Getting the yard ready for the winter!
It’s been awhile since I have written my blog. There have been various reasons, but nothing that I feel or need to get into right now. So without further adieu, let me get started.
I worked hard this weekend preparing the yard and deck for the coming winter. I forgot how much yard bric-a-brac that I had accumulated this year. My main goal was to get all of the shells, candles, flags, and lawn ornaments put away. My shell collection from childhood is pretty extensive. Most of it is tucked away in the attic, but I keep the large conchs and whelks out on the deck to remind me of my love for the sea and beach. Each one of these is carefully wrapped up at the end of the fall so that I may bring them out and enjoy them again the coming spring. I noticed this year they are really bleaching white from the years in the sun. Candles and lanterns were next. Carefully wrapping everything in newspaper or bubble wrap, I filled about 4 milk crates with all of my yard and deck "stuff."
The lawn hoses were drained and put away. All seat cushions and pillows were aired out, cleaned, and stowed in the garage. I took down the swing on the deck, as well as the umbrella and chairs. While taking the umbrella down, I was showered with what seemed like 100’s of stink bugs hiding in the folds and creases. Thankfully, they are slow and didn’t spray me. I still kind of freaked out (shudder). Dead marigolds were ripped up and tossed into the humus pile. The ornamental grass and dead herbs were cut back. I even got a chance to teeter on a ladder 10 feet up and cover the air conditioner!
One of the activities which brings me the most joy and relaxation is taking care of my feathered friends. I love watching the birds in my yard. The end of fall is about getting the feeders ready for the winter feeding season. I cleaned out each of my three seed feeders and filled them up. My two suet feeders were next. They are filled to capacity with suet cakes. Someone once told me you could make your own suet cakes. I will have to try it out at some point. The birdhouses were also repaired if they needed it, with wood shavings put in each to act as a shelter in inclement winter weather. I created a pile of loose branches right in the woods off the property line to act as shelter as well. Lastly, I have a squirrel feeder in the back which the guest bedroom overlooks. The cats just love watching the squirrels. Each feeder is also placed by windows so that Max and Moxie can spy on the birds. My cats sit on the large window sills and chatter away dreaming of a songbird or squirrel snack.
I think I am in pretty good shape. I will have to continue raking probably until the first snowfall. That’s the breaks when you live on the edge of the woods. Leaves from trees 50 feet in always settle in my yard! It’s not that big of a deal I guess. Yard work these days tends to relax me. I also figure with each leaf pile I rake up, that’s another helping of Thanksgiving dinner that I can treat myself to!
I worked hard this weekend preparing the yard and deck for the coming winter. I forgot how much yard bric-a-brac that I had accumulated this year. My main goal was to get all of the shells, candles, flags, and lawn ornaments put away. My shell collection from childhood is pretty extensive. Most of it is tucked away in the attic, but I keep the large conchs and whelks out on the deck to remind me of my love for the sea and beach. Each one of these is carefully wrapped up at the end of the fall so that I may bring them out and enjoy them again the coming spring. I noticed this year they are really bleaching white from the years in the sun. Candles and lanterns were next. Carefully wrapping everything in newspaper or bubble wrap, I filled about 4 milk crates with all of my yard and deck "stuff."
The lawn hoses were drained and put away. All seat cushions and pillows were aired out, cleaned, and stowed in the garage. I took down the swing on the deck, as well as the umbrella and chairs. While taking the umbrella down, I was showered with what seemed like 100’s of stink bugs hiding in the folds and creases. Thankfully, they are slow and didn’t spray me. I still kind of freaked out (shudder). Dead marigolds were ripped up and tossed into the humus pile. The ornamental grass and dead herbs were cut back. I even got a chance to teeter on a ladder 10 feet up and cover the air conditioner!
One of the activities which brings me the most joy and relaxation is taking care of my feathered friends. I love watching the birds in my yard. The end of fall is about getting the feeders ready for the winter feeding season. I cleaned out each of my three seed feeders and filled them up. My two suet feeders were next. They are filled to capacity with suet cakes. Someone once told me you could make your own suet cakes. I will have to try it out at some point. The birdhouses were also repaired if they needed it, with wood shavings put in each to act as a shelter in inclement winter weather. I created a pile of loose branches right in the woods off the property line to act as shelter as well. Lastly, I have a squirrel feeder in the back which the guest bedroom overlooks. The cats just love watching the squirrels. Each feeder is also placed by windows so that Max and Moxie can spy on the birds. My cats sit on the large window sills and chatter away dreaming of a songbird or squirrel snack.
I think I am in pretty good shape. I will have to continue raking probably until the first snowfall. That’s the breaks when you live on the edge of the woods. Leaves from trees 50 feet in always settle in my yard! It’s not that big of a deal I guess. Yard work these days tends to relax me. I also figure with each leaf pile I rake up, that’s another helping of Thanksgiving dinner that I can treat myself to!
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