I have a question for you, younger people. Do you remember when we were younger, how our grandparents loved sitting on the porch, sipping sweet tea, watching the birds, and just visiting? It was so simple, and yet brought them so much joy. How we thought at that time how boring it was, but because they were our grandparents and “old,” so it’s just in their nature? Yeah, I know you know what I am talking about. Well, I’m here to tell you that they knew what they were doing. Getting in bed early, comfy shoes, growing pretty flowers, and perfect lines in lawns are really growing on me.

Back in April, when we were out back building our pavilion, a hummingbird flew by. I really didn’t think twice about it. After it was built and we were sitting underneath it, it came back. My hubby and I looked at each other, and he said we should get a hummingbird feeder to hang off our new building. I agreed, but we didn’t run and get one immediately. A few weeks later, we went to Lowe’s to pick up supplies for our garden, and I suggested getting a bird bath. Chris looked at me with the biggest smile and said, “You are turning into an old lady wanting to get a bird bath!”

I laughed and said, “Well, I like the old lady life!”

Feeding our animals and watching them brings me so much joy. I can’t even tell you. I have always been an animal lover. Our location, where we live, is about seven minutes from town, but out enough to hear the frogs and crickets, see the beautiful night sky, and not have neighbors on top of us. It’s pretty quiet. Our property surrounds two fields, and our home is nestled in a wooded area, with plenty of wildlife.

Our new pavilion sits out back, where we can just sit and watch all our wildlife creatures at any time.

During the day, we have a crazy family of squirrels who live to play and wrestle each other. They are hilarious to watch. Fat Gus has been around for years. You should see the belly on him. He didn’t get the name Fat Gus for no reason. He sits around the corn feed with his little hands just resting on his white, chubby belly like it’s a table.

The chippies scamper throughout the holes in nearby trees to stay safe from our outdoor kitties that hang around the area. They aren’t our cats, but we will just call them the neighborhood kitties. They get scraps, too.

We have birds galore, and my favorites are my crows. Yes, crows. Those buggers are so smart! They stay perched on the trees until I throw their food out, then they fly down for their breakfast. It’s like they know exactly when it’s coming. They know where the good stuff is!

We get deer often during the morning and evening hours. Right now, we have a young button buck that always seems to be around, along with twin yearlings. I swear our woods are a haven for the deer. Anytime I go out for a walk on our paths with my dog Bear, I always seem to kick deer out. I love that they feel safe on our property.

In the evening, everything comes in from crazy coons, possums, red foxes, and occasionally a few bears. The bears were around a lot last year. We had them almost every night for weeks last fall. There isn’t much we don’t see other than turkey. The closest turkey we have is right up the road, and his name is Luke Perry. Haha! (Me and my brother’s inside joke!)

So, you get the picture of how much I love seeing all these sweet babies every day.

Well, anyway, while at Lowe’s, we passed the hummingbird feeders and Chris said, “Hey, let’s get a hummingbird feeder!” I replied as only I could, “OK, old man. Let’s do it!”

A few Mondays ago, I sat outside under our pavilion and worked on my client check-ins. It was a gorgeous day. Chris had made the food for the hummingbird feeder and hung it out on Sunday. I thought it was cute how he was anxious to get it up. That night, he had asked me if I had seen a hummingbird at all at the feeder, and I hadn’t.

As I sat there on Monday doing a voice memo for a check-in, I swore there was a bumblebee behind me. I turned and looked, and here was this sweet itty-bitty hummingbird eating from our new feeder — a beautiful white and gray color. While recording for a client, I paused. I had to record this baby at the feeder and send it to my hubby! I was so excited about this bird that just flew in and found its beautiful crystal-blue feeder within 24 hours. I sat there talking to it as it flew right above me, with no fear at all. It buzzed around, looking at me, acting like it was thanking me.

Y’all, sometimes I truly feel like Snow White.

But it was too funny how excited I got over a simple hummingbird flying in to get something to eat. We googled how to care for them and keep their feed safe. I enjoy having this sweet, new little itty-bitty creature coming in and now bringing his friends! Call me old, but is the older life really that bad? I think not. I’m 40, and I’m here for it.

I’ll take my back porch sitting, watching my animals while sipping on a cold or hot beverage any day. The older I get, the more I just want a simple life, including making homemade jams.

Our grandparents knew what they were talking about, it’s life!!

*My dog Bear flopped down while I was taking the strawberry jam picture, and I just thought it was too precious not to share!*

Strawberry Jam

Ingredients:
• 2 cups crushed strawberries (buy 1 qt. fully ripe strawberries)
• 4 cups sugar, measured into a separate bowl
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 pkg. Sure-Jell Original Premium Fruit Pectin

Directions:

Rinse 5 (1-cup) plastic containers and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly. Remove and discard strawberry stems. Crush strawberries thoroughly, 1 cup at a time. Measure exactly 2 cups of prepared fruit into a large bowl. Stir in sugar. Let stand 10 min, stirring occasionally.

Mix water and SURE-JELL Original Premium Fruit Pectin in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Continue boiling and stirring 1 min. Add to fruit mixture; stir 3 min., or until most of the sugar is dissolved. (A few sugar crystals may remain.)

Fill containers immediately to within 1/2 inch of tops. Wipe off the top edges of containers; immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Jam is now ready to use. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 years. (If frozen, thaw in refrigerator before using.)