I'm Baaaaack!

Did you miss me? :)

I missed you all. I missed blogging regularly and hopping online so easily to check in with my online community. Lol, I feel quite rusty right now! It's been ages since I last wrote anything other than a to-do list and I think my poor camera is suffering from neglect.

Well, the problem is, my computer is still achingly slow and prone to crashing at random inopportune moments. Couple that with an ever-tightening schedule (holidays, homeschoolng, home projects, etc.) and it seems I just have no extra time to be on the computer - let alone fight with the computer - but I am going to persevere! I  am going to attempt a post - my first post in *gasp* weeks! - this evening! While I can't promise a daily post right now - at least not until after the holidays - I am going to make a concerted effort to blog as often as I reasonably can.

Because I miss this place. :)

Things have been busy and bustling as usual around here - it seems nothing (except my computer, lol) has slowed down since Thanksgiving. Today we hosted the December meeting of our Nature Club (theme: Winter Birds) and I took lots of pictures. I just got them uploaded and thought I would share.

We had our first real snow of the season yesterday, and a large flock of red-breasted robins visited the yard. They were particularly interested in our holly bushes. 

 

Ten families visited today - I set up a birdfeeder craft to start. Each child got a wheat bagel half onto which some twine had been tied.  

They smeared the bagels with shortening or lard ... 

 

And then "decorated" the ornaments with goodies like dried fruits, cracked corn and seeds.

We left the bagels to head out on a walk along the Bike Path out back. We looked for signs of Winter. (OK, truth be told the kids mostly threw snowballs at each other, but it was still a gorgeous day, and the scenery, set off by a dusting of snow was lovely.

   

At the end of the day I hung the leftover bagels in our tree: 

Happy Winter Solstice, little birdies!

Next month our Nature Club will head north to a Wolf Sanctuary - just in time for January's Full Wolf Moon. :)

OK, I'd best be off now. My computer has not crashed yet but I fear I might be pushing my luck! By the way, I haven't read the comments from the last post yet because I really haven't been online at all during my absence, but I will plan to do so tomorrow; thanks for keeping in touch. Speaking of tomorrow we are in for a humdinger of a snowstorm up here in New England! I'll be taking even more photos and with a little luck I'll be back to blog along with you all again soon.

Thanks for sticking by me, and I hope you are all enjoying these lingering late days of Advent.

Good Night!

Comments

[Adria]

So happy to see you are back! Missed you very much! Merry Christmas! :-)

[Amy]

So great to have you back, Dawn! It was a treat to log on this morning and visit your corner of cyber-space and see a new post! or two! It is such a pleasure to read your writing. Blessings to you!

[Lisa]

So happy to see you are back! I've missed your lovely posts. Happy Holidays!

[Julie]

Merry Christmas. So glad to have you back. I kept checking in and what a surprise to see you were back!

[Kim]

Welcome back! I was so excited to see you in my google reader/messages today! :-) Merry Christmas!

[Kristina]

Glad you're back. It's always fun to see the activities you do with your kids. The bagel idea looks like fun. I'll have to try it with my kids.

[Christa]

yeah!... everything is right with the world again! Thanks for coming back, Dawn! :) Blessings to you and your family

[Krys]

Dawn, I have missed you. Have a wonderful Holiday season with your family and friends. Your pictures are great. Thank you for sharing.

Krys

PS send some snow our way in NC. The kids would love it!

[Carol Van bork]

Welcome back!!
Hope Santa brings you a new Computer!!
Lots of snow falling here in western NY 1-2 inches an hour! Juncos are feeding right through it. Glad all is well , Merry Christmas to All!

[Heidi in NJ]

Welcome back! Great idea with the bagel birdfeeders, we will have to try that. You will love the wolf sanctuary. We visited one here in NJ (we actually camped there as well) and it was amazing. I didn't think I would be so enthralled like the dh and kids but I think I was the most into it! Welcome back again, you were missed.

[Laura@OurHouseofJoyfulNoise]

Welcome back Dawn!! And what a welcome you're getting!! Sorry about your pesky computer problems-hope it is squared away soon! Happy Advent!

[Susan]

Dawn, the bagels look perfect for an outside Christmas tree. Thank you!

[Angel]

I was just thinking how much I missed you -- and look, you're back! Yay!! And with a great idea that I will show Katydid, too :-)

[Tami]

Oh, yes, you were missed! Look at all the comments already!! : )

Welcome, welcome back!!

I emailed you a Washington Post article on Ina Garten - did you get it?

[Penny in VT]

Yay! You're well and happy! That is so great!

I saw that you won this award -

http://www.dreambox.com/blog/dreambox-ranks-the-top-eight-homeschooling-blogs/879/

And very well deserved!

Blessings as you continue on your merry way :)

[Penny in VT]

Oh Dawn! I am so glad you're all well!

Did you know you won an amazing blog award? I'll link it to you in a minute:)

[deezie]

I am so happy you are back!!! I was checking everyday to see if you were. I missed reading your blog. You have always been one of my favorites I read everyday, I love the way the bagels turned out :)
I am in Ct, so we are having the same snowstorm as you are:) happy day Dawn and Merry Christmas if you dont' get a chance to get back on
deezie

[Lisa]

HURRAY!! Dawn is back!!! :)

[KatieButler]

Welcome back!

[Melissa R]

Glad to see a post from you :)
Could you tell me where the wolf sanctuary is? The name of it? It sounds like something I'd like to do with my family.

Melissa R

[Sarah]

I'm sorry about all your computer troubles but have missed your posts. I'm making plans for the solstice and now know what to do with the 3 dozen very old bagels that are residing in my freezer!

[Jane Marlin]

I love your blog and am glad to see you're blogging again!

[Genevieve]

Welcome back, Dawn! WE missed you terribly! We love the birdfeeder craft!

[alecat]

Glad to see you back! I love reading your blog and seeing all your nature projects from the other side of our world. You're an inspiration. :)

[Mrs darling]

Just today I found myself wondering anew if we'd ever hear from you again. I missed you and am soooo glad you are back!

[LeeAnn]

Glad you are back! I had a feeling today I would see a new post from you. :) The bagel bird feeders are cute. Stay warm! Lots of snow coming your way, I guess!

[Shonda]

Oh yippee! I am SO glad you are back! Absence really does make the heart grow fonder and you were sorely missed. I was getting worried, too!
Hugs,
Shonda in So. Cal

[Jennifer]

I've missed you so! I was a wee bit worried. Praying that your Christmas is peaceful and joyful!

[Sue]

Yay! I am so glad to see you back! It was kind of good for me, actually, as I had to come up with Advent ideas all on my own;).
Well, truth be told, I just had to do the internet searching all on my own. I really missed being able to come over here and see Advent at your house!

Hope your computer woes are figured out soon.

[Charlotte (Matilda)]

You were most definitely missed!!! Glad you are back in what ever way you can be. Prayers for a Christmas computer miracle!

[Lucille]

MISSED YOU!!!!!!

[Allison]

I love the bagel bird feeders. That is such a great idea! Welcome back, I miss reading your posts. =)

[Shannon]

Oh! I was just wondering about you earlier today! It's so good to "see" you!

[Marjon]

Phew! Pleased to hear it was only computer troubles and the lovely busy-ness of the season keeping you away. Great to see you back, and it's not like we don't have plenty to read with your wonderful archives!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Kia ora,
Marjon.

[stephanie]

So glad you are back and hope that you are up and running like normal again soon!

[Louise]

So happy to see you back!

[Lisa T]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has missed you, Dawn. I was delighted to see your post tonight. I hope that the rest of your Advent is blessed and that your computer cooperates enough that you can post when you find some blogging time.

[Nancy]

Oh, welcome back Dawn! Your presence in this blog world has been missed. I hope you and your family have been busy preparing for the birth of Our Lord!!! I am so glad you're back! I can't wait to hear what you've been up to!