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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Random Shots

Our garden shed/chicken coop all ready for winter

I headed out the door with my camera one morning
this past week to get a few pictures
before the predicted frost hit.

This is WAY too early...
we should have a few weeks before
we get hit with frost! 

Last year at this time I was still picking
tomatoes and did so well into 
November.

We got the coop all closed up
meaning we closed all the 
'window's' and what I call
air flaps screwed shut.
At least that will
help keep 
the
chickens 
warm and cozy
when the winter winds howl.

You can see the 'air flaps' just under the roof line. That little hole is for the cats

This building is also where our barn
cats spend the winter months.
Well at least two of them
will be in there.
Olly
has made 
it very clear that
he's going to be spending
the winter inside the house near the wood stove.

Lizzy and Henry 
have a nice warm bed nestled
in the straw to keep them
cozy during the cold winter nights.



This is our 'work horse'.
We've been planting a few trees
around the farm to add some color
and this machine is a real back saver. 

We planted two Autumn Blaze Maples
and an Eastern Red Bud.

One day this baby will dig
us a pond.


This pile of rocks is my treasure.
Most of it came from the foundation of 
our old barn that burned down 
over a year ago.

I still miss that old BARN.


Henry and the rest of the critters
came with me as I walked around
the farm snapping photo's.


Socrates our scare crow has seen better days.
The only thing he was guarding that day
was the tomato plants which was
a complete waste of his time. 


The tomato plants grew HUGE but they never
even produced one nice big Brandywine
for a sandwich all summer.

The 'cherry tomatoes' 
did better but still didn't give us 
many ripe ones at first and then for
some reason (probably because the 100 degree
temperatures ended) started producing again.

If it hadn't been for them tomato season
would have been a complete flop!



The last of the Orangello watermelons.

They really didn't do much this year
because of the heat either.


Our Lilac Lane is a little greener after only 
and inch and a half of rain and cooler temperatures.


This is where I 'while away' my time
with a magazine and an iced tea.





The Mum's are looking good
and Henry thinks so too.



More Mum's on the back porch
with Sedum bringing up the rear.


Henry just had to get in the last shot for the morning.

Since these photo's were taken we've had a 
light frost. The tomato plants tips got hit
and a few of the herbs and my gourd vines
but everything else looks OK.

Funny thing is the temperatures have gone
back up and we will be enjoying
80 and 85 degree temperatures 
for the next couple of days!

Welcome to Kansas!









Come join the fun and meet some nice people!





29 comments:

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Your header is stunning. Thank you for sharing such wonderful photo's of your autumn. Such a broad range and so beautiful. Love the hen barn, textures, colours.
- Joy

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Beautiful photographs Maura! I would have loved taking that stroll with you, so much nature to enjoy! What a precious little kitty Henry is, so cute! I love your swing, how relaxing to "while away" with some tea!
Blessings,
Cindy

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I enjoyed the visit to your farm via your wonderful photos today, Maura. Your kitty is so sweet to join you for your walk...and he's so cute. Love the photo of your chicken coop/barn with the wreath on the door. The fall season is looking really good at your farm!

Michaele said...

Nice job on the header. I really need to change mine...someday. Thanks for the last look around before winter and for the Neil Young.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

What lovely pictures of your farm Maura, it always looks so welcoming and peaceful....
The porch is such a sweet place to sit and ponder, love your wreath, and swing, the perfect spot to enjoy your tea..
Hugs,
~Jo

Pat said...

I always enjoy a walk at your farm. You make it so interesting. No rain at all here in KC. We are 7 inches behind. Love your porch wreath.

My Little Home and Garden said...

Maura,
I enjoyed looking at your pictures, especially the ones of Henry. My dearly-departed puss, Sam, was also a tabby. It looks like Henry has a very good life! (I also enjoyed Neil Young in the background -your northern roots are showing.)
-Karen

Elizabeth Edwards said...

wow, that little hole in the barn is big enough for a cat. wow, it looks so small. luv the fall views. (:

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos. I enjoyed the walk. Have a wonderful eve.

Mecky said...

yes, Maura, Welcome to Kansas! The weather is never boring here!
Your pictures are great.
My tomatoes didn't do anything this year, either. I think I am ready for Spring 2012.

I am missing watermelon already. Those look good.

Happy Fall.

Mary Ann said...

From the header to the "walk" pictures, it was all wonderful... thank you!

Pondside said...

That was lovely, Maura....and of course I love the music!

Catherine said...

Nice morning walk for me! i love your barn and wreath! enjoy your day Hugs Catherine

Neesie said...

Congrats on your construction work Maura, it looks great.
I especially love the header. But then I thought it looked great before.
I still have so much to learn with this blogging malarky!
I felt priviledged to join you on your beautiful walk and can just imagine sitting on your swing with a cuppa in hand, surrounded by your four legged friends. Peace and serenity....perfect xo

Lynne said...

Loved the photo walk around your Kansas place of heaven. Your photos are amazing. I especially like the one of Henry on the tree . . . and your header is scrumptious!

Vintage Gal said...

What lovely pictures ~ thank you for taking us on a stroll through your yard. The front porch is just delightful ;-)

zAzA said...

Thanks for checking out my blog! If you come back in a few days I will have some pics of those grizzly bears. The header pic was taken at a farm stand in eastern Ontario (Belleville area to be specific).
Thanks for the tour of your property. The pics are lovely!!

Jeanette said...

You have a lovely farm..thanks for sharing with us!

karen - Simply Inspired said...

thank you for the lilac lane visit this morning... i feel all snuggled in after reading and looking at your lovely photos. (i especially like socrates the scarecrow - poor dear seems to be struggling with the prevailing recession blues - no work, but he keeps showing up hoping...)
thanks for your visit to my place - love seeing you there!
-xok.

John Going Gently said...

I have made a note of your scarecrow... going to copy him for next year's veg patch

Kim said...

Love the new look of your blog, Maura.

Betsy said...

I really enjoyed the tour of your farm. So many pretty things to see. I've always thought it would be nice to have a lane like that to drive up when I came home. Some day!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Maura, your blog is even more beautiful than before - and that had to be hard to do.

Lovin' Henry!

Arleen

Stella said...

Your henhouse is so charming. We have also had a light frost and I picked the rest of my tomatoes. I too had lots of plants but no tomatoes of any size. Maybe next year.

traci said...

thanks for the autumn tour around your farm. your chicken coop is great. i love it. and that swing on your front porch - perfection!!!

LANA said...

Your home is so lovely. I'm glad you are keeping those chickens and cats warm and cozy. Do you ever use heaters? Such a beautiful property, you are blessed. Love the photos.

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

loved the photos AND the music, the music took me back to my college days at Kent State in the 70s

Donna said...

Hi Maura,
Your farm looks so lovely. It would be so delightful just sitting on your porch. I enjoyed the photos!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What a lovely walk - thanks for taking us along.

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