For the Birds

It's been a super busy day at the hummingbird feeder - Baltimore Orioles, Orchard Orioles, and even the hummingbirds have been battling for a drink all day long! So...I snapped a few more pictures and made this slide show. Enjoy!

Of Late

Here are a few of the crochet projects I've done over the past few weeks for a little crafting variety amid working on the preemie caps.

These are two shawls I completed. The brown variegated one was done with Homespun yarn using a V-stitch and is so soft and comforting. I did make another just like this one in a variegated blue/teal for a friend but sent it off before I took a picture of it. The green flecked one is a shell-type stitch and I made it because I liked the yarn color with the brown flecks.

Last night I finished this trellis and diamond afghan. Been a looooooong time since I crocheted such a big project. Usually it only takes me one pattern repetition to have the sequence memorized but...this one was a little more intricate and I had to consult the pattern beyond half way through the project.

Here's a close-up view of the afghan detail.

Both the shawls and the afghan will be welcome warmth for cool camping nights. Next weekend is our "virgin" camping weekend with our "new" used camper. We're not going far, but far enough away to have some peace and quiet and lots of time for relaxation.

Wednesday afternoon I made my annual spring trip to the cemetery in Algoma to visit and tend to my dad's grave site. It was a very warm 86 degrees when I left home and according to the weather report Tuesday night, the temps along the lakeshore were supposed to be in the 70's. Yeah right. When I got to Algoma it was a mere 52 degrees with a strong wind blowing off the lake. It was nice to see my winter decorated Christmas tree made it through the cold and snow and still looked good. This year I planted a rose bush with beautiful deep pinkish red roses (the tag on the bush said it was extra-hardy and needed no special care - I hope it does well) and added some new planted flowers. I was delighted to see the day lilies I had planted last spring coming up again. On the way home I stopped to add floral decorations to Grandma and Grandpa's grave in Whitelaw and Jeremy's too. And when I got home, it was still 86 degrees!

More Birds!

The number of Orioles and the frequency of their visits to the hummingbird feeder over the past week has increased dramatically! Last Friday I noticed two pair visiting. Then yesterday I saw a completely different one - much darker in color, which I presume to be either a different Oriole all together or...an immature male (I haven't decided which yet). The poor little thing has a bum leg - it just flops around. But...she (or he) manages to perch nicely.

Okay...I looked it up and this is a male Orchard Oriole. Hmm...first time I've ever seen one.



The increase of Oriole visits to the feeder prompted me to put out a plate of sliced oranges the other day. Apparently this "treat" was a hit!



A quick check of the little white birdhouse yesterday delighted me with the the sight of three tiny Eastern Bluebirds - they had hatched! Needless to say, Mother bird is super-protective of her younglings these days!

Bird News

For the past couple of days the oriole pair who nest in our neighbor's huge elm tree have been visiting my window-mounted hummingbird feeder. Apparently they are able to drink from this one - a newer version this year. It's both comical and delightful to watch these colorfully "giant" birds come so near the house. They are giants as compared to the multitude of tiny hummingbirds who visit the feeder throughout the day.

I was able to catch the female on my camera yesterday. Her male partner was here too but I guess he decided to be a gentleman yesterday and let his "lady" feed first. He is much more camera shy than she is.

As of yesterday the bluebird eggs have not yet hatched. Mother and Father bluebird are very diligent in sticking close to the birdhouse.

Left-Overs

Over the years, and most recently, I've wondered what to do with those partial skeins of yarn left over from projects. Well, I receive the Lion Brand newsletter and from time to time they highlight a charity that is looking for knitted and crocheted items. The one that caught my eye and my heart was one I had seen a while back looking for preemie caps. So...I set to work crocheting. Just last night I finished using up all my left-over yarn, well at least the soft variety, and will be shipping these preemie caps out to the charity next week.

It feels really good to even be able to still crochet, given the twisted arthritic fingers of mine and to be able to donate these caps to the fragile little lives of preemies.

Busy Time

Been a while since I posted, but have been busy lately. I'm taking two online classes now and that keeps me hopping...at least until the end of the month. And then there's the usual housework and errands. Tuesday my journaling group will gather once again. Should be a good time.

Craft-wise, I just finished another baby afghan this evening. I made it for the daughter of friends who recently gave birth to a darling boy.


Today it was off to help with wood splitting and stacking, until my back pain really set in. Been hanging around ice packs since this afternoon.

The Eastern bluebirds are quite busy building their nest lately. I took a peek in the bird house this afternoon and they really did a lot of work on it today. It was gorgeous the past two days - temps in the 70's! But it's been so very dry with no rain all month. That is supposed to end tomorrow with rain in the forecast and...much cooler temps. Oh well.

They're Back...

Lo and behold, I caught a glimpse of something very familiar while going out to get the mail. It took off quickly toward the north side of the house. I rushed inside and went to the bedroom window. Sure enough, there he was...an Eastern bluebird perched in the tree by the little white birdhouse!

Well...I had not cleaned out the birdhouse last fall so I went out to do just that (I hear bluebirds don't like "used" nests) and all the while he stood watch nearby and chirped emphatically at me. What I presume was his mate echoed the chirping from a nearby power line. What a joyful sight and sound!

NOW spring is here!!!

Back to Something Old

The daughter of a friend of mine is expecting a baby boy in April so I thought I'd make a gift. It's been a long time since I crocheted anything but last week I ventured out to Hobby Lobby and found a cute baby afgahn pattern and some nice yarn. I set to working on it almost as soon as I got home.This morning I finished Aiden's afgahn. I think it turned out pretty well.

The past two days have been wonderfully warm. Yesterday we even broke the record (70 degrees in town and a whopping 74 out here in the country)! All the snow is gone...for now. We're moving back to reality of the season though with a mere 48 degrees today. BUT there's no snow in the extended forecast!!! March did come in as a lion and it's looking like it will go out like the proverbial lamb. Can't complain about that!