Birds of 2009

So, this was an interesting year for us, bird-wise. We didn't go on any spectacular birding vacations (like Arizona in 2008, Iceland in 2007 or the Rio Grande Valle in 2006) and we didn't rack up many lifers at all (only 9 for Andy and 12 for me) BUT, all in all, it wasn't a bad year. Andy's year total was 253, which ties last year, and mine was 251, only a few birds behind. Considering I can't remember doing much intentional birding at all, that seems pretty decent!






The highlight of the year was probably our January trip to Florida where we escaped from parental duties for a few days of spectacular birding in the Everglades, Corkscew Swamp Sanctuary, and Babcock-Webb Wildife Refuge. Corkscrew Swamp was where Andy snapped this image of a Yellow-Throated Warbler which ended up being chosen for publication in a National Natural Landmarks (a National Park Service Program) 2010 Calendar. Very cool.


Also, we can't forget successful local NH hunts for a Northern Hawk Owl in February and a Cerulean Warbler in June. And a gorgeous September day off Jeffrey's Ledge watching whales, seabirds, and dolphins cruise the briny blue. Looking forward to more adventures in the coming years!

Happy Holidays!

Christmas was in Vermont this year and we had all the trimmings... some fluffy new snow, a huge tree loaded with presents, christmas cookies for Santa, and of course, a seafood feast. Add to that one very excited 3-year old and you can imagine what it was like. 90% of the gifts under the tree were for Aiden, so I'd say he made out like a bandit. We are still wondering where we're going to fit all the toys he received when his closet and toy boxes are already brimming at home. Time for a little New Year's cleanse, probably...

On Christmas Eve we had a wood-fired pizza party with the Pottmeyers... the big boys braved the chill to cook pies in the outdoor oven while the rest of us chatted inside and Gerritt and Aiden watched retro Tom & Jerry cartoons and 3 Stooges re-runs.

Micah and Becky brought a cooler full of lobster, scallops, huge shrimp, and tuna steaks up north so our Christmas dinner the next day was absolutely delicious, though it may seem non-traditional to some. It's becoming a tradition for us to have seafood-fest at every holiday that involves M&B... it's nice to have relatives in the fishing capital of the northeast! Our lone contribution was our harvest of oyster mushrooms, but those went over really well too. We ended up dipping them in egg and herbed bread crumbs, and then pan frying them in butter & lemon juice. We're currently waiting for the next "flush" of shrooms to mature so we can try another recipe.

Before we all went our separate ways (us to NH, M&B to MA, and my parents down to the FL) we had to make it into Burlington to stroll under the holiday lights on Church Street and eat at A Single Pebble. After a little Mock Eel, Double Garlic Broccoli and Bejing Street Noodles, we all felt fat and happy. And a special Boxing Day surprise- my cousins Sarah & Joe had their baby girl Francesca just a few miles away at Fletcher Allen Hospital!

Christmas Shrooms

Andy got an oyster mushroom kit for an early Christmas present so we have been growing and harvesting some huge shrooms! We're saving them up to bring to VT for wood-fired pizza toppings and some kind of innovative Christmas dinner dish, so we haven't tried any yet but they look yummy. Anyone have ideas?

In other news, Aiden's school is closed for two weeks so we're enjoying a lot more family time than usual. It has been frigidly cold out the last few days but we were able to get out and do some sledding and playing in the snow last weekend. Seems like everyone south of us (Mass on down to DC and Virginia) got a HUGE dump of snow earlier this week. I can safely say I do NOT have snow envy. You can have it, for once! The foot or so we have is totally sufficient for a white Christmas and doesn't seem to be melting away any time soon. Am i turning into a grinch?!

New dinosaur exhibit at our favorite winter indoor getaway- the Montshire Museum of Science

Tis the season...

Well, it only took 3 years, but Aiden finally agreed to sit on the big jolly man's lap. He managed to squeak out that his name is Aiden, and the important facts that he would like power tools and transformers for Christmas this year. Santa chatted and chortled and bounced him a little but could not get a smile out of him... all things in good time. I know Aiden was relieved to get down and get his giant candy cane as a reward. Now to concentrate on being good for about two more weeks...

Tree is up and decorated, and we've got about a foot of fluffy white snow, so it's officially the season. Making some holiday cookies with Aiden this afternoon and maybe we will wrap a few presents to put under the tree after that. Spiced cider and fleece socks. Christmas movies and balsam wafting through the house. Could be worse.