“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost
Showing posts with label flowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flowers. Show all posts

Monday, March 20, 2023

Spring at Last!

It's been a long cold winter with heaps of snow! 

Spring is here at last! 

Well sort of...

This is Spring in Minnesota!

 

 


Just last week we had a really heavy snowfall. Squirrel had just finished his breakfast at our bird feeder and was on his way back to his cozy bed in the trees. We've had almost 80 inches of snow this year. We haven't had this much snow since 1983.

 

 

 

 

Even Guy is over loving the snow. His time outside has been about 8 minutes. We walk down the path from the back door to his perch and then he jumps down and runs to the door for me to let him in. If it's windy he doesn't last that long! Sometimes I just carry him on my shoulder and after a couple of minutes that's enough outdoor time for both of us. We are becoming wimps in our old age! 

The good news is all this snow has erased our drought conditions. I'm hoping for a lovely year when all the snow melts!



I found a very cute little yellow chick for you to gaze upon for a moment.

Hope you're enjoying a nice Spring wherever you are. 

Hugs from Diane & Guy Noir

 

 



Sunday, September 25, 2022

The Days of September


September is coming to a close, where did the time go?  But it sounds as though our October will be a lovely month, so I'm looking forward to it.  Our summer has been so hot and dry here I'll be enjoying the cooler weather. Here in our area we are still in a Severe Drought so my flowers and plants did not do well at all. The blooms were sparse and short lived. The image above is from a few years ago when we had ample rain.

The good news is that the winter is forecast to have plenty of snow, the bad there will also be plenty of extremely cold temperatures. 

Our yard has been a haven for the wildlife. We have had visits from many birds, rabbits, chipmunks, raccoons, and deer. Many of the wild areas have withered away and unfortunately most of the neighbors have nothing but grass and a few trees, so the wildlife has nothing to eat. They have been using our garden as an oasis! We put out shallow pans of water during the hottest and driest times and water our plants just enough to keep them going. The rabbits and deer have been eating our hosta plants more than anything else. We've never seen them this badly damaged. I don't blame the poor critters they are hungry and thirsty! Here are a couple of photos of the damage. It's never been this bad in all the 20 some years we've lived here.

Usually this flower bed is full of ferns, bloodroot, hostas and other wild plants. The bare stocks used to be covered with hosta leaves.


Another area where the small leaved hostas have been a favorite of the deer and rabbits. We've been watering when we can, but it is still extremely dry.

September was nice with:

Flowers, Cool Nights, Warm Days, Fresh Crisp Mornings...

 

source

 


 

Here's a beautiful image by children's book illustrator Elsa Beskow.

image source

 

Sorry I haven't posted much lately. We had many family activities going on and my attention was there for the last couple of months. I've also noticed that I really don't care for the new Blog Post Editor. They did away with the colored font options and it seems that the bar at the top is so large that I only have half a screen to edit and work on a post. Not good for someone who is visually challenged!

I really am becoming a little old lady! LOL!

Take care out there, until the next time. ~ Diane

 

Monday, May 24, 2021

Lovely Spring Flowers

 

Years ago I planted the flower above which is called Dame's Rocket. It has since been labeled an "invasive" plant and everyone is warned not to plant it as it will take over the world. After almost 20 years it has behaved much nicer than my phlox which has bullied out many of my other plants. So in my garden anyway, it is not invasive nor has it spread to my neighbors yard. In fact it has stayed much in the same area all these years and hasn't spread much at all.

The plant above did spring up this year and it is a white Dame's Rocket. It's growing next to the neighbor's white fence and looks a bit bland. Waiting to see if it reseeds with white or pink/purple plants next year.



We've had at least three pairs of geese hatch out goslings this year. I managed to catch this family a couple of weeks ago hunting bugs and tender plant shoots on our lake bank. The goslings only stay cute and yellow for about a week and then start to look like gangly teenagers. 



Above is a native shrub called a Pagoda Dogwood, it loves growing amongst larger trees. It has snuggled in nicely between a pine and an oak tree.  Later the blooms will turn into dark little berries that the birds and ducks love. I have seen the woodducks fly up from the ground to grab the berries in their mouths!


This white bleeding heart was seeded by a pink bleeding heart in the back yard. I dug it up  last fall and moved it over under the pink crabapple. It's still a baby plant but I hope it increases  in size next year. 


The purple Alium plants have done well have have spread a bit, I'm very happy for their fun shape and lovely color in the spring.


I've been seeing more clover this year as I asked my husband to not remove it anymore. So many of the natural plants are disappearing as people continue to spray weed killer on them. Even in our yard some plants that I tried to save and that we've never used any herbicides around have just inexplicably died. I have only one elderberry left and keeping my  fingers crossed it survives.


There are two of these honeysuckles in our yard, they must be around 50 years old now. They were planted by the original builder/owner of the house. They are a pale pink and have a sweet smell.


Next to the compost bin we have some native plants that some call weeds. The large leaved vine is called "Virginia Creeper", other plants you may recognize, dandelion, creeping charlie and some boneset, jewel weed and other plants. 


This pretty plant has the fluffy little white flowers. It's always been here and I'm not sure of it's name but it grows happily with my other plants.  I would love to  show you images of  bees on my flowers, but unfortunately there are very few this year. I have seen a couple of large Queen bumble bees and a few smaller honeybees, but I fear that our extremely harsh winter and other things have taken a toll on the poor creatures. I'm hoping with warmer weather I'll start to see more move back in to the area.

One thing I am extremely pleased with is the sound of the frogs singing, they have been very active and we've had some nice rains to refresh our lake, so I'm hoping to see a few of this critters in our yard soon.  Other birds at our lake this year have been Great Blue Herons, White Egrets, Trumpeter Swans and a Bald Eagle or two. I try and post a few images at a later date. 

Things have been moving along here in our area and now we (fully vaccinated) can cautiously venture out without masks except where noted by the businesses. My dentist and Dr.'s offices still require masks. That reminds me, a few weeks ago just after my vaccine was fully effective, I noticed floaters in my right eye. I called my Ophthalmologist's office and they were able to get me in that afternoon. Thankfully no emergency issues with my eye, I have a follow up appointment in a month. I'm also trying to catch up with other Dr. appts. so will be visiting one or another almost every week for a month! My husband still hasn't even made his appts. yet! Men!! 

Anyway!! Hope you are all doing well and enjoying spring so far. Hoping to get back here and post again before it is summer! Thank you all for visiting and please leave a comment. As you know the spammers have been awful, so I'll publish your comment as soon as possible. I almost always reply too. 

Hearts and Hugs to you! ~~~ Diane



Saturday, September 5, 2020

A New Season

A New Season is almost upon us.  Autumn will be here soon and the last days of summer are being enjoyed and treasured. They'll be locked away in our memories and brought back mid-winter to revel in again. 


Last year many things were left undone as both myself and my husband had health issues. It was very difficult getting the normal summer projects finished so this year we are playing catch up. We've had time at home to work at our own pace. I won't dwell on our health problems but if you weren't aware my husband had two eye surgeries to help with his Grave's disease.  I had a hole in my retina and had laser surgery on one eye.  Needless to say these were set backs for both of us.  We were looking forward to a nicer year that we could get out and enjoy things we'd missed out on last year.  Covid had other plans. So far we have avoided it by being extremely careful when we go out, (which we do rarely).


 One thing I've noticed is the many birds we've had this year. Just last week these little guys were flying all over the place. Not sure what type of bird this is but it's sure cute!  The flowers were let go last year and this year they have co-mingled in a wild and crazy way. The Phlox, wild Boneset (Eupatorium),and the Chelone (Turtlehead), Virginia Creeper and Hosta have all mixed in with the Zigzag Goldenrod. 





I love the gardens though. They are not manicured and maybe a bit wild but I appreciate how nature sometimes just takes control and goes on. Nature finds a path forward no matter what.  It's a good lesson for us to understand during these wild and unpredictable times. 

Autumn, a new season, I'm looking forward to it. 

How about you?


 






Sunday, June 28, 2020

Summer Days

Spring has gone and summer days are here. The past few months have been filled with turmoil and sadness in this area but we all must make the best of things and move on. Here's a glimpse at the past flowers of spring in my garden.


Summer's here and the living is pretty much like the last several months but greener and warmer.  Stay home, be safe.  Go to grocery store, mask up, stay safe. Talk to friends on the phone, tell them to stay safe and well.  And repeat! My husband and I are asking each other, "What day is it?", way too often!


Guy in the Buttercups!

Of course everything about going to the store takes twice as long.  We both are taking all the precautions we can to stay healthy and o far we have not shown any symptoms.

We've been enjoying the garden and catching up on things we left undone from last year because of my husbands health issues.  His surgery for this spring was canceled and may not happen now until next year. Every day is a new day and we enjoy each one.  Guy loves to be outside in the warm weather and as you see below he thinks in is in the wilds of a meadow.  To keep him safe he always is on his harness and we keep a close eye on him.









I haven't been very active in my Etsy shop these days as going out to buy merchandise is not as simple as before. Sales are slow but I have been lucky enough to have a few.  The feedback from one customer was so sweet and sentimental, it makes it all worth it. Every time I read his comment I tear up a bit. Thank you Michael, you made my week!

Here's what Michael wrote regarding a purchase he made as a gift for his cousin....

"This light set was on my Grandmothers Christmas (tree) every year in the 1970's. My cousin Tim and I were obsessed with this light set. When our Grandmother passed in the 90's I inherited the light set. I always wished there were 2 so Tim could have one. I have been searching for a set for over 20 years that worked and was intact and only came close once. I was on Etsy looking for another gift and did a quick search for the lights and there they were. Finally found them. Tim loves them. I hope Grandma will see them on our trees this Christmas. The item was exactly as described and shipping was perfect."



Vintage Christmas Tree Light Covers Train Set by Radiant image 0


Vintage Christmas Tree Light Covers Train Set by Radiant image 2







Peace be with you friends and stay safe out there!
Diane and Guy Noir


Saturday, May 2, 2020

April Showers bring May Flowers

The Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis ) is the first flowering plant we have around here. It is native to the eastern part of the United States and Canada. When cut, the root and budding rootstalk (called the rhizome ) secrete a red fluid that gives the plant its name. Such a pretty flower! 


Bloodroot


A few other favorites are springing up too, the violets and the scilla are feeding the hungry bees!


Violets








Scilla Siberian Squill

We're still staying very close to home.  I went out to the grocery store the other day, it had been three weeks since I'd left home! And you know it really doesn't bother me much. Almost all of us at the grocery store were wearing masks and I kept running into one gal in the isles, and we had a couple of quick pleasant conversations and that was the most socializing I've done for a couple weeks other than emails and phone calls. 




On the nice days we're getting outside more, but in the mean time I've been watching YouTube way too much. Here is a favorite... Chunk the Groundhog. We watch on the big screen TV and even Guy likes to watch!
Hope this brings a smile to your face! 
Wishing you all good health and happiness! ~ Diane









Saturday, September 7, 2019

Where Did Summer Go?


We had a long cold winter, a super short spring and summer was spent taking care of our sweet departed Dot and dealing with our own health issues. Not much time for enjoying the summer and now that things are getting more back to normal, it's pretty much over! I really didn't spend much time taking care of our garden so it's an overgrown jungle!

Here are a few images I've captured though. Hope you enjoy them as we move towards Autumn!


One of the last photos of Dot, she had to wear this surgical suit because her wounds never did heal after her cancer biopsies.  She didn't like the suit but tolerated it for the most part.  Her last day in the garden we removed her suit so that she could enjoy the sun on her fur and she loved being able to walk around free for awhile. I still miss her so much!





Guy relaxing after I played "thing on a string and kick the tennis ball" with him. He's adjusting to being the only cat in the house now.  He demands hugs and time on my lap each day!




 Someone left a feather on the hosta leaf!


One of my Instagram friends bought these spools the day I listed them. I haven't spent much time working on my Etsy shop lately.  It's hard to get back in the swing of things.


 These are my current favorite day lilies, they're done 
blooming now but I love the curvy petals!





 The fragrant white hosta and the yellow zig zag golden rod 
are a cheerful end to the summer garden.

I hope you all enjoyed your summer. I'm wishing for a long Autumn 
with crisp mornings 
and warm sunny afternoons! 

🌻🍁🍂~ Diane ~🍂🍁🌻