sweet words...

Yesterday morning Little Man said to me...

"I'll be your best friend forever...even when we're in heaven."

My heart melted...

Sunday evening snapshots...



A scarecrow welcomes you to the garden...




hummingbirds have been visiting the feeder and hollyhocks...

 


Queen Anne's Lace...




more mulberries to turn into cobbler...



daylillies in bloom...

apple dumplings at day's end...

Yes...

life is good.

summertime discoveries...

The windows are up, the front doors are open, and the sweet scent of summer drifts in on a gentle breeze. The joyful scents of June...newly tilled earth in the garden and clover, are most welcome after last evening's heavy storms.

And while the rains were much-needed, they did make us pause and think twice about our picnic celebrating the longest day of the year. None-the-less, baskets were packed and sitting by the door as the rains fell, thunder pounded, and the weather radio sang out in the background.

As the storms became stronger and the sky darker, we pondered having a picnic in the family room...we've done that before and it's always been fun. Still, a peek of light to the west gave us a bit of hope, and we waited out the storms. Finally, by 8 p.m., we were in the car and heading to a picnic spot with a shelter house...just in case the storms returned.

And so was our summer solstice picnic...food, fun, and of course lots of puddles. Kids just can't seem to resist jumping in puddles. Those who have tagged along on our picnics when puddles are present know from first-hand experience it doesn't take long for kids to get wet & muddy. They ran, slid, jumped, climbed and soon were wet from top to bottom. A bit of a chilly breeze blew in and quickly they wrapped up in blankets and were in the car...time to head home.

So as today begins, I'm up and anticipating. Each day in June seems to bring something new. I've been fascinated watching the swallows rise, fall, then swoop across the yard, and then enjoyed settling in with the calm of evening that surrounds us. These simple pleasures are ours for the taking.

Let's enjoy every magical moment,
because June slips by too soon.

a day on the farm...



mulberries ready to be picked...



hollyhocks in bloom...

"knee high by the 4th of July" so the saying goes,
but the corn is knee-high now!

happy hens...

guard dog on duty...

a curious cat...

sunset at the end of the day...

time for chasing fireflies!



clothespin jar...

Nothing starts my week off like a big load of laundry.
Seeing the lines filled with billowing clothes gives me an "everything's all right" feeling...another one of my favorite country pleasures.

Hanging laundry on a clothesline is easy and simple...
no dryer vent to clean, no buttons to push, no buzzers going off.
It gives me time to think. I'm sure I've solved the world's problems several times over while hanging clothes,
then folding them at day's end.

And the scent of sun-soaked sheets at bedtime...for me, there's no better way to sink into a peaceful night's sleep.

So, with all that said, let me share with you a handy-dandy,
ready-in-a-jiffy clothespin jar.

Begin by washing and drying a very large pickle jar.
A coat of rust-colored texture paint covers the writing on the lid, and a computer printed "Wash Day" tag (torn along the edges and lightly stained for an old look) is glued to the front of the jar.

Done...an oh-so tidy way to store those clothespins!

the fruits of our labor...

A small apple forms...

Blossoms will become blackberries...

Flowers in bloom...

Irresistible sweet treats...

Random photos indeed, but they make me smile.

A cool morning has me pondering what I want to be

"when I grow up" and asking if I'm on my way.

This quote comes to mind...

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go....

Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You'll Go!

Goals I had for this year:

   Fruit trees...check

   Berry bushes...check

   Chickens...check

Practical goals...
good goals...

However; school's out, and I get teary...the kids are growing too fast. So, with a clear head, what's my most important goal?   

Slowing down to enjoy every moment. One of my favorite hymns reminds me that "time flies on wings of lightning, we cannot call it back...and if we are not mindful the chance will fade away, for life is quick in passing, 'tis as a single day."

Today's agenda? Sure, some practical things like grocery shopping and laundry, but also playing in the tent and heading out for a hot air balloon festival tonight. I want to hear laughter and see smiles...it's all in a day's "work!"

the dog days of spring?

What happened to the merry month of May? Where are
the breezy, sunny days we wish would never end?

Just for the record, 100 degrees is too hot for me...
that's what registered on the car thermometer as I brought the kids home from school yesterday.


This is before 7 a.m. and the heat seems to hang in the air.

  Our weather has changed from daily downpours and chilly temperatures (I actually put the flannel sheets back on in May!)  to blazing hot and humid. Dark clouds tease us with the promise of rain, but simply blow on by. Heavy rain in April and early May had so saturated the fields that temporary lakes formed and soon geese, along with seagulls, took up residence.

Finally, fields and yards began to dry out, and we were able to get our garden, berry bushes, and fruit trees planted. Now, with temperatures in the high 90's and no rain, it's time for hauling water and turning on sprinklers.



The corn in our field has grown quickly, but needs rain.

 

Hmmm, the up side to all this?

Well, if I'm gonna turn on sprinklers, that means we'll just have to run through them! Now that school is out, I'll have a couple more helpers who will be more than happy to water gardens and flowers...of course that means they'll "accidently" get wet!

Summer days slip away as quickly as sand through our fingers.  Yes, this year early June is very hot, but also ripe for inspiring daydreams, fun, and adventure. It's 7 a.m. and my watering for the day is done...when the kids are up, we'll put up the tent and start summer vacation off with a bang!

flower tour around the farm...

A little tour of the flowers in bloom around the farmhouse...

I found these old tubs in the barn
and decided they needed a second life outdoors.



The kids' fairy garden
(complete with a tire swing!)




I'm so glad I captured this peony one morning...
later the same day, winds from a passing storm
had blown the petals away.








This old rose hadn't bloomed in ages, until last year.
Now, it's blooming again...I'm so thrilled!



The herb garden right outside our kitchen door.
It's so handy when I'm cooking, baking herb bread,
or making herbal vinegars at summer's end.

Old-fashioned peonies are one of my favorite flowers.
These plants were rescued from an old farmhouse
that was being torn down.






A shady spot near our front door.

 Thanks for stopping by...
happy Friday!

simple joys for June...

“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon;
to me those have always been the two most beautiful words
in the English language”
-Henry James

Dancing butterflies, the flash of a hummingbird, the low hum of buzzing bees are all signs that the earth has warmed, and is ready for Summer.

...it's time for the enchantment of twinkling fireflies
(or lightning bugs as they are also called.) Kids both big and little like chasing them around the yard (remember when you were a kid?), What magical fun!

...June is the month of strawberries! If you don't have your own berry patch, find a U-Pick strawberry field...what a terrific way to spend an afternoon! Then, it's time for strawberry shortcake,
ice cream, or berries dipped in melted chocolate.

...Bubbles are fun for kids of all ages, and it's oh-so easy to make homemade bubble liquid. Gently stir together: 6-cups hot water, 1/2-cup corn syrup, 1-cup clear dishwashing liquid. Have fun!

...create a secret garden in a corner of the yard, or make a fairy garden. Summertime is all about magic.

...Remember that June 21 is the Summer Solstice; the longest day of the year, so enjoy it! Have a picnic, cookout, sleep under the stars, or go to the park. Play games, light sparklers, let the kids put on a play or tell jokes. As it gets dark, hang a sheet and enjoy puppet shows...sweet memories in the making.

...when you plant a garden, save room for a pizza garden. Add basil, Roma tomatoes, green peppers, onions, hot peppers, any of your favorites!

...wear a straw hat, have a water fight, pitch a tent, visit the farmers' market, shop a flea market, nap in the shade.

Enjoy the Good Old Summertime!

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!