Having Fun!

Sue is on the right

Time sure flies when you're having fun.

My sister Susan and I are enjoying every

moment together.

We've visited the local parks this past weekend

and enjoyed the last of the fall colors.

My Sister In Law Donna came with us

and we had a wonderful time.

Remember this house? 

If we get time I'm going to see if we can get

a tour of the inside of this beauty

while Sue is here.

We still have a week to enjoy her

company so we've got lots 

more yacking and exploring to do.

I just hope we don't loose our voices ;-)

Have a wonderful week!

A Little Fall Decorating

I don't have a lot of indoor fall decorations.\

to play with.

I think I need a trip to Hobby Lobby!

If you're looking for dust....you're probably

going to see it.

I promise I'm going to dust and polish before

my sister get's here next Wednesday!

No use doing it twice....right?!

The white pumpkins you see ....

they're from our last years crop 

and they're still looking good. 

I found this little crystal bowl at a garage

sale years ago and it wasn't until

today that I REALLY took 

a good look at it.

I don't remember seeing this spider web.

I don't know who the maker of this bowl is

but who ever it is they did a beautiful

job. The cut work is deep and 'crisp'

and yet it's very delicate.

Not bad for $1 !

I'm not sure how much more decorating I'll be doing

but if I find something I like while Sis and I

are 'out and about'.... and it's a DEAL

it will be coming home with me.

Are you done your fall decorating?

~~~~~~

I'm still working on my blog.

I'm sorry if you've been looking around and

clicking on things and they aren't working.

I may have to delete a couple of tabs as I'm a

computer klutz. 

I think everything else is working OK.

If you find a problem please

let me know.

Thanks.

I hope your weekend is a good one!

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!

Farm Friend Friday

Farm Photo Friday

Come join the fun and meet some nice people!

The Dust Has Settled!

Well the dust has settled ... somewhat.

At least most of the flowers were

washed clean from the rain.

I still have to wash windows and do 

more cleaning before my sister 

arrives two weeks from today.

Can't wait!

To see my sister...not clean house ;)

My Blog 'construction' or re-construction

is still going on but I'm 

happy with how things are looking

so far.

Salvia and Lavender 

The plants seem to have survived the

dust storm none the worse for wear

and are looking much better 

now that our temperatures

have cooled.

I planted some Russian Sage, Big Twister Rush and Variegated Japanese Silver Grass to replace 

the two Graham Thomas roses, 

hydrangea and clematis

 I planted this spring.

I replanted

those elsewhere. 

It seems it was a bit too dry and hot for 

them in that spot so now they should

be a lot happier next summer.

I hope. 

The bees are enjoying the last of the flowers.

The old porch boards really show up this close!

Oh well they will eventually be replaced

with a new screened porch.

Hubby was going to do that this year but with

the record breaking heat that lasted up

until a few of weeks ago

that project will have to wait

until next year.

Just as well as we would have had to admire

it from inside the house because it was just

too hot to be outside! 

It's been a strange year weather-wise.

We went from a LONG COLD winter to a 

very short cold spring 

and jumped right into a record breaking long

HOT summer that just ended recently...

to an early freeze which is to happen

tonight. 

Makes me shudder just thinking

what our winter could be like!

Time to split more wood I think.

How has your weather been this year?

Pumpkin Inspiration!

Country Living

It's that time of year...my favorite time of year.

I LOVE fall.

The pumpkins and Mums and gourds are in the supermarkets

and farmers markets and everything is

geared towards the changing of the seasons.

I LOVE IT!

Now that I've bought a few pumpkins

I thought I'd look for a little inspiration to help get my

creative juices flowing.

So if you're trying to think of new ways to use your

pumpkins this year....here are a few

idea's for you.

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

I like the idea above for our farm!

Martha Stewart

The wreath above is made of corn husks!

Martha Stewart

I grew gourds like the ones on the right this year.

I don't think mine will be dry enough this year.

 Aren't they cute!

Martha Stewart

The arrangement above is called a 'mumpkin' :)

Southern Living

I love this idea of cutting a pattern in the outer skin

and cutting it away.

This would be a lot less messy plus the pumpkin would last longer.

Southern Living

Southern Living

Cottage Living

I'd love this front porch! 

Southern Living

Cottage Living

Well...now I need to get working on my own

pumpkin decorating.

If you haven't already started your fall decorating

I hope some of these pictures

have helped inspire you.

Happy Fall!

Have Fun!

Maura :)