Quarantine week 6.................

Well here we are still in quarantine for want of a better word. It's not so bad. Not for me anyway. For some of us who don't mind being alone, or at least being at home, it's not an ordeal. It is therefore hard for me to imagine how it must be for some. I know people are protesting, not just the fact they are told to stay put but some want to be at their summer homes, some are hurting because their businesses will be devastated by this. It will certainly be interesting to see how people get out of this. A lot of people are going to lose everything. I suppose being retired, not relying on work at this time is better than most. We shall see. I rely on God and put all my trust in Him. As long as we stay healthy things will work out, but not for everyone.
So what to do while we are shut in. Today I got caught up on the house so that tomorrow maybe we can work on the garden.








So a few friends from around the garden have entertained me some. I will keep the feeders out for them and maybe sow some sunflowers this year.
I have a confession. We did go out for a drive on Monday. It wasn't really a very nice day but I really wanted to get out. I had hoped that with there not being so many people around we might just see some animals but nope. Only some deer who looked like they are shedding their winter coats.




There was not a lot going on. All trails and beaches are closed. I saw one lady sitting in her car just watching the waves, another lady went for a walk. I took a few pictures of the beach and the river but it was not really a good day for pictures.They just said that garden centers may just open up May 1st. That would be good news if done safely.





Well, one of the things to do while "trapped" inside is to bake. I didn't have any butter left but found a recipe for "sweet bread"
Ingredients......2 cups of sugar....4 cups of all purpose flour.....2 tablespoons of baking powder.....1 teaspoon of salt.....2 eggs....2 cups of milk....2/3 cups of vegetable oil.

Grease 6 mini loaf pans or 2 regular size. (I used spray) Turn oven on 350
1/ combine dry ingredients, sugar, flour, salt and baking powder
2/ In a large bowl beat together the eggs and milk, then mix in the oil.
3/ mix in the dry ingredients a little at a time.

Pour the batter into the tins.
4/ Sprinkle sugar over the top of the batter. (if not using a glaze)
Bake 40 mins
To this basic batter you can add fruit or nuts or any other goodies like chocolate chips. It is a delicate tasting cake/bread. Will be great with Birds custard. It would be great with pineapple and a glazed top.

Quarantine...........

This is going to be week six of the quarantine.......for us it's been easy enough really. We don't see a lot of people anyway. I have cleaned the bedrooms and upstairs bathrooms, sorted and tidied through the house. Worked on my Family history and still not run out of things to do. It has also made me lazy. I don't think I have sat around so much in my life. We did manage a few days start on the garden tidy up. The leaves that had been raked to the curb seem to have snuck back into the garden though. It's been cold, it's snowed, it's rained and then the wind picked up. Seems like its going to be a slow start this year. Just as well as we can't go to the garden centers anyway. I need a truck load of wood chips. Other than that it's not time for flowers yet. I don't know why everyone is complaining about the order to stay home. They just don't want to be told what to do, that's it right there. With so many people dying from this virus you would think they would want to keep their families safe, but no, their "rights" are being infringed on.
Well, we did sneak out for a drive one day, it was wonderful. First though, a look around the garden, my Crow came down for bread....




Then today the Robins were about






The governor says we can go for hikes, and walks about the neighbourhood, walk dogs etc. Well we have avoided travel or contact of any kind but this day we got out for a drive. There were so many people who were completely ignoring the stay at home and avoid contact that the National parks just closed down. I don't blame them. Well we didn't go for a walk but did stop to take some pictures. No people around, it was wonderful. Gas is 1.69 so may as well take advantage. Use gloves to pump gas.







We went on the back roads, no traffic. Not much to see either but we made our way to Leland to check on Fishtown. It was windy and cold, nothing going on, construction as with everything else is at a standstill.




We had not intended staying out long but did stop to check on the Sand Hill Cranes.





There are two couples again, and one odd one that I take is the baby from last year looking for a mate. The Canada Geese are there again too. They hang out together and nest in the same area. The Beavers have flooded a good area and I assume good feeding now for water fowl.I couldn't capture the colour of the water because we were not allowed on the beach but got a glimpse of it through the trees. Wish I could have got a good picture we have never seen such a brilliant turquoise as this day.








well it was a short trip, no deer, nothing much to see but a breath of fresh air and some beautiful birds. Enough to keep us going till next time.

Bored? Not me.................

Of course I am frustrated not getting out to take pictures.I have to say I can never say I am bored. I could really stay put forever if I really had To. Of course I don't want to, I want to get out walking and all that. One thing though, the ticks. So many people are posting that their dogs have ticks on them after walking in the woods and I did too when I was last out. SO I guess the main thing now is to get a spray and use it. I hate the idea of ticks crawling on me, or even worse biting.

Meanwhile I am entertaining myself with back yard photos. I was very happy to see the fish today. The first time we have seen them. The pond needs a lot of work and needs all the leaves to be taken out.


Our almost daily visit from Nelly and Nigel means that Nelly has a dip in the pond. They come up to the deck now, when I see them I go and get bread and throw it to them as they wait patiently. I wondered if she impacted the fish by taking her daily dip. I think she likes the spray from the pump. Isn't she cute. Nigel stands guard.

The Covid19 virus is still going strong. The stay home order is keeping us all in our homes. I know many many people have issues with that. I know the people who go away for winter are having fits after being told to stay where they are. They believe they have a right to come back to summer homes and that they spend their money here. What they don't get is that it doesn't help anyone if they die of the virus or worse bring it here. People need to stop being selfish and just do as they are told. So many dying. I want to go for a drive and really can't see why that's not allowed but until I hear otherwise I will make do here. I will take pictures of the local critters.




we can go to the store so I may have to make a run for bird food. When we need groceries Gerry goes on his own. One less person out there if I stay home.




Nigel and Nelly are not the only ones who like the pond. The birds go to it and so do the squirrels.
I can see the earth coming back to life. Daffs and Hyacinth are popping through.



I am doing my Spring cleaning. What is hardest for me is getting off this thing (computer) and getting on with it, when you have forever its easy to procrastinate. I am working on some deep cleaning so that when I am allowed out I can go. After I am done inside then its time for the garden. Gerry has been raking. It's hard on our old bodies after sitting so long. I can't wait to get out there and this year I can't afford to spend much so I must make do by using what I have. I will re-pot and fertilize. Mostly the wood chips are the first thing I do need. Maybe some blocks to make my wall look better and some slate for the patio. As to flowers well maybe a couple of flats of annuals. No veggies they just don't do well. Anyway, with all the things I have to do here how can I be bored.

I want to do some watercolours and I need to get some sewing done..........I could use a whole year of quarantine and still not be done.......but.....I really do want to get out.