Cancún- Out and About!

One day Erik took us into Playa del Carmen and then on a ferry to Cozumel. He wanted to show us around. We walked down the main boulevard for quite a few blocks, just taking in the sights. I love all the color! When it was time to return to the ferry landing we came via the beach. I've never seen so many old, tanned, wrinkled folks in my life!! (And sunburns... don't even get me started on the sunburns!)

OLD NOT-SO-TAN-FOLKS

The brilliant bands of ocean blue delight my heart. I've never seen water this color. I know the grey of the Atlantic and the deep blue-green of the Pacific but the Caribbean is a wonder to behold.

You can see a pirate ship on the right side of this photo. (Arrr, me matey!) It was a windy day, which made the ocean choppy... one of the cute attendants on the ferry came around passing out barf-bags; I readily took one! And, fortunately, didn't need it!

About the time I turned 50 I stopped feeling so nervous to go to the dentist AND stopped being so susceptible to motion sickness! That all ended as soon as we started the first leg of our trip on the flight from SLC to LAX. Even with Dramamine I still had a medicinal need for Coke. I drank more soda on this trip than I have in the previous 12 months!! (4)

It answered in my mind whether I ever want to go on a cruise.

I didn't get too many photos over on Cozumel since I was still feeling pretty green. Erik was very excited that we caught some of Carnival prior to Ash Wednesday. (You can see his photos here.) When it was time for lunch I found that even the sight of food was dangerous so I went and sat in the sunshine on the quay whist they partook.

Just as we returned from Cozumel we found we were just in time for a performance of the Voladores or the flying pole dancers. They were very interesting. They worked hand-beading their costumes between performances.

First they march/dance around the pole while one voladore plays a drum and another plays a *hooter-flute*.

Then *hooter-flute* dude takes the drum and climbs to the top of this pole with 4 other dudes voladores. They wind the ropes around and around the top like a fishing reel. All the while *hooter-flute* dude keeps piping and drumming away.

After much more *hooter-fluting* and drumming the four fall backwards off the top and gracefully fly round and round as their ropes unwind. It gave me a headache just looking at them.

And no post would ever be complete without a pix of the local wildlife. I absolutely love pelicans! I'm not sure why but they just make me happy. This fine fellow let me come up quite close on the quay and capture his likeness.

Poor Babies

You know that I have a love/hate relationship with the local deer. I love that they are right here in my yard and that we share a neighborhood BUT I hate that they vandalize my garden.

That being said, I can't help but feel sorry for them in the winter time. I know that the whole Bambi thing comes back to me when he says, "But I'm so hungry Mother!" I've never been hungry other than by choice! And the thought of any creature staving just breaks my heart.

I was sitting here in my perch-up-on-top (aka my office) when I caught some movement through the partially closed blinds. On closer inspection I saw that it was our neighborhood Mama and her twins. I've watched this little family all year. (On a side note, Bekah has a similar trio at her house and they literally sleep right outside their master bedroom window and have eaten her yard to bits!)

They were scavenging on the berries dropped by the *fat-flappers* that also share my neighborhood!

Now, help me understand how this works... there is this whole flock of robins that DO NOT fly south for the winter. They just stay here in their plentiful neighborhood all year long. Besides many trees that keep their summer fruit on the tree through the winter, nature's bird feeders, there are plenty of folks that have out regular bird feeders. As you can see they are not hurting for food-supply! But the deer? Well, they don't have wings yet so they only get the droppings or what they can reach from the ground.

This little deer-family stayed for quite a while and let me get some sneaky photos through the blinds (NEVER pull the blinds up!). Finally Mama ambled across the street to see what they were serving up over there today. And this little slow baby finally followed.

I have to tell you that I felt so bad for them that I dug out some of the ancient, sprouting carrots from my vegetable drawer in the fridge and horked them out under their feeder tree. Poor babies...

Quail Adventures

It was a *beautiful-work-in-the-yard* day today. I started early with a trip to the green waste dump to get a load of compost. It is so wonderful and black and compost-y!

I bought a bunch of plants yesterday at Home Depot to fill in some blank spots in my yard. I started in the front; planting a big hydrangea and installing my new self-winding hose reel. As I came around into the backyard I saw movement...

It was a quail family: Mama, Daddy and a bunch of little babies were crossing the back lawn and went into hiding under the currant bushes. I struggled to get my iPhone out of my pocket to get some photos. Those little babies move FAST!!! I have several of photos of rocks as they darted along the breach filled with rocks between the garden shed and the raised garden area. I didn't want to unduly upset them, but I NEEDED SOME PHOTOS! So I stood back by the edge of the shed and just kept clicking photos.

Daddy immediately flew away, I'm sure it was a diversionary tactic but I couldn't help but see that it left Mama in crisis with about a dozen babies! She was talking to them the whole time...

"All right babies, be brave and follow me!"

"Stay right along the fence..."

"Be quick now! Come under this nice plant..."

And, my favorite, "Come my babies. Let me gather you under my wings!"

I love how fluffed out she is. I couldn't see any babies under her. What a good Mama!

O ye people... how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you. (3Nephi 10:4)

Saving Up Sunshine

I walked out to deliver a singing birthday card to one of our little Primary kids in just my long-sleeved shirt. Ah, I do love this 40° day! This is one of those bright cerulean blue sky days! I just love this wonderful shade of blue! Even though Salt Lake City is in the midst of an inversion-yuck day we sit high enough here on the Springville bench to be out of most of it.

On my return I noticed all of the beautiful things all framed by that gorgeous sky. I fetched my Rebel (which has been languishing in its camera bag for way too long!) and went back out and retraced my steps to capture some sunny-sky days.

The thought occurred to me, "Wouldn't it be nice to be able to store up some of this sunshine and blue sky for one of those bleak, dark days that I know will be coming?"

Fortunately we can do that! We can save up our happy thoughts and faith-filled moments for those dark, discouraging days that come to all of us.

Then we can "repair our nest" and be good as new again.

So that's what I'm doing here, on my blog; filling up my pockets with happy thoughts and sunshiny days.

Lone Robin

This morning as I was eating my oatmeal up here in my office with a *bird's eye view* I got to view the little birds eating their breakfast. This whole flock of black birds (I don't know if they ARE blackbirds just that they are birds and they are black!)  and one little fat robin were flitting back and forth between this flowering pear and the smaller flowering pear that took the place of my dearly departed beautiful willow.  I like how this one fat robin is the only bright spot on this foggy winter day.

I grabbed my camera and tried to carefully shoot through the blinds. They would always catch me and swoop away as soon as they saw me move... but I'm trickier than a bird (thank goodness) and went into my sewing room- the light off of that window camouflaged me and I could sneak some photos.

Then movement on the ground caught my eye...  more of those fat little flappers picking up what the ones up top dropped in their haste. (One word of caution fat-flappers... there have been swine-deer in my front yard!)

Maybe next time I will get on my super zoom lens and get some close ups. But I'm pleased that I can see these little birdies with berries in their beaks!

Apples... Must Be Fall

I realize that the calendar still thinks it's summer but in Springville fall is here! AND I love it. Elio told me it was 44 degrees this morning!

One sure indicators that fall REALLY is here are apples. I love apples... they are such a wonderful fruit. They are the hardy fruit... they store well and they don't spoil too quickly. The other thing is that the are easily redeemed.

What do I mean by that? If an apricot hits the ground, well, there's only one place for it to go and that is the trash. A peach? Maybe if you do it RIGHT NOW... but even a couple of hours and your windfall peach is a bruised mess ready for the trash. But apples... even if they have been birdy-pecked, dropped in the dirt, bounced on the lawn, invaded by insects or just generally deformed it is still useable and edible with a little bit of skillful trimming with a sharp paring knife.

BEHOLD THE BYU BUCKET!

I figured I've yammered on so many times about my *favorite BYU buckets* that they needed some press time. I love these handy plastic buckets with tight fitting lids...

BUT I digress...

I had a bucketful of windfall, birdy-pecked, dropped in the dirt, bounced on the lawn, invaded by insects or just generally deformed apples today (and 3 buckets of OK apples) that needed my attention. These are the little apples that just beg to be made into applesauce.

Applesauce and I go way back... 40 years ago this month I made my first foray into applesauce land.

First you trim out any bad spots (quite a few in today's batch), throw them in a big pot and cook until tender...

I used to use a Foley Food Mill but now I depend on my Vitorio Juicer/Strainer. I picked it up at a garage sale almost 30 years ago and it has served me well. It really is the simplest thing to use.

Pour the cooked apples into the hopper...

Crank the handle and the applesauce comes out the shoot...

And the core, peelings, seeds, etc. go out the end...

Six quarts of redeemed apples!

I couldn't help but reflect on the analogy of how we are redeemed. We are windfall, birdy-pecked, dropped in the dirt, bounced on the lawn, invaded by insects or just generally deformed *little-apples* but the Savior skillfully helps us trim out all of the bad spots and makes us useful in His kingdom.

Happy thought!

The Lord, in His Goodness

Wednesdays are my Temple day. I love my service there. So many blessings have come as a result of that service in the last seven and a half years. Today was a particularly good day. It was one of those days where I knew that the Lord was aware of me; that He loves me and ALL who will seek Him. The Lord, in His goodness, delights to own and bless you.

As I was leaving I wanted to get some photos of the beautiful gardens before they are replanted for next spring. Come September I always know that the days are numbered and my next visit could be the one with naked flower beds. (Always a sad time for me... I leave my flowers in as long as I can.)

(DIGITALLY PAINTED IMAGE)

I was using my MPC (aka my iPhone), which can be difficult since I can't see the screen in the bright light. I'd just snapped a couple of photos when I saw movement from the corner of my eye. There was a sweet little hummingbird just feet from me supping at the zinnias!

I zoomed in and just kept blindly taking photos, hoping I would get something good.

It was just one more Tender Mercy of the Lord... just one more witness that He is aware of me and gave me a chance to see one of His wonderful creations.

Christmas Apples

Back in the day... we always got an apple and an orange along with nuts in our Christmas stocking. (Random fact... it has nothing to do with this post, but I thought about it just now as I titled this post.)

Now for the real post-

I suppose phenomenon of apple-ornaments has occurred other years and I just haven't noticed it but this year I'm noticing all of the apples still hanging, just like festive ornaments, on the trees (which is interesting, since if I don't spray my apple tree I don't have ANY apples on it by the time they should be ripe... am I babbling?)

I think they look so beautiful...



Yesterday and today have been wonderful sunshiny days, for which I am very grateful after a couple of weeks of fog.  I was able to capture these natural ornaments with a beautiful cerulean background.



The thing I want to know is this-

• Why don't the birds eat these? 
• Are they fermented? 
• Are they frozen? 
• Just not tasty enough? (The birds always want to eat MY apples!)

This is a different tree... a crab apple.  It lives across the street from the other apple trees.



These two trees are in my neighborhood, but I've seen these apple-ornaments on apple trees all over town.  Do you have any apple-ornaments where you live?

Fledgings

This morning before church I was taking the trash out, as I traipsed down the path I caught a flash of yellow movement out of the corner of my eye- it was a tiny, little fledgling bird. He alighted on the little rock border that follows my path. I was quite close so I *talked very gently* to him and told him there was nothing to worry about, I wouldn't hurt him.



I'd talked to him for a few minutes before I realized I really did want a photo of him (duh!) So I came in, got my 70-300mm lens and came quietly out the back door again, telling Harley he just needed to step away from the birdie stay were he was on the deck.

I came fairly close again, even though I had my super zoom lens and could see his little breast heaving... poor little baby bird!

It seemed more than coincidence to me that I would see this sweet little helpless bird on Easter morning. I reflected on how we are so much like this helpless little creature. We don't know how to fly on our own and we need our loving parent to help us learn... and protect us when we fall out of the nest.

I want to bear strong and fervent testimony that Jesus is the Christ.  He came to earth, born a helpless infant. He lived and taught, healed and loved. He was crucified on Calvary.  He accepted all our sins in Gethsemane. He was laid in a borrowed tomb and on the third day took up His body in the act of Resurrection. He lives! Because of His willing, loving sacrifice, we, too can live again with Him. He is the only way! I am so grateful for this abiding testimony!

A Winter Wander

[You didn't really think you could get rid of me that easily did you?]

Today was one of those cold, crisp, windless, sunny winter days that I just love. And after spending way too many days sick [and in bed] in the last month I was grateful to be able to go out and take a little *walkie*. I took my camera along with me, somehow I just can't seem to leave it at home.

I thought you might like to tag along with me. I love how the sun plays off the clean, white snow.



Doesn't this look just like a Christmas card?



I mentioned that my tree yesterday was filled with fat robins. I suspect this is one of their many food sources. My friend Sheri intimated that the reason they DON'T fly south for the winter is that they are just too fat! Love that concept.



This tree... with these nests... I only see them in the winter and always forget to look when the tree is covered with leaves to see what sort of ginormous bird inhabits this! Now this one? Yep, he went south!



I also couldn't resist capturing this snow capped post. It just looks so cold and frosty.



I got back home and saw my tiny icicles. I had a moment of serendipity when I caught this drip.



But here is the best part: I'm standing in the drive way and here comes a whole herd of deer [10+] motoring up the street. They headed into the yard next door before the spotted me standing still and quiet. But the alpha-mama didn't like the looks of me... she pogo-stick hopped down to the cul-de-sac with the other babies [yearlings] and mamas in close order. This fellow? Yeah, they don't like him so much... he was all by himself.



And with all these photos do you really think that my 2011 photo-book will be any smaller?

241- Hummingbird Dilemma

Thanksgiving Point gardens draw sweet little hummingbird. As we toured the gardens we saw several but they were always to fast for me. As we returned to the *club house* an adventurous little soul came right up to this big, sweet pot of blossoms and started sipping.



I had on my standard 18-55mm lens so I do have zoom capabilities, but I was surprised with how close she let me move in.



I also keep my camera set on burst mode so I was able to get lots of good shots of her selecting the sweetest nectar these beautiful flowers had to offer.



Then all of a sudden she jerked into hyper-reverse-lift... I wasn't approaching any more... what had spooked her?



I see her dilemma! And she was having NOTHING to do with this *ill tempered-rodent* wasp. Can't say that I blame her in the least.

163- Rainy Day

I just love rainy days! After living in Palmdale for 23 years I don't think I could ever get tired of rainy days. I call them my wonderful grey days!

I love the way the clouds hang in around the mountains here. I played with some of Jerry's new textures- doesn't this look like it came right out of an Indiana Jones movie?






The sun did come out for a little while this afternoon and the birds were singing their happy-little-birdie-songs. I love to hear it!

155- Volunteerism

I'm guessing you aren't ready for the twist this post is going to take! We all know how important it is to volunteer and serve others.

But today's volunteerism is about my garden and my little birdie volunteers. They love to help plant all sorts of wonderful things in my garden.

Case in point... this beautiful little wildflower that grows in amongst my ivy. This is it's second year's debut... thank you birdies!

056- Pyracantha

You know one of the things that I like about pyracantha bushes? They are spelled just they way they sound! Seriously, I love their happy winter berries, even though these berries are orange my favorites are the red berries. (no surprise there!)


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Ages ago when Gordon and I were first married we had pyracantha bushes at our house. We also had an olive tree. Blast, those olives needed to be sprayed each year to keep them from fruiting; we didn't get them sprayed... so there was a mess on the front lawn to clean up!

Ta-da-da-da! Here they come to save the day... enter our friendly birds. They flocked in and picked up all those olive; as long as they were there they decided to eat the pyracantha berries... but those berries were old and we had a flock of drunk birds. (Where were the Livermore PD to issue some DUI's, umm, FUI's?) You should have seen them party.

I Googled drunk birds and found that this has happened before and since. Silly birds!