Gardening Season Wrap-Up

In between the Autumn drizzle that we have been experiencing the past two days,

I took a couple walks out to the garden.

Gardening for this year is almost over.

The garden fence is almost covered now with vines and blossoms...

just the way I had hoped it would be.

Our tomatoes are almost finished.

The peppers are still producing and will keep giving until a hard frost

ends their lives.

The sweet potato vines have overflowed their box

and the soil has swelled from the mounds of (soon to be harvested) potatoes.

Chard and kale are abundant.

Carrots and parsnips remain in their earthy home,

awaiting frost to arrive and sweeten them.

For some reason the guineas are fascinated by the strawberry boxes.

And since these birds are such good insect hunters...

I say "be my guest!"

One of our bluebird boxes was bursting at the seams,

and inside we found this....

Have you ever seen a fancier nest?
What a soft and luxurious place for new babies to hatch!

It always amazes me how birds use whatever is available to make their nests...
mud, grass, twigs, feathers, horse hair...

As you see, I save these sorts of things.

I have a tree full of nests in my sewing room,

and the greenhouse is becoming a naturalist museum of sorts.

It just seems to be sad to discard these beautiful pieces of natural artwork.

I am thinking that someday they may fascinate the little ones who visit us.

No trip to the garden is complete without stopping to visit the pigs, 

and they are always happy to have company....

a chance for "belly rubbin'" (MaryAnn's favorite!)

Even Sadie visited with the girls (for the first time ever).

(A little "smooch" between sisters!)