Life With The Crew

In the Deep Midwinter

While the dark days of December may seem like the height of Winter, we're only approaching midwinter now.  Luckily the bitter dark nights are offset by the slightly less frigid days of bright sunshine, its strong rays calling to us to come outside and play despite the coldness we know is there waiting.  And because the lure of that golden sun on crisp white snow is strong and because one can only knit so much before her finger joints start to ache and because a wild child is always easier to deal with after she has breathed fresh air into her lungs and mind - we venture out.

One of our favorite places, icy cold and quiet in January, with just the chattering Chickadees and the moaning ice to keep us company.  Lake side cattails serve as a winter replacement for milk weed pods.  Beauty is all around, all the time.

 

 

Bad Day to be a Duck

We woke to an icy world today.  The frigid temps had warmed enough overnight for some of the snow to melt and then the rains came and everything was enrobed in ice.  Very pretty; pretty deadly.  Any surface that had partially melted is now super slick ice.  The ducks are NOT happy.  I spread wood shavings in their yard, but if they pick up too much speed, they slip and slide on their amply padded chests.  They could stay in their dry hut, but apparently there are still too many things to see and do on a day like this.  Gotta love their determination.

On the birding front, the feeder and suet block have been receiving a lot of action during these cold days.  If you're interested, this is a list of the birds that we have seen since Jan 1.  If not stated otherwise, they were sighted in our backyard in the suburbs.  Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Cardinal (M&F), Mourning Dove pair, White Breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, House Sparrow, White Throated Sparrow, Junco, American Robin, Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Carolina Wren, Blue Jay, Goldfinch, Red-Tailed Hawk, Tundra Swan (adult and juvenile at local wetlands), Coopers or Sharp Shinned Hawk (difficult to tell apart), Turkey Vulture, Pigeons (farmland), Mallard, Kestrel (on telephone wire near farmland).

 

Happy For What We Get

Just a couple of snow day photos.  This is our first "real" snow of the season even though it is barely 3 inches.  In a Winter that has been insanely warm so far, we'll be happy for what we get (those of us that enjoy the white stuff that is.)

The Quiet Time

Now that the holiday season is over, the quiet time has begun.  And the cold has set in (at least a little bit).  It is the season of texture, not color.  

And so I guess it is fitting that my latest knitting project is of the same color palette.

We are starting our listening year off with the classic "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" on audiobook.  I remember that I read it in high school, but I didn't remember how good it is.  Always love to find a new story to share with my daughter and I love historical fictions!

Hope It Will Be A Good One

I don't get too sentimental or excited about the coming of the New Year.  I'm too practical for that I guess.  One year is done, another year begins, and if we're lucky, we'll be here to see the one after that.  Good and bad things happen in each year and hopefully there is much more of the former.  So I'll keep trying to remember to focus on what is important and to appreciate the wonders in the world around us.  The not so little babe and I had a great walk today, on this last day of 2021.  It was quiet, moody, and misty in the woods, everything saturated with rain and color.

The weather has been way too warm for this time of year, with rain and 50's instead of freezing and snow.  It makes the ducks happy, but not so much myself when I'm squelching through the muck.  However, this morning was heavy with fog and when the sun started to break through, it bathed the backyard in a beautiful hue.  I spied spiderwebs visible in the moist air and tried to capture their beauty while the ducks searched for breakfast.

Many wishes to you for a Happy New Year.  We always hope it will be a good one.

 

Late December Loveliness

Late December.  That means happy Christmas preparations and parties for some.  Extra work and stress for others.  Waiting for the return of the light (the Winter solstice is tomorrow) for all. 

We had a nice visit to the local arboretum late last week, hadn't been there for a while.  I assume most people think this is the ugly season in a garden, nothing but a bunch of dead stems, dried and brown.  Personally though, I love the gold and silvery vegetation, rustling in the wind with the light shining softly through them.  I love to think about all of the insect life that is hibernating, hiding, waiting, for the return of the warmth so that the next cycle of life can begin.  This is an informative article about how insects overwinter if you're interested.

And here is Tiny Tim.  He will be overwintering with lots of snuggles, warm blankets, and crazy kitten playing to keep warm.

Another Great One

This non-December weather is bad for the festive holiday vibes (reading Christmas stories taking place in a wintry world makes me wants SNOW), however it has made for some great exploring days.  The sun was shining bright today, so figured that heading into the woods was a great way to start the week.  Bookwork can be done inside when the sun goes down...

We were surprised to see that the beavers had started work in another area of their pond.  They have damned a large end of the lake and we have explored there for several years.  Now they have built a smaller dam across an area that was just a small stream leading away from two springs.  The water had definitely backed up behind the little dam and expanded the flooded area.  We saw lots of recent signs of beaver activity.  Pretty awesome to see Mother Nature's builders at work!

We love visiting this secret world together.  We saw no other people this morning, which is how we like it.  We head home with our healthy dose of sunshine, an appetite for lunch, and then settle in for hot tea and work.  Makes for a good day.  

A Glorious Day in December

Yesterday was a great one.  When life gets crazy and hectic and there is more bickering and grumbles than smiles and hugs, I know we need to head to the woods.  As the little babe spoke the wise words herself, "We need to come here more often."  Sage advice from a nine year old.

Puttering with Ducks

We had a bit of snow this afternoon.  Nothing dramatic, just enough for looking pretty.  I haven't puttered with my camera outside for a while, so I took a break from my knitting and headed out to join the ducks.  It was just enough snow to hide their poop!

And if looking at these snowy scenes makes you a bit chilly, you might want to stop by my Etsy shop.  I'm running a 30% off sale on all wool items until tomorrow!

A December Day

The second day of December.  Five weeks ago my little lady fell off her pony and broke her arm.  The cast came off Monday morning.  It was so great to see her back in the woods again, wild and free, if still a bit cautious.

A moody sky, dried goldenrod waving in the wind, the death of a Monarch, beautiful turkey tails full of tiny details, and lots of late Autumn texture.  I hope your month started off happy.

If you've started your holiday shopping or are in the market for a spruce up to your own Winter wardrobe, consider visiting my Etsy shop.  I have a couple of new items, including this easy to wear red wool cowl.