~ Turtle's Head ~

My Turtle's Head was unremarkable this year, but the reflection in the birdbath is pretty cool.

~ I'm Thinking Tomato Rosemary Focaccia ~

One of six plants. I can't find enough people to give away these tomatoes. As much as I didn't want to this year -- canning may be in my future yet.

~ Growing Apple Pie ~

This apple tree is eight years old and has been producing fruit for the last seven.
It is about three to four weeks from having ripe apples.
Our beloved Basenji's, (Jessie and Dan) ashes have been spread under and around this tree.

~ Anemone ~

I wait all year for this plant to bloom!

~ Cherry Cobbler #6 ~

I have a LOT of sour cherries this year.

~ Althea Grace ~

Althea Grace and Nana Deb

Poppa Mike and Althea

Born August 5, 2010. 7 lbs. 4 oz.

~ Sour Cherry Jam ~

Four of twenty-one pints... and I've just begun.

~ Sour Cherry Jam and Pie in the growing stage ~

~ Zen Bath ~

~ A Welcomed Rainy July Day ~

A rainy day takes the color of nature to a new level.
And the smell of rain is intoxicating.

~ A Beautiful July Day on the Prairie ~

~ Watch Out Boys ~

Future Heart-breakers...

~ Yard Art by my Peeps ~

Our beautiful granddaughters visited us this summer and left us not only hearts filled with love but also a yard filled with their whimsical eclectic art. Thank you Mia and Lil!!

~ Lil and Jack Hanging Out ~

~ Mia and the Cooper's Hawk Fledging ~

This fledgling was named after Mia.

"Wonderful Mia"
WM is on its leg band.

~ Yard, Garden, and Art -- 2010 ~,

A bit of a tweak on the deck art. Who knows what it will look like next year. I think this is a continuous, never ending painting on plywood.

We have not have much luck growing a shade tree for the deck. This will be our third attempt and so far so good with this Laurel Leaf willow. I hesitate to get too optimistic because one straight-line could take it out in a blink of an eye. I sorely regret cutting down the huge, but messy crab apple tree ten years ago. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

He looks like he is innocently sniffing the chicken wire for traces of rabbit, but what Jack is really doing is eating the beans! There are no peripheral beans this year. Since we took down the bigger fence this has been a buffet for Jack.

My beautiful weeping caragana split down the middle with the heavy wet snow this past winter. We tied it together and put melted beeswax along the seam. So far, so good. I would not be happy to lose this ornamental.

The tomatoes are doing great. They are about 4-5 feet high and make the basil plants look like bonsai basil.

After a slow start and a lot of rabbit damage (as in chomped down to the ground), the yard and garden are finally growing.
Nice photo of old man Jack also.

~ Thinking of Summer ~

The winter is getting long and very white.
I need this photo to keep me focused on warmer
and greener days ahead.

~ Spirals ~

~ Nicely Piled ~

Contemplation -- Jack style.

Marking Time by the Fridge

2006

2007

2008
2009 (photo actually taken January 2010)
Swollen cheek due to boo-boo, and a bedhead hair-do to make this less than a perfect photo op.