When life gives you

lemons...........cactus,

make lemonade........something pretty......with a little bit of cement and imagination.........

Armed with a pick ax, a pitch fork and

a wheelbarrow,  I have started working

at clearing the cactus that has it's intentions on taking over

the acreage. 

I have spent many hours and many days, 

whacking,  and placing the cactus into a wheelbarrow

and clearing the land, 

I am carrying it out to the edge of our property

with the hopes of much of it dying out on top of

itself.  This pile will be easier to kill out than with

it spread across the acreage. 

I do appreciate the natural beauty of the landscape,

and I do not want to hire someone to just plow over

the cactus or the other natural plants that live here.

My plan is to leave only a few of the large cactus

bushes.........

because in late spring they are covered in beautiful 

blooms

I am creating a natural "dry garden" 

A place to walk along paths and to enjoy

the beauty of the landscape, 

without running into too much harshness from

thorns.

And with a new uncertain year approaching, 

I am hoping........ we can all not have" harshness or thorns"

to run into on life's path

My prayer for you as this year ends, 

is that you will not look back, but that 

you will have much good and happy times to look 

forward to in the new year to come .

 

Seasons Greetings

Whatever else be lost among the years,

Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing;

Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,

Let us hold close one day, remembering

Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.

Let us get back our childlike faith again.

Grace Noll Crowell, "Let Us Keep Christmas," 1939

 

Simply........thank you......everyone

 for your comforting words of support and your shared stories of grief in connection

 to my latest post of 

the mishaps that had come along.  I still miss the crowing of the roosters and the cackling of the hens, 

but I still need time on deciding about a new brood.

Our family member is doing well and looks to be continuing to do so.

It is a comfort to know  that, although, we all do not know each other personally..........

we have come to be connected with our hearts all of these years ......through blog land. 

I am thankful for all of you dear ones!

The month of November was just the prettiest fall month that I could ask for.

The little oak tree out back has donned on it's vibrant read and orange leaves and 

seems to wave happily in the wind to me when I step out into the day.

I was surprised on one early morning when a young doe, came up to get a drink

just a little bit away from me. 

 I had not noticed her until I had stepped inside and 

saw her through the window. 

 Grazing turkeys also came to into the yard and settled down underneath the 

twisted old trees in the front part of the yard for a short rest.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, with 2 of our children( although

missing and wishing the third could have been with us,) 

There was wonderful food, happy chatter, 

and much to be thankful for

One of the longest bullsnakes I have ever seen was slithering it's way across,

but kindly stopped and posed for a good photo.

I have the greenhouse prepared and stocked with the plants for the winter.......

It is filled with my plumeria , lemon trees, the ever loyal purple blooming flower that 

I do not know the name of, and my cactus collection. 

Also in the greenhouse , waiting for spring, are pails of planted tulip bulbs.

I decided to give a try at planting tulip bulbs in metal pails, in hopes that they

will sprout and bloom next spring. Any kind of bulb planted in the grounds here, do not do well.

.  Something is always finding them and digging them up for a snack

I also planted dutch iris in a long metal container, and to my surprise, they have

already sprouted, due to the warm weather we have had in November.

They are in the safety of the greenhouse, so hopefully, I will have some pretty blooms soon. 

December has arrived with the cold and chill of wind, rain, and the happiness of

the Christmas season in the air.

I  have the Christmas tree up and the Christmas music on.........

it seems to make everyone......very happy!

Here's wishing you a sense of happiness and peace

during the holiday season!