I already have this sunset in my header, but I love the colors so much that I wanted to show it again in a larger size. Which brings me to one reason I posted this today. It's Random 5 Friday at Nancy's and my first random fact is:
1. I love sunsets. That is something you've probably noticed if you are a regular reader here. This sunset was shot from the front of my house. I'm so blessed to have wonderful views of the sunsets in front of the house and then many awesome sunrises (if I'd get up early enough to catch them!) that I see out my kitchen window. And just over the hill is a large lake that I can easily drive to if I want a lake sunset.
2. I don't like winter weather.. And that's a fact! We woke up to close to 2 inches of snow yesterday and it was bitterly cold all day. I know that is nothing for those of you who live further north and out east who are in the path of the heavy snows this week. Please stay safe and warm!
3. I saw my first American
Kestrel several weeks ago. He
didn't hang around long and I shot this while hanging out my window. He was a little bigger than a Robin and I wish I'd gotten a shot of his backside but he sat like this for quite a long time before flying away and I haven't seen him since. I love his colors and the marking on his head.
4. This is the mess that we have in front of our house at the moment. Our foundation work will be done as soon as they get the concrete slab we call our front patio/porch broken up and removed. We have had water getting into our basement when we have the really heavy rains and the work being done will hopefully stop it from coming in. We won't have to tear up the driveway because the basement doesn't extend that far.
5. It seems to be a fact, at least for us, that when one project is started it always leads to another. We were hopeful that this project would go smoothly, but we have found that behind the part of the slab that was removed against the house that the sill plate has rotted from the moisture. So here we go...more repairs. They will remove the rest today, so we'll have a better idea of how much needs to be replaced. Looking at it from inside the basement, it looks like it was only in one small area and we'd never noticed it before. I'm hoping it was only confined to that one small area!
Please click on Random 5 Friday and you'll arrive at Nancy's A Rural Journal where you'll find much more randomness. Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time...
You are quite right one project inevitably leads to another-hope this one is done sooner than you think. Your sunset is gorgeous, more than outstanding as is that little Kestrel. I'm not so keen on Winter weather either though I cannot complain, the sun shines and it rains outside, not cold at all.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you hung out your window ...I love the shot of your kestrel! :)
ReplyDeleteCold and snowy here ( Western PA ) too right now.
The kestrel looks so cute and fluffy in the cold!
ReplyDeleteThat foundation work is never a fun sight. So much mess...but of course worth the whole thing when it's done and no more leaking. Love the Kestrel...me and birding go hand in hand. In fact, with the cold snap we've been having way down South, I'm getting a bit stir Crazy not being able to get out and walk in the drizzle and cold to hunt for any birds. I'm not lucky enough to have those beauties out my window!!
ReplyDeleteAnd your sunset is absolutely stunning!!!
You are correct ... one project seems to always lead to another ... never ending to maintain a house. The kestrel shot is wonderful ... what a cutie! I often take out photos out of my dirty windows. I feel like if I step outside, the critter will leave. Sunsets are one of the best gifts given to the world. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMorning, nice sunset, love them to and great shot of the Kestrel, Keep Cozy Francine.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true about one project leading to another. We bought a new couch, now we want to repaint and get a new computer desk and bookshelves. It never ends.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that sunset!! I enjoy every one you post. The little kestrel looks cold!! And, you are so right about one project leading to another. LOL! A never ending trail... blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeletethe fact you have glorious sunset from the front and sunrise from the back of your home, should help some with all the stress of repairs. hope you get it all done soon. adorable little bird
ReplyDeleteI know you don't like winter but I do envy your snow. We have all the cold but none of the pretty.
ReplyDeleteKestrels are such pretty birds. I have only seen one.
I don't envy your repairs and hope the surprises are over.
Oh I love your sunset I adore sunsets. I love winter weather because I discovered snowshoeing but I do not like this arctic cold as of late.
ReplyDeleteThe Kestral is beautiful.
Good luck on the project it always seems when you start something something else turns up. B
good luck with home repairs! yuck! i love the kestrels, too. so tiny and quick and shy, but so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
ReplyDeleteI live up North and I am not a cold weather person either!
I love the colors you captured in the sunset. A colorful sky is something to stop and enjoy.
Good Luck with your house project.
i wish i could switch places with you ... i am wishing for some snow right about now. we have ice. no fun at all. i wish for some snowy shot for my blog. trade ya? ( :
ReplyDeletei will fire up my helicopter & will be there in a jiffy. ha. ha!!
oh that sunset is stunning and that poor little bird looks freezing! no snow here...maybe we will get some sunday night, but it won't account to anything, as of yet...i want some snow! have a great weekend!!
ReplyDeleteI do not like any extremes in our weather. I am not a fan of waking up to 0 degrees. Colder weather and snow coming. Ick. You are right about projects around the house taking on a domino effect.. :) Gorgeous sunset and Kestrel! Another new header!!! Pretty!
ReplyDeleteLovely sunset and that little Kestrel is so cute! I've never seen one. You are right about one project leading to another. I hope you get it all fixed soon and don't have any more water problems.
ReplyDeleteI love sunrises and sunsets too Cheryl. (You will have noticed I post a LOT of pictures of them.) The little Kestral is so sweet. I've never seen one and don't know if they live up here or not. Probably not. I'm sorry about your water leaks in the basement and all the work you have to do. That's not fun and I hope you don't find more rot damage. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunset...worthy of posting a larger picture of. Where I live I can't photograph a sunset, but how to get in the car and go somewhere. Too many trees. But, I do occasionally get a good one.
ReplyDeleteNow, sunrises are another subject. I am not an early riser. You can't see many sunrises with your head under the covers!!
Gorgeous Sunset, I love them too and in fact have one featured on my R5F too. - I never get sunrises either because I'm not an early riser.
ReplyDeleteOur winter weather has been pretty decent so I can't complain.
Love that bird, it's so pretty.
I've never seen a kestrel -- what a lovely bird. So sweet really.
ReplyDeleteWe did repairs to the old farm house before we moved in... and you are right. One thing leads to another. I do hope your list of repairs doesn't grow.
Thanks so much for joining in today Cheryl. xo
Funny how one thing always leads to another...and another...and another! I hope your construction ends soon. But maybe more snow will cover it up and hide it?! :-) The little Kestrel looks like an adorable bird. I'd love to see one in person. And that sunset is simply stunning. The pinks in the clouds are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from R5F.
Oh you are so fortunate to have such beautiful views of the sunrises and sunsets. Mine is always obscured by houses & tress. Oh I do hope everything goes smoothly with your project but it seems to happen every time something starts, something else happens. Those American Kestrels are really beautiful birds, such beautiful markings and colors. Happy New Year, Cheryl!!
ReplyDeleteI too love sunset and sunrises.The colours are so varied from day to day.
ReplyDeleteIt is like peeling an onion when you start those home repairs!
ReplyDeleteEver watch Love It Or List It?
You get the most unusual birds there, Cheryl. Thanks for sharing them!
Home repairs, my biggest nightmare! I hope it all goes better than you thought. The birdy is cute!
ReplyDeletehome improvement/repairs always lead to more work, more mess and more money!!
ReplyDeletewe got about a foot of snow last night and early this morning, i just love it. we had no where to go today so it was such a fun snow day!!
That's a lovely shot of the Kestrel- not sure I have ever seen one. You're right about projects; they seem to multiply once we get started. I love your sunset shot...so pretty!
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you when it comes to winter - mostly slick roads, I really don't like them!
Your sunset pictures are always so gorgeous, you really are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world!
Winter messes are just the worst. We had to take out our front walk several years ago because of the same thing. Nothing worse than water in the basement!
You guys have been bombarded with snow and rain! We are so dry this year, hardly any snow on the ground. Hope everyone stays safe!
Hugs,
Barb
Must be a universal truth because it sure is true here as well. I'll keep my fingers crossed with you!
ReplyDeleteAn American Kestrel...now that's a bird I have only read about. Hope that he returns so you can get a better look. And I hope that you have your camera handy when he does.
I have not ever seen an American Kestrel what a pretty bird, and what a beautiful sunset.
ReplyDeleteI don't like bitter weather, and I don't like to drive in snow, but I try not to complain. I think I use up my complaint quota during the heat and humidity of the summer. :/
ReplyDeleteGreat shot, the kestrel!
Oh, what a pretty bird that kestral is! We used to see one occasionally on a highway we rode on out in the country.
ReplyDeleteNo snow for us yet this winter.
Good luck with those projects. You're right that one always seems to lead to another! Hope the damage is minimal!
Good luck with the house repairs. Water is always a scary thing. Love that little bird. I'm glad you know what he/she is, because I wouldn't have. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteAlways! I can't tell you how many times that we have started a project only to find that something else has to be done. Oh well...better to find out and do something about it, rather to find it later when much damage has been done...
ReplyDeleteStay warm...stay dry..
shug
Always! I can't tell you how many times that we have started a project only to find that something else has to be done. Oh well...better to find out and do something about it, rather to find it later when much damage has been done...
ReplyDeleteStay warm...stay dry..
shug
I am loving that Kestrel photo so much . Lucky you .
ReplyDeleteWishing you journeys full of adventure and joy in the New Year !
Willow
BEAUTIFUL sunset!! A personal question. Could you tell me what softward program you use to crop, edit, etc. your pictures when you download them to your computer. My son just bought me a new, high powered Dell with Windows 7 Professional software and I need a good program that will work with that, ...and importantly, isn't too difficult for me to learn. Any help you can give me Cheryl will be greatly appreciated!!!! You can e-mail me at msejoyce@gmail.com if you'd like. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHI There, I agree with you about loving sunsets.. Your photo is awesome. But I disagree with you about not liking winter. I love winter ---but may change my mind this week after our upcoming FRIGID (below zero) temps... ha ha
ReplyDeleteIt's true that one project always leads to another.... It's like cleaning. I can clean one area---which leads to cleaning another one!!!!! ha
Hugs,
Betsy
Hope the repair work goes well, Cheryl, as these surprises are never welcome when they turn out to be bigger and more costly than expected. Nice views out your window too.
ReplyDeleteLovely sunset, sunset are so romantic! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about projects, they don't ever seem to stop.
That first photo has my heart!
ReplyDeleteI hope I can remember Random 5 come Friday...I so enjoy reading them...and it gives me something to write.
ReplyDeleteIt may be a blessing that you found the rotted sill plate now, rather than later. May save a huge bill...