Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Rainy Day Photography

The Rain
by Robert Louis Stevenson

The rain is raining all around,
it falls on field and tree.
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea.


Even though I did not want to get up early and go out in the rain, I had to take my dog Ben to the groomer so up and out I went. I decided to look for a little
'rainy day photography'



This display of ornamental grass, black eyed Susan's and pink cone flowers looked stunning in the pouring rain.


I made a stop at Legion Park where the Canada Geese were frolicking in the newly made pond. Usually this is just grass, but when we have a lot of rain it turns into a place for fowl to swim.

Canada Geese live around ponds, river and lake shores. They've become quite a common sight in city parks -- some cities are having trouble with overpopulation of the geese and, for this reason, are trying to discourage people from feeding them in the overpopulated areas.

They are famous for their life-long mating, though a widowed goose will usually choose another mate.
When I got home one of my blue jays was having breakfast. He sure was wet and scruffy looking.



Speaking of Breakfast, the white gazebo was full of finches. The rain didn't keep them away.


All the four o'clocks had their lovely heads bowed waiting for afternoon and sunshine.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

A Playhouse for the 'little girl' in all of us!

One of my Most enjoyed obsessions!
When my granddaughter Alison was born I decided to have the Playhouse I always wanted growing up and have it in living color.



It is a dream come true for any little girl or boy. Has it's own bed if one decided to sleep there.

A newly built in kitchen for all pretend cooking and preparing. Everything from the sink, to the stove to the fridge.


The cutest little stove that Ali's Daddy made with real burners, knobs and even a digital clock.



Aunt Holly donated the mirrors. Check out the sign about Hearts and Boos Boos. double click for a larger look.



Grandma made the curtains and table cover and Ali's Daddy replaced the shed windows with double hung kitchen windows.


Ali LOVES to pretend cook and do dishes and have people over to serve her home made delicious foods.



I see we are getting company on this rainy Sunday afternoon. A tall boy walking under the trellis on the brick sidewalk to the playhouse.

It's my oldest grandson, Jordan, stopping by to visit.


It was a fun day living the little girl's dream of a playhouse.
Stop by again for another adventure.

Monday, August 20, 2007

On a rainy day listen to the sounds of 'sunshine' and buzzing of a bee!

Lifting your spirits with Flowers..

A Dark and Dreary day but my Rose of Sharon drenched in rain is just as beautiful as on a sunny day.





The obedient plant looks stately tall and beautiful in the morning sun.
One of most favorite flowers is the Four O'clock. I lost the seeds to my
antique ones and bought a couple packs of new ones. They are very different.

I didn't have white ones.

or Red ones for that matter.
the yellow ones looked very much the same.
But what I love about the four o'clocks is the scent they give off when they open after 4 o'clock in the afternoon. (Hence the name) These new flowers do not open until almost dusk making them very different from the antique seeds I had before. If I could just 'bottle' this scent that I love so much. If you see a four o'clock as it opens, sink your nose into the trumpet shaped flower for a delightful fragrance.



The hibiscus is a hybrid for our zone that they can survive the winters. A tiny bug finds it way across the petals of the flower.



Another favorite is the 'tropical' hibiscus. These plants have to be brought in when the temperatures drop below 50. I have wintered this one for 5 years in my basement with grow lights.

Hopefully the flowers have brightened up your dreary day here in PA where the rains just keep coming down.

My new 'hummer' feeder

Found this adorable feeder at Tractor Supply and couldn't resist bringin' it home.
The Hummingbirds took right to it.


There was a time I didn't get more than one or two hummingbirds in a season. This year was a good year for me. I had two and then they brought their young and altogether there were 5.

I'm guessing this is a 'young' one by the way her feathers look. She's keeping an eye on that bee on the feeder.

The male is always very wary. Always flying in and out.

Females seem to be more trusting.

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