Birds, Birds, Birds & a Boy

I have been trying for a couple of weeks to identify these birds by getting a photo and today I managed a half way decent photo...and NO they are not sparrows but Pine Siskin's and they like to hang around with the American Goldfinches down here in the winter time...Cool!

Today we decided or should I say - I decided it was time to get out of the house...So we took off on a little trip...Grammy loves quilting and we know there is a nice little quilt shop in Rockport...So I decided to take her over there...Of course I had other motives...See I took my camera, lol...The Rockport Marina is just across the road...So I thought while Grammy shops Michael and I would go for a walk...I bribed Michael and told him there was a park...but the park I was talking about didn't have toys but benches to sit and watch the birds, lol...Michael wasn't too pleased...But he found a shovel and had fun digging and watching the Pelicans feeding...Every time one hit the water I would go Kerplunk and Michael thought that was hilarious...Young ones are so easy to please, sometimes ;o)

This Blue Heron was sitting on the back of a houseboat and was soo close I couldn't NOT try for a photo...

Pelican cruising along....


KERPLUNK!!!

These are red heads, notice the grey beaks (Thank you John for correcting me)...I really had a hard time getting a decent photo with the telephoto...but loved this one of the female stretching her wings...

White Pelican grooming himself with a Cormorant drying his wings out in the background.

Female Canvas Backs...Not sure? Oh John W. help me out with these, lol.

(Yea, John said these are probably female Canvas Backs)...

Pintails snoozing...

These were some of my better photos from the day...you can see more at my flickr site:

Click here

I had fun and was plum tuckered out...I think Grammy had fun shopping without two bored individuals disrupting her concentration, lol....

Dissection of a Christmas Cactus Bloom

I was a bit bored this afternoon and my Christmas Cactus is in full bloom so I thought it was time for some photos...

Christmas Cactus bloom

Pistil with Stamen loaded with pollen grains.

Different view of the Pistil

Petals...I noticed they look like they have streaks of silver in them.

The Rim, I loved the pinkish/red line on the rim.

Closer view of the Stamen and Pollen granule's.

Well that is my photo dissection of a Christmas Cactus. My patience ran out, lol...

I was actually attempting photos of birds today as it was beautiful outside but as I was patiently sitting and waiting for the birds to come into the feeders an American Kestrel (sparrow hawk) kept flying by and the song birds were having none of that...Can't say as I blame them...So I moved inside for photos!

Our day and evening in a nutshell...

Today we had a Feral Hog in the trap....Mom had never seen one up close so we took her down with us when we went to load it in the trailer...Thank goodness it was a good little Piggy and got right in the trailer...lol...It wasn't a very big one but one less to tear up the property.

Tonight once again I had 2 deer in the smaller hog trap, you would think they would learn if you go in, the door is going to shut...I have to say out of all my years dealing with animals, deer seem to be the dumbest animal...

NEWS FLASH!

We also went out to eat with Fred's Sister (Diana) and her Husband (Larry) and most of their family...We found out our nephew John is going to get married next autumn...Valerie, his soon to be wife, is really nice and I think her and John will do well together. She keeps John in line, lol!

Valerie is like me and loves dogs. So I had them stop by the house so she could meet Jake. She had to try out Michael's tractor and her and Michael had a blast!!

Vrrooom...Vrrooom.......

Uh Oh....

As I was sitting here doing our Christmas blog posts...

I heard a Scream from the kitchen.....

SNAKE!! SNAKE in the KITCHEN!!

UH OH!!

I honestly didn't think Grammy was serious but hmmm...Guess what?

Yep there sure was a snake in the Kitchen...Ekkk...

The one thing Grammy isn't to fond of and it decides to pay us a visit...YIKES!!

Sorry no photos...no time, lol...Fred opened the door and I swept it outside...

Now I bet Grammy doesn't go walking around the house without looking for critters...lol...

It was a Texas brown snake and not much larger than a pencil!! I went out on the porch to get a photo of it but it was gone...I did find a toad out there though!!

Christmas Morning 2008

Santa was here and he sure left a lot of goodies!!

Michael checking out his stocking!

No more using Momma's robe, he has his own!!

Fred earned some brownie points with his Mother in Law and Wife...he surprised us both with sterling silver bracelets from James Avery...AWESOME job Babe!

Michael helping Grammy with her stocking!

Michael received a Kaleidoscope from Santa...Momma had to try placing it on her lens for a cool photo of the tree....expect more experiments with this, lol...

Daddy checking out his stocking and once again Michael is right there checking it out!!

Santa left this beaut under the tree for Grammy, Fred and Michael...SWEET!!

Oh Goodness...Next year I will recommend that Santa not bring Michael 3 Lego kits...Ekkk...Momma spent most of Christmas day putting them together...

Mom's bracelet has roses all around...

Throughout the centuries, people have had a deep romance with the rose. No other flower speaks so eloquently of the emotions of the heart. In Christian tradition, the rose grew thorns only after the fall of man. Another legend states that a little shepherd girl presented a white rose as a gift to the Christ Child; when he smiled with pleasure, the rose turned pink.

My bracelet has fishing swivels...I originally wanted this bracelet before I got the Macro lens...When I decided I wanted the Macro lens I told Fred forget the bracelet...lol...He's such a sweetheart and I was just tickled!!

Here is the meaning behind the James Avery bracelet:

Fishers of Men Bracelet
Jesus' first apostles were Peter, James, John and Andrew, all commercial fishermen by trade. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus promises them that they will be "fishers of men" if they will follow Him. Jesus' promise to the apostles is one of a life full of richness and worth in service to God.

Wendy, Fred and Michael

Grammy, Wendy and Michael

We are so Happy that Grammy came to spend time with us...We had a GREAT Christmas!

Thank you Hancock Family!!

We received a package around the 1st of December from Australia but as it was too early and I wanted to wait until Christmas to open it, so under the tree it went...

Aussie Helen didn't like that one bit but I love driving her crazy, he he he...

It was well worth the wait...and actually while we waited for Grammy's delayed flight at the house on Christmas eve I told Michael lets open the package from Australia...we were all there (Fred, Michael and Me)...

Coasters with Aboriginal artwork on them...tooo sweet!! We love them!!

Ahh...Captain Underpants, LOL...thanks a lot...it was read on the way to the airport and on the way home (so much for listening to Christmas music)...Michael loves Captain Underpants and honestly they are a bit funny!!

The Australian 12 days of Christmas was a hit...A great book, CD and Activity book...Helen you always do such a great job of finding these books and we love them!!! Good reading and some sweet activities and ideas!!

And Hey an Australia Shirt, Awesome!! I'll wear it with PRIDE!!
I also received a beautiful writing pen with Aboriginal artwork on it, I hid it, lol...It's mine, all Mine!! Fred received a boomerang key fob but it was put up as the boys had it flying around the house, Yikes....Thank you so very MUCH...Helen, Den, Hugh and Katie we loved it all!!

It's Christmas Eve ~

It is Christmas Eve and we are all ready for Grammy!

I think Michael is more excited about Grammy's arrival than Santa's...

Soon we'll be on our way to Austin to meet Grammy's plane and Michael has a Huge Hug waiting for her....

We had to check out the world map...first we had to see where Grammy was flying...will she meet Santa on her flight...hmmm...Maybe she'll see him out her window....he is excited for Katie in Australia as he knows Santa has already arrived at her house...We have to hurry and bring Grammy home from the airport so we can put the cookies out for Santa...Oh and he's promised Grammy one of the cookies...We are looking forward to having Grammy here for Christmas and it looks like it is going to be a bright beautiful day too!!

I was able to get a few photos of the tree tonight and I hope in the next few days to be able to play a little bit...everything is done and it's time to relax and enjoy the Holiday!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Christmas with Fred's Family ~ 2008

We celebrated Christmas with Fred's family this past Saturday!

It was not well planned as the Dallas Cowboys were playing at the same time and if you know anything about this family...Every thing STOPS for a Cowboy game...that is including opening Christmas presents...the children were none to pleased by the circumstances!! Nope not happy at all....

Of course this young man wasn't upset about not opening presents he was giving me and my camera the evil eye...but as you all know that doesn't stop me from taking photos, lol!!

Here they are...well the ones I could fit in the photo watching the game!! See how serious they are...very dedicated Cowboys fans here...Not even the flash from the camera disturbs them!!

Here is the tree with all the gifts piled under it....

During a commercial I was summoned to take a photo of 4 generations...

Grandpa, Andy, Cheyanne, and Frankie.

And here's that little Angel with such a sweet smile!! Yes they even had her decked out in a Dallas Cowboy outfit...She just has no idea what she has to look forward too!! Nope not a clue!

Finally we interrupted the game...The kids were able to open presents and they had a GREAT time ripping into them....it was that or have a full scale riot on our hands...

Frankie received the gag gift of the night...A pocket size can of WD-40 so he would stop squeaking...(he complains all the time that his body hurts!), LOL...So maybe he'll stop squeaking now.......Maybe!

There are a few more photos on my flickr site if you'd like to see more...I actually didn't take too many photos, everyone was hiding from the camera and I decided not to chase them down!!

Misc. Photos from December 20th ~

When I'm feeling a bit blue I grab the camera for some photo therapy...Saturday I wasn't feeling very blue but just a bit overwhelmed...So I decided to grab the camera and wander the house on a photo safari....This is what I found!

I cheated this year...yep sure did...found these gorgeous cookies in town and bought a whole bunch....aren't they fabulous!!

My Christmas Cactus decided to bless me this year, at Christmas time too!! This is one bloom of many...Stay tuned as I hope to dissect it with my Macro lens soon!!

Our beautiful Sweetheart, Jake! He's never far away and always watching me with whatever I am doing....

Okay these were taken in the truck! We were on our way over to the Naranjo Christmas Celebration and I had put a Ray Charles Christmas CD in the player and Michael was playing the air guitar, lol...He was jamming away!!

LOL....little IMP!!

Hopefully in the next day or two I will find the time to edit the Naranjo Christmas photos!! We had a great time with plenty of laughter and love!

Thanks for stopping by and we hope y'all are having a great Holiday Season!!

3 days to Grammy's arrival, Yea!!