Backyard Paradise

BLACK BEAUTY ADDS MYSTERY AND EXCITEMENT TO BACKYARD GARDEN WORK

2011-07-29T17:29:00.012-04:00

This gorgeous butterfly arrived into my life in a most mysterious and surprising way. While preparing to toss a pile of spent foliage and weeds into the compost my eye caught sight of something strange and unfamiliar attached to a thick stalk. I cut off the stem, took it into my work room and attached it to the bulletin board that hung on the wall above my computer. The plan was to go on-line when I had time and try to identify it. Too often we allow life to become much to busy. By the next day I'd completely forgotten about it. Then, very late one night I was sitting at my desk working. Suddenly, I jumped. Seemingly out of the blue something quite large and very dark came fluttering down past my head and landed on the desk directly in front of me. Needless to say I was awestruck at seeing what it was. A brand new, shiny black, breathtakingly gorgeous butterfly had landed directly in front of me. (see above photo) I scrambled to figure out what to do. Putting it out into the dark night did not feel right. Not wanting to harm it by handling it I managed to find a container that offered plenty of room where it could rest until morning. The next day was bright and sunny, perfect for the butterfly to be released. My hubby, with camera, went outside with me hoping to catch a few shots of it as it took off. Neither of us were prepared for what happened next. The butterfly sat exercising its wings, then took off. It made several large circles around us. I held out my hand and suddenly, to my amazement it landed on it. It stayed there, resting, for a fairly long time before once again lifting off. This time the circles it made around us grew bigger and bigger until eventually it set out bravely to explore this exciting environment it found itself a part of. Soon it would join the myriads of other butterflies feasting on the sweet nectar of flowers and shrubs we'd planted just for them in our backyard paradise. But this particular butterfly had made all of the garden work our little back yard requires so very worthwhile. We would spend the rest of the summer playing the guessing game, trying to figure out just which one of them was our mysterious and "special" little friend.

Stink Bugs!!! How are you Dealing With Stink Bugs?

2011-01-19T22:35:00.003-05:00

It's been some time since I wrote. Life is like that. Priorities can often become difficult to decide upon. At this particular time a circumstance has arisen that is most definitely a priority and has called me back to writing in my blog. That priority has a name - STINK BUGS. I am wondering how many of you have been dealing with stink bugs in any major way? The news has carried numerous stories about their sudden appearance a few years ago (via China) and the growing destruction of food crops as a result of growing, almost radical, population. Here in our very tiny corner of the world the problem with them has been growing way out of proportion. For me it has become not just a summer and autumn problem outdoors. Here and now, in the dead of winter I am having to deal with them on a daily basis - in our home. It is time to find a solution. It is my intention to write more on this subject a little later. As for now, however, I am requesting your input as to your experience with the stinky hard shelled insects and how you have been dealing with them. Any response will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

A SIMPLE BUT BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF "SCANNED" FRESH FLOWER ART

2009-12-28T16:25:00.008-05:00

Here is a photo showing a simple but pretty piece of scanned fresh flower art. It is one of my first attempts to transfer the beauty of fresh flowers onto paper. Tiny pink hydrangeas along with a few white geranium blossoms along with purple blooms and leaves from a hanging basket show up in full color against a background created from green scrap paper.

As you stroll through your own backyard just allow your mind to flow freely, drinking in the wonder of that natural world surrounding you. You may be pleasantly surprised by what creative ideas present themselves. Imagine how many ways a simple but lovely piece like this could be used.

See previous post on this blog "Scanning Fresh Flowers..." to learn how to scan fresh flowers onto paper.

Fresh Flower Art

2009-12-28T15:30:00.006-05:00

Venturing into fresh flower and plant art has become both an interesting and pleasantly enjoyable venture. Our own backyard offers a constant supply of material to experiment with from early spring until late autumn. Some of the flowers appearing in this scanned arrangement are red and white impatients, daisies and queen anns lace. For information on how to do this see previous post on this blog. Although there is still much to be learned concerning the centering and arrangement process of the subject I was delighted with the brilliancy and true-to-life color transferred onto the paper.

SCANNING FRESH FLOWERS ONTO PAPER

2009-12-23T22:31:00.008-05:00

This is an experiment I did to see how well fresh flowers would scan onto scrap book paper. Freshly cut flowers from our garden (tiny rose buds, golden cosmos, wee daisies, cone flowers, etc.) were placed face down on the scanner. Book markers cut from various colors of scrap book paper were placed lightly atop each arrangement with a large piece of black paper atop all of them. The lid of the scanner was carefully closed and pressed just tight enough so as to not allow any light to escape out. The pictures projected onto the paper were quite unique and beautiful. It was quite an interesting project and I was delighted with the finished project even though much more work needs to be done to perfect it.

Backyard Pond Serves Year Round

2009-12-23T20:22:00.009-05:00

It's hard to think that it's been so long since I've visited this blog. Summer season came and went so quickly. The garden produced well and I hope to relate much of that experience in upcoming blogs. Now, however we are inundated with an early snowstorm that brought us approximately twenty inches of snow - and that before the first day of winter arrived. Quite a contrast from last year. If this is a preview of what winter has in store, already it has provided time to work on some indoor artistic projects put off far too long. And that is a good thing. In upcoming posts I plan to publish stories and photos about some of them- presenting the thrills, humor, joy, satisfaction and learning experience our natural and beautiful backyard provides, not just throughout summer months but every single day of the year.

The above photo is of our tiny water garden that hosts two large koi fish and three frogs, as well as providing drinking water for a host of birds.

Missing KOI Fish

2008-06-14T15:57:00.004-04:00

Spring arrived bringing with it spectacular beauty to our backyard. I can't remember a time over the past eleven years that we've lived when every blade of grass, herb, flower, shrub and tree has shown with such vibrant color. Brilliant yellow yarrow, dark blue delphinium, pretty chamomile daisies, pink coral bells, multi-colored sweet williams and numerous herbs provide a carpet of breathtaking beauty against a backdrop bush of florescent red roses that glow especially bright just before sundown each evening. Already the water garden is partially covered with large lily pads, making Mr. Frog a happy camper as he sits waiting and watching for a meal. White lilies and purple water hyacinth add to the beauty and send their uniquely delicious scent wafting across the lawn in the early morning and late evening. All of the sea grasses, flowering shrubs, ferns, ground cover and perennial shade plants have returned and are flourishing.

There is just one (or, actually two) things missing. Two large, breathtakingly gorgeous, orange KOI fish are missing from our pond. They came up missing back in early April, much to our dismay. We had purchased three Koi fish right after installing the pond. They thrived through each winter. A heater kept the ice off, and they grew bigger and bigger each year becoming like dear friends. It was a joy to watch those bright gold colored fish boldly protrude up and out of the water, cleaning algae from the sides and pushing themselves upward almost into the upper pond at times. Then - the two of them just suddenly came up missing. The black and gold mottled koi remains. He was frightened for weeks after the two disappeared and kept hidden in the depth. Now we've replace the two missing with another pair of small koi's and are hoping all will be well. We did notice a display of a huge bird dropping on our car that was parked nearby, making us think that a blue heron may have been the thief. We can only guess.

Earth Day 2008

2008-04-21T17:11:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is the official date for Earth Day 2008. Over the weekend the event was celebrated at numerous sites in our area - all of them a far cry from the huge celebrations that were held back when Earth Day was was first declared. Where has all of that awareness and excitement that marked them gone? Pondering the meaning of an event like this can be quite nostalgic. For an oldie like me it can take one back to the Earth I knew as a child. Back then, long before there were computers and very few families even knew what TV was, life was very different. It was a time when the Earth, Nature, felt like a best friend. Free time was spent out in it. Reveling in it. Urban sprawl was barely noticeable yet, back then. My friends and I looked forward to getting together and running over the hills and through the woods. That was our playground. Huge wild grape vines (monkey swings, as we called them) hung from immense lush trees along stream banks, providing challenges and fun. Hopping rocks got us from place to place, avoiding thorns and thicket that grew along the banks. When we were thirsty we never thought twice about getting down and lapping up fresh clean water pouring in from a crystal clear spring feeding the stream. Those streams provided for us with a swimming hole to cool off in during the heat of summer. Blackberries, raspberries, wine berries, strawberries, black cherries, spearmint and peppermint tea grew abundantly in the wild and were always a welcome treat. How I remember the thrill of running and running across grassy fields until we could run no more. Falling down and rolling in the cool soft green grass and listening to our laughter echo around us. I can still recall our delight at finding the first bluebottles in springtime as we made our way through the forest; the smell of skunk cabbage; searching for fairies under may apple leaves and toadstools; the first time we got our hands stained unmercifully gathering bouquets of little white blood root blossoms, the sharp pinch from the claw of a crayfish that had been hiding under a rock, the delightful sight of watching a lizard scurry away, an abundance of snakes lurking just about anywhere. The forest could become anything we wanted it to be, overflowing with all we needed to stimulate adventure and loosen our creative imagination. One day we might be off on safari in some wild African jungle. The next may be a visit to a place where fairies dwell. Trees were there to climb and see the earth beneath from a totally new perspective. Freedom. Space. Wonder. Humor. Mystery. Majesty. That was the earth we knew back then. A place of peace and beauty to "just be", feel the warmth of sunlight, watch butterflies kiss gorgeous wildflowers, listen to songbirds and trickling water, feel the cool green grass beneath bare feet, lie flat on our backs and watch the clear blue sky above, stumble upon a flock of pheasants and gasp, astounded at the site of their brilliant plumage, or watch a turtle drag slowly along. And amidst it all, more so then all of the physical joy and attraction, lay a deeply felt reverence - ever present. No other place has ever felt closer to the Divine, to the Creator of All That Is, then just being out there, immersed completely in the solitude and wonder of nature.

What happened? When did it happen? Why did it happen? When did we begin to lose our respect for that which provides so wonderfully for us? When did our crystal clear streams and rivers turn into sewers? Why? Where were we when our fish became contaminated, unfit to eat, began dying and washing up upon the river banks, disappearing from our small streams - needing to be "stocked"? When did farmers stop tilling their fields, spraying them instead with harsh chemical fertilizers and herbicides and planting over top of last years spent crops? When did the last gorgeous wild pheasant die - and begin to be "stocked"? Wild turkeys - now "stocked"? What happened to the once abundant supply of monarch butterflies, frogs and snakes? Where have all of our friends, the turtles, gone? And now - even our once so bountiful honeybees are disappearing - rapidly. When did the people begin their search for a drink of "pure" water purchased in plastic bottles? Where is the laughter of children plundering through thick wild woodlands, frolicking along stream beds and searching for life forms - long gone.

Earth Day 2008. What does that "really" mean?

Robins

2008-03-04T17:39:00.003-05:00

The forecast for today calls for heavy rain and possible flooding overnight here in South Eastern Pa. Both yesterday and today temperatures have been hanging around 60 degrees. For the past several weeks night time temps were below freezing and our days have been cold and blustery. So far no robins have been spotted in our backyard. This morning the feeder was exceptionally active. Chickadees, titmice, nuthatch, snowbirds, both red and gold finches, cardinals, a blue Jay, a few blackbirds, a cowbird, and of course "the squirrel" kept things abuzz. With no sight or sound of Robins yet, I decided to do a little checking. Notes written on last years calendar record that on March 7th we sited our first Robins in the backyard. One week later, on Tuesday the 13th, lots of them had begun appearing. The following Friday we had a major snow storm with temperatures in the twenties. Somehow my calendar for year 2006 came up missing. Data on the one for year 2005 records no robins had been spotted here until the last week of March.

We are located at a high elevation. During winter months, when areas around us get rain we often get it in the form of snow, sleet or freezing rain. Perhaps this has to do with when robins decide to visit here. But then why would they have arrived here last year just two days before a major snow storm? I guess only they know the answer to that. One thing is for certain. If not before, when the gardens finally dry out enough to pull out the tiller and begin turning the soil, like magic our good old friends will be back. Hopping and chirping all about us, they'll be eying each turn of the rich dark earth in search of a big fat juicy worm. So...perhaps although we haven't been seeing them...those robins have been spying on us from above...watching...and waiting for just the right time.

ICY FEBRUARY

2008-02-13T08:37:00.002-05:00

The bird feeder is a beautiful sight this morning as I sit here in the cozy warmth gazing through my window at it. Icicles have created a crystal picket fence around portions of it. The furtherest side of it must be clear, however. That is where birds keep zipping to and from in a splash of brilliant color. Red finches appear especially colorful against a white landscape, as do the cardinals. Titmice, chickadees, nuthatch, sparrows and of course snow birds (myriads of them) dart back and forth. A dove sits perched on the roof of the feeder. She just sit there, sort of bleary eyed, watching all the activity going on below. I know what she's waiting for . When the traffic below begins to lessen she, joined by a number of her own kind, will glide to the icy surface below and with ease and grace begin pecking up what the other birds have scattered. Mourning Doves are an interesting lot. Cautiously, they work their way to food and water sources taking all the time in the world to finally make their move to eat or drink. At the slightest thing they spook, making a noisy getaway. Then very slowly they begin to return. At least a dozen of them visit our water garden each evening at dusk playing out this ritual, as they are now doing at the feeder.

Well, I didn't intend for this entry to be so short. However, the lights keep flickering telling me that a power failure just might be in the offing. The lines, shrubs, and trees out there are well coated with ice. So that is telling me it's time to log off and perhaps just kick back a while and watch the birds on this beautiful February morning. No time to edit this entry.

WINTER FROGS?

2008-01-02T17:40:00.000-05:00

We have just passed the shortest day and jumped right smack into a brand New Year, 2008. Whether you believe Global Warming to be fact or fiction, without a doubt 2007 will go down as "unusual" weather wise, across the entire planet. I don't need to visit with the Penguins or Polar Bears to be aware of this. The evidence of something unusual going on can be seen right here in my own back yard. The first time it happened I thought for sure I must be seeing things. Frogs sitting on rocks by the backyard water pond in December? Perhaps I need to do some serious research about the habits of these critters before going too far on this. Perhaps it's not all that unusual to see frogs sunning themselves at the end of December here in the Northeast. I must admit I don't know a lot about the habits of native frogs. For several years we'd purchased tadpoles at a garden center and watched them become large frogs over the summer. When autumn came they always disappeared and did not re-appear the next year. We assumed they were not suited for our normally harsh winter weather and perished. So we gave up on the idea of ever having any frogs. Then, after two years of having no frogs, five frogs unexpectedly appeared in our water garden setting last summer. We were elated! As the seasons changed we grew apprehensive, wondering how they would handle the winter. They seem to be handling it just fine. Throughout the month of December they have made many appearances. When it gets brutally cold for a few days every now and then, they vanish. Then as it goes snapping back up into the upper forties and fifties, they immediately reappear - basking away in the sun again just like they had throughout the summer. The big difference, however, is that back then there was an abundant food supply available to them. Now there is none and we wonder how long they can continue without it?

Birds Flock to Our Backyard Feeder

2007-12-08T18:59:00.000-05:00

Early December 2007 has turned out to be quite a turnaround from the unusual warmth we were still basking in last December. Already we've had freezing daytime temps down in the twenties and night time ones in the teens. Glistening white snow blankets the backyard. This has brought birds flocking to our backyard feeder. After that first snowfall and blast of cold arctic wind we learned just how many birds live in our community. The main feeder tried in vain to accommodate a barrage of colorful red finches, chickadees, titmouse, sparrows, nuthatches, cardinals, and of course, snowbirds (as I call them). Spread out across the terrain beneath, mourning doves fed serenely on millet seed and feed scratched out of the feeder above them. Gold finches awaited turns at the nearby thistle seed feeder while woodpeckers pecked away at the suet fastened onto the trunk of our maple tree. Occasionally, the birds made their way to our heated water garden for a drink. All of this we were privileged to watch through a window in our warm snug house. What a winter treat!! We have never regretted all of the time and work it has taken to turn our tiny backyard into a retreat for these beautiful feathered friends. I must admit, though, that it came as a bit of a shock when we realized it was already time to replenish our supply of bird feed last week. It's only early December and the birds visiting our main feeder have already consumed well over fifty pounds of Grade A bird food. Let's hope this Winter will be short-lived and hope that an early Spring lies in store.

Environmentally Friendly Backyard

2007-10-22T20:41:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe it's late October. Once again it was eighty degrees today here in south central Pa. The tomatoes and peppers in our garden continue to produce heartily. In fact, this has been the best year for tomatoes in all of the ten years we've lived at this location. In that time we've worked hard to make our backyard as environmentally friendly and inviting to wildlife as possible. I suppose our garden could actually be considered totally organic now. During these ten years we've used no chemical fertilizers or chemicals on it. We were pleasantly surprised this summer when we began discovering frogs living in our small backyard pond. We were thrilled to learn one had taken residence here. Then each new day brought more sitings until we counted five of the little critters. Most of them seem incredibly friendly, like they've been here and came to know us and trust us before we ever began spotting them. I have to wonder how unusual it is for them to still be out there sunning themselves and feasting on insects at this time of year? How does this unusual warmth affect such species? I've not yet found the time to identify just what kind of frogs they are yet. The weather has just been to nice to be indoors doing research this Fall. Perhaps it will soon become more seasonal and afford plenty of time for that. We were also talking today about perhaps we should name the frogs. But the time must surly be fast approaching that they will be going into hibernation for the winter. That, too, may be a project left until the weather gets cold. That way when they re-emerge next Spring they will have names awaiting them. Ha ha.

Anyway, it has been some time since I've written in my blog and decided tonight to just do a speedy entry.

Green Tomato Pie

2007-09-14T21:55:00.000-04:00

I wonder how many people have heard of Green Tomato Pie? The first time my husband asked me to make him a Green Tomato Pie I gave him a blank look. Never heard of such a thing. It turned out I'd soon be learning exactly how to make it, and for the next fifty some years would be turning out at least one each summer. My mother-in-law had served the dessert to her family quite frequently during their growing up years and they all seemed quite fond of it. None of our five children ever developed a taste for the pie, nor have I. One of our grandsons has, however, and looks forward every summer season to sitting down with grandpa for a nice big slice. Preparing a Green Tomato pie was really much more simple than I'd first imagined it would be. In fact, there is very little difference in the recipe for it and the one I often use for making a simple Apple Pie. The difference being, of course, the use of green tomatoes instead of apples. Back when folks had larger families to feed it was a thrifty way to make use of unripe tomatoes still hanging on the vine when a first hard frost was approaching. And for those who have a taste for Green Tomato Pie, it still is.

Basically, this is how I make the pie:

6 to 8 med. green tomatoes
1/2 cups sugar (depending upon sweetness desired)
3 scant tablespoons flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. butter
Double pie crust.

Cut tomatoes into slices (as you would the apples for apple pie) into a bowl. Mix the sugar with the flour and cinnamon. Pour flour mixture over the tomatoes. Toss just enough to coat slices. Pour coated slices into pie shell. I use a 9" pan. Dot with butter. Cover with top crush and fasten together along rim. Cut vent holes in top crust. Bake at 424 degrees until you see bubbling at vent holes and crust looks light brown and done.

PRESSED FLOWER MAGIC - TURNING TWIGS, LEAVES, PETALS AND GROUND COVER INTO A GORGEOUS SEASIDE LIGHTHOUSE SCENE

2007-08-27T19:55:00.000-04:00

The photo shown on this post is one of an art piece I created as a gift for someone. It was a lot of fun. Using good quality watercolor paper I painted the sea and sky background. Looking at a photo of a Maine Lighthouse. 9x12 is a good size for this. I lightly sketched an outline onto the paper. Then, materials I'd gathered and pressed were placed on the paper to get a general idea of what was needed to create the scene. Twigs became the outline of the lighthouse and railings. Carrot leaves served for some of the trees. Blossoms that had failed to become the gorgeous bright reds I'd hoped for during the pressing process but instead turned brown worked perfectly for rocks, etc. White petals that had come out tinged with darker colors gave the lighthouse a weathered appearance. Red maple blossoms, pressed very early in Spring, became small shrubs. A brilliant gold or yellow marigold petal makes a great light. Magically, daisy petals turned into soaring sea birds. All sorts of tiny neat things I'd gathered and pressed became interesting ground cover. The final step was to glue everything in place and allow time to dry before framing. Since beginning this hobby I've learned to train my eyes to see beyond every little flower, leaf, grass, ground cover, etc. that grow in nature. Seeing beyond what they are to what potential they might present after pressing takes a little imagination but is great fun. I place my freshly gathered materials immediately between facial tissues (I use Puffs) inside old telephone books. The books are labeled for content and date of entry. They are placed one atop the other with several bricks on top of the stack. After a couple of weeks I check them. Some materials contain more moisture then others and will need to have the tissues replaced and continue pressing a bit longer for better results. When the process is finished I remove and store them for future use. Organized storage makes it much easier to find exactly what you need when you find yourself in a creative mode, and inspired to put together a piece of artwork such as the lighthouse scene in this photo.

WATERGARDEN FROGS - WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?

2007-08-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

For years we have tried to make frogs a part of our backyard water garden. Each Spring we went to a garden center, purchased tadpoles and placed them in the shallow upper pond. By summer at least a couple of them had survived and we had frogs there to watch, listen to, and enjoy throughout the summer. However, none of them ever seemed to winter over. We could not find a way to solve that problem, so decided to give up on the idea of having frogs. Each year we've worked to upgrade our tiny backyard and make it more wildlife friendly. The grasses and fern we planted around the edge of the water garden now frames a portion of it. Water lilies bloom continually throughout summer. Grasses creep over and through the rocky edging. Our koi fish have grown immensely and splash their rich gold color about as they poke their heads up out of the water searching for food. The shallow top pond, although the water is crystal clear is always swathed with deep green colored algae. This takes constant "weeding" to keep it under control. One day while working on this, much to our surprise, we heard a "plop" sound. For the rest of the day we kept a vigilant eye on the pond. What an unexpected surprise lay in store. With having done nothing more than create a friendly environment for them, three frogs had located our backyard, found it inviting, and were living in our pond. Needless to say we are utterly delighted. Each day we look forward to watching them. They've become so used to us now that we can be working within a foot or so of them and they just stay put. I don't know what species of frog they are. They've grown a lot since we first spotted them and seemed to have now reached maturity. Unlike the huge bull frogs that emerged from the tadpoles we used to purchase, these frogs are a good deal smaller. Another difference is that we have never heard these frogs croak. They are brownish with dark spots and bright green color stands out around their mouthes. I guess it really is true when they say, "if you build it, they will come". Now we are waiting to see what happens during the approaching winter. Hopefully, if they are a native species they will know how to deal with that situation and will be back here once again next Spring gracing our water garden.

If anyone knows more about this species of frog or could suggest information about what to create to help them winter over, I invite you to post it.

GOLDFINCHES LOVE OUR COSMOS AND SUNFLOWER SEEDS.

2007-05-01T17:53:00.000-04:00

No matter how many times I watch the transformation taking place among the goldfinch population in our backyard each Spring it still amazes me. Their daily visits to the feeder to feast on thistle seed allows me to watch as they moult away all those drab winter colors and adorn themselves with a brand new wardrobe. Males, in particular, suddenly light up as their brilliant, lemon skin yellow feathers start to appear. Gorgeous and exotic looking they dart about among the colorful blooms of red bud, lilac and mock orange. During the winter it was easy to keep them attracted to our yard simply by stocking the feeder with their favorite food - thistle seed. Now it is just about time to let their feeders go empty again. During the summer, when wild seeds are plentiful it takes careful planning to get them to stay here. Many years ago I learned a little secret for doing just that though. In fact, I've even found a way to keep them coming directly to my window - peering right in at me and singing cheerfully while I sit here at my desk. How I do this is quite simple. Planting just a few of the smaller variety of lemon yellow sunflower plants directly in front of my window is irresistible to them. I grow the shorter, branching type sunflowers with about six inch blooms. The flowers appear much earlier than the larger types causing seeds to mature sooner. Goldfinches like tiny seeds not the huge mammoth types of sunflowers. They seem to enjoy just coming and perching on the branches even when not eating. Our goldfinches also "love" cosmos seeds. We always include a small garden filled with tall cosmos plants. After reaching full bloom, as blossoms begin to wane the tiny birds perch upon them feasting on the seeds. Our reward is to watch the colorful little birds dart among the haze of green foliage and brilliant colors of pink, maroon and white flowers. So whether I'm sitting inside watching these dear little friends from my window or relaxing under a shade tree seeing them dart about in the cosmos garden, planting both sunflowers and cosmos assures their presence in our backyard throughout the summer season.

BIRDS...ROBINS and BIRD BOXES...AN AWESOME LEARNING EXPERIENCE

2007-04-30T17:05:00.000-04:00

"The sun is sinking slowly in the western sky"...a few words from one of my favorite songs sung by John Denver. As this gorgeous day draws to a close, so does the month of April. The scenery in our backyard has changed dramatically over the past few weeks. Snowbirds have finally left it for a more northern destination. Robins are back. As I sit here writing, robins twitter about outside my open window singing their old familiar evening songs. Once again I awaken in the early dawn to hear their repertoire as they serenade their mates. Robins have become like faithful old friends. Every spring we welcome their return. They seem to love our backyard, scratching in our gardens and bathing in our little pond. Each year they build nests in the small red maple and tall pines. A few years ago we had an unfortunate experience that caused me to fear our relationship with them might be altered forever. We found plans on-line on how to build a box for robins to nest in. We had other bird boxes and sparrows in particular made use of them year after year. So we decided to try one for a robin. To our amazement, shortly after building one and fastening it fairly high up onto the trunk of our silver maple tree, a robin began building a nest in it. Excitedly, we watched as the female sat patiently on her eggs through every imaginable kind of weather. Then the day came when the eggs hatched. Again, we watched as mom and dad devotedly cared for their young. They grew quickly and became bolder and bolder, stepping closer and closer to the edge of the box and gazing out into the brand new world awaiting them. That's when we got the idea of taking pictures of them. Someone we knew had a great camera with a zoom. After numerous snaps the temptation grew to get even closer. Climbing a ladder to snap a really close-up shot seemed innocent enough. None of us could have even imagined the havoc that step would cause. When the photographer reached the top the baby birds suddenly decided it was time to get serious about using those little wings they'd been flexing and practicing with. One of them leaped from the box and went gliding down onto the lawn. At the same time mom and dad robin went into a rage. Our thoughts were to capture the baby bird and return it to the nest. So despite the protests of the parents that is what we attempted to do. However, as the person carrying the fledgling reached to place it into the nest another one put its wings into action and glided out and down onto the lawn. Upon release, the first one had no interest in staying put either and again glided back down. Now there were two on the ground. Mom and dad were in a panic, screaming and darting about frantically. We were all just totally heartsick for causing these birds we love such distress. It had seemed like such an innocent thing to do. No one could have imagined this would happen. Fortunately, the fledglings were ready to use their tiny wings and could get themselves up off of the ground and into some of the lower branches of our shrubs and bushes. From there they hopped higher and higher. The upper portion of the shrubs weren't very far from the limbs of our tall pine trees. For the next several days we watched as the parents continued to guard them and feed them. So for that family of robins all ended well. However, for us it did not. That incident happened several years ago. Never since has a family of robins built in our boxes. I don't know just how birds communicate experiences, etc. to each other. It does seem like one so unpleasant as that was has been passed on from robin to robin ever since though. As they still continue to return to our backyard each Spring and busy themselves building nests in the same old familiar places they take special care to always avoid our boxes - like they've never forgotten. What an unfortunate learning experience it was. I've included a photo of the nesting box attached to one of our pine trees that a family of sparrows have been using successfully for the past ten years. We kept none of the robins.

Monarch Butterflies - Photos - Watching a monarch butterfly emerge from its chrysalis...

2007-04-23T16:53:00.000-04:00

What a gorgeous day it is! While sunlight glistens upon our brilliantly colorful daffodils, bright red tulips, bluebottles and narcissis a delightful scent of hyacinth drifts on the warm breeze. Bird sounds fill the air and the sky is a cloudless blue. A small white butterfly ( which I should probably think of more as a moth) fluttered by, a welcome reminder of more to come - butterflies - monarchs in particular. Last summer presented us a unique experience with a monarch butterfly. For the past several years we've been working to make our backyard an inviting place for butterflies of all kinds. We always grow a few carrots so they can find sweetness in the tops; lots of parsley and dill for them to deposit their larvae on; butterfly weed and butterfly bushes. Each summer we keep adding more and more native plants here and there. Little did we know just how much our efforts would eventually pay off and create for us a unique and amazing experience though.

I like to grow morning glory vines, sweet peas and and sometimes even purple bean vines to wind up along our tall bird feeder post during the time when its not in use. Last summer, late in August, I happened to notice something unusual underneath the wooden rail that juts out from the feeder post that holds a hanging basket. A closer look showed it to be a chrysalis. Needless to say, we were delighted to have spotted it. We so much wanted to watch the monarch emerge from it but knew chances of that happening were slim. Time passed. Then one Saturday morning I walked out into the backyard and when I stopped to check it. Much to my surprise the event we'd been awaiting was happening - right before my eyes. The monarch was emerging! I called Bob and together we kept our eyes glued to it. He began clicking photos. When it had fully emerged, the monarch just stayed there, resting for what seemed like hours. We began to wonder if it was all right. The colors on it were brilliant. It looked so healthy. Still it seemed to be taking awfully long to fly away. Finally, it began to move, first walking, then practicing moving its wings slowly up and down. I wanted it to fly and get on with its life while at the same time wished I could just keep it there forever. It was so gorgeous. Suddenly it took off, flying gently on a breeze. We watched as it flapped its wings and left. My emotions felt all mixed up seeing it grow smaller and smaller. Then to our complete surprise it turned and began flying back toward us. I held out an arm and to my utter amazement it gently landed on my hand, appearing quite tired. I sat down and allowed it to rest there. It stayed for a long, long time. My eyes kept drinking in ever detail of its breathtaking beauty. Eventually, it again began moving its wings up and down - and then lifted off. It made a few trips around the yard and then landed high up on a lattice work filled with vines. There it stayed for another lengthy rest as the sun began to set. The next day it was gone from there but as I watched a very brilliant monarch busily lapping up nectar from our fragrant purple butterfly bush I knew it was our baby. What an awesome and delightful experience it was.

CHILDREN'S GARDEN - BACKYARD FUN AND ADVENTURE

2007-04-10T10:49:00.000-04:00

Several years ago two of our little grandchildren asked if they could have gardens of their very own in our backyard. They had seen ours and found them delightful. So when the seed catalogs began showing up at the end of winter we began planning. Together, we spent a lot of time searching and talking about the zillions of specimens being offered. Every flower they saw looked so pretty. It was hard to choose just what they would benefit most from in the small space each would have to work with. Then there was the sun/shade factor to consider. Although the space they would be using for their gardens was located in the sunniest part of our yard, no place in it received full sun all day long. They had to think hard about whether they wanted all flowers, all veggies, or a mix of both. We had a lot of searching and talking and measuring to do before it all finally came together. It was also a fun way to pass the closing weeks of a cold winter season and find hope and joy ahead by envisioning gardens full of colorful flowers and yummy veggies. They both finally decided they wanted a mix of flowers and veggies. One wanted more flowers though. They each choose to plant one cherry tomato stalk, looking forward to being able to pick off the luscious little red fruit whenever they wanted to. Soon a plan of action was in place. We measured the space each would have and I explained how big each plant would grow to be. All to be taken into consideration when they began planting. It was an exciting day when the seeds arrived in the mail. As the weather grew warmer we added organic compost and worked up the soil. Then came the fun part as they went about making short rows, raking and hoeing and finally sowing the seeds and covering them with fine soil. Anxiously they watched, awaiting the day when bright green seedlings would finally appear. Eventually, the row of carrots came up - so thick that they had to tediously and carefully thin them - as did most everything they'd planted from seed. One of them chose to grow a couple of green bean stalks. The other insisted on having a head of cabbage - for mommy. We visited a nursery for this and for flowers that take too long to start from seed. Before long they each had a thriving little garden brimming over with flowers and a few veggies. They collected stones and used them to draw a line between the two gardens and sticks marked the short rows. Two markers, one a frog and the other a butterfly boldly sporting each of their names, were set into the soil identifying whose garden it was. By the time summer was in full force each was thoroughly enjoying reaping the reward of their labor. They'd learned a lot about seeds, where they came from and what they needed to thrive and grow into plants. About shade and sun; the effects of crowding and the tough decision to eliminate some for the sake of others; what kind of food different plants needed; how necessary moisture is; the importance of mulching. And definitely about weeds and how persistent they can be. How even mulching doesn't keep them completely away. They also learned how difficult it can be to get into the garden and pull those weeds without stepping on the good plants. They had fun playing games with the funny snapdragons; watching bees and butterflies visit their plants. They learned about big green worms that love to eat parsley and how they later turn into gorgeous butterflies. Picking a colorful bouquet from their very own garden and presenting it to mommy offered a unique delight all its own. By late summer as some of the cosmos became spent nature had yet another surprise in store for them as American Gold Finches came to visit the flowers and eat the tiny seeds. As sunflower heads aged they discovered that totally unbeknown to them Blue Jays had been watching them closely, eager to snatch the seeds away as soon as they were ready. Having a garden of their own had been a great learning experience for girls - filled with fun and mystery and work and play. I hope it has stirred up a joy within them that will stay for the rest of their lives. I will always cherish and appreciate having had that opportunity to teach them about the joy of gardening and nature and to watch their wide-eyed wonder and excitement each step of the way. That was a great summer in our backyard!

HEALTHY EATING - ORGANICALLY - straight from your own backyard garden.

2007-04-04T20:22:00.000-04:00

As more and more people choose organically grown foods, stores are complying by offering an ever increasing variety for sale. Organic co-ops keep springing up everywhere. Organically grown foods purchased directly from farmers are becoming more and more numerous. The web offers a wealth of info. on the subject. However, most crops grown organically come with a pretty high price tag attached to them. So why not begin turning your own back yard into an organic haven. The earth will love you for it. Birds and bees and butterflies will show their appreciation by choosing your yard for their place to sing and flutter and buzz about in. Begin by making a conscious decision to never again put chemicals or herbicides on your soil. COMPOST!!! Save every fruit and veggie scrap you have. They are so valuable. I keep a bowl in my kitchen for that precise purpose. When it's full it gets emptied onto a pile in the backyard that is kept surrounded by a small fence in a hidden area. There it needs to be watered and turned with a fork every now and then to keep it decomposing. Leaves, yard grass, garden waste is also added. Never add dairy, eggs, or meat scraps to your compost. Egg shells are great though and provide calcium. Coffee grounds are good, too, as are spent tea bags. You can go on line for a fancier way of composting if you choose. There are some excellent products for sale that you can purchase to use on a larger scale. For the two of us, this way of doing it provides a lot of rich black healthy compost every Spring that is simple and easy to produce. Purchasing heritage (or organic) seeds directly from organic suppliers, such as www.seedsofchange.com, and starting your own plants indoors assures that the little seedlings were started in organic potting soil as well. However, that takes time and space. More and more nurseries are offering native and organic plants for sale, too. You just have to check around to find them. Leafy lettuce is such an easy plant to grow. Start from seed sown directly into the garden in very early Spring. Spinach can be planted in late summer here in south central Pa., for an early Spring crop. It will winter over in the soil and come bounding back as soon as the weather warms. Snip the deep green leaves for making a delicious Quiche dish and for use in salads. etc. Put in a row or two of tiny onion sets for spring onions. Beets, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, (esp. organic cherry tomatoes for salads) and squash are just the greatest for summer dishes. They are all quite easy to grow. All of these and many more take up very little space and will provide not only delicious nutritious summer eating but pull us out of the house and into the backyard for fresh air, sunshine and exercise. I enjoy mixing flowers among the veggies in the gardens. It looks pretty and helps confuse bugs that would like to beat me to the goodies. Mulching is another important addition to successful crops. So don't forget to mulch. Lawn clipping work well for this, if you have enough and don't want to purchase garden mulch. It's also important to add a coating of lime to your soil each year. Fast acting type if spreading in Spring, or slow acting in the autumn. If you've never tried gardening, or organic gardening in particular, I urge you to do it. It does takes time, years, to build soil that has never been cared for in this way to become completely organic, but each year you care for your soil in this way is a step closer to bringing it back to the way nature intended. If you're unable to purchase all plants that are organic, any variety will thrive and be a great source of flavor and good nutrition when grown in healthy soil to which organic matter has been added. Read books and/or magazines on growing food and flowers organically. Search web sites on the subject. Then get busy, knowing you'll soon be reaping the reward of eating fresh, delicious and nutritious produce - direct from your own backyard. For any questions you may have on this subject, please contact me on this blog. I'll be happy to draw from my many years of organic gardening experience and try to be of help. Or, if I don't have an answer, perhaps readers will have ideas they would like to share that we can all learn from.

RED RIPE FRIED TOMATO RECIPE

2007-03-16T19:23:00.000-04:00

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week the temperatures here were in the 70's and low 80's. Record breaking for the date. Today we're in the midst of an intense winter snowstorm with temps in the 20's. Now is that extreme, or what? Anyway, you may ask what that has to do with a recipe for fried tomatoes Well...during those brief summer like temps spring fever caught me in its grip. We busied ourselves in the backyard cutting back the tall sea grasses and clearing debris from flower, herb and veggie patches. My thoughts flew to planning for the new season. After all it felt like summer was here. Part of that planning was deciding how many tomato plants to put in this year. Since there are only the two of us I wondered if we really need the six stalks we generally grow. Somehow that led me to thinking of all the uses tomatoes provide for us during the summer month. That brought one of my favorite summer dishes to mind. Fried tomatoes. Now I know a lot of folks, esp. in the south, love their "green" fried tomatoes. However, here in Pennsylvania Dutch country where I grew up many of us prefer our tomatoes red ripe to fry. So I got to thinking that perhaps this might be a good time to post my recipe for this delightful dish. It is such a simple dish to prepare, yet so flavorful and delicious.

FRIED TOMATOES - RED RIPE

Fresh ripe tomatoes (about three med., cut into slices a little thicker then you would for a sandwich)
1 cup of Flour
Cooking oil (just enough to cover entire bottom of skillet)
One half teaspoon salt
Dash of black pepper

Add salt and pepper to flour and mix. Generously coat tomato slices on both sides with the flour mixture. Place tomato slices in hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides. Do not crowd. Turn each slice only once.

*Keep oil hot but USE CAUTION NOT TO ALLOW OIL TO OVERHEAT.

This will serve about two people.
We enjoy eating our fried tomatoes with a slice of bread and/or with potatoes cooked in salted water as a side dish.

Enjoy this delectable dish.

DRIED FLOWER ARRANEGMENT - Blue Ribbon Winner - Photo - How I Crafted it.

2007-03-15T12:18:00.000-04:00

In a recent blog I touched upon how rewarding growing flowers intentionally for use in dried arrangements can be. Not only will they add a unique touch to your indoor decor throughout the winter, they can be entered at local fairs or other community events for added fun. The photo included here is of one that I entered at the York Interstate Fair here in Pennsylvania. When we went there and and found this big blue ribbon attached to my entry you can imagine the joy it brought. A summer of labor had paid off in ways I hadn't even imagined when I'd begun my new project that spring. The arrangement shown here is composed of white baby's breath, blue status and strawflowers in shades of red, orange and golden yellow. All summer long I'd been gathering these flowers, tying them with cord string into very small bunches and hanging them upside down on a line in our shed in the backyard. The shed has good air flow and works perfectly for fast drying. When thoroughly dry the strawflowers were attached to wires I'd gotten at the craft store. I kept them standing upright loosely in small jars, dividing them according to color. Likewise, the status. Soft green foam, also available from the craft store, was fitted tightly inside of the milk glass vase. First, lots of baby's breath was inserted into the foam all along the rim. Then the strawflowers, fitted tightly together, filled the entire center. Finally, just the right amount of blue status was added in here and there. From time to time stop, stand back and simply observe your creation. This will tell you what you need to do next to bring it all together in a beautiful way. The base may be covered with any variety of dry moss, or very small pebbles, also available at a craft store. Natural green moss is my favorite.

After creating more dried arrangements then I could use for gifts and to display in our own home, I had enough left to donate to a local auction being held to help single mothers and their children. A letter from the organization expressed gratitude for what they called a generous donation and stated that it had helped much. That was my greatest reward of all.

See another photo of one of my dried flower arrangements, that one using grasses, in my archives.

DRIED FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS/ EVERLASTING BEAUTY FROM YOUR OWN GARDEN.

2007-02-26T11:31:00.000-05:00

February seems to have taken wings. It's time to think Spring. Spring means gardening. A type of gardening that brought me more pleasure then I'd even expected was the year I planted Everlastings. It was my intention to fulfill a dream I'd had for years. I'd heard that some of the original dried flower arrangements that had decorated George Washington's home are still there today. That, to me, was fascinating. By Fall of the previous year many of the perennials I'd started in summer with this in mind had begun showing through the ground. Now, it was time to start annuals. In early March I purchased several "Peat Pellet Greenhouses" designed to hold 72 seedlings each. In them I placed Strawflower, Statice, Hare's Tail, Quaking Grass, and any other seeds I could find listed in seed catalogs under the heading "Everlastings". Blue and purple larkspur and blue flax, an excellent choice for dried flower arrangements, had always been a garden favorite and I knew I could count on them to come through each spring as soon as the weather warmed. Perennial Baby's Breath had been planted the previous summer and its appearance was being eagerly awaited, too. Meanwhile, with snow still on the ground, my tiny seedlings would flourish. Warm and snug they sat watching, through sunny window panes, the melting snow outside being replaced with warmer and warmer days. Windows could then be opened to allow the delicate plants exposure to real sunlight, little by little, as long as no cold breezes blew over them. Later they would be transfered outside onto a picnic table to become gently conditioned to the elements, being brought back inside at night. As the seedlings became stalks and the nights warmed they would be left outside permanently, except if heavy rain came. Some of them grew vigorously, a little too vigorously for the tiny peat pellets to sustain them any longer. Those, I simply placed into larger peat pots filled with potting soil. This allowed them to thrive until it was time to set the entire peat pot containing them into the garden soil. Planting in this way protected them from the shock transplanting sometimes causes. There they would be fed organic compost, mulched and tended as they grew and burst into blazing colorful blooms and grasses. Later I will discuss harvesting and utilizing these beautiful heirloom everlastings in numerous ways to beautify your home all winter long.

WATER GARDEN BEAUTY - PHOTOS SHOW SEASONAL CONTRAST. Snow/Rain/ Ice...Tranquility in the Midst of Chaos

2007-02-17T16:56:00.000-05:00

Weather-wise, the past few days have been incredible, to say the least. It was bitter cold when snow began falling, then a warm front moved in dropping rain and sleet. With ground temps still frigid the rain sank into the snow and turned it into solid ice. Before it was over, rain turned back to snow dropping several more inches over top of the icy landscape. We were in to stay. No one would be going anywhere. Schools and businesses closed. Motorists on near-by major highways became stranded for DAYS. The National Guard was called out to distribute food and assist them in any way they could. Clearing pathways here at home had to be calculated carefully. We first needed to figure out how to clear a way to the most necessary places with the least possible effort. Chopping, chipping and picking was only the first step. Then came lifting the heavy chunks and finding someplace to put them. After having lived for well over a half a century I cannot recall ever having had to deal with worse conditions during winter. Whether this is yet another freaky weather experience to be chalked up to global warming (or global dimming, as some say) one can only guess. But it does make you wonder. Being stranded in a warm cozy house offers time and opportunity to ponder these things - and to count our blessings. Here we can sit snug as a bug watching myriads of gorgeous songbirds filling our backyard feeder and drinking from the balmy forty-degree water in our little pond. Amazing! Tranquility in the midst of chaos.

AN ARTISTS PLAYGROUND - DISCOVER THE ARTIST WITHIN YOU - RIGHT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

2007-02-09T14:17:00.000-05:00

When we first moved into our new home with its tiny backyard I thought gardening was a thing of the past. After placing a picnic table and some lawn chairs we saw little room for anything more than a few flowers. As we inched slowly toward retirement it seemed to be all we really needed anymore. I was trying to recover from a serious health problem that had left me weak and with very little energy. It seemed my productive years were pretty much a thing of the past. I was in for quite a surprise! Our memories from years of homesteading were never going to vanish. Instead, life experience gained from it was crying out to re-surface - in entirely new and invigorating ways. Without the drudgery and hard work that was a necessary part of our past lifestyle, we now had time to rest and just relax. As we sat meditating and drinking in our new mini-environment ideas began streaming in from out of nowhere. Before very long our barren little plot was hosting a gorgeous tiny water garden, complete with mini-falls, grasses and an arbor of climbing vines. Butterfly gardens emerged here and there. Bird houses and feeders went up. Shrubs and bushes fenced the back portion of the yard and provided cover for songbirds. A fragrant herb garden evolved. My life began overflowing with new and exciting artistic endeavors I'd always yearned to get into but never had time for. As I began feeling better and better I grew some everlastings to harvest and turn into dried flower arrangements. Later I found even greater joy in learning to do framed pressed flower artwork. I thoroughly enjoyed gathering and pressing blooms, storing them to be pulled out in the dead of winter when they could be transformed into framed works to fill the house with their beauty and serve as handcrafted gifts for friends and loved ones. Sketching and painting birds, butterflies and flowers also began filling my life with peaceful contentment. It is my intention to present ideas that will inspire and encourage you to discover your very own unique creativity and release the artist within you. It is all there, just waiting to be discovered - right in your own backyard. Have fun with it.

Groundhog Day/Punxsutawney Phil Predicts Early Spring

2007-02-02T11:10:00.001-05:00

Today is Groundhog Day. According to news reports Phil did not see his shadow this morning which means an early Spring is on its way. That is laughable. Our backyard is screaming out that Spring is already here. Tulips have been anxiously pushing through the ground for weeks. Daffodils stand tall with buds ready to burst open. Throughout winter I've continued to pick lush green parsley from my herb garden. The lawn is a gorgeous green color. Periodically, a golden dandelion shines through. Now, when we are nearing the time to begin searching for these early signs of spring they are already here, evident everywhere. Yet, the weather has just finally begun turning wintry here in south central Pennsylvania, with temps dipping down into the low teens and a dusting of snow here and there. What this will do to all of these early risers remains to be seen. I will be watching them closely. Today climate scientists are in Paris reviewing all of the evidence for and against global warming. Isn't it time to stop "talking" and begin "doing - changing the way we do things - encourage young and old minds to find new earth friendly technologies in every direction? These earth changes are real. They are really happening. We need to look no farther then our own backyard to witness natures confusion and see with our own eyes these strange changes taking place. Nor, do we need to go elsewhere to find things we can each do to help in our own little way. Or, in the words of Gandhi, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Snowbirds and Snowflakes Flutter in the Backyard

2007-01-23T13:11:00.000-05:00

This morning brought an unusual sight as I peered through the window into the backyard. Snowflakes were fluttering about chaotically, trying to create a light white blanket over a still green grassy lawn. Snowbirds, usually visiting our feeder in abundance throughout the winter season have been scarce this year. Now they are back in abundance. It makes me wonder where they go when it doesn't snow and then so suddenly re-appear when it does?

Our backyard bears a somewhat confusing appearance this winter. Especially the water garden area. The heater has been afloat on the pond for the last couple of months, unneeded until the past week or so. Our friendly Koi fish, usually quite dormant and hiding on the bottom throughout January, have remained active. They still often swim near the top and sometimes even poke their heads out of the water playfully. Daffodils, sticking through the ground around the edges make me think of Spring, while snapdragons still standing from last summer remain green. Perhaps this will suddenly change as the forecast for the next few days are telling us that "unseasonably cold" temperatures are about to be replaced by "unseasonably warm" ones. Perhaps winter is finally ready to make its appearance. Meanwhile, the backyard scene this winter has been a uniquely strange looking one so far. That is for sure.

My Personal Paradise.

2007-01-19T12:33:00.000-05:00

MY BACKYARD, MY PEACEFUL PLACE – A PLACE TO “SIMPLY BE”.

Fifty two years ago Bob and I began our journey together living in a tiny mobile home. Quickly we outgrew it and moved into an apartment. Eventually we came to own our own home and although our dwelling places changed much through the year, one thing has always remained the same. We’ve always had a yard. During our younger days we were blessed to spend some wonderful years living a sort of homesteading lifestyle. This allowed our children to experience a way of life that was fast disappearing. We had chickens and horses and goats and cats and dogs and some much less domesticated pets at times. We always had a garden and we’ve always gardened organically. Our backyard then was much more than mere lawn. A cleared woods with a fireplace and picnic area covered a portion of it. A volley ball court another.

When the children grew up and began leaving home we eventually moved to a smaller house with a much smaller backyard. Yet, here, during our retirement years, our backyard has become a greater joy than we could have ever imagined. This tiny piece of real estate situated within a very populated area has become a peaceful place to be. Bob has created a serene and beautiful water pond area. In it swim three gorgeous koi fish. It sits nestled among regal sea grass on one side and climbing clematis and morning glories on another. Myriads of birds visit daily during the summer months to splash about as they bathe in the shallow upper pond. Tall trees and boxes provide nesting sites. The deeper lower pond produces a steady array of pure white glistening water lilies. Tiny gardens overflow with plants and blooms wafting with fragrance and nectar and seed to feed an abundance of songbirds. Butterflies flutter among fragrant herb gardens, wildflowers and shrubs and bushes.

Our backyard garden is our personal creation and has become a paradise. It is our place to escape and find solace in the midst of chaos. It is a place for total relaxation and a place to play. It is a place for family and friends to come and enjoy. It is a place to just sit quietly and be; a place to meditate and ponder. The joy of watching squirrels play as colorful butterflies flit about from flower to flower while bird songs mingle with the sound of gently bubbling water is indescribable.

Because of the rich blessings our backyard has given to us I have opened this blog with the intention of sharing. It is my heartfelt desire to share with my readers things I believe will help enrich their lives. Walking in tune with nature has filled my life with humor, adventure, mystery, serenity, new artistic endeavors, moments of chaos, good food, beauty and always wonder. It is my sincere hope that you who visit my web site will find it helpful, informative, interesting, and most of all inspirational.

Each week I plan to write some new and interesting and hopefully helpful experience. Creating our backyard paradise has presented us with many challenges, much humor and lots of learning experience. It has spurred my creativity within and unexpectedly taught me how to use its bounty in some astoundingly beautiful artistic ways. It has enhanced my ever growing spiritual awakening.