Sunflowers Make Me Happy...

I think Sunflowers are a very happy flower and they totally make me smile. 
This little photo is actually cut off the postcard flyer sent out by our local Farmers Market.  I just couldn't resist saving this for future crafting. 
I would love to have them growing in my yard however I don't have enough sunshine for them.  All those lovely tall pine, cedar and oak trees block all sunlight that these gorgeous flowers require. 
Do you prefer the yellow versions or the orange versions or the deep red/maroon sunflowers? 
September surrenders to the coming of Autumn and the leaves are falling.  I have been picking up the very large oak leaves already.  We also have huge Crimson King Maple trees and those leaves are falling too. 
The weather is turning cooler at nights.  Thunderheads form over the mountains but we have had zero rain all summer.  I would welcome a refreshing rainstorm...hold the lightening please as it is so dangerous for creating fires and we are much to dry and wooded for any of those. 
The deer are getting bolder as they need to forage for food.  We have a mother and her twin fawns who have been coming everyday to feed and the littles actually swim in our pond.  I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.  Yesterday I had to shoo off the father and son who were dining on my poor mock oranges that they strip bare every year.  I do enjoy seeing the deer however they are so voracious and their saliva actually kills many of our plants we have worked so hard to grow.  It is a constant struggle for me...the deer were here first yet our home has been here for at least the 14 years we have lived here.  We have now had many generations of deer who just love our landscaping.  Hmmm...
Maybe I should try growing sunflowers after all and get more birds attracted than deer.  Do you think that would work? 
Happy Sunflower week to all...lots of smiles and happiness...

Pause To Enjoy...

In this very busy time of year when the days are lighter longer and the temperatures are perfect for outdoor chores and fun events I make certain that I pause to enjoy the wonders of nature.
This photo includes a beautiful Japanese Maple (red colors) and some struggling Mock Oranges with double flowering blossoms.

The deer eat both of these to the point of devastation. This year I have blossoms only because these branches grew very tall and the deer don't seem to be able to reach them or the blossoms and greenery would be completely eaten to the bare branches and so not attractive.

So everyday I take a stroll around my property and enjoy each and every wondrous leaf, blossom and furl of a new fern.

May you have a week of enjoyment, creativity and time to pause to enjoy it all...

Weekend work...

After an entire day of working in the yard this weekend we see very little improvement if you look at the overall areas that need attention. If you look at each small area and see the end result of our back-breaking work then there is a slight air of contentment. We live with such harsh winter environments, critters and especially deer, loads of oak, cedar and pine trees with their unique issues and various other elements that is it a huge job just to keep up with any kind of yard work or plant tending or preening in the landscape. Mr. Hubby and I bought this house with nothing more than construction ground surrounding it and spent the first year putting in the retaining walls and hardscape. We definitely supported the local economy with this massive undertaking. Then the second year we landscaped the entire 360 degrees around the house. When I say we I do mean hubby and I doing all the work with merely a helper now and then. Of course in hindsight we over-landscaped and now are letting areas go back natural as the deer and elements destroy our plants. We have lost more plants through the past few years than most people ever plant in their lifetimes. Flowers are the rarest item in our landscaping due to the voracious deer, chipmonks, moles and whatever else decide to eat or just pull up out of the ground, taste it and then spit it out in shreds. I of course wanted roses and we planted dozens of roses only to find out that those are the preferred caviar to deer. Needless to say we have very few rose plants left and the moment they bud the deer eat them until the plant eventually dies.

All in all I am thankful for the beautiful plants and surrounding beauty I get to enjoy each and everyday. With age and time we replant less and less since we are the groundskeepers and have plenty to take care of now.

I am looking into the bare rock wall at the top of the driveway to see if it has enough sun to plant some wonderful and happy sunflowers. Every year I just want sunflowers but so far have not found an area with enough sun. Hmmm...

I did have lots of daffodils this year and the deer do not eat them!!!

I have saved the pond to show and discuss in the future. It is my favorite item.

I wish everyone a wonderful week ahead and lots of creative time to enjoy your specialties.