Friday, April 23, 2010

" A Spring Tour of Swiftwater Farm"

As you know we have been working hard outside the past couple of weeks. I have just downloaded 54 pictures of what we've done, I hope you don't encounter problems trying to load the blog and hopefully you don't get bored before the end.......... :)















We put up this fence across the drive that leads to the back.............


I had intentions of moving this Rose as it's a climber......maybe next year ?




This is the front Rose bed and it is showing out. The John F. Kennedy white rose we added hasn't bloomed yet but is almost ready.............




Another view............





The Gray Beard Tree we planted last summer is in bloom..............






Here's the Courtyard Rose bed on the pond side. There are 2 beds because of the Tulip Tree.

It has 14 roses planted in it! There are free standing , climbers and knockouts, all different sizes and colors.............








Long view...............










Closeups of some of the different ones that are blooming now........















































this is white knockout......





























We built beds around the three sides then filled them with top soil and cow manure compost.

This is the bed across the back..........















It now has several Hardy" dinner plate" Hibiscus planted in it. They will get about 6 foot tall.

The one you see in the grass used to be in the square bed in the back yard, we moved it to this corner.


















Here you see two beds because of the gate. The one next to the house has Banana Trees and Elephant Ears planted in it...The other has both giant and dwarf Cannas of all colors planted in it.




















A shot taken before planting......





















A closeup of little bed..............




















Here's one of the Hibiscus we moved..............





















Here it is in the square bed last year.....it got 7 feet tall ! We moved EVERYTHING out of this bed..........
























Added a little fence to keep the "peeks" out of it..............
























It now has some Foxglove planted, Petunias in the fountain bowl and in each back corner I planted a 3 in 1 Angel Trumpet...............I intend to add some other plants to this bed also...

























I expanded this little bed and blocked it in. I added some purple Verbena, some mixed Verbena seed and more Mexican Petunias that were in the square bed...........



























We trimmed up all our Crape Myrtles and bushes including this Wisteria and put the arbor here for it to run on.............





























Remember the mystery plant? It spent the winter in the greenhouse and popped back out....































The Pond house beds are taking off........however the chickens are giving the Elephant Ears a good chewing....... :)































The Cannas don't appear to be in their diet thank goodness...............































I see Hubby and Max tilling in the garden but it's the Oleander by the bird bath that I want you to see........



































It used to be in that dark spot under the glider. Yep, we moved it too. We think this little place is a good spot for a Hot Tub a little later this year..........our bones need one!

































We also moved this Gardenia from the front yard to here. We had 4 out front but none on the back............


































Remember when we went down to Cajun Country for the 7 mile yard sale? We bought 2 little Fig Trees in Lafayette at a flea market. They spent the winter growing in the greenhouse and we got them planted too...............a little chick protection had to be added....




































On to the Veggies............A view of the garden






































It's a good thing we LOVE onions and taters cause it looks like we are gonna have PLENTY !






































English Peas too!







































Three hills of Yellow Squash looking good.............








































It may be another year of Peppers out the ying yang....................









































Maters....Maters......Maters........AGAIN !!!! :)









































Hubby added a Grape Arbor......

Scupinons and Muscadines that is...................











































I thought I'd throw in a couple of pics from the Fish Fry awhile back. This Turkey Roaster pan is full of Bream (blue gill)and White Perch (crappie).................













































I was going to make a Mississippi Mud Cake for desert but Hubby ask if I'd make my Bread Pudding with Whiskey/Vanilla Sauce so I did. You can use different breads, these were rolls I froze that we left over from Christmas Dinner.













































Ready for the oven! I didn't take a finished picture but it was a hit! Two of the men guests SWORE they NEVER eat Bread Pudding but gobbled it up!! I guess it was the smell of the Whiskey?













































Chick Update...............
Madame ( Octomom ) Willow decided yesterday to take the biddies for a stroll outside the coop!


















































One little Peep jumped back through the wire to investigate the water barrell...


















































They seem to move in 2 groups of 4. The 2 light colored ones are the 2 she hatched. They are a 4 days younger than the other 6..............

















































They mock everything she does! It is so cute!




















































I love to listen to her talk to them, she has a distress call and so do they!




















































Back in the coop, this one has learned to jump!






















































I'm betting the one to the left is a Rooster! Look at that chest poked out and it's ready to strut!




















































Here Chick Chicks!























































They have gotten so brave that they run up and try to eat with the big Hens so I started putting them some separate.............
























































This morning she took them out again and ventured a little further......
We don't let her out unless we are out watching because we have Hawks around.....


























































I feel really Blessed to live on this farm and get to enjoy all the wonders of nature.....
Blessed to have a husband who enjoys flowers as much as I do and is so handy at building....
And Bless your Heart for stopping by to see it...
We have severe storms forcast for tonight and tomorrow so I hope to get around to visit everyone if the power stays on!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND..............




















































































































30 comments:

Kat said...

I so enjoyed all the photos of your hard work. So many flowers and plants to enjoy. And Mama Hen and her little peeps are so cute!

Vicki Lane said...

All those roses! We are showing a few buds but that's all. And the chicks are just precious!

crochet lady said...

You have been busy with all the gardening and chick raising. Enjoyed the tour!

Wobegon Cottage said...

I was almost to tired to say anything...You REALLY have been busy and you will be eating well come Fall and Winter. The chicks are so cute. Your place is so pretty and peacefull, a great place to write a book.

Rosaria Williams said...

Carol, you have been super busy! The new plantings, the animals,all take work, lots of work. Swiftwater Farm is humming along into summer.

Nancy's Notes said...

Carol, all of your photographs are in awesome! I so love your rose bushes and I got a kick out of your chicks!! You are one busy lady!

Arkansas Patti said...

It took a while to load but was so worth it. Besides I needed another cup of tea.
Wow, what work you have done. Your place is just perfect. Am a bit jealous of your roses, we aren't quite ready here yet.
Your chickens are priceless, am glad you don't let them roam unattended.
That is a huge garden, surely you must do a lot of canning.
Thanks for all the visual aids. You are indeed fortunate in your choice of hubbies.Enjoy.

Mac n' Janet said...

Really enjoyed the pictures, love your farm. We're on about an acre but I wish we had more room.

Anonymous said...

You two have been so busy. I don't have much luck with roses, yours are beautiful. You have so many pretty flowers and plants, I don't know how you find the time to do everything. I love little chicks! They are so cute. Now sit back and rest a bit.

Reader Wil said...

Thanks for taking us on a tour on your property! It all looks so neat and well tended. You and your husband have done a great job! I think I would love the bread pudding too.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Carol your yard and gardfens looks so wonderful! You are going to have a bountiful supply of flowers and vegetables very soon!

WE have to wait until June for roses up here so I enjoyed seeing yours in bloom!

♥ Pat

Elizabeth McCrindle said...

Proof that hardwork and vision pays off. Chicks are adorable :)

Pat in east TN said...

My gosh but you guys have been busy!!! I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures ... thanks for sharing.

JoyceAnn said...

Hi Carol ~ You all have been busy , the gardens look wonderful. Can't wait to see them in their glory.
The biddies are precious , nothing sweeter than seeing a hen with her clutch.
I was hoping to have some guinea keets soon , but something got the hen and all of her eggs last Friday. Whatever it was , removed about 50 eggs , the nest was spotless!
I enjoyed seeing all the farm photos , I love taking pics and sometimes get a little carried away too ( Smile ).

~ Be Blessed ~

Marguerite said...

Wow, you have been busy, lady! Great pics! Enjoyed the tour of the gardens and they all look amazing. You will have one beautiful bounty, this year! And those baby chicks are so adorable!

Anonymous said...

Hi Carol, Ya'll have been busy! Everything looks so good. The biddies are so cute.

The fish look like they made a wonderful meal along with your bread pudding.

I hope you all didn't have any storm damage yesterday. My thoughts and prayer to those who did.

Have a great day.
Pam

Anonymous said...

The TV news reports of the storm damage in Mississippi look so scary! I hope you and Hubby and all the critters at plants at Swiftwater came through without damage.

For some reason, I thought you all were taking it easy this spring. Silly me. I need a nap after looking at all that work! A dish of bread pudding would be nice first, though! :)

Amazing! You make it more beautiful every year.

Kathryn Magendie said...

It's SPRING at the Writer's Porch! whooop whooop!!!! *laughing* love it!

Becca's Dirt said...

What a beautiful place you have. You both have been quite busy doing all of that work. Beautiful roses. I love all the beds you've put in and the veggie garden is looking good. Soon it will be filled in nicely with some good stuff.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Ya'll have been busy haven't you? What a beautiful place ya have to be busy with! Thanks for sharin' all your pics. I love hearing about Willow and her chicks!

God bless ya and have a marvelous Monday!!!

xinex said...

Wow! You've really been busy, Carol! You will have veggies coming out of your ears pretty soon. and your roses are so gorgeous.....Christine

Angie Muresan said...

Such hard work! It turned out so beautiful, though!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Carol, It was nice to catch up with you and your beautiful home. I don't know how two of you can keep up with all of that. We could never do it without lots of help....

Everything is just gorgeous. I'm so impressed with all of your different flower beds. WOW!!!!

And your baby chicks are precious....

Keep enjoying your farm!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Beautiful property!

Lady Katherine said...

Wow, You have been up to a lot of work! I love, love the Welcome Rooster! Love the baby chicks! Mine just now started to sit. You are going to have some lovely flowers. Love the fence.

Morning's Minion said...

You folks don't do anythng by halves! Everything in the yard looks so tidy and colorful. But, I bet you could use a soak in that hot tub after all that work!

Kathryn Magendie said...

where ye be?

xinex said...

Hi Carol! We have less than a week to go before the MS bloggers get together. I am just wondering if or not you decided to come. You are welcome to bring someone with you. Please email me if you are interested so I can give you more info. Thanks....Christine

This is for Dickey said...

Carol...Thanks for sharing all the pics of your beautiful farm. I love everything about it! I moved to the country a year ago and share a small 1.5 acres with my neighbor/landlord, but we have goats and a garden and his dog 'Happy' and my cats. We had chickens for a while, but they moved to the neighbors house. What a wonderful place you and your hubbie have created! I would love to come visit you sometimes and see it!

Rian said...

Really wonderful place you and your hubby have created. Love the gardens and the chickens! Thanks for sharing...