Beauty & The Beasts

As a blogger, I often show you the beauty of my home and garden in the different seasons.  After all, that's really why I started this blog back in 2015 - to capture the beauty in every day. 

My house is never staged....I just don't believe in that. Yes, I might fluff up the pillows and pick up the dog toys....but then again, maybe I won't! 

The Garden in Late June....and My Critters

Exciting things are happening in the garden these days!

Well....exciting for me, but maybe that's not saying much about me, huh?

The Battle of The Bear

I've been missing you all and wishing for more time to spend here. 

But life gets in the way sometimes. It's been super busy around here. 

A Wacky Weekend

This was a strange weekend on the mountain top. Life up here can be so bizarre. I feel like I'm in a Twilight Zone episode at times. 

Weekend To-Do List

There are never enough hours in the day. And most definitely, not enough hours in the weekend. 

If I have any hope of remembering all the things I need to do on any given weekend I must write them down. 

If anyone is free this weekend and wants to come by to help.....here's what we'll be doing. 

That is, if the rain everrrrrrrrr stops. 

Sigh. 

The Garden in Early May

May is a beautiful time on the mountain top, when the earth is just beginning to truly warm up and we finally see spring starting to pop through. 

I love seeing the new growth every single day as I walk about my garden. It's such a promise of things to come!

Grab a beverage and come with me as we check out what's happening in my early May garden.

I Told You So!!

I knew there had to be a reason I was so spring obsessed this year. 

Yes, I'm a gardener. Have been forever. 

Yes, I love spring. But I'm not usually this obsessed in February. 

I think in my heart and soul I just knew it was going to be an early spring. Perhaps because of the crazy winter. 

The Irish would say, "I felt it in my water." Don't ask. 

But now I have proof. Because they're back. 

"Who?" you ask.....

Why, the Red Winged Blackbirds, of course - who else?

Learn More About The Red Winged Blackbird - Click Here

They are the first heralds of spring in our little mountain top region. And then come the robins. 

On A Frigid Winter's Day

My car said it was -1 degree Fahrenheit as I left work this afternoon. And it's going to get much colder before the  night is through. The latest weather report predicts -13F with wind chills reaching approximately -50F. Are you kidding me?

I spent quite enough time outdoors today....I believe my contacts may be permanently frozen to my eyeballs. I guess that's cheaper than lasik surgery....permanent contacts - hmmmm, perhaps I'm on to something here? 

The poor horses next door had an inch of snow on their backs this morning - I wonder why they don't just spend time in their little barn? It has to be warmer than out in this nasty wind!

I brought a little electric heater out to my garden cottage in an attempt to save the plants I've been overwintering. 

It may be too late, but perhaps there's a chance. I'll leave the heater on until Monday - the temps will be significantly higher after the weekend. The plants looked great a few days ago but a little worse for wear today....uh oh. This pic was taken when they still looked good....I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best. 

I gave my critters an extra scoop of peanuts and seeds this morning - and again when I got home from work. Poor little things, I feel so terribly bad for them in this weather!

It's really the kind of day you should be inside by the fire playing with your favorite toy. 

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Wiggle Wiggle! Squeak!

And when you're all tuckered out, it's time for a nap in the chair closest to the fire. 

The perfect way to spend a frigid winter's day. 

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A Happy Home

Your home should be a place where you feel cozy and happy. When you look around you should see people and things that make you smile. 

I admit freely that I am a huge homebody. There's really no place I'd rather be than in my cozy home, or wandering around my property in my country gardens. 

Perhaps it's because I don't have enough time to spend there....we have many social commitments that keep me away as well as that dreaded 4 letter word....WORK. 

I suppose its the quality of the time I spend in my home that's most important, not the quantity of time. 

As I drank my morning coffee I looked around from my perch on the chair closest to the fire and smiled at the place I am so blessed to call home. 

And I did what I am so often compelled to do these days....I grabbed the camera and started capturing the simple beauty I'm surrounded with, so I could share with all of you, my dear readers. 

I was first drawn to the side dining room window. I have been checking the Fiddleleaf  Fig daily to see if there are any signs of new growth since I moved it to this new location. It's certainly happy! I see a new leaf has emerged, which is a great sign. 

While I was there I watched the woodpecker on the suet....for once, she didn't fly away as soon as I went near the window with  my camera. 

Can you see the giant icicle that's also on the suet? It's not stopping the birds from enjoying their little treat, thankfully. 

The sun was lovely streaming through the dining room windows this morning. I truly love this little dining room, it's just such a warm and welcoming space.  

Taking a peek out the other dining room window I spotted this little red squirrel making his way to the flat feeder. 

I caught him mid jump - he's like a flying squirrel!

He made it safely and happily sat on the feeder stuffing his little cheeks with peanuts and seeds. 

I throw a pile of peanuts in the shell onto that feeder every morning along with a cup of mixed seeds. The flat feeder is also a handy spot to put any leftover popcorn or stale bread - the critters eat it all. 

This little guy made his way home with me when I went off the mountain the other night. It's a Money Tree or Guiana Chestnut. Wouldn't it be great if it really grew money? I love the form of this little tree, and the braided trunk. I've never had one of these so it will be interesting to see if it will do well in my home. 

For now, I have him on the bookcase in the living room, but I'm not sure he will stay there. All I know is, he insisted on coming home with me. I kept putting him back on the shelf and he kept jumping back into my cart when my head was turned. I had no choice but to bring him home - what else could I do?

This little Poinsettia is quite happy on the kitchen counter. I don't think I've ever had a Poinsettia that lasted so well after Christmas. I have two others that are still alive in the guest room but are dropping leaves like crazy. Not this one!

Just look at that Pothos trailing down the side of my china hutch - wow! I think he loves the sunshine in the dining room almost as much as I do! 

This Pothos has been in this little rooster pot for years. Probably ten years or so. And it has never been happy....until now! It loves this spot in my kitchen on top of my mail organizer. It gets lots of sun from the skylight in the kitchen and it is just thriving!

The same with this plant - I have had it for eons. I always thought it hated me! I believe this is known as an "Arrowhead Plant" from my research online. I don't even remember where I got it but I have had it in so many locations and it always survived but never flourished. Until now. 

It seems that the houseplants and critters are all quite happy in and around my little home. 

Me, too. Out of the many places I've lived, this home is by far my favorite. 

Which is just as well since I'm never leaving. 

I'm home to stay. 

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The Wildlife Outside My Window - Good and Bad

I love the wildlife outside my window! Even when I was living in the city I had a little bird feeder and a bird bath outside my bedroom window. I took such delight in that little bit of wildlife that would come eat the treats I would put out for them.

On that note, most of these photos were taken through the window so excuse any fuzziness.....

I felt sorry for the little critters when I moved away, as I do with each move. They get used to having regular meals provided for them and then all of a sudden....nothing.

Well, that's not happening again since I've decided I'm never ever moving again. Ever.

I love looking out and seeing all the critters, large and small, that bring me such joy. Like my little chipmunk friend.  And my neighbors' horses, seen so clearly out my bedroom window now that the trees are getting bare. They are my favorite neigh-bors - ahem. Sorry. 

Not all the creatures bring me joy and some of the wildlife up here on the mountain can be quite scary. 

Like the coyotes. And the bobcats. And the snakes. Ewwww, I hate snakes. And the skunks. And the porcupines. 

And the bears. They are the scariest of all. 

And I had my first real visit from one last night....well, first time in this house. 

I went to put the peanuts out for the birds this morning and one of my feeders was missing. I found the feeder pole on the stairs and a chunk of wood torn from the deck railing where the bear had climbed the stairs, reached over the gate, and tore off the feeder pole. And took the feeder. 

He carried it down by the driveway and broke it to bits. Destroyed it. Grrrrrrrrrr!

It's not the first time I've had a bear take the feeders....not in a long shot. It's just the first time in my new house. 

Crap. I was really hoping they didn't know where I lived!

We gathered the pieces and my sweetie will figure out what parts I'm missing and I'll contact the company for replacements. This company is fabulous, they truly stand behind their product. 

Funny that it's a squirrel buster isn't it? I wish they  made a bear buster! 

It doesn't exist. Not that I know of. If anyone knows of a way to truly keep the bears away from the feeders please share! 

I'll have to bring the feeders into the garage every night before dusk now. Until I'm off his regular feeding route again. Or he goes into hibernation. 

The bear at my last house didn't hibernate in the winter. I had to bring the feeders in every single night, all year. It's irritating to have this extra chore every evening but for me, watching the birds outweighs the annoyance. 

I found a replacement in the garage, installed the feeder pole again, and waited. It wasn't long before we were back in business!

The Nuthatch is coming for the suet. He'd like to get to the peanuts but the Blue Jays won't let him. 

This will do for now!

This is the first time I've seen the Mourning Doves on the flat feeder. 

I honestly wasn't all that sure they were bright enough to figure out there was seed in there! My sweetie calls them the Doofus Birds. He's kind of right....but don't tell him I said so!

The Blue Jays have been regular visitors for a while now but this is the first time I ever captured three on there at once - usually they are too busy fighting!

It didn't take the Gold Finches long to figure out how to work the replacement feeder. Smart little pipsqueaks!

The Dark Eyed Junco comes around looking for tidbits on the ground. Although they are primarily ground feeders they will come to the feeders as well on occasion. 

The Finches like this little thistle feeder outside the kitchen window. I really enjoy being at the sink and watching them up close! 

This poor little Mourning Dove was trying to stay warm on Sunday morning when the temps were in the teens - I felt so bad for him! Look how he fluffed up his feathers to try and stay warm! Yup, that was snow on the railing. That was this cold blustery day.

I love watching the antics of the squirrels. They are such goofy little critters! This guy looks like he has ants in his pants waiting for the other squirrel to have his fill. 

Waiting not so patiently for his turn at the feeder.....he's looking a little anxious now. 

And he gave up. Perhaps the Blue Jay bullied him away. 

The Blue Jays are ganging up on the squirrel but he doesn't seem to be bothered at all. 

Getting a little impatient now....."Come on, you've had enough - it's our turn!"

What kind of wildlife do you see out your window? 

The Attack

Good Morning, Everyone!

As often happens, I had a completely different post planned for today but when I was putting the camera away this morning something caught my eye.....

I spotted this little guy out my living room window....he was planning his attack on the flat feeder to steal the peanuts!

(These photos were all taken through a very clean not so clean window so please excuse the quality!)

He's awfully cute, isn't he? As long as he doesn't come into the house we will get along just fine!

There he goes, up on the back of the chair....

Scurrying up the feeder pole.....boy, he's quick!

Nearly there....

And he's in!! Can you see him?

Back out again, quick as a flash, holding his treasure!

Oh boy, look how lucky he is with a big peanut to munch on for breakfast!

And.....just like that? He's gone!

But he'll be back. The flat feeder gets a fresh supply of peanuts in the shell every morning before I go to work....and every afternoon when I come home it's empty. This is the first time I've been able to get photos of the little bandit - usually as soon as they see movement through the window they take off running! 

I spotted a Blue Jay this morning having his breakfast there, also...but no photos of him just yet, he was far too quick for me. Now that they have found the feeder it will be a busy spot. It will sure be nice to watch the birds and critters out the window in the winter months from my cozy chair next to the warm fire. 

It won't be that long until the first fire is lit....do you see how the leaves are changing in my garden? The heat wave has passed with the rainstorm last night (yayyy!) and the cool weather is moving in - the leaves will change so quickly now and before you know it the trees will be a kaleidoscope of color!

Which means it's time to decorate for fall....double yayyyy!!

Have a happy day, friends!