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
If you do not have a blog and wish to comment (I love comments) you can join google and comment via that, It's free

Thursday, June 30, 2016

End of June.........................

Today in the garden we had a family of Chickadees. They had to have left the nest a few days to a week ago. They can fly but they hang around in a little gang and the parents feed them. They were getting lessons on the use of the bird feeders today. Cute little buggers.
 photo 103_4593j_zpsmdmbydjz.jpg
This is how it's done says mum
 photo 103_4591j_zpscn15mo1f.jpg
They were out the front for a time in the Pine trees.
 photo 103_4631j_zpsxuuzvn1g.jpg
She took a moment for herself and had a bath.
 photo 103_4632_zpsgizuhvmb.jpg
Meanwhile out back the kids were chirping in the trees hoping for another morsel.
 photo 103_4594j_zpsrvosth3l.jpg
 photo 103_4589_zpsw46r8jjy.jpg
It was a matter of dodging them as they flew hither and yon, not being particularly careful. One year I got hit by one and it landed on my shoulder. Wonderful experience.
A few of the day lillies are blooming. I will do another flowery post later.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Wildflowers...............

Who is to say what is a weed and what is a flower. Not me. Wildflowers are just as beautiful as any garden flower.
This was down by the pond today, there were more of them than last week when I thought they were about done. I must find some yellow ones.
 photo 103_4798j_zpsnmp4kfxn.jpg
The fields look so pretty with daisies and buttercups and cow vetch etc.
 photo 103_4769_zpsjhijvw3t.jpg
 photo 103_4767h_zps4mcyqify.jpg
There were a great many little bugs and butterfly amongst them.
 photo 103_4734h_zpschdfgk5a.jpg
 photo 103_4733_zpsj4tthlqr.jpg
Clover and many other things smelt so good.
 photo 103_4729j_zpszf2zyhif.jpg
 photo 103_4728k_zps7tdjvvjp.jpg
Some things I can not name, most I can. Those I can not I do not look up, I used to. Perhaps I should as I am teaching the kids the names of the trees the flowers and animals. So I should really educate myself.
 photo 103_4727k_zpsvmzb9f19.jpg
This one is from my garden but grows wild out there in the fields.
 photo 103_4720_zpsubiydc29.jpg
I love seeing the unmowed places along with the large mowed meadows for people to play in. This is a nice park, we go there often. The path is great to walk on but also for kids to roller skate, bike or use the scooters. We did that a few times last year. Let them go while we walked.
Down by the pond I got some nice pictures of dragon fly and other pretties.
 photo 103_4791k_zpswren824s.jpg
 photo 103_4794j_zpsgpofx5aq.jpg
 photo 103_4789j_zpsuux8anpo.jpg
 photo 103_4795h_zps2jwotf2e.jpg
It is difficult to get those critters to sit still and the frogs all jumped in before we could see them. Better luck next time.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Its hotter than a biscuit..............

It's certainly "flaming June" at the moment. We had some lovely days of temps in the high 70s and no humidity. This last couple have been up in the 80s, way to hot for me. I did manage to do some work though. I finished the front finally. Did the back and redid some of the gardens out there. Now the front needs doing again. We had several bouts of rain that made everything grow.
My tomato plants are too close to each other but I can't move them now. The squash may not have enough sun. Those are in a very large tub but it would be moveable if I have to. I don't want to.
Debbie gave us her bird feeder that was made by her dad, he delivered it for me. The house is getting ready to be sold and she didn't want to leave it. It is a beautiful job, it will be really nice for the winter.
This guy came to visit today, he must have taken a bath
 photo 103_4709k_zpsnpm2rryf.jpg
 photo 103_4708j_zpskgbx5dzj.jpg
He saw me watching
 photo 103_4707h_zpsohq9n4a4.jpg
But carried on preening.
 photo 103_4705h_zpsai8oyjql.jpg
The bird house is really big and will hold a lot of seed. Trouble is it also restricts the view for taking pictures. I will hang feeders as well so not too worried. A pair of little Woodies stopped by but didn't stay
 photo 103_4713a_zpshh1cgpx3.jpg
The Day Lillies are beginning to bloom. I enjoy it when they come out because I have a few different kinds. I want to get more when I can.
 photo 103_4722_zpseptep8sj.jpg
The vegetable garden is growing OK but I really don't think it will be too productive. The tomato plants are too close and the peppers are still quite small. Because it's been so hot I have had to water twice a day with the sprinkler and hand water as well. I think tomorrow I will feed everyone again.
One success has been the Roses this year. My old farm rose has bloomed well with several blooms and more buds. The first time since I transplanted it and the first in many years prior to that. My yellow rose is doing really well. Planted last year it didn't do much then, but this year is covered in blooms. The new one from this year struggles on, if I can keep it alive maybe it will do well next year.
 photo 103_4716_zpsxlkfnr50.jpg
This one was new last year and didn't do much but has caught up this year. So far I have avoided Black spot.
 photo 103_4639_zps6gjzaek3.jpg
I have a few other roses that I may transplant this Fall. They are not doing well where they are and so I will move them in with the others that are doing well.I must keep the light best I can by trimming the pines each Spring.
I cant afford to buy new plants anymore so I must make good use of what I have. I took some Hosta from places where they had all but given up and moved those in the hope of them filling gaps in other gardens. Next year I will have to thin out some of the big ones. A few other plants came up this year. Since trimming the pines it seems to have helped. I hope so.
 photo 103_4692g_zpsyxdntemn.jpg
I do know I will get some Sweet William seeds and plant for next year. Buds next door are doing really well.
 photo 103_4697g_zpslaxjzelk.jpg
Its good to see plants reach maturity. I have had to thin out so much that I feel bad, I have always liked plants that spread, but now I know why that's not always a good thing.
I found this feather, isn't it pretty?
 photo 103_4629_zps48ov3i7t.jpg
This is a weed, it's not in a good place but I will let it bloom before pulling it out. It's pretty.I see no point in destroying things because it's a weed.
 photo 103_4720_zpsubiydc29.jpg
The fish are still living, they enjoy some glass balls I put in the pond and they love the roots of the Iris to hide in.
 photo 103_4718_zpsel4968eh.jpg
The girls lay in the sun and watch me water the garden by hand, I fill up the fountain so the birds have a bath and keep the water moving.
 photo 103_4712_zpssudnqhgh.jpg
There wont be much to show now until the Lillies bloom. Meanwhile I can weed out some of those over zealous plants that will choke out the others. I am hoping for some more cool days to work in.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Almost Summer......................

The garden is full and lush now. I have been feeding it. I have done all I can do now except maintenence. I finished the back and it just looks so much better with everything thinned out. I notice that I need to get back out front now because weeds are coming up and the plants I pulled have spread again. At least now I know what else needs to be thinned as they are at fullness now.
 photo DSCN6443_zpslui41vdr.jpg
The baskets are filling in too. I planted seeds in two baskets. I use the old antique ones when I can find them.
 photo DSCN6442_zpskva9xbw1.jpg
 photo DSCN6441a_zpsg7hagcfe.jpg
I planted my mini roses from Jason and they and my other roses are doing good this year. I have never had luck with roses but this year seems to be a good one. I sprayed them early on and put powder on some that looked like they may have aphids. I hate to do that but, well, sometimes needs must.
 photo DSCN6438aj_zpsxeq8d4j1.jpg
 photo DSCN6365j_zpsfg9z60db.jpg
 photo DSCN6401k_zps2ycnt8xz.jpg
I love this rose
 photo DSCN6402j_zpsimqu4l82.jpg
The old Farm rose bloomed this year. It has more buds too
 photo DSCN6358h_zps4lgchm9m.jpg
The Foxglove came back from last year and I saw it has two babies yeahhhhh. I love them, so I hope this years new pink one will flourish.
 photo DSCN6408_zpsyqtdyfod.jpg
 photo DSCN6407j_zpsfoohnbld.jpg
The "pinks" are doing really well
 photo DSCN6413h_zpsyt7bnq5d.jpg
Also the Sweet William that came back from last year. I could not believe how well that did.
 photo DSCN6486l_zpsvs3npyoh.jpg
 photo DSCN6485kki_zpsdrziknat.jpg
This is one of the things I pulled out. I left a few bunches that I staked because they fall flat at some point and are a mess. I do love the colours though, a lovely violet colour and shocking pink.
 photo DSCN6440j_zps6vculu4s.jpg
These yellow flowers spread like crazy so I pulled a whole bunch of those. Left some here and there and they have already spread and will need thinning again. Garden work is never done
 photo DSCN6474j_zpswn4icnqh.jpg
I see that some of the Day lillies are in bud, that will be next. Summer is on the way and then it will be gone all too soon. The Azaleas are done but the Hydrangeas are about to bloom. Always something. I like it when everything blooms at the same time and all the bees come around.
 photo DSCN6477j_zpsmfvmybyn.jpg
The Hens and Chicks have flowers.
 photo DSCN6484k_zpsyy9ojhfn.jpg
 photo DSCN6484h_zpsrjjeewux.jpg
 photo DSCN6484s_zpsssgngfyq.jpg
My helper got hot too quickly
 photo DSCN6479k_zpsctl4sekx.jpg
I love to take close ups
 photo DSCN6512k_zpso2t1mepq.jpg
 photo DSCN6512q_zpsipi8kz7q.jpg
A few other pretties
 photo DSCN6499h_zps3phihwfd.jpg
 photo DSCN6498_zpsw9wfwc6v.jpg
 photo DSCN6504h_zpst1cj9bxw.jpg
Look at the light through these leaves, isn't it wonderful
 photo DSCN6513_zpsrkzfmgaw.jpg
See everything through different eyes, see the light on leaves and shining on a flower. It's fantastic. Nature is so beautiful. I have a pot on the porch with Pansies and some sweet potatoe vines and pink Petunias.
 photo DSCN6493j_zpssl71azoh.jpg
 photo DSCN6492j_zps1epo4lui.jpg
I may have found the right spot for my Lavender, it has a bloom on it. I have not planted it yet, I am waiting to see.
 photo DSCN6482f_zpsbehdh2xg.jpg
Meanwhile. I have once again moved the sand box. Tristen insists on digging along the side of the house by the road. So that is where the sand box is for now. I trimmed the shrubs back and put his tent there too. He has a nice little area all his own. I am keeping him out of the gardens as he insists on smashing things. I have had enough. He is banished haha. I will get some woods chips to make it look reasonable and then let him have that spot for now.