Looking back and looking forward

on this year that is quickly fading away. It has been a year of  discoveries, challenges, and

realizations of how I want to do things in the following New Year.

So here is a glimpse back on 2012..........

In January,

 

I discovered a new gardening method called bag gardening, where one can simply cut open bags of fertilized soil and grow their garden without digging into hard ground. I was mildly successful with this, however, I think I like to garden by tilling the earth or using raised beds better.

In February

I got interested in restoring vintage items...........a chair.............and also my grandfather's old trunk that had recently been handed down to me. This turned out to be a new thing that I love to do.

In March

I started getting an abundance of eggs from my chickens, which led to a great year of selling fresh eggs from my home.

 

In April,

the prairie was full of fragrant wildflowers of every shape and color.

I spent many hours walking and taking it all in.

In May,

I decided to put a use to some of the things I collect. I came up with the idea of using my old light globes as plant containers. It turned out to be a wonderful idea!

Of course, as many of you know, nature captures my attention the most.

In June,

there was an abundance of grasshoppers and large crickets. Even though they are very destructive, I find them whimsical and the most agreeable model for photos.

In July,

I was challenged with where to draw a line when it comes to being friendly with wildlife.

A male racoon decided to take up residence in Sophie's large dog house. He seemed friendly , however, he soon tried to take over every thing. I had to capture this creature and once it was in a cage, he was not as friendly as I had thought. Thankfully, he was relocated and never returned.

In August,

I was able to release two birds, Twitter and Tweet , back into the wild.  I had been tending to them for the past few weeks. They grew to be healthy and strong and flew away. It was a bittersweet moment.

In September,

The cotton fields were filled with colorful blooms from the cotton plants.

In October,

the Zinnia gardens that I planted late on purpose, proved to be a wonderful thing to decide to do. I had beautiful blooms all the way up to November.

In November,

as in each year, it was time to get the greenhouse ready. I placed all of the outside plants into the greenhouse shelves, covered the greenhouse in plastic and got the heater installed, ready for the cold winter days and nights ahead.

In December,

the grounds were covered with a light dusting of the first snow for the season. A beautiful and quiet world......when all of this happens.

Looking forward with this new year just around the corner, I am already faced with new challenges and decisions that will need much prayer and thought upon.

Change is good I have been told so many times............but I like things to be as they are, especially when they work out so well.

I am looking forward to this new year with hope, faith, and determination to make it the best year yet.

How about you?

Are you looking forward to a new year of great possiblities?

What are some of your best moments for this past year?

I would love to hear!