Like A Disney Movie...

The "wildest" things happen if you pay attention. Around 8:30 last night, I was walking through the dining room to the kitchen when some movement outside caught my eye. There was a doe eating windfall apples under our old tree!

I took about a half dozen photos of her, but in this one, she had noticed something, too. 

Ambling across the driveway was a raccoon! It was heading right toward the apple tree.

Lucky me. I watched and waited long enough to get one image of both of them before they parted ways. Both moved into the tall grass as it started to get dark. I swear the first thing I thought of was that this looked like something out of a Disney movie! What do you think?

That'sMe!...

If you're looking for me, I'll be needle dancing...when I'm not spending time with Handsome and "the girls".  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

 

The Peace of Wild Things...

Rest Now, in the peace of wild things...

No rest for me (yet). as I'm continuing work on Handsome's quilt. I assembled the backing yesterday (which I think might surprise you).

I came across this piece, which I really loved, so I thought I'd share it with you while I head back to the studio. Have a great weekend, friends. I'll see you again on Monday (hopefully with a finished quilt)!

PSA From The Critters At Hickory Hill Farm...

 

As you celebrate the founding of our country, please consider how including fireworks might affect wildlife, pets and military veterans. Celebrating is just as much fun without the noise. Thanks!

Tag, Bella, Carly, Claudette and Crystal, too!

The Sky Was On Fire...

Brynwood Needleworks - Sunset Last Night

Last night's sunset was like seeing the sky on fire. It was so fabulous, I had to share it with you. We've had mostly cloudy days for about two weeks. The sun peeked through on only about two days, and then ducked behind the clouds again. 

 

Yesterday was mostly cloudy, too, but the sun came out for a little bit before it went down behind the hill above the farmhouse. It was so cold and windy all day, that seeing this sunset made up for it. Handsome even helped me fill the birdfeeders (our feathered guests need extra support when it's this cold!), and then we took food down to the Habitat for the opossums, raccoons, and ahem...cats...who visit every night.  I was happy for the help, because I could get back into the house sooner. I got inside just in time to see this sunset and take a picture for you. 

If you live where it gets cold, I hope you're warm and snug inside. If you live when it's warm, don't rub it in! (Florida sure looks like a good idea again right now.) Let's hope tomorrow is sunny and warmer.

 

Yesterday's Visitor...

Brynwood Needleworks - A Visitor At The Farm - Coyote

Handsome and I were drinking coffee and visiting first thing yesterday morning when he looked out the window past me and asked if I could see the deer in the north field. I got up and looked out the window, and said, "I'm not sure that's a deer.". Then I went and grabbed my binoculars for a closer look.

 

As I was looking through the binocs, he said he thought I was right. Further investigation revealed a beautiful coyote. We watched it for quite a while as it snuffled and frolicked in the field. Bella sat (mostly) quiet (occasionally uttering a low growl) the whole time. (Of course, I had to sneak out onto the porch to get a picture to share with you, too!)

 

After a few minutes, Mr. Coyote moved across the field and into the tree line to spend the rest of the day expoloring as they do. I'll be looking at the trail cam today to see if our visitor decided to stop by the Habitat for a bite to eat before moving on. 

How wonderful that we have such a variety of wildlife moving through the neighborhood. There's room for everyone here. All the critters have a purpose, and I like that we can move around each other without the need to hurt them. The older I get, the more I appreciate the pure acts of seeing and enjoying. Another blessing from the farm.

Keeping Track...

Brynwood Needleworks - Nature Journal

 

I love watching and feeding the birds that visit the farm every day. I've taken photographs with my iPhone and my "real" camera, and I can sit in the kitchen chronicling their visits to the feeders for hours on end. I also sat on the floor in the dining room, watching raccoons, oppossums, and even stray cats during the winter.

Handsome said, "I'm surprised you don't keep a journal of all the different birds that stop in every day." It got me thinking. After our conversation, I made a side trip when I had to be in town. I picked up a nice, inexpensive journal notebook to do just that. It has nice paper inside, and a soft, suede-like cover on the outside.

 

I'm not an artist with pencil or pens, however, I'm going to make an attempt to sketch now and then. I'm also making note of daily temperatures, what's growing on the farm, and furry visitors, too.

I began mid-April, noting the first bluebird that arrived, and have even had to look up a few birds that I couldn't definitively identify. (That part's been really fun for me.) I noticed a darker version of the Baltimore Oriole, and now know that it's an Orchard Oriole. Likewise with little birds that I thought were common sparrows with redder heads. Well, those are actually Chipping Sparrows. I've also identified the larger White Crowned Sparrows. Can you tell I'm having fun?

I may also use the pages of the book to press flowers that grow wild here...the tiny violets that peek out of our lawn, and an as-yet-unidentified purple flower that spreads like wildfire around the compass barn. I'm thinking it may be a wild oregano (that's what it smells like when I mow), but I'm still working on a positive ID.

The gorgeous irridescent feather that you see in the picture is from a wild turkey. In the light, it actually changes color from the green you see to a reddish-brown. It's truly beautiful. I'll be adding this to the pages of my book, too, along with the bluejay and other feathers I've found near the feeders.

My book won't be like my blog posts with daily entries, but I will keep track of the milestones here at the farm that bring joy to my soul. I'm looking forward to filling the pages. 

Have you ever done anything like this? Can you draw? What do you write within the pages (just vaguely, not anything specific)? I'd love to know.

Why, Yes I Am...

 ...at least I am "Her Royal Highness" in our house!

I found a new seller on Etsy that I just love.

The name of the shop is madametreacle and Janie Jones is the shopkeeper.

She lives in London and I adore her twill tapes. I just had to order some of them!

Geraniums and bumblebees

 They come on beautiful cards in 1 meter increments.

My mind is a-buzz with ideas for these tapes.

Roses and more roses.

 "Roses are red, my love..." (Feel free to hum along with Bobby Vinton and me.)

Badgers and holly sprigs.

 Of course, this British/Wisconsin girl would have to have English twill tapes

featuring badgers! "If you wanna be a badger, then come along with me."

(I know. More music...University of WI fight song. I can't help myself!)

My entire order.

These are all the tapes I ordered from Janie. (I actually got two cards of

the badger tape. I especially liked that one!) I have no idea how I'll use

that design, but I know I'll come up with something fun! Any ideas to share?

Yesterday I received a gorgeous floral arrangement from my Aunty Margaret 

and Uncle Dick. We shared in a celebration yesterday and they sent these

flowers to thank me for my help. It was a wonderful surprise, with a beautiful

card that meant so much to me. You know how much I love to share joyful or

creative things with you, so I had to show you this happy and fragrant gift.

Thank you, Aunty Marg and Uncle Dick! I love the flowers!

 (I know my aunt reads my blog.)

I'm off to the quilt shop for morning coffee, but I'll be coming home to work

on play with another project. I managed to finish so many tasks and projects

last week that I can't wait to see what the coming week holds. 

I can't believe it's February already! Perhaps a Valentine project should be next?

My Vintage, Beaded Tea Cosy...

I've had this tea cosy for many years, but thought you might enjoy seeing it today.

I actually don't know very much about it. I found it in an antique mall in Wisconsin on one of my hunting trips for needlework. I was so tickled to find it sitting in a corner of one of the vendor stalls! I don't even remember looking for a price. I had to have it!

It's a two-sided tea cosy, and it's done almost completely in seed beads on a velvet ground. On one side, you'll see a white lion chasing three white deer. They're running through a field of flowers and grass, and an ornate palm tree presides over the chase.

On the opposite side (I really can't choose which side might be "front" or "back"), is a pair of elegant, grazing cranes (or storks). Their wings are colored sequins - which are the only non-bead elements in the entire piece. The birds are separated by a trio of
large, beautiful flowers.

It is finished with more beadwork - to create either a border or frame for the subjects - on both sides. It has a lining, with wool batting between the front and back, which makes for a bit of a weighty piece. It definitely keeps a pot of tea warm for quite a while! It's an incredible piece of needlework, worked by unknown hands in an unknown time.

Perhaps some day someone will answer the questions I have about my lovely tea cosy. Until then, I'll just enjoy being its fortunate custodian.

You can click on either photograph of my cosy to go to an album with more images of the cosy and its beautiful beadwork.