Sunday Safari

It was cold this morning, 18 degrees when I bundled up to go outside and feed the birds. A flock of Robins were taking turns drinking out of the back pond.

A male Red Bellied Woodpecker
waited for a turn at one of the nut feeders.

A Blue Jay hunted for peanuts.

The male Purple Finches look
as if they got into a jar of raspberry jam.

Cold winter days
are busy days in my backyard.

Mocking Bird has returned to the feeders
 looking for raisins.

We have begun
Christmastide.

I took my blankets and my book
to the deck.
I sat with the birds for a little while.

I enjoy being outside.

 I enjoy feeding the birds.

The sun was warm when we walked
in the woods this afternoon.

One of the Blue Maid Holly
branches we brought in for
 Christmas is blooming.

It is a lovely centerpiece
on the dining room table.

The lavender in the bedroom
is blooming.

In my potpourri bowl I have a few butterflies
that came to me last Autumn.

I am making my plans
for 2011.

Happy Sunday Safari

Merry Christmas

May you be blessed with peace and joy.

Sunday Safari

We walked as the moon rose.
Inland Sea Gulls flew to their roosts.

I spent the afternoon outside with the birds.
It warmed up to 42 degrees.

I wanted to be with the Cardinals

and Titmice.

I had not been out with the Blue Jays

the Red Breasted Nuthatches

or the Downy Woodpeckers all week.
It has been too cold.

The Christmas Cactus
is in bloom.
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

Cooper's Hawk hunts in the back yard.

Most of the time he is successful.

Our feeders attract many Doves and Sparrows.

Cooper's Hawk helps to keep a balance.

 The wind shifted to the north
bringing Arctic air to the Mid-west.
I twisted some roving and
made a few quick snakes for the windowsills.
45 mile an hour winds with gusts up to 50 mph
made the kitchen feel cold.
We received a bit of snow overnight.
I made my wishes on our first snowfall.

When we came in from walking at the
community center a Wooly Caterpillar
was walking on the garage floor.
I brought him in to the dining room
 and gave him a home on the holly.
He stayed curled up for a very long time.

The geraniums are blooming.
They are growing in terra cotta pots on the
windowsills in the living room
and dining room.
I am happy I brought them in.

I will not need a
poinsettia this year.

I brought in lots of Rosemary plants in October
and two huge pots of lavender.
The house smells divine.

I am remembering my Mother today.
It would have been her 87th birthday.
Sometimes, if I am very still, I can hear her voice.
It is fading as the years roll by.
Life changes.

The Moon is waxing
in our clear cold skies.

I am celebrating our snow but it is too cold
for me to be out in it.
Low tonight is to be 4 degrees f.

Paper cutting is fun.

It has been many years since I made snowflakes.

I shall be doing more paper crafting this week.

I want to cut out paper garlands

for the cornices in the Kitchen.

I want to cut out more snowflakes.

Snow is fascinating
as long as I can stay warm.
As soon as the wind lays down
I will bundle up and take my blanket and camera
to the deck.

I make sure the birds are cared for
in all weather.

I have been far away today

caught in a Fairy Tale.

Perhaps I am just remembering

the stories from when I was young.

My Grandmother's birthday

is also in December,

as is mine.

Today I have spent time with
my Grandmother's Christmas ornaments
that were handed down to my Mother
and are now part of my Christmas.
Styles change but I treasure these old ornaments.
I treasure my memories of my Mother and my Grandmother.

Today I find myself in a melancholy mood.
It will pass.

Turning on the oven

and baking a snowflake
or thinking about October
brings a smile.

I love owls and nature stories.

I love pumpkins

and Snowmen.

Happy Sunday Safari.