close ups.........

I do so love getting close up shots. Its amazing what details lie within a flower. I took Tristen for a stroll up the ally. I took pictures of things I found beautiful
These tulips growing in Bud's garden. Lovely colour

No idea what this is but at first I thought it was a Tillium but its not

Beautiful colour this Iris........

The money plant has a lovely colour

The close up on this begonia brings the colour out perfectly

Along the ally is a horse barn, back from the days when horses were kept in town. When we moved into this house we were told the old lady had the windows in the sitting room cut down short so she didnt have to look out on the horse mess outside. Its nice to see some of the barns still intact

The blossoms are beautiful


There are many beautiful things in the gardens along the ally. I will have to go again another day.
Linking up with Cottage Style

My Fish.....

I have been sitting outside enjoying the cool sun. I was sitting by the pond. Well, I have put two glass balls in there, the kind that you fill with water and stick in a plant. I didn't want them for that reason and as the stems tend to break, well I put them in the pond.

Well as I sat there, I began to take notice of the fish. They were playing.

At first I didn't understand what they were doing, but the biggest one kept flipping the stem of the ball with his tail. It made it move.

Then I began to watch more careful and I could see that they were all 3 of them pushing the balls with noses and flipping them with tails. The balls would move around the pond and back together again.

I cant believe the pictures came out so clear. I wasn't able to catch them in the act but still..........

Anyway my fish have done well, they survived a bad winter, a long winter. I think keeping the pump running so the water kept moving helped. They grew larger during the winter unbelievably.

I started off with a tank full of goldfish that I brought in during the first winter. That worked well. They got eaten by some critter or other. Those all had names. The next batch had names too. They died because I messed up and put water from the hose in the pond, I forgot it had fluoride in it.
Then last year I got these 3. There were 7 to begin with and at the end I thought there were only two survivors. Come to find out there are 3 and they get along well. I sure hope they are smart and stay alive. They have places to hide. I put a 1/2 bird bath top in there and it makes them a cave.

So if I can keep Boots the cat away and no Raccoons come around, if these guys survive summer I may name them. They also love to jump over the water that comes out of the pump. I can not believe how playful they are.They are happy fish.

Sharing this with A Dedicated House Also linking with Rose Chintz cottage

In the Garden again......

Oh the joy of being outside. It was still a bit nippy today. I did get all the things potted that had to be. I also finished the weeding. Tomorrow I have to get a few things in the ground. That means digging, while digging I must get the borders straight. It should be a bit warmer tomorrow. That means I better get out there early. It was warm in the sun today but cold in the shade. Still a chance of frost tonight. The weather person said this should be the last of it. I am not going to cover stuff again.

Here are a few pictures from today. The Geranium came out nice I thought. Here is a Trillium still blooming, the sun makes it look so pretty.

I have weeds in my garden. These are so pretty I just leave them and cut them back when they are done flowering. They are as pretty as anything I grow on purpose. Why not leave them?

I also leave the Dandelions and cut them before they go to seed. However they too have their own beauty. Every child enjoys a Dandelion clock

I have often used old chairs in the garden. This one has no seat and so a piece of board holds the planter. Why waste a good chair by throwing it away.

This next idea is using some old plates as bird baths. I had several of the stands around, normally used for plants. Some old ones had to be painted but turned out nice. I used those on the deck.

This little cart is home made. I bought it many years ago at a garage sale. It's sort of delicate now, but it still makes a pretty planter.

Mrs Blue Jay is still on her nest. I check on her now and then. She does not trouble to move brave girl. She knows I hope that I wont hurt her. I have fed them all winter. I think I deserve a photo.

My fish is getting big. There are still 3 remaining fish. Just the right amount for the pond.


Wild Honeysuckle.


Tomorrow I dig. I have several Day lilly and an Iris to plant I will have more pictures too I hope.
Sharing with Our World Tuesday

Still raining.....

Some more pictures from yesterday........it was still raining today and so I didn't go outside today. I cant believe they are saying that we may have a freeze tonight or tomorrow night. That means bringing in plants again. What a pain.


I am putting in some more lillies and will be buying some more day lillies. Loved these close ups

I put in some more daisies. I am hoping they like where I put them.

MY Lavender out by the road died off this year. I think it got too much snow piled on it and it just could not take it. One in the garden is doing OK so far. Anyway, bought a new one and will put that in a pot near the house. Should stay warmer. We shall see

Thought this was pretty, have to bring it inside for the winter. I bought a pink and an orange one. Pink is in a pot and the other in ground. Will see who grows best.


I also could not resist this lovely white Iris.

I dont buy a lot of annuals anymore. I buy things I can take inside to winter over or else I buy perennials. I can't afford to waste the money. I do like just a few annuals though. I usually invest in some Geraniums because they last very well all year and maybe just a few petunias, I like the wave petunias. Generally though I have perennials even in my containers now. Lots of Hosta's they do so well in tubs.


The Hosta do so well in the tubs and come up quicker than those in the ground. Some I have on the deck steps and I plant those in the Fall. Can never have too many Hosta

Linking up with Rose Chintz Cottage
Also linking with A Southern Daydreamers Outdoor Wednesday

After the rain............

It has rained again today. I caught this Grackle out looking for grubs in my grass. Seems he was a success.

Such a pretty bird, but he has a mean look about him with his intense eye and sharp beak. Across the alley I found some lovely blossoms. I don't know what it is but I had to get some pictures. Then next to that the man opposite my garden has lovely Tulips growing. A few different from last year. He plants all his flowers in rows for some reason. Maybe he sells the bulbs?



He also has a nice crop of Rhubarb. Next will be his Iris, he has all colours of those too.

Meanwhile, back in my garden.....the blossoms on my crab apple tree are popping.




The tree has two parts to it. One has white blooms and the other half is pink.

The Lilac is beginning to bloom as well and looks so pretty with some of the flowers being only half open.






Wild Geranium, it only has a couple of flowers at the moment but it looked so pretty.


I have so many pictures that I will save some for tomorrow.
Linking up with Rose Chintz Cottage

Also linking with A southern daydreamers Outdoor Wednesday

Bluebells............

I am going to show more beautiful bluebell pictures from people who have sent me shots they have taken and shared with me. This lovely painting to begin with.

Enjoy some lovely scenes, and some wonderful pictures used by permission.


I would love to walk through here














I hope you enjoyed some wonderful shots you can see more on my Facebook page Bluebell Woods.
Sharing with

Also sharing with Rooted in Thyme