What we've been up to

I processed some of my photos tonight and wanted to show you what Scott and I have been doing.

This is Bear Brook State Park, where we went in October. It's so beautiful there.


On the anniversary of our wedding, we went to the apple orchard in Canterbury, and saw these little chickens in the road~
At the orchard...

I saw this tree at Bear Brook and thought it was so stunning and comforting.
This is Sarge, my friend from Concord. We visited his sister's grave.

And you know this guy.
Here are a few great shots by Scott that you may have missed:

The spotted newt, New Hampshire's state amphibian~







Which was your favorite?

~Ally

The one I didn't submit to the lilac photo contest

But I do still love this one. Such papery, feather fineness. So much lavender love.

~Ally

Our Little Darlings (framed with flowers)

These are the two special kitties who found us last September when we needed them most. They were living in the woods, and appeared to be starving. Here, the day we got them, they are quickly settling in to the luxe life. Judy is in front, O'Reilly curled up behind.
O'Reilly on the left, the son of Judy on the right - they enjoy this two meals a day thing.
We loved watching their ears bob up and down as they wolfed down their kibbles. At the time, Tip was with us, and he loved eating cat food. Reilly in turn liked eating the dog's kibble.
Here O'Reilly has relaxed nicely into his new life. This picture was taken later in the fall.
And just a few days ago, I came home to one of my favorite sights - my kitties asleep together (which doesn't always happen), one showing his length as he likes to stretch out, and mama showing her curled in a ball, roly poly look. She's no starving kitty any more!
We love them so. Hours of entertainment.

~Ally

Finally, my garden begins

Tonight, at long last, I planted my gardens. Well, some of them. Here is a very promising flower garden. (And behind it, a small sunflower plant from Ben and Jerry's!)

In my flower garden, I hope, you will begin to see these: Strawflowers, Marigolds, and Zinnias.
In pots, I planted Hens and Chicks (I loooooove them) and Lemon Symphony.
Scott and O'Reilly look on.
We got a beautiful hanging basket from a WONDERFUL greenhouse in nearby Penacook, Murray Farms. And that beautiful blue macrame (yes, macrame!) plant hanger is from my favorite, Concord's Osbornes Agway.
I am also working on a forest project in the shady section of the patio. A few ferns - uprooted from the forest at Riley's Trails, and maybe some kind of fir tree. Hmm, we'll see if they survive. I hope so! I put some moss on the topsoil to make them feel at home, and I am keeping them moist.
This little darling was one of my pre-vacation purchases, and I can't for the life of me remember what it is. So I didn't plant it in the flower or the herb garden* tonight. Whatever blooms it had before we went to AL/TN have fallen off, and your guess is as good as mine. 
These were the mini yellow daffodils. I took Mom's expert advice and waited all the way until their strands were dried out, then cut them back, and now wait for next Spring. I hope the bulbs revive themselves. They were delightful in their prime.
Next up, a pot of green beans and another pot of lettuce. A pot, you say? Yes, a pot. This is my first garden and I don't want to overdo it. Mom says it is perfectly respectable to grow one head of lettuce in a pot. A ha ha. Well, we'll see who's laughing when Ally's enjoying her homegrown salad. All one of them. Hmpfh. :)
Soon to come, with help from my new friend Sarge, I will be digging a small flower bed by the patio post, to host Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) and Mexican Sunflowers, in honor of Lauren and Co. A few sprightly little marigolds will hold the spot while we wait for these beauties to come up. Stay tuned!
*Photos of the herb garden I planted tonight will follow. Ooh, it smells so good!

~Ally

Things I love about summer

Anniversary Findings

Scott took me around to local garden shops, greenhouses and farm stands for our anniversary a couple weeks ago. I picked out flowers, pumpkins, fall decorations, and orchard apples. A lovely day, just us.A picture I took for Marie. I know you love garden friends.
Fall maples.
Hydrangea in beautiful wedding colors.

Happy Fifth.
~Ally

Update on the plants

New Hampshire has been either sweltering hot or raining continually. Both of which seem to be helping the plants.Now who knew they had such funny faces?
Dahlia. Oh, dahlia.
My old gentleman, who is always happiest outside, in the summer months. He puts up with fall, winter and spring, just so he can relish summer.
Cannot get that marigold plant to bloom again. There are several buds, and I have tried the "haircut" approach, but no luck. She's getting quite wooly.
Basil a plenty. And begonias.
Happy little orangeness.

Under the largest plant I have ever had - thank you Robin - is the pond I made for toad. I thought, "Why not a terrarium for the little guy?" He has never yet languished there, despite the welcoming bridge Scott suggested... I fully expect to one day come out and find him sunning himself among the rocks and cool water.
Our patio, with two beauties from Robin's porch. And my trusty beach chair. Without frequent trips to the beach, drinking buddies, and smokefests, it doesn't see much action these days. But maybe it will be a good reading spot in September, when I come back to life.
It is so good for my soul to be surrounded by happy living things.
~Ally