birds...

About this time of year, the bird feeders are usually full of water which makes them no good for bird or man. The seed gets slimy and compacted and with that comes mold and grossness. 

However, this year I bought two of the finch feeders that only have the side ports and the water doesn't fill the lower basin causing wreck, ruin, and other havoc. (i'm probably explaining this poorly, but don't worry - I understand it completely!) Also to help explain, just look at the pictures below and you'll see the new feeders. 

All of this is good news because now we get to watch the birds eat their breakfast while we eat ours and they get food and that makes for a win-win situation. 

Below are a few pictures from this weekend's breakfast.

Also, I am beginning the construction of our expanded garden for next year. I dug the area up and put plastic down on Sunday. Now when I get time I'll construct the raised beds out of the old split rails from the fence we just took out. Then we'll fill them with good dirt and spread gravel around the beds. I should have more time for this over the christmas weekend, but will be slowly working on it when I get time between now and then. I'll post pictures as I go. 

Holidays bring...

As you all probably know, though if you've been anywhere shopping lately you will have observed as well, it is the holiday season. Johnnys and Susans and Burts are crowding every store in search of the perfect gift for that special someone which shows just how much he or she really cares, but costs only $19.99 or less.
Also, the holiday season bring people. This year is especially special for me because my mom and step dad are flying in from Minnesota. Yes, that marvelous, magical master gardener of a mother is coming. I've been telling the plants that it's time to shape up. It's time for all good plants to come to the aid of the party. "Cast off your gloom!" I say "I don't care if you've been freezing your tootsies off. Shine and shape like you've never done before." I am not sure how your motivational speeches go around your garden, but mine went over like a lead balloon. They cheered and what not, but no action. So now its up to me. I spent most of the weekend pruning, weeding, putting in a couple steps, planning (only 20 more days), and the like. Some seem to be getting into the holiday spirit, but like someone once said, "Where there is a whip, there's a way."
All that is left is lots, but in case I don't get around to all if it, I have a back up plan. If you read much in the gardening sector - blogs, magazines, books, etc - you start to pick up a few good one liners. I'll start off with a "We are letting that area grow a lot of the native plants. Really trying to bring out the true Washington unspoiled soul come forth." After that, I'll just stand in front of an area that isn't quite up to par and point out something in the middle distance. As a last resort, I will stand about 10 feet away and say, "This area you have to stand back a little to take in the whole landscape. It ruins the affect if you get up and close to each (here if I was truthful I'd say mostly dead, or sad looking) plant."
Between hard work and shaded true (or white lies) we shall be able to pull off a holiday spectacular!

I used flagstones to make a less muddy path for our neighbors to walk through

From inside the fence

Front wall

At least someone in trying to make things pretty