Mushroom Bouquets

After the rains we've been having, here's what's blooming in our yard: large clumps of mushrooms that look a little interesting and a little ominous too.

This looks like a stack of pancakes I made once.

Eww and Hmm

from Whippoorwill Road,

Bernadine

Muscadines, Frizz and Beauty Berries

Early this morning, I wanted to check on the garden.  So I donned my new rubber garden boots and headed out in the wet grass.

I love the early morning, when this small part of my world is still quiet and my house is still full of sleepy heads. 

The Butternut Squash seems to be doing well.  The Basil is still going strong.  

The asparagus... well, I just leave it alone.  For now.

This photo is from yesterday.  This little pepper plant was nibbled to the ground.  I'm thrilled it has grown and produced another pepper, without fertilizers or insecticides.  He-Man applied another round of Liquid Fence around the perimeter though to keep the little rabbits and a few big deer away. 

I decided to check on the rest of the yard.  

These are wild grapes called Muscadines.  I'm fortunate to have a growing population of these on our property.  They are delicious and taste somewhat like a Concord grape.  

I ate my way through the inspection of our property.  I border on the appearance of a crazed wild woman when I'm out in the woods or garden.  It's the frizz, I tell you.  The frizz.  My hair and humidity: they're rivals.

Back to the Muscadines.  This is an unripened cluster.  I think the grape season is coming to a close.  I know I missed a lot of ripened grapes because I stepped on a lot of mushy ones that had already fallen to the ground.  What a shame for me, but nice for the wild life. 

We are fortunate to have Beauty Berries also growing wild on the edge of the woods.  They don't look like much without the berries but when they're in bloom, they live up to the name.  
I recently found out that the leaves of this plant are a natural bug repellant when rubbed on the skin.  Just as effective as the chemical repellants in a can.
I tried it once and it worked.  I have to remember to do this every time I work in the garden or wander in the woods.

I love this plant.  It's good food for birds as well.  I'm thrilled when I find it growing in a new spot.  I'm trying to let them grow wherever they please.  

It's been a lovely morning so far.  Tomorrow I head to Boston to visit my friend for a long weekend.  We're going to the Brimfield Antiques Fair.  It's projected to rain while I'm there.  I lived in Massachusetts for fifteen years.  Always wanted to go but never did.  Now, I'm going as a tourist.  So, today is a day of packing and preparation.

Top of the list though is a trip to my stylist.  She has to tame my frizz so I'll look somewhat sane on the plane tomorrow.  And if it does rain... well, let's just say I'm glad my friend has seen me on better days.

Love,

Bernadine

The Tree Saga

A few weeks ago, a storm split our old oak tree.

This was the first step to remove the downed limbs.  We did what we could, but it was too dangerous to finish the job.

That dangling limb was heavy.  Every time a limb lying on the ground was cut, it tore more of the trunk of the tree.

Time for a professional.  We hired Joseph, a certified Arborist.  

He climbed up to inspect the damage and to give us a prognosis.  Our big concern: Has the damage weakened the tree to the extent that the whole thing has to come down?  Is the tree dying?

He cleaned up the split, sawed the dangling limb off and gave us his expert advice:  The tree remains strong.  It will survive and live for a long time.  It would take a tornado to topple the tree.  
Whew!  What a relief!

Now, it's our turn again to clean up.  The leaves go into the compost bin.

Larger limbs get chopped up.

All this beautiful wood.  I hate to just burn it, so... 

... the larger limbs were put to good use, lining the new garden bed.  

I love this look.  

Have a great weekend,

Bernadine

Oh Great...

A few nights ago, a storm blew in.  While we were comforting Big 'Ol Nasty Dog (see previous post), Mother Nature was having a heyday.

Whether it was from lightening or just a weak spot, we lost half of the biggest oak tree.  

We were awed... and sad.

It didn't fall on the fountain.  And the wood might be good for something other than burning in the fire pit.

But when I look at this picture, I think, "Man, what a mess with all those weeds."  And then I look at the tree and I wonder if I'm ever going to make progress with this property.

Here's the bright spot.  My kids were out in the garden today, working.  Isn't this the way life should be: growing your food, enjoying the great outdoors, being at peace with one another?

On a side note, this was New Man's first day of college.  And he's out here, weeding the beds with his siblings.  

I loved this moment.  Seeing them outside, preparing for a future harvest.

Look what we found!  We do have deer in the garden!  

And when I look at this picture, I think, "Man, I wish I could have seen them."  And then I think to myself, it's a good thing we don't depend on this garden for survival.  Otherwise I may not love seeing this as much.

I do love Mother Nature with all her ups and downs 

on Whippoorwill Road.

Love,

Bernadine

Music to My Ears

The glorious sound of rain... finally!

The frogs were singing.  I was singing.

And Big 'Ole Nasty Dog was pacing and panting in the house.

Then, this morning, the Tree Service guys came out to remove some diseased, dead and dangerous trees from the property.

They started in the back.

Went over to the side of the property.

Then on to the side of the house.  

And ended up in the front driveway where they cut down a leaning pine, chipped it up and off they drove. 

I have two large loads of mulch to use around the back yard trees.  Once it breaks down a little, I'm going to spread it around in order to rebuild the soil and retain much needed moisture.  

Unfortunately, the big pine that was toppled in the woods broke two limbs from other trees.  I'm going to have to deal with that later. 

I'm just so thankful it rained 

on Whippoorwill Road,

Bernadine

A Bright and Bitter Day

Saturday morning, as is my custom, I went to water the garden.

Every thing was looking great.  Water sparkling on the leaves, no bug problem, no varmint nibbling away, weeds under control.

The lettuce looked so fresh, so green.  I had to taste a verdant leaf.

And it was... it was... horrible!  

Bitter as bitter could be.  Yuck!  

I sure hope the rest of the veggies don't follow suit, but I have a gnawing feeling they will.  I'm convinced, it's my soil.

To clear my mind and my palate, as is the custom, I took a stroll.  A bright lovely morning...

... until I heard about this hounds escapades!
Big Ole' Nasty Dog looks so serene here, doesn't he?

Nope.  He's looking for the nest of baby rabbits he found.  He thinks little creatures are his playthings.  Baby birds, chickens and now baby rabbits.
While I was at work, Big Ole' Nasty Dog got two of them.  
My husband chased that dog to get him to drop the poor little things but it was too late.
He buried the bunnies after locking the dog in the garage.  He-Man is still traumatized by the event.  He's very upset with Big Ole' Nasty Dog. 
The hound is all healed up from surgery and causing problems already!  (*sigh*)

 On the brighter side, as I was strolling around, with the bitterness of the lettuce on my tongue and the disappointment of our dog in my heart, I noticed activity in this Purple Martin house my husband built years ago.  

... ah ha!  Beautiful Bluebirds using it as their home!

I was thrilled.  I don't know if there is just the one pair or what.
Either way, it made the day a little bit brighter.

I hope your day, your garden and your dog is sweet and bright.

love from Whippoorwill Road,

Bernadine