Valentines

Old Valentines adorn the mantel. These were given to my Mother.
I have all the old candy boxes set out as well, hers and mine.
Oh, Groundhog's Day, can't forget that!
Every day is a Holiday in February!

Practical decorating

I have motif and reading material and delightful suppers rolled into one.
Bedtime stories and a charming 1904 tale of love.

I am working Mardi Gras in too! Red beans and rice is so yummy!

Mixing Motifs

February has so many motifs! Valentine's Day is all about romance.
We also have a few Genies about
as our West meets the East.
It was very cold this morning, 6 degrees Fahrenheit at sunrise.

Ready to Decorate

The paperwhites are starting to bloom.
The Hairy Woodpeckers are on the deck. The House Sparrows are chirping.

I set my February journals out. I am ready to decorate.

Gold Finches

Off and on I stop at the back door and watch the birds come and go.
The north wind is too cold for me to be outside today. How the little Gold Finches stay warm I do not know.
The male is in his winter colors.
January decorations are packed up. Time for me to tidy up and clean. February is just around the corner.

January to February

Today, as I begin packing up the January things, I am reflecting. Thinking about my relationship with nature.
The joys of each January day.
I always know blue skies are behind the clouds,

and that Penguins can come to life from a pile of snow.

Windy Day

The Carolina Wren has so much personality.
I always smile whenever I see him. Sweet song too!

Penguins are good!

My husband built us a Snow Penguin sculpture. He sits on the north side of the house by the front pond. I can see him out the office window. He will greet those that come up the front walk.
Our warm temperatures today will give way to cold and snow flurries tomorrow.
Snow Penguin is my favorite snow sculpture my husband has ever done.
Penguins are very good.

Red Tailed Hawks

A pair of Red Tailed Hawks are out soaring.


I needed a fresh battery. Back to Hawk watch.

Tire check

Some people check their tires for air. I check mine for birds!
Perhaps Michelin will send a check. Meal worms are expensive!

Are you okay?

Cooper's Hawk seemed to have trouble when he landed on the tomato house. His leg seemed to be bothering him.
He preened and did not seem to be hunting this morning.
I opened the back door and slowly walked the tripod out onto the deck.
We watched each other for a half an hour. I sent my blessings to him. Hope he is okay.

Tea Time

Two friends came over this afternoon for tea and cakes. I had small gifts for them. One gift I wrapped in a silk scarf.
They had gifts for me too. We sipped our flower tea, had our cakes and hugs. It is wonderful to visit with friends.

On the job

Mocking bird is the hardest working bird in the yard.
He runs a tight feeding station. The sparrows and the squirrel will have to figure this out.
It used to be a wren house.

Early Evening

When the Crows begin to fly west it is time for me to start supper.

As the sun begins to set the Cardinals begin to gather. I fix my cup of tea and turn supper to low. I perch up; it is Cardinal time.
I am on Central Standard bird time.