A is for Apple

A is for Apple and the kick off for the A to Z April Challenge! But seriously, from your first days of school, and the beginning of your reading career: A is for Apple, so it here that I will start wandering through April with random thoughts, topics and ideas - sorry, it doesn't look as if there will be a sensible theme to tie this together nicely (I'll leave that for more experienced writers, and those who have planned).

So, I go into the local Co-op with a friend and start taking photos of the apples in the produce section; yes I got a few strange looks and a couple joking comments, I only wish I was quick enough to reply with a witty April Fool's joke, sadly I wasn't... They look great don't they? Now wouldn't you like a nice, juicy, crisp apple?

Since we were on a roll, we stopped to admire this lovely apple tree, leaf buds getting ready to come out. My friend actually has a small orchard, and we fleetingly thought perhaps we should be back at the farm, since the pruning is not yet done! His apple orchard is a glorious place, he planted each young tree long ago. It sits at the top of the hill, above the hay field, it has a lovely view. Many seasons of apples, laughter and memories keep a happy spirit alive there where the deer come to eat, and the hawks soar above, waiting for the people to come enjoy the blossoms and then the bounty.

Continued chicken tales

We have gone from a few eggs to a stockpile of them in the fridge, most days I find 2 duck eggs and 3-4 chicken eggs, ahhh life is good. Time for deviled eggs, egg salad sandwiches, quiche and baking! Time to look up my previous egg customers and time to revert to old habits of bringing a dozen eggs with me when I see friends, certain they will appreciate this fresh gift :-)

The surplus is despite a hawk, probably recently returned from southern regions, finding two of our chickens easy prey. So free range activities are currently on hold, and the birds are under lock down until further notice. I have hung a few junk CDs around the yard, which are reported to move, flash and deter the raptors from hanging around.

The exciting chicken news is the addition of four Japanese Silkie chicks which were hatched out at my friend, Kerri's house. They are cute fluffy little buggers, and my daughter, who has a penchant for carrying chickens all over the place, singing to them, reading to them, bringing them on fairy house tours and the like, is thrilled. They grow so quickly, they have only been here a week and a half and already attempting to fly.

Sweet little things, sure hope they are all hens!

New Camera

Tax return money.... should have been spent on something more practical, but I really wanted a digital SLR & my darling husband told me I should get one - so I've been playing. I'm not exactly what you would call a skilled photographer, but I enjoy trying. So here is my dog, Lola, happily hanging out on the couch with her favorite boy. Isn't she adorable? Her cuteness helps keep her out of trouble, as she is a notorious scrounge and counter surfer extraordinaire. Her favorite things to find on the counter are butter and cream cheese, both of which she can swipe her tongue across without disturbing the usual array of dirty glasses also found scattered across the counter, truly a talent.

Spring Eggs!

After an entire winter in which my older birds have not laid a single egg - the welsh harlequin duck is the first back into production! Three days in a row, she has given us a big beautiful egg, I'm so happy, both to have our own fresh eggs again and to witness another sign of spring, glorious spring!

You may wonder how I know who laid the eggs. Simple from here, we only have 2 ducks, and the black duck lays a slightly greenish tinted one, while Miss Harlequin lays a white one.

I also don't wish you to think they are all deadbeat birds either, while it is true most of them would now be considered aged birds - there are many things I could have done to support them and increase their odds of laying more off season, and I did not follow these practices.

Another exciting sign of spring, yesterday we spotted two bobcats crossing a frozen pond! It is mating season for them, so maybe some courting was going on. I'm always thrilled when I see one, but this was the first time I have seen two at once.

Of course here in the northeast, maple season has begun to herald in the spring, mmmm sweet delicious maple syrup, it's time to visit your favorite sugarhouse while you can.

Snow Day

I like snow days, especially since someone swapped with me at work so I could be home with my kids! That unexpected day off, relaxed and not expected to be anywhere, a treat for sure.My second treat of the day was my advanced order copy of Deadly Kisses by Kerri Cuevas showed up in my mailbox today - whoo hoo! Looking forward to her launch party at the Shedd-Porter Memorial Library on March 9th.

I was thinking of all of you in blogland Monday night, the full moon - I have no idea why I am compelled to write with the pull of the moon, but it seems to happen time an time again. Maybe it isn't a coincidence my name is Diana. I am thankful my children also appreciate the beauty of a moonlit night, we took a walk through the trees, a beauty not enough people see. It was foggy and bright, seeming as if the fog reflected even more light than if it were clear. Only our shadows falling across the snow noticed we were there at all.

September Moon

Once school starts, life gets crazier than usual, so it made it all the more wonderful to have some time with the children tonight walking down the lane to admire the sliver of a moon setting over the ridge to the west. In the calm of the evening there is no bickering, just pleasant conversation as we stroll the tree lined path out to an opening where we can see a sizable chunk of sky, a dog at our side, happy to be out with us too.

We tried to take some photos, with the film camera none the less! The shutter was open so long I'm sure it will come out a blurry mess, but it will still remind us of how beautiful it was out there. The big dipper is an easy find, will have to look harder to find more. With the moon gone to bed, should be an excellent night to slip back outside to see some stars.

Perfect moments in time like these, for me, is what it is all about.

Time Marches On

"Time marches on" a favorite quote from a good friend of mine. No arguement here, where did all that time go?! I did enjoy exploring the blogging world, but for one it seems to cause a lot of junk in my email box, which I am not a fan of in the slightest. I also found I'm lazy, with a blog post comes the self inflicted pressure of attempting to write something "worthwhile", yet a facebook post can be a single word if I choose, much less effort.

Fall in New England is glorious, and after the summer heat has subsided, it always makes me want to explore trails and climb mountains. Though not as agile as I used to be, I am hoping to return to one of the things that is so good for my soul and my body. Today I took a proverbial and literal step in the right direction, hooray! There is a trail fairly close to my home that I've wanted to go up for what, 8 or 9 years now? It was fantastic, good company, pleasant hike, fun exploring, glorious view and a sense of accomplishment, what more could I ask for? Perfect weather? Had it!

Here's to many more successful trips out to the woods, where I need to be. Need a little inspiration of your own? Pick up a copy of Following Atticus, or look for it on blogspot of fb.