The kitty and I sit at the kitchen table, while I have my morning coffee and try to do some reading and studying. Between the cat, who likes to be right in the middle of everything, (literally), and the distracting blue jays, I have had a little difficulty concentrating.
After only a few days the blue jays are beginning to watch for their morning peanuts. Of course they think it should be a never ending supply.
This one was a dud and was promptly tossed to the ground.
These pictures were taken yesterday, while the weather was clear. They still had their peanuts today, but it was too rainy for pictures.
There were several terrible accidents here today just a few miles from my home. The temperatures were hovering right around freezing and it appeared to be just rain; very quickly the roads turned icy and caused eight accidents that took the lives of three people. It's just December and we still have several more months of this.
I fixed some homemade suet today. I used lard and peanut butter for the base and then just threw in whatever I had on hand. Let's see, there were raisins, peanuts, 10 grain flour, cornmeal, dried bread crumbs, cracked corn, sunflower seeds, and oatmeal.
Hopefully it won't attract the starlings like it did last year. They loved this stuff!
This might sound a little cheesy, but I like to think of the birds as flowers for my winter garden. If you provide for their basic needs during the winter months, you will have a beautiful bouquet of winter flowers to cheer you and brighten your days! It looks like we just might need that this year!
What beautiful little beggers they are. I can see whay you would be distracted. I have a cat that is the same-always wants to be in my lap when I am on my laptop.
ReplyDeleteWe have had several bad accidents around here too with the ice. Seems like we've had our share for the winter! Hopefully, the next couple of months won't be as bad.
Your suet looks great and I'm sure the birds will love dining at your buffet.
Of course the birds are your winter bouquet. It isn't cheesy to think this. It is the truth.
ReplyDeleteBe careful if you have to get out on those icy roads.
They are a constant in my garden this time of the year. I enjoy watching them at the feeders.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Love your kitty!
ReplyDeleteWhen Charm and I were out in the meadow this morning, a bluejay was fussing at us from the willow tree! I think he wanted us to refill the feeder.
Cameron
Beckie, my cat sits in my lap while I'm on the computer too. It's hard to type while she is licking my fingers. This winter seems to be worse than any since we've lived here. So many accidents!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I laughed when I read your comment. I knew you, (and a few others) would probably understand my sentiments. Some people might not understand our fascination with the birds though. Many people buy fresh flowers in the winter, I'd rather buy bird seed!
ReplyDeletePerennialgardener, this is the first year that I've had them so close to the house. They are coming right to the patio, even with the cat and dog looking out the patio doors.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cameron, the kitty is such a sweetie. I've never been much of a cat person, but she has won me over to the cat side.
ReplyDeleteThe blue jays are quite noisy and bossy, aren't they?
THe Blue Jay pictures are fantastic.I trust that your kitty will allow you some time for study.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Ruth, I usually let her stay for a few minutes and then put her down. I really don't like for her to be on the table or on my books, especially not my Bible.
ReplyDeleteWe've got blue jays at our feeders, too, and cardinals, along with the other usual suspects. Those jays are just huge when you see them close-up! You've got some gorgeous photos of them, Robin!
ReplyDeleteGreat distractions, Robin. I just love my cats, but they do insist on being right in the middle of everything. One of my cats likes to come sit between the keyboard and the monitor and the other demands to be in my lap. Beautiful bluejays. I tried to hang suet once. Big mistake. It is just much too warm here in Florida and it was rancid in no time. I'm still learning.
ReplyDeleteLove all the beautiful BlueJay shots. They are so greedy and wonderful at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more about the winter birds. It would be such a gloomy long winter without their beautiful color and interesting personalities to make the days brighter.
A few years back, I had a kitty that looked just like your Libby. Theodore was a great cat. At the time, I also had an Australian Shepherd named Indigo. The two would walk along the driveway up to the barn together. Indigo would stop and wait for Theo to catch up, then they'd walk more. Indigo would wait... and on they went. They both passed away at very old ages, but spent their lives together.
ReplyDeleteCameron
What a beautiful way to put it-birds are like the Winter flowers in the garden! You are so right!! It is so soothing watching the birds at the feeder and in the garden. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with ya, Robin, on the 'flowers in the garden' being birds. My Dec GBBD post was titled: Garden Bloggers Blooming-Bird Day, for that VERY reason. My birds keep me company all winter and I get so many varieties. I am always distracted by looking out the window to see who is visiting. I have a cat too...who is up on my computer keys whenever I want to type! But, it would be so quiet and boring without them all, wouldn't it? What are you studying? Taking classes? Hope it's 'interesting' and not something you just 'have' to take...that can be boring in and of itself:)
ReplyDeleteWinter flowers! I love that, Robin. Your photos are stunning and I love that you make suet for them all. Good job, gal.
ReplyDeleteRobin,
ReplyDeleteNever cheesy, just a true statement. They bring us smiles and their cheerful colors light up the garden. Great photos.
We rarely have snow but the ice can be bad here, too. I think everyone is already for winter to end and it's just begun!
Gail
Wow Robin, these photos are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear about the accidents near your home. I always say a prayer when I hear the ambulance. The roads here have been terrible. My drive home from surgery in a nearby city last week was quite the knuckle biter :(
Amy
Thank you for all of your sweet comments, Kylee. Those blue jays are fun!
ReplyDeletePatricia, I imagine suet wouldn't work too well for your climate!
Debbie, they do make winter more bearable for me. I love to watch them, especially when it is snowing.
Cameron, I bet that was a sight to see. Our Libby and Lilly, (the golden) get along really well too.
Sherri, glad you didn't think it was cheesy either!
Jan, I remember that post and think I left a comment about how appropriate it was, even saying that the birds were the flowers in my winter garden. I love to read and learn new things, especially if it has to do with photography, gardening, birding, or nutrition. I also try to do Bible study each morning, which is what I was doing at the table that morning.
Thanks, Debi! I just realized that I don't have you on my list to follow, I usually read you from Blotanical. I must get you on my blogroll again. A while back several on my list were deleted and I'm not sure what happened.
Thanks, Gail! I'm glad you didn't find it cheesy either. I certainly am ready for it to end!
Hi, Amy. I was glad to have a break in that weather today. I'll take rain any day over ice!
Cool photos!
ReplyDeleteSo sad to hear about the accidents on the roads there. Let's hope that Mother Nature lightens up during the remaining winter months!
I've always wanted to make suet--your photo and comments have inspired me to try making some today. Do you think substituting vegetable shortening for lard would work okay?
~Aerie-el
The blue jays are such fun to watch, aren't they? Our kitties like to be right in the thick of things too :)
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try feeding our jays peanuts. We did it a little last year, but as you say, they gobble them up so fast, and are greedy creatures.
Thanks for the Christmas wishes, Robin. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas and will enjoy a happy, healthy and blessed New Year.
Beautiful photos as usual Robin- just lovely! I hope you get your work done. My cat does the same thing...very annoying!
ReplyDelete