MaryJanesFarm…

 

A few of you have asked when my next post for MaryJanesFarm is, so I thought I”d make it easy to find! 

 

Just click here…

time flies, bringing both happy & sad...

Time to catch up, the weeks are flying by...

Backing up to Easter, this year for dessert I baked a Hummingbird Cake. I've read about them for ages, and so I thought Spring was a good time to try it out. If you like bananas and pineapple I think you'll like this 1970's spice cake.

My daughter created the best charcuterie board...her first try! It was filled with all kinds of crackers, cheeses, chocolate-covered almonds, olives, and the prettiest salami rose! We've decided she's in charge of food for special events/holidays from now on!

A friend shared her extra eggs with me, and they were perfect for Easter. They look as if they've already been dyed. Nope...these are the lovely colors the girls gifted us with - truly, no filter here!

Although we were lucky enough to be right in the path of totality for the Eclipse, my daughter and I decided it would be fun to travel a bit north to a state park, so we drove to Malabar Farm (home of Pulitzer Prize winner Louis Bromfield). Built in the 1930's, the home and farm are beautiful.

While waiting for the eclipse, we visited all the farm animals and walked through the barns. The home is open certain times for tours...we'll be sure and do that on our next visit (it's where Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were married...please don't say "Who?" I'll feel so, so old!)

How to describe it? The eclipse was all the best words: stunning, mesmerizing, amazing. The temperature dropped, it was cool and quiet, and over far too soon. What a blessing to witness such a once-in-a-lifetime event.

This weekend I made Grandma O's Rolls -  Janice at  Prims by the Water was kind enough to share the recipe. I LOVE that the instructions included using a breadboard, which my old-fashioned self happily did.  Although not picture perfect (I need to work on my roll-shaping skills) they came out tasty and were great warm topped with butter. 

I'll make them again and try to get them just right - thanks so much Janice (and Janice's mom!) for sharing this handed-down recipe.

The weather's been a bit of everything lately, with tornado warnings, freeze warnings, and strong storms. Certainly an up & down Spring.

And while Mother Nature has kept us on our toes and busy, there's also been sadness. Last week we said goodbye to this fellow...Azreal (or Azzie as we called him.)

Azzie found his way to the farm about 12 years ago, and was immediately a part of the family. He got along well with everyone (2-legged or 4-legged) and was dubbed the Dog-Cat - because he was so friendly and dog-like...not aloof as so many cats can be. Also, amazingly, he was housebroken...not due to my training, that's just how he was, like a dog, he'd wait at the door to be let out with never an inside accident. 

Cozy on their favorite blankets, Azzie would snuggle Bailey and we'd find them curled up like this most evenings.

Azzie had fun poses while sleeping...we said he looked like he was jumping off the high dive, 

and that this one resembled a curled up pill bug!

About 2 years ago we noticed what looked like a scratch on his nose that wouldn't heal. The vet told us it was cancer, and sadly there was nothing that could be done. We kept it clean and sprayed it with antiseptic, and he bounced on through life as he always did.

But after this past Christmas, it became much more aggressive...and it was time to talk about the heartbreaking decision. I will be honest, I put off thinking about it because I hoped he'd pass in his sleep. I struggled with that decision...it was easy to put aside the thought when his behavior was as it always had been, but one look at his sweet face, and it was painfully obvious the time had come. 

Any of you who have been through this will know that the animals we invite into our lives are a part of our family. It's not a decision that was made lightly, or quickly with no thought. With a week to prepare Azzie was spoiled more than usual...mashed potatoes were a favorite and the kids picked up a Starbucks Pup Cup for him...a first that was thoroughly enjoyed. He slept by the warm fire, which he always loved, and he slept on my lap.

The vet's staff was kind, and we took our time saying goodbye...still, it was an incredibly difficult moment. Even though our hearts will always hurt, I'm eternally grateful that he found his way here years ago, and that we were able to spend 12 years of our lives with such a sweet boy.

Thanks for letting me share his story with you...

this, that, & the other thing...

April, how can it be April already?! The promise of spring is in the air, and here on the farm, it's been a time for making plans, catching up with friends, and being filled with anticipation!

Like so many of you, we're preparing for incoming severe weather in the next few hours. Stepping outside is deceiving; I'm greeted with sunshine and birdsong, I've even put some clothes on the line to dry. However; it's best to be prepared...emergency backpacks are put together, firewood is stacked by the door, and other odds & ends are completed that help us feel ready. And who knows, maybe, just maybe, the weather predictions will be wrong!

And so, with those things taken care of, it's time for a quick catch-up; here's the latest...otherwise known as This, That, & The Other Thing!

this- 

is the cute little face of a new cat that's been visiting lately. While still a shy fellow, I'm sure we'll win him over in time. We've named him Barnum...so now we have Barnum & Bailey!

that- 

is the souffled egg sandwich my daughter treated me to on my birthday...it was so delicious! We went to a fun little bakery/coffee shop called Fox in the Snow and had a wonderful time.

& the other thing - 

In my last post, I said that I hoped soon I'd have a surprise to share. Well, it was official right before my birthday. One of my favorite sayings is: Never Stop Making Wishes. That goes for all of us; we're never too old to start something new and chase dreams.

For years I've been a fan of Mary Janes Farm - the books, the magazine, her story.  Now, I'm so happy (okay, tickled, thrilled really!)  to be a little part of the MaryJanesFarm family. 

I'll be joining the other terrific Farmgirl Bloggers - Beach, City, Ranch & Suburban, writing online as the Rural Farmgirl...my first post can be found here. Now, know that I am NOT crazy about having my picture taken, and honestly, I think my daughter took 27 before I found one I kind-of liked - oh well, it was a must for the MaryJanesFarm website, and so, here we go...

  

       

Click here and you'll find all the Farmgirl Bloggers!

I am so excited to be able to share my love of writing and stories of what's happening here on the farm. Be sure to stop by and read what the other Farmgirl Bloggers are up to in their part of the world...I always find something new to inspire me!

Well, it's getting dark outside and I hear thunder, and so it begins...time to batten down the hatches, as the saying goes.

Wishing you all a good week!