The Birds Remind Us...

It's ridiculously hot here this week. The air conditioner at work lost ground by the hour because we were so busy. Each time the doors opened I could feel the mercury rise. We had it set at 73°, and after my seven hours it was 87° indoors.

My short hair was so curly that I looked like a gym teacher from my grade school days. I couldn't wait to get home and shed my jeans and polyester shirt. Truthfully, I was out of ambition by the time we walked into the farmhouse.

We haven't installed any window a/c units yet. I'm holding off because they're such a chore to install, and once they're in and the weather turns, I won't be able to open the window because it won't have a screen on it. 

So, we're trying to ride this out. Windows open at night when the breezes are cooler, and then close up during the day with our ceiling fans on. As long as I don't have to put jeans on, I'll be okay.

I did go outside just before dark to put out a bowl of cold water for the critters. I placed some blocks in the bottom so small animals could safely exit the bowl. I also refilled the birdbath for another spot for birds or beasts.

I'm heading out today to see my sister, Di and her daughter, who is recuperating from surgery. (They have a/c, too. BONUS!) I'm looking forward to seeing them. 

Gotta run now. See you later. Oh, and Happy July!!

A Lovely Artist And Etsy Shop...

It snowed all day and into the wee hours of the night yesterday, so I spent time browsing Etsy and catching up on emails. I've also been busy in the studio, but I'm not ready to share about that quite yet. I'm working in small bites, so it's taking longer than usual. I'm also still resting my knee(s) and improving daily.

At any rate, this is a shop I've been following for a while, and I'm sure that if you know me at all, you won't be surprised that I'm smitten with her art. She's simply wonderful. Her name is Jeanette and her shop is The Hawk and The Oak on Etsy. 

 

 

I absolutely adore everything she creates.

I just placed an order with her after drooling over her work for months. I'm looking forward to receiving her pieces. If you love what you see and would like to see what else she has done, you can find her shop HERE. 

No, I'm not compensated for sharing her shop. No, except for my order, she doesn't even know I exist. Yes, I do love her work, so I wanted you to see it, too. Enjoy!

Traffic Jam - Wisconsin Style...

Brynwood Needleworks - Geese On Parade

 

While Handsome, the pups, and I were running errands in Plymouth yesterday, traffic came to a complete stop for this. Families of geese - young and older - were crossing the road from a nice open field to a perfect little pond. 

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Heading To The Pond

 

 

I love how all the traffic stopped and waited patiently for them to make their leisurely crossing. They were in absolutely no hurry...geese or people. It was quite sweet. 

This is how we roll in rural Wisconsin, and it's just one more thing I love about where we live. I hope my pictures (taken through our windshield) bring as much of a smile to your face as it did mine.

 

Sharing A Little Wildlife Today...

Brynwood Needleworks - Two Young Squirrels

Now that the weather is nicer, I can sit outside on the front porch with my morning coffee. It's mostly quiet (if you don't count the noise from the machinery building new lanes on the highway about a half mile away), but if I focus on our own little farm property, I can block that out.

I'd rather concentrate on all the wonders around me. I filled all the bird feeders, and added peanuts and seeds at the base of the big, old maple tree in our front yard. Then I can sit and watch the birds and other critters that come out in the morning.

I was up early (for me) yesterday, and by 6:15 I was sitting outside with my coffee. There are two young squirrels that first appeared from their nest in the big maple about two weeks ago. They're getting bolder, and they're a hoot to watch as they chase each other in the tree, and then out onto the lawn.

Brynwood Needleworks - Squirrels Eating Peanuts

I'll just let you look at the photos and get a sense of the peace and quiet that I enjoy here in our dear, old farmhouse.

Brynwood Needleworks - Baby Squirrels

 

Last night, before bed, I heard a ruckus in the side yard. I shone a light on the feeders to see a mama raccoon and her three kids, trying to reach a feeder I've mounted (higher) on the side of the Compass Barn. I cracked up watching them, and listening to the little kids crabbing and fussing with each other. They were looking for a meal, and this was just out of their reach.

I'll try to get photos of them on the trail cam, which I'll set up tonight. Fingers crossed that I can get some images to share with you. Such is life at our beautiful Hickory Hill Farm.

Knitting Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - My Sock Knitting Kit

When I wait, I knit. Sometimes, I'll do needlework (stitcheries), but when I'm unsure of my light availability, I knit.

I'm waiting today. Handsome has appointments and his knee keeps him from driving, so I'm his chauffeur for the day. I'm going to work on the second sock in this yarn, and should make some good headway today.

Brynwood Needleworks - Panorama Fiber Arts Sock Yarn - Joey Colorway

This image came across my Facebook feed while the fires were raging across Australia. Panorama Fiber Arts offered this for preorder, dedicating $10 from every skein sold donated to Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities and the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. In fact, Handsome saw it, too, and suggested I order it. (I'd already ordered enough to knit a pair of socks for each of us!)

Brynwood Needleworks - Mine Arrived

My yarn arrived over the weekend, and it's really beautiful! Each hank is 460 yards of 75% merino/25% nylon sock yarn. The texture and colors are so soft. I can't wait to start knitting with it, but of course, I must complete my current project first! Now I have extra incentive to get that done.

I wish I could tell you that you could get your own, but this was a limited edition, preorder colorway, and when I checked their website, it's shown as "Sold Out". Nevertheless, there are some truly wonderful colors available on their site that you may want to look at. Click HERE to go to their website.

Disclaimer: I have been in no way compensated for my references to or promotion of Panorama Fiber Art or their products. I just happen to love what I recently purchased from them, so I chose to crow about them without remuneration of any kind.

A Parade On The Farm...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Big Daddy" Raccoon In The Field

Let me apologize, right off the bat, for these crummy photos. I should be ashamed of myself. I have an honest-to-goodness Nikon D200, but I was already on the porch when this all transpired. So sorry.

I watched Big Daddy raccoon forage all the way across the field late yesterday afternoon, as he munched on what leftover corn was still out there. It's planted in soy beans now, but the only critters interested in the shoots would be the deer, sandhill cranes, and turkeys.

Big Daddy started all the way north near the second rise in this picture, and worked his way across the field nearly to our lawn. He's a big boy, as I'd seen him with a little girlfriend on our porch last winter. They came around for the kitten food that I'd been putting out for the opossums, but I knew that they couldn't be hanging around on the porch, so I took up the food and put it into the compass barn, where the 'possums were sleeping anyway. The raccoons went back to the woods.

So, as I watched "Big Daddy", I noticed that he was paying more and more attention to the woods along our east property line. He was moving more quickly than he had been. I figured that the deer we've been watching all week were on their way out to graze.

I was hearing quite a ruckus, which is unlike deer who seems to move with a stealth equal to the most talented ninja. I leaned back in my chair on the porch, and waited (with my stupid cell camera in hand).

Brynwood Needleworks - "Little Mama" and Babies

Wouldn't you just know it? Little Raccoon (Now named "Little Mama") came out of the woods with five (FIVE) babies in tow! They paraded right across our front lawn to our huge, old maple tree.

Brynwood Needleworks - "Little Mama" and Babies

Little Mama was teaching lessons. All of them were snuffling around the base of the maple, and then she took them out into the lawn and rooted around in the grass. I'm sure she sensed I was there, as she kept standing on her hind legs with her nose in the air. I sat, stock-still, so although she could smell "human", she wasn't alarmed.

Brynwood Needleworks - "Little Mama" and Babies

After a little while, she and the kits headed toward the north field, too. They all ran to keep up with their mama, and other than their noisy entrance to the yard, they were remarkably quiet. I've held babies this small before, but they were orphans that I saved off the roadway. Never with a protective mother to scold me. Those babies were chittering and squeaking the whole time. Theses guys were quiet, and there was no way I was going to interfere with their evening lessons - or alarm their mama!

Brynwood Needleworks - "Little Mama" and Babies

 

Just before they left our (newly-mowed) lawn, Little Mama stood on her hinds legs just one more time. I rewarded her by letting her see me slowly stand and leave the porch through our front screen door. She watched me the whole time, but didn't bolt. 

 

After I was inside, I watched her collect her little ones, turn for the corner of the field, and slowly amble back into the woods. I imagine she met up with Big Daddy and told him all about seeing me, and now I now I think I know who's been raiding the oriole feeders at night. 

 

Every morning I go out to check the feeders, and find all the grape jelly gone - with the bowls strewn across the lawn. In fact, one is missing right now. I looked everywhere, with no luck finding it. I guess they really are little rascals.

Again, I'm not purposely doing anything to invite them into the yard, but they're safe when they're here. I don't know why, but Snow White's music rings in my ears when I see the opossums, squirrels, chipmunks or raccoons on our property. lol Can't you just see me twirling around in a dress and pinafore? I know. Me either. Stop laughing!

Time for coffee, and then a trip to town for my monthly haircut. I have no idea what else today will bring, but I know that when I think about Little Mama and her babies on our lawn, I'll stop and smile. Have a great day! I'll be back tomorrow.