Feeding the birds

It's cold ...... very very very cold here in my Michigan garden. Dangerously cold for people, it's cold for birds and other creatures too, the creatures that live outside in this Polar Vortex.

Sometimes it's hard for them to find food when everything is covered in snow and Ice.

I cannot provide them all with shelter.

But what I can do is step out for a few minutes into this winter and give them some food. 

Even if it's just some stale bread that I would have thrown out.

 They appreciate the help.

They are fun to watch from the window too.

"Kinetic Rain" Sculpture in Singapore Airport

Tomorrow's temperature here in MI. will be a whopping 2 degrees with a windchill of -30, might as well just enjoy some art.

This is a Kinetic piece in a Singapore airport. Stay warm and

enjoy

A look at " Bumbus"

"Bumbus" by Mylyn Nyuyen at the Brenda May Gallery-Art Stage

Singapore

A look at my home for the Holidays Pt. 2 .... the outside

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I almost forgot to share with you my Holiday decorations . Here's a look at what I did for the outside.

The photo above shows the Winter/Holiday pots and the front door wreath after a light dusting of snow, we had plenty more snow after this photo was taken.

The wreath (which I re-decorate every year) had magnolia leaves, fake pears, and Styrofoam balls as light covers

 The front pots also featured Styrofoam balls. Magnolia branches, preserved Eucalyptus, medallions made of Tulle, and mixed evergreen branches.

It was cold enough that the Styrofoam balls did not melt just glowed from the lights within, my interpretation of snowballs.......just in case

The look was warm and welcoming, even on the coldest winter nights.
We are still enjoying the winter pots, and it's mid-February

I almost forgot.......A look at my Holiday pt. 1 the inside

I know the Holidays are over, but somehow trough all the craziness of the season I forgot to share with you my home during the Holidays. Here's a look.

Christopher (my husband) and I had a beautiful dinner on Christmas day. The table was set with seasonal dinnerware which included many vintage ornaments from both of our childhoods.

Yummy treats were made, and enjoyed. We made festive cookies and gave them to our friends and family too.

Details of the fireplace mantle decorations.

The inside was beautifully decorated.

I hope everyone had a beautiful Holiday.

Waiting

This has to be the hardest part.

Now that winter is in full swing, all we can do is wait.

While other gardeners in warmer climates gear up for spring, and warmer temps, Michigan gardens are still in the cold grasp of winter.

 The spring itch is still buried under a blanket of snow, we have several more months of winter to get through.
Gardens are still in hibernation

We can hope for an early spring, but for now all we can do is wait.

Snow coats

In the snowstorm, I ventured out to capture some images of the trees in their winter coats.

A discarded Christmas tree.

And it's still snowing.

Under the snow

Here at my home in Michigan we are expecting another big snowfall  6 to 12 inches tonight.  Here's a look at some snow images from  a snowfall we had earlier this week. I'm finding beauty in the garden...... even under the snow.

The snow does add a new element to the garden, like these porch pots filled with evergreens and branches.

Some things become almost unrecognizable under a blanket of snow

The view of the garden, everything looks clean, black, white and crisp. The garden is resting now, take a moment to appreciate it.

I'm learning to appreciate this color scheme, not so much during other seasons.....funny that.

The high winds knocked over the garden obelisk, I like the patterns the snow can create, lines are defined.

Evergreens and Eucalyptus peeking through the snow.

The front porch cafe, Iced coffee anyone, I think I'll have mine inside.

Mother Nature added snow to these winter pots, I don't mind, she knows best.

Hope you all learn to enjoy the magic that a snowfall can create, I consider myself lucky to live where I can have these images......not the shoveling part though.