In My Garden I Do Best

Chart - "A Sparrow's Song"

Design - "In My Garden"

Designer - With Thy Needle and Thread

Fabric - 40 count Sand Newcastle linen

Fibers - WDW - 1 strand over 2 threads

Started - 22 September 2012

Completed - 21 October 2012

I thought I'd delve back into my Cross Stitch Archives for today's post.

As the theme is gardening, it seemed like the perfect time to take a look at this pretty stitch again.

With wonderful weather this past weekend, I have some garden progress to show so I'll link up today with the Tuesday Garden Party and the Maple Hill Blog Hop. 

Under the watchful eye of Tom-Cat Garden Supervisor, my sister, Dad, Mom, and I all spent time Sunday afternoon working outside.

My sister and Dad added more soil to our west end flowerbed.

That's why we have a tractor - for projects like that! 

My Mom and sister then set out several new perennials as well as a Sweet Pea trellis.   

One week later the Currant is in full bloom.  I've yet to see a hummingbird there, but I've got to believe that they are part-taking. 

I am partial to blue so love this little spring bulb.  We've had three flushes of blooms so far this spring.

I was busy too.  I set out all my pots of Salvias and Agastaches and added a dose of slow release fertilizer. Some of the pots still show no signs of life, but I continue to remind myself that even thought it was 71F on Sunday, it is still just March.  I am going to be patient and expect that there will yet be further signs of life. 

I also moved out my Mom's collection of Agaves and Lewisias.

I'm really pleased with how well they over-wintered.

Many of my smaller Sedums and succulents also came through with flying colors. 

Crazily this Ice Plant is already in bloom.

And this Lavender looks as though it spent the winter in southern California rather than western Oregon.

I still need to work on getting my Hostas ready for spring.  They are outside by my greenhouse, but unprotected.  As soon as they are showing signs of life, the deer are nibbling on them.  I have some Fuchsias and other tender plants that I should take out of the greenhouse.  I think that chances of a hard frost in April/May are slim to none!     

Our Festival of Daffodils continues on.

I enjoy all the different colors and forms.

It's hard to have a favorite when there are so many pretty ones.

Fall at Down to Earth

I worked on "In My Garden..." and finished up all the small motifs.

I now have the large center floral arrangement to stitch - it includes an urn, three flowers (started), and two birds.  I might get this done before the month ends.

Continuing the Garden Theme...

Beside plants, there are so many cool things at Down to Earth.

Don't you love these sock puppets?

And how about these creamers and butter dishes?

Down to Earth has the largest selection of Fiestaware I've ever seen. 

Here's the left side of the aisle.  Yes, it goes all the way down to the windows in the front of the store.

Here's the right side of the aisle. 

I stood there surrounded by the jewel colors of Fiestaware, and it just made me feel warm and happy.  I truly do respond to color. 

They also had a nice selection of fall scarves.

And cute plush toys for toddlers.

I liked this wind-chime in many shades of green.

Gardening and Walking

I planted up my bulbs in clay pots yesterday morning.  They will resides under a bench until March and the first signs of growth.  I'll be ready for some early signs of Spring by that time.  On the stitching front I worked on "In My Garden".  I finished stitching the sentiment and also worked up five of the small motifs.

There's a lot of color and interesting things to see on our first October Walk.

Come on!

Isn't that pretty?  Wild Honeysuckle berries and Blackberries.

The leaves of the wild Cherries are starting to turn.

I finally found a wild Nootka Rose with a nice display of hips.

There are Douglas Fir cones everywhere.

Like the Cherry trees, the wild Dogwoods are also turning color.

The Pearly Everlasting continues unabated.

And look at the Vine Maple - isn't that lovely?

I even like the taupe color of the Bracken Ferns.

There are still a few pools of standing water in the Big Creek.

(Oh, for some rain!) 

Upon closer examination, I've decided we have a Blue Elderberry (Sambucus nigra Subsp. cerulea) not a Red Elderberry - but I had to wait for this time of year to see for sure.

I'll leave you with one more lovely Autumn display of color.

Our wilding Apple tree has outdone itself.

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.