How did he get into our backyard? We were stunned this week to find a baby deer in the backyard. We’ve seen adults and babies behind our house up on a hill but never inside the gated yard. The poor thing was so scared he was trying to get out but the gate was closed. He kept trying to jump over an 8-foot chain link fence but he wound up jumping into it instead. As soon as we saw him, we all went out to help. We opened the gate and calmly tried to get him away from the fence he was jumping into but instead of going to the open gate, he panicked and raced, and I mean raced, across the yard in the opposite direction. I’m pretty sure he was going about 50 mph! He headed for another 8-foot  fence, this one was wood and covered with ivy (in the photo) and he was getting ready to jump. This time we panicked because on the other side of the fence was a long drop to the neighbor’s concrete walk. We raced towards him to stop him, which scared him even more, so he raced back across the yard, flew over a 5-foot wall like he had wings, found the open gate, and disappeared up the hill. We were all relieved to help him get home but sad that he was so scared and didn’t realize we were trying to help. We still have no idea how he got in. I hope he’s back with his mom but I’ll be looking out for him, hoping to see this beautiful animal again on the hill, where he belongs. It was quite an ordeal for all of us.

I am reposting these photos from my sister in Canada that I started back in April because she just sent some new amazing pictures. I just found my second baby rattlesnake in the backyard and she has a family of robins in her kitchen window! If this is a bit of sibling rivalry… she wins.

(april 11th) Something really amazing happened at my sister Liz’s house in Canada. They had very cold weather this spring and I got this email from her on April 10th: “The robins have been back for quite a while, but frost doesn’t do anything for worms. But the birds are persistent. I was on the phone when I noticed a head bobbing on my kitchen window ledge. I always open my window in the spring and summer, even fall. But this year…not yet. Well, robins have started building a nest right where I open the window. Not over to the side, but right at the bottom right corner, over my sink where I am every day. When I start opening the window screen, I will be watching the blue eggs and then little chicks. If they don’t move on, I’ll take pics while the whole process is taking place. Like you did with the hummingbirds.” The next day, she sent me her first picture…

April 11th

April 16th

“She’s baaack! She was gone for days. I thought she flew the coop. She’s skittish…”

April 17th

“Oowee mama! Now we’re talkin’ Not a lot of time between launch and landing, so far. I always thought it took longer to lay an egg.”

Needless to day, I’ll be sharing whatever photos she send me here. What a show we’re going to have! Thanks, Liz, for sharing!

May 1st “So teeny.”

May 5th “A little hungry.”

May 8th

“How did this happen??? There are FOUR, as of a minute ago. Where has it been hiding? Check out my next photo.”

May 8th

May 9th

“What a difference a day makes, only 4 little birdies. (Guess that tune.) I’m afraid they are gonna fall out.”

May 12th

“It is SO cold and there’s no room at the inn!  When they hear me coming, they all crouch down, so you should see them when they’re all trying out their wings. There are faces and eyes and definitely a pecking order!”

May 13th

“That big one on the right is one of the babies! I think it’s leaving.”

May 15th

“I need a shrink!! What do I do now? One by one they flew the coop, big and strong and healthy. I wish I could have put tags on them because I’ll always be wondering……are you one of Harriet’s kids?”

I’m giving away another cookbook with a fun contest. In case anyone missed my postings on the JennyCanCook site and on facebook, there’s still time to play. It’s in my new food blog over at www.JennyCanCook.com The winner will be announced tomorrow and will receive my cookbook in time for Mother’s Day! Some day soon, I hope the contests will be for my NEW cookbook. I think I’ll put those amazing Easiest Lemon Brownies on the cover. They are sooooo good!! Anyway, you still have all day to win my book.  Click here to play.

Is everybody happy that spring is finally here? Me… not so much. I was happy until a series of events have put me on edge. First thing: There was a spider in the bathroom. Second: Last week there was a baby rattle snake in the backyard. The gardeners got rid of it but what if his mom, the big one, comes looking for her son?? Third thing:  Denis and I were standing out in the backyard last night around 6:00 (it was still very light), watching the hummingbirds, when a skunk walked right past us – like we were invisible. I went for my camera but Denis said not to make any sudden moves – if he feels threatened, he could spray us. Mr. Skunk strolled away like he owned the place. Now I can’t just walk outside carefree any more. In the morning I have to watch where I step not to corner a rattle snake, and in the late afternoon I have to look over my shoulder for the skunk. And as if spiders, snakes, and skunks weren’t enough… the tomato plant came back! YES!! IT’S BACK!! In the exact same spot, right between the roses.

It’s just a little sprout right now but that’s all it was last year and I wound up picking over 8,000 tomatoes! I’m not doing that again! I don’t care how delicious and sweet those cherry tomatoes were…. oh, they were soooo good…. well, maybe I’ll just pick the first five thousand. The rabbit can have the rest.

Denis and I took a weekend getaway to the San Diego Zoo. We saw a lot of animals but nothing compared to seeing this giant panda in person. This was not what I expected. It’s much bigger than I thought – about 5 to 6 feet tall. We watched him for about ten minutes and all he did was eat, eat, eat. He stuffed himself on huge branches of bamboo. It’s no wonder he was lying back like that – just like us after Thanksgiving dinner… in a recliner, can’t get up, need a nap.

This is Sue’s prayer card that she made for her friend and neighbor who passed away. (see April 23rd comments)

“God Bless You Always Debbie!!! All My Love, Teary eyed Sue.”

Well it didn’t take long for authorities in Boston to take care of business. It looks like payback time! One down…. one to go!

UPDATE 6:00 pm: One Dead. One Captured. Hey, S.W.A.T…. FBI… All you men who serve….

YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!

X O X O X O X O

A few days after finding the hummingbird nest and egg by our front door, I checked inside with a mirror and saw a second egg.  I was so excited – we were having twins!
But after that, I never saw the parents again. I’ve been checking several times a day and have never seen anyone sitting on the eggs or any birds hovering around at all. It looks like the eggs have been orphaned.

Could it be that the second egg was dropped there by a different mother and now there’s a dispute about who’s the baby daddy?  Why else would they be abandoned?

I just received a heart breaking message from a stranger with a sick dog. J.S. is struggling with a very difficult decision and I’m hoping some of my animal-loving friends can lend some support. Here is the note…

“My first dog,at only 8,was diagnosed with a terminal illness that 2 vets said there was nothing to do. A small dog should live twice that. He too was a rescue. He wasnt supposed to live thru Jan 2013 & here we are April 7. I’m on disability for treatment resistant depression and anxiety, so I’m terrified about how I’ll react and whether this will devastate me beyond repair. Very isolated so he’s really been a friend and for the first time in my life learned about unconditional love. Not working,I’ve spentore time with my pet than most. His belly is full of fluids and vets day trying to drain it would be expensive,temporary,require anesthesia and risk puncturing an organ. Logically I know its not my fault yet feel guilty .. Everyone’s told me Ive done what I can,rescued this dog, gave him a loving life. He’s not able to digest protein so he’s lost muscle & nutrients..weaker and losing fur. The fluid however is increasing his weight and he looks like he’s 15 months pregnant. I fear hell explode. Feel helpless ..don’t know when or if to put him down or how to tell if he’d suffering. Have to think he’s at least uncomfortable…but he’s still eating, likes to go for a walk and occasionally wags his tail..so ewhat to do…I will freak out anyway…can’t imahine taking him to be killed. OR putting him in a trash bag to be cremated
.waking up and finding him listless. Told putting him to sleep — really murder—is an act of love..yet my existing in misery in physical and emotional doesn’t deserve the same as a canine. Go figure. JS”

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(April 8th) Below is the beautiful poem sent by Sue…

We’re having a baby! Every time we opened the front door we saw a hummingbird fly away from the vines over the porch. So we started looking closely and finally spotted this tiny nest (it’s only about 1 1/2-inches across). I had to know what was inside so I used a mirror and look! There’s an egg! We’re having another baby! The egg is only about 1/4-inch long. Last year there were two eggs in a different area that hatched and grew and now we get to see it again. This nest is only about a foot over our heads and centered right over where we walk, so every time the door opens, the mother will panic. These aren’t the smartest birds anyway. Who else would choose a diet of sugar water all day? Hey, maybe that’s why they can fly at 60 miles per hour!