In the meantime...

I'm out picking berries:  gooseberries, juneberries, and currents.  In the meantime, enjoy the garden.  I'll be in the woods a picking or in the kitchen jamming. 

I hope you enjoyed the trip.  I'll be back.

Good Golly Gooseberries...

Ever since I was a kid I have loved berries.  I would ride the pastures to pick buffalo berries.  I remember the joy when I found wild grapes.  Things haven't changed with age. When we started dating my husband to be took me to pick my wild raspberries.   No wonder I married him.   There have been many other wild berry discoveries in the hills: wild strawberries, saskatoons, thimbleberries, and now GOOSEBERRIES.  For years I have seen these plants randomly in the hills.  I suspected gooseberries, but didn't think they grew wild around here.  Then a few weeks ago we took the students on a nature trail (one I've been on several times) and I saw a sign (I'd missed in the past) and it identified these as gooseberries.  Sure enough I found a plant today and it is loaded with berries.  I am so excited.  There isn't enough for the pie my husband would like, but where there is one there must be more.  Trust me I will be searching.

A berry picking I will go.

Birds, birds, birds...

I know "to everything there is a season," but could summer last forever?  Last night I just sat on the porch and enjoyed every second of the day.  The peonies were heavy with scent.  The rose and red garden in are in full bloom.  The sounds of the blue jays, crossbills, nuthatches, grossbeaks, and chickadees fill the air.  I glimpsed a hummingbird just once at the feeder.  I wish time would just stand still.  

 This hen kept her little ones close by.

 The Scarlet Tanager stops by once in a while for a few bites of suet.

 A picture of  a very wet black headed grossbeak.

 This crossbill is one of the group of 50 that have been homesteading at my feeders.

My husband got these photos of the hen and her chicks.  The little guys are adorable. 

I enjoy observing the birds.  It soothes me after a long week.   I especially like watching the baby chicks learn the ways of the world.  Life is grand.

Blooms.......

Finally, flowers.  Lots and lots of flowers.  Let's take a walk in the garden...

 Can you tell I love roses? 

 I am in awe when the sun shines through the flowers.

 The red iris stands out among the yellow roses.

 The pink roses are by the porch and in the morning the scent is like heaven.

 I so wish the yellow roses bloomed more than once a year.

 I call the iris below my blue flags.  They are so vibrant. 

 I'm happy to report everything is coming up roses here. 

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July weekend.   I spent most of it wandering around the garden drinking in the scents, sounds, and sights.  I am rejuvenated.