Snow at the end of the year.

Went skiing today. Lots of new snow. Cold, but fun. Probably did about 10 runs in 2 hours.

Yesterday I tried the snowblower and got frustrated, but today when my husband ran it, the thing worked like a charm. Hmmm.

Hawk on Seasons Road

This Hawk just kept staring at me. I had to pull over and stare back. He moved 3 times. I tried to get a photo at his first spot where he was almost eye to eye... but I wasn't quick enough. This must be his territory. Or maybe there was a mouse underfoot that I scared away.

It's time for me to relax after launching a set of new business marketing programs.

The trees are gorgeous this time of year and we got a chance to see the carp fish and the ducks walking on them this past weekend. Unforgettable!!

The garden is winding down for the year and I'm already dreaming of what the spring will bring. This year the black eyed susans were especially strong. I also liked what the Yucca plants were doing in the garage garden, although in all 5 or 6 places I have them, no blooms yet! Maybe they are a female/male kind of plant and I only have one gender!

The holly bushes are doing GREAT! So I know I don't have that problem with them.

Autumn Colors in Hudson Ohio

Yesterday wasn't the most beautiful day from a sky standpoint, but the rich colors of the trees are almost at peak.

Ravenna and Stone Roads.

Same spot, a year ago:

Mary's water lily blooms!

I love this water lily -- it's the first bloom for this plant and it's just so beautiful it looks like a fake -- but it isn't!! Mary gave me this little lily for the pond in early June and it has really thrived in the water. I don't know if it is the gold fish or the locust tree leaves or what, but the water lily's leaves got nice and huge and now it's blossoming.

We only get 3 days out of the other lily's blossom, so I feel lucky to have caught this one on film. (on digital 0's and X's ??)

Anyway.

The weather has really shifted here in northeast Ohio. Yesterday was extremely windy and with the exception of my white and pink hibiscus in the side yard, most of my flowers have faded and need to be dead headed.

Early September in the Garden

Star Gazers in Bloom!

I just love the fragrance of these stargazers!

Water Lilly Blooms only 3 Days!

I missed the first one... now there is another one and it's on the second day and I am missing it. Maybe I can catch a glimpse tomorrow of it!!

A Surprise in Streetsboro on Saturday

Some things turn out better than you think that they are going to... and that's what happened to me on Saturday.

I had to take the car to get an oil change. Instead of sitting in the dealership lobby for an hour, it was such a beautiful day, I decided instead to take a walk.Here's a few photos from my adventure.
Surprise! It's a 1.2 mile hiking trail around 2 little lakes with all kinds of turtles, chipmucks, rabbits, swans and beavers.

There's an industrial park right behind the dealership and as I walked along I remembered that little parking lot with a picnic table.


What I didn't realize was the beauty I would encounter hiding behind the industrial park buildings!

What a wonderful treat for the soul.


What a great treat and surprise for myself. Here I thought I was going to spend Saturday morning doing boring errands like an oil change... instead I was treated to a wonderful walk in the woods with wildlife!

Happy Birthday Ben! Your Poppies are OPEN!

Don't you just find Poppies so CHEERFUL! Thanks Linda for sending the seeds. These are especially fun for me because they always open on Ben's Birthday. Just a few hours late this year. Oh well, I still luv 'em!

Here's how they looked at the beginning of last month!

In other news, I just finished posting a new page on my company website called brand strategy.

Perennial Gardens All Set for June!

Frost in Late May :-( Note to Self: Cover Tomatos Until June

Frost hit the Tomato plants hard this morning. The temperature got to 30 degrees last night. We covered with newspaper and soaked down everything good. This morning at 5:30 I resoaked the entire garden. The frost was all over the place already.

The peppers are a maybe.. everything else will survive. Beans and squash are popping out of the ground today.

The dark is a little frost damage on the potatoes.
Next year the clear plastic hoop will move to cover the tomatoes until June.

First Day of the Water Lilies

Baby Calf, Just Born, Tries to Stand on its Wobbly Legs!

Our dog Lucky was barking at something across the street. When I looked out the window and saw a car had pulled over to look at the cows, I saw a brand new calf! The people in the car said a calf was just born.

Slowly I walked up to the fence and sure enough this was a brand new calf. Click the arrow on the picture above to watch a one minute video of it trying to stand for the very first time!!

This was one of the first times that I've noticed a cow have her calf right next to the fence!

Lucky under the Apple Blossoms

More Blossoms in Early May

Apple Blossoms and Hostas

Just the beginning of all the Beauty.

Why I Love Living Here in the Spring

New baby cows across the street. They're so sweet and innocent!

Front Steps in Bloom

Linda's Poppies -- Best Year Yet!

I think the poppies that Linda sent me are going to have their best year ever. Especially when you consider that they don't bloom until around Ben's bday, six weeks from now!

Sun & Warmth: Daffodils before work and then again at Lunch Time

Thursday morning, April 2nd before work.

Thursday around 2 pm after a morning of sun!

Welcome Spring! (I think??)

QT and the Squirrel in the Bird Feeder

This little guy jumps from the chimney onto the bird feeder to get the good seed. No fear! Even when I go right up the window and shoot with the flash!
Meanwhile QT the cat watches with mild interest, almost growing bored with the squirrel's antics.
Beatiful red cardinal at nature's beauty spot.

Nearing the Beginning of Spring

Today is a heavy frost, but I can tell by the way the birds are chirping, the squirrels scampering and the bunnies hopping around that it's going to warm up today. Already some flower stems are peaking thru the soil. I reviewed March to May last year and am so looking forward to spring!

Great Blue Herons Nesting at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

I'm so lucky to get to drive through a National Park a couple times a week. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is right on the edge of Akron, Cuyahoga Falls and just about 6 miles from the border of Hudson Ohio where I live.

This week is especially fun because the Great Blue Herons are very actively nesting. You know those giant birds. They look like a teradytal or dinosaur bird... huge wing span but very long legs.

The largest nesting area (in the world?!) is right on Bath Road in Akron at the 3rd most popular national park in the country. Majestic and bizarre, I learned these unusual birds mate, not for life, but for the season. So next spring they pick a new mate I guess!

March 1st Feels Like SPRING IS HERE!

I know, I know. I'm just excited. Today feels like spring is in the air. I'm going to go out and take off the last remanents of Christmas decorations and blown twigs, maybe even finish raking some of those leaves that didn't get picked up when we got the early snow. Soon I'll be able to start working in my gardens.

WHOOT!

Compare this to almost a year ago on the first day of spring when we still had some snow around.

Cold, Icy Winter