Finch Feeder

I moved the bird feeders off of the deck because of the mess they make. That is except for the humming bird feeder and one of the finch feeders, because they are just so pretty to watch.

Maybe since they are little birds they won't make too much of a mess???


We get gold finches and house finches.

Black Raspberries

Our thicket has dried up. The last time I picked, a week ago, I got about 2 handsfull of berries. I'm still learning how to prune them for a better yield and maybe next year I can learn how to keep the bugs from sucking so may of them dry. I heard that a heavy rain we had during the harvest period interfered with the yield also. They are a blessing, and everytime I picked a couple of quarts I thanked God for the gift He was giving us. I have enough in the freezer to make a few jars of jam and maybe some ice cream topping.

Visiting Amish Land

Stevie and I went with my friends Pat and Linda to visit an Amish tourist site near here (though no Amish live on these particular grounds). It was a nice calming retreat to yesteryear, and the tour guide was very informative. Most Amish no longer live in the old style houses that we saw and are allowed more conveniences than they used to, but many of them do still have farms to tend without some of the modern machinery. You can find out more about the Amish here.


We watched a film explaining Amish history, took a walking tour through the various buildings and a wagon tour of the grounds. Stevie wasn't thrilled at all to go see the inside of the school house, he thought graduation was the end of having to go to school.


We then indulged in the Harvest Meal they offer, Stevie's only goal for the trip. The food just kept coming, but we could pick only one dessert from such a big assortment. Needless to say we had to make up for it the rest of the week, but it was worth it.


They are famous for their cinnamon-y apple butter, which we smothered all over their homemade bread and rolls.

After the meal I went straight to their store and bought a jar to take home.

Bird Retreat

This feeding station was a birthday present from Steve. I can add more hooks and attachments to it if I like, or even take some off. There's something for everyone so I get a nice variety. I've since added an Oriole feeder since I saw one observing a couple of times. There is a Wild Birds Unlimited store here, or I can go online here.

I could sit on the back deck for hours just listening to them communicate and watching the different personalities as they all mingle.

A beautiful birdbath from my parents, made out of pebbles, has added to the bustle of this little retreat. I'll add a picture of that when I get one and put it on this same post.