Willy Nilly Friday, October 23, 2020

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday, Signs 2,
and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

1. Soybean Harvest (Sky Watch Friday)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, October 22, 2020

With sunny to partly cloudy skies this week, the farmers have been busy harvesting their soybeans.

2. Masks (Signs 2)

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, October 20, 2020

This week's signs are brought to you by the National Park Service.

3. Good Food!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, October 16, 2020

A Frost Advisory was posted last Friday, so I picked the rest of my peppers. They are mild; good in salads!

4. Saturday's Critters

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, October 11, 2020

a Devil's Walking Stick

5. Hawk (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, October 19, 2020

I am not sure which hawk this is. Any help is appreciated!

Have a blessed day!

For more weather-related photos, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

For more photos of signs, visit signs 2: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

And on Saturday,
For more animal photos, visit Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more bird photos, visit I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, October 2020

The northeast corner of Mississippi, USA zone 7b

There are still a few blooms on the Turk's Cap, aka Sleeping Hibiscus

'Iceberg' Rose

These Asters were a gift from a friend last year.

The Phlox are almost finished. But they will be blooming again next Summer.

My Butterfly Bush is still blooming.

My Encore Azalea 'Autumn Royalty' is the prettiest I have ever seen it! Eight years ago it was a nice little potted plant. Now it is taller than I am.

Unless we have an early frost, the buds on my 'Confederate Rose' Hibiscus will have time to open.

The peppers are still blooming in the vegetable garden.

They produce small mild peppers, similar in taste to bell peppers. They are sweetest if left on the plants to ripen to a deep orange color, but I usually pick a variety of colors.

Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

To see flowers around the world, visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Peppers, September 29, 2020

Harvest Monday, Our World Tuesday, and All Seasons

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 29, 2020

First I need to say I do not know the name of these peppers. A friend, who did not know what they were, gave the plants to me at the end of May. They bloomed very well, but were slow to develop peppers. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we began to get a harvest.

They are mild like a bell pepper. These will go into the large green salad we are having for lunch today.

Hope you have a wonderful week!

I am linking in today with Harvest Monday, Our World Tuesday, and All Seasons

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Figs, July 21, 2020

Our World Tuesday and All Seasons

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 21, 2020

It is almost Fig Season! Another week or two and we will be enjoying fresh figs! I do not know what variety they are, but they are delicious. Last year we picked the first ripe figs on the first day of August.

Have a wonderful day!

Today I am linking in with Our World Tuesday and All Seasons

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Willy Nilly Friday, July 17, 2020

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Thankful Thursday, Sky Watch Friday,
and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Click on the photos to see them at their best.

1. Hot and Humid (Sky Watch Friday)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, July 17, 2020

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2. Garden Update (Thankful Thursday)

'Burpless Beauty' cucumber, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 15, 2020

I am thankful for home-grown cucumbers, and...

... an easy refrigerator pickle recipe!

Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

5 cups thin-sliced cucumbers
2 cups thin-sliced onion (I use Sweet Vidalia Onions)
1  and 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 and 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon mustard seed

Mix cucumbers and onions together in a large glass bowl. Mix vinegar, sugar, salt and the spices together in a pan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour hot liquid over cucumbers and onions. I put a small plate on top and press down so the cucumber/onion mixture is submerged. Allow to cool slightly, and then spoon into jars (use a wide-mouth funnel). Cover with tight fitting lids. Allow to cool a bit more, then put in refrigerator. Wait 3 days for the flavors to mix well before tasting them. Keep refrigerated; makes 3 pints.

Thanks to Taste of Home for the recipe!
Taste of Home website

3. The Most Interesting Thing I have Seen This Week

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 15, 2020

The highway department is using this excavator with a brush-cutter attachment to cut small trees and shrubs that are too close to the road.

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4. Insects (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 15, 2020

Cicada

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 13, 2020

Dragonfly

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 16, 2020

Ailanthus Webworm Moth, Atteva aurea

5. Need some help from my bird-watching friends (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 16, 2020 (Click on the photo to see it at its best)

I would think that this is a juvenile Eastern Bluebird, but I have not seen any adults here at my house.  Can anyone give me a positive ID?

Have a wonderful weekend!

For more weather-related photos, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

Let us know what you are thankful for, visit Thankful Thursday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

And on Saturday,
For more animal photos, visit Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more bird photos, visit I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Harvest Monday, July 13, 2020

Harvest Monday, All Seasons, and Our World Tuesday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, July 11, 2020

It is Tomato Sandwich Season again! My 'Better Boy' tomatoes are beginning to ripen. An excellent slicing tomato, the 'Better Boy' is one of the most popular tomato varieties grown here in the United States.

I hope you have a great week!

I am linking up today with:
Harvest Monday: Click Here!
All Seasons: Click Here!
Our World Tuesday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Willy Nilly Friday, July 3, 2020

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday,
and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

1. Cloudy Days (Sky Watch Friday)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, July 2, 2020

It has been a week of cloudy, rainy days.

Happy 4th of July! 

(Independence Day here in the United States).

2. A photo for Tom, The Backroads Traveller

Prentiss county, Mississippi, USA, June 10, 2020

Since you asked, "How is this feeder when it comes to squirrels?" Tom, this photo is for you!
As soon as the babies were ready to leave the nest, Mama Squirrel took them to the bird feeders.

3. Garden Update

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, July 2, 2020

I am picking a handful of 'Sweet 100' tomatoes each day, just the right amount for our salads.

And I have high hopes for my 'Better Boy' tomatoes!

4. Two for One (Saturday's Critters)

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, June 9, 2020

Mockingbird on a frog!

5. Killdeer (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, June 12, 2020

Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus.

Have a wonderful day!

For more weather-related photos, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

And on Saturday,
For more animal photos, visit Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more bird photos, visit I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Thankful Thursday, June 25, 2020

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, June 22, 2020

I am thankful for home-grown cucumbers!
I picked the first cucumber of the season on Monday: eight ounces of crispy crunch for our salads!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA June 25, 2020

And this morning's cucumber weighted slightly more: nine ounces. Later in the Summer, the vines should be producing faster, and I will have enough to make pickles.

Have a blessed day!

Let us know what you are thankful for, visit Thankful Thursday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Little Things Thursday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Willy Nilly Friday, June 12, 2020

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday, Floral Friday Fotos,
and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Click on the photos to see them at their best.

1. Blue Sky (Sky Watch Friday)

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, June 11, 2020

Thursday was a very pleasant day with sunny skies, a high temperature of 82F (28C), and a brisk breeze.

2. Garden Update: Tomatoes

Prentiss, County, Mississippi, USA, June 11, 2020

'Sweet 100' plants make small red cherry tomatoes. These are almost big enough to be getting ripe! They are indeterminate tomato plants (meaning they keep growing and producing until cold weather kills them).

3. Gardenia (Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, June 11, 2020

Gardenias are large shrubs that are available in several varieties. They have dark green leaves and flowers with a wonderful aroma. Just one plant will produce dozens (dare I say a hundred) of snow white flowers in the early Summer

4. Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Saturday's Critters)

Lee County, Mississippi, USA, June 2, 2020

It is interesting to see a rabbit turn just one ear towards a sound. After listening for a minute, it decided I was not a threat (I was inside my car), and it went back to nibbling on the clover.

5. Eastern Kingbird (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Shiloh, Tennessee, USA, May 31, 2020

Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus.

Have a wonderful day!

For more weather-related photos, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

For more flower photos, visit Floral Friday Fotos: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

And on Saturday,
For more animal photos, visit Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more bird photos, visit I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Thankful Thursday, June 11, 2020

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, June 9, 2020

I am thankful my 'Burpless Beauty' Cucumbers are blooming! Usually male flowers bloom first, so it may be a few days before the female flowers that produce cucumbers appear. But I am hopeful!

Have a blessed day!

Let us know what you are thankful for, visit Thankful Thursday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Little Things Thursday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Willy Nilly Friday, June 5, 2020

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday, Weekend Reflections, Floral Friday Fotos,
and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Click in the photos to see them at their best.

1. Partly Cloudy and Warm! (Sky Watch Friday and Weekend Reflections)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, May 29, 2020

We have had partly cloudy skies all week, but no rain, though rain is in the forecast for today (Friday).
Our daytime temperatures have been in the mid-80s F (30C), and about 70F (21C) at night.

2. Favorite Photo: Muscovy Duck

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, May 24, 2020

Taking a bath!

Muscovy Duck

All clean now!

3. Garden Update

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, June 2, 2020

Here is my second potato harvest, grown in a large flower pot! 1 lb. 3 oz. 'Red Norland' potatoes.
If you are wondering what I did with the smallest potatoes: I washed them and added them unpeeled to a pot of vegetable soup. I just love to see things grow - growing potatoes in containers is easy and fun!
To see my first potato harvest, grown in a Potato Planter Bag: A Garden Experiment

4. Monarch (Saturday's Critters and Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, May 30, 2020

I am delighted to report that a Monarch Butterfly is visiting my Butterfly Weed!

Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa

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5. Mallard Ducks (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Ballard Park, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, May 24, 2020

Mr. Mallard

Mrs. Mallard

Have a wonderful day!

For more weather-related photos, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

For more photos of reflections, visit Weekend Reflections: Click Here!

For more flower photos, visit Floral Friday Fotos: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

And on Saturday,
For more animal photos, visit Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more bird photos, visit I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.