Autumn Chores

Preparing for Cooler Weather

 Tools for the job

We have had a bit of cool weather lately.

Seems like our Summer will be shorter this year. So, when it warmed up a little last Sunday afternoon, we decided to get to work.

 First Rinse for the Corolla

If your going to do it, do it right. We start with a good rinse, then we soap up the vehicles, and scrub where necessary.

 Final rinse for the Tacoma

Once the bugs and road guck are scrubbed off. We give them a final rinse then towel them dry by hand to prevent water spots. 

 Wax on

My Sweet Husband starts putting wax on the Corolla while I finish

wiping down the Tacoma. By the time I am done, the wax on the first side has set. I go behind him with a piece of cheese cloth and start buffing. 

 Waxing the Tacoma

Once he gets the wax on the Tacoma, he will go behind me and rebuff the Corolla with a clean cloth. The Tacoma is bigger, so it takes longer. My Sweet Husband has to do the top of the shell. I am too short to reach, even standing on the tires. 

 Shiny!

Look at the reflection.

 Ready for winter

I know there are easier ways to do the job.

Easier is not always better. The Tacoma is ten years old and the Corolla is twelve. Wish it was that easy to hide my age.

 Not everything is ready!

Cooler temperatures sent us out to take stock of the firewood situation. Uh-oh, we have some work to do.

 Ready to cut

We start by dragging some well seasoned logs up closer to the house for cutting. 

 Work in progress

Took a little break to go get more wood, and have a little snack.

The wood is a mixture of Pine, Oak and Elm.

 The wood pile grows

You can't really see it from the two pictures, my camera does a great job with light, but it was getting darker by this point. We had to stack the wood by flashlight. 

 Much better

I went out this morning to take a picture of the finished pile.

 Leaves beginning to change 

The big elm out back is starting to change color. Seems early this year but I don't mind. Something about autumn renews my spirit.

 Dogwood leaves

The dogwood is beautiful right now, lovely red berries and some red leaves.

 Dandelion

Summer isn't quite gone yet.

 After all the hard work

Our reward.

I am a very spoiled girl, and yes, 

we do know how to live the good life. 

Cheers,

Kat

Holy macro, someone has been playing with the camera again.

Caterpillar.

I was out playing with the camera again. I am constantly amazed at the picture quality.

These were all taken with my Fuji Fine pix. 

This camera is the size of a deck of playing cards. 

Dandelion.

I love the light on this. Do you see the tiny curled bits? 

Immature berries.

Promise of treats to come. 

 Honeysuckle blossoms.

These are making my whole yard smell good right now.

Iris Bud. 

Iris Blossom.

Do you see what I mean.

Who would have thought such a tiny camera could do such things?

Cheers,

Kat

Misty April morning and rare visitors.

It is a misty moisty April morning here in the Carolinas.

My woods are a magical combination of mist and sunshine.

I threw on some clothes, grabbed the camera and headed outside before I even got my first cup of tea.

Old Barn in the mist.

As you can see, the photos are rushing outside for. 

Atmospheric.

Old Barn and Elm.

I love living here! 

Southern Spring in the woods, view from my front porch. 

Spiderwebs and dandelion fluff. 

Misty forest at the edge of the yard. 

Ground Spider Web.  

 Freesias in the early morning.

And now, our rare visitors.

This little guy is about three quarters of an inch (about 1.9cm) long.

He is a Red - Eyed Cicada.

According to an article in our local paper, they spend most of their lives underground and only emerge to shed their skins and reproduce every 13 years. They are harmless and they sing. 

We do have cicadas every summer, but they are a different variety (not as pretty) and there are not as many of them. The article quotes the Forest service as saying the cicadas will not harm the trees. 

Yes, I know it is a bug, but isn't it pretty?

It looks as if it is made from silver, gold and coral.  

I am not sure if this one is a stage, or a mutation. It is the only white one that I saw.  

This photo shows another cicada and several empty exoskeletons on a little cedar tree.  

Cicada close-up on cedar branch.

So delicate. 

Cicada exoskeleton close-up.

What do you think? Pretty or "icky"?

I say pretty, Spontaneous just wants to know if she can catch one.

Cheers folks,

Happy Easter!

Kat

Redecorating for Spring.

Thanks to Karen at Graphics fairy for the bees in my new heading, as well as the background I have been using for a while. You can find links to both and a zillion other things on her blog.

Spring is coming. It peaks forward, then retreats. The sun was bright yesterday and today the rain is falling.

We have what will probably be the last fire of the season going in the fireplace and my Sweet Husband brought fresh flowers in from the yard for me this morning.

This is the original photo for the center of the banner. I wanted to show the dreary winter progressing slowly to spring. The azaleas are not out yet, this photo is from last year.

The elm looks amazing right now. I won't be so tickled when all that pollen starts falling, but for now, I am just enjoying the beauty. I do like pink. (Doesn't my back yard look nice right now?)

Southern Sunrise. Now isn't that worth getting up for?

Spring in one of it's finest forms. So pretty, so cheerful, and they are free!

The Camellia did not bloom at Christmas this year. The storm we had was too much for them.

They are making up for it now, the bushes are all covered.

A little peaceful contemplation.

We are not alone.

Spontaneous, that silly beast, is already hiding from the summer (She is a very well insulated cat).

Well that should do it for now. Let me know what you think of the new banner.

As usual, I need to be doing my homework.

Have a great week.

Kat



Just Dandy

My yard is wet, wet, wet. Everywhere you go it is sqishy. We went out to the barn to bring back some more wood for the fire.

I spotted this lovely.

I know, it is technically a weed.

It was just what I needed.

Thought I would share.
Have you had any moments of joy today?

Kat