Zippety Doo Dah and Zowies!!

It's getting closer to Spring's arrival, here.  Sunday afternoon's snow was 1/2 gone by yesterday afternoon, when these photos were taken.  Today, the only bits of  snow left is in select, north sides of buildings.

Emerging "kittens" on my brother's weeping pussy willow tree.

Planted last Spring (2013) in his memory.

 Woo-hoo!  Daffodils are emerging!

 Heirloom (tiny!) crocus in the grass... their second season.  :-)

 Another site near the driveway.

 The latest snowfall - receeding!

 

emergent Muscari

 Are you sharing these sentiments?

P.S.  One more item rising in the garden... this time in the backyard (which would seem to make more sense)...  Moles... new tunnels.

Springing Forth with Good Wishes to You!!
SG  :-)

Central Gardens in Clear Lake, Iowa

These are photos I took a few years ago.  These gardens were begun several years ago, with the expert advice from the people of Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa.  I'm not sure this garden fairy resides there any longer, but it was created to celebrate RAGBRAI's ride through town at that time.

Last year, RAGBRAI cruised through our town!  We were encouraged to create items for display around our town square that had something to do with bicycles... Perhaps using bicycle parts.  Say no more, I thought at the time!  I took inspiration from the above garden fairy to create my Garden Praying Mantis!  lol. I will post a photo of my sculpture at the end of this post.

This is a view of the walkway (below) that leads around Central Gardens.

Below is a little recirculating stream.

I do enjoy a pond with Lily pads!

This is a beautiful spot that has become a popular spot for weddings.

Okay.  Here's "my" Garden Praying Mantis.  She stood outdoors downtown all summer last year.  She was the result of my participation in the annual fund-raiser for our local Art Association.  She was purchased by a local citizen and I know she's enjoying her new home!  :-)

Yesterday's Wildflower Wednesday post!

Beautiful sight...

 Bright

 White

Snow

Drapes the delicate framework

of a Springtime

"wannabe!"

:-)

lol   For truly sweet and "serious" postings, head over to see Gail at Clay and Limestone.  Read the comments and see who else has posted!  :-)

SG

Whether or Not We Liked Yesterday Morning's Weather . . .

. . . it truly was beautiful!!

Front yard

It was also intense at times!

Back yard

 

Little snow pellets (not sleet)

 

 I had been derelict in filling the feeders Sunday...

so I hurried out Monday (with my camera in my pocket)!

Listen carefully.  Can you hear the snow falling??

Monday afternoon turned out to be sunny and beautiful.  I can walk on a crust of snow, now, though!  :-)

SG

Busy Time in the Front Yard Today!

First the feeders

and then the heated birdbath:

Bluejay

English Sparrow

Goldfinch

female Cardinal

female House Finch and Goldfinch

male Cardinal

Starlings (not "darlings")

I was trying to wash a few dishes at the kitchen sink.  However, the birds kept landing on the bird bath!  :-)

SG

What??? In the middle of January???

After having lived in SE Iowa for an extended... and I mean EXTENDED period of time (34 1/2 years), I thought I had "weather" figured out!

I mean, after having been raised in extreme North Central Iowa (25 miles or so south of Minnesota), Winter is Winter!  Starting earlier and lasting longer.




So yes, with an exception here and there, cold Winter weather usually begins after January down here.  However...


Just look at what I saw at 8:00 A.M. Monday morning!

An influx of robins and cedar waxwings!  And I have proof!!

Any worms residing here are deep under the icy ground!

See the chubby one at the top left of this next photo?  I believe that's our overwhelmed(!) "Mr. Resident."  Usually he guards the crab apples on this tree and chases everyone away...

By mid-afternoon, nearly all the robins and cedar waxwings had left to search other food sources... leaving "Mr. Resident" back in his domain... chasing the remaining few intruders away!

  

We have very little snow left... too bad.  I assume, given the fact that we're still in the middle of January, we'll receive more!  (I hope!  For several reasons!)

Have a great day!

SG

It's Almost Time - Again!! (Planning for the 7th Annual Christmas Ornament Workshop!)

We will not be celebrating Thanksgiving at our house this year.  So, I've made a mess on the dining room table in preparation for the December ornament workshops!  See below.




The photo at left shows the ornaments created each year, beginning with the wire and bead stars (2007), the fabric ribbon angels holding tiny wire stars (2008), little leave books that open "in the round" (2009), felt stars with faces (2010), cross stitch (2011), and the woven stars (2012).

Hopefully the photos are "in order" above.  At any rate, this year's ornament is going to be another little booklet.  The workshops will be during the second week of December.  I'm now getting supplies "in order" and the invitations mailed.  :-)

Here's a preview of my first attempt at our little booklets... and some of the mess on the table!  :-)

Little Heart Ornament - closed

 Little Heart Ornament - open

I plan to keep you "posted!"
In the meantime, let's get ready for Thanksgiving!!
:-)  SG