June Blooms ...

Hi everyone,

I can't believe it is almost the middle of June already!

Today I want to share with you a project we started a few weeks ago. We finally decided to move the arbor from the northwest corner of our property to create a new entrance to our backyard. At the time it sounded like an easy job, but the arbor was set in concrete! Hubby did a fantastic job moving and restoring it. 

I love how he integrated the arbor into our existing garden. 

I planted Peaches & Cream Honeysuckle vines and look forward to seeing the blooms next year!

This week I was able to enjoy the last of my lilacs. Just as I was getting ready to take this photo, a yellow Tiger Swallowtail made it perfect.  

Wisteria 'Blue Moon' has been putting on a show... the pollinators love it!

Peonies are abundant, but with the recent rain the petals have started to fall.

Purple geraniums are happy, creeping and spreading...

Salvia is a staple in my gardens.  It is such a hardy perennial for the northeast.  I've started to mix the pinks & purples together.

Last fall I planted Allium 'Roseum' and wasn't sure if the tiny little bulbs would make it through the winter.  To my surprise I have blush frilly globes appearing.

Honeysuckle 'Mandarin' is bursting with color.  Every year this vine just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Our amphibians and Koi seem to cohabitate very well together in the garden pond.

Wishing you a happy new week!

Don't forget to stop and enjoy the simple things life has to offer.

Around the Garden ...

As I dust off my blog and flip the calendar's page, I'm surprised at how quickly May has come and gone.

The gardens had a late start with the cool spring.

In May, we set up the fountain which I get to enjoy each day.

The pretty purple catmint is in full bloom ...

We even had a visitor stop by to say "Hello".

The Syringa vulgaris 'Sensation' lilac with its beautiful bicolor flowers!

Soft lavender-pink petals on the Korean lilac bush.

Drumstick Allium reaching for the sky.

Siberian & Japanese Irises have always been a favorite.  'Momogasumi' with warm lavender-pink petals.  They remind me of a butterfly.

One of the oldest bushes is the Rhododendron.

Peonies are starting to emerge ... this one is 'Terrific Gal'.   

Of course, there is 'Sarah Bernhardt' with her large double flowers in pastel pink.

Do you remember my garden pond?  The water irises are blooming ...

and our koi is getting big!  He was only 4" long when he came to join us. 

I've enjoyed playing in the dirt this spring.  We have made quite a few changes this year, which I hope to share with you soon.

Thanks for strolling with me today ...

Wolf Creek Falls Preserve

Hi friends,

Today was such a beautiful day we went on a hike to the Wolf Creek Falls Preserve in the Town of Knox.  

This preserve has multiple cascading waterfalls as you wind through the woodland path.

There are several different trails to choose from which intersect and intertwine with each other both north and south of Bozenkill Road.

Stretches of old stone walls can be seen along the trail.  The property was once part of the Rensselaerywyck Estate.  In 1864 the Van Aukens started clearing the land and put up stone walls to raise sheep, providing wool for the Huyck Felt Mill. 

The hike was very peaceful, meandering through the woods. 

Half way into our hike we came upon a little picnic area and ate our lunch.  There was also a bird house nearby, but was vacant during our visit.

I couldn't resist taking a tree canopy photo.  

We came upon this bridge built by Dan Driscoll.  It was crafted to produce a tune if you stand on the platform and use a mallet to hit the planks.

I was surprised we didn't see any squirrels or chipmunks along the way; however, this little birdie stopped to say "Hello".

The hike was just shy of 3 miles and we stayed on the trail to avoid any poison ivy.

There is quite a bit of history behind the land, which was donated to the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy.  

I hope you have a beautiful week!