Blueberry Pickin...

What a cute face this "Big Bad Guard Dog" had!!! He is 10 weeks old and a new addition to the Blueberry Farm. So playful, he grabbed the strap on my camera when I was trying to take his picture...

Would you look at these, what beauties... I love Blueberries and eat them almost every morning with my cereal. They are so much better when you can go pick them right off the bush and pop them in your mouth as you go...LOL

"YUMMY"

Seven Acres of them to choose from and pick...

I went all by myself tonight, took my time and soaked up all the quiet of the evening, with the exception of a few June bugs buzzing by...

This farm is what I call really "OUT THERE". It takes about 25 minutes to get there but is only about 15 miles away out a Beautiful long windy mountain road in WV.

After I was done picking I just couldn't resist, I had to take a few pictures. So as the sun was starting to sit I drove up the hill to the farmhouse to snap a few shots...

Just in time...

That little donkey just watched me as I walked along the road above him...

Now this is WV, beautiful and green...

"WILD WONDERFUL WEST VIRGINIA"

Than down the little windy road and back home to enjoy my pickings...

"IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS"

Have a great week,

Lynn

Summer is my time of the year...

In my opinion there is nothing better than summer! I live in North Central West Virginia and we have way to long winters here for me. I am the kind of person who could live where it is warm all the time... But not my husband and kids, so I am stuck. I freeze in the winter, I want my 80 degree weather. I want to be outside in my bare feet playing in the flower beds and garden. Watching my hummingbirds fly around the feeders.

Years ago when I was first married we would visit  my husbands  family, they were really great gardeners, something my family never did. Mom planted a few annuals each year but never a big flowerbed or a vegetable garden. So when we went to Maryland to visit his dads side of the family I couldn't wait. Tom's aunt Jean could grow anything and she did. We would walk around her yard and she would tell me what everything was and I was amazed she could remember them all. Flowers everywhere, she had a Hoya plant on her back porch that bloomed every summer with the most beautiful blooms I had ever seen.To this day I am still trying to get mine to bloom and it never does. I wish I knew her secret? She would break me off a big hand full of Bridalveil vine and I would bring it home and just plant it in a pot unrooted just as she said and watered it... I was amazed that it worked and grew like crazy...

    Tom's grandmother(his moms mother) could grow things like that too. Just stick her little fingers down in the dirt, pop some plant she had picked a piece off of and in no time there would be a big beautiful plant in that pot.. Of course she passed that trait onto her daughters too. They were always growing something.

So each summer as I plant my seeds and pick pieces off plants and pop them into some dirt I think of all the great times I had learning from the best gardeners I have ever known...

Lucy,Lil and Jean...

Thanks girls for all the great lessons taught,that they probably didn't even realize they were doing ( I was listening) and the great memories....

This is one memory from my family, I remember the first time my aunt gave my mom a little Mamosa Tree from her yard to plant in ours. They were beautiful and smelled so sweet. This tree is next door at my friend Jeanies house, it is about 14 years old and a baby out of my parents yard. This year it is beautiful and so full of blooms smelling sweet just as I rememberd when I was just a kid.

They have the most delicate blooms...

Here are two of my favorite geraniums, ones I have had for probably 5 years now. I keep them in the basement each winter and I propagate pieces from them each summer to make sure I don't loose them.The top one is Appleblossom Rosebud and the bottom one is a Tulip Geranium. I never see these in any gargen centers. I wonder why they don't sell these beauties anymore?

This is Forth of July weekend.... We left on Friday afternoon for our annaul camping trip. The weather was suppose to be beautiful for days and for the most part it was... We packed up all the camping things and away we went. Tom and I... three dogs and a tent! Can you imagine!!! LOL

This is what we call "River Sitting"...

We sit for hours talking, laughing, swimming and just enjoying our time together...

See that big "Bobber" you got to love it, it's a cooler...

Now this is some kind of storm cloud for sure and boy did it bring the rain on our last evening there. The wind came with it and everyone was there holding things down all the way through it. Soaked to the bone everything survived and we laughed all the way through it... Than we rebuilt the fire and the rain stayed away so we could have our dinner...

We ate so much food on that trip, but that is what it is all about "Good Times"...

Than on Tuesday it was time to pack up and go home. We had three really tired dogs. With the back seat layed down in the Blazer,blankets layed out the dogs were ready for the trip home...

Mia was really smiling and ready to go home...

Than she was down for the count, sound asleep...

THE END...

Lynn

Jimmy Buffet Concert

"MARGARITAVILLE"

What a beautiful day we had with our girls and their friends... The weather was perfect (at least for me) hot,92 degrees,sunny, and a beautiful breeze...

This is Tom and I just at the start of the concert... Him in his lei and me with my flip flop earrings on...LOL

As my husband says this isn't just a concert it is an event. You see everything at this concert. You go early and tailgate all day. You walk around to see all the sights and find lots of friends... This was our first Buffet Concert, along with 8 others that went with us. But not for my oldest daughter. She has gone for a few years and loves every moment of it.

This Concert was an Anniversary gift from both of our girls. I must say it was one of the best gifts they ever gave us!!! We really enjoyed our time with them and the concert. What an experience.... I danced for 3 hours and today I can hardly move... LOL

 Someone in the parking lot had a hula hoop and I just couldn't wait to try it. I used to love doing this as a kid... and at 56 I can still do it!!!

 Don' make fun, I couldn't find my glass that was packed somewhere in the car... and I got caught taking a sip from the bucket!!! Life is good in "Margaritaville"..

 In "Margaritaville" you meet all kinds of people willing to get their picture taken with you...

 Here Colleen and I are having a little fun at someones site, you really could find all kinds of things in this huge parking lot of fascinating people... and Colleen wanted me to see as many sights as I could on this first trip!!!

 She was even equipped with signs and all all kinds of things to decorate our site, our hair, our flip flops. She was surely prepared for everything...

 Our neighbors parked beside us gave us girls all umbrellas for our hair...

 Coleen said last year it was really hot, but this year even with the high temperatures we had a great breeze so we were all comfortable... and of course a few cold drinks helped too... LOL

Tom loves the song Son of a Sailor and he is "Truly the Son of a Sailor" so he was proud to hold this sign Colleen had made just for him when they played this song...

 Amanda's boyfriend was having a great time in his Shark hat... "Fins to the left-Fins to the right...

 Lots of blankets here on the lawn just before things got started, what a crowd they had...

Amanda and I

Look at all the people, we stood all evening and danced the night away... and believe me my body feels it today!!! LOL

Here they are at the end of the evening it was just wonderful, I can't wait to go back next year!!!

A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL...

Hope you have a great week,

Lynn

Up - Close Weeding

      I think I could write a passage everyday from this book. So many that have to do with our every day lives in the summer in our gardens...

    Have you ever noticed how beautiful a garden looks from a distance? Orderly rows, evenly spaced, with sturdy plants that appear healthy. Yet, when you get close and peer underneath the green plants, you can see small weeds or even pests hidden in the soil or leaves.
     The garden that from a distance looks beautiful and well-cared for is, in reality, in need of a gardener to remove all the camouflaged hindrances to its growth. The caretaker must get close to his plants, down on his knees, where he can see the true problems. Only then will the garden be healthy.

     Often, our lies an give the appearance of beauty, a life lived for God. We fellowship, we worship,we pray, and we study God's Word. To all who look at us, we seem to be perfect Christians; yet we, too, can have weeks and pests. invisible without intense examination. We must get down on our knees, or on our face, before the Lord,where we are humbled so God can show us the impediments to our faith. The Psalmist says, "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me for secret faults" (Psalm 19:12 NKJV).

    When we bow before the Lord and ask His help to search or live for those obstructions, He will always help. "The Lord... rises up all who are bowed down" (Psalm 145:14 NKJV). God will cleanse us of those weeks and pests that steal our beauty. He will help us be pleasant to view from a distance-and up close, too.
From: Inspiring Thoughts for Gardeners

   This day started out cloudy and quite rainy. But as the day went on it was a wonderful day to be outside. We have gotten over 2 inces of rain in the last 3 days. Not that we didn't need it, but enough already!!! We had soooo much rain in May we didn't think it was ever going to stop so we could get our garden in. Than a few weeks of hot hot hot weather almost like August weather. So we were very grateful for the rain we are getting now... It was nice not to have to water anything taday. Now if the skys would open up to some beautiful sun our garden will really start coming up by leaps and bounds. Which is what we really need right not. So things will start to catch up. They always say the corn should be "Knee High By the 4th of July"... Well it is about 1/2 inch tall right now, so we really need that sun to help us along a little...

    We got the yard mowed today and things picked up in the yard so we could have a cookout today for Fathers Day. Both our girls had the evening off today, so we celebrated a day early. We were almost finished with dinner when the sky opened up again with pouring rain. We ran for the house to have our desert inside. So for the most part it was a great day!!!

     These were from last years garden... I sure hope we can do this well this year... I sure am ready for a great tomato right off the vine...




Have a Great Day,
Lynn

What We Love About Gardening

The other night I picked up just a little book that looked interesting. It is called "Inspiring Thoughts for Gardeners." Sometimes when you least expect it, bam it is right there. I was in a little discount store looking for a gift and it just popped out at me. As if to say "Buy Me, you need this." Well I guess I did and I just want to share a little of it with you. So I will be putting little bits and pieces of it on here for you to enjoy too!!!

"WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT GARDENING"

Before God created man... before He created animals,fish, or the stars in the heavens...God created vegetation.
God not only provided seed-bearing plants for our sustenance; He gave us beauty to enjoy in the flowers and the varieties of flora found throughout the world.
Why do we enjoy gardens of all types? Imagine God's delight as He spoke the words and new growth sprang from the earth. That delight in mirrored in our faces as we marvel at what we've nurtured, weather an herb in our kitchen window or a large plot of vegetables we plan to sell.
Each experience is like sharing something with God. Gardening gives us the chance to see the miracle of life spring forth from a seed or cutting. Watching a plant grow and produce in a vision of God's care for us as His children. Gardening is a way to provide for our family and friends, just as God provides for us. Every time we share fresh produce or a plant we've raised, we are extending God's love to those around us. I can't imagine a better way to share Christ than to give to others from the fruit of our hands.

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be your for food."
Genesis 1:29 NIV

This is a new Geranium I picked up the other day, I love the shape of the flower petals. Just something a little different...

This picture was taken last year near fall. My 55 gal. water barrels are behind all this beautiful foliage. You could hardly see them. I hope they do as well this year...

My daughter Colleen just got new patio furniture after helping her father put it together it was time for a rest. It looks beautiful with all that stone on her house...

Hope you all have a great week,

Lynn

Take Time to Smell the Roses...

Remember this: Whoever

sows sparingly will also reap

sparingly, and whoever sows generously

will also reap generously.

2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV

KEEP HEALTHY

Gardening is one activity that promotes good health.

Being outdoors in the fresh air or even busy with

the care of indoor plants can improve physical and mental well-being.

Wearing appropriate clothing- a long-sleeve cotton shit and

wide-brimmed hat-- when outdoors will protect from harmful

sun rays or some plant irritants. For areas of your skin that

aren't covered, be sure to use a good sunscreen.

Even spiritual fitness can be improved as the gardener meditates on a

scripture verse or spends time in prayer while working.

From: Inspiring Thoughts for Gardeners

Today I came in the house and this is what I saw, now this is comfort. Only I can't imagine being comfortable using a table as a pillow. But this is where she likes to lay and I guess she is comfortable....

Because it wasn't long she was sound asleep...

We have had Mia since April 2000. She was born Feb. 18,2000.

Just a little fuzz ball when she arrived that day. Ready to take on the world, running and playing all over the house. Now she is content to just lay with her head

propped up on this little table, with not a care in the world.

I think in my next life I want to come back as a dog. At least one of my dogs!!!

They are such a part of our lives. I really don't think I will ever be without a dog,

as long as I can still care for one. Unconditional Love is what you always

receive, and I love every minute of it!!!

MY SWEET "MIA"

This purple just jumps out at you. Purple is one of my favorite colors in the gardens.

This Campanula was just in full bloom when I took this picture...

I wish they could stay looking like this just a little longer...

Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel is also called ivybush, calico bush, sheep laurel, lambkill, clamoun, and spoonwood (native Americans used to make spoons from the wood). The mountain laurel is one of the most beautiful of native American shrubs. The fragrant star-shaped white and pink flowers have attracted travelers since early colonial days (first recorded in America in 1624).

This Mountain Laurel has been in my back yard for years, even before we moved here

33 years ago. I don't remember ever looking at it this close. It was in full bloom just a

few weeks ago and I decided to take a few pictures. To my amazement after looking

at the close up pictures, they are just beautiful. So something so close and here for so

long how could I have missed this beauty?

We really need to take the time and Smell the Roses as they say!!

Life just needs to slow down a little sometimes.

Everyone have a great week!!!

Lynn

Life Is Good!!!

Life is Good and Summer is almost here!!!
Almost the end of May and school will be out soon!!! The rain is slowing down a little "Thank Goodness" enough was just enough!!! LOL We may be able to get the garden in this weekend with no rain insight...
I started the spring off all the wrong way... On Mothers Day I got out the electric hedge clippers and cut my finger. Only 8 stitches were needed. Figuring the finger was still numb I came back home and finished the job. Of course my husband thought I was crazy but I wasn't going to let him near my bush!!! Than on Mon. night I twisted my foot on a rock in the garden, so back to the Dr on Tue. morning. It wasn't broken but badly sprained. Just a little brace for some support. I am just hobbling all over school and home! I am just an accident looking for a place to happen and I am the one that never gets hurt!!! It was my first time for stitches... The flower beds are going crazy with color and not a drop of mulch in any of them yet. Although they are all ready for it. I have so many perennials that it doesn't take much mulch anymore... This beautiful pink perennial came back beautifully this spring although I have no idea what it is. Guess it's time to post for ID on Daves Garden. It was just getting covered up by to many things so I moved it to the back yard.

This is my new favorite plant... I guess it better be I have 21 coming up in the front bed. In 2009 I planted some seeds mid summer and when they got big enough I just put them in this bed before fall got here. Except when all of these beautiful plants came up last spring I had forgotten what they were... they never bloomed last summer so it was hard to ID. This year they popped right up and on came the blooms... They are Burgandy Gooseneck Loosestrife.

I love them and they have a long blooming season and make great cut flowers...

The Salvia May Night is really doing great, I will probably have to separate it again next year or this fall...

and looking great with the Snow on the Mountain...

This is Korean Bellfower Campanula They hang so beautifully, you never get to see the inside of them.

The only problem is they are very invasive. I just keep pulling out what I don't want... But they are beautiful in he spring...

Nigelia or Love In The Mist... this picture turned out so crisp and clear... I have these in front of the front porch each spring and when they are finished blooming I let them go to seed and save all the beautiful seed pods for an arrangement... I pull all the plants up and in the fall sprinkle seeds again and they are back in force next spring... Talk about no maintenance, it is great.

Our Reading Council Meeting went great last month, all of the folded books looked amazing on the tables for decorations. We had 12 books we gave away as door prizes. All the winner were so tickled to get them. They were just so unique and the cost, well lets just say was almost nothing. Each book from the Helping Hand Store was $.50-$1.oo and a little hot glue. We raffled off the wreaths and made more money than we spent on the decorations... That's the way to decorate!!!

Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!!!

Lynn