It's A Start!

A couple of weeks ago, there was snow on the ground

and some ripe Avocado's in my kitchen.

I couldn't do anything about the snow, but

feeling the gardening urge, I tried (for the 5th time

this year!) to sprout and avocado pit.

As you can see, this time it finally sprouted.

I guess the others just weren't ripe enough.

Have you ever sprouted Avocado for a

house plant?

I got all of my seeds ordered and even won a

terrific giveaway over at The Redeemed Gardener!

Quite a grand assortment of heirloom seeds to

start the season off right!

Thank you so much, Mr. Baker!

They will add to my gardening enjoyment immensely!

The sun decided to peek out for a few hours the other day,

so I took advantage of the bright, although cold, day

and pruned my neglected grape vines.

Today I enjoyed seeing some of the pansies and violas

that survived the winter in the pots hanging from the

driveway fence posts.

This 'Jack Frost' Brunnera was a pleasant surprise ~

I didn't think it had survived it's repeated onslaught of

the marauding deer last year!

Rhubarb is always one of our first harbingers of Spring!

I still have a couple of jars of sauce in the freezer,

but I have been sparing them for special treats!

Hoping for another great crop for putting back

for next Winter!

I spent the afternoon raking up the blanket of leaves

and chicken house litter from the Spring garden ~

getting it prepared for it's initial planting of the season.

I had a little help from my friends!

(They seemed to think I was doing all this just for them~

unearthing some tasty chicken treats!)

After all the strange weather this past Winter,

it feels good to get out and get busy ~

just like this pollen covered Bumblebee!

~*~

Joining Jami at An Oregon Garden for

her first Tuesday Garden Party

of 2012!

Thanks for hosting, Jami!

AND
Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for
Outdoor Wednesday!
Thanks Susan for hosting!

And
Kathy at A Delightsome Life for
Home & Garden Thursday!

Dreaming.....

...of gardening days gone by

and

days yet to be.

As I pass by my forlorn little greenhouse,

empty of any growing thing

and home to only the dormant

twigs of grape starts, lemon verbena

and a tub of red wiggler composting worms...

and outside in the garden proper,

 the ever growing heap in the compost bin,

cause me to dream of the days ahead, full of promise

for a bountiful harvest of

fresh fruits, berries and vegetables.

The colorful seed catalogs that are arriving

almost daily in the mailbox,

dazzle with their

coffee table worthy photos of

produce displaying every shape, size and

color imaginable.

I dream of the seed trays bursting with

new growth in the sheltering greenhouse...

Spring rains ushering in the cheerful blooms of

daffodils running wild along the edge of the

woodland and charging up the hill of the old

apple orchard...

...the exuberance of the pink dogwood.

I dream of the Swallowtail as she dances

from blossom to blossom,

satisfying her thirst for

the sweet summer nectar,

and of picking and 'putting up' the

delicious jeweled goodness of

my favorite berry...

...crafting with flowers and herbs...

...gathering and filling vases with

blooms in colors of wondrous variety.

I dream of the inspiring towers of beans

that bestow their multitude harvest

to join in the ever growing variety in the bulging pantry.

I dream of the surprise at each newly discovered

pumpkin in the fall garden...

...and the gathering of the last of the unripened

tomatoes...

...only to come full circle, once again, with the

gathering of seeds to save for the next

gardening season.

Though the winter seems long and dreary,

garden time is swiftly approaching.

Time to make decisions,

place orders

and prepare the beds and

pots and trays

so that my gardening dreams may come true.

Joining Kathy for Home and Garden Thursday.

And

Etsy Cottage Style's

Cottage Garden Party

And Homestead Revival's
Barn Hop #45



Lady Farmer's Seed Swap and Share!

Dear Gardening Friends!

You are cordially invited to attend

Lady Farmer's first official

Seed Swap and Share!

Tomorrow Friday the 4th of November

at 12 noon Pacific time

I will publish my first seed share

post over at

Lady Farmer's Seed Swap.

If you grow flowers, veggies or herbs,

package up those extra seeds

and come visit and

leave a comment listing your

offerings and interests.

(I had wanted to use Mr. Linky, but

with dial-up internet it isn't possible.)

Even if you cannot participate

would you be so kind as to post

this image somewhere on your blog

with a link back

for others who may want to

join in?

Thank you! and hope to see you at...



Vintage...

...irrigators filled with ...

Pansies and Violas...

hang on posts along the driveway...

greeting family and guests

with shots of color... 

on grey, rainy days of October.

~*~

Joining Tracie at Fishtail Cottage for

Outdoor Fall Decor #4

and

Deborah Jean for

Farmgirl Friday

Squashed!

With the continual rains we have been having

and no cool crisp nights in the forecast,

I harvested the remaining squash

and pumpkins from the garden.

I didn't want to risk losing them

to rot or those pesky deer

who have managed to, once again,

find a way into the garden.

I grew and gave away many

plants this year, saving three of

each type of squash for our

own garden.

Three Rouge Vif D'etampes (Cinderella) Pumpkins,

three Carnival (Acorn) Squash

and three Sweet Meat (Hubbard) Squash

produced more than enough for the

two of us to enjoy throughout the

winter.

I will tuck them into beds of hay

in the barn to store them.

Throughout the season, we can uncover

a tasty treasure to serve with our

cozy winter meals.

~*~

If you have never cooked a Sweet Meat Squash

(or other large winter squash)

join me in The Pantry to see

how I prepared one

for our dinner and

for the freezer!

~*~

Joining Jami at An Oregon Cottage for

And
Amy at Homestead Revival for
Barn Hop #31

An Autumn Porch

My porch is very small, and I don't have a lot to work with

as far as 'decor' goes, so I use what I have and

what I find in the garden, barn and woodland.

Below is the garden 'Welcome' sign that I made

this Spring. I placed it on the bench and

added a branch of wild rose hips.

A homemade grapevine wreath is also adorned with

wild rose hips.

A vintage milk can from my Grandpa's farm is topped

with a yellow garden mum and Cinderella Pumpkins

(Rouge Vif D'Etampes), Carnival and Sweet Meat

Squash harvested from the garden find a place

to greet guests, too!

An old, brilliantly colored wool blanket is draped

across the bench ~ the cats love to scout for farmyard

activity from here while staying out of the weather.

Another pumpkin temporarily holds the place where a burlap

pillow in the making will sit.

An apple basket filled with more squash (and a wayward tomato ~

how'd that get in there?) and a vintage cream can are

next to the bench and an old twig broom with a few sparse

leaves, grasses and pods hangs above.

It's a shock of color but company has no trouble finding the front door!

That's my porch for today ~ it will change as my mood

changes, just like our weather!

Joining Fishtail Cottage for

and

Deborah Jean for

Farmgirl Friday!

Early on a September morning...

The shadowed trees waking from their requisite slumber



The sun's glorious rays stretch forth in radiant jubilation!



Another day has dawned!



White Echinacea glows in the dawns early light.



Persistent lingering Foxglove, too, rises from her repose.




Enjoying the refreshing coolness of the morning.

 


Coveting a kiss from the sun!




Sweet Peas extolling praise and adoration with their beauty and sweet perfumed offerings.

 

Impatiens hanging near a vintage scale, weighing the remaining days of summer.

 

Common Tansy and Russian Sage...

 



bow and curtsy before the Summer King on the carpet of sun parched grass.

  

Fameuse (Snow Apple) reflecting the early morning Majesty!




Fruit of the vine beginning to ripen...



with promised hope.



Rouge Vif D'Etampes (Cinderella) Pumpkin and...



Acorn Squash ~ their time is not yet come ~ but soon!

  




Sunflowers planted by the birds...






Blooming where they are planted
and always
keeping their faces focused on the Sun!

 

Joining Tracie at Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora!
Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
and
Jamie at An Oregon Cottage for Garden Party!
and
Deborah Jean's Farmgirl Friday!