At the Front Gate

We planted these four flowering cherry trees last year after trying in vain to save the other trees.

I'm so pleased that these trees look like they are doing well. 

The White Birches on the other side of the fence are leafing out too.

The rhododendron and the azalea are very beautiful too.

*



Definitely Spring . . .

More nice weather and then we got some unsettled weather conditions.  That means some wet snow, hail for sure with thunder and lightening, dark skies and rainbows.  The squall's blow through in an hour or two and gone. 








Yet it is still warm during the daytime getting cold again at night.

*

See the Rhodies Bloom

The Rhododendrons are blooming. 

The Azaleas are blooming.






Everything is so pretty.










We've had some nice warm days. 

We sat out on the deck in the sun. 

Maybe spring is here, at last.

Did I say everything is so pretty this time of year?

It is worth repeating.

The wild dogwood trees are full of blossoms.  More than we've had in years.

*

Cold and Wet March

March is still cold and wet this year.  I don't think it is going to go out like a lamb.     We've not had really any nice pre-spring days.  It still feels like winter.



The garden is not looking like much is going on yet but the various varieties of garlic seem to be doing well.   Do you think we planted enough garlic last fall?

The little plum tree is really early with it's blossoms.  We're afraid that it won't get pollinated because it is so early.  But wait - Surprise, Surprise - Derin did see some bees this morning. 







Our rhubarb is looking good.  I think rhubarb is something you either like or don't.  This rhubarb is the pretty "red" kind that keeps it's red color when cooked.







Looking through the vine maple towards the house.  Look at all of the moss that has been growing on it. 

*

What's that in my garden?

Look at what's that growing in our garden.  It is the little shoots of garlic coming up!  We were a few weeks late in getting the garlic planted, it was November instead of mid October.  There wasn't enough garlic left over to plant from last years garlic crop.  This is the first year that we have ever ordered garlic.  We ordered from Enon Valley Garlic.  They advertise that they sell "Gourmet Garlic for Gardeners and Chefs" and we bought several varieties of garlic.  We'll let you know what we think of the varieties we purchased.













The weather for January hasn't really been cold (yet)!   I know Winter just started.  I'm starting to look forward to Spring.  I ordered our sweet onion starts for Dixondale Farms.  I always order our sweet onion bunches from them early so I can be sure to get what we want.  We've had good luck with the Ailsa Craig variety.  Brought to the U.S. from the British Isles, this heirloom onion is by far the largest onion you can grow in a short growing season.  They are similar to Kelsae Sweet Giant and have the potential to produce up to an 8"+ onion.  They have stored longer than 1 month and we still have a few stored in the barn to cook and eat.

*

First Frost - Autumn Pictures

Bobby

With the first frost I always feel like Fall is really here.  When we woke this morning everything was frosty.  Not a heavy frost, just sorta frosty.  And it felt so cold.  Just freeeezing!   Time to get those last few apples off the trees.

Down to the barn

It was a nice evening.  I grabbed my camera to take pictures of the dogs.  I think they know when I have the camera in my hands.  I shot about 30+ shots with blurry movements - now why can't they stay still for just a moment for me?  Maybe it is me not holding steady, wait you mean I should stand still to take their pictures.  I did get two pictures, not really very good, but I deleted the rest. 

Dixie, Derin and Bobby in the background.   I cut off Derin's head - sorry honey, I'm still learning (that's my excuse and sticking with it.  Bobby on the right.





Pear tree on the left is just about ready to be picked,   The apple tree is almost ready too.





Look.  It's Tucker.  He's my big pretty boy.  He doesn't mind as much about having his picture taken.  Already in early October he is starting to "hair-up"  for the winter.  He'll be a fuzzy guy soon.





Behind Tucker you can see our neighbors house.

mmmm . . . Pickled Onions

Derin took some of the smaller onions from the garden and made a batch of pickled onions, red pepper and garlic.    He likes this kind of stuff, I don’t really like to eat it – so it is all for him.

Onions

This is our onion crop for this year.  Last year we only had 3 large onions total!   So this is not our worst year, only next to our worst year.  Just too much rain and cold in spring and no real warm weather until August.  We put the onions in the loft of the barn on drying racks.  They have in the past lasted into November.  I order Ailsa Craig sweet onions from Dixondale Farms.

Warm Summer Days - Summer Pictures

It's August and we finally have nice warm weather. It's been in the 80's, not too hot like Texas, but oh so nice.   I’ve been spending time outside rather than in the house.   The garden and fruit trees are not doing as well as they should be since our spring weather was cold and rainy.  Derin had to replant the basil and sunflowers.   I think it probably too late in the growing season to expect much.

Back yard from poach

Front yard view from deck

Today I found out about Windows Live Writer to use for blogging. I just knew there had to be an easier way to post, trying to get pictures lined up right. I can’t begin to count the hours spent trying to get things looking right. It works with Blogger, WordPress and other platforms. You can download it here for free.