A quick post to say Hi! It's been a busy week here at the homestead... first, the kitchen floor project is STILL not finished *sigh*... we need one more box which we will use under the stove. Other than that, it is almost done! It looks really good! I can't wait to show y'all the before & after! Second, Country Boy installed the molding in the living room today. That room is finally finished after two years! Yay! Third, I've been sorting through the remaining items that did not sell at the flea market a couple of months ago and putting it into boxes to take to the thrift store. Some items I am keeping and will try to sell on craigslist. If they don't sell, then I'll donate them as well. More projects are in store this week like reorganizing the pantry and photographing and listing the items I want to sell.
On a much more exciting note... I read some tips on
The Pioneer Woman's blog about apertures and I took some time (OK, I was procrastinating) to sit on my front porch steps and shoot some photos playing around with different settings. I still have so much to learn about it but it's slowly sinking in and hopefully it will be second nature one day!
So, let me show you what I captured...
I set this bird bath out the other day with lots of squirrel food in it and word has gotten out! A couple of them ran off when I stepped outside but these brave souls remained!
This one is underneath the feeder station and pondering how to get on the feeders from below since he hasn't had any luck anymore from the roof! The determination of a squirrel is incredible!
I heard a loud whirring sound and saw this female hummingbird land in the tree at the base of the steps...
Such tiny feet!
I managed to capture one while it was at the feeder but it was a bit underexposed. I still like the image so I'm going to share it with you anyway (another learning moment on aperture vs. shutter speed!)...
A male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. I didn't get a chance to capture another image with different settings before my bum started hurting!
Then I heard some loud flapping noise and a Red-Bellied Woodpecker landed in the tree that is on the other side of the porch stairs...
He caught a bug further up in the tree and the feast began...
Yay that he caught a bug, but Ewwwww! I'm so glad my diet does not consist of bugs!
By this time, my bum was really starting to hurt so before it went numb on me, I went back inside. After all, I could only procrastinate for so long from sorting through all the stuff to donate!
Oh yea, and can I just tell you how BAD a steam burn hurts! I was taking the aluminum foil off a baking dish in the oven the other day and when I lifted the corner I didn't get my hand out of the way fast enough and the steam burned my index and middle finger on my right hand. Mercy, it hurt! I managed to get through supper and then I went outside and snapped a piece of aloe off my aloe plant and promptly applied the gel to my fingers. I was worried that it would keep me up all night but it only hurt for a few more minutes and then, all of a sudden, the pain disappeared. I mean it was completely gone. Yay! I put the gel on several times throughout the following day and my finger was looking really good. You could hardly tell it had been burned. But, today, I had to tighten one of the hoses to the washing machine and I scraped my burn on the threads of the other hose. OUCH! The burned skin ripped off and was hurting all over again. Needless to say, I applied more gel and a bandaid immediately. It feels much better.
Okay, so I just realized that I can't keep a post short... teehee! But, I hope you enjoyed my pictures and my stories! You guys and gals that faithfully read my blog and so often take the time to make comments are awesome and are what keeps me pursuing this blog. Many hugs and thanks to you!
Till next time,
