Amongst the beauty there is always dirt and rocks.

I was just about to call it a day when a chickadee landed in the sumac right behind my head.

It didn't make a sound but I felt its' presence.

I just love that they are back

and I think they know that.

The tin can on the garden table is now holding a bouquet of wild flowers mixed with a few perennials.

The daisies had bit the dust and now live in the compost.

But,

by this photo,

you may think I ate them.

Big sis and me

There are so many beautiful wildflowers here.

And when you look up from the table you see this canopy of sumac leaves.

It feels like you are in a secret garden.

Just you...and a hundred critters.

And as I've said before...I'm never alone in my garden.

Blue-jay

I've also been watching the retired guy and friend move the piles of dirt from where the house will be built to the back of the property.

That has been a big job.

A big, DIRTY job.

The rocks; the boulders

:(

4 days of hard work from morning 'til night.

And now all the dirt is at the back and out of the way of construction.

We have plans for this mound of dirt; for later. 

Much later.

So, it's done and now we can get on to the next step.

And, as always...

=^..^=

Someone is NOT happy with the noise.

"I curse all of humanity."

                                                         "Oh goodness, Audrey."

"Happy 4th of July to all my American friends."

hugs, Deb

Tiny eyes on me.

"Mornin' Red."

I cleaned up all four bird baths today; scrubbed them spotless.

I love to see the birds settle in for a quick bath and a refreshing, cold drink on these hot summer days.

There are many new red squirrels running around and they are all very young; this spring's babies.

I feel their eyes on me.

Oh gosh, I can't stand it.

*cute*

This little one watched me for an hour or so working in the garden and I just fell right in love.

The bird house made a great little resting spot.

But, of course, nothing beats a good tree branch.

Simon's girlfriend was showing off her packing skills at the feeder.

"Heaven's girl, that can't feel good."

She watched; she stared.

This blue-jay surprised me by allowing me a photo before exiting through the sumacs.

And on the day that we welcomed our new grandaughter, Tenley, to our family, 

the chickadee returned to the mouse-house after being gone for two months while nesting.

I really missed them.

I hope to see many more as they return with their babies to our feeders.

And back to this cutie...

"Oh, those eyes."

OK ...it's a girl and her name is Sally.

lol

And speaking of girls...

time to go visit and cuddle our new grandittle

with those baby blue eyes.

:)

Tenley

The little family.

Isn't she adorable.

Big sister and brother are so in love.

I am one blessed nana.

Thank you for all your lovely comments.

hugs, Deb

What a wonderful day. :)

                    "HAPPY CANADA DAY"
                                                to all my fellow Canadians.

                                              And "HAPPY DAY" to us
               as we once again welcome a new grand-daughter into our family.

                                                         Tenley Kelsey 
                                           was born today, July 1st, weighing 8 lbs. 4 ozs.
                                     to our son, John & his beautiful wife, Brittany.

                            What a wonderful day to be born.
                                        We are so blessed.

And to welcome little Tenley our first chickadee of the summer                                showed up at the feeder today. :) 
                            Welcome back, chickadees.


hugs, Deb

Play-time

I've been having some fun testing out my new camera. It's just a step up from what I had and with a much better zoom lens. Samsung 21X

Audrey...smiling.

The goldfinch at my feeder.

This was taken through the garage window.
I was down there trying to coax an obsessed pastel tortie that I know to come and join her family upstairs.
But, she is not interested right now. She is on mouse-watch duty. She wouldn't give me the time of day.

Finches at the feeder.

From my little table and chairs in the shady spot of the garden I photographed a chippy that was busy filling it's face.

Then Simon's girlfriend showed up...

Busted!

I have some reading up to do on my birthday gift. I think I'm going to like this camera.

I didn't forget that I'm to post the zucchini boat recipe so here goes...

Couscous and cheese-stuffed zucchini boats.
1 tbsp of butter
2 shallots diced
1 clove garlic minced
1 tomato seeded and chopped
1/4 tsp each salt & pepper
1.2 c vegetable broth
1/2 c whole wheat couscous
1 cup shredded gouda cheese
3 tbsp basil thinly sliced
1 tbsp parsley,oregano
4 medium zucchini

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, cook the shallots and garlic for three minutes.
Add tomatoes and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for one minute.
Add the broth, bring to a boil and stir in couscous.
Cover, remove from heat, let stand for five minutes.
Stir in 2/3 cup of cheese & all the herbs.

Cut zucchini in half (length-wise) and scoop out pulp leaving 1/2 inch thick walls.
Divide couscous mixture among zucchini and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Place on baking sheet, cover with tin-foil and bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

It was delicious served with coleslaw, steamed potatoes and carrots along with olive ciabatta bread.. The retired-guy had pork ribs with his.

Enjoy!

We had much-needed rain over-night. Now, there will be lots of weeding to do in the garden today.
But first, a long walk is in store. :)

hugs, Deb

"What's new, pussycat?"

I knew something didn't look right with my table in the shade. Now I'm happy. :)

The daisies will soon be gone so I am enjoying them everyday.

We had rain over-night and now the heat and humidity is back. It's so hot today. :(
But, I only have to think of our winters and it doesn't seem so exhausting.

The garden is growing and I have just found fifteen tiny green tomatoes on the plants. I look forward to the day I can pick one off the vine for lunch. The cucumbers are growing and I've just picked my second zucchini off the vine. I'm making stuffed zucchini boats for dinner. Drop by later for recipe.

Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal are back now hopefully for awhile. They visit the feeders each day and add a bright spot to the area.
The Mourning Doves arrive early each morning and again at dinner time. I'm hoping to see some baby doves soon.
But, no sign of my beloved Chickadee. I have not heard the familiar "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" for over a month now. Last year they did the same thing...lived here all year except for the months of May & June, then returned with their wee ones. :) I'm looking forward to that.

                              =^..^= =^..^=

                     "What's new, pussycat?" 

                             Pussycat, pussycat, I love you
                                                Yes, I do
                              You and your pussycat nose.

This cat is adored.

Annie is on a mission these days.

She spends most of her days in the garage, very still and facing the east wall,  in hopes to catch another free-loading mouse.

She's obsessed...

until dinner time.

The audacious one has to be swept off her feet for a photo these days.

I told her you were all going to forget about her if she didn't come out of her hidey-hole.

This is a rare capture without the scowl.

And I had to reward her with a freeze-dried chicken treat for her patience. 

"I'll count to three..."

Enjoy your day, everyone.

hugs, Deb

Seeking shade at the mouse-house.

 The weather has been so nice that it's hard to stay inside for a minute.

But the heat does get to you so I find myself taking little breaks throughout the day from gardening, weeding and clearing new areas that I have plans for. We also added soaker hoses to the garden as there has been no rain for days.
I added a little table and chairs right behind the perennials in amongst the sumac trees today. It's shady there and shady spots are needed on this property. It has a view of the gardens and many of the bird feeders.

 

Red's wondering what we are doing so close to his favorite hang-out.

 

"Carry on, Red."

I'm also tidying up a spot at the end of the path where the little woodlot is. There's many things I can do with that area so I have some thinking to do. 

The first of many from our garden, I'm sure.
 I see zucchini bread in the oven soon.

My tomato plants are loaded with tiny tomatoes. :)

We started the day with tea, toast and scones at Miller's Oven in the town of Manotick. Always delicious.

"What's high-tea?", he asked.  He's getting into this.  lol

 I sent him here...http://coffeetea.about.com/od/historyculture/a/High-Tea-Vs-Afternoon-Tea.htm
 

And at home, the squirrels, chipmunks & birds have arrived for breakfast.

Someone won't be moving from her spot for awhile.

Some say cats are all alike. Au contraire! They are all individuals and very unique. I say to them, "You don't know cats."

hugs, Deb

"Welcome, summer."

Summer has arrived and the weather is perfect.

There are tomatoes and zucchini on the vines

(we'll have lots of zucchini :-b )

and the perennial flowers are in bloom.

Half our lot is home to wild daisies.

I consider them a gift from above.

The mama house wren has left her nest.

I did not see the fledglings so I have nothing to tell you.

I just hope they were ok and left early one morning for their new life.

I really miss the little mama and regret not at least having a peak at the babies.

Once I knew they were gone I opened the back of the house and retrieved the nest.

There were two dry broken eggs inside along with the nest material.

Only two seemed odd.

So I carried it to the funny little green-house and sat it on the shelf under a box.

My intent was to photograph it the next day but the raccoons (I presume) took an interest in it over-night and it was gone by morning.

I suppose they thought there might be eggs inside. :(

So,  the little white bird-house is up for rent once again.

All birds are welcome.

hugs, Deb