Mallard duck, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, Hermit Thrush (I think), Spotted Towhee, American Robin, Hooded Merganser, and (probably) a Double-crested Cormorant. (I love this book <3) Now I need to start identifying mammals, not that I see much other than squirrels.
Tiny little white crowned sparrow
Mute Swan
American Wigeon
Uh, mystery ninja sparrow?
Chilly/sleepy mallards
I can’t find Ninja Sparrow in my bird guide. I wonder what he is? And FYI, swans move fast when they see a person with a camera. Yeesh.
A couple shots of the back down from Kamloops
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And a few from today…
The different layers of clouds make me happy. Not really composed great, but I was practicing sky shots. Got distracted by pigeons for a moment (all huddled around the warm air vent), but I spent a lot of time looking up :) Plus 2 pics from the fraser canyon.
We had our early Christmas/Solstice dinner last night. Eric and I pulled off an amazing feat – a huge dinner in our tiny kitchen in two hours. (That food processor was the smartest decision ever.) It was like a food prep dance, moving around each other. We somehow managed to make a huge ham with roast carrots, stuffing, mashed potatos, pan-fried brussel sprouts, fresh buns, omgfood. Definitely tested the limits of the size of the oven, but with some creative Tetris-ing (“Heck yeah we can make buns in two pie tins!”) to fit things around the ham, it worked.
Braden’s mum is here for a few days before taking him back home for Christmas, and with one more friend for good luck, we had a wonderful dinner. I love the dinners that take up every chair in the house and gather them around the table.
We had a small gift opening, really just Braden, because I’m working late tonight and he leaves tomorrow. I made him a Jake the Dog scarf (from Adventure Time). I was smiling the whole time I made it, and I’m so glad he loved it too! He didn’t take it off the rest of the night. (The best compliment, I think) I’ll try to get some better pictures soon. Now, for us, it’s all downhill until January when it’s our turn to visit family. There is plenty of time to breathe and plan until then. Whew.
-watching The Bishop’s Wife – making ginger crinkles – wishing I had robot arms about the time I add the 6 cups of flour – hoping they turn out even thugh some of the molasses was a little crystallized – rolling 88 little cookies in sugar – and baking baking baking until the whole place smells amazing –
It’s been a pretty good day :)
Time for lights and decorations and yummy baking. This was the perfect “Friday” activity :)
Blurry Toby is helping
Martin wants to help too!
pin ALL the egdes!
Preparing to stab myself, er, sew the edges
Martin loves blanket tunnels!
ta DA
After putting off finishing for a YEAR, I completed this blanket because I’m procrastinating on a knitting project.
I know. I’m strange.
It’s made from old/free/PAX tees that were too large or just no longer worn. The backing was reeeeally cheap,and when this is used as a park blanket, it’s already green and brown! The cats graciously christened it with fur already (So nice of them). It’s nice and hefty and a little ugly/awesome and I love it!
Now I should really finish that knitting…
So maybe I’m beginning to get a little excited for decorating. Two simple garlands is all it takes. I’m definitely waiting until this weekend for the tiny tree, though. First weekend of December is our tradition. Only two days!
Do you have any plans to decorate this weekend?
3/$1 felt, $1.50 ornaments, stash yarn
Yesterday we went out to Island View Beach, and saw an otter! It had a fish bigger than its head in its paws, which it left behind when we started walking closer. A sea gull was lying in wait to take it though. I also found out that one of my boots has a leak in it. Ugh. That was a nice surprise while standing in a puddle!
Today I made a giant loaf sandwich and carrot ginger squash soup, which turned out amazing. SO GOOD. We’re having the leftovers for dinner, with enough left to add to my soup stash in the freezer. yay! Here, have a bad cell phone picture of my delicious bread!
I also wrote out all of my holiday cards to send out this week. There’s still a couple cards left to write in, and I can put them in the mail box!
What did you do this weekend?
