Many things wore a coat of hoarfrost yesterday morning. This teasel head was one of the many touched by delicate beauty.
Month: February 2014
Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
Faye made these wonderful rolls from the Master [dough] Recipe in the book The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. The dough is easy to make, stores for up to two weeks, and produces the the equivalent of (I think) about five loaves of bread. They were delicious.
Wind-up toy
Sometimes I grin when I see the juncos scratching, hopping around. They look like wind-up toys.
Achilles the Hardy
Achilles joined us for our sojourn outside, sitting and even laying on the snow. He showed no signs of being uncomfortable, cold, cramped. Had he been he would have headed for the door. He’s a hardy boy and wanted to be outside with us.
Downy Woodpecker
This was a good day to sit outside for a spell. The snow had mostly stopped, there was no wind, the altostratus occasionally broke, the temperature was about -7C. Faye and I took a break from chores. We sat outside about 8 meters from the feeders, far enough away that the birds generally kept going about the important, necessary business of feeding. This Downy Woodpecker has been a regular visitor to the suet feeder this winter.
It’s good, important, to get out and appreciate the real world. Have to say that I was slow and reluctant to do that today. I was filing, scanning, sorting, getting ready for 2013 tax season. Into being diligent. Faye announced that she was going outside so I eventually, a little slowly and reluctantly, donned snow boots, snow pants, parka, toque, scarf, and headed outside.
We spent perhaps 45 minutes outside and I’m glad. Can’t change the fact that it’s February 9, there is almost a foot of snow on the ground. Don’t have to like those facts, it’s good to accept those facts. Spending time outside helped me appreciate my snug home, helped me appreciate how so many birds are dependent on my regularly filling the feeders.
Helped me appreciate my life.
Impatient
Taken with my windows phone. Out for a walk, Stella and I lag behind.
Frozen sun
Occasionally it’s a real challenge to come up with something, anything, to post. This is one of those times. There are some things on my mind – the plight of the New York City Central Park Carriage Horses, which well-meaning but misguided people want to ban; my Get Home Bag; our store of canned foods (thank you sweetie); our library system’s fairly good collection movies on DVD. I’m not motivated to, or ready to, write about these things just now.
So I’ll post this photo of our frozen sun.
It’s a two dog morning
Early Light
Our neighbours’ tree reaches out to embrace the cold, crystalline light of a recent dawn. One more bitter cold night endured, one more sunny, chilly day to bask in.
Each day brings spring one day closer.
Snowshoes
I wear the MSR EVO snowshoes on the left, Faye the Tubbs. Mine are relatively easy to buckle into and out of. The straps tend to come out of the retain clips, a minor annoyance, though they remain buckled. The removable tails are nice if you know the snow is ‘heavy’ or crusty therefore negating the need for additional flotation. The only negative attribute is that they are noisy on crusty snow. A good investment I’ve been happy with. It’s nice to have a winter in which they can be put to use more than once.
previouslytexan 