Sunday

It was a late night for the little girl, late night for her mommy, late night for grandma. Only Ed seems to have slept as he always sleeps -- which is to say, without any predictability or schedule.

You can mess with bedtime easily enough, but it's harder to mess with wake up time. I am up as early as on any day. I have it in my head that I must feed the cats before the stampede takes place (meaning before the cheepers are set free).

Brrrr!! It is another very cold morning. I read that it is to be the final very cold morning, but knowing that does not make it any more pleasant to be outside. Indeed, spring appears to be suspended: nothing new is blooming. The same daffodils that came out early are hanging in there, but they are alone in their efforts.







The rest of the pack is stalled.






(This Helleborus is next in line to bloom. It really should have opened up the end of March. Here we are in mid-April and I bet you can barely see its purple flower head.)






Eventually, the sleeping bandits trickle downstairs. Snowdrop is at the head of the line. Note dark circles under the eyes!






Breakfast! Pancakes and bacon of course.






... with fruit to make pancake faces and maple syrup, just because.






There is a bit of drama after the morning meal. A pack of hawks settles on the barn roof. One of them begins to circle the farmland paths. I go out immediately. The cheepers are mindful of the threat. I can't see them anywhere. Except for Pepper, who seems either oblivious or confused. She walks slowly. Happy hovers. I do the arm waving thing and I make threatening noises. It always works -- the hawks all join together to hover, as in battle with me, but eventually they recede. It is a reminder that these huge birds will never really go away. But of course, everyone who allows their chickens to free range knows this. You can protect your flock, but only so much.

Our girls come out unscathed today, thanks to the sharp eyes of Snowdrop and her mom.  I'm hoping that this particular family of hawks has moved on.

In the evening, the young family returns, this time as a complete set!

(taller than mommy already??)




(before coming in, they sit down to have a serious conversation about stuff...)






(all's right with the world!)






I am repeating a pasta with seafood dish. It's just too popular with everyone to put aside for another time. Today, I add squid to the shrimp and scallops and Snowdrop proclaims that she looooves the little eight legged creatures. She fishes out every last one (in addition to the shrimp and scallop, which she also adores.)






I think Sparrow is not pleased that all he gets is a puree of peas, brown rice and spinach. But, he make the best of it. Puffy rice treats from his sister help.






(happy children)






Later, much later, the clouds begin to recede. The setting sun throws warm light on the tips of trees.





Sunshine tomorrow. And a return to spring. I'm sure of it.