MACRO MONDAY

Wild Grapes

These grapes are growing wild on our rail fence.

SUNDAY STILLS: SIGNS OF FALL

http://www.sundaystills.wordpress.com/

My species Clematis...the flowers are never spectacular but in early fall the seed heads look like the little dancers from the Disney movie Fantasia.

 

  These photos were all shot earlier in the week.  Of course yesterday dawned sunny and crisp and the leaves have changed remarkably since last Tuesday when I was out and about...but of course yesterday I was working so driving about taking photos was out of the question. 

The leaves on my species Clematis are turning and I thought this one was a most wonderful red.

This wild apple tree is growing in the ditch just down the road a piece.

The apples sure don't look very appetizing...but I'm sure the deer will enjoy them just the same.

A view down the road showing the maples just beginning to turn.

We had a good frost night before last and that always does wonders to speed things along.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers!

EYE EYE Captain

"I can always tell which is the front end of a horse, but beyond that, my art is not above the ordinary."

~Mark Twain~

My thanks go out to Foreman for posing by the water trough in a "just right" position even as the flies threatened to carry both of us away.

Be sure to take time out today to enjoy the simple things...flies not included.

Cheers

Jackie

Almost Ready to Put the Garden to Bed.

 Here are a few pictures from my late summer garden.  I'm always amazed by the transition the Hydrangea takes when it goes from white to green then perfectly brown like whole wheat toast.  This one is Annabelle.

It's plain and simple...easy to grow...just my kind of plant really.

This Lavatera seeded itself from last years plants. I was pleased to see them come back and they managed to tuck themselves into all the right places, filling gaps and bare spots.

A few Concord grapes that look better than

they taste.  Can you say "pucker up"?

This is the tail end of my pink Phlox that I love so much and will sorely miss until next summer rolls around again.

I cheat and let the New England Asters fill in the garden out at the end of the laneway.  Who am I kidding...I let them be wherever they seed themselves.   Is it really laziness on my part or rather taking advantage of what natures gives us? I vote for the latter.

This photo isn't my best....it was such a breezy afternoon that the flowers just wouldn't stay still long enough for me to focus.  (That's my story and I'm sticking to it..hahaha)   The breeze and perhaps the glass of wine I was enjoying while strolling around the yard may have contributed to the slightly fuzzy picture.

At any rate....I'm trying to squeeze every last summery moment out of  September before the killing frost comes as it surely will soon. 

I hope you have the chance to enjoy the simple pleasures in your backyard before they disappear for another year.

Cheers from Meadowsweet

It Must Be Tea-Time Somewhere

"Strange how a teacup can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company."   ~Unkown~

This lovely blue willow teacup is part of an early tea set...probably early 1800's...unfortunately it isn't complete and it has a few chips.  I say..."Oh well"....it means that this set had a life.  Someone drank their tea from this cup during good times and probably bad.  How many secrets could this cup tell if it could talk? 

The cup itself is on the small side and the saucer is deep.  You don't suppose it's owner poured the tea from the cup into the saucer and then drank from the saucer do you?  I've been told that my great-grandmother drank her tea that way.

I think I will make mine Earl Grey Green and drink from a mug.

A Stoll Through The Herb Garden

This plot is supposed to represent "Early American Herbs" (as you can see by the small sign) however I couldn't see too much growing there and was unable to identify what was there with any degree of certainty. Perhaps we were just visiting at the wrong time of year.

This plot was much more lush although I have to admit I really couldn't identify too much. Feel free to throw in your 2 cents worth if you see anything you recognize.


After our self-guided tour we stopped to rest and rejuvinate at this lovely main street cafe. They sold every imaginable flavour combination....I had a large/ carmel/vanilla/whipped creamie/truly decadent/bazillion calorie coffee.

B.L. went crazy and ordered some sort of Snickerdoodle Mocha Chi Latte Piece de Resistance.
(please excuse me for not adding the accents where they belong...not sure how to do it on this keyboard.)



We enjoyed the late morning sunshine here at the streetside tables.
(Did a little people watching too...really...who doesn't do that...come on....admit it.)

The Medicinal Herb plot appeared to have a copious amount of mint and a jumble of other herbacous plants that again had me sorely vexed.

And, lastly, the Biblical Herbs....I was able to identify the Lady's Mantle growing here.
If I went again I would be sure to take a pocket field guide along.

"Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a morning need anything else? "

~Betsy Canas Garmon~

http://www.wildthymecreative.com/

Never being one to conform...I set this post up as Garden, Coffee, Garden... but it's still a wonderful way to spend some leisure time.
I hope you enjoyed your tour through the Arboretum with me.
Cheers
Jackie

Friday Verse

When You Are Old

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;

And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

-- William Butler Yeats


I hope you all enjoy this fine day.
Jackie

More Photos from Ellicottville NY

"This day like all other days has left few traces

Old father time Wings us speedily on to eternity."

DIARY OF MATILDA BOWERS EBY, 1 JUNE 1863

Here are some of the photos I snapped when BettyLou and I took the self-guided tour of the Ellicottville Arboretum. The photo above is looking toward the Herb gardens.
It was an excellent way to spend a morning...strolling along the well maintained paths through the various gardens and enjoying the interesting selection tree and shrub plantings. I'm sure it would be glorious in late May through June when the trees would be in bloom. Late August is never a great time for garden tours since most flowers are either finished or are starting to look tired, nevertheless we enjoyed the day immensely.
Wouldn't this be a lovely setting for an early June wedding?

Here we are at the centre of the herb garden.

The pathway circles round this charming pond, where catch and release fishing is allowed. I have no idea what kind of fish one might catch but it made a pretty picture and that's what I was interested in.
A pleasant walk on sunny day that I would definitely recommend if you ever find yourself in the vicinity.
Until next time....Cheers!
Jackie