Friday, May 23, 2014

Getting Ready for the Weekend




Design - "Spring Basket"
Designer - Lizzie Kate
Fabric - 28 count Antique White linen
Fibers - GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 2 May 2004
Completed - 11 May 2004

All my time of late has been spent planting - not stitching.
So I decided to show off a piece from my Cross Stitch Archive.
Something I stitched back in 2004. 

I hope to finish up my planting this weekend and get the Front Porch set to rights. I have yet to put out all my kitschy pieces of garden art. And at some point my mother, sister and I will go to lay flowers on the plots of my grandparents and great-grandparents.

Parvati on the other hand, has no plans except to catch that rascally chipmunk that lurks in the back porch wood crib.

The California Quail continue to court.

The other evening I counted 8 or 9 couples.  If they all have 8-10 babies we'll have an Explosion of Quail!

She's a rather buxom thing isn't she?

He appears to find her quite charming.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a male Acorn Woodpecker at my suet feeder.
They generally are all about my peanut feeder.

I read that they should be having batches of babies from May-July, so here's hoping.

Speaking of babies...
The Violet-green Swallows are starting to take up residence and have begun to build nests.  They swoop low over the backyard and grab dried bits of grass.

The Band-tailed Pigeons come by several times a day. 

I think I've got the feeder configuration such that they don't eat me out of house and home.  And the other birds have a chance at the sunflower seeds.  The Bell canning jar feeder is my newest purchase. The finches seem to like it. 

I mostly ignore or shoo away the Starlings, but I was amused by the begging of this newly fledge Starling baby. "Feed Me!"

We continue to have lots of conversations at the water fountain.

Here's a close up of one of our House Finch customers. 

This is the same feeder configuration I showed earlier.  As you can see the Evening Grosbeaks are also happy with it.

Parvati says to enjoy the weekend and have a happy and safe one!


One year ago today Mom and I spent the day at the Chelsea Flower Show.
What an amazing event - I'm so glad we were able to attend.

12 comments:

Giovanna said...

What a pretty stitched basket! Loved your bird pictures again, especially the woodpecker's. And don't you just love watching a cat that's got its sight on something interesting?

cucki said...

Aww such a sweet cat :)
Sweet finish and pretty birds always
Hugs x

Vickie said...

Thanks Parvati, I will!

Great, great quail shots. :)

Barb said...

I love that spring basket. Great job on it.

Poppypatchwork said...

Chelsea Flower show was washed out yesterday, the rain and thunder storms were horrible.

Susan said...

Very pretty basket. Looking forward to seeing all your plantings. Thanks again for the wonderful bird photos - love the quail. We don't have the evening grosbeaks but had both a rose-breasted and blue (he was a new bird to me)this year. It's so exciting to see the "changing of the guard".

Barb said...

Parvati looks like one very cool cat. Your little basket design is so pretty, well worth sharing. All the birds look contented and happy with the great supply of food!

Margaret said...

Oh I like that canning jar bird feeder! Nice! Hope those pigeons decide it's time to go away. :D Love those quail. They are so cute!

Wanda said...

There really is so much beauty all around us - this message comes through so loudly and clearly each day with your blog Beth. I am so amused by your quail - we don't have them here. It will be fun to see how many you end up with. Mr. Acorn Woodpecker is so very handsome! (your basket is so cute!)Have a great weekend.

Anna van Schurman said...

Cute flower basket. If love a tour of your kitschy garden art! I hope to make a few things myself this summer. My back is killing me; I spent the afternoon weeding and splitting day lilies. No rest for the wicked.

Ranae said...

I just love all your nature photos
Keep em coming

Carol said...

Your stitched basket is so cute, Beth! I was busy planting/weeding yesterday, too, and am so sore in my lower back I can hardly stand up today... guess I need more practice!