Saturday, February 2, 2013

Just a perfect day

Today was one of those ordinary days, the kind of day that you learn to appreciate when you come to realize that ordinary days are the stuff of life. I woke to the sun shining and the realization that the only two things on my agenda were to take a walk and to take my vacuum for its yearly service. I completed only one of my goals. But I’m ok with that.

A year ago, I bought the vacuum I’d been lusting over for the past ten years. I had wanted a Miele after reading and hearing so many wonderful things about them. It’s recommended that you service your Miele vacuum once a year, and the way I use mine – well, let’s just say it needed it. And today was the day I’d decided to drop it off in Wilmington and I am being honest when I tell you how much I’ll miss it.

My husband, because he doesn’t get out much, came along for the ride. Our youngest son, who’s still living with us, came as well and we stopped at a Trader Joe’s before coming home. I didn’t buy much. I just wanted to see what a Trader Joe’s actually was, as I’d never been inside one before. (Loved the place).

After we came home and I made lunch, (awesome pizza from Trader Joe’s), I spent the afternoon working on a Shutterfly photo album for my niece. Clouds had begun to come through and although the day had gotten warmer than the 14 degrees it had begun with, it was still too cold to sit outside and take pictures of birds - something I enjoy and that soothes my soul.

 

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I took this out the window after we got home and while I waited for the pizza to bake. I believe it’s a song sparrow. And it’s all plumped up to keep itself warm.

 

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Birds will plump up their feathers to capture the warm air from their bodies, keeping the cold air at bay.

 

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The height of plumping here.

 

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And then . . .

 

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. . . she was gone.

To me, it was a perfect day in its ordinariness. That is a word. Don’t worry – I checked.

Perfect.

 

I call ‘em like I see ‘em, which is all I can do sometimes.

Thanks for coming by today ~

123 Signature[5]

ps – it’s saturday night and i'm watching a movie on netflix stream called ‘hide away’ with josh lucas. i like it. just saying.

34 comments:

Tiggeriffic said...

Liked the song "Perfect Day".. Somedays are so good you just don't want them to end..
Today I made soup..I bought Bear Creek dry soup mix.. a bag of potato and one of cheddar cheese brocolli.
I took 1 1/2 cup from each bag and added 8 cups of water put it all in my crock pot and let it slowly cook and come to a boil.. Served it with hot baked apples and salad.. It tasted good on a cold cold day in Iowa..
I have never been to Traders Joe but I have heard it's the place to go..
Have a tiggeriffic week-end..ta ta for now from Iowa:)

Country Gal said...

Sounds like a perfect day to me ! Lovely photos ! I do the same thing good thing my windows are pretty clean lol ! which I am amazed at since we have had all kinds of weather the past week slap against them ! It had been snowing today since early morning and just stopped an hour ago at 8 pm I think we have about 2 feet of the white stuff but it was oh soo pretty and I did manage to get photos ! I have a central vac , I love it so much easier for me then other vacuums ! Papa and I just finished watching a movie after supper ! Have a good evening !

Country Gal said...

Oh and made a vanilla lemon cake for dessert and steak stir fry for supper and having our 9 pm cup of tea as I sit here and read your awesome blog !

Sheila said...

Sounds like you had a great day. I always enjoy your images, thanks so much for sharing. I made my first trip to our new Trader Joe's a week ago and plan on going back real soon. Have a great rest of the weekend!

Chrissykat said...

I also believe your sweet little bird is a song sparrow. I had a sparrow in my yard just this morning that I couldn't identify, couldn't get a photo of & it's driving me batty! I hope he returns so I can try again.
p.s. I LOVE Trader Joe's!

Christie - Fine Lines said...

Yesterday a friend told me that Trader Joe's Arugula pizza is a real winner -- I am off tomorrow to buy one to try. Sounds yummy!

Caroline said...

OMG...I can't get over the fact that you had never been into a Trader Joe's before... It's my favorite store. Enjoy the rest of your weekend...xo

Sabrina Steyling said...

What a cute little bird! :)

Being the first Saturday of the month I had to work at the library, but it's only a 4-hour shift - and I spent nearly all of that time working on our Valentine's Day book display, "Blind Date with a Book." We wrapped books in colored tissue paper to disguise them, then I embellished with the help of a heart shaped hole puncher and lots of construction paper. Total fun. :)

Low Tide High Style said...

Glad you had such a good day. We love Trader Joes, but don't get there as often as we would like. I've always loved that song/video...so much talent!

Kat

Cloudia said...

glad. me too

Sending Aloha to YOU
from Honolulu,
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° >

The Weaver of Grass said...

There is nothing better in this world than a perfect day is there?

Carolynn Anctil said...

I think the moment we recognize that life's treasures are wrapped in ordinary moments is when we experience true peace and serenity. May you enjoy many more!

Blessings,
Carolynn
A Glowing Ember

Ellen said...

I love that you wrote about the birds plumping up against the cold. The cardinals in my yard yesterday looked like red balls of yarn.

Isn't it great to celebrate the ordinary? Sometimes those kind of days are the best.

Mental P Mama said...

Sigh. xoxo

Lisa Gordon said...

I think that ordinary days are some of the best days. No expectations or disappointments. you just go with the flow, and it's wonderful.

Love this little bird, and you got some great photos of her.

Happy Sunday to you, Kate!

Em Parkinson said...

Beautiful little bird and I'm so glad you had a good day.

Cait O'Connor said...

Those bird pics are soulful.

Tammy said...

Sounds like a fun day with a little outting to boot. I love trader joes and go to one when I'm in a city that has one, they have great stuff. Their teas are awesome, if you get a chance try their white ginger peach tea. Love the bird picture, what a pretty little thing she was!!

Veronica Roth said...

I can't think of a better ordinariness Kate. Love the fluffy sparrow. Do you have a lot of snow there this year? We don't here in Vancouver, (it's the Pacific that milds it up...probably not a word) and it's all melted in Ofordshire, so no snow for me. :)

Unknown said...

it WAS a perfect day....I watched as a plump little Carolina Wren took a splashy bath in the shallow bath outside of our kitchen window (BAKW)....and I thought how brave that must be given the wind chill.
Loved the song...and the "slide show"....Tom Jones!!....
smiles!

Pauline in Brantford said...

Just happened to be reading about birds yesterday and learned the term "endothermic" which explains why birds plump themselves,so to speak. All birds are endothermic, which means they generate their own internal body heat and do not rely exclusively on their environment to maintain their temperature. Not my words, but certainly explains their uniqueness. Now, whenever I see a 'plumping' bird, I know it is trying to maintain an internal body temp. Too cool.
Pauline in Brantford

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beth said...

i just left a great comment and blogger ate it.....i'll be back...the games on !!

Kerri Farley said...

Ordinary days ........ Those are the ones that memories are made from :). I Love ordinary days.

DesertHen said...

Love the little bird! Ordinary days are filled with many little miracles!

Daryl said...

i had no idea you were supposed to service Mieles every year .. huh

Gayle said...

I think it takes great talent to capture bird photos. You should see mine, simply pitiful!
I enjoyed sharing a little bit of your day with you, and as always, your humor!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I make gifts for people often using shutterfly.. either their photo books or acrylic photo blocks...

..and I'm ordering that book you recommended.. I see Hilary likes it too!

The JR said...

I didn't know that about birds.

Hilary said...

I thought about your love for your vacuum and was figuring I'd check back with you when it came time to get one when we find our new place.... but servicing every year? Sounds like that baby is getting costly.

As always, your photos are endearing,

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Trader Joes has good prices on wine, fyi. I also like their coffee. We have one about an hour away, so I don't get by there often, but I love the place.

Anonymous said...

You have the most beautiful pictures of birds. Since I am not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination, and we don't have a lot of birds in our area, I really enjoy viewing them. Thank you!

GailO said...

That is just the kind of day I love...and one of my favorite songs:)

Lili said...

No Trader Joe's here yet...maybe someday. Loved seeing all that feather fluffing...makes me want to invent a new word...floofing...hehe. xo