Wednesday, December 31

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!


NO, its not your eyes.
Just an attempt of capturing this really cool decorated tree. It is about 25 feet tall and each year it is donned with red lights. I just couldn't hold still long enough for the exposure and forgot to bring the tripod.
Here is to a great 2009!!!!

Mother Nature leaves her heart in plain sight.

Do you see it there on the dark side of the tree?
In Every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.
~John Muir


Tuesday, December 30

Ruby Tuesday

Japanese Barberry
Beautiful as it may be it is considered invasive.
Pros:
  • Beautiful berries and orange-purple foliage in the fall.
  • Folk medicine uses for its antibacterial properties & the treatment of intestinal symptoms.
  • Birds nest in the shrubs, protected by its thorny branches.
  • Hedges make natural fences.
  • Roots and stem make a deep yellow natural dye.
Cons:
  • Displacing native plant species.
  • This in turn reduces the variety of wildlife habitat and forage.
  • Extremely difficult to eradicate due to its long tap root.
Check the others at: workofthepoet.blogspot.com

Friday, December 26

Christmas Eve recounted.

"This bow is in the way, I need to get a good spot to view the package opening"
After a bit of fussing with the bow Jack found a good spot to watch everyone open gifts.
We have a gathering every year at our house with my in-laws and my mom and this year my brother came in from Utah for 2 weeks. We have appetizers and fondue (meat, cheese and chocolate). Then we open gifts and have cookies and coffee. Our kids (18 and 21) will not let us do anything other than the fondue on Christmas Eve. One of those traditions that I believe started with my husband's family and their aunt in the 1960's.

Tuesday, December 23

Winter in New England

Some folks love the snow and others don't like it at all.
It's lovely and fun but also means extra work to do.
Shoveling, plowing or snow blowing the driveway takes time or money.
Roads are often slippery and people worry about getting where they are going safely.
We received about 12 inches on Friday and another 12 on Sunday.
The temperature has been hanging right around 4 - 5 degrees and below zero at night.

Friday, December 19

Blue sky breaking through

Blue sky breaking through the clouds raised everyone's mood.
The power has now been restored. Yeah!
5 days in the dark was very depressing.
I am very thankful for the return to normal.
It has been a good reminder of just how fortunate we are.

See lots more at: http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Cedar Waxwings

Cedar waxwings are very social birds. They are non-territorial and will often groom each other. They travel in flocks of 40 or more birds. They often will appear in a spot with a good crop of berries. When they have eaten all the berries, they move on!

Information from: www.nhptv.org/Natureworks

Monday, December 15

ICE, ICE Baby!!!!


We are recovering from Friday's Ice Storm. The ice is terribly beautiful and mighty destructive. These ice covered trees and more farther up the hill hang over our 450 foot driveway. Luckily none of the white pines fell into the driveway, just in the woods. We have been without power since Saturday at 3am. We have a coal stove that heats the house and a brook to gather water for flushing. All the stores are currently sold out of batteries, candles and lamp oil.

Wednesday, December 10

Jewels



Look how nature decorated the river.
Prettiful jewels.
I am grateful that I had the opportunity to find them.

Sunday, December 7

Saturday, December 6

Taking notice of the little things.

On the surface things don't always seem to be as they really are.
When you take a moment and stop and look close
you might see what you've been missing.

Wednesday, December 3

Early December Snow


Early December Snow, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.

“Nature has no mercy at all.
Nature says, "I'm going to snow. If you have on a bikini and no snowshoes, that's tough. I am going to snow anyway."”
Maya Angelou quotes (American Poet, b.1928)

December Sunset


December Sunset, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.

Wednesday, November 26

New to the Flock


I brought home a red hen to keep Blackie-girl company. She seems to be settling in and finding her place.

Tuesday, November 25

Jacki-Boy enjoying the late afternoon sun.

Jacki is such a sweetie. He was sitting pretty in the afternoon sun and I thought...great picture. Of course, as soon as I got within range he fell over. Natural cat reaction I suppose.

Monday, November 24

Gratitude

O Lord, that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~ William Shakespeare

Thursday, November 20

All God's Children Need Travelin' Shoes.


Remembering Tom, a co-worker, who perished in an avalanche in Tuckerman's Ravine on Mount Washington, Thanksgiving 2002.

Mama always reminds me that we're only passin' through
The treasures of this world are not for us to hold on to
She says the way we're headed
Will take us where we're bound
And we can not lay are journey down

Chorus
Because all god's children need travelin' shoes
To walk the road that's narrow but it's true
We can't stop here we're just passin' through
That's why all god's children need travelin' shoes

My bags are pack and waiting and I'm headed for the door
The train Is at the station , got my ticket and I'll board
The brakeman swings his lantern
Lit with never ending love
And mama I can't thank you near enough

Chorus repeats twice

We can't stop here we're just passin' through
That's why all god's children need travelin' shoes

Song : Sawyer Brown.

Tuesday, November 18

Apple Tree in Snow Fall


Apple Tree in Snow Fall, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.

Yes....it was snowing on my drive to work today. I had noticed this apple tree still loaded with apples and knew that I'd have to take a picture. I thought the snow could tell the story of how cold it was this morning.

Monday, November 17

The Last Pansy


Pansy - Burgundy, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.

I had a surprise when I went out to the garden. One last pansy! It was sheltered by the quince shrub and though it couldn't stand-up tall it gave one last colorful flower.

Monday, November 10

White Oak Leaves come tumbling down.


White Oak leaf on Moss, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.

With a little rain and wind all the oak leaves are finally on the ground. I have raked twice already and now the lawn is no longer green but brown with a super thick covering of leaves. I hope to get lucky enough to have a great big wind gust come up and move them for me. Wishful thinking! I really do love to rake.

Saturday, November 8

Moss


Moss covered Oak Trunk, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.



Feather Moss up close, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.

Mosses have no roots, but instead have a rhizome. They do not need a substrate to grow, but absorb water and nutrients from the atmosphere. The rhizome tends to be fuzzy, this helps the moss absorb water and nutrients.

Moss relies on living in dense, compact mats to obtain enough water and nutrients. Within the moss mat, particles from the environment mix with water and create soil.

Moss is adapted to drought conditions. During the summer, its metabolism can slow down to almost zero.

Moss does not only grow on the North side of a tree. Moss will grow wherever there is an adequate amount of moisture and sunlight.

This information found at http://canopy.evergreen.edu/


Friday, November 7

Acorn in the Brook


Acorn in the Brook, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.

This little nut got stuck between a rock and a hard place. The water is moving fairly quick but the acorn is snugly stuck.

Saturday, November 1

Wild Strawberry with a Light Frost

Frost has come to our region. Most annual plants have been killed by it. And most mornings we are now scraping it from our windshields. The temps go down just below freezing at night and most days are 40 to 60 degrees. The leaves are still falling and there remains a lot of raking to be done.

Tuesday, October 28

Birch Bark


Birch Bark, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.

We can learn a lot from trees: they're always grounded but never stop reaching heavenward.
~Everett Mámor

Friday, October 24

Monarch on purple


Monarch on purple, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.

Beautiful and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable, butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life. And everyone deserves a little sunshine. ~Jeffrey Glassberg

Monday, October 20

Farm Field


Farm Field Foliage, originally uploaded by addvt2nh.

One of my favorite roads home through hills and valleys and past this lovely farm. None of the black Angus cows were near the road but the fall colors were there. I love this time of year. Brisk air and warm sun on your back, great for being outside.

Saturday, October 18

Harvest time at Spring Ledge

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Rural America. A handmade rustic wagon and an ancient tractor parked at the farm stand caught my eye.

Tuesday, October 14

Friday, October 10

Neighbor's Rose

Neighbor's RoseToday on my walk I noticed that our neighbor had some very lovely roses that where still blooming. It makes me smile when I see simple treasures like this.