". Arranged Words: September 2016

20 Sept 2016

Birds and Golden Days

Sept 20, 2016 
Hi lovely people!
As you know, I am very fond of birds. These days the migrating birds are flocking and making plans to fly off to warmer climes. The hummingbirds have already left. (My friend, Lois, knows when they arrive and when they leave to the day.)  They are so small, yet so clever and resourceful, obviously the denigrating term bird brain does not apply. The hummers are off to Mexico and Central America. Such bravado!

I love moments like the one above.  I can never get enough of  the cheerful Chickadees. They are so trusting and they don't mind visiting a giant hand. My son said this wee birdie didn't even take a seed. At the moment, it's Eden out there. No need to rush or grab seeds, so this lady flew down for  a long visit. I like to think the Chickadees remember us from our treks to the woods on cold, snowy blustery days with pocketfuls of seeds. I sometimes wonder how they make it through the long, cold winters.


You may remember my Staying Alive Series (threatened or endangered species); this one's #3. Eastern Meadowlark and Dogwood. I put a background in ( not shown) at night.  It looks a little too bright. (An OttLite, please Santa.)

A few older paintings and a new one to the right.

Since my other lily didn't make it until I was ready to paint it, I nipped over to the florist for another one.  It's so nice to be able to buy one stock now and then for a reasonable price. 

A wee one.
I planted this orchid at the end of May. I was about to cross it off my list of bulbs to plant and then the other day it began to bloom.


The annual pick up has begun. I still have a ton of leaves from last fall, but I can't resist. I'll check Pinterest for ideas on what to do with these beauties. I'd like to paint the Maple leaf.
And finally, a glimpse of gold. It's a wonder out there just now. It reminds me of the following stanza from Dylan Thomas' Fern Hill.

Now as I was young and easy under the apple boughs
About the lilting house and happy as the grass was green,
The night above the dingle starry,
Time let me hail and climb
Golden in the heydays of his eyes,
And honoured among wagons I was prince of the apple towns
And once below a time I lordly had the trees and leaves
Trail with daisies and barley
Down the rivers of the windfall light.
Enjoy...


6 Sept 2016

Fall, Shawl Collared Cowl


September 6, 2016
Asters

Labour Day has come and gone and everyone's talking about fall, even though we are having wonderful summer weather, but I have noticed a change in the air, especially at night.  Still I've decided to stick with summer. Picnic anyone? After all, fall doesn't officially arrive until September 22nd.

Elderberries
I love these delicate blooms.  I  just googled and found out that they are called Peruvian lilies or Lily of the Incas.


 Looks like fall wear. And after that sweet talk about summer, but being prepared can't hurt.

 This Shawl Collared Cowl has been in the basket (dare I say) for almost two years. (I am so happy I can knit again!)  I really like this pattern. I've knit it for gifts and for myself.  Yes, I am one of those people, if I like something why not (sometimes) have two. :) I've knit two with Alpaca. It's soft and wonderful to wear, but it does stretch a lot, so, for this one, I added a lace weight mohair for support. Since mohair is suppose to be the warmest fiber, it should, coupled with the Alpaca, be lovely and warm, especially once the loft fluffs up.

A relatively fast knit, but I did spend too long in the fabric store staring at a wall of bland buttons. Nothing caught my eye, until, that is, I saw ice blue. 
 (Did I mention that I am so happy I can knit again!) 


Raverly info here.



Lily of the Incas, Hydrangea, Wax plant bloom.


The last two years I've only had one bloom on my wax plant. Maybe it needs a new owner. (I give it a good fertilizer and put it outside in the summer.)  Calling all gardeners...any ideas for more blooms?

'Til next time...Have a lovely week!