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, May 31, 2019

What a difference a week makes........

Tomorrow is June 1st. The weather is still quite cool for this time of year. It goes up and down. From almost frost in the morning to 81 in the afternoon. I didn't do as much as I would have liked this week. Getting up to get Cooper to school is killing me, what a wuss. I don't know why I am so tired. Ah well.
Lets see, I went out to check on progress and took a few pictures. The Lilly of the Valley smell wonderful and the Wild Honeysuckle right next to it is overpowering.


It looks like Bella and Boots are recovering on the deck.

In the very back shade garden a few things are blooming. I have yet to dig them in but will do because they seem to like it where I put them.


The Ferns seem to have taken so I will get a few more later maybe. Meanwhile I need to put some dairy doo down. I looked at old pictures and it seems the Hosta used to get a lot bigger.
Meanwhile, out front the main garden is filling in and now I see where I can dig out some ferns. Maybe I will replace with Day lillies or Echinacea. I need to cut back the hedge to give more light and fertilize. I don't seem to have a lot of luck growing things. However you can see that my new bird bath is looking more at home now.



So far the blossom on the Apple tree is scarce.



Under the other side of the Apple tree is a mess of 3 shrubs and some white flowers, at the back and a mix of Yellow flowers and Asters.I made the mistake of putting in some Vinca Vine and I have to dig/pull that out to make the garden work.



Several other things around the front gardens. I like to have little pathways and hidden features around so here are a few.





The back gardens are full now. No room for more but it needs some colour so I may put a few pots of impatience among all the green.






I had trouble with the shrubs I put in last year. I thought they had died. There are a few sprigs on each that are alive. SO I will trim them back and feed and baby them.




Boots followed me around to the front and basked on the front porch while I was out there

The trees (Maple) have been really messy. I need to sweep everything and pull weeds between the paving stones on the patio. I have read of a few things to try and when that's done maybe some stones in between. Looks like it will be work all summer at this rate. I think the Chickadee babies are fledged as they are chattering up in the tree. They are flying but not yet expert, I almost got hit by one. That reminded me of the year one landed on my shoulder all out of breath.

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Fussy Gardener..........................

I guess when it comes down to it, I am a fussy gardener. Its too wet today, too cold and wet yesterday. I can't do it if it's too hot or too humid. Today is wet AND buggy. I did a couple of things, little things that were on my list. I get ideas from Pinterest. Who doesn't these days. I have gone off magazines they are all advertising now. Soon there won't be any left in business. Times change.
I went out yesterday after the rain and took some pictures. Amazing what a good rain will do for the garden.
Two of my unique finds. A sifter bird house and an old wine rack with a cookie sheet top.


An old ash tray in pretty blue glass for the birds and my corner with all sorts of old things. An old mail box planter. Tool box and old cooler. An old chair with no seat, a plank of wood holds the wire basket that was filled with flowers. They have sort of wilted in the coldness and I will have to fix that again later.


Violets come up anywhere you allow them. I let them bloom because they are pretty and will move them to the back once they are done. The old step ladder holds some more goodies just because I can't throw stuff away.


I loved the old plate and so I can display it in the planter for now and the other serving dish is just deep enough with some stones for Butterfly and Bees to sip from. I have a couple of old kids Tonka trucks, one is very rusty and they bring back times when little boys played here. I sometimes put plants in the back of them. I am thinking of digging some hens and chicks to fill them with. Then this old fountain that no longer works just adds interest to this corner.




This old Tea Kettle holds a Hosta this year and the old table is useful here by the chairs. I have a collection going of old tools and stuff that hangs on the side of the shed. One day I will organize a proper display. Did have some plans till Gerry hung his ladder there. Sort of put me off but for now it can stay as it is until I figure things out, Somewhere to hang things till I decide. An old Milk churn, one of 3 that I have holds some interest and the old top off of a chimney stack makes a planter.





Why waste money taking stuff to the dump when you can decorate them haha.............
This old wagon we found in a field many years ago. The red Milk churn makes a corner bright. Then one of two old coal skuttles make planters as well




I guess I have 4 milk churns, these two unpainted. Three old wash tubs have had several uses over the years and are always handy. Right now I am awaiting inspiration as I can't afford any more plants at the moment. The old fountain does not hold water and so for this year is a planter. I have to figure out what to plant in this side garden. June I may be able to swing a few more plants so I have a few weeks to decide.





In the front side garden I am using an old base to hold a bowl that looks like a pretty bird bath. I have a bait can where the inside comes out and I will use those for planters when I get some annuals later and will hang on the old plough. The back of that side holds another old plough and an old chair with no seat, I have a plant sitting on that and my old wheel barrow that's all rusted.It had flowers in but really doesn't do well with dirt in it. Maybe when the rest of the fence is up I will put a box of flowers in it.



The remnants of an old stool holds a Butterfly bush from falling over. One of my remaining garden ornaments I made holds a ceramic watering can and glass ball. What I have been told is a Cricket cage (?) holds a Geranium this year and today I found a game board that I set on that table and will put some black and white stones in a wire basket for a game of checkers. On the porch is an old cupboard I picked up at the side of the road and use that for the mail. Then I have an Apple bucket someone painted to use as a container for plants. Everything has a use.




The old glass light globe becomes a gazing ball and some ceramic balls in a wire basket makes interest on top of the hose holder Isolde gave us. My garage hold loads of other things that will find a place at some point. Old colanders and plates etc. Old bird houses needing repair. Pots and planters, tool boxes and all sorts of other things that will become something at some point. Always something to do. Always new ideas. It all makes it fun. Then I think its all a mess and do something else.


I just hung an old rake head on a tree to hang things on, so that's another project.