Odds and Ends

Design - "Bluebird Sampler"

Designer - Just Nan

Fabric - 32 count white linen

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 29 May 2011

Completed -26 June 2011

In keeping with my bird theme - here's a finish from seven years ago.

Many of you may be aware that I've been an avid collector of Emma Bridgewater mugs for several years now.  As might be expected I concentrate on the series of bird mugs - these are my two most recent additions.  And while I have never seen a Dartford Warbler, I have seen a Pochard!

In June 2013 after watching the Trooping of the Color, my mom and I walked through St. James Park as we returned home.  There were lots of waterfowl including this Pochard.

Here at home I have been watching woodpecker antics.

I can now say that I have two female Hairy Woodpeckers.  I saw the two birds, and yes, you guessed it, they did not like one another.  Here's one of the birds sulking.  

Here's the other female in mid-flight.

And now she's landed.

And here's a male.

And I have lots of Acorn Woodpecker photos this week.

They are fun and easy to photograph.

And they do amusing things - like drink from my hummingbird feeders.

This guy must have a sweet tooth.

I regularly see him having a swig!

Here's the female.

A male clinging for dear life.

Finding better footing.

Back on the deer fence.

Flocks and Singles

Design - "Bluebird Alphabet"

Designer - Just Nan

Fabric - 32 count White Linen

Fibers - DMC & GAST

Started - 29 May 2011

Completed - 26 June 2011 

This stitch has two birds - is that a flock?

A group of over eight Cedar Waxwings certainly constitutes a flock.

After seeing them in downtown Eugene, it's nice they hang out in the country too.

I generally hear their very high-pitching buzzing, then look around to attempt to locate the birds.

These two have rather messy looking crests atop their heads.

I'm not sure what they are eating at present. They like fruits and berries.

Sometimes just a single bird can provide a bit of excitement.

In this case it was my first sighting of a Flycatcher this year.

It was working in the leaves of a Hazelnut, its tail wagging up and down, then it flew a bit and popped out for a better look.

As it never spoke, it was a bit of a challenge to ID, but after asking another birder, we decided that it was a Hammond's Flycatcher.

Ta-Da!

Design - "Bluebird Alphabet"

Designer - Just Nan

Fabric - 32 count White Linen

Fibers - DMC & GAST

Started - 29 May 2011

Completed - 26 June 2011

After all my stopping and starting, complaining and fussing, Sunday I regained my stitching mojo in the public library of all places.  I went to return some books and donate a few magazines.  While there I found a comfortable chair, good light, and brought out "Bluebird Alphabet".  The library was quiet, and more importantly I could not walk away to let in a cat, water some plants, run a load of wash, let out a cat, vacuum, mess aimlessly on the Internet, feed a cat.  You get the idea. I just happily stitched away - nice! 

While downtown, I strolled around and admired the many hanging baskets.

At home I admired this BIG guy!

Not a very good picture...but wanted to share my Sunday morning companion!

This large Buck - all in velvet - strolled by the front porch as I was sitting observing nature with the cats.

Birds of a Feather

Oh so close! 

I ran out of steam last night before completing the "Y".  Still, "Bluebird Alphabet" is almost, almost, almost done! 

Let's continue with our avian theme... 

This is such a busy time of year for birds.  Look at the dozens of holes the Sapsucker has drilled in this Big Leafed Maple.

The Barn Swallow couple have been busier still.  They returned to occupy the nest they constructed last year.  They then took out a small Home Equity Loan.  They built up the sides of the nest, and decorated the interior with wall-to-wall Band-Tailed Pigeon downy feathers. The remodel seemed to go well - I'm sure it is very comfy.

On Monday I noticed that they had a brood to feed - two bright yellow beaks - there maybe more.

Also on Monday my father spied a Quail Couple with several marshmallow-sized babies.  No pictures yet of the babies.

Our Flickers are regular visitors at the birdbaths. 

And the Downy Woodpeckers seem to enjoy frequenting the Suet Feeder now that they've figured out how to use it.

For sheer entertainment though, nothing beats a Hummingbird.

Wednesday morning this Hummingbird was busy in my Fuchsias and jealously guarding his territory from all other Hummers.

Such busy, feisty, noisy, charming little bits of feather!

The 2nd Wettest Spring in 117 Years

I made a little progress on "Bluebird Alphabet".  I had to frog out the "N" to get it the appropriate color, but now all is good.  About eight more letters to go. (Now I know my ABC's!) 

It's Tuesday.  Time to join the Garden Party at An Oregon Cottage. 
Let's start off with a Garden Grumble! 

This Spring in Oregon has truly been one for the record books.  "The Oregonian" reported that this was the second wettest Spring in 117 years of record keeping, and The National Climatic Data Center figures showed that it was the fifth-coldest spring.

That said, what I've noticed is that the flowers (both wild and hybridized) are about three weeks behind a "Normal" year.  Thus we are still enjoying Memorial Day Peonies as the Wild Roses begin to bloom. 

I can't complain about my Back Patio plants! 

Everything has settled in nicely. 

I'm loving some of my many sedum combinations. 

I got these planters at 50% off about three years ago.

I think the color sets off the sedums perfectly. 

This is a study in Blue/Gray!

One of the downsides of gardening in pots, is the frequent hand-watering.  But with this cooler, wetter weather, I've gotten by with once or twice a week.  Today it is supposed to be in the mid-80's - the heat will be a shock to the plants (and to me!).  So I'm off give everything a good watering. 

The Weekend Begins

I spent last evening outside on the front porch.  We (finally) had a nice evening - comfortable temperature, no wind.  I bounced back and forth between watching the birds and stitching.

A bit more on "Bluebird Alphabet". Maybe I'll get it finished this weekend.

  

I then strolled around the house to see what was up...

The Scotch Moss caught my eye...

And I'm so pleased - I think my "Red, White and Blue" plantings are going to be fabulous in time for the 4th of July this year.

The begonias are happy with the cool weather...

And this swatch of daisies seemed to say, "It's a care-free day!"

Today is starting out gray and cloudy - I've a neighborhood picnic to attend at 2:00pm so we will hope for some improvement in the weather by then.  I hope you are able to enjoy your weekend.