Finally, Spring has come

Spring has come to our neck of the woods.

Spring.  A happy time when I can bring in bouquet after bouquet from my garden. 

A sure sign that Spring has arrived.
Father protecting his goslings.

Wild geese are happy on our pond.  They come back every year to show off their young.

Deer tried to eat all of my tulips.  

Wild apple tree covered in blossoms. 

Apples from this tree will go to the animals.  

There are many other trees which promise to be plentiful and good.

The Asian Pear tree always bears fruit.  
Italian plums, pears, apricots and peaches managed to make it through the frost.  

It will be a busy canning year. 

Be safe, 
Gina

They never dissapoint

Each year they bloom larger and stronger

My tuberous begonias  are more than 15 years old. 

They take a long nap in the dark and under a bench in my greenhouse. 

They have never been fed nor have they been repotted.  

Poppies volunteer.

I never know where they will pop up next. 

So green this year.  We had a lot of rain this Spring.

Salpiglossis have to be seeded every year. 

The pie cherries are just turning color. 

So far, the birds have not discovered them.  

Every fruit tree is laden with fruit.  Only the apples are taking a break

(they do that every other year). 

And miracles upon miracles, our 25 year old apricot tree is covered with fruit for the first time ever.

Take care dear friends. 

Gina 

You can't cry over spilled milk

This has been a strange growing year.  

We have no pears, they froze and so did all of our other fruit trees.  Yes, even apples and plums. 

There was hope, our Interlaken grapes were ripening.

There would be enough Champagne Grape Jelly to share with friends and family. 

Not so.  In only 2 days,  flies, yes flies have destroyed our entire grape harvest.  

Have you heard of such a thing?  

Yellow Jackets and Wasps have had their way with our grapes in the past.  But NEVER flies.

So far the only fruit I have canned are Red Currants. 

Our root vegetables are doing well. 

And we have a fine crop of Sunflowers. 

So, all is not lost. 


Have a great remainder of the week my dear 
Friends, 

Gina 

Now you see it, now you don't

The Main house on the right 

Now you see it,

Now you don't.
When we built our house, 20 years ago, we tucked it in between existing trees.  

More than one hundred year old trees needed to be trimmed. 
Major branches were breaking threatening the house and roof. 

The bucket crew did most of the work.

The climbing crew was called upon when heavy equipment would have destroyed the lawn.

Our fruit trees are still growing.

The guests house has just enough young trees for plenty of privacy.

Have a wonderful week my dear 

Blogging Friends, 

Gina

Artist Studio Tour and Plein Air competition

It was a beautiful day.
The Artist Studio Tour was a great success. 

Many people came. 

It was too beautiful to be inside.  My temporary studio was set up under a row of Mountain Ash trees. 

The plein air competition attracts more and more Artists to our little town each year. 

First Cash Prize in the plein air competition was awarded to 

 Doug Fryer, a fine local Artist.  This is the first in many years that a local artist won the coveted prize.  

Even grown ups wanted to pick apples.  

We have plenty.  

The Italian plums were not quite ripe.  

Winter Pears will grow some more. 

Sunflowers of every variety were blooming along the fence.

Interlaken grapes were ready to pick to the delight of

 little boys and girls. 

Wishing you a bountiful week ahead. 

Gina 

A Room with a View

The Room with the View from the Tub

A view to our barn and the mountains beyond

There are only 2 rooms upstairs

A Bedroom and a Bathroom

It's like taking a bath with the birds

 The bedroom balcony looks over our pond and the valley beyond

The fruit trees are in full bloom

They managed to survive the frost last night

The way to the upstairs

The beginning

Gene celebrating because it is almost finished

And finally finished

We're heading for warmer temperatures this week

Snow is melting fast, water will be rushing down the mountains

Sand bags have been filled for those who might be threatened

Spring has officially begun

Gina