Ferns at My Cottage

The ferns are still going strong in the woods surrounding my property. The skunk cabbage is dying off and I consider that one of the first signs of fall. The crab grass is at its peak and it's the weed I dislike hate the most. I am slowly getting rid of it next to my front walk so I can put down more wood chips. This is not a fun job either. Webster and Tabitha like having me out there in the cool of the evenings before we all turn in. I slept like a log last night and that's an excellent benefit, right? Enjoy your Sunday. xo my photo

The Myth of Red Clover and The Bee

Remember last week when I told you I always believed bees could not get the nectar from red clover because their tongues were too short? This bee hasn't heard that rumor. Sorry my photo is a little blurry but I'm glad I got him at all. I have fields of both white and red and the bees seem like both equally. The hummingbirds love the red clover too. It's a nice cool breezy morning here at the cottage and the dark clouds are beginning to gather for a thunder storm. Have a great weekend. xo

Chicken in the Red Clover Patch

I have lots of this red clover here and there on my property mixed in with the white clover which is predominant. I'm told white clover is better for bees because their tongues aren't long enough to get the nectar from the red clover. I have no idea whether this is true or not because I have seen red clover honey on the shelves. via

Daisy Portrait

I have one lone daisy in my meadow so far. I snapped this pic on my walk with Webster yesterday evening.

Poppies for Memorial Day

via

In Flander's Field by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

From an old blog post of mine.

Today's House Tour

This barn-style house was surrounded by wildflower meadows.

I wandered through the middle on a path.

The gardens were lovely too. There were numerous baskets full of home-grown vegetables near the garages but I didn't see the kitchen garden.

I love the broken stone patio on one side of the pool. I was inspired to come home and pull weeds and got one large garbage can full before I quit because I was hot. I'll repeat tomorrow. xo

Lovely Landscape with Wildflowers

Isn't this absolutely beautiful? Love it! via

Wild Daisy Here At My Cottage

This is my very first daisy this year. I took this photo yesterday when walking the Wonder Dog in the afternoon. There will be raindrops to capture on this dark, dreary day. It's very cool too and I'm happy about that part of the weather forecast. There has been tremendous interest in the old house I listed one week ago.

Click for a copy of the listingm MLS # 3146998

Multiflora is Blooming

It's hard to be mad at this thorny wild rose that is slowly taking over my woods when it blooms. The flowers are lovely and the scent is heavenly. I especially like the tiny pink rose buds. Every since Super Storm Sandy, when so many trees came down and allowed more sunlight into the woodlands, these bushes are becoming Science Fiction Movie Material. Nothing can penetrate them! And I'm too tired to even try. :-)

Have a great weekend. xo

Violet Memories

It's almost time for me to mow the front yard again and I miss my violets. They were so nice to have in the house. The buttercups are starting to come in as another favorite wildflower. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. xo

The Woods are Green Again

The amazing skunk cabbage is getting huge and is on its way to covering the entire floor of the wetlands in my woods. I love it. It's almost time for me to jump in bed to watch TV. Have a great evening. xo

Nosegay of Violets from my Lawn

Every year I have these beautiful wild violets, growing profusely in my front lawn, as an excuse for putting off the first mowing. All of my neighbors have cut theirs had theirs cut twice already. Mine is hidden from view by a brick wall and I'm going to wait as long as I can before I crank up my push mower. Aren't they gorgeous? Today it's dark and rainy and I'm doing indoor chores. Have a great day. xo

Grape Hyacinths and Violets at My Cottage

Click here to see my video made this morning of these grape hyacinths moving ever so slightly in the breeze.

Click here to see a video I made this afternoon of these violets blowing hard in the wind.

My Violets will be coming soon.

When I was transplanting my snowdrops yesterday, I unearthed some grape hyacinths that will be coming up too. Later in the spring my wild violets will be lined up against my brick wall.

They are my favorite wildflowers. They come up in the lawn too, before the first mowing. It rained during the night and is a gloomy Saturday with off again, on again rain. I don't mind in the least. Maybe the last of my snow will melt. See you later. xo

Blue Chickory Flower

Snapped with my iPhone yesterday. It's the only chickory flower blooming at this time after a whole field full in late summer. I'm loving the square photo format on my camera phone for images like this.

Blue Chicory and Hot Sun

I have a whole field of these blue chicory weeds. The blooms close up and go to sleep at the end of the day and all you see is stalks. Today is supposed to be the hottest day of our heat wave so we will get in our longer walks early. Stay cool.

A Daylily and A Cotswold Cottage

On my last walk with Webster yesterday I ventured into a very thick weed patch on the edge of the woods to photograph this daylily with my iPhone. I was wearing my wellies so I'm not worried about getting poison ivy.

I had a real estate closing yesterday so my July is getting off to a great start. Hope yours is too.

You can only imagine how thrilled I was to have found and sealed the deal on a wonderful Cotswold Cottage. Who knew there was an authentic piece of England so close to my own cottage and no passport was required? My buyers are thrilled.

First Honeysuckle This Year

I spotted the first honeysuckle of the season on Webster's after dinner walk last night. I love it and the scent is heavenly. my iPhone photo

Multiflora Roses

The multiflora is in full bloom and when I walk outside it smells like a perfume factory, in a good way.

This is what happens when they go wild in the woods. I try to keep the ones I can reach trimmed since they are considered an invasive species. 

Red Clover at My Cottage

This red clover in my field looks very much like rose colored chive blossoms. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening with sweet dreams.