Happy Yuletide and post Solstice Blessings.
I have been snowed in on my tiny coastal Island that has not seen snow like this in more than 30 years.
The birds have been desperate and I have found many new visitors to my garden including Willow Tit, Pied Wagtail, and Long Tail Tit. So beautiful. I have found myself raiding the baking supplies and making fatballs out of marzipan, cherries, cranberries and so many other ingredients.
As my cupboards empty with no chance of shopping I worry more about the birds. Every night of this extreme weather they lose 10% of their body weight and need to eat 40% of their body weight each day to survive the evening.
Luckily for the birds, my freezer broke and I have been giving them all they care to eat from potato waffles to boil in the bag fish. It is all thankfully welcomed. Yet still, they grow thin.
Spare a thought for the wild birds of your gardens this Yule and reward their presence with food. But please be aware, that turkey fat can kill many garden birds (don't ask me how i read this on the RSPB website) so refrain from giving them the Christmas dinner scraps.
I will be hosting the January 2011 Festival of the Trees. The Theme will be the UN 2011 International Year of the Forest. Do you have any tree related New Years Resolutions? Do you have plans to plant trees in 2011. Do trees dominate your art and writing? If so email me a weblink or leave it in the comments box below.
I will be delighted to receive all offerings. Maybe you have some tree centred art, poetry, textile or writing that was created in 2010? If so share the link. This is the season to reflect.
Until then, Stay warm and safe and may your days be filled with love and inspiration xJ
25 comments:
Good thoughts to you today, Jasmine.
Happy Yule to you, as well, Jasmine. The snow is beautiful - but it is true that we must remember our woodland friends. We always be sure to fill our bird feeders. I wish you a peaceful and beautiful holiday season. Theresa
I didn't know that about having to eat 40% of their body weight - thanks for sharing that. I have noticed the colder it is the more they flock to our feeder and the more they eat. Now I know why. I wish you blessings in the new year.
Sylvan Season's Greetings to you Jasmine!
It is good to hear of you feeding all the birds - I hope you have enough food too, with not having the contents of your freezer! Are supplies reaching the island?
I'd love to take part in the Festival of the Trees, and will send you something in January.
Have a beautiful holiday season and much inspiration for the coming year.
Happy holidays to you, too.
yes, I am raiding all my cupboards too and buying bird food is certainly a top priority whenever I make it to the shops. We're very snowed in and have had an entire month of snow now.
Thank you for telling me about the turkey fat. I wasn't aware of that (nor tempted to use it either though :-P)
Trees, yes, trees. I planted some apple and pear trees this year and gave an apple tree away in memory of my friends baby girl born still...
Peace
xx
seasons blessing, dear one! may 2011 bring prosperity and peace. xx's cat
so kind of you to care for the birds... that storm stopped my sister from coming home to the states for xmas, and so many others. it is good for all to be tucked safely in their warm homes.
wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and every day beyond.
Happy Yule Jasmine
Might have a tree thing for you too :)
~amongst the beauty of seeing the glistening white...we sometimes forget all those wee little ones who need nuturing even more...we tend to our animals throughout the year...i send forth my blessings upon all the wild in your land and elsewhere...happy belated winter solstice~yule to you my dear friend...a constant you are in my thoughts and i do hope this finds you well and in only good spirits...warm christmas wishes and brightest blessings upon you and yours...may your day be filled with only wondrous magical moments that fill your spirit and soul...love and laughter...good cheer and peace...jasmine...such a gorgeous spirit you are and i am forever thankful we have stumbled upon eachother in this here land...you are nothing but a pure radiant light to us all and i can't wait to share more adventures this coming year...much love light and blessings be with you always~
oh honey !!
al the blesses on the season .
much love and happiness for you and your family thins next year .
Merry Christmas, Jasmine. Hope you, your daughter and all those beautiful little birds make it through the holidays and cold days in spectacular fashion.
I have just come in from burying a poor hawk who (presumably) killed itself by running into a chain link fence on my property while after quail. So sad.
love to you and yours, jasmine... xoxo
much love j xx
Happy Jule to you Jasmine. We have lots of snow too. I'm also feeding the birds.
This spring I planted two apple trees, old species. One of them gave me one tiny apple this summer.
All Best Wishes into the New Year 2011!!!
Greetings of the season to you too, Jasmine! The snow here is beginning to relinquish its grip (tho' for how long I don't know) - I hope you are able to get out and stock up with food for yourselves and the birds.
I've had long-tailed tits here too - they're such a joy. This morning there were about 20 starlings instead of the usual 5 or 6. Sadly 4 of the goldfinches which love the seeds of my evening primrose - and only seem to feed on those - have stopped coming with the rest of their gang...
I'm going to try really hard this time to find something for the Festival of the Trees. I'm sending you a link to something you might like re the birdies!x
What a beautiful blog Jasmine! I love the snow and frost, but do try to look after the birds that throng to our garden. Wishing you a very Happy and Peaceful New Year.
MaureenX
http://wwworphanstones.blogspot.com
you're such a kind soul. the birds i'm sure are very appreciative. belated season's greetings to you too.
Merry happy yule tide and a Merry Happy beautiful New New New Year to you Jasmine.
xt
I just posted my offerings and TREEsolutions. NY day for us tomorrow!http://lisasarsfield.blogspot.com/2010/12/festival-of-trees.html
Thanks for doing this!
GOOD on YOU for helping the birds out! They need more people like you!
Those birds are lucky to have you making all of these tid bits to help through such a bad winter. wonderful post to make us more aware of the plight of our wildlife.
Thanks for visiting and of course the answer is yes. I love the sound of your Festival of Trees and would love to take part.
Take care in the coldness.
Jacky xox
Hi Jasmine, I hope you have thawed out a bit. We have snow and very cold weather. Have been feeding the birds and keeping water out for them. Have to check it often as it freezes. We even had a little hummingbird show up, so I have to keep his water warm. I hope you have a wonderful 2011. Will write you soon about my trees. Hugs, Sharon
I hope you had a lovely warm xmas.
Trees...so beautiful and spiritual.
I will look out for your festival of trees.M x
Happy New Year, Jasmine! It's wonderful to read that you and your friends here are keeping the birds alive and stocked up with fat! We do that here too in NZ. All the best for the New Year and oh yes, Happy Yule!! Blessed Be, lady!!
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