Winter Flowers and Nature Notes

It's February! Halfway through astronomical winter. The sun came out briefly this morning, just long enough for me to put out my crystal suncatchers, but not long enough for me to position and hang them, Mo was so happy! He did play on the deck briefly before his walk. January was so odd, grey and drippy--yet so windy! My nature drawing is a black cherry branch with drips, January '24's hallmark look.

The ugly locust tree has been busy. Today was mourning doves, yesterday Mr Robin greeted me, singing away. And the mockingbird is often in the high branches, as he has done for so many many years.

A few weeks ago I had a beautiful tiny bird resting on my deck rail. Deep slate-black above and fluffy white belly. Sand martin, house martin? It didn't have a swallow's tail or shape. HERE

I put out fresh water and crumbled dog treats for it.

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I  finally overcame my winter ennui and planted my spring indoor bulbs the other day. A pleasurable hour of gathering containers and pebbles, sorting the bulbs.

This year I decided to try prechilled tulips. They came promptly, but eeew. What a disappointment, all sticky and moldy.

They were planned for this pretty thrifted compote:

Off topic doesn't this tiny cream pitcher look like it belongs to the same set as the tureen? Found years apart, in two different thrift shops, mile apart. Bases say, "Bavaria".

Anyway! I used the saved prong disc I recycle each year.

I did notice some tiny green points among the mold, decided to wash the bulbs and give them a chance!

So far--maybe? 

Then I got my usual dozen Ziva paperwhite narcissus from Amazon. They didn't disappoint, all with firm large bulbs and green sprouts. 

They filled two glass cylinders.

This is my smaller hyacinth jar, below/ left. I used some of the paperwhites here with white beach pebbles. [I find it very hard to use my pebbles--each holds a cherished memory of long walks and hot summer days. They'll need a Clorox soak afterwards.]

This is a few days later. Settling in and sprouting.

Last I have my two amaryllises. Both bulbs, oddly, got smaller over the summer, despite fresh soil, sun, and fertilizers. Both show hopeful hints of green.

Top is the red one, 6 years now?

And in the Mc Coy planter is the purported blue one. It has never bloomed but I keep trying.

All the pots go on the pine bench for their starting days. 

It's a cold corner there by the deck door with diffuse but cinstant light.

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Today Mo and I walked around the barren neighborhood. I noted so may places that would be delightful if spring bulbs were planted. I offered a few years ago to donate bulbs, and to get donations from neighbors for these dismal brown public areas, but I was soundly refused by the HOA gardening committee.

We did find a small clump of snowdrops, poking thru the mud. Always a thrill. I think the large tubers are misplaced daylilies maybe, or stray iris. Snowdrops don't do well here, but even a small patch is, to me, so hopeful and beautiful.

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Journal notes. One bad habit is going back and adding to drawings. This thumbnail is a definite quit while you're ahead.

And the drippy black cherry branches.

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Quilt notes: BB inspiration from an Australian quilter on Instagram. I love how she handles her concentric borders. And her color sense! @jo_broz 

And almost done with the words on Marsh. I was discussing the applique w blog friend Nancy and said, "I'm not a fan of machine applique esp do not like zigzag. But I m going for a certain effect where I want the words to tatter over time, symbolizing the years passing and a life lived but fading away.....They look really ugly, yes." 

But I think they will perform as I envision when pressed, quilted, washed, and worn out.

Have a good weekend. I am finally booked to get my covid booster, fitting it around IV treatments. I hope I am not terribly sick like many people have been.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach....