I'm longing for the green to return in my back yard...
...like the blue returned to the sky on those recent warm days of 65.
...well...a few days anyway...today it is raining
and a cool 35.
Winter ~I hope~ is on the way out....
pretty as it was on those snow covered days.
(all photos enlarge)
My last outing in the snow for this winter (I hope)...
began with filling the empty bird feeders.
Then I headed down our snow and ice encrusted drive.
Deeper snow of the winter had melted before this
lighter snow and ice storm brought down a few
large limbs...but many smaller branches.
The blackberry patch bows with it's light covering of ice.
What are the snow topped balls in this little stream?
Walnuts that fell late....from the tree.
To me the dark outline...presents a nice scene...
a Hawk in flight...with wide-open wings.
Here's a winter gift...a heart created by the snow.
Collages of:
~a Downy Woodpecker~
~a Northern Flicker~
~a Red-bellied Woodpecker~
~an Eastern Towhee~
~a male Northern Cardinal~
~a female Northern Cardinal~
Some of the above birds eating suet at the feeder...
my gift to them...in a way.
Here they are joined by a group of House Finches...
...some could be Common Redpoll...I'm not quite sure!
This is definitely...a European Starling!
'Definitely' a Squirrel...
...eating some food!
We've had food of our own to prepare.
Baked fish & rice, baked potato with veg.sausage&peppers,
sometimes...
just salad & cottage cheese, soup, pasta with soy bacon,
3 cheese tortellini with peppers, pumpkin/squash soup with a
Greek yogurt heart and black bean soup with salad.
The full moon this month brought the gift of
calmer weather...
...and a few friends out of hiding.
A few grandkids came over too...
Dylan worked on a 'short story' assignment for school.
Another day...Alivia created some 'mail art' for her mom...
All the snow has seeped into the earth...
maybe...preparing for an early Spring (I hope).
This day was dry enough to walk on the hillside...
on wetter days it's too easy to slide.
I sat my phone at the base of this Beech...
so You could visualize the tree's large size.
The Beech is impressively tall.
While in the field one day...a Hawk flew over...
he was extremely high.
There's great views one might miss...if one never looks up...
but sometimes...
it pays to keep your sights close to the ground.
~nature's gift of a heart~
~
Recently...
I met with my two sisters and our four daughters for lunch at Mimi's Restaurant. A niece -visiting from Colorado- informed us...while holding 3 large boxes...that just over 4 years ago...our mother had given her the beginnings of 3 quilts...with instructions to finish them.
Each of the three of us received...
~a gift of a quilt from the heart of our mother~
...who passed 4 years ago this June.
~a collage of photos of mine~
66 comments:
What a lovely walk. I, too, hope Spring is just around the corner. As always, your images are just beautiful.
I could take that walk over and over again. Just beautiful photos and it made me feel warmer inside. Thank you!
I can't believe you have no snow, we are still snow covered and it is so cold here.
Loved seeing all the birds, and I would never loose weight at your house, your meals looks so delicious. Seeing the grandchildren doing homework and crafts is wonderful but the most wonderful of all was seeing the quilt made by your niece as instructed by your mother. How wonderful and beautiful is that? You must be so happy as it is so very special. I do hope Richard is still doing well, big hugs to Alivia.....:-)Hugs
You've been saving up for one big, glorious post! What a beautiful life you have.
Hello Wanda, My heart did a little happy flutter when I saw you had posted. It's been so long since I had a walk on your property. I so enjoy all your birds - what an ingenious way to feed the suet. Those birds have a banquet! (As does Herhusband!) Thank you for showing the wonderful quilt finished by your niece from the wishes of your Mother. What a special gift to you and your sisters. Good Luck on an early spring - I look forward to it.
Wanda....I hope you have less snow than we....a blizzard decended on us again today!!!
Your photos of all the birds are just so gorgeous as all your pictures are. I love your beautiful posts. It's such a feeling of going on vacation to a refuge, solace and peace!
I bet your grandchildren just absolutely love to come over to do schoolwork or just be!
Even the trees LOVE being there!
Wanda, my heart burst with emotion as you spoke of your niece giving each of you sisters the quilts she had finished for your late mother.
How beautiful to receive something so unexpected from someone you all loved so much,
I'm sure she was smiling down on you all.
big hugs
xoxox
What a lovely walk, and such a nice gift from your mother via your niece.
Wanda, I lost my mom 7 years ago. she had made each grand child a Christmas quilt. She became ill while working on the Christmas quilt for her last grandchild. I brought the quilt home and finished it and sent it to my sisters youngest son on Christmas, 10 days after mom had passed. I am proud of your niece.
Liked you hidden picture of the hawk :)
Hello Wanda!
I saw at once this morning that you had posted and this is something I want to see.All your wonderful photos from your place. The nature, the snow, the tall trees high up to the sky, the hawk - everything. And then the birds. Great, great photos. Hello European Starling! How did you get there ?
And ypu have made such fine collages of photos. Your Alivia seems o be a creative girl. Fine drawings.
Thank you for sharing. Once again a wonderful trip with you
Grethe ´)
I
The pictures of birds are phenomenal! Incredible! I love them! Wow!
I like your "crazy" quilt!
Such fun that the grandkids can just walk over. You are blessed. And they are blessed in many ways but particularly by all of your yummy food!
Oh Wanda ~ your birds, the melting snow, the beautiful beautiful gift of the quilts ~
I'm smiling at your collages of winter memories.
I do enjoy visiting here so much, the sweetness of your surroundings and your beautiful & gentle words and music.
Have a blessing filled week ~ you and your husband and lovely family*
love,
Maria
Your stunning images and lovely words always warm my heart, and what a treasure your quilt is :)
☼ Sunny
Hi,Wanda!
First of all, sighs of contentment, as always! Snowscape, skies, trees, birds, squirrels, delicious dishes, grandchildren, heart-shaped things, and quilt finished by your niece...all are conveyed in your touch and style, which I always feel “Oh, this is Wanda!” I’ve thought of you how you’re doing in your world whenever I received a warm comment from you.
I wish the thawing of the snow be the first step for spring time which we can hardly wait for. Here in Nara, we are in a warm spell now, temperature hovering around 60 degrees F, but we have to wait true spring till the middle of March.
I look forward to your next post probably about early spring. Stay warm and healthy, Wanda.
I think all of us are hoping for some Spring sunshine, the days here are grey and wet and miserable at the moment so it's lovely to see all your photos especially the ones with blue sky:)
How lovely to have a quilt to finish that was started by your Mom, it's a real tangible link with her. You must show it to us when you've finished it.
A lovely post with a perfect ending...a gift from your Mother. How precious!
It was so good to take another walk with you. I hope herhusband is feeling lots better and your lives are coming back to normal, although I know you will keep that little bit of fear tucked away in your heart.
Your bird collages are gorgeous and it is so nice to see that you are close to spring. Last night we had another foot or so of snow on top of the eight inches in the few days before. It's been a few years since we've gotten this much snow, but today was also very windy, which is very unusual for us. It will be April before we start seeing signs of spring, but I'll enjoying watching it sprout in your yard.
What a beautiful gift your mother gave you through your niece. That will be something you will treasure for the rest of your life, and it couldn't have come at a better time. The coming of spring will also help bring peace and order back into your life. Treasure every minute of every day.
I was so glad to see you were posting again about your wonderful surroundings and wildlife. I know the birds are colourful but the 'pearly' starling was a joy to find too. The insights here into your life warm our hearts as they do yours, and I was moved by your niece's gift to you all from your ma.
I love the greenness of your blog, and the pictures of the birds are just outstanding!! I also have flickers and downy woodpeckers, but no cardinals or other beautifully colored birds. A wonderful blog post, Wanda, thank you for brightening my day!
Nature's hearts, the flashes of red - ANY red - on those birds, Olivia's mail art (which I'd like to see up close), and that beautiful quilt and SO MUCH MORE brought me special pleasure this morning!
We had ice and snow yesterday--just when most of the snow had melted; a reminder that winter isn't through with us yet....
Heart gifts, food gifts for healthy hearts, and gifts from the heart. It's always so lovely to spend a few minutes with you, Wanda. My heart is always full when I leave your place.
XOXO
So good to see another jam-packed full of beauty post from you, Wanda!
I need to come back again later and pore over it all.
Good Mormning Wanda,
From one 'Bird Lady' to another, I have to tell you I always smile when I see your bird pic's. I really adore the Towhee...so darn cute!
I took a walk the other day and sat down on a downed log. When I looked up, I saw the same vision as in your photo...the bare tree tops gently swaying in the breeze. It was beautiful...just exactly like your worms eye view photo.
Love your cherished quilt...how special.
Until next time and next walk...
Janet xox
Wanda, I have missed our walks together, just you and I. Those snowy walks in the snow seeing what Mother Nature had left for us to discover. She did a great job this time! I love the birds on your patio. It was fun to sit with you and see SO many different kinds of birds and so pretty too!!
And the food...so yummy looking. I can almost smell them. Makes my mouth water just viewing them! Thanks for the time together. Hope we can go again REAL SOON!! ...debbie
Lovely, as always! We have a ton of snow, and it's only zero! But I'm praying for an early spring!
~Debra
Hello, Wanda.
It has been long since your post,Winter days. I am pleased to see you today.
Loved to see your early spring and all your birds. They look friendly to you and your yard!
Your mother’s quilts are very lovely. She left such wonderful memories for you. Your mother poured her beauty and wishes into the needle, thread and cloth. It was precious time for your mother and niece!
Have a nice day.
“Tomoko”
HI WANDA-
I so so enjoyed walking about your nature-land. It is SO beautiful and peaceful and fascinating. I enjoyed all your meals too. I especially love your quilt to finish - warmed my heart this Winter's day. :-)
I am in htemidst of water issues and resolving that -thank goodness Skipp is home. Also dealing with some medical tests - oh well, so it goes, huh? I hope there is much recovery/healing at your home -
love you
Gail
peace.....
Hi Wanda,
I am so happy that you fed all of those poor little birds! I hope they know how lucky they are!
I am longing to see green myself. I want to get working in my yard so badly! I just keep praying that this winter will SOON be over.
It's good to hear what you've been up to. I hope your husband is doing well!
Love Di ♥
I look foward to seeing that you have posted. I just love the beauty of your surrondings. The quilt is so lovely. That is definitely something to cherish. What a wonderful memory of your mother. My mother is still alive, but when she moved out of the house that I grew up in she gave me an afgan that she had made a long time ago. I do cherish that. It lays across the arm of a chair in our den.
Hopefully, warm weather will be coming your way. It has gotten much warmer here. 70' and 80's. Yeah!
I hope you husband is doing well.
Take care.
Smiles.
Hi Wanda,
What a lovely walk...I enjoyed the birds singing and the squirrels 'chittering'. I will though be glad when the snow will go to its final resting place and let the warm up begin!!!
What a wonderful gift. It's so nice to hear from you Wanda. I love all the hearts you find in nature and everywhere. That tree must be enormous. Our winter has started late and we have a huge gale last weekend and it looks like things might get windy round here again very soon.
I enjoyed the stroll around your place. It is always a wonderful visit...so peaceful and beautiful. Thanks for taking me along.
I'm always enchanted by birds. They have often been my smiles during this long winter. The reminder to look up - and then down. Really - to look - at the wonder. And the wonder of the quilts at the end brought tears - but sweet ones. No salt. Lovely to have a posting from you.
Wanda, the gift of your mother's quilts is heartwarming. I think we're all ready for a bit of spring. It looks like the birds already think it is!
I love that you put a heart in your soup!
:)
Sun or snow your photos show me a very beautiful world, filled with wonderful birds and animals. And your words speak of your family full of love.
I love the gift you received from your niece, I'm sure it must mean a lot to you! Looking up, looking down, anywhere you look it's beautiful in your part of the world! The little birds on your feeder are so colorful, it must be such a pleasure to watch them!
Wanda what a beautiful post, loved all the birds, i am thrilled you have no snow...lucky you. what touched my heart the most was having your niece give the three of you the gift of the quilts that she had from your Mom. what treasures for you. all the best , always love your walks. hugs.
I love this post! I especially liked the birds--they are amazing. What a treasure to have the quilts. Count your blessings as you wait for Spring!
Oh, you saved the best for last. What an amazing quilt gift to receive.
I'm with you on being ready for spring.
As always, I so enjoyed your photographic stream of consciousness.
Just lovely, Wanda~ I don't know how you get those incredible close-ups! I love following your accompanying story, too. Nature woven into life. Thank you!
I love love the quilt idea, Wanda!
And I do long with you... Miss Spring WHERE ARE YOU?
Have a loveliest of weekends xxx
yes,spring should already come!
I like this beatiful collection of bird pictures!
I loved this visit today. Love the winding down of winter and the coziness of the indoors.
And the gift of the heart from your niece from your Mother. That made my eyes tear up. What a surprise blessing and joy for you all!
I am amazed at the abundance of birds in your area - I am sure that where I live, both in Canada and in France, there has been a serious drop in the number and variety of birds that visit. I loved the European starling - you take beautiful pictures of them all.
A beautiful gift from your mother - and I enjoyed the way you wove hearts (again) into your post. Even in the soup!
I love the bird collages, nice!! And the tree tops, lovely shapes. This is the hardest time for me here in S Dakota; just when we're sick of the cold/snow it has only just now reached the worst time...Feb. thru early May! UGH! Lovely lovely post Wanda, thanks again for sharing yourself w/ us.
Hi Wanda... Visiting again... listening to your first song on the playlist {which I love} and enjoyed your birdie photos again...
I also teared again, reading about the "gift of the quilts." What a joy-filled moment that must have been!
Blessings always,
Maria
That's an amazing gift from your mother. You must be so touched.
I, too, am hoping for an early spring. Alas, it never happens here. We have at least another two months of snow - so it's time for an attitude adjustment (for me!). I hope that yours is truly early.
That beech is HUGE. I couldn't find your phone in the photo at first. And, I love seeing your colorful birds. Even in winter, your world is colorful.
Wanda,
As usual, you've just created a symphony of beauty for us.
I love your heart, and your passion for nature and the animals. You always find the heart.
Joey
How wonderful Wanda dearest. the birds are amazing! Love coming here.
I'm sure spring will come soon.
Have a great week.
Regards.
xo
hi, good site very much appreciatted
Wanda, I cried when I read about the quilts, so touching. And such a Blessed Gift! I'm happy for you.
Your photos are all so beautiful, especially the birds (the Northern Cardinal is my favorite!), and all the snow shots too are so pretty, and I can't get over all those hearts (and the blue material on the quilt is heart-shaped)! You must be surprised when you DON'T find one!
I've missed visiting this very peaceful place.
Love to you, Wanda ~
Eileen
I love your photos of the birds. They are very well done. How nice it must be to be able to observe them so closely.
In my opinion, I have an overabundance of squirrels and not enough birds. If I put out food to attract more birds, my scampy squirrels would steal it all first.
Hello Wanda!
I noticed you'd signed up to follow my blog today, so had to pop on over and meet you here, especially since you are my 50th follower! THANK YOU!
I had recently decided I cannot afford to sign up as a follower of any more blogs...as I am having quite a time keeping up with all those I already follow...HOWEVER! I have been forced to ignore my 'better judgement' and sign up immediately, as I have been 'blown away' by what you have on offer!
Your blog is absolutely marvellous...your photography phenomenal! You are in quite a different league from me! I am truly looking forward to visiting regularly :)
All your pictures are lovely. I like the tree with a heart shape – what a find. I hope that by now your weather is not so cold. Today we drove and saw many trees in bloom in our neighborhood, white, pink – spring is here.
The pictures are great. The woods are not such a barren place in the winter if you take the time to actually go into the woods. However, I am more than ready for spring. Southern Kentucky greens up nicely in the spring time.
http://timkeen40.wordpress.com
The real hawk and the stream hawk are most impressive - but then, so are all your other pictures!
It is an absolute treat looking at each of your pictures :-) How do you create those collage pictures? Any specific software you use?
I loved all the pictures of the birds eating from the feeder and the squirrel eating food. Did I miss the meals you prepared? They look yum! :D
Once more, I've enjoyed the heartwarming stories behind your beautiful pictures.
Wanda,
The images are beautiful...very stunning!
You know, my family is so hoping winter is on its way out in Ohio. My two nieces have experienced flooding in their basement and it's just been so difficult a winter.
thanks for a vision into your world...
I feel like I came over to your home in Ohio and we took a beautiful nature walk....the photos are so wonderful...it is like being there...(almost)...the music is like watching a tender movie...after our walk we came inside for some tea and enjoyed your grandkids...
Thank you so much for sharing with us...please stop by my blog, for I have something for you! :}
How can I not come away from this post feeling more cheery and hopeful? I love the beautiful bird photos, the lovely hearts and the beech tree! I think spring might be creeping along here, after a big rainstorm overnight we have lost a lot of the snow. I thorughly enjoyed the entire post!
...beautiful post, Wanda...the ending brought tears to my eyes. Receiving the beginnings of quilts from your mom...what a gift. You must have felt her presence there with you. (Rick, Matty and my parents love Mimi's too! I like it because they will cook salt free for me--I can't have salt because I have Meniere's).
p.s. Loved the heart you found in the tree...
My oh my! What a beautiful post! The bird collages and the crazy quilt and the beautiful photos! The skunk, the food, the blue sky, the squirrel! The scenery! Gorgeous! What is mail art by the way, looks like fun. it is supposed to be in the 50s here on Friday, but we had snow all day today.
Such a pleasure to visit you tonight. What beautiful images and such a precious gift from your Mom. That must have been such an emotional moment. Have a blessed evening.
Oh Wanda....you don't post very often but when you do....it's like a fantastic gift!!! Your phenomenol photos as well as the music accompanying them, makes for a beautiful 10 minute journey!!! You live in a gorgeous spot and I see you have a marvelous appreciation for nature...love all your birds, and I think I learned something! The rare pic of a grandchild shows the warmth and love inside your home too. You have a huge heart and that is apparent in your photography and your outlook on life. Even your food is just amazingly beautiful and sweet. It would be fun to have you as a friend....and since I am so far away....I'll settle for being a blogging friend!!
You are such a treasure! I leave filled with comfort and joy overflowing :) I can only imagine the warmth of your home. I am so enamored with the variety of birds that you have! I've never seen a blue bird or a cardinal. I love how you capture such a variety of them in your photos. Thanks for the cheerful and inviting place to hang out on a Tuesday morning :)
Post a Comment