Hanging Garlands on a Beautiful Day

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you had a lovely weekend

and a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

Today is a rainy, stormy day, but yesterday was mild 

and sunny, so I took the opportunity to hang 

Christmas garlands along the deck rails. 

As you can see, I had a little help. 

xoxo

Whitey Bear keeps me company and is always on alert. 

Along with Kai. I don't think I could live here, 

on the edge of the wilderness, without 

my two loyal guardians and defenders of their kingdom. 

Ramblin' Man is not always around.......

although he wishes he could be.

xo

It was such a beautiful, late autumn day, with long, 

golden rays of sunlight shining through the trees. 

The sun stays low this time of year, even at 'high noon', 

here in the Pacific Northwest. 

The dappled sunlight brought back sweet memories 

of lovely summer days, 

but every little breeze reminds me

 that Old Man Winter is not too far away. 

I stay warm in my late Father's wool flannel, 

with gloves and a thermos of hot, steaming coffee. 

Starbucks breakfast blend. 

My fave. 

Flocks of little birds twitter in the trees ..... 

Chickadees, finches, towhees and nuthatches, 

with sparrows that break into song every so often, 

just because.

 Hummingbirds buzz me in my red plaid shirt,

and scold each other with strange, scratchy voices.

I can hear distant crows and the affectionate calls 

of a pair of ravens that have decided to winter here this year. 

They have several vocalizations, including a 

deep croak and a peculiar 'clucking' call that 

sounds like tapping on a hollow reed.

Curiously, bald eagles have the same call. 

I've read that ravens are known to follow predators,
such as coyotes and eagles to feed on their kills. 

Are the ravens 'calling' for eagles this way? 

Nature works in mysterious ways.

I'm in love with these tiny 'Christmas' trees, 

and have been bringing them home 

to replace summer flowers. 

They live happily in pots. 

I just transplant them into larger pots as they grow. 

You can see one that has grown quite large, 

against the house to the right. 

My 'Glacier Pansies' are blooming, still, 

and I've filled every available container with them,

while they were still for sale at the market. 

These will continue to bloom sporadically all winter, 

and then put on a show this spring. 

Don't you just love those sweet little faces?

My fairy garden stood empty when the fairies 

flew south for the winter :), 

but this little elf had to stay behind. 

Maybe he will set up housekeeping here.......

and decorate for Christmas! 

I'll let you know. 

It's hard to believe that I still have so many blooms 

at the end of November! 

I know that some of you already have snow. 

We are getting snow in the higher elevations, 

and it is only a matter of time before we get some here, too. 

We are at 1200 ft. 

For now, I am enjoying this reprieve! 

A view below.

All the leaves have fallen off the large maple tree

and I no longer have to sweep the deck, 

but now I need to do some raking.

Not too much....only where necessary. 

I love the natural look. 

The garland is finally hung, as the sun gets low. 

 I can hear a far-away chain saw

  and catch the sweet-pungent scent of wood-smoke. 

The flock of crows noisily fly overhead on their way to roost 

in some quiet, secret place, high in the darkening hills. 

There is a definite change in atmosphere as the sun finally sets.

A damp, earthy stillness sets in as temperatures rapidly drop

and dark shadows fill the forest.  

A tree frog croaks, and a robin impatiently lectures his 

friends as they all settle in for the night. 

Another day is left behind, as I gather my things 

and head back inside. 

The days are short and I am glad for my 

 cozy woodland cottage as I turn on the lamps 

 and light a fire to warm my cold fingers and toes. 

I think I will make a beef stew tonight, with fat little dumplings. 

Comfort food to warm the insides and soothe the soul. 

I hope that you are finding comfort in this world tonight, Dear Friends.

xoxo