Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A Mid-Winter Walk

It is so hard to believe that 2013 will be over tonight!  We are not big celebrators of New Year's Eve so we are having dinner with good friends and will be home by 10.  Now fireworks are a big thing here so it might be a bit hard to sleep around mid-night but I will be trying.
I tried to get my Word Play for Jan finished but I think it will be tomorrow not today.  I am going to show my  start for the new year tomorrow.  Today, I'm taking you for a walk around our yard.  Our average temps this time of year are in the 40's. I hope you enjoy this short walk.

 This is one of two planters by the garage.  It looked very sad after our very cold snap in Dec. but it has come back nicely.

 A red twig dogwood at the front entrance.

We use this little front porch a lot.  It is covered and we often sit out there and read or have our coffee even in the winter.

This bush is called Garrya Elliptica.

We planted it because of this winter interest.  Some call them flowers.

I love the dogwood, mid-winter fire. It is spectacular when it snows!

 I hope the front door says welcome.

 Helleboras niger,"Winter Rose" is blooming right now!

These Hellebors are on their way!

The little Anna's hummingbird we fed through the cold spell each morning very early as they feed around sunrise.  ( I do have a very sweet DH, he did those early morning feedings).

Look who finally arrived !The pileated wood pecker.

Have a great New Year's Eve and a most Happy  and healthy New Year to you all!!!!!!


24 comments:

  1. happy new year barb! i will be in bed way before you! there will be lots of fireworks here too.

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  2. wishing you a wonderful stitchy new year :) love mouse xxxxx

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  3. Love your front door!! Happy and healthy New Year to you!!

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  4. A very Happy New Year to you and your hubby! May 2014 bring you much happiness, health and prosperity. -47 celcius tonight - we shall be staying in. Can I say that I am just a bit jealous of your weather!!!! Have a grand night!

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  5. Your garden looks lovely during Winter, and oh yes your front door looks very welcoming. Best wishes for 2014.

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  6. Happy New year
    I am very jealous of your garden it is very beautiful.i would take you for a walk through mine but it is under 3 ft. of snow at the moment

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  7. So much beauty out your way even in the winter, Barb!! And your bird photos are incredible!!

    Happy New Year and your family!

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  8. Happy New Year Barb! Your yard is lovely and it's so nice to see green things growing when we're in a bit of a deep freeze right now!

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  9. What a gorgeous yard you have. Yes, your front door says welcome, come in and sit a spell. :o) Happy New Year!

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  10. What pretty pictures! It must be nice to have a more temperate Winter. Happy New Year!

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  11. Happy New Year! I have never seen a dogwood like that before. I bet it is gorgeous with snow on it. And I love your Pileated woodpecker visit. So cool that you got pictures of it.

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  12. Wonderful gardening. The front entry is very welcoming.

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  13. Have a happy and healthy New Year, Barb!
    We also started the new year very calmly, just my husband and I with a nice dinner, then we watched the fireworks which were great to see this time as there wasn't any fog or rain or snow.
    Now the new stitching yera can start.
    Thanks for taking us for this nice little walk.

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  14. Beautiful pictures! And I love the front porch, looks so cozy! The front door most definitely says Welcome!

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  15. Okay Barb, color me INSANELY jealous! I've never had a pileated come to the suet feeder like that! Wow! Pat yourself on the back for giving the Anna a hand during some tough weather. Your dogwood is lovely.

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  16. Beautiful pics! So many things to see. My hellebores aren't starting yet. That wood pecker pic is amazing!! I would have been jumping up and down and would not have been able to take a picture.

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  17. Your garden is so gorgeous - I especially love that spectacular Dogwood tree. Thanks for taking me on your walk with you.

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  18. You got GREAT pictures of the woodpecker. I can never get them to hold still long enough. Either that or they are too far away to get a clear shot.

    Loved your photos.

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  19. Your home is lovely! Your front door definitely says welcome! :-). I love the bird pictures! I must get better at taking pictures! :-)

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