Spring Transforming Wisconsin New Life, New Hope, New Times

April Brings In  Early Spring

Hope A Rising

Daffodils Love The Cool Days Of Springtime

The trees are rampant with buds bursting into leaves, lime green, new life, new season, new sights after the long snowy winter!  Living in Wisconsin we have the four seasons.  I do not know why but each season is a surprise of wonderment and joy.  I awake and first thing draw curtains and gaze out at the miracle happening right in front of me

Wood Hyacinths flourish and run vamp-int, (an old thing to make it look new), in any area it can settle!  Oh so lovely the color.  Here they cuddle below an old Maple tree next to our horse barn spreading out further and further into the lawn. 

I just let them do their thing.  Can't get enough of them.

Heliotrope is a shy flower.  Keeping her pretty head down.

I pick it up in my hand, looking at its marvelous center.  It 

has the neatest pistils, in the middle of the waxy violet pedals.

Garden Hyacinths are more formal and multiply a lot slower

I wish they would produce like the wild Wood Hyacinths.

Another Garden Hyacinths ever so delicate and pretty!

Miniature Daffodils I keep in the Rock Garden so I can feast 

my eyes on them as I take my daily walk about.  They are 

smaller both in flower and plant.

The chickens have been given their freedom to wonder our property.  It is called free ranging and they sure do move about eating numerous bugs, worms and anything else they can find that is appetizing.  I wait until the leaves are starting to bud out so that they have a little cover to duck under if the big hawk comes zooming in looking for his next meal.  I think the chickens are large enough to not be carried away, but could be injured if cornered I am sure.  During the winter months we only got one or none eggs each day.  Since they have been Free Ranging the property we get at least five to nine.  The yokes are a brilliant orange gold and so firm when they are dropped into the frying pan each morning as Dick and I prepare for our breakfast! Adding raisin toast and orange

juice I find myself full of energy again.

Along with the joy of Spring there is numerous jobs added to our relaxing schedule.  Outside fix up, Taking out the stored garden items like the sink Dick is holding.  We store the many items in my potting shed for the winter.  They would crack from the frigged temperatures otherwise. This goes into the old antique wood barrel to be used as a birdbath.

Lady's Mantle, leaves hold the dew in the morning like diamonds sparkling.
Petals are soft as a kitten's paw.  A ruffled edge oh so pretty.  Her flower
is a little mousy looking doesn't show up compared to other plants.

The large frog is back in the pond not caring that it has not been

cleaned out yet.  "Waiting for a nice warm day with lots of sun."

Dick says. " And then the gold fish that have been living in an 

aquarium down in the heated tack room all winter will be able 

to be put into the pond at the same time."  The pond is in the large 

rock garden on the hill next to our home.  The rock garden is greening up really 

nice.  Daffodils all in flower brighten the area. It use to be covered in snow 

just a month ago. 

Rock garden with many Daffodils blooming.

Dick with Luke our Airedale dog waiting for me to quit taking pictures
so we can continue our walk in our woods.

Behind Kathy are Daffodils just budding out that line a path to where she stands.

The Blood root are open in the woodland.  First the flower and then the leaves hugging the flower tight will unfurl.  The variegated leaves showing are the garden nettle I put in as a ground cover but it has spread way too fast.  It is a mistake to plant foreign vegetation into a woods because of this very thing.  It over comes the natural ground plants that nature provides for the birds and other wild life.  I learnt this too late so will have to spray it to confine it from spreading to other places.  Luckily the creek runs along this area and will hold it in its place.  I hate using chemicals on our land. 

Dutchman's Britches is another unique woodland plant.  It got its name
because of the way the flowers are in the form of britches hanging on a line.

As we walked through the woods this old dead tree that had fallen in a storm many years ago caught my eye.  The fungal growing on it looks just like flowers.  So intricate each layer grew like the petals of a rose or peonies flower.  I simply love these surprises nature puts in my path.  When I am out on a walk, I never know what I will find.  

  

"April Showers Bring May Flowers "

Lower part of Rock Garden on hill.  Sun dial on big rock up front.  Steps made
with 4 x 4 wood to keep eroding from the rain.  This area was nothing but a
large farmer's field on the hill when we purchased this land 30 years ago.  We
 had an excavator place the large rocks from a stone fence on our property,
using a big digger of sorts.  Dick and I hauled the smaller rocks from the
 same fence using a home made wagon attached to our riding lawnmower.

Top part of Rock garden.  Chickens do not mind the rain.  Here one of them
is taking a drink from the birdbath that sits on the stump of a large Ash tree.
It was infected and dying from the nasty Ash Burrow Beetle, we had a man
 cut it down last winter.   

Here the chicken is done and off to find a nice fat worm.

Rainy day most of yesterday and today.   Storms are predicted today.
  Spent the day inside taking pictures through my many windows.  This
 garden is in front of our home.  I got a little weeding done here,
 mulched it with my two year old leaf mulch.  I get truck loads
 from the city in fall,  let it sit for two years and it is the most
 beautiful fiber I could have for my gardens.

Sun peaking out in between rain drops.  Looking out my computer window to see this lovely Wren singing his heart out for his lady friend.  She did show up and explored the bird house close by.  Flitting in and out trying to decide if this fellow and his birdhouse he picked out was what she wanted.  The male Wren gets ready many birdhouses in the area and will take his lady friend to all of them hoping she will decide on one of them.  It was fun to watch the goings on right outside my computer room window and try and catch a photo of the pair.  They move so fast it is hard to get my camera focused and shoot it fast enough.  I haven't seen any activity for the past half hour so maybe she refused this house and wants to see the next one on his list.

Another male bird is the Peacock who daily fluffs out his feathers trying to impress his lady Peacock.

He ruffles them making a  very noticeable noise drawing her attention.  Most times she ignores him.  But eventually after constant days of his antics she takes notice.  He is much too handsome a fella to 

disregard for a very long time.

     We no longer have a rooster in the large chicken pen.  The poor hens were loosing feathers and we had to deal with the roosters antics of chasing us when he is busy with his lady friends.  Now their is great peace in the coop and outside large pen.  We do have a couple little roosters in the barn with the silkies.  They are no threat to us and  a lot smaller than the regular size chickens in the coop.  We let the silkies chickens hatch out a few eggs too.  Is is fun to watch them grow up and grand kids like to hold their soft fuzzy bodies.  

Picked up some of my favorite annuals at the hardware store.  Dick was choosing paint so I headed to the garden center.  Could not resist purchasing a few packs of seeds.  Now the problem as to where to plant them.  My gardens are pretty crowed so not many open spots for burying seeds.  But I will for sure find some place for them maybe even a very large pot on the deck.  

It is too early here in Wisconsin for seed planting.  The weather is so fickle at this time.  Yesterday it was 72 degrees, but after the cold front went through and the rain stopping, a North Easterner wind has brought it down to 38 degrees today.  Brrrrr  not use to this anymore.  I prefer the nice shirt sleeve type weather, so staying in the house one more day and catching up on getting this blog done.  

Hope your day is Sunny and Bright

and the rain storms miss you!

Blessings from my way

Kate

Wisconsin's  Winter Wonderland

Red Cardinal Waits His Turn At The Feeder

A winter wonderland greeted us as we wiped the sleepy seeds from our eyes, looking out the windows as we pulled up the shades  discovering the Art Work Of Our Great Creator and God!  Oh What A Day This Was!
Each view our eyes beheld, warm smiles were brought to our lips.

Looking out at our back land,  each and every little twig covered with the brush
of light pure white snow!

Another window, peering down on our horse barn and gardens outlined the fanciful items we have collected over the years and placed into each special place.
     The very tall 5 ft. x 5 ft. beam from an old barn that was taken down at a neighboring farm holds a large birdhouse topped with a roof of snow.  Evergreens magically have turned into frosting covered show piece.  The weather vane is pointing direct North. It being placed on the butterfly arbor holding the metal art gate that my husband Dick made.
     The metal art fencing next to it are also Dick's metal art.  The setting encircles my new Birdhouse Garden which is now dormant under the covering of snow.
     Just a few months away and we shall see it popping up with buds of all sorts of flowers and plants.

                                        Chicken Coop is just South of the Birdhouse Garden.
Our front woods which holds a Babbling Brook is still open and singing its song.  The deer passing through, Turkeys, Birds of all kinds are the only ones listening to is lovely song notes because of the deep snow for walking down there.

.
             Bird Station.

 Different feeders for different
seeds.  The Large feeder holds Sunflower seeds and the two smaller feeders hold Thistle in the our glass shaped one.  Sunflowers in the long red one hanging next to it.

A Cardinal flies in to land on the large Sunflower feeder.
They usually come a little
later after the other birds have their fill of seeds.

Wild Turkeys trying to hang on to the many thin twigs holding the Crab-apples.

Wild turkeys have been coming
and up until today were content to eat off the ground.
    Seeds that other smaller
birds dropped as they ate.  One or two I did not mind but the other day a whole flock of 20 turkeys marched down our huge hill taking possession of the whole area around here.
I decided this was getting to be too risky to have them here everyday.  The smaller birds and squirrels quit coming.  I also thought of my many perennial and shrub gardens they would probably demolish next Spring. So have been scaring them away.  The first day I started to chase them away they flew down to the row of crab-apple trees down by the chicken coop.  Staying there and feasting on what would have been the Spring food for migrating birds.  The chicken fence is behind where they were swaying back and forth trying to hold on while they devoured the fruit.  The chicken fence is open on top and thought this would be the next thing they decide to take over and eat their food.   Although I hate to eliminate this food source for the turkeys, I decided it was time to make them very uncomfortable when they show up.  There is plenty of wild food out back in the wooded and swamp areas.  The turkeys were always very shy birds that never went beyond the edge of the fields and woods during the summer months until this winter.  Now they have taken over what use to be peaceful and serine  for most all other birds.

A chickadee on the feeder with a rose finch female in above picture.

The flight of the Chickadee to or from the feeder in next picture.
 
Did you ever watch a Chickadee?

He is a marvelous little bird.  I think happy if a bird can be happy.  He is quick and so beautiful in his feathers of being a Chickadee.
     When Dick fills the feeders he almost alights on his hand.  There seems to be no fear in him.
     If I could be a bird, I would be him.  Dick actually calls me His Chickadee.  I have never asked why just enjoyed it over the years.
     I wish I had more of the Chickadee's traits.  I am too careful, not easily taking a risk.  Is that foolishness or smart?  I think in nature they have instinct in their lives.  Knowing when to be safe and to be flamboyant.

I love our land, just big enough and just small enough, is that

perfect?  

Probably acceptance,  where I am in life.

Trusting God, knowing God, will not give me more

or less than I need.  Recognizing each day my Blessings.

Morning Sunrise, A day that started 17 hours ago.  Dusk is setting in now.  A day with everyday 

events lots of good ones, some just everyday ones.  But a Blessed day lived in nature's setting.

Thank you for coming for a visit again.  Love you all.

Count your Blessings, and remember to Thank God for your everyday events.

I Believe in nature, 

I Believe in my Great Creator,

and most of all I Believe in You

Love

Kate

Wisconsin Winter Brings Joy The Day After Christmas

December Brings Cold, Snow, Brightness

Tall Spruce Tree On Path That Goes Out To Back Land Puts On A Show

Winter came very late this year.  Snowing after Christmas was over, bringing brightness to our landscapes.

Makes such a difference with the sparkling white, covering all those grays, browns and dreary days we had in November and first part of December.  Our attitudes pick up to joy and thanksgiving for the big change.  

The chicken coop takes on a whimsical appearance.  Insulates too as the
snow deepens.  Chickens stay inside most days now but are free to
go out if they so choose and sit under the white shelters.

Patterns not otherwise noticed show up on buildings and nature.Picture below is the deck with a Crabapple tree in front.  In the Crabapple tree holding some of our birdhouse collection.

Nature does unusual things also.  Here is the pheasant that started showing up by our bird-feeder eating the other bird's wasted seed knocked to the ground.  Yesterday I looked out and saw that he was no longer interested in left overs but wanted his own pickings right out of the feeder which is six feet off the ground. He just flew up there and staked his claim from the little birds and squirrels that use it.     

Turkey were hanging out by the feeder as I write this blog.  Luke our dog alerted me that there was something out there that did not belong and I went running to the window.  Turkeys!  Grabing my camera and tried to shoot a picture but the dogs loud barking and movement by the window made them take off in a run for the hill and shrubs.  Picture is a little blurred with me trying to shoot the picture without aiming carefully.  Turkeys have such good eye sight and hearing that they are so hard to take pictures of them.

Our heated birdbath has also taken on different animals and birds.  Four squirrels use it besides the many birds. In the dark at night we often hear a thud on the deck like something just jumped down from the heated birdbath.  Probably a cat or perhaps Opossums, too late for Raccoon for they should all be hibernating by now.

A Mourning dove arrives to take her drink.  Many doves also stand in the
water because it is warm.

Blue Jay takes a sip of water and then lifts his head high allowing him to swallow

Mourning dove puffed up to keep warm on a cold day awaits his turn at the feeder.

Blue Jays choose to eat in private on a near by branch.  Holding
the seed with his two feet and cracking the shell to eat the middle fruit.

Many of my days are spent in my nice warm house gazing out the windows at natures show.  I keep my camera close by with its zoom lens to capture all the new things going on with nature.  I am never disappointed as each day passes in our long winter.  In summer nature keeps its distance most times.

Often we build a fire in the fire place giving added warmth 

to our home. If you look close you will find me curled up in 

a lounging chair reading a new book seeking my own adventure inside.

Dick my husband keeps me happy with a fresh bouquet of 

flowers most weeks.  Here is a group of lovely peach roses.

He knows how I miss being out in my flower gardens.

Luke Our Airedale Gets Out For Shorter Walks But Wears a Jacket To
Help Stay Warm.  He Won't See The One Hour Walks Again Until Spring. 

Christmas is over, the trinkets and tree are put away.  Another three months ahead of Winter awaits us as we greet each day passing.  We want Peace, Love and Dreams in our lives.  With all the turmoil  going on, hardships, heartache in the world it is a wonder so many feel lost, not knowing where to turn, where to find this Peace, Love and Dreams.  I find myself caught in this whirlwind of clutter that tears at the peace, Love, and dreams in my own heart.  Learning each morning through the message Dick reads to me out of the Bible how to cope, where to turn, finding out our Great God is here, right next to us standing waiting for me to look to him, listen to His whisper of Love, Peace and His Dream for me.  Only a breath away.  Holding Dick's hand and praying what is on our hearts, our minds, Dreams of today.  Knowing He is there even if my mind is filled with sadness or joy.  Telling our great God our conserns for our grown children, grand children, great grand children.  He listens, He is smiling, He is answering even as the words slip from our lips to Him Who Loves Us Deeply!

The world is spinning, with all of us on it and His power holds it in place each day that goes by. 

Dick reading to me out of the Bible

Peace My Friends

Love My Friends

His Eyes Hold Us Safely

Picture Of The Sun Setting At My Son's House On Lake Winnebago

Do I hear December knocking at the door? Go away, I am not ready Yet....

Last Days Of October's Colors 

Husband Dick brought these two sprigs of Sumac into the house after doing chores down by the horses and chickens.I never thought about using them for a bouquet and giggled 
as I placed them into the vase.  Always something new
 to learn and so fun. They only lasted one day in the house.

We have had many warm, sunny days in October, colors were astounding.  Rain and 20 mile an hour winds also shared our Fall.  Stripping the gorgeous leaves and left them laying on the ground and what is left over from summer fun, empty chairs and swing.

     Cushions are put away for the year.  Heated birdbath is plugged in.  Sweeping and using leaf blower can't keep us with the daily deposits of our escaping Fall, layering the deck and gardens.

A sturdy Hydrangea vine refuses to bow down to the wind and rain.  A very slow grower it has been below the deck many years but now finely reaching the top deck.  In summer it carries lovely flowers and the seed heads are just as lovely.  Not at all evasive!

The burning bush still holds its soft pink leaves.

Hidden beneath the colorful leaves are tiny red seeds.  Many fall and some do start to grow, but the deer eat almost all of them during the winter, leaving the main bush alone.

One of the last trees holding onto their leaves, I believe it is an off spring of the yellow Norway Maple seeds a friend gave me many years ago.  Many of the trees on our land are grown from seed.

Trees we planted leaving us a large opening to drive the garden tractor or even just a break to walk to the third gardens of the upper level.

     Looking out of the East windows the deck also gives a different view.  Our land reaches down to a lower level of the large hill and flows out back beyond the 10 acre field we let a local farmer plant and harvest.  Out back of the land is more woods, a pond and wetland.  We are so blessed to have so many different types of environment and soil to work with.  Being in Master Gardners twenty-six years I have learnt so many ways to use and enjoy these diverse areas.  Twenty-seven acres all together.  Except for the woods running along our road, the areas I have included this post use to be all farm field thirty years ago when we built our home and horse stable.   Now mature trees shade us in the summer and give us something to look at when gazing out the window.

In November a break in the gray clouds whipping across the sky
brings relief of the dreariness.  This is morning light at dawn. 

A lone crow flys across my vision as I gaze out at my new day in November

Celebrating Christ's coming Christmas day

Christmas Tree, Words of Joy, Snowmen and Evergreens all Tradition
of what makes us Christians Celebrate Christ's Saving Grace.

December has come and is but a few days away to the end.

Christmas has passed, without being a dream of a white Christmas

like the song goes.  The days come either rainy, or just plain cloudy.

We did Christmas as a real Christmas of no gift receiving or giving.  Did 

receive a few things and we did give anyone under 18 years gifts.  Dick's idea.

Too many adults out of the 28 people that shared Christmas Eve went without and it

put a damper on the evening.  But with our Five grown kids, spouses and grand kids plus a number of great grand kids it soon livened up with stories of past family happenings, catching up on the latest happenings and just sitting soaking up all the love, smiles, and noise of Christmas Eve cheer.

Fog rolling in wet and heavy the air is.  We normally have a foot of snow.

Tomorrow will be December 28th, besides seeing the scale jumping higher from all the eating and good cheer, there is not much happening in our neck of the woods.  Hunters got 9 does and 2 buck from our land and from surrounding farms they hunted on.  I think the deer are still hiding because we have had no sight of them lately. In  4 more days we shall enter a New Year, new dreams, new diets, new adventures.  This past year has been a delight most times.  Beautiful fall in the 50 degrees, More sunny days than usual.  Winter has arrived, no snow and still in the 30 and 40 degrees temperatures. The earth is still spinning and Wisconsin has missed all the terrible storms hitting the southern States.  Plenty of rain to soak the earth because the area has not frozen tight yet. Soaking deeply into the root systems of the now dormant trees, bushes, and plants.

     Here in Wisconsin we no longer can go out and work in the gardens.  Instead I buy fresh flowers from the local flower shop.  If you peek out the window in the background you can see the grass has greened up from all the warm wet weather.  A few more months of winter and we will be back out side tending Spring surprises once more. 

      Below my Grand daughter Katelyn who is 18 and does beautiful stain glass pictures gave me this angel with her trumpet blowing. 

      I imagine the angel is alerting us, no matter how bad the world is treating us, no matter what the media blares out at us, Peace and Love do exist.  Quietly in the back drop of a whirling and  tragic world there are many people quietly going about their lives with love, surging towards what our great Creator, Savior is drawing out of His people.  I know you all are in His image, loving, working to make our lives and our world a better place.  Keep trying, keep loving, it's working.  

                                                                                    

PEACE TO YOU ALL

MAY YOUR LIVES EXPERIENCE

LOVE, LITE AND BETTER DAYS AHEAD

I love you all!

KATE