Kia hora te manno
Kia whakapapa paumamu te moana
Kia tere te Karohirohi

May the calm be widespread
May the sea glisten like the greenstone
And may the glimmer of summer dance across your pathways

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Saturday bird day

I know I can fit just one more seed in my beak.
I don't know what this little Junco was up to with his beak full of seeds. Perhaps he was going to take them where he could eat without all the other birds at the feeder pestering him.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

We are survivors


We have had a couple of days of blustery damaging winds and copious amount of rain, which has pretty much flattened most of the rest of the garden, but the sedum, and a couple of snapdragons growing against the wall, and under the eves of the carport have been somewhat protected from the onslaught, so there is a little, very little, color in a part of the garden to enjoy for a while yet.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The holly berries are ripening

Our Holly is well on the way to producing lovely red berries I can use for decorations over the Christmas period. Every time I look at the holly, I am reminded of the English traditional Christmas carol, we used to sing in school, many, many years ago.
From Wikipedia: "Holly and ivy have been the mainstay of Christmas decoration for church use since at least the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries,


Lyrics:
The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.
Refrain:
Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom as white as lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet saviour
Refrain
The holly bears a berry as red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good.
Refrain
The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn.
Refrain
The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all.

Did any of you also sing this carol at Christmas?

BTW, we don't have any small children or animals around who may eat the holly berries. (just in case any of you are concerned)

Monday, October 25, 2010

Golden red delight

This particular fern always rewards me with this luscious color in the fall, the others just turn brown, dry up and wither away.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Fall is here

Yes indeed, fall is here in all its colorful splendor.


Tuesday, October 19, 2010

We call them ---The bunny mafia

We have five semi-tame rabbits who won't let us step outside without handing out treats. LOL
Picture this, we mince along with tiny steps, (so we won't trip over a bunny) while the rabbits hop and frolic around, and over our feet as we try to walk to the spot where we place torn slices of bread for their pleasure. I started feeding the rabbits away from the house, so I would not run over one of them as I backed out my car.

Now who could resist this poor starving bunny? *chuckle*

My vegetable garden has to be fenced, but that does not stop our bunny friends from waiting at the gate, hoping for a handout when I am working inside.

My flower gardens are also neatly fenced.

"Psst! there she is, do you think we can get her to give us a treat?"

Me beg? I am just sitting here looking cute!

"Sheesh! I am just soaking up a little sun, I wouldn't think of begging"

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Farewell gift

I was surprised to see this gorgeous late bloom. I will enjoy it while it lasts.

The glads have really put on quite a display this year, and have provided cut flowers for many weeks.

I will be planting many more of this, one of my favorite flowers, next season.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Too little, too late!

Our summer this year has been, it seems, very short and way too cool.

There will not be any eggplants harvested from the garden this year. They are just now beginning to flower, and I bet the first frost isn't far off.
I think I need to sweet talk Mr C into getting the greenhouse built.


I may be able to harvest at least one, halfway decent sized bell pepper.

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Why are you blooming now?

My potted Azalea seems confused as it has started to bloom for the second time this year. I thought they only bloomed in spring.

Monday, October 04, 2010

Autumn beauty

I believe this is the seed pod of a lily.

Monarda