Suggested Reading...

While I'm busy working on the February 'Corliss Clips' newsletter for a few days, I didn't want to leave you with stale, old postings, so Lucy-Maude has stepped in. She just posted a piece called, "Winter Musings... for Canines Only. " (Thanks for the back-up, Lucy!) It includes 44 new photos, which you and/or your canine should find interesting. Have Fun!

Just click on "DOG'S EYE VIEW" for transport.

Photo/Text: ©Deb Lambert 2009

ICICLE-PALOOZA

I hinted that there were many icicles, melting away in iPhoto, just waiting to see the light of day... just waiting for their day in the sun, or at least a post devoted solely to these pendulous jewels. Well, they're still there! What follow, are photos taken during, and in the wake of, yet another New England snowstorm. With the exception of 7 photos, forwarded by Corliss Bros. (taken at the garden center), all photos were taken here, on the shores of a very frozen, snow- covered Lily Pond.

Enjoy the icicle-palooza!

Yep - they're there... look at the top sash!

The next five photos are
Icicles at Corliss Bros Garden Center...

First time I've seen icicles by the kitchen window

You can pull down the shades,
but there's no escape from the icicles!

Even the Clethra is sporting icicles!

Corliss Bros Garden Center

Corliss Bros Garden Center

This shot was taken with just a flash.

This was flash, plus backyard floodlight.

First time I've noticed the icicles curve in, toward
the house. These were taken this morning,
about three hours before they slid off
with a deafening crash.

Back of house still has quite an icicle display.

Tonight's sky, viewed through the glitter of ice.

If you look closely, you'll see the setting sun!
And so concludes the icicle-palooza!

Think Spring! (?)

Photos & text: ©Deb Lambert 2009/7 Corliss photos: ©CBI 2009

This, That and the Other

Before we get started, allow me to offer transportation to the old "Grouse & Chortle," for a nominal fee. All it will cost is a modicum of time. Absolutely no charge for the chuckles. Like gnomes? Want a peek into the secret life of gnomes? Click on "New Year's Eve in Glittery Wood" for the celebration.

A Little Winter Miscellany
on a Frigid January Day...

Click on any photo, for the gigantic,
in-depth view... have fun!

When you're greeted with a 6º reading at 10 AM, it's time to head back inside (after filling the feeders), to huddle in the warm kitchen. Since I'd just hung the last suet cake, and since I could find no raw suet in the stores, it was time to get down to some serious cooking.

And here (ta-dah!) are the results!

I melted down fat I'd been saving in the freezer and added shortening, as well. I then stirred in about 1/2 of a large jar of chunky peanut butter. After this combo cooled further, I added a container of hominy grits, a large container of bread crumbs, half a container of cornmeal, half a box of raisins (plumped up over steam), chopped peanuts and mixed birdseed. I then added flour, until the right consistency was reached... you need muscles for this recipe, as the final product should be a stiff dough. Pressed into recycled suet cake holders and other containers, it made enough for eight cakes.

A bird's eye view! Now, what self-respecting, hungry, fat-seeking, cholesterol-relishing songbird wouldn't like these? They were then wrapped and popped into the freezer... next time one of the suet cages is empty, we'll try these out ~ let's hope it's a popular menu item!

Lucy's noontime outing (by now it was a tropical 12º!) revealed many subjects, just waiting for an amateur photographer. I obliged. I discovered that my beloved icicles, now gone from the roof, were alive and well and living on my shrubs... cascading down from juniper, to smokebush and rose-of-sharon and thence onto the 'Blue Princess' holly.

This one looks like some sort of jewelry ~
a pendant, perhaps?

Like some kind of ice fossils.

Great globs of icicles,
anchored firmly to the snow beneath.

The midday sun felt good, even at 12º F.

My Hinoki Cypress is still frosted from the last storm.

Melting snow of several days ago,
has turned into mini icicles.

Back inside, after poor Lucy's little tootsies got too cold.
We had lunch, then it was time to start playing with photos.
I couldn't resist sharing some of my favorites...

I mentioned, earlier, that I had icicles -
do I ever have icicles!
So, you'll find a few more here.

Lucy, after one of our recent storms, wondering why
"Mom" hasn't shoveled her granite steps, yet. After all,
they provide access to the feeding stations and prime
squirrel hunting grounds.

"Nightcicles" ~ taken while hanging out of a back
window around midnight... a personal favorite.

"Corlisscicles" ~ Taken at the nursery,
one intensely bright day.

Backyard Detective at work!

Christmas Eve

New Year's Eve, as yet another storm begins.

Behind a veil of falling snow, starlings gather,
staging a raid on the suet feeders.

Frosty storm door reveals intricate patterns...

Are they snowflakes or ferns? They remind me of both.

'Golden Girl' holly, recovering after another
of Mother Nature's windfalls.

Yup! Won't be long now, before we're enjoying
our little patio, off the cellar... reading, rocking.
But, not just yet, thank you! Brrr!

Go ahead, pull up a seat - put your feet up!
Help yourself to a nice slice of my snow layer cake!
(A little ironic that this "cake" is actually
my copper fire pit, eh?)

Wasn't that cake to your liking?
Well, try this one, then!

Or, go out front and check out this cake pedestal.

Oh, no... my cake has fallen! Actually, time to fill it with
water, as this is the birdbath kept open in the winter.
Although at 12º, it won't stay open for long.

Sorry - couldn't help myself!
(I realize not everyone shares my enthusiasm for
these crystals - it all started when I was a child and
our old, drafty windows became gloriously frosted,
when the temperatures plunged.)

GardenAuthor's summer office is not open for business,
nor is the birdwatching/squirrelwatching bench.
However, the grumpy bulldog stands guard over
the winter landscape.

Dripping icicles...
notice the 4th from the left has just dripped
(no mean feat to capture these, either!)

Another obsession - night snow!

I just love the giant, ridged ones!

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk... saved the best for last!
Unfortunately, he's discovered the feeding stations,
but has yet to eat the songbirds. This is my best bird
photo, to date... he was about 20' from my window.
Deadly, but gorgeous!

Remember those starlings in the snowstorm?
Maybe he'll find them tasty... they arrive in
herds (not flocks) and wipe out all the food,
scaring away the nice birds. So, I say - help
yourself to starlings, "Cooper!"

All Text & Photos: ©Deb Lambert 2009

CELEBRATE!

Come join me in a January sunrise celebration! Betwixt and between the accoutrement of crowded suburbia, with its streetlights, utility poles and other paraphernalia, the sunrise inserts itself into my early morning consciousness... insisting on recognition and photographic capture.
The following sequence occurred from 6:50 - 7:50 AM on 1/8/08. (As always, click on any of these photos for the full-size versions.)

ENJOY!

Just to the right of center, the sun peeks through distant trees.

Hovering at the tree line.

Here we go... the sun has officially risen!

And so, my humble abode is bathed in the eastern glow of a January sun. Any day that starts with such an awe-inspiring display, will be wonderful... a truly auspicious beginning!


Photos & Text: ©Deb Lambert 2009

Let the Garden Season Begin, Now!

From winter sports, birdwatching, indoor plant care and bird feeding, to reading, planning and daydreaming about the 2009 growing season, January is a critical, important time on our garden calendar. In fact, armchair gardeners should be congratulated on their farsightedness, as they garner ideas and dwell on improvements for all their garden projects.

With all this in mind, I invite you to peruse the the newly-posted January issue of 'Corliss Clips.'

The first of each month, you'll find timely garden topics, as we wend our way through another season of gardening. As always, I invite your comments and/or questions at the end of each newsletter. Although this is a joint effort, in conjunction with Corliss Bros. Garden Center, it is my hope that much of the advice will be useful to anyone who drops by 'Corliss Clips.'

It is also my hope that local North Shore gardeners in general, and Corliss clients in particular, will come to realize that we produce this newsletter on a monthly basis... offering them a forum... a way to be in contact, between their regular visits to the nursery ~ their own hotline for all things horticultural. All queries will receive a prompt response. I would especially like to hear from all the alumni of last season's garden workshops, "Saturday Sessions" ~ dedicated, enthused home gardeners, who have yet to drop by GardenAuthor or 'Corliss Clips.' (hint!)

2009 gardens start now ~ may it be a splendid season for all! .............. Deb