rambling thoughts...

The weather here, like in many parts of the Midwest, has been very unpredictable. Some days are warm with a gentle breeze, making them perfect for gardening, taking a walk, or pushing kids in tire swings. Other days the weather radio warns us of tornado watches or severe thunderstorms.

Yesterday was a crazy mix of both...puffy clouds and bright blue skies gave way to black clouds and pouring rain. I was outside gardening and hanging quilts on the clothesline when
Mother Nature changed her mind. She sent me quickly inside as darkening skies, thunder, and lightning approached.
However; by late afternoon, the storms had blown past leaving a fresh, clean feeling in the air along with a beautiful rainbow arching over the barns.

With the bad weather past, it was the perfect time to let the girls out of their coop to inspect their run. They were tentative at first, slowing inching their way down into a new world.  By day's end, four of the six had ventured out leaving the remaining two peeking through the doorway

Ahhh, they make me smile! We'll be going through our day,
all of us in different directions...kids playing, me gardening,
my husband mowing, when all of a sudden someone will shout, "Chicken Check!" That means a run to the coop to make sure all is well, but mostly just to visit and hear their happy chatter.

The kids race out after school to visit them, and there's talk of pitching a tent by the coop for summer. I'm okay with that...they're only young once (the kids and the chickens!)

Am I the only one smitten with chickens? Nah...
My friend Grace-Marie brought her chicks home Tuesday,
and you know, she's just as smitten as I am. We love to chat
about how "the girls" are and share what's new in her latest chicken magazine.

I must admit; however, that I often find myself thinking back to the classic movie, The Music Man. Come on...
do you know the song?

Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little,

Cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more

Cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep

Pick a little, talk a little, cheep!

That's what I love about the simple pleasures...no electronic gadget can even compare. Talk of a tent has me planning a summer of unplugged play...getting outside, making, creating, going on adventures. Summer's almost here, and I want it to be full of laughter, fun, and memories.

Sadie Delany was right...
"Life is short, and it's up to you to make it sweet."





moving day!

First, a heartfelt thanks to those who left such kind messages regarding the passing of my father-in-law. I know so many of you have experienced a similar loss. In time, I think we'll find ways to heal the pain, but always keep the sweet memories.

********************************************************

As for our latest adventure, our chicken coop has finally arrived...and yes, I was as happy as a kid in a candy store!



The unloading made me a bit nervous.

I had sketched out a design for the attached run and we're so happy with how it turned out. The girls will be safe & sound
and with a full-size door at the end I can easily get inside
to tidy up or sit and listen to their happy chatter.

With the coop now here, we only had a few finishing touches to make. My sweet hubby added vinyl flooring so now clean up will be a breeze. Pine shavings can quickly be swept out, the flooring removed, hosed down then replaced. The wood underneath will last longer and the coop will smell, well, so much fresher!

 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Next the vinyl flooring was topped with pine shavings, nest boxes made warm & cozy, water and feed added, and then all doors and nest box openings secured with D clamps.

Time to shoo out a curious cat!

Ta-da...ready for the girls to move in!



It was quite a parade as the kids brought the girls out to their new home. The hens hesitated a bit, but soon one-by-one they each took a good look around, then made those first steps into their new home. Before long they were stretching their wings and
oh-so happy to be there.

Why be so excited about hens? Well, for me, it's a simple country pleasure I've looked forward to for quite awhile. We all have our dreams and wish lists...these hens just happen to have been on my list. And while it was high time the girls moved out of our dining room and into their own place, I admit I do miss their happy chatter in the morning.

Someone suggested I put a baby monitor in the coop so I could still hear them.  Silly? Absurd? Or Brilliant?

Hmmm,  I may just dust off those old baby monitors after all!

sweet recollections...

When I met my future in-laws for the first time,
this handsome man kissed me on the cheek.

However; he was already taken by this young lady...

who was a devoted wife for 55 years.

Over the past two weeks our hearts have been turned inward

as we have reflected on the life and sweet memories of this husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

And as we learn to adjust to the absence of my father-in-law's physical presence, we find comfort in those heartfelt times

spent together, while knowing that someday there will be

a joyful reunion.

more apron love...

Our unusual May weather continues...there is a frost advisory for tonight, last week our compost bin was rolling around the backyard as the high wind warnings went out, and this week
roads are flooding and creeks are overflowing.

Needless to say, it's been too soggy to get outdoors except to chase the compost bin or "rescue" the kids. Last week they ventured a bit too far into a nearby cornfield. I heard them calling and ran over to find them, and their boots, firmly stuck in the mud and sinking deeper as they struggled to free themselves.
It was an adventure getting them out, and I'm happy to say, although it was close several times, we all managed to get out of the mud with out landing in it!

And so with all this rain, we've been spending time indoors.

I'm putting the last stitches in my chicken apron, just in time to run across what I thought was some of the prettiest fabric for another apron.



These photos are my inspiration...
I can't decide which I like best!

layers of ruffles...
http://www.sweetnsassygirls.com/

   



love those "patches"
http://www.crescendoh.com/shop/artkits/apronofmyeyekit.html

    



and what a handy pocket!
http://www.crescendoh.com/shop/artkits/apronofmyeyekit.shtml

 





























Once a few vintage buttons and colorful trims are added,
I'll have something new and whimsical to wear around the old farm. That's sure to make home keeping, feeding animals, and gardening a lot more fun...right?

I'll be smiling as I pull weeds, glistening (not sweating) in the summer sun, and singing through the days...yes, I'm sure of it!

So what do you think...which apron do you like best?

simple joys for May...

...Happy May Day! For years we've enjoyed gathering flowers, tucking them into baskets or Mason jars, and then secretly delivering them to family & friends. I always makes me laugh to watch the kids sneak up to a door, deliver the flowers, knock, then run like the wind so as to not be caught! Oh, and of course, there's a basket on our front door as well...something the kids always look for.

...Mothers' Day is coming, so why not surprise Mom by planting a colorful cutting garden or a flowering tree outside her back door? Whether it's with your own mother, or someone that's as dear to you as a mother, she'll love the surprise.

...make final plans for your garden, our last frost date is May 15, so for us, it's time to begin! If a big garden is just a bit too much to tackle this year, why not grow tomatoes, peppers, or herbs in patio pots? Quick & easy to plant, just water when they're dry,
and you'll have the taste of summer at your fingertips.
No tilling required!

...put up a clothesline! There's nothing like settling into sheets that have been dried outdoors.

...rearrange your furniture, taking out what you can, and putting back only what you love...a simple way to create a fresh, new look for your home as the seasons change.

...dust off the grill, pull out your favorite summertime recipes, hang lots of buntings, and get out your white shoes...
Memorial Day is coming!

go wild over seed balls!

This Easter I shared wildflower seed balls with my friends.
They were so easy to make, I thought you might enjoy making them too. (Mothers' Day is coming...they'd be a terrific gift!)

My inspiration...an article in Good Housekeeping, April, 2010

Mixing up the "recipe" can be a bit messy, so have a big bowl on hand and lots of empty egg cartons to store your seed balls in as they dry. You can even get the kids involved in this...ours always like something "messy" to get their hands into!

You'll need:
16-oz. cup (one cup equals one part)
5 parts powdered clay (available at craft stores)
3 parts good soil
1 part seed of your choice
1 to 2 parts water

Mix together the clay and soil; toss in seeds to distribute evenly. Add only enough water to the mix so that it holds together,
but isn't crumbly. Roll the mixture into marble-size balls
(about one inch in diameter.) Store seed balls in egg cartons
for at least 2 days, or until thoroughly dry.

When you're ready to plant, simply scatter them in your garden, water, and wait for them to grow! When I made mine, I cut the "recipe" in half, as the original said it would make "hundreds of seed balls" and I didn't need quite that many! I ended up with approximately 75, but I did make them a bit larger than a marble.

Have fun...and let me know if you try making them!

By the way,
take time to visit some terrific farms...I'm linking up to:

Verde Farm at www.verdefarm.com

along with...

Dandelion House at www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.com/

spring is, well, springing!

In our part of the Midwest, we've received 6 inches of rain so far in April...this has broken an old record from 1893! Needless to say, it's been soggy. And while the flowers are popping up, the trees are filled with fragrant blossoms, and the grass is growing, it's been so wet, any outdoor planting or tidying up has been almost impossible. I'm anxious to get fruit trees, berry bushes, and our garden in!

Of course there are always things indoors to do...I'm still sorting out and cleaning up, and then there's that whimsical chicken apron I began, but other matters kept me from sitting down to stitch  it together. Hmmm, that just might be a fun
"must-do" for the week since our forecast is for continued storms right through the weekend (and I do want to have it ready when the girls' new coop is completed!)

With all the rain, an Easter egg hunt was out of the question Sunday, so before church, we had an indoor scavenger hunt for baskets. The clues weren't too hard, and before I knew it the kids were giggling and digging into their goodies. As I wondered aloud, "What kind of mother gives her kids chocolate for breakfast?"
A quick reply came from Sweet Girl..."An awesome one!"
Oh well, it's only one day each year!

This morning, we had a small window of time where the sunshine peeked through the clouds just long enough for me to snap some photos. Here's our part of the Midwest, showing off it's spring colors.

magnolia blossoms

redbud blossoms







bleeding hearts

 
Wherever you are, I hope you're seeing the signs of spring as well!

sending Easter wishes across the miles...

this says it all...

Happy Earth Day!

plant swap...part two

After deciding on a date, I made quick & easy invitations.
Each invitation listed the day and time for the plant swap and asked that friends bring along an apron and gloves.

For the plant swap to work, friends would also need to bring one plant for each of the 8 ladies invited. Since this was my first plant swap, I kept it small, inviting those I knew had spring fever as badly as I did! I then made a list of extras to have on hand...
spare gardening tools, gloves, potting soil, and plant markers.

I'd need some containers for repotting plants, and a quick trip to a local flea market found me coming home with lots of whimsical, yet inexpensive, vintage teacups, berry buckets, enamelware mugs, and galvanized pails.

Next I began jotting down some recipe names and soon settled on the tried & true ones my friends had shared with me over the years. Favorites that came to mind were Hot Chicken Salad, Broccoli Salad, fruit with Chocolate Fondue, Flowerpot Herb Bread, and Texas Sheet Cake.  I'd also set out pitchers of ice water as well as bottles of frosty soda.

When the day for our plant swap arrived, it was a joy to wake up and find a spring morning with a clear blue sky. Early spring can be finicky, but the day was sunny and plenty warm enough to be outdoors. As friends arrived, we spent time chatting, catching up, sharing updates on our families, and our plans for summer.

After lunch we were all eager to swap plants...it was such fun!
As girlfriends do, we talked on and on while choosing and repotting plants. We shared garden hints, how-to's, and laughed about last year's prolific cucumber patch!

All too soon it was over...we were talked out, having enjoyed the beauty of the day. As each friend headed home, I knew they were taking a bit of one another with them. The plants each of us lovingly tucked into our new Friendship Gardens will always be a sweet reminder of our day spent together.

Call your friends & family and host a plant swap of your own...
it's a terrific way to celebrate spring!

plant swap...part one

Spring is sprouting! We step outside to welcome the gentle breeze, happy daffodils, and sapphire blue sky. The puddles are drying and all around us we see the soothing green of spring. Like a
wide-eyed kid in a candy store, I've been re-reading favorite gardening books and poring over seed catalogs. There's no denying it...I have spring fever!

On days like this, it's hard not to set out for the nearest greenhouse. I've been dreaming of planting berry bushes and a few fruit trees; however, the practical side of me knows it's still too early. These initial spring days are best left to pondering rather than planting. Although we're winter weary, the temperature is bound to drop again and the north winds will
roar back.

Like almost everyone else I know, gardening fever has me firmly in its grip...what's a girl to do?

I decided to slip on my boots and go outside to take a closer look. If the perennials are peeking up through the ground, now would be a terrific time to have a plant swap with friends!

Early spring is the ideal for dividing old-fashioned favorites such as asters, yarrow, bee balm, purple coneflower, lily-of-the-valley, phlox, and blanket flowers. Dividing them makes each perfect for sharing...a great way to begin a Friendship Garden.

Once outside, several barn cats kept me company, and I found it amusing that they were careful to dodge the puddles our dog enjoyed splashing right through. Once at the flowerbeds, it took only a quick glance to see that there were lots of perennials above ground ready to welcome a new season! If you have spring fever too, why not make plans for a plant swap and start your own Friendship Garden? It's oh-so easy! I'll share with you what I did, then you can add ideas to make it your own.

To keep this from being too long & boring (I know you're all busy!) I'll break this into 2 posts...Part 2 coming soon!

the girls are growing!

It's week 3 of having 6 delightful, chatty, curious chicks as part of our family...they're growing so quickly!

Just take a look....still warm & cozy under their red brooder lamp, you'll see they've sprouted tail feathers, grown taller, and now they peck and chatter non-stop.

Final coop designs are in the works, and I couldn't resist this "must-have" to hang on their door.

It'll be exciting to introduce them to their new home in a few weeks...can't wait!

Happy Monday to all!

simple joys for April...

...visit the feed store and fall in love with the baby chicks and ducks.  You might just find yourself bringing a few home!

...while you're at the feed store, wander over to the shoe section. They have terrific rubber boots with farmgirl fresh designs such as horses, chickens, polka-dots, and flowers. They're sure to make gardening more fun in the muddy spring!

...this year, try natural dyes for Easter eggs...they're so easy! Make one batch of color at a time by simply adding one quart of water and 2 tablespoons white vinegar to a stainless-steel stock pot. Add one cup of your choice of the items below and bring to a boil; simmer 25 minutes. Add raw eggs to the water mixture and bring to a gentle boil for 30 minutes.

Check the eggs for color...natural dyes take a bit longer to dye eggs than commercial powders. When eggs are the shade you like, remove them, gently dry with a paper towel, and set aside
until cool.

red cabbage = dark pink
beets = pale pink
blueberries = blue/purple
raspberries = lavender
cranberries = light purple
yellow onion skins = orange
tumeric powder = yellow (1 t. for every 3 cups of water)

...bake a batch of hot cross buns...just because!

...buy yourself an Easter bonnet...okay, maybe not a bonnet, but how about a gardening hat? I have some favorites I just love and couldn't do without when the sun shines...how about you?

...remember, "April showers bring May flowers." And rainy days are wonderful for curling up with a book or movie. There will be plenty of time for work once the gardens begin blooming!

what I did on my spring break...

The kids are wrapping up spring break this week, and I have a feeling it will be one of the most memorable times of their lives.

Not because we jetted off to a warm, breezy, sun-soaked getaway,
but because of this...

and this...

and these...

but mostly, these...

Now, lest you think this was an impulse decision,

we've done our homework...

read all there was to read,

(Ashley English's, Keeping Chickens has been the latest)

looked at coops,

planned runs,

and scouted out locations.

The neighbors are willing to swap "chicken sitting" duties if we're out of town, so it was really a matter of just sealing the deal.

Wednesday, when we found ourselves with a couple of hours to pass, we ended up at our local feed store.

When Sweet Girl named a chick, it was all over...

I knew they were coming home with us.

The excitement of choosing was next, and then the chicks,
their box wrapped warmly in a blanket (after all, it's snowing here!) were lovingly held close for the ride home. Little Man asked if he could faint, and Sweet Girl hasn't stopped smiling.

And so it begins, life with the girls...

Henrietta, Cinnamon, Hermione,

Spottie, Hershey, and Alex.

And yes, if you know me at all, this will become a chicken retirement home. After all, every animal that comes here,

finds a spot to rest their head and stay as long as they'd like.

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it...
wait, I mean the kids are so excited!

Oh, there's no use denying it...
I've wanted chickens for a long time, I am excited,
and looking forward to learning the secrets to becoming the next Chicken Whisperer!


By the way, it's Friday...take a peek at who's visiting here,


and here...



and then on
Monday, you'll want to stop by
here...

to discover some terrific farms!

By the way, thanks to all the ladies above

for hosting these farm visits...

it's great fun to see what others are doing
and to be inspired by them!

apron love...

I simply love aprons...

I don't know when this love affair started, or how it began,
but I really do love aprons. Here are some favorites...

this pretty  polka-dot is from the Farm Chicks...

 I love this floor-length pinafore apron with the flounce at the bottom. I bought it years and years ago from
Tasha Tudor & family...

 a couple of homespun ones found at a flea market...

a vintage apron with handkerchief pockets handed down
from my mom...

and this is one Santa brought...

So when I found this cute apron kit, I knew it
was coming home!

Love those chickens! I'm going to cut it out today stitch her up this week. I'm going through a must...have...chickens phase!
We looked at coops over the weekend and we'll be looking at those adorable little baby chicks today...I'll keep you posted!

Hope it's a happy Monday!

 PS...for a look at some really whimsical aprons, take a peek at this site...Jillie Willie  She has one really I love...the handcart apron, it has little pockets hidden under the flounce; how clever!

did the recent super full moon confuse Mother Nature?

Would you believe me if I told you about our weather
for Wednesday, March 23?

...morning:
warm, like a lovely spring day was ahead

...afternoon:
summerlike with tornado warnings and hail storms

...evening:
winter returns with snow and ice

Now, this gal's more than a bit confused, but then,
I think Mother Nature is too!

So....how's the weather where you are?!

is spring really here?

Early spring has arrived across the land, and after a long, icy winter, we welcome it gladly! More than ready to trade our boots and mittens for spades and sun hats, the anticipation of summer's first juicy, ripe tomato is almost more than we can stand. However, that tomato will have to wait...the joys of spring fever have us tightly in their grip!

Today is blue-skied and balmy. The grass is green and cheery yellow daffodils are about to bloom and fill a neighboring field. I've opened our windows to let the breeze in, only to hear the birds rejoicing...they too, are welcoming the warmth of sunshine. In fact, that balmy breeze is tempting me to wash quilts and hang them on the clothesline. The nights here are still quite cool, but oh how nice it will be to snuggle under quilts that have been
dried outside.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love flowers...and anything old. I'm especially drawn to old farmhouses. I remember many years ago coming upon one that had nothing left but a crumbling foundation. As I stood looking at it, I felt a bit sad thinking about the farmwife that must have stood on those same steps in years past. But as I began to leave, I soon noticed tulips and daffodils were just beginning to bloom. As they had multiplied and spread over the years, they now covered what must have been the home's front yard. And so, long after they had been planted, they continued to return and welcome each new spring. These days, the old farm is not so much on my daily path, but I like to think those flowers are still there, blooming as they were meant to.

A quick look at my watch and I see it's already past noon. The kids will be home in a few hours...hmmm, these merry winds are not only good for drying quilts, they're ideal for launching kites! The kid in me can't resist, and so my spirits soar as I head to the barn where we keep bikes, balls, and yes, kites! I'll dust them off, check the strings, and have each one ready for a little after-school fun. Launching kites and watching them ride the wind is a simple pleasure. And no, it's not only for the kids...I freely admit that I enjoy the sight of a kite taking to the wind! Some of my best memories are of us racing around the yard, kites spiraling and riding high in the sky. After tiring out, we'd stretch out in the grass on our backs, and just watch the kites sail above us.

Spring has sounds and fragrances all her own...the snap of sheets on a clothesline, the chatter of birds, and patter of gentle rains. And today, I want to add to that mix the laughter of children as we watch our kites soar.

happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sharing an old Irish blessing...

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

puddles, puddles everywhere...

 


















The rapid rain dancing on the windows, the puddles in the yard, mud everywhere...it's enough to make a country girl ramble this morning! Early last week we had flood warnings, and indeed rivers overflowed their banks washing out homes and fields.
Later the same week, we were warned of severe winter weather with several inches of snow expected. March is up to its  usual business...its weather cannot be trusted. The warm days coax the daffodils from their winter sleep, but the next day its snow covers them. What's a girl to do?

Well, it appears the best thing to do is make plans...March is a time of promise. This year, I want to plant berry bushes, fruit trees, and Concord grapes. Simple pleasures perhaps, but what joy will be found in fresh fruit and homemade jam to share with friends. Finding promise in the simple, everyday things is there for anyone willing to look for it. Yes, it's a muddy, rainy day,
but it's a good day for a pot of soup to simmer on the stove...
Moose Soup is one of Little Man's favorites. It's a good day for a crackling fire...probably one of the last ones we'll enjoy this season as the days turn warm. It's also a good day to settle in
and re-read a favorite book, write a letter to a friend
(a real, handwritten letter sent off by snail mail), or dig a bit into your family history. Old photos, letters, and stories are the ties that bind generations.

As for me, I'm waiting for roofers to come and repair a bit of damage left by the winds of Old Man Winter...but while I'm waiting, I think I'll whip up a batch of cookies. Another simple pleasure...warm cookies and cold milk, mmm.

What about you...
how are you spending this Lion-&-Lamb month?

By the way, here's our recipe for Moose Soup...
and no, there were no moose harmed in the making of this soup!

"Moose" Soup

4 T. butter
2 onions, diced
3 qts. chicken or vegetable broth
1 head cabbage, finely chopped
1 lb. potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced
2, 14.5-oz. cans stewed tomatoes, drained
3 c. baby spinach leaves
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste

Combine butter an onions in a skillet; cook until onions are tender. Set aside. Combine remaining ingredients in a large stock pot, add cooked onions. If necessary, add water or additional broth to cover vegetables. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer. Stir occasionally and continue to cook until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 2 hours.

simple joys for March...

...take a little spring walk (bring along your gardening shears)
and cut some bare branches for forcing. Crabapple or forsythia would be perfect! Cut the ends sharply at a slant, then place them in a large vase of room-temperature water. In no time at all, you'll have brought spring indoors!

...celebrate St. Patrick's Day next Thursday! Wear green, bake Irish Soda Bread, serve a traditional Irish dinner, dance a jig!

...spring clean! Yep...I'm serious! You'll be surprised how good you'll feel when papers and cupboards are organized and dust bunnies have been swept away!

...if you know someone who has a late-winter cold, whip up a Sniffles Basket for her. Tuck in a Mason jar of homemade chicken noodle soup, a box of tissues, some cross-word puzzles, and a hot water bottle...she'll love it!

...feeling crafty? If so, then this is a quick & easy clipboard that you'll have fun creating and sharing wiht a friend (slip one in the Sniffles Basket!).

1 - Pick up a clipboard at an office supply store, and paint the board with acrylic paint.

2 - Once the paint has completely dried , use a sponge brush and decoupage medium to "glue" any cut-outs to the board.
(You could also skip the painting all together, as I did on the smaller sample, and "glue" scrapbooking paper on instead.)

3 - Once the cut-outs or scrapbook paper are in place and dry,
use decoupage medium again to protect the paper or images.

4 - Use your imagination to dress-up your clipboard!
Hats off to my friend Kris who gifted me with the larger board...she's a gem, and oh-so clever! Her board is filled with whimsical words and pictures...goodies she felt best described me. My version has a mini notebook attached, along with a clothespin that keeps my pen right where I can find it!

Hope you'll be making one of your very own soon...happy Friday!

a heartfelt thanks...

...to Tina at The Serene Stamper for sharing the Stylish Blogger Award with me. I'm taken by surprise and so appreciate her kind words. Take a minute to visit her blog and take a peek at her clever creations.

From me, a sincere thank you to the many nice people who visit us. It's been one of the biggest pleasures while writing this blog...that sense of connection with other wonderful people we hear from. It's always such fun to read the comments of  friends, new and old, who stop by to see what we're doing in our little corner of the Midwest.

As many of you know, along with this award come some guidelines…..

1. Link back to the person who awarded you
2. Share 8 things about yourself
3. Send it along to 8 bloggers that you have recently discovered.
4. Drop a note to the bloggers and tell them about their award!

Hmmm, so here are 8 things about me that you may (or may not !) find interesting!

1.We have two children, Little Man is 7 and Sweet Girl is 10.
They provide endless entertainment, as well as endless opportunities to roll my eyes and say, "I told you so." They also constantly remind me of what's sweet in our daily lives.

2. My husband is witty, loves trains, and will read until the wee hours of the morning when he's in the middle of a great book. He has icy-blue eyes, a quick smile, and a memory that can't be beat...he's our human GPS and trivia champ.

3. I love anything old-fashioned...hand-stitched quilts, country clotheslines, aprons, porch swings, old farmhouses, auctions, gardening, county fairs, and farmers' markets. I'm always looking for simple pleasures found in the "everyday" days, and trying to bring the small town joys of  "Mayberry" to our own home.

4. Some of my favorite movies are old classics such as
North by Northwest, The Great Race, That Touch of Mink, Operation Petticoat, and Father Goose.

5. Per above...Cary Grant is definitely a favorite actor...what charm and charisma!

6. I spent 14 years as a Sr. Book Editor and Manager of Licensed Books. While it was great fun creating cookbook and lifestyle books, I definitely don't miss the deadlines and meetings!
These days you'll find me chasing kids, gardening, tinkering with spinning and weaving, making wreaths, or weaving baskets.
I usually have a camera in one hand, a cookbook in the other,
and wish-list for our next home renovation!

7. If I could sing, I'd love to be Elphaba in the musical Wicked. Now, that's if I could sing...which I can't. Enough said.

8. I'm still trying to master the ideal loaf of homemade bread...hats off to my family who have suffered and smiled through many a loaf that was less than, well, ideal.
(Now that's love.)

Enough about me...now to the fun part! It was hard to narrow down my list to just 8 blogs, but here are some terrific farmgirls I really think you'll enjoy meeting.

Just click on their blog names to pay them a visit!

1. Rural Revivial

2. Verde Farm

3. Lilac Lane Cottage 

4. Farmhouse Style

5. Front Porch Indiana

6. City Gal Moves to Oz Land

7. Flat Creek Farm

8. Farm Fresh Fun