Sitting Duck...

I've never really thought about the term 'sitting duck'...until I saw it in action the other day!  It was a gorgeous sunny morning.  I was in the kitchen and could hear the ducks in the pond quacking away.  After a few minutes I realized they were realllllly bothered about something.  I took a peek out of the sliding door just in time to see a huge bird swoop down and try and grab a 'sitting duck' out of the pond.  I couldn't believe it!  I went out on the deck, camera in hand and watched for awhile.  I first I thought it was an eagle.  But..once I put my pics on the computer I realized it was a hawk.  At least I think it is.  Anyway..this bird sat on the fence waiting and waiting, watching and waiting.  In the not so far distance I could hear it's baby crying away in a nest somewhere.   This hawk was so patient.  After what seemed like forever, he/she rocketed off the fence and took another dive at the ducks.  No catch.  I got up to try and get some action shots but I scared it away.  I noticed later in the day it was back...but the ducks hadn't learned..they were still, well, sitting ducks.

Good Morning Sunrise...

Yesterday was a busy day.  Errands to run, some time with friends, piano lessons, company for dinner...the list goes on.  I was up early, before the sun, and while I was thinking about how to go about my day and what needed to be done first, I walked to one of the back windows and saw the most beautiful sunrise.  It was a great way to start the day.  A great way to remember that this new day only began because God granted it.  A great way to remember that despite my busy schedule God gave me opportunity to remember His glorious creation.  The kids slowly crawled out of bed and we all enjoyed the beauty of the morning.  The day was still crazy, had its ups and downs, but was still beautiful.

Sand-A-Box

We decided earlier this year that Isaac was more than ready for a sandbox.  He loves to play outside, and especially in the dirt.  His birthday was back in June and we decided it would be the perfect b-day gift, but it wasn't until August that we had the time to do this project.  Rob was really excited about doing this for Isaac and he put a lot of time and thought into the project.  Once we were back from holidays we got to work.  First decision was where to put it.  I wanted it to be in the front yard so I could keep track of him easily. There just didn't seem to be a great spot for it.  So, after staring at the yard for awhile we talked about removing an overgrown, dying shrub that was really just taking up wasted space.  Talking turned to doing and before we knew it we were well on our way to a sandbox.  Isaac watched with wonder as Rob took the next few days to build it.  Rob had his plans all in his head and I just supplied extra hands and cold drinks and snacks....and took pictures, of course.  Isaac is loving his new 'sand-a-box' as he calls it.  I can't seem to drag him out of it...it's all he wants to do now!  Thanks Rob for taking the time to do this, you've made your little boy so happy!

My Gang...

Bringin' in wood for winter!

Some 'green' therapy...

So both Rob and I booked 2 weeks off work this year. After getting home from our holiday in the U.S. we still had a few days to hang out and enjoy time as a family.  We did a few fun things, but we really focused on the yard and being outdoors.  Rob was working on a very special project, TBP (to be posted), and I thoroughly enjoyed working in the yard.  Sometimes the kids were 'helping' and other times I had my tunes plugged in and was singing my heart out..only to look up and find hubby doubled over laughing!  (This is fairly typical around here:) I'll never have the yard 100% perfect, but I think it's lookin' pretty good for the amount of time I actually get to put into it!  So, since the weather was cooperating, I got my grub clothes on and worked for a few hours every day.  Pulling weeds I'm sure I've pulled before, re-raking bark-mulch that really needs to be re-plenished, sweeping porches and cobwebs, pruning shrubs that keep growing back...you get the picture.  So here's a few shots of some of my favorites in our yard. 

First Up...my delphiniums.  I've always liked delphiniums, although right now I'm realizing it's not the most fun word to type repeatedly! Anyway,  I thought I'd try my hand at them and see what happened.   I planted 5 different types/colours and they're all doing quite well.  They had a slow start and now I hope they last over winter.

Next Up...Abby's Bean Plant.  This beautiful plant came home from preschool in an envelope as a bean.  I told Abby to go ahead and plant it but I didn't think it would actually GROW!  So, one day I was puttering in the yard this summer and noticed this plant growing.  It had a few leaves but nothing else.  I finally figured out that this was her bean.  She was beyond excited to see it had grown.  Now, it's a beautiful, healthy plant with a blossom and beans on it!  Abby's eyes grew so round when I showed it to her.  She said, 'Mom, it's absolutely BEAUTIFUL'.  That's my Abbs.

Now last, but never to be considered least, is my all-time favorite....drumroll please....my Wisteria plants.  I have always had a love affair with this plant.  I think it started when I was growing up and a house around the corner had this massive log texas gate that, over the years, became encompassed with this beautiful vine. I always laugh because my Mom doesn't like it, she says the flowers look sad and they're faded and droopy.  I find them peaceful and artistic.  To each her own.  I have planted 1 or more of these plants in each yard we've lived in.  I planted the first one on the farm when we lived there.  I think I originally planted 2 and only 1 survived.  I planted it against an old shop so it could climb up and over the top.  This brings to mind some funny memories with my Father-in-Law.  When I first planted that vine I think he thought it was a weed and pulled it or something to that effect, or maybe that was the demise of the 2nd one I planted?  I remember teasing him about it for a few years.  Then, it finally took off and became a beautiful vine.  It takes 3 years before they bloom, and really start to grow.  Eventually it climbed up and over the top of the shop.  I thought it was gorgeous.  Guess what?  After 8 years on the farm we finally bought our own place and moved and what do you think Dad did when we moved out?  Yup, hacked off my vine!!!  He was quiet about it, didn't say a word, but I noticed, and gave him a hard time about it.   We had some good laughs about it.  My poor vine.  But hey, if the vine had to suffer to create a great memory of a much missed dad-in-law then so be it.  At our next place I planted one on the end of a shop.  Don't know if it's still there, can't see it from the road, but assuming it never made it.  When we moved here I planted 2 right away.  One against the shop my Father-in-Law had built shortly before he passed away.  This one is to remind me of the one at the farm.  It's to make me think of him and remember our bond over that silly vine.  The other one I planted purely for aesthetics.  We have a small, pole texas gate here and I couldn't resist.  I know one day the vine will overtake the pole and maybe rot it, but in the meantime, it'll be so beautiful.

Next year....Dahlia's!!! 

At their prime...

Remember these flowers?

Well, here they are now...

Everything in the yard is at it's prime right now and I know it'll start to finish up as the weather changes and the days get shorter, but for the few bucks I spend on these babies they sure bring me joy.

Ready and Waiting....

I LOVE going to our local greenhouses. I find it relaxing and therapeutic. I don't usually go with all of the kids...usually just one or two. The big greenhouse has a great petting zoo where the kids love to visit the animals. There's music playing for the flowers and the staff are super helpful. My other favorite greenhouse is full of beautiful antiques that have flowers planted all over them and I get to visit with some of my local old-order Mennonite friends. I get most of my bedding plants at the larger greenhouse, but I will only get hanging baskets from the smaller one because theirs are the most beautiful and full!! I couldn't wait any longer....Mother's Day is just around the bend, and if you wait until after that to go the local greenhouses all the good stuff is gone! It's still too cold here to plant these flowers. This last week has been crazy weather...hail, wind, rain and sun...all in one day!! Every day!!! Earlier this week we had a tree come down across our road and knock out power for awhile.
But here they are...all cozy in my sunroom, getting used to the climate before they actually go outdoors. Hopefully just a couple more weeks! I'm not a great gardener, but I love having the front planters and window boxes full of colour! I'll be back to the greenhouses many more times yet this year, but probably just to relax! Hope the sun is shining wherever you are!

Welcome Home....

Mr. (or Mrs.) Heron is back! One of my favorite things about coming up my driveway in the summer is the sight of our beautiful Heron who has made our pond his home. Heron's are beautiful birds to watch. They can sit so still that you barely notice them even though they are very large creatures. My hubby had gone for a walk in 'the back 40' a month or so ago and noticed a dead heron in the field. We were sad to realize that he/she may not be back this year, but lo and behold, there's another here.
Today I was sitting at my computer and glanced out the window only to notice this visitor sitting on the far side of the pond. I knew right away it wasn't the same heron that was here last year. This one is smaller and more grey in colour. Last years was a huge, blue fellow. My guess is that this is the female, or one of their offspring. Either way, it was a welcome sight. When these birds take off in flight they are so gracious to watch...they have a huge wing span and it takes them a little while to get going! I needed a pick-me-up today and I think this was God's way of doing just that.