Monday, 22 September 2014

Hush! Listen!

 Have you noticed the silence that Autumn brings?   The further we walk into the season the quieter it becomes.   
 I walk through the orchard and was pleased to see some of the Prunus blooming.
 Today is 'clean the tree house' day.      I can almost hear the children's laugher and giggles, as I work.   I sit for a moment and look at our collection of bees dragonflies butterflies etc.    If we find a creature that has gone to Gods garden we take it to the treehouse and talk about it.
We have a book that is hidden in  a secret compartment.    We can write our thoughts and feelings in it.   It has been used for the last three years...........and will stay hidden, for the children and I are the only ones who know its hiding place :)
 Later on in the day I planted up some small pots to decorate the patio area.   Nothing fancy, just pretty.  
 The robin watched as I worked.   He looked so shabby during the Summer months but just look at him now.   What a handsome fellow.
 Feeders cleaned, bird boxes scrubbed, hedgehog boxes checked (and yes someone is making a winter bed in one of them)   I thought I had heard snuffling in the garden during my awake moments a few nights ago.   In serious decline it is always heart warming to know that one is safe and snug in the garden during the winter months.......


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22 comments:

  1. Jo22 September 2014 at 01:37

    I love the idea of the book in the secret hiding place, how lovely it will be to look back on in years to come. My robin goes missing through the summer months but I know that autumn is now upon us as he's back, checking the garden for tasty morsels. I'll see him every day now until winter is over and then he'll be absent again for the summer. I wonder where he goes.

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    1. Cheryl22 September 2014 at 03:41

      Hi Jo,

      The hiding place really is very secret........I believe it is very hard to find. Sometimes in the winter I sit in the treehouse with a cup of coffee and flick though the book.
      Such a joy.

      I believe birds retreat to wooded areas during the summer months ready for the annual moult. I think they like the shelter of the woods to keep them safe from predation, as they are vulnerable during this period.

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  2. Julie 22 September 2014 at 01:38

    Lovely photos Cheryl. That Robin is certainly looking handsome. You're so lucky to have a hedgehog living in your garden. We used to have one visit us every evening for a feed but we haven't had one for a few years now, we have hedgehog box in the garden but unfortunately no takers. Have a good week :o) x

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    1. Cheryl22 September 2014 at 03:43

      Good Morning Julie,

      Do not give up on your hedgehog box.......I had hedgehogs in mine when I first put it in the garden.....then it was vacant for a few years. This year someone is busy building.
      I am sure at some point you will have one of our prickly friends in yours :)

      Have a good week.

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  3. NCmountainwoman22 September 2014 at 12:34

    What a beautiful post. I especially love the spider web. And a secret hiding place for a book filled with secrets shared by grandmother and grandchildren is the best.

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    1. Cheryl23 September 2014 at 02:36

      Memories are made in the treehouse................

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  4. Amanda Peters22 September 2014 at 13:33

    Lovely post , we have a Robin back in the garden after the summer, they are such a handsome bird, we have a little chat when he comes in to feed. Love the image of the spiders web.
    Amanda xx

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    1. Cheryl23 September 2014 at 02:36

      Great to have a chat with a Robin Amanda........he cannot answer back :)

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  5. Lisa at Greenbow22 September 2014 at 16:06

    You are making so many wonderful memories for your Grands. They are so blessed to have such a loving, caring, creative Grandmother. Our robins have moved south. The Northern Robins are coming through tho so we are not deprived of robins. It must be in the air. I changed out the planter in front of the house today. Nothing quite as pretty as yours but it looks better now. Something to carry through the winter months. Did I just mention the "W" word? It has been cool here too.

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    1. Cheryl23 September 2014 at 02:38

      I hope so Lisa.....I have such beautiful memories of my Grandparents.
      I am sure your planter looks wonderful........it is good to have something to keep us gardeners going during those long winter months.
      Please do not mention the W word :)

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  6. Wendy22 September 2014 at 17:47

    Yes I do notice the quiet. Ducks and geese have gone from the pond at the end of my street, yet haven't started their migration yet.
    Birds are not as active in the morning. Blue jays and chickadees come to the feeder and will the whole winter. Starlings managed to tip over the feeder hanging by the patio door and a rain of birdseed spattered the deck for those starlings waiting for a meal. Smart creatures! But no, I was not amused.

    The air feels quiet too. When I open the back door before bed to say goodnight to the earth, everything is silent. No crickets or heat bugs or singing frogs.

    How exciting to have a secret book in the tree house! Your grands will long remember sharing this special time with you. Little robin is a treat for the eyes. At first I thought it was a ruby-throated hummingbird! I remember your hedgehog a few years ago. They're sweet little creatures that always remind me of Mrs. Tiggywinkle!

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    1. Cheryl23 September 2014 at 02:40

      Hi Wendy,

      I like the quiet but also look forward to Spring when everything starts buzzing again:)

      Ahh Mrs Tiggywinkle fond childhood memories. We do not have hummingbirds in the UK, I wish we did :)

      Hope you are well.........

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  7. elaine 22 September 2014 at 23:55

    I love the thought of your 'clean the treehouse day' I expect it gets very cobwebby - our garden shed is festooned at the moment you have to battle your way through. I love the silent moments but in our garden they are few due to the gang of sparrows that inhabit the garden arguing chattering and generally making a commotion. Our robin is always singing so I know he's there but rarely see him.

    I have started the big bulb plant up and tried clearing one of my borders but the earth is rock hard I couldn't even get the fork in - the garden desperately needs rain but I don't want it to come just yet the weather has been so beautiful.

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    1. Cheryl23 September 2014 at 02:35

      Good Morning Elaine,

      The shed is next on my list.........and boy does that need sorting. When I garden I am normally tired at the end of the day and tend to just dump everything on the floor. The benches are in a state of chaos....today is shed tidying day :)

      I understand, the soil is so hard. I intended to divide a lot of plants this autumn but if it remains dry I shall leave it until the Spring. I would love some rain but only for a day please.
      I promised myself I would not plant tulip bulbs.....the rabbit always eat them.
      Today at the nursery I saw some Red Passion and could not resist.
      I am thinking of planting them in barrels rather that the borders in the hope the rabbits will not get to them in the Spring..........fingers crossed.

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    2. elaine 25 September 2014 at 04:49

      Hi Cheryl
      I have no other way of contacting you but on your blog. Just to say you are a sweetheart for remembering about the Willowherb - it arrived this morning - a lovely surprise. Thank you so much.
      Elaine

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    3. Cheryl25 September 2014 at 06:13

      You are more than welcome Elaine.

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  8. Rose24 September 2014 at 06:27

    I love the idea of the hidden book in your treehouse, Cheryl! What a treasure this must be and will continue to be as the children get older. I can see you sitting in the treehouse on autumn days in the future, leafing through the book and re-living precious memories of their childhood days. Now I wish I had thought of something like that long ago--instead, I have a collection of drawings and notes all over my refrigerator--time for me to get organized:) I haven't gotten much accomplished in terms of fall chores, other than making lists. I'm hoping fall lasts until December! A lovely post.

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  9. Cheryl24 September 2014 at 22:36

    Rose, how lovely, I am sure you will treasure the drawing and notes, as I will treasure the book.
    Perhaps you could buy a book and stick the notes etc in there.............

    I doubt Autumn will last until Christmas Rose..............I think that is called 'wishful thiking'

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  10. Paula @ Blooms 'n' Spades25 September 2014 at 05:36

    I love your idea of having the hidden thoughts and feeling book, Cheryl, how special. I wish I had hedgehogs in my garden. It must be about the only animal I never see here. Maybe the cats put them off? I'm sure yours will love their boxes during winter.

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    1. Cheryl25 September 2014 at 06:12

      Hi Paula,

      I love hedgehogs......I am always pleased when they visit the garden.
      Sadly I see many fatalities on the road.
      I

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  11. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening25 September 2014 at 14:15

    I enjoyed your post and feel like I am right there in your gardens with the silence and birds watching over. Your secret book is such a wonderful heartwarming idea. I enjoyed the visit!

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  12. Cheryl25 September 2014 at 23:07

    Thank you Lee for dropping by :)

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