family history and hollyhocks...

A short post on this cool summer morning to share a photo..



My daughter and I help in our church's Family History Center twice a month,
and on our last visit, I found this photo had been added to our family tree.

Her name is Matilda, and as I gazed at the photo, I became lost wondering about her.
The dress (oh-so warm in summer) the pin (a gift or maybe handed down?)  & shawl
(surely handmade), the clapboard home behind her with the pretty window trim. 

And those stately hollyhocks..so beautiful. I wonder if she loved them as much as I do...a trait handed down through the generations, maybe?

Have you done any digging into your family tree? What treasures have you discovered? You may want to give it a try...there's so many wonderful stories and photos to bind the generations.

farmgirl photo...

Things like this just make me smile!

Happy Friday, friends!

farmgirl photos...

As summer winds down (school begins in 2 weeks!) there's lots happening here on the farm. Just like everyone else, there's always much to do...for us, we're reworking the mudroom and half-bath, gardening, beekeeping, and catching up on odds & ends. Summer heat and humidity are relentless, with temperatures in the 90's each day. Unfortunately, there's no chance in sight of much-needed rain.

What cool can be found in the early morning, is spent watering the garden and flowers, and topping off buckets of water for the goats, chickens, barn cats, faithful guard dog, and even the honey bees. Throughout the day we make quick trips outside to be sure animals have fresh water and are doing well. And as for us, homemade ice cream is on the menu for this weekend!

And so it goes...it IS summer, and soon fall...my favorite time of year, will be here to enjoy. 
In the meantime, here's a peek at what we see each day...a little walk around the farm.

Happy Friday to all!

A sweet, elderly lady at the nursery suggested this heirloom variety, San Marzano.
Can't wait to try it in our favorite tomato sauce recipe.



 

Who doesn't love a volunteer sunflower?!





Plump blackberries are ready for picking - hint: plant the thornless variety! 



I can taste the peach cobbler now...yum! 

Limelight hydrangea add a pop of color to a shady spot.

It's hard to find a flower that can take the heat of full sun, all day long...but these zinnias have been fantastic.
I'll be saving the seeds for next year!