Rose Cottage Ltd

If I didn’t live on a rural property of nearly 7 acres I’d still want to have a few animals around so I don’t lose contact with the natural order of things. Thanks to garden statues, even a small lot can have some wildlife “visitors” and you won’t even have to feed them!

Below are some of my favorites from Garden-Fountains.com

Check the site for special savings and items available with free shipping!

And so far, all 6 still present and accounted for!

The family had just returned from a “little” walk around the 15 acre pasture next door. I wonder how the little ones keep up on those tiny little legs!

There was a nasty looking raccoon here last weekend. I hope it is long gone or it could spell trouble for the geese…

And here they are on their very first birthday!

I think one or two hatched yesterday and although you can’t see them all in this picture, 6 goslings are now out and about, but “Daisy” is not allowing them off the nest just yet.

It was a bit chilly this morning in Central North Carolina so Daisy will continue to keep her nest intact and will make sure her children have a safe place to sleep.

I noticed she seemed to wait this morning until that little spot of sunlight came through the trees before she stood up and “revealed” her nest and goslings. They seem to like the warmth of the sun and for the moment, continue to huddle together outside the eggs much as they did before they hatched!

More pictures later this week!

Couldn’t ask for a better scene from your driveway than this!

Hope most have had weekend weather as nice as it was here in North Carolina!

There have been some real tragedies this week in the US and a lot of people lost their lives. It can be depressing to have a week with so much bad news so we’re going to add a bit of humor to start this coming weekend.

Here are some people who got up off their sofas and went out to enjoy past weekends – with some unintended results!

I’d call this one:

“Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…”

Have a safe and eventful weekend!

This lone tree – hiding in the woods, is one of the most elusive bloomers to catch each year. The blooms come out quickly and unfortunately disappear just as fast. My more difficult problem is to find it each year since I only have one or two on the entire 7-acre property.

So here it is for 2013…

On the other hand is the Persian Lilac which has copious blooms and an incredible scent. That should be just about ready for photo-ops this coming weekend! Or you can get a peek at last year’s Persian Lilac show!

I’ll let these garden fountain images speak for themselves! Who would not like to add one to their yard or garden?

Fountains come in ALL shapes and sizes so you can easily add to or completely change the atmosphere of your outdoor living spaces.

This fountain will look great on almost any wall!

How about a fountain for an indoor space? This smaller fountain may be just right for a sunny corner window…

There are hundreds of options for fountains, statuary, bird baths, and other garden accessories available at Garden-Fountains.com. Look for free shipping on many items!

A picnic is whatever you make it. It can be a wrapped sandwich and a cold drink or it can be an elaborate outdoor meal with linens and utensils. It can take place in your own backyard, or it can be part of a day journey or a long summer road trip.

In my family, it usually meant cold fried chicken and homemade cole slaw. I rarely eat this combination even today without thinking about Sundays spent at my Grandparent’s cottage on the river.

Below are some picnic options for the well-organized picnic planner for Summer 2013…

How about some cool colors for hot weather picnics?

This Aegean Picnic Basket Tote comes to you from “Picnic at Ascot.”

The fully insulated tote to keep food and drinks at the perfect temperature, with two integral bottle holders. Fully equipped with service for four. Sure to be a favorite of any couple or family. Hand grip custom antique brass accents signature contrast detailing on all straps. Easy Clean Lining.

The Somerset Picnic Basket – a double lid willow basket with plastic service, is perfectly designed to serve 2 persons.

The Somerset Basket is the perfect basket to carry on any picnic occasion. It is durable with a full willow construction and a plush corduroy interior. This basket includes a deluxe service setting for two allowing you to create the perfect picnic for yourself and a special guest. It has ample storage for 2 wine glasses, 2 food containers, salt and pepper shakers, 2 porcelain plates, 2 sets of utensils, cheese knife, cutting board and corkscrew that will enable you to have a tasty food and enjoy your picnic in the truest sense of the term.

This Barrel Picnic Basket is a barrel-shaped, two-lid willow basket with deluxe service for two that features durable pine green polyester lining. It includes: 2 plates, 2 napkins, 2 hand-blown wine glasses, 1 tablecloth, 2 stainless steel forks, knives, and spoons, 1 set of salt and pepper shakers, and 1 stainless steel waiter-style corkscrew.

Also makes a great gift!

Here’s one for us coffee fans…

The Buckingham Picnic Basket is a full reed willow handcrafted Picnic basket for four with a rich chocolate brown finish.

It has a traditional picnic basket shape and convenient top carry handle. This set includes coordinating melamine plates and cotton napkins, glass wine glasses, stainless steel flatware, and corkscrew. Also includes a convenient food cooler and coffee set with stainless steel coffee flask and mugs.

Literally hundreds of options for picnic baskets at Garden.com. Free shipping on many items…

I don’t think the lake is large enough for the “6 Geese A-Laying” mentioned in the Christmas carol – but there seems to be room for three!

There was a successful nest in this first location last year so I’m not surprised they’re back this season.

The only problem is that this spot is just to the left of the path leading around the lake. The male goose (gander) is very protective of his mate on the nest so if I don’t want to be chased – I’ll need to swing a wider path away from the nest – most particularly when I am walking the dog, Cato. This is his first year here during “nesting” season and I’ll need to work hard to make sure there are no incidents.

The second nest is “Daisy’s” at the back of the house. She’s an expert at that thing realtors say is most important, “location, location, location.”

She picked this spot off the lake which is maybe less convenient for her needs, but keeps her – and the nest – further away from the other dozen or so geese frequenting the lake.

This spot is being used for the 3rd year so “Mother” really must know best!

The third nest is my biggest problem. As you can see from the image, the nest is just to the right of the path. The male protecting this nest has decided that most of this side of the lake is HIS property!

I tried to have a conversation with him yesterday to inform him that his name is NOT on the property’s mortgage and that I can walk where I want to walk but I’m not sure he got my meaning!

I did get a bit of jump on this one though…while noticing about 45 days ago that these two geese were hanging around this area, I cut back and then raked a path about 10 feet higher up and away from the lake. So although he will hiss at me as Cato and I pass through – I don’t think he feels too threatened by our presence.

After checking my calendar from last year, it looks like the geese went on their nests full-time about 2 weeks later than in 2012. This should mean goslings will hatch on or just before 1 May 2013.

Yesterday we looked at a few great options for gloves that will protect your hands and arms while gardening. Today we’ll have a look at some gardening/landscaping/country property-focused footwear. If you can’t walk, you can’t work.

If you’re constantly working in areas of uneven terrain, these boots will provide some necessary support and they are On Sale right now!

The Men’s and Women’s LawnGrips Pro are the perfect outdoor utility shoe, though they offer the comfort of a walking shoe.

The 6″ high lace-up rise offers additional ankle protection and the steel rubber overtoe resist water and scuffing. They feature water and stain-resistant full grain leather uppers. The patented Grip-N-Go outsole gives you traction even on wet grass. The tough heavy duty rubber sole holds up, even to shovel work.

The LawnGrips “Brutus” are the perfect outdoor utility boot, though they offer the comfort of a walking shoe. The 7″ high lace-up rise offers additional ankle protection.

They utilize water and stain-resistant full grain leather uppers with a commercial-grade waterproof membrane and hi-wall sole for greater stability and support. The patented Grip-N-Go outsole gives you traction even on wet grass.

If you’re working in the woods, doing chainsaw work, or otherwise taking on a major project, these solid boots are the pair you’ll want and they’re also on sale right now.

If you’re doing any work around a lake or pond – or in any other “wetland” type area, get yourself a pair of these very handy boots! That nice grip on the bottom will provide the traction you need in wet or damp environments. On sale right now – over 20% off – a good time to purchase!

The LawnGrips Aquanators the perfect outdoor utility boot, though they offer the comfort of a walking shoe. The 16” high rubber boot is made of 100% waterproof, all natural one-piece rubber uppers with patented Grip-N-Go(R) outsole for traction on wet grass and uneven surfaces. Tough butyl rubber sole and a steel shank hold up to shovel work. The Aquanator features a removable, anti-microbial, bacteriostatic sock liner for comfort and high-wall construction for stability.

These are sturdy, serious boots for those of us who have large projects and/or large properties to manage. Look for other less “rustic” choices for shoes, clogs and boots at Garden.com.