holiday yardwork

Here is Cyn at the beginning of the workday. Not looking her very best, as one does not have to look one's best as one is preparing for a hard day of yardwork...which Cyn was

This is one of my more unusual roses, chosen for it's name, as well as it's beautiful pink flowers. Her name is Sharifa Asma...isn't that cool??? She won't be blooming for a couple more weeks.

Wave petunias, planted on my rock wall in the back yard. By the end of the summer, that wall will be one great big petunia forest!

Iris, pilfered from my mom's garden...ssshhh

By the end of the day, I was exhausted. My white, wicker rocker was the only place I wanted to be! Ave caught me just about ready to doze off.

IT'S FOR THE BIRDS!

I've seen them in the garden a few times so far this spring, but never at the feeder, and most certainly never "camera ready". This morning, however was different. I was out there, early morning coffee in hand, when I heard her familiar bumble. Got out my trusty Kodak, and sat waiting patiently for her return. Waiting...waiting...waiting...until...THIS! Our "bumblebirds" are back!!

Doesn't it look as though this goldfinch was posing for this shot?

This is the pair of swallows who have taken over the bluebirds nest. They were busy this morning, bringing bits of grass and hair to feather their "takeover".

This is one very upset bluebird, as he had just tried to take over the "takeover", and was mercilessly bullied by the two swallows. Forcing him to the ground, and beating him with their wings...they are like the meanies on the school playground, taking the ball away from the younger, weaker kids.

THIEVIN MONGRELS

An early morning photo of the thieves. YES, THE SWALLOWS HAVE RETURNED. We cannot fault them for following their instincts. However, the poor bluebirds now have nowhere to go. The swallows are merciless. They have taken over the several bluebird houses we have put up over the years, and from what we have heard tell, will even peck the eyes out of any bluebird who dares try to return to the nest. We will do our darndest to see that this travesty does not happen on our post. We are erecting new bluebird houses, and hope to hear baby bluebird voices in the very near future. (anyone who has had any experience with the swallows, knows that they are fearless! They will swoop on anyone within swooping distance of their new homes.) By faith, VICTORY IS OURS!!!

SOME GARDEN WHIMSY

My courtyard paths, made up of chunks of my friend Dar's old patio. You CANNOT believe how much work this pathway was!!!

Birdhouse, found at a tag sale 4 years ago for $10.

Piece of barnwood, painted with "Bon Bonniere", which we are told means "snug little house". Our farm most certainly fits THAT criteria!! A hand-painted gift from my dear friend, savvycityfarmer.blogspot.com

Red whirlybird, found yesterday at an estate sale for .50

Red whirlybird's twin (not identical, as you can see for yourself). We call him "blue twirlybird" Appropriate, don't you think? Also .50

On the left is our former black sunflower bird seed container(formerly known as "Tidy Cats Litter" container. Center is our "new" black sunflower bird seed container. (formerly known as a "lard" container) On the far right is our "new" old egg basket. Which will soon be put to use, as Farmboy has vowed to finish the henhouse....eventually...in his FREE time!!!!

GARDEN BEAUTIES

Honeysuckle I planted over 3 years ago after seeing it in a friends garden. It has threatened to overtake the yard, but so far, we have been able to hold him back

Close-up of said honeysuckle.

Sweet heart found in the burbs a few weeks ago. I love the little cloth tie at the top. Now hanging on the fence post in the courtyard garden.

Birdhouse gourd bought last year at a tag sale for .50. I drilled out the hole myself!

Flamingo (his "friend" is nearby)...given as a birthday gift 2 years ago by my dear friend Dar.

"Knock-out" rose...Mother's Day gift from 2nd daughter, Gina. (along with a pedicure, to be redeemed at any time...and highlights, cuts, root jobs, etc. redeemed at various times during the year...Gina is VERY generous that way!!!)

Garden gnome sitting amongst the Sweet Woodruff, Lilies of the valley, and Forget-me-nots.

Dwarf Coreopsis...although I dislike the "dwarf" term...after all, does size REALLY matter????

Spring Clematis...not sure what her name is, but she sure does clean up good after a long, hard winter.

One of my spring time favorites...Lily Of the Valley. Hoiked out of parisiennefarmgirl.blogspot.com 's garden 2 falls ago...yes, she was involved in the heist...in the rain...pariesienne went out and dug these sweeties up for me. I think she maybe was thinking of all those fun times I've had with her mama, savvycityfarmer.blogspot.com....or....maybe she just likes me for me!!!

FLEA MARKET FINDS

Here is my first find of the day; handmade by somebody's grandmaw...WHO could bear to part with this keepsake? Thankfully, Cyn will give it a good home. (it is in good company with 2 pillows found at various tag sales this spring.) coverlet:$7.00

You can find all sorts of stuff at flea markets: we have seen ducklings (anyone who has seen my previous posts about our new babies, KNOWS we do not need any of these sweeties!), puppies...(we won't even go there!!!), roosters with the funniest hairdo's (plan on gettin my own soon!) baked goods (get thee behind me, satan...) and MAPLE SYRUP!!! THIS I could not say no to. Farmboy will go CRAZY over this stuff drizzled over homemade sourdough pancakes!!!! Maybe a special treat this holiday weekend. Sssshhh

Our early morning foray at Trufant has left THIS Farmgirl utterly exhausted. However, this farmgirl does love spontaneity...which is what this whole morning was all about!!!

My last find at the flea market....(OK...we will not even TALK about the curly fries drenched in vinegar...it will NEVER be mentioned again...you may only see the evidence on my HIPS!!!!) My latest bluebird house. As you will soon see by some later posts...my bluebird houses have been overtaken by thieves. Yes...the swallows have returned. And they take no prisoners. They will even peck they eyes out of the residing bluebirds, if they so choose to put up a fight. Well, we will fight fire with fire. We will keep erecting bluebird houses all over our little 1 1/2 acre plot of farmland. AND WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS.

GARDEN/YARD PHOTOS

Here is my "kitchen" garden, filled with oregano, thyme, basil, dill, sage, parsley, chives, and rosemary.

My tomato garden, not quite complete, half filled with several varieties of heirloom tomatoes. The plants themselves smell like fresh tomatoes!

On a day such as yesterday, how can one NOT hang clothes on the line?

I call this one "GIRL WITH DOG". Found them at a garage sale a few years ago. I like having "surprises" in my garden. Little bits of this and that to come across unexpectedly.

My newest acquisition...French Lilac "Michael Buchner". Am uncertain as to where to place him. At first I thought up against the clothesline, but on second thought, maybe up closer to the house, so we can enjoy his incredible fragrance.

This week promises beautiful, sunny days, so garden work is a given for me. We have not had a Memorial Weekend in which rain was not a part of the forecast in years, so we will take full advantage of the incredible weather, and get much accomplished!

FIRST FIRE AT FOCHTMAN'S 06'

Here I am, sniffing one of the most incredible frangrances God created: lilacs. Rather than taking the occasional whiff, I just stuck the stem up under the frame of my glasses!

Ave and Mike enjoying the fire.

Beth and Ave

Beth

They have their goofy side, and their not-so-goofy side! Either way, they are sweeties!

A perfect night for a 1st fire. Cold, but not too cold. Clear skies, old friends, warm fire. Does it get any better than that?

We closed the evening with a Mambo #5 dance, with Mike showing us his latest dance moves. We look forward to many more such evenings as the summer months overtake us.

LADIES CHURCH TEA

Here I am, on my way to our church's ladies Bible study. This week it took place at homemakerang.blogspot.com, and had a "vintage tea" theme. Cyn wore her new, handmade skirt, and a sweet vintage sweater, with a turquoise vintage hat.

When one looks this sweet, one can't help but pose pretty for the camera!

Even the youngest of the girls dressed up and enjoyed their tea and Bible study.

Beautiful women...even more beautiful spirits.

Our hostess and teacher for the evening, Ang. She shared about being a homemaker and being in the center of God's will. When you are doing what God has called you to do, you are open to hearing that "still, small voice."
"...and the sheep hear His voice; and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him:FOR THEY KNOW HIS VOICE. And a stranger will they NOT follow, but will flee from him: FOR THEY KNOW NOT THE VOICE OF STRANGERS."

NEW LIFE ON THE FARM!

This little baby duckling didn't make it, I'm afraid. The mama had already taken off in the pond with her 5 firstborn, and this poor little guy was left all alone. Sometime I HATE the circle of life. Below find the proud, new mama with her 5 ducklings.