tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46294407023946654192024-03-13T11:05:17.119-04:00The Experimental FarmerThe Experimental Farmer....
Mighty Mother Nature 'n MeMaureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-79360753501815175462019-12-06T17:09:00.001-05:002020-04-25T18:21:02.336-04:00Fall Plantings 2019Hmmm...I knew I had been gone a while but.....6 years! Not sure where I got to!<br />
<br />
Sooo......I'm adding to my garden this year and in keeping with the original purpose of this blog, I want to keep track of what's growing.<br />
<br />
A few years ago I was down on Cape Cod in the Fall and fell in love with the ornamental grasses that they had at the resort. I spoke with the gardener who happened to be on site and she told me where to buy them and that at this time of year they were on sale! I bought 2.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNhRjcDy9r4/XcM5uGtTUoI/AAAAAAAAM3E/Xpwj2WPYkbwk_oeVJthOljQkqSksqUPOACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191021_155833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNhRjcDy9r4/XcM5uGtTUoI/AAAAAAAAM3E/Xpwj2WPYkbwk_oeVJthOljQkqSksqUPOACKgBGAsYHg/s400/20191021_155833.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miscanthus Gracillimus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The one directly in front of the house is about 4 or 5 years old now. The line of grasses to the right was just planted.<br />
<br />
This years additions the the garden are......<br />
<h1 class="no_margin">
<span style="font-size: large;">Crème de la Crème Phlox (Super Sak<sup>)®</sup></span></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C6AOqlcgUOE/Xa4MLyuVvMI/AAAAAAAAMxQ/3xZwWJ6PZKYiMKEj7vDclJPS1cnD6M7IgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Creme%2Bde%2Bla%2Bcreme%2BPhlox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C6AOqlcgUOE/Xa4MLyuVvMI/AAAAAAAAMxQ/3xZwWJ6PZKYiMKEj7vDclJPS1cnD6M7IgCEwYBhgL/s320/Creme%2Bde%2Bla%2Bcreme%2BPhlox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4 class="no_margin">
<span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">Light:<span class="light_req"> Full Sun, Partial Shade</span></span></h4>
<ul class="product_visual_req"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li><span class="size_req" style="font-size: x-small;"><h4 class="no_margin">
Size:<span class="size_req"> #1 Plant</span></h4>
</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li><span class="zone_req" style="font-size: x-small;"><h4 class="no_margin">
Zone:<span class="zone_req"> 3-9</span></h4>
</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li><span class="bloom_req" style="font-size: x-small;"><h4 class="no_margin">
Bloom Time:<span class="bloom_req"> Early to late summer</span></h4>
</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li><span class="height_req" style="font-size: x-small;"><h4 class="no_margin">
Height:<span class="height_req"> 30 - 36 inches</span></h4>
</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li><span class="soilreq_req" style="font-size: x-small;"><h4 class="no_margin">
Soil Requirement:<span class="soilreq_req"> Well drained</span></h4>
</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li><span class="planterfrend_req" style="font-size: x-small;"><h4 class="no_margin">
Planter Friendly</h4>
</span></li>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li><span class="attarbees" style="font-size: x-small;"><h4 class="no_margin">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">
Attract Bees</span></h4>
</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<h1 class="no_margin" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></h1>
<h1 class="no_margin" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">White Ladies Belgian Aster</span></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUSZrYGIynA/Xa4M38AFncI/AAAAAAAAMxY/B89i9tlrc6kcLON-U0ZZ1ClAf_g4QBTTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/White%2BBelgian%2BAster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUSZrYGIynA/Xa4M38AFncI/AAAAAAAAMxY/B89i9tlrc6kcLON-U0ZZ1ClAf_g4QBTTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/White%2BBelgian%2BAster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul class="product_visual_req">
<li><span class="light_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Light:<span class="light_req"> Full Sun</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="size_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Size:<span class="size_req"> #1 Plant</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="zone_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Zone:<span class="zone_req"> 4-8</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li>
<h4 class="no_margin">
<span class="bloom_req">
Bloom Time:<span class="bloom_req"> Late summer to first frost</span></span></h4>
</li>
<li><span class="height_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Height:<span class="height_req"> 36 - 48 inches</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="soilreq_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Soil Requirement:<span class="soilreq_req"> Well drained</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="deerres_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Deer Resistant</h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="planterfrend_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Planter Friendly</h4>
</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<h1 class="no_margin">
<span style="font-size: large;">
Birch Double Everblooming Hardy Geranium</span></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6o4eqymSDlw/Xa4QMnci3pI/AAAAAAAAMxk/dvP0d-Oz6-wxoWU0-DdSNPtQDB_SrHRcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Hardy%2BGeranium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6o4eqymSDlw/Xa4QMnci3pI/AAAAAAAAMxk/dvP0d-Oz6-wxoWU0-DdSNPtQDB_SrHRcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Hardy%2BGeranium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h1 class="no_margin">
</h1>
<ul class="product_visual_req">
<li><span class="light_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Light:<span class="light_req"> Full Sun, Partial Shade</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="size_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Size:<span class="size_req"> #1 Plant</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="zone_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Zone:<span class="zone_req"> 4-9</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="bloom_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Bloom Time:<span class="bloom_req"> Late spring to mid fall</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="height_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Height:<span class="height_req"> 10 - 12 inches</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="soilreq_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Soil Requirement:<span class="soilreq_req"> Well drained, humus enriched</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="planterfrend_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Planter Friendly</h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="attarbees"><h4 class="no_margin">
Attract Bees</h4>
</span></li>
</ul>
<h1 class="no_margin">
</h1>
<h1 class="no_margin">
<span style="font-size: large;">Strawberry Candy Reblooming Daylily</span></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojlip0Eh8lE/Xa4Qm_LBwaI/AAAAAAAAMxs/aa5PyEFLCKI0BcvTZPIi_tQyvsTyuUYbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Strawberry%2BCandy%2BDaylily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojlip0Eh8lE/Xa4Qm_LBwaI/AAAAAAAAMxs/aa5PyEFLCKI0BcvTZPIi_tQyvsTyuUYbACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Strawberry%2BCandy%2BDaylily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul class="product_visual_req">
<li><span class="light_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Light:<span class="light_req"> Full Sun, Partial Shade</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="size_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Size:<span class="size_req"> #1 Plant</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="zone_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Zone:<span class="zone_req"> 3-9</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="bloom_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Bloom Time:<span class="bloom_req"> Early midseason (Early-Midsummer, and again in late summer to early fall)</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="height_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Height:<span class="height_req"> 24 - 26 inches</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="soilreq_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Soil Requirement:<span class="soilreq_req"> Well drained</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="planterfrend_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Planter Friendly</h4>
</span></li>
</ul>
<h1 class="no_margin">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lupines Mixture</span></h1>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtZW5l7JeDI/Xa4LV6lQivI/AAAAAAAAMxI/dFJY2zadEigcYquYiXr6J4gvY4DKSst2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Lupines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtZW5l7JeDI/Xa4LV6lQivI/AAAAAAAAMxI/dFJY2zadEigcYquYiXr6J4gvY4DKSst2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Lupines.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0;">
<i></i></div>
<ul class="product_visual_req">
<li><span class="light_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Light:<span class="light_req"> Full Sun</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="size_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Size:<span class="size_req"> #1 Plant</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="zone_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Zone:<span class="zone_req"> 3-8</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="bloom_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Bloom Time:<span class="bloom_req"> Late spring to early summer</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="height_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Height:<span class="height_req"> 30 - 36 inches</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="soilreq_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Soil Requirement:<span class="soilreq_req"> Average (normal) to dry</span></h4>
</span></li>
<li><span class="deerres_req"><h4 class="no_margin">
Deer Resistant</h4>
</span></li>
<li>
<div class="product_zone_tile">
<br />
<div aria-live="polite" class="zonedetailright" role="region">
<div class="zone_location no_margin f14" style="display: table; font-weight: 400; padding: 2px 0; width: 100%;">
<br />
This is my fancy shmancy diagram of what went where.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0RfuUqBr_0o/XerQlIp250I/AAAAAAAAM-Y/CojjtF6zYZMejfU5AakFrNF7d7KPg_CjACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Fall%2Bplanting%2Bdrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0RfuUqBr_0o/XerQlIp250I/AAAAAAAAM-Y/CojjtF6zYZMejfU5AakFrNF7d7KPg_CjACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Fall%2Bplanting%2Bdrawing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div aria-live="polite" class="zonedetailright" role="region" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="zone_location no_margin f14" style="display: table; font-weight: 400; padding: 2px 0; width: 100%;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Click image to enlarge</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<br />
<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-65893319478375431132013-04-30T13:20:00.000-04:002013-04-30T22:37:24.529-04:00Spring! Glorious Spring!<br />
It’s been a loooooong time since I posted here! Quite frankly life has
taken a few twists and turns and my heart wasn’t into gardening for a while and
then an injury last summer rendered me unable to get around but I am back and
chomping at the bit to get out into the garden! But that was then and this is
now.<br />
<br />
Let the seeding begin! More specifically and in keeping with ye olde blog
name, let the experimenting begin!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_1Gb_cjHq8/UX_81LNwLII/AAAAAAAADY8/Pd9WCagFUNo/s1600/Seed+packets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_1Gb_cjHq8/UX_81LNwLII/AAAAAAAADY8/Pd9WCagFUNo/s400/Seed+packets.jpg" title=" " width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Some are new to me (ornamental grass for one) and others I’ve grown before
(like snake gourds – see my Halloween snake from a few years ago <a href="http://experimentalfarmer.blogspot.com/2010/02/sunny-days-ahead-fertilizer-friday.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
<br />
I am so glad to be back and pray that my ankle will hold up because I’m
raring to go! Right now, I’m off to get dirt under my nails as the great
outdoors beckons! Yippee!!!!!Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-81392186867621929492011-03-19T23:01:00.002-04:002011-03-19T23:05:02.245-04:00Crayolas?<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Do you know what this is?</div><div align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuDLgJZpI/AAAAAAAACh8/6dtS2us_sD0/s1600-h/Tulips%201%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="Tulips 1" border="0" height="231" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuDrRy51I/AAAAAAAACiA/NNMqpZ8zFVw/Tulips%201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tulips 1" width="326" /></a> </div><div align="center">Or this… </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuEHqz9zI/AAAAAAAACiE/zMuGhYrekqU/s1600-h/Tulips%204%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="Tulips 4" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuEmPm1RI/AAAAAAAACiI/-KN665nZO_U/Tulips%204_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tulips 4" width="358" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">How about this….</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuFSUL0JI/AAAAAAAACiM/8AzY7RvEgGo/s1600-h/Tulips%203%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Tulips 3" border="0" height="339" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuFy7wQvI/AAAAAAAACiQ/b1ckOEl1aYU/Tulips%203_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tulips 3" width="321" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Now you get the idea.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuGCjj9UI/AAAAAAAACiU/F83c2rJXK7U/s1600-h/Tulips%20TRACTOR%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="Tulips TRACTOR" border="0" height="225" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuGkCLlYI/AAAAAAAACiY/cwGAfaedZzw/Tulips%20TRACTOR_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tulips TRACTOR" width="303" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">This is what the Netherlands looks like in Spring!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuG9XCehI/AAAAAAAACic/DtwlJzlOLww/s1600-h/Tulips%20WHITE%20HOUSE%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Tulips WHITE HOUSE" border="0" height="264" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuHWI2UiI/AAAAAAAACig/a1gZCzZWazo/Tulips%20WHITE%20HOUSE_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tulips WHITE HOUSE" width="361" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Isn’t it awesome!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuICWASzI/AAAAAAAACik/XyN-oUb-swQ/s1600-h/Tulips%20BARN%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="Tulips BARN" border="0" height="284" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYVuITByV6I/AAAAAAAACio/w137SWHPT6g/Tulips%20BARN_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tulips BARN" width="362" /></a></div><div align="center">I think I need to update my bucket list to include a visit to the Netherlands in spring-time.</div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-57535458257742336832011-03-17T13:39:00.000-04:002011-03-17T13:39:26.468-04:00Happy & Sad–The Pug & I<div align="center">Spring has sprung! And that makes me ever so very very very very happy! We went from a few feet of snow to nada in no time. Lickety split! I am amazed. </div><div align="center">Out most recent venture to the pond showed great promise. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf5Psc01I/AAAAAAAAChE/L3r5mqnFrao/s1600-h/IMG_1509%5B10%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1509" border="0" height="391" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf5UJNBKI/AAAAAAAAChI/W5ltLaMIJ00/IMG_1509_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1509" width="271" /></a></div><div align="center">The snow was 99% gone. That made for much easier walking.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf5_MkPPI/AAAAAAAAChM/Ce7KBn0cKzw/s1600-h/IMG_1516%5B9%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1516" border="0" height="224" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf6SspYKI/AAAAAAAAChQ/NgQtsrIsqSE/IMG_1516_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1516" width="275" /></a></div><div align="center">A little color is starting to show.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf6-J6myI/AAAAAAAAChU/a9asEdGxlT4/s1600-h/IMG_1512%5B10%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1512" border="0" height="281" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf7M5hSgI/AAAAAAAAChY/ODMk1WhwfQY/IMG_1512_thumb%5B13%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1512" width="347" /></a></div><div align="center">Things are awakening.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf7ukwPMI/AAAAAAAAChc/NsSPn2FPF2A/s1600-h/IMG_1538%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1538" border="0" height="254" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf77AXD5I/AAAAAAAAChg/0X-gz8Pr_ic/IMG_1538_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1538" width="323" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">What a wonderful time of year!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">For anyone who has read any of my recent posts, you will know that I have posted about a pair of swans that we (the pug & I) see and feed at our favorite little spot. We have been there twice over the past two weeks, and sadly, each time only one swan is there. She (I think it's the female) seems very depressed.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf8d7zPSI/AAAAAAAAChk/HvM4TxDFBJU/s1600-h/IMG_1527%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1527" border="0" height="242" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf8iZlgTI/AAAAAAAACho/gOI2Q84ef1M/IMG_1527_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1527" width="308" /></a></div><div align="center">Her head perked up when we arrived. (Sorry for the picture quality – she was at quite distance.)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf9HMaZ0I/AAAAAAAAChs/FzFdRKTsAyU/s1600-h/IMG_1530%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1530" border="0" height="253" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf9QNJukI/AAAAAAAAChw/rijUoXnq594/IMG_1530_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1530" width="311" /></a></div><div align="center">We weren’t of much interest though.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf9o1VSbI/AAAAAAAACh0/5CR1lKu7Fsw/s1600-h/IMG_1533%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1533" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TYGf-IngC1I/AAAAAAAACh4/n_2IsIPZS5w/IMG_1533_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1533" width="341" /></a></div><div align="center">It wasn’t her mate so she quickly recoiled. I am so sad. I wonder where her mate is yet in my heart I prefer not to know.</div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-43083549888632442702011-02-22T23:28:00.000-05:002011-02-22T23:28:13.942-05:00To GPS or not GPS....that is the question.<span xmlns=""><br />
When my oldest daughter was about 3 years old we were driving to a see a friend of mine and she was not familiar with the route. At one point she asked what street we were on. I said that I did not know. She asked if we were lost. I replied that we were not lost and that I just knew how to get there. She wasn't falling for that. She pondered it for a moment and asked "Mom – how do you spell 'I am lost'?" Ah from the mouths of babes!<br />
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That brings me to yesterday. Last year I got a car that has a built-in GPS. I haven't used it much because I actually have a great sense of direction not to mention that I can be quite impatient with technology. Yesterday I was taking a drive to an unfamiliar area so I decided to give the GPS a try. The area was mostly small winding streets and Madame GPS and her orders were grating on my nerves. "Left turn in ¼ of a mile."……"Slight right at 200 feet"…… A fight broke out and I turned her OFF. I went with my gut instinct. This is what I found….<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ngcD8iqH90/TWSL31gl_rI/AAAAAAAACfg/Vpsg9U_DCFE/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ngcD8iqH90/TWSL31gl_rI/AAAAAAAACfg/Vpsg9U_DCFE/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span xmlns=""> Definitely a wrong turn somewhere!</span></div><span xmlns=""><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GB0T_OUpFU/TWSMADPHD5I/AAAAAAAACfk/Z23JRbrCJIc/s1600/IMG_1394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GB0T_OUpFU/TWSMADPHD5I/AAAAAAAACfk/Z23JRbrCJIc/s320/IMG_1394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Definitely a wrong turn. LOL!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">At this point, with my proverbial tail between my legs, I admit defeat. This time. GPS to the rescue!</div><span xmlns=""> </span>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-46245826248713038012011-02-09T21:54:00.000-05:002011-02-09T21:54:37.294-05:00Snow Bugs?I took the Pug for our weekly outing to the pond on Sunday to visit these guys.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TVNLwvTWibI/AAAAAAAACfE/Yp2OLxCe6Dg/s1600-h/Swans%20on%20the%20pond%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="Swans on the pond" border="0" height="290" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TVNLxAsDkbI/AAAAAAAACfI/3814O3Trv_o/Swans%20on%20the%20pond_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Swans on the pond" width="355" /></a><br />
<div align="center">Amazingly, I actually remembered to bring something to feed them this time.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Someone else enjoyed the Cheerios....... </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TVNLxw-vXMI/AAAAAAAACfM/tas9u8kg1IU/s1600-h/IMG_1225%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1225" border="0" height="311" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TVNLyvNzpvI/AAAAAAAACfQ/SIVm-l2zIlI/IMG_1225_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1225" width="348" /></a></div><div align="center">.....but the swans did not approve!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">It was too hard to walk around the pond today because of all the snow so after the quick trip down to feed the swans we headed back out. I noticed that there were thousands of black dots all over the snow.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TVNLzuhjRmI/AAAAAAAACfU/42GeIJpBZ30/s1600-h/IMG_1230%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1230" border="0" height="361" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TVNL0w0zEYI/AAAAAAAACfY/pEVErwy6tu0/IMG_1230_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1230" width="422" /></a></div><div align="center">Upon closer inspection, I could see that the dots were hopping around. Huh? What are they? Snow bugs? I still don’t know but I am very curious. Anyone?</div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-45229626193371963442011-01-30T18:06:00.001-05:002011-01-30T20:27:16.657-05:00Oh Sunny Day – The Pug & I (Plus 1!)<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">A beautiful sunny day and it’s about 40 degree. Now that’s something to take advantage of at this time of year! Time to get outside! </span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to the pug and I, we were joined by my daughter, Olivia.</span></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXtrfgOLLI/AAAAAAAACdE/e1_VUapraps/s1600-h/Elsa%20n%20Livvy%5B13%5D.jpg"><img alt="Elsa n Livvy" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXtr0lWqzI/AAAAAAAACdI/uNeRdnVv2gk/Elsa%20n%20Livvy_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Elsa n Livvy" width="333" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">We were pleasantly surprised to see that someone had cleared a path around the pond. Strange…but good for us.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXtsff7WbI/AAAAAAAACdM/BlDANYhzRMU/s1600-h/On%20the%20path%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="On the path" border="0" height="353" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXtsjeUoSI/AAAAAAAACdQ/MQgDWYJGFBg/On%20the%20path_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="On the path" width="251" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Elsa loves it here because she's free to run off leash.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXttPpZf5I/AAAAAAAACdU/tb8JxsdbZ14/s1600-h/Elsa%20on%20the%20snow%20path%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="Elsa on the snow path" border="0" height="332" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXttgb2nGI/AAAAAAAACdY/zUl8hgO5QnY/Elsa%20on%20the%20snow%20path_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Elsa on the snow path" width="397" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">You coming?</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">It was beautiful but the snow was soft and we were sinking every few feet. Good thing I picked up some cheapie boots yesterday. Thing is at this time of year, they only have really <i>small</i> sizes or really <i>big</i> sizes left. I opted for kayak size – 11!</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXtt8EbxMI/AAAAAAAACdc/taJZDOuW-zQ/s1600-h/Boot%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="Boot" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXtuWPxBRI/AAAAAAAACdk/GMefgC0Ppw8/Boot_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Boot" width="244" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">We weren’t the only ones making footprints on this sunny afternoon.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXtu1ZDvqI/AAAAAAAACdo/-5AZ1Wh16-o/s1600-h/Swan%20feet%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Swan feet" border="0" height="264" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXtv3iweYI/AAAAAAAACds/9_uhP6kOXEY/Swan%20feet_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Swan feet" width="336" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">We had company!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXtwXRiOGI/AAAAAAAACdw/bZ3AvkjyEmQ/s1600-h/Swans%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="Swans" border="0" height="325" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TUXtwkC151I/AAAAAAAACd0/lOqVldiyiXE/Swans_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Swans" width="388" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The swans came right up to us as they are used to being fed by people. Unfortunately we came in my daughter’s car today and my bread supply was back home in my car.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Hope you had a good day too!</span></i></div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-1988987508718074942011-01-19T07:50:00.001-05:002011-01-19T07:50:00.106-05:00Smart KittyI have two cats. They are brother and sister yet incredibly different. Smudgie (boy) is the man about town – always on an adventure. His sister, Cally, is content to view the world from the bay window in my bedroom. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUqC_Oa_0I/AAAAAAAACcE/kF9U8tTyHps/s1600-h/01%20Cally%20Cat%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 Cally Cat" border="0" height="301" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUqDnuH5RI/AAAAAAAACcI/XNaSBpVSkkw/01%20Cally%20Cat_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="01 Cally Cat" width="337" /></a> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">It’s a great vantage point to view the bird feeders. Plus warm and cozy. Smart kitty!</div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-2339284522259774722011-01-17T23:48:00.000-05:002011-01-17T23:48:42.662-05:00Out & About – The Colors of JanuaryWhen I started my blog a year or so ago my intention was to track my garden and outdoor shenanigans. Nothing of much interest to anyone else. Just for me. I was OK with that. The thing is that I am finding kindred spirits and find that I love to show what’s going on in my neck of the woods as much as I love seeing what’s going on everywhere else. <br />
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To the few who check in and read what I have to say and see my pictures, thank you but more importantly, thank you for sharing your world with me.<br />
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Without further ado, here’s what has happened in the last week in Massachusetts.<br />
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<i>ANOTHER</i> snow storm hit on January 12th and lasted all.day.long. About 20”.<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYQlnMYZI/AAAAAAAACa8/reQq9f3fA48/s1600-h/01%2012%20Evergreen%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 12 Evergreen" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYRGnVQaI/AAAAAAAACbA/4tcYvWhdrYI/01%2012%20Evergreen_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="01 12 Evergreen" width="304" /></a> 20 or so inches later…..</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYRmgYpYI/AAAAAAAACbE/ZV_WJKyI7Ew/s1600-h/01%2014%20Icicles%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 14 Icicles" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYSBLMZ-I/AAAAAAAACbI/NI2PAJKebik/01%2014%20Icicles_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="01 14 Icicles" width="219" /></a> </div><div align="center">The troops arrived in droves the next day for clean up….and food!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYSlLv0jI/AAAAAAAACbM/BvDSj1LLJD8/s1600-h/01%2012%20Cardinal%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 12 Cardinal" border="0" height="302" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYTMw9YfI/AAAAAAAACbQ/qRBD6ru-2aY/01%2012%20Cardinal_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="01 12 Cardinal" width="304" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Bird by bird, peck by peck, the crew was here to dig out the seed.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYURFq95I/AAAAAAAACbU/IJD9psir_AU/s1600-h/01%2012%20Junco%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 12 Junco" border="0" height="299" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYUhFJODI/AAAAAAAACbY/3VN52KgNbIA/01%2012%20Junco_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="01 12 Junco" width="304" /></a> </div><br />
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<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYV6PbtBI/AAAAAAAACbk/bHeDMFCc_UU/s1600-h/01%2012%20Titmouse%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 12 Titmouse" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYWbWT5bI/AAAAAAAACbo/V-XPyA9-rQE/01%2012%20Titmouse_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="01 12 Titmouse" width="304" /></a></div><div align="center">Within two days between the work crew and the sunshine, the seed was uncovered. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYW2duVPI/AAAAAAAACbs/VROLkAYYIEE/s1600-h/01%20Woodpecker%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 Woodpecker" border="0" height="299" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYXa7cXsI/AAAAAAAACbw/J4MKLDVO0FQ/01%20Woodpecker_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="01 Woodpecker" width="304" /></a> </div><div align="center">Oh! Look! A bird party!</div><div align="center">A woodpecker, goldfinch and a bunch of bluebirds. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYXrudJ5I/AAAAAAAACb0/_DJsgikTmlo/s1600-h/01%2014%20Bird%20party%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 14 Bird party" border="0" height="312" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYYOG8gwI/AAAAAAAACb4/BblEhzGh2RA/01%2014%20Bird%20party_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="01 14 Bird party" width="354" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYY1mt1SI/AAAAAAAACb8/Tb_XW2EpwOQ/s1600-h/01%2014%20Bluebird%20party%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 14 Bluebird party" border="0" height="295" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TTUYZUzEajI/AAAAAAAACcA/W7GoZ85BmSE/01%2014%20Bluebird%20party_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="01 14 Bluebird party" width="314" /></a></div><div align="center">I was thrilled to see bluebirds at this time of year. Today I went to the seed shop and I was told that I was indeed lucky. They do appear here and there in winter but not very frequently. If you have the good fortune to have bluebirds you will notice that they tend to be in groups of 6-10. That is their winter pattern. Once the warmer weather comes they will become territorial and will only be found in pairs. How lucky that they came upon my feeders!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">When the winter doldrums hit, it is nice to see these flashes of color!</div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-80182445045165878632011-01-02T22:54:00.000-05:002011-01-02T22:54:16.275-05:00The Ups & Downs of W-I-N-T-E-R<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This past week has been a crazy ride weather-wise. This is what was outside my front door last week at this time….</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSExx9sQTKI/AAAAAAAACY8/AYLWocIAtmA/s1600-h/12%2026%20Dark%20Stormy%20night%5B13%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 26 Dark Stormy night" border="0" height="319" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSExzS3W_XI/AAAAAAAACZA/XzXP1ifxBbM/12%2026%20Dark%20Stormy%20night_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="12 26 Dark Stormy night" width="370" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx0IbLxnI/AAAAAAAACZE/WXBPbFuzI7Y/s1600-h/12%2026%20Snow%20swirls%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 26 Snow swirls" border="0" height="279" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx0QG6SWI/AAAAAAAACZI/CYasEwE2b-4/12%2026%20Snow%20swirls_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="12 26 Snow swirls" width="370" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It may have stopped us in our tracks but by the next day….</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx1DnRaBI/AAAAAAAACZM/FC-cU5g8a2o/s1600-h/12%2026%20Bluebirds%5B14%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 26 Bluebirds" border="0" height="259" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx1vu1sdI/AAAAAAAACZQ/nkAHviziYdk/12%2026%20Bluebirds_thumb%5B12%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 26 Bluebirds" width="337" /></a> These troopers were lurking….with their sights on the feeders.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx2BV_TOI/AAAAAAAACZU/gBUjJ_esdG0/s1600-h/12%2026%20Card%20n%20Bluebird%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 26 Card n Bluebird" border="0" height="373" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx4T6h9fI/AAAAAAAACZY/91xZbldGmn4/12%2026%20Card%20n%20Bluebird_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 26 Card n Bluebird" width="337" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx4_MqbWI/AAAAAAAACZc/codfw9x1EA0/s1600-h/12%2026%20Cardinal%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 26 Cardinal" border="0" height="309" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx52O1N6I/AAAAAAAACZg/hVIvW9YF4_w/12%2026%20Cardinal_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 26 Cardinal" width="304" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">….and then she was alone but not for long.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx6FaX1QI/AAAAAAAACZk/1KDq1NGKaAU/s1600-h/12%2026%20Card%20n%20Wren%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 26 Card n Wren" border="0" height="275" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx8APug2I/AAAAAAAACZo/vudTlV_i78k/12%2026%20Card%20n%20Wren_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="12 26 Card n Wren" width="337" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A saucy little wren made an appearance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">r<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx9LkXZuI/AAAAAAAACZs/EoH-_gTgCfE/s1600-h/12%2026%20Wren%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 26 Wren" border="0" height="252" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx9hGWuwI/AAAAAAAACZw/BRTpGMVGp5w/12%2026%20Wren_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 26 Wren" width="304" /></a> And took over the joint!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEx-MMtgvI/AAAAAAAACZ0/REn--zU_XjU/s1600-h/12%2026%20Dove%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 26 Dove" border="0" height="196" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyA3JLtgI/AAAAAAAACZ4/FLuyysHi8-0/12%2026%20Dove_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 26 Dove" width="284" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">With very few food sources, that’s how it went for the rest of the day. In & out. Back & forth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyDTy0zxI/AAAAAAAACZ8/aLepMI5dqyU/s1600-h/12%2026%20Dove%20n%20Chickadee%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 26 Dove n Chickadee" border="0" height="219" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyFlVcNnI/AAAAAAAACaA/2OguhphAoy8/12%2026%20Dove%20n%20Chickadee_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 26 Dove n Chickadee" width="304" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyHh7C0VI/AAAAAAAACaE/GYfMA-jCU7w/s1600-h/12%2026%20Dove%20n%20Titmouse%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 26 Dove n Titmouse" border="0" height="318" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyIc8u7TI/AAAAAAAACaI/_ZT_z7sQp3s/12%2026%20Dove%20n%20Titmouse_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="12 26 Dove n Titmouse" width="337" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here a Titmouse waits patiently for the Mourning Dove to finish. How polite! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Over the course of the next few days I cleared the deck to get access to the feeders to refill them. Now here’s the kicker…… exactly one week later, the temps have been hovering around 60 degrees for the past 3 days! When it comes to weather, New England is a crazy place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyKiuXUCI/AAAAAAAACaM/ZeiQil4JNog/s1600-h/01%2002%20Backyard%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 02 Backyard" border="0" height="213" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyLRtibMI/AAAAAAAACaQ/rqtM9ZTa_lE/01%2002%20Backyard_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="01 02 Backyard" width="337" /></a> Same view!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyL4RF6JI/AAAAAAAACaU/N-BvA26hQYk/s1600-h/01%2002%20Chickadee%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 02 Chickadee" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyMdmD2hI/AAAAAAAACaY/wlRP7SyhR08/01%2002%20Chickadee_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="01 02 Chickadee" width="304" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyNf-bd1I/AAAAAAAACac/BLgeHLjgC8A/s1600-h/01%2002%20Woodpecker%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="01 02 Woodpecker" border="0" height="282" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TSEyNpYyaJI/AAAAAAAACag/vnSFI5qdj2k/01%2002%20Woodpecker_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="01 02 Woodpecker" width="304" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The birds don’t seem affected one way or another.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even when the garden is not alive ‘n kicking, we are still blessed by nature.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you are blessed with wonderful things in 2011!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Honey Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy New Year!</b></span></div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-87756382269072489932010-12-13T07:21:00.001-05:002010-12-13T07:21:00.074-05:00Furry & Feathered FriendsI haven’t posted lately ‘cuz the garden is hibernating. Yet life goes on.<br />
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I was pleasantly surprised when I looked out my kitchen window last Wednesday morning (on one of the coldest days of the season) to see one of my feathered friends.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TQW7fdcNrqI/AAAAAAAACXM/Xh_5Uhq5eVk/s1600-h/12%2011%20Bluebird%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 11 Bluebird" border="0" height="263" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TQW7fir7-ZI/AAAAAAAACXQ/JB0HP713KBQ/12%2011%20Bluebird_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 11 Bluebird" width="296" /></a> A <b><span style="color: blue;">bluebird</span></b>! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I don’t see them around much so I was surprised to see one on this chilly morning. Sitting atop the feeder pole. The feeder was empty so perhaps he was sending a message. Seed is not their food-of-choice but I have seen them eating it when meal worms, etc. are not available.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">On another note, have you ever seen a Pug after Thanksgiving turkey consumption?</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TQW7gBROdOI/AAAAAAAACXU/kwK2iubw5YA/s1600-h/12%2011%20Elsa%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 11 Elsa" border="0" height="213" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TQW7gVEYvjI/AAAAAAAACXY/G_VAw4GAATk/12%2011%20Elsa_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 11 Elsa" width="284" /></a>On a tryptophan high! Conked out and snoring to beat the band! Haha!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And then there’s silly Cally cat who randomly decides to play dead.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TQW7gsZq4CI/AAAAAAAACXc/Dhsjg2u6EXM/s1600-h/12%2011%20Cally%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="12 11 Cally" border="0" height="197" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TQW7hMuKG9I/AAAAAAAACXg/2v3-mK5nUjY/12%2011%20Cally_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 11 Cally" width="244" /></a> She just drops on her back and doesn’t move! It shocked me the first time she did it but I’ve gotten use to it.</div><br />
A pleasant reminder.....as we al meander our way through the holidays, remember soon it will be time to check out the seed catalogs! Hurray!Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-37791818065333936932010-11-09T20:01:00.000-05:002010-11-09T20:01:47.492-05:00Unchartered Territory – The Pug & IMy butt has respectfully requested that I get off of it. It is annoyed with me. As am I, with it. Soooooo……. before I have to resort to the treadmill (and the dreaded shin splints that I get while using it), I am getting out in the great outdoors. So much more pleasurable.<br />
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So last week the Pug & I ventured over to the town reservoir. I was there a awhile ago and it was not a great place for walking but a couple of years ago the Town set up a parking area and unbeknown to me, now there is somewhat of a path. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR5Ns4PXI/AAAAAAAACTQ/NCWWGdffTV4/s1600-h/11%2007%20Elsa%5B10%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Elsa" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR5TMO2dI/AAAAAAAACTU/74CtfiiTRTM/11%2007%20Elsa_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="11 07 Elsa" width="304" /></a> <br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR5_Bp9DI/AAAAAAAACTY/ileVh0Twqn0/s1600-h/11%2007%20Elsa%202%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Elsa 2" border="0" height="266" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR6-CCU0I/AAAAAAAACTc/CWk0hZdSeIU/11%2007%20Elsa%202_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="11 07 Elsa 2" width="337" /></a>Of course they are largely obscured by gazillions of leaves! </div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR7EcHLgI/AAAAAAAACTg/dHTssQVaa2I/s1600-h/11%2007%20Moss%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Moss" border="0" height="231" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR7ne0ehI/AAAAAAAACTk/UwVRwzIw4wU/11%2007%20Moss_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="11 07 Moss" width="294" /></a> At this time of year any color on the forest floor POPS!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR79Ub6SI/AAAAAAAACTo/_Ve4rARMycI/s1600-h/11%2007%20Tree%20mushrooms%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Tree mushrooms" border="0" height="242" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR8CElNdI/AAAAAAAACTs/a8q5tbYiA9k/11%2007%20Tree%20mushrooms_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="11 07 Tree mushrooms" width="284" /></a> </div><br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR8uh9KxI/AAAAAAAACTw/7ytJTAwrFxg/s1600-h/11%2007%20Ferns%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Ferns" border="0" height="246" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR86G06tI/AAAAAAAACT0/1j4T4xJrzto/11%2007%20Ferns_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="11 07 Ferns" width="284" /></a> </div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR9ViinDI/AAAAAAAACT4/Z4Su-OEZMr0/s1600-h/11%2007%20Red%20Berries%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Red Berries" border="0" height="252" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR9x5mHtI/AAAAAAAACT8/66_1cLWZDpE/11%2007%20Red%20Berries_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="11 07 Red Berries" width="284" /></a> These little red berries, and I do mean little – the plants were only about 2 or 3 inches tall, just caught my eye amongst all of the brown.</div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR-RJmfxI/AAAAAAAACUA/hX1FjNI_TmM/s1600-h/11%2007%20Mini%20conifers%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Mini conifers" border="0" height="237" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR_YaZciI/AAAAAAAACUE/OLMlAxBxJaA/11%2007%20Mini%20conifers_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="11 07 Mini conifers" width="292" /></a> </div><div align="center">Newborn evergreens I assume?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeR_uCTnMI/AAAAAAAACUI/q5Jn39yyfBE/s1600-h/11%2007%20Mushrooms%20on%20a%20tree%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Mushrooms on a tree" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeSAOqfYZI/AAAAAAAACUM/7F8ujxS1DYk/11%2007%20Mushrooms%20on%20a%20tree_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="11 07 Mushrooms on a tree" width="214" /></a> </div><div align="center">Mushrooms growing 20 (or so) feet up in the tree canopy. Isn’t nature amazing??</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeSAkMnveI/AAAAAAAACUQ/UpOjADJJMhA/s1600-h/11%2007%20Birdhouse%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Birdhouse" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeSA7uP3JI/AAAAAAAACUU/XfI-iGqYs6Q/11%2007%20Birdhouse_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="11 07 Birdhouse" width="229" /></a></div><div align="center">I was kind of surprised to see this. Probably a recent installation since the wood still looks kind of new.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeSBQQnq6I/AAAAAAAACUY/TlMPfpuuves/s1600-h/11%2007%20Swans%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Swans" border="0" height="344" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeSBl6c0TI/AAAAAAAACUc/pfvKglXGBMU/11%2007%20Swans_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="11 07 Swans" width="259" /></a> </div><div align="center">One of God’s beautiful creatures….the swan.</div><div align="center">They are curious creatures and approached us along the shoreline.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeSCKHNyaI/AAAAAAAACUg/1_sjeXNMnus/s1600-h/11%2007%20Swans%202%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Swans 2" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeSCg_USXI/AAAAAAAACUk/MFmgE3qjNRQ/11%2007%20Swans%202_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="11 07 Swans 2" width="284" /></a> </div><div align="center">Probably hoping for food. The Pug (aka city dog) had a bark-fest – they were not bothered in any way.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeSC2InKSI/AAAAAAAACUo/WYKqV84u1HA/s1600-h/11%2007%20Elsa%20wants%20to%20go%20home%5B11%5D.jpg"><img alt="11 07 Elsa wants to go home" border="0" height="264" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNeSDL_r2_I/AAAAAAAACUs/qdIUk1kWF4s/11%2007%20Elsa%20wants%20to%20go%20home_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="11 07 Elsa wants to go home" width="292" /></a></div><div align="center">Can we go home now? I’m thirsty……and pooped!</div><br />
I have been down to the reservoir 4 or 5 times this past week and plan to do so until the snow comes. I will post more about my adventures – boring as they may be! Fun for me though. And Elsa. And my butt thanks me.Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-81080215732457801412010-11-02T13:56:00.000-04:002010-11-02T13:56:01.600-04:00Brrrr……One Warm CoatIt’s incredible how affected we are by the weather isn’t it? Here in New England we flip flopped from unseasonably warm temperatures last week, to unseasonably cold this week. Time to pull out the winter woollies!<br />
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The nip of cold sent me running for the coats, sweatshirts and socks! I am kind of anti-sock and each year I put off wearing them for as long as possible. Their appearance on my feet is a sure sign of things to come yet I feel fortunate to have what I need to keep me warm. Not everyone does.<br />
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Each year when we pull our coats out of summer storage, we downsize the collection. With three daughters, there are always a few to pass long. Last year I found an organization that collects coats for those in need. It is nationwide and you can donate a <a href="http://onewarmcoat.org/donatecoat.php">single coat</a> or <a href="http://onewarmcoat.org/organize.php">organize a drive</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://onewarmcoat.org/"><img alt="One Warm Coat Logo" border="0" height="161" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNBQEsrbiEI/AAAAAAAACRE/oZ44YgZ9k6o/One%20Warm%20Coat%20Logo%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="One Warm Coat Logo" width="142" /></a> <br />
How about you? Need to free some closet space? Want to help someone in need? Want to do a green “deed”?<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNBQE5NNrXI/AAAAAAAACRI/HSikzFF_UJw/s1600-h/Recycling%20image%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="Recycling image" border="0" height="41" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNBQFNhSpSI/AAAAAAAACRM/_gyVF8negIU/Recycling%20image_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="Recycling image" width="41" /></a></div><br />
I am joining Suzan of Old*Grey*Mare for the November edition of Project Genesis. Won't you?<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://oldgreymareprimitives.blogspot.com/2010/10/project-genesis-1112010.html"><img alt="image" border="0" height="191" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TNBQFdgbCPI/AAAAAAAACRQ/hx2F_SuML3Y/image%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="image" width="191" /></a></div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-43026232106349940552010-10-27T12:55:00.001-04:002010-11-02T11:38:37.373-04:00A Wonderful Autumn DayThe garden may be over for the season but Autumn is still a wonderful time to be outdoors. Yesterday was one of those days!<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYMSx36rI/AAAAAAAACQI/rFx1AhG0zH4/s1600-h/10%2026%20Temp%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="10 26 Temp" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYMnoUeUI/AAAAAAAACQM/b4G5a5qINGE/10%2026%20Temp_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10 26 Temp" width="244" /></a></div><div align="center">And that was in the shade!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYM3vJi-I/AAAAAAAACQQ/DbcQQoBrLP4/s1600-h/10%2026%20Laundry%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="10 26 Laundry" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYNLYXE8I/AAAAAAAACQU/zP2ImiIiEY0/10%2026%20Laundry_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10 26 Laundry" width="244" /></a> A <i>perfect</i> day for bedding on the clothesline.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYNt3a7vI/AAAAAAAACQY/qoABgr_dhIM/s1600-h/10%2026%20Back%20view%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="10 26 Back view" border="0" height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYNzgSijI/AAAAAAAACQc/x6ncgXls6gs/10%2026%20Back%20view_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="10 26 Back view" width="304" /></a></div><div align="center">Leaves are quickly covering the ground. Oh, and acorns too! I think there are approximately 3 trillion of them in my yard.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYOMnJFrI/AAAAAAAACQg/n4uERrfDLn8/s1600-h/10%2026%20Smudgie%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="10 26 Smudgie" border="0" height="214" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYOS3NlEI/AAAAAAAACQk/mBeIpMijLcA/10%2026%20Smudgie_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="10 26 Smudgie" width="284" /></a> </div><div align="center">Smudgie sunning.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYO25Zy0I/AAAAAAAACQo/TeG6wKC3yfY/s1600-h/10%2026%20Elsa%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="10 26 Elsa" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYPNGiq_I/AAAAAAAACQs/VqpfcQ_esVw/10%2026%20Elsa_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="10 26 Elsa" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">Elsa (aka City Dog) enjoys nature’s bounty of acorns as toys.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYPl74aCI/AAAAAAAACQw/Ifz2RZFCsZc/s1600-h/10%2026%20Brug%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="10 26 Brug" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYP-0DVSI/AAAAAAAACQ0/X9oA7JFRGRQ/10%2026%20Brug_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="10 26 Brug" width="237" /></a> </div><div align="center">The brugs are enjoying the weather – no longer panting from excessive heat.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYQJXsBJI/AAAAAAAACQ4/UunaMEgzTMs/s1600-h/10%2026%20Watering%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="10 26 Watering" border="0" height="182" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYQYo-zSI/AAAAAAAACQ8/eOjyC9HCZu4/10%2026%20Watering_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="10 26 Watering" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">I don’t ever recalling having to water in October!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><img alt="10 26 Geranium" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TMhYQpuI1_I/AAAAAAAACRA/8XpEywT25iY/10%2026%20Geranium_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="10 26 Geranium" width="244" /></div><div align="center">Geraniums really seem to enjoy cooler weather. </div><div align="center">Last year I was in a little store where they bring in their geranium flower boxes and over winter them in a window. Even though it’s a drafty spot, they survive and actually thrive. I may try that this year.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I hope you are enjoying good weather too.</div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-91641253401128421642010-10-13T00:40:00.000-04:002010-10-13T00:40:04.426-04:00The First Miner Rescued in ChileThe first of the Chilean miners was rescued from the San Jose mine about 1 1/2 hours ago. The thought of being contained 1/2 mile under the earth's surface for 69 days is much more than my mind can fathom.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TLU1vjsWk2I/AAAAAAAACQE/BuFqWFDadhw/s1600/Chile+mine+rescue.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TLU1vjsWk2I/AAAAAAAACQE/BuFqWFDadhw/s320/Chile+mine+rescue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Please pray that the other 32 are brought home safe and sound to their families.Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-62430436307098197282010-09-30T21:15:00.000-04:002010-09-30T21:15:05.734-04:00Paper Pollution in your Mailbox - Project GenesisOn the 1st day of each month <a href="http://oldgreymareprimitives.blogspot.com/">Suzan aka Old*Grey*Mare</a> hosts a meme where people are invited to share their tips for a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Aptly named “Project Genesis”. <br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TKU1JbW-8LI/AAAAAAAACOw/1HVKPzdp1zc/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="129" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TH3X0ecKG3I/AAAAAAAACO0/4WxgCr_5WJU/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="image" width="129" /></a> </div><div align="center">One day at a time. One person at a time. One thing at a time.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">The common mindset used to be that a single person could not possibly make a difference. I never agreed with that notion. In my mind, we can all make a difference. A “grassroots” effort. Each of us can make a difference. Like a cold, we can be contagious. </div><br />
So let me get on my proverbial “high horse”. Paper pollution is not only wasteful but extremely annoying. I used to get stacks of mail that were 1 to 2 inches thick. There were days when I thought I might have to hire a mail handler! Opening my mailbox to 8+ credit card applications and 1,2, 3 or more catalogs was not unusual. That <b><i><u>WAS</u></i></b> then. Then I signed up with <a href="http://www.catalogchoice.org/" target="_blank">Catalog Choice</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.catalogchoice.org/"><img alt="Catalog Choice" border="0" height="96" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TKU1KdhqwhI/AAAAAAAACO4/KRYXGVxh8ik/Catalog%20Choice%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Catalog Choice" width="151" /></a> <br />
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It’s easy and it’s free! And it really works! Just add the names of the catalogs that you get but don’t want to receive. Within a short time, the catalogs stop. You can add more catalogs as needed. It made huge difference in the amount of junk mail that I get.<br />
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My other huge pet peeve is credit card offers but you can also stop receiving them here: <br />
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<a href="https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t"><img alt="Opt out logo" border="0" height="47" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TKU1Kstkl9I/AAAAAAAACPA/WeVefmuFaXU/Opt%20out%20logo%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Opt out logo" width="244" /></a> <br />
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You should know that they will ask for your personal information (including SSN) so you should read it carefully and make your own decision. It has reduced the credit card offers in my mailbox 98%.<br />
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Don’t forget to to visit <a href="http://oldgreymareprimitives.blogspot.com/">Suzan aka Old*Grey*Mare</a> to see and share more tips on living a more earth friendly lifestyle.Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-12579204950148030382010-09-16T23:03:00.000-04:002010-09-16T23:03:27.893-04:00Fall is in the Air - Out & About – Fertilizer FridayWow! Fall sure didn’t creep in this year! We went from 90 degrees and sweltering to a high of 70 and very cool nights in just a few days.<br />
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<div align="center">September 8th was the last time I had visitors at the Hummingbird feeder.</div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYnOuqmeI/AAAAAAAACKU/StkKETXpfGM/s1600-h/09%2012%20Hummer%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="09 12 Hummer" border="0" height="202" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYnl1ljhI/AAAAAAAACKY/CqIsfc254Ow/09%2012%20Hummer_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 12 Hummer" width="244" /></a><br />
<div align="center">I figured it might be the last time. Boohoo - until next year.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">The Morning Glories were in full swing just a few days ago….. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYn-G_-HI/AAAAAAAACKc/amBXo_hFoZ0/s1600-h/09%2012%20Morning%20glories%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="09 12 Morning glories" border="0" height="208" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYoeor1DI/AAAAAAAACKg/SUfIQbRGYOE/09%2012%20Morning%20glories_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 12 Morning glories" width="294" /></a> ….and now they are fading.</div><br />
<div align="center">The daturas are still blooming but…..</div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYowlvi6I/AAAAAAAACKk/RGEqmVi4mRo/s1600-h/09%2012%20Dat%20pod%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="09 12 Dat pod" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYpBm-8TI/AAAAAAAACKo/ueV4xqf0Jf0/09%2012%20Dat%20pod_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 12 Dat pod" width="244" /></a><br />
<div align="center">…..starting to put out seed pods for next year.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">One of the prettiest weeds is showing up everywhere….</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYpmou_5I/AAAAAAAACKs/jUgzujeYnnA/s1600-h/09%2012%20Pokeweed%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="09 12 Pokeweed" border="0" height="214" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYqGVj-gI/AAAAAAAACKw/-Dx0d2SVKN8/09%2012%20Pokeweed_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="09 12 Pokeweed" width="324" /></a> </div><div align="center">Pokeweed! I love those deep purple berries.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">On a recent jaunt, my new roomy, a former city dwelling dog, is being introduced to the suburban life.</div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYqb6ksaI/AAAAAAAACK0/vDMHbHD5D64/s1600-h/09%2012%20Elsa%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="09 12 Elsa" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYq80-b3I/AAAAAAAACK4/6hG2UZeT6wg/09%2012%20Elsa_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 12 Elsa" width="184" /></a><br />
<div align="center">A few days ago on a trip to a pond a few minutes from here, Elsa met some new “beasts”. And much barking ensued.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYrWtievI/AAAAAAAACK8/49pqAEILAvQ/s1600-h/09%2012%20Horse%20on%20a%20hill%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="09 12 Horse on a hill" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYrre805I/AAAAAAAACLA/INbbjpq9rX4/09%2012%20Horse%20on%20a%20hill_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="09 12 Horse on a hill" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">“What is that!?!?!” she barked.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">The beasts were very curious too.</div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYsN1MGPI/AAAAAAAACLE/seYxxjBQbUQ/s1600-h/09%2012%20Horses%20at%20the%20gates%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="09 12 Horses at the gates" border="0" height="150" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYsbpeL8I/AAAAAAAACLI/HDH2tFL3x_8/09%2012%20Horses%20at%20the%20gates_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 12 Horses at the gates" width="244" /></a> <br />
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<div align="center">There were every bit as interested in her as she was in them.</div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYtLf94kI/AAAAAAAACLM/_M-OQ5tONZE/s1600-h/09%2012%20Black%20horse%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="09 12 Black horse" border="0" height="198" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYtREJrTI/AAAAAAAACLQ/fMf5kawi8DE/09%2012%20Black%20horse_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 12 Black horse" width="244" /></a> <br />
<div align="center">They followed us along the fence. And at one point even showed off by kicking up their heels and prancing around.</div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYur15rUI/AAAAAAAACLU/TuyIv7D6Zik/s1600-h/09%2012%20Chestnut%20horse%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="09 12 Chestnut horse" border="0" height="239" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYu-bKQhI/AAAAAAAACLc/4DM-XZWmHFk/09%2012%20Chestnut%20horse_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 12 Chestnut horse" width="244" /></a> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I would have loved to get a little closer but didn’t want to spook the horses. Maybe next time.</div><br />
So what’s going on in your neck of the woods? A good place to see what 's going on elsewhere is to visit <a href="http://www.tootsietime.com/2010/09/fertilizer-friday-flaunt-your-flowers_16.html">Tootsie’s Fertilizer Friday</a>.<br />
<a href="http://www.tootsietime.com/2010/09/fertilizer-friday-flaunt-your-flowers_16.html"><img alt="Logo" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TJLYvS8Hs3I/AAAAAAAACLg/my9JeTW1XMs/Logo%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Logo" width="149" /></a>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-52344229881142432092010-09-09T07:23:00.001-04:002010-09-09T07:23:00.357-04:00Waning Days of SummerIt’s no secret, the days of summer are quickly shortening. From the 8:30 sunset of just a few weeks ago to the 7:08 sunset last night. Days are shorter, nights are cooler and good old Fall is creeping in. I love Fall. It’s that “other” season that follows it that I don’t like so much. <br />
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In past years this would be the time I would ponder putting the garden to bed. Not this year. The tomatoes are still doing well yet other things have been yanked out. Making room for a few experiments.<br />
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I planted these a couple of weeks ago…<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvHsu5pQI/AAAAAAAACJc/rJ9BZozH2j4/s1600-h/0908%20Beets%5B8%5D.jpg"><img alt="0908 Beets" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvIN7ZiVI/AAAAAAAACJg/wND2pq_HC6I/0908%20Beets_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="0908 Beets" width="244" /></a><br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvIjUo5jI/AAAAAAAACJk/-EHhJwLlrXg/s1600-h/0908%20Peas%5B12%5D.jpg"><img alt="0908 Peas" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvI81oi6I/AAAAAAAACJo/YESB0V49T28/0908%20Peas_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="0908 Peas" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvJQBgHBI/AAAAAAAACJs/WxqnrsVF50s/s1600-h/0908%20Turnip%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="0908 Turnip" border="0" height="203" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvJ4DGlhI/AAAAAAAACJw/vc7DBTEquvM/0908%20Turnip_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="0908 Turnip" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">Will they be ready before the frost? I dunno. But I would never know if I didn’t try! We shall see.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">Today I added these…..</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvKe_1HqI/AAAAAAAACJ0/nO2abDfL844/s1600-h/0908%20Baby%20SPinach%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="0908 Baby SPinach" border="0" height="226" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvKore8jI/AAAAAAAACJ4/EmGNqPZEsm8/0908%20Baby%20SPinach_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="0908 Baby SPinach" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">30 days to maturity. Maybe.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvLPwW0MI/AAAAAAAACJ8/ucY80w2tbgw/s1600-h/0908%20Salad%20Mix%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="0908 Salad Mix" border="0" height="211" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvLtuE56I/AAAAAAAACKA/LQsTJ1xpfXg/0908%20Salad%20Mix_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="0908 Salad Mix" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">42 days. Maybe.</div><br />
I’ve had a new helper in the garden this year. One of my daughters has moved back in (until further notice) and brought with her, her four legged friend. Ms. Elsa (aka: Salsa, Sausalito, Monkey, Bubby, and so and so on.). <br />
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It has become a daily ritual for her to check on the veggies with me. Oddball that she is, she has taken to eating a few things that I harvest.<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvMpy8ZEI/AAAAAAAACKE/J5IeAiADmCg/s1600-h/0908%20Pug%201%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="0908 Pug 1" border="0" height="225" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvM3j5GaI/AAAAAAAACKI/jQhJ7DiAkrY/0908%20Pug%201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="0908 Pug 1" width="244" /></a></div><div align="center">She loves freshly cherry tomatoes and peas. Today I offered a sweet banana pepper.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvNYtOsqI/AAAAAAAACKM/xh8yq_4y3JQ/s1600-h/0908%20Pug%202%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="0908 Pug 2" border="0" height="210" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TIhvODQcsII/AAAAAAAACKQ/RSRVCURwRx8/0908%20Pug%202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="0908 Pug 2" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">Yup. She liked that too.</div><br />
It is with mixed feelings that I say goodbye to summer (not yet, but soon!). I do welcome the cooler temperatures for sure. Enjoy the waning days!Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-54648441184620630112010-09-01T00:50:00.000-04:002010-09-01T00:50:29.332-04:00Buy Local - Project GenesisI recently came across a blog that sparked my interest. It’s interesting, and fun, and sometimes more than just skin deep. Just the kind of thing that I like to read. It is hosted by <a href="http://oldgreymareprimitives.blogspot.com/">Suzan aka Old*Grey*Mare</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://oldgreymareprimitives.blogspot.com/"><img alt="image" border="0" height="156" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TH3XzPx6FuI/AAAAAAAACJI/Ym4cf2AO6O0/image%5B7%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="image" width="270" /></a> <br />
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Suzan is hosting a monthly (1st of each month) blog post where everyone can share tips for living a more socially responsible life. Aptly named “Project Genesis”. (Suzan, I hope you don't mind that I used your header. Just this once.)<br />
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I remember back to the earliest days of recycling. In my town, in Canada, that was more than 20 years ago. Back then, the consensus was kinda “what one person does, doesn’t make much of a difference”. And the experts agreed. It had to be widespread. Regardless, I didn't care who said I wasn’t making a difference, with just a little amount of conscious thinking, it quickly became habit in our house. I can only imagine how much has been kept out of landfills from just our family.<br />
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Now, something else has been on my radar recently with the recent outbreak of salmonella in the egg industry . The television coverage of these recent events has made me cringe, turn away, and change the channel. And cry. I suppose I have been functioning in “ignorance is bliss” mode. The way these poor creatures are forced to live is heartbreaking. <br />
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So next on my agenda is to become more diligent about buying local eggs. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TH3X0kBYcYI/AAAAAAAACJU/e7cuHljaYBk/s1600-h/image%5B12%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="152" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TH3X1ADwq8I/AAAAAAAACJY/awxZlXH1dx8/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="image" width="184" /></a> <br />
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I already buy whatever I can locally and this is just one more reason to support our local farms. Fresher food and money spent in the local economy. Why not?<br />
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I think each and every one of us can make a difference.Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-70836377888652533582010-08-23T17:39:00.001-04:002010-08-23T20:40:41.038-04:00Hallelujah!<div style="text-align: center;">It worked!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/THLjeDeb1gI/AAAAAAAACH4/Uajc1IYsclw/s1600/Rain+dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/THLjeDeb1gI/AAAAAAAACH4/Uajc1IYsclw/s1600/Rain+dance.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My rain dance worked!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/THLjbpKMS8I/AAAAAAAACH0/8c3_BMDr5Yg/s1600/RAIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/THLjbpKMS8I/AAAAAAAACH0/8c3_BMDr5Yg/s1600/RAIN.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been longing for a good and proper rainy day. It's started raining yesterday and it's still going strong! I'm watching the news right now and it's predicted to go on for one or two more days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Much needed relief! For me it's about balance. Relentless hot and dry weather makes me feel out of whack. My garden has repeated this sentiment. As a matter of fact, I just peaked out the window down to the veggie garden and I think I saw the tomatoes smiling!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/THLqFB78asI/AAAAAAAACH8/vGb2bGGpBUk/s1600/Tomato+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/THLqFB78asI/AAAAAAAACH8/vGb2bGGpBUk/s1600/Tomato+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-28540382898796234022010-08-15T00:33:00.001-04:002010-08-15T00:33:49.193-04:00A Splendid Day - Experimenting for Fall<p> </p> <p>It never ceases to amaze me how affected we are by the weather.    I love the outdoors but I would be the first to say that on stifling hot day, my garden is mostly neglected.  Containers get watered and that’s about it.   We all grumble and groan when it’s too hot, or too cold.  Myself included.  But today…..was <em>picture perfect</em>.  Beautiful 80 degree weather with <em>NO humidity</em>!    So my thoughts turned to Fall veggies.    I have pondered planting cool weather crops for the past couple of years but a combination of weather and life in general have stopped me.  Until today!  Time to experiment.</p> <p> </p> <p>The task involved pulling some veggies that were done for the year and turning the soil.    It was fun playing in the dirt again! </p> <p> </p> <p>So, for the 1st time ever I have planted cool weather crops!  (It sounds so silly to say “crops” but…..)  SO this is what was planted:</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGduJDi3PoI/AAAAAAAACHc/BXxxMTGKZBw/s1600-h/08%2015%20Beets%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="08 15 Beets" border="0" alt="08 15 Beets" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGduJqWFlQI/AAAAAAAACHg/_W_d_TXwV0A/08%2015%20Beets_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="244" /></a>Beets and, um, black eyed peas maybe?? </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGduJxHOEkI/AAAAAAAACHk/VfGQNZcCU9I/s1600-h/08%2015%20Turnips%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="08 15 Turnips" border="0" alt="08 15 Turnips" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGduKdxAeHI/AAAAAAAACHo/s723O-RCAiA/08%2015%20Turnips_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="242" /></a>    </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGduKugm1-I/AAAAAAAACHs/JBa-tEccZO4/s1600-h/08%2015%20Peas%20Spinach%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="08 15 Peas Spinach" border="0" alt="08 15 Peas Spinach" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGduLHV1wsI/AAAAAAAACHw/5Tn7d9sBMuo/08%2015%20Peas%20Spinach_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="221" /></a> Peas and Spinach</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">It will be fun to see if this experiment works.  Nothing like hands on experience to learn something new.  </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">Oops….I took a while to put this post together so I actually planted on Saturday but posted on Sunday.</p> Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-59015820589082746792010-08-14T01:13:00.000-04:002010-08-14T01:13:58.952-04:00Veggie Garden UpdateTime to track the backyard garden happenings. It’s been an odd summer – relentless heat and high humidity yet very little rain. I thrive on balance and the garden agrees. Not nearly enough rain.<br />
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Ok so…let’s talk tomatoes.<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYd2Q8Z-bI/AAAAAAAACEU/fwVWPeIULdQ/s1600-h/08%2013%20Tomato%20in%20the%20Sky%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Tomato in the Sky" border="0" height="201" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYd3ChPsBI/AAAAAAAACEY/ig9VAwLAZRA/08%2013%20Tomato%20in%20the%20Sky_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Tomato in the Sky" width="244" /></a> </div><br />
<b><u><span style="color: blue;">TOMATOES</span></u></b><br />
Last year they were a complete bust because Late Blight kicked them to the curb but things are better this year.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYd3t3ZeYI/AAAAAAAACEc/zOb6eh5YijY/s1600-h/08%2013%20Beefsteak%20TAG%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Beefsteak TAG" border="0" height="144" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYd4AU7ucI/AAAAAAAACEg/kxx8KyhsJGM/08%2013%20Beefsteak%20TAG_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Beefsteak TAG" width="153" /></a> <br />
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<div align="right"><span style="color: black;">Love these! Thankfully they are plentiful!</span></div><b><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYd-6VwgCI/AAAAAAAACFc/9sM2Cu4khHw/s1600-h/08%2013%20Sugar%20Snack%202%5B2%5D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="08 13 Sugar Snack 2" border="0" height="224" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYd_h93jRI/AAAAAAAACFg/SBMmJKhsKPc/08%2013%20Sugar%20Snack%202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="08 13 Sugar Snack 2" width="244" /></a> </span></u></b><br />
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<b><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeAPZrybI/AAAAAAAACFk/XysXFUltw-0/s1600-h/08%2013%20Sungold%20TAG%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Sungold TAG" border="0" height="140" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeAeFvu5I/AAAAAAAACFo/WXcXspP6wL4/08%2013%20Sungold%20TAG_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Sungold TAG" width="173" /></a> </span></u></b><br />
<div align="right"><b><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeA9PivEI/AAAAAAAACFs/_lp1IUtz_XA/s1600-h/08%2013%20Sungold%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Sungold" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeBJeIz6I/AAAAAAAACFw/hFNWdQ9g2EA/08%2013%20Sungold_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Sungold" width="244" /></a> </span></u></b></div><b><u><span style="color: blue;"></span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeBvgmp4I/AAAAAAAACF0/LcIH3he2ZNg/s1600-h/08%2013%20Yellow%20Pear%20TAG%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Yellow Pear TAG" border="0" height="159" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeBw1n1nI/AAAAAAAACF4/K1FCN3heFoo/08%2013%20Yellow%20Pear%20TAG_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Yellow Pear TAG" width="186" /></a> </span></u></b><br />
<div align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeCNgekTI/AAAAAAAACF8/U4HRC5Z3yoU/s1600-h/08%2013%20Yellow%20Pear%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Yellow Pear" border="0" height="212" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeCtEB-kI/AAAAAAAACGA/osLqWmp4SXg/08%2013%20Yellow%20Pear_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Yellow Pear" width="244" /></a> </div><b><u><span style="color: blue;"></span></u></b><br />
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<b><u><span style="color: blue;">Now for the other veggie garden inhabitants…..</span></u></b><br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeDZGGvyI/AAAAAAAACGE/NAxwtavUh0Q/s1600-h/08%2013%20Broccoli%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Broccoli" border="0" height="226" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeDoV1YNI/AAAAAAAACGI/62L_ASbFN4U/08%2013%20Broccoli_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="08 13 Broccoli" width="244" /></a>Will it or won’t it? We shall see. </div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeEDtFD3I/AAAAAAAACGM/-bngcnsNtLA/s1600-h/08%2013%20Eggplant%5B9%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Eggplant" border="0" height="352" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeEt9dYfI/AAAAAAAACGQ/71sUfuS6w7Q/08%2013%20Eggplant_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Eggplant" width="224" /></a> </div><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeFCHxRvI/AAAAAAAACGY/V_cx3ANmA-0/s1600-h/08%2013%20Pumpkin%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Pumpkin" border="0" height="162" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeFUNMpFI/AAAAAAAACGc/t3hYP3OGyVM/08%2013%20Pumpkin_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="08 13 Pumpkin" width="244" /></a> Dunno about this. Seems like it’s all male flowers.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeF42uohI/AAAAAAAACGg/cKGzT1jZu8c/s1600-h/08%2013%20Strawberry%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Strawberry" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeGKCOoSI/AAAAAAAACGk/w78SFbVJEPk/08%2013%20Strawberry_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Strawberry" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">Strawberry is making a second attempt. I don’t even know where I got these so I don’t know what type they are but I’m guessing '”Everlasting”.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeGioQk0I/AAAAAAAACGo/104i5gvmxvc/s1600-h/08%2013%20Zucchini%5B8%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Zucchini" border="0" height="255" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeHL5r4eI/AAAAAAAACGs/3KDxhdh8-Uk/08%2013%20Zucchini_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Zucchini" width="279" /></a> </div><div align="center">It was looking good and then the squash bugs made an appearance. To the right in the pic is a decimated zucchini. I have gotten two nice zucchinis. Fingers are crossed.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeHVpvAJI/AAAAAAAACGw/XI3h9qFRrvQ/s1600-h/08%2013%20Hydrangea%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Hydrangea" border="0" height="242" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeH0zRsiI/AAAAAAAACG0/MH50kZmGrDo/08%2013%20Hydrangea_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Hydrangea" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">Blooms are abundant but color is fading.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeIXIIBvI/AAAAAAAACG4/X0X1XCVe-y0/s1600-h/08%2013%20Datura%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Datura" border="0" height="233" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeIm-iIsI/AAAAAAAACG8/6tVMr6DJfLQ/08%2013%20Datura_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Datura" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">The white Datura is happily blooming but I am still waiting on the purple.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeI46u8YI/AAAAAAAACHA/j730HNuKQpU/s1600-h/08%2013%20Dat%20stems%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Dat stems" border="0" height="205" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeJgC6wvI/AAAAAAAACHE/7lmygJ40GDw/08%2013%20Dat%20stems_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Dat stems" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">I am just growing these for the 1st time this year and can see that the white and purple can easily be identified by the color of their stems. See?</div><br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeKB2mJ8I/AAAAAAAACHI/LbLRaGh9sQU/s1600-h/08%2013%20Morning%20Glory%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Morning Glory" border="0" height="188" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeKRLWsJI/AAAAAAAACHM/7GottO67cTk/08%2013%20Morning%20Glory_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="08 13 Morning Glory" width="244" /></a> A favorite in it’s waning state.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeK0BA79I/AAAAAAAACHQ/sFw7gl-hm6Q/s1600-h/08%2013%20Tree%20nest%5B8%5D.jpg"><img alt="08 13 Tree nest" border="0" height="208" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGYeLbjvKWI/AAAAAAAACHU/BOZ7MLtyUlY/08%2013%20Tree%20nest_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="08 13 Tree nest" width="244" /></a> </div><div align="center">Today I noticed activity in a tree by the creek. It looks like nesting is going on! About 20 feet from my deck. I hope I get to observe them for a while.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">And that is today’s garden report!</div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-87949220390207446572010-08-13T07:46:00.001-04:002010-08-13T07:46:00.249-04:00That Darn Cat!I have had dogs all of my life. Then 5 or 6 years ago when my dachshund died I knew a dog wasn’t a good fit for our lifestyle so I got cats. Two of them. A sister (Cally) and brother (Smudgie) who were found huddled together with another sibling in a snow bank. It has been quite a learning experience to say the least. Cally is pretty much a slug – sleeping her days away. Smudgie is the cat about town. My intention was to have indoor cats but he would hear nothing of that. Once the windows are open in the springtime, he is relentless in his quest to get outside. I have had to replace window blinds countless times due to his escape efforts. And he pops up everywhere! Rumor has it he visits all of our neighbor's pets by peering in their basement windows.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGTOLv7PfYI/AAAAAAAACEE/7YmN2_0zx6A/s1600-h/Smudgie%20Pool%201%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="Smudgie Pool 1" border="0" height="231" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGTOMKxjgCI/AAAAAAAACEI/XRZq-8H4A2I/Smudgie%20Pool%201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Smudgie Pool 1" width="292" /></a> <br />
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At least he’s self sufficient….<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGTOMVfzd4I/AAAAAAAACEM/I_dJDiXfz6o/s1600-h/Smudgie%20Pool%202%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="Smudgie Pool 2" border="0" height="207" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TGTOM6Bh7YI/AAAAAAAACEQ/zdu8feb4G0o/Smudgie%20Pool%202_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Smudgie Pool 2" width="292" /></a> <br />
That darn cat!Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-5908874047978588812010-07-28T23:08:00.000-04:002010-07-28T23:08:21.223-04:00Apparently I’m a Hibiscus FarmerI am not a farmer. As a matter of fact, any legit farmer might be offended that I use the word “farmer” at all. <i><b>To all farmers</b></i>, my sincerest apologies. I think my only saving grace might be the inclusion of the word “experimental”. And that’s what it’s all about.<br />
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I didn’t start off with a plan this summer. Over the past few years I’ve been breaking away from my desire to over-tend (aka: overkill in the garden) and just do my best and see what happens. More of a “you win some, lose some” attitude. Tomatoes are the staple. Cucumbers are always planted but cucumber beetles are a constant battle Everything else is fair game. Experiments abound.<br />
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Typically I have one or two Hibiscus on my deck. Last week I posted about a <a href="http://experimentalfarmer.blogspot.com/2010/07/experimental-farmer-experiments.html">clearance sale at Walmart</a>. Initially I brought a couple home. These poor things were parched. Can you say '”bone dry”? With a little TLC, in a few short days they were looking good.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TFDsdm4krPI/AAAAAAAACCA/QJfXJLqpQX4/s1600-h/07%2027%20Hibiscus%20BUD%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="07 27 Hibiscus BUD" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TFDselcYqXI/AAAAAAAACCE/PCu3zACZtUQ/07%2027%20Hibiscus%20BUD_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="07 27 Hibiscus BUD" width="242" /></a><br />
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<div align="left">And then…..</div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TFDsfihqUmI/AAAAAAAACCI/Gz0hG98PvDw/s1600-h/07%2027%20Hibiscus%20BLOOM%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="07 27 Hibiscus BLOOM" border="0" height="238" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TFDsgRi9o1I/AAAAAAAACCM/_M_0jegD2Tk/07%2027%20Hibiscus%20BLOOM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="07 27 Hibiscus BLOOM" width="244" /></a> <br />
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I had to go back! There were still some left but this time they were saturated. The pots sat in liners that had no holes! Not to be deterred, I bought ten more. Does that make it a farm? For me it does! They all have to fit on to my deck……and taken inside for the winter! <br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TFDskmE9CkI/AAAAAAAACCQ/09eiWVuPiGg/s1600-h/07%2027%20Hibiscus%20Farm%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="07 27 Hibiscus Farm" border="0" height="301" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TFDslatOsWI/AAAAAAAACCU/TML8-aC1yBU/07%2027%20Hibiscus%20Farm_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="07 27 Hibiscus Farm" width="259" /></a> I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">During the transportation of these babies I broke off a good size branch so it’s been dipped in rooting hormone and potted up. </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TFDsmk_-ukI/AAAAAAAACCY/nYQZm0bNCbQ/s1600-h/07%2027%20Hibiscus%20CUTTING%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="07 27 Hibiscus CUTTING" border="0" height="202" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TFDsoNH8HJI/AAAAAAAACCc/g9G15YZJS3A/07%2027%20Hibiscus%20CUTTING_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="07 27 Hibiscus CUTTING" width="194" /></a> </div><div align="center">Hopefully I’ll have another one for my <strike>collection</strike> farm.</div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629440702394665419.post-83010581315267997042010-07-23T02:00:00.000-04:002010-07-23T02:00:37.094-04:00Out & About – July 22 Edition - Fertilizer FridayI’m joining the weekly Fertilizer Friday meme hosted by the wonderful Tootsie. You can pay her a visit too! By clicking <a href="http://www.tootsietime.com/2010/07/fertilizer-friday-flaunt-your-flowers_15.html">here</a>.<br />
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This week has proven to be a random happenings kind of week. <br />
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I pruned back the petunias in my hanging baskets and collected seeds for next year.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkq4rkQJFI/AAAAAAAACBI/0wXs8dlUKSo/s1600-h/July%209%20Petunia%20Seeds%5B19%5D.jpg"><img alt="July 9 Petunia Seeds" border="0" height="189" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkq5zNFRJI/AAAAAAAACBM/s89XGcGOCLo/July%209%20Petunia%20Seeds_thumb%5B17%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="July 9 Petunia Seeds" width="294" /></a> <br />
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The last of the Leeks were pulled. I love to let them bolt and have the papery scape burst open to reveal the inside. But that’s just me being silly (and experimental).<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkq7DHLORI/AAAAAAAACBQ/8OYbw93i14E/s1600-h/July%2022%20Leek%20scape%5B10%5D.jpg"><img alt="July 22 Leek scape" border="0" height="219" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkq7VoMhcI/AAAAAAAACBU/gq4ELtbdjzA/July%2022%20Leek%20scape_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="July 22 Leek scape" width="294" /></a> <br />
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In my little neighborhood the backyards are kind of pie shaped and meet in the middle. Thankfully, we have been blessed with the greatest neighbors. Very “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”. This is a view of one part of my backyard. Looking right from the deck. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkq8C10W0I/AAAAAAAACBY/ajxaDHCvqeo/s1600-h/July%2022%20Timber%5B17%5D.jpg"><img alt="July 22 Timber" border="0" height="208" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkq8u137fI/AAAAAAAACBc/wIQzgcrvvfM/July%2022%20Timber_thumb%5B15%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="July 22 Timber" width="337" /></a> About 20 minutes before this picture was taken, I mentioned to my husband that a mammoth vine had climbed the tree overlooking my veggie patch and the tomatoes were not doing as well as they should because they needed more sun. Next thing I know, our neighbor is up the tree on a ladder roping the tree to take it down. Do you see the diagonal white line in the center of the picture? Well hubby is on the end of that rope (behind our SHARED compost bins) pulling the tree while our neighbor is on the chainsaw. He is obscured by the overgrown grapevine and hydrangea. Poof! Done! My veggies should be happy!<br />
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From this vantage point if I were to look left (wish I had taken a picture), there is a small creek with a bridge and pretty much forest on the other side. I use it to store nursery pots and there is a compost bin there too. While I was walking the puppy a couple of days ago, I was startled (doesn’t take much to freak me out, critter-wise) to see this….<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkq_MjbyjI/AAAAAAAACBg/kUoQIc2Qtug/s1600-h/July%2022%20Frog%5B11%5D.jpg"><img alt="July 22 Frog" border="0" height="206" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkrAL6_8_I/AAAAAAAACBk/E_dCaavFENI/July%2022%20Frog_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="July 22 Frog" width="244" /></a> This guy has apparently taken up residence in an old kiddy pool. A quasi Club Med for frogs and friends. Knock yourself out buddy!<br />
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<u>WARNING!</u><br />
At the risk of boring you to death, be forewarned this is but yet <i>another</i> blurb about my daturas. You may want to run off at this point and that’s cool. Run! Run! (This is the first year that I’ve grown them from seed and I just want to keep track.)<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkrAoFFQbI/AAAAAAAACBo/mwq-Ov69IyU/s1600-h/July%2022%20Datura%5B13%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="July 22 Datura" border="0" height="218" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkrBW_3WgI/AAAAAAAACBs/QPrhgNtQbo0/July%2022%20Datura_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="July 22 Datura" width="204" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkrCuvxVnI/AAAAAAAACBw/fFk1eEZpZco/s1600-h/July%2022%20Datura%20PM%5B8%5D.jpg"><img alt="July 22 Datura PM" border="0" height="197" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkrDXph6YI/AAAAAAAACB0/LgPy9zQvjKs/July%2022%20Datura%20PM_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="July 22 Datura PM" width="204" /></a> What a difference a day makes!<br />
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Have a wonderful week but first, head on over to see Tootsie and more garden aficionados!<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkrDw0RKmI/AAAAAAAACB4/FaZHy1bzl4c/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="224" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-8iw--6w1TI/TEkrGLY4CxI/AAAAAAAACB8/_QlFBkxGWrA/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="image" width="167" /></a>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08508612331063038590noreply@blogger.com6