Hibernation

What else is there for an old dog to do when there is a gadzillion inches of snow outside?

An Uninvited Winter Resident

We have apparently rented out the lower level under our deck for the winter. This is a good place to hunker down because not only is it warm under there, the restaurant is right outside the entrance.

Who, do you ask, is the tenant?

It is Mr. Bunny! -- the nemesis to the canine who lives in this house. The fact that Mr. Bunny pops up for a daily nosh or two just about drives Jack out of his little rat terrier mind. It is really torture of the highest order for the little guy.

As you can see -- breakfast, lunch, and dinner are just outside his living quarters, and about 4 feet from our large kitchen window. You will also note the trees in the background are wrapped with burlap so they do not end up on the menu. Mr. Bunny is cute, but come spring I'll be less than thrilled with his presence as he chows down on the flowers as fast as they emerge. Until I started to garden I never understood why Mr. MacGregor had it in so bad for Peter Rabbit. I totally get it now.

~ Yes We Did ~

It's a new day America!

We've got work to do, so let's get busy.

My Favorite Gadget

Apples are in mass abundance around here and October is apple pie making time. Whoever invented this apple corer is a genius in my books. I've had this gadget for over thirty years and it is still going strong.

Guess what we are having for dessert tonight.

Fall Colors

Autumn is my favorite time of the year because the colors of nature are incredible. I wish it lasted longer than a couple of weeks.

Look who sneaked into the blog :)

Splish Splash

Whatever is this splashing blue object?

It was Mr. Bluejay taking a bath. I finally got a photo of this blue jay at a good angle. Bluejays are so skittish so I have to take the photo from a corner kitchen window. The angle makes it difficult and the glass always gives a greenish cast. I get such a kick out of watching bluejays bathe because they do it with a lot of screeching and with even more gusto than robins -- and that's a lot of gusto!

Snippets of Abstraction Seen Around the Yard

After the Rain

A rainy day today -- steady, soaking, warm.

In a word - perfect!

~ Last Bloomers ~

I wait all summer for this elegant Anemone.

~

Another unique late bloomer -- Chelone, also known as turtle's head. The saw-toothed leaves are a deep teal color.

~ Birdwatching ~

Careful or you'll get wet Jack! Only seconds earlier this little guy below was splashing away.

~

A very wet and noisy Blue Jay

Summer Transformation

Remember this little American Cranberry tree from the Spring filled with blossoms?

Just look at it now covered in beautiful red berries, which I might add are the stinkiest, skankiest, foulest tasting and smelling berries in the world -- not even the Cedar Waxwings will eat them. They do make for wonderful winter interest when the snow and frost cover the landscape though.

A Squatter -- Literally!

Squatting just as comfy as she can be -- a common nighthawk was sitting on top of the clothesline this morning. This is only the second nighthawk I have seen in the yard, the last one a couple of years ago.

Not phased one iota by my presence or a camera in her face.

~ A River Runs Through It ~

C'mon little buddy, I'll teach you how to fly fish.

Mushroom Forest

It's hard to believe the roots from a weeping birch tree we took out nearly ten years ago are still producing mushrooms. These guys popped up overnight after a soaking rain. They were gone when the sun hit them.

Apple Pie?

Or applesauce, or apple strudel, or apple butter, or apple crisp, or apple cider, or apple turnovers, or just pain crunching into a fresh apple.

What a bumper crop!

~ Happy Photo Accident ~

I was taking a photo of this Hackberry tree we are going to plant in the front yard to replace the Canadian chokecherry that had to be cut down due to disease. This monarch butterfly flitted into the frame and subsequently landed on my extended camera lens. :) [click to enlarge the photo to get a better view]

~ BLT ~

Guess what we are having for lunch today. Actually, we will be having TLM's [tomato, lettuce and mayo] since we are vegetarians, but oh how I love this time of year when one can pick a tomato right from the vine and bite in while it's still warm from the sun. mmmmm...

August ~ Summer's End

Another beautiful showing from the shade garden.

Get Lost!

Try as I may, this bratty Basenji will not cooperate with the camera. It's such a shame because he is so photogenic. This was the best of about 100 shots I took on this beautiful July morning. You can just read his mind in the second one --

"Leave me alone!"

On The Other Hand

My faithful old Rat Terrier will do anything to please and glady sit for the obligatory photo. Good boy.

Like a Thief in the Night...

Jack's youth was gone. Suddenly, he just got old and it makes me sad. He still loves to play with his tennis ball but the rest periods come more frequently and last longer. Is time flying by so fast for everyone or is it only me who feels the years pass at warp speed?

It Was Time

After ten years in this house it was time to spiffy up the mailbox. Actually, I needed to re-purpose some daylilies, cranesbill, and petunias. Enough thank yous can never be said to my sweet husband for all of his help and hard work.

Dueling Didgerydoo-Doo's (Video)

Our grandson, Solomon, loves the Didgerydoo and is having a DDD with his dad. (DidgeryDooDuel). Turn up the volume on your speakers. :) Is this too cute for words!

Sometimes, when you least expect it...

You capture that near perfect picture. Click on photo to view larger.

~ Misc. ~

Cleome

Paprika Yarrow
(a pretty weed)

A nice place for a couple of begonias to hang out .

~ Blue and Purple ~

Spiderwort

Lamium

Celmatis

It has been a very strange spring/summer. Last year I hardly had any blue, purple or violet flowers ~~ this year they are taking over the place. I'm not complaining.