Monday, December 1, 2025

December Blog Header

 

December Blog Header Revealed

Garden Grumbles and Cross Stitch Fumbles December 2016 Blog Header

Here are the designers, chart names and design names used in this month's header. 

Row #1: Lizzie Kate, "Tiny Tidings XX" - "Dash Away"; The Prairie Schooler, "Evergreen" - "Red Reindeer I".

Row #2: The Prairie Schooler, "Evergreen" - "Red Reindeer II".

Row #3: The Prairie Schooler, "Evergreen" "Snowy Owl''; Lizzie Kate, "Tiny Tidings XIX" - "Celebrate"; "Early Workings, "Winter Stag Pinkeep".

Sunday, November 30, 2025

Sunday's Hummers

A couple of Anna's this Sunday.

 

A male


And a female!



All puffed up



Happy Sunday

Saturday, November 29, 2025

Saturday's Critters

Just a couple of deer this Saturday.

 

Pleased to have a buck strolling through the yard.


Happy Saturday!

Friday, November 28, 2025

Turkey Celebration - 2016

It's  still Turkey Celebration Time, right?

I haven't seen any turkeys recently, but over the years we've had many sightings.

This Wild Turkey is a first-timer for 2016. 

She appeared to be alone.

She ate sunflower seeds and hung around for most of a day, but I've not seen her again.

A Tom

Four hens

Female Turkey.

The poor dear was being courted not by one Tom-Turkey...

...rather she had three Toms dancing in attendance. 

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Thanksgiving 1956

We are fortunate to have a letter from my maternal grandmother to her mother (Elsie Upton) who was on a trip to Hawaii with a good family friend known as Aunty Mildred.


Margaret Upton Waning - Letter to her Mother November 1956

"Don't know why this pen misses so much - something about being a balled-point (sic) I suppose - please excuse.

Nov. 23 - 1956

Dearest Mom -

I hope this finds both you and Aunty Mildred in fine shape - after a lovely time on the boat - I'll be most interested to hear all about your adventures on the boat. What were your other flowers?(1)  

We came to Portland yesterday had Thanksgiving dinner at Hilaires - got us a nice motel out on Interstate Ave.  Then last eve went to the show 'Giant' - which I think we all enjoyed.  Almost one by the time we got to bed - so we didn't rise to (sic) early.  In fact we didn't even get down town in time for breakfast - they were serving lunch - I didn't approve as I still like my bacon & eggs first - no matter what time I eat.  They had their Christmas parade to (sic) this morning but we missed that too.  Tried to do a little shopping in at Mier-Frank's (sic) - what a mob scene.  Decided it is easier to shop in Eugene.  Barb & Sandie stayed down to see 'Oklahoma' - we will pick them up this eve - either go see Charlotte & Ike(2) or go to another show.  It is perfectly beautiful out - tho' chilly & a bit windy - not uncomfortable tho' Mt. Hood looks like a big ice-cream cone.  Probably be raining when Jim wants to get back & finish his plowing - he still has a couple of days.  Mom & Dad Waning were to have Thanksgiving with the Kidders.(3)

Bye for now dear - have a wonderful time & look at everything twice for me -

Much love from us all -
Margaret"  

1 Perhaps a reference to the bouquets left on ship to greet Elsie and Mildred when they bordered in S.F.
2 Long time friends - Ike and Charlotte Dorsey.

3 Rhoda Kidder a long-time friend and Dexter neighbor of the elder Wanings. 

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Pre-Thanksgiving Walk

 

We are going to eat  too much right? So let's take a long walk to prepare.

In late November I look down as much as I look up to find beauty.

I like the structural nature of the Teasel this time of year.

We still have some color in the forest - this Vine Maple for example.

Looking down: How many different colors and textures are there in this composition of moss, mushroom, leaves and lichen?

A Cottonwood leaf - there's one large tree that is still full of color.

With the recent rains, both of our seasonal creeks are running apace.

Water droplets on an Oak leaf.

Small ferns amongst the moss.

The colors of the Turkey Tail mushrooms were bright on a gray day.  No, we won't be eating any for Thanksgiving dinner no matter how appropriately named they are!  I have no idea what the day-glow yellow growth is.

I love the color of this blue / gray lichen.

There are still a few Apple Oak galls on the Oak trees.

These last couple of storms dropped the remaining acorns...

...and most of the Oak leaves and smaller galls as well.

One of our cherries though still has 'shout out' color.

It was a nice surprise to find this cluster of rose hips.

Look carefully and you'll see that Mr. Gray Squirrel is looking back at you.
He was down by our largest seasonal creek.  We've not had any Gray Squirrels up by the house for 2 or 3 months now.  I don't know if it is because of the cats and hawks, or if this time of year they move down the hill to work the Oak trees during acorn season.    

I'll end the walk with the last apple on our wilding apple tree.

It looks like the top is splitting - the next wind storm and it will tumble to the ground to the delight of the deer. 

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Tuesday

Design - "Turkey on an Egg" (kit)
Designer - Bent Creek
Fabric - 28 count Flax linen
Fibers - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 8 November 2012
Completed - 11 November 2012 

Now that it is autumn...

I have a couple of Mourning Doves hanging around.

Yes, you!


And there are LOTS of Steller's Jays.

I think their feather pattern is wonderful with stained glass styled wings.

And the two light blue stripes between their eyes - unmatched!

Monday, November 24, 2025

Ajax says "Hey!"

Design - "Sampling Thanksgiving"
Designer - Lizzie Kate
Fabric - 30 count Straw WDW linen
Fibers - GAST & WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 23 November 2011
Completed - 24 November 2011 

Ajax says, "Hey!"

She's become plump with all we're feeding her and now has a nice thick winter coat. 
Here's what she's observed recently.

Song Sparrow


Oregon Junco (a subspecies) 


Golden-crowned Sparrow