A time of busy work.........and then, a time for slowing down..........

..the past few days have been full of work for my husband and I. As you know, I have a small group of tiny chickens..........which I adore. However, when winter starts up.........it is quite an ordeal to move them back and forth from their enclosed kennel and into the big hen house so that they will stay warm on freezing nights.

 Because I can't let them run out in the chicken yard without cover, a hawk can get them and they can get out of the chicken yard fence...........winter comes, and I move them all into the big hen house.......

trying to keep them in and trying  to keep that heavy hen house  door closed without them getting out on me,..........it is a struggle. 

  So one early morning, it was "chicken coop day". My husband and I started to work........stopping only for me to make some lunch, then back out to work...........we finally finished just ......before 5 pm.  We were exhausted.  We took off one panel of the kennel and it slipped perfectly over the hen house.  Then we had to put on the new tarp and cover it all with chicken wire to keep hawks and predators out.

  Now I don't have to chase chickens or usher them into a carrier and haul them into the hen house. They can enjoy their day and go to roost by themselves.

The next day,  I spent re potting plants and large cactus in my collections........and then transporting them all to the greenhouse. I am not as fearless as Ruth Bancroft ( a cactus garden designer I admire). She planted her various collections in the ground to see what would survive through the year........I want to keep  my unique collection a while in the greenhouse.  I did all of this just in time to protect them from the cold front that headed our way that afternoon.  It got down to 35 degrees  the next morning........but then warmed up to the 80s the rest of the week. This is so typical of Texas.  We have a lot of ups and downs before the snow flies.

I dug up some of my rose moss and it is doing so well and is so pretty to see 

in the greenhouse

I also have potted zinnia blooming

As well as my soap aloe.

And my tomato plant is blooming and has small green tomatoes

on it!  It was so worth the effort to move everything!

The next day, my husband trimmed all of the dead limbs from the

mesquite trees that grow around the yard and driveway.

After he cut it all into nice size pieces, we both loaded it and 

stacked it for use in the fireplaces when the weather gets cold

With all of the cooler days and balmy weather, many 

of the outside plants are blooming beautifully.

The rose moss, as I earlier mentioned is so thick at this time.

The wild Prairie Aster that starts in spring, lasts all 

the way through October. 

The 4 o'clock always has sweet smelling blossoms.

The morning glory always blooms better at this time of year.

I love the way the morning glory looks even when it has closed for the day!

The moon flower.....(Jimson weed)

has a sweet scent and so lovely!

my wonderful, sturdy Lantana is also in full bloom.

Which is wonderful because at this time, the Monarch 

butterflies have migrated to our grounds for just a few days.

These flowers will help nourish them and help them along their

way to Mexico. 

There will always be some kind of work to do here........

whether it is autumn or any other season.........

but for now.......

we take an enjoyment from the work of 

the wood gathering and 

sit out and enjoy a late afternoon fire as the 

day goes to slumber.

How about you?

Any snow yet?  What is hanging on in your back yard?

I would love to hear!