flowers

My Hollyhocks have started to bloom.  What a contrast in colors.

In the spirit of Georgia O'Keefe.

Not quite as dark with the sun shining.

The coreopsis are blooming nicely and shown along with my blue bird and solar ball.

These are going to be cosmos.  We got a free package in the mail for some reason and this will be the perfect spot.  In the background along the garage.  They should be tall and bright and reseed. 

Close up of one of the solar balls.  I really, really like these. 

Coreopsis up close and personal.

Now this is my wintered over geranium that has sprouted and nice fat bud.  I kept the little darling in the garage and when spring came about it started sprouting the leaves.  The other little sprouts are nasturtiums.  I had a package of them and just put them here and there.  There are so many pluses for nasturtiums.  They sprout easily and fast.  They have beautiful colors and are edible. 

This is a pot of pansies that are wearing down.  I have put more seeds in it and when it gets cool I will bet they will sprout up.  As you can see more nasturtiums. 

This solar ball is so pretty, especially at night.  The colors are pretty and subtle.

A beautiful red geranium pot with marigolds and snapdragons.  A knockout rose in the background-they smell so, so good!  The windchime was a gift for a house move in.  I just really enjoy the sound of it.  I have it sheltered because we get so much wind out here.  The soothing sound of it makes it seem as if everything is ok. 

This pot was empty so I put some extra seeds in it.  I know there are sweet peas (that is why I have a stick)  There are also zinnias and I can't remember what else.  It will be a surprise all over again.

Hope there are lots of nice surprises in your garden. 

Blacksmithing

On Friday and Saturday of this last weekend we were up in Scotts Michigan which is between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.  There is a place called Tillers International that teaches sustainable farming to other countries like Africa for instance. They also offer many different classes and Kevin has taken Blacksmithing I and II now.  They are good people there and of course very down to earth, he enjoys it very much and learns a lot.  He made three items this time.  The one pictured is a trivet and he also learned how to rivet the pieces together.   

Very good for his first time. 
He also made some blacksmithing tongs to hold hot items and also riveting tools.   

Plow horses in the background, baby oxen to the left.  I saw someone working with them with a harness.  There are many goats, different kinds of chickens.  They had baby turkeys that they were raising for thanksgiving.  Many heads of cattle, all grass fed.  It is a neat place. 

The Blacksmith Shop

We drove into Portage Michigan to find a bite to eat and the country road was just so pretty. 

This is just on the outskirts of Portage, it is empty and someone was mowing the lawn.  I bet it has an interesting story. 

On Saturday Tom and I went over to Jackson Michigan.  This is the site of the First State Prison in Michigan.  We were going to take a tour but the tour people were not here.  I loved this dogwood and had a good picture of Tom in front of it.

An Armory had also been located there also but art shops and instruction was in it now.  That I am saving for another post. 

There are now apartments in this part of the prison and that would have been interesting to see. 

The back side of the apartments.

One of the prison walls made of old stone.  The yard once had many manufacturing buildings which have been torn down. 

Guard towers and iron doors

It just felt like a lot of sadness in this area. 

These walls were built in the 1840's and they have seen a lot. 

It was nice of you to check in.  Thanks!