A Gardener

People often ask me how I became interested in gardening.  I would have to say that my Dad influenced me to become curious about nature and the outdoors.  When walking with him through the woods on his farm, or in a backyard garden he took pride in knowing what each tree was named as well as the birds who visited every summer.  He always had his binoculars handy to investigate deer, hawks  or other animals that stopped by his yard.  

Thanks Dad, I miss you, but think of you when ever I step outside in my garden.

My garden is now in full bloom

A hummingbird visits the Orange Jubilee

Splish Splash -  White Crowned Sparrow

Hungarian Poppy

Desert Bird of Paradise Tree

Lemon Queen Sunflowers

Hollyhocks

Hollyhock Babies

Yesterday, I snapped some pictures in the garden, and last night made Hollyhock babies with a sweet 5 year old girl who loves to pretend.  It was nice to smile and look at life through the eyes of a young child.  

Winter in Arizona - a few of my favorite things...

Lettuce fresh from the garden

Butterflies basking in the sun

Lavender in bloom

Pretty Cactus

Towhees scratching around in the leaves

Walks in the Arboretum

Spring flowers in bloom

Mt Atlas Tree showing off her berries

Full Moon rising over the lake

Fall

Time to do some baking!

Who doesn't love cut out cookies?

Decorated and ready to go to the park

A Plate full of Pumpkins

We were invited to a lovely family picnic last month.  Friends who we have known for many years got together at a local park. The weather has cooled down here in Arizona and it was a beautiful day to be out. Equally important is that fall is when I start baking again!  I am not a fan of turning on the oven in the summer, but as soon as the weather cools down, the baking begins.   As luck would have it, I won a give-away from a talented, stylish and sweet blogger, who I have been following for years at Elderberry Street.  I received a box of goodies from her just in time for the picnic that included adorable leaf cookie cutters and flavored sugars. Perfect combination for getting creative.

Ohio will always be home

Sweet Deer in my sister's yard

Dahlia at the Toledo Botanical Garden

Interurban Bridge at Farnsworth Metropark

Maumee River

Peachy Sunset

Marblehead Lighthouse on Lake Erie

Shimmery Morning on Lake Erie

Cabbage White

Eagle in Flight

Sweet Sounds

Chickweed Moth

Lakehouse

Busy Bee

Ready to pick!

Wild Turkeys

Sandhill Cranes at Kensington Park

Friendly Chickadee

Our September trip was incredible. There were visits with  family and friends, bonfires, football games, favorite restaurants, lakes, rivers, cool temperatures, and gorgeous wildlife!  See you all again next summer!