The woods are turning to brown and gold colors..........

due to the cool weather and now is the time that I like to go out into the woods and work on creating different gardens along the pathways.

 

The areas between the paths are full of natural plants and shrubs that grow in the landscape.........these, I want to remain and to keep growing.............

but the area is also full of high weeds and thorny cactus. So with Sophie at my side, I picked out my garden space and went to work with a shovel and a rake.

(Before)

I loved this section of 3 mesquite trees standing together, enveloped by small fir brush that the deer like to eat. The photo above is how it looked before I started working on it............

(After)

And here it is after I got rid of the over growth.

(Before)

Here is the ground full of cactus and spiky weeds..........

(After)

and here it is all cleared.

Now here is a perfect garden space ready..........like a blank canvas.............along the pathway.

I am placing containers to plant daffodils and other bulbs.................

I plan to also place a bird feeder and a few bird houses................

as well as a few decorative rocks. 

There is no water source close, I will have to carry it in buckets, so I need to plant things that do not need constant watering.  Hopefully by the end of spring, it will be a lovely garden to look at while walking in the woods.

There is so much more to do. I have many more spaces and pathways to clear. I plan to work one space..............one week at a time.  I wonder what I can accomplish within a years time?................

How about you?

Do you have special places that you are wanting to make into a garden space?

What would you plant or place there?

I would love to hear!



If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies

-author unknown-

 

After enjoying Thanksgiving dinner............

we like to take a long walk, especially when the weather is pretty.

Much of the prairie is turning brown...........but I had to smile as I saw this weed showing off it's red and green leaves..........

as if it were doing like we do........decorating after Thanksgiving, for Christmas.

The cactus along the barbed wire fence joined in with it's colors as well.

It was such a pleasant walk............until this rolled out onto the road..........

scaring, Sophie dog. She could not figure out what kind of animal it was, but because it was rolling along, it must be dangerous.

This is the time that tumbleweeds, do what they do best............

tumble along.

Then they all go to where all good tumbleweeds go..........

stuck on the barbed wire fence until the winds blow them off into another direction. This can go on for quite some time.

On our way back, this group of ants were busy at work.........putting their thanksgiving leftovers away.

As the day ended..........we took a late night walk out along the paths of the woods..........

and then back to our yard to sit out around the fire. Sophie is still looking for

that "tumbleweed monster".

How about you?

How was your Thanksgiving day?

Were you surrounded by family and friends?

Do you watch movies, play games, or go for long walks?
I would love to hear!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles
instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.

 

This is a time for all of us, to slow down with friends and family as we gather for a day of wonderful food and happy times. It is a time for us to reflect on all,.........no matter how great or small........that we have in our lives................and to be grateful.

May your Thanksgiving be full of many blessings to be thankful for.



 

(Sophie)

 

"Come, little leaves," said the Wind one day.
"Come over the meadows with me and play;

Put on your dresses of red and gold,

For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

Dancing and whirling the little leaves went,

Winter had called them, and they were content,

Soon fast asleep in their earthy beds,

The snow laid a soft mantle over their heads.

("Come, Little Leaves" by George Cooper)



The winds have been blowing cold across the prairie

but Gertrude has been standing strong..........with the help of her new sweater, she's as comfy as she can be!

 

 

With the cold temperatures, a lot of the flowers have now faded away and it is time to plant the cheerful pansy. I have a few tucked into beds, here and there............

 

but if you will remember..........I love to use old light globes as containers for pretty blossoms...........

 

Over the past few weeks, I have been able to find some beautiful pink ones in junk stores.............

 

I think yellow pansies look wonderful with pink............don't you?

 

This one has a textured feel to it....................

 

and the pansies look so cheery in the sun.

I also thought that these would be wonderful for smaller plants...............

 

such as this succulent called Tigers Teeth...............

I love the scalloped and ruffled edge to this one...............

which looks like a perfect basket for this pansy.

Although a lot of my Zinnia have died away, I still have a few on the patio blooming in the sun............I wish I could grow them all year long!

How about you?

Are you planting basketful's of pansies?

Do you have any flowers in your garden still hanging on?

I would love to hear!

I am growing snowmen on my farm..........

after I grow them, I dress them up!

Snowmen bodies begin with large gourds grown here on the grounds. After the gourds are harvested, they are placed in storage for a year or more until they are completely dry.

Snowmen arms are grown here on the grounds as well. The different trees (lend a hand)

providing these.

With some tools borrowed from Sweetie, the snowmen get built.

They then get a coat of snow white paint and some sparkly glitter.

Here they sit, drying in the warm Texas sun.

I loved this snowflake ribbon..........perfect for a snowman's scarf......

don't you think?

A few twigs of seasonal pretties dresses the snowman just right.

I fell in love with these snowflakes and knew immediately that they would be perfect for ..........

A snowman's hat!

Here he is ..........all dressed and ready

to welcome you throughout the house............

 

and to greet you when you come to visit!

Am I right in saying that some of you are probably building your own snowmen with snow at this time?

Which do you like to decorate with .................

Santa's or Snowmen??

I would love to hear!



It's November and here on the prairie

the days are filled with warm sunshine and  a clear blue sky,

at night the temperature dips down , so far to 37.........it will soon dip to freezing.

My Zinnia gardens did just as I hoped they would. Planting them later in the summer has let me have beautiful blooms, although they are beginning to look tired from the cold damp nights. These blooms will probably be gone in a couple of weeks. 

Now is the time that I have covered my greenhouse in plastic sheeting and have moved all of my flowers to the inside shelves. I have a heater that keeps the greenhouse comfy at night.

The plants have taken the move quite well. The Aloe Vera is blooming,

the rose moss is still blooming it's brilliant colors,

some new flowers have sprouted,

and marigolds cheer up a back corner.

The geranium, which did not like the hot Texas heat, is so happy and cheerful in the greenhouse.

The tall cactus in the back is almost touching the ceiling. I bought it when it was only a few inches high about 3 years ago. If it continues to grow, it will not fit into the greenhouse next winter.

On sunny days, I keep the greenhouse door open to let the plants have some fresh air.

There is still so much that I want to learn about greenhouses and growing  plants in them. I have enjoyed the journey with each year that passes.

In my recent post, I told you about a crane, I named him Ichabod Crane, who discovered my pond and was eating my goldfish. I have only 11 fish left, however, after placing fencing and chicken wire over and around the pond, where he could not dip into it, he has not shown back up for two days now. My pond looks like a junkyard, but it will stay that way until March , until the cranes leave this area.

I refuse to give my pond and goldfish up............I am very determined.

How about you?

What kind of weather has November brought your way?

Do you have a greenhouse?

If so, what do you plant and grow in it?

I would love to hear!