Do You Mulch For Winter?

Years ago, when I was a bit more energetic and more anal about my yard, I would edge and mulch every fall and blow each leaf off of my gardens. Boy was I silly... Not only was I wasting time and money, I was getting rid of a very valuable natural resource. I just finished mowing my yard and although my new Cub Cadet doesn't mulch the leaves as nice as my antique John Deere, I choose to blow the leaves onto my flower beds. Not only does this save money on mulch, but it saves alot of time and effort and provides my perennials with natural acids.

The only drawback to doing this is that you must be an early gardener and get outside and remove the leaves off of the beds. If left for too long, they can kill your investment.

My Primitive Vintage Quilt Christmas Tree...

I made this gorgeous primitive Christmas tree out of a vintage quilt. I listed it on Sunday and it sold this morning, so I will be making more out of various quilt pieces that I have... I will be making some on a spindle as well as more like this. It was prettier in person, so I know my buyer will love it when she unwraps it.

It was a GORGEOUS weekend here on the mountain in Harpers Ferry. The leaves are changing more and more and with no humidity, the skies are so crystal clear and it is picture perfect weather in the low 70s. I have much yard work to do, but a little at a time...I'm sure many of us are trimming back our perennials, weeding, mulching and moving some things that have spread and blessed us with more plants. I did manage to paint my lower portion of our main hallway. I had painted it burgundy and repainted it a warm tan. Of course, it certainly brightened up the area and made a great improvement, until I decide to paint it dark again and I'll think that is simply wonderful, too :)

I hope you are enjoying this wonderful fall and taking some time to enjoy the leaves and views God blessed us with...

My Lonely Stella...

As the days begin to get shorter and the leaves start to fall, there are a few perennials that burst open in bloom, their "second breath" of summer before fall settles in... Stella D'Oros are one of my favorites and they give me a second breath at the close of every summer. If you haven't purchased any Stellas for your gardens yet, please do yourself a favor and do it! These give so much pleasure with very little maintenance. Enjoy... before too long, I'll be posting pics of ice on the brances of our trees :)

My First Peony Bloom!

May always brings the beginnings of my peonies opening up... such gorgeous perennials and I love the variety that I have in our yard. They are over 20 years old and still give us such pleasure. We picked up the Jimmy today. The radiator had a crack in it, so it was repaired and now we can drive it again. The air conditioner compressor is broken in it and it costs 1300.00 to repair, so looks like we'll be rolling the windows down this summer ~ LOL! Quiet day here. We got alot of rain and I was able to find the time to tie the tomato plants up before the rain beat them down more. Gas is 3.89 per gallon here, which is tolerable, but we are anticipating the increase as everyone else throughout the states. Looks like we'll be shopping for a hybrid when the car dies. They get twice the gas mileage that our old vehicles that we have do... imagine the savings on the cost of gasoline alone... I hope "young David" wins American Idol. He sings so effortlessly. Getting off the computer to craft a bit before hitting the hay... I hope you had a wonderful day!!