The Maple Hill Hop 113

Welcome to 

The Maple Hill Hop.

This is a hop for folks who love the outdoors.

Feel free to post about anything that's going on

OUTSIDE

in your neck of the woods,
no matter the season.

(Please share only outdoor posts.)

*Grab the button above to link back to Maple Hill 101.*

Thanks to all of you who have visited or joined us this year
on The Maple Hill Hop!
We appreciate you sharing your outdoor posts! 
~daisy~
~~~~~~~~~~~~


Along with a warmer than usual winter season,
our humidity has been up,
creating foggy conditions each morning.
On my morning walks,
each and every mailbox in the neighborhood
is graced with the remnants of some very skilled spinners.
While the fog is not good for most activities,
it's great for discovering some natural works of art in the garden.
Here's what we found one winter morning, 
courtesy of Mother Nature.
(Click on pix to enlarge.)

Even if you're not a fan of spiders,
I hope you can appreciate the craftsmanship involved
in creating these daily masterpieces.

What have you recently discovered outside?
HOP on!

  

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Maple Hill 101!

May God bless us, 

everyone!

The Maple Hill Hop 112

Welcome to 

The Maple Hill Hop.

This is a hop for folks who love the outdoors.

Feel free to post about anything that's going on

OUTSIDE

in your neck of the woods,
no matter the season.

(Please share only outdoor posts.)

*Grab the button above to link back to Maple Hill 101.*

Pansies are one of my all-time favorite flowers.
They are just so delicate, sweet and cheery.
Winter is the perfect time to add them to the garden
for a bright pop of color. 

 
This roasting pan had grown over with native petunias,
salvia and (ahem) weeds.
With our house recently listed with a realtor,
we are doing small things to entice buyers.
(Okay, this project was mostly to raise my spirits.)
  

 A good deal was had on these beauties.
The purple and yellow variety are also known as
"johnny jump-ups".
I look forward to getting them every winter. 

It must have been my lucky day,
because this cell pack of pansies wouldn't ring up at the register,
so I got it for free!
Score!  

The blues and purples are my favorite shade in the garden.
The sharp contrast of bright yellow in the center
really helps them stand out.  

I think they will all be very happy together.
What a great way to kick off the season!

What are y'all doin' to celebrate the Winter Solstice?
Let's HOP!
 
   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   
 

'Twas the Week Before Christmas

Twas the Week Before Christmas
by daisy

'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the home

Not a creature was ready, not even our gnome.

The tree, freshly bought, was barren and green

The ornaments, still packed, have yet to be seen.

No lights on the windows, no glow from the eaves

No cookies yet baked for Santa when he leaves.

Not one blow-up snow globe adorns our fine yard

And folks will have to settle for a Christmas e-card.

The mild winter weather has not helped at all

It's still in the 70's when we hit nightfall.

Where's that Yuletide feeling, the magic, the wonder

I think Mother Nature may have made a blunder.

Though things may not be merry and bright

We'll enjoy the time we have on this special night.

To celebrate our loved ones ever so dear

And the time we have together at this time of year.

Wishing you Happy Holidays, one and all

From our home to yours, peace and joy, y'all!

~daisy & crew~

The Maple Hill Hop 111

Welcome to 

The Maple Hill Hop.

This is a hop for folks who love the outdoors.

Feel free to post about anything that's going on

OUTSIDE

in your neck of the woods,
no matter the season.

(Please share only outdoor posts.)

*Grab the button above to link back to Maple Hill 101.*

 Not much going on here lately,

except for the three of us recovering from a nasty virus.

It was a rough weekend, but we made it through.

We had planned to get our tree and put up our lights,

but that just wasn't gonna happen.

So, here it is 10 days before Christmas,

and it's looking like a real hum-bug around here.  

Before the bug struck me, I was able to get one small project done for the holidays. 

I found this idea on Mindie's blog.

For Thanksgiving, she decorated her front door 
with a giant turkey.

We loved the idea and made one for our house.

Then I started thinking about using the same idea for other holidays.

We have a large etched window on our front door,
so I wanted to incorporate it into the idea.
I thought about Santa's workshop
and the visitors who would love to sneak a peek
at the progress the elves were making.
  I'm no artist, but it was a fun project
and it keeps us from being the Scrooges of the block. 

   

With just some butcher paper (we used the paper that comes in our Amazon orders), 
a marker, scissors and some recycled white paper,
you can "holidize" your own front door!

Only 10 days until Christmas.
What's going on outside where you are?
HOP on!

  

    An InLinkz Link-up