Artistic raking

One really MUST

have fun while raking leaves, right?

I did feel kind of nerdy

when I took a photo of it, though.

 

{29 October 2012}

Yardening

If you look closely,

you'll be able to tell that this photo was taken

awhile ago.

Believe it or not, though,

it was just one month ago...

that the trees were this leafy.

And green.

 

 

The photo was taken to show how much

greenery came off the

flower (my dad called it a bush!) on the left.

It WAS as big as the one on the right.

And FLUFFY!

Check out how full the wheelbarrow is.

Ah well, the outdoors entertains me well.

 

{September 2012}

Bad growing season?

I've been hearing this and that

here and there

off and on

about it being a bad year for gardens

in our area of Muscatine.

Well, the tomatoes must like this guy...

They're taller than him

AND all over the garden.

{September 2012}

Back at the hive {nest?}

Well,

It looks like a beehive hairdo.

So. I shall dub it hive.

Yes.

This precious little creation

is hanging out in the crabapple tree.

Literally.

{August 2012}

Leftunders

Sometimes, leftovers can be inspiring.

And pretty, even.

{July2012}

Garden friend

I found this dude in the garden

one night while I was watering.

{July2012}

Oh, deer.

Yes,

The deer had a nice time

using my garden as a salad bar

one night.

I have now learned of the power of

putrescent egg solids

in the form of

Liquid Fence.

{31 May 2012}

Wildlife in the lilacs.

Come on!

You know you thought it.

But its not what you thought...

its only some pretty bugs!

 Butterfly

 and Hummingbird Moth...

sipping nectar

And with its proboscus curled.

Sooo neat!

{May 2012}

Conversation with a goose

A lovely trip to

Anderson Japanese Gardens

in Rockford.

 In which le Kiwi speaks to a goose. Nicely.

 And we see lovely dogwoods.

 Cascading water.

 Pose with our momma.

And contemplate the possiblity of adding water features to our own gardens.

{May 2012}

Poppy!

I recieved a new camera lens recently.

And had fun playing with it a bit.

Before using it for its real purpose.

{April 2012}

Spring.

I'm looking through these photos and realizing something.

I took these exactly one month ago today.

The same day that I went hiking and got sweaty.

Because it was 80°.

On March 17th.

Now, at the normal time for them to bloom,

the redbuds and crocii are all done.

But they were pretty while they lasted!

{March 2012}

Internet obsession

Oh where, oh where have I been?
Certainly not off the internet. Oh no.

I've been exploring the glories of time travel.
On...Gardens of Time. Its bad.

And feeding my knit addiction.
On...Ravelry. Its quite lovely.

I do have posts planned.
They will be forthcoming.
When this obsession is under control.

What's been keeping me home.

I don't know how many of you would believe me

if I told you that I had to take my garden from

something looking like this....

To something looking like this.

(Please note the far background of this photo.

Yes, the overgrown-ness IS in the neighbor's yard.)

BUT, it felt like that's what the gardens all looked like

when I got back from my most recent trip.

So, I've been on a self-imposed stay home penalty

until the gardens got cleaned up.

And guess what?

My goal has been realized.

Hurrah!

{July 2011}

Dewdrop

Remember?

Way back in May, when we were wondering

if all the plants were going to get frosted...

so we'd go out every night and cover them.

And again every morning to uncover.

And we'd see things like this.

Aaaah.

{May 2011}

Planting

Ranunculus

Except now they look like brown sticks.

And I did water them.

Is this normal?

English Daisies

They still look prettttty!

{May 2011}

Orchid show

Have I ever mentioned that I like orchids?

A lot.

This show at the Chicago Botanic Gardens was almost overload.

I did come home with just a few new plants.

{March 2011}

Late 'maters

These lovelies...picked 21October10.

Mystery Trip- Final day

After meeting on Sunday, we went to a...*gasp* CHAIN restaurant for lunch.

It was called Abuelos.

It was fairly good, but not as memorable as the other two 'special meals'.

Our final plan for the day: the Madison Botanical Gardens.

They were having an African Violet show.

The voilets were pretty, but the people were not overly excited about their wares.

Outside, we found dahlias.

I think I'm going to have to add some of these beauties to my garden.
A pagoda.
Its even more impressive up close.

Lovely ladies strolling through the garden.

And furry creatures.

What a trip!

10-10-10

Vertical gardens {and more}

My amiga Heidi discovered this place awhile back and told me I HAD to go.

I was glad I did.

Except, now I need a vertical garden...filled to the brim with succulents.

Or a car planter.

Teeny-tiny, but glorious.

Succulent flowers.

sigh.

22Sept2010

San Francisco Ferry Market

When I got to San Francisco, the Ferry Building usually ends up as a trip feature.

There are some neat shops inside,

but the farmer's market is a large pull.

We went on a Thursday, when its not nearly as large as the Saturday market.

But the produce was still lovely.

And appealing.

And piled high.
23Sept2010