Acorn Bonanza!

If you have oak trees in your neighborhood, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a bumper crop of acorns this year.

And I mean LOTS of acorns!!!

To satisfy my curiosity as to why this is occurring, I did a little research. 😉

There seem to be several theories, including:

1. It will be a very snowy winter, so squirrels will need extra food.

2. It will be a mild winter, so squirrels are not gathering with any sense of urgency. If they were worried about food, they’d be snagging the acorns even before they fell to the ground.

3. The trees are in stress from drought, insects, or disease and are producing more acorns to ensure their eventual replacement.

4. It’s a repeating cycle – oaks periodically have years with plentiful acorn production to keep the animal population in balance.

The 4th one is complicated because, according to what I’ve read, it takes a few years for the cycle to unfold.

First year: Lots of acorns, so squirrels have plenty of food and thus have more offspring the next year.

That next year: There are more squirrels, so their predators have more food (poor squirrels!) and the predators multiply.

The year after that: There are less squirrels and so the predator population decreases too – part of nature’s plan.

After reading all of this, I’m still not sure which theory is correct.

I do know one thing – the acorns are taking over our yard!

What about in your neck of the woods?

Hope your weekend is full of sunshine, crisp autumn air, and things you like to do!

See ya Monday 🙂

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Lucky Seven – Signs of Spring

When Spring begins, it often seems as if Mother Nature is toying with us . . .

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One weekend it’s sunny and gorgeous with temperatures in the 70’s. Then, suddenly, the temperatures drop to the 40’s, with biting winds and flooding rains. No coat is needed one day; a hat and mittens are required the next! It’s enough to make you feel like a yo-yo.

What can we do to cope with such trauma? Well, we could console ourselves by searching for “Signs of Spring”! 🙂

This week’s Lucky Seven includes some of my favorites. Please add yours, too!

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7 Sights, Scents, Sounds, and Signs of Spring:

1. Windows that are open and the scent of spring flowers wafting through the house.

2. The sound of the spring peepers! These tiny little frogs have an uncanny ability to begin their chorus on the first day of spring!

3. Pussy willows and forsythia

4. Packing away the heavy coats for “sweater weather”!

5. Birds chirping merrily at sunrise.

6. Easter lilies and jelly beans at the supermarket

7. Finally, the most comical sign that spring has sprung is that guy who seems to be at every shopping mall on the first mild day. He’s very easy to spot! While most of us have left our coats at home, this guy is sporting short-shorts, a tank top and flip-flops. We always giggle a little, and conclude that he has that outfit waiting by the door, to slip into the moment the temperature hits 60 degrees! We always wonder what he’ll do on a day that’s 95!

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What makes you think, “It’s Spring!” 🙂

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A Winter’s Tale

tinywinterbirdhseToday may be the first day of winter, but since when did Mother Nature ever pay attention to the calendar? 😉

Here in New England, winter arrived early and with a wallop! We’re still digging our way out of 18 inches of snow that began late Saturday night and continued for much of Sunday. It’s absolutely beautiful, though! We feel as if we are living in a giant snow globe – one that someone keeps picking up and shaking every so often! 😀

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Can we really be just a couple of days away from Christmas? I have a few more things to cross off my list, but all in all, I’m feeling good about my chances of finishing on schedule (thank goodness!).

My blogging may be a little sporadic over the next week or so, as I take some time to make Christmas special for my family. I know that you will be very busy, too!!!

I’ll still be popping in to comment or post a photo though – so I hope you’ll check back when you can.

The weekly giveaways will resume during the first week in January and I am planning some very special things for 2010!

Thank you all so much for your loyal support, your very thoughtful comments, and your kind friendship. I’m so very fortunate to have the best readers in the world!!! 😀

Hugs to all,

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Friday Favorites

This week’s Friday Favorites features an amazing photo called “The Snow Trekkers”.

It was taken in Switzerland and showcases Mother Nature in all of her majestic beauty!

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To see more breath-taking photos by this photographer, click here. 🙂

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