A Kaleidoscope of Ideas

If you are a fan of mystery stories and Beatrix Potter you will enjoy Susan Wittig Albert's charming cottage tales. 
They are an eight book mystery series that follow the adventures of Beatrix Potter in England's Lake District.  The books are suitable reads for YA and adults. Each book is a stand alone and they do not have to be read in a certain order. 
Follow the link below for more information on each of these books. 

http://www.cottagetales.com/books/

Bella wants you to know that her story An Intruder  recently was published in WWN Community newsletter.
http://www.wwnrockport.com/search/label/Stories%20and%20Memories

Water and Garden Tour

You just never know what unusual things you might find in someones garden. Take for instance this ornamental bottle tree in a garden.

How about repurposing an old fashioned cradle to use as a fairy garden or

 

the hollow of a tree as a planter.

Fourteen homeowners offered inspirational ideas as they used their backyard spaces to create ponds, waterfalls and gardens.

 I learned that if you want to keep Koi fish all winter outside in the pond (and remember Minnesota has long, cold winters) you need to dig a hole at least 4-5 feet deep. In the fall these fish stop eating and become dormant till spring. I found it amazing these fish can survive all winter under the ice without food.






One backyard had a river landscape. This guest enjoyed the using the swing to fly out over the water.

 

The last stop on the tour had a table set out with coffee, homemade cookies and water. What a splendid way to end the afternoon! And I even managed to get a new cookie idea. Sorry no picture for this idea but the homeowner shared that her recipe was quite simple. Sugar cookies with added dried cranberries and white chocolate chips to batter. I must try this idea soon. They were quite delicious.