Hungry Birds

When we got home a couple weeks ago the bird feeders were bone dry.  Usually, we see a few seeds in our bigger feeders but there wasn't a crumb anywhere.  The wind could have taken care of some of this too.  Patrick filled all the feeders and slowly the birds started showing up.  The last couple days, there have been more birds than ever; especially, Junkos and House Finches.  (Carol, this is what a Junko looks like.)

I think they're all glad we're home too.

HOME AGAIN

We arrive back home safely yesterday.  It was a long trip, but mostly uneventful.  Had good roads and only a little slop around Kansas City.  We did see several accidents and cars in the ditch.  The following picture is what the front area of our place looks like.  The sidewalk to the front door is totally covered up.  Our very kind neighbor Dale took the time and effort to clear the snow from in front of the garage door so we could get in there when we arrive home.  There is still some ice there, but I have the salt working on it and we should soon be able to break it up and move it away.  The little puff of steam in the picture is from the dryer.  The house isn't on fire.

The next picture is an early morning on Lake Havasu in Arizona with two fishermen on their way to fish.  I have this picture to show you the nice lake we will be near next winter.  We have decided to go to the Lake Havasu City area instead of Texas as in the past 4 years.  It will be a new place to explore and get to know.  The second picture below is of the house we have reserved for next January through March.  It is a three bedroom, two bath house with a triple garage.  Will be nice to get the car inside.  The house is located about 5 miles from the "London Bridge", which is a local tourist attraction, and that same distance from the Lake Havasu.  Going to be an very interesting winter in 2014.

This is the latest news and report.  Everyone have a great Easter and take care.

Patrick

Big Birthday

Today is Patrick's birthday and a pretty big one too!  We won't mention any numbers here though.

It's a gorgeous day here today so we thought it was a good day to take a little road trip so we headed out to Luckenbach, TX.  The birthday boy is posing for this one.

If I felt a little more limber, I might have tried crawling up on this Longhorn, but thought best to just get a picture of someone much younger and able.

We took a different route back home and stopped at Gruene for dinner.  Patrick wanted a "good" steak and we happened to find one.

It was a nice way to spend a big birthday - no matter what the number.

Happy Valentine's Day

Remember the earlier blog with the photos of the pecan bags?  I thought it was a good plan that since I picked - or gathered - the pecans, Patrick could help out with the cracking.  He has done a great job with this and it seems like a never-ending task. 

Don't expect anyone to smile when cracking pecans; and, it's not my Valentine's present either.

This is the real present.  Another nice Valentine's Day here.

Lawn Ornaments?

On our way home from eating out tonight, we took a side trip by the golf course that's on the edge of town.  Usually, there are several groups of deer out on the course - along with the golfers.

Tonight, these were relaxing in a yard across from the golf course.

 

The deer in Texas are quite a bit smaller than those in Minnesota.  Not everything is bigger in Texas.

Good Pickin'

This has been an unusual year for pecans and picking.  First, it seems like it was a very good year for growing; second, Sandy and I happened across a lady who has been letting us pick pecans in her yard.  Not only does she let us pick, but she's been picking and saving them for us.  Most of these pecans are from her yard but we did come across a couple other "hot spots" that had very nice ones too.

We've been getting our exercise not only from walking and picking but carrying the sack full back to the condo.  The Texas oranges are good this year too for fresh-squeezed juice.  The orange bags come in handy for storing the pecans.  The sacks hold 18 lbs. of oranges - and pecans.

Hopefully, the Target shopping bag can hold out for a few more pecan picking trips. 

The weather is suppose to be turning a little colder next week - good time to do some cracking.

What senior citizens don't do for entertainment!

The Sun Rises Again

It has been cloudy for most of the time since we have been here.  These were the dark gray clouds that made you just want to go back to bed and stay there until spring.  It has also been chilly and rainy.  Not the kind of weather we came down here for.  But, yesterday afternoon the sun came out and it warmed up some.  The coming week is suppose to be sunny with highs in the 60's.  I can get out on the deck and get my tan started with that kind of weather.  The picture below is taken from our condo.  The sun is just coming up.  All of the trees in the picture are Pecan trees.  The squirrels were out this morning picking pecans.  There are still some on the trees.  It looks like it will be a great day!

There was some frost this morning, but it will be warming up quickly.  Hope you have a great day!

Patrick

MERRY CHRISTMAS

To all the folks that read our blog, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a terrific year  for 2013.

The following picture is a sunrise shot that I took in 2008.  It is still a very good depiction of what our backyard looks like this year.  Glad to say we will soon be away from all this and where it is warm and sunny.

Patrick and Pat

Anderson Day

The annual Anderson get together for Christmas was held today and we had a very good crowd of 33 people.  Twelve of these were teenagers or younger including two babies.  It was a very nice group that had a good time and plenty to eat.

This first picture is part of the group watching the Viking football game before dinner.

The next two pictures are of the layout of food and the start of the crowd to fill their plates.

The next two pictures are of niece Lynda and her husband, Herb and Pat's brother, Jerry. The second one is Jerry from the front.

The next picture is an after dinner shot of niece, Deb, and her husband, Jim (a/k/a J.B.), Pat's sister, Joanne, Pat, and sister-in-law, Elva, having coffee.

It was a good day!

Patrick

Just a Day

It's hard to believe that yesterday our yard was green and the streets were dry.  Today is a different story. 

The birds were having a hard time finding food in the feeders as the feeders were full of snow.  I went out with the broom and cleaned them off but it's only been a couple hours and they're covered again.

 

I don't think we'll be using our gazebo any time soon either.

 

It's a good day to watch football.  I hope the Vikings win too!