Birds, Bees and Barking

I recently posted a short video clip on Instagram of one of my favorite animals, my little Maltese, Emmi. She is such a funny little dog.  I do believe that she feels her main purpose in life is to keep all birds and squirrels out of our yard.  And she takes that responsibility very seriously!

This winter, she has been especially diligent about keeping all birds off of our deck, which is easier said than done most days. Although she gives it her best barking effort (much to my dismay), and patrols the perimeter of the area, some of the sparrows have found a way to outsmart her.

In the flowerbed next to the deck, there is a miniature rose bush that once lived at my mama's house many years ago.  While this time of year, there are no blooms, and sparse leaves, the sparrows have discovered that they are generally safe within the thorny branches of the bush.

Emmi, and even Joy, try their best to scare them away, but there are a few brave birds that know their bark is worse than their bite since they can't actually reach them.

In other news around the backyard, new little buds are popping out all over the yard with the spring-like weather we've been experiencing. There are tiny buds on the fig tree,

and the blueberry bush I planted last year has the prettiest little blossoms on it.

Even the bees are out, taking advantage of the record-setting temperatures.

A Visit With Baby B (and his mama)

Way back in July, Baby B came to visit---along with his mama, Jana, of course.  I hate living so far away from them, but am so grateful for technology such as cameras, computers, phones and Facetime, that all make the world a little bit smaller.  This time together, both Baby D and Baby B were much more aware of each other, and Baby D liked him just fine. . . . .

as long as he wasn't touching him.

While they were visiting Shreveport, Baby D celebrated his first birthday! (how is that even possible????)  

Callie and Jordan had a nice, family birthday party for him, with dinner, presents and birthday cake.  I made special outfits for the boys, but it was hard to get them to sit still long enough for a picture.

There was a loose "Hungry Caterpillar" theme, but it became a little more solid when he received 4 different kinds of caterpillar toys as gifts!  Each different and each very cute!

Baby D was not at all sure what to do with his own personal birthday cake (the head of a home made caterpillar cake), so at first, he just played with it, picking it up, feeling it, etc.

Once mama encouraged him to take a taste, he discovered quite a treat!

With Jordan's side of the family there, there were four generations of boys in the room.  How lucky they are to still be able to spend time with his grandfather!

Baby B is such a happy baby, with a giggle always close at hand.  And when he giggles, everyone arounds him is soon giggling as well.   Soooo sweet!!

He was much more fond of the birthday hat than his cousin was!

We also enjoyed a visit with the Jamar side of the family, who came in to meet Baby B.
One of their cousins, Meredith, was even able to come with her two sweet little ones.

The girls, their boys and I drove down to Cheneyville one morning to surprise Dan with a visit.  He was thrilled to see them!!!  It was a quick visit, but we were able to enjoy lunch together and let him get some hugs from everyone.

One morning, we had an impromptu photo session in the backyard.

That smiley boy loved is sitting alone . . . . most of the time.

He enjoyed being outdoors and watching the dogs, and hammed it up for the camera, too.

Over the weekend, we squeezed in a trip to the lake---so that Callie and Ron could practice for their upcoming triathlon, we could play in the water, and I could snap a few pictures.  Okay, a lot of pictures!  I haven't had time to edit them, so these are SOOC.

It was so nice that Mr. and Mrs. Willis were able to meet up with us on Sunday morning.  As you can tell, baby B was very excited by it, as well.

We had such a good time while they were here and their visit was over WAY too soon.

29/52 Rich

M4H Project 52 - Rich

Jana and baby B came to visit, and we had an impromptu photo session out in the grass. I accidentally caught this picture while trying to keep Emmi from licking him in the face.  In reality, it appears that Emmi was about to get licked herself!

"Wealth is the ability to fully experience life."

-Henry David Thoreau-

8/52 - Perspective

M4H Project 52 - Perspective

You've already seen this picture once in my collection of snow photos, but since I'm trying to post my weekly photos from Project 52 and just realized that I never posted the 8th prompt.   I know that most of the country is ready to be done with all the cold and snow. But, here in Louisiana, one inch of sleet on the ground brought joy to everyone---especially those of us who are teachers. In this picture, it appears that both Emmi (our small Maltese) and Joy (a Sheltie) are having the time of their lives in the snow. Actually, Joy IS having the time of her life, while Emmi is running as fast as she can to get back inside where it is warm. It's all in your perspective . . . and perhaps the the quality of your fur coat.

Back to Reality

Well, it's back to school today after three days at home due to inclement weather.  I loved every minute of it, letting me know that when retirement comes in a couple of years, I will be ready!
Yesterday, our mostly melted sleet gave way to 3-4 inches of beautiful snow.   It began mid-morning and continued snowing with the biggest flakes I've ever seen for a couple of hours.  It was a dream for a wanna-be photographer--most of these photos are unedited.

I can't even remember the last time we had this kind of snow.  We sometimes get a flurry or two on top of a layer of sleet, but this was big, fluffy white snow falling from the sky.

It was beautiful!  I bundled up and sat outside on the deck for a while watching the flakes fall from the sky.

And catching a few.

Once again, Joy was in her element.  When she wasn't running through the snow, she was inside the house watching it from the window.

Emmi tolerated the cold stuff while I was outdoors, but then was anxious to come back inside.

It wasn't long until almost every surface was blanketed in snow.  I measured four inches at my house.

Birds and squirrels were everywhere---on the feeders, in the trees, on the power lines.  The brilliant red cardinals provided a stark contrast to the silvery white.  Can you spot one below?

I was lucky enough to not have to go to work, I never lost power and had a fire in the fireplace all day long.  It was a perfect day, as far as I was concerned.