I know I’ve been quiet lately. It seems like I have been busy all week, but I haven’t had one thing to blog about. It is mostly mundane stuff, nothing exciting or even just interesting going on. I’m working on the Quilt of Valor that I’ve shown you before. Other than that, just doing a bit here and there, and moving things around for the flooring that was finished up this past week, trying not to go crazy from all the noise of hammering and chain saws. But, I did observe one exciting thing during one quiet early morning – the bluebirds appear to be preparing the birdhouse for a nest.
On a cold and rainy day, the male was sitting on the top of the house. A moment later, the female flew out of the hole. She came back quickly with a pine needle in her beak.
A bit later, the male was adding to the nest materials while she worked inside.
A ray of sunshine broke through the clouds to illuminate his rosy chest as he took a break on a branch.
Further down the forest edge next to the meadow, the cherry tree is blooming. It is too early, and I am afraid the blooms will be damaged in the coming hard freeze later this week. A cardinal is in the tree, his bright red visible in the lower left.
Another foggy morning, with fog so thick it obscured the view. Believe it or not, this was mid-morning, not at dawn. I managed to catch a bird in flight but I can’t be sure what kind it is.
On the mountainside, the vincas are blooming profusely in a carpet of purple.
Now that all the construction workers and tree trimmers are gone, Gracie showed up again. It is the lean time for squirrels as they have eaten their catches and food is scarce. Spring and summer foods are not available yet, so our front lawn area is riddled with small holes where they are digging up stored acorns. Naturally, any meal that is forthcoming from me is welcome. So, peanut butter sandwiches were on the menu this day.
Right next to her, George also begged a meal from this diner. I can’t really tell them apart, I use their behavior. Gracie will come right up to me, George will come to the sidewalk and try to look cute. George took his to the driveway.
Then, a third squirrel came. He tried to steal from one of the others, but I luckily had a third sandwich in the container. I threw it close to him and he grabbed it. He went to another part of the retaining wall to eat. It remains to be seen if he will stick around long enough to get a name.
This week will be more of the same. I’m still going through stuff for donation from all the shelves that needed to be emptied. It will take another week to get the house back in order, so I probably won’t have much this coming week either. But spring is on the way, and activities are planned. I just hope that the freeze doesn’t damage the apple crop, those farmers have had enough hardship from the hurricane.
Next Saturday is Worldwide Quilting Day, and our guild will have an exhibit and competition at the Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville, NC. Come by on March 21 from 10am-3pm to vote for your favorites. I’ll show you my entry in detail after the show.
From My Carolina Home 
It is that slow time right before Spring, we are starting to see some redbuds blooming and enjoying the longer light. Hope the weather stays mild!
That’s one good thing about having major home stuff done — it almost forces donations/purging and decluttering! I love that your squirrels are George and Gracie. I don’t remember George from before! I hope your blossoms don’t suffer from upcoming weather. Aren’t we all tired of this?
Wow, work around the house can be nerve wracking! We had “heater repair guys” in and out in January and it drove me nuts. I hope the apple trees survive. Our weather is confused here. Blizzard then 87 degrees then snow. One daffodil bloomed on the 87 degree day and was in the snow the next day. I’d like a gradual warm up this spring! Love seeing the bluebirds “moving in”.
Such sweet photos of the wildlife. Especially the bluebird in the sun. These are the best moments of your week captured to share. Thank you!
Sometimes it’s nice to just kick back and putter around! Thanks for the pictures of the bluebirds and the squirrels, so cute!
So lovely to see signs of spring! It’s snowing here today!
The bluebirds nesting makes everyone happy and you need do no more. Take a little rest time, we don’t mind. Even the heavy fog delivers a wonderful photo. Enjoy your week.
Alexandria
A squirrel emptied the remaining seed from our bird feeder bowl today. I have to go buy some more. I never realized I could make mini peanut butter sandwiches for the squirrels. I love watching them in our yard and seeing your photos.
You really got some great photos of the bluebirds, Carole! I hope they stick with this nest and raise some babies for you to watch. We’re having weather whiplash here – 75 yesterday, but 30s and snow came in overnight. Crazy!
The bluebird photos are wonderful! We are supposed to have high winds and possible tornadoes tonight and snow flurries tomorrow. My snowball viburnum will be impacted among other trees and shrubs. Have a good week!
Carole,
As always, your pictures are amazing!
Beverly
The bluebirds are so gorgeous, and so fun to watch! Luck you. My sister has them nest every year, so I get to see them there, but rarely in my own neighborhood. Lots of things blooming here, only to be challenged with temps well below zero tomorrow night and Tuesday.
Fantastic bird photos! We’re hearing more birdsong in the morning. Winter lingers, but Spring is going to win.
We are having weather whiplash too- highs near 70 today, falling temperatures and rain changing to snow tomorrow, and lows in the teens tomorrow night. This will kill my peach tree blooms as well as a lot of other plants. I don’t have any plans this week either. I love your pics. Blue birds are one of my favorites but I rarely see any. Have a great week.