Thursday, December 19, 2013

Frozen Sweatshirt Heart -Guest Heart Thursday


I'd been missing my favorite sweatshirt for quite some time.  During last week's snowfall and freezing temperatures I found where I'd tossed it--on top of the wood pile out back.  How fabulous to notice this frozen sweatshirt heart--I couldn't help but laugh.

Have a lovely week!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday. 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Hearts and Spiderwebs -Guest Heart Thursday


It has been so cold here--falling to 11 degrees one night.  It was 25 degrees last night.  Before the world started coming out of winter's frozen grip, I caught this spider web, noting the heart shaped pieces of web.  What a surprise, when I looked at this picture on the computer to find a beautifully shaped heart in the background!  Can you find it?

Have a beautiful day.  Stay warm, and Happy Guest Heart Thursday.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Hummers in the Snow

 

As I wrote to my wonderful Brother-In-Law Paul, who lives in France, I had a little adventure yesterday morning when I brought the hummingbird feeders out. The Annas often stay around all winter long, so I put food out for them.

The trouble was, the feeders were freezing. There were actual frosty crystals, quite beautiful, inside the feeder within a half hour. So under the watchful eye of my tiny hummer friends, I rigged two garage lights to keep the nectar from turning to ice.

 The hummers are so cute. They are quite interested in all I do. They'll hover just a foot or so away, zooming in every so often to get a closer look. Sometimes they will land on the trees in the nearby hedge and talk to me.

Dad could imitate the birds so closely many of his feathered friends thought he was one of them. I have a little bit of his gifting--so I'm able to "talk" to the birds as well.

Yesterday I saw nut hatches, a flock of tiny hazel backed finches, along with our Oregon Finches. I saw an entire flock of fat red-breasted robins. I haven't seen Robins around here in a long time. What fun to see so many of them. There was a flock of juncos too--they are tiny feisty birds and are quite fun to watch. We also have three or four squirrels who regularly peruse the yard for seeds, nuts and the like. They are grey squirrels.

It began to snow around 3 a.m. How can anyone sleep when the snow is falling? The kid in me hopes there is just enough to make a snowman in the front yard.

I put the hummingbird feeder out just before dawn. The hummers were already out. My favorite little buddy was sitting on the back of the garden bench. As soon as I had the feeder and light set up, they were eating. I believe we have four little hummers wintering over. Two eat at the feeder, while the other two are swashbuckling in the air. They like to stay in our evergreen English Elderberry tree.

It is still snowing. But just an inch or so, as the flakes are very small. The temperature is around 25.

Have a lovely day!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Christmas Cactus -Guest Heart Thursday


I was so excited when my Christmas Cactus began to bloom.  I haven't seen this many blossoms on that dear little plant since I've had it living in my house.  I was VERY happy!  I've enjoyed every moment of their blooming.

Do you see the heart?  

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!



Now THIS is a comfortable cat!   I can hardly wait to see what she does when we put up the Christmas tree!

Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Winter's Heart -Guest Heart Thursday


As the leaves of Fall slip into the earth, they leave behind winter's heart.  As you can see, there are two or three hearts to be found here.

Have a blessed day!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.


Thursday, November 21, 2013

Buried Heart -Guest Heart Thursday


My darling little niece and I were going for a walk.  What a fun thing to discover this buried heart...though my niece was convinced the heart was ACTUALLY a door into fairyland.  Well, who's to say?  I'm thinking it is both.  (grin)

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Sweet Heart -Guest Heart Thursday


I had the fun of being with my darling niece for the day on Monday.  What a delightful time.  Of course, we went for a walk and what do you know?!  We found a heart for Auntie Honey.  I wouldn't have noticed, but seems my sweet niece has an eye for hearts, just like her Aunt Clytie!  (grin)


Bunny plus gloves stayed the night to help rewire some stuff here at the house.  (grin)  I must say we truly enjoyed the extra "help." 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

RockHeart Reflections -Guest Heart Thursday


On our way home, Mumsie and I stopped at Rooster Rock Park.  What a beautiful sight--the water was so still it looked like the world extended below the waters.  It looked like that dock was floating on air.  


This is the channel which runs along Rooster Rock itself. 


Above you can see a very large stone heart--a combination of cliff and glassy reflection. 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Heart of Fall -Guest Heart Thursday


Mums and I were having a "Pond Moment," taking a break from working in the yard, when I noticed this beautiful heart hanging in the midst of these glowing Fall leaves.  It was breathtaking!

Of course, I thought of Clytie right away!  This heart is for you, Sissy!

 
And then I saw the light--and lookie who it likes--Mumsie!  Isn't she beautiful?  I think she has the most lovely smile.  

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Dearest Daddy


That handsome fellow, second from the left, is my Daddy.  How I wish I could have known him then.  One thing I do know of Dad is he was kind--always very kind to those he loved.  I don't know if this was taken before he went to war...or just afterward.

Dad was only 18 years old when he was drafted into the army. I wish I could have known that young man.  Fighting in the war, his capture and experiences in the concentration camp surely changed him from the boy he was before he left home.  He did not speak much about his horrendous experiences in a Nazi concentration camp, until late in life. 

Dad was captured in the Battle of the Bulge.  He was a prisoner of war at Stalag IX-B in Bad Orb, Germany.  His stories of the death march, being cruelly interrogated, packed with fellow prisoners into a train car like sardines and stacking the dead--being tortured, digging mass graves and starvation were hair-raising.  When he came out of the Nazi prison camp nine months after his capture,  Dad only weighed 95 pounds.

I must add here that though he suffered horrifically at the hands of the Nazis, he spoke warmly of the kindness of the German people themselves.


I always thought this was such a cute picture.  Mumsie working away on her first book years ago.  Isn't she cute?  Her latest book will be coming out this summer in the Quilts of Love Series.  It is called A Stitch and a Prayer.  Dad loved having an author as a wife.  He was, as she says, "the wind beneath her wings." 


Daddy delighted in his grandchildren--here are the twins.  Oh,how  he loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Every one of them were precious to his heart and put a twinkle in his eye.


I have always loved this photo--I managed to snap it as his tiny granddaughter and he walked along the pathway.  As you can see, she holds a treasure trove of fircones.  lol


Dad took us camping every year.  Ah, what times we had.  This is a picture of the silly side of Daddy!


Dad and Mom loved one another and shared life together for more than 54 years.  Then a year ago, today...a deadly stroke put him into the hospital.  Mom spent every waking moment with him at the Veteran's Hospital in Portland.


One moment he was there...


A month later he flew away to heaven.

He was a wonderful Dad.  A good man.  A devoted husband and Father and a grand old soldier.  I'm so blessed to be his daughter and I miss him dreadfully.

Today is a difficult day.  I am going to Mumsie's house to help her with some things--so would appreciate your good thoughts and prayers.

May our mighty Creator bless you, dear ones.






Thursday, October 24, 2013

Ketchup Heart -Guest Heart Thursday


As you can see--this is a redneck breakfast come true--bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and bacon!  Oh, my it was good--but before I ate it with "relish" I noticed there was a ketchup heart on that egg...

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Rockin' Heart -Guest Heart Thursday


Here's another heart---as you can see this picture was taken in blue rock lagoon.  The wonderful little park in Stevenson, Washington, where one can walk across an oaken bridge, into a tiny meadow starred with flowers.  Then down the stone stairs to the lagoon of blue stones.  It is no wonder I found a heart rock in this magical place.

I once met a dragon there--and rode upon his back.  (grin)

Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Chocolate Dreams -Guest Heart Thursday


We were attending a conference last week.  The final dinner was an amazing gourmet meal, three courses, including lime sherbert to "cleanse the palate."  Amazing!  But when I saw the little chocolate heart--I had to take a picture.  And it was as delicious as it looks!  I'm haunted by this fabulous dessert this morning.

Have a sweet day and happy Guest Heart Thursday! 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.


Thursday, October 3, 2013

Goldfinch Leaf Heart-Guest Heart Thursday


This little fellow is a goldfinch.  The reason he's not so golden is that he's wearing his winter garb.  It was wonderful to discover they were still flocking to the bird feeder.  There are eight of these tiny birds who regularly feed there. Soon it will grow too cold and they will head south for warmer weather.  In the meantime, I feel blessed every time I see them. 

Did you notice the heart?  The goldfinch is the left side and the hazelnut leaf is the right side!  Have a lovely day!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.




Thursday, September 26, 2013

Napkin Heart -Guest Heart Thursday


My darling took me out to dinner last summer--an you believe it?  Yep--do you see the heart?  I did--right away, and of course, I had to take a picture.  It was a lovely night out--one I'll remember always.

Have a great weekend everyone, and Happy Guest Heart Thursday.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Heart Petals -Guest Heart Thursday


This is a petal from an old fashioned rose bush.  It is such a fragrant flower--as are most antique roses.  This one once graced the garden of our Great Grandmother.  I like to think that she would have loved this flower blooming so beautiful and fragrant next to the pond in Mumsie's yard.


The petals are so perfectly heart-shaped I thought them perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!


For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Unusual Flower Heart -Guest Heart Thursday


Mumsie and I went for a walk in the park last week.  We came across this flower.  And, of course, you can see the beautiful orange heart--just perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!


At first we thought the flowers had faded and were sliding down the stem.  But it turns out, that tiny delicate tendril upon which the flower rests--IS the stem.


This flower has a spotted belly and a funny looking tail.  Neither Mumsie nor I had ever come across the flower before.  Anyone have any idea what it is?  We would LOVE to know.
 
 
UPDATE:  Oddly enough, I was looking through some old postcards last week and was astonished to find one featuring the flower Mumsie and I saw.  It is a Spotted Orange Touch-Me-Not, more commonly known as Spotted Jewel Weed.  

It is a flower usually found in the Eastern part of North America. Its color varies--a warm yellow, grading to a deeper shade of orange.  Though the spots on the one we found are more orangish, in most cases the spots are dark red, or purple in an irregular pattern.  It flowers from July to September!  There are some species of flowers which are welcome to migrate westward--in my opinion this is one of them.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.