Featured on Garden Planters website

Apparently my garden blog link was featured on Garden Planters website.  Thank you for whomever is responsible.
I wasn't aware of this site but after browsing a bit I thought it would be of interest to other gardeners.Go have a look about to read many garden related blogs. It is quite enjoyable, especially now that here in Northern Indiana we are approaching the winter months when our gardens are sleeping. Enjoy!

It's been a while

What happened to Autumn, Summer for that matter? My year was so busy I seem to have missed posting from my garden. The garden is now put to rest for Winter and I will miss it. A sweet online friend of mine sent me a sweet poem and I would like to share it with you. I will remember this during the cold  and snowy months as I anticipate the first greening of Spring...Thank you Vanessa.This expresses my feelings as I sit and stitch in my garden.

Garden Dream

Vanessa Hall

Thank you for letting me come visit you today

I needed some quiet time, to think, & ponder,

So I decided to go to your beautiful get-a way.

This was just the place,

I didn't need to wonder.

 

Though I didn't come alone,

I took something  special with me,

My handmade basket containing my stitching

I had to bring it,it's part of me you see.

 

     O, to sit in your garden

a place of sweet serenity

with the sound of the birds,

it was special to me.

 

The birds call out songs of love to & fro,

Such a tranquil place

For me to go.

 

I sat & stitched under your canopy with glee

in hopes you'd come by & stitch with me.

 

The time was so sweet

Didn't want it to end,

It's fun to talk

And stitch with a friend.

 

The evening breeze wafted

with floral scents from your flowers,

Oh how I love it

And could sit  here for hours.

 

The Fairies came out at dusk

a danced on our table,

we tried to catch them

but we were not  able.

 

We watched as some brought babies

On the wings of dragonflies,

Delivering them to the mothers

Who let out  sweet sighs.

 

Oh, how I enjoyed my time with my friend,

I'll be looking forward

To doing this again.

                                            (Just something silly for a sweet person)

                                                      Vanessa

 

The fairies cane

?????

 Finished for the day...had to make you smile.

Too full to fly?

Talk about being a glutton! Look at this fella, happy as can BEE.

 Then we have this thing...I have no idea what it is.

 

I don't know what this is either????? 

I found him near the back door. Must be a great day for bugs!

X marks the spot.

Hidden from the storm

A tornado with 120 mile per hour winds whipped through my small town of Chesterton the other night. We experienced heavy rain and some wind, but nothing like what tore up the center of town. Thankfully no one was injured. I am surprised with a tornado that close we didn't lose any limbs from our old trees.

Apparently 45 years ago, 25 years before we moved here a tornado ripped off out barn roof. So perhaps this property had it's share of destruction?

I stayed away from town yesterday because I knew streets would be blocked and confusion would be everywhere. I must venture to town this morning because a rental house I am painting for my MIL is one block from the middle school where the roof was blown off. Yikes! I must get some painting accomplished, so off I go. I hope the sites aren't too upsetting. The pictures on TV didn't even look like Chesterton with all the destruction.

Enjoying a beautiful sunrise

Yesterday I was treated to a beautiful pink sunrise. I sat on the porch with Angell, my Chihuahua, as the sun rose across the corn field. It was breathtaking and quite a glorious show of natures finest colors.

You can see the beginning of the show, the small bit of pink in the lower left corner above the trees. Just a couple minutes later.................breathtakingly beautiful pinks following periwinkle and purple.I wish I could capture the true colors however I must be content with the images stored in my mind.
I walked up the front walkway headed back to swing a bit more before starting my day.
A little later I step out the back deck to see the chameleon plant is taking over the sidewalk.
I spot the Adirondack chairs and make a mental note to call a friend for a visit over tea.
It is a mildly cool morning and after the treat of the beautiful sunrise and the birdsong I am ready for anything.

Hot and humid start of Summer

The weather has been HOT and HUMID here in the Dunes. If I didn't have a swimming hole I would not venture outdoors at all. However.....the flowers and weeds love this weather and are flourishing. As soon as it cools off, even if it is raining, I must deadhead and weed the garden.

Shall we take a quick garden stroll? Follow me..........
the first thing I see that is now in bloom, Golden Loosestrife. Many people don't care for this invasive plant but I think it is interesting and adds texture. Besides, it wards off snakes and kills fleas...if you had any.
Entering the main garden path I see the Spiraea is in bloom. This dark pink one always blooms before the pale pink????

Something is fluttering about..can you see what it is? (Hint:It's teal)
Another creature has been visiting the garden at night.......The deer have eaten the Turtle head buds. I hope they have time to produce more. I love the pink blooms with the unusual shape.
I found this poor little single Foxglove about to bloom. I wonder where his buddies are?
The Campanula never disappoint. Always overly abundant in delicate bell shaped blooms.
Heading toward the front of the house I see two Clematis in bloom. Large vivid Violet blooms to greet me each morning while having tea on the porch swing before the sun takes over and shoos me indoors.
Walking down the front walkway I spy the Stella D'oro lilies in bloom. Always a cheerful greeting as well.

Then we have the little annuals of which I have forgotten the names of. They bloom orange and this creamy yellow every morning and close up at night. They seem very hardy and I will make them an annual planting. Heading toward the "faux beach" area I see the Rose Campion has started to bloom. I plant these with Lambs ear because they both have the gray/blue foliage and fuchsia flowers.
That is about it for new blooms.

Let me take you on a little house browsing in Valpo. I snapped these pictures of older homes on my way to a friends house. Valporaiso which borders Chesterton is filled with beautiful old homes that you just want to go up to the porch and sit for a while as you sip lemonade.I love this house but would not want to clean the windows :-)
This looks inviting.................

This is more my style....brick, arched windows, big porch...oh my...................

Love this entrance. The detail around the door is beautiful.
Gee, can you tell I'm taking these pics while driving? Yikes!!!!

Well, it was supposed to rain all day but it is about 85 and sunny so...I am off to sew a bit and then go take a dive. Hope you enjoyed the little tour, I did. Have a good one and stay cool!