Winter is visiting Southern Arizona.
Hats and mittens and boots come out.
And yet, whilst preparing for record lows since 1971, there are smiles.
Smiles found in what this time of year brings…
Iceland Poppies.
Pumpkins from the summer pumpkin patch sit, (some) still safe on the porch.
(random tale about that to follow)
Pretty petals create good heart flutters.
Unfurling, paper like, beautiful…
Hairy pod homes open slowly…
And then, sheer beauty.
A random tale for you goes like this.
A few weeks ago, I was asleep in my bed, when I heard what sounded like someone jumping over our fence (we have walls and fences), and knocking things over.
A robber!?
My heart was thumping, I started to shake.
My eyes wide open in the darkness of 2 a.m.
Never mind that I already have severe robber paranoia.
Then, they were right outside my room, on the porch.
Things being turned upside down.
I bolted out of bed, flipped on the porch light, and there they were.
10 javelinas.
Somehow, they got in our yard.
They had a baby the size of a tiny doll with them.
My heart almost broke for that little cutie.
Crying as he got trampled by the big huge javelina adult.
They were yanking and gobbling up my grape vine.
(they looove roots too)
I woke Lovee up, and he went out armed with a trash can shield, and a broom sword.
He didn't take the dogs, because javelinas can hurt dogs bad.
They have really poor eyesight, but they have tusks, and a keen sense of smell.
They can kill people too.
The dogs howled from inside.
Lovee managed to scare the javelinas back out the yard.
(they do run off if you startle them, thank goodness)
And repaired the hole they made in the fence the next morning.
Then they came back 3 more nights, tearing holes to get in.
How they made such holes, who knows?
Lovee fixing and fixing, properly.
On the last visit, they found 8 of my pumpkins that I was keeping safe for cooking under the cool porch.
They ate them all.
Pulled them right out of the old wagon, and gobbled them up.
But they didn't get my best ones, the hugest ones on the front porch, and inside the house.
Yay!
Those javelinas.
I felt sorry for them that they were so hungry.
So, I didn't mourn the fairytale pumpkins I toiled over all summer.
They didn't get the last of the Jack-o-Lanterns out front either.
It was the first time I had ever seen javelinas in the yard.
Mister Lovee has since triple secured the fenced part of our property.
That was exciting night after night.
In a way, haha.
So, where was I?
Oh yes, winter days.
Sniffing cool moist earth…
Birds break through gourds to make cozy winter homes.
And find safe places, like in the tall little gazebo…
Temperatures drop, bringing super cool hazy mornings…
We wake up to a dusting of snow.
Silver roofs, like powdered sugar doughnuts….
Really, it is like a scant dusting of sugar.
And it's pretty.
Paws crunch through icy lawn.
Searching.
Sniffing.
Listening for the squeak of mice, I am sure.
Skelly who lives in a branch in the pecan tree smiles.
He must enjoy the icy dusting on his crown.
I stroll around, looking at the iciness.
Sunflower snow…
The strawberry patch is one of my faves.
With green leaves turned winter red…
Yarrow too…
Arugula…
In the winter vegetable garden…
I bundle up extra much.
Then I am not cold at all.
I know, I am a cold wimp.
Wimpier than I thought really.
Some of you have feet of snow.
I know 🙂
I wear a hat I made.
I winged it so I have no pattern.
But a couple of friends want one.
Hmm, what to do?
Not that I could even read a pattern if I had one.
I stole it back from my sis, whom I had made it for.
She wasn't as inclined to walk around with ears, as I am.
As we cover citrus trees and pipes, we plan for what the news keeps saying is the coldest cold on its way.
For now, we have Iceland Poppies.
Which can survive severe cold temps, that we will never see here.
Something like -49'F
They hold promise of what is to come.
Color, light, growing things.
Hope.
Happiness.
Spring, in winter.
I don't like to push through seasons.
But a little flower power in winter is a-okay with me.
What sorts of thoughts does winter bring your way?
This time, this January time, is always such an odd curious time.
Good, and interesting.
Slow, and beginning.
Hopeful, and hoping.
Love, Vanessa
One of my fave songs this fall and winter…
ps: I think this weather calls for churros, you?
Ohhhh javelinas! I love them….from a distance. We don’t have them here. We just have the occasional coyote. We have ‘possums and sometimes a squirrel or two and every so often, a rabbit. I’m glad Miles and Matty were safe in the house when the javelinas feasted on your pumpkins!
Poppies….I need to go get some this weekend. Just one or two so I have some color out back to give me hope for the springtime!
We’re getting hit with the same cold snap. We won’t get any snow, but it was 28 degrees this morning when Gary went to work! Even now, at almost 11:00 am, it’s only 45 degrees. That’s cold for inland So. California!
I’m staying inside all day and working in my studio. My hands are freezing!
xoxo
Kim
I have never heard of javelinas before. They are kind of cute. I love pigs. We mostly get bunnies, possums, & raccoons. We did have a fox jump over our chain link fence once. I have to be careful with letting our dogs out, especially the miniature dachshund.
It’s so nice to see flowers blooming now. I’m very jealous. I like cold & winter but it would be nice to have things growing all the time. It’s supposed to get to 60 in Chicago today & 55 tomorrow. I think we’re getting what you have by Sun. Only a high of 30 & a low of 14 on Sun.
I think your hat is cute, ears & all!
I like some Bat for Lashes as well. I think the lyrics and music for ‘Glass’ are beautiful…..makes me think of a Wizard of Oz type dimension where castles are made of crystal or glass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeLNuQdfcQw
Oh my! Your tale of marauding javelinas is quite frightening, but better than a bugalar! Yay! I am sorry they got to your winter stores, but also feel sorry for them, as they must have been very hungry.
I love the wintery walk you shared with us, around your land. So beautiful! Winter has such a beauty! I did not know about Icelandic Poppies. I knew the name, but did not know they would bloom in winter! I think that is wonder full!
Hugs and Happy New Year!
Terri
I love your hat Miss Vanessa, it’s oh so cute. I am glad that no one was hurt during your adventure. Looks like each day brings a new happening. Never a dull moment.
Our weather is very weird…no snow and tempraturs are sitting at 50 degrees. On Sunday however, the weather is taking a big dip…down, it will reach 20 degrees.
I just can’t figure it out..oh well, I will leave it to the weather persons.
Hope you have a grand week-end.
We’re still waiting for snow here in southern England.. it’s meant to come this very weekend!
Those animals sound scary…I’m glad they don’t hurt your pets. The snow if very pretty! Stay warm and enjoy your weekend! We are in the 80s this week…but this is Florida! Sweet hugs!
i’ve never heard of javelinas! don’t you hate that “is that a robber” feeling? love bat for lashes! 🙂
tomorrow it is supposed to be 72 degrees here. i hate that. i want snow! lots and lots of snow!
love the poppies, now must add them to my list of things i want to grow!
love & blessings
~*~
I laughed about your Javelinas. Poor dear things, probably thought they’d died and gone to heaven with all your yummy treats. No wonder they kept coming back for more.
My hubby would like to know if they allow javelina hunting in your neck of the woods?
It’s supposed to be cold here too…30 degrees tonight. There are clouds coming in and I hope it snows!
I have a perfect fear for wild animals, as that is what they are…wild. Glad the javelinas only come there at night and not during the day. Scary enough that they came four nights in a row. But glad it wasn’t a robber. I am sure you had shivers down your spine a bit.
Oh! And those Iceland poppies. They always remind me of my friend April who planted the bulb’s in the fall of 1980 and she was gone that December.(She was only 27 and passed away, long story). So we kept in touch with her husband and young son and the Iceland poppies came up in January of 1981, and it was as though she was saying hello from Heaven. So there is a soft spot in my heart for Iceland poppies.
I am in the midst of making goodies for the ‘Our World Our Art’ event. Not suppose to broadcast that people are suppose to have a giveaway at that time.
Oops! A little bit of a slip there. It’s suppose to be all about the blogging art community and supporting one another, and there are certain rules to abide by.
Ta! Ta!
Miss Teresa
BTW…I LOVE THE HAT TOO!!!
Ah….here I was feeling so serene with the images of snow dust and winter promises….and then you mention churros! Snapped me right out of it and into I need a sweet snack mode…..heeheee! Mmmmm!
Off to go make some late night cinnamon toast!
Even though I grew up in the midwest with some harsh winters – I am a cold wimp also. Your photos make it look beauitful and lovely. I had to laugh at your javelina story . . . especially the trash can lid and broom.
I bet the pooches were none to pleased about the invasion! They probably sniffed and sniffed until their little noses burned! I for one, really miss the snow so I crocheted a little snowy garland for my mantel the other day…and put some tulle around the front door…not posted yet….but makes me happy just looking at it. Soft white against the gray skys,with twinkle lights poking out. Of course, the green ferns (I live in Louisiana) sort of throw off the look but who cares? It is still wintery here too……Enjoy the hat, it is a cutie!
I have not heard of javelina’s. They aren’t very pretty are they?
It certainly is cold these days. Today my sheet and pillowcases froze on the clothes line, that doesn’t usually happen. Stay warm!
I had never heard of javelinas before! Glad Lovee scared them away and the pups stayed safe. I can imagine they must have really wanted to help Lovee. The other week we were shoveling snow and saw the hugest flock of Canadian geese I’ve ever seen. There were dozens upon dozens of them, flying in formation and chatting it up quite bit. I managed to get one or two decent photos of them. I’m just recovering from a nasty head cold – so I am enjoying bundling up and eating lots of hot comforting soup. Just thankful that I didn’t catch the flu!
Wow I’ ‘ve never heard of javelinas before. That must have been scary at first, when you thought it was robbers.
We’ ve had snow today, it’s actually still snowing now. 🙂
I have both a Fox and a badger hat with ears, I got then a few weeks ago and haven’ t stopped wearing them yet. Love hats with ears. 🙂
How did I get this old without knowing what a javelina is? I love it when I learn something new! Thanks for the enlightenment.
Beautiful poppies.
Oh, Vanessa–JAVELINAS!!!! How exciting. And scary. I’m so glad you kept Miles and Matty inside. They can be so dangerous. Aren’t the babies disgustingly adorable?????
Snow and ice and you have real WINTER!!! I loved your borrowed hat with the ears.
Javalinas love Love LOVE pumpkins! It is thier tastiest of treats. Perhaps the freezing cold snap drove them to more populated areas. That and the smell of extra tasty pumpkin treats. Callie Delicious is totally loving this extra cold weather with her thick black furry coat. She has been like a puppy dancing and prancing in and out. She is definitely in here element in this extra coldness.
Stay warm and snuggly.
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Daaaaaaaaaaang, girl – that is THE largest collection of fun socks I’ve ever seen!
Also, I had to GOOGLE what a Javelina is/was. Kind of like a Pot Bellied Pig, only smaller, and with tusks…so weird. The smaller ones are cute though, in the way that *all* tiny puppies and babies are cute, even when they are ugly? LOL
We’re supposed to get a cold snap here by this weekend, and will have a cold low at night of around 50 degrees. Hahaha. I know, I know – “shut up.” ‘;^)