The Garden

Babes In The Woods

This has been a pretty active summer for the critters that live in and around our garden. The crows have been very busy (and noisy I might add). This Mama Crow is the one that comes to our garden for treats.

In the pic below, you can see her feeding her youngster.

We also have another Raccoon family living under our house this summer. Last year they only stayed a couple of weeks, but this group is not moving out. A Have-A-Heart trap has been set out for these critters. So far, they have taken the bait two nights in a row and left the trap door sprung and the cage...empty! Smart little guys, huh?

The cage has now been moved to a new area of the garden for yet another try. Once caught, we will brick up the hole they dug under the deck to get inside. Country living is sometimes for the birds. Or the raccoons....depending how you look at it. ;-)

Hope you are enjoying your week end.

xo Colette

Modern Gypsy Caravans

CATCHING UP

I've been spending so much time visiting other people's blogs lately, that I've been neglecting my own! I get so caught up in my travels through your wonderful blog spaces that I loose all track of time. So now I need to spend a little time here in The Garden and share some photos with you.


Rhododendrons galore!

Aren't they beautiful?

They're all over town....

in many different colors. Right now seems to be the time for the pinks and lavender shades. And some whites. Soon the yellows should be starting up.

Do you remember in a post earlier this Spring when I showed you the Apple tree in bloom that supports the Wisteria? Well here is that earlier pic of the Apple tree in bloom....

And now, here we are in very late Spring...and it is the Wisteria's turn to bloom!

There they are, all sweetly intertwined, living closely together like two old friends.


Nature provides us with so many good examples of how to be.

Till next time...

xo Colette

Crow Friend

All of a sudden one day a couple of weeks ago, I discovered this lone crow that keeps coming to my birdbath to get a drink every morning and evening.

I ran to get my camera just in time to catch this one shot of  the crow. It seems strange to me that this particular crow comes to our garden all by itself. Usually we see many crows together in one place or another. I began putting seeds and nuts and bits of fruit on the rim of the birdbath to see if the crow would find them and of course it did.
This morning, as I was eating my breakfast, I looked out the slider window just in time to see my friend back at the birdbath again. I raced to my office to get my camera and got these exciting shots.

I was so happy to get these! Often the crow has flown away by the time I get back with my camera. Not so this morning!  ( you can click on the pics to enlarge).
 
I got back to the window just in time. I love this last pic.  Woo-hoo! Made my day.
I was so excited I went outside and worked in the garden all day long. I'll show you pics of the results of that in my next post.

Happy gardening!
xo Colette

Surprises In The Mail

Look what my dear friend Silvia in Spain surprised me with in the mail a few days ago!

From top left, a sweet pastel heart soap.  A mauve felted heart soap and a World Peace Candle.  You can see Silvia's handmade soaps  in her beautiful shop at Taller de Sabo'.  You'll have a fun time checking out all the beautiful, colorful soaps, felted flowers, etc., there.

  

I don't want to spoil your surprise by putting too many pics of her work here. It is such a feast for the eyes, I want you to see it for yourself at her site.

About the Peace Flame:
In July 1999, Ghandi's grandchildren, along with other peace movement groups lighted the Peace Flame in India for the first time. The candle that my friend Silvia sent me was lit from that peace flame. (of course it was not lit when she mailed it, but it still held the energy of the original flame). The directions that came with the candle, say to light a new one from the Peace Flame candle, extending the energy of the original Peace Flame. We then pass on the candle we received in the mail.  You can then light more candles from your candle and pass them on as well.  We are asked to light our candle for at least two minutes each day to bring hope, peace and inspiration to ourselves and all others. Such a beautiful practice. I am happy to be a part of this practice.  Wouldn't it be great if everyone in blog land was lighting a candle daily and praying (asking) for world peace. Such a simple thing to do. Let me know if you'd like to have one for yourself and to pass on to others that you know. I'll send as many candles out as I possibly can.  You can email me at thegarden70@yahoo.com.                                 

Thank you Silvia for the wonderful surprise! You are much loved and appreciated.

Wishing you all a great week end.

xo Colette