Country Life....

I try to take a walkabout on our property at least every other day or so .
However, life happens and sometimes it is a few days before I can get outside and walk around and take in the beauty we have been blessed with!!

We have been working on our chicken coop and yard like crazy people!!! Even though the coop is finished (except for some painting....) the yard still has much to be desired. It is a work in progress and when your schedule revolves around the Army, the Orthodontist, the Pediatrician (this has been a bad allergy spring for us...), the piano lessons, the errands, the Jeep Project, the garden it can sometimes feel like we will never be finished!! Craziness!!  However, once we are done, the chickens will have a lovely little "courtyard" to entertain guest, run and play, visit with each other, and dig for worms and such.

So, on my walkabout today I spotted several nifty little things growing in the wild. I can't help but marvel at the beauty of this place when I take the time to see it!!!

I have of late become somewhat obsessed with taking photos. I'm not sure when or where this started ,but I rarely leave my porch anymore without my little camera. If I make myself get up early enough, I can capture the most amazing shots. Some of my favorite in fact.......
Pictures of dew on flowers. It really does not get any purer than that!!

This is a plant my mom-in-law gave me years ago. It is absolutely hideous in the winter, but when it starts growing in the spring? Gorgeous. I think it is variety of Wandering Jew....at least that is what I have been told! As my hubby was leaving for work today, I was trying to capture the dew. He came up behind me and jiggled me somehow and I had to exclaim, "I'm trying to take a picture!!!" 
Sorry Honey!!! Photos are not more important than you, but it was a really good shot!!! =)

As I walk about our property, I try to sing and make a bit of noise just in case there are some reptiles wandering around.  I like to think if I give them plenty of warning they will make themselves scarce long before I get close!!!! Because our property is so wild, I never know what I'm going to come across.....while this is a beautiful cluster of flowers about the diameter of a baseball, the smell is enough to make me run for the hills!!! It is awful!!

Then, I turn the corner and there are the beautiful little clusters of the sweetest smelling flowers. Amazing!!!

 In the south we have two seasons: Lovebug season and Not Lovebug season. ;)
I don't know where all the lovebugs are in the world, but I know in South Alabama, they are everywhere for what seems like forever!!!! I think it is pretty clear why they are called lovebugs. But with so much love going around you can barely walk out of the front door without having all over you and almost breathing them in!!!!  Gross!!! And talk about an anatomy class.....I really do not like having to explain to my 8yo why they are connected like that!!!! Grrrrrr.......

 

 

Ok......enough of that!!! On to more pleasant things like my companion on my walks!!! She is always close by and never in a hurry. She is part of the reason we got acreage (besides the kids, gardening, self-sustainment, dream house).....

...this is our Bella!!! The BEST border collie mix in the universe and our little guardian!!!! =) 
She is camera shy and usually will not look at me when I have it out!!! She is getting used to it though. Maybe because I have it with me so much!!!

Back to the walkabout.....whoever said that dandelions are weeds??? Now, I understand that they are invasive and can take over a yard in no time flat, but they are also beautiful and useful!!! I happened upon one today that had already bloomed, but look what it is now!!!! So amazingly pretty!!!!

And MOSS!!!!! I have moss!!!!! I have mentioned before, I'm sure, that we have two creeks that go through our property, and that we have slopes. So, where the creek is and the slope levels somewhat, I have moss!!!! LOVE it!!!!!  So uniquely beautiful!!!! =)  Happiness!!!!

Also came across some "wild grape" clusters. I do not know if they will amount to anything, but they sure are cute (and tiny!!)!!!!!

Wild Blackberries!!!! Yummy!!!! They are literally everywhere on our property!!! It is crazy! When we first started mowing there were large sections of the "yard" that was blackberry bushes. All volunteer, all wild!!!!! I already have an order for blackberry cobbler when these are ripe enough to pick!!!! =)

 

 

 

The chickens are getting bigger and bigger!!! They are enjoying their outdoor life and are very curious when they hear the sound of my camera opening!!!!



 Our "accidental" rooster!!!! He is such a hoot!!! He is starting to crow a bit....so funny and handsome!!!

 

 

 

And  good morning to you!!!!!!

The sky is usually not this cloudy in the morning, but today was a special treat!!! The sun is just behind them and showing off the beauty of the clouds!!!! =)

 

So very thankful for this little place on the planet we call ours!!!! Take a moment to  look around.....you can find beauty right where you are! You might be surprised!!! =)

 

Blessings!!!!!