New neighbors

I am pleased to announce that we have a new family of bluebirds in our backyard! We received a bluebird house last year, in April, from a friend of my mother but it was too late in the spring to be used by the birds. We chose to go ahead and put the house up, hoping that its location would be noted.

On Sunday morning, I glanced out an upstairs window into the backyard and noticed a bird going into the birdhouse. I watched a few moments more and made out - as well as 40-something eyes could manage - a flash of blue on the bird. I was thrilled to tell both J and A about our new neighbors; we had hoped that bluebirds would move in this year.

I have noticed a bluebird or two mingling with the usual suspects on our back deck, partaking of the lovely seed I put out for them each day. But every time I see a bluebird, I can't help but think of the photo that was published in National Geographic of a seemingly grumpy or mad bluebird - it makes me smile every time I see it!

Welcome to the neighborhood, bluebirds!

Another notch in my knitting case

While visiting my mother, I finished my second knitting project - another scarf.

I used a thick yarn with very slight variations in color, knit with two strands and used large plastic needles. It took some time to get used to the chunky needles, but the combination of thick yarn and thick needles resulted in a fluffy scarf that knit up very quickly.
Mom took quite a liking to it, so I was pleased to present my very first knitted gift to her!