GRAY RAINY DAYS.....HOW THE BIRDS, PLANTS, BUGS AND WEE PEOPLE DEAL WITH IT...

As I awakened this morning, I could instantly feel the grayness of the day. Lifting the shade and looking out the window right behind the head of our bed, this gray feeling was confirmed. I could see that the sky was so many different shades of gray as far as one could see.  I already knew that the weather prediction for today was to be mostly cloudy with a very good chance of rain. I suppose it is to be expected - it is the end of the winter season transitioning into the beginning of the spring season.  Tulips are beginning to push up through the soil everywhere in my flower beds. Also in places that I don't even remember planting them.  The busy squirrels dug up some of the bulbs I planted, to store for winter food and then they also always feel the need to redesign my landscape plan. I can see a wisp of green here and there where fresh new buds are popping out on the trees and bushes in anticipation of another wonderful year of growth.   I always feel a great amount of hope and joy when I see that nature is performing normally despite whatever else might be going on in this world.  The thought of spring and all of its possibilities always warms my heart.  It's been a long winter and it had to have been hard on all the plants, the birds, the Wee Folk and all of the little bugs.  I'm sure that they are just as happy and anxious as I am for the daily signs of the upcoming spring/summer.  Warmer weather, many days of sunshine interspersed with sprinkles of welcome rain.   

Sitting comfortably in my warm and cozy window seat, I pull my soft afghan up around me. I brewed a cup of my favorite coffee and am enjoying that while I sit and watch and wonder about what goes on outside on these gray days. This all seems so wonderful when I name all of the reasons to feel good, but gray days still always make me feel kind of blah!  I often wonder how wildlife feels about it being gray and hazy with the feel of the coming rain hanging heavy in the air.    Do the birds stay closer to their houses rounding up their family members and then tending to their long overdue, neglected chores....do the bugs line their children up and have everyone doing their share of picking up and tidying their warm, dry space.....and do the wee folk stay in their quarters, keeping a kettle of hot water on the ready for a cup of tea and also a big pot of hot hearty soup for those visitors that don't have anywhere to go during these storms.  While they are waiting to see if a wet young bird who got caught off guard or a scared bug who got separated from their family stops by, do they tend to their never-ending basket of clothes to mend while welcoming and warming their visitors with a cup of hot chamomile tea 

or a bowl of acorn soup?    

Or, am I just projecting onto them the things that I might do on a day such as this? 

I spot a few birds flying through in a hurry for a seed or two from our full feeders, but not very many of them on cloudy days.  On beautiful sunny days birds visit all of our feeders all day long until the last seed is gone. On these bright sunny days, the birds tend to mill around the feeders, cracking sunflower seeds open for the tasty treat and just generally hanging around until a bird friend of theirs wants a place at the table also. Then they fly to a nearby branch or fence picket and wait their turn to go in again.  Occasionally, they cock their heads to be able to look up at the sky both enjoying the warmth of the sun and possibly looking for predators.

 I crack the window a little bit and can hear low rolling thunder in the distance.

  Perhaps all of the bugs, birds, Wee Folk and plants have been preparing for the rain and are taking advantage of this gray day by tending to their indoor activities.  Restacking their gathered supply of food, making sure that the walls and roof of their area are secure and then just settling down for a rest and to wait out the coming rains. Bugs always seem to be busy but I'm sure when they feel the winds change and hear the thunder rolling, they start to think about going to their safe spaces. Whether it be under a big protective leaf or up into the knot in their favorite tree.  Under the garage or barn door and into where it is dry is always a good place to wait out the wind and rain.   I never actually see the birds flying to and fro when it is raining. I picture them huddled together on a branch with their family and friends under a big thick pine bough to stay as warm and dry as possible.  With the younger and older ones under their spread-out wings, further protecting these dear ones.  It is early spring, so the birds have been busy making their nests, or cleaning up one that they use year after year to make ready for egg laying and spring babies. As I peek out the window, I do see the Robins fly up under the eaves to sit in their as yet empty nests to just wait out the rain.   I think that the Wee Folk are always busy, no matter the weather - busy with the jobs that are assigned to them in their world of taking care of nature. I picture them taking stock of their supply of food that they so willingly share with the birds and bugs when necessary and stacking and restacking all of their collected sticks, rocks and items to help repair or build protection for their friends in nature.  I think that they would occasionally sit down with a cup of hot tea and pick up the mending that needs to be done on their handmade blankets and pillows. Also, with mortar and pestle they continue blending the various herbs that they had hung and dried from last summer's crop to make into delicious tea blends to brew cups of hot tea for anyone that comes to visit.  I think that they also dedicate some of their time to weaving the many pine needles that lay beneath our tall pines into baskets to hold berries, herbs and collected items that may be useful to them or to one of their friends in nature.   

 The slow long low rumbles of thunder sound like music to the dry soil I'm sure - a big drink of fresh rainwater is coming.    And then, all of a sudden, here it comes.  First slow falling, big splatting heavy drops of rain that you can hear individually hitting on the window and on the metal roof.  And then, after the beautiful prelude, the clouds open up further and the symphony begins with all of the drops falling down from the clouds all at once, hitting every plastic, metal and any other surface that will add to the beautiful musical concert.   It is raining so hard at the moment that I cannot even see my garden very well.  I do hope that everyone is safe and warm out there.... 

I do worry about all of the little ones out there - will they be okay?  This is their daily life - all they've ever known and I'm sure they are much more prepared than we are.  We can just dash into the house out of the elements and go to the refrigerator when we're in need of a snack.  They have to be much more prepared for challenging days like today. They always need to stock up on food supplies and regularly continue to reinforce their space that will keep them safely out of the wind, rain & snow.  It doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon.  Afterall, April showers will bring all of the beautiful May flowers.... I hope that they are all tucked into their warm, dry spaces on this rainy, rather cool day.  Tomorrow the sun will come out and dry up the puddles and once again all will be able to come and go as they please, doing what they need to do to thrive and survive.  But, for today, rest, relax and know we need both kinds of days - gray slower days that allow us to be lazy and bright sunny days that energize us.  

Stay safe little ones - see you out and about tomorrow.... 

 

MY NEWEST CRAFT - MAKING SOMETHING OUT OF ALL OF MY CRAFT MATERIALS.....

 

I have years' worth of parts and pieces of the many crafts that I have made and sold over approximately 40 years.... floral pieces (3 lg. bins), materials/fabrics (three tall industrial shelving units stuffed high and full), - and many totes with all of the material cut offs, two bins of glitter, paints of all kinds, glue, glue guns, brushes, markers & inks.  Many giant bags of poly stuffing, vintage magazines/sheets of old music for piano, buttons, pipe cleaners, tons of beads and all of the findings.... On and on.... I could probably open up as a craft shoppe.... I've got all of the bases covered.  BECAUSE, when you like to create, ideas just come to you either through (in my case - dreams and thoughts just as I wake up each morning) *my mind creates constantly* or from Pinterest and Facebook groups.  Also, a walk into a Craft Shoppe starts generating all kinds of ideas swirling in my already busy head.  Thrift shoppes are also a window to a million creative possibilities.  It never ends when you love to create. Everything I see is a possibility, an idea generator.  A walk in the woods is inspiration, music, reading, photography, etc. all start the creative process for me....to create.... I just need to continue creating - as long as I possibly can.

I'm creating and creating for me and also so that my children don't have to contend with my two full rooms of craft materials, two big closets and two smaller rooms, (all on the 2nd floor of our Victorian home which I only use - no husband's allowed unless I need his help with something). I'm going to do my best to create all kinds of useful and fun types of items to give away or keep for myself to enjoy.  I bought all of the stuff to make something or another and it is now that time....no more shuffling it all around, putting in bags, bins and moving from place to place - we are now living where we will live out our days, so, no more thinking, someday - the day is now.    

I am now retired and we are now in our forever home (we've moved many times - purchased, renovated and sold many homes).  But, this is it.  I love our Victorian Home - so much room for my craft stuff - and it's all out of the way - on the 2nd floor - me and my craft stuff floor.  So, no work excuses, etc. It's time to create all of the things I've thought about for so many years.  I have been creating for many years, sold many items and have made many items for friends/family even while I was working.   Now I have all of the time I want to create and write/blog....so, that's how I am going to spend my days....

So, Happy Crafting....Happy Writing....Happy Blogging to all that share my joy in these endeavors....

WE'VE BECOME ROCK HUNTERS/HOUNDS AND WE ARE ADDICTED.....

 

My husband and I live in the UP Michigan.  And, as Facebook does, you mention a word and then you get all kinds of groups, pictures, advertisements on your feed regarding anything possibly associated with that word.  Sometimes all of the information coming at you is great, and in our case it definitely was.

All kinds of pictures of the beautiful rock beaches around Lake Superior, rock hunter groups, pictures of amazing found rocks, rock cutting/polishing equipment...on and on...We're in....Traveled up to Grand Marais MI and stopped all along the way in Au Train, Munising. Christmas and then further to White Fish Point.  And then all of the way back through and onto Marquette.  We love living in the UP but after going to the northern most tip of the Up, we realized that Michigan has everything anyone could want all in one beautiful state.  

We spent a lot of time on the beaches of Grand Marais.  We met some of the nicest, most knowledgeable people who were so willing to share all of their experience and knowledge about anything to do with rock hunting.  We were newbies and they were patient with us as we asked questions, and they were even so kind as to share some of their finds with us. Who could ask for a more wonderful way to spend any day, walking along beautiful Lake Superior, on a sunny, not too hot, day, shifting and digging through and finding one beautiful rock after the other. 

We immediately wanted to move to the area so that we could spend every day out on the beaches looking for rocks.  But, after talking about it in the cabin rental that night, we decided we really were not up for moving again - we've moved and renovated many homes in the past 30 years.  So, we vowed to make at least three trips up to the area each year.  Hopefully bringing along our son and grandson so that they could also discover the joy of the find.

When we got home, we immediately ordered equipment to do the cutting and polishing of our finds.  We also set up a spot in the basement to house the rocks and the equipment so that this new hobby could be done during the long winters.  

We are hooked...what a great hobby and so fun to find out what all of these rocks are and how and when they were formed...endless learning and endless fun...Can't wait for our next trip further up north...

   

BIRD TELEVISION - THE OTHER CHANNEL WE LOVE TO WATCH....

 So, we have been looking into cable, internet, etc. and it is either not available out where we live or the cost is much more than we want to pay to sit on our butts and watch something that turns your brain to mush - except documentary's, history channel, shows like that.  Someone did tell us about a service available from the University of Northern Michigan - they send you the equipment and directions and you install it yourself - with a much lower monthly cost.  We are going to start checking into that. But, we are not in a giant hurry - it is still winter and we're really not missing television or the internet very much! We have phones - for an emergency - but that's about it.  And getting service is always 'iffy'.  We generally have to walk out onto the deck and move our head from side to side to even hear.  We deal with it to talk to our family every week.  But, if we need to make a call where we can have better service - we drive down to the end of our driveway and try there or drive further out onto the town road to get a clearer, stronger signal. 

The pictures that I am posting are from all seasons during the year - I just tried to pick out the best ones.  

The birds out here in the Northwoods are really something. In the winter, we see pretty much the same ones every day, but fall into winter showed us a variety of birds as they were gathering up to migrate - and winter into spring brought us a whole colorful show of birds returning to the area or passing through going further north.  

This mama Robin has a nest in our eaves, and we have left the nest untouched after her last clutch - it is in a protected area from rain and wind and close to our bird feeders- so hopefully she can return to lay more eggs and make more pretty Robins next spring. The only problem is that she doesn't understand that we are 'friends' as she dive bombs us when we walk in the area - her natural defense - we just cover our heads - they get close by have not hit us yet - just their natural protection of their little ones.  

This is a Flicker - the first one I have ever seen - it stopped and rested for a while by the pond.  It is called a Northern Flicker and is a member of the Woodpecker family.  

We have so many woodpeckers around.  We can hear them clearly rapping on so many dead trees in the woods.  The Piliated is the largest woodpecker and the loudest.  They have come to our feeder, but I was so excited seeing them and watching them, that I didn't go for my camera for a picture.  This is a male Hairy Woodpecker.  The look just like Downy Woodpeckers - they are just larger.  The females don't have a red spot on their head.  

Mr. BlueJay with his pretty little feathers fluffing out in the wind and showing so nicely in the bright sunshine.  He loves this basket - and is a daily visitor.  We put his favorites, peanuts and black sunflower seeds in the basket, and he is there grabbing foods many times per day.... It is hard to tell the difference between females and males.  Blue Jays are loud and aggressive towards smaller birds or really anyone that comes around them - so - this basket is theirs.  

These little Juncos...they are just always quietly around...they 'over-winter' in Michigan.  They are generally ground feeders, but will pick seeds out of flat feeders.  They roost in evergreens.  It is said that they have 30% more feathers in the winter than in the summer.  

We love our Mourning Doves.  They usually come to the feeders in a flock in the morning and in the afternoon.   They are basically ground feeders but will come up and into the feeders.  Love their gentle, soft sounds. 

Finches and a female Grossbeak.  There are Gold Finches and Purple Finches all together in the feeder.

This is a Nuthatch - they love suet and will hang however they need to get to the tasty treat.  They will hide seeds in crevices for a snack later.  

This is a Red Bellied Woodpecker.  They look a lot like a  Red headed Woodpecker - but they only have half a red head.  Despite their name they only have a tinge of red on their 'belly'. 

 

Birds will tolerate each other if they are on a large enough spot - for seed...

We put up Bird Houses and a Blue Bird decided to call this one its own.  

The Best Part of Winter - you can see their  beautiful colors so well against the white backdrop.  But some of the birds are prettier in the spring/summer - like the Gold Finches...

Although Female Cardinals are not bright red - their subtle colors are so soft and beautiful...

The Ruffed Grouse.  Such a great sighting.  They are usually in the underbrush - this one landed on our apple tree and gave me a few minutes to catch a picture.  When I first heard their 'drumming' - I thought someone - somewhere - was trying to start an engine. It starts out slow and works up to a much faster thumping sound and then stops.  It was our amazing Grouse doing what they do...drumming.  

We see Turkeys pretty much every day - males and females and their chicks.  The males make big thumping chest noises and puff up as large as they can to show dominance....

A beautiful Blue Indigo - so special because we don't get to see them that often.

And our sweet Chickadees - they are here year-round and at the feeders every day.

Gold Finches female and male - of course he's the bright one - moms need to be more subtle in color.

Our beautiful Orioles - they love oranges and grape jelly.

This is a beautiful Green Heron that landed near our pond - for a fish snack...

One of my favorites - a Rose Breasted Grossbeak - I love to see them every spring.  This is a male - the female of course has more subtle coloring...

We love to sit in our comfy chairs that can see right out to our feeders - we eat lunch right there, in hopes of spotting a new variety...and find comfort and joy in seeing our regulars.  They say that birds 'talk' to each other in the early evening - just making sure that everyone is okay and settled for the night.  So as the sun goes down and the birds aren't coming to the feeders - it's lovely to step outside and listen to them talking to each other and wishing each other a good night's rest.  

SQUIRREL TELEVISION - IT'S ALL WE'VE GOT AT THE MOMENT & WE'RE REALLY ENJOYING THE DAILY SHOWS....

We had never really seen Red Squirrels or Pine Squirrels as they are called before moving to UP Michigan. We've seen Grey Squirrels our whole life and an occasional Fox Squirrel - but that was about it - to this point. We still see Grey Squirrels occasionally, but Red Squirrels are our daily visitors.  They did visit us right inside our cabin in the beginning - but I think because we are feeding outside, and we have two dogs in the cabin - they are now preferring outside dining.  We also have Black Squirrels and Fox Squirrels. 

The Red Squirrels are smaller and so comedic.  Grey is grey.  The Fox Squirrels are larger, fluffier, slower moving and almost cartoonish.  The Black Squirrels appear stealth like.  One Black Squirrel visitor is without a tail - maybe not stealth enough - but the other does have a fluffy tail. 

These are a few of the year-round pictures that I have taken - because they are our year-round visitors.

I cut the big drying heads off of the Mammoth Sunflowers we grew and spread them out on the bench on our deck.   It's like a buffet for squirrels and birds.  

This is our Black Squirrel - with the tail - there is another one with no tail - we wonder what happened.

This fatty Fox Squirrel is tall enough to reach the bird feeder without much trouble.

This poor mama, on a hot day, needed to be away from the little ones and take a rest.  I put out water for them and fresh cut apples, table scrapes, mealworms and peanuts.  

They are smaller so they can fit in and on our bird feeders.  

Red Squirrels don't really run away when we step out of the cabin.  I can toss peanuts or food their way and they just kind temporality move aside.  

Red Squirrels are so cute, looks like he's wearing mittens.  

We can sit in front of the wood stove with a fire blazing, coffee or tea in hand and through our new full glass front door, just watch these funny squirrels all day long.  They prefer to be the only squirrel on the feeder - one at a time - but do not mind sharing seeds with the birds.  They chatter loudly if another squirrel comes around when they are on our big feeder, telling them to wait their turn, I guess.  

If we leave the door open for even a moment, to let the dog come in or while we are bringing in firewood - the little Red Squirrels will walk right up to the door as getting ready to go on in.  This cabin was basically vacant for years - hunters here and there.  So, the squirrels especially, found their way into the cabin and it became part of their daily routine.  We saw signs of them in the cabin after we moved the enormous amount of junk out and away - and then we would actually see them on our kitchen table - for a few mornings in a row. They were hoping that we were leaving I'm sure - like the hunters did.  But we were there and so were our two dogs - so they began staying upstairs and outside.  We are keeping the upstairs closed off for now - we will begin clearing it out in the spring and see if we're going to use it for more than storage.  

Meanwhile, until we get cable - this is our entertainment...and we really like it this way.  When I go to the library - usually once a week - I go onto their computers mostly to search for information about the large gardens that we are going to plant in the spring - but, I do peek around and catch the latest - not very important to me- news also.  We're not missing television, at all.  Amazing how you find things to do when you don't have the television on...listen to music, read, daydream, watch the birds, squirrels, deer just outside your window or door....talk to each other...it's a welcome change.  

HOW OUR FIRST WINTER IN THE UP IS GOING SO FAR....

 It has been snowing about every other day.  Sometimes only flurries and sometimes an inch or two of accumulation.   We've tried to keep up with the plowing of our driveway, shoveling and salting our deck and our paths to be able to get out to our animals.  The snow is really beautiful.  We love watching it fall during the day light hours, but when it snows at night, we turn on an outdoor light, just to watch it softly falling.  We can't help but go outside for a while to catch a few snowflakes on our gloves, admire their pattern and just listen to the sound/no sound that it makes when it falls from above. I love to shine my flashlight up into the air and follow one snowflake all of the way down.  When it lands, I think to myself, this was your whole life and purpose.  I hope it was a fun journey.     

My husband and I are very different in our approach to many things.   We feel that makes for a good balance in our relationship.  I am always thinking about 'what could happen' - and try to get everything ready 'just in case'. My husband kind of flies by the seat of his pants - what happens, happens, we'll deal with it when it happens. I told him that for my peace of mind, I feel that we need to be more prepared living out here alone, we're older and we don't have any services that close to us and our family lives hours away.  He teases me when I am picking up candles, batteries, matches, flashlights, etc. at the store.   They have come in handy a few times, and I try (?) not to remind him whose idea it was to pick these items up and keep a supply of them on hand.  I am learning each day to be as prepared as possible - and then let it go or you will possibly miss some of the beauty of living out here in the Northwoods in your anxiety of worrying about the 'what ifs'.  

Kind of like the birds that visit our feeders each day.  They don't seem to mind the snow.  They have to eat everyday no matter what time of year or what the weather might be that day.  

When the sun goes down, the birds have to think about finding a protected area to keep dry and out of the wind for the night.  At first light they need to think about a food source. I wonder if they are storing food somewhere for those days when it's much harder to find anything to eat.  I know squirrels do that, but I wonder if birds do that also.  Some birds land, grab a seed and fly away.  And then keep doing that over and over.  Other birds, land, grab a seed and eat it right there.  In my writer's mind, I picture that all wildlife has a protected cubby to go to each day/night.  Where they store their food, and are protected from the sun, wind, snow & rain.  And that they feel safe and warm there.  I like to think of them having fun just flying around, but I think their whole day is really about surviving.  And, in the spring, there is the added responsibility of taking care of their eggs and then feeding their new babies.  

 Like all of our bird and squirrel friends, Live for today, learn from yesterday and look forward to tomorrow. But, be prepared....just in case...  

IT'S A NEW YEAR - THE YEAR OF BECOMING SELF SUFFICIENT

 

It's winter and a good time to plan our Herbal Garden.  We have a large area laid out (in our minds and on paper) to grow our herbs.  We're going to use raised beds for these more delicate delicious plants. Some of the herbs will be for our personal use but the majority will be for us to sell at several Farmer's Markets and also list for sale on the local fb marketplace.    

During this 'would rather stay inside' time of the year, I sit in my favorite chair with my little heater dog named Tipo. He would squish in beside me, with not much room to spare - just the way he loves it.  We together would go over every "How to" book that I could find at the library about the best way to grow, harvest and dry herbs.  I would read aloud occasionally and Tipo would express his approval or rejection of the idea by looking up at me from under the warm Afghan or not react at all, I took that as Yea and Nay.  

Wanting to make full use of the herbs that I would plant, I researched what herbs would do well in our Northern Growing Zone.  I wanted to learn as much as I could about cooking with fresh and dried herbs, how to infuse them in carrier oil and also how to use for medicinal purposes for my husband and I and for our animals as a natural preventative and a means of lessening the symptoms of ordinary illnesses. I want to attach cooking ideas to each package of herbs - dry or fresh - that we sell... 

Most every cold morning, I bundle myself up in many layers.  This morning, I needed to go out in the cold and feed all of our fuzzy and feathered friends (my husband and I take turns). They are always so happy to see us after the long night - warms my heart even if it's more about the food than us.  First, I start up my old 4-wheel drive truck, so that she can warm up while I scoop out feed to fill all of our animal's food containers. By the time I finish feeding, she will be nice and warm and, I'll be more than ready to jump into my 'warmer than outside' vehicle and head for town. 

Today was an especially important trip - my first big order of seed is here and waiting for me at the Post Office.  I carefully maneuver my sweet truck down our semi-plowed (two tracks) driveway.  It is a gravel/dirt driveway with potholes that fill with water, freeze and thaw.  I maneuvered down our long driveway to then get out onto our road.  We are the only people living on this road, so it usually isn't plowed by the Township until we make a call to remind them.  We have a skid loader and a plow on my husband's truck - but sometimes there is more snow than our equipment can safely handle.  To my delight, the township grader had come down our road and cleared it.  I gave my 'old girl' a pat on her worn-out dashboard, and we together were off and on our way to town.  We have had quite a bit of snow over the last few days and nights.  So, slow deep breath in and out, drop shoulders from their position currently up by my ears and I push down slowly on the accelerator pedal. Since moving out here, it always amazes me how happy the smallest things make me - like my truck actually moving forward in the snow.  

As I pull into the Post Office, I feel so excited about picking up my precious box of colorful little bags of seed for the beautiful gardens that I have imagined a million times over.  The Postmaster asked if we had plans of planting a large garden. I told her that we were.  A large vegetable garden, a large cut flower garden and a large herb garden.  Word travels quickly in a small town - good free advertisement.  I said that we hoped to sell our bounty at several local Farmer's Markets and also on fb marketplace.    After telling them that I will have many more seeds coming, I say goodbye to the ladies at the Post Office and thanked them.   

The library is within walking distance of the Post Office so, I put my box in my truck and pick up my books to return to the library and trudge through the snow on the semi cleared sidewalk.  After stomping the snow off of my boots I was greeted by the library folks.  They all knew me well - I am probably one of their best customers - my books are often late, and I pay the fines - so, I say 'that's my financial support of my Library'. I will be supporting it in other ways - they've asked me to give a class on 'how to get your book published' as I am going through that process right now.  Probably will do that in the spring. I dropped my return books on the counter and set out into the room to find 'new books' about plants.  I was able to find 10 books that I had not read before.  Waving goodbye, I walk back to my truck excited about my 'new reads' and of course my 'new seeds'.  The old girl starts right up, and we head home.  I should stop calling my truck 'the old girl' - I'm in that category also - and wouldn't appreciate that name.  I'll think of some other name for her.  The ride home went very quickly.  It was one of those rides that you remember leaving and then all of a sudden you are at your destination.  Thoughts about my precious seeds flooded my thoughts apparently.  I did get home safely.  We rarely meet many other cars on any of the roads we travel to town.  

Pulling into our yard, I can't wait to get into the cabin and open my much-anticipated box of seed.  I have so many pots of dirt waiting for these precious seeds placed everywhere around our cabin. By every window, under every skylight.  We also did venture into our upstairs area and found some amazing grow lights - apparently plants were grown up here that are now legal in MI - but were not when this operation was happening.   Until we can build a greenhouse, our log cabin will have to do to get all of these plants started.  I'm thinking that possibly the existing mobile home on the property could be renovated into a greenhouse - we'll see, it's already here and has water and electric.

This is the mobile home that I think would make an excellent greenhouse - it is right next to the log cabin (the ugly yellow siding before we stripped and resided in wood) lots of acres in front of it for our vegetable garden.

Next spring, we will finish fencing, rototilling and planting this area for our cut flower garden - about an acre of land - near the cabin - some shade, some sun...perfect....