My recently untimely absence has been due to a short vacation and an adjustment to a new job situation. After a fairly mild winter, Spring is making an appearance here in eastern Chester County.
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Spring Has Sprung
Forsythia are some of the earliest flowering shrubs and are great in flower arrangements. I think almost everyone loves daffodils. Because you can’t have too many. The lovely magnolia. I believe this is also a magnolia variety. Early azaleas at Jenkins Arboretum. Winter is still hanging on at Jenkins … -
A Photo Tour of Chenoa Manor
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in a photo tour of Chenoa Manor in Avondale, Pennsylvania and visit with its many wonderful animal residents. Chenoa is an accredited animal sanctuary taking in the neediest of animals with a focus on farm and exotic animals. You can visit the sanctuary by becoming a volunteer, intern or benefactor or by participating in a scheduled workshop or event.
With the help of a guide, our small group was able to enter the pastures for some up close and personal time with the animals. It is clear from the atmosphere that the animals and their welfare are the focus here. You can read more about Chenoa at their website.
An overview of Chenoa Manor. 
A pasture with grazing animals. 
Grazing pony and donkeys. It was great to meet some of the animals.
Donkey Felicetta. She was rescued on her way to slaughter. 
This handsome guy looked me right in the eye. 
This pig was ready for bed time. 
A very thoughtful expression from this goat. 
A beautiful white goat. 
I wonder what this duck is saying? 
I think this is a goose, not a duck. I need to brush up on this. The property is available for events a has some lovely gardens.
A lovely rustic garden at the base of the barn. 
A view of the flower garden. 
Blessings on those coming and going. -
Outdoor Tubbing Update
My little balcony water garden seems to be doing pretty well. There has been some growth on the plants. I removed six baby plants from the water hyacinth. No wonder they are highly invasive in warmer climates, I added 11 long fin white cloud mountain minnows. So far, they seem to be doing well. I removed the pot scrubber islands for the birds about as soon as I installed them, realizing that the birds would probably just get entangled.
Balcony tub with new growth. The spearwort looks great and the equisetum is getting some height.. -
Like the Spring, I Have Returned
This weekend, I set off to Chester Springs to check out some garden centers in hopes of finding some aquatic plants for a container water garden I have on my balcony. I found a Louisiana iris and spearwort plant to add to the equisetum (horsetail reed) and water hyacinth I already have.
Here’s how it looks so far:
Maker:0x4c,Date:2017-11-17,Ver:4,Lens:Kan03,Act:Lar01,E-Y,E-ver:20190214.5310204.002.000 It doesn’t look like much now, but it should fill in nicely. I will try to keep you updated about my little water garden. The sponges are an experiment to see if birds will use them as landing pads to take drink. I hope to add some fish when the water warms up.
While I was out, I ran across the charming Chester Springs Creamery at Milky Way Farm. They make delicious ice cream. Here is an impromptu panorama of part of the property:
The lovely property at Chester Springs Creamery at Milky Way Farm.