Sunday, November 30, 2008

What Happened? What is This?

It's
Snowy Sunday!I'm also participating in Nancy Bond's First Snowfall Meme at Soliloquy
Click on the tab at the top of her header to see other postings.


My prayers for safe transport for those Near and Dear that traveled,
and snow after Thanksgiving were answered.
Did you see yesterday's post... how beautifully clean was the yard?
And then, what did I say?

Please Snow
?

Yipppeee! I woke up this morning to this!!!!!
You may click on the photos, some enlarge more than others.

This is the bed that houses 'David' phlox, a few hosta,
my new hardy cyclamen. Beyond it are the raised beds.
Let's go for a walk around the house!

We're standing in front of what's left of 'David.'
Do you remember that poor little Balloon Flower
that cried for a little more light?
I moved her, but she was never the same. Perhaps she'll do better in 2009!

Purple Coneflower seed heads are wearing their Winter Finery!
Oh, boy! I wanted to chop this fellow down all day, yesterday!
Now I'll have to wait awhile.
Who plants a pine Right next to the house?
In front of a window?


Our friendly squirrel-folks were out before I was!

A view of the backyard woods. :-)

This is the view behind the little screen...

...and this is the view from the front.
A burning bush near the garage.

This little view shows trembling water droplets.
It's above freezing, so the snow may not stay too very long.
Today's snowfall has ranged from large, feathery snowflakes to the thick dusting of dandruff that's falling right now.

And now, if there are any leaves on the ground... they're lurking under the snow!

:-)


Saturday, November 29, 2008

The Leaves Kept Falling (and blowing)

The month of October began our annual
Autumnal Leaf Fall.
I decided I was going to
Keep Up with the Leaves this year! ;-)

To that end, this is the "before" photo -
October 3, 2008
in our front yard.

And out comes the trusty Lawn Sweeper and Tarp!
One pass is impressive, is it not?
Dump the contents from the Lawn Sweeper to The Tarp.
Haul The Tarp to the ravine and dump its contents!
Need I say more?
(Did you hear that self-satisfied sigh?)
;-)

Here we are, on October 14, 2008, looking at part of the backyard
(east side of the house) from the north.
This flowerbed is...

... at the far right of this photo.

This is the bed behind the house
(I'm not moving these leaves!)


November 4, 2008.
A larger smattering of leaves has fallen.
I have definitely fallen....
Behind!


Bring out The Tarp
And the trusty Lawn Sweeper...After clean-up efforts, this is the backyard...
with a view from the back window!
I figured this, too, was time well spent.
:-)
Since then, there have been several other forays
into the yard, so let's bring out
Mr. Shredder!


Couple him with Sweeper and the Tarp... add a rake,
and we're definitely in business! :-)How can argue with This Team?
Hip Hip Hooray! lol.
Suffice it to say, I've been out there many times.

I was outdoors yesterday (November 28)
on one more "cleaning up!"
The yard looks wonderful.

Now that Thanksgiving is over...
Please Snow!

ha?

Nothing Shady here! :-)

Thursday, November 27, 2008

I Began a Summer 2008 Inspiration Meme...


... and deleted it without thinking it through.

So, in a nutshell... it's back!
Please let everyone know
about your Summer 2008 Inspiration
by posting at your site
and announcing it here!

For the list of subjects, click on the sidebar.

At this point in time, these people
have created a Summer Inspiration Post.
Please visit:
Patsi at Garden Endeavors
Mr. McGregor's Daughter
and
Gail at Clay and Limestone


Inspired by YOU, friend-reader!
Shady Gardener
:-)

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

One more link for you to follow:
This Thanksgiving wish was sent to me from a friend.
Her name is on it.
In your mind, substitute "Shady" for "Lynn."
;-)

Again, sincere wishes for a happy Thanksgiving.
May the spirit continue all year!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

This Should Have Been Sunday's Post!

Iowa State Flower - Wild Rose
photo taken July 2007

A friend sent me the following card.
Had I checked my e-mail Sunday,
this would have been the post.

State Flowers

Lovely flowers.
Look for yours!
:-)

Monday, November 24, 2008

(Please click on this link)
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!

We have much to be thankful for.

I'm making four pumpkin pies this week for our Community Thanksgiving meal. It's about the best I can do, as my parents and our daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren will be here this week. My husband will be able to deliver meals until Our mealtime! :-)

May we be thankful, satisfied and need what we have. May we give what we can, share what we can and care and love the people around us. May we recognize the brevity of the time we have left on this earth, and may we be good stewards of both. And may we make life more enjoyable and beautiful for those whom we love as well as those in need. (For someday I, too, may be in need.)

Blessings.
SG.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Jardin a la Maison de Shady

Or some such thing as that... I took French in high school and college, but that's been WAY too long ago! :-)

Anyway, what I Really want to show you is the project I started at the end of the Summer and into the Fall.

This is a part of the yard that cannot grow grass. In fact, weeds don't even grow here! This picture was taken mid-August, when I just couldn't wait to start! Yes, spreading sand is premature. And I know you're supposed to dig down about 6 inches, make a base of gravel, and sand, but since the edges were already above the ground...

This is the Walkway that Shady's Making



These are the rocks that Shady got,
to go in the walkway she's making.
(In fact, this is load #2)



This is the Beginning -
Laying the Rocks that Shady got,

to Go in the Walkway She's Making.

At this point, I discovered the necessity of digging individual holes,
as each rock is a different thickness. And, believe me... they're
not going anywhere! :-)


Here are the Rocks,
In the Beginning,
Being Sorted and Spaced,
Laying the Rocks that Shady got,

to Go in the Walkway She's Making.




This is Mid-point, Past the Beginning -
Laying and Sinking
the Rocks that Shady got,

to go in the Walkway She's Making.

(Can you now tell why nothing grows here?
It is pure woodland clay soil, too.)



This is Mid-point,
(Photo October 25, 2008)
Past the Beginning -
Laying and Sinking

the Rocks that Shady got,

to go in the Walkway She's Making.





This is the leaf-raked photo,
Showing the Progress

(Photo November 18, 2008)
At the Mid-point,
Past the Beginning -
Laying and Sinking
the Rocks that Shady got,

to go in the Walkway She's Making.

Can you tell the need for checking the level?
Perhaps re-laying some of the rocks?
I may have to seek some help...
A few of those rocks are huge and heavy!

But not until Spring! :-)
SG

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Green Thumb Sunday

This is for Denny and Marty!

I just thought you might like to see what your "Christmas Cactus" is doing right now! Note the buds in the second photo! (I'm sure you're having a wonderful time! Can you bring a plant back from Hawaii?) ;-)
Click on the photos to enlarge them somewhat.

Meanwhile, back in Iowa... we're enjoying cold, windy days. Looking forward to a bit of sunshine tomorrow and Tuesday! :-)

Join Green Thumb Sunday here. Visit As the Garden Grows to see who else is posting today.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

NovemberGarden Blogger's Bloom Day

November 15, 2008!
(How did we arrive at this date, already?)

The little violet featured earlier is now in bloom. :-)


Enjoy this "GBBD" as hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.
Have a nice day! :-)
SG



Thursday, November 13, 2008

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Through the Spring/Into the Fall

Featuring:
Viburnum burkwoodii 'Mohawk'
This photo was taken May 3. At the time,
I mentioned it's heady aroma!

My September 20 post showed its berries.

The following colorful photos were taken November 5.

This is why every season has its very special attributes. Hopefully I'll be watching the birds eat these berries before long. :-)

Monday, November 10, 2008

Pear Pie

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

That being said, here are your pictures. :-)

Imagine still-warm pear pie, having recently been removed from the oven, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Didn't someone once say something like, "This isn't Iowa - it's heaven!" ;-)

Have a great day.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Green Thumb Sunday

Christmas Cactus Nursery

The plant on the left belongs to friends who have left for the Winter.
They have a son with a family in Arizona, and they have a son with
a family here in Fairfield, IA.

My white/pink cactus has finished blooming, at least for the time
being. Their cactus is on the left and blooms in brighter pink.
My second cactus is on the right. It has beautiful red blossoms.









Just thought you'd like to know. :-) If you'd like to participate
in Green Thumb Sunday, follow the link to As the Garden Grows.
Leave a comment on her latest post.


Have a Great Sunday!
:-)