on Memorial Day...

take time to reflect.

A hearfelt "thank you" to those who protect our country today,

and to those of the past who gave so much for the freedoms
we now enjoy.

how do I take care of these roses?

These roses have been here for many, many years,

and they and I have battled for many, many years.

I have trimmed them, and cut them to the ground...
   they refused to bloom.
I have watered, fed, and pampered them...
   they refused to bloom.
On the rare occasion when they have bloomed (a mere 4 times)
   I have even swooned over them.
They are obviously not impressed with my efforts.

This week, to my utter amazement, I see buds forming, and as the week comes to an end, this is our reward...lovely deep red roses with a yellow center. Quickly, I search my mind...what had I done differently this year? Was it the heavy rainfall we've had this spring? Was it because I didn't cut them back? I haven't a clue.

However, if you can offer suggestions...I would greatly appreciate them. What kind of roses are they and how do I make them happy?

In the meantime, until I learn the secrets of growing roses, we will certainly enjoy them. Paired alongside fragrant peonies, they are absolutely delightful.

this is why...

my sweet hubby built cold frames,

we visit the farmers' market on the town square,

and we planted a kitchen garden.

So, Sweet Girl and I decided if we're gonna do all that "work",

we might as well make it a lot more fun and wear cute boots!

can we get wet?!

I've learned that one of the best things about childhood is the freedom to dance in the rain and splash in all the wonderfully muddy puddles it makes. We just had an incredible rainstorm, and after bringing the kids home from school, they dash out of the truck, turning only briefly to ask, "Can we get wet?!"

Kids and the outdoors are a natural fit! How's that old saying go?
"Clean enough to be healthy, but dirty enough to be happy!"
Of course I said, "YES!"

Sweet Girl gets right on the tire swing...

Little Man quickly follows her lead.

Mark Twain is quoted as saying,

“Everybody talks about the weather,

but no one ever does anything about it.”

The weather is what it is, so make the best of it...

enjoy every minute!

porches...

Many of us live in small towns...towns in which most of the homes are trimmed with porches. It's a simple pleasure to find a porch with rockers swaying in the breeze, or a wonderful old porch swing with plump pillows...just the right spot for an afternoon nap.

Some porches in our town are dressed-up with regal pillars

and urns overflowing with ferns and ivy.

 Driving outside of town, we find porches with flower-covered latticework, Old Glory waving in the breeze, and enamelware pails filled with cheery red flowers.

Still other porches are simpler in nature...

practical rain barrels and only a tin star for decoration.

Most of us can remember fondly one special porch. And whether it was at Grandma's house in the country, or a friend's white clapboard house in town, each one has its own personality.
They were places where families gathered to catch up on the latest news, or relax at the end of a busy day. And yes, even a few romances began on a front porch.

My husband's parents lived on 100-acre farm before his father retired. It was an Amish-built home with a wide front porch,
a porch swing, and several of those terrific, springy metal chairs from the 1950's. We would enjoy sunsets, twinkling fireflies,
and just catching up. In those days, we lived in the city and a weekend escape to the country was wonderful.

Things haven't changed much, porches are the same today...
a simple pleasure no matter whether your porch is in a big city,
or on a country road.

yay, another wedding!

Sharing a happy note we received from Sarah...she's engaged! Congrats...and have fun as you and Brian plan your happily forever after. July is certain to be an exciting month!

wishing you the happiest of Mothers' days!

I read this years ago and it has always stayed with me...

"Motherhood never ends, but childhood does. The magic years are unbelieveably  brief, and every day, that little girl or boy is changing, edging a little closer to the door.

Remember that the essence of parenting isn't in the milestones, but in the everyday moments. So stop, pay attention, and make sure you celebrate them every chance you get."

- Unknown

recycle!

So, the kids find a pair of old boots in the barn...
what do they want to do with them?

I loved their idea and in no time at all the boots were filled with potting soil and hens & chicks. I remember a Design teacher telling me that you should have something in every room that makes you smile...I think that goes for the garden too!

happy May day!

a-Maying...

Of all the sweet customs of days gone by, the charming celebration of May Day is one I would love to see make a return.

My mother-in-law tells of when she was a child, and how her family would gather bouquets of wildflowers, then arrange them in baskets. Early on the morning of May 1st, they would sneak, ever so quietly, to a neighbor's door, hang a basket on the doorknob, knock and quickly run away to the next home. They loved seeing the puzzled looks on faces as neighbors wondered who had left the surprises.

For us, this old-fashioned custom continues. After breakfast, you'll find us secretly delivering baskets, then making a mad dash to hide. If we are caught, custom dicates we must scamper back for a thank you (and a kiss from Grandma!) And yes...while we're out, the May fairy always leaves a basket on our front door.

A simple pleasure...and while old-fashioned indeed, even today's modern families can create this sweet memory for their children, friends & neighbors. Why not begin celebrating May Day
in your home?

fairy garden...

I was recently asked about the fairy garden we created over spring break, so I thought I'd share a few photos.

We added tiny chairs and a watering can that were just the right size, and the kids arranged pieces of broken china for a walkway. The broken dishes continue to be a mystery...each year when we till our garden we find them, along with bits of colored glass.

Sweet Girl and I have always kept the pieces in a pantry jar because they are so pretty to look at.

We tucked in a pint-size wheelbarrow, bee skep, and a few

gardening tools.

When we were done, we set the garden under a greenhouse made from old windows (so the fairies would be sure to stay dry.) Notice the tire swing?

It makes me smile to see this every morning, and the kids love to check each day to see if the fairies have moved anything during the night!

barn sale find!

1...dust off an old metal tub sitting in the barn
2...hook up a fountain pump to a length of plastic tubing
3...add a vintage rainbarrel downspout and water

Put them all together and you have one happy girl!

And while old-fashioned and distressed isn't everyone's style,

I just love this fountain. There's something about taking a vintage item and giving it new life that appeals to me. I can hardly wait for the flowers around it to grow tall and to enjoy listening to the soothing sounds of cool water in the heat of summer.

merry days of spring...

April has proven to be dazzling this year...bright yellow daffodils, cherry red tulips, and fragrant hyacinths are tucked into a vase on the kitchen windowsill. Among the springtime flowers are yellow dandelions...picked by little hands and presented with love. While flowers to the young at heart, they are weeds to others. As a mother, these flowers will always be accepted and loved as gifts from the heart.

The farmers around us are tilling their fields and checking fences, while gardeners are raking flowerbeds and hoeing vegetable patches. My husband built cold frames last year and now they're filled with green shoots of lettuce, onions, carrots, and radishes. The kids spend their evenings laughing as they sway back and forth on tire swings, taking a quick break now and then to chase kittens across the yard.

Spring is a fine time for barn sales...I can hardly wait to visit the first one this weekend! It's always fun to see what some consider "junk" and then to be inspired by the clever way it's turned it into something amazing by someone else. I'm hoping to come home with lots of ideas...and maybe a trinket or two.

Even an early-morning April shower can't dampen our enthusiasm...our hearts are ready for this new season
as she races across the countryside!

April dreams...

April...this month is full of country pleasures. Birds are chattering, our magnolia tree is full of pink blossoms, and the sky is a cloudless sapphire blue. There's something wonderful about the scent of freshly mown grass...my husband loves it. In fact, the grass has been growing so quickly that he's mowed it twice already! We've packed away the heavy flannel sheets in favor of crisp cotton ones...ahhh, how wonderful they were to sink into last night.

Spring break has just ended for the kids, and while they were off, we visited a favorite historical site.

 I could easily live in this log cabin...

and would love to have taught school here.

We giggled our way through an egg hunt at Grammy's...

and locked up each other in the town "jail."

We went on a picnic, created a fairy garden, and visited a science museum. But of all the memories we made this Easter,

I'm guessing one in particular will rank among the top.

Warning: If an egg-coloring kit says it's spillproof, don't count on it. The memory of blue dye running all over the kitchen counter, down the cupboards, and onto the floor is sure to stay with us.

To quote Little Man, "It was a nightmare!"

happy Easter...

Adorable bunnies, coloring eggs, a new Sunday dress, chocolate-filled baskets and a visit to Grandma's house...they're all a part of our Easter celebration. However, admid the fun and surprises,
we take time to remember this is a season of hope and renewal. Wishing you a happy Easter.

coop envy...

This farmgirl has a serious case of coop envy!
 Take a peek over at Heather Bullard's blog
to see what I mean...oh my!

march...both lion and lamb

March is up to her old tricks...Thursday a roaring wind blew in straight from the north. Before long, snow was falling. Not delicate, swirling snowflakes, but large, impressive ones...the kind that could easily give us several inches of snow if it kept up all night. This snow, however, lasted only a few hours, and about 2 inches greeted us in the morning. Today we wake up to a morning that's still chilly, but with a gentle rain falling. We enjoy it's pitter-pat sound and the pretty lace-like patterns it's creating on the screens and windows.

Wasn't it just last week that warm winds and sunny days were here? The air was so sweet we raised the windows and dried quilts on the clothesline. Bewitched by seed catalogs and dreams of garden plots, I cleared flower beds and brought tender flowers outside...perhaps a bit too early. 

I'd best remember this sage advice: March days should be lived one day at a time, as it's likely early gardeners will meet with disappointment. So as the urge to plant may overcome me, I must be wary of this month. As lovely as the day may be, we may wake up to snow tomorrow.

In the meantime, birthday primroses and pansies cheerfully bloom on the kitchen windowsill brightening our days as the unpredictability of March weather continues.

a wonderful birthday!

Yesterday was a terrific day!
Breakfast in bed, hugs & kisses, giggles over a well-kept birthday secret, a sparkly gift from a faraway friend, and a yummy dinner. What more could a girl ask for?!

Oh, and this photo? Well, time flies!

for time & all eternity...

Saturday evening we had the pleasure of wishing this sweet couple happy forevering. Just look at those faces!
What a joyous way to welcome spring!

simple country pleasures...

Balmy and blue-skied...the days this week have been dazzling. Days that are absolutely perfect for drying quilts on the clothesline.

 It doesn't get much better than this...one of my favorite vintage quilts against that beautiful blue sky.

Yes, a happy day.

searching for shamrocks...

While not Irish, I'm planning a St. Patrick's Day filled with fun. We'll start the day with green eggs and ham, then for lunch the kids will have shamrock sandwiches (cut with cookie cutters). After school will find us in the backyard for a scavenger hunt searching out hidden green treasures. Dinner will be a traditional side dish of Irish colcannon paired with the Irish-American combination of corned beef and cabbage. And who knows, we just may end the day dancing a jig to Irish music!

And while we laugh and have a bit of fun on this holiday, I'm reminded that the leprechaun's rainbow and pot of gold just may be found in our own backyard. It's good to remember the Irish proverb that says,

"There is no fireside like your own fireside."

Enjoy the day!

early days of spring...

Crocuses are peeking out and puddles are everywhere. March weather has mellowed and even the snow has begun to melt.
We see, every so slightly, the promise of spring. While not yet officially spring, warmer days are beckoning us outdoors.
There's an old saying that goes: "When crows fly in pairs, the day will be fair." And true as an old adage can be, crows were flying overhead yesterday, calling out to one another. The sky was bright blue and the warm sun was shining. A day like this was just too nice to stay indoors, so after school, the kids were outside in tee shirts kicking balls around the yard. After a few games of kick ball (things were getting a bit muddy) I carefully dodged puddles to look for more signs of spring...sure enough, the first shoots of daffodils were coming up.

March weather comes and goes, and as the day ended, I could hear the sounds of a gentle rain. That's okay...soon enough it will coax out more daffodils and forsythia and spring will be in full bloom. Besides, spring cleaning is still an on-going process here...I need to remember all that needs doing indoors!

sunshine in my soul today!

I hear birds singing and the sun is shining!

We're on our way from a record February snowfall
of 49.2 inches...

to this,

and this!

That cold March wind can't fool me. Even with the constant, chilly breeze, I can close my eyes and imagine the promise of spring tulips, summer hollyhocks, the scent of newly plowed fields and of freshly mown grass. And like a wide-eyed kid staring at the sweet treats in a candy store, I look at my favorite gardening books over and over, flagging  pages that inspire me. Yes, before we know it...it will be barefoot season!

cabin fever survival...

This is such a clever gift!

Shared with me by my oh-so creative friend Diana,

I've been enjoying chocolatey bliss to get through these somewhat cloudy/snowy/blustery cabin fever days! 

Why not share some chocolate with your girlfriends?

spring fever!

March has arrived and this is the time of year that stirs my soul
to take stock of the indoors...before the season's first warm days beckon me outside.

Here at least, there is a certain need for spring cleaning...the traces of a long winter are all around. Cats and kittens have left little pawprints on the mudroom floor and little noseprints on the windowpanes, while piles of boots, mittens and hats are drying on the hearth daily.

And while I don't recall exactly when I fell in love with aprons,
I do know that slipping on one with pretty pink polkadots or cheery blue checks, just seems to make the work of tidying up a bit more fun. I have a long homespun pinafore apron with a ruffle along the bottom that rustles with each step. That apron seems to transport me back 150 years...just right for spring cleaning an 1864 farmhouse!

This vintage apron has the sweetest hankies stitched on for the pockets. Although in good condition for its age, it still seems so delicate that it hangs in a special place.

And while spring fever may be winning the battle with spring cleaning, it's time to begin. Soon, when spring is in full bloom, I can fall into it with abandon!

no-knead bread...

This recipe has become one of my all-time favorites. It's an easy, fuss-free way to have homemade bread in almost no time at all. The kids had a scheduled late start at school this morning, so I baked a loaf for breakfast. We all agree there's nothing like bread, warm from the oven, drizzled with butter and honey. Mmmm...

4-1/2 c. all-purpose flour, divided
1/4 c. sugar
1 T. salt
2, 1/4-oz. pkgs. dry yeast
1 c. water
1 c. milk
1/4 c. oil
1 egg, beaten

Sift together 2 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast; set aside. Combine water, milk and oil in a saucepan over medium heat until mixture is 120 to 130 degrees. Using a heavy-duty mixer, combine flour mixture with warm water mixture; add egg. Blend on medium speed 3 minutes, then stir in remaining flour. Cover and let rise 50 minutes, or until double in size. Stir down; dough will be sticky. Spoon into a greased 9"x6" loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

is that sunshine?

Winter has blessed us with a morning of sunshine. A day that's clear and brilliant with gently drifting, swirling snowflakes. A day of quiet beauty...

Welcome...to another day filled with possibilities.