It's All About The WHIMSY!

Today's To Do

Today's to do list begins with conducting a walking tour of Historic Wickford. This is the final adventure of the year with the third graders I've had the pleasure to guide as they learn about their community from it's founding.  We will end the morning exploring a historic cemetery-always the best part!

 

 

Then home to plant these beauties in the veggie garden.

 

 

Isn't this the most creative seed potato packaging?  Looks like a little present, certified organic from Maine.

 

 

I am experimenting with grow bags this year.  It's always fun to try something new.  With these you can grow root veggies above ground for an easier harvest.  Should also make for longer carrots..with less effort.  I will record this with interest.  In theory a grand idea, fewer speared potatoes at harvest. 

 

And then I will drink iced tea and stare at this beauty!

 

Happy Friday!

Breathing in the Loveliness

AHHH  that's all I have to say. 

Digitalis ready to bloom, perhaps this weekend.

Why yes it is a happy day!  

Finished a sampler from the very lovely Pam Garrison. I have no clue what it will become, right now it seems it has been taken over as a cat bed..it's a texture thing.

Mother Nature at work in the garden

How can you not LOVE spring

when the magic begins anew with a burst of color and texture.

Amazing!!

 

 

 

 

Spectacular!!

Now go outside and PLAY!

Magic!

 

Twins!  Sort of...

Occasionally I am fortunate and can encourage

two orchids into bloom at the same time! 

They reside in a small green house all winter under lighting and usually bloom one at a time...as these came out two more went in to rest until the magic happens again.  

 

Lovely!

It's Spring!

Yes I have been away for a while....recovering from surgery has presented it's challenges.  I am a patient person by nature but 8 weeks of inactivity has stretched on and on... but enough of that!

 

A lovely patch of tulips blooming in the yard!  And finally my foot has healed enough that I can be out and about.  Thankfully!!

 

 

I found this cutie at my favorite garden nursery-The Farmers Daughter.  He reminds me so much of the artwork of Charles Van Sandwyk.  I suppose I should put him in the garden but I think he will stay indoors where I can see him everyday.

 

 

 

Spring has sprung in my NME journal too!

 

 

 

Binx enjoying the afternoon sun in an interesting spot...now this is a still life!

Wednesday musings...

Halloween decorations are gradually being scattered throughout the house...

I LOVE this little face!

This guy is pretty cute too!

A Witches Hut at my favorite garden center.  Can you see her? She's lurking inside. ...creepy but wonderful.

I picked the last of the carrots yesterday afternoon, the garden is officially put to "bed" for the season...Yes these are red carrots!

These are yummy Liberty apples from the Farmers Market. They really are the colors of Fall: red, orange, yellow.. 

Just like this beautiful tree in the Church yard...see- red, orange, yellow. Full disclosure- I took this photo last year..

I live in a small coastal community in New England where we are usually blessd with spectacular color each Autumn...

But guess what?  

None, Zip, NADA!  A combination of hurricane damage and wet weather has greatly dampened the season...here's what my wooded yard looked like yesterday..

Greens and browns...just a hint of red and honestly that might be cardinals sitting in the tree! A large number of trees have already lost all their leaves from salt damage...

I am heading to Maine for a few days, here's hoping for

reds, oranges, and yellows there.

Found in the garden..

 

Watched this little guy struggling yesterday afternoon on the balcony....

found him this morning while cleaning out the pond.

circle of life in the garden..I never get used to it.

Farmer's Market finds!

What could be more wonderful than a "boot" full of flowers!  I drive a Mini Cooper you know...

Some inspiration for today's daily sketchbook page.

Glorious Summer

Just look at these beauties!

Glorious sunflowers in a field!  Mother Nature if you are listening I do have one request...

PLEASE!  We need some rain!  Strict water restrictions are in place here, my rain barrels are empty..a wonderful invention but not much use if there is no precipitation..

Heading out to do a rain dance..if you've any to spare send it my way.

Inside the garden on a hot summer day

The garden has been in slow motion this summer...cool rainy spring, late planting because of conditions...but now that Mother Nature has turned on the heat things are popping!

 

This little ground burrowing toad keeps the slug population down, he's quite cute but very shy.  Nice camouflage don't you think?

Fruits of labor

No fertilizers, pesticides or herbacides allowed.  Compost, compost, compost!

Having earned this...we also have these fuzzy friends as well.  Did you notice the 8 foot deer fencing?  A necessity!!

Happy gardening!!