Welcome to Our Woods

 

If you've never been to the Ozark Mountains, let me give you glimpse of what spring time looks like around here.  Everywhere you look, the dogwoods are blooming.  This picture was taken as we walked across the pond bank.  They grow wild across the landscape and their lacy appearance as they cascade to the ground is breathtaking.     

 The wildflowers and morel mushrooms are also scattered across the forest floor.

We follow the path through the woods down into the holler....

 And up to the next range...if you look closely you can continue to see the Dogwoods throughout the forest.  The Redbuds grow wild through the forest too, but they are about done blooming before the Dogwoods come out.

And then we come to the horse pasture...

No, they aren't ours.  They are our neighbors, but we get to enjoy their presence...

and playtime....

 

and the view....

is spectacular!!

Then we walk back down across the bottom land, nothing spectacular, but very peaceful, cool and refreshing.  This is where the cows come during the heat of the summer. 

 Here is the top of the other range...not a pasture full of horses but still a pretty sight!

I hope this gives you a small look into the glory of springtime in the Ozarks....and life on an Ozark homestead.  The cows make it look easy!  I'll be sure to post about the hard work it takes to homestead in the Ozarks also!  Speaking of which....I'm heading out the door to move some rock to the front slope, transplant about three dozen flowering peach trees, plot out a section for the grapevines, roll the logs for new garden beds over so we can rake and burn.....and then maybe we can get some lunch in!  Don't ask me what's in store for this afternoon!