Since purchasing our place in the mountains there have been many times I've felt like a little girl again, as time and time again I am filled with such wonder and excitement over the views, creeks, waterfalls, and nature surrounding us in our neck of the NC Smokey Mountains.

On this special day, we saw the likes of which we've never seen!

Birds Gone Bald

Spring and songbirds go hand in hand.  Choosing a mate, gathering nesting materials and laying eggs, they are all a pleasure to see and hear, and Cardinals are especially beautiful.

I believe it was last fall when I first saw one.  A bird that looked like a scary, prehistoric creature, sitting on my bird feeder.

It Finally Arrived!

Yes, we got some S-N-O-W!

Thankfully, just enough to be pretty and it should be gone within a couple of days.

Even our kitty Coco found a cozy place to enjoy watching those fully white flakes fall by perching just in front of the kitchen window.

 

Because They are Beautiful...

Because they are beautiful

and

make

my

heart

sing.

I'll Be Missing Summer...

I love autumn.

But I have to confess, I'll be missing summer.

I'll miss the long warm days of sunshine.
The garden bursting with beautiful blooms,
butterflies,
bees,
and
I'll especially miss the hummingbirds.

Oh My Goodness ~ The Bully!

There are many flowers that hummingbirds are attracted to planted in our garden and in urns on the deck.  We also have two hummingbird feeders; one just outside each window in the keeping room.

I was sitting in the keeping room one morning,
relaxing and watching the hummingbirds fly in for a drink.

They would dart in, take a quick drink and then quickly dart away.

I began to wonder why so quick, wishing they would perch a little longer to enjoy the fresh sugar water I had just placed out for them.

Then I noticed some weren't drinking at all, they were being chased away as soon as they approached the feeders.  Oh my goodness, as I continued to watch I discovered that we have a bully!

New Curtains in the Keeping Room

Fretting.

Over thinking big decisions, do you do that?

Window treatments are a big decision, to me anyway; like choosing what type of curtains I should use in the keeping room.

Buffalo checks often came to mind, but with red wing back chairs and a colorful hooked rug already in the room, I didn't think more pattern or color were needed.  So I made a list to help me pull in the reins.

There were a number of things to consider:

1) farmhouse style

2) light weight fabric

3) not too much color, if any

4) not too much pattern, if any

5) minimal hardware

6) open and close easily

7) diffuse bright sunlight 

8) maintain the views

Item 8 was the biggest factor for me and the one I fretted over the most.

Then finally, it came to me; the perfect fabric, style, and they wouldn't cost me a dime!

Through the Kitchen Window

We are definitely in the dog days of summer!

If you've been hanging around here for any length of time you know I love nature.

During this hot and busy summer,

one of the joys while cooking and doing the dishes

are the views through the kitchen window.

I've shared some of them with you; beautiful songbirds and snakes ~ A Special Place 

and the hummingbirds are such fun to watch ~ Hummingbirds in Flight.

Many amazing sights, some happen too quickly to capture, but sometimes I get lucky...

Fun and Beautiful in the North Carolina Mountains

During our 11 day vacation in the North Carolina Mountains 

we

were

amused

watching the antics at The Chicken Coop 

and

in

awe

as we took time to Appreciate Nature's Beauty.

We also took Ellie-Mae canoeing down the New River with us, for the second time, which was so much fun.  I think this will be a new tradition for us any time we head for the hills!

The llama were super cute; water dripping from his chin!

The Chicken Coop ~ Hens or Roosters?

We love summertime in the North Carolina Mountains!

With cooler temperatures, no humidity, scenic views, hiking, shopping, entertainment, and great restaurants...what's not to love?

We packed up the camper, our home away from home, and headed out for an 11 day vacation.

I really thought it might be too long of a trip, but we had a grand time and I wasn't ready to leave!

I took so many pictures while there and hope you enjoy these scenes from the chicken coop!

Nature Elements on the Porch

The porch is the first greeting guests receive when they visit.

Our southern traditional style is simple.

There are rocking chairs,

urns filled with plants for the season

and often there is a flag blowing in the breeze.

I hope folks feel welcome at first step on our porch.  

The Keeping Room Window ~ Hummingbirds in Flight

Through the farmhouse kitchen and keeping room windows are wonderful views of nature.

It dawned on me when sharing about all the activity taking place at the front window in Through the Kitchen Window ~ A Special Place, that I haven't shared about the activity seen through the other windows in the keeping room.

To the left of the fireplace is a glass paned door and to the right is a window, both overlooking the deck with lots happening just outside.

Through the Kitchen Window ~ A Special Place

It's often the littlest of things that bring us joy.
That special something that brightens our day, adds excitement, lifts the soul and makes us happy.

The word joy means:
A feeling of great happiness.
A source or cause of great happiness: something or someone that gives joy to someone.
Success in doing, finding, or getting something.

My old kitchen was tiny.
There were no windows and I stared at a wall while washing the dishes.
Since remodeling, it is pure joy taking in the views and having the sun stream in through the new kitchen window.

Even on a cloudy day it's bright in the kitchen.

Sometimes You Need a Little "Me" Time

Just after placing the Boston fern on a hook and giving it a spray of water, I headed back in the house.

Once in the kitchen I looked out the window and noticed a house finch landing on the fern.  She began bathing in the droplets of water; it was the sweetest thing to watch!

After her bath, she nestled herself into the fern as if to take a nap, so I headed for my camera.

A little bath.  Settling in for a nap.  So sweet.

Once back with my camera I took a few pictures of the sleeping finch, which seemed to be all alone.

When Nature Needs a Helping Hand

Every year we hope for a brood or two of bluebirds.

We have two houses for them, but each year other birds take up residence in at least one of them.  

I shared in Spring in the Garden and Babies Too that this spring chickadees had claimed one of the houses, and yesterday I noticed there was a lot of activity going on.  Thinking the babies must be leaving the nest, I went to get my camera. 

After positioning myself close enough to get some shots with my zoom lens I snapped a few pictures

and when checking the exposure I noticed nature was needing a hand.  This chickadee was in distress.

Spring Garden and Babies Too!

This is such a beautiful time of year.

The sights, sounds and smells are wonderful.

It's the perfect time to take a stroll through the garden to see what's blooming.

I admire the flowers while Ellie-Mae hopes to see something she can chase.

She is posing for you,

that little white "dot" just in front of the porch.

Bluebirds in the House

Those of you that know me well know

I

LOVE

birds.

For some reason we don't have many bluebirds.

We see them everywhere,
down the road,

around the bend,

on the fence posts,

but rarely on our property.

Years ago I went to our local backyard bird store to inquire about how to attract them.

They were very helpful and I purchased what they suggested.

A bluebird house

on a pole

with a feeding tray just beneath the house

and a baffle on the pole to keep the house safe from predators.

Bluebirds use pine needles to build their nests, which is what we use in our flower beds, so there are plenty around for them to gather.  We also have several bird houses hanging from trees here and there for other birds to nest in.

Placing the bluebird house where they said, in the direction they said, and using the food they suggested, the first year we had one brood nest in the house and I was so excited!

It's Exciting

There are some things I'll never grow tired of.

Some are small

and some are very large,

but no matter their size it is always exciting to see the Barred Owls back at the porch.

There must be something special about this tree at the end of our porch

because they come very often to perch and spend the day...

Cuties and the Trespasser

Owls perching

and

Carolina Wren's nesting

we have had a lively front porch this Spring.

Here's one of the little wrens that flew from the porch nest,

I'm sure his momma thinks he's adorable!

We've had a lot of lady bugs hanging around the porch too...

And we had a trespasser!

This Eastern King Snake,

though he's harmless and actually keeps the rodents and other unwanted critters away...

he's not welcome!

Letting the pup out we found this at the bottom of our front porch stairs...

He didn't like us any more than we liked him, so he quickly scurried to hide in the pine needles, 

Just in case you're wondering, the snake didn't get the baby...whew!

Here's lookin' at you!

If you missed it, here's the Lively Front Porch!

Join us each week for AMAZE ME MONDAY...

Let's Stay Connected...

Sharing with: Inspire Me Tuesday, Tweak It Tuesday, WOW US WEDNESDAY,
Return To Loveliness, Show and Share, MET MONDAY

Intrigue & Wonder ~ You Just Never Know!

Surely you already know this about me,

but just in case I'll fill you in...

I do love the outdoors.

There are so many amazing things to see and right in my very own backyard!

Intrigue.

Wonder.

You just never know what you'll see while strolling through the garden.

Some sights are beautiful,

some catch you by surprise,

others a little creepy,

but they are all amazing!

Come on a little stroll with me so I can show you what I've seen lately...


Admiring the hosta I was taking a picture...

and just as the camera reached my eye,
up flies a visitor...

He quickly landed,

and then disappeared!

Can you see him gathering nectar, all neatly tucked inside...

One of the seasons most beautiful flowers,

the hydrangea are blooming...

This is one of  my favorites...

The Oakleaf Hydrangea with it's huge leaves and flowers...

Our little pond sits in the back corner of the courtyard.

It's so peaceful watching the goldfish swim around,

and listening to the soothing sound of running water from the fountain...

Notice the mossy hole just behind the fountain...

The pond frog lives there.

Meet Mr. Green Frog...

In the middle of the courtyard is a large maple tree,

and several bird feeders hang from it's branches.

The Chickadees swoop in to feed,

and sometimes they pause to take a seat...

There are Cardinals too,

lots of them...

Cardinal in flight...

This House Wren has a nest in one of the bird houses,

and she has caught some supper for her babies...

Notice that dark spot on the brick,

just beneath the screened porch door...

This little mass is called Stemonitis splendens,

otherwise known as chocolate tube slime.

It usually grows on decaying trees.  

Notice the tiny hairs, they release spores into the air when touched...

You can read more about it here.

So true isn't it?

You just never know what you may see in your very own back yard!

Just after a midday shower

the Lantana are covered in raindrops...

Some things catch you by surprise (like bees),

others are a little creepy (like frogs and spiders for supper),

but they are all amazing!

Seen anything interesting in your back yard lately?

Please join us each week for AMAZE ME MONDAY...




Let's Stay Connected...

Sharing with:  Wow Us Wednesday, Home and Garden Thursday, Met Monday