Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Walk About

I wanted to have a fresh post to blog about, but . . .
I haven't done or created anything new.
So, let's just do a photo "walk about", okay:)

First put on your garden shoes because I set
sprinklers and pull weeds, so you might get dirty. 

 This gate is at the side of the house.
We have a busy road out front and we 
need fences to protect our good buddy . . .

Butch.
He'll be walking with us:)

Do you like my boots?

Let's set a sprinkler in the backyard.

We live in a desert area so if we 
don't water we are not green.

On the other hand if we do water,
our hot summer sun is great for gardening.
That owl hasn't been doing a great job
of keeping the birds away . . .
so I hope that we can harvest our grapes this year.

Last year the birds waited until they were
 almost ripe for picking and then got them.
Do any of you have any suggestions?
 Let's set another sprinkler.
Our zucchini are starting to bloom.
We could be eating zucchini by the end of the week:) 
Flowers are starting to bloom:)

Robins watch the sprinklers waiting for worms to surface.
 Doves walk around looking for bugs.
We have a lot of quail, too, 
but not when I have the camera in my hand, LOL.
In the evening when I'm not in the garden,
I have been piecing a new quilt.
Here's the back with the paper still basted in.
I love doing paper piecing while watching TV.

I'll show you more of this as it progresses.

~~~~~*****~~~~~ 
Thanks for spending a regular day with me. . .
nothing exciting, but life is good. 

Sometimes the hum-drum everyday days,
are the best:)

Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

57 comments:

  1. must hunt out my English Paper Piecing as well, haven't done that in ages.

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    1. I really like it, because I can sit with my hubby in the evening while he is watching his "guy shows" and get something done that I want to do:)

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  2. What a lovely life Connie and I enjoyed walking through your gardens and no mud at all on my boots..your quilt is going to be a wow!!..and look forward to seeing it finished..maybe netting over your grapes will be necessary to keep the birds away...good luck with that..

    luv CHRISSYxx

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    1. I've thought about netting, but one of my neighbors tried it without must success. I guess the birds have figured out how to get through it. I know people refer to the word, "birdbrain" but actually they are pretty smart, LOL.

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  3. Love the boots, they look amazing. Simple but very effective. I love to do paper piecing quilting too I find it very therapeutic.

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    1. Hi, thanks for stopping by . . . I know something more now that we have in common. I like it because it is so portable, too.

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  4. Wonderful walk with you. Great pictures.

    I use rubber snakes. Bungee cords seem to work too. The tree is move them around...the birds know if they're not moved. Good luck.

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    1. Hi Gail, I have been moving rubber snakes around this year. I didn't have them last year. I hope that they will work in the grapes. I also bought a rubber owl with a moving head, but the bird don't seem to be afraid of him at all :)

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  5. I loved going for a walk around the estate!

    We live in a desert, but we don't have enough water to water the garden!

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    1. Hi Carol, we are new to country living and using a well for water, but from what our neighbors have told us, we have one of the best wells in the neighborhood. I have six or seven sprinklers going at a time, all day long and it seems to be just fine. If not for that, I wouldn't be able to grow a garden. I'm happy you liked your walk with me. I just didn't have anything new to blog about:)

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  6. I went on a Garden Walk last Saturday.....lovely, I had to pay though and bring 2 cans for the food shelter. Least with your garden walk....it's free. No suggestions for your grapes. A friend has a cherry tree and they covered it with netting to keep the birds away. I have a strawberry patch.....seems the same robin comes back every evening....oh well, the berries are small. I got what I wanted. Patch work quilt is lovely.
    Louise

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    1. Hi Louise, it is lovely to have you stop by. I have been putting rubber snakes in my grapes this year. The vines grow so fast that when I get ready to move them to a new spot, I actually have to hunt for them, LOL. I hope they work. I hate watering, pruning and watching them grow, just to have the birds steal them right out from under my nose.

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  7. Everything is looking so lush and green, Connie. I LOVE those boots! We used to have two of those owls down on our dock to keep the sea gulls away...well, we would look down and the seagulls would be sitting ON top of the owls. lol
    The rubber snakes would keep ME away! Hope you have a great night- xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, it's great to have you back in blog-land. I received your book, but I haven't started it yet. I am reading one and have another borrowed from a neighbor. I really don't like to borrow things for long, so his book is next on my list. If it were winter, I would have more time to read . . . I'm looking so forward to yours. Thanks so much for stopping by to say, "hi" . . . I always enjoy your company:)

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  8. I love a good old hum drum day! They are often the best days! Your yard and gardens are so beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk about. That quilt you are working on is so pretty and colorful! Such a happy quilt! I look forward to seeing the end result. Have a lovely afternoon.

    Hugs, Vicky

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    1. Hi Vicky, well, right back at you. I so enjoyed the photos of your creative space. You have it decorated and organized so beautifully. I could use your special touch around here:)

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  9. Hi Connie, I sure enjoyed that walk around your pretty yard! Your shoes look like mine...are they Skechers? Mine and my hubby's favorite brand for walking, especially when we go on day trips and do lots of walking around. I don't have any advice about the grapes as I've never grown them. Out of curiosity, I did a Google search..."how to keep birds away from grapes" and looks like there's quite a few web sites about this topic. You might want to give that Google search a try.

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    1. Hi Melanie, how sweet of you to Google it . . . I'll do that. I'm using rubber snakes right now and they seem to be working. I do have to keep moving them around, for having birdbrains . . . they are still pretty darn smart, LOL. Yes, they are Skechers, and soooooooooooooooo comfortable. I bought this pair a couple summers ago, because they were perfect for wearing on Gypsy Rose. They grip really good on the deck even when it gets wet.

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  10. Oh, your garden is a lovely and peaceful place to spend an afternoon in! Thank you so much for the invitation and the tour. I love the boots hanging on your fence. And Butch is absolutely adorable! I too have a dog, and my heart jumps a little looking into his sweet friendly eyes. Have a blessed day!

    ~ Maria ~

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    1. Butchy was my retirement present to myself. I had wanted a dog for a long time and when I retired I plenty of time to train a puppy. He is such good company and I can't believe how much I love him. Thanks for the visit and for your lovely words about my garden, I enjoy it . . . I even like to pull weed and hoe.

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  11. For being in a desert your beautiful yard looks really lush. I ♥ the morning glories growing up the fence.
    The quilt is going to be beautiful...can't wait to see it finished.
    Have a great week, Connie.

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    1. It takes a lot of watering to keep things green. Our temperatures are suppose to get up to 110 degrees this Sunday, so I won't be getting a break from watering for a while. I love being outside, so I don't mind walking around and moving sprinklers. This time of year I have fun watching how much things grow from day to day. We have already been eating peas from the garden and our zucchini are only a few days away :)

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  12. What a lovely garden! I showed Hubby the entrance to your garden. I've wanted to put a trellis just inside our garden gate but I like what you did. We may do something similar to enhance the entrance.

    As far as your grapes, you might want to try a couple of rubber snakes in and around the grape vines. We were going to do this in our cherry trees but thankfully the birds left them alone, then we picked the cherries before we ever got to town to get the snakes, haha!

    I haven't tried paper-piecing. In fact, I haven't been able to do any sewing at all. One day I hope to get my sewing space done. Right now we've got too many other rooms that need our attention. But, I'd love to see and hear more about the technique.

    Thanks for the tour!

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    1. I do have a couple rubber snakes in the vines, so I hope they work. The grapes are growing so fast, that I have to really hunt for the snakes, in order to move them around. Last year I didn't do anything and the birds flew down and ate them all. I'm delighted that you like my gate and that you showed it to your hubby. It was an easy project and I think as the morning glories grow up to the top, it is going to be so pretty. We bought our country home last summer and it took us all year working on indoor projects to make it home, so this is my summer to really concentrate on the outside and I'm loving it. I'm a home body, but in the spring and summer I'm outside most of my days.

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  13. Thanks for taking me through your garden. I really enjoyed that. Those boots are great. You have such a knack for decorating. Can you try netting the grapes to keep the birds away? My dad used to do that with some dwarf fruit trees he had

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    1. Hi Ann, I'm going to try snakes this year, but if that doesn't work I'll be trying netting next year. It just broke my heart, last year when the birds ate them all. I'm very happy that you like my garden, we don't have the humidity that you have, so a lot of time is spent moving sprinklers around the yard. Our yard takes up most of our acre . . . so it's a job, but I love any job that is outside:)

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  14. Connie, you sure do a good job keeping things green! As far as your fruit, how about covering the arbor with burlap once they start to ripen?

    Your quilt looks lovely!

    Thanks for the little tour! Have a nice evening!

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    1. Hi Kimberly, burlap might work, I have never thought of that. I'm trying rubber snakes, but I have seen some of the orchards use shiny foil ribbons, but I have never seen them for sale. That owl that I bought has just become a toy for the birds. He doesn't scar them at all. We did have a man working on our shop roof one day; he almost fell off the roof when he saw it, LOL.

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    2. Hey, Connie! I've heard that stringing up old cds or dvds works well, too. I guess it's the movement and flashing of light that spooks the birds. It's so random, unlike a stationary snake or owl. I'm sure they get daring when the smell of that ripening fruit gets to them! No owl or snake will stop them! lol I hope you are able to harvest the fruit this year before the birds get it, my dear! Let us know what works!

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  15. I enjoyed walking through your garden. You never mentioned the scarecrow girl though. Would love to know her name? hugs Mrs A.

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    1. I'm delighted that you like her. I did a post on her back on May 29th called Every Girl Needs A Make-Over Now and Then. She has gone through a few changes through the years. I made her when I had a backyard baby shower for my niece. If you have a suggestion for a name, I'm all ears. She has never had one and maybe it is time:)

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  16. No day is humdrum when you live in the country. Many times I don't have much to post about, but then I grab my camera and do a walkabout in the farm yard and voila! I have a blog post! Cover your grapes with cheese cloth? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Hi Teresa, thank you. Is that what you do with your grapes?
      Oh, I love seeing photos of your farm, it is amazing and so green.
      I really love your hanging baskets, I've given up on them here, it's just too dry.
      This country life is new to us, but each day we just count our blessing to be living here.
      It's a dream come true :)

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  17. I enjoyed your walk, you have a beautiful place.
    Netting is the only thing that might help.
    Somewhere in the back of my mind I remember someone saying old sheets instead of nets.
    But I can't recall who, and folks do say the snakes will work.
    Gonna' be a beauty of a quilt!

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    1. Hi Annie, thanks for all the good advice. I'm going to try snakes this year, but if that doesn't work I'll be trying netting or cheese cloth next year:)
      Thanks for your sweet and encouraging words about my quilt. I do love having a project near the TV in the evenings.

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  18. Connie...I loved walking around your yard with you. Butch is adorable!!
    ~Cindy

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    1. Thank you Cindy. Butch is so much company, he's my little helper in the garden. We both seem to like the outdoors better than the house this time of year:)

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  19. I know what you mean about hum-drum days!
    I have a bunch of those.
    Your garden is wonderful.
    Our zucchini came on like gang-busters...blooms everywhere and huge plants.
    I have one very tiny zucchini; and it doesn't look like it's going to make it.
    Not sure what the problem is...maybe the soil.

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    1. I noticed last year that some fruit would dry up before maturing, but there were so many that made it . . .I had to put a box out by the road with a free zucchini sign on it, LOL. It was fun watching people stop and fill up a bag . . . I got lots of waves and thank yous from passer-buyers :) Have you tried eating the blossoms? Last year I saw it on the Cooking Channel and had to try it. You take the blossom and fill it with a small piece of ham and a small piece of mozzarella, then twist the blossom closed. Dip it into a beer-batter and fry. They are amazing!

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  20. Thank you for the walk around! Grapes wow...How lucky, I have no idea how you keep the pesky birds away from them though. I always feel like I am right with you when you talk about your wonderful property. Butch is such a sweetheart, I remember when he got attacked, I think it was by a neighbor dog...Anyway so glad to see he is well. Thank you for your always kind comments, I wish we lived closer!

    Carol

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    1. Oh my goodness, I wish we did too . . . I just know we would hit it off and be the best of friends:) Thanks for sharing my hum-drum everyday day :)

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  21. Connie, I really enjoyed the walk about! Your boots are so fun. And that hexagon quilt is gorgeous! Lots of work, I know.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Hi Jann, thank you for stopping by to visit. I was at a nursery in Oregon a few months ago and saw a pair of boots planted like that. I knew that I had an old pair stored in the well house, so out they came :) I'm happy that you like them.

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  22. I loved the walk about. Love what you have done to your new home. When we get ours in a few years you have to come and help us out. HA! HA!

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  23. I enjoyed the walk so much! Your place is simply lovely and you have have some of my very favorite things. I love gates and fences. Butch is adorable and that is the prettiest scare crow girl ever. I want one just like her! Wish I understood the paper piecing when making a quilt. Can't wait to see more.

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    1. Hello & Welcome! I get so excited each time I see a new follower on my blog. I have been blogging for about three and a half years and I have met so many wonderful and talented blogging sisters. It is a treat making new friends and getting the chance to visit new places and discovery the world from the views of other creative women. I'm so happy that you like my blog. I will be visiting:)

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  24. Hi Connie, Thanks for the tour of your yard! I love the cowboy boots and I love your little buddy!! Gave me an idea to look at the thrift store for cowboy boots to hang! Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, I'm delighted that you like my boots and want to copy this idea. I think that old work boots would be cute, too. Have a happy weekend:)

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  25. Thanks for the walk-about :) the flower-stuffed boots are adorable, the grapes look delicious and the scarecrow looks pretty as can be! Happy summer.

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    1. Hello Rosemary, Thanks for popping in to say hello. I'm delighted that you enjoyed my hum-drum everyday day . . . it's want I do. Our weather has been in the three digits this week and getting hotter each day. Therefore; setting sprinklers is my main job. Hopefully it will cool back down soon. I love that you liked my boots :)

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  26. Connie I enjoyed the visit....and I LOVE your boots on the gate! blessings, marlene

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    1. Thank you . . . I saw a pair planted like that at a nursery in Oregon this Spring . . . Since I had an old pair in the well house, I copied their idea.
      I'm delighted that you like them:)

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  27. Love those boots on your gate. your garden is coming along nicely, we are just the opposite here this year, we have had so much rain I have only had to water the garden twice. Love your quilt I still want to make one of those hexagon quilts but haven't taken the jump yet.

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    1. Hi Connie, paper piecing hexies is so relaxing. it's my thing to do when my Steve is watching his man shows on TV. He likes those swamp people and deadliest catch kind of shows . . . if it weren't for working on my hexies, I would fall asleep. These shows are okay, but they seem to be the same show, time and time again to me . . . how many alligators and crabs can you catch and how many arguments can you have with your fishing partner?

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  28. What gorgeous photos Connie, I love those boots, girl you are so creative.

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    1. Hi Becky, I am delighted that you like them. They are fun having there hanging on the gate:)

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