Bird Watching...Yes, a First For Me!!

Those of you who know me well know that I do not have much interest in birds or nature.  To me, they all have looked the same in the past, they poop on my car, and all the chirps sound the same.  I am happy to announce that my old perspective on birds are changing. On Monday, after that last (hopefully) bit of snow, I heard lots of pretty chirping.  The chirps were all different.  So as I am folding laundry in the bathroom, I happen to look out the window and see some beautiful brightly colored birds perched on the branches.  I have Grandmom's old binoculars, her Birds of North America book, and my own camera.  Here are some of the birds I saw during my first hour long bird watching session...who would have thought?  

Please, anybody who has any other additional information or corrections, please feel free to comment and educate me!

This was the first little percher I found.  I looked it up in the book, and think it is an Eastern Blue Bird.  Obviously, I am no bird expert, but that's what picture, area, etc. matches.  

 He was right outside the window!  This is the one that hung around the most.

Here is my other little friends.  These were in pairs as they dug out the worms.  They didn't seem to mind me snapping their picture, but they moved quickly.  The reference book leads me to believe that these are Cardinals (not red robins...I guess those aren't really red?).  They are big puffer bellies with the black beaks and a pointy red mohawk.  They would sit on the branch then fly down to hop around on the ground.  They cycle kept repeating.

These next few are not yet identified.  They moved very fast, could hear the click of my camera, and came in at least 2-3 to a pack.  They climbed all over, under, and around the branches.  I remember seeing some bright colors on their bellies as they flew away.  They have a mostly white underbelly with white and black on their wings.  Any ideas on which kind these are?  Maybe chickadees? Warblers?  It's hard to get a good picture of them because they dart away so quickly.  

Storage Area in Barn Update 2

Here is the next barn storage area picture update.  As we are getting ready to move some storage boxes in, we need a dry and secure place for these items.  The floor is officially done in 1/3 of the barn.  The next step is to add walls.  As Rocky was replacing the beams, one of the back rotted pieces came off.  We were expecting this and are even surprised that more hasn't fallen off.  Well, when it fell down, it revealed the most BEAUTIFUL scene overlooking the back barnyard and pond.  It's perfect at sunset with the light streaming through.  My mind is already racing forward when the main house is done and this can be converted from our storage room to the perfect arts & crafts room for scrapbooking and Christmas wrapping.  I totally want windows back here now after seeing the open space.  Hmm...maybe a screened in balcony?!?!  (wishful thinking)  Anyways, we are going to put 2 window sashes in to achieve the view and light.  It's coming along so nicely!!!  Below you will find pictures of the room thus far and some of the views from the future window spot.  I love it!

Check out that light and perfect spot for windows!

The views from the window spots in the above pictures.

You can even see the peninsula!  

Signs of Spring: A Walk

Spring is fighting to arrive here at Hearthstone.  I LOVE walking around the property looking for more signs of her arrival.  I find new sprouts with each walk.  These sprouts are fighting their way through the frosty ground even as it is currently sleeting outside.  I thought I would dedicate a blog to the constantly blooming signs of spring.  Bulbs are popping up EVERYWHERE, even in the areas we had to clear to get near the house.  They are sprouting all over the front, back, and side yards right up through the mud!  It is SO exciting this first year eagerly watching to see what will pop up next!

Here are the sprouts that finally popped on the side wall driveway garden.  This is the area that Rocky raked last week:  

This little "future herb garden" is on the back patio of the main house.  This is on my to-do list to immediately rake out! 

These next few pictures are from the driveway edge by the waterfall.  This is a surprise spot as I was totally not expecting so many sprouts.  Maybe day lilies?

More snowdrops!

These next few photos are of what I think are scilla growing underneath the first arches by the creek.  They look like the violet blue version of snowdrops.  Mary and I were googling to figure out what they were.  They are gorgeous!!!  In my limited knowledge, I think I can best describe them as a mix of snowdrops & myrtle blooms.  (also need to rake this area ASAP)

These are quince?  Hmm...I'm not quite sure I remember, but these are also found along the second arch of the bridge right over the wall by the creek.  You can see them as you drive up the driveway.  They are beautiful!

These are bulbs that randomly popped up in the back of the cottage towards my favorite picnic spot by the pond.  Also, there are huge clumps of bulbs growing along the "thicket" edge in this area.  This is one of my favorite spots!

I absolutely cannot resist posting the next few pictures of my walking buddies!  Thanks Don for bringing the girls down to go on our walk!  You can see Sophie loves the back picnic spot as well!  Notice the bulbs behind the girls in this first picture.  This is right outside the cottage in the barnyard along the stone wall.  Check out all of those bulbs!  

Storage to Come in the Barn

Here are some updated pictures of the barn process.  This will eventually be a storing room for all of our additional belongings, clothes, and furniture that we do not have room for in the cottage.  Roger is doing a great job milling the pieces while Rocky puts it all together in the barn!  A big thank you!!!!  I can't wait to get more things settled!

Raking the Side Yard

Good afternoon!

Here are a few updated pictures of the side yard.  Rocky brought the backhoe up and was raking and hauling out all of the old leaves and brush to clear the gardens so that we can play "I Spy a Sprout!"  Later, we walked around the property and the boys discussed the barn doors.  They tend to get stuck on the track "rolling thingy" (in Brey-language).  Seriously, is it warm yet? 

I'm running outside to get some more pics.  I will post shortly.  

Rocky's new fave.  Cousin Steven's Armstrong Ales, "Stoney Run"

Brey's First King Quad Run

Backhoe mastered = check.  I guess my decent unofficial backhoe license and driving ability has inspired enough confidence with Roger to teach me how to drive the King Quad.  I have had no previous experience with these quad shenanigans and so I was a bit nervous at first!  Peter has worked so hard on this thing, I just don't want to destroy it!  Anyways, it was a bit warmer this day and we took on the challenge.  It's a bit tricky, but boy, is this fun!  Jeanie happened to drive by at the start of my lesson and sweetly snapped this photo to capture the moment!  Thanks Jeanie!  This will be helpful as I continue to do yard clearing and clean up.  

Now of course there is a story to go with this one...  the downside of owning 10 acres of property and a King Quad is when you get stuck (erg...or so you think...) on the outset of the property.  Here I was spending the nice afternoon (post-lesson) working on clearing the brush by the pond when I realized it was getting late and I should park the quad while using my newly attained quad skills.  The thing started so easily!  Neutral, run button, reverse, neutral, everything started perfectly.  So as Roger was finishing up his current project, my soaring confidence led me to take this machine for a spin on the wood's trails.  It was going great!  Wind in your hair!  The first signs of spring!  As I rounded the corner, I cut the K.Q. in a hard right to make a turn and boom! It shuts off!  Right by the steep cliff.  Hmmm...I'm thinking that these things can totally be finicky, so of course I calmly go through my specific instructions on starting the thing again.  No luck.  5 minutes later, the sun is going down, and I am frustrated.  So I humbly call Roger...6 times!  No answer.  What is the point of cell phones anyways?  Thinking that he may have left his phone in the house, I do the next logical thing and start yelling Rooooogggeeeerrrr!  at the top of my lungs.  Still no answer.  At this point I realize the inevitable "even colder" long walk will ensue.  As I'm finally rounding the corner to the main house, I see my hero and neighbor Don with the pack of dogs in tow.  HE heard me!  (this is a very comforting thought on such a big property)  He was awesome and offered to tow the Quad.  At this point, Roger checked his phone and walked back up to see what mess I had gotten myself into.  The end of this story isn't nearly as exciting because he just simply stomped the thing into neutral and turned it on.  Poor Don and the puppy girls!  I guess I'm at a level "2-approaching mastery" (my teacher friends will understand this self-reflection!).  Hey, there's always room to improve and I learned that nothing replaces the good 'ole fashioned communication device: the whistle, when stuck in the woods!  Needless to say, it was a very memorable first King Quad experience!  

P.s. Since, I have limited my KQ experimentations to directly around the main house and barn :)  We are improving.  

First Signs of Spring

The first signs of spring are poking up around the gorgeous grounds at Hearthstone this late winter.  These are an old Hearthstone favorite...we call them snowdrops.  They are beautiful!  They are along the driveway and some of the big trees in the back yard.  Also, all around the pond and creek!  It is so exciting to catch these early glimpses of spring's arrival.  Can't wait to see what pops up next!