Before and After Garden

Hello Ladies...I have a before and after to show you. Last February, a big storm blew down a HUGE pine tree in our front yard. The tree barely missed the house and fell directly on top of my garden. Since none of the plants were up yet, I didn't lose any. But man oh man was it a big mess to clean up. This picture was taken while it was still raining.

You can see how it fell between the house and another group of trees. 

This is the side of the house and under the tree is my white gargen.

We had a very close call and I am thankful we were safe and didn't suffer any damage except a little bent gutter on the porch.

The top of the tree extended about 25 feet beyond this picture. It was massive.

And here is the yard and garden now. It sure has changed!

I think I like the after much better.

You can see the huge metamorphosis my garden and yard went through this year.

And since I am so proud of my birds, I wanted to share some of my regulars with you. The pics are taken through the window so some of them are a little blurry but look at the sweet male and female goldfinch.

This is one of my sweet baby wrens that was born on my porch this spring.

I'm new at birding (my new hobby started by the wrens) but I think this is a female cardinal. Let me know if I am wrong.

A sweet little chickadee. These little ones come all day long. They splash around in the water and bathe while I drool.

My guess is the male cardinal.

Another one of my sweet wrens. I fell in love with the wrens. You can read all about them here.

I haven't identified this little lady yet. Anybody know? Maybe a female baby cardinal?

Another shot of daddy cardinal.

They flock to the feeders all day long. If I have identified any of the birds wrong let me know. I have really been enjoying watching them come and go.

Another goldfinch. Vibrant lemon yellow sweetness.

If you didn't read my post last weekend, I am spending a lot of time job hunting as I lost my job a few weeks ago. If anyone knows of any online opportunities such as a virtual assistant, PLEASE let me know. I can do any type of office work. I am not at a panic state yet but I am a single Mother and my children, dogs, birds and flowers depend on me!

I hope you enjoyed the yard before and after and meeting my birds.

KK

I'm linking up to these fun parties.

June Garden

Hi Ladies...I've been missing in action for a few weeks. Cameras and mop buckets full of water and pine-sol don't mix well...I borrowed my daughters camera for a while so I could snap some pics in the gardens. 

In addition to my camera loss, I lost my job. Unfortunately, I'm now unemployed and trying not to panic so I can focus on finding work.

But for now, I want to share what is going on in the yard around here. I am so grateful for the beauty that I see every day.

First up is beautiful tall garden phlox.

The russian sage is soooo pretty.You can see the knockouts in the back.

The blanket flower adds a beautiful color contrast.

The fern like foilage of the sage is framing the bright blanket flowers.

The shasta daisies are open for business. The gaura is holding up the back end.

I love my daisies :-)

I like taking pictures from below the blooms.

Some more phlox with budding mums and hostas.

This picture shows the russian sage a little better.

The new red growth on the knockout leaves is so pretty.

A paprika yarrow bloom.

This yarrow bloom is open. I just love the tiny little flowerettes.

The yarrow looks like it is reaching for the sky. The ferny foilage is beautiful and is semi-evergreen.

This yarrow will bloom through fall.

The knockouts, blanket flowers and the sage look so nice together. I hope you enjoy the pics as much as I do.

Hostas, liriope, periwinkle and sedum are in the white garden on the bank.

White and green goodness.

A pretty geranium that I brought in last fall for the winter.

The tropical hibiscus has one bloom open and many more to come.

Pink mums are looking good. I love taking pics of the unopened buds.

My daughter gave me this lovely star jasmine last year for my birthday. It is one of my many "grandflowers."

One of my hydrangeas in the shade garden is blooming. There are two more that haven't started to bloom yet.

I'm trying to learn how to take pics of roses.

The coneflowers are standing at attention. They are another one of my "grandflowers."

Well thats it for the garden tour today. Hope you are still here after all those pics :-)

If anyone has any leads for any type of online work that I could do from home please let me know. I have a BS in computer info systems and business. I am a single mom and have one girl in college, one in high school and my three doggies that depend on me. It has been two weeks since losing my job and I don't know what the future holds for us. It is scary. We live in a rural area of NC and all of our textiles and furniture plants have left. I am hoping my unemployment checks come SOON. Then I will be able to breathe a little better and put my energy to finding work instead of worrying.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.
KK

I'm linking up this week with these fun parties.