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Category Archives: nature

When a bird needs a little help….

22 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by Julia Monroe in God, Inspirational, nature, Scripture, Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

bird, bird photography, God, inspirational, nature, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, scripture

As soon as my son and I heard the thunk, we both said “Was that a bird?”
It was. A tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet had flown into the sliding glass door and lay on the deck.
What do we do? What can we do?
While we watched, the little bird got to his feet. But he was not well.

The tiny bird sat stunned on the deck.

The tiny bird sat stunned on the deck.

He wobbled around a bit and panted hard.
2 Ruby crowned Kinglet
Finally, he fluffed up all his feathers and tucked his head in and made himself into a tiny feathered ball.

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet fluffed up his feathers and curled into a little ball.

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet fluffed up his feathers and curled into a little ball.

His breath came in shudders and heaves. We watched in distress.

The tiny Kinglet shuddered so hard I feared he was dying.

The tiny Kinglet shuddered so hard I feared he was dying.

It was so cold outside. Would he be ok? We were very glad the cats were inside!  Cats love birds so of course Matey purred with glee and wouldn’t take her eyes off the little bird through the glass. We finally put Matey in the basement out of annoyance of her and respect for the bird. He kept his head tucked in, shuddering and quaking and I kept expecting the little feathered ball to fall over.

Alone yet not alone.

Alone yet not alone.

We looked up info on what to do. The advice was to carefully lift the bird into a box lined with a towel and wait. So that’s what we did. My son lifted the little feathered ball and placed it in the box, then backed into the house and slid the glass door shut. The bird stood up and balanced and revived in the warm towel-lined box. Then we waited, watching his every move.

The tiny Kinglet stood up and we got a glimpse of his beautiful ruby crown.

The tiny Kinglet stood up and we got a glimpse of his beautiful ruby crown.

The little Kinglet looked around for a couple minutes and without even testing his wings, suddenly flew away.

We were so glad the bird was ok! There’s not much you can do for a bird that crashes into a window and sometimes the bird will be stunned for hours. The little Kinglet was on the deck for barely 20 minutes in all.

I was glad the cats were indoors and shut in the basement.
I was glad we were able to look up info online.
It was good that we had a box and a towel to help warm the stunned bird.
And though we couldn’t do much to help, we hovered over it with concern.

Then I remembered what Jesus said.
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”

If God cares so much for tiny birds that he made sure we kept the cats locked up and provided a warm towel, surely he will hover over us when we are curled up and in need of care.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
I Peter 5:7

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Snowflake in the window

03 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by Julia Monroe in All Sparkled Up, art, crafts, nature, photography, sparkling, sunlight, water

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

All Sparkled Up, condensation, crafts, drops, paper snowflakes, photography, snow, snowflakes, sparkling, sunlight, water, window

1 Snowflakes in the window
We’re hoping for real snow. But snowflakes cut from rice paper will do for now.
2 Snowflakes in the window3 Snowflakes in the window
4 Snowflakes in the window
5 Snowflakes in the window
6 Snowflakes in the window
7 Snowflakes in the window
8 Snowflakes in the window

And this is my 200th blog post!

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American Girl dolls in the Smoky Mountains

13 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Julia Monroe in American Girl Dolls, dolls, nature, Uncategorized

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Tags

American Girl dolls, autumn, dolls, raking leaves

I took these photos in 2006 with my old Olympus digital camera.
American Girl dolls, Kit and Violet, enjoy autumn in the Smoky Mountains.

The dolls enjoy Smoky Mountain autumn splendor.

The dolls enjoy Smoky Mountain autumn splendor.

American Girl dolls in the Smoky Mountains

American Girl dolls in the Smoky Mountains

Riding bikes down the hill

The dolls ride their bikes down the long hill

American Girl dolls in the Smoky Mountains

American Girl dolls in the Smoky Mountains

And then they have to push the bikes back up hill again.

 

Sitting in the old apple tree

Sharing an apple in the old apple tree

I forgot to take a pair of shoes for one of the dolls. So I cut up a cereal box, using the blue pieces with no text, a little duct tape and a handful of hair bands to make a pair of shoes for the doll.

AG Smoky Mountains 8a

Doll shoes I made using pieces from a cereal box front, duct tape and a handful of stretchy hair bands.

Homemade doll shoe

Homemade American Girl doll shoes

 

American Girl dolls in the Smoky Mountains

Dolls raking leaves

American Girl dolls raking leaves in the Smoky Mountains.

Work is always more fun with friends.

American Girl dolls in the Smoky Mountains, 2006

American Girl dolls in the Smoky Mountains, 2006

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Lune

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Julia Monroe in All Sparkled Up, God, Inspirational, nature

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

inspiration, lune, moon, nature

Lune

Lune


Even on dark nights, behind it all there is light.

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Galaxies in the Sand

16 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by Julia Monroe in All Sparkled Up, grandkids, nature, sparkling, sunlight, Uncategorized

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Tags

galaxies, nature, nebula, sand, sun, suns

If you look close, you'll see nebula, milky way, stars and suns in the sand.

If you look close, you’ll see nebula, milky way, stars and suns in the sand.

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Our first ripe figs of 2013

15 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by Julia Monroe in food, gardening, nature

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

fig trees, figs, food, fruit, fruit trees, gardening, harvest, nature

The figs are juicy, sweet and huge this year!
Figs 2013-1
We were really pleased that the netting kept the birds away.
Figs 2013-2
We put the net over the tree too early though so some of the new tree growth went right through the net. We’ll have to either prune the tree or cut the net to get it off in the fall.
Figs 2013-3
We haven’t hung the bug traps yet so we lost a few figs to beetles and bees.
Figs 2013-4
But there are still so many green, healthy figs.
Figs 2013-5
Figs 2013-6
I hope the traps work for beetles. We didn’t have beetles last year.
Figs 2013-7
Figs 2013-8

It’s disturbing to see how they ravage a fig. But at least they stay on one fig until it is all used up without taking a single bite out of the neighboring fig.

Figs 2013-9

Beetles ravage a ripe fig hanging on the tree.

Figs 2013-10

Figs 2013-11

Figs 2013-12

The basket was heavy with plump figs.

 

This warm-from-the-tree fig fits my palm!

This warm-from-the-tree fig fits my palm!

I remember our first harvest several years ago yielded just one tiny fig that didn't even fit in a spoon. Look at the size of these. Luscious!

I remember our first harvest several years ago yielded just one tiny fig that didn’t even fit in a spoon. Look at the size of these. Luscious!

We weren't sure if the figs were ripe or overripe. This was one of the yellower figs. I thought so much white pith might mean the fig wasn't ripe. It still tasted delicious and juicy and sweet.

We weren’t sure if the figs were ripe or overripe. This was one of the yellower figs. I thought so much white pith might mean the fig wasn’t ripe. It still tasted delicious and juicy and sweet.

Here is a riper fig, with a darker brown skin next to the golden yellow skinned fig from the same tree for comparison.

Here is a riper fig, with a darker brown skin next to the golden yellow skinned fig from the same tree for comparison.

When both figs were compared in flavor and texture, they were still almost identical. The riper fig had a slightly larger pink, seeded center. The seeded area should take up more of the fruit but this year the figs are dropping if left much longer on the tree. They still taste amazing.

When both figs were compared in flavor and texture, they were still almost identical. The riper fig had a slightly larger pink, seeded center. The seeded area should take up more of the fruit but this year the figs are dropping if left much longer on the tree. They still taste delicious.

Figs keep only a day or two and taste better at room temperature so these will sit on the counter for snacking. I cut and ate half of one immediately after picking then ate the other half several hours later. The flavor was better after the fig sat for a bit after picking. I’m not sure what caused it to be sweeter. We are still newbies at growing figs.

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Sunset

02 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by Julia Monroe in nature

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Tags

nature, sunset

No words necessary.

Sunset

Sunset

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Rainy May Day French Beading

06 Monday May 2013

Posted by Julia Monroe in beading, crafts, flowers, nature, sparkling, sunlight

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

beads, crafts, french beaded flowers, French Beading, May, rainy day

It’s been mostly overcast and rainy for at least two weeks now.

A Rainy day in May.

A Rainy day in May.

I’m discovering that the weather greatly affects my pain level, ever since having my spine fused. Despite the pain, I shall redeem this time.

Rain in May, drip drip drip...

Rain in May, drip drip drip, fall the crystal drops …

Today when the sun peeked out briefly, I stood outside even while the rain was still falling, so desperate to feel sun on my face.

Even the trees are becoming mossy from all the dampness this spring.

Even the trees are becoming mossy from all the dampness this spring.

Then the clouds moved in again and I tucked back in the darkness of my work space. But places don’t have to stay colorless and uncheered. I got out the beads.

Seed beads, mostly size 11, including Aiko and Delicas, fill a bin with color.

Seed beads, mostly size 11, including Aiko and Delicas, fill a bin with color.

Pearl, crystal and glass beads.

Pearl, crystal and glass beads.

They glistened and captured every speck of light. I didn’t want any light to get away.

Beads in a small condiment dish.

Beads in a small condiment dish.

I made petals and leaves and flower centers.

Gold and bronze bead flower centers await petals and assembly.

Gold and bronze bead flower centers await petals and assembly.

I use children’s teacups and dishes to hold flower components while I work. Here a child’s teacup holds stamens.

A small child's teacup holds white stamens.

A small child’s teacup holds white stamens.

I made

I made a cardboard insert in a bin to hold my bead bottles upside down so I can see the color of the contents better.

These vintage flower centers belonged to my grandmother. I’m looking forward to using them. Thank you so much, dear sister Donna for sending them!

I will use these vintage flower beads in French Beaded flowers and jewelry.

I will use these vintage flower beads in French Beaded flowers and jewelry.

Even though it is dark and rainy outside and there are no flowers blooming in the window, I have flowers blossoming on the table.

French Beaded flowers.

French Beaded flowers

French Beaded flowers in a shoebox await stems and leaves.

French Beaded flowers

French Beaded flowers

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You are more valuable than many sparrows

02 Thursday May 2013

Posted by Julia Monroe in Inspirational, nature

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

bird, inpirational, nature, scripture, tufted titmouse

It is true. God knows exactly where you are and what you need. You are extraordinarily valuable to him and He is watching over you.

The tiny Tufted Titmouse flitted around our deck gathering bits of cat hair in its beak to feather its nest.

The tiny Tufted Titmouse flitted around our deck gathering bits of cat hair in its beak to feather its nest. Click photo to save a larger desktop size photo.

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Figs

29 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by Julia Monroe in gardening, Inspirational, nature, sunlight

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

fig trees, figs, God, harvest, new growth, Psalms, spring

Sometimes there’s a really brutal winter. The rains are torrential, the winds searing, the snow deep. But then comes the spring.

This will be the biggest fig harvest yet.

This will be the biggest fig harvest yet.

The leaves are gorgeous when the sun streams through them.

The leaves are gorgeous when the sun streams through them.

After winter, always new growth.
Fig Tree 2013-1-2
And the harvest.
Fig Tree 2013-1-5

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. Psalm 27: 13-14

Always the harvest.

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