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!

Tiny Dancer

My friend Yvonne at the Country Gardener recently put out this post on her beautiful wild flowers. She is an expert gardener and it would be worth your while to explore her blog and her website Flower Gardening Made Easy if you have any interest in gardening. So where is this leading you ask...her post "Floral Magic-Tiny Dancer" was more nostalgia than gardening. She commented that the 'tiny dancer' in her garden brought back memories of an Elton John song and album Madman Across the Water which was one of my favorites as a teen. Well, possibly The favorite as I embroidered the exact copy of the album on the back of an old jean jacket and wore it all through high school! My 30th reunion is next weekend....I still have the coat....should I wear it???

Hey!!! Part II

Thought I would finish up this story, which sadly ended too soon....

I stitched three pictures together to get this whole scene. Here comes the trailer...
That's some heavy lifting...

There are 8 bales on the bottom......and three on top...

and away we go! Now it's just a big empty field...:-(