Fall has never been more beautiful

Spring has always been my favorite season.

Bright, brash and colorful.

Then a beautiful Fall like this comes along.

Delicious and crisp apples are ripening in the trees.

Golden days and cool nights.

Leaves are falling everywhere.

There is never enough time to harvest it all. 

Last roses make a small bouquet.

Wild Ducks and geese mingle with our own.

Winter pears are still ripening.  
Blue cheese is ageing for my favorite dessert.

Only a few flowers left.

Snow will come soon enough.

Hope you are enjoying beautiful Fall days where you live.

Gina

New Snow

The fluffiest, prettiest snow fell during the night.



The pond is only partway frozen.

The tractor is still in the barn, waiting for the next snow storm. 

Soon, all but where the water originates from, will be frozen.  At the Spring the water temperature is a steady 65 degrees.
It never freezes. 

See that little dog in the right bottom of the picture.  
That is Sadie, my Golden Lab.  

In about the same place, six weeks ago, that sweet little dog, ran over me, laid me out flat on the ground.  

Both ankles and one knee were twisted. 
A cast and crutches are still standing by. 

Wishing you a better beginning for 2020. 
Happy New Year, 
Gina  

What is going on around here?

The word is out!

When we built our house 23 years ago,

the pond was here but not a single bird was in sight.

We thought that possibly something was wrong with the water.

After a few years wild ducks and wild geese would stop by when every other pond was frozen. 

Our pond is spring fed.  

For years the birds did not bring their young. 

So what is different this year?  

Did it take 23 years for the birds to feel save with us?  

What is wrong with this picture?  

There are too many parents. 

Salpiglossis and Iceland Poppies grow in my garden. 

Now is the time to bring poppies into the house. 
Be sure to singe their stems first.  
They will last a week in water.   

And inside the house,  a Cymbidium  orchid is getting a bath. 

Happy Sunday to you and yours,

Gina  

Using our Pond as launching pad

Wild Geese gather first

They fly in every morning. 

I don't know where they spend the night.  

All day long they go back and forth...to the plowed field, and then again to the Pond. 

This happens every year.

One day, they all fly away. 

And then come the wild ducks.
Hundreds of them.  They will stay all winter.  

Sheep don't have a choice.

  These yearlings don't know that they are supposed to mind the dogs. 

And that confuses the dogs AND the sheep. 

I know that you know where you are going 

Gina 

Pondside

We had to do it.

The Firemen came and burned the Cattails and wild underbrush. 

It burned into the night. 

They spared my Daffodils.

The ducks and geese looked on from a safe distance.

The wind shifted just in time.

They have made it through the fire but will have to toughen it out tonight. Eighteen degrees Fahrenheit is predicted for tonight. 

See the heavy underbrush? 

All gone.

By the end of May it will be lush and green again. 


Are you getting ready for Easter?

I have a friend who makes the finest, yes the finest chocolates.  

I have placed my order.  

Have a great remainder of the week. 

Gina 

My Geese walk on water.

I mean, they walk on frozen water.

There is a lot of chatter out there.

The cold and snow caught them by surprise. 

It was 2 degrees Fahrenheit (that is minus 16.67 Celsius) last night.

No wonder most of our pond is frozen. 

A small area, where the water comes from deep within, always stays open.  

Hansel, Clyde and Lola can't decide who they should befriend.

 By late afternoon, most of the ice will have melted.

All will be afloat again.  

Hope you're staying afloat.  

Gina