Twas the night before Christmas and all the house ...
Shady was ...

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Winter's Colorful Blossoms . . .

. . . don't always include flora.

Here in the frigid U.S. mid-west (1 degree F today), having a robin Winter-over is not a common occurrence. It is, however, with "egg on the face" (shamefacedly) I must admit that I missed a Great Photograph today!! I glanced at Barbie's tree this afternoon and noticed its inhabitants. Before I could grab the camera, point and shoot - the other 4 (four!) robins had flown away!


Yep! You heard it - there were a total of Five (5!) robins in the tree today. Now, this is something completely unheard of! I've personally never seen one (1) robin winter-over... but Five (5)??

Perhaps I'll have another chance. If so, you'll be among the first to know about it!! :-)

The rest of today's photos include:
Click on each photo to enlarge slightly.

Purple Finches (male on left, female to the right)

Carolina Wren (yea!)

Cardinal (male)

Cardinal (female)

Purple Finch (male)

At the backyard birdfeeder

And one more glimpse out front.

Yes, it was a happy day! Robin(s) and the return of the Carolina Wren! :-)

Birds of a Feather?

May or May Not . . .

(Why is this robin still here???)

... on Barbie's tree ...

It seems, like me, he has a sweet tooth!
(At least he has something to eat!)

Nervous Nellie...

. . . Flock together . . .

Three goldfinches (losing their summer golden color),
one male, purple finch, and one cardinal

Barbie's tree with a junco (upper center), the robin (lower left),
and a northern flicker (on trunk), and red-bellied woodpecker on suet.

The arrival of the bluejay (to the right) sent the junco and robbin scurrying. The flicker is now on the left and the red-bellied woodpecker is now on the trunk.

Last, but never least, the arrival of a second bluejay and a downy woodpecker (on the suet)
rounds out the activity observed within a one-minute's time span!

All taken within about five minutes' time January 7th.

A Peek Over the Shoulder...

...at the inspiration that fostered a couple more projects!

First, a glance back at the gingerbread house my friend and I decorated
as a fund-raising project for the local Art Association.

My mother and I decorated this one during our
Christmas visit.

These little houses were decorated by
two of our grandchildren.

These little houses were decorated by our other three grandchildren.

Happy New Year!!!

Garden Bloggers' Muse Day - January 2011

WINGS

The little bird sat on a slender limb,
Upward swinging,
And though wind and rain were rough with him,
Still kept singing.
"O Little bird, quick, seek out your nest!"
I could not help from calling;
"The bleak winds tear your tender breast,
Your tiny feet are falling."

"More need for song
When things go wrong,
I was not meant for crying;
No fear for me,"
He piped with glee,
"My wings were made for flying!"

My heart had been dark as the stormy sky
In my sorrow,
With the weight of troubles long passed by,

and the morrow.
"O little bird, sing!" I cried once more,
"The sun will soon be shining.
See, there's a rainbow arching o'er
The storm cloud's silver lining."

I, too, will sing
Through everything;
It will teach blessing double;
Nor yet forget.
When rude winds fret,
To fly above my trouble.

---Author Unknown

Though the garden be shady,
don't let the shade crowd out the sunshine...
or your optimism for each tomorrow!

Best wishes to you, as we now look towards every new day in 2011!

To enjoy other Muse Day posts, click the logo above to visit Carolyn Gail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago.

The Snow-Storm

The Snow-Storm

Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields,
Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air
Hides hills and woods, the river, and the heaven,

And veils the farm-house at the garden's end.
The sled and traveler stopped, the courier's feet
Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates sit
Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed
In a tumultuous privacy of storm.

Come see the north wind's masonry.
Out of an unseen quarry evermore
Furnished with tile, the fierce artificer
Curves his white bastions with projected roof
Round every windward stake, or tree, or door.

Speeding, the myriad-handed, his wild work
So fanciful, so savage, nought cares he
For number or proportion. Mockingly,
On coop or kennel he hangs Parian wreaths;
A swan-like form invests the hidden thorn;
Fills up the farmer's lane from wall to wall,




Maugre the farmer's sighs; and at the gate
A tapering turret overtops the work.
And when his hours are numbered, and the world
Is all his own, retiring, as he were not,
Leaves, when the sun appears, astonished Art
To mimic in slow structures, stone by stone,
Built in an age, the mad wind's night-work,
The frolic architecture of the snow.

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Visited my parents, spending a few days prior to and after Christmas. This is the snow they received in Clear Lake (extreme north central), Iowa. (A good 12 inches)

Happy Winter Y'all! :-)
SG

We Wish You a Merry Christmas . . .

We Wish You a Merry Christmas . . .

We Wish You a Merry Christmas . . .

And a Happy New Year!

By the edge of SE Forest

By our little Avenue,

Stands the home of Mr and Shady,

dwellers of shade; he and she.

There behind us grows the forest,

Grows the varied types of oak trees;

Grows the oaks with leaves upon them;

In the forest lives the wildlife,

deer, and fox, and many birds,

Live the bright and singing wild birds.

Singing brightly without words . . .

(toying with Hiawatha - forgive me

H. W. Longfellow!)

Yet, may the words of my endeavor,

Find YOU well this time of year,

Find you prosperous and merry;

And may we all find ways to share

(our bounteous good fortune).

A Very Merry Christmas 2010!

Best wishes to you.

May you enjoy the company of family and friends.

May you enjoy safe travel.

May our blogging bring us back together in the new year!

Shady Gardener