Flaunting my Red Trillium

For Friday's Flowers I'm flaunting my red trilliums.

We had to have some work done on the outside of our house, which involved lots of digging.  So I had to move many of my plants into large tubs in the hopes of saving them.  One of those plants was my lovely red trillium.  It has done extrememly well in the big pot as it has now bloomed while waiting to be put back into the garden. Just look at the blooms.   I'm hesitant to move it again while it is still in bloom, so I will be waiting till the blooms finish until I find a new spot in the garden for it.  Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

Under the Eaves

 This birdhouse is under the eaves at the front of the house and it is always occupied.  It is visible from the living room window and we get many hours of enjoyment watching the sparrows raise their families in this house.

 Right now they are busy making the nest nice and cozy.

When the sparrows aren't busy with the nest they have taken to perching on a piece of garden architecture that has recently been relocated to the garden in front of the window. They were used to have a big shrub there but it had to be removed last year as it had reached its "sell by date"!  Actually it was starting to die out in the middle and beginning to look quite unsightly. Why don't you stop by for a visit to Cheep Rooms and maybe be tempted to join in sharing photos of birdhouses.  Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

Marsh Marigolds for 2sDay

It's 2sDay - the day when I post photos of things I have captured in twos.

Marsh marigolds, cowslips or caltha palustris are lovely yellow blooming plants that grow in shallow water near marshy or swampy areas. A few years ago we ventured into the swampy, mucky area close to our house to dig a clump of these lovely flowers.

The plants grow 45 to 60 cm. high and the flowers are about 4 cm. across. We successfully transplanted it into a swampy area in our garden which is also home to cat tails, and other types of wetland grasses.  Now, after a couple of years,  we have a few clumps of these lovely spring blooming plants.

Look for them as you are out driving when you come upon a wetland area.  One area by us has many, many clumps and it sure is cheery to see the yellow blooms after the winter.
Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

End of April Blooms

April is just about over and it didn't live up to the old saying of April Showers.  We have hardly had any rain at all this month.  The ground is parched and cracks are appearing all over.  Yet the spring blooms are still coming.



 Today's mosaic/collage photo shows what is blooming right now ... the mini iris, the pansies, the tulips, the daffodils, and the marsh marigolds. Mosaic Monday was created by The Little Red House. You are encouraged to create and share a mosaic/collage of some photos. Why don't you stop by and see what some other participants have created. Then try creating a mosaic photo of your own and join in the fun.   Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

Gail's Snails

My friend Gail and her husband made these adorable snails for a fundraiser a couple of years ago.  I just had to purchase two of them for my garden.  On a sunny day last week I got them out of the garage to wash them off before finding a spot in the garden for them.  While they were drying off on the deck they cast these great shadows. Perfect for Shadow Shot Sunday.

Harriet  is hosting Shadow Shot Sunday.  Be sure to stop by and join in the fun.  Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

Mosaic Monday Mystery Answers

If you tried guessing my Mosaic Monday Mystery plants for April 25, 2011 and want to know if you are right ... here are the answers. The first mosaic was trillium, Jacob's Ladder, and clematis. The second mosaic was Ribbon grass, and bleeding heart. Thanks for playing along.

When Does This Ride Start?

The cheeky chipmunk never fails to amuse us.He is always getting into all sorts of places where he thinks he has a chance of getting some food.The other day he was captured through my lens as he sat in the coconut feeder.

Perhaps he thought it was an amusement ride.So when does this ride start?
 Check out other bloggers that are sharing photos of Camera Critters.  Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

Cheep Rental ... Any Takers?

I've been checking out the birdhouses looking for signs of occupancy.  This birdhouse has been in the garden a few years.  It is close to the feeders and lots of tree protection.  It was built for bluebirds but we never seem to get them in our garden.

In previous years we've had sparrows, wrens and even a chipmunk use this birdhouse.  The chipmunk stored the peanuts and seeds he gathered from the nearby feeders.

So far no bird has taken it over this year. I haven't raised the rent at all and it is still offered for a cheep price. Here is the nest that the wren built in it last year.  I haven't seen or heard the wren in the garden so far this year.  I'm hoping it returns and uses the house again.  The birdhouse is all cleaned out and ready for occupancy.

Why don't you stop by for a visit to Cheep Rooms and maybe be tempted to join in sharing photos of birdhouses.

 Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

A Pressing Engagement

On my way home from grocery shopping on the weekend I was thrilled to come across a garage sale, probably one of the first this season.  Now this sale wasn't set up when I went into town but on my return about an huor later there it was just beckoning me to stop.  It was actually the couple of big toy dump trucks that caught my eye.  That was something my grandson would love to play with.  And while there I spied some Thomas the Tank Engine DVD's.  My grandson is just at the age when he is engrossed in anything Thomas.  So of course I scooped them up along with a couple of puzzles.  And then something for me ... a brand new microwave flower press for $2.00.

This item sells in a well known garden catalogue for just under $30.00.  I checked out the catalogue and found out some information about it.  In as little as 3 minutes I can have dried flowers.

It has two absorbent pads of natural wool and two sheets of broadcloth which have never been used.  The terra cotta slabs on the top and bottom weigh about 2 pounds each and will ensure that the flowers are pressed flat. Moisture is forced out of the flower, through the pads and out through the slabs which moderate the drying.

 So I am now ready for a pressing engagement.
Have you been garage 'sale'ing lately? Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

Oh No, Holes Everywhere

Due to a lot of water damage in our basement this year we had to have the area beside the house dug and the walls waterproofed and a new drainage system put in.  So for my Mosaic Monday post I'm showing what has been going on around our house for the past week.
The first day was kind of scary as it was goodbye gardens and hello to holes. Thank goodness for a milder April as I had to dig a lot of plants.  You can see some of them lined up in pots in the bottom picture.  I'm really hoping they will survive. The front step and path were jack-hammered away. At the back of the house I had some old climbing roses that could not be dug because of huge roots,  had to be dug out by the digger and could not be saved.
The second day wasn't so bad as by the end of the day the holes were filled in.  The bottom right picture is what we saw when we opened the front door in the morning.  The new drainage system had to be connected to our sump pump, which just happens to be right under our front landing.  By the third day it was looking a lot better.  The top photo shows where two pieces of trellis had to be removed.  I did dig out the clematis that was there and fingers crossed it will survive the transplant.  We had only been told to take out one piece which was where the clematis was, but a second piece had to be taken out and another climbing rose that was there vanished.  Now that I am over the shock of losing plants and moving plants, I can look forward to replanting, and visiting garden centers to buy new plants.  Some rain on Saturday and Sunday morning helped to settle the dirt down.  We are now just waiting for the top soil to be added to the gardens. Mosaic Monday was created by The Little Red House. You are encouraged to create and share a mosaic/collage of some photos. Why don't you stop by and see what some other participants have created. Then try creating a mosaic photo of your own and join in the fun.    Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

Shadows on a Sunny Sunday

Last Sunday was a lovely warm, sunny day to go for a walk down by the bay and it was the perfect day for getting Shadow Shot Sunday photos.

I was able to capture the perfect shadow of the bridge railing on both the path and the water below. 

Over at the Hey Harriet blog you can join in Shadow Shot Sunday fun.

Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

The Blooms of Spring

For Friday's flower I'm flaunting some spring flowers and they arrived just in time for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

The beautiful tulip blooms that wave in the breeze.  I must confess these didn't grow in my garden, but they were a gift from a friend.  My tulips are just starting to bud.

I just love the arrival of pansies at the flower store and couldn't resist stopping by to buy some in shades of white, yellow and orange.

Now these daffodil blooms are in my garden and there are many more buds ready to open.  The ground looks so dry so the rain for the next few days will be most welcome.

And anyday now the red trillium will open up its buds to reveal a gorgeous flower.  I can't wait.
 Stop by May Dreams Garden for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day to see what other gardens have blooming this April.  Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

How Easy Was That?

I was busy cleaning out some stuff from the basement ... not throwing it away, just sorting through it looking for something else ... when I came upon the 3 ring metal part of an old binder.  Who knows why I saved it, but I did, and now I've re'find' it into a storage solution for three garden hand tools I also found hiding in the basement.

With just two nails and a hammer it was fastened to a shelf on the workbench.  Open the rings and you can hang on the tools.  Snap the rings shut and those tools won't fall off.


 How easy was that?
  Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment.and say hi.

The Heron's Shadow

Here is one of my favourite photos, first because it is of the heron, my favourite water bird, and second because of the shadow of the heron.

I have this image printed and framed as a wonderful reminder of our trip to British Columbia. Over at the Hey Harriet blog you can join in Shadow Shot Sunday fun.

Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to leave a comment and say hi.

Stopping by for a Snack

Over the past week there have been lots of birds visiting the feeders and the gardens.

I was able to capture lots of photos through my lens and share some of them with you for Camera Critter day.

The bluejays were frequent visitors to the old mailbox that is now the peanut feeder.

The red wing blackbirds (a little bit fuzzy photo) were at the flat feeder.

The cowbirds also love the flat feeder.

The house sparrows sit in the lilac bush and survey the garden.

The robins are busy checking the lawns for worms and bugs.

The boat tailed grackle is shining in the sunshine.

  Check out other bloggers that are sharing photos of Camera Critters.
Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to say hi and leave a comment.

Oh Granny, you are finally finished

Oh Granny, you are finally finished.  The granny squares that is. The squares have finally all been put together into an afghan.These are the granny squares that I had started about a year ago, and they then became a UFO in the craft closet.  For those of my blog readers that are non-crafters UFO means un-finished object and not the unidentified flying object you may have seen in the night sky. This was a stash busting project and I'm really impressed with all the odds and ends of yarn I used up.  I tied in all the various colours by using black in the center of each square and black around the edges and to join all the squares together.

 Usually I add a fringe around my afghans but this time decided on a shell pattern, just for something different.

 This pattern is slightly different from the regular granny square pattern.  On each corner you make a loop of 10 chains, and then when doing the last round you loop them inside each other to give a nice effect. But just when you think you are getting rid of all your stash, what lands on your doorstep but a big bag of yarn from a friend who knew I would find good use for it.Now what will the next project be?  ©Crafty Gardener
Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to say hi and leave a comment.

Every Little Bit Helps

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 each year.  It was started about 1970 and gradually spread to many countries around the world. In so many places you see the saying that Earth Day has to be every day.  I'm a believer in that.

Recently on March 22 there was a celebration of Earth Hour, where people worldwide were asked to not use electricity for an hour.  That is all well and good doing it for one hour (and I particpated), but what about the rest of the hours in that day, in that week, in that month, in that year?  Do you conserve energy then as well.  I try my best. Besides helping the planet it certainly helps ease the hydro bill.

A lot of words, terms and phrases come related to Earth Day

... environmental

... sustanible
... recycle, reduce, reuse
... conservation  ... being green I've never been one to waste things unnecessarily.  I've used cloth bags long before it became fashionable. Maybe that comes from living in England in the early 70's and plastic bags weren't readily available.  I keep all the bags in my van right by the driver's seat so that they are within easy reach when I get to the store.  Jan is selling some lovely bags and will be donating the proceeds to a very worthy cause.  Be sure to stop by and find out how you can get one.
I've always been recycling, long before it came to our region.  I saved all glass jars and used them for storage of leftovers, nails, buttons, and whatever else would fit into them.  In fact when recycling did start in our area I was able to fill a few blue boxes full of jars that were no longer being used and I never had the heart to send to the landfill.  Plastic containers are reused.  Yogurt containers make great sand castles of all shapes and sizes.I'm not sure I can use the term organic for my garden as that is a designation given by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, but it is certainly free of chemicals, fertilizers and weed killers of any sort.I grow veggies like potatoes, peas, beans, tomotoes, onions, rhubarb and lettuce.  In the summer months I buy the veggies I need from our local farmers.  This helps to support my local community and ensures I get fresh veggies.  Have you tried the 100 mile diet?I try really, really hard not to use throw away items, such as pre-wet floor cloths and paper towels, but instead use washable cloths.  I've always done this, probably because when they were first introduced I couldn't afford to buy them so found reusable alternatives.  Now I can afford them I still don't purchase them.
Things I do, which now come under the header of helping to make the planet a greener place, but which were instigated because I either couldn't afford the fancy packs, or disposable items are-take re-usable drink containers -pack my lunch instead of buying from those fast food places they call restaurants -use containers for my lunch instead of wrappers -don't buy items in convenience packs, but instead buy the larger size (yogurt as an example) and divide it into washable containers-belong to Freecycle -donate items no longer needed to places like Value Village, the Salvation Army, etc.-purchase some items from garage sales and gently used stores - recycle-conserve water, for example I never water my lawn -saving water by collecting rain water to use on the gardens and re-using gray water when possible -use cloth bags when shopping

 -compost because "a rind is a terrible thing to waste"

-avoid chemicals in the garden 

I'm sure many of you do the same things that I do.  Very often I think that my little contribution doesn't help make the earth a greener more sustainable place, but if we all do our little bit, then we just might make a difference.  Now if only we could convince government, big business and large municipalities to do the same thing.
Be sure to check by Jan's blog and see what other gardeners are doing to help make the planet a better place to live.  You just might find something new to try. And remember - every little bit helps!
©Crafty Gardener
Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to say hi and leave a comment.

Shadow's Shadow

It was such a lovely sunny day yesterday.  We all enjoyed some time in the sun.  Even Shadow our lovely indoor cat will come outside for a little while.  I was able to capture some shots of her through my lens.

One of her favourite places is to sit on the back steps of the deck and peer underneath in hopes of glimpsing the resident chipmunk.  I captured Shadow and her shadow sitting in the shadows.

  I thought this would be the perfect photo for my first time participating in Shadow Shot Sunday. ©Crafty Gardener
Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to say hi and leave a comment.

Those Little Pot Feet

A week or so ago I was rumaging through a flea market close to home and I discovered these adorable little birds.

As I'm picking them up and looking at them the vendor tells me he has no idea what they are for but it was my lucky day and he was clearing them out for half price.

On closer examination I saw the little flat pieces at the back and I thought to myself ... hm-m-m little pot feet.  At that time another browser said they were for holding a hot casserole.  Holding on tightly to the little birds (I think the other person was hoping to get them) I agreed but said I would use them to raise one of my flower pots off the ground.

It was such a gorgeous day today I just had to get outside and try them out.

Are you wondering what the price was?  well, the set of three set me back fifty cents.  I would of willing paid the full price of one dollar.  As Alison commented, weren't they cheep? Now I can't wait to get some plants to put into the pot.  I did see the pansies are out so I just might have to stop by my favourite garden store and purchase some. The temperature must of reached about 23 Celsius today.  I spent the time filling the wheelbarrow with old leaves and twigs from the garden, getting out some of my garden decorations, setting up the birdbath, and of course some time relaxing in the garden chair just soaking up the sun.  ©Crafty Gardener
Thanks for taking time to visit today. I hope you have time to say hi and leave a comment.