Signs of Spring in December

Design - Reindeer motif from "Christmas Ornaments"

Designer - Niky's Creations

Fabric - 32 count Lambswool linen

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 9 December 2012

Completed - 9 December 2012

Even in December, there are early signs of Spring to Come.

I have primrose blooming now.

They are pretty scraggly looking what with all the rain.

And look at this clump of Narcissus.  Yikes!  It'll be interesting to see just how soon it buds up and blooms. 

The Hellebores are harbingers of Spring too.

Several of the plants have budded up and one has already set blossoms.

A couple of the pots I planted with Spring bulbs are also showing signs of life. 

This one has crocus.

I've managed thus far to keep my cyclamen happy, healthy, and mildew free.

As we've yet to have a hard frost, there are Fuchsias still in bloom.

The Agastaches and Salvias in the mudroom flowerbed remain profuse too.

The Anna's hummingbirds appreciate the opportunity to supplement their bird feeder nectar with the 'real thing'.

My Favorite Christmas Store

Is this progress? I've got a PS reindeer kitted up.

And the 'Celebrate' reindeer from LZ.  Now to find the time to stitch!

Hiron's Drugstore is a fun place to shop and browse year-round, but come Christmastime it is almost magical!

Who after all can resist a sock monkey or two?  

I liked this stylized depiction of the Nativity.

And this small faux tree reminded me of one my grandmother used to place on her holiday dining table.

The small Christmas tree salt and pepper on the left jumped into my shopping basket.  

The store is crammed with trees - each decorated with the different theme. 

Several aisles are overflowing with seasonal merchandise. 

This would be a perfect addition to my food themed trees which reside in the kitchen.

There's a snowman for every taste.

And a tree decorated to every taste too.  This one is a woodland walk composed of acorns, mushrooms, owls, and bronze-toned ornaments.

Here's a tree to delight the wine-lover on your list.

Nutcrackers large and small.

Ornaments with an old-fashioned esthetic.

I'll end with this photo which reminds me of something out of a middle eastern bazaar!  I think that's what Hiron's is - a shopping adventure! 

Still More Woodpeckers

Earlier last week I happened to catch a Flicker on the suet feeder and a Hairy Woodpecker at the peanut feeder outside the dining room windows.

Both birds had to fend off jays - in this case a Scrub Jay,

Who was then replaced by two Steller's Jays.

While the Scrub flew over to pester the Hairy Woodpecker.

As did a Steller's Jay.

You'll be glad to read that the woodpeckers held fast and did not cede ground to the jays.  They basically ignored the other birds.  The jays hopped around and scolded loudly, but no no avail...even though they are larger than the Hairy Woodpecker. 

A Visit to Gray's

Earlier in the week, my Mom and I headed to Gray's (a local nursery) to purchase a wreath.

Gray's had wreathes tailored to the tastes to avid University of Oregon Football fans!

This wreath, however, is more along the lines of what we chose.

The state of Oregon is one of the largest growers of Christmas trees in the US.  Holiday Farms in Corvallis, OR will ship one million Christmas trees this year. 45% of the trees go to California, 35% go to other US destinations, and 20% go to Mexico. 

If a large tree does not work for you, then how about a Rosemary Christmas tree?

Decorating in the Pacific NW should include fir and pine cones.

Yes, the University of Oregon decorating theme continues.  The football team finished the year ranked #4 and is headed off to the Fiesta Bowl on January 3, 2013.

Do you remember Norman Gnome?  I'm thinking this fellow might make a good companion for him!

With recent improvement in hybridization techniques, Poinsettias are now available in red, and pink, and cream...

I know, I know...but we are all about the Ducks here in Eugene, OR.

This tree was more to my tastes - I like the mix of birds and birdhouses.

The Perfect Gift!

Christmas has come early!

Look what just arrived in the mail.  

As a RAOK and a personal acknowledgement of her enjoyment of my blog, Julianne sent me this wonderful Prairie Schooler ornament.

The stitching is lovely, as is the finish.

Front...  

...and back.

The motif of the chipmunk is a huge delight!

It's just darned perfect, and so appreciated...

...appreciated by everyone!

And I do mean everyone!

We take bird watching very seriously here at Clos du Bois.

Padma is one of our Resident Experts.

He knows all about Morning Doves.

He recognizes noisy Hairy Woodpeckers.

This one is extracting a peanut from the feeder.

Padma longs for a "V" of geese to land in the backyard.

Quail though, as they are often walking rather than flying, are amongst his favorite birds.