Apple Pie

I decided to take a page from my daughter's blog Greens and Jeans and post pictures of the apple pies I made.

Two of them I took to a dinner gathering of some people from church. They were a hit. One gentleman even asked that I make them for the church auction in the spring. The third pie is for dinner this afternoon.

What's with these deer?

Yesterday was "put away the garden for the winter day" at our house. For me that meant taking down the variety of angels and chicken wire fencing and other garden art. In doing so I noticed the plants that the deer have been nibbling on, many of which are on their "don't eat" list: columbine, iris, and garlic! I couldn't believe that they nipped off the slender shoots of the garlic cloves I planted last month. Garlic is included in the liquid fence and deer out sprays I've used. I know it was the deer and not the ground hog because their hoof prints were all through the bed.

Birds Return

This morning at breakfast I noticed the juncos or snowbirds have returned. They've found my birdfeeders and are busy eating all the sunflower scraps dropped on the ground. Later in the winter they will master flying to the feeders and eating there, too.

The red bellied woodpecker has also reappeared. Haven't seen it all summer.

Other birds stopping by are the chickadees and titmice (which think they own the feeders), nuthatches, goldfinches (now greenish) and mourning doves.

Surprise in the Backyard

Several weeks ago I mentioned to Dan that since we had taken down the one dead pine tree, he may want to consider taking down the other one. He said he would if he had to gas up his chain saw for any reason. Well, the wind took care of the tree for us.

I arrived home today and was looking at the pond to see how full all the rain had filled it. Glancing beyond the pond I realized that the landscape had changed. The tree had fallen.
With the ground saturated and the tree being dead, I imagine a strong gust took it down. The two birdhouses that had hung from the tree were easily within reach and saved. I'll have to find new spots to hang those next spring.