This blog is about my garden and the outdoors. I am new to photography but I am trying to show some of the pretty things that grow here in Michigan. I love the wild things who visit me and I dont mind if they eat a bit here and there. I like it more if they let me take their picture. As time goes on I think I will try to show you around the beautiful area that I live in as well as my garden. I try to use my own pictures as much as possible but will also use pictures from the web. If I inadvertently use your photo or work without permission please email me and I will remove it or give credit if you prefer. I will give credit when I know who the owner is. I would ask that anyone using my pictures do the same.
... I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.......Psalm23:6
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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Autumn decorations.............

We do not do Halloween. However I do love the Autumn decorations. I have found some cute ones. The front porch has been changed, that gives me a chance to clean up and freshen the look. The next change will be Christmas. Wow, not yet I hope.


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We have a bench and an old cupboard that I use for mail. A rocking chair too and odds and ends to fill the space. A small table is beside the bench. Next year it will have to all be painted. I am thinking of a nice turquoise, pale turquoise. Till then this is what we have to deal with. Red........
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A long view of the porch.

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Next year we hope to redo it. Close it off and gate it. This little visitor fitted in with the decor.

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Meanwhile inside, in the kitchen. I brought in a few pretty leaves.

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and set them in with some other decorations

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With my leaves added. Doesn't it look nice? It reminds me of when I was a child and we were sent to look for leaves to stick on a page and then name them. We also did a few other crafts with them, rather like bronze rubbing. Its quite effective.

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Linking with Make it Pretty Monday At The Dedicated House

Harvest time........

The full moon that rises this weekend is a special one, carrying the title of "Harvest Moon" for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere.
The moon officially turns full when it reaches that spot in the sky exactly opposite the sun, and this moment will occur Saturday (Sept. 29) at 11:19 p.m. EDT. When you gaze at the full moon this weekend, think of farmers working late into the evening to gather their crop, because that's how the Harvest Moon got its name.

The Harvest Moon allows farmers at the peak of the current harvest season to stay in the fields longer than usual, working by the moon's light. It rises around sunset, but also -- and more importantly -- the moon seems to appear at nearly the same time each successive night. (from an article by JOE RAO)

Painting by Henry Hillier Parker (Harvest Time)

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Harvest Time.........
See the moon with her golden glow?...
Now it's time to reap, not sow.
Her light illuminates the scene
Of people gathered on the green.
To get the harvest in the barns
Help is needed on the farms.
Creatures stir among the leaves
Disturbed by all activities.
The sheaves all stacked now in neat rows
Seeds soon gathered by the crows.
People soon will glean the field,
Take every scrap the land will yield.
JKS 2012

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

An afternoon in the life...........

So we peeled Tristen off the Ipad........he just loves it and as you see he is very relaxed with it. He seems to be able to negotiate pretty well for 3.

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We got him out in the garden. The pest. He was way too "helpful" he got into my stuff at the first opportunity.


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Then Bugged Granddad as he hung up my sunny face.
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So while helping Granddad he found his ball........woohoo.....
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So he and Granddad had a game of ball.....that worked out pretty good. First off for the poop scooping.

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...........and on with the game........
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Good kick Tristen......
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Granddads turn to kick.......

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So this lasted awhile until I started to water things.......and then he started to "help" me.


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Then on to the swings.........both swings
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He wanted his picture taken on both swings..........

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So thats an afternoon in the life of Tristen..............

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Autumn Fairy..............

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Gossamer wings in fairy rings
Listen as the pixie sings.
Voices ring through woods and fells
Enchanted dreams of magic dells.
Where fairies gather at dusk to play
At least that's what the old ones say.
Seldom seen by mortal eye
Hidden by the twilight sky
Seek out the fireflys at night
You may see them by their light.
When the morning mist departs
You may find they left a mark.
Fairy rings in fairy bowers
You will find in early hours.
JKS SEPT 2012

Monday, September 24, 2012

Autumn Days.......JKS

Autumn-Colors

Autumn Days...


Blustery days as Autumn starts
Revival of our sun baked hearts.
Gone the dog days hot like steam,
Brings in the cool and crispy clean.
Shakes off the leaves that died from heat
Making them crunchy under feet
Now the colours brightness brings
Milder sun and Autumn things'
Apple cider, crunchy pears
Hayrides, pumpkins and farm fairs
Pleasant walks in field and woods
Taking home natures goods
Acorns, Beech nuts squirrel treats
Stored for winter as Fall retreats
Soon the long cold winters here
With harsh conditions for the deer.
Meanwhile we can still impart
The joys of Autumn in our heart.
(JKS Sept 2012)

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It was such a lovely cool and blustery day today I had to write this poem. The pictures were off the web as our leaves have yet to change


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Sunday, September 23, 2012

End of September............

We finally have some cool weather and rain. Ah its so nice to go outside and be cool. I have transplanted some ivy, fixed up the patio and dug up almost all of the back gardens. Just a little more to finish and then on to the front. As soon as it stops raining.
The Aster seems to be the show piece at the moment.


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The bees are still busy.......


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Mum's are coming into their time..........these two are new ones, the ones in the ground are about ready to bloom.



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This guy looks sort of surprised to see me.

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The cat of cause is up to no good as always...............been hanging out by the pond. Hmmmmm

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The bird houses are all dressed up

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Sedum is looking pretty

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I put in Pansies to cheer things up, I would have got more but its been raining.
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Not much else going on at the moment. I think the garden is about at the end for this year........I just hope we don't get snow for awhile.



God's Fingerprints...........

God's Fingerprints

God has signed his signature
Across the midnight sky,
His hands have placed the stars in space
Beyond the naked eye.
On snowflakes, birds and butterflies
And waves upon the sea,
On seashells on the sandy shore
His fingerprints we see.
Mountain peaks and singing streams
The clouds, the earth, the land,
Each living thing all bears the stamp
Of his creative hand.
In colour, texture and design
On blossom, bud and tree,
He leaves his hallmark everywhere
For those with eyes to see.

Kathleen Gillum
Courtesy of Link Magazine

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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Anonymous...........

I do so love to hear from people who read my posts on all my blogs. I must apologize to those who sign as Anonymous, I can not bring myself to answer your posts simply because I am trying to avoid "spam" and virus's............If you are legit, please sign a name of some kind because I do truly appreciate your comments.
Janice

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Boscastle.............and around..

We stopped for a time in Boscastle as it was near where we were to spend the night. Some pictures of the gardens there showng some lovely flowers.
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They seem so big...........
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Look at this beauty

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There are many old horse troughs still around and they make such lovely planters
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On a pond that we passed we saw this beauty.
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Fall is on the way............
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One place we stopped to eat outside, the Sparrows were happy in yes another horse trough, but there was a cover on it so they could get in and splash. Here happy in the sunshine. This was a pub garden and under the barn eaves were Swallows nests with babies in.
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Wild Foxgloves..............
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We ate at the Westleigh Inn that night............it was very good.Liz looking at the "specials"

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.....and tucking in. Can't remember what we had but it was good.



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Then back to the Bed and Breakfast until tomorrow.

Monday, September 17, 2012

September Garden............

I have been working on the garden the last several days. The weather has been so beautiful,cool and sunny. I have got a lot done.
One thing I have noticed that the birds are moulting. They look terrible and have for a month or so.

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The Mountain Ash was so full this year. It's now berry less. A whole flock of Robins have been stuffing their faces and its all but bare now. This Robin is looking a bit better than it was but the Blue Jays and Cardinals have not replaced their feathers yet. They have bald heads. At first I thought there was something wrong but I don't think so now. I think they are just getting their winter coats.

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These little birds, Tufted Titmouse are looking as cute as ever though.
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There's not a lot to show in the garden now, but I got the patio stones filled in. Still not looking its best but its cleaned up at least.
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It seems bigger though
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I have my garden broken down into rooms. The Patio is one. The deck another. The deck is more private because of the shrubs around it.
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For some reason people do not seem to like the Grakel but look how beautiful they are.

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Then the Squirrels are extra busy collecting nuts and burying them. My neighbour Bud is on the warpath and is after my Skunk.
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The Asters are blooming. I have brought the remaining Geraniums around to the back so we can enjoy the colours for a little longer.

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I have pink Asters and White Asters and have a deep purple one as well.

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The pond is also doing well and I still have 3 fish.
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The little corner with St Francis is growing in this year. I am trying to use things that spread and it would look just so much better if we could put in a real fence
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The Morning Glory did so well when we put it in the ground and I just wish it would come up again next year. We shall see but if it doesn't I will get another.
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So as summer winds down and Fall is just around the corner. I must start to plan for next year.