Take a Gander at that!

 

Part of the renovation required that a few bushes needed to be moved.  While we had the backhoe seemed the best time to move them.  

Bushes and trees are not something I'm willing to waste.  So.  We transplanted them.  

We opted to plant them around the goose pond.

While we were transplanting them, we decided that the geese would like an expanded and deeper pond. 

Instead of the two weeks of digging by shovel that it took Duncan last year, it was twenty  minutes by backhoe.  

Now it is a daily task to keep the bushes alive.  This first year after transplanting is crucial to their survival.

The new and expanded pond was refilled and the boys decided to enjoy it before the geese soiled it.

It may have been a good idea to keep the geese in the corral until the boys were through.  

The boys didn't seem to mind though.

In fact they all seemed to enjoy their water play.

I believe it's because the bushes added a delightful and irresistible ambiance to the pond.

The geese gave their inspection and seal of approval on the pond and left in search of a snack.

The boys lingered in the pond.

Eggceptional!

For as long as I can remember, each Easter I've had a niggling memory of winning an egg blowing contest.  I don't know why I was in an egg blowing contest.  I don't know how as the petite little girl that I was that I competed let alone won an egg blowing contest.  I don't know if before the contest I even knew such a thing as egg blowing was a thing.  To be completely truthful... I don't even KNOW that I won... but I did compete.

Anyway... each year I've considered trying to reenact egg blowing and this year I did not put it off.  One evening I knew we needed eggs for dying for our Easter preparations.  What better time to show off my 'possible quarter of a century old egg blowing skills'.  

So we did.  however... we also were ridiculous enough to think it would be fun to blow out the goose eggs.  

LINK to Video

Click link to see video

Miles was on a video call as we all took a crack at egg blowing.

Don't notice the unsightly vein bulging on my forehead.. I really wasn't struggling... I may have been slower than all the rest, but it wasn't a race.  Although someone forgot to tell Patrick that it wasn't a race and he blew it out in just one breath... okay it took him a few breaths but if we'd only watched him it would have looked easy.

 

At a game night I brought up my niggling memory and recounted our recent egg blowing victory.  

Thankfully I'm not completely crazy!  There was indeed an egg blowing contest in my youth.  It was held at a nearby mall, Hillside mall.  I did compete but it was unknown if I won.  

Well all five of us have eggceptional skills.

The eggs turned out better than I could have anticipated.  These were dyed with onion skins and then polished with a dab of olive oil.  It's a Russian tradition to have a red dyed egg displayed at Easter to be a witness of the resurrection of the Saviour.  For many years in Russia, no Easter celebration was allowed, but the displaying of an egg dyed red with onion skins symbolized hope in each household that it was found in.  Tradition follows that on Easter Sunday, the 'grandmother' of the family would put the egg on the mantle and share her testimony of the Saviour and the resurrection with her family.  

Our Easter Display.  It has been a few years in creating the type of celebration that we wished to have.  Each year we've added or perfected our new traditions.  We now have a month of Easter instead of a day.  

Tea and Cakes and unexpected guests

Along with twice daily shots of orange mango juice to wash down the terrible tasting goldenseal/echinacea cough medicine, I also made ginger, orange cinnamon, honey tea to sooth sore throats and prepared some Vitamin C boosting beverages.  We felt like we were constantly drinking something... perhaps we were since we also indulged in hot apple cider and hot cocoa on cold moments. 

To counteract all this healthy bombarding  we also had homemade ice cream concoctions and cookies from all new recipes and what has become the favourite treat around here... lava cakes.  We are definitely improving on their execution. Esther said that it passed inspection and she would suffer through eating it again if she had to.

The geese as always wish to be included in everything we do.  And now are capable of walking up the front stairs and tapping on the front door.  They have not mastered going down the stairs and are affronted at no longer being allowed inside.  Despite their noisy protests with arguments regarding having been raised in the mudroom all spring, we offered them orange peels, lettuce leaves and old tea leaves but did not allow them entrance. 

Uncle Waldo has recovered well from his recent attack.. The kink in his neck is barely noticeable.  Only a few ruffled feathers mark the area where he was swung around in the dogs mouth.  We keep a much closer watch on them and put them in their house when the neighbour with the offending dog comes. (He doesn't live there.. rather only visits a few weekends during the summer)

Goosey, goosey, gander

Down in the gulch between our 'yard' and Gopher Hill, water collects after a looooong winter and spring rains.  

The geese discovered water play.

The boys loved taking them for a walk to the water. 

I followed them one morning and was delighted to watch them frolicking in the water.

I knew they needed a pond, post haste!

I also knew I wanted to be able to see said pond from the house.

We attempted to fill a small kiddie pool and interest them in it.  

Just not quite the same.

So project pond began.

While I did not personally dig the pond, I spent much time in contemplation on its location and angle.  I directed the project.

All the boys assisted, although Duncan really ought to have the credit for sticking with it the most. It has a gradual entrance into a deeper section for diving and general water frolicking.

They are so appreciative. 

Now I'd like to surround it with some plants, trees, a bench... maybe a gazebo...