Late last summer I dug up the rooted stem of the little hydrangea (below) and planted it by the front steps. I had been waiting all summer for it to develop a good root system.
The main shrub – (photo at bottom)- had some low branches that were touching the ground and one of the branches had rooted itself in the middle of the stem.
Come to find out, this is a great way to propagate – or start new- plants.
Baby Hydrangea ShrubThe "Parent" Hydrangea Shrub
I noticed this year that there is already another new little shrub growing that will need to be dug up and planted some place else.
I love where I live in New Hampshire. I have always been a “country girl” and if I can’t live in the mountains, then I’ll settle for living in the hills.
Morning in the Hills
This is one of my favorite views when I take my walks. I captured this photo in the early morning light. It always makes me think of Psalm 121 verse 1: I lift my eyes up to the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
Early Spring
On the left, in the picture above, you’ll see the tree I call the “slingshot tree”. And in the grassy area straight ahead used to stand the little red “house” in the photo below.
One day I noticed it was gone. I have no idea what it was. Maybe just a shed. The land seems to belong to the old man who lives across the street from the field.
A couple weeks ago I was walking my neighbor’s dog and happened to glance into the woods and saw what looked like a hole. I went in to investigate and found stone walls in the ground. It looks to me like an old cellar hole.
What is This?
I have no idea what this is, but looks like maybe a structure of some kind was once here and this is what’s left of the basement. Of course the locals would most likely be able to tell me about the place, but I don’t know too many people here so I’ll just guess for now.
I went back with my camera and got a few photos of the area. I noticed all these smaller rocks together in one area down the road from the cellar hole. Strange pile of rocks
New Hampshire is known as the “Granite State” and there is no shortage of rocks here, but all these smaller ones together in a pile is odd. Rusted Thing
I found this rusted thing … yes, that is my scientific name for it… in the cellar hole. Forever Leaning Thanks to the Ice Storm
As I walked home on the 4-wheeler path, I took some pictures of the trees that still show signs of damage from our December 2008 ice storm.
These small trees faired pretty well considering the huge ones that toppled over or broke from the weight of the ice. It’s really amazing how powerful some freezing rain can be.
This morning I saw the first hummingbird of the season at my feeder.
My sister, in Mass., has had one for a week or so, but my feeder has remained empty. I always try to remember to put out the feeder around the first of May in case they are in the area.
Time to feed the hummingbirds
I prefer to have plants in the garden and yard that will attract them, and for many years I never used a hummingbird feeder, but I no longer have my beautiful gardens full of red monarda (which they love) and other flowers to feed them, so I have to have a feeder.
Here’s the mixture I use if you are wondering. 1/2 cup sugar to 2 cups water.
I put 1/2 cup of sugar into one cup of water and heat it in the microwave until it dissolves.
Then I pour it into my blue (16 oz. plus) plastic container with a lid and add another cup of cold water.
I only pour a little at a time into the feeder and change it every other day. The remainder is stored in the refrigerator.
If you LOVE hummingbirds, I just read a beautiful page full of wonderful PHOTOS documenting a hummingbird nest with 2 babies. Her photos are awesome.
The Hummingbirds Are Back
I struggle to capture a good photo, but here is the one I took this morning. My new feeder in the picture to the left, has a glass center and I like it much better than my old feeder shown above.
If you are planning to buy a feeder, I suggest getting one with little perches of some kind. This one came with the perches not attached and at first I didn’t put them on, but the birds seemed to need them and usually sit on them while they drink.
New England's Narrow Road 