Here's another photo as I am learning.

Learning Dropbox on my new MAC

Moving from the coast to the mountains- - and DIY home and gardens evolving

8/11/15----Today is Nelsons birthday so we are starting the day out by going to the Waffle House his favorite place to eat.  Don,t know just yet what all we will do before this day is over!

BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES AND  FLOWERS

HOME AND GARDEN

DIY  (me and grandson Nelson)

Year 2015

     In the month of July this is what I  watched just out my back door!  

7/17/15  The weather is hot and dry, in fact this spring and summer has turned out to be a near drought season and we will be in a drought if the weather doesn't change very soon.

       Since moving here this has been the worst season for growing gardens ( vegetable or flower) I have seen.  I am finding it hard to keep my spirits up and to continue on with my plans for the year. The worst part of it all is the fact that weeds and grass doesn't seem to be bothered all that much.  It's so hot tho I tend to want to walk passed those annoying things! I have to see the glory in all of it- after all it's all about living in the nature of things.

SO !
To the thermostat and T. V. remote is where I am headed!

Wait! I need a tall glass of iced tea !
=====================================================
=====================================================

     What happened to this bird family in the middle of the night during a fierce storm?  I can only guess by the reactions of the parent birds.  In the early morning after the storm when I discovered the nest was empty I searched my garden areas thinking the baby birds must be close by, I searched to no avail . Several times during the days to come I continued to keep my eyes opened and to dodge those parent birds who some how thought I had something to do with their misery.  A couple of days later I spotted one of the parent birds with food in its bill so I decided to watch and I saw where it went and then flew quickly away.  I thought there must be at least one of the babies in that area so I work my way over to the spot under some hedges. Those parent birds were a great team, they were going to keep me far away from who ever they were feeding. 
      I have decided I have no part in this stories ending, it's all up to nature.  Nature is where this short visit to my back deck came and nature will be where it ends.  I enjoyed the time I had to observe it.  Thank you Mother Nature, although I must add I wish it had ended differently.

THE END!

After a storm that came in the night ( 7/14/15 ).

The family continues to grow  ( 7/12/15 ).

This is Mom and Dad working together to feed and protect.

Several days later, growing wing feathers.

This is the four baby's she will protect and feed.

This is the Mocking Bird who built the nest and laid the eggs.

This is a Mocking bird nest in a fake tree on my back deck.

The Tale of A Mocking Bird Family

Most people would probably rather have blue birds or maybe any other bird on their deck but I didn't have to make the choice and I take whatever comes to visit me.  I would never deliberately destroy this chance to see nature up front and in full view of my camera.

=============================================================

I really like this -and it's just a start I have other ideas of improvements to this area. Starting photo several photos below.

6/30/15   Nelson and I started this project in early April this is how it looks now.

I must add this has been a very dry May and June!

This space is filling in it will look good next year.

5/21/15   There is much more work to be done here orange day lilies and purple cone flowers.

5/21/15     Can't wait to see the roses in bloom.

    5/21/15  This started out as a strawberry bed.  I had no luck so I changed my plan and now I am going to see what I can do with a small rose garden.  Wish me luck!

     4/29/15- This week I bought  a beautiful  floribunda Summer Romance rose bush and I hope to get it planted in my rose garden today. I have worked at the hi school for the last two days.  Scheduled to work again tomorrow so today has to count for home projects. I have to get my little peeps into their coop-there are some work to be done on that also today.

     4/21/15 -- I ordered another rose bush this morning,  Tess of  the d'urbervilles  (red).  Still haven't received my Pretty Jessica (pink), I hope they get here soon my rose garden is waiting. I'm afraid the Iceburg (white) isn't doing so well- I bought it on sale!  Most times that works out fine but maybe not this time.  The grandiflora Gold Metal (yellow) on sale is doing fine and it has buds ready to open. 
     What a cool morning, down right chilly.  My little peep's will have to stay inside again today!!  Unless it warms up soon I'm thinking I will be inside also.  Subbing Wed. and Fri. this week.

Planted in the spring of 2013 -Viburnum-Chinese Snowball bush.

     4/16/15   It has been raining almost all week.  I worked Tues. On Wed.  I went to the dentist to have a crown replaced it fell off this past weekend.  Bad news it can't be fixed, I don't know what I am going to do just yet! 

                   My little peeps are growing- they are getting wing and tail feathers!

April 10-2015-- Oh what a beautiful morning!

4/08/15    Here we go again!

These little peep's are so cute!

4/10/15  One afternoon's work, this is how my  Rose Garden is looking.

 In the center Gaura-around the edges  roses!

Remember? THIS WAS MY STRAWBERRY PATCH

     The stones aren't properly arranged yet, more thought is needed.  Top soil, amendments and mulch is needed.  Those in back are David Austin (Nameless), The 2 up front are Floribunda, left side Iceburg.  I have ordered a David Austin Pretty Jessica in memory of my sister we lost to breast cancer.  Of course the color is a brilliant Pink.  It is suppose to be here at the end of April. I purchased another rose bush today, a Grandiflora Rose-Gold Metal- a yellow rose.  Grandifloria's are a cross between a Tea rose and a Floribunda. 

4/2/15 --"Another project!", says my grandson Nelson.

Now for a gate, paint and some climbing roses!  Maybe!

4/4/15    April is here and all my time has been invested in clean up.  Nothing anyone else notices but we do.  Nelson was such a help to me, he is growing up into a very nice individual.  This past week has been spring break.  Nelson went on a school trip to the Outer Banks for 4 days. He got back just in time to spend the rest of his break helping me.

3/28/15     I hope I don't loose any of my plants through this late season freeze tonight!  In the 20's .

3/25/15    I have been working hard on all my mature flower beds  removing any weeds that are popping up, trying to stay ahead of the weeds.  I have moved a few viburnum to the white flower garden. this garden is going  to be a challenge. March is closing fast.

3/17/15    This morning I had to go to court and prove I had my car inspected then off to Lowe's to get some white flowering plants-Candy Tuft and white Pansies. These are to go in my white flower garden the only new bed I plan to start this year. Remember I started the rose garden in the fall.

     Last night I finally decided what my  goal for the gardens are this spring. I will concentrate on beautification. Mainly mulching, cleaning out, separating clumps and moving them, which I have already started. Getting an overall look at the gardens as they grow this year.  Wish me luck!  I will still have a vegetable garden.

March 8th, 2015 and daylight savings time has started, I missed an hour of sleep.

March 5th and the wind is fierce! Another cold front moving in.



March 1st, 2015 it's a Dreary Sunday.


March is three days away.  Come on spring we are waiting.

A bird feeder we call-- THE BIRDS BIG BUFFET-- NOT THE BIG BIRDS BUFFET!!!

On a temporary  stand (we have plans for a much better look).

As you can see Henny Penny visits it.  She says," I have feathers too."

     I got this feeder from my son Rex.  We plan to make a support ( or lift) make from brick or blocks to set it on.  Meanwhile it sits on found things from around the property.

Could have never decorated this tree as lovely myself!

What's that in your hand? Just can't separate teens from their electronics. 

waking up to this was exhilarating.

2/26/15  We finally got it, the wonderful winter wonderland everyone waits for, it was beautiful.

A new home for my knock-out-roses new home. Clean up will come! we're tired!

2/9/15- Finally we had a wonderful weekend. My grandson and I took advantage and moved my knock-out rose bushes to a new area in my backyard. This will give me the room I need for my future rose garden.  

 My daughter-in-law gave me a gift of Amaryllis--I am really enjoying them in my inside flower garden this winter.

FEB. 5TH  Enjoying one of my Christmas gifts!

 1/29/2015- I have started substituting at the local public schools.  I really like doing it and I can use the extra money.  More money for my projects.  Who doesn't need more money?  No one I know!!

   1/22/15--  I am substitute teaching now, something I decided to do for a little extra time away from the homestead.  I haven't been to busy but it is enjoyable and gives me a little extra cash to spend. I have a half day this afternoon.

  1/15/2015--We are having lots of unsettled weather.  Not much going on right now.  I am trying to get my weight back in order. To much good food throughout the holidays. 

MAY WE ALL BE BLESSED WITH GOOD HEALTH AND LOTS OF GOOD TIMES!!

From Fall  2009- 2015  and the rest of the story.

===========================================================

===========================================================

While I was visiting with my daughter we were invited to a New Years eve celebration.  Plenty  good food and beautiful fire works!  What a wonderful closure to a very good year.

Dressed up for Christmas 2014

What a great Christmas season this has been.  Celebrating with family and friends has been such a pleasure.  We were not home all this time, we spent some of Christmas with my second daughter and her daughter (one of my five lovely granddaughters).

THANKSGIVING  2014

It's Thanksgiving and my oldest grandson's birthday-- we will celebrate both at the same time.  His favorite is Strawberry.  

Time to celebrate with family.  I prepared a turkey dinner for my daughter and her family, also for my oldest grandson and his girlfriend. Everyone enjoyed the dinner and fellowship with everyone who was able to come.  Not all my family could be here this year, busy lives!. Maybe next year more family members will be here, that would be wonderful. The plants in the background are there to survive the cold winter weather.  This is an east facing window and it has worked out well for the plants.  I am thinking about glass shelves for these windows.

We live in a cove and don't get snow every time snow falls here, sometimes if we want to experience it we have to make a quick trip up the mountain on the Park Way.

Nov. 2014--It's to cold for outside projects.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oct. 2014 -  For my garden, a bug path-  I am not going to finish this path until warmer weather- only a few stones finished.  Something to look forward to come spring.  

Oct. 2014 -- I am really enjoying this cute little project.

From frogs to bugs!

My helper coming home from school.  2014- a bag of mulch waiting for him, I think he saw it!

So glad I can count on my grandsons help.  Somethings he does for me I  couldn't do all alone.  Like lifting  80 lbs. bags of cement and using the post hole digger. He is such a good  helper.

*********************************************************************

A very pretty new breed, a mixture from South America and North America.

My sister Donna gave me this chicken.  She is doing fine and laying blue eggs.  No dyeing these for an Easter Egg hunt.  Spring 2014.

My grandson and I put up the fences and birdhouses in the background

MORE IMPROVEMENTS THIS SURELY BEATS THAT METAL FENCE.


Another upgrade for our back yard gardening.  I really like this one.  Early fall 2014. 

=============================================================

Fall 2014 is here and the squash and tomatoes are through -Volunteer Morning Glories beautify the garden space.

The end to this growing season is approaching soon it will be to cold for outside work.

Another feature-a place to store my plants donated to me by my son-in-law- what color to paint it?

Where to put all these potted plants so they will be close at hand, watering them daily becomes a chore.  Just what I need, somewhere to house them, a gift from my son-in-law.

=============================================================

=============================================================

    English roses David Austin, Grandiflora and Floribunda roses are the type I am interested in buying for my rose garden.  This is not the first time I have tried having a rose garden. Quite a few years ago I told my four children what I was planning and that for mothers day all I wanted was a rose bush from each one of them.  They came through with several and I ended up with a nice garden.  At least with the abundance of plants.  What I was lacking was the knowledge to keep them growing nicely. The first year they were beautiful.  Mr. Lincoln-Queen Elizabeth-Sexy Rexy-a beautiful white one President Kennedy I think and a coral colored one-there were several I no longer remember.  Needless to say my choice for the garden location was wrong.  Not enough sun!! If that's not bad enough, I had no idea how hungry and thirsty they get and they don't want the water on their leaves, oh no!! I really hope I have learned from that garden failure.  I am learning more from books and the internet.  Wish me luck!

My sweet children would you help me do this one more time.

This is the result-  I am excited!  I have only four rose bushes now and so busy this season I have no more photo's.  So elegant!

Although I only have four rose bushes now, this will change come 2015.  I have been working to improve the soil, roses are hearty feeders.  I think I am learning, this David Austin (pink) is just beautiful this is the first year in this garden spot. I have been looking on the internet for the name of this bush.  I misplaced the papers that came with it and  now I can't find them.

A yellow knock-out-rose will find a new home-check out that stepping stone in the upper right. Yes! I make that!

I will have to move this knock-out--rose and put it in another part of my flower beds.  I  planted it here after I decided to do away with my strawberry garden, but before I make plans for a rose garden.  

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

BLACK SPOTS ON LEAVES ( I might need this)!

 1 gallon water

1 1/2 Tbs baking soda

4  Tbs. horticultural soap mix

2 Tbs.vegetable oil ( to make the mix stick)

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 A ROSE GARDEN IS BORN! 


TO WORK ON A NEW PLAN

And that is how it happened

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Maybe with a different plan I can still have strawberries.  I have read that the plants can be placed among the flowers--a plant here and there-  I might try that -- sounds simple! 

As you can see - Not good!

I have decided this strawberry garden will have to go, much to much work and not enough rewards.

     A photo of the strawberry garden in the spring, 2013    I am new at growing strawberries and I didn't know how much work would be involved.  So my goal this season (2014) is to learn and experience first hand what it take to grow great tasting berries.

    

eight strawberry plants to start --in 2012

I started this strawberry garden with high hopes.  I love strawberries and thought that if I had them in my gardens it would be so nice to just go outside and pick berries anytime they were in season.  Well, that would be nice!  

A LITTLE HISTORY

A STRAWBERRY GARDEN turns into a ROSE GARDEN

started early in the year of 2012 with

Only eight plant 
I am finding out how much hard work is involved in having a strawberry patch


LET'S CHANGE SOME THINGS!

======================================================

=======================================================

M y frog garden- each stepping stone is different  -Day Lilies and purple cone flowers. 

It has been a busy summer and fall is shutting down the gardens.

This is a close up of a stone  I made for another path- my frog garden.  Love it!

I'm getting good at this and enjoying it too!   Creativity exploding!!

I need a mold  for this project--Oh! here is the bottom of a flower pot, just the right size!!

This project was finished in Oct. 2014. On a very hot day! Clean up, then take a photo.

FROM MY DECK  TO THE GARDENS

Next!!

With this success  I decided it was time to expand - I get carried away sometimes!

   l needed a mold in the shape I wanted, instead of purchasing one I used the bottom of a rectangular bird cage,  It worked fine!  The result is in the photo above.  It didn't happen over night tho, it took about a month to mold and dry all 17 stones.  Remember I had only one mold but plenty of time on my hands.

Late summer Iris's blooming (a gift from my daughter Terri)  and Zinnia's coming up(from seed pack) .

First Stepping stone project for my garden paths.

     This project was found on Pinterest and the leaves I used was found on a walk to the river behind my home.  Plant type unknown.

 This project started all of a sudden, when I wanted to do something different. I need some stepping stones for the pathways.  To the internet again- after watching several how to video's I thought ,"I can do that", and off to the store I go.  Cement is cheap and that was all I needed, I have the water. What I didn't have was the experience-hands on and -practice makes perfect- right?  The first ones I made were not very smooth and seemed to crack much to easily.  After making a few phone calls to friends and family who I know had worked with cement I learned there were several kinds of cement, so back to the supply store. Things  improved after that.

A NEW PROJECT ON THE HORIZON.

I need stepping stones, don't you think?

============================================================

============================================================

Peeping through

Wisteria-a vine for my fence!

An overview of my front lawn and gardens - Bandit resting in the shade -chicken in the Liriopi scratching for bugs! He is such a good dog-We taught him to leave the chickens alone as you can see his back is turned to her. Foreground Delphinium, I save seeds from these plants.

Not much time for this area lately-  I forgot how often chickens poop, the fence is a quick fix to keep them off my porch when I let them free range for insects.

What a beautiful sight-I took this from my back deck.

Such a wonderful surprise- to be working in the gardens -looking up to see this beautiful rainbow!  what if I had been inside looking at t. v., I do that a lot in the winter months.

And another

Another view just down the line

My daughter gave me this Mimosa tree- I planted it in my main flower bed-eventually this area will evolve into a  privacy  screen from the nursery fields.  I have planted several tall shrubs and trees here.  All the flowers will be given homes in my flower beds in back.  The winter was harsh and I will have to trim out some dead branches.

I have three blue berry bushes- blueberry pie anyone?

I cleaned out another area for this squash and tomato garden.  Last year I used this space for a burn pile.

This small garden gave an abundance of enjoyment.  We ate all we wanted, some went in the freezer, and plenty to share with my family!!

Swallowtail butterflies and Double Tiger Lilies

My granddaughters and friends gave me money for my birthday I bought mulch- I love it.  thank you!

This garden will evolve as time goes by.  You will see!

Pink flamingo chair-because my sister Mary didn't want me to put a pink flamingo here!

While at the beach this summer with my sisters, we visited a few gift shops and I wanted to buy a flamingo sculpture for my tropical garden. My sister advised me not to go there!  I took her advice but my decision weighed heavy on me, so I decided to compromise.

An over view of one area -a tropical garden- at least that's the plan.

While I worked on special projects I still kept my vegetable and flower gardens going.

My camera is a small digital --I aim and click that's easy to see.

Now that I have done all this work I can see why I need a much better camera.  My blog is to leave a record for my family and friends . They need to be able to view it at  it's best.

Surly you approve! My back yard gardens are taking shape.  I have moved several plants from their original spot to their new location.  Knowing me they just might be moved again, as things evolve.

Paint makes it what it aint

A face lift for the little chicken coop.

================================================================

================================================================

This little shop is so nice, I can listen to the radio while I work outside, lights too. With  a tiller by daughter loans me from time to time makes easy work for clearing new ground. 

Lights and music

How many people have Christmas light that only 1/2 of the set works.  I had lots of those and don't know why I held on to them but I found a place I could use them.

Lots of stuff

The chickens have their own house now so I cleaned the little building they were using and make it my workshop.  It didn't get to messy because I put their little coop inside it and covered the space under it with a thick layer of straw.    

     Before I had a chicken coop I had chickens. After they outgrew the small coop they lived in a room added to the back of my car port and because it's all separate from my house I didn't mind.  Things change, its time to clean out the room and put the chicks in their new home. Now I have a larger place to keep all my gardening supplies. I have lots of plans to make this work shop better.

     

  A WORKSHOP

=============================================================

=============================================================

Waking up!  Far left  a new River Birch

I will be concentrating on where to plant some trees.

WE NEED SOME TREES BACK HERE!!

Time to wake up it's spring again!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------__________________________________________________________

This has been an extremely cold winter and with a few snow storms, but it was not as wet as our 2013 winter season and we are so ready for a warm up.  I can't wait to get busy outside.  Cabin fever you will be a memory!

Straw hat???  The sun was shining!!

Bandit was there to observe, his approval?  Check the yellow spot on the bottom of the snowman-( Lady that is)- shame, shame Bandit!  The only snowman for this winter season.

A boy and his dog