Monday, May 5, 2025

Mixing it up for May, Gibbs Gets Visitors

 

The Ridge

On Monday, May 5th I was happy not to have to go anywhere. A day here at home would be good. Bill was up at his usual time, had his shower and was out the door by 7:30. Gibbs and I were downstairs to say goodbye and I made my morning tea, playing my online games while I drank it.

Good morning!
Can you tell what this is?
Gibbs at the window watching Daddy drive away 💖

It was a mild night for sleeping, 11C/53F, and we were expecting a mild day too. There were clouds, hovering, some sun popping through the patches of blue and yet some chances of rain throughout the afternoon. Instead of getting into garden gear, I relaxed in my sweats and stayed inside until noon. 😊

First Grosbeak sighting this spring

First Oriole sighting.
He kept coming back. 



I usually have a bullet proof coffee around 10:30 but found a different recipe on FB to try in its place. Brace yourself, here it is: 2/3 cup brewed coffee, ¼ cup milk, 2 tbsp. peanut butter, 2 tsp. honey, 1 banana. Blend and enjoy. It is quite powerful in banana taste so maybe ½ is what I’ll try next time but I really enjoyed it. Yum!

My rhubarb patches from previous years

For lunch, I gave my keto buns another try. I’m glad no one could see my face as I took bites, telling myself that they were okay. LOL I had butter, melted cheese, ham and lettuce in between the slices but it didn’t help. I know Nancy suggested popping them in the toaster so I’ll try that before tossing them to the birds. They are not very big around but it’s worth a try.

Gibbs and I went out around 12:30 and I filled a watering can from the rain barrel to water the plants and onions I put in the ground yesterday. There is that chance of rain, but I wanted to give them a positive boost anyway. Then I used my new loppers to crawl down the hill here off the patio to clip the vines, branches, twigs and ‘red crap’ that leads down to the pond. Gibbs stayed up on the patio in case I needed his help to get up.

The Sedum is also looking good.

There is wind again today but I was blessed by it as the black flies have now made an appearance. It took a lot out of me, cutting it all that I had to take breathers before even attempting to drag it up the hill and to the brush pile. Gibbs and I walked down to collect the blue recycle bin and mail and that helped. 😊

It was a nice looking day
and warm even!

When we came back up, we sat on the patio until we heard Bill coming up the lane. Early. They had gone as far as they could today so called it a day. Gibbs barked at him so much that Caper, next door, started barking at Gibbs and they went back and forth to each other. Dot hopped in the truck and brought him over so they could play. They get along so well, which is really nice.

This was a memory from 7 years ago.
We forget how small the trees and
shrubs were along the pond edge so
these memories are fun.

We had a nice little visit for about half hour and were able to show Dot around the property. She has been here but only to let Gibbs out. She enjoyed seeing the outhouse, my She-Shed and Bill’s Hangar and planes. The dogs played and ignored each other as doggies do. 😊 The rain began so our company left and we came inside.

 

I could hear the geese honking down the lane
and when we walked down, this one was playing
king of the castle. Never seen that before!


I started my post, Bill and Gibbs dozed and I made a cup of tea around 3:30. The rain didn’t last, just a few more drops so I’m glad I watered. I had many winged visitors up here today, my newest is the Baltimore Oriole returned. He was drinking from the feeder hanging on the kitchen window. Unfortunately, I can only get pictures through the screen but still he was gorgeous!

Dot and Caper visited so we
showed them around.

We all went out again after I finished my tea. Bill went to the Hangar and I took the loppers down the hill again. I figure once I get all the cutting done, I’ll take my time hauling stuff to the brush pile. Maybe Bill will hook up the mower and wagon tomorrow, he doesn’t think he’ll be working. That would help!

Gibbs and Caper get along well.
I just love the bottom picture!

I came in to start supper at 5:30, put the chicken thighs in the oven with sweet and sour sauce coating this time. There are fried potatoes for Bill and maple bacon salad. We were eating by 6:15 and finished the strawberries for dessert. While waiting for our NCIS programs, we watched some Reacher reruns.

Top picture is before clippinig
Bottom picture is after

I'll clean this up tomorrow.
Each branch had to be clipped 
individually so I was a bit tired.

This has been a great day. We reached a pleasant 19C/66F today with some sun, some clouds, about 35 drops of rain and a fair bit of wind.

Supper was good.
Had another go at my keto buns
with gravy and they were okay!
Good thing I have gravy leftover. 
Good night!

Thank you for the visit.

12 comments:

  1. You need one of these. The bugs don't leave me alone all summer. I don't go out without it. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08D63MWTY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Believe it or not, we each have one. They are old, Bill's is in better shape than mine and ours don't have a drawstring at the bottom of the netting. It never stays tucked in. I have put one in my Amazon cart! Thank you.

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  2. Throw them out Patsy ... just THROW THEM OUT! It's not worth the pittance they cost.

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    1. Ha ha! I came close but then eat them in place of potatoes with gravy. Only 2 left. Thank you for the laugh, though!

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  3. Seven years has certainly made a huge difference in your view of the pond. Great work in the clearing up some of the overgrowth.
    Quite the size difference between Gibbs and his friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, it happened so gradually that we didn't really think about it. Now, it is just a mess! Thank you, we're trying to clean it up.
      Yes, Caper and Gibbs are very different in size. Fun to watch them.

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  4. Go to Amazon and look up "ryobi clippers" and take a look. I got the long handled one and it sure takes the work out of clipping branches. Makes clipping brush easy, even works with one hand.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you KennyD. I just purchased these and like them, it is just the hill I'm on making it difficult. I'll look those up though. :)

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  5. That was sweet of Dot to bring Caper over for play time.

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  6. I have my orange slices out to see if our oriole comes back this year. Something has been nibbling on them. Harvey set up his trail camera to see if we can get a photo.
    What a lovely day and so nice of Dot to bring Gibbs' playmate Caper over for a visit.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hopefully they will return. I haven't bought oranges yet, apparently it isn't necessary!
      Very nice of Dot. The dogs can see each other from their back yards. ♥

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