Winter Garden

There is not a lot of activity in the garden these days. I do find things here and there but its difficult to do something new and exciting for my blog. The little chap above was just so cute I could not resist. The small birds are always so cute. Then we got some snow, just a little and so I went our looking for some pictures but there really is not a lot out there. These look like they were taken in black and white but they are not.



A few seeds among the snow but that's about it.
I still have some snow men out there to brighten up things for now.





We have a few Nuthatches that come regular now.

Squirrels Christmas Dinner.............

We have had several squirrels come in to feed. They do not like to share apparently. This little black one is here every day and stays most of the day. The grey one was fed up with having left overs I think because he chased the black one off. Then they began ariel antics chasing up and down the tree around and around until they got tired. Not sure if they were fighting or courting by this time but here are a few pictures of the activity.

In the Bleak Midwinter................

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Not a lot going on out there...................

As there is nothing else going on in the garden I am watching for special visitors. This morning we had a dusting of snow and with that we got some Junco's come in. I just love the small birds. So round and fluffy. I froze my arse off standing in the bathroom window with the camera. I also saw a red breasted finch who declined to come down to the table. There were also the crows hanging out in the trees across the ally, they must have known I was watching because they wont come near. I think I will put some food out on the grass.



The cat set up camp under the bird table as usual but to no avail. I would not let her out if I thought she was a danger. She is not so keen to go out when it rains or now there is snow. I am hoping she will learn to prefer indoors. Till then she is welcome. If she thinks she can launch an attack from there she is nuts.



The squirrel really wanted to come in but for some reason today was reluctant. There had been about six of them today this one was hoping for some leftovers.



You do not stand a chance Boots

Black Squirrels.....

Didn't know that black squirrels were not common in every other state. I have had quite a few remarks about them. Here in Michigan the population is maybe 50/50 at least here where we live. Grey and black. The black are very cute but the grey have such a beautiful tail. Its usually very full and lush.

This chap took off with his prize when I kept bugging him by trying to take his picture.







It was a rainy day. They got wet but when the weather gets bad they use the tail as an umbrella

Here is the black one that comes most of the time. I think there are about 3 blackies coming at the moment. I will have to try to ID them and give them names so I know who is who. Will have to wait though. I will try to draw them after Christmas. The squirrels do hibernate but they come back out any time the weather is good and look for their secret stashes. With the bird feeders to raid they stay fat and healthy.



Today he got just a little wet......The next guy is looking beautiful.

Mistletoe ...........

Along with holly, laurel, rosemary, yews and the Christmas tree, is an evergreen displayed during the holiday season and symbolic of the eventual rebirth of vegetation that will occur in spring. But perhaps more than any other of the Christmas evergreens, it is a plant of which we are conscious only during the holidays. One day we're kissing under the mistletoe, and next day we've forgotten all about it.




The Druids considered the mistletoe to be a sacred flower and believed it had miraculous properties which could cure illnesses, serve as an antidote against poisons, ensure fertility and protect against the ill effects of witchcraft. Moreover, whenever enemies met under the mistletoe in the forest, they had to lay down their arms and observe a truce until the next day. From this has seemingly come the ancient custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and goodwill.

Another version, however, says that this custom, which was widespread among the Anglo-Saxons, was connected to the legend of Freya, goddess of love, beauty and fertility. According to legend, a man had to kiss any young girl who, without realizing it, found herself accidentally under a sprig of mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. Even if the pagan significance has been long forgotten, the custom of exchanging a kiss under the mistletoe can still be found in many European countries as well as North America. It was once believed that if a couple in love exchanged a kiss under the mistletoe, it was a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life. So, be careful who you choose to smooch this holiday season!
http://www.oneforthetable.com/oftt/christmas/in-season.html

My Garden today.............

Today its raining. It's rare to have this sort of winter in Michigan. Most folks are happy about not having to deal with snow, but then the skiiers and winter sports enthusiasts are not at all happy. As we can not change the way the weather works I will enjoy it. The down size is the garden looks horrible. If it was not so close to Christmas I would be out there working on getting it shaped up for Spring its the perfect temperatures to do that. I just don't have the energy left over to do that on top of everything else there is to do. I have decorated the porch with a few things.
The bench has Christmas cushions and looks spiffy.








I have a candle that I made many years ago when I was doing ceramics. That stays alight all the time.





The snowman sits in the red rocking chair. That and the bench will have to have a coat of paint in the Spring. Both are in big need of repair and freshening up and I need to stop the wet getting into the wood.





I have poinsetias around and about on the porch to brighten things up. We did get the lights up
but my husband did a sloppy job. I will have to rectify that when I can. Maybe my son will do it for me as he is coming home tomorrow. Everything will look better with snow.



The poor reindeer are looking like they had an argument and are not speaking to each other, the front of the house is no better but at least there are lights. That's a start.

December and still no snow...............

This is just beautiful weather. Its the first week in December and still no snow. We have had a flurry and its been very cold, well 30 degrees. The squirrels are feasting and getting fat with thick fur. They look so healthy. I put peanut butter out and now they have discovered that, its gone in a flash. I will have to find a way to make it last. The birds love it.



The first to find the feeder was this black squirrel, a handsome chap.



He hides his leftovers?




This blue Jay had a great time today, isn't he a beauty?



Another cute visitor a little Tufted Titmouse. Isn't he cute?

Pretty Bird.......

Ain't I a pretty boy?



Here I am looking for my wife and found all this nice chow........



Ah there she is stuffing her face already......



So hows the wife Chickie? The foods improved around here since they put out the peanut butter. Nice and crunchy.

November walks.....

I can hardly believe this weather. It has been so nice, may be its cold in the mornings but as the day progressed it warmed up somewhat. At least it has been so nice for walking. The other day we took the kids for a walk and yesterday took Tristen for a short walk. Today Laura and me went over to the State Hospital trails. They have done a great job over there laying out real trails. There is quite a bit of land, most of it wooded with either hardwoods or Cedars. Kids creek runs back and forth throughout the woods, hills and fields. I took a few pictures today
The first one was a hornets nest. They are so cool looking and a work of skill.

We found several little water falls, the water is so clear and its amazing really considering that it runs through the woods.



There was a point that we wanted to cross over, there was a platform that someone has placed that went half way and a hanging rope where someone had swung over to the other bank. The banks were slippery and there were branches in the water. We considered using the rope but probably lucky for us we decided against it. Dont know how long its been there and did not fancy a dunking even if it was just a few inches of very fast water. Yeah it looks easy but we aint kids any more



The leaves are all off the trees now but there are loads of berries



We saw rose hips in abundance and that made me remember when I was a kid, in England, we would collect rose hips and make itchy powder to put down kids backs. Apparently my kids never knew about that hehe. Well rose hips make great tea and rose hip syrup is good for what ails ya!



More waterfalls.......




The Sumac was dead but still beautiful when you really looked at it. The squirrels were busy and fat. Should be a good winter for them as long as they find enough to eat now. Lots of berries and lots of food at the moment. This weather can't last. The woodpeckers had enjoyed a feast here.



Lots to eat with the rose hips and berries old apples and so on, the deer will also fatten up. Its hunting season now so they are in the deep woods but there is still plenty to eat and drink and they are safe here.



off into the cedars again.......nice that they have put the boardwalks in for us.



The cedars in there are huge, there are some that must be very old. They are beautiful.



Another small waterfall


A lot of trees are giving their lives back to the earth, it is rich and black and full of goodness. In summer these woods are full of flowers. Cant wait to get back out there next Spring.