Fun in the forest...

What another beautiful weekend we had in northern Minnesota. Sure has been a treat!

This weekend my nephew, Riley was over. So, we thought we would travel over to the White Earth State Forest. Not a far travel, by any means. I live only 2 miles max from my door step. Can't beat that.

White Earth State Forest is over 160,000 acres. Glaciers created the rolling hills, potholes and lakes. Much of the forest is maple, basswood, red oak, aspen, red and white pine and white spruce. So, you can just image how good it smelled going through the trails. I was surprised by the number of leaves that have started changing colors and or fallen to the ground.

Here are the guys taking a break, before we mozy on down the trail. Of course I'm not in the picture cause I'm taking it, but even my dog Dory came along to enjoy the awesome fall weather. She spends most of her time off scouting in the woods.

We had a great day and it even got better when I got home and learned the Vikings won their second game in a row. Way to go Vikes!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you had a great weekend.

Cleaning House...

How did I accumulate all this stuff? I need an interior intervention! The sad part is that this is only my stuff from the basement. Ugh! I will finish with my stuff and then tackle Mack’s. Of course, only if I’m still sane! LOL

It’s so easy to collect “stuff” and much harder to let it go. Despite my best intentions I seem to accumulate small piles until suddenly I have to stop everything to toss and straighten up. I wish I could make it easier on myself and discard as I go but despite my best intentions things seem to somehow accumulate.

After this house cleaning, I know that I will feel much better. I’m borrowing ideas from “Clean House” the Show. Bringing everything out and then going through all the stuff and then putting the stuff into three different piles marked: Keep, Garage Sale, and Garbage.

I just hope that my “Keep” pile is relatively small compared to the other two piles.

After having a not so fun summer, I decided to make some changes in my life. Yes, I have a long way to go, but you must start at the bottom and work your way to the top. Right?

So, my first change has been to view myself as a spiritual house that needs to be maintained and cleaned regularly. After a few dietary slips I eventually begin/an to pay a physical price, so I started working on this one awhile back, and it is working…slow but sure.

Second change, understanding that when I hold onto resentment, a hurt or a worry it takes a toll on my soul and mental health.

So, this is how I got where I am at today. We all need to keep a clean house, get rid of those cob webs and clear the air. Letting go makes room for new beginnings and frees whatever space we choose to inhabit.

What have I learned? Don’t wait too long between cleanings it’s much easier to do as you go along.

And finally…Find Something to Feel Good About Everyday!

How Does Your Garden Grow...

Great! I thought I would show you around my little place today. When I stroll around outside, these are just some of the views that I see. I just love this time of the year! Cooler temperatures, green grass, abundance of blooms, and lets not forget the smell of autumn in the air. Inhale that wonderful scent, it is like pure happiness in a single breath.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great weekend! Until next time.

Spider Webs

Early into September and you can already smell the scent of Autumn. Autumn is falling colored leaves. The smell of acidic oak leaves, and fresh cold morning airs. Autumn is also the time for cool damp mushroom growing, and for foggy mornings. Which brings us back to the main topic here-spiderwebs. The damp mornings fill the spiderwebs and spot the sluggish spiders with glistening dew drops.

Something about spiders and spider webs makes for a neat subject. Add a little morning mist or dew and they really light up. This image wasn't one that I had to travel real far to take, just went to the back yard.

Just when you thought it was safe to go outside...! You would be shocked if you thought the itsy-bitsy spider was confined to an occasional web in the field, but look what we find when the dew settles and the sun rises upon the scene. I swear there must have been at least a dozen of various shaped spiderwebs dotting the field! Who would ever have thunk that one?

Hopefully, you will get the chance to catch a glimpse of these amazing art pieces. A true masterpiece in the making. Enjoy and don't let the spiders freak you out. LOL

Everyone Needs a Home....

Awhile back at work, someone broke this bowl and I thought that it was pretty. However, I had no use for a broken bowl, or so I thought. One of my coworkers suggested that I take it home and put it in my garden and use it as a toad house. Well, that is interesting. As funny as it sounded, I liked her idea and off I went with the bowl. Several people asked me throughout the day about the bowl and each time I would tell them...well they would laugh at me.

So, I would like to show you my new neighbor. Yep, that is right toad houses really do work!

OK, so not everyone finds toads beautiful. However, a single toad can eat about 110 beetles, ants, June bugs, grasshoppers, moths and other bugs every day. That's right around 3,300 every month! Wow! Yummy!

I guess it only makes sense since toads are most active at night, so during the day they need a fairly dark, cool place to hide from the sun and predators. You will find me encouraging these bug-hungry hunters to have a nice long stay in my garden by providing this adorable affordable toad house.

I would like to suggest that you find an old bowl and place it in an area in your garden and before long you'll have a new neighbor, too.