A Little Walk

It sure has been a long week around here. I have been kept busy with yard work, gardening and to many other things to mention. I worked in the garden a little this week and wanted to update you on the results of the Weed Free Raised Bed. Although I mentioned recently how it did not remain weed free but had developed a few weeds here and there. I want to let you know that I have not spent many hours weeding this year. I have over all probably weeded about three or four times. I would bet all in total I have not spent more than an hour or two in garden work.  I must admit I have not gotten as many vegetables as I had expected. But I believe the soil many need some amending next year. That may help it to produce a little more. While I have been busy in other parts of our yard I took a few pictures while I walked around our yard today. I just forgot to take photos of our garden. I will be sure to get a few photos of our garden before the season ends.

Our largest apple tree has produced well this year. I can hardly wait for the apples to ripen. They are almost ready. We have another apple tree planted at the same time but it has only started to produce this year. So we may only get a handful from the second tree if any at all.

While getting some photos of our flowers in the front flower bed I came across this dragonfly. It seems to be molting. That is if they molt. Does anyone know if they molt? I thought the wings were spectacular!

This is the grapevines on the left side of our home. They are hanging on an arbor and our gazebo. That is all from one vine. It started out on the arbor and has grown so much we added a fence to the side. When it out grew the fence we built the arbor to help support the vines.We have another vine on the right side of our home. I just forgot to take photos on that side of our home. I may do that in another post. Any how this vine has always produced well but not excessively.
Well, last year it did not produce at all. Not even one grape. I was happy to see this year that it has actually produced tons of grapes.

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I stood under the gazebo to snap this shot. This is just a small section of the ceiling in the gazebo. These grapes should be ready to harvest some time in September. They are just amazingly  beautiful! Don't you think?
Well, that is all for today. I hope you all have a great weekend. 

DIY: Christmas Grape Vine Wreath

Many years ago my friend gave my husband and I a grape vine wreath for our first Christmas as a married couple. I had the wreath for many years. Some how with all our travels we lost the wreath. I decided to make my own wreath this year. Why not with all the grape vines on our property. I know we will be pruning them soon so why not use a few vines to make my wreath.
First I cut a bunch of vines. I then taped one end. I would have normally used floral wire instead of tape but I thought the tape would stand out in my photos better.

This was my first bunch. The vines are about 10 to 12 feet long. I added a few more vines after the picture. I then held the taped end in one hand. with my other hand I pulled the vine in an arch then worked it back to the taped end. I taped the vines where they met together.

 

 

Then I pulled the vines around one last time. I tucked the ends in to the openings weaving in and out as much as I could.

 

 

I then cute a couple ends off a blue spruce bough. I tied the ends of the spruce tips together with twine. Then I tied on a couple pine cones to the spruce tips.

 

 

I tied the spruce tips and pine cones to the wreath. I added a bow and its ready to hang.

 

What are your favorite Christmas decorations?