Rounding up Summertime...

The past few days around here have felt more like fall with the cool crisp mornings and dewy walks to the guinea coop, so I thought it would be nice to reflect upon the past spring and this beautiful season.

Some of you may recall the work that went into my new gardens this spring. What a job it was and this was only half of it!! It'll be a year or two before it fills in and I'm sure some plants will come and some will go but it's a start!A late bloomer this Popsicle Lupine! And OH look there's Eve's Oaknut tree in the red pot! The Tiki Torch Coneflower, made it's debut.Cleaning up the backyard garden is always a good workout! My Flame Grass from last year is showing tassels for the first time! This annual Cleome is a wonderful self-seeder. Now I know these apples are small but they ARE apples and they are MY apples!! I'm sure they'll be a little bigger next year, and just as tasty!!

Look what I found today!

The Nippon Lily in my last post was actually photographed at least a week ago. One of its last flowers is now quickly fading away. Today I went out front to do a little end of summer sprucing (I know it seems early but hey it was chilly out and felt like fall) and this is what I found!

Salmon Star LilyWhat a beauty!
I have good taste!

Lily and Chains...

This is another one of the lilies I won from the Dutch Gardens photo contest. What a beautifully sweet scent this lily makes.

Nippon Lily. Now my friends here on blogger are a curious bunch, and I can hear them now..."Evie...what is that thing floating in the sky behind the lily?"...
That would be my rain chain! Much more aesthetic than a plain old downspout don't you think!

This is a Face.....

ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE!!

Time for Another???

Tree Swallow

A mother’s job is
Never done,
She works so hard
Each day.

Her babies chirp
For hours on end,
So mom will bring food
Their way.

One at a time
They eat their fill,
All she must satisfy.

And by the time the last one’s
Chirping is done,
The first one begins

To cry!!

Poem by Eve Sweatman

Pretty Colors....

I just thought these colors worked out so well in my “Dutch” garden. The garden in itself is still a bit sparse but, as all gardeners know…be patient and things will change! Above, Helenium "Moerheim Beauty". The muted white is Artemisia "Silver Mound".

Above the muted colors are Heuchera "Caramel" and Blue Festuca Grass.

Keeping Me Safe....

Yesterday morning while walking to let the guineas out for their morning run, I was startled by a large creature that popped up out of nowhere and plopped itself in the small tree in my back yard. This Great Blue Heron had a time of getting righted in the small branches while listening to Daisy Lu yapping up a storm!!
After a minute of that, he decided enough was enough... and hightailed it to a better spot, most likely on the lake. Daisy did a great job of defending the yard... just don't tell her the big blue fellow had already left!

Year of the Sky....

This has been the most beautiful summer I can remember when it comes to looking up! It's been much more rainy and cold than we are used to but I'm happy because my yard is green and my flowers are happy.

I took these four shots and stitched them together and although you can REALLY see the stitch I thought it gave it an interesting look and frankly I just don't have time to fiddle with it....what with all my running around after Guinea Fowl!

The moon there on the left was just the icing on the cake!

PS the photo was quite large when I loaded it but for some reason it looks as if you cant get a full view by clicking on it....I'm not sure why.

Milestone....

Monday morning I looked out and found Guineas on the swing set!! Hooray!!Although they didn't fly up...actually hopped...it's a sign that they have found a place to get away from predators. This little brave soul decided to fly down! Wow good job!! This little sweetheart tried....but looked a little more like a rock than a bird! Now run and catch up!! PS sorry about the pictures! They were at a distance.

:-)

Porch Life: featuring Mr. Ole

If you notice...Daisy Lu didn't want to be involved in this last shot!!

Great Weekend...

Well as most of you know I went to my 30th High School Reunion this weekend, and it was a good time. Wearing my old jean jacket was a big success, but I had a much better time visiting with my best friend from the "old" days, Karen, http://lakesidephotography.blogspot.com/. She has a lovely home right on Lake Delta, near Rome, NY. If you can believe it where the water is now used to be the town of Delta, NY. The whole town was relocated before building Delta Dam, http://nlford.com/history/delta/deltapix/delta.htm. They say some buildings are still at the bottom of the lake.

We were greeted by the locals in the morning, the young ladies...and gentlemen.We walked in the afternoon and again were welcomed by all critters, fuzzy... and not so fuzzy.Thank you Karen, you are a wonderful hostess and make really great drinks!

I'll be back soon and we'll have a little gardening fun!

Miscellaneous

It's a busy morning. I'm getting ready to go to my reunion and also went to breakfast at a good friend's house early today. It was almost a wash out but we strolled the gardens and walked in the woods. Not many pictures tho because of the rain and dark. Here is a picture of one of her beautiful Hydrangeas. After we came out of the woods we met Mr. Frog who was cold and wet! He was more than happy to sit and warm up a bit in a soft little hand!

I think he looks like he's really happy...don't you?Oh and I have to show you the kids new favorite hangout!

Lunch anyone!Have a great weekend!

She's a Farm Dog Now!

Every farm needs "workin hands" and even though we're just starting out as a little tick reducing guinea farm it takes effort to keep the keets safe and looked after before they become full fledged Guineas able to fend for themselves.

This little girl is my indispensable "workin hand"! Yesterday the guineas got into the deep bushes, which in itself was not a problem, but I needed to get them in their coop and could not get in to get them out. So I call in my canine companion who knows exactly what to do. All I have to say is "Bring them guineas". On the third try she had them all in a group and headed right for me. She never rushes them and they respect her determination!

She is one handy Guinea Herding Dog!

Take a rest girl you deserve it!

Typical Morning....

I'm starting to feel like Danni at Critter farm. Each morning has become a routine with the "kids". Out we go and we take a trip across the yard. I turn to look at my gardens and wonder what critters they will draw in. Oh there's one now!! A little white critter there on the left!Bye kids....don't go too far! I have to take a peek at some new double tiger lilies from my Dutch Garden winnings. And there's a new surprise in the garden!

A Great Spangled Fritillary! Turn around and Daisy's trying to figure out where her buddies went!!! I think they're out front....let's go!!!

Weekend Wonders...

We had a beautiful weekend here in the North Country. Our weather is rather odd because each year, as the rains come through, there seems to be a big bubble over us which steers the rain all around where we live. So while others were getting needed rain we were getting great views of it.

At the same time I was delighted to photograph the Giant Swallowtail, which is a rare find in this area. As a matter of fact last year I found one here and it was the first recorded for my county! I was so happy to find another this year! The skies were breathtaking. A ragged Comma stopped by as well. The rain finally hit here but really just a dribble! Hope your weekend was full of adventure!