!

Happy New Year, Dear Readers...


Every year on New Year's Eve, I take stock of the past year and how I lived my life and what I experienced that year. I am quickly approaching my 65th year and everything has a little different hue for me. I certainly feel the richness of my experiences and the abounding love of my husband, family, and dear friends for which I feel blessed.

What I do know is that I'm very happy with my life. I love that we retired to the country where we are in the midst of nature both as observer and as participant. I awake every day with gratitude.

We had a serious loss this past year of a dear friend who lost her battle with lung cancer, some personal brushes with health challenges, friends who received news of serious health issues, but also new babies, new marriages, graduations, travel, visitors and all the other milestones of life. In other words it was another year of human experiences each of which marked my heart.

What with all the political crisis, negativity, violence and meanness in the world in which we currently reside, I try to  live my life with dignity, respect, kindness and love and hope for us all that we can make the world a better place in 2013. One person CAN make a difference, and THAT is how the world will change.

Best wishes and blessings for the new year,
Delores

A White Christmas Afterall?

Yesterday the weathermen were right...we got snow...and wind...which blew the snow into drifts...

Small drifts in the front of the house.

This view northeast is minus a beautiful

large pine tree that succumbed to

pine beetle this past fall. It definitely

left a hole in the landscape.

...and drifts also in back

We got just 2-3" and for that we are grateful! Every bit of moisture helps the drought conditions. Plus, it is beautiful, isn't it?

Buddy played in the snow. His

rope was frozen solid so that was

a no-go.

The snow stacked up against the wind

break in the front yard



The guineas, chickens, miniature donkey and horses are all doing well this morning...

It is lovely to look at from inside where it is toasty and goodies are being created in the kitchen...

Looking south to the back of the house

from the dining room; the bird feeders

are outside these doors so we've been

watching their frantic feeding this morning

Speaking of feeding the birds, last weekend our good friends from Denver, John and Cheryl, were visiting and one morning during breakfast we noticed Eastern bluebirds in the birdbath! Six of them! I was delighted because I thought they would be gone by now. We have at least six bluebird houses so we have lots of bluebirds around during the spring and summer but never this late.

Bluebirds in the tree and at the

birdbath

Closeup of bluebird (r) and house-

finch (l) in December!

We wish you all Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas!

The Dots

The Dots are now in full production; this is one day's worth...
24 eggs! As you can imagine, I have to share with friends and family.

This year we chose chicken breeds that were more rare or had lovely feathers and unusual colored eggs.This variety of chicken breeds provide such wonderful color in eggs. Lovely to look at but the same nutrition in each so its really a novelty more than anything.  I love giving away the colorful cartons of fresh eggs. It always makes the recipients happy!

This years Dots are just beautiful as you can see here...

The Dots are fighting over apple cores -

a delicacy.

Most people don't realize the gorgeous

feathers that chickens have. Here in front

left is an Ameracuna (blue or green eggs)

and on the right is a Partridge Rock (brown

eggs).

A Blue Andalusian (white eggs) shows

off her pretty blue colors

The Blue-red Laced Wyandotte (brown eggs) 

is going after the lettuce leaf. Greens are a

big deal during the cold months when the

foraging is sparse.

The white with black neck feathers on

left is a Colombian Wyandotte. The

Wyandotte breed are hearty and sweet

natured.

A Black Giant (L) and Ameracuna (R).

The black  hen on the left with the

feathered feet is a Black Copper Marans

who lays the chocolate brown eggs. The

two Blue-red Laced Wyandottes to the right

are also a fairly rare breed in the US.

This Easter Egger with no rump lays

beautiful blue or green eggs too.

On my way to workout on Friday morning

I had to stop to take this frosty morning

picture of the prairie. I am constantly

caught off guard by it's subtle beauty.