This is a very common sight in our backyard this Spring. I don't think I have ever heard so much squawking in the Spring as I have this year. We have many nests of Grackles around and they are very noisy birds!
Saturday was the opening day of "Doors Open Northumberland" Nineteen different sites were open free to the public for visiting. Chuck and I managed to take in four. First up we visited an old canning factory that now is a home and studio of an artist. I didn't take any photos inside as it is their home but you can see through the windows up top the gorgeous beams.
The barn is not safe to go into to but we were allowed to peek in.
The home was simply beautiful with white walls and open spaces. The shower was the size of a small room! The grounds were spectacular with a stream running through and lots of privacy.
Next up was Barnum House. Quoting from the pamphlet "One of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture in Ontario" I have been wanting to tour this house for 30 years! It very seldom is open to the public.
If you click on the photo above you can read about the house.
The kitchen was my favourite room. We were left to wander around on our own which I loved.
Upstairs in the master bedroom.
You know me and vintage clothing!
One of the trees out front is very old. I had Chuck stand beside it to show you the size.
The gentleman volunteering at the house said it is getting harder and harder to keep these beautiful homes from falling apart with the limited money they have.
Next up was the old Brighton Town Hall. We chatted with a local historian for almost an hour and learned even more about Brighton.
After lunch we toured
Proctor House. Chuck hadn't been along when Kim and I toured it last Fall so I wanted him to see it. I thoroughly enjoyed it again as this time we had a young girl give us a tour and we were able to go inside some rooms we couldn't last Fall.
You know I couldn't leave Mr. Rabbit at the antique store! He came home with us and now looks down at us from the kitchen shelf.
I had been wanting an old bowl for our kitchen table since we purchased it three years ago. The same vendor had a wonderful one with the spoon. Since we bought two things I managed to get the price reduced by $40.00.
Snowball stopped by for a visit yesterday. She was mostly ignored by Miss Kitty. In the old days Miss Kitty and her would have had a rumble! I did head outside and cuddle Snowball and gave her a big handful of treats. Miss Kitty laid in her basket very smugly!
Sunday we paid
Kim a visit and had a wonderful day. More on that next time!
Have a good day!
Robin
I understand that the upkeep on these old places requires lots of labor and money, but, wow, I surely do enjoy seeing them. What a great tour you have taken us on. Your photography is tops. You must have a great lens!
ReplyDeleteHi Chip Butter, I do so enjoy viewing these historic houses and will happily pay to do so. This house is open so seldom as it isn't in the best of shape. It belongs to "Ontario Heritage Trust" which is a government agency so only so much funds are available.
DeleteI don't have any special lens on my camera. Believe me, my photos are just by chance!
Take care.
beautiful photo of the birds :)
ReplyDeleteI was able to take a tour of the Wedding Cake House here in Maine, it was mighty impressive. I can only imagine how much fun it was to see all of those homes.
It was very enjoyable viewing all the homes. It was a history filled weekend!
DeleteHave a good day!
Such a fascinating post, Robin, and I love all your photos! I didn't realize how noisy grackles are, as I don't have a garden. And I love all the vintage items in your photos, too!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, Grackles are incredibly noisy! It had quieted down a bit in the last few days but I am sure in another month or so when the new crop of babies is active it will be the same. But I wouldn't have it any other way!
DeleteEnjoy the lovely weather!
The pic of the "baby" grackle demanding food is great, really good capture, Robin.
ReplyDeleteThat old canning property must be amazing. The home would be too big by me by far, but I'll take the land. I'd really have wanted to go into that bard, though! :-)
The text about Barnum House was challenging to read, even peering through the cheater glasses. Haha. I always do like to look at old clothing, pre-20th century. Not sure why that fascinates me, since I don't care a whit for fashion today and dress in slacks and tees or sweaters all the time. That Elder Tree is amazing! There's incredible energy around Elder Trees, IMO.
I'm glad the bunny jar found its way to your home. You can't leave the other one all by itself! Very cool to get that bowl and spoon too--lovely. If only those pieces could talk!
Have a great afternoon! :-)
Hi Kim, pure luck getting the grackle photo!
DeleteThe house was huge but there were hardly any interior walls so it didn't seem that big if that makes sense!
You know how much I love vintage clothing and there was a few dresses around the house. How on earth do they last?? The waists on the dresses were so small! There were a number of large trees on the property but that one was the biggest by far.
I still am thinking about the teddy bear cookie jar. Poor guy, he is on his own!
Have a great day and talk soon.
your day was a day I would have LOVED to do the same thing. I love old houses and old things and old clothes and I have a wooden bowl that was my mothers.. very much enjoyed your story today and of course the photos
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra, I would have loved to have you along. Always enjoyable when you have people along who think alike!
DeleteYou are very fortunate to have your Mom's old wooden bowl.
I am so glad you enjoyed the post. I just post about things I love and hope other people enjoy it too!
Take care.
Cool pics! When in West Virginia a few years ago, we visited a local museum, housing in what used to be an inn in the olden days. One of those that could honestly say, 'George Washington slept here'! The curator/guide told us the place was haunted too. Fun stuff!
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, Goodness, what a fantastic place you toured! That would be a wonderful place to see. Being haunted makes it doubly interesting.
DeleteHave a good day!
I had a family of robins have a meal on the back lawn the other day. The little ones are quite noisy!
ReplyDeleteLooks like your day out was a lot of fun, it's always nice to see places that are normally closed off.
Hi Valerie, it is incredible how much noise little birds can make!
DeleteWe had a tremendous day, a tremendous weekend actually. I am blessed with a hubby who enjoys anything historical and good friends who do too.
Enjoy the gorgeous weather today!
Hello, lovely tour of the old house. I do not see the noisy grackles here as much, thankfully. The bunny cookie jar is cute. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day and week ahead!
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen, it was a wonderful old house! We really seem to be inundated with Grackles here. We have many large pine trees in the neighbourhood and that seems to be where they like to nest.
DeleteEnjoy your week!
How ever did you get that picture of mama bird and baby bird, feeding???!!!??? Simply amazing!!! You are a Pro with a camera.
ReplyDeleteFree tour? Why free? Around here, tours cost, and the money raised go to some sort of a cause.
Sounds like they need Pay-For-Tours there, since that man says it is harder and harder, to keep up those old homes, with limited funds. Oh sigh... Why don't they do that?????
Mmmm, are you on IG??? If not, someone else posted a photo on IG, which is just like your photo of bread and old bowl/spoon!!!!!
Luna Crone
Hi Luna, just pure dumb luck me getting the photo of the Grackles. I am definitely not a pro with the camera. ; )
DeleteEverything was free as Canada is celebrating our 150 anniversary this year and I guess the government feels all Canadians should have access to all these lovely historical places. There were donation boxes at most venues.
Yes Luna I am on IG, that is me!
Take care.
The grackle is beautiful. Lovely pictures, I love going round old buildings, getting a sense of who lived there before xx
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl, glad you enjoyed the photos! It is fascinating to me to imagine who lived in these homes over the years. Luckily some records were kept and we were able to see some of them.
DeleteEnjoy your day!
Looks like Snowball wants to know WHY Miss Kitty has a comfy bed and SHE does not. LOL
ReplyDeleteThose old houses are lovely! I love vintage homes.
Hi Dee, Snowball comes into the house when Miss Kitty is not there but she is so young and very busy when she comes in. She wants to investigate everything and she is rather clumsy. She is a HUGE cat and crashes into things and looks so perplexed. It is very sweet but we have to be careful.
DeleteWhen Chuck and I were first married we lived in a house built in the 1920's. I loved it but I will admit I didn't like the lack of closet space!
Be well!
Hi Robin, I thoroughly enjoyed this post!!! What a fantastic shot of the birds! I also love the pic of Snowball looking thru the window at Miss Kitty. As for the homes, I have always loved touring houses like these. I love the kitchen, too. It would be wonderful to visit at Christmas time! (if they decorate) So happy you brought the rabbit home and I do love the bowl/spoon. What a great price you got! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely pictures. Have a good evening.
ReplyDeleteHi Mildred, so glad you enjoyed the post. I had much fun taking the photos.
DeleteAnytime we can tour a museum we do. One year we went to Vermont/New Hampshire for a vacation. We stopped at a wonderful museum in Bennington, Vermont and spent hours there. Such a beautiful town we wanted to stay! But we had reservations in New Hampshire and had to leave. Christmas time would be special in these beautiful old homes.
Take care and enjoy your day!
Wonderful photos, as usual. I love to visit old buildings and homes as well. The birds squawking photo is great. The squirrels have been acting crazy in our yard! That wooden bowl is a wonderful find! xoxo Lynn
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn, thanks so much for your kind words. The squirrels are crazy here too, we have a number of young ones. They chase each other around the yards and across the deck. It sounds like a small herd of elephants thundering through!
DeleteTake care!
You always share the best photo and the most interesting wanderings. Wow!
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks Mitchell! I was very blessed to grow up in a family that loved adventures. Usually on Sundays we packed a lunch (and a thermos of laced coffee!) in the car and off I would go with my parents and brother and sister for an outing. I am blessed to have a partner and good friends that enjoy the same things.
DeleteTake care!
Great capture of the gracles...and oh, how I would have loved to went on that tour! I totally love seeing old places. I did not realize you liked vintage clothing--do you actually collect it, or do you just love seeing it? There is so much stuff I love, but I really don't collect anything.
ReplyDeleteHi Rose, Believe me , I think of you all and wish you could come along!
DeleteI have a few pieces of vintage clothing but mostly just admire it. I am trying to NOT collect much more as I know our next home will be smaller.
Enjoy your day!
Wow what a fun day vising all those places.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a BIG tree!!
Hi Karen, it was an incredible weekend. Fun from start to finish!
DeleteThe tree was huge and looked very healthy.
Take care.
It is always fascinating to tour heritage buildings. That's a great photo of the grackles.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, We are so enjoying getting to know our new town. Brighton/Northumberland has so many old buildings!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the Grackle photo.
Enjoy this gorgeous weather!
Wow, what a great picture you took of the birds!
ReplyDeleteI love house tours. Hopefully, they can make enough funds on these tours to help with repairs. I too really like that kitchen.Mr. Rabbit is adorable! Goodness that's a big tree! It's lovely!
So glad you enjoyed the Grackle photo.
DeleteThere was a donation box at the Barnum House so hopefully people donated. The kitchen was fabulous and we hit right at a time when there was a lull so I could explore the kitchen closely.
The tree is gorgeous, so glad it has survived.
Have a good day!
How I would have loved to tour those old houses! Lucky for you that you not only got to tour them but for FREE.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how long you had to wait until you got the perfect shot of Mama Grackle feeding her baby!
Hi Granny Marigold, I know you would have loved the Barnum House too. I was so happy when I read on line it was going to be open for tours.
DeleteThe Grackle photo was a one off. I was standing there looking out and the Grackles landed on the deck bench. I pulled up my camera to take a photo and caught it. They flew off a second or so later. Most of my photos are like that, pure luck!
Have a wonderful day!
What a hoot that first photo is, squawk, squawk indeed.😊🐝
ReplyDeleteThe bread looks yummy.🍞
Have a lovely day.🌼
Hi Geraldine, I was very lucky with the first photo. My old camera worked just at the right moment.
DeleteThe bread is delicious, I love peanut butter toast in the morning!
Have a good day too!
Oh my ....so much fun. I used to tour a lot of older historical homes but have not done it in years. I used to work at the Hermitage, Home of President Andrew Jackson and that got me into loving those places. You are correct, last time I was at the Hermitage I noticed chipping paint around windows and it broke my heart. These places need love and care so they can cont. to stand and entertain for yrs to come. Sitting on my deck now and taking in the noisy loud sounds of the birds. Seems to be a lot of babies being born this yr. But I love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Pam. It was such a great weekend! It is so sad to see these beautiful old homes falling apart. The house we visited with Kim on Sunday was in much better shape but it is in a much larger town so many more paying visitors.
DeleteI love listening to the birds too. Every morning I wake up to the Robin's singing outside our windows. Best sound!
Have a wonderful day!
waves two ewe kitty & snowball !!!! yur lookin gorgeouz two day N way better than de ewe noe whatz !! de tree iz total lee awesome....kinda like de redwoodz out in california all most .....thanx for sharin ......N de bread lookz deeee lish !! ☺☺☺♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteMiss Kitty and Snowball send waves to everyone in Trout Towne! I have read about the redwoods in California. I imagine our trees seem small compared to those ones!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the post, the bread is delicious!
Take care.
That is an amazing picture of the birds! What a beautiful big old house the Barnum House is...I could live there! I like your antique bowl and the bunny, very much!
ReplyDeleteHi Henny, thanks for your kind words. I was shocked my old camera chose that moment to work!
DeleteBarnum House is lovely and I felt so blessed to be able to view it after 30+ years of waiting.
I do love my old wooden bowl too!
Have a good day!