Welcome to our 1864 farmhouse…life is good!


Monday, April 18

thanks a bunch Capper's Farmer!


It's always such fun to find a surprise in the mailbox...especially when it's one from Capper's Farmer! Love those folks...their magazine is always filled with easy tips, practical advice, yummy recipes, and inspiration for the garden.

And lucky me, this spring I was invited to be a part of their newest issue!




I've shared my quick & easy how-to's for making your very own oil lamp, and it's ready in almost no time at all. Try using quart-size Mason jars for a table centerpiece or march several sweet little jelly jars across the mantel of your fireplace. These oil lamps add a little flickering light on a picnic table at sunset, and should the electricity go out, you'll find they're not only pretty, but practical, too!

My heartfelt thanks to the Capper's Farmer folks...




Monday, April 11

about that third snow...


Well, as previously posted, the saying goes "There will be 3 snows after the forsythia bloom." I'm here to tell you that old tale is true...and it happened in our part of the Midwest all in one week!

Now don't get me wrong...some folks are grumbling, but it's a fact.

I. Love. Snow.

Truly, I don't remember a time when I wasn't in love with snow. For me, there's nothing like the cozy feeling of just hunkering down with a favorite book or classic movie, hearing the sounds of a crackling fire in the fireplace, making s'mores over that fire, and enjoying the delicious aroma of a homemade soup simmering on the stove. It's a signal to slow down the usual break-neck speed of life and do nothing but ENJOY.

Another wise saying goes like this...

"Time flies...whether you're having fun or not."

And that, I can testify, is absolutely true.  So let's enjoy every minute...

Whether it's this...


or this...



"In all of living, have much fun
and laughter.

Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."
 
-Gordon B. Hinckley
 
 


 

Monday, April 4

3 snows after the forsythia bloom...


That's how the old saying goes...and if it holds true, we have two more snows to come.

Driving this weekend we were in a good old-fashioned, grip-the-steering wheel, wish we were home, winter white-out. The winds were strong, the truck was swaying, and it truly looked as if we were very tiny and driving right into a blur of dandelion seeds blowing in the wind!

We made it home just fine, but woke to find all signs of spring were now snow-covered...

 
 

And so it goes...

well, there's nothing we can do to change Mother Nature...so we tossed some logs in the fireplace and settled into piles of blankets and pillows for a movie marathon. And there we were: warm & cozy, safe & sound, happy & healthy.

And you know what? I'm okay with two more snows if it means more days like this.



 
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