OhWhatAWednesday – Contorted Filbert

I’d like to introduce you to Curly. Curly is a contorted filbert, also known as Harry Lauder’s Walking stick, also known as corkscrew hazel, also known as Corylus avellana. How appropriate to put this shrub in this weekly series on winter interest. Curly has been in our yard for about 10 years now, and is . . . → Read More: OhWhatAWednesday – Contorted Filbert

OhWhatAWednesday – Gimme Shelter

Could this be the only kind of bird in my Chicagoland garden this winter?

Throughout the year, our yard is usually a haven for birds. I know they need food, shelter, and water if they are going to grace my yard. What they seem to need this year, is…..

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OhWhatAWednesday – Birdbath heater for Christmas

Are you looking for one last really really good Christmas gift for the gardener in your life? Here it is – a birdbath heater. Ok, so maybe its one last really really good gift for the birds in your yard. Either way, the gardener, non-gardener, and the birds will enjoy this one for years to . . . → Read More: OhWhatAWednesday – Birdbath heater for Christmas

Butterflies In November, Really!

I get to post this picture on a gardening website, in the Bird, Bugs, and flutterbies section no less. All because Allie is wearing a butterfly sweatshirt and jumping on the bed with the butterfly pillow. And because I wanted to! She really liked the pillow, so if you happen to have a 1 1/2 . . . → Read More: Butterflies In November, Really!

Birds and Butterflies

I couldn’t help but post some of the beautiful shots that Lucille sent. I don’t know where they came from. I do agree you that you should be sure to see the last one.

And a Smile from God. You just have to love God’s sense of humor….

. . . → Read More: Birds and Butterflies

Pumpkin-a-day #5 – My Not-So-Easy Carved Pumpkin

Here is one of my pumpkins from last year. True to form, I picked a not-so-easy one. Also true to form, it was garden related with butterflies and flowers. I spent an afternoon making my 2 pumpkins, and enjoyed that. I used a regular paring knife, and just didn’t carve all the way through.

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How we attract hummingbirds

We are really enjoying the hummingbirds this year. The hummingbird feeder is right outside the window, and they don’t seem to mind us being around. How do we get hummingbirds to come to our yard?

We’re thinking it’s the red visuals – two huge planters full of million bells on one side of the . . . → Read More: How we attract hummingbirds