After quite the long winter, I finally have been able to get out in the garden and get started for the season. Woohoo!! Because it's a little later than usual, we skipped over the garden clean-up temporarily and worked on preparing the vegetable garden, building 2 new raised beds and seed-starting. Normally, with the last … Continue reading Garden Season has Officially Begun!
An Unusual Visitor to Peggy’s Feeders
Over the last month or so, a male Ring-Necked Pheasant has taken up residence near Peggy's house in Michigan. He's been visiting the front porch feeder, enjoying the corn she's been putting out for him. Haven't seen a female yet, but maybe they're just shy. By the way, this is a view through the front … Continue reading An Unusual Visitor to Peggy’s Feeders
Spring Hyacinths
I'm one of those people who loves the smell of hyacinths. It's a strong scent, and like oriental lilies, people tend to either love it or hate it. Mine haven't come up in years outside, so every year when they finally show up in the grocery store, they start to show up in my kitchen. … Continue reading Spring Hyacinths
Dead Man’s Fingers
As the snow melted, I went out looking for any signs of life to announce spring is coming. While out there, I came across these odd looking things. At first I thought it was something left by Daisy or another animal sometime this winter. After poking at it a bit out of curiosity, it was … Continue reading Dead Man’s Fingers
First Day of Spring in Chicago
As I came home from Northern Michigan on the first day of spring, it was clear I was heading south by the disappearance of snow and the warming temperatures. By the time I arrived home, my car thermometer had risen over 25° into the balmy 50's. Of course, my yard oddly always has the most … Continue reading First Day of Spring in Chicago
First Day of Spring in Northern Michigan
Happy First Day of Spring! Ok, a little late, but so is spring this year so I thought it was fine to still say it. I spent the last few days up in Northern Michigan with my mom where there are very few signs of spring yet. The sun is definitely a bit brighter in … Continue reading First Day of Spring in Northern Michigan
Peggy’s Snowflakes
With all the snow that Michigan has received this winter, my mom Peggy decided to try and make something fun out of it. On days that it was warm enough to endure being outside, she experimented with taking pictures of individual snowflakes and came up with some amazing shots. I've always heard that every … Continue reading Peggy’s Snowflakes
Visitors to the Homemade Suet
While I was out there putting the new homemade suet in the feeder, I heard, and then finally found a Flicker in the neighbor's yard. I haven't seen him at my suet feeder yet, but I hope he comes to visit. In the meantime, the last couple of days I've seen Chickadees, a Downy Woodpecker, … Continue reading Visitors to the Homemade Suet
Winter’s Last Gasp
We can only hope it is winter's last gasp. Once again, we awoke to a fresh covering of snow. This was a typical heavy, wet March snow that covers everything it falls all. Hopefully, the damage will be minimal. Some branches and tree limbs here and there were down, the evergreens are sagging badly again, … Continue reading Winter’s Last Gasp
Seeds are in the House
After spending quite a bit of time pouring over seed catalogs, I finally sent in my seed orders. I had lots of new seed catalogs come to the house, and some more companies I just visited on-line, making the choices this year really tough. Ultimately, I went with some Burpee stand by's and the rest from … Continue reading Seeds are in the House