Earth Outdoor Living Diaries

Your Backyard

Every town and city and countryside has something in their backyard that they are proud to share with each other, and the outside world. For my neck of the woods it is the Perrine Bridge and the Snake River Canyon. It really is a beautiful area we live in. We keep our lawns and golf courses green by irrigation that comes from the Snake River itself. We actually live in a dessert area. So without the Snake River irrigation we would be very dry and tree less. Oh yea, we would have some sage brush.... Which I love! We would have some Russian Olive trees and some Cottonwood trees along the streams, but really not much beautiful, green vegetation if we didn't have irrigation water powered up to us from the Snake River.

What's Next?

When spring time comes in Idaho it doesn't take long for the trees to bloom and the spring flowers to break them free from beneath the ground.

Pillar Falls

Pillar Falls is a rock mound between the Shoshone Falls and Perrine Bridge. You can see Pillar Falls from the Perrine Bridge. We have been there many times. A person can boat there, kayak there and hike to Pillar Falls. In the spring the water level is high so the area looks like a wild rapid. When the water level is low in the summer you can anchor your boat and climb all over the rocks. There is a very large rock that you can climb up to the flat top and camp out for the evening.

The Many Conversations in Life.

I love this picture. It reminds me of all the great coffee visits I have had with my friends, children, husband, business associates and family. This photo just makes me want to sit down and have a heart to heart with the lovely and pleasant people in my life. The ones I love to be around. When we have our coffee or lunch visits we can talk about many different topics and laugh and cry and agree and even disagree at times, but we still can go away from the visit refreshed and renewed. I am always ready to get out there and get it done after a real good, positive heart to heart with a good friend. I know they are there to help and encourage and even help me to be accountable in love. Those are the coffee and lunch or walking appointments that I make sure I plan and ones that I fit into my schedule.

If you feed them; they will come.

We have 3 bird feeders in our back yard. I filled them yesterday and we have enjoyed watching the birds come and enjoy the bounty. My husband loves to bird watch. It is about the only non electronic form of relaxation that he participates in. I used to think it was out of character for him, maybe it is, but I enjoy watching them too, and it is something we can do together besides watch a movie or cook, etc...It is very relaxing and informative. Taking pictures can be difficult. The birds are always very cautious and looking around for predators and anything that moves around them. While the birds were swarming around the bird feeder by our bedroom window we looked up the types of birds we saw on our computer. Here are a few of the different types of birds.

The End of the Rainbow.

Anyone who has ever tried to stand under the end of the rainbow knows that it is impossible. While you're headed towards the end of the rainbow you see the end directly in front of you just below the hill of grass. You head in that direction only to arrive there and find the end of the rainbow has moved ahead a couple feet or even a mile.

The forest through the trees.

I absolutely love Quaky Aspen Trees. They are so unique. The bark is white and the trees are relatively thin, but usually perfectly round. You will usually always find a Quaky Aspen tree with someone's initials carved into it with a heart around the letters. The leaves are roundish and light green in color. When there is a light breeze they just move back and forth in a gentle, melodic rhythm.

DO This, No, Do That!

Being a mother of 4 and having a part time job and a hobby that is also turning into a business and volunteer work and , and , and which causes me to get frazzled and going in more than one direction at a time. Especially this time of the year... Only I think I have been saying ... especially this time of year all year this year.

                    FERTILIZE, PLANT, GROW, HARVEST, REPEAT!

I was at a Farmers Market this past weekend. I love those! The vendors have just begun harvesting some of their fruits and vegetables that they have planted in green houses. I can't wait until the markets and my garden is overflowing with fresh greens and fruits and herbs.

A WELCOME MAT

Have you ever paid much attention to people's front doors? I enjoy looking at the Front Entry of Properties. Front entries seem to resonate a part of the homeowners personality and character. Some front doors and entry areas are decorated with colorful paint, flowers, welcome signs, little porcelain figures, antiques. Some doors are wood, metal, and glass. Sometimes it is like walking up to a mansion; sometimes it is like walking up to a comfortable little cottage. Sometimes the entry has a country feel. Sometimes the front entry has a classy, formal feel.

Here Birdie Birdie!!

I have been attempting to take pictures of birds for years. They are not one of my favorite subjects. It takes patience, persistence and being at the right place at the right time ready to shoot away.

Oh My, Oh My!

For many parts of Idaho you can see a beautiful sunset every night. Even if the clouds are in the sky, the sun will shine through and the colors will radiate throughout the sky.

Momma, I hold you!

I will never forget these words. Momma, I hold you? The child that once said this to me over and over again when she was about 12 months to 5 years of age doesn't say this anymore. She doesn't ask me to hold her or hug her. She doesn't hold my hand or sit on my lap. One thing she does say is, Momma, can I... or Momma, such and such happened today. Her pronunciation of Momma has not changed at all. That I LOVE! In fact, she still says DADDA. She is 14. She will sit on my lap. She will let me hug her, but I have to instigate it. I might not get anything in return either, but I will still hug on her every chance I get.

We need a place.

Twin Falls is just a little over an hour to Sun Valley. We visit the area 4 to 6 times a year. Mostly, we head to the Wood River Valley to make our way to the beautiful mountains and enjoy some time away from the city. Ketchum and Sun Valley is world famous for their skiing, outdoor life, famous cuisine and entertainment. The Wood River Valley is otherwise known as the Gateway to the Sawtooth National Forest.

Animal Houses.

Animal Houses... otherwise known as Barns. I am quite fond of them. In the country you can see one or two or three within a mile. Older, newer, well kept or run down. However they are, I love them. I have collected a few photos of the different barns here in the Magic Valley. Photographing more of them is on my spring to-do list. I better get to it. This barn is just at the edge of a new subdivision. It is such a beautiful red color. There is a walk path going right along the property.

Shoshone Falls

Shoshone Falls in located near Twin Falls, ID. It is part of the Snake River. It's height is 212 ft. The park is beautiful! The City charges car traffic $3 to drive down to the Falls and see the wonderful display. The last few years we have had so much water that the Falls have flowed heavy all summer. Anytime we went down there last summer the water fall was spectacular. There is a path that runs from the park up out of the canyon and along the canyon rim. From that path you can see the Falls down below and many other spectacular views. I spend quite a bit of time down there during the summer and fall. The park itself has large trees and beautiful lawn for relaxing and throwing a Frisbee around.

Landmarks.

There are plenty of beautiful sights in the Magic Valley to enjoy from north to south and east to west. The Perrine Bridge, Evil Knevil Jump, Shoshone Falls, Balanced Rock, Thousand Springs.

'Tis the Season!

This is the beginning of a busy season for farmers across the state of Idaho. In fact, I think they started preparing for their planting season in February. It has been a long time since I knew the steps in the farming process. I remember my dad getting the tractors and trucks and all the machinery ready for the planting season. I think this was something he was always doing in his extra time. What extra time? Say, probably after dinner until it got dark in the spring and summer time. But in the winter he would have the machinery in his shop getting it all primed and ready to work up the ground.

Your Favorite Animal.

What is your favorite Animal? Did you have a pet growing up? What kind of animal would you like to have for companionship? Many of you have an animal for a companion or many animals residing on your farm or property. Most people really enjoy having animals around keeping them company, making them laugh and getting out and enjoying nature with their favorite pet.

CELEBRATE!

It is not too hard to find something to celebrate about. Today is Cinco De Mayo. We are having a party! In this day and even in the generations before us people were always getting together to eat and visit. For some reason there is always food involved. I remember when I was young we would get together with the Aunts and Uncles and Cousins on Sunday afternoons and have a picnic at the park. Sometimes on a Saturday night we would have the family or friends over and eat food. The adults would visit and the kids would go outside and play a game called "Wolf in the Night". It was a very fun game. We also would take our city friends "Snipe Hunting". Anyone ever heard of that game? I'm not going to tell you about it just in case one of your good friends might want to take you out sometime. It is a thrill!!! Especially, when you hear a Snipe in the corn field.