Thank you and Simon's garden

Thank you everyone for your very thoughtful birthday wishes. 
It was so nice of you to take time out of your day to do that.
All the fun I had takes the sting out of becoming another year older.
I'm reminded by some to be thankful I am a year older as  we all know the alternative. :-b
ok...no more talk about aging.

We have a third cat now and she will greet you as you arrive at the mouse-house.

 I'll tell you next post where she came from.
She really belongs on a fence but we have some fence work to finish up so for now she's a greeter. Isn't she cute?

Audrey is not impressed and thinks she is being replaced.

"No, I don't"  
"I think you've lost your marbles, Oooooold lady."

 

"And did you see those paws? What the heck!"

"If it's cute you want, how about this?"

 "I can't believe I am doing this but I have to eat."

=^..^=

The gardens look good. We are growing tomatoes, yellow beans, carrots, kale, lettuce, peppers of many colours and beets.

 

In another garden we are growing zucchini, cucumbers & cantalope. 

The wisteria is starting to climb and it will soon be blooming.

And I got some flowers planted at our little cemetery at the back along the old stone wall.

 This is such a peaceful little spot.

No tenants in these two houses yet.

 Our mama house wrens are still keeping house.

 

And our tree swallow (Tilly) is still on her nest, too.

Because it is way too hot to be out in the garden right now

our Annie is waiting for a treat while I'm inside. 

I want to show you Simon's little garden/den at our old pump.

 There have been large stones, ground cover and a few plants added and his sign is a little bolder now. ;-)

 I didn't see him today as the temperature was very high with humidity so he stayed in his den, no doubt. He'll be out looking for a snack tonight.

 

 

 I left him a peanut and lots of seed for his bed-time snack.

 

I hope he doesn't run for his life when he sees our new 'greeter' at the drive-way.

 "Happy Father's Day" to all you wonderful dads out there. 

We celebrate next weekend when all the kids can be together. :)

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

Have a great evening,

hugs, Deb

It's a BIG one.

I'm not sure how this happened
but once again I have faced another birthday
and it's a BIG one.

I walk around shaking my head a lot but promise to embrace it with all the gumption I can muster. 

And I'm thankful.
Thankful for all that I have been blessed with;
especially all the dynamic, loving & high-spirited people that make up my family.

 I love them all.

And I am thankful for a big slice of cake anytime. That goes without saying.

 
So here's to me...

                                    All you need is 'LOVE'

                                              =^..^=


Tra-la-la.                 "She's HOW old?"

"It's enough to make a gal stay in bed all day."

hugs, Deb

In time...the perfect garden

Do you remember Meryl Streep's garden in "It's Complicated"?
I had major 'garden envy' when I saw that. :)
I loved the movie, too.

My gardens don't look anything like the above but I do have some added attractions that make them rather special. And I know if I just keep going, adding my favorite flowers and climbing vines, in time, they will be just right for me.

Adding soaker hoses to the veggie garden.
The potted lettuce is doing fine.

 Wisteria was planted at the side of the arbour and it is really growing well.

Daisy time. :)

I think gardens can tell you a lot about the person who saw a vision and worked many happy hours to bring that picture to life.
A well-tended garden becomes a place to sooth the soul and calm the nerves. A place that draws you in. Your happy place.


Simon loves the gardens near his den and in front of the wood-lot. I'll show you 'his' garden later.

 "Really, Simon? Geesh!"

He likes a well-stocked den and a full tummy. I hope he doesn't explode. He does get a lot of exercise running around the property, thank goodness.

And look who is still on her nest although I think here she is waiting for the male to return so she can have a much needed break.
 

































I think I'm going to cry when she leaves.  I know...I'm 
ridiculous.*sniff*
I truly have enjoyed her company while I weed around the veggie garden. I might also talk to her while I do that. :)

When she leaves her nest in a few weeks I will get back to hoping for a blue-bird to find the house attractive. After-all, that's why I had the house put up in the first place. 

But I will miss her. *sob* :(

There he is.

"Bout time, mister."

Fresh home-grown leafy lettuce from the garden today to add to a sandwich.
Delicious.

Have a good evening, everyone.

hugs, Deb

Oh, that magical wood-lot.

Grandittles and wood-lots go together like peaches and cream.

 

These two cuties spent the day with us exploring the property; chasing garden fairies and feeding flowers. Bradley (in his mind) chopped down trees and built wood piles for a fire.  I doubt there was a mis-placed twig left by the time he was pooped.

 

They soon needed refreshments and came in for lemonade (or tea, as Riley called it) and mixed berries before lunch. 

 

And even though this is the look they got when they came inside to eat ...

 

these two ladies never miss an opportunity to indulge so they eventually joined them for a bite, albeit a few feet away.

Then it was back outside for a run through the sprinkler and one more adventure through the all-enticing wood-lot.

Summer holidays are coming soon so we hope they will spend lots of time at the mouse-house. xo

Sorry Audrey. I'll make it up to you. xo

hugs, Deb

Kitty-clients and 'here comes the sun'

 

This is the fella that I expected would be naturally named 'Socks' 

but

I'm glad his owner had a better imagination.

This handsome guy with the copper eyes

is Tarby.

I  am now his cat-sitter.

Yah!

And his little buddy, Theo

He slips in the room without a sound

and waits at your feet to be petted.

Sweet, handsome and very proud of the smudge

on his nose.

Love them both.

The sun came out in all her glory today.
One look around the mouse-house made you realize how little has been done the past week because of rain.
 Time to get back to gardening, grass-cutting and fussin' about.

But first...

Look at that sun. :)

 

Can I hear a "Hallelugah" 

 

Audrey warming up her bottom half.

Breakfast with friends was on the agenda on this beautiful, sunny morning.

Mina on the left has been my friend for over fifty years. We went to school together, shared a few apartments together and have remained friends even though for years we lived in different parts of the country. Now she lives twenty minutes from the mouse-house. :)
Cathy has been friends with Mina for the same amount of years.
It was great to have her finally visit. We were gifted with pure maple syrup from her maple trees. So, I know what's on for breakfast tomorrow morning. :)

                                        taken at the mouse-house

Now I'm off to the gardens to weed and putter if the mosquitoes aren't too hungry. And of course, say "hello" to Mrs. Tree Swallow and the two Mama House Wrens. 

 "Good morning, little Tilly"

 Isn't she spectacular.

I think it may be getting a bit crowded in there. :)

Thanks for sending your sun our way.

hugs, Deb

Life around the soggy mouse-house

I'm so tired of rain. It's getting a bit depressing. It is pouring today again.

The little veggie gardens are well watered but they really need some sun now. I need to feel that hot sun on my face soon, too. I hear we might see it tomorrow.

 

I weeded for five minutes today then ran from mosquitoes the size of gumdrops.

                                             Simon's den

Forrest has gone home after a fun time in the country. He doesn't give a hoot what the weather is like; he just wants to be with the retired-guy.

These two. :)

 

Slowly but surely the perennials are blooming here. They are anxiously waiting for sun, too.

The weeds and grass are taking over.

The little Tree Swallow has been on her nest for over a month now. There has been a lot of noise and fluttering around their house. I'm wondering now if there are babies that will soon be heading out. I am watching from afar. They are shy little birds and walking too close to them upsets the mama and she is apt to fly off until you are gone. We give them lots of space.

                                              Peak-a-boo

 

I would so love to hug her. I am going to miss her so much when she leaves.

She has been great company as I garden near-by.

The house wrens are a joy to have around as their song is beautiful and they are as cute as buttons.

The 'ladies' are sleeping in their hide-away places as they have given up on sun-puddles for now.
Hope you are enjoying sun in your part of the world

hugs, Deb