Rambling Before the Brambling

Jeremy invited us to get up early on Saturday, March 9, to go see a once in a lifetime bird. Brambling. A bird you are likely to find in Europe and Asia but not in the Continental United States (they can be seen on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska).

Because I am a morning person, I talked a lot on the 1 1/2 hour drive there. Jeremy said I was rambling before the brambling.

The brambling was in someone's backyard and they gave permission for people to come see the bird. So when we got there, there were quite a few other birders who came soon after us and around the same time. It was awesome. It was cold but it was awesome. And so worth it. All of us who went (besides Jet, who would chase all the birds away if we let him out of the van so we took turns in the van with him) got to see it and Nichole got a couple good pictures. Our camera was dying and our new camera didn't come the day before like it was supposed to. Sigh.

I took my turn in the van with Jet first. I looked at juncos in the nearby bushes while the others were getting glimpses of the brambling. I was just sitting there looking out the windshield when all of a sudden a bird with a black head landed in the tree right in front of me. It had some coloring to it and I made the comment, "That's not a junco." I used my binoculars to see that it was indeed a brambling. I used my phone and got a really bad picture but I saw it. 

I did get a chance to get out of the van for a better look with binoculars later. So cool. It kind of looks like a spotted towhee but it isn't one.

Here's one of Nichole's pictures.

 

Well, that was a big deal birding trip. It was like when we went to see the Great Gray Owl in 2017. It was great.

Jet insisted he and Nichole wear the earphones but they weren't connected to anything.

 

That wasn't the end of our day, however. Oh no, it wasn't. Jr. was in the pit orchestra for "Beauty and the Beast" again this year, just at his own high school instead of another high school in town.

Jeremy took Lucky to the matinee that afternoon and I took Nichole to the evening performance. We had friends sit by us and other friends we got to chat with during intermission and after the play.

I'm proud of how hard Jr. worked again and I was happy to support him and other people in the cast (one of the dancers in the play is a neighbor).

Since March 9 was National Meatball Day and Get Over It Day, I was heard to say, "Get over it, you meatball," that day (it's tradition).

I made Mexican Meatballs from "A Season of Family Meal Plans" volume 1 along with Creamy Potato Soup (from the same book). Jet helped me make Italian Bread Bowls (not from that book but from Mel's Kitchen Cafe). Some of the bread bowls were more rounded and some were a little flatter (thanks, Jet). That's what you get from my baking buddy, though. He did help clean up the table and do dishes afterward, though.

He was such a big helper, he helped himself to one of the "big rolls" when they were done. I'd say he earned it.

March 9 was also Popcorn Lover's Day but we didn't have popcorn until the next day while we were celebrating Mario Day (MAR10) by playing Mario video games.

Before video games, we went to support my niece who just got home from her mission and gave a talk in her ward. Then we spent time at my sister's house with family. You know I love family. 

Leap Year 2024

It's Leap Year once again. Last time we had one of these it was four years ago. Heh Heh.

Actually last time, Jet and I were both sick on Leap Day. Then the whole world got sick that year, 2020.

Today, I have a mild cold and Jet also has a cold but his is a bit worse. His nose is a lot more goopy. Oh, and Jr. has a bit of a cold, too, but he doesn't get to stop and rest because tomorrow is Opening Night for "Beauty and the Beast" at his high school and he is in the pit orchestra again this year.

Leap Day in 2016 several people in the family were sick.

It doesn't look like we were sick for Leap Year in 2012.

I don't know how 2008 was. I wasn't blogging yet.

I still have a lot of catching up to do because recently I was too tired to blog, then our internet was out for several days, then I got this cold so didn't feel up to it, now we're back to me being tired again, so to go along with tradition, here is a picture of the sky.

Happy Leap Day.

Oh, and Jeremy and I did watch the movie, Leap Year, yesterday.

Beauty and the Beast

Recently, Nichole and Jr. had the opportunity to be in a pit orchestra for the play, "Beauty and the Beast." The orchestra was made up of students from two high schools since the conductor was the orchestra teacher for both high schools and invited students from both to be in it.

It was wonderful. Everybody did such a good job- actors, orchestra, behind the scenes people. Jeremy took Lucky one night to watch it and I took Jr. Jr. one afternoon to watch it.

While Jr. Jr. and I had our bonding time, we had some good discussions.

 

Jr. Jr.: It shows Lumiere's candles wax melting and he has been a candelabra for many many years so this is him when the curse was first initiated.

I laughed so much. I love that kid.

 

I'm proud of Nichole and Jr. That is a lot of playing each night and twice on Saturday for most of a week (besides all the rehearsals) because besides accompaniment to the musical numbers (which there were a lot, more than I've heard in the movies), they also played background music (and overture, entr'acte, curtain call, exit music). It really added a lot having live music. I loved it and I'm glad Nichole and Jr. had that experience.

One of Nichole's friends gave her a rose and both she and Jr. were given candygrams as well. Note the silk rose in Jr.'s pocket. Something else he was given.