Robin's Nest

I was out weeding yesterday, and over on one side of the house, I kept scaring a robin. I didn't think too much of it, until later when I went to show something to my husband over on that side of the house, and what did we see but a nest up against the downspout. I went to get the camera and waited for the momma robin to come back, and she even went to her nest while I was standing there with the camera

Birds!

More birds! I saw the rose-breasted grosbeak again tonight. I got a picture too! It's not the greatest, but it will have to do for now. Also got a picture of a goldfinch!

Song Sparrows and Stitching

Did I see a song sparrow this morning? I think so, but time (and the binoculars) will tell.

Stitched this weekend. Went to Fargo, and didn't go to Nordic Needle. What a break for my wallet. Anyway.... Made good progress on a hardanger thing I bought at NN last time I was there. I finished the blasted blanket stitching around the outside. I just don't like doing that stitch.

I sent an inquiry note to an EGA guild. We'll see what comes from that.

This weekend I saw a male oriole! Hooray! I did some more planting outside. I'll try again to get some basil growing. I realized that old parsley just doesn't cut it for flavor, or good leaves. My old parsley plants are trying to look like trees.
This week weeding is the main project!

Roses

Hey there. My rose bush is doing very well this year. I was daring and chopped it way back this spring. I snipped some flowers this week and brought them inside to enjoy.

In other news, I'm stitching a lot here this week, and last night I saw Mrs. Oriole back for the first time since we left for vacation. She was at the new oriole feeder (an orange dish that hangs from chains) eating some very old orange. Of course, I put fresh oranges out last night, and it looks like the house finches have already been at them.

Weekend Update

I was right... Some of the seedlings didn't make it. It looks like the candy tuft and the rock soapwort were a bust. I bought some red salvia for the deck, pink impatiens for the east side, and red impatiens for around the trees. I tried some cocoa bean mulch - that's good stuff!

I cleaned out the bird feeders and baths, so things are nice ready for enjoying the deck.

Worked on some cards. I have bought some fancy pens and even some stickers. I'm on a card making binge since June is a busy month.

Home again. Yesterday was nice, so I went out and planted all my little seedlings. I filled the bird feeders and got the flower pots on the deck ready to go. It looks nice out there now. I have concerns that some of the seedlings won't make it, so I might have to go and get some replacement flowers next week.

Many of our birds are back already - even after a week away. The goldfinches, cardinal, chipping sparrow and house finches were some of the first visitors. The orioles haven't been spotted yet, but we've only been back a short while.