It rained for 24 hours. The snow has gone. 
Redwings feed on hawthorn berries. I can hear them calling to each to other. If you click on the image, you will see a lone bird.
Many birds have flocked to the garden. The song thrush is a personal favourite and I am always so pleased to see her.
Temperatures have dropped during the last few hours and rain turns to ice......
Moths gather around the front door.......it is sheltered.
Christmas box will be in bloom in a few weeks. It's sweet perfume will fill the garden.
I am getting ready for Christmas. The family will gather here. There is lots to be done.
This will be my last post until the New Year. I wish you all a peaceful and happy Christmas.......Happy Sunday safari.
Hi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteLucky you with all the rain, no such luck here. People on the street have attempted to dig the road out ready for work tomorrow morning, they left it too late and it was solid ice under the snow, and little grit left in the tub.
It does seem to have gone down, but judging by people sliding on the road I am worried about trying to venture out tomorrow for a block day at Uni.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and manage to get everything sorted.
I'm looking forward to my Sweet Box flowering too, at the moment it's still covered in snow, its perfume combined with the Skimmia will be much welcomed in the coming months.
We too have had a thaw and our snow is all but gone however a trip to the compost bin just now revealed that the grass is really crisp underfoot and the lid frozen on! Another cold night methinks!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely Christmas and look forward to seeing you again in the New Year.
Jane
Hi Liz, crazy weather. Our rain has now frozen and we have black ice. The deck and patio are lethal.......
ReplyDeleteI hope that you make it to uni....be careful.
I am looking forward to the winter flowering shrubs doing their thing. It is so very welcome during these cold winter days...
Have a wonderful Christmas....
Hi Jane, I know what you mean. I could not open the lid on the dustbin this afternoon.....it was frozen. It is showing every sign of a long hard winter.....
ReplyDeleteHave a peaceful and happy Christmas.....
Gosh, the Redwing is really well camouflaged in the branches. Is that Nella's teddy bear? She looks so sweet curled up with it.
ReplyDeleteOur snow has largely gone too, to be replaced by drizzle and fog, though the ice still lingers on, and it looks like it's going to be freezing tonight too.
I always think that Christmas Box looks like one of those plants that would be great to have in the garden - green leaves and beautiful scent when there is not a lot else going on.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year Cheryl.
Dan
-x-
Hi Dan.....the Redwings are well camouflaged in the branches.....I have tried many times to capture them with my camera, all in vain.
ReplyDeleteI collect old bears....that one was my very first buy. Found in a junk shop....he dates to 1918.....sadly his growler has died. Poppi was playing with him and put him in the chair. Nella decided to join him.....too cute!!
Have a lovely Christmas....see you in the New Year....
Merry Christmas Cheryl! I hope your season is full of warmth and delights!
ReplyDeleteI think Nella looks quite content!
Thank you Eve, I appreciate that. I do hope your Christmas is all you wish for and more.....
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you have black ice! Arghhhh, after my belly flop last January on black ice I would definitely refuse to go out of the house if we had it here.
Our Sweet Box is next to the gate so will welcome anyone as they come/go, and the Skimmia is next to the front door again welcoming anyone as they come and go... Very nice indeed and I too look forward to them flowering, especially as the early Bees and Hoverflies love the sweet box.
Btw, I saw a comment about having your dustbin frozen... Same problems here, and yesterday I was brushing snow off a recyle bin and the privet hedge behind was leaning over under the weight... As I brushed I managed to slice my fingers open on a rose bush I forgot I'd dug up and left there to chop up at a later date! Ouch, I've a rather fetching 3/4cm long cut down my ring finger and yesterday had three plasters on my hand covering other, smaller cuts haha.
Btw, I meant to say I love your birdie photos and so happy to see you have Redwings and a Song Thrush. Our Songy has visited in the snow again - the only time he visits!
Liz, Ouch, painful. Cuts on the fingers are such a nuisance and can be quite sore.
ReplyDeleteI am not good on the ice....such a nightmare. Nella ran across the deck this afternoon and looked like bambi.....she will never learn. She always runs at such speed, regardless of circumstances!!
I have quite a few Redwings but they are always so shy........the Fieldfares are around in the fields opposite but have not come into the garden yet.
The Song Thrush stays all year. I found her nest the other day in the hawthorn hedge, well away from the Magpies (wise Song Thrush)......
Hi Cheryl ...I do so hope that you have a marvelous time with the Grandchildren and family at Christmas....I know you will. : }
ReplyDeleteDon't get stressed out over the things you want to get done!!
Enjoy...Merry Christmas!!
Hi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas! I haven't been by due to all my schoolwork and teaching. I love the pictures as usual. I wish I had a thrush that would show itself. They just hide and rattle the leaves. That wreath is beautiful! You've inspired me to try to make one this year. You are a good garden blog friend. Thanks for keeping your wildlife garden blog filled with life and for encouraging me. :0)
David/ Tropical Texana/ Houston :-)
Dear Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteHappiest of Holidays dear friend. Do enjoy each minute with your Mum and Dad, the children and your darling grandchildren. These are special days indeed.
So sorry to hear about all the cold....the snow and ice and worrisome. Be very careful.
I love seeing your birds! The Redwing is a lovely bird. The photograph of Nella and bear is precious.
Many blessings,
Sherry
Tku Grammie, Merry Christmas to you to.
ReplyDeleteI used to get stressed many years ago, I tend to be much calmer about it these days....
Hi David, I find the birds a challenge to! One day I am sure I will get the images I would like....one day!!
ReplyDeleteI am very pleased with the house decorations. I wanted to use greenery from the garden. Also there is a lot of meaning interwoven in the display.......May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas....
Rain for 24 hrs. Wow. Do be careful out on the ice. Nella looks so sweet all curled up with the bear. A happy and blessed holiday season to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteNo thaw here--the extended forecast is for cold temps well below freezing for at least the next week, so our snow will probably stick around for awhile. It would be so much fun to have Nella come play with Sophie--Sophie enjoys having a playmate, and they could explore the farm together.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to get all the decorations out, too; fortunately, I got most of the outdoor ones up before the snow fell. Now I'm ready to stay inside--curling up with Nella for a nap by the fire sounds very inviting:) Enjoy your time with family and have a blessed holiday season, Cheryl.
The Song Thrush is a favourite of mine too, they have a sweetness about them I feel. Sadly I don't see them as often as I used to and I know I have told you before about the one which fell victim to a cat, so very upsetting...
ReplyDeleteIt was fun looking for your well camouflaged Redwing ;) I am hoping this severe weather will bring some into my garden again. The little Robin looks so pretty, mine can always be seen just as it is getting dark eating some of the food which I put out ready for the morning.
Nella looks so pretty snuggled on her own little chair and she has company too :)
We have had freezing fog here all day!
I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas Cheryl and a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
Dear Cheryl - I realise how many beautiful postings I've missed - just love the photo of the Hydrangea petals in the frost on your Narnia posting and the very handsome robin in your current one! It's been very interesting to see both Song Thrushes and Blackbirds feeding from our actual birdtable this year - normally they just stick to ground feeding apart from the odd visit from the Thrush last year - I wonder what your own experiences are. I'm sure you'll be glad that the snow has gone from your garden now - I remember from previous years that this is not weather you like at all... take care and have a lovely Christmas with your family Miranda x
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa....yes 24 hours, a lot of rain. I was glad because it cleared the snow....
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Christmas....
Hi Rose, now wouldn't that be wonderful, Nella and Sophie exploring your farm together....I feel sure they would get into mischief!!
ReplyDeleteThe ice is back....temperatures have dropped and it is very very cold.
Nella always seems to find the best place to snooze, although sometimes she joins Mr P when he falls asleep after a hard day at work.....
Have a wonderful Christmas Rose.....
Hi Jan...yes I remember you mentioning the cat and the Song Thrush. Very sad.....I worry during the breeding season. The song thrush always makes her nest in the garden, sadly the Magpies do to. She hid her nest well last year and I did see several juveniles....good news eh?
ReplyDeleteI hope you are blessed with a visit from the Redwings. Fieldfare normally visit the garden ...I have not seen any this year.
I do hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Hope that hubby is keeping well......
Hi Miranda, I am thrilled that the snow has gone. It does absolutely nothing for me. Yes, it looks beautiful but that is it.
ReplyDeleteI have never had thrushes or blackbirds on my bird table. They usually take the food from the copse floor.....
Have a lovely Christmas with your family......
wishing you a peaceful and blessed time with family. How wonderful to have a fragrant flower blooming at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHello sweet Cheryl, such lovely posts and pictures once again. Your blog is so beautiful and has a lot of heart. I enjoy coming here and reading everything and seeing the eye candy photos with the stories that go along with them. I really enjoyed your story about your Nella, such a cutie. I know what you mean about them thinking they are boss. I've got one in training right now and he just loves to make a game out of running away from me when I am trying to make him behave. Sometime I just break down laughing as I was trying to be so stern.
ReplyDeleteI with you a Blessed and Peaceful Holiday Season at this wonderful time of the year !
hugggs,
p.s. i read all the way down until i found the dead rat *yikes* your blog is too beautiful to have a dead rat on it ( LOL LOL LOL )
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family. I do hope your weather improves soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Country Mouse....I have tried so very hard to make this a garden of all seasons......winter is dull enough, to have blooms during our darkest season is a gift......
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy, thank you for such a lovely comment. Whenever I see you have visited, I see you popping over on a bicycle lol.....
ReplyDeleteI hope the training with your dog is successful. Nella often makes me laugh, when I am trying so hard to be serious......they are great fun, aren't they.
I know many do not like rats and I have to say they are not my most favourite creature in the whole world. I still think she looked very beautiful in her repose and felt a tinge of sadness when I saw her lying there......I am soft I know, but we are, as we are.
Have a peaceful and joyous Christmas....I look forward to sharing the New Year with you.
Dear Cheryl - will miss your posts until the New Year. Always a pleasure to take a Sunday safari with you and your camera. The thrush made me sad as have none here for over a decade but lovely to see the birds thriving in Kent.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a cosy and Happy Christmas.
best wishes
Laura
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family. I hope your ice doesn't last too long. It's pretty to look at, but not fun to slip on.
ReplyDeleteYou've some nice captures of the moth, birds, red berries, and of course Nella, who looks so contented next to the teddy.
happiest of Holidays to you Cheryl. I hope that you have a sweet visit with your family. xxoogail
ReplyDeleteThank you for being such a faithful visitor to Our Little Corner Of Paradise this year, dear cheryl :)
ReplyDeleteJust popped by during the run up to Christmas to wish you all the best, and happy gardening in 2011 in your beautiful Sanctuary …WG :)
Seems as if you are still having terrible weather. Hope it improves soon.
ReplyDeleteHi ncmountainwoman....the weather is dreadful and causing endless problems here. Sadly we do not have enough equipment to cope with the present situation. It is so unusual to have such extended cold, ice and snow......I am tired of the blanket of snow that covers my garden and the ice that has formed on the plants and water features. I do not recognise this landscape...lol
ReplyDeleteHave a joyous and peaceful Christmas....
Merry Christmas, Cheryl. I hope that this holiday season has been a good one filled with family and cheer. I wish you a bright and peaceful New Year and look forward to hearing how you are faring this winter. We have heard of the snowy weather conditions, but if I remember, you seem to miss most of the nasty weather that hits London.
ReplyDeleteJust popped over to wish you and yours a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year, dear Cheryl :)
ReplyDelete...and happy gardening in your beautiful sanctuary :)
Cheryl, I'm really missing your posts. I hope everything is okay with you.
ReplyDeleteSallysmom
Hi Sallysmom, yes I am fine, thank you so much for asking.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of new ventures for 2011 and they are taking up a great deal of my time at the moment. Blogging, sadly, has taken a back seat.
I will try and post something just for you at the weekend, but will not make a promise.
Thank you once again for your kindness.