tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67149018691868594252024-03-13T14:20:56.089-07:00TANGLED YARNS FROM AMEN FARMMundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-75431075840513934612014-04-26T08:14:00.001-07:002014-04-26T08:14:34.402-07:00Yikes!!! It's been an entire year since my last post. I won't pledge to write more frequently as that smacks of New Years Resolutions .<br />
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We've just come out of a gullywhomper of a winter and Mother Nature is dragging her heels even in late April. We have a few gorgeous days and are then thrown right back into the slew of despond, cold with rain.<br />
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I've spent hours in my perennial garden over the past week in an all out attempt to revivify it. Last summer was very wet and we all know how clay soil reacts to copious amounts of water. Slime!! By the end of last summer I had lost a number of the perennials that had been lovingly moved there from previous gardens. In addition to constantly wet soil I feared that all the nutrients had been washed away leaving a sour soil and a magnificent crop of moss.<br />
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Last weekend I stripped away the moss, pulled out the dead plants and began the process of digging in 25 bags of organic composted down manure. This is not work for the faint of heart! I finished up that portion of the revivification process yesterday afternoon and I must say that it was very satisfying. I should have taken a few pictures! Since the afternoon was warm, but not too warm, I hauled out the bags of natural cedar mulch. I hope that this mulch won't leach the nitrogen from the soil, time will tell I guess. Any attempt to find a local source of composted mulch was an abject failure so bags of cedar mulch it was. I'd no idea how much RED mulch there is out there. Hideous!! I bought 15 bags thinking that that would be plenty, I was wrong. On my hands and knees, eleven bags worth were lovingly spread around the just emerging plants and only half the garden is covered. Today it's too wet to work outside.<br />
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The trees that we have had planted over the past couple of years are looking fabulous! The only ones to have barely leafed out are the two Sargent Crabs. The Swamp White Oak, Red Oak & White Oak are nearly ready to pop as is the Cornus Florida. Several weeks ago I went over to Elhannon Nursery and chose three more trees to be planted this year, a Sycamore, Serviceberry and Black Gum (Tupelo).<br />
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It's been so long since I've posted a picture I'll have to learn how to do it all over again.<br />
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<br />Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-87567751900241289162013-04-23T07:37:00.003-07:002013-04-23T07:37:58.986-07:00HEPATICA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS4gTa16_bcQom1wWLKY6Zjni9VfsCU9WpW3_IIdFtstdaeuFaxUne9ajn24Qh3qB-IFQkbjCZA_drECuLlaVD9eYIYwGiyhVwGNXRsytXobYNhcdDBautGD-x9riYXz4u6XNEYMvhmc/s1600/Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS4gTa16_bcQom1wWLKY6Zjni9VfsCU9WpW3_IIdFtstdaeuFaxUne9ajn24Qh3qB-IFQkbjCZA_drECuLlaVD9eYIYwGiyhVwGNXRsytXobYNhcdDBautGD-x9riYXz4u6XNEYMvhmc/s320/Image+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
First wildflowers of the year!!! The Dutchman's Breeches are peeking through as is the May Apple and Toad Trillium. My double Bloodroot seems to be dying back a bit. Guess it doesn't like it's new home.<br />Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-16199105269120593692013-04-20T09:29:00.000-07:002013-04-20T09:29:52.114-07:00CATS CRADLE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_ESB22qoQlAKmftv8ErMqKPuUcSEsnmnDmTkHJgWpxSJYifWusYJX-n3HOM_03w4k9Cs_rDTg8bRlE-uXqsDtdx1ys7F58TfnjNAz2Q85klRqUiwMdCqcvByRn5GHA56nWZSeTDZlGQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_ESB22qoQlAKmftv8ErMqKPuUcSEsnmnDmTkHJgWpxSJYifWusYJX-n3HOM_03w4k9Cs_rDTg8bRlE-uXqsDtdx1ys7F58TfnjNAz2Q85klRqUiwMdCqcvByRn5GHA56nWZSeTDZlGQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Last week I went over to Elhannon Nursery to meet up with Jim Sutton for the purpose of choosing a 'significant' tree to plant in our front meadow. As we drove down through the nursery I spotted this work of art and he stopped so that I could take a picture. This is a large oak, Red I think, that was hand dug and hand tied by Adreus and his brothers and along with two others, one is visible in the background will be loaded onto a flat bed and driven to the Cape. Apparently the purchaser buys several each year. I think that his pockets must be a bit deeper than ours however as we buy only on each year.<br />
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This years tree will be another oak, White Oak to be specific. Unfortunately I neglected to get a picture of it but will be sure to post some pics here when they deliver and plant it.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-6081919856404599542013-01-16T12:44:00.001-08:002013-01-16T12:44:12.267-08:00UPHOLSTERY FABRIC<br />
The fabric directly below is a gorgeous cotton damask and will be the new upholstery fabric for the camelback sofa.<br />
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The yellow/gold fabric was chosen to cover my favorite chair.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNPtq01UjNACtNovy5MjnBDfJrSCGETPI-9od7cmtjUo2dcWRxdmnAxp2O2jsdoR0E5fBUlYXLXl5LDaS1xPevXQVKWNWJGQfOKJZl-3g5YnWoLV6WwabGzrerWtcGS7Zh7excy9kd3A/s1600/IMG_6529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNPtq01UjNACtNovy5MjnBDfJrSCGETPI-9od7cmtjUo2dcWRxdmnAxp2O2jsdoR0E5fBUlYXLXl5LDaS1xPevXQVKWNWJGQfOKJZl-3g5YnWoLV6WwabGzrerWtcGS7Zh7excy9kd3A/s320/IMG_6529.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYypVS_hnKHiFkavIDj5NuKC2ox5jvDjKTr89H8hD1dYYgpeOeGaTMCYp-OKTAXCl6kYxj4sA6kEaGqurg1Z7ZadKAyUEmo3KBCvooQc4Pmq_FqSIVUdwovmfCAs6-a1nL-rl0o9tqz0/s1600/IMG_6531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYypVS_hnKHiFkavIDj5NuKC2ox5jvDjKTr89H8hD1dYYgpeOeGaTMCYp-OKTAXCl6kYxj4sA6kEaGqurg1Z7ZadKAyUEmo3KBCvooQc4Pmq_FqSIVUdwovmfCAs6-a1nL-rl0o9tqz0/s320/IMG_6531.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-18995428420975986412013-01-16T08:34:00.000-08:002013-01-16T08:34:21.503-08:00SHARPIE COMES FOR LUNCH<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvQvPlM5gKGtujUph8acZcyLpQX28IipKzZhRQxCQLtwbzNVOgzJ2d5cwAK7__EIhdoJHJE1LsQA4ik44ne4uyJnspyOCaXTBqXsmVb1OCOcwbZ1wRbVkHI0TrTO1XJ8udZiCeC3FAGo/s1600/IMG_6518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvQvPlM5gKGtujUph8acZcyLpQX28IipKzZhRQxCQLtwbzNVOgzJ2d5cwAK7__EIhdoJHJE1LsQA4ik44ne4uyJnspyOCaXTBqXsmVb1OCOcwbZ1wRbVkHI0TrTO1XJ8udZiCeC3FAGo/s320/IMG_6518.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharp-shinned Hawk</td></tr>
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This Sharpie is not an unfamiliar visitor to Amen Farm. He/she breezes through a couple of times a week and often chooses to sit atop one feeder or another in wait for lunch to arrive. It never does. I do wonder if this might be a 1st year bird that isn't yet as wile as a successful adult.<br />
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Awoke this morning to a world of white and it is still coming down. I'm not sure whether it will amount to much but I'll take whatever comes with gratitude.<br />
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Yesterday I drove down to West Springfield to pay a visit to Osgood Textiles. My mission was to find fabric to reupholster my favorite chair. Over the last several months I have made a number of trips to Osgood Textiles and have never failed to score the perfect fabric for one piece of furniture or another. On my first trip I found some gorgeous dusky apricot velvet with small navy motifs .......perfect for the two Susie Wiggins chairs presently lying is disrepair in the basement. Next I found the perfect cotton damask for the camelback sofa in our living room. I'll attempt to take photos a bit later in the day.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-15612898232985396822013-01-15T06:37:00.000-08:002013-01-16T08:57:55.053-08:00Apparently I am unable to download pictures from iPhoto to this blog?????? Yet another mountain to climb. Fortunately our library will be offering a Mac Help session in February. Perhaps I'll be able to figure this out on my own. Stay tuned!!<br />
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Meanwhile, the weather seems much like last winter. We had a bit of snow in late December/early January and it is ALL gone. I 've been on my snowshoes just once. So sad.<br />
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All for now as I'm off to pick up my sewing machine and then to West Springfield to choose some fabric for two living room chairs.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-42494817026375065312012-10-30T08:50:00.000-07:002012-10-30T08:50:12.267-07:00Hurricane SandyHurricane Sandy has just passed through. It is pretty windy out there this morning but I'd say that we drew the long straw this time. We did have some rain and wind overnight but nothing to frighten us. Central Vermont must have been working overtime because our lights didn't flicker but once.<br />
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Unfortunately I can't post any pictures because I am so technically challenged that I can't figure out how to get my photos from my PC to my MacBook.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-77928474772767372932012-09-18T13:20:00.002-07:002012-09-18T13:20:51.837-07:00NEW CHAPTER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNgwec7MexVBYi1KvfA8Zgo7U8CM37AJ_WxHTAbH5Aq4oMtQg9oz-8HrpfecsEYXBzvRwXAMrEtvWLxjOHhd4eqBhXpf3xJVjyZRHPGd3CXwQkdkNagsWA6Z2xsoqRi9Ox3B6XS-xjYc/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNgwec7MexVBYi1KvfA8Zgo7U8CM37AJ_WxHTAbH5Aq4oMtQg9oz-8HrpfecsEYXBzvRwXAMrEtvWLxjOHhd4eqBhXpf3xJVjyZRHPGd3CXwQkdkNagsWA6Z2xsoqRi9Ox3B6XS-xjYc/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Back in August we welcomed Atticus into our family. We drove to Toronto on a Thursday, spent the night in Milton, Ontario and drove Halton Hills to Dawin Kennels to meet Atticus and bring him home. He has grown lots since this picture was taken and is a real caution. Last night he had his first 'puppy class' and was absolutely a mess. All the stuff that we had practiced at home went right out the window and he became a leaping wild man. You can see the twinkle in his eye in his picture!!! He'll get it but it'll be a challange.<br />
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We are having some 'weather' this afternoon. The wind has picked up and the rain is steady and due to last through the night. The summer has been a dry one so we are appreciating this good soaking. When transplanting perrenials over the weekend I was surprised at how dry the gardens were. Not just a few inches of dry soil but dry a good foot down.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-17975718453052626472012-06-26T10:33:00.003-07:002012-06-26T10:36:23.496-07:00NEW TREES<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The guys from Elhannon showed up this morning just before 7:00. I needed to drive FSS to Pittsfield as his jitney is in the shop with a bad gas line. By the time I returned they had dug all three holes and place the trees. Below is the Cornus Florida, just off the screen porch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdPO7Do9qYUVIqoa7C8f1reztFGSwSBkl2PItkdL7Sh9bSCWUR4cSg4B5z4Ziam3Vao4olHLHtW66iPqED9_HpQl3ue9t8DTGe8KvwSdQU_XCNm5Ea8A7rgt1lbO6YzJsmNMcFYJUQgs/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdPO7Do9qYUVIqoa7C8f1reztFGSwSBkl2PItkdL7Sh9bSCWUR4cSg4B5z4Ziam3Vao4olHLHtW66iPqED9_HpQl3ue9t8DTGe8KvwSdQU_XCNm5Ea8A7rgt1lbO6YzJsmNMcFYJUQgs/s640/001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is one of two Sargent Crabapple trees. This one off the corner of the garage and the other behind the perennial garden.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyUR-Ey1mwmYKap1VJzeKeYv23uAn3YE5kOA6F6AYkkDov9Olsn4-rSvBA3AvDnffLedh4lcX7CsmGNCYvJW1ILYcHFM11OXaO7444RNKurL9O29msdqpT06i6m8JEHa6KTD_OXSADmA/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyUR-Ey1mwmYKap1VJzeKeYv23uAn3YE5kOA6F6AYkkDov9Olsn4-rSvBA3AvDnffLedh4lcX7CsmGNCYvJW1ILYcHFM11OXaO7444RNKurL9O29msdqpT06i6m8JEHa6KTD_OXSADmA/s640/003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-91085884864469261572012-06-26T10:08:00.001-07:002012-06-26T10:08:04.873-07:00RAINBOW AT DUSK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCZhq9Ni_fumyD9ZNSaWIcEnlP5OX_G8mDAoUwIA-Co-nrMllRUfMsBTB9aOG9Bq9hE-5vFR6m1eDMsgSr_YJoo-00zTBGEAwIm3_YthR2tealKBVWbyHx1MDe9cuC0NaFIUwv0XIbEA/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCZhq9Ni_fumyD9ZNSaWIcEnlP5OX_G8mDAoUwIA-Co-nrMllRUfMsBTB9aOG9Bq9hE-5vFR6m1eDMsgSr_YJoo-00zTBGEAwIm3_YthR2tealKBVWbyHx1MDe9cuC0NaFIUwv0XIbEA/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
What a vision! We had quite a rainstorm last evening and the temps dropped dramatically. We were sitting at our little kitchen table chatting and noticed this rainbow in front of Cupcake Hill.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-49594570997944785532012-06-23T14:04:00.004-07:002012-06-23T14:04:57.795-07:00BANK SWALLOWS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YqMKBF8Yf2l1P_aacKiaSiYGxbIygvdpmz1-9DAyfuz1_dpQuQTTEq0i82iftmYtCliVItmvAcYkpRptVApUkenDC7c-qcvDIJRShF3BrvfGDwdpqfh3qHA_yX3kO1GIur0LlhS5M_w/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YqMKBF8Yf2l1P_aacKiaSiYGxbIygvdpmz1-9DAyfuz1_dpQuQTTEq0i82iftmYtCliVItmvAcYkpRptVApUkenDC7c-qcvDIJRShF3BrvfGDwdpqfh3qHA_yX3kO1GIur0LlhS5M_w/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is a former gravel pit located on the 'dugway' just behind Tornabene's on Rte 7. I stopped there on Monday on the off chance that there might be some active nests. I counted seven!!!Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-57928681355509771362012-06-23T13:57:00.002-07:002012-06-23T13:57:53.879-07:00GNATSThank fortune the extreme heat of the last few days has abated. Unfortunately the gnats that appear with the heat and humidity have arrived in full force and have driven me indoors. We just had a bit of a downpour an it seemed to me to be a good time to venture out to the garden and plant the two new miscanthus that have been sitting by the back door since Monday. They are planted and have a good amount of compost in their holes but that was all she wrote. My skin is crawling!!Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-16648597874517538082012-06-17T13:47:00.000-07:002012-06-17T13:47:21.482-07:00GARDENINGLovely morning in the nursery garden. Pulled some weeds to uncover some perennials that I would like to transplant into the new bed in the front. All was going well until I spotted a few leaves of the dreaded Bishop's Weed. ARRRRRG ! I grabbed the Round Up and sprayed each leaf liberally. I hate to use herbicides but Bishop's Weed requires extraordinary measures. Unfortunately it has rained this afternoon and I may well need to reapply in the morning.<br />
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In anticipation of planting in the new bed I made a trip to Whitney's in Cheshire for some new perennials. The rain threw a spanner into that plan. My plants are sitting in the back of the RTV having had a drink of fertilizer. Tomorrow is another day.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-2613490681823458032012-06-17T13:44:00.000-07:002012-06-17T13:44:01.885-07:00ENGLISH BASKETS<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAqcSqRtCmoMSMiJdRKHqlV-_sQsfuHKDZb2uEsu_nFDR24ecBuCdXK3FDNv0XzxC3NDp9TVaFODqWHdp58Ha4vhBBxJZxJrCg73sezBNyXk2-zP0cK8aWe9U258BE4jRbCGJly0G6RY/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAqcSqRtCmoMSMiJdRKHqlV-_sQsfuHKDZb2uEsu_nFDR24ecBuCdXK3FDNv0XzxC3NDp9TVaFODqWHdp58Ha4vhBBxJZxJrCg73sezBNyXk2-zP0cK8aWe9U258BE4jRbCGJly0G6RY/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Basket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYh-s_ldqUywOG9Sk_5tVaIOizwLKWv-ZfGAlW1AiCOtyErALaibZBnI_HkgceQ55RmPr4vADuacuYTbqftIWEt2RXWTdzbIixNnmkH7oUq38JzmreBKNCqurFVlnokvx52ucEdR1wyJA/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYh-s_ldqUywOG9Sk_5tVaIOizwLKWv-ZfGAlW1AiCOtyErALaibZBnI_HkgceQ55RmPr4vADuacuYTbqftIWEt2RXWTdzbIixNnmkH7oUq38JzmreBKNCqurFVlnokvx52ucEdR1wyJA/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#2 English Basket<br />
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Both of these baskets came from Reading Greenhouse and I couldn't be more pleased with them. I've been fertilizing them at 1/4 dose of Maxsea every time I water and that turns out to be once a day.<span style="font-size: small;"> Religious picking of the faded blossoms has paid off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can see another speciman in a clay pot at the bottom of the steps. That happens to be a well traveled Angel's trumpet by the name of Charles Grimaldi. Charles spent the winter in the tack room and seemed to do reasonably well there. The blossoms are the most heavenly shade of yellow almost a tangerine shade.</span></div>
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</tbody></table>Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-67231021147584453932012-06-17T13:06:00.000-07:002012-06-17T13:06:00.573-07:00EBONY SPLEENWORT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHq1D4N3kalI37Oi4rq2sMomgc7xa84YgP-rK_haWeC89kJ2VjeR2ExllVsGGCZkenAJy511KrN84QCAtIKzJJafWbx6mX82t_2R4PdCiTJAKlpBvRSU6SBL8UL48vT82V9ZNNHxpraw/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHq1D4N3kalI37Oi4rq2sMomgc7xa84YgP-rK_haWeC89kJ2VjeR2ExllVsGGCZkenAJy511KrN84QCAtIKzJJafWbx6mX82t_2R4PdCiTJAKlpBvRSU6SBL8UL48vT82V9ZNNHxpraw/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just up Tubs Rd from our property line is a lovely little stand of Ebony Spleenwort. Cicero and I took a walk up there this moring and I took a few pictures.</div>
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I'd love to find the perfect spot somewhere on our patch and transplant a little of it. I'll keep looking for it.</div>
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<br /></div>Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-11509793606257922842012-06-03T13:26:00.003-07:002012-06-03T13:30:53.365-07:00BOB O LINKThere are some magnificent hay fields on either side of Mt Anthony Rd just as you pass around the bend from Van Shaik's property heading west toward the height of land above Tinker Baker's holding. The either day the fields on both sides of the road were rife with Bob O Links. I stopped to watch and couldn't resist taking a picture of this fine fellow on the post just outside my car window. Not only was he in full plumage but also in full voice.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTxt3FeUvyM8vREhJW-c6OFkQBIXMESrj1iKZyf0N-hz0Z0qwvxqs33Q_SorhtbpwWeOLl4WcFUaOcm_bRBHQfrmg8Ui0Hi7SAl5Jxh6cHT5uI0vCZCG9xD1WDlF7I6p977HEYlTJyqg/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTxt3FeUvyM8vREhJW-c6OFkQBIXMESrj1iKZyf0N-hz0Z0qwvxqs33Q_SorhtbpwWeOLl4WcFUaOcm_bRBHQfrmg8Ui0Hi7SAl5Jxh6cHT5uI0vCZCG9xD1WDlF7I6p977HEYlTJyqg/s400/044.JPG" width="400" /></a>Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-3228919583294076392012-06-03T12:45:00.000-07:002012-06-03T12:54:13.764-07:00SORA RAIL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRTIxm_rbeywwsDZJN3z0A3DXOCMRouPRDCGc0HhvlZbsGINC3m7vnsexEs6lP2g35heGOq6B0vAd8xhOGY0NvBkhyphenhyphenNUSbl35rkndg4WdWjd7bJOqPrLE4VS7-TlPAu_2qWqXY21lDTM/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRTIxm_rbeywwsDZJN3z0A3DXOCMRouPRDCGc0HhvlZbsGINC3m7vnsexEs6lP2g35heGOq6B0vAd8xhOGY0NvBkhyphenhyphenNUSbl35rkndg4WdWjd7bJOqPrLE4VS7-TlPAu_2qWqXY21lDTM/s640/009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One day last week I stopped at the South Stream Wildlife Management Area on my way home from Bennington. It it a lovely spot where occasionally I spot an interesting bird. On this day I noticed a bird emerging from the reeds to walk along on the lily pads. Hmmmmm? What could it be? It was definitely a marsh dweller.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX5D3ZiJMDTyEAKmFmcP_YK_nSvQaV3o2YlurIlKj7DgDnJ_fY_CpKFPotB9L-kUv-PMdxhM6evW3KVdW7g1K9GOO3NkTZwYzF-r7pPAd-NuS3pdpn9F2ROeOMY0wLI-ZHKzeCiysD3I/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX5D3ZiJMDTyEAKmFmcP_YK_nSvQaV3o2YlurIlKj7DgDnJ_fY_CpKFPotB9L-kUv-PMdxhM6evW3KVdW7g1K9GOO3NkTZwYzF-r7pPAd-NuS3pdpn9F2ROeOMY0wLI-ZHKzeCiysD3I/s640/029.JPG" width="640" /></a>When I got home I hauled out my National Geographic Birds of the Northeast and went to Corne''s All About Birds. Success! My bird was a Sora Rail nicknamed the Marsh Walker. Last weekend I took my camera to the WMA and took quite a few pictures of the Sora only to find that I had inadvertantly move the mode dial on my camera which insured that every single picture was out of focus. On my next trip there my camera was properly set and I captured quite a few decent images.</div>Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-85993691500509229492012-05-15T11:37:00.000-07:002012-05-15T11:37:00.024-07:00Twice Blooming Azalea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhracMviP-cavqFqNwbGiEhBmAgYm1jstkVcnGDrb_J1JesaiIds_J45gzJtIHdGpy1qH6uA_CH3MyNWQeDK_TCwisYW21H656l96wkdEKs-v9jWt2Z6qe-Y2mVVBgQyAZNYdENw97nsaM/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhracMviP-cavqFqNwbGiEhBmAgYm1jstkVcnGDrb_J1JesaiIds_J45gzJtIHdGpy1qH6uA_CH3MyNWQeDK_TCwisYW21H656l96wkdEKs-v9jWt2Z6qe-Y2mVVBgQyAZNYdENw97nsaM/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The yellow azalea that I planted last fall bloomed shortly after planting. Much to my surprise and delight it is in bloom in May.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-41091342410940030302012-05-15T05:56:00.003-07:002012-05-15T05:56:40.584-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxryfoc0vBGrhgCALz3AdjWzT3nDPkoygwZbB1SR6a6OrPAvvRX8wcPaJvPmLiPPawI0AA4mAjY4pIdf3xsddQ4OgiuFXWAjnVsvtisNNXmiQjJlGbco2jl0L5SqmzPLo5NdyLHaZuNqw/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxryfoc0vBGrhgCALz3AdjWzT3nDPkoygwZbB1SR6a6OrPAvvRX8wcPaJvPmLiPPawI0AA4mAjY4pIdf3xsddQ4OgiuFXWAjnVsvtisNNXmiQjJlGbco2jl0L5SqmzPLo5NdyLHaZuNqw/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This morning is a repeat of yesterday. The ceiling is very low and the mist is rising up from the valley against a background of freshly greened mountains. More rain is predicted for today and right through to Friday with Saturday and Sunday to be warm and sunny. It is a very good thing that I have raised garden beds as the soil is totally saturated.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-73100686665271346832012-05-06T06:10:00.001-07:002012-05-06T06:10:47.731-07:00CUCKOOFLOWER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YnwEG69v-NFxVWiwAiArmqdgyJAVRoLPtcQ2g964KBNhM0aFemSg0svHb0bb6fvdBqbHpVgI64R-tnRowfSauf7keMx3kCynhvux3deKOEYW_kuygkUsiQuuiz1i1yvBlsPFxM6xDsI/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YnwEG69v-NFxVWiwAiArmqdgyJAVRoLPtcQ2g964KBNhM0aFemSg0svHb0bb6fvdBqbHpVgI64R-tnRowfSauf7keMx3kCynhvux3deKOEYW_kuygkUsiQuuiz1i1yvBlsPFxM6xDsI/s640/007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Yesterday afternoon I sat down with determination and my Newcomb's field guide and went through each and every step from 'regular flower with 4 parts'; opposite leaves, wet meadow, etc. I discovered two small patches of this sweet little flower last weekend while mowing the lower corner of our meadow. My first attempt at identification was with my Peterson guide. Arrrrgh ! Finally turned to the very reliable Newcomb's!!Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-70957585278841992932012-05-06T05:55:00.000-07:002012-05-06T05:55:00.427-07:00POWNAL PEREGRINES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinabmQtY6IQHkw72NFF995k0xHq2ggujAdK7gJV-t5VClTcODYZ9nh51b7-R3OAJsx-YJ_MSgrQqDxeq3mqSWlcup9HI_doHi4_uEGoSEz6bmFr1FHqrHAfwKIG6LLTHCVohcuQgWY3kc/s1600/IMG_1558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinabmQtY6IQHkw72NFF995k0xHq2ggujAdK7gJV-t5VClTcODYZ9nh51b7-R3OAJsx-YJ_MSgrQqDxeq3mqSWlcup9HI_doHi4_uEGoSEz6bmFr1FHqrHAfwKIG6LLTHCVohcuQgWY3kc/s640/IMG_1558.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Several years ago I began monitoring a pair of Peregrines nesting on Quarry Hill cliffs. On Friday I was fortunate to be watching during a food delivery and watched the female feed at least two very youg chicks. Because the eyrie is a shelf of sorts it is very difficult to see over the outer edge. When the chicks are a bit larger/taller it will be easier to count heads. The picture above are is 2009 and taken from the foot of the cliff.<br />
My lens isn't powerful enough to capture a clear picture of the bird on the snag.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-30680854477445956982012-04-30T07:22:00.001-07:002012-04-30T07:22:51.764-07:00DOGWOOD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEAwUB5rbNMXf3OY7JFkK0oVdPgjRVeDZMdk0MR7HzkWj65gqFSeMgBurUAuQI4J9i9ffBcnnliLP95RQF9iYlvqBMB1MjYiCN7mBSTRS6h6_Pt72ISKGHnM3OEZVgn_8AOUMy-RuIhg/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEAwUB5rbNMXf3OY7JFkK0oVdPgjRVeDZMdk0MR7HzkWj65gqFSeMgBurUAuQI4J9i9ffBcnnliLP95RQF9iYlvqBMB1MjYiCN7mBSTRS6h6_Pt72ISKGHnM3OEZVgn_8AOUMy-RuIhg/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Imagine my delight upon discovering a naturally occuring Cornus Florida growing on the side of the road here at the final AMEN FARM. The first year that we were here the roadside brush, multi flora rose and young white pines had managed to completely obscure it. That summer FSS and I made it a mission to remove the old barbed wire and all the brush along our roadside. It was not a task for the faint of heart but we got it done and in the process discovered a most beautiful American Dogwood .Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-42250265100004645202012-04-30T05:31:00.000-07:002012-04-30T05:31:07.395-07:00CLOTHES POLEPegging out the laundry has always been a part of my life. My mother had a wonderful clothes yard right off our back door and hung the laundry winter and summer and all in between. In winter the sheets often froze solid and my mother would ask me to help her get control of those frozen planks to bring them in to finish drying on a hanging rack. There have been satisfactory 'clothes lines' in every one of our back yards ... three in all, until this move to Tubs Rd. I think that the picture says it all. This clothes pole is nearly useless! It collapses at the drop of a hat. If the laundry is too heavy, the wind too stiff, or the load is uneven the mechanism fails and eveything ends up on the ground. grrrrrrrrrr <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFGOMidmEyF-E_KRgL6FQFA3sYuefNk4l3dnOBcf02cbTueDDPtZtKn8i8s3wyb18oM0ERZjKVgZHtmWMAkdRA1hEWhiGJNP9cytn0NKNioRaHcyvcDBbYhwUYuYTYxEp0HRJJ4Q_4yc/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFGOMidmEyF-E_KRgL6FQFA3sYuefNk4l3dnOBcf02cbTueDDPtZtKn8i8s3wyb18oM0ERZjKVgZHtmWMAkdRA1hEWhiGJNP9cytn0NKNioRaHcyvcDBbYhwUYuYTYxEp0HRJJ4Q_4yc/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
There is hope on the horizon! As soon as the driveway is rebuilt and the temporary lines that came from the barn to the rental trailor are removed there will be a proper clothes yard built off the end of the garage.Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-47737317239401853302012-04-24T06:58:00.000-07:002012-04-24T06:58:04.841-07:00APRIL SHOWERS<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo8VI2YHEi4k79rVgmtssUZEgTI0ioRg3oQ4gOkLMW5Y64KDeCSXY-162wkeCZaWUSQTwRQ5EDKqRI7h6LaOGU6_FkJUOXETL3ev4dEYyt7WjksaaXkc8A8tky7by7t_aEO5LKV5Axfc/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo8VI2YHEi4k79rVgmtssUZEgTI0ioRg3oQ4gOkLMW5Y64KDeCSXY-162wkeCZaWUSQTwRQ5EDKqRI7h6LaOGU6_FkJUOXETL3ev4dEYyt7WjksaaXkc8A8tky7by7t_aEO5LKV5Axfc/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a>Goodness! What has happened to my blog page?? It seems to be operating in reverse??? Oh well, guess if I just keep typing it'll all work itself out.</div>
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Don't you just love this lovely Toad Trillium? I had thought that it hadn't survivied the trip over here from the former farm. Imagine my delight when it appeared as if by wizzardry through the duff from last year. </div>
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We've had some glorious warm weather over the last week but that has come to a screeching halt in typical April fashion. Sunday started out warm and cloudy buy by late afternoon the rain had started and the temperature plumeted. We lit the Glenwood and hunkered down for the evening. It rained and blew all night and most of yesterday. Today we once again have black clouds and temps in the low fifties. Brrrrrrrrr!!!!</div>Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714901869186859425.post-78830670508216291112012-04-24T06:26:00.000-07:002012-04-24T06:26:16.409-07:00A RAMBLE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post will be a bit of a ramble as I am trying to fathom the 'new' blogger format. Isn't this guy just the kewelest? He and two other fellas ( Jakes) meandered through our pasture this morning. Me thinks that they were on a 'practice your gobble' assignment. Gobble they did!!!<br />
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I'm going to attempt to imbed another photo. Voila!! It worked. The photo above captures the two Jakes gobbling in unison. Pretty comical.<br />
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<br />Mundihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17192233136687265457noreply@blogger.com0