Yes, some of the Bed and Breakfasts in Michigan are open for business!
Every year a house wren builds its nest in the birdhouse hanging outside Lizzie's window.
Actually, there are two wrens, working in partnership. I'm guessing it is her mate.
What is somewhat interesting (and a little disturbing) is that they worked hard on this for days.
And I haven't seen them since.
Lizzie is devastated. I am, too.
Rick has been baking.
He did a batch of eight baguettes earlier this week. And I have to say it's hard work but boy, does it pay off!
My neighbor's alium is finished now, but it was so good while it lasted!
Seeds? Doing well. And the strawberries are looking good. Shortcake, here we come in another couple of weeks!
My peonies have started to pop and since they are by the living room window, this is the view I see and it will be more to come! And of course it comes with a divine fragrance!
My neighbor on the other side sold her house and moved this week. She's been renting it out for the past five years so it shouldn't feel such a loss but it is. She let me pick some of her beautiful irises on her last day. They made a gorgeous bouquet, too!
The squirrels are always hungry, but this bunny felt quite content to just hang on the lawn for the longest time.
Life in our little world is good. Things are gently opening up here and the weather has been gorgeous. Books have been read, games played, meals cooked inside and out. Movies and videos have been greatly enjoyed.
Contentment is a wonderful word.
And right now, that's me. At least this week.
Next week? Who knows!
47 comments:
Your neighbors flowers are so pretty. Mine are doing well and I planted a couple today. I did not start by seeds except for my Zinnia's and they are coming up nicely....oh and my hummingbird vine and I do think it grows an ench a day. Baking...I love to bake, so much more so then to cook. I should make some bread but I tend to be the only one (since its just me) to eat it all...haha. Not a good thing. I could sit and watch the birds come and go all day.
Lovely pics of the wren. My Kitty used to love watching the birds on the balcony, it was her TV show! Glad you are feeling more contented now. Love the squirrel!
Goodness, my tummy flipped some when I saw B&B's open in Michigan, I thought you have got to be kidding! So sorry the wrens have disappeared, that is worrying after they have invested so much work. Has something else maybe taken up residence in the box, by way of a predator?
Lovely to see contentment reigns supreme.
~~~Deb in Wales~~~
Hello Jeanie,
Love your sweet wrens and the bunny. Lizzie is adorable too. The Allium and Peonies are lovely. I am sure Rick's bread is delicious. Pretty shot of your happy face.. I am glad you all had a good week!
Wishing you a happy new week!
Great photos. Your yard looks fantastic. I like that bird house. It's a shame they built a nest inside it, then weren't seen anymore after that. I wonder what happened. Your cat is beautiful.
A couple of years ago we thought we were going to have House Wrens nesting in our yard, but about half way through the nest construction it was abandoned. Maybe one day! They certainly are cheerful little additions to a backyard, and I hope they give you lots of entertainment, Jeanie. Rick made EIGHT baguettes! Lucky you! I am sure that his entry into the French Baking Hall of Fame is mere days away! Bravo, je dis. Quel boulanger superbe!
Did something get into their little house?
The good news is that wrens will rebuild if something disturbed their nest. We watched a pair build and rebuild at the hill country cabin. They finally decided on a bucket hanging beneath the roof of the open-air area outside the front door. The bucket opening was only about a foot below the nail it was hanging on, so they were safe from most predators there.
Beautiful. Happy Monday
Too bad about the wrens. Sounds like they got a better deal somewhere else. Cute squirrel and adorable rabbit. Lots of fun things happening in your world right now. Good for you.
Isn't it nice to have a good week - and to have recorded it with such nice photos.
It sounds like things are going nicely around your home! Homemade bread sounds wonderful.
I'm happy to hear that you had such a great week. We all need those!
I am in love with those wrens and your gardening is looking good. :) We are planning to make baguettes soon - fingers crossed for us... lol. We need some Rick baking magic!
You live in the middle of a little zoo. What great entertainment for you and Lizzie! Your garden plants and Rick’s baking look good, too.
Hope your new neighbours come back and weee, I have never seen a blck squirrel!
Thumbs up!!!
What wonderful pictures from the bird to the breadmaking to the black squirrel to your smiley self! LOL It looks like you are weathering Covid restrictions nicely.
Have a great week. xo Diana
As always, lovely pix! i've never seen an all black squirrel!
Lovely flowers and I love that bunnies come to it too. Happy Monday!
Your wildlife photos are really delightful. Also your tame photos (Lizzie). It's good to see you smiling and enjoying things.
be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
You always find the joy in your surroundings. Do you know how really special that gift is when you then give it to the blog community?
HI Jeanie! Aw! Wrens like houses. Maybe they are visiting relatives.
Lizzie is lovely!
I love that black squirrel!
I'll be over when the short cake is served!
Your smile just capped this beautiful post so beautifully my dearest Jeanie! I am so happy to be back here after two days of being gone in the blogging world. Something crazy just happened here in our country and us facebook users here. Anyway, I'm happy because I am back home here at Marmalade Gypsy! First of all, that birdhouse that says Bed and Breakfast - ADORABLE! Plus Rick baking and founding out that he is making Baguettes just amazes me! I have always thought how those long and thick breads are both made and baked with such a big size! Love the plants and those strawberry sprouts look very healthy! Sending you hugs dear Jeanie for a great new week ahead!
What a lovely garden you have..
A man who bakes.. lucky you.
Love photo of you and needed that smile today.
How exciting to have a wren nesting there! You have a wonderful variety in your garden. Nice! We never get rabbits, of course, here in our city townhouse, and seeing yours makes me smile :)
Oh, this post makes me happy, Jeanie, especially the part about you feeling content. Forget the big highs that never last and the nasty lows, it's that soft middle where we find contentment. Your little wren is so cute. Female birds of certain species will refuse the male if he doesn't build a nest to her liking. I'm not sure if the wren is in that category. That birdhouse is cute enough for me to move in.
If I was there, I'd eat Rick's bread in two seconds. Oh, my goodness. Is anything better than homemade bread? I think not.
All good news from you, Jeanie. I would certainly enjoy one of Rick's baguettes. I know they are great.
Can't imagine what happened to the wrens, maybe they decided on a different location. Oh, Jeanie, that tree peony is a beauty and it looks so healthy as do your strawberries. Enjoy your week and lovely weather.
Lovely photographs of the wrens but slightly worrying that they seem to have dis-appeared.
Strawberry shortcake is a great summer treat.
Love that picture of you, I'm smiling right back at you.
Take care, my good wishes.
All the best Jan
Thank you. I needed to see beauty and growing things today.
"Our" birds cluster around the bird seed block the entire day. We enjoy that all throughout their nibbling.
What heaven! The birds are too cute. Do you think they're inside with a nest? You all have la belle vie!
Those irises are so pretty! And peonies are my favorite flower. I have been enjoying seeing them on my walks. I’m still trying to figure out what is growing in our front flower beds. I think I will be changing the front beds up this fall as I’m not crazy about some of what has grown so far!
Glad you are feeling content!!
Hello SUNSHINE! Beautiful photos or your yard and the neighbor's yard and the man in the kitchen. I hope the wrens did not get injured, I am hoping that they are just fussy. Wonderful post.
How cool to have wrens. I have never seen them here. And that squirrel is really dark. I have never seen one so dark-maybe it is different from Eastern Greys we have. But your flowers and plants are looking good. And I bet Rick's bread was good too. Isn't it funny how one day life seems good and the next day it can feel so blah. With this virus world that is. Hugs-Erika
You have such a lovely yard Jeanie. I love the little bird house but so sad the renters didn't return. I don't even want to imagine why. Rick sure has me wanting to make bread! It's always sad when our neighbors move away, hope you get new ones soon. Strawberry shortcake, I may stop by :) Have a grand week........
What a sweet neighbor!
Oliums look fantastic, and, the last photo is lovely!
I hope the wrens come back, it would make great tv watching for Lizzie.
Love the bunny and the squirrel and the beautiful flowers from your garden.
Enjoy your week Jeanie :)
Jeannie,
I do not think that I have ever seen a black squirrel!! Ours are brownish gray here..I have bought some bird seed and put just a bit of it in recycled solar lights with the tops off...We have had our share of quite a variety of birds for sure!
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and for letting me know that you did by leaving a comment!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Hope you see the wrens again soon, and that your new neighbour turns out to be a good one. Also, glad to hear your flowers and food are all growing nicely.
I just read your last two posts. You have such an abundance of wildlife where you live. It is a real blessing. We have a few wild ones here too. I have seen robins build a nest and disappear too. I wonder what it is all about.
Have a great day. It sure is hot here!
We have wfens and so love their chirping song. Janice
Beautiful photos! I love the black squirrel--all of ours are brownish-orange in color. It got hot here for a week and then cool--it actually snowed in the high mountains! I like cool weather the best so I'm not complaining. We also had a big windy thunderstorm that kept us busy cleaning up our yards afterward. We were happy not to lose any trees as many did.
Jeanie, it looks like things are going well in your world. The peonies are fabulous and the fragrance is the sweetest. So much has opened up here, but or the restaurants. Unfortunately many businesses will never reopen.
My brother built a birdhouse in cub scouts. My mom put it up in the back yard, and it was inhabited by wrens for many years. I remember watching them one time. Henry would bring a twig, and put it in the house. Rose would show up, go in, and throw it out. :-) It happened over and over.
I could just hear her -- "Henry! How many times do I have to tell you! It's going to be ALL Danish Modern! No more of that old-fashioned stuff your Mom likes!"
Love your cheer . . .
refreshing
delightful
Great catching up with you and the stay at home life. I've been venturing out to my brother's with one sister, cleaning out his garage (about 60 man hours total among us so far, and almost finished!). I keep cooking and baking, and with Mr P we've ventured out for curbside and in-car dining a few times. Walking almost every day keeps us in contact with spring unfolding, and speaking with neighbors along the way at a safe distance. Life is good, still!
I've been hanging around the house too, Jeanie, but I did take a drive with Nel the other day and ended up at a college campus. I know how much you love to walk through the colleges, and I will post it tomorrow. You might be familiar with the college we visited. Those old photos of you are such treasures....I smile every time I see them. Enjoy your home time, Jeanie. Oh, and that black squirrel is so interesting. I've never seen a black squirrel ever!! So good of Rick to bake now and then. : )
~Sheri
It seems like there is a lag between building the nest and the hatchling. I'm glad kitty is inside. My wrens lost a baby last time because of our ruthless killer cat. Haha. We are keeping busy too. I love that black squirrel. Ours are very brown and I've never seen a black one. We were supposed to vacation in your neck of the woods this summer or fall. Not sure when that will happen.
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