The first 2 days of May we were swamped with a lot of rain. It was damp, dreary, and dreadful. But the rain was really needed as April had been a dry month. I had already set the rain gauge outside so was able to see how much rain came down.
But the first 2sDay in May brought 2 white crowned sparrows to the garden.
The robins have been sitting on the nest throughout the rainy days. See how the nest is on the second shelf from the top, so the top shelf gives it some protection from the rain. Hoping to see some babies soon. Last week’s photos are here.
They don’t go far when venturing away from the nest. Both male and female are surveying the area at different times.
Check out Saturday’s Critters and see lots more wonderful wildlife photos.
We enjoyed the first asparagus of the season, purchased from our local Willowcreek Farm. I either steam or roast the asparagus. If you are out our way be sure to visit them on the Frankford Road as there is lots going on from May to Thanksgiving.
I’ve shared how I make the perfect fried eggs, sunny side up without the bother of flipping them and hoping the yolks don’t break.
Stitching of the Home Sweet Home embroidery is progressing. This is a free pattern from Clever Poppy. Look under the Resources to find it.
I used a variegated embroidery floss for the french knots on the tree and flower. I also added more french knots than the pattern called for.
As well as working on the pattern in a hoop, I varied it a bit and added it to some pillowcases.
The pattern is basically the same, using the same elements, but just arranged a bit differently.
I get lots of inspiration from other stitchers at Slow Sunday Stitching and appreciate all the visits and comments from there. Visit them and gather some inspiration for yourself.
Lots of growth of daylilies, dames rocket, sedum and hyacinths in the fence garden. Mr. Bucket (pronounced Mr. Bouquet, for lovers of the Keeping up Appearances tv show) and owl watch from each corner.
Cypress spurge, a weed/wildflower grows in the wild garden. Google lens helped me identify this plant as I couldn’t remember the name. It’s pretty but invasive. All parts of this plant contain a milky substance that is toxic and can irritate the skin. It has an extremely long tap root for a plant that is about 15-30 cm tall. Wear gloves if you attempt to remove this plant.
The white trillium bloomed this week, so I went outside during rain showers to get photos.
A fungus has started to grow on one of the stumps I have in the front garden with solar lights on.
Google Lens tells me it is an orange pore fungus or Bisporella citrina fungus. I’ll continue to watch it grow and hopefully get a correct ID. If you have the correct name for it, please leave me a comment or contact me.
The sun is shining today and it seems the rain has left our area and there is the promise of better weather this weekend. I’m posting weekly with a combination of the garden, nature, stitching, cooking and more. This works for me and I hope you are enjoying the new format.
More from the gardener side: garden areas, bulbs, corms & tubers, plant profiles, seeds & seedpods, veggies & herbs,
Alphabetical posts A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
My series on Alphabetical gardening and my personal alphabet.
Jennifer A. Jilks
This is a lovely post! I do admire your work and play! Such a wonderful time of year…
Lavender Dreams
The honeysuckle garden is so cute. You have so many fun hobbies! And a green thumb! Happy weekend!
Crafty Gardener
Thanks Diane, you have a good weekend too.
Kim
Your Tea Thyme corner of your garden is a sweet little spot. The rain has done wonders in your garden; such lovely flowers to enjoy. Your embroidery is coming along nicely. All those french knots are looking lovely on the tree and flower.
Crafty Gardener
I love doing french knots on my work. Seems we are to get more rain this afternoon, so a good time to do some more stitching after working outside all morning.
Gail
The asparagus is ready here too. I hope to get some to have for dinner tonight. We had a lot of rain here this past week too . Nice to see everything growing in the gardens! Beautiful flowers and leaves in your stitching. A perfect springtime project.
Crafty Gardener
The asparagus was delicious, and we have some more for tonight. We’ll be getting some more this week while it is picked fresh.
CathieJ
It has been raining a lot here also. Yesterday and today are sunny with more rain forecast for tonight. Sigh… I like your robin photos and those of your pretty gardens. My egg yolks have to be pretty well done or they turn my stomach. You method looks great though for those you like their yolks loose. I like that embroidery you are working on and how you are adapting it for the pillowcase. Enjoy your stitching!
Crafty Gardener
Seems we are getting more rain this afternoon, so I’ve spent the morning outside transplanting some things and potting up some others. Wanted to get it done before the rain started. When it rains it will be the perfect time to stitch.
Angela Grasse
Your stitching is gorgeous! I love the colour of that fungus. So pretty.
Crafty Gardener
Thanks for stopping by Angela.
Vivian B.
Really enjoyed seeing your Spring garden, garden decorations and your garden visitors and nesters! Also loving your stitchery, a sweet homage to your garden home. That embroidery will look so great adorning the ends of some pillowcases! Hmmm, you are giving me crafty ideas for the future of doing the same to coordinate with a lovely Spring quilt…..
Crafty Gardener
I think the hoop embroidery and the pillow cases will make a lovely gift. Thanks for stopping by.
Karrin Hurd
Love seeing your garden and birds. Because of all our rain recently which was much needed, I have a ton of weeds I need to sort out in the garden Great embroidery project you are working on!
Crafty Gardener
Lots of weeds here too Karrin, I don’t think I’ll ever get ahead of them.
Jenny Benton
How nice to take a walk around your garden with you. The new embroidery is very pretty indeed.
Angie
Linda – joining you from Saturday’s Critters. We also had steady rain for 2.5 days this past week, but I am grateful for it as soon we will enter our dry summer. I could hear things growing in the garden after!!! Adorable pair of Robins – and how cool to have a front-row seat to the nest!
Adam Jones
I love that White-crowned Sparrow.
Crafty Gardener
So glad you stopped by for a visit Adam. We have lots of white crowned sparrows this year, what a delight to watch and photograph.
Debbie- Dabble
Linda,
All such beautiful blooms!! LOVE Mr. Bucket! So cute! Thanks so much for stopping by!! I truly appreciate you taking the time to do so…I hope you are having a great week!
Hugs,
Deb
Eileen
Hello Linda,
Wonderful captures of the wildlife and your garden. I like the cute robin on the nest and your cute garden art. Sorry, I am late commenting! Thanks so much for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and the rest of the week! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment!