tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69315503027815793292024-03-05T00:32:50.607-05:00Musings of a Nature Sprite...A journal of seasonal stories, ramblings,and surprises...The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-5578392498140647012011-02-28T21:33:00.003-05:002011-03-02T12:32:41.418-05:00FAREWELL TO WINTER (PROJECTS)The promise of Spring is definitely in the air. The birds are eagerly tuning up for the upcoming mating season and luscious colors have begun peaking out from under all the snow cover. And boy are my Winter starved eyes soaking it all up!! Oh, I don't believe for a moment that Winter is completely done with us this early in the ball game. At the very least we will have our grand finale and who knows how many curtain calls before Old Man Winter finally heads back north chuckling to himself delightedly!! But I am definitely enjoying this respite!<br />
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I suppose it IS cheating just a bit; but I did hang my sunburst doily suncatcher in the kitchen window (facing West), surrounded by hearts to let the Sun know how much I am looking forward to the return of extra daylight hours and the warmer months ahead.<br />
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As the season continues to wind down ever so slowly, I too have begun to turn away from the monotony of the pure white cotton thread of all things snowy, and find myself thinking in color once more, searching through mounds of crochet patterns for those that speak most to me of Spring days!<br />
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And so I figured this might be a good opportunity to share the very last of THIS seasons projects with you.<br />
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This doily is called Winter's First Snow, always a very special day, when it feels to me like the official kick-off to the entire season, with all its infinite possibilities looming ahead. I'm considering making this one into a suncatcher for next year, to hang in the window to welcome that first snowfall.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Interestingly, as I was leaving the house just the other day, I came across some lovely patches of ice in the driveway. One of them looked just like an ice doily to me. The wind was positively wicked that morning, and Old Man Winter tried his best to discourage me from my task, what with blowing me around in every which direction, but I was still able to get this shot before I had to run for cover. Sure would love to have THIS pattern!!!! Is that a pink flower in the middle?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Winter's Breath Doily is the perfect name for this little beauty! If one could capture that exhale puff of frosty breath I am certain it would look very much like this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I call these two the twins, although they do claim that no two snowflakes look exactly alike. Well, I'm sure there must be a mistake in one of them somewhere, so hopefully I haven't gone against the laws of Nature!! This pattern is formally known as the Cut-Glass Snowflake Doily, and they have both graced my dresser with their icy presence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now it so happens that one day last Winter, while riding alongside the river, I just happened to notice all of these round icy doily shapes floating down stream. They came in every size imaginable and even looked a little like fine lace! Alas I couldn't find the perfect location to take this shot, so it may be difficult for you to see them as I did, but it does give you a slight hint anyway. I've named this picture 'Doilies in the Delaware'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div> Called the Mini Snowflake Doily (and jar cover), this little beauty is so delicate. And I love that little snowflake in the center!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I think it really shines as a suncatcher!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The name Shell Suncatcher Doily doesn't do this one justice! I think all those curlicues in the center are sooo interesting! This was my first attempt at making them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I needed just one more doily pattern to go out in a really 'big' way for my grand finale of Winter and found this Lacy Accent Doily pattern. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just to put things in the proper perspective for you, it is spread out as a topper on my king size bed. Yep, it's definitely a 'big' one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, you might ask, is that ALL she does is doilies? No, I did pick up some yarn and make.........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">TA DA!!! A snowflake scarf! My only regret is finding this delightful pattern so very late in the season. It's gonna kill me to put it away until next year so soon! But I suppose it wouldn't go with a swimsuit!?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And once again I have saved my very best for last. I followed a pattern for the hat, but the scarf is all my own creation. And if I never see another piece of fringe in this lifetime, it will be just fine with me!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well that officially concludes my Winter goodies. I hope you enjoyed seeing them, and that you will visit me again soon. I've got sooo many ideas for the Spring!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the way, please continue to leave your comments, they mean the world to me. I just haven't quite figured out how to reply to them yet!! And thank you all for saying such beautiful things about my blog!</div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-811507677036030852011-02-08T09:28:00.005-05:002011-02-08T11:14:06.666-05:00THE TREES IN WINTERThe lush leaves of Summer and the exquisite Fall foliage tend to offer a certain 'modesty' to the trees, literally cloaking them from sight. And the attention given to those leaves is at the expense of never really getting to know the true essence of a tree. In Winter, when completely devoid of leaves, one can see trees for who they really are and NOT merely for what they are wearing!<br />
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This is never more apparent then when a pale Winter sky and snowcover combine to offer a perfect backdrop, highlighting every single trunk, branch and twig!<br />
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Their characters are as unique and diverse as our own human ones, if you take the time to look. Like this friendly face!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whether alone......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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or in denizens, their individual 'nature' shines through.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So take a careful look around this Winter and notice the 'personalities' of the trees either in your own 'neck of the woods' OR even in your own backyard! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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And don't forget to ENJOY the magnificent gift of Winter!!!!The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-25928278295162559292011-02-04T06:06:00.003-05:002011-02-06T10:39:01.219-05:00SNOWFLAKES, OF THE CROCHETED KIND!I can't help myself, I just love making snowflakes!!! All Winter long I get 'flaky' as I thumb through my large binder of patterns trying to decide which to do next. So I thought that today I might share some of my treasures with you.<br />
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First there are the individual snowflakes themselves. They adorn just about every nook and cranny of my home for the Winter season. One year I actually whipped out 400 of them (no that's not a typo).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonRmDDwNUMaq4bQ3RAPf_KKCrnRUrEY4X2eczqCVk90FmOCuAnjktss4cQEbH72kVDG51dlAP51dqDsOeJNIxst3-4_ryfucsOn3aZwEfNas9BMp7pidoBlANrKylmbd8DhGXG6wkbjiO/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonRmDDwNUMaq4bQ3RAPf_KKCrnRUrEY4X2eczqCVk90FmOCuAnjktss4cQEbH72kVDG51dlAP51dqDsOeJNIxst3-4_ryfucsOn3aZwEfNas9BMp7pidoBlANrKylmbd8DhGXG6wkbjiO/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was my daughters idea to decorate my 'tea' tree with snowflakes this year and she was absolutely right, they do look delightful! Thank you Julie!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWS20wbu-0mlMTt3sih_M_X-JFXtZgEmZt11OBBVViHILhWmO2y4dUuPaEAbxxRnzT2mtE0r4GN-iBck-6SrM_E0fo1Y88RziVilrVnqjP7n9ecmZd_dgJ07MzWUjCS1lk7gdhjtoThyU/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWS20wbu-0mlMTt3sih_M_X-JFXtZgEmZt11OBBVViHILhWmO2y4dUuPaEAbxxRnzT2mtE0r4GN-iBck-6SrM_E0fo1Y88RziVilrVnqjP7n9ecmZd_dgJ07MzWUjCS1lk7gdhjtoThyU/s400/017.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here a flake, there a flake, everywhere a snowflake! </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It looks like a blizzard in here! </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You never know where you might find snowflakes lurking around my home! And from the largest to the tiniest, I am crazy about each and every one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then, of course, there are the doilies. They entice me by their very names. Like this one with the exotic title of Snowflower Doily....... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and Winter Wonderland.......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and this beauty called the Ice Blue Snow Crystal Doily that makes me feel chilly just looking at it! </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even though this one is named the Star Doily, to me the center looks like two snowflakes, one inside of the other.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJfqJqZMMI_nk0SIMjl_R7CPs-mlxfd7rU-tGRsG_JT6zkIk_8iqfmpBFyJOJ5KroLsk7pFa5sqLzYMw59_b-J4QdC8kHPA5AQsF2oP0bN2c4Oqb6FZ9p89EzxsL3q5G4n1Bad5m2N9im/s1600/STAR+DOILY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJfqJqZMMI_nk0SIMjl_R7CPs-mlxfd7rU-tGRsG_JT6zkIk_8iqfmpBFyJOJ5KroLsk7pFa5sqLzYMw59_b-J4QdC8kHPA5AQsF2oP0bN2c4Oqb6FZ9p89EzxsL3q5G4n1Bad5m2N9im/s400/STAR+DOILY.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I even tried my hand at a set of yarn snowflake placemats. They are so very thick and soft! Only problem is, I can't bring myself to use them for fear they'll get ruined! Oh well, they DO look equally pretty placed here and there (safely) about the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This giant one wanted to be a decorative pillow to adorn my bed. It's actually a floral pattern, but to me it just screams snowflake!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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But the very best of all is a coverlet I created for my bed out of a micro fleece throw that I covered with crocheted snowflakes in all shapes and sizes. Since no two are alike out in Nature, I decided to follow suit. <br />
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It took me most of last Winter to complete but boy was it ever worth it! I just love how it came out!! I can't stop looking at it!!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, gotta go now, Winter is waning fast, and there are still SOOO MANY snowflakes left to make! I'm thinking of branching out this year and adding a few more yarn creations to my collection. I have a pattern around here somewhere for a lovely snowflake scarf.......and an adorable hat.........and a couple of 'to die for' afghans........and then there are those delightful throw pillows............oh, and that beautiful sparkling snowflake suncatcher...........and......................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">.</div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-79798657527649692612011-02-02T10:30:00.001-05:002011-02-02T10:35:28.998-05:00HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!!!<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today is the day we have set aside to honor that most venerable rodent, the groundhog, aka, woodchuck, rock chuck, and earth piggy. And what an 'honor' that will be! Even though he may be peacefully hibernating, senior citizens in top hats will rouse the poor little fellows from their dens all over the country, and ask them to predict whether or not Winter will last another 6 weeks, even though the calendar clearly states that is indeed the case!</div><br />
And what does our distinguished emissary have to say for himself? "I'm up and dressed what more do you want?"<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, what's it gonna be Your Honor, more Winter or an early Spring? "How do I know; I just woke up!! Go ahead, pick one!"</div><br />
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The most prominent groundhog in Pennsylvania is, of course, Punxsutawney Phil (who will be televised far and wide), but there are a few other official forecasters as well who will be looking for their shadows at various locations around the country today (with obviously conflicting results). Buckeye Chuck will be predicting the weather for Ohio, as will Sun Prairie Jimmy in Wisconsin, General Beau Regard Lee in Georgia, and Staten Island Chuck in, well........ <br />
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It seems there will be no rest today for the weary woodchuck!<br />
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The event will meet with a great deal of pomp and circumstance involving the aforementioned forceful dragging out of the guest of honor from his warm Winter den, followed by such noteworthy ceremonial traditions as kissing the little fellow on the nose. I can't help it, my very favorite was the year when the feisty little guy bit the silly man on the nose! (I would have peed on him too, if he woke ME up that way!)<br />
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But I couldn't let this momentous occasion pass without honoring our own little groundhog now could I!! NO I will NOT be waking him up to kiss him on the nose (as a matter of fact we kinda tiptoe around out there so as not to wake the little glutton up), but rather a pictorial tribute to our most prominent (and equally famous in his own right) resident woodchuck.<br />
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Here he is in Spring, when he discovered he could shovel it in even more efficiently from INSIDE the feeder.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BURP!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then we continued to enjoy his antics throughout the entire Summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I have stated before, goose chow helps build strong woodchucks 12 ways. Get a load of that spread!!!! He didn't get that butt from eating salad!</div><br />
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And here we have him at the goose feeder AFTER Frank 'woodchuck pruffed' it with his latest tactic! Unfortunately, it didn't slow him down even one notch!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although by now you probably get the gist of the theme, I didn't want to leave Fall out........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>and then, of course, there was the infamous December 27th snowstorm!<br />
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</div> Well, the time is now 10:30 a.m. All the other four legged forecasters have long since made their mandatory predictions and gone home to bed. Apparently our little chuck will miss the festivities entirely, no doubt due to the fact that he stayed up much too late chowing down on goose feed, and is still peacefully sleeping it off! But I WILL keep a sharp eye out all day just in case, so do stay tuned for any further developments!<br />
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Oh, and Happy Groundhog day to you and yours (woodchucks that is)!The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-82007383629913887592011-01-19T11:10:00.000-05:002011-01-19T11:10:10.875-05:00THE SMELL OF BAKING BREADOh the weather outside is frightful.........what an excellent day for baking bread! And that ALWAYS reminds me of my dear little Granny Dumpling. Although she moved on many years ago, she left a rich legacy behind. She was an enormously kind person with no malice in her heart toward any living creature. Her crocheting was admired by all. Even after going blind she continued to miraculously turn out lovely afghans. <br />
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But perhaps what stood out most (for me anyway) were her unbelievably delicious apple pies (made in a sheet pan, more like a strudel), and her homemade bread. Ah, if I sit still and close my eyes I can still smell that wonderful aroma, like no other in the world. <br />
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Years ago I wrote a short story about baking bread with my Granny. I would like to share it with you today as a tribute to this beautiful person who was my Grandma.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">THE SMELL OF BAKING BREAD </div>A hug and kiss goodnight, first from Grandpa, then from Grandma, and I was on my way upstairs to bed. Although that second floor always made me feel more than a little uneasy when I was alone, with all its creaking and groaning, the comforting sounds of the TV downstairs, and my grandparent’s voices as they talked together, helped me to settle in for the night. Yet I never totally relaxed until Grandpa came up to bed. Soon, his thick, rich, vibrant snores would fill the second floor so completely and I could let go and fall into a peaceful sleep, feeling oh so safe and secure!<br />
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Sometimes Granny would be up shortly behind Grandpa and the house would moan and creak way into the night with the horse chestnut trees just outside my window sending shadows dancing eerily about the room, as their leaves rustled around in the breeze. But my favorite times, those special ones that are so thoroughly etched into my memory, are the times I would awaken in the middle of the night to the marvelous aroma of baking bread.<br />
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At first, I would just lie there, luxuriating, taking it all in, while listening to Granny humming those old World War II songs she loved so much, amid the clamor of dough board and scrapper, bread pans and the creaky oven door. I imagined how she would look, her lovely face all pink from the heat and exertion, with, perhaps, a few loose tendrils of hair in her face, and flour all over her dress, as she kneaded and pounded the huge pile of dough amidst a small mushroom-cloud of flour.<br />
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Before long, being positively pulled by the wafting scent, I would creep quietly down the stairs. Granny always smiled warmly and welcomed me; she never once sent me away. Those were such special times for me. I don’t think I ever felt closer to her than in those magical hours in the middle of the night, when time seemed somehow to stand still, as we baked bread together.<br />
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Since she always made plenty of loaves for sharing, there were bread pans all over the large kitchen in various stages of readiness. Some empties, greased up and ready to be filled, others covered lightly with towels, rising before they would go into the oven and those wonderfully fragrant loaves that were already baked, sitting and cooling down so invitingly. Some of my tasks were to keep Granny in clean bread pans, and to take a stick of butter and run it over those perfectly browned tops, making their golden crowns glisten so beautifully.<br />
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But my favorite part of all was when Granny said we needed to take a break. She would cut us each a huge slab of hot, freshly baked bread and we would slather them with butter and gobble them up, smacking our lips and licking melted butter off our fingers. Such a feeling of companionship and love I have never experienced before or since. Those were truly some of the most precious moments of my life.<br />
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I am so very sorry that as an adult I never really took the time to share those special memories with my Grandma or told her how very much they had meant to me. And yet, somehow, I am certain that she knows. Maybe it was even she, who tenderly whispered into my ear to remember and write it all down as a tribute to all those marvelous times we spent together.<br />
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All I do know for certain, is that each time I smell the aroma of baking bread, I am instantly transported back in time, to Granny’s kitchen, in the middle of the night. I can see her wonderful, smiling face and twinkling eyes before me as if it were only yesterday. And I am reminded to be grateful for these and all the many other special moments that have shaped my life into the wonderful adventure it has been thus far.<br />
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Well, there you have it! So now, I'm off to bake bread, and Granny Dumpling....this loafs for you!!!The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-37202497701048834902011-01-16T21:57:00.128-05:002011-01-19T10:43:07.888-05:00A FEW WINTER PHOTOSThis time of the year I wouldn't think of leaving the house without my trusty camera. Everywhere I turn is yet another breathtaking shot that I just can't live without! Allow me to give you a small sampler of what I mean.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">There is a special spot along a gentle stream that speaks to my heart. No matter what the season, it just feels like coming home. I can breathe more deeply there and quite my mind. If I feel ill, it quickly passes as I sit and listen to the water murmuring over the rocks. And yet, when so tenderly covered in a pure white blanket of snow, it is the most tranquil of all!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my favorite Winter sights are the ice flows that issue from the cracks in the rock ledges on the sides of the road like so many miniature frozen waterfalls. But rarely can one stop safely to take pictures. These were taken on the fly as Frank drove the car as slowly as possible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Look for the magnificent face in the rock behind the large veil of ice.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, Winter's magnificence is in its gifts of ice and snow, but a camera (mine at least) does not come close to giving justice to these exquisite works of art. You need to get out there and experience them for yourself! It doesn't take very long really, and you need not even leave the warmth of your car. So why not take the road just a wee bit slower today and instead of riding the bumper of the car in front of you, relax a little and open your eyes to the exquisite beauty of Winter all around you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">. </div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-63882925260620688442011-01-15T21:32:00.000-05:002011-01-18T14:37:37.417-05:00THE LAKE IN WINTEREach new season brings its own delights at our beautiful Beltzville Lake. In Winter, I particularly love to head down to Preacher's Camp Boat Launch to watch the ice fishermen. Boy, you have GOT to be tough to enjoy THAT sport!! I freeze just watching them from my car, window open, heater on the highest setting, and a hot drink in my hands. For me, that's quite enough roughing it, (at least where ice is concerned)!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sorry, maybe it's only me, but standing on the ice hour after hour just doesn't seem like a good time!! My toes ache just thinking about it!!! Oh well, to each their own!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over near the swimming beach they have lots of picnic tables. Look how Mother Nature has placed a pure white tablecloth upon each of them. It looks as if she is preparing to throw some sort of formal reception.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't recall the name of the poet who once said that white birch trees in Winter resemble candles shining in the woods. But I agree with him wholeheartedly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This interesting tree looks as if it has a starfish on its trunk. How beautiful it stands adorned with its russet colored leaves in the snow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You never know what you might come across at the lake and it pays to keep a sharp eye out for anything out of the ordinary. We were just sitting at the edge of the boat launch in Pine Run, enjoying the beautiful view....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">.....when I happened to turn my head to look off to the side. And there, I noticed a dark spot on the frozen lake. I wondered what it might be and asked Frank to drive over so we could check it out. I figured it was either a Canada goose or maybe a turkey buzzard. It was sooo far off in the distance; hardly more than a tiny speck upon the ice really. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But it was soon joined by another large bird.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and then a third! </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Focusing in with the light pair of binoculars we had in the car (the ONLY pair of binoculars we had in the car with us, ugh!), what did we see but a whole family of bald eagles; Mom, Dad AND Junior too!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The largest bird, the female was busily dining upon a carcass of some sort, while the juvenile kept trying to convince her to share. He tried first from one angle and then another, all to no avail. I guess he would just have to wait his turn and hope there was still something leftover for him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even when dear old Dad came along, Mom wouldn't share her meal with him! I suppose in Winter, it's just every bird for himself!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a shot of Mom (on the right) happily munching away while her mate and child look on. Although it was my best shot of the day, cropped on my computer for a better close up, I don't have a zoom lens for my camera and was shooting blind (I couldn't even see them in the viewfinder). It isn't a very good photo, but at least you can see them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They entertained us for quite some time until they were frightened off by a cross-country skier passing too close for their comfort, without her even noticing they were there!! How very sad for her!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the good news is, Frank has promised me a better camera (any day now), so DO stay tuned for what I hope will prove to be some VERY nice photos!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jaTH0VRLoLhfR1RjW88bqghfWEMEIczoq_uuFrDu3fgh-0m56Xdju03SnVGB21qK81cJpBk6MX-5Qy3sdyx_UglK_2cuRbCey4wWb6hYLG7jl2nrnlo2Pk0vCVfGELQy8h3pQVC-6ja4/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jaTH0VRLoLhfR1RjW88bqghfWEMEIczoq_uuFrDu3fgh-0m56Xdju03SnVGB21qK81cJpBk6MX-5Qy3sdyx_UglK_2cuRbCey4wWb6hYLG7jl2nrnlo2Pk0vCVfGELQy8h3pQVC-6ja4/s400/017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-25601863719336865852011-01-12T10:31:00.004-05:002011-01-13T08:34:37.872-05:00SHHHH.......Okay, listen carefully because I'm only going to whisper this once.....I think 'the woodchuck who refused to hibernate' has finally fallen into a goose feed induced stupor!! Well, he hasn't been seen in quite a few days now, so that's what I am hoping anyway!! I imagine he will be dreaming about noshing as he slumbers. A true goose chow junkie!!<br />
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Although he HAS been sighted even with the couple of inches of snow we had on the ground (tough guy!), I really doubt that he will want to plow through the additional 4 or 5 inches of the new snowfall we received last night. Not with THOSE stubby little legs anyway! So (hopefully) it's "Goodnight little groundhog, goodnight! See you in the Spring. Sweet dreams (of goose feed, of course)!"<br />
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Snow at last!! Not quite enough for snowshoes, but at least we finally got some!! Funny how the brunt of it is missing us this season. So many places are being absolutely clobbered with massive snow totals, and we have a total combined Winter accumulation thus far of maybe 6 inches here in the Pocono Mountains!!! Hmmm! Oh, but the view out my slider this morning was sooo lovely !!! I took a couple of pix to share with you. This is what I see from my comfy perch right in front of the slider door.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just love it when the snow coats everything in sight!!!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Notice 'who' is missing from this picture....yep, the woodchuck! Let's hope it stays that way! I mean, the little guy has GOT to get some serious zzz's in before Spring, no?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I am off to continue doing the snow dance now to see if I can't conjure up our fair share of the white stuff!! Wish me luck!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-25779018683916924132011-01-01T08:34:00.000-05:002011-01-01T08:34:28.053-05:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!Hard to believe that it is the year 2011 already isn't it? It seems like only last year we had the luxury of experiencing the turning over a whole new century. Do you recall how difficult it was not to write 1900 back then? And now, just like that, we are eleven years into it!!! How very quickly time passes. <br />
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Personally, I love the new year with all its clean calendar pages and an empty day planner. It fills me with anticipation to find out what I'll be filling all those fresh pages with THIS time around. What adventures await me, what delights are in store; will there be travel involved? Who will I meet and what will I learn in the next twelve months that will further enrich my life? Ahhh, the possibilities are endless!! And isn't that grand?<br />
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At the end of every calendar year, I like to go through my old day planner to remind myself of everything I lived, the good and the not especially. I always come across something delightful I'd forgotten about that makes me smile. It's good to be reminded every now and then of the rapid passing of time, lest we begin to take it for granted and become wasteful. I want to cherish every single moment I have to enjoy this beautiful Mother Earth.<br />
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That reminds me of a very short story I wrote once that you might enjoy upon this New Year's Day!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">JUST A LITTLE LONGER </div><br />
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As a young girl, I enjoyed many a glorious day at the beach, happily playing in the surf. But as the sun would begin its afternoon descent, I would diligently turn my attention to signs of that inevitable moment when my mother would come to collect my brother and me for the long trip home. When I saw her approaching, I would coach my little brother, saying, “Now! Here she comes! Don’t look back!” Then we would venture out just a wee bit farther for good measure, beyond the huge breakers. We would begin laughing and squealing with delight over each new wave, to drown out her feeble calls to us, aided most obligingly by the crashing of the surf. I knew this would always buy us just a little longer, as mother was positively terrified of the ocean and never ventured out beyond her knees. After a while she would just give up and head back to her blanket on shore to catch a few more rays. This gave us a good half-hour longer, when we would repeat the entire scenario once again, with, of course, the desired bonus of.….just a little longer, in my beloved ocean.<br />
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But then, all too soon, she would send out the big guns, my father, who had no fear of the water at all. He’d just march right up to us and say that it was indeed time to leave. I’d look up at him in feigned horror and disbelief, and reply with a delivery that would have merited me an academy award, “Oh no, please! It can’t be that time already! We had no idea it was getting so late! No warning whatsoever! Please could we have…..just a little longer?” It worked like a charm every single time!<br />
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Oh, please, just a little longer? That seems to be my life theme. I never get my fill of the great outdoors. Be it ocean, the woods, beside a roaring campfire, kayaking, it really doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing, I’d just love to go on doing it for…..just a little longer. There is so much beauty and wonder to behold, that I never want to come back inside, and usually find myself begging whoever I am with for…..just a little longer.<br />
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And I am certain that when the powers that be tell me my time upon this beautiful Mother Earth is through, I will once again beg for…..just a little while longer!<br />
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Please, just one more sunrise…..one more sunset! Once more to feel the sun gently kissing my face, or enjoy the wind running its fingers through my hair and caressing my body like a familiar lover. Just a little longer to stand naked in a summer shower, or to lie on the ground beneath a thick blanket of stars!<br />
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Just a little longer to hear the marvelous melodies of the crickets and watch the dazzling light shows of the fireflies. Just once more to hear the dawn come alive with a burst of spring bird song…..just a little longer, please?.....just a little longer…..<br />
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Make the most of this gift of a New Year !!!! And no regrets allowed either!!!!The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-42233667893043687102010-12-30T18:00:00.002-05:002011-01-01T08:02:30.727-05:00SO HAVE YOU SEEN THAT WOODCHUCK LATELY?As a matter of fact I have!!! It is December 30th and our insomniac woodchuck visited the feeder again today!! As a matter of fact, he hasn't missed a single day since my last post about him back on December 15th. Pretty amazing really! Sometimes he will even appear at the feeder before daylight, while at others, he comes out either in the late morning or early afternoon. What a funny little character!!!!! I wonder if he is beginning to feel the slightest bit sleepy?<br />
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Here are a few pictures of him taken both before the snowstorm and immediately after. But since I had to take them through the screening so as not to scare him off, they came out rather poorly. Still that chubby woodchuck silhouette is unmistakable!!!<br />
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This is December 22nd...... <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and December 23th........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and again on the 26th.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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This one was taken on the 27th when it was exceptionally cold and windy. Look how deep the snow was!!! Do you think he had to shovel out the entrance to his borrow before he could get out to come eat? Now that would be a serious addiction!!!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, at least he is only stopping by for a short nosh each time now instead of spending the entire day chowing down! I guess you could call that making progress!! Still I think I ought to contact Guinness to see if he has broken any records in the woodchuck division!!! I'll definitely keep you posted on how long he will keep this up. Hmmm, perhaps I should hold a lottery and people could choose the date and time he will last be seen.......no, I suppose not......</div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-10168933757046553332010-12-27T11:47:00.000-05:002011-01-01T08:48:15.720-05:00BALLET OF THE WINDSWhen I awoke just before daybreak, the temperature was a meager 15 degrees and with gusts to 50 mph I can't even begin to fathom what the wind chill factor must have been! The weather forecasters had predicted 6 to 10, but there were only a few inches of dry snowfall on the ground , piled into dainty little drifts so artistically around the yard. <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Gathering a hot cuppa, my cuddle sack and trusty little electric heater, I sat all toasty warm and comfy in my easy chair in front of the slider door. The wind howled outside with wild abandon as an occasional full-tongued whistle sounded from an undetermined crack somewhere in the house. At times it gave the building a mighty shove, as if throwing a temper tantrum, demanding to be let in or else. </div><br />
The wind gusts were absolutely amazing! Tiny song birds at the feeders, were being tossed about as they attempted to have their morning meal. They hurriedly grabbed beak fulls of seeds in between bouts before once again being buffeted around like so many tiny leaves.<br />
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Yet by the time daylight broke, periods of calm were interspersed with the gusts. And it was then that I was treated to a most delightful show.<br />
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As the curtain went up on the first act, all was peaceful with just the lightest snow dusting silently to the ground, then all of a sudden the Ballet of the Winds began with gusto. Ethereal forms appeared fleetingly in the flying snow like something out of the ghostly tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, performing an arabesque here, a few dazzling spins there, first a soloist or two, and then the entire company would join in, dancing and twirling away on point. To the left and to the right they careened, doubling back and changing direction in the blink of an eye.<br />
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At times they would pass right through the screen porch, just inches from my face, on the other side of the slider door. But my very favorite was when, at the winds mightiest peak, a figure would suddenly pause right in front of the porch, tall and phantom-like in its shroud of flying snow, as if checking to see if I was enjoying the ballet before continuing on again.<br />
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I was thus entertained for quite some time before the wind began to lose some of its punch and all the magnificent toe dancers came off point at last and went on to something else. I blew a kiss in return for the fantastic gift of the performance I had just witnessed.The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-5405158458616060742010-12-23T07:25:00.003-05:002011-02-04T11:25:18.072-05:00THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE PROJECTGingerbread houses are such fun to make, but are so very time-consuming and labor intensive. Then of course there is the looong list of expensive candies and such you need for decorating them properly! AND the mega problem of what to do with your beautiful creation when it wears out its welcome and you want to move on to something else.<br />
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So when I saw this project in a crochet magazine, I thought it was the perfect solution. And what the heck, I could always light a gingerbread scented candle, right? I figured since I'd be going through all the construction issues, personal preference changes and mess, it would behoove me to ask my mother and daughter if they wanted one first, so I could make all three at the same time. Sure enough, they loved the idea, and I began the lengthy (albeit one time) process of creating my own little development community of gingerbread homes. As it turned out, although it WAS a positively monumental task to make all three at once, it was the best approach!<br />
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I chose to make the bases out of the round cardboard discs they sell for cake baking. I used a fuzzy, snowy looking yarn and added some dainty hearts around the border.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwG_dW3y7ePjuL3Cjb6QubUEaCbl5mGcM48i9tJV8XDabhnE5TN-0ZLo2Tx6Q-h5JXAeba4MMsjC4FJyJqLptvQEQDjM4qG21FHkMqb6VHaITdkbrkTcfX_kNhIXYbRDE0RYPEsve8NQf/s1600/088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwG_dW3y7ePjuL3Cjb6QubUEaCbl5mGcM48i9tJV8XDabhnE5TN-0ZLo2Tx6Q-h5JXAeba4MMsjC4FJyJqLptvQEQDjM4qG21FHkMqb6VHaITdkbrkTcfX_kNhIXYbRDE0RYPEsve8NQf/s400/088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The walls and roofs were cut out of cardboard and glued together before adding the crocheted panels. My husband Frank helped me out with that as his hands are stronger than mine, besides he's not afraid of the razor knife. (we klutzes have a healthy fear of all things that slice and dice)! Thank you Frank, I couldn't have done it without you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a few shots at various stages of construction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As it turned out, the task was even more daunting than I expected, (times three houses like that), and there were quite a few times that I doubted my sanity for even attempting the project, but luckily I was elf employed at the time, which definitely helped!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although I liked the way the houses were decorated in the magazine, I wanted mine to be a little less busy. So I made just a few candy confections here and there and added delicate snowflakes to the front side of each.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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In the end I was rewarded with three delightful gingerbread houses. By the way, Mom and Julie loved theirs too!!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did however wind up making one final post construction modification. I thought the roof peek needed a generous helping of snow to look finished. Ahhh, that's much better!!!! My work here is done!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-35661644233428140372010-12-21T19:00:00.089-05:002011-01-01T12:10:38.320-05:00WELCOME WINTER!!!!Welcome Winter come what may!! If recent weather patterns are any indication, it certainly seems as if we might be in for a whopper of a season! So whether (or should I say weather) this is indeed a sneak preview of the next ice age, or just Autumn and her blustery winds and Old Man Winter with his snow and ice collaborating and having some fun at our expense, no one can really say for certain.<br />
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But I for one am looking forward to this Winter! I can hardly wait to go snowshoeing, build snowpeople, take tons of Winter scene pictures, relax in front of a roaring fire, OD on hot chocolate, and all the other delights of the season.<br />
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As you may or may not recall, I adore all four seasons, and the way I express it is to decorate my home in honor of each one of them in its own time. And so, you might ask, precisely how does a Nature Sprite decorate her home for Winter? Let me show you!<br />
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There must, of course, be a special tribute (or two or three) to Old Man Winter, without whom there would be no Winter to celebrate! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then there must be lots and lots of snowflakes and icicles.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">add some frosted leaves....</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and a few snow folk....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">plus a generous helping of snow and ice fairies.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"sprinkle" with just a few snowflake cookies, and there you have it!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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This year my husband found the most perfect pine cone lights for me. I just love the way they glow so soft and warm. Thank you Frank!!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So once again, welcome Old Man Winter!! I am so happy that you have finally arrived!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdx3xEQKASdpr0B5EguObuoCTUb95vKAC3c9qj8zmCb7mLrcRrTzwjOTvBx6la6-XeIIjD__jRqetoLXhsysklJDbq2MJdueKNNb0haZENIL2S1mkqlXGiV6XROy8bB65hjP2j45BW-sM0/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdx3xEQKASdpr0B5EguObuoCTUb95vKAC3c9qj8zmCb7mLrcRrTzwjOTvBx6la6-XeIIjD__jRqetoLXhsysklJDbq2MJdueKNNb0haZENIL2S1mkqlXGiV6XROy8bB65hjP2j45BW-sM0/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-42203843265657098292010-12-16T06:27:00.003-05:002010-12-16T07:14:10.330-05:00MY TRIP TO LONGWOOD GARDENSAny time of the year, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania is a special treat. But the holiday season, with all the extra colorful lights and displays is my absolute favorite. The day we visited was exceptionally guest lite and I was able to get many fine photos without anybody in them! I did take a ponderous amount of pictures though (208 to be exact), and for fear of putting everyone to sleep, I have decided to break them up into categories for the next few days, and that will still only give you the very barest highlights!!!<br />
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Today I thought I might focus on the main conservatory and the absolutely phenomenal amount of blooms they packed into it. Upon entering the building, the first sight that greeted us took my breath away.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I just loved all the water features!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was so much beauty everywhere I turned, that I hardly knew where to look first!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was like taking a stroll in a lush garden in the dead of Winter!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were lots of decorated trees both inside and on the outside grounds. These are but a few of my personal favorites. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that doesn't even include the many outside trees festooned with more colored lights (after dark) than you would think possible for one tree to bear! I would love to know their technique for applying the lights so profusely! Amazing!!! But I couldn't get them to photograph decently; perhaps when I get my new camera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They always inspire me with their herbal displays too, like this tree decorated with large pots of culinary herbs....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and this magnificent wreath that would keep a kitchen stocked with fine herbs throughout the entire Winter!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was just ambling along taking it all in, when who should suddenly come flying by, humming to himself contentedly, but this little bee. Did he find himself a premier resort for the Winter or what!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But all this is just the tip of the iceberg!! I have yet to show you the bonsai trees, the major leaf foliage displays and close ups of some really spectacular blooms, etc, so stay tuned to this blog and prepare to be dazzled!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWFNlvpZt_x9EwFWssohLHcJvYpRWvyUuM2ABSS4G-Sx_aACbJuDTdm_YQurCNes6x9AVp8Y9lwAOQ8lVxpr-VsFDkklnFgxQRHS0VoUdEtKQEl-_RjA-Q4VCJ1a8Izd54IOu67n-PyBL/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWFNlvpZt_x9EwFWssohLHcJvYpRWvyUuM2ABSS4G-Sx_aACbJuDTdm_YQurCNes6x9AVp8Y9lwAOQ8lVxpr-VsFDkklnFgxQRHS0VoUdEtKQEl-_RjA-Q4VCJ1a8Izd54IOu67n-PyBL/s400/036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-27827957739906507192010-12-15T17:57:00.004-05:002010-12-16T10:07:16.567-05:00SO WHAT'S HAPPENING ON MY NATURE PRESERVE?I'm so glad you asked! Even though it tends to be rather slow, this is still an interesting time of year, wondering which of my little neighbors will decide to stay and who will venture elsewhere to seek their fortunes. There are always some new faces and those old friends I will never see again. But I feel most fortunate to have known each and every one of them!!<br />
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The deer are keeping a very low profile these days while the hunters continue to switch weapons and head back out to stalk them once again. Sometimes I will see a few late into the night, but they don't linger like they used to. Too dangerous to hold still for too long I suppose!<br />
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'The woodchuck who refused to hibernate' still makes a showing at the feeder, (as a matter of fact I just saw him a little while ago) but only every few days now. I imagine he is getting really sleepy but can't get the goose food off his mind and so he rouses himself every now and then to have a nosh. It will be very interesting to see how long he can keep it up before he falls into a deep, Nature- induced sleep that he won't be able to shake off to head out for a snack. Almost makes me want to deliver some to his door daily, if he is SO enamored of the stuff!!<br />
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Now that the leaves are gone from the trees the hawk can't sneak up on the birds as easily. And yet, a good many of the regulars are gone. Among those who stayed are the chickadees, the tufted titmice, and my favorite, the juncos, who only grace us with their delightful presence in the Winter months. They are such sweet natured little guys and I just love their voicesl. The blue jays have dwindled in numbers (thank goodness) but some of them have a real thing for the leftover dry cat food, and I doubt they will ever leave as long as it remains on the menu. I try to remember to bring the bowl in as soon as Remy (aka. the Stray Gourmet) is finished eating, but those jays are SO FAST that they usually beat me to it anyway!!<br />
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It's a lot of fun to keep an eye on the goose feeder from dusk until bedtime because you never know who will show up or in what order! The main characters these nights are the opossums, skunks and a couple of huge homegrown (on all that goose chow) raccoons. I like to sit in my easy chair in front of the slider door (with a birds eye view of the goings on) and either read or crochet. Some nights, each time I look up somebody different will be chowing down, as if they have a line formed somewhere just off stage, patiently waiting their turn. Other times somebody (usually the raccoons) will hog the feeder and I wonder if they will EVER leave! <br />
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Just the other night I watched as two ravenous raccoons shoveled it down. When one of them finally had his fill, he climbed up to the heated water pan and had a drink. But then, he washed his little front paws, rubbing them together briskly just like we do, before he left to find his partner in crime who had wandered off a few minutes earlier. It was adorable!! I never caught one doing that before and was so glad I happened to look up at just the right moment.<br />
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A few nights ago I saw another unusual sight. Two raccoons AND a skunk all eating at the goose feeder at the same time. I am happy to report that the skunk was VERY well behaved and kept his tail down the entire time, and the raccoons hardly took notice of the little stinker at all!! <br />
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Sometimes my geese will chase the intruders away by hissing loudly and nipping at them, yet at others they will form a single file line and just look on longingly and allow whoever to continue eating their food. I feel sorry for them, and keep telling them it's theirs and they can share or chase away anyone they choose. But they have to fight for themselves, I'm not going to do it for them. Since its pretty much the same players on a regular basis, I would love to know how they decide to handle the situation; who gets to eat today and who will be run off. My absolute favorite though is when I see any of my woodland neighbors and one or more of my geese peacefully sharing the food together. That is most heartwarming!!!<br />
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The bear hasn't attacked the feeders in quite some time now. I don't know if he is hibernating at last or if it's all the plastic bottles filled with moth balls that is keeping him away. But either way at least he isn't reeking any more havoc out there! <br />
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So I guess that is about it. Our visitors might be a little on the light side just now, but I will keep a sharp eye out and report any interesting events as they occur. In the meantime, I am happy to say all is well on this my very own little Nature preserveThe Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-54013566259502968622010-12-14T18:23:00.003-05:002010-12-14T23:37:45.228-05:00END OF FALL DOILIESHard to believe that the official start of Winter begins just one week from today (at 6:38pm EST on 12/21 to be exact)! So I thought that if I am to show off any of my Fall doilies at all, it's pretty much now or never!<br />
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I really have very few of them that are specific to Fall, for although Spring, Summer and Winter are all VERY WELL represented in crochet doily patterns, I never seem able to find many that do justice to glorious Autumn. Here is a beauty called Fall Leaves. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my favorites is this Wheat Doily done in #30, a very thin, delicate thread that makes it look as wispy as the genuine thing. It reminds me of the dainty crops of assorted grains that dot the farmer's fields in the Fall. I love to watch as the wind swirls the plants around as it frolics merrily in amongst them. How I would adore dancing along too, but somehow I don't think a farmer would exactly share my enthusiasm!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wasn't quite happy with this Leaf and Acorn Doily pattern as written because I thought the acorns were a little too thin and pointy for my taste, so I played around with it a little (okay...a lot!). Also, I could only find brown threads two sizes too large, so I had to re-configure the connecting row to return to the pattern specifications. Not being mathematical by nature, I had a rough time of it, but I think it came out nicely in the end, and I DO like MY acorns much better than theirs, so it was well worth the added effort!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And speaking of acorns, this little guy is busily 'squirreling' his away for Winter. This pattern was originally designed to be a bookmark, but at 6" x 10" I thought I would rather turn mine into a small wall hanging! Boy the designer must REALLY have some huge volumes to need a bookmark of those proportions!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Wild Grapes Doily is gorgeous, but I found it quite difficult and time-consuming! Far too many popcorn stitches and WAY too much counting! My daughter asked me to make her one too, but I think I'll just leave her THIS one in my will!!!! Sorry Julie, maybe we could find a more user-friendly pattern you could be happy with instead?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Fall I participated in a Holiday exchange with my Thread Addicts crochet group and this is what I came up with for my partner. There are so many different holidays one can celebrate at this season of the year. The biggest, of course, is the christian Christmas, but there is also Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Pagan tradition, Winter Solstice and any variation therein. I had a hard time deciding what to make. So I settled on a Celebration of the Winter to come! And this is what the package contained.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I chose the Sunburst Doily to acknowledge the gradual return of the sun which begins just after the longest Solstice night. Anyway who can't use a little additional sunshine in the Winter when the days are so very short! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Pine Tree Doily honors the wonderful pines that will brighten our long Winter months ahead with their various shades of delightful green in an otherwise drab, brown world. Besides, I thought it was cool that the motifs for the pine tree look like so many Jewish Stars of David. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I will end by wishing you all a happy ending to a magnificent Fall, now that Old Man Winter is literally breathing his icy winds down our backs. And if all the flurries we have experienced every day for about a week now, and the incredible cold of the last few days are any indication, he's got some mighty big plans up HIS sleeve!!! I can hardly wait!!!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHKI92kwJBXOgQNetZnRN2-Vkyemo6wxivzNkkUbaVMPwpYGIfe5TvPLh2PVccy2wNODZSrDTF32oKqcinHMYnFes2yt8SlVmQSqhu-G4exrYH9WViKcypVrGYO4eXeZAfyKGarOsxp6h/s1600/219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHKI92kwJBXOgQNetZnRN2-Vkyemo6wxivzNkkUbaVMPwpYGIfe5TvPLh2PVccy2wNODZSrDTF32oKqcinHMYnFes2yt8SlVmQSqhu-G4exrYH9WViKcypVrGYO4eXeZAfyKGarOsxp6h/s400/219.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-29032713312997781662010-12-03T08:05:00.003-05:002010-12-04T07:47:02.898-05:00AND THEN THERE WAS ONEThe date is December 3rd and all my small neighbors, who either hibernate or just take a long Winter's nap, have long since done so. I have watched as each of them headed groggily off to sleep. The chipmunks who will nap and nibble upon their vast storehouses of accumulated wealth throughout the long cold months ahead, were the first to go. Then the skunks, who WILL awaken periodically to have a nosh to keep up their 'strength' (PHEEEW!!!), finally called it a day. And one by one, all the many woodchucks we have been 'blessed' with have all gone to bed.<br />
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Well, almost all! Each morning, at dawns early light, a lone woodchuck continues to lumber to the goose feeder. Now it HAS been a very mild Fall, I'll grant you, but still, all his cronys called it quits weeks ago! Even the day that an early snow treated us to a sneak peak of the beautiful Winter ahead by gently settling on every tiny limb and twig, (AND the little chuck), STILL he persisted in scoffing down that addictive goose chow that tantalizes every creature who tastes it.<br />
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I have often wondered whats in that stuff that makes it so very irresistible! I do detect a hint of molasses, but otherwise it very closely resembles the stove chow that our pellet stove eats. Not all that appetizing looking! But it does seem to call them in from near and far! From the deer right down to the chipmunks and assorted rodents, I have yet to see an animal who, once having tasted it, does not return regularly to enjoy it again and again. Now I do not begrudge a meal to any living thing, but it does feel like we are singlehandedly putting out a buffet for every creature in the township!! I wonder if they tell their friends about us or if the feed is wafting out an aroma (undetectable to the human nose) in a five mile radius!<br />
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Each day I watch to see if that little woodchuck will appear and darned if he doesn't!! I wonder if he is the same guy who came out last year, in the middle of a snow filled harsh Winter, to have a quick nosh before heading back home. Boy, HE had to have been dreaming about that feed to brave such freezing temperatures and deep snow just to have a meal, when he should have still been fast asleep! My only hope is that THIS guy WILL go home to bed one day soon, and not become "the woodchuck who refused to hibernate"!!!The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-28356398340824597222010-11-25T07:15:00.005-05:002010-11-25T10:30:59.934-05:00HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!Hard to believe it's already Thanksgiving, isn't it? Especially with some magnificent colors still left on the trees. And it looks as if Mother Nature has saved the very best of her fabulous hues for last!! I love it!!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxSwbt1jCDe-YOZOmh2RC3KyHDN7DBqdjihyJSWcCCml5LxG0om6QHHa9_rkWTijMSIV4ewRPbQwUYH5noUOfA9aY-fqTmkzUmjNdupWmKK1lY8bstA3IhXaceDse5sPebtP2sSgpvxo7/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxSwbt1jCDe-YOZOmh2RC3KyHDN7DBqdjihyJSWcCCml5LxG0om6QHHa9_rkWTijMSIV4ewRPbQwUYH5noUOfA9aY-fqTmkzUmjNdupWmKK1lY8bstA3IhXaceDse5sPebtP2sSgpvxo7/s640/006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ah! Time to celebrate the bountiful harvest with elaborate feasting. I just love all the vibrant colors, textures and aromas of Autumns delights! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I am overflowing with gratitude for all of the beauty and abundance in my life!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even though it will still officially be Fall until the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21, this will be the last time most of us will acknowledge it. Rather, we tend to move on now, looking ahead to celebrations of the Winter Season such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Pagan Yule, etc. And so, Thanksgiving is really more of a farewell to Fall, but boy does it ever go out with a bang!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I WILL miss all the brilliant colors, but thoughts of the Season of ice and snow is ever so gently beckoning me onward with the promise of even more delights ahead. Which is as it should be!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And so, as Fall ever so slowly winds down, I wish you much......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">May your Holiday be filled with abundance on every level!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Thanksgiving!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-53330328583357740862010-11-24T09:27:00.000-05:002010-11-24T09:27:37.314-05:00A FEW FUN 'FOTOS'When something catches my eye, I photograph it! And LOTS of things catch my eye. Thank goodness for digital cameras that don't need expensive film and developing. I no longer have to limit myself to one roll of film or count how many pictures I've taken so far, I just joyously click away. Not all of my shots are worthy of the cover of National Geographic Magazine, of course, but I HAVE had my moments. And then , of course, there area those infernal moments when you see THE picture opportunity of a lifetime and where is the camera???? Oh well, it happens!!!!<br />
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Today I have compiled just a few odd things I've seen along the way. Some are just plain funny and others fill me with wonder. I hope you will enjoy them.<br />
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One day, I was walking along the edge of Lake Harmony in Pa. and saw, of all things, an alligator!! Well, I saw his head anyway, the rest of him must have been buried in the mud.<br />
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</div>On a recent walk in the woods behind my home, I came across these wonders. You need to know that we've experienced some really strong winds off and on around here for months and yet this tree has somehow stood here solidly, on tip toe!!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now how amazing is that???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Equally amazing was this downed tree with a rock embedded into its root system. I wondered if it was just kind of sitting there loosely, so I tried to lift it out. But no way; it was like Excalibur all over again! And obviously I was not pure of heart enough to accomplish the deed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And yet just like the sword in the stone, it looked like it should be so easy!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Another time I was at Brady Lake and saw the strangest sight! A tree apparently doing pull ups! I wasn't going to get close enough to this one to see exactly how it was suspended, for fear of getting squished!! But doesn't it look amazing just hanging there like that with no visible means of support?</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This looks like two rock people sitting on top there. I wonder if it was done on purpose or not. You have to view it from just the right angle to get the effect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now I ask you, would you eat in a place with a name like this? Even though the bus terminal is right across the street, perhaps they might have given the name just a little more thought. (There's no need to sue me for slander, it's only MY humble opinion!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is just a funny shot of my little red car parked, legally I might add, next to a little red fire hydrant. I just thought it made a cute picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7gG8nvMQoUtEWf_FJCGABziICL_SanjYTsApZnyKh0sHAxj7fruMlMUGIyECnafX-YNX-6eqJlhvbUvMm1LIdvuSia5hPGEY_7Y50rcJdfmOM4FS_yLfaN6tD1R-X40PyjHBE2K1stQ7/s1600/And+its+legal%2521%2521%2521%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7gG8nvMQoUtEWf_FJCGABziICL_SanjYTsApZnyKh0sHAxj7fruMlMUGIyECnafX-YNX-6eqJlhvbUvMm1LIdvuSia5hPGEY_7Y50rcJdfmOM4FS_yLfaN6tD1R-X40PyjHBE2K1stQ7/s400/And+its+legal%2521%2521%2521%2521.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know this is just a big crane atop that tall building, but I thought it really looked like a dragonfly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDyW0zcmnyjRn1ZAes1EYIedaxEFk60yCoXGcdaJ_5WtU5-P7hJmYKlsem_q9OoZGV0OaI3Tzsg6d3FK0FV8Qxjg56vHI54yyLaIEtEL_LaoIJPdWbEUSAz5Ml7YeRsYOHXVriAL6ybE3/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDyW0zcmnyjRn1ZAes1EYIedaxEFk60yCoXGcdaJ_5WtU5-P7hJmYKlsem_q9OoZGV0OaI3Tzsg6d3FK0FV8Qxjg56vHI54yyLaIEtEL_LaoIJPdWbEUSAz5Ml7YeRsYOHXVriAL6ybE3/s400/024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not certain what you thought of these pictures, but at least this glove is giving me a big 'thumbs up'!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDR7ZhN-4ZZs_g6VxrOYYAoaYfkawGn6jgLlaa9l830U16VDbBHese7AmJPV3XeWKNRYfHMkNGxK-u1Aum2CQevaixG8gVD4Tx2AHFSUlajXGBD7AZUZC2e5rtTT1T7gQo2NKwRcFV5Yd/s1600/046_46.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDR7ZhN-4ZZs_g6VxrOYYAoaYfkawGn6jgLlaa9l830U16VDbBHese7AmJPV3XeWKNRYfHMkNGxK-u1Aum2CQevaixG8gVD4Tx2AHFSUlajXGBD7AZUZC2e5rtTT1T7gQo2NKwRcFV5Yd/s400/046_46.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, that may have been quite silly but it WAS fun too, wasn't it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
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</div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-2362483728778382392010-11-22T13:41:00.004-05:002010-11-23T07:31:44.238-05:00FACES IN NATURE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Have you ever seen faces looking back at you when you are out in Nature? No, I am NOT paranoid, I<br />
mean friendly faces, or sleeping ones, or faces of any kind? I do ALL the time! Allow me to show you what I mean.<br />
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Take this fellow, for example, head cocked sideways; how shy he seems. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtALswJabh49Tc_RMrulaIQmijfEg5d2266otdu6e6jEREfT0ByFEGs6mBlCsnqu-Zlb5_ImBmxI-lxpWuAT0-qK2L1-XWtUItv3oxrFcs3HovHGaMujc1NVScw6ZhLq0Romfj0X_uwXo/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtALswJabh49Tc_RMrulaIQmijfEg5d2266otdu6e6jEREfT0ByFEGs6mBlCsnqu-Zlb5_ImBmxI-lxpWuAT0-qK2L1-XWtUItv3oxrFcs3HovHGaMujc1NVScw6ZhLq0Romfj0X_uwXo/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or this timid looking little fellow, nervously asking, "Who's there"?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuc0oKLgvHoQIaH36Il4SijRnBeiOUANzhcvyBR5JA6KfBNc-GiqD9oSNuvRLaGIOLKeE4J5pFv6Rimkfy3bWeeY-tmd3YdlpsoRyhSejy6eYdBtzffrPsUEM-EFxoAT91Xwwkkdyb5uW/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuc0oKLgvHoQIaH36Il4SijRnBeiOUANzhcvyBR5JA6KfBNc-GiqD9oSNuvRLaGIOLKeE4J5pFv6Rimkfy3bWeeY-tmd3YdlpsoRyhSejy6eYdBtzffrPsUEM-EFxoAT91Xwwkkdyb5uW/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not all of the faces I see are looking back at me though. Some are intent upon something known only to them. Like this fellow just lying back in profile, contentedly watching the stream ripple past him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this most interesting face of a black man, perhaps Aboriginal, complete with beard, on his back just enjoying the cold water washing over him. He looks like he's REALLY enjoying it!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a giant face, in profile, of a creature right out of Star Wars! He seems to be stalking something just out of my line of sight. I half expected to see a long, slimy tongue come darting out of his mouth!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apparently I frightened this poor old soul when I stepped over him in the woods. I guess he didn't hear me coming!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then there is this ancient one has been snoozing away for who knows how long!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some faces seem to suddenly pop out of nowhere when you least expect them! Peek-a-boo!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And last, but certainly not least, is this regal looking chap who just HAS to be King in this neck of the woods!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why he's even wearing a crown!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So next time you are out anywhere in Nature take a good long look around and see who YOU might meet along the trail!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-80977419283583658942010-11-21T07:43:00.001-05:002010-11-24T11:43:41.197-05:00NATURE WATCHING CROCHET STYLE???Everything about Nature fascinates and delights me! Coming across a tender little evergreen seedling makes my heart soar, finding some exotic wild mushrooms to photograph practically puts me over the edge, and watching a spider weave an intricate web that appears MUCH bigger than the tiny creature could POSSIBLY have enough 'string' for, fills me with wonder. I love it all!!!<br />
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Wherever I go I am on the alert, watching, watching, so as not to miss a single marvel. Sometimes I'll just sit in one spot quietly and watch as the natural world goes about its daily business. If you are still enough for long enough, you never know who might happen by. I once had a fox couple pass within a few feet of me in the twilight and couldn't believe my eyes when a pileated woodpecker demolished a dead tree trunk in search of a meal right there in front of me (before noticing and chastising me severely).<br />
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But I don't fool myself for a minute. I know I am NOT the only one out there watching! Out in Nature, EVERYONE has to be watching carefully or they just might wind up in somebody else's stomach for dinner. In a situation where everyone is listed on the menu, it doesn't make sense to do otherwise!<br />
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Walking along I can FEEL eyes upon me at every turn and hear the hush that comes upon an area as I crunch along in the leaf litter with my noisy human feet, snapping twig after twig as I go. How many little creatures are present, I wonder, and hoping I will pass by without noticing them? <br />
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This was the impetus for me when my Free Form group challenged us to each make a needlework piece representing the theme "Somewhere in my World". As the title implies, this marvelous group is comprised of people who like to push the craft(s) to their limit in self expression. There were no rules, (or it wouldn't be 'free') , and no patterns to follow either, and your work could use ANY 'form' you desired ( mixing a multitude of techniques). In other words, anything goes!!!!<br />
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For my piece, (which was my very first attempt, by the way), I made a wall hanging using crochet and knit. I entitled it "Nature Watching", where one can't be certain if you are the seer or the seen! I must say it came put pretty good for someone who had never 'colored outside the lines' with my crocheting before. And here is what I came up with.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EGOhFZFnd-hy2fTEE9rn66C8JWezEyAnORFh_8piDvN0mQ1nc0XloZ7VcuxgCRVi5lF3fr9TGuoq3m5UqRRzuJRGNrLaLJMaQTiw-NbHKbJDQEei2JYumXbsnY6lNmdbr3IoDJeRjlUK/s1600/092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EGOhFZFnd-hy2fTEE9rn66C8JWezEyAnORFh_8piDvN0mQ1nc0XloZ7VcuxgCRVi5lF3fr9TGuoq3m5UqRRzuJRGNrLaLJMaQTiw-NbHKbJDQEei2JYumXbsnY6lNmdbr3IoDJeRjlUK/s400/092.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since it's pretty hard to really see any detail, here are a few close ups.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This event was all put together by a wonderful artist named Myra Wood featuring 61 freeform fiber artists (including me!) from all over the globe. Myra has a book published with the results of the show each year. For more information about the Freeform Fiberarts Guild and the books, you can go to the link under 'blogs that inspire me'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps I have succeeded in inspiring YOU to get out there and watch Nature watching YOU!?! Enjoy!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-6528372235853309602010-11-19T16:18:00.002-05:002010-11-24T11:45:19.854-05:00JUST A FALL WALK IN THE PARKNo matter the season, or if I am walking in the woods, meadows, below the dam or around the lake, Beltzville State Park always delights me at every turn. But I really like it most of all in the fall, when things quiet down and the crowds go home. On days when the lake is unruffled by the steady passing by of boats, lying there so calm with barely a ripple, I can enjoy it's meditative stillness to the fullest. I particularly love to see all the colored leaves that settle on the bottom so picturesquely.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year there is a great deal of wood in the water. It must be a real hassle for the fishermen in their boats, but I think it looks beautiful. Sometimes the pieces look like a 'Lake' Ness monster surfacing, especially in a fog. To me, this one looks like a large birds head, perhaps a sea gull or maybe a bald eagle. Look very carefully and see if you can find it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or do you see it better close up?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I can pull myself away from the waters edge and head inland even just a bit, there is SO MUCH to photograph at every turn, that I am most grateful for my digital camera that doesn't eat up tons of film and need expensive processing, so I can bring it ALL home with me! I just walk and click away as each new leaf and twig is even more beautiful than the one before and every turn in the path brings ever more delights. I won't bore you with a million pictures here, but sit back a spell and enjoy the few I have weeded out of the bunch to share with you. It was a real hard decision, but the winners are........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And how about these bright green leaves in the middle of November! Autumn is sure taking her sweet old time this year, and isn't it grand? By now we should be looking at nothing but naked trees and shrubs and still the magnificent colors linger to delight us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now I know that dandelions are very sturdy little fellows, but this just HAS to be the last </div>one of the season!!! And what a pleasant surprise it was to come across on the trail!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And last but certainly not least....I wonder who lives in the heart-shaped hollow in the bottom of this tree. Perhaps one day I will go calling to find out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Well that was a nice little respite, wasn't it? I sincerely hope you enjoyed this little fall walk in the park with me.The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-75575543156360352322010-11-18T23:03:00.001-05:002010-11-19T06:45:35.022-05:00MEET A SPECIAL FRIEND OF MINEI am fortunate to live close by to beautiful Beltzville State Park, complete with a very large lake. It affords me SO MANY fun and interesting things to do. There are quite a few access points to the park and each one has its own unique features. One of my favorites leads to a less popular side of the lake, where years ago, I met a very special tree that I would like you to meet.<br />
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My friend lives on the very edge of the water in a secluded section of the lake. I have visited in every season, talking, singing and occasionally regaling it with poetry. My tree has provided me with both a comfortable place to sit and swing my legs and a cozy spot to curl up against its solid trunk with a good book or pen and paper for writing. <br />
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</div>I have been present to witness the unfurling of its leaves in the Spring, and seen the very last of those delightful golden beauties drift gently down to the ground in the Fall. It has offered me a shady oasis on many a hot Summer's day. We have even seen each other once in a while in the dead of Winter when the road wasn't closed due to snow and ice and the level in the lake was low enough to get through without wading in the frigid water.<br />
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Whenever we visit, I like to see what I can find along the waters edge to decorate the tree with, to honor my old friend. Sometimes I even bring dried flowers from home as an extra adornment. We got together just last week on a very mild day. There wasn't much to choose from this time around, but I was able to find a few offerings just the same.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The lake is filled with freshwater clams and I found many more of their empty shells than usual since the water level was still very low from the long, dry Summer. I thought they looked really pretty spread out along the branches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also tucked a few shells in some of the crevices along with little pieces of blue string I gathered along the way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A very interesting, shiny rock and a thick piece of birch bark offered to be part of the decorations too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a length of cotton rope just the right size for a garland and two pieces of rounded black birch bark that hung from it perfectly, like bracelets, a bunch of pine cones for the crotch on the right and an interesting piece of driftwood with a face on it, on the left. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were a handful of bird feathers and some empty seed pods to place in a small hollow in the center there and that definitely helped to round things out. All in all it's not a bad attempt but I will have to return one day before Winter sets in, to adorn my special tree friend with some of my dried flowers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you enjoyed meeting this special friend of mine. I will have to take more pictures throughout the seasons to share with you. It really is a most lovely tree, especially when in full glorious leaf. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931550302781579329.post-26419246994947776632010-11-12T08:29:00.005-05:002010-11-12T08:34:11.932-05:00BEFORE AUTUMN IS OVERThere is SO MUCH to catch up on, that I hardly know where to begin!! So since, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, I will merely post some of my favorite pictures to honor the season, and let them speak for themselves!<br />
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And yet, I HAVE missed it! I do so love Nature and writing about what I experience makes me happy. And what the heck, if I ever get senile, I will have something to remind me (every day) of what I once lived. (just kidding!)<br />
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Therefore, I have decided to begin once more, whether or not anyone else will EVER see this blog. I apologize for the time I have wasted feeling sorry for myself! I am going to consider this my legacy to my daughter, who lovingly calls me her Nature Sprite mother. And if you are the only one who will ever read and appreciate it, Julie, then that will be good enough for me!!The Nature Spritehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680920942461607923noreply@blogger.com0