A few of you have asked when my next post for MaryJanesFarm is, so I thought I”d make it easy to find!
A few of you have asked when my next post for MaryJanesFarm is, so I thought I”d make it easy to find!
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.
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...
Warm or cold? Sun or snow? Mother Nature is quite undecided and up to her old tricks. Last week it was ideal for taking long walks with our dog Bailey. The sun was shining and the days were oh-so warm and breezy. Early evenings meant maybe tossing on a jacket or sweatshirt, but they were still lovely.
Late afternoon drives along the winding country roads were just as nice...cows, goats, sheep, and horses were lazily enjoying their time in the fields and the warmth of the sun. A spinning windmill created a beautiful silhouette against the setting sun.
And then last night it began to snow...you know the kind I mean, those big, fluffy snowflakes that seem to float in slow motion. The ones that drift down ever so slowly that they don't look real.
No, it wasn't a lot of snow, but it was a surprise that brought a quick dip in the temperatures...a 40-degree change from just a few days ago.
Brrr...time to curl up in a cozy blanket, slip on a pair of warm socks, and sip hot chocolate. That's okay with me...it's always good to settle in and relax.
Plans for this week on the farm? I'm still spring cleaning, emptying closets, and tossing unnecessary paperwork with wild abandon! My daughter has two weeks off from the ballet company, so we'll most likely have a few day trips just for fun.
Until then, enjoy your week!
If I didn't know it was February, yesterday's weather would have me absolutely believing it was April. I woke up to bright, cheery sunshine and a breeze so warm that I found myself opening windows. Before long, the temperature was 67 degrees - unheard of in a month that has an average snowfall of 6-10 inches and is the second snowiest month.
It was the kind of day that tempts me to forget indoor chores and decide to get my hands and knees dirty tinkering in the garden, plotting and planning on changes to make, while dreaming of sun-kissed tomatoes. Yes, it would have been a terrific jump-start on the garden to-do list, but I resisted.
Except that today I'm a bit sluggish...there's nothing like the adrenaline surge from a 5:30 AM Emergency Alert for a Tornado Warning - in February? Shaking the cobwebs out I read the words, "TAKE COVER NOW!" and quickly made a mental checklist: blankets, ID, flashlights, phone chargers, etc. ready to move to the basement? And while we were spared any damage, unfortunately some areas saw winds gusting at 60-110 mph and weren't as fortunate.
And so yesterday's hint of Spring is now long gone...today it is bleak with icy winds finding every way possible inside a house built 160 years ago. Tonight the low is expected to be 21 degrees, but here, surrounded by acres of open fields, it will be colder...I'd say Winter will linger just a bit longer.
Ahhh February - somehow it seems to teach us patience as it teeters between seasons.
Well, we might as well make it an event then, I'm planning on toasting marshmallows over the fire tonight - it's always a good time for s'mores!
a fella who has earned the name Acro-Cat |
peaceful sunsets beside the lake. |