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Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Bird feeders, Invisalign, Trader Joe's!

Just checking in from this dreary February 1st.  We've had a lot of rain lately but I'm just glad we haven't had any snow!

Dan's been in Ireland for the last two weeks and will be home tomorrow night! 

I know you've all been sitting on pins and needles wanting a bird update so here ya go...

I got another bird feeder in the hopes of enticing more cardinals.  I did a little research (aka Google search) and determined that cardinals need either a platform feeder, a hopper feeder, or a suet feeder. I immediately headed to Walmart and got them a platform feeder - which is basically a larger open dish. 

Here is a photo to illustrate:


 And it came with a "bird bath" which is essentially a less attractive bowl:


While I have yet to see any cardinals eating from it, the other birds are really enjoying the platform feeder.  Most mornings I will find the tufted titmouses (tufted titmice?) eating from the platform feeder and then heading to the original feeder up against the window.  I have even occasionally seen a couple of birds drinking from the bird bath.

So, it is officially official - your girl is a crazy bird lady.  I am contemplating getting one of these for the spring when my hummingbirds return:

Just kidding!  Although.......

In other news, I just started week 10 of wearing Invisalign. Which means I am 1/4 of the way done!  My teeth are definitely moving so that's promising.  I am supposed to keep them in between 20-22 hours per day.  I think I am averaging 21. I was hoping to be at 22 on a regular basis but since you can't have them in your mouth when drinking coffee that's not going to happen.  

The kids are doing well. Sarah was accepted into the Emerging Leaders Program at school.  Last semester she applied and interviewed and was accepted.  They had several mixers where they got to meet the other students in the program.  And this semester they are meeting once a week.  She will be listening to speakers, participating in workshops, learning about leadership opportunities on campus, and participating in community service and social events. Last weekend there was an overnight retreat off campus and she got to really get to know some of the other members, did team building activities and learned about different leadership styles.  

After the retreat, she booked it home and spent Saturday night here.  I like to think that she came home to see me but I know she really just came home to see Joe who happened to be home to see NC State play Wake Forest in Winston-Salem.  But I don't care why she came home, I just glad she did!

Here is a picture of Sarah and Joe. Aren't they the cutest???

 

Peter and his fraternity spent the weekend in Pigeon Forge.  They had a blast and among other things got to ride on the Smokey Mountain Alpine Coaster which is the longest one in the US!  

I got to go to lunch with Mom and Jennifer on Saturday afternoon.  It was a nice treat and I loved spending time with both of them.  We meant to get the waiter to take our picture but we forgot. :(

I had my yearly mammogram yesterday and as a treat to myself, I went to Trader Joe's afterwards.  I got some lovely tulips:

My main reason for going was to grab some Green Goddess seasoning.  I love that stuff!  While I was there I also picked up their Salmon Rub and used it last night.  I was not a fan.  I didn't think it had any flavor.  Either that or I didn't use enough but I wasn't impressed.

I also grabbed some Chile Spiced Pineapple Rings.  They were very chewy and very spicy.  A nice little treat but I think I would have preferred plain dried pineapple to the Chile spiced variety.  

I got some Brazil nuts as well.  I have heard that two Brazil nuts a day are good antioxidants and have a host of health benefits.  I'll be sure to let you know how healthy I am in a few weeks! :)

I also picked up some chocolate covered peanut butter filled pretzel bites, vegetable fried rice, and Kung Pao Chicken.  I haven't tried those yet, but I am hoping they are good.

Do you guys shop at Trader Joe's?  What are your favorite items?



7 comments:

Gigi said...

I'm not the cook or the grocery shopper - so no, "we" (I mean he) doesn't shop at Trader Joe's. He's been a few times, but thinks it's too crowded and leaves before he can look around to see what's what. But I may have to go just for the tulips...they are gorgeous!

Beth Cotell said...

Gigi - I feel the same way as your husband about Trader Joe's. It's always crowded. Normally I just want to browse and see what fun things they have but everyone is always pushing and rushing past me. Their flower section is usually really, really good though!

Mari said...

I love watching the birds too!
Glad the kids are doing kid. Sarah and Joe are very cute together.
The Trader Joes nearest me is about 45 minutes away so I rarely get there. My daughter lives closer and loves it.
I see you are making it your mission to torment me with tulips again! :) I love them and I know you do too, so I'll just have to look at them here.

Beth Cotell said...

Mari - It's definitely tulip time and I'm not made about it!

Ernie said...

I hear admitting you are a crazy bird lady is the first step. Kidding! Cute photo of Sarah and Joe. I'm sure she came home to see you. I've been to Trader Joe's but it is not near my house - way too far off the beaten path for me to shop there. I know some people are crazy about that place, but I don't get the draw.

Pat Birnie said...

Feeding and watching birds is so much fun! We have bird feeders at home, but not at our cottage. Sitting on the deck this summer reading I looked up to see hummingbirds buzzing around the wild flowers ,just feet in front of me. I think it was the highlight of my summer! We don’t have Trader Joes in Canada- boohoo. It sounds so great

Busy Bee Suz said...

As a fellow crazy bird lady, I understand ALL of this! My cardinals love the hopper feeder. I bought for the first time a suet feeder a few months ago with two different flavors and I've seen only ONE bird go to it. Not sure what the issue is as I have a hundred birds around each day, but they avoid the suet. I've been thinking of getting a platform feeder, so you've helped me make that decision.

We have a Trader Joes, but I rarely get there as it's across town and always packed!