Oh February...

This has been, as they say, an interesting week. February starts off with Groundhog Day and a few days later is Waitangi Day (for those of us with a New Zealand heritage). Then comes the big week we just had:

 Lincoln's Birthday on Monday, Mardi Gras on Tuesday (good golly I forgot to make pancakes!), Valentines Day plus Ash Wednesday made Wednesday a real puzzle. I ended up wearing my heart earrings and pendant set against an all black outfit. And the Chinese New Year - Year of the Dog slipped right by me without a nod.

 Throw in some bizarre temperature swings which saw a record breaking  high of 76F/24C on Thursday sending loud messages to the daffodil bulbs and the

 maple trees which started showing leafbud color only to face 32F/0C and snow and sleet today.

 The birdies were happy that the suet feeder had been replaced. Earlier in the week I looked out and the feeder, chained around a branch on the maple tree,  had disappeared. "They" say a racoon must have gotten it down.I say that must be a pretty darn adept racoon to have gotten the chain off the tree. Fortunately we found the feeder on the ground only ten yards or so away. The suet cake was gone but the feeder was unharmed.

 On Thursday I was meant to be hanging a new art exhibit for my art group. Alas, the venue, a senior living facility, had to go into quarantine because of the severity of the flu outbreak locally and we could not hang art. Phew, I do have time to finish my piece. Sitting at the front window to do the hand stitching while watching the snow fall today made for calming moments.

 I was exchanging messages during the afternoon with my niece in New Zealand. She asked me to take pretty pictures of the snow. Does this qualify? It reminds me of an oil painting someone in the art group currently has on display at the above mentioned venue.

 I went out on the front porch looking for a pretty picture to take when this small family herd of deer happened along. Do you see the eight legged two headed deer in the center? (wink, wink)

 My favorite tree in April is this dogwood in the back yard. The buds were beginning to look promising earlier in the week and I do so hope that this quick burst of winter has not upset them too much.

All in all it was a day for comfort food for dinner. A beef stew in the crockpot, roast veges in the oven, a little fruit salad and a pinot noir from the Awatere Valley seemed like a good idea.

This one is for you Jen!

p.s. all photos are in full living color despite the fact that it looks like it was a black and white sort of day.

Visiting the Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix

 In the midst of winter here in VA I thought it might be cheering to go back and continue the  photo essay of our summer vacation in upper Michigan.
This post will show you the delightful outing to the so-called mushroom houses in Charlevoix, MI. From 1918 to 1973 stone artist Earl A. Young built, with great love, care and artistry, a number of buildings, mostly private homes, using the rocks and boulders so easily found in this area at that time. The rocks are leftovers from the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age. Mr Young was so passionate about this endeavor that he hand selected most each and every stone and boulder he used.

Here we start our tour on Park Avenue, one of the three main areas for the mushroom houses.

 Now known as "The Thatch House" this home was Earl Young's first stone house and he built it for himself and his wife soon after they were married. In 2015 it underwent a major renovation  which included the thatch roof that dramatically changed the appearance of the original construction.

 Right next door is "The Half House" built by Earl as a honeymoon gift for his daughter. According to the tour guide he had a falling out with the owner of the house to the immediate left (corner wall in front left) so deliberately designed the half house with no windows facing that side. You can see here how close to each other they all are.

 Going round to the street behind Park Avenue we caught a glimpse of the rear elevation of The Thatch House.

 This is the corner view of the house immediately to the left of the Half House. You can see that the builder worked on features in the landscape as well as the house itself. The car passing by was pure serendipity.

 Not everything in Charlevoix is the legacy of Earl Young but there are clearly many house-proud owners who delight in summer flower gardening. It seems this home might be owned by a Virginian based on the flag out front. In this area of Michigan flags and flowers are common ingredients it seemed to me.

This was the childhood home of Earl Young and where he first started trying out his architectural visions. Click on the photo so you can admire the siding style. Isn't that unique?

Boulder Park is the second of the major locations. This home has a commanding site along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It makes extensive use of the stone for fences as you can see.

 It must give the lawn mowing person a real sense of joy and achievement caring for such a wonderful lawn.

 Further into Boulder Park we find delightful cottages like this one.

 Even the mailboxes are custom creations!

To close I give you another shot of The Thatch House. The weather was not so obliging the day we were there but judging by the reflection in the windows the sky was more appealing behind us out over the lake.

This was a fascinating day tour with fairy tale overtones and I was so happy we got to go.

Solstice and more

There were good intentions to put up a post to acknowledge the solstice on December 21 but, alas, they remained intentions. However here we are. Can you guess I am quite taken by this constant visitor to the backyard? It is fascinating to watch this hawk as it moves from spot to spot in the yard doubtless seeking food. Despite the amazing head movements by the bird I have yet to see it actually find a meal but it does get an A+ for perseverance.

 The snow on December 9 was just enough to make it fun to photograph and not enough to have to deal with shoveling.

 Trees without their leaves can look quite splendid in a light snowfall at this time of the year.

 By December 16 the snow was well gone and it was time for the delayed final cleanup and cutback of the garden for the winter. Someone forgot to tell the iris it is not time to be sprouting just yet.

 The nandina is wearing it's best look although the berries are not prolific this year.

 The lights for the porch tree were finally located and installed.

 When the hawk sits on the branch above the suet feeder even the woodpeckers beat a hasty retreat.

 It has been quite some time since I did some indoor photo setups. The aim here was to show that I was keeping the light of hope on for someone who was at a particularly low point in his cancer battle.

 Thinking the photo might not be enough we decided to take a trip into DC and visit the Basilica there to light a candle and say a prayer for John to get through his current crisis. December 22 was such a pretty day to visit and we could still walk outside without having to don all the heavy coats, hats and gloves that are now needed.

December 24th and it was time for tea and cookies for me, never mind Santa!

 We made a short trip to Latrobe PA to visit family and saw the most amazing sunset on December 27. Do notice that bright outline to the clouds just above the horizon. But oh my, was it cold.

To close I am leaving you with this candle of hope for peace and happiness in 2018.

Strolling Through the Seasons

 How do you mark the progression from one season to another? In the Fall I watch out for the first pickup truck with a snowplow in front and a salt spreader on back because I use that as an indicator that winter weather must be upon us. But this year I saw that in mid November and it is only today that we have had the first snow. But I guess that goes with the holiday sales that used to start the day after Thanksgiving now starting a couple of weeks before, the piped Christmas and holiday music showing up in the malls and on the radio in mid November and the general cranking up of the frenzy meters whereever you turn.

So yes, today, conveniently a Saturday, we had the first snow of the season. Flakes have been falling here since about 8.30am but the roads remain clear and the big snowplow trucks remain mostly idling at key intersections.

 My Fall tableau on November 20, before the snow but after the first killing frost.

 For a couple of weeks in November we had this lovely redtailed hawk hanging out in our backyard. Great camouflage don't you think?

 Another visitor was one from the large herd of deer that we seem to have around just now. Note the single antler!

 The day after Thanksgiving we took a metro ride into DC to stroll about and enjoy the seasonal views. The day was brilliant with sunshine and our first stopover at the Botanic Garden was cut short as we did not want to stand in the long line of visitors waiting to get in to see the model train display. Instead we strolled on with ample time to stop for photo opportunities. Here, of course, is the US Capitol building.

 Part of our focus on this trip was to follow the path of the Presidential Inaugural Parade route taken every four years in January. Here we paused at the National Gallery of Art East Building to admire the play of sunshine and shadow along with the contrast of the orange Fall foliage and the amazing sky color.

 Strolling on down Pennsylvania Ave we took a sidestep into Pershing Park where (the statue of)  General John J. Perhsing, General of the Armies in World War I, was gazing out at the beginning of the sunset.

 By the time we got to the north side of the White House the light was beginning to go. Turning so the Eisenhower Executive Office Building was to our backs we were treated to this lovely sight as the setting sun lit up these trees to beautiful effect on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave and Jackson Place.

 Five days later we headed into DC agin; this time we chose a weekeday when maybe the crowds would not be quite as great. We stopped for a late lunch at an outdoor refreshment stand on the National Mall. While my companion waited in line to get our food I had fun with this cheeky starling who was waiting just inches from our table.

 That day was not the brilliant blue day of the previous week and there was a strong breeze blowing for much of the time. Leaves were cascading all over the place and there was a clear difference in the tree foliage from only five days previous.

 Now at home it is time for the Christmas season. I am thrilled by how well this wreath looks on my green front door today.

This season it seems more urgent than usual to hope and pray for peace. Please join me in a fervent wish for peace on earth and goodwill to all.

Meanwhile, back in reality

 It has been a very hectic several weeks since getting back from Michigan in August but finally, things are beginning to slow down to a more reasonable pace. Yay, I can think of my blog again.

Tonight we are going to have the first killing frost of the season so I thought I might record some before shots. The day has been very windy and downright cool. Now, at 10pm the temperature has already drifted down to 28 F.

But as the sun was going down the wind had calmed somewhat and the jets heading to the airport were leaving their mark in the skies.

 Out on the back deck the light was almost gone from my Fall tableau.

 The kousa dogwood has just started to change color in the last couple of days.  With the very dry weather we have had this Fall it has not made for much in the way of a seasonal spectacular.

 Last Saturday morning we had a very quick morning treat as the sun came up giving us this very ethereal sky.

 The sun begins to light up the woods out back. The dogwood has put on it's best effort and it contrasts well with the maples.

To close, another shot of daybreak last Saturday. No time to focus or the birds will be gone. A point and shoot moment.