Beautiful Day!

What a beautiful day in the "Hollow!" It is warm, sunny and almost feels like spring. I wish it were spring and the cold, wet, snowy, winter was behind us. The hill in my photo looks beautiful now but in winter all the snow that falls there ends up in my driveway. Not so beautiful. Because of the great day, I am putting up all of my outdoor Christmas decorations. It is so nice to put them up in a t-shirt instead of slogging through several feet of snow, trying to use a ladder, then ending up in the urgent care. (not that that has happened) The lights will not be turned on until Thanksgiving night. (except for a brief test lighting)

That being said, I mentioned in my last post that my phlox were still blooming. Here is a photo to prove it. Not a lot of blossoms but for November 8th it is almost miraculous! I will miss my flowers.


A few days ago, I got in a friendly, fun filled, discussion with a friend about who's hamlet is recognized by the state. I think I won as we have a sign and she does not. In my friends defense, her little hamlet is on the old maps. (as is mine) Here is a photo of my sign. I did not put it up, the state did. So I reason that if the state put up the sign, my little bend in the road is official. Hers is not! What say you?



On that note I see it is time to get a start on supper. Because of the beautiful weather we will cook outside and eat by a lovely fire in our fire bowl. If we are lucky our neighbors will join us. Till next time.

More snow!

We are having another fun filled day here in the "Hollow." They tell us that the snow will stop and then we should have a nice weekend. I love nice weekends. Our Halloween was uneventful. We travel to our sons house to see the littles in their costumes. They are so cute! Speaking of littles in costume, check out my sweet grand niece. I personally think she is the cutest!

My gardens are all put to bed with the exception of my phlox. I think I have backward flocks as they are still blooming! Really! Hot pink mixed with snow and dead leaves. I've said it before and still say it. The "Hollow' has it's own micro climate. Not a good thing in the winter as the snow loves to collect in my driveway. We also get snow when no one else is getting it. Whats with that? Enough of snow! I hate the stuff. Come on retirement and a warmer climate! Till next time.

Snow!

October 16th and we had snow! YUCH!!! Of course it didn't stay but the fact that we had it at all I find rather disgusting. As you could guess my garden has become a sea of stems and leaves with a few interspersed flowers that don't seem to want to let go. I think it is time to replant my three amaryllis bulbs and see what happens. Some years I get beautiful blossoms and others nothing. HMMMM. Speaking of blossoms, my Christmas catus is loaded with buds. I have never had so many. Must be it likes being thrown outside for the summer and ignored. I'll take a pic when the buds open.


The "Hollow" has a new member. His name is Tama and he is a beautiful burmese mountain dog. He visits with his mom quite regularly. He even has his own baby here. Right now he is only 15 pounds but he is expected to get up to 115 or so. What a sweet and beautiful animal he is.


My cats aren't even too afraid of him. That is unless he gets them to run. He loves that. I should say he has three cats at home so he is not mean towards them. He just wants to play.
I'm keeping this post short as there are a couple of hundred things I need to get done in the next hour so, so until next time.

I'm Back!

It has been some time. I was reeling from my moms death and buried myself for a while. It is getting better but I will always miss her. Forge Hollow has passed from summer onto fall. Fall has been as rainy as summer was. I long for sun. Lots of it. My garden was and still is quite lovely. There is a dahlia that is almost as big as a dinner plate and it's color is a dark red. Wonderful! The phlox are blooming again as are the fever few and shasta daises. In my new garden the mums and lavender are blooming and the smell and color is great. As for Lucy, she has gone to her original home. She liked to spend too much time in the road so for her sake she went back. I still miss her but it is best for her. The pond is on hold until summer. Then I will welcome wild geese and ducks. That way I hope I won't get to attached.
We had a bit of fun here in the "Hollow" last night. A hot air balloon came down across the road from my house. It was beautiful. I think I would like to take a ride.


As this summer has been a trial, I have spent a lot of time in the mountains. I have a very good friend who owns several cottages and he asked me to camp sit for him. Of course I said yes and headed north. I got to live on a beautiful lake and listen to the loons and get paid for it! A tough job but some one has to do it. I found it very restful. The view I had while there was great!


He asked me if I would be willing to watch the cottages next summer a few times. My reply? Does a bear ---- in the woods! Of course I will. I am not nuts! I took a quick trip up yesterday and the colors were spectacular. There is nothing more beautiful than upstate New York in the fall. The weather may stink but it is beautiful. That's it for now. Till next time.

HOME!!!

Lucy is home! Where she has been for the last 14 days is any ones guess. She isn't telling. Suffice to say, we are happy to see her. I can't believe I missed her goosage!



The garden is growing like a weed. Come to think of it so are the weeds. I really need to give it some major attention. The lavender is a deep purple with a scent that can only come from fresh lavender and the lily I took a pic of is a deep wonderful red. I did manage to mulch half of the garden and place stepping stones. Now on to the rest of it. As soon as it stops raining that is. Sunshine please!

The fever few in this pic is from my mom. She had three different varieties. So far I have two growing and flourishing. They are a beautiful plant that is great for cutting. What a pleasure it is to pick bouquets from my own garden. I see that the time is flying by so it is time to sign off. Till next time.

Gone

I have been up in the mountains for a few days and today my husband called and told me Lucy is missing. He has walked the creek and searched for her to no avail. I am hopeful that she just moved on as there is no evidence to the contrary. She will be missed.Till next time.

Fun In The Water

I walked down to the creek to see what Lucy was doing as she hadn't been up all afternoon. I had enough forethought to take my camera with me. She was swimming up a ways then floating down talking all the while. She is my only contact with domestic geese so I don't know if they all talk like she does but she is a motor mouth! If she doesn't like something she grumbles, if she is happy she chatters, if she wants something she looks at me a tells me. It really is amusing.


Lucy was having a wonderful time going up and floating down. Just like a kid she ignored me and continued on. I did enjoy watching her. You could see that she was really enjoying herself.


I snapped a few pics and left her to her floating and jabbering. About an hour later she came up demanding food. Which of course she received, in quantity. She loves to eat! But then so do I. For the next few days I will be in the mountains so maybe I'll post a time or two from there. Please don't worry about Lucy as my husband will be seeing to her wants and needs. When he isn't available there is a very good friend who will be seeing to her. Enjoy the sun. Till next time.