Tuesday 3 November 2015

Getting ready for winter............

 The logs were delivered on Saturday.    They come from a local woodsman, and come from coppiced woods.    Healthy for the environment and beneficial to wildlife.
 The height of the log store was raised in the summer, so it made it easier for my husband and I to stack them.    If the weather is fine it is a job I enjoy, very therapeutic. 
 As most of you know, Nella is a rescue dog.    She was abandoned in woodland.    Her story is hers alone........but whenever the logs arrive, she will not leave the spot until they are all stacked.    Same every year, and I wonder..........
 As the garden fades, I am inspired more by the flowers because there are so few.   
 In the dull days of late autumn they become increasingly precious.
 I played with my macro lens today.    I haven't used it for such a long time.
 I had forgotten how much pleasure it gives me, to walk the garden, and see flowers in a different light.
 The seedpods of the stinking iris are just beginning to open, bringing colour to the woodland area.
 Natures artwork is everywhere and there is none so beautiful than a spiders web,
especially after rainfall........

Beautiful autumn days, but I am getting ready for winter...........

26 comments:

  1. The spider webs are like lace with little jewels, beautiful and what about the seedpods of the iris, is not nature a magnificent piece of art?
    I suppose Nella has bad memories of wood logs.....

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    1. Nature has a way of turning simple things into wonderful images.
      Whilst the stinking iris flowers are very simple.....the seedpods are the reason I grow them.

      I do wonder if Nella has bad memories...........I will never know Janneke

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  2. Awww, bless Nella. It does make you wonder what she's been through before she was rescued doesn't it? How people can be so heartless I'll never know. On the bright side, I'm sure she'll enjoy those logs once they're on the fire and giving out some heat. Your photos are beautiful, I do love close ups, you get to see so many tiny details which you'd otherwise miss out on.

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    1. She will indeed enjoy the warmth from the fire. I usually put her bed in front of it so that she can warm her old bones...........
      I love the close ups Jo for just that reason....the detail.

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  3. The smell from the new wood must be wonderful, I often wonder what goes through our little dogs minds...Your garden colour is still holding on and the photos are great.
    Over a week ago I cut my Buddlea tree right back, the branches are still in the middle of the lawn ! and the place is covered in damp wet leaves, what with the weather and work they might be there for a while, it does look a mess! But looking out of the window to day I watched the birds amongst the branches, the Dunnock will hide from the Robin, Sparrows were picking at the seeds and |Black birds were turning the leaves for grubs, perhaps it's ok to stay a little longer...
    Amanda xx

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    1. I love this comment Amanda.........it does not take much to attract wildlife does it.
      I can imagine the scene.........almost like a piece of prose. Thank you for your thoughts.
      Please leave it for a little while longer......

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  4. We are having the longest warm spell with near record high temperatures. It is lulling me into a false sense that this perfect weather will last forever. ha... Of course I know it won't but I am sure enjoying it while it lasts. All we need now is some more rain. Your stack of wood looks very cozy. I can feel the warmth just looking at your nice neat stack. There will be some wonderful times around a blazing fire this winter. Nella is such a sweetheart. She makes sure those logs obey you, get into and stay in position. Good job Nella.

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    1. Our autumn is typical of the season, a little bit of everything. Showers today and very grey although the temperatures are higher than normal. No gardening today.
      Enjoy your warm spell, who knows what the winter may hold :)

      I love the log fire.....it is hard work but there is nothing nicer than a good book, glass of wine, in front of a roaring fire. Nella loves it.........

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    2. Nella is precious! Love the photo of her! And your flower shots are absolutely gorgeous!

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    3. Nella is very precious to me, my companion.
      Thank you, glad you like the images.

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  5. Sweet Nella; it does make you wonder what she is thinking and what she remembers. Your macro photos are beautiful! Not much left blooming here, but as Lisa said, it's been very warm. I'm taking my time planting bulbs and cleaning up the garden, but I know one of these days the weather will turn for good. I'm trying to enjoy these beautiful days for as long as they last.

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    1. Enjoy your warm spell Rose. As I just said to Lisa, who knows how long it will last and what winter has in store :)

      Nella is showing signs of age, going very grey, just like her owner. I am learning to love grey :)

      Enjoy your week Rose.......

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  6. We have a rescue cat, and at times she hides and watches, we have had her for 5 years so she should know we are Ok, but every now and then............... Lovely photo's.

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    1. Thank you marlene.......

      I always feel empathy for animals that come without history..........who knows what has happened to them. Still your little cat and Nella are much loved now and have a good home :)

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  7. Just beautiful, makes me wonder how best logs can be got to my folks place, must be a better way than buying the occasional bag as my stepfather does.

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    1. I buy a half load......
      Buying in bags can be very costly Simon........a local woodsman might just be your answer :)

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  8. Cheryl
    Super idea to get your macro lens out again - your shots are a delight to look at.

    I do like the close up of Nella ... I wonder what she is thinking?

    Great stack of logs, may you all be warm in the winter months. Although the weather is presently uncharacteristically warm isn't it!

    All the best Jan

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    1. The weather is too warm for November....I am a seasonal girl, and love the seasons to be as they should :)
      I love my logs.....there is nothing I enjoy more than making a fire in the hearth and enjoying it in the evening, with a good book.

      Enjoy these warm November days Jan........

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  10. Just beautiful. Yes, we enjoy the Autumn but get ready for Winter. Interesting that Nella is affected by the stacking of the wood. Regardless of what might have happened before, she is one lucky dog to be living with you and protecting your garden.

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    1. Nella is such a lovely girl..........I know, she has known nothing but kindness here :)).

      Enjoy November in the mountains............


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  11. Such beautiful pictures of the flowers in your garden. It has been very mild here even though it is not pleasant to be outside at the moment - drizzle and mizzle. I did manage to do some pottering outside at the weekend though - a little bit here and there. I could do with a few more bright days to tackle a few of the bigger jobs. But we have to take what we are given. Lovely close up of Nella she's showing her age a bit now.

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    1. The garden is damp and there is much that needs doing. The lawn needs cutting, but I know it will have to be left until the land dries out a little. I do not think that is going to happen for quite a while. I am not worried, it all gets sorted at some point.
      Yes Nella is showing signs of age Elaine. Of course, I have no idea of just how old she is, she came without history. I do know, that her remaining years will be spent running fields, sleeping in front of warm fires during the winter months, and the best food I can afford for her.
      She is a much loved member of our family :)

      Best wishes.............

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  12. Oh, poor Nella, what a terrible thing to do to a dog, I'm SO glad she is with you!!! I loved seeing your wood stacked up, it really makes you feel prepared for anything doesn't it, if we have heat we're ok!
    I did enjoy nature's art, what lovely pictures, especially the spider's web....another lovely post.xxx

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  13. Oh, poor Nella, what a terrible thing to do to a dog, I'm SO glad she is with you!!! I loved seeing your wood stacked up, it really makes you feel prepared for anything doesn't it, if we have heat we're ok!
    I did enjoy nature's art, what lovely pictures, especially the spider's web....another lovely post.xxx

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  14. Looks like you will be warm and snuggly this winter - with that big pile of wood. How cozy! And yes, David used to find stacking wood therapeutic as well - I must admit, I let him stack with his boys (when they were living with us) and I'd retreat to the kitchen to bake some cookies or something as an excuse.

    I love what you do with your macro lens - and the spiderwebs look absolutely enchanting! Those seedpods are bursting with colour. So pretty!

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