Sweet dreams, little one

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Our home is wonderfully tucked into an acreage of birches which fills our view from every window. We are blessed to share the space with many, many birds (we’ve named a resident partridge ‘Danny’) as well as an assortment of critters including turtles, otters, beaver, rabbits and fox. I’m delighted to catch a glimpse of any and all but most recently have been captivated by the sight of fox.

When I came across this adorable Foundation pattern for Sleepy Fox from Andrea Tsang Jackson of 3rd Story Workshop, I purchased the pattern and set about a plan to incorporate it into something special. Andrea explains the story behind the pattern and the quilt in which she made it. She also shared how she made improv birch trees. With all that information and the birch out my window for more inspiration, I ‘grew’ some of my own.

Sleepy Fox and Birches Quilt 37″ x 43″

For the quilters out there, I decided to appliqué the trees on the background rather than piecing them in. My version of the fox pattern includes black and white pieces of Minky in the ears, black vinyl for the nose and white Berber stabilized with fusible interfacing in the tail. I reworked the tail section of the pattern to remove a seam so that a single piece of Berber filled the space.

Sleep tight

Call of the Wild

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Have you ever heard such a sound?

I first heard this noise a few years ago, while picking blueberries. It was not as close or clear as this cry so didn’t really bother me; just peaked my curiosity. This call, however, had me unsettled. This was in my backyard, after-al! I was certain a bobcat or lynx was entangled in some brush.

While hubby and I set off to follow the sound, my wise biologist friend (I keep on speed dial) informed me it was the ‘bark’ of a fox! Indeed, we caught sight of the fox pacing along a ridge of dirt just inside the treeline. It’s possible he/she was looking for date, staking territory or calling the kits in for bedtime.


My folks who lived here previously said they often saw and heard fox near their house seemingly wanting but avoiding engagement with their Husky. Our big, silver/brown Lab was not at all interested in join us on our search for the source of the bark. He offered to stay home and protect his food dish.

Intricate brush strokes

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It was one of the coldest days we’ve had in a while but the laundry in the sauna was scheduled for the wash so I bundled up to head out and retrieve it. Am I ever glad I did! As I stepped up on the sauna porch, I noticed the front door window was a laced with significant amount of frost. Immediately, I grabbed my iPhone (of course I had it with me even though the sauna is only a dozen steps from our back door).

And of course, I grabbed the laundry and exchanged it for my DSLR , tripod and another layer of warm clothes.

A dime pressed against the glass gives scale to the delicate lines.

By setting a folding screen with black cloth behind the door and holding another up directly behind the camera, I was able to minimize any distractions in the glass for a crystal clear shot.

The tiny details fill me wonder, gratitude and reverence.

Angel, bell or bauble

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On a recent walk along the creek, a particularly bright sunshine sparkle caught my eye from under some overhanging evergreen branches. From above on the river bank, the icy shape looked like a crystal angel suspended over the flowing water; on closer inspection, perhaps more like a bell.

Snow-laden boughs tossed about by wintry winds dip and sway sometimes breaking the surface of the water. Each bounce brings a thin layer of the dark liquid which freezes almost immediately wrapping a transparent skin on what it touched. Gradually, crystal clear baubles are built up on twigs and branches.

The clarity in the ice is remarkable. What do you see?

Did you notice in the two baubles on the left the background appears upside down and in the two on the right it is right side up!

Whether it’s the sound of angels or bells this Christmas, may you hear the Good News of the promised Messiah and receive His gifts of love, joy and peace.

The swimming hole

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A walk along the river through our property is a pretty regular event. Mac, our silver lab, is usually ahead of us and often spooks up any fowl are in the river. This particular morning something startled him! There were three river otters swimming in one of the open sections of ice where the water is deeper. He wasn’t sure what to make of these buy little swimmers and wasn’t sure who was more curious of the other.

Be sure to zoom in or go full screen to watch the movement of the otters through the water. With volume max you’ll hear the sounds they made.

What are you doing in my swimming hole?!
River otter in icy water
Where are you going?

These guys just crack me up!

Trio of river otters

They are actually standing on a very thin piece of ice.

Trio of river otters in icy river

The longer they are out of the water, the fluffier they get. They dry very quickly! Who do you think has been out of the water the longest? Who was out last?

I sure hope I’ll get to watch them play again.

On silken pond

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While chasing this sweet family of mallards for a crisp shot, I snapped as they glided through a silky surface of reflected foliage. Their wake created a mesmerizing abstract of greens and yellows.