A crow and a hawk!

A quick glance out the car window (while driving down our driveway) made me stop and back up.  It may not seem like something grand but to me it is.  The sun was coming through the trees, and I was able to peer into the woods a bit further than I could the week before, and that was all.  Noticing the small things is what keeps me looking...and there is no shortage of small things to see!  What makes you stop and go back? 

When we drove to Camp Sherman a couple of weeks ago, I saw two large crows sitting on a log off the side of the road.  One of them looked very big, old and scruffy.  I quickly mentioned them to my husband. He stopped the car and backed up quite a ways.  He saw the birds and exclaimed to me..excitedly, "That is a crow and a hawk!  The hawk has a mouse in his mouth and the crow is waiting for the hawk to fly off so that he can grab at the mouse!" 

I tried to get a picture but of course by the time my camera turned on..the birds flew off.  It was something to behold and I'm glad we stopped the car and backed up.  We may never see anything like that again! 

One little girl has been busy.

Being a certain little girl has brought about many very interesting and fun experiences!  Dressing up as a ballerina...playing with the greatest pop beads ever.....

..making jewelry for the cat.....

...turning cones into a family...

..turning a box into a fairy house..

and making table top nature gardens!  All this in one week!  I wonder what this week will bring in the way of creative play? 

This grammy is proud of LA!  She is a gift of endless possibilities!

Tropicana Rose...

Hydrangea, Protea, Aypericum, Alastroemeria are the flowers that were included in last weekends wedding. 

 Designing wedding flowers is something I never get tired of doing.  Each wedding presents a new opportunity to use some of the most interesting flowers around and many of them are grown right here in the Willamette Valley.  The roses come from Peterkort Roses.  The local roses are similar to the South American roses, but they are more delicate in nature.  The stem is lighter and  are easier to work with when putting together corsages, and smaller hand-tied bouquets.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner my focus turns to holiday designing.  The front porch is already starting to look a bit festive with stacks and stashes of organic treasures!  I'll share more of that next week!  Have a good week! 

Sitting quietly.....

and taking in the changing colors. 

This and that

On my exercise walk this morning that takes me around Stone Creek Golf Course, and near our farm, the frost at our feet was so pretty.  The common dandelion was sprinkled with a soft white haze and made it appear boreal!  My walking partner is an avid gardener,  we can talk on and on about what to grow, how to grow it, what to plant it in..you get the idea!  Since I had my camera with me and after our walk, I trotted around her yard for a few quick photos.  I think you will appreciate the blooms as much as I did. 

Here is a peek into Gail's backyard.  In the distance is a row of plum trees, and in front of them is a row of grapes.  The bench sits near a huge old maple tree, and in just a few days there will be leaves falling everywhere!  It's been an odd year.   The leaves have not turned and have not fallen like usual.  We are told that the winter is to be cold, and there will be snow a few times.  We'll see. 

Gail's hydrangea are blooming very late, and aren't they beautiful? 

Lime green geraniums still abound. 

Even the rose is in prime condition. 

The little Popcorn Rose is continuing to put out new flowers, but not for long.  The really cold freeze will be here any night now. 

When I returned home, about 9am, I had a little project to finish.  I was asked to provide centerpieces for a small event.  I knew what to do!  Over the past two weeks, on my walks, I have collected nuts, moss, sticks, oak balls, acorns, plums, rose hips, and anything else that I thought was interesting.  I laid them out on a newspaper, and  then walked into our woods to pick armloads of lush moss.  I put a generous clump of it on each plate, and began tucking in little plants, and all the findings from my gathering.  What you see are the fruits of my labor.  Five Nature Gardens made with intention and gratitude.  Each one is a little different in personality and flare.  Everything was free except for the plates and I got them at Goodwill. 

 When I delivered the Nature Gardens a friend ask me, "Did you make yourself one?"  I answered, "No." 
But I decided to fix that.  I now have one sitting under our assemblage, made by Artist Heidi Petersen, and if you look closely you will see Trudy, our knitted rabbit made by Master Knitter Willow.  We have a very creative family..both of them are part of it!  

Happy week to all!

If you would like to see the Nature Gardens from last year....they are available right here.

Weekend Getaway

  Sisters and Camp Sherman, Oregon.

When we still have warm October days, we like to take a drive to get away from the activities of everyday living.  Oregon has an advantage of being home to the ocean, mountains and desert. If the weather is bad in one direction, we can go another direction, and find the sunshine.  The Oregon Coast was socked in with fog last weekend, so we headed east. 

The Fall air was warm, the sky blue and the scenery expansive.  Our short time away from home base was restful and restorative.

Sisters and Camp Sherman, Oregon

 When we drove into Camp Sherman, there were several women painting at the waters' edge.  I talked briefly with a few of them and they told me they live in the area.  They choose different spots in the Eastern Oregon landscape and paint for a day.  Ahhh...what a wonderful experience for them!  What you can't see are the little log cabins across the Metolius River.  These lovely little places can be rented for a night or two and it is a place we return to again and again. 

 The next few pictures are taken along the Metolius River as we walked to see the headwaters. 

 Maggie and I are standing in front of  our favorite cabin in the area.  Many of the cabins were built in the early 1900's and most are in need of repair.  This one captures our eye because of it's log/rock design,  red windows and doors.  I wonder who gets to enjoy this way of life..away from the bustle of the city and in a place that commands peace?

 Farther up the path we stop to take in several of the forks that feed into the Metolius River. 

 Can you see the green moss growing on the rocks in the water? 

 We had the best time and returned home ready for another week. 

Birthday Week

Sixty years ago my life began.  I was the third child born to my parents.  I had two older brothers, Gary and Reed.  Gary was seven at the time, and here we are celebrating my birthday so many years later.  Reed is in heaven....having a good time watching! 



I loved having my family with me on this momentous day.  Not everyone could come but they were with me in their thoughts! 

 My heart is full of love for each of you!

During my "Birthday" week, I received two lovely plants from friends.  One is a large burgundy mum and the other is a mixed basket of evergreens.  I like how they look sitting on the bench my father built....sixty years ago.  The bench is reminder that if we do something..build something...do your best....because it will last! 
Thank you...dear friends and family!

Pleasant Find

While on a walk, in a new (to me) neighborhood, these HUGE crocus were growing in one yard. I had to pause and take them in. Each flower was as big as my hand!

Autumn Crocus ‘The Giant’ – Botanical name is Colchicum Speciosum ‘The Giant’

http://www.bestflowergardening.com/tag/flower-garden

Let's get outside and take in the changes that are occurring in gardens.  No matter where we live on this earth..things are growing, unfolding and showing off.  I had never seen a Giant Autumn Crocus...until this week.  How can that be?  I know...I walked down a new road.