Yesterday was a beautiful day; sunny and in the mid-sixties.
We were busy.
First time using the potting area in the shed! Note: I potted some urns by the porch as I didn’t want to carry them all the way to the shed. But everything else? In the shed. I’m starting to look at everything on the porch that I’ve stashed there out of necessity in the past; broken bits of pots for potting, tools, a big rubbermaid tote that I kept under the picnic table and I’m realizing that all of it can go in the shed!
We also mowed the corral and the back forty in the middle of my ongoing potting of plants.
We also saw a huge hawk in one of our maple trees – right by the corral. I ran inside the house to get my telephoto lens. This guy wasn’t budging, even though we tried to shoo him away. They’re around here more often lately because of the chickens next door. – I’ve often chased them off. In the middle of all of this, I realized I hadn’t heard the rooster next door for a long time. I wonder if he was taken by a hawk? I’m afraid to ask. This is one of the reasons I won’t keep chickens. Too many predators. Too much heartbreak.
Hawk flying away. Finally. Since he was in silhouette, I can’t be sure, but I think he’s a Northern Goshawk. They have that white eyebrow marking. His wing span was massive.
Side note, we’ve also seen a Bald Eagle recently, hanging out near the river.
After we finished our chores, I took a shower and then we traveled several hundred feet down our road, made a left turn, and visited the Taco Truck. We recently learned that about its existence and that it would be parked by the Old Grist Mill across the road on a daily basis. We were thinking that we’d buy something to help them out because surely not that many people would know of their location. We were wrong. There was a long line of people ordering and while we were in line, a group of bikers roared up the road and also got in line.
Delicious food which we ate while sitting on one of the decks right outside the Mill – one that not many people know about. We know because we live across the road and sometimes walk around the grounds.
This was our view:
Water flowing under the now unused mill and the river. If you walked out of the upper right corner of the photo and crossed the road diagonally, you would arrive at our cottage.
Also yesterday:
Our first groundhog sighting. This guy seems to be living in the tunnels under the big maple. Or maybe he was just hanging out there, which often happens. He’s on the smallish side, but I’m betting he’s the one who ate the tulip and is nibbling on some hosta leaves.
It was so beautiful that I wandered around the property and took some photos with both of my big girl cameras.
A baby crabapple right by the maple on the far side of the porch, near our property line.
Working outside, potting, feeling the warmth of the sun, doing a bit of mowing – that’s my happy place. I felt my shoulders drop for the first time in a long time. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.
We will be taking it easy today as it’s raining.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Hello,
I love the photo of you by the food truck. You look happy and fashionably casual.
Take Care,
Kaye
Park City, UT
Thank you, Kaye. How nice of you!
Stay safe.
Sounds like a good days work followed by a lovely dinner with a view. Great ending to a great day for you…no wonder your shoulders dropped! ;)
Thanks so much, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Sounds like a perfect Sunday with bonus tacos! I noticed it has vegetarian items. Oh how I wish a vegetarian food truck would park by my house! It is hard to find any vegetarian or vegan around here. I am trying to eat primarily plant based for health reasons. The best I can do at most restaurants is ask to
make some modifications or order only sides.
Take care
I still have to do that when I travel. Don and I are used to it by now – especially in Europe!
Stay safe, Marilyn.
Beautiful Sunday!! Love the potting shed and so nice to have it all in one place. Gorgeous photos Claudia. My Mom lost another sibling yesterday and so it’s been a rough time for all of us here lately. Just praying for a good month of May. Hugs!
I’m so sorry to hear this, Linda. Love to you and your mother.
Stay safe.
Nice!!!!! Enjoy
Thanks, Pat.
Stay safe.
I love your secret (?) picnic spot! I could just watch water move and tumble and swirl for…like, ever, maybe? I know what you mean about the hawk. we had one last year at the lake and I blame it for the missing robins and eggs and nest we had suddenly. They are beautiful, but in a malevolent sort of way. Yay for a hedgehog sighting!
I could too. It’s very restful.
Yes, hawks are magnificent but I don’t like them.
Stay safe, Shanna.
Great pictures! How fun would it be to have a food truck right next-door? And I’m certain I would be eating my lunch down by that creek every single day.
We tend to forget about the creek because we’re so used to seeing it across the road. But we’ve made a vow to go over there more often.
Stay safe, Sandy.
Claudia you share so wonderfully and are a bright light as is Don. I listen to his songs, read every post you write, so glad you are on instagram. Hugs. Keep safe.
Joy (from aVintageGreen blog which stopped working)
I’m so sorry to hear your blog stopped working! There’s no way to fix it?
Stay safe, Joy.
Sounds like an absolutely wonderful Sunday!
Potting plants, mowing, observing nature in all her glory, and a good food truck nearby — what a wonderful way to spend a Spring Sunday!
Love the shots of the river, groundhog, and crabapple.
Stay safe & well.
Thank you, Amy. It’s so nice to get outdoors again to take some photos.
Stay safe.
What a wonderful day you’ve described.
Thank you, Linda.
Stay safe!
Food trucks are so fun! It was a gorgeous day here too. Felt great to finally get outside. We mulched a side garden and got that huge chore out of the way….Love getting my hands dirty.
I do, too. Isn’t it wonderful to be back outside again?
Stay safe, Mamey.
Looking at that first bird photo, and looking at the head, that looks like a turkey vulture. We’ve had a lot of them around here (Illinois lately). I’ve seen them by the river over the years, but lately have been noticing them in the neighborhoods. Also, that is a very cute picture of you by the food truck. I love food trucks!
No, it’s not a turkey vulture – at least, I think it’s not. I thought it might be as we have them here, as well. But their heads look like turkey heads and they’re red, not like this one that is dark and has white and brown feathers. Turkey vultures often hang out in our woods. But the wing feathers reminded me of the wings of a turkey vulture.
Thanks so much, Jenny.
Stay safe.
A food truck nearby!! What fun, and with veggie options! I recommend utilizing their services on the long days of planting and mowing ahead. Nice to contribute to local economy, too.
Great to hear the shed works well for potting and that you can move more in there to do the job and clean some off of the porch. Hope you had a good day today. Still way too cold to work outside here. Take care.
I hope it warms up for you soon, Chris. I know it must be frustrating!
Stay safe.
That is so cool you went to support the taco truck! Good for you both.
Sounds like life is perking up! Spring in the north is crazy and wonderful!
It is. But I’m sure glad it’s finally here!
Stay safe, Kay.
Sounds like a wonderful day. There is nothing like being out in nature and getting your hands in the dirt. I was wondering, can you hear the water when you are out in the yard? I am very happy for you! Love the picture of you by the truck too. Take care!
If there has been a lot of rain and the river is high, we can hear it. Depends.
Stay safe, Deb.
What a lovely post, Claudia. I love how your shed has evolved into the potting shed! And that hawk is magnificent. What a wonderful capture.
I loved that you have the taco truck so close to you and enjoyed such a lovely visit and lunch — what a view! It sounds like both a productive and delightful day, filled with many sweet surprises!