Gardens

I am happy to report that harvest is over :)  Of course there is still plenty to do but we are very thankful for the cherries that were harvested! and the blessing of safety.  The next post will focus on cherries but today I want to share some flower pictures.  They are just glimpses into a beautiful garden of my very talented friend.

 I love all the shades of colors each flower has.

                                          

I don't remember all the names because it has taken me so long to download these!

                                                  

These are practically glowing!

                                                    

Even the fly is looking at all the beauty:)

                                          

I seem to love these favorite tractor colors.

Another favorite color...

I love the detail of this...What a blessing flowers are to our lives.  God knew we would need them:)

It's Cherry Harvest - Early!

Today was the first day of harvest:)  Twenty four thousand pounds for the first day!  The Napoleons (light sweets-Queen Anne type) are the first ones off.  Hopefully it won't rain for the next week!  If I get a chance I will take a few harvest pictures.  Eat lots of cherries!

How Time Flies When You Are Having Fun

I believe time just flies the older you get! and since we are getting older every minute time is really flying!  I'm enjoying being back on the farm and planting a small garden and putting flower plants in the window boxes and focusing on the cherry orchard.  There is always the everyday or weekly things like getting groceries, running errands, rearranging a few things, cleaning, fixing, doing laundry, cooking, baking.......and seeing the beauty of flowers:) We were in a beautiful garden today and I hope to put some pictures from there soon.

I wish this gerbera daisy was from my garden but wherever it is from I love the green center. 

This is my new bag:)  It is very light and easy to carry.  I usually use it as a cross body bag (meaning the strap is long enough to go across the body).  Originally I was going to make a bag out of just one fabric and keep it simple (basic rectangle) so I would get it done (but I couldn't seem to get going on it).  Then I remembered a project I had seen on the Country Living website: www.countryliving.
com/crafts/projects/Flowers-Fabric-0606 and I decided to try something more interesting (and it was easy to get started!). So using fabrics I already had and a strap recycled from something else this is what I made.  When I went to buy the magnetic catch I was surprised at all the colors to choose from (I used a bright green).  The lining is in the small black check fabric.  I tried a different way to do some inside pockets but they are a bit too low to be really useful but they do give the bag a more substantial feel.  My next bag is going to be something bigger that can be used when you need to take along a change of shoes/clothes and you wish you didn't have to use a plastic grocery bag!

Miscellaneous Items (of interest, I hope:)

Since I haven't posted anything lately I will refresh your memories with the fact that I mentioned previously I didn't have a picture of the outer light on the St. Joseph Pier.  Well I found I do and here it is.  We actually haven't walked on that side for a long time so maybe next time we should.

This picture was taken last week when we were there and as you can see it was very foggy/misty just next to the water.  You see can both lights and the channel the boats use to go in and out to Lake Michigan.

I will call this one of my experimental pictures.  The shadows were having fun!

I am still working on photographing food.  I like the colors and the strawberries were delicious!

I guess I should title this:  Man on a Hot Tin Roof.  This was a very hot day to be working on a metal roof but this is the hardest working guy I know and he got it done!!  He is amazing! 

I love the all the layers of petals in this flower.  The colors remind me of our favorite tractor company.

The porches got their annual coat of stain yesterday.  It looks so fresh and clean.  

Daughter and I were getting ready to go for a walk and the moon was already shining so brightly and I even had my camera along:)   This picture reminds me of the book Goodnight Moon.  My sewing lately has consisted of lengthening sleeves and trying to finish a bag.  Hopefully, will be done soon.

On or Near the Water

Yesterday I was out walking and had my camera along and these pics are things that were on or near the water.  (I was not on the water although I did see one sailboat which would have made me wish I was out there too except it felt too cold.) This is the inner light on the St. Joseph Pier.  It was constructed in 1907.  The outer light (which I don't have a picture) was built in 1906.   We have a lot of pictures with this in the background but I never knew much about its history.  I am not sure whether this one is still active or not but I'm trying to find that out.

I liked the colors in this picture and I discovered if your picture is somewhat dark because the day is dark you can click on the enhance button and it magically brightens up your picture:)

                                                          

This little bunny looked as if had been forgotten.  It reminds me of the book The Velveteen Rabbit.  I hope someone came back for it.

                                                          

This picture was taken through my kitchen window.  Cardinals add such a bright shot of color to the world:)

Today is Mother's Day

Yesterday at church the children gave roses to all the mothers present.  I think this is such a beautiful pink.  Now I am wondering how many petals are in each rose:)  I definitely need to plant some type of roses in my yard.

Here are our three children that I am blessed to mother:)  I love you all and can't believe how fast you have grown up!  Sending love to my mother and mother-in-law too!  Happy Mother's Day to all.

Back to the Farm

It was a rainy drive to the farm and quite of bit of rain and wind today but still a good day:)   We enjoyed a birthday dinner for child two after church, a nice walk after it cleared up this evening, and took the pictures at various times throughout the day. We are hoping tonight (Saturday) it will not freeze.

This is the other side of the red door seen in picture above.  I like lace curtains:)

This is a close up of the lilac bush that you can see through the door in the picture above.

                                           

I can't remember where I bought these but wish I had bought a few more. They are sitting on a table that you see right after you come through the door pictured above.