Finished puzzle:
By the artist Alphonse Mucha – “Zodiac.” I love, love his work and it was a joy to solve this puzzle.
Entirely with my left hand, by the way!
It’s getting much better.
It was both a rainy and a sunny weekend. Don mowed on Saturday and I did some pruning and weeding outside. Yesterday, it rained. Today is going to be sunny and then more rain for Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday is the day we go into the city to see the play. Fortunately, the theater is only a few blocks from the bus terminal – that works out well!
Over the weekend, we observed this year’s bunnies, a groundhog, a deer on the front lawn, lots of birds, and two beautiful mourning doves who stopped for a while on the birdbath. Oh, and a squirrel drinking out of the birdbath, which I’ve now seen three times this spring. I’ve never witnessed that before in all the years we’ve lived here. Is it the same squirrel every time?
And robins are building a nest in the burning bush. They built one there last year, as well. Welcome, little robins! I suppose I will be scolded every time I try to weed the big garden bed. Oh, boy.
I finished the book I was reading, so we stopped at the library to pick up the two books that I had on hold. They are The Instruments of Darkness by John Connolly (a favorite author) and Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz, another favorite author. I’ve already started the Connolly. Connolly writes detective novels unlike any others I know of, as they have a supernatural element, as well.
Just saw a chipmunk on the porch railing, chowing down on some sort of snack. Adorable.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Ellen D. says
Oh, that’s a lovely puzzle, Claudia! Looks tricky!
I will get out to do some weeding today. There are lots of weeds to pull but I am getting to them bit by bit. By the time I finish my way around the house, I am sure I will have to start again because I cannot always get the roots out! But it is nice to spend time outside!
You are lucky to have so much nature in your yard and you have a good eye for spotting it!
Enjoy your week!
Claudia says
Thank you, Ellen!
Stay safe.
kathy in iowa says
glad that your hand is feeling better. keep healing!
i think the beauty of that puzzle would override its difficulty, too. good work. worth it!
glad you’ve had some sunshine to balance the rain, also some time doing garden-work and now more books to read.
we received some rain overnight. off and on, just a few minutes at a time, soft and certainly no downpour, but we will take it! it’s a bit windy (again) so looking out my parents’ living room window, beyond the deck/railing, is their big swamp oak now full of bright happy green leaves and the wind makes everything living thing move so it looks like a big green swirling, churning ocean out there … beautiful.
have to get going on my to-do list it will feel good to have those things done, but i’d rather stare out the window. :)
hope you all have a great day! stay safe!
kathy
Claudia says
Thanks so much, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Betsy B says
What a beautiful puzzle! Are you going to use the puzzle glue to save it forever? I think the princess looks like you.
A stealthy chipmunk watched as my little mini schnauzer deciding where to do his business. This is the dog who barks at flies but had no idea the tiny chipmunk was a foot away from him! A good giggle to start the day.
Yesterday, a hungry looking momma bobcat strolled down our sidewalk. I hope her kits are not under the porch. I found some bear scat near a flower bed so I know for sure spring has definitely sprung!
Enjoy the sun and all the green!
Claudia says
Oh boy. A bobcat is a wee bit scary! As is a bear. We see our share of bears, but no bobcats, thank goodness!
Stay safe, Betsy.
Linda MacKean says
I love that puzzle. I would love. a print of that. I love this time of year with so many birds and animals out and about. I sit and watch from my big window. Almost done with the move. My daughter Ashleigh is coming out this week to help me finish and also to help me unpack the new place and get all settled before my birthday. I am so happy to be this close to being done I can’t begin to tell you.
Claudia says
Soon, Linda! Then you can sit back and relax!
Stay safe.
linda in ky says
dear Claudia/Don –this puzzle looks hard, never like soft, muted colors, find putting together more difficult for me (age problem ???? haha). have not attempted current puzzle at all (the one taking up dining room table, ha) debate: do I work on it or box it up and donate, sure hate to be a quitter but “the thrill is gone”. Will you all need to get “all dolled up” for your theater date?? sure hope you/Don have a great time. stay safe/healthy
Claudia says
Oh no! No one really dresses up for the theater anymore. Unless it’s an opening night. I’ll be wearing what I normally wear,.
Stay safe, Linda!
Elaine in Toronto says
Your property sounds like a wildlife refuge. I’m sure all the little critters feel safe. Beautiful “left-handed” jig-saw puzzle. Do you have one waiting in the wings? Enjoy your reading. Have a good week. Stay safe. Hugs, Elaine
Claudia says
Yes, another is waiting for me!
Stay safe, Elaine.
Kay in SE Wisconsin says
Lovely puzzle. And love hearing about your furry and/or feathered visitors. The squirrels here regularly look for a place to drink. So I’ve regularly set out ground level water for them along with the sunflower seeds and peanuts I’ve fed them the last four years – ever since the awful snowy winter we had where they simply scaled the 6 foot drifts in our backyard to reach the bird feeders. If I’m late feeding them, they’re right back attacking the feeders so I have to be punctual setting out their platter. The neighbors are amused by our three 3 fat gray visitors and one tiny but ferocious red guy.
Our front porch is off limits with momma robin on the nest at the top of the clematis trellis out there. She’s so loud, you don’t even want to sit there anyway.
Glad your hand is getting better.
Take care,
Kay
Claudia says
Yesterday, I saw the squirrel drinking out the birdbath again! So adorable.
Oh, those robins are loud and very protective of their nests!
Stay safe, Kay.
Wendy T says
So many animals and birds in and around your property. I saw a squirrel for the first time drink from the bowl I set out for the bees (I place pebbles in the center so they can perch on them and then drink). I guess the squirrel uses it too!
Have an entertaining time at the theater! Will you be able to go backstage?
Claudia says
Oh yes. Jim wants us to come backstage. But, as it’s a 2 show day, we won’t stay long. He’ll need to rest.
Stay safe, Wendy.
jeanie says
A new Horowitz! That’s definitely cause for celebration!
Your Mucha puzzle is a gem. He’s one of my favorites (we saw a magnificent exhibition of his work in Paris in 2018 that I will never forget.) My first large needlepoint was of the Bernhardt “Camelias” poster. It sounds like a productive weekend in many ways and now you’re off to the theatre! Enjoy!