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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Sunday, August 26, 2018

Yard Sale Magic...........................

I have been wanting to have a yard sale for months. It has been way too hot and humid. My garden is on its last legs, wilting and withering (although weeds are so resilient). So I have kept putting off the sale because there was no way I could sit out there in the heat etc..........I spent my time as I could, sorting cupboards and drawers and closets. I found stuff for the sale. Gabby put an add on Facebook for me and pictures to go with it. At first we just threw stuff out there before we got it organized.
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Gabby took pictures before that happened but still, it helped because someone came right away next day and she bought the crib and stroller. A really good deal for her.
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We have another really nice crib but it's missing something, I am not sure what (Gerry said its missing something) but I think I will put it up and see for myself. It's a shame to throw it away when someone could fix it I am sure.
We are finding lots more stuff. I had Gerry search the basement. He said he brought everything up and yet, today the kitchen is full of stuff he just found. Hmmmmmmmmm me thinks he just got tired. That's OK more for next time.
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I have a love of old things and have tended to collect them over the years things that remind me of people. My Dad had a workshed in our garden at Bidwell Hill. He mended his own shoes and so it smelled of leather and oil and manly things. I used to collect old wooden tools and things that reminded me of that. Most of those are gone now. At one time I collected old farm implements, also that made me recall things from the past. More recently, now going in this sale are vintage Kitchen items that once adorned my cupboard tops and walls. Some as good as art.
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We all know I love china, I like plates and cups with saucers, teapots and knick knacks. Well you can only have so many. When we used to have a crowd for Christmas and Thanksgiving I needed a lot of "stuff" now I really don't want to do that anymore. I got rid of the extra chairs and I have a set of 12 plates I no longer need. I have plenty left. An old friend bought a wooden chair that was almost that last thing I had that came with me from England. All polished up and in her living room. So I was very happy with that.
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I used to collect hand made pottery some of that is going. I have no use for it now and there is always someone else who can enjoy it.
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Then there are clothes, always hard to get rid of clothes but they are out the door and not coming back. Good Will can have them after this sale ........ just a few may slide back in.
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Some stuff is seasonal I make Cheeseballs every Christmas and have collected plates to give them away on............well I won't make so many now we are "retired" it's expensive and we sure don't need the calories. So one batch with suffice and just a couple of plates to give away each year from now on.
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These pictures were all taken before we had organized and priced everything. I made 250 dollars the two days I was open. I hope I can do two days next weekend and I have at least as much stuff again as I sold already. I hope I can make a bit more. I hate seeing things go to new homes but alas I can not keep everything.
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The sleds both sold and if the little chair does not go, that I will keep as a plant stand. A little girl took my mums two wicker chairs, she was so sweet. Came right up to me and sat on my lap. No clue who she was but sure was a friendly tike. She had to pet all the poodles (who were not at all thrilled) She was with her grandma and I said "keep her safe" she was way too friendly and isn't that a shame.
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This week I will sort one more closet that I keep craft supplies in and I am officially done. The basement is now clear of all but bookshelves of videos and a couple of boxes of Christmas stuff that didn't get put away. If I decorate this year I will have a large sort out of that stuff to go next year. Thats it for now.....................

Friday, August 10, 2018

It's been awhile.............

Yes it has been awhile since I had anything to write about, and honestly, I still don't. This has been a horrible summer for me. No cool days unless it's wet and humid. I do not do humid. It makes me dragged out and cranky. I feel lazy and take no joy in working when 5 mins in I am dripping wet and have a headache. Quit whining she says..........OK. So whats going on outside.
This year I dug up a new garden on the side of the house. In that I planted veggies. Not good.
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I have so far got about 6 zucchini from it and see two more growing. That's more than the last couple of attempts but I guess there is just not enough sun on that side. The good news is that garden has vastly improved the look of the side. So maybe next year some flowers can go in.
The Tomato's in the garden out back have not done well. Have got some nice ones though, just enough to enjoy but not enough to can. I find the small ones do better but honestly, it's been too hot for me to care
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I know I need to get out and weed and feed. I just don't want to. Can't get Gerry to cut the grass and he does nothing unless I nag him so am sick of the whole business right now
Some of the flowers did OK but really even the Day lily were duds this year.
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I have had a nice show of Sunflower that came up from the bird seeds.
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They popped up all over so I left them. I also have some pretty weeds showed up. No idea what they are called but will replant those where they can grow free next year. A flower is a flower in my book and if it's pretty it's most welcome. This is a Deadly Nightshade. That has to go because it is spreading all over but for now I enjoy the flower and the birds actually like the berries so that has my limited acceptance.
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This pepper has lasted 3 years now. It's a pity the fruit is way too hot haha. Will I bring it in again this year? I am trying to decide who stays and who goes because it is a pain having them in the house. They get messy by Spring. So.......I think I will repot a few things and see what happens. With the redecorating I do have more space than other years.
Some that I do want to keep..........
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The Boston Ferns are so lovely but seldom Winter well so I don't think I will save those again. The two Geraniums did well but, they don't flower very quickly. I may try again and feed them better both before and in Spring.
If I do get chance to clean up this Fall, then a few things need to be moved. I love the Chives and Garlic Chives. I grow those for the flowers and I want them in a place they will be happy.
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I have not sat outside once this year since the snow melt. The humid air makes me feel I am drowning.
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I still have some Hosta to plant too, the dryness has just not helped my back shade garden. I need the trees trimmed back but can't get Gerry out to do anything. If I were able to be out then I am sure he would. He seems to like cutting stuff down. I get did get quite a bit done when it was still cold outside but have just not been since and there is a lot of trimming and dead heading to be done. Think I will leave it at that until I get some better pictures to share.