Signs of Spring in December

Design - Reindeer motif from "Christmas Ornaments"

Designer - Niky's Creations

Fabric - 32 count Lambswool linen

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 9 December 2012

Completed - 9 December 2012

Even in December, there are early signs of Spring to Come.

I have primrose blooming now.

They are pretty scraggly looking what with all the rain.

And look at this clump of Narcissus.  Yikes!  It'll be interesting to see just how soon it buds up and blooms. 

The Hellebores are harbingers of Spring too.

Several of the plants have budded up and one has already set blossoms.

A couple of the pots I planted with Spring bulbs are also showing signs of life. 

This one has crocus.

I've managed thus far to keep my cyclamen happy, healthy, and mildew free.

As we've yet to have a hard frost, there are Fuchsias still in bloom.

The Agastaches and Salvias in the mudroom flowerbed remain profuse too.

The Anna's hummingbirds appreciate the opportunity to supplement their bird feeder nectar with the 'real thing'.

Gardening, Gardening, and Yet More Gardening

In keeping with the Gardening Theme, I am posting in green ink. I'll start off by showing off my finish on a small Niky's Creations stitch:

Design - "Gardening"
Designer - Niky's Creations
Fabric - 30 count Natural linen
Fibers - DMC
Started - 16 May 2011
Completed - 16 May 2011

As it is The Tuesday Garden Party I can report on my recent adventures on that front.

The weather has been better than forecast...

So I've been able to set out all my ferns and hostas.

I am so pleased with this tender New Zealand fuchsia.

I over-wintered it, most successfully in my small lean-to greenhouse.

The plant not only survived, it thrived, and is already blooming.

This past weekend I was able to find time to pot up my coleus...

You can't have too many coleus in my book!

Back to hostas - I love these minis - I bought them from Sebright Nursery at one of our local plant sales. Sebright has an amazing selection of hostas - of all sizes and colors and leaf type.

Yesterday was all about fuchsias - I potted up over 20 them.  They are already beginning to bloom and will do so until the first hardy frost in late October.  The hummingbirds love them and so do I.

Mid-May Report

The weather report called for 90% chance of rain beginning at 3:00am this morning.  As of 7:30am no sign of the rain yet - so a Good Gardening Day in my book.  In honor of that I've kitted up a freebie by Niky of Niky's Creations called ... "Gardening"!

With stitching all ready once the rain begins (and it will), I'm off to pot up some of my dozens and dozens of new plant purchases - I'm thinking I'll begin with some coleus and see how it goes from there.

My Nature Report has "Big News" too.  On Thursday morning I heard the distinctive call of an Evening Grosbeak and spied one darting from Maple tree to Maple tree.  Then Saturday morning the first group arrive at the feeders...   

Two males with a female between them...

Ornithologically Grosbeaks are the Big Cousins to the Goldfinches and they share the feeders much as a larger family shares the table at holidays.

And mid-May is all about our wild Iris - a profusion of color!