Sunday, September 30, 2012

Community Growers' Market

Saturday was another lovely day.  I decided to take a walk.  

I walked down the road about a mile to the Spencer Creek Grange - home of our local Community Growers' Market.

The small market had pumpkins...

..and hand-spun and dyed wool.

There was beef for sale...

...and seasonal fruit.

There was even live music! 
What a great resource and so close at hand!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Poor Parvati

Poor Parvati! She is not pleased.

On the 20th she had to go back to the vet as her ear was once again full of fluid.  This time she came home wearing a Cone.

I have to title this photo "Only in Eugene".
First off isn't the paint job on this car pretty amazing.  But the real piece de resistance is the Xena Warrior hood ornament.

I'll leave you today in the company of Eugene Skinner.  Originally Eugene, Oregon was referred to as "Skinner's Mudhole", then became known as Eugene after the first white settler, Eugene Skinner.  This statue resides outside the Public Library.  If Eugene appears upset, he probably is.  Due to new construction he no longer has a view of his beloved Skinner's Butte!   

Friday, September 28, 2012

Friday Framed Finish and More Baskets

My Mom finished stitching "Patriotic Sampling" by Cricket Collection back in July.
She took it in to be framed in August as an addition to her "Red, White & Blue" Collection.

I think they did a wonderful job.  The simple blue-gray frame picks up the color of the house. 

Here's how she has it displayed.

I went downtown and again was amazed at how lovely all the plantings are.

Besides hangin baskets, there are lots of large planters overflowing with petunias and sweet potato vines. 

They are impressive displays with not one spent bloom in sight.

I think this is my favorite.

This group is in front of the Eugene Public Library.

Here's one of the reasons the baskets look so good.  This woman watered the baskets and planters, tidying up the foliage as she went along.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Serendipity in Stitching and Birding

Design - "Sow Four Seeds"
Chart - "As the Crow Flies" #170
Designer - The Prairie Schooler
Fabric - 32 count Lambswool linen
Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 20 September 2012
Completed - 26 September 2012

My stitching lately has been so very pleasant - serendipitous really. 
I very much enjoyed stitching this Prairie Schooler design and derived a lot of pleasure while doing so.  I like everything about it: the crows, the strawberries, the flowers, the seed packet, the saying, the border.
Really, really pleased with how it stitch up.

I had a serendipitous experience in the Natural World too!
Monday morning I was outside working at my potting bench when I heard the unmistakable manic cry of a Pileated Woodpecker.   And there he was, perched on a tree right next to me.  My camera was at hand and I got several good photos. 

I did not immediately notice that the Pileated Woodpecker chose to light in a tree next to a small hawk.  Pileateds are big birds, 16"-19" tall.  He was much larger than the hawk. 

He paid no attention to the hawk, and shortly after this photo was taken, the hawk ceded ground and flew away.

The woodpecker worked on a large cavity in the tree.

The hole was deep enough that his beak disappeared.

When not busy rat-a-tat-tat-tatting, the Pileated spent some time grooming his feathers - that's why they are all ruffled in this photo.  He hung around for 15 minutes or so, much to my delight! 
Serendipous - an unexpected pleasure for sure! 
If you'd like to hear Woody Woodpecker in action, you can listen to one here.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Stitching and Walking in Late September

I've had this chart for about a year and I think it has whispered by name all that time.  "In My Garden I Do Best".  I think lots of gardeners feel that way.  There is so much more to gardening than weeding and watering - I am just plain happier with plants surrounding me.

I am stitching on 40 count linen and it is a challenge to my middle-aged eyes, but so far, so good.

It's a lovely Autumn Day.  Let's take a walk.

Today we're going a bit farther afield and starting the walk about one mile from my house.  While the area is mostly open fields, there is a small grove of Oak trees.  They are heavy with acorns.  

Dotting the open fields are Hawthorns.  I cannot recall ever seeing noticing them turn color this time of year. 

The Hawthorns are loaded with berries.

I've read that Robins, Chickadees,  and Cedar Waxwings enjoy feasting on the berries.  This year I'd say there's plenty for all!

As well as Hawthorns, wilding Apple trees are scattered about the open fields, and along the verges of the road.  
I don't know how many different varieties there are, or whether they are edible.

Some of them are just plain beautiful.

This bright green Apple tree lives just outside the deer fence bordering my sister's Dahlia Garden. 

This Apple tree is at the edge of our driveway near our small seasonal creek. 

I had expected to find the wild Nootka Roses heavy with hips, but that was not the case.  There were very few hips visible, perhaps it is a bit early in the year.  I'll check back in mid-October.  

I know that you can find Chicory along the roadside most anywhere, but I do love the true, clear flowers. 

I found more pale blue Asters too.

Come on Cedar Waxwings - where are you anyway?  The Madrone berries are ripe and waiting for you.

This year's crop of Douglas Fir cones has turned brown, and hardened off.  Soon the birds and squirrels will takes advantage of this bounty.

We've made it back home again.  I hope you enjoyed today's walk.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Farmer Brown & The Last Garden Party of 2012

Farmer Brown is ready to harvest his crops!

Design - "Farmer Brown"
Designer - Schoolroom Samplings
Fabric - 28 count linen
Fibers - Needle Necessities, GAST, and DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 6September 2012
Completed - 19 September 2012  

This is the last Garden Party over at An Oregon Cottage for this year (darn it!)
But all good things come to a close.  Certainly summer has ended here and autumn has begun.  So let's celebrate the change in seasons, shall we?
I celebrated by buying some bulbs!
The back row: Iris reticulata, Narcissus 'Jack Snipe', Narcissus "Altruist', Narcissus Tete-a-tete, Tulip "Clusiana'.  The front row: A blend of spring bulbs, Crocus 'Blue Pearl', Fritillaria meleagris, Allium "Graceful'.
I think that I'll plant the Fritillaria and Alliums in a flowerbed, and the rest I'll pot up in containers to enjoy on the Front Porch come spring.   

I also bought several violas and pansies. 

I was industrious and got them all planted. 

I love the copper-red blossoms with the bronze pots.

So cheerful!

Blue - my favorite color.

My garden cart is very useful.  I made a trip around the house and distributed the plants as I went along.

The three bright blue pots are adding some color to my 'fern bench'.

The copper-red violas go nicely with my fuchsias.

I am all set to begin the long tedious laborious necessary process of "winterizing" the plants on the Front Porch and Back Patio.  The greenhouse is ready!  
I've so enjoyed participating in the weekly Garden Party this year.  I hope you've enjoyed my Tuesday Garden Party posts.