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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Friday, December 29, 2017

Snow, snow and more snow................

It came just before Christmas and stayed. It is beautiful that's for sure. Looks terrible when it melts and you see all the crap under it. Literally as well as figuratively. The poodles had a great time the last couple of days. Gerry cleared paths in the back so they could run. It's too cold to be out there. Has been in the negatives or just a couple of degrees above and with the wind chill it has been bad. So they go out and little feet get really cold. They come in on 3 legs. Still, the suns been out and they go out and yell at people walking by, chase each other and run back inside for a treat. I sometimes have to remind them before they get too cold and forget to pee.
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They are always looking for trouble. Brea and Bijou are the conspirators, the noise makers. Bodi, poor girl can't get down the steps on her own and it has been too cold for me to stand out longer than to fill the bird feeders. Have not seen many birds but the squirrels don't seem to mind the cold. I am afraid of slipping on the ice so dare not carry Bodi down last couple of days.
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I am always surprised to see my fish come Spring. The pond gets buried under a blanket, we keep the pump going. I am down to two fish now.
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At least the snow blower is working again. That means poodle paths stay open.
The garden will be a big mess come Spring. The snow covers the mess. I didn't take in the glass ornaments and they look pretty in the snow
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I left the wind chimes up too and will make more come Spring because I liked how they turned out. Oh the list of stuff to do keeps on growing
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Loads of work to do on the house. We need to sell the house that Laura was renting and then find out what we want to do with this one. To renovate or to sell? I was thinking of a smaller house. This one is too big. Thing is it is chock full of stuff. Every room. Five bedrooms and all the rest, even the storage and garage/shed are filled to the brim. However, to renovate it would be major disruption and work. Money. I would like to sell as is, let the new owner figure it all out.
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If we sell, will the new folks cut down the pines and undo the gardens?
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I liked the way the light was twinkling on the leaves of the oak tree.
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Well until the birds decide to come visit I probably won't have too many decent pictures. Roll on Spring.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

December 2017.........

The garden is dead, dead as a door nail. The snow is coming down every day. The next week may warm up to the 30s. The snow is piling up. Look at my rose bush, does it look happy
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Well what can I say, not a whole lot. The birds are not cooperating at all. I am getting Blue Jays and not much else. It has been so cold that I think they are all frozen to posts somewhere. The cats don't go out much so it's not that. Miss Bessie is a pissed off pussy cat. She does NOT like staying inside, but hates the snow. Boots goes out and comes right back in disgusted.
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The plants I brought inside are happy though, they are blooming with happiness.
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Some I cut way back and they are thriving. I put some upstairs but think I will have to move them because I keep forgetting to water them.
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I did get some cuties come in one day but that was about the only day
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The squirrels on the other hand, goodness. What pests they are. All varieties. I have bought critter food so guess I can't complain really. I need to put up another hanging feeder so the squirrels concentrate on the table tops and leave the hanging feeders alone. Yeh like that would happen.
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The poodles really don't mind going out when its not too cold, they get to run on the trails that Gerry makes for them. They have enough fur to keep them warm. Later on when there is way too much snow we close the gate to keep them on the deck.
Waiting for daddy
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I left most of my garden stuff outside this winter. Oh there is so much to clean up come Spring. When Gerry finally quits work he will have so much to do here he will wish he was working The garage needs to be emptied out. I can't do much in the garage because I can't see well enough. The glass bottles look pretty in the snow.
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I can make some more wind chimes come Spring. I may sell them in my yard sale given chance. I suppose that means I have to be productive this winter. I still have not got down to working on my quilts, the sewing machine is set up it's just not doing the job. Oh, well, I suppose it does need someone to actually run it doesn't it? I have been painting in my sketch book. That's my problem I get focused on one thing. Justin and Carrie want me to paint some pictures for them so there's that too..........I really must make the most of Winter right?