Sunday, March 1, 2009

Winter Picnic and a Bruewer Big Year

Today was a very fun day! My family headed to Sharon Woods for a winter picnic honoring Adelaide (Grandma B to us kids) on what would have been her 96th birthday (which is actually tomorrow on March 2). It was definitely cold, but we were all bundled up and built a fire in the huge outdoor fireplace. We had lots of food, s’mores, apple pie, and coffee made in one of those blue camping coffee pots that make it taste really good.


Yum!

We are all bird lovers and have had bird parties in the past, so at today's picnic we decided to honor Adelaide by having a Bruewer Big Year starting today and ending next year, same weekend...naturally, at another winter picnic. I don’t think our Big Year will be anything like the Big Year described in Mark Obmascik’s book chronicling the adventures of Sandy Komito, Al Levantin, and Greg Miller, but that’s okay! We will have fun keeping track of our birds and talking about our adventures. Truly, when you put The Three Sisters together, it’s a huge laugh fest. I love to be around Aunt Pat, Aunt Diane, and mom when they start talking about Adelaide and their childhood adventures.


The Three Sisters
Diane, Pat, and Joni (my mom!)

Matthew Riccetti, Curg, Diane, Joni, Pat and Jerry at the Bruewer Big Year Winter Picnicn (2009)
Laughing around the fire...except for Curg.
I think he was still trying to figure out
why I like to observe woodpecker tails...

Matthew Riccetti, Rick, Curg, Bill, John and Jerry at the Bruewer Big Year Winter Picnicn (2009)
Matty, Rick, Curg, Bill, Uncle John, Dad

Matthew Riccetti and Curg at the Bruewer Big Year Winter Picnicn (2009)
Matty and Curg looking at Mabel Duck
sitting on top of the waterfall.

Don't jump Mabel Duck!!

The first bird for the Bruewer Big Year was a White-breasted Nuthatch spotted by Matty. I think that’s a good omen because it’s such cute, feisty little bird. Let the Bruewer Big Year begin!

:-)
Aunt Pat, Aunt Diane and mom probably thought they were going to get away without detection, but I have to point out just a few of the bird eccentricities that go on in our family:


My dad carved these little bird pins out of wood.
Most people wear one on a sweater. Aunt Pat opts
for the more-is-better model and pins them to her head.
(Don't laugh too hard Aunt Diane...you're next...)


...and it's such a lovely Christmas candle too!


...and this is not just any necklace. If you fill it with water
and blow on the tail, it whistles a pretty bird call.
Unfortunately, it was below freezing today, so it
would have turned to ice (like the green mint candy
my mom brought). Matty and I have the same
bird necklace, so I guess it runs in the family!!

6 comments:

Laure Ferlita said...

Wow, I knew you were a birder, but I didn't realize you were a diehard birder from a long line of others!!!

Looks like a fun day despite the below-freezing temps!! Those blue skies and sunshine look glorious.

Kim said...

It looks like so much fun!! What a hearty family you all are my goodness. My family would have booked reservations at the closest restaurant! HA! Love the bird necklace!

Shelley said...

I love the fact you have such a birdy family! Loved all those birdy trinkets! A winter picnic sounds great to me! (I just posted on my winter barbecue on my log cabin blog. Great minds think alike!)

Kelly said...

Thanks, Laure, Kallen, and Shelley! It was fun...with perfect winter weather, but I'm looking forward to warmer temps!

Heather said...

Awww, what a sweet way to honor your grandmother's birthday! Looks like the big year is off to a great start!

Kelly said...

...thanks, Heather. Big Years are new for me. I've never been a lister. This is a great way to keep track. I always write about the birds in a journal, but never kept track of numbers. Now, it's on!