Finally finished...

Last year we built a new flower bed in front of the cabin  The old one had moved with the clay soil and was pushing against the porch supports.  I was very pleased with the final result.  I was somewhat skeptical that my poor Miss Kim lilac would take to the rehoming, but she looks great this spring.

Now comes part two of the flower bed project.   This is the old block flower bed.  It has also moved into the porch supports.

 I started out by removing the blocks, then the plants, and finally the grass.  I put down a nice layer of gravel.  Then we started creating the bed from scratch.  There is something very rewarding about getting a project like this done in a day.  

Finally, my favorite part, planting!  My pink rose was in need of a better bed.

 I'm afraid my fishing bears had to go.  I needed my tall bear and short bear to even out the beds.  We didn't realize the height difference between beds until we were all done.  Luckily the bears make it appear even.  

I am glad to have these two projects done.  They were damaging the cabin and were actually quite small.  Now my plants have room to grow and the beds stick out far enough from the roof to capture rain water.  It was quite ridiculous that I was having to water both beds despite lots of rain.  These beds may be in recovery mode this year, but I am certain that next year they will be phenomenal.  

I can't say enough how much I appreciate my husband.  If I say I need flower beds, he builds me flower beds.  I am the luckiest woman ever.  

A plethora of planting...

We have been super busy.  Last week was filled with family.  Kelly's nephew and his family came out for turkey hunting and fishing.  Then I was off to my sister's to run a 5k with my sister and nieces.  A great time was had by everyone.  It is good to spend time together.  

This weekend was a plethora of planting.  Kelly planted the food plots for our deer.  I planted the greenhouse and all of my planters.  It was very fulfilling to get my hands in the dirt.   

Kelly putting the finishing touches on the food plot.

I wasn't the only one planting.  The wild pasque flower was sowing it's seeds this weekend.

My little wild tulips look great in the rose bed.

These daffodils are so complicated.  I get lost in their petals.

The tulips were all afire this afternoon.  They look great.

These tulips are my favorite.  I'm going to have to replant, as they have slowly died out over time.

This is my go to grouping.  Every year they bring me happiness.

Do you have any planting combinations that are your favorite?

Finally flowers...

It has warmed up and I have been busy.  On Friday I unleashed the roses, planted the inside, and outside of the greenhouse.  It felt good to get my hands in the soil.

 Freshly planted with corn, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, carrots, and beans.

 It looks like we will be eating asparagus soon.

 The greenhouse looks pretty in the sun.

 I put my invasive herbs in the washtub both the mint and chamomile.

 The tomatoes made it to spring and I was happy to move them to the greenhouse.

 I always think of the following poem when I see daffodils.

 I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud 

by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;

A poet could not be but gay,

In such a jocund company!

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Busy, busy...

Ok, my husband was busy disking the field, while I was fishing and taking photos.  I only caught one catfish, but I did get some nice pictures.

 The wild gooseberries are blooming like crazy.

 There were plenty of rabbits around.

 This Blue Winged Teal drake and his hen cruised by fast as lightning.  

 This pretty moth landed in my fish bucket.  Had I known I was going to run out of bait I would have put him on a hook.

 This pair of Canadian geese were not overly happy that I started fishing next to their little island.  They set up quite a racket, but after a while quieted down and we coexisted in harmony.

This Kingfisher did a flyby.  I was pleased to get a half decent photo.  You could hear him coming down the river a mile away and then in a flash he was past me and gone.

Of course, I am unable to just sit and relax.  There were tons of dandelions blooming.  While others see weeds, I see wine.  I picked a pail full.  Little did I know the work that would ensue.   Come to find out you have to separate the yellow from the green.  A tedious job.  I cannot imagine who would have had the time or patience to figure out how to make wine out of those stupid little yellow petals.  After 3 hours of separating, I decided one doesn't really need seven cups of petals.  I am certain five will do.  I'll keep you updated on whether or not it was worth the effort.  I'm just saying right now it would have to be one of the greatest wines I've ever tasted to be worth that kind of work.

That is about all that is going on in my neck of the woods.  I hope everyone else had as warm and productive weekend as I did.

Something old is new again with leftover lumber...

It has been awhile since I posted about something old becoming new again.   Last year around this time we bought some property out on the Belle Fourche River.  There was a pile of lumber left by the previous owner and I have had it in the back of my mind since we got the place.  I was certain I could make a couple of Aldo Leopold benches from these leftover scraps.   This weekend we went out to the property to plant a some plum trees.  I knew it was supposed to rain and snow again, so I grabbed up the lumber as we left.   I searched Pinterest for various plans.   None were very comprehensive.  I came across a couple that were helpful.  I liked this template the best.

http://www.handymanwire.com/articles/simplebenchplans.html

All I needed to buy was:

6 bolts 3 1/2 inches long

12 washers

6 hex nuts

8 exterior deck screws 3 inches long

Of course that is doubled, since I am making 2 benches.  I didn't need to buy deck screws, because we already have plenty.

The lumber was cut to size and the bench assembled.   The 3 foot and 18 inch boards are secured with three bolts.  The seat is secured to the 18 inch boards with two deck screws and then the back is attached.  One of the plans had a flat back and another kept with the original angle of the board. The original angle is by far more comfortable.  You can see both below.  

Sorry the photos are not the greatest.  It was raining outside.  I will take more photos when everything dries out and I can sand and stain them.  Still I am very excited.  Two benches for a grand total of $31 and that was just for the bolts.  

It was dry yesterday and we were able to go out and plant three plum trees in the orchard.  We planted a Toka, Pembina, and a Black Ice.  I am very anxious to see how my mountain and prairie orchards do this year.  Last year we had a late frost and there wasn't much of a harvest. This year I am sure it will be a plethora of fruits and berries.  At least I hope so.

There are a few flower photos at the end.  A little bedraggled after snow and hail, but beautiful nonetheless.

Does anyone else have some projects in the works?  

back in winter's clutches...

We are back in winter's clutches.   How silly of me to think that we could get out of this season so easily.    My only spring colors come from the birds at the feeder.

 Goldfinches and Pine Siskins 

 House Finches and Cross Bills

 Plethora of birds.

 A hungry House Finch.

 Sad little crocuses waiting for warmer days.

Hopefully, next week I will have warmer photos.

I had a chat with my roses...

In typical South Dakota fashion, we went from 33 degrees, to 76 degrees, and back down to 45 degrees.  Normal for around here.  The problem is the last three days high winds blew the cages off of my roses.  Therefore, the roses got a taste of sunshine and warm weather.  They are ready to leaf out.  We had a chat yesterday as I covered them back up.  I reminded them that it was only April and I normally don't unleash them until the middle of May.  In fact, we had about two feet of snow this time last year.  I don't think they are going to listen to me.  I understand the yearning for sunshine.  Going from 76 yesterday to a windy snowy 45 was a bit crushing for me.  

Maybe they know more than I do and we will have an early spring.  If they know they aren't saying anything.  

On a positive note, I did have a small group of evening grosbeaks.  They used to come to the feeders by the dozen, but they have been rare the last few years.  It was a pleasant surprise this morning.  

I enjoyed being able to garden this weekend, I just hope that the weather stays warm and the winds would calm down.  How is the weather where you are?  Is it spring there?