The Inadvertent Farmer

The Fourth is Fuschia

 

Here is the fourth of the fourth...

Actually she is the fourth of the five, but who's counting!

This is with my old point and shoot 4 megapixel camera.

I was experimenting with color...my two favorites to be exact!

I put her in front of a black fleece blanket near the window, dressed her in black, gave her a black stuffed puppy and put a hot pink beret on her head and had some fun!

 

Sweet Girl was then only 2, she is now almost 6...sob!

She is our only girl

The princess...

The rose among thorns...

Pearl among the swine...

 

The drama queen!

 

This post brought to you by Linda Luna of Tradgard who asked me for the 4th picture in the 4th folder...good thing I cleaned out my hard drive last week or you would all be seeing the same photo as last Saturday!  I am also very glad I am so brutal about sending to the trash all my blurry shots or who knows what you might have subjected to!

 

 

 

Oatmeal...on Steroids!

Ohhh how I love oatmeal,

love it in bread,

love it in cookies,

love it crumbled atop fruit crisps

 and love it alone in a bowl,

but...

 

 

Why should your oatmeal be lonely when it could share its world with raisins, apples, and cinnamon?

 

 

And if you're gonna have an oatmeal party why not invite a dollop of vanilla yogurt...not to be mistaken for a trollop of yogurt which would change the meaning of breakfast completely...

 

 

We have now moved from a party to... a festival...a celebration...a wild barn burner of a time...all in a little bowl!

Yes indeedy that is brown sugar and more cinnamon on that bowl of luscious goodness!

           Oh be still my heart, you lovely, gorgeous, bowl of my most loved breakfast                          (well next to cold pizza or chocolate cake)

So go on everyone...

walk on the wild side,

throw caution to the wind,

live a little...

Make yourselves a party in a bowl,

Be the rebels you were born to be!!!

 

 

Note:  I only use old fashioned oats, always and forever, I am just an old fashioned kind of girl...no new fangled oatmeal for me, no sir!

I put my raisins in with my water/milk when I'm bringing it to a boil before the oats are added...it makes them all plump and juicy.

I add my apples about 1 minute before the oats are done, that way they are still flavorful and are only slightly softened...cause I like a little bite to 'em.  Hmmm wonder what that says about my personality? 

I think I will just let that just lie there.

Open Letter To My Chickens...Dear girls,

This is an open letter to my beloved chickens...

Dear Girls,

I am writing this letter to say you have let me down.  All winter I have kept you warm and snug in your little chicken house.  I have kept your floor clean and your nest boxes filled with fresh straw.  I have made sure your water was free from ice and I fed you nothing but the best organic food I could find.  I brought you treats and hummed you little tunes.  All the while I waited...

As I visit other blogs I can not help but notice that others have chickens that have begun doing what they should to do seasonally, what they are depended on to do. Others have fresh, delicious, healthy eggs from their beloved chickens...

I must hang my head and admit that yes, I have egg envy.  My affliction is growing by the day until now I can not pass the egg section without being filled with anxiety and resentment.  Each time I reach for one of those cartons of generic, I don't know the chickens, how old are these anyway, eggs,  my heart breaks.

Why oh why do you toture me so?

 

What, what is this my dear chickens? 

A gift for me? 

Oh dear ones I love you so...thank you, thank you, thank you!

Love, Me

 

PS...It's about time!!!

Aren't they just lovely?   Yummmmm!

 

 

 

 

 

Are you being watched?

 

Look closely...

Can you see it?

Right there...

 

there is an alien's foot sticking up among the tenticles.

 

Look again...

The aliens see it from the darkness,

They are watching it...

 

They just might be watching you too!

 

There are 8 aliens watching from their dark hiding places...can you find them all? 

BTW... yes, I alread know I'm a dork...it is quite well known in these parts, now just a wider audience knows.

Your Questions about the Camel...Gizmo the Great!

I have had so many question pertaining to Gizmo over the short 6 months (6 months today to be exact!)  I've been blogging I have decided to try to answer them all here in one post. 

You asked and because I think so highly of all you I will try my best to answer honestly and with as little sarcasm as possible...remember I said I would try.

First for some general info...

Gizmo is camel, duh...oh yeah, no sarcasm, sorry!  

Gizmo is also Dromedary camel...one hump, as opposed to a Bactrian camel...two humps. 

He is also a male...thus the "He" at the beginning of this sentence. I suppose you might actually call him an 'it' as for the fact that he is no longer functioning as a male...I cannot even tell you how happy the female llamas are about that!!!

Now this is completely besides the point but did you know that there are some crazy people in Dubai that actually breed camels and llamas and get what they call a 'Cama'?  They were hoping to get an animal that is strong like a camel but sweet like a llama...so far all they've gotten is very ugly ill tempered Camas...guess you should just leave nature alone!  Here is a link if you want the whole sorted story!

OK where were we?  Oh yeah Gizmo is a he/it.  Now before you all get in a huff about me emasculating the big guy...he came to us like that, I was in no way involved with the dirty deed!  But from the folks I've talked to (yes I know other camel owners, crazy people) with fully functioning males I am so very glad that is is the way he is.  I know a lady that had to rescue her miniature donkey from under her male camel...oh my!!!  She no longer owns the camel!

Anyway...Gizmo is citizen of the US, he has never visited his ancestral homeland.  Which as I was researching this post is nowhere near Washington state, in fact...

 

So when he stands in his house and pouts at the rain and shivers at the snow it is understandable since our soggy, cold, foggy, damp weather is just not what he's made for...poor baby...pleeeze!

He eats grass, hay, and mixed grain along with...roses, heirloom tomatoes, and pygmy goats...

 

Now to your questions...

Does he sleep standing, lying or what?  He actually sleeps kneeling with his legs tucked underneath him.

Can you ride him?  CAN is not actually the right word..SHOULD you ride him would be the question.  Yes you can, no you shouldn't, and no I haven't...but my kids have.  Here is a link to the whole hilarious escapade

Does he act different from other large critters?  Not quite sure how to answer that.  Let's see if other big critters are stubborn, pushy, smart, and nosey...then yes he is just like other large critters.  Now if you asked if he was sweet like the llamas I would have to say no, he is not by any means sweet.

Does he spit?  Having not been raised in a herd of camels (he was raised in a herd of cows) he has never learned to spit.  Although I am surprised that the llamas haven't taught him the nasty habit but thanksfully they have not!

What is his favorite food?  Anything he thinks the other animals have and he doesn't!  Besides that probably apples cut into bite size chunks

How old is he?  I don't know for sure but I think around 15.  The life expectancy of a camel is 40 to 50 years so whichever kid inherits the farm is stuck with the camel too!

Which is his favorite animal on the farm?  Well besides himself , I would have to say the pygmy goat.  The llamas, although related to camels, seem to think he's a big pain in the arse and give him a wide berth when possible!  The Chickens ignore him as does the dog, cat, geese, ducks, and hampsters.

Because I love you all so much I am going to be responding all day to your questions...if you have anymore... and will update this post throughout the day. 

 

Oh and for some useless trivia...camels only have teeth on the bottom in the front of their mouth and top and bottom in the back of their mouth. 

Camels burp a lot and never say excuse me,

their breath smells nasty and they refuse breath mints,

they chew with their mouths open, even in the presence of ladies,

and as far as camel manners go...they have none!

Oh and one last things...he pees straight out behind him between his back legs...and doesn't care who is standing back there!

 

Next batch of ?'s...

How and most importantly why in the world do you have a camel?  Well here is the short version.  Our church purchased him for their wildly popular live nativity.  For insurance purposes they can't own him...something about liability...you think????  Anyhow we have been his legal guardian for years now.  For the whole story follow the linky!

How much does he weigh?   Ang just for you I put him on the scales this moring and my scale said "STOP THAT!!!"  sorry....he has been estimated at about 1200 - 1400 pounds, give or take an ounce or two!

Does he need to be vacinnated?  His worming medicine can be given by injection but last time we tried that he ended up with a broken needle in his hind end and the poor soul injection him had a bloody hand...now we give it to him orally.

Does he ever get a cold?  He is cranky most of the time so I never know if its a cold or just his personality...seriously I have no clue, if he has I don't know about it.

Do you need a special permit for him?  Ohhh I never thought of that, if so I don't have one.  Great thanks Warren now I'm going to be paranoid about getting locked up by the camel police!

Does he shed or grow longer hair for the winter?  Yes he does shed but it takes all dang summer and he finally stops shedding in November just in time to grow more hair.  Now he can grow quite a beard on his nect and we've had to keep it shaved...here is "If you can't kill'em...shave 'em"  for the explanation.

Does a large animal vet see him?  There is a vet about an hour from us in both directions both of whom will see camels...who would've though?

Is he manageble for the live nativity?  He has only escaped once and bruised a couple of finger, stepped on a few toes (literally) other than that yes he is actually quite cooperative.  It is getting him in the trailer to go to the nativity that is a nightmare!

No I'm not going to knit him a sweater I'm sure he would love it if I could figure out how to get it on him, lol!  Now Warren the plaster mold of his footprint is an interesting thought...and it does not surprise me at all that you though of it!!!

Sweet and Ladylike Choices...challenge update

After pouring over my favorite seed catalog, reading every description, comparing entries I have finally made my decision on my selection for the Seed to Seed Challenge....are you ready? 

I can hear you holding your breath in anticipation...

This is so exciting...

I can hardly wait to share...

Isn't the suspense just killin' you?

Here it is...

My long anticipated...

Challenge selection...

Taaaa Daaaaa!!!

 

SWEET MEAT...a Hubbard squash...a winter squash...a it has big seeds so I don't loose them squash!!!

You didn't think I would choose a carrot now did you with those itty bitty teeny weeny seeds?

I didn't think so, you all know me far to well for that!

 

Here is the description of my lovely squash to be...

"One of the heirloom treasures of the Northwest, Sweet Meat is still virtually unknown in the rest of the US.  This 10- 15 pound slate gray round squash is renowned for its superb keeping quality and unsurpassed rich, sweet flavor.  It makes the best pumpkin pie on earth!  Vigorous vines grow to 10 feet!"

Did you hear that?  The bestpumpkin pie on the planet, whooo hooo...I just love pumpkin pie!

 

How did she choose I can hearing you asking yourself

Well since you asked...here were my requirements for my selection,

It had to be open pollinated since hybrids most often don't stay true to the parent plant when kept from seed.

I wanted a heirloom variety with a long and impressive past...kinda like me snort.

I needed something that would grow here in my zone 8 Northwest garden.

Trying something new was important, I'm not one to grow much squash so this fit the bill.

Of course it had to be something my family would eat...since they've never met a pie they didn't like this seemed like a perfect choice.

And lastly it had to have BIG seeds, no tiny seeds for this queen of lost things!

So there you have it, my 2009 Seed to Seed challenge selection!

 

Oh yeah, one more thing...

 

I just had to try this one too!

"Not the most demure of squash, Lady Godiva boasts the most luscious, naked seeds.  These beauties are packed with absolutely hull-less, protein-rich seeds that are delectable raw or roasted.  Zealous plants will produce up to 12-15 squash each, and you can expect approximately 3 ounces of delicious, snacking seeds per fruit.  this squash's meat isn't' very tasty but they make extra-unusual jack-o-lanterns."

 

Luscious naked seeds... Not demure...  Zealous...  Delicious...

Now who could resist that?

So I am officially throwing two entries into the ring...call me wild...call me daring...call me Al.

 

Oh yeah, one more thing...

 

This is my all time favorite seed company.  They are from the Northwest, they have the greatest catalog full of super detailed info on all their seeds and plants.  Heirloom, rare, open pollinated, organic...they have them all as well as the latest hybrids.  They have signed the 'Safe Seed Pledge' which states they they will never knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants.  They also have 100% satisfaction guarantee.  So there is my little plug for Territorial Seed...gotta love 'em!

Now if you all will excuse me...I've got some squash to plant!

 

Oh yeah, its January...darn.

 

Tiny Bubbles...my personal photo challenge!

My sweet girl blows bubbles...a lot of bubbles!  For the longest time I have been trying to photograph her bubbles.  I cannot even begin to tell you how many pictures have gone into my computer's trash can with blurry bubbles in them. 

I have tried holding very still, I have tried chasing them, I have even stood on my head to capture them...ok not really but I'm just sayin'!   Still out of the hundreds of shots I have taken these are the few that survived.  Notice they are all either on the ground or still attached to the wand. 

One of these days I'm doing to catch one in mid-air...even if it takes another hundred shots!

All I can say is that goodness for digital photography, I'm not sure hubby would have understood developing rolls and rolls of film trying to get some shots of bubbles!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If any of you have any tips for taking pictures of bubbles I would love to hear them!

And for those of you thinking  "Who takes that many pictures of bubbles?" let me tell you it is more fun to take pictures than just stand their while sweet girl is yelling "Mama, look at this one its the biggest!" or "Mama, mama ohhh that one is so pretty...Mama, look, look!"

I figure since I'm there anyway might as well get the camera out!

Here is the 4th picture of the 4th boy

I was asked by Tessa over at Blunders with shoots, blossoms 'n roots to reveal my 4th picture in my 4th folder on my computer.  I have to warn you that at the time of this picture my baby boy was not even 1 and I was completely baby crazy so almost all my folders were filled with baby pictures (I had not started blogging yet) so here he is...

My 4th boy,

my last born,

my there is no way I'm pregnant, I'm too old baby,

my born too early, c-section scared me to death baby,

my teeny tiny 4 pounds lying in the incubator looking like a little old man baby,

my amazing suprise gift from God who better not grow up to give me a hard time in his teenage years 'cause I'm gonna be old baby,

my now almost 2 year old baby...sob

Alright,  I'm done...I'm off to find baby boy and give his fat baby cheeks a good squeeze!  Ohhh how I just love chbby baby cheeks, they are just the best, so soft and round and sweet...

OK, now I'm done...really!

I am.

Macro Camel

A few of you suggested that I turn my new macro lens on the camel...you do not know what you are asking.  First a macro lens is supposed to take pictures while kept still on a tripod preferably and the subject is supposed to stay still....yeah right!  I have tried and these were the only shots worth sharing.

Hey Gizmo...stand really, really still while I take your picture!

 

Did you know your ear looks just like that of a teddy bear?

 

 

Ughhh camel breath!

 

 

Oh what sweet brown eyes and those long lashes, you wouldn't know that there is such mischief hiding just beneath the surface!!!

A Good Morning for Great Granola...recipe

Sweet Girl just loves granola...well we all do but she especially.  I on the other hand hate the high price of good granola.  Making your own is so simple and satisfying...not to mention cheaper!  There are so many variations you could have a different kind ever day of the week and still not run out of ideas for great granola!  Today Sweet Girl chose her favorite, coconut with cinnamon and raisins!

For this recipe you will need

• 4 Cups Old Fashioned Oatmeal (not quick cooking)
• 1 Cup Wheat Germ
• 4 TBSP Brown Sugar
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
• 5 TBSP Vegetable Oil
• 3 TBSP Water
• 3 Cups total extras (we used raisins and unsweetened flaked coconut)

Extras that you could use:  slivered or sliced almonds, walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, chopped pecans or hazelnuts, dark or golden raisins, dried currants, chopped banana chips, chopped dried pineapple, dried blueberries or cherries, chopped dates or mini chocolate chips

Flavorings you could use:  cinnamon, ginger, almond extract, orange zest, vanilla extract

Liquid Sweeteners you could use:  honey, maple syrup,  molasses

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.

In a large bowl mix Oats...

 

Wheat Germ...

 

Brown Sugar...

 

Salt and Cinnamon...

 

and Coconut...

 

Mix it all together...

 

In small microwave safe bowl or small saucepan mix together...

 

Pure Maple Syrup...

 

Not forgetting of course to...

 

Lick the cup!

 

Whisk Syrup, Oil, and Water together and microwave for approx 1 minute until hot

or simmer on low in saucepan till hot.

Whisk again well and drizzle over dried ingredients...

 

Stir well...and place on lightly greased large cookie sheet (you may need two since you need to keep it away from the edges so you can stir it later without spilling) or jelly roll pan

 

Now if you are like me and like little lumps of granola instead of just looses granola here is a trick... 

 

Taking small handfuls at a time squeeze it into little lumps and place back in the pan...

 

Then you will have cute little lumps of granola...ahhhh!

Place in preheated oven for 30 minutes then...

 

Add any dried fruit you are using, in the case raisins, mix them in and place back in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until your granola is a deep golden brown.  Let cool completely and store in airtight container.  It will keep for two weeks...mine usually last about 2 days because...

 

Kids sure do like its crunchy yummy goodness!

 

So remember it is always a good morning for great homemade granola!!!

 

Modified from a recipe found at usaweekend.com

A 'Must Have' Winter Tool

Our snow is long gone.  But for those of you still blessed with the white stuff I thought I would pass along a small tip I learned during our little snow event.  I found what has got to be the all time best tool for use in the winter.  It is inexpensive, colorful, and most of all fun!

 

 

 

Yep, the humble sled...preferably purple...is the ideal tool for hauling wood,

 

 

hauling hot water for wimpy camels who don't like their water icy,

 

 

and it is just perfect for transporting bales of hay + small children...except

 

WARNING...do not ride standing up,  use with adult supervision,  do not ride into oncoming traffic,  always wear a helmet,  do not pull behind a motor vehicle,  not a flotation device,  and...

do not use to haul wood,

never use to haul hot water for camels,

and certainly under no circumstances use to haul hay with small children aboard.

 

 

Hey mama...next time you might want to read the warning before you put me up here!

 

Good Morning Mr. Moon

Just before I caught the elk invasion of yesterday's post I was out on the patio looking heavenward.  As I stood and watched the fog roll in over the valley I turned Westward and saw the morning moon...

 

Good Morning Mister Moon!

 

 

 

Standing in the exact same spot I looked Eastward just in time to see the sun make its appearance

 

 

 

As the sun rose farther into the sky it was soon enveloped completely by the fog...

 

 

 

Ahhh what a glorious morning.

As I turned around I saw something even more beautiful than the moon setting or the sun rising.  It was my own wonder of creation, my sweet last born child. 

 

 

Those green eyes pleading for me to come in.  Refusing to come out for fear of the elk. 

Then...

 

 

The story of my life...the perfect combination of the divine and the ridiculous!!!

Derelict of Duty...Camel style!

Having a camel is useful for two things.  He adds authenticity to our church's live nativity and he is to keep the elk out of his pasture.  I ask nothing more of the big guy...

 

Good morning Gizmo...whatcha doing?

Watching the elk.

 

 

Ah I see they're back.

Yup.

 

 

Hey, wait a minute...aren't those two on your side of the fence?

I suppose they are.

 

 

Well don't just stand there...chase them out!

Hmmm...well...nope.

 

 

LOOK you big dummy, they are all lining up to come over the fence!

I see that...no need to shout.

 

 

Ohhh they are going to wreck the fence...

Wow, that one can really jump!

 

 

and eat all the grass...I'm gonna have to buy more hay!

 I love hay!

 

 

Hey that one is just trying to push his way through!

I thought only I did that, chuckle

Very funny, now do something...

 

 

GIZMO!

Boy I wish I could jump like that!

 

 

Yeah that is what I need,  a jumping camel!

Do I detect a bit of sarcasm?

Just a tad.

 

 

Look you big good for nothing, even the baby elk aren't afraid of you!

 

I'm a lover not a fighter, what can I say!

Ughhhh...

 

A New Challenge...oh what have I done?

As I am new to blogging (less than 6 months) I have been intrigued by all the 'bloom days', 'sky watches' and such.  I have also been very interested in some of the challenges I have run across, although I have been hesitant to participate in any of them...

I must admit it is partly because I don't want t be held accountable to living up to the challenge and partly because I don't like failure particularly. 

So I have refrained from publicly committing  to any of the before mentioned challenges...until now.  Gulp! 

I have just committed to the following challenge...

   

Not only did I join...I happened to join the advanced edition ...ackkk!

Basically I have said I would grow from seed, nurture organically the seedling, harvest the fruit of the plant, whilst saving the seeds from said plant for next year.  Now isn't that a worthwhile goal?

I am also supposed to share with you, my lucky blog readers, my progress...sorry about that.  I will try my best to keep the camel from eating my challenge crop.

This may not sound like much to you organized superstars of seed-saving but for me... I'm lucky to locate the seed that I bought last week.  To put enough forethought into growing, harvesting, labeling, saving, and storing until next year some teeny tiny seeds is a monumental task for me,

Queen of Unorganization

Empress of Lost Things 

Ruler of Where Did I Put That?

Yes that is me

So I have committed to this worthy and worthwhile challenge, I have also committed to being organized in at least one small aspect of my life...wish me luck,

I will certainly need it!

I would like to thank Melinda at One Green Generation for this great challenge and Gardening 4 Life for her post about the challenge, which is how I found out about it to begin with...which may or may not prove to be a good thing...we shall see!

So stay tuned for next time I will unveil my choosen crop...I will make it a good one, promise!

A Girl Can Always Change Her Mind...Can't She?

I have always believed that cabbages were for eating.  They didn't belong in the front garden or in pots with other flowers.  I have always thought that to be rather odd that people displayed them like petunias or something, until...

 

My mom went on put one in her pot...oh my!  Now I don't suspect I'll won't be planting them any  time soon but I must say I have a whole new appreciation for the whole ornamental cabbage thing!

This Little Piggy Uses Straw Bales!

Good morning all my favorite blog readers!  Well I am done playing for now with my new toy and need to get a little work done while it is sunny here in the great NW.  First on my agenda is a new compost pile.  As the story goes with the three pigs, one uses bricks (I haven't tried this one), one uses wood (I have tried this),  while yet another uses straw, and since I'm not trying to keep out the big bad wolf ...I am going with straw bales, which after many different systems is still my favorite.  It keeps the compost warm and cozy, it is cheap to build, and after 2 to 3 seasons you have partially decomposed straw to either use as mulch or as starter for you next pile.

 

First decide where your straw bale bin will go.  It should be a relatively flat area that is not low lying as to collect too much water.  I'm going to put mine up against the garden fence, near both the raised beds and the chicken house.

 

 

Lay out your first layer of bales, with help from lovely assistant is always nice!

  I am shooting for an interior of about 4 feet square.  You can go up to 6 feet square but if you get much bigger it is much harder for air to reach the center.  Smaller than 4 feet and you don't have enough material to get it heated up properly.  I don't like huge piles for I'm making one a more manageable size for me.

 

We interrupt this program for a special addition of 'Super Straw Surfer'...

 

When last we saw our fearless surfer she was trying to ride the big bale...

Riding this killer bale proved to be a challenge for the super surfer...

 

She threw off her rain slicker to reveal her super power love shirt...

thinking this would surely help he in her quest for domination over the bale...

 

But alas this bale proved too much for our hero...

Stayed tuned to see if Super Straw Surfer can tame the west's wildest straw bale or whether she will be foiled again!

 

Now where were we?  Oh yeah we have our bales laid out and it is time to start filling

 

One of the ingredients I have is partially composted chicken manure

 

 

In this layering method I am going for a layer of brown and dried material followed by a more green moist material...if you have good garden soil or compost it is also good to add as a thin layer between the brown and green layers.

Here is the basic layering of this particular pile...straw, manure, straw, kitchen scraps, straw, manure, straw...etc.

 

 

Here I'm adding the kitchen scraps from the compost bin that has proved to be just too small for my needs...

 

Here it is for today, I'm going to water it well, cover it with a tarp to keep it warm.

 Tomorrow I will add another layer of bales and finish the pile in the exact way I did today.  In a month or so I will add another bin adjoining to this one...I'll use grass clipping, straw and...camel poo in the next one, what fun!

Pixie Cup Lichen...possibly...Definately, I think!

Lichen seems to be the most likely conclusion to what in the world today's post is.  I am still researching and will update this post as I find info.

Here is a link to what my lichen might be...then again I'm not sure, surprise!!!

I found another  great link to more kinds of lichen than I ever knew exsisted...although none match mine quite exactly...I'll keep on looking and keep you posted!

Update...I have concluded after an extensive search  that yes this is...probably...

Cladonia fimbriata or pixie cup lichen

thanks to this great site for the  pictures and information

 

 

Look what's 'Blooming'...What in the World?

 

Look at what I found.  Is it a tiny bloom?  It is not much bigger than a large pin head and was growing off the end of what looks like tentacles growing on the top of a fence post right along with some lovely moss. If any of you know what this is I would love to know.

  Here is a picture of the rest of it, no others were 'blooming'

 

I was sure I would have nothing to share for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, hosted by Carol of May Dreams Garden,  who knew I would find something on a fence post!

 

Grama's part 2...Dreamin' of Dahlias!

 

Is there a more exuberant flower?  If there is I can't imagine what it could be...big, bold, attention grabbing flowers. 

Yet another bloomer that I really love...in mom's garden.  I don't have any myself but love to visit her's and smile...oh yeah and take pictures!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make mine lipstick pink!!!

Down the hill, through the field to Grama's Garden we go!

I promised all of you,  a visit to my mom's garden and well I always keep my promises...unless it involves staying out of the fudge, but that is another post altogether!  So without further delay...

 

This is mom's house...it is darling with a tiny front lawn and abundant garden complete with white picket fence!

 

I am going to focus today on my favorite flower she grows...

 

Ohhh how I do adore hydrangeas! 

All of the following were blooms on the same day, same bush!

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

I can't think of another plant that gives you so much variety all on the same bush.  They are easy to grow, require little of the gardener yet give so much in return!

 

 

 

It's a Small World

I had planned on something different for today, had a post already to got but...

I received a new toy for Christmas, it just arrived due to snow and floods...poor Santa!  Hubby was generous enough to buy me a new macro lens...and oh my goodness gracious!  I just had to share my first pictures!!!

 

I worry I will never want to leave this small world...

 

 

Those are pine needles you see among the alien tentacles, that is how small these were!

 

 

Moss never looked so good...

 

 

Yes I'm in love with my new lens...

 

 

and this tiny new world it has opened up for me...

 

 

Thanks sweetie you hit it out of the park this time!!!

 

OK...knew I should have included this but was too lazy to go find my paperwork, so here it is!

The lens is:  Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro ED Lens for E1, E300 & E500 Digital SLR Cameras
it was purchased from Amazon and it goes onto my Olympus Evolt camera, which I love btw!

 

Deere don't run in the snow

Deere don't run in the snow...or at least this one doesn't, much to Baby Boy's frustration!

 

Come on tractor...let's go!

 

 

Hey, how come I'm not going anywhere?

 

 

Urrrrrghhhhh...

 

 

Fine I will just go backwards...Stupid tractor!

Even in Winter...

Even in winter when all is bare, leaves have gone, flowers have long faded yet...

...Nature still finds a way to make everything stunning!

 

 

1000th comment goes to...

Just a quick note to say how much I enjoy hearing from all of you.  I have laughed, cried, been encouraged and learned so very much from everyone that stops by.  I just wanted to let you know that the oh so very sweet ho hum housewife from the Village Voice has just left comment # 1000!  Joey if you will email me your address I will send you some homemade blackberry/grape jelly, organic and straight from this crazy farm of mine!

Thanks again...you guys are the best!!!  Kim

Fire, Ice and Everything's Nice

I am again indulging my obsession with snow and ice...it has since melted and been replaced with torrential rains so these photos take me back to a brighter, colder and less soggy time!!!

 

I woke up to the most gorgeous clear sunny sky a couple of weeks ago.  Everything was covered with snow and then topped with a crunchy layer of ice.  It made walking a bit dicey but taking photos when everything just shimmered in the early morning sun was a treat! 

Simply nature at its shiny best!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ice was so clear I could see my reflection...I just wish my legs were really that long!

 

 

Even old grumpy pants ventured out to enjoy the sunshine!