How can it be the middle of June? As the saying goes, “Back the truck up!” Let’s reverse the calendar a little bit shall we? The days are flying by.
I just finished getting the garden in (a month later than usual-we’ve had so much rain). I’m cleaning out the milkhouse for summer cottage food sales, wrangling weeds, and staring down a long to-do list.
Just like all of your days, don't we seem to find they're filled from beginning to end? But I'm reminded of this quote by one of my favorite authors/artists, Susan Branch:
"Sometimes I think we get caught up in the hectic happenings of the weeks and months and we forget to take time out to relax."
She's spot on...sure, there are important things that need doing, but it's also so important to slow down. We need to take time to unwind, relax, and enjoy these days.
And with that said, here's a look at some of the things I've spied with my little eyes as I tried to take time to slow down…
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| Tinkerbell finding the herb garden is quite comfy. |
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| Fuji apples are plentiful this year - yay! |
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| Russian Sage in my little (and I do mean little) Weavers Garden, |
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| along with some Yarrow. |
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| Spotted this clever Lightning McQueen car while I was out and about - wow! Well done! |
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| I took a weaving class at a nearby historical village… ta-da - my finished rug! |
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| The Master Weaver was wonderful! I was her only student for the day, so it was perfect for me as a beginner - I’ll definitely be doing this again. |
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| So pretty, a balloon festival in a town not far away. |
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| Mama raccoon at the cat feeder... she visits every spring and is always so polite. |
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| Peonies are blooming, |
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| along with this finicky rose. Some years it’s covered in blooms, then other years absolutely nothing. Can anyone tell me what variety it might be and any tips for growing? |
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| Iris greeting the birds as they settle in for a sip or a little spruce-up at the birdbath. |
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| A friend shared her fresh milk with me, and I tried my hand at making yogurt! |
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| And this crock caught my eye - I never see one with a lid. I wonder if it needs a new home?! (It didn’t have a price tag, so I’m guessing it's out of my price range, but I'll check next time I'm there.) |
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(Image courtesy of Google) |
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That crock is either a 2 or 3 gallon bee sting and having one with a lid is a bit rare. I would have to see in person the size. These lids usually would crack or break. I do have a few with lids. Up here in Michigan we could sell a 2 for $50 and a 3 for $70. Things are always cheaper in our state and thats why dealers come up from the Southern states to buy our merchandise. Love love all of the pics you posted today. Hope you have a wonderful Summer as it looks like you had a busy Spring. Janice
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Janice - I remember you posted a photo of a bee sting pattern I believe and I really liked it. Wish you were closer - I’d love to see your shop! I’m looking for an old cupboard by the way - road trip! Can we link to your shop to see what you have?? I’ll ck the crock here again - I assumed it would be in the hundreds - her pie safe was in the thousands - gulp! Always appreciate you sharing your knowledge - what fun antiquing would be with you along!
DeleteYour rug is fantastic! I'm so impressed. What a wonderful skill to hone.
ReplyDeleteThe apples look delicious and the yarrow is a beautiful shade of pink. So many little daily blessings. Have a wonderful week with your kiddos!
Awww thanks Daisy - it’s made with denim strips so it should be sturdy! I had a ball making it - born in the wrong century?? And you’re so right - little daily blessings - what a beautiful way of saying it - we don’t need to overlook them just because they are small. Love how you think!
DeleteSo much "yummy" in this post I don't quite know where to begin! So, I'll begin at the beginning! Tinkerbell!! That was the name of my first cat that I managed to convince my parents to allow in the house. (We lived on a farm and no cats/dogs/etc. allowed IN the house - although, now that I think of it, my dad did allow his little family of 3 baby squirrels to live in the house for a while)... Anyways! My Tinkerbell was a little Tuxedo...and he disappeared just before one Christmas. I was devastated. Long, story short, we found him several miles away in the gravel pit while we were going to see my great grandmother. Wow...can't believe your apples are that big already??? Your rug is AMAZING!!!! I can't believe that was your first go at weaving!!! It's just beautiful! I had a great aunt who used to make rag rugs and I was absolutely fascinated by it. And that crock is fantastic! So rare to find with a lid. Unlike Janice's neck of the woods, that beauty would go for hundreds here...probably around $250 and up? Yes, it needs a home....wish it could come to live with me. (Maybe you could bring it by when you go to visit Janice??? ;-) ) Enjoy your children time. ~Robin~ (PS...LOVE that balloon!! We often have them pass over here and several have landed within feet of me...but I've never seen a Halloween one like that!)
ReplyDeleteHi Robin, always so good to see you visit! You're too kind with all your words. Tinkerbell - what are the chances? But you left me hanging...when you find him in the gravel pit, did it have a happy ending?? Hmmm, no cats/dogs in the house but squirrels are ok? Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE the tender heart that let them join your family indoors - very, very sweet indeed. And thanks so much...the weaving class was fun and the teacher just chatted away, she was so interesting. I confess, I have a tabletop loom that's been dressed since I was expecting my son. I know, I know, what on earth have I been doing all this time? Well, intimidated I guess...but I'm going to finish it as best I can, then have this gal teach me how to do it beginning to end properly. I haven't been back to check the price of the crock, but yes, I'd say hundreds here as well...I'll let you know. Right now I'm on the hunt for an old cupboard to hold my scrapbooks. They've been in a pie safe for years, and now I have a bee in my bonnet and have decided the pie safe belongs in the kitchen...not the livingroom (probably parlor back in the day?) Anyway, the search continues. And I still have to knock on that farmhouse door about the corn crib!!!
DeleteSame here regarding getting the garden in late due to so much rainfall. I will say that since it's been in I've only had to water twice because the rain continues! Weaving is on my list of things to try. Your rug is beautiful! I responded to your question regarding hummus on my blog, but in case you don't make it back to see the answer, I asked a friend of mine how she got her hummus so smooth. She's a chef and I thought she must have a secret.... Well, she did and I couldn't believe how simple it was. She said always always always overcook the chickpeas that you'll be using in your hummus. She said, "and I mean overcook them, not just a little". I've been doing that since our conversation and voila - smooth hummus! If I ever use canned pre-cooked chickpeas, I throw the chickpeas in a pan and add water to cover and cook them for an hour or so before blending them up. Works like a charm! Hope this helps. Wishing you a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteHi Staci, thanks for the hummus tip! I did used canned...I will cook them as you've recommended, I did read that using dried tastes so much better than canned...maybe I'll try that too. Oh thanks so much, it was loaded with garlic (my favorite) and I ate it even though it wasn't smooth! I'll be sure to let you know how my next batch turns out!
DeleteI am coming here late I do hope you were able to get away with the kids before the scatter for the summer.
ReplyDeleteI love raw milk a memory of my grandparents farm I would sneak that cream every chance I got. How did the yogurt go?
We have had a rainy cold spring but now the heat is on and I do love it warm but humid and 90s is too much to quickly!!
Cathy
Hi Cathy, oh thank you...we had a terrific week. The kids went to a concert, we took a day trip to the World's Only Mothman Museum (silly fun!), we ate, we stayed up too late, and it all made me smile. My yogurt was tasty (and couldn't be easier, made in a slow cooker for 14 hours!). A little thinner than store-bought, but that's fine with me...I tossed some granola in. What a sweet memory of your grandparents' farm...I love it! Humidity and heat has arrived here as well...it's supposed to be 94 tomorrow...keep cool! Mary
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