Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Autumn Leaves Falling on Water, Burning Leaves, Fall Cleanup, Leaf Control, Leaf Stripper, Leaves, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Windy Day, Windy Night
The wind blew last night! So much that I had to take down one of our wind chimes that has never been a problem… WOW!
Bill Way used to call that windy night that always comes in November a “Leaf Stripper”. Last nights wind was definitely that! All the Birch trees are bare. As are the pecans, walnut, maples, sassafras, and persimmon trees. The oaks held on to many like they always do. But the writings on the wall… Winter is Coming!
Don’t ya’ just love fall! 🍁 🔥
“Come, little leaves,” said the wind one day.
“Come o’er the meadows with me, and play’
Put on your dress of red and gold,—
Summer is gone, and the days grow cold.”
Soon as the leaves heard the wind’s loud call,
Down they came fluttering, one and all;
Over the brown fields they danced and flew,
Singing the soft little songs they knew.
~ George Cooper
Have a great Sunday!
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Breakfast, Brunch, Eggs, Family time, Homegrown Tomatoes, I ❤️ my Family, Kitchen, Kitchen Scraps, Pancakes, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving is Coming, There’s No Place Like Home
Have you been outside today? Wow! It’s like a warm Spring morning out there! So beautiful. I went out and scavenged through what’s left of the tomato plants and found a few more good ones! 🍅💥 I love it ❤️ I brought them in and added them to the large group on the counter. Jo has put out some beautiful Thanksgiving decorations and was taking pictures and trying out some new editing apps. When I looked at them, I really got the feeling of Home. Seeing her simple picture made me feel good. My morning has been made 😊 Now, back to Sunday Brunch…
”The first supermarket supposedly appeared on the American landscape in 1946. That is not very long ago. Until then, where was all the food? Dear folks, local fields, and forests. It was near kitchens, near tables, near bedsides. It was in the pantry, the cellar, the backyard.
~ Joel Salatin
Have a great day! Get Outside!
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Fall Gardening, Home For The Holidays, SAD, Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays
What a beautiful, cool morning! And man what a beautiful Moon 🌝 we had last night! It’s November! WOW! I don’t know about you, but to me this year is going by faster than I ever remember… Time is Just flying by ✈️ Maybe it’s because I’m getting older? Halloween’s gone, and now we enter the Holiday Season… We’re post Daylight Savings, so hello 5pm. nightfall… That leftover feeling of Summer is truly gone and the coming of Winter is a reality… I guess I’m ready. Or as ready as I’m gonna be.
“I have come to regard November as the older, harder man’s October. I appreciate the early darkness and cooler temperatures. It puts my mind in a different place than October. It is a month for a quieter, slightly more subdued celebration of summer’s death as winter tightens its grip.”
~Henry Rollins
I’m going back in for breakfast now. Have a great Sunday! And here’s to the coming Holidays 🎉🦃🎄💥
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Hummingbirds, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pondless Waterfalls, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Boutique, Carter Country Boutique & Gifts, Christmas Gifts, Christmas is Coming, Christmas Magic, Christmas Shop, Family Fun, Family time, Family Traditions, Gift, Gifts With Meaning, Last minute gifts, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays, The Little Garden Shop, Unique Gifts
We have been working at our Nursery/Garden Center and Pond business now for 31 years (started in 1989). I have always wanted a nice gift shop inside the Garden Center for people to explore and find the perfect, unique gifts. A mix of country chic, bohemian style and garden deco… But now, I don’t have to keep looking 👀 Over the past few weeks my wife, her best friend Honey, Ann and a few strong backs to move things around for them have put together what may be the perfect Country Boutique.
I’m very proud of the little garden/gift shop that they have worked so hard to put together and stock up. Last night I sat on the porch and wrote a little poem for Jo about the Little Garden Shop’…
– Our little garden shop.
“The little garden shop. So simple and so fine. Butterflies & hummingbirds feeding on the vines. Koi swim round the waterfall, such Color and oh the sound. Scents, clothes and candles, overflowing to the ground. Enter through the sliding door, your a welcome guest for sure. Our clients are the very best, and they keep coming back for more.“
~ Me 😊
Now, I gotta fix a very special breakfast for my gal 🍳 🥞 😊
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Mark Carter
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Hummingbirds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Colorful Foliage, Corn Stalks, Fall is Coming, Fall is Here, Flowers, I ❤️ Aquatic Plants, I ❤️ my Family, I ❤️ My Garden, I ❤️ My Job!, I ❤️ This Country, Pansies, Private Areas, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday with Family, Wheat Straw
As the seasons change so do the flowers 💐 So does the feelings and emotions of the changes we are forced to deal with. It’s always tough for me. Especially giving up Summer… But, ya gotta go with the flow and be happy where your at 😊 So I sat down for a few minutes to look at the Summer plants and flowers that I am about to uproot and dispose of. They have really brought me a lot of happiness this Summer. Lots of color and shade and privacy as well. Especially my hanging basket wall. I can see out well, but you can’t see in very well😊 Privacy 💥 I call it the “Hanging Gardens of Babaloo” 😂
This is from where I sit. The foliage is thinner back here on purpose- More room for me, with privacy.
The view from outside is a little different…
From outside looking in is a different story. Lush foliage and color to provide the privacy screen that I desired. Can you see Jo sitting there? I’m gonna hate to see it go 😢 But, it’s Fall 🍁 Time for a different look and feeling…
“But now in September the garden has cooled, and with it my possessiveness. The sun warms my back instead of beating on my head … The harvest has dwindled, and I have grown apart from the intense midsummer relationship that brought it on.”
~ Robert Finch
I will send pictures of the pansies, corn stalks, pumpkins 🎃 & scarecrows as they go up…
Ive been writing ✍️ “Fall is Coming” for quite a while now…
Fall is Here! I gotta get busy…
Have a great Sunday!
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Hummingbirds, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Annuals, Culinary Herbs, Family Traditions, Hanging Baskets, Herbs, Homegrown Tomatoes, I Love My Family, peppers, Perennials, Porch, Potted Garden, Potted Plants, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays, This Old Porch, Tomatoes
Tending my own garden as the sun comes up on A perfect Sunday morning… It don’t get much better than that 😊 There is something magical and healing in your garden, but you have to spend time there to find it… You have to sweat and toil and you have to sit down within, cool off and relax… Keep it up at all costs!
One of my places to sit “within my garden” is on my porch garden. All potted annuals and perennials, hanging baskets & vines. It creates a shady little nook with comfortable seating 😊 and a fan to boot. Down the steps on both ends lie my tomatoes, peppers, herbs and more. It’s not a hobby for me. It’s a lifestyle… Have a great Sunday!
“How I love my little garden, where I sit and contemplate.
My perfect piece of paradise inside my garden gate.
Hanging baskets, pretty pots, the flowers are brimming over.
The grass so green, the buttercups, the daisies, and the clover.
Honeysuckle and jasmine giving off its sweet perfume.
Pretty lilies open wide, rose bushes in full bloom.
In summer they stand tall and proud as the buds turn into flowers.
I sit and watch as they all flourish and while away the hours.
I see the little fledglings nesting high up in the trees.
Bees in and out the bushes with their variegated leaves,
Where they gather all the pollen, then soar into the sky.
They’re heading home at speed, returning to the hive.
The melody of the wind chimes as they tinkle in the breeze
Interwoven with gossamer cobwebs, at night the spider weaves.
The sunshine sparkles on the pond where the water lilies grow.
Golden fish and tadpoles swimming safely down below.
It’s all so very peaceful relaxing in the sun
Where the butterflies flutter by having so much fun.
The sun goes down and darkness falls, the moon is big and bold,
Where all that live in the garden have a story to be told.
The little gnomes are watching the pixies and the sprites
Dancing by the wishing well, aglow with fairy lights.
I can sit here contemplating until it’s very late
In this magical piece of paradise, inside my garden gate”
~ Susan C Walkinshaw-Kelly
Have a wonderful Sunday! 🙏🏻❤️
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Hummingbirds, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pond Tips, Pondless Waterfalls, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Guitar, I ❤️ Music, Petrichor, Rain, Rainy Morning, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, The Smell Of Rain, There will come soft rains
Why do I get up earlier than any other day on my 1 day off… ? My eyes 👀 pop open on Sunday morning (usually around 4:30’ish) & I’m wide awake! BUT, I’ve already done all my chores and I’ve got time to do a little pickin before everyone else is up – So I got that goin for me 😊
- Watering ✅
- Feeding my Koi ✅
- Took out trash ✅
- Chill on swing and do some picking 💥
- Dont forget to publish your blog ✅
After the chores and things are done ✅ and before breakfast 🍳 I found some time to do a little picking. It’s gonna rain 🌧 so I got that goin for me too 😊
There is some rain coming, I can smell it in the air. I’m gonna enjoy that as well!
“Whenever it rains, and its earthy scent — the petrichor — hits my senses, memories come flashing and I go back in time.”
Y’all have a great Sunday!
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: America, Beautiful Sunset, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Country, Old Glory, Proud American, Ragged Old Flag, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sunsets, The Presence of God, The Sun Also Rises, United States of America
Turn off the TV, lay down the smart phone, relax your mind for a little while… I’ve been reflecting on things lately. My life, family, country, God. I for one feel blessed! I am proud to be an American! I took this picture last night as we watched the sunset. Old Glory speaks volumes if you’ll listen…
I want to take a minute and say how thankful I am to be an American! No other country on the face of the earth affords us the rights and privileges that we have as Americans. Stand up! Speak your mind! Hold your ground! God Bless America! 🇺🇸
God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam.
God bless America,
My home sweet home.
God bless America,
My home sweet home.
Peace,
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Hummingbirds, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Early Summer, I ❤️ Summer, June, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family
Sunday morning report –
The garden is growing like gangbusters! Vegetables as well as flowers 🌺 As the days get longer and longer it’s tough for me to ever actually make it in the house 😊 But, as soon as I get in there in the a/c… sleep comes quickly. I Love ❤️ it!
I’m enjoying my hanging baskets and flowers 🌺 this season! I’ve created a “plant wall” of sorts to give me more shade and more privacy. I ❤️ It!
I’m enjoying the quiet sunrise all by my little lonesome 😊 But here in a few, I’m gonna fix breakfast for everyone… Then, I’m gonna spend the rest of the morning finishing up my planting! Boy how I love Sunday gardening!
“What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade.”
~ Gertrude Jekyll
Have a great Sunday!
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: American Hero’s, Deep Thoughts, God Bless, God Bless America, Hero’s, Memorial Day, Memorial Weekend, Patriotism, Patriots, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Thank You, USA
Memorial Day is a Holy Day! A day we remember and hold high those true hero’s that gave all for our freedom!
Thank you! To all the men and women who gave all so we could have and enjoy our freedom! Tell your kids and grandkids what this day stands for! 🇺🇸 God Bless America 💥
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived.”
– George S. Patton
Have a Great Memorial Day Weekend!
~ Mark C.
