Faith's next passion

Faith's outdoor recreational interests seem to vary with the seasons. Back in the fall, she brought home deer legs and assorted small animals.

A few weeks ago, when the Schwarze family was here and we took a walk to the pond, Faith managed to capture a healthy wood duck in or near the pond.

She was so proud of her catch, and she kept it by her side in the front yard for most of that day, like it was a favorite stuffed animal toy. After nightfall, and when we had made her come inside, Brad disposed of the (dead) duck.

That memory must be fresh in her mind. Yesterday Anne and I went for a walk to the pond and as we approached we could hear lots of "honking" of several Canada geese that seem to have taken up residence. When we drew closer, much to our surprise and amusement, Faith was in the pond, swimming, trying to catch up with one of the geese. There were 4 of them there, with one guarding a nest on the island. The mate must have been the one Faith was pursuing, because it led her on several "wild goose chases." When Faith would get a bit close, the goose would just fly. This went on for a good 30 minutes and we figured the dog would be totally exhausted. It was comical.

I took Brad to the pond today to see perhaps a repeat performance. We did get one, though not as dramatic because the other pair was not present, so it was just the one goose swimming around, with one on the island. Anyway, here is Faith again on the hunt.

Daffodils galore

The daffodils have just about finished blooming now --- they came in early due to the unusual warm weather. I wanted to take specimens with me to the annual Garden Club of Virginia Daffodil Show, which was held this week. Many of the blooms came out early. For two weeks I stored daffodils in our refrigerator. For this method of preservation to be successful there cannot be any fruits or veggies in the refrigerator, because when maturing they emit a gas that is poisonous to the flowers. We kept a cooler in the kitchen, to which I added new ice each evening, to store our food items for two weeks.

The daffodils took priority for those two weeks. Brad was a good sport about this, but he WAS happy when I was packing to leave on Tuesday night to attend the Daffodil Show in Gloucester, Va.

He got his fridge back!.
 Today I was not feeling like doing housework, so I played around with leftover blooms that returned with me after the Show. Many were/are my blooms, but many are also extras that were collected/gathered for use in the artistic arrangement by my garden club, Hillside. We had a great inventory of flowers to choose from as we created our arrangement. Anyway, here is what I did this afternoon, choosing to "play" rather than do chores ("work.") It is such a beautiful time of year!

Afterglow

Two weeks ago this afternoon, the wedding weekend concluded. Nina, Charlie and Evie left here around 1:00 to catch a flight from the local airport. After the beautiful brunch that my siblings/spouses put on, Eddie and Kelly hung around for much of the afternoon and finally left around 5:30 to head to the cottage on the Chesapeake Bay they had rented for an abbreviated honeymoon. Once they have accrued more vacation time at work, this summer, they plan to take a real honeymoon trip.

Their wedding was perfect and I have just been so full of emotion it has been difficult to put it all into words. I will try to share bits and pieces in a few posts to come.

Brad and I have a running joke about purchasing the last "____________" we will ever own. For instance, this has been said about certain tools, this home, and hair clippers. He's said that about the last two lawn mowers he purchased, and I am sure there are yet more lawn mower purchases in his future if he lives to the ripe old age we hope for.  This past Christmas I gave him the last school backpack he will ever need, since he should retire before this one wears out. So, anyway, when Nina was here for the wedding, one day I was making biscuits. I pulled out my ancient, rusty-screened, flour sifter and made the comment about how badly I need a new one. The thing is roughly 35-40 years old and probably came from Woolworth's or G. C. Murphy's. I declared that I need to buy a new one, and when I do it should last for the remainder of my baking years.

Well, so cute of Nina, I opened a package from her today to find this beautiful stainless steel flour sifter that will in all likelihood still be in good condition when I hang up my kitchen apron for the last time.  I love it!

So with great ceremony the one that has brought me thus far in life bit the dust this afternoon. It served us well!

Time to let it go!

And another nice gift that came my way today was a beautiful photo of Brad's and my nuclear family with descendents. He visited the professional photographer from the family wedding and was able to pry loose from them this wonderful shot. It's just a matter of days, or maybe only even hours, before we are able to see the full complement of photos from the wedding, but this one is a good beginning!