BIRD TELEVISION - THE OTHER CHANNEL WE LOVE TO WATCH....

 So, we have been looking into cable, internet, etc. and it is either not available out where we live or the cost is much more than we want to pay to sit on our butts and watch something that turns your brain to mush - except documentary's, history channel, shows like that.  Someone did tell us about a service available from the University of Northern Michigan - they send you the equipment and directions and you install it yourself - with a much lower monthly cost.  We are going to start checking into that. But, we are not in a giant hurry - it is still winter and we're really not missing television or the internet very much! We have phones - for an emergency - but that's about it.  And getting service is always 'iffy'.  We generally have to walk out onto the deck and move our head from side to side to even hear.  We deal with it to talk to our family every week.  But, if we need to make a call where we can have better service - we drive down to the end of our driveway and try there or drive further out onto the town road to get a clearer, stronger signal. 

The pictures that I am posting are from all seasons during the year - I just tried to pick out the best ones.  

The birds out here in the Northwoods are really something. In the winter, we see pretty much the same ones every day, but fall into winter showed us a variety of birds as they were gathering up to migrate - and winter into spring brought us a whole colorful show of birds returning to the area or passing through going further north.  

This mama Robin has a nest in our eaves, and we have left the nest untouched after her last clutch - it is in a protected area from rain and wind and close to our bird feeders- so hopefully she can return to lay more eggs and make more pretty Robins next spring. The only problem is that she doesn't understand that we are 'friends' as she dive bombs us when we walk in the area - her natural defense - we just cover our heads - they get close by have not hit us yet - just their natural protection of their little ones.  

This is a Flicker - the first one I have ever seen - it stopped and rested for a while by the pond.  It is called a Northern Flicker and is a member of the Woodpecker family.  

We have so many woodpeckers around.  We can hear them clearly rapping on so many dead trees in the woods.  The Piliated is the largest woodpecker and the loudest.  They have come to our feeder, but I was so excited seeing them and watching them, that I didn't go for my camera for a picture.  This is a male Hairy Woodpecker.  The look just like Downy Woodpeckers - they are just larger.  The females don't have a red spot on their head.  

Mr. BlueJay with his pretty little feathers fluffing out in the wind and showing so nicely in the bright sunshine.  He loves this basket - and is a daily visitor.  We put his favorites, peanuts and black sunflower seeds in the basket, and he is there grabbing foods many times per day.... It is hard to tell the difference between females and males.  Blue Jays are loud and aggressive towards smaller birds or really anyone that comes around them - so - this basket is theirs.  

These little Juncos...they are just always quietly around...they 'over-winter' in Michigan.  They are generally ground feeders, but will pick seeds out of flat feeders.  They roost in evergreens.  It is said that they have 30% more feathers in the winter than in the summer.  

We love our Mourning Doves.  They usually come to the feeders in a flock in the morning and in the afternoon.   They are basically ground feeders but will come up and into the feeders.  Love their gentle, soft sounds. 

Finches and a female Grossbeak.  There are Gold Finches and Purple Finches all together in the feeder.

This is a Nuthatch - they love suet and will hang however they need to get to the tasty treat.  They will hide seeds in crevices for a snack later.  

This is a Red Bellied Woodpecker.  They look a lot like a  Red headed Woodpecker - but they only have half a red head.  Despite their name they only have a tinge of red on their 'belly'. 

 

Birds will tolerate each other if they are on a large enough spot - for seed...

We put up Bird Houses and a Blue Bird decided to call this one its own.  

The Best Part of Winter - you can see their  beautiful colors so well against the white backdrop.  But some of the birds are prettier in the spring/summer - like the Gold Finches...

Although Female Cardinals are not bright red - their subtle colors are so soft and beautiful...

The Ruffed Grouse.  Such a great sighting.  They are usually in the underbrush - this one landed on our apple tree and gave me a few minutes to catch a picture.  When I first heard their 'drumming' - I thought someone - somewhere - was trying to start an engine. It starts out slow and works up to a much faster thumping sound and then stops.  It was our amazing Grouse doing what they do...drumming.  

We see Turkeys pretty much every day - males and females and their chicks.  The males make big thumping chest noises and puff up as large as they can to show dominance....

A beautiful Blue Indigo - so special because we don't get to see them that often.

And our sweet Chickadees - they are here year-round and at the feeders every day.

Gold Finches female and male - of course he's the bright one - moms need to be more subtle in color.

Our beautiful Orioles - they love oranges and grape jelly.

This is a beautiful Green Heron that landed near our pond - for a fish snack...

One of my favorites - a Rose Breasted Grossbeak - I love to see them every spring.  This is a male - the female of course has more subtle coloring...

We love to sit in our comfy chairs that can see right out to our feeders - we eat lunch right there, in hopes of spotting a new variety...and find comfort and joy in seeing our regulars.  They say that birds 'talk' to each other in the early evening - just making sure that everyone is okay and settled for the night.  So as the sun goes down and the birds aren't coming to the feeders - it's lovely to step outside and listen to them talking to each other and wishing each other a good night's rest.  

SQUIRREL TELEVISION - IT'S ALL WE'VE GOT AT THE MOMENT & WE'RE REALLY ENJOYING THE DAILY SHOWS....

We had never really seen Red Squirrels or Pine Squirrels as they are called before moving to UP Michigan. We've seen Grey Squirrels our whole life and an occasional Fox Squirrel - but that was about it - to this point. We still see Grey Squirrels occasionally, but Red Squirrels are our daily visitors.  They did visit us right inside our cabin in the beginning - but I think because we are feeding outside, and we have two dogs in the cabin - they are now preferring outside dining.  We also have Black Squirrels and Fox Squirrels. 

The Red Squirrels are smaller and so comedic.  Grey is grey.  The Fox Squirrels are larger, fluffier, slower moving and almost cartoonish.  The Black Squirrels appear stealth like.  One Black Squirrel visitor is without a tail - maybe not stealth enough - but the other does have a fluffy tail. 

These are a few of the year-round pictures that I have taken - because they are our year-round visitors.

I cut the big drying heads off of the Mammoth Sunflowers we grew and spread them out on the bench on our deck.   It's like a buffet for squirrels and birds.  

This is our Black Squirrel - with the tail - there is another one with no tail - we wonder what happened.

This fatty Fox Squirrel is tall enough to reach the bird feeder without much trouble.

This poor mama, on a hot day, needed to be away from the little ones and take a rest.  I put out water for them and fresh cut apples, table scrapes, mealworms and peanuts.  

They are smaller so they can fit in and on our bird feeders.  

Red Squirrels don't really run away when we step out of the cabin.  I can toss peanuts or food their way and they just kind temporality move aside.  

Red Squirrels are so cute, looks like he's wearing mittens.  

We can sit in front of the wood stove with a fire blazing, coffee or tea in hand and through our new full glass front door, just watch these funny squirrels all day long.  They prefer to be the only squirrel on the feeder - one at a time - but do not mind sharing seeds with the birds.  They chatter loudly if another squirrel comes around when they are on our big feeder, telling them to wait their turn, I guess.  

If we leave the door open for even a moment, to let the dog come in or while we are bringing in firewood - the little Red Squirrels will walk right up to the door as getting ready to go on in.  This cabin was basically vacant for years - hunters here and there.  So, the squirrels especially, found their way into the cabin and it became part of their daily routine.  We saw signs of them in the cabin after we moved the enormous amount of junk out and away - and then we would actually see them on our kitchen table - for a few mornings in a row. They were hoping that we were leaving I'm sure - like the hunters did.  But we were there and so were our two dogs - so they began staying upstairs and outside.  We are keeping the upstairs closed off for now - we will begin clearing it out in the spring and see if we're going to use it for more than storage.  

Meanwhile, until we get cable - this is our entertainment...and we really like it this way.  When I go to the library - usually once a week - I go onto their computers mostly to search for information about the large gardens that we are going to plant in the spring - but, I do peek around and catch the latest - not very important to me- news also.  We're not missing television, at all.  Amazing how you find things to do when you don't have the television on...listen to music, read, daydream, watch the birds, squirrels, deer just outside your window or door....talk to each other...it's a welcome change.  

HOW OUR FIRST WINTER IN THE UP IS GOING SO FAR....

 It has been snowing about every other day.  Sometimes only flurries and sometimes an inch or two of accumulation.   We've tried to keep up with the plowing of our driveway, shoveling and salting our deck and our paths to be able to get out to our animals.  The snow is really beautiful.  We love watching it fall during the day light hours, but when it snows at night, we turn on an outdoor light, just to watch it softly falling.  We can't help but go outside for a while to catch a few snowflakes on our gloves, admire their pattern and just listen to the sound/no sound that it makes when it falls from above. I love to shine my flashlight up into the air and follow one snowflake all of the way down.  When it lands, I think to myself, this was your whole life and purpose.  I hope it was a fun journey.     

My husband and I are very different in our approach to many things.   We feel that makes for a good balance in our relationship.  I am always thinking about 'what could happen' - and try to get everything ready 'just in case'. My husband kind of flies by the seat of his pants - what happens, happens, we'll deal with it when it happens. I told him that for my peace of mind, I feel that we need to be more prepared living out here alone, we're older and we don't have any services that close to us and our family lives hours away.  He teases me when I am picking up candles, batteries, matches, flashlights, etc. at the store.   They have come in handy a few times, and I try (?) not to remind him whose idea it was to pick these items up and keep a supply of them on hand.  I am learning each day to be as prepared as possible - and then let it go or you will possibly miss some of the beauty of living out here in the Northwoods in your anxiety of worrying about the 'what ifs'.  

Kind of like the birds that visit our feeders each day.  They don't seem to mind the snow.  They have to eat everyday no matter what time of year or what the weather might be that day.  

When the sun goes down, the birds have to think about finding a protected area to keep dry and out of the wind for the night.  At first light they need to think about a food source. I wonder if they are storing food somewhere for those days when it's much harder to find anything to eat.  I know squirrels do that, but I wonder if birds do that also.  Some birds land, grab a seed and fly away.  And then keep doing that over and over.  Other birds, land, grab a seed and eat it right there.  In my writer's mind, I picture that all wildlife has a protected cubby to go to each day/night.  Where they store their food, and are protected from the sun, wind, snow & rain.  And that they feel safe and warm there.  I like to think of them having fun just flying around, but I think their whole day is really about surviving.  And, in the spring, there is the added responsibility of taking care of their eggs and then feeding their new babies.  

 Like all of our bird and squirrel friends, Live for today, learn from yesterday and look forward to tomorrow. But, be prepared....just in case...  

IT'S A NEW YEAR - THE YEAR OF BECOMING SELF SUFFICIENT

 

It's winter and a good time to plan our Herbal Garden.  We have a large area laid out (in our minds and on paper) to grow our herbs.  We're going to use raised beds for these more delicate delicious plants. Some of the herbs will be for our personal use but the majority will be for us to sell at several Farmer's Markets and also list for sale on the local fb marketplace.    

During this 'would rather stay inside' time of the year, I sit in my favorite chair with my little heater dog named Tipo. He would squish in beside me, with not much room to spare - just the way he loves it.  We together would go over every "How to" book that I could find at the library about the best way to grow, harvest and dry herbs.  I would read aloud occasionally and Tipo would express his approval or rejection of the idea by looking up at me from under the warm Afghan or not react at all, I took that as Yea and Nay.  

Wanting to make full use of the herbs that I would plant, I researched what herbs would do well in our Northern Growing Zone.  I wanted to learn as much as I could about cooking with fresh and dried herbs, how to infuse them in carrier oil and also how to use for medicinal purposes for my husband and I and for our animals as a natural preventative and a means of lessening the symptoms of ordinary illnesses. I want to attach cooking ideas to each package of herbs - dry or fresh - that we sell... 

Most every cold morning, I bundle myself up in many layers.  This morning, I needed to go out in the cold and feed all of our fuzzy and feathered friends (my husband and I take turns). They are always so happy to see us after the long night - warms my heart even if it's more about the food than us.  First, I start up my old 4-wheel drive truck, so that she can warm up while I scoop out feed to fill all of our animal's food containers. By the time I finish feeding, she will be nice and warm and, I'll be more than ready to jump into my 'warmer than outside' vehicle and head for town. 

Today was an especially important trip - my first big order of seed is here and waiting for me at the Post Office.  I carefully maneuver my sweet truck down our semi-plowed (two tracks) driveway.  It is a gravel/dirt driveway with potholes that fill with water, freeze and thaw.  I maneuvered down our long driveway to then get out onto our road.  We are the only people living on this road, so it usually isn't plowed by the Township until we make a call to remind them.  We have a skid loader and a plow on my husband's truck - but sometimes there is more snow than our equipment can safely handle.  To my delight, the township grader had come down our road and cleared it.  I gave my 'old girl' a pat on her worn-out dashboard, and we together were off and on our way to town.  We have had quite a bit of snow over the last few days and nights.  So, slow deep breath in and out, drop shoulders from their position currently up by my ears and I push down slowly on the accelerator pedal. Since moving out here, it always amazes me how happy the smallest things make me - like my truck actually moving forward in the snow.  

As I pull into the Post Office, I feel so excited about picking up my precious box of colorful little bags of seed for the beautiful gardens that I have imagined a million times over.  The Postmaster asked if we had plans of planting a large garden. I told her that we were.  A large vegetable garden, a large cut flower garden and a large herb garden.  Word travels quickly in a small town - good free advertisement.  I said that we hoped to sell our bounty at several local Farmer's Markets and also on fb marketplace.    After telling them that I will have many more seeds coming, I say goodbye to the ladies at the Post Office and thanked them.   

The library is within walking distance of the Post Office so, I put my box in my truck and pick up my books to return to the library and trudge through the snow on the semi cleared sidewalk.  After stomping the snow off of my boots I was greeted by the library folks.  They all knew me well - I am probably one of their best customers - my books are often late, and I pay the fines - so, I say 'that's my financial support of my Library'. I will be supporting it in other ways - they've asked me to give a class on 'how to get your book published' as I am going through that process right now.  Probably will do that in the spring. I dropped my return books on the counter and set out into the room to find 'new books' about plants.  I was able to find 10 books that I had not read before.  Waving goodbye, I walk back to my truck excited about my 'new reads' and of course my 'new seeds'.  The old girl starts right up, and we head home.  I should stop calling my truck 'the old girl' - I'm in that category also - and wouldn't appreciate that name.  I'll think of some other name for her.  The ride home went very quickly.  It was one of those rides that you remember leaving and then all of a sudden you are at your destination.  Thoughts about my precious seeds flooded my thoughts apparently.  I did get home safely.  We rarely meet many other cars on any of the roads we travel to town.  

Pulling into our yard, I can't wait to get into the cabin and open my much-anticipated box of seed.  I have so many pots of dirt waiting for these precious seeds placed everywhere around our cabin. By every window, under every skylight.  We also did venture into our upstairs area and found some amazing grow lights - apparently plants were grown up here that are now legal in MI - but were not when this operation was happening.   Until we can build a greenhouse, our log cabin will have to do to get all of these plants started.  I'm thinking that possibly the existing mobile home on the property could be renovated into a greenhouse - we'll see, it's already here and has water and electric.

This is the mobile home that I think would make an excellent greenhouse - it is right next to the log cabin (the ugly yellow siding before we stripped and resided in wood) lots of acres in front of it for our vegetable garden.

Next spring, we will finish fencing, rototilling and planting this area for our cut flower garden - about an acre of land - near the cabin - some shade, some sun...perfect....

OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS AT THE LOG CABIN

 

Well, the guys at the Feed Mill were right.  The snow did stop, the sun came out and the snow melted.  The ground was still too warm for the snow to last.  And so, it became a slushy, muddy mess. There is more snow expected and the temperatures are due to drop according to the latest weather forecast.  It is now late December, and we are pretty far north, so winter weather is to be expected.  But being by the Bay (Green Bay) the weather seems to be milder than even south of us.  

 The Thanksgiving Holiday came and went for us this year, as we were in the middle of our move. We decided that we would take special moments to celebrate our first Christmas at our new home.

I am a big crafter.  I am always picking up and collecting 'stuff' and thinking about what I can do with my finds to make creative, decorative items.  Before there was snow on the ground, I spotted many beautiful pinecones under a large pine tree next to the cabin.  I would pick up a few each time I would walk that way and soon I had a basket full of these beautiful possibilities.  I will use them in wreaths, arrangements and also as a treat for our outdoor bird friends.  I remember seeing a fellow bird lover, coat the pinecone with peanut butter, attach a string and hang it outside for the birds.  So, we decided that would be our Christmas present to our visiting birds (and probably the deer also).  When we finished spreading the peanut butter and sprinkling on the bird seed, we hung them from a tree near the door so that we could watch the birds fly in and enjoy a taste of this Holiday treat.   

At first our daily visitors to our feeders did not go near the pinecone treat, but then one Chickadee landed on a nearby branch, hopped over and took a taste and that's all it took.  Word spread quickly.  By the next morning all of the decorated pinecones were picked clean.  A good number of them were on the ground the next morning.  I picture our daily visitor deer group coming in after dark and licking the remaining peanut butter and seeds off of the pinecones. Merry Christmas to our dear bird and deer friends. 

Our animals all received extra treats too.  I made a casserole of dried eggshells, marigold seeds, chopped up apples and lettuce for our chickens.  I sprinkled dried meal worms on top - for some crunch. We feed them a layer pellet, corn and sunflower seeds everyday - also a dish of oyster shell for them to peck at. 

The Sheep/llamas got their regular food with extra corn and oats, a new bale of hay and lots of pats and rubs.  

The Peacocks got some eggshell, meal worms and their regular sunflower seed, feed mixture.  

 We were out working in the machine shed on Christmas, so the peacocks got to hear Christmas songs all day.  Not sure how they felt about that.  

We worked in the machine shed for much of the day on the cabinets that would become our bathroom vanity and also our kitchen cabinets.  Our Christmas gift to each other.  Will be so nice to have some organization in those two areas.  

It's a beautiful day.  Not that we aren't grateful for all of the blessings of this year, but, we are kind of glad this year is coming to a close.  Getting our big house and hobby farm ready for sale in WI was exhausting.  Fortunately, it sold quickly - and the person that purchased it did not need to move in for a while.  So, it gave us the needed time to get all of our stuff moved to the UP Michigan property. We are finally starting to feel a little bit settled.  We are looking forward to working on the inside of the log cabin this winter & also sitting down over hot cocoa and drawing up the plans for our large vegetable garden and our large cut flower garden. We have many plans for how we are going to be able to support ourselves on this property - but that's for a future blog.  We are getting really excited about finally being able to implement each idea and hopefully be able to watch it all bloom and blossom. So, we are happily welcoming in a new year - a year of all of the ideas that have been swirling around in our heads for years - becoming a reality.   Meanwhile, we are absolutely loving the peace and serenity of living in the Northwoods.  And we are so grateful and blessed to live in and amongst all of this beauty.  

THE SNOW HAS STARTED - AND IT'S STILL COMING DOWN...

 But not to worry, the guys at the Feed Mill told us that it won't last - it will melt - and be a muddy mess - too early for this heavy of a snowstorm......We picked up a lot of feed for the animals just in case we couldn't get out....

Before the predicted storm, we also drove into town where our Victorian home is located- to check on the house, grab a few things and also pick up some supplies and groceries.  We have a pretty big pile of split firewood at the cabin - so we knew would be good for a few days. Batteries for the flashlights and gasoline for the skid loader. We were told that our electric might go out - our cabin is the only one on this line - so we are probably not the first place that the linemen come out to fix.  We do need to be ready - and we are.  I can cook and boil water on top of the woodstove - kind of like camping out in your home.  

 I put extra hay in the coop and in the boxes, extra food, some greens, plugged in the electric bucket of water and ran the long extension cord from the shop to the coop.  I did the same thing in the machine shed for the peacocks.  So, everyone will be protected from the wind and snow and have plenty to eat and drink.  The llamas and sheep almost lay out in the snow.  Their fleeces are so thick that they don't even notice. I fluffed up the hay in the lean to for the lambs and their mama's. We filled all of the bird feeders to the top and threw seed around on the workhorses and boards that were set up on our deck for the work that my husband is doing in the cabin.  

Noticed that one of the twin lambs was laying off by itself - not a good sign.  So, I picked her up and she was kind of skinny - so she is coming with me into the cabin to be bottle fed.  Sometimes twins are too much for a younger ewe.  That's why we a close watch on the moms and the lambs.  Those first few days are the most important.  The lambs need to be cleaned and dried and up on their feet so that they can nurse.  My husband searched the trailer for the lamb replacer, and we emptied a pop bottle and fortunately we had kept nipples from previous feedings.  

The little one wrapped up in a blanket inside of the cabin with us - loves her warm bottle.  She hits it hard just like she does her mom's bag of milk.  Almost knocks it out of your hand.  They stand and nurse and their little tails wag wildly. She made herself at home pretty quickly and even took over one of the dog beds.   

   

All of the rest of the twins were well taken care of by their mama's.  They are something else - it never ceases to amaze me what mama animals will do for their young. We now have six sets of twins with possibly a few more to come.  It's hard to tell if they are pregnant - they have such heavy fleeces in the winter.  We will shear them in the spring and get onto a better breeding schedule after this season when we are not preoccupied with packing/moving, etc.  

So, with everyone ready for the predicted snow, I wished them all well - told them we'd be out to check on them and headed for the cabin.  My husband had a big fire burning in the woodstove and a pot of water boiling for some hot tea - Bless His Heart...He was bottle feeding our lamb - and as always, we are so grateful for all and for our beautiful new life in the UP....