bodner044

Do you ever have to look back through your pictures to remember what you did during the month?  That's how I am feeling about May.  On the 2nd, we flew back from #1 Daughter's college graduation in Ohio, and tomorrow will be June 1.  Must have gone through a time warp, is all I can say. So I'm grateful for my camera to jog my memory … ONE: LANDSCAPING In a previous post , I wrote about Forestoration, the company we hired to beautify the spaces disrupted by the construction process.  We have not been disappointed.  So far, they have completed the hardscape; planting comes next.  Take a look at these before and after shots. The greenery around this Douglas Fir is all native - 4 weeks from mud to miracles after the snow melted I know a thing or two about drainage, having helped my Dad install significant piping in our backyard.  So it's saying something when I tell you that I was impressed with the drainage installed by our crew, which now looks like a pi...

(Internet) If I told you that we just saw a pair of beaver 150 yards from our house, would you believe me?  How about a moose?  Maybe turkeys or deer would be more credible.  Well, folks, in the last week or so, it's been all that and more.  Read on! Since I am a moose nut, I will start there.  Spousal Unit was the first to spot the moose, the evening of Mother's Day!  Casually looking out the window.  "What's that?!" led to a scramble to the spotting scope.  And what should our wondering eyes behold but a cow moose grazing on the far side of the lake.  We took turns at the scope until she trotted into the woods and out of sight.  (I jokingly accused him of 'arranging' for her to be there for Mother's Day.) Let me remind you that we have been in Montana for just over a year (we arrived May 3, to be precise) and have seen only one other moose, a fleeting glimpse on the side of the road when my younger brother and his wife were visiting....

It is inevitable, when playing tour guide in a familiar place, that you will make repeat visits to certain attractions.  Raby Castle is a case in point.  With its proximity to my in-laws' house, the Castle was an obvious choice to share with my sister and her husband last June.  And so we went, even though Spousal Unit and I had been there the summer before.  But make no mistake, I had no regrets; the Castle has stunning gardens, sweeping panoramas and, of course, a tea shop, that would occupy us while our guests toured the Castle.  Follow me! My previous posts about this trip ( Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 ) ) have noted the uncharacteristically warm and sunny weather we'd been having.  Some evening rain put an end to that, and I rejoiced in capturing lingering raindrops on the flowers the next day.  What is it about brick walls and stone parapets that shape a garden so?  When I first imagined the landscape design for the '...