"Welcome, little House Wren"

I'm so thrilled.

"And it don't take much."

Look what's happening

at the mouse-house.

I have a new home shopper.

 She seemed to love the front porch.

Then she popped in for a look-see.

She sung her head off

as she checked out every inch.

Then she stood on the roof

calling to her mate that sat in the Sumac tree.

I think I heard her say

"We're moving in here whether you like it or not."

Just.like.that.

He seemed to like the blue house better.

Hope she's my new tenant.

update...she just flew in with some twigs.

I guess she found her home. :)

hugs, Deb

A little make-over.

A perfect moment.

What could be better than napping in a sun-puddle with your bestest mousie within paws reach.

 

                                              Annie
We have had our share of sun lately. Beautiful, warm sun. :)

I finally finished up my newest garden next to the old out-house.
It's also at the start of the path-way to the back of the property right below my "Welcome" sign.

                                               This photo was taken early spring.
                                    Oh, it was so cold that day.

Now it looks like this...

and it's +30C today

I still want to add plants to this area but here's how it looks today.

The bright, pretty yellow greets you as you pass by on the path.

Notice the little bird-house on the left?

I raised it to hang on a tree in hopes that a bird takes notice.

It's right next to the century-old out-house.

A very well ventilated out-house. lol

Looks like something ate the other bloom. oh! oh!

I plan to replace the missing board but just too busy right now.

And the vines are staying, that's for sure.

And here is where the herbs live.

Right next to our perennial garden.

Many types of basil, oregano, chives,thyme and there's some leafy lettuce growing well.

That's our cherry tree under the straw.

That kept it protected over the winter and now it's growing well.

I don't have a porch or deck or I would do the smart thing and have the herbs growing right outside my kitchen door. But, since we are in a mouse-house waaaaaay up high, it will have to do for this year.

I'm sending you over now to meet Deborah at http://www.mountainmamaonline.net/

She has a wonderful post on herbs

so pop on over and take a look.

Deborah is an amazing gardener and I've already learned so much from her very informative posts.

I love her blog.

We're still waiting on rain.

hugs, Deb

The beginnings of a garden and a romance at the mouse-house.

Well, it's not going to grow with silver bells and cockle shells, that's for sure.
And there's no maidens in a row helping out, either.
It will grow with hard work, water and prayer. lol
I'm pretty sure my grandmother will have a hand in it, too.

Here's my veggie garden as of last week.
It doesn't look like much right now but I see lots of good eating ahead.

We left rows of grass for walking between the vegetables. That can be mowed easily.
The soil is mixed with a rich mushroom compost and it's watered daily.
I've planted zucchini, cucumbers, multi-coloured sweet peppers and chili peppers.
Carrots, parsnips and spanish onions. Yellow beans, green beans, squash, beets & a row of tomatoes. Ten tomato plants should feed an army. Much of this was started in the funny little green-house.

All veggie gardens need a chair close by.
The teepee of boards and chopped wood is home to a chipmunk family so it has to stay put for awhile longer. I wonder if it's Simon's family? If it is he still spends most of his time at his own den under the old pump platform. I guess he needs his own space plus he knows I leave him treats there. ;-)

This new one is pretty cute.

And I've fallen head over heels for this wee one below.

 Is she not the cutest thing ever.

I want to say this is Simon's girlfriend

and if there is any advice on how to make a chipmunk fall for another please feel free to comment. You don't have to leave your name. lol

She spent much of the afternoon watching me in the garden, and after a meal of seeds and apple, she went back to her home in the wood pile in front of the sumac trees.

She looks like a she to me.

A she with a truck-driver appetite.

I'll keep you posted on a possible

new romance at the mouse-house.

 Annie will continue to enjoy our sunny days and wishes you a very happy weekend.

hugs, Deb

My helper, Dave.

I'm never alone if I'm working outside. 

It's not long after I start to rake, dig, or tidy up some flowers that I feel a pair of gold-coloured eyes on me. Big, beautiful eyes.

He appears out of no-where to drop and roll at my feet. Ha! He's so predictable.
If he wasn't so happy and well-fed I'd steal him.

This morning I spent some time cleaning up a small space right next to the old out-house to plant some shade-lovin' flowers. A little sun and mostly shade is what this little area gets and I know I can find just the right plants for it. It was in a sad state; only one potted flower all by it's lonesome.

       

    Here's the Before and I'll soon show you the After.

David helped me rake and dispose of dead grass, leaves and some garbage that was found under the soil such as pieces of broken pop bottles and vintage bread bags. I wonder if this may have been a spot where they burned garbage in the old days. It's possible.

I added some fresh soil and mushroom compost to the area and bordered it with moss-covered logs and tree bark. I then added a few rocks around just because I love rocks. ;-)
I was happy with the result.

David was so happy, purr purr purr;  he dropped, rolled and demanded a belly-rub.

"WE did a great job, Deb.

But now I'm hungry

Hmmm...wonder what's for dinner?"

Then, as always, he headed home covered in dust, leaves and a kiss on the head.

I found my way to the tree chair to cool off in the shade and wish that someone would appear with a cold drink. 
Ahhhh....

Whoever invented tree chairs was a genius.

The lilacs are at their best now.

The fragrance of the mouse-house 

is intoxicating.

Having them, and my Peach close by, makes blogging all that much more fun.

We sure could use some rain here.

hugs, Deb

Loving Lilacs

You can smell their fragrance from the mouse-house windows.

My granny's lilac bush is over 85 years old according to my older brother. He remembers it as a child, full grown and full of fragrance. It stands at the entrance to our drive-way filling the air with it's beautiful fragrance.
I remember Sunday dinners here in the old clap-board house in early June. My grandmother would tell us to grab some lilacs on our way out so we could enjoy them in our own homes.  My mom would fill a vase and place them on our dining-room table to enjoy.

We had a busy weekend with family visiting and helping with seeding the garden. Since I did not have a photo of my brother Joe and his better half, Joyce,  they posed for me in front of the old lilac bush with a pot of his favorite pansies. Next time, I'll get him to take his hat off. 

And to our surprise, we found a white lilac bush caught up between two maples that we will try hard to rescue.

We were here on this property last May, too, and I took lots of photos of the lilacs.

And my all-time favorite lilac photo.

Our dear, sweet Sierra enjoying her treat of milk next to the lilacs.

Spring 2015

She will always be in my heart.

hugs, Deb

A perfect long weekend.

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful long weekend. The weather was perfect for all out-door activities, especially gardening.
I quickly found out that time spent doing out-door work has to end by 6pm or you are eaten alive by mosquitoes. Wow...they are insane here. Behind our garden is a Little Red Riding Hood woodlot which explains why we are inundated with the nasty varmints.

As the sun beat down, all my company at the mouse-house looked for shade trees to relax under . 
It was a popular spot right next to Simon's house. 

The veggies are all in now (thanks Frank & Joe (above) for your man-power) and care of the garden begins. It's exciting to see just how well it does being our first one here. I'll be happy if the yellow bean plants explode out there. 

The spoiled pup, Forest, has returned home after a fun time investigating every square inch of this property. And he had a good run at our neighbours where the open field allows for good ball play.
I do believe we exhausted the crazy fruit loop. 'Til next time...

And it's lilac time in our part of the world. I have a beautiful lilac bush right at the entrance to the property and I've been waiting for it to fully bloom so I can share it's beauty with you.
Here is a glimpse of how they look now. Another day and they should be at their best.

                                          Audrey & the lilacs
                                                                and my Peach.
                                                      

I'll be back...

hugs, Deb

Planting, partying and one big puppy.

Last night I made a veggie spaghetti sauce and added some basil from the funny little greenhouse. WOW! Was that flavorful. And, of course, it was wonderful to have our first home-grown herb of the summer.

Today I planted our zucchini, cucumbers, multi-coloured peppers, chili peppers and tomatoes. This is the weekend for gardening in our area. Up until now there was the worry of over-night frost but not anymore.:)
I saved some planting for other family members who will be sharing our garden this summer. Monday's the day.

My tomatoes really needed to get into the ground.
I'm hoping the mushroom compost we added to the soil will produce many beautiful vegetables.

We are in for warm to warmer to down-right hot weather the next four days. Wonderful!

It's a busy long weekend for us; a very special someone had her 6th birthday party today.
"Happy Birthday, Riley" "Wow, where has the time gone?"

And we are dog-sitting 'til Sunday night.
Yes, our grand-dog, Forest,  arrived for the weekend. In he bound, with his over-night bag containing all the  necessities of HIS life, for a two-night sleep-over. He keeps us hopping; all 90 pounds of him.
He adores the retired-guy. He considers him one of his best buds.
I'd say the feeling is mutual by all the tasty pieces of chicken he got at dinner tonight.

Audrey is not very hospitable. But then again she is perplexed by the uselessness of dogs. ;-)
And the smell.


                              "I'm paralyzed with disgust."

"Oh Audrey...really!"

I hope you are enjoying a fun weekend.

It's the Victoria Day long weekend here so there's

no telling what might still happen. ;-)

Even for Audrey.

hugs, Deb

For Rent

Little hands went home from the mouse-house today with sunflowers to plant in her backyard garden.  Gwynn lives in the country, too, and will enjoy watching her flowers and veggies grow.

                                                            
Now the remaining seedlings will be planted along our front fence near the old pump.

More begonias were potted up to line a small trail to the back stone wall. They are perfect for partly sunny/partly shady spots and they provide lots of colour.

                                                                            =^..^=
I just have to photograph my little Peach while she soaks up the sun. Grumpy face or not. lol

and I did ask Audrey for a pose and this is her contribution.

It took me three tries to make the bed this morning.

There is an ad on face-book featuring a house on our property that is now up for rent.

For rent - Beautifully structured A-frame house in the Manotick area. This model features a lovely front porch and is surrounded by a Little Red Riding Hood woodlot. 
Only seconds (flying-distance) from a 5 star restaurant/spa. 
Wonderful area for raising little ones. 
Do fly by for a closer look.
Come be a part of this funky little neighbourhood.
Open House 24/7. Serious applicants only.

 "Here birdie...birdie...birdie."
And may I add that it is now landscaped with pretty marigolds. :)

 hugs, Deb