The End of the Year

I picked up this reindeer after Christmas and have been stitching away on his quilt pattern middle. I still need to frog out the hind leg and redo it with a better thread match. Then there's a bunch of snow to stitch.
 

This Cooper]s Hawk hung out in the backyard for an hour or so Wednesday afternoon.

So the Bushtits happily worked away on the feeders with peanut halves in the front of the house.

A commenter asked what they were eating and it's peanuts.  They also really like suet.

Here's one waiting its turn at the feeder.

This guy is grabbing a bit of peanut.

Lots of much-needed protein and fat during this cold, snowy weather.

Winter Weather

Design - "Warm Wishes"

Designer - Val's Little Stuff

Fabric - 30 count Northern Cross linen

Fibers - WDW & DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 29 September 2009

Completed - 30 September 2009

First pattern I ever stitched by this designer.

After a couple of years with no snow, we received between 6"-8". 

The snow began late at night on the 25th of December and continued for most of the 26th.

I like the bowed tree tops.

The deer fence at the front of the house.

The trees are all festooned. 

A snowy day.

Falling snow

I am young at heart.

As long as we have power, I truly enjoy the snow.

Small Pop of Color

Designer - Ewe and Eye and Friends

Design - Ho-Ho-Ho from 2006 calendar

Fabric - 36 count white linen
Fibers - DMC - changed 613 to 612 for better contrast in beard

Began - 10 November 2009

Completed - 16 November 2009

Lesser Goldfinches provide a bit of winter color.

Male

Female

Finch party!

Male House Finch top left and a Siskin bottom left.

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Junco

Flicker

Monday Musings

 Santa Tins

Yet more Santa tins.

And some Bushtits for your viewing pleasure! 

Are you watching me?

Birds of a feather flocking together.

Little male fluff-ball.

Six of 'em!

Sunday's Hummer

With the holidays and work, no time for photos.

So just one small series of a male Anna's to show today.

 

Christmas Day

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Card 1916

This post card has a Garland, PA postmark of Dec 23 2pm 1916.  It was written by Ellen (Nellie) Carter Upton, the mother of Otto D. Upton. She sent it to her son and daughter-in-law, Elsie Greenwell Upton, and her young granddaughter, Margaret Upton.  I've transcribed it as accurately as possible - Nellie was not a big believer in punctuation!

To:

"Mr & Mrs Otto Upton

Portland Oregon

c/o Gen. Del.

Dec 1916

To our loved ones

Just a word or two to wish you a Merry Christmas & happy New Year I hope you are all enjoying the best of heath We are all well but Me & I am a little better but not at My best yet Glad to know you have found such a good place to Move on to hope you will do well on it   it will seem good to you to get settled I bet for you have been so unsettled for a long time  I will write a letter in a short time  With lots of love to all & kisses for Margaret

from Mother"

  

Christmas Card 1916 

Christmas Decorations - The Family Room

 Design - "Milk and Cookies Santa"

Designer - Sisters and Best Friends

Fabric - 26 count Hickory Heatherfield

Fibers -DMC
Started - 26 December 1997
Completed - 14 February 1998

Ready for Part Two of the Christmas tour?

Lots going on here!

Fitz and Floyd salt and pepper shakers.

More Fitz and Floyd salt and pepper shakers.

Emma Bridgewater 1/2 pint mugs.

Emma Bridgewater 1/2 pint mugs.

Emma Bridgewater 1/2 pint mugs.

Fitz and Floyd salt and pepper shakers and Emma Bridgewater 1/2 pint mugs.

Two small trees with bird house ormanets

On the left

And on the right.

My sister's wood Santa collection.

My Santa collection.

Two trees with cardinal ornaments.

Marjolein Bastin cardinals.

Bottle brush trees.

More cardinals

Snow Birds

Nature themed tree

The hearth and mantle

And my mom's BIG bird tree.

A Barn Owl

And a Saw-whet Owl!

Whew!