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

Monday, June 20, 2022

Farewell June ~ Hello Summer

Spring went fast, it was late coming and seemed to zoom by and now it's already Summer! 

So many things going on now but finally getting caught up on projects around here. The garden rose 'Hansa' gifted me a bunch of gorgeous blooms this year.  I gave her a good pruning because she had become tall and leggy. Nice to see she's already sending up a bunch of fresh new rose canes that are already over three feet tall! 

Here's the bucket of blooms...

 

 





Yes I took even more photos than you see here! Preserving her beauty and when admiring the images I still can remember the lovely rose scent she produces. She's been in my garden for over twenty years and seems like a reliable and good friend. The bees love her flowers and I made sure to leave plenty for them to enjoy too!

We're having a heat wave here in Minnesota right now but cooler temps are on their way for next weekend. Hope you have a great summer wherever you are! 

Love, Light and Peace 💗✨ ~ 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, March 28, 2020

The First Chipmunk

Hello friends, hope all of you are well. Our stay at home order for Minnesota is in effect. My husband and I have been trying to make the best of it by cleaning up the yard and getting ready for the warmer weather that will be here soon.




My cat Guy made me aware that the chipmunks are out and about.  Their cheerful little calls make me feel better.  I'm so happy that we have a nice backyard to hang out in.  We're supposed to have a lovely sunny day on Monday so it should start to green up the grass a bit.

Stay well and I'll be back soon!
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 ~🍂🍁🌻




Sunday, May 27, 2018

Spring was Short ...



Yes it's me! This is a super long post, so you might want to grab a beverage and settle down for a bit.  I'm trying to catch up on what's happened since I last posted, so here goes.

Maybe you noticed, but spring was really short.  One month ago it looked like this in our backyard!




Even my Norwegian Forest Cat was sick of the snow! Guy was not amused by the late snow fall and our really long winter!



But then we started to see some changes and a few thunderstorms crept in to get rid of the final traces of snow! The image below does not even come close to how gorgeous this rainbow was!

The image below was taken about a week later, and shows the trees just budding out. The sun made them glow like gold!


Not sure if you have ever watched the show "The Big Bang Theory", but I always pause the DVR so I can read the notes at the end by Chuck Lorre. This one really sums up my feeling about the current occupant in the White House and the past year.


Above: The lake thaws and the plums bloom.
Below: Out for a walk I saw this pretty Flowering Almond shrub.


The lovely lilacs bloomed like crazy this year and the scent always take me back to my childhood.


The crabapple blossoms don't last long but add a needed color infusion to the backyard!
After months of white and gray it's nice to see color again!

Guy waits for a chipmunk...

Pink geraniums and Dame's Rocket....

Suddenly our temperatures are 20 degrees above normal and it feels like August. Don't tell me there's no global warming because it should be pretty obvious to everyone by now that our climate is changing and not in a good way.... Anyway, as I said spring was short, and now it already feels like summer, not just hot, but sticky humid too.  It feels like Kansas City weather to me, it's not supposed to feel like this in Minnesota.... So yes, I'm already complaining that it's too hot! Yes it was too cold and now it's too hot!! Apparently there is no "Normal" anymore.

Dot enjoys a little salad. She loves to chew on this wild grass next to the lake and we walk her out there and let her free range a couple times a day for her greens!



So finally, all caught up. 
What say you?
~ Diane ~