Guineas turn to say Goodbye...

They sure did miss her!!

Back to School and on the Porch...

The kids are back to school here! Hooray! There's a little red-head waaayyyy down at the end of that driveway! And of course the doggies know they have to let her go!
This has got to be a mom's favorite color come fall!

Now it's time to relax on the porch...

And enjoy the last bit of summer.

I'm so Proud of Him...

It's been a big accomplishment for this good dog to get even better, and accept the new flock into his pack, but he's done it! Yesterday, Labor Day, Ole was left off his lead the whole day and not a feather was ruffled! This morning we celebrate with a picture and a smile!

A note of sadness we have lost two male guineas due to male aggression. Now that they are allowed to roam free without having to be cooped up to give Ole his free time, I hope that this aggression will end. The biggest problem we face is that we have a much larger number of males than females. Right now a count of 4 females is certain. Out of 14 birds that is not a good number. I'm hoping there are a few more than that.

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!