New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve - the one day of the year where we are very conscious of the many time zones that circle the earth. 

A Look Back at the Hummers

I thought for the final Sunday of the year, I'd share some of my favorite hummingbird photos from 2018.

Looking back at these photos from spring and summer reminds me how blessed I am to have a good number of hummingbirds.

The female Anna's are here all year long.

They are fun to watch...

...and they will even share a feeder.

The male Anna's are extremely territorial, so I rarely have more than two in the area.

In mid-March the Rufous Hummingbirds return.

Even the females are quite colorful.

This bird perched in the same place day after day.

That allowed me some nice photos including tail feathers.

I love how the light plays over the feathers.

And pollen on the bill.

And the male Rufous!

Wow!  Just wow!

The Deer

I've had as many as nine deer.

Today a couple came by.

Munching blackberries.

And eating sunflower seeds in harmony with the quail.

Peaceful morning.

Final Friday

Design - "Celebrate!"

Chart - "Tiny Tidings XIX"

Designer - Lizzie Kate

Fabric - 28 count Amber linen

Fibers - WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 23 December 2015

Completed - 31 December 2015

For the final Friday of 2018 I'm sharing my final stitch of 2015.

I had a VERY large hawk hanging out the other day.

I thought it might be a Red-tail Hawk...

...but do not see the red tail feathers.

Maybe it is a young bird.

I know this is a male Lesser Goldfinch!

Thursday

Design - "Red Reindeer II"

Chart - "Evergreen"

Designer - The Prairie Schooler

Fabric - 28 count Sage Jobelan

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 30 November 2015

Completed - 3 December 2015 

Here's a red reindeer from a couple of years ago...

...and here's one of the nine backyard deer in much the same pose.

I got to watch a Chestnut-backed Chickadee at the feeder yesterday.

I never know who is going to show up.

He worked away to pick off small bits of the peanuts.

You can see he has food in his bill.

Nice straight on photo.

After getting a morsel, he'd flit off to a small maple tree to consume it. 

Then back he'd come for another bite.

The Christmas Table

I am happy to have today off from work and am taking it easy.

Here's a look at our Christmas table. 

We ended up with a party of 12.

Dark green plates with  a holly designs.

A contrasting table runner with a woodland motif.

Wonderful guests and amazing food! 

Christmas Day

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Me, my cousin, and my brother - Christmas 1965

Christmas Goodies - 2018

Christmas Eve

My Christmas Creative Effort circa 1963-64

Wishing everyone near and far, 

the Merriest of Christmases!

Christmas Decorating Part Two

I'm featuring a couple of cross stitch in the breakfast nook. 

Santa and snowmen plates have place of pride in the kitchen.

Kitchen doors are decorated with cookie ornaments.

The banister has a faux fir garland.

Horse prints in the guest bathroom.

Two small trees decorated with bird houses.

Colorful snowflakes adorn this tree.

My sister's wooden Santa collection.

The Big Bird Tree. All the ornaments are birds.

A new theme for the mantle this year.  

My sister purchased these in St. Petersburg, Russia. 

It's hard to pick a favorite.

Here's another new decorating theme - a cardinal tree.

The tree on the left features Hallmark miniature bird ornaments...

...the tree on the right has nothing but owl ornaments!