Spring Wildlife

I am currently working on a Top Secret quilt project, therefore you must be content with an update about Mountainjoy today versus quilts.  The wildlife is returning!  This past week has brought us some very special visitors.  First of all, the hummingbirds are back.  I had a little ruby red-throat sit at my empty feeder the other day. I jumped up and got him some food.  I've heard several more hummingbirds in the air but have not been dive-bombed yet.
The moose were here all winter long.  It was only 2 days ago that we actually almost hit one with my car.  We headed out our driveway (which is a chute and only belongs to us).  Suddenly, there was a moose in front of us!  My husband was a bit surprised he didn't see it until I reminded we don't normally look for cross-traffic in our own driveway.  The moose viewing happened in the evening.  The next morning, we had more visitors.
It was 6 in the morning and I was looking at emails waiting for the coffee water to boil.  It scared the pants off of me when from right behind, the dog goes off barking like crazy.  I looked out the window and didn't see what all the fuss was about.  I wanted my coffee.  My husband stayed by the windows watching.  His patience was rewarded as he got to view a pack of black wolves traveling fast in a long strung-out single file line along the trail the moose followed the evening before.  How cool is that?  Such majestic creatures they are!
Yesterday morning, I saw a beautiful owl headed back to it's home to sleep the day away.  He must have had a long night to going home so late in the morning.
On the smaller creature scale, I have chipmunks and rabbits to spare!
I'm off to do top secret stuff (it's so much fun to say) and you all keep quilting and crafting!

May Showers Bring Hummingbirds

Like everywhere else in the world, our weather here in Colorado has been wacky. There was no snow in March when we normally get the most snow. April brought us a good deal of snow in the high country and May brought even more moisture into the area in the form of rain and snow. This moisture was desperately needed as we were already many experiencing forest fires back in March. People that live are used to playing in glorious outside weather 360 days a year. People around here are tired of the winter and weather. As for me, I know it is the weather and Mother Nature and I have a special relationship. She does what she wants and I put up with it or enjoy it.
The hummingbirds returned to the high country. I heard them yesterday and quickly got out the feeder. There is still snow on lots of the ground and these little jewels of birds must be hungry. So, I quickly found, filled, and put out the feeder for these harbingers of the imminent summer season. I truly enjoy the hummingbirds as they buzz around and I am delighted they are back.
I realize that I have been neglecting my cooking aspect of this blog. I do have a fairly decent reason - I have not been cooking lately. I used to do a lot of it by myself or with my husband. For quite a while now, he hasn't been working (goes back to mountain bike accident in which he broke his neck 4 years ago). That means he has been doing all the cooking and cleaning. And I have not thought about food (other than to consume). Life is changing again though. Sid has been working recently so I am sure will divide up the housework again. I hope to be sharing recipes and good food thoughts again soon.
I have been working on getting my long arm quilting business going. I plan to be pulling my hair out soon as I create my own website as well. Actually, I don't think it will be all that difficult and frustrating. Technology has come a long way and so have my skills. I just have to keep telling myself, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can".
Time to catch up on all sorts of other neglected duties, projects, and phone calls.
Keep quilting, crafting, and smiling.

Iris & Hummingbirds

Here are some photos from Mountainjoy this past week. Our native iris, Iris missouriensis, opened up. The many feet of snow all winter did no damage to the brown seed pods still standing upright. These flowers show us that delicate beauty can grow in harsh environments. The little humming bird has been spending the last few days perched on the bike wire. It is up on our porch and out of the rain. He is such a cute little ruby red-throat, just hanging on the sheltered porch and getting a sip from the feeder on occasion.

This has been a design week for me in my quilt world. I am working on some pantographs and a quilt for a friend's wedding. Not much has gotten done honestly. I have been choosing to spend time with my friends as they are faced with making difficult health decisions. Work is exceedingly important to me and yet so is friendship. Friendship is winning this week.