Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Christmas in Portland

We stayed home.
We watched the birds.
We read new books and listened to music.

The House Wren found seed under the feeder.


The Northern Flickers found bugs.




The Robins ate berries.

We played cribbage while the fire crackled.
The Mujadarrah, lentils and rice with fried onions,
is simmering while I write. Brussels sprouts and carrots
with sesame seeds, are ready to compliment our Holiday meal.
Staying with gourmet cooks makes for delicious dining!

We leave tomorrow. We will miss these birds and the laughter.


12 comments:

smilnsigh said...

You had a lovely visit, and I wish you a safe trip home.

Mari-Nanci

Q said...

Dear Mari-Nanci,
We had a lovely Christmas!
So hope you did too.
Thank you for all of your blessings.
Hugs,
Sherry

Mary said...

I'm almost embarrassed to say I have not seen a Northern Flicker. In time...

Your visit sounds very relaxing. Peaceful.

Hugs,
Mary

Q said...

Dear Mary,
One of these days a pair will come! They are rather shy birds in my area too. Once in awhile a pair will come for acorns.
In Portland there is a pair that live near my daughter's house. She sees them often. I was thrilled to see them. She lives in the city and I was concerned I would not see very many birds. The rain kept me from getting very many photos.
Maybe when I go back in the spring I can get some good bird photos.
Sherry

Chrissie said...

I do feel you have had a wonderful Christmas :-) Always sad to say goodbye and leave but happy memories to take away ease the parting. It is wonderful to hear our children laugh and joke :-) I look forward to seeing and reading about your birds and butterflies in 2008 :-)

Q said...

Dear Chris,
I had a wonderful Christmas!
No schedule, much laughter with all sorts of fun activities and birds!
It is always sad to say goodbye. I miss the kids. Happy tho they are finding their way. With both of my kids on the west coast I am inclined to travel a bit more.
Seeing their birds and butterflies will be fun too.
The sound of laughter is my most favotite sound!
We will have fun in 2008!
Thank-you Chris, for all your kind words.
Looking forward to 2008.
Hugs across the sea,
Sherry

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Hi Sherry, It looks as though you had a great time with your family.

Is that first bird a Fox Sparrow? It looks like you might have miss labled it.

I love Flickers. They are my favorite wookpecker. If you were in Portland it was probably the Flicker with red under the wings instead of the yellow-shafted variety we have around here.

Such fun...I bet you will be out there this summer bird and butterfly watching.

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
I think you are right!
My daughter calls this little bird her House Wren. My husband thought it had too much gray and not the right tail. While talking with my daughter tonight I told her you thought her little bird was a Fox Sparrow. She looked in her book and was not sure. After more looking here and there we all agree little bird is a Fox Sparrow. Thank you. You are so good!
I never looked little bird up. I just took pictures!
Portland's Flickers are the ones with red under their wings.
I did not bring any field guides this past trip. Come spring I will!
I would love to see the butterflies of the West. I would love to get a decent picture of a Scrub Jay! This trip was all about looking at my daughter and laughing. In the spring we will get down to some serious birding and bugging.
Thanks again. Always nice to know the names of the birds and the bugs.
Sherry

Grammy said...

Northern Flickers are beautiful.

Q said...

Dear Grammy,
Thank you for stopping by my travel blog.
I am not traveling this year!
I will miss seeing my daughter in Portland and my son in California!
Flickers are beautiful birds!
Sherry

Mary said...

I love the flicker! I never see him here.

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