Happy 4th Of July!

Of course I get to work on the 4th. I decided not to decorate as usual as I wouldn't be home and no one was coming over. So I am posting some neat pics I enjoy instead.

Hope everyone has great weather and a happy and safe 4th.
Patti

Snow Tires Are Off And It's Snowing

Okay. I admit it. It's my fault we are having a snowstorm. We took the snow tires off my little Subaru yesterday. Sorry.
What a week it has been. Lots of trips to the doctor for follow-ups to my surgery. I am having trouble keeping solid foods down and they say I am not getting enough calories so I am in starvation mode and that is why I'm not losing the weight. Might have to go back onto a liquid diet. Going in next week for a scope to make sure there isn't a stricture keeping food from passing thru to the stomach.  Also dehydration still an ongoing battle.
Lots of blood work to check  everything and then to another doctor for the pain in my shin I'm having. More blood-work and ex-rays there. Bottom line; I'm old and falling apart!
So let's talk about Spring! The renewal. Shrubs are budding up nicely and more spring bulbs are sending up green thru the soil. And look at the moss garden on my old Subaru!

The chickens are still busy in the garden area searching out bugs and weeds and fertilizing as they move about. My newest boy is a beauty; even though he was purchased as a hen. He has quickly formed his little harem and guides them around the yard, ever alert for dangers or a tasty morsel. Peepers, our blind little girl usually stays indoors but has sometimes ventured outside.

  And you won't believe this egg I collected the other day. It is huge! Too big to put into even the jumbo egg carton.

Lots of work still going on in the greenhouse. Still planting tomatoes and other vegetables, but now also transplanting has begun. Where is everything going to fit? Luckily we have room for all the hanging baskets to go above our heads. Besides the usual big flower baskets I grow, we are planting up lots of baskets of tomatoes. They have specialty ones just for that purpose. Tumbling Tom, Micro Tom, and cherry varieties just to name a few. So it was a good idea of Dan to install conduit pipes along the roof for just that reason. I'm glad he's the one that gets to figure out how to water them!

My living wreathes I planted last week are doing good. Also started some more succulents for my hypertufa troughs I will plant up later. Boy is sphagnum moss expensive. As is the metal wreath frames I use. Nothing is cheap anymore.

The squirrel is active again. I hadn't seen him for awhile but he's back. He loves to tease the dogs.

My first show is about 2 weeks. Betsy and I are frantically getting our projects completed. It seems every time we get started on one, I come up with a new one I want to do. So lots of chaos and mess all over the house and in the garage. Betsy has become a very skilled quilter and wreath-maker among other things. I don't know how she manages to juggle work, housework, kids, car work and all the crafts she's doing! I'm glad to have such a creative partner in this business!
Here are some pictures of items I have found at various junk shops and dollar stores that we are using for projects, plus some completed projects.

 And of course, some things to decorate the house for Easter!

Well, time flies when I'm writing this,but sadly I must go to work. See you next week. Please visit my blog and leave me comments. Still want to hear your ideas for my jam business name and logo.
Patti

Happy New Year! The Best Is Yet To Come!

When you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out.
~ by Elizabeth Bowen (1899-1973) ~

 Sorry I have been so remiss with this blog. I had stomach surgery on Dec. 7 and it has been a long road of recovery with its good and bad days. sadly, it has been hard to sit at the computer so I have not been able to keep in touch that way. Thanks to everyone's prayers and good wishes.

Who, being loved, is poor?  ~Oscar Wilde

The scenery here is so beautiful. We have quite a bit of snow and then became very cold so the trees are just loaded down. It is truly a winter wonderland! We made comments as we drove around last week that even the ugliest and messy yard looks like a postcard. So there's hope for mine!
Wistfully, Christmas is packed back up and downstairs. My darling Daughter and Granddaughter put everything into boxes and Hubby put them away. We have more this year to try and store because Betsy and I went to Lowes for my daily walk and found all their decorations for 75% off! We came home with a car full, but saved about $450. Can't wait for next year!
A hard part of this recovery is I can't bend over or lift. You never know realize how much stuff falls on the floor until you aren't able to pick it up. I'm trying to organize my receipts to get my business taxes done, and I swear half of them landed on the floor.

Don't own so much clutter
that you will be relieved to see your house catch fire.
Wendell Berry



And I got to sit back and direct traffic as the family moved furniture around in the front room. Placed a new area rug and brought in more lighting for a cozy retreat. It also opened up a wider traffic area for when the grand kids come over and run amok.
I love my new sunroom! Have I said that before? While I laid in bed I could look out into it and thru the windows to the garden outside. The family put a second tree out there for me at Christmas. A white one adorned with blue lights and my flamingo ornaments. When I couldn't sleep at night I would just stare at the lights and feel at ease. I can't wait to decorate it for Valentines day. Did you know that is my favorite Holiday? I love hearts and red and pink, pastels and flowers.
garden sale farm chicks seed catalogs

"Valentine’s Day is when a lot of married men are reminded what a poor shot Cupid really is.” ~Unknown

I am getting the itch to design and craft. I filled out my form and sent it in for the Garden Expo sale I do every year on Mothers Day weekend. I am also going thru the seed catalogs in anticipation of getting the greenhouse going in the next couple of months. I also saw the ad for the Farm Chicks sale and would love to do that sale some day. Anyway, Saturday when daughter Betsy comes out to work we will venture into the crafts room and clean and organize. And dream up our next big money-maker!


Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.
A. A. Milne

The snow is still falling as I write this. I feel cocooned as the sounds from outside become muffled. Then the dogs come in and bring me back to reality as they shake their wet snow off onto me! I need to get out and take more pictures. And whitewash some dogs!

Well, it is now evening and I didn't get much done today. Anymore, just trying to stay hydrated is a job in it's self. I got so absorbed in reading all the great blogs out there the time got away from me. I am so into the vintage crafts. Hooray for Etsy! I love all the vintage ephemera that is out there. I want to learn how to do everything. And don't even get me started on the garden ornamentation aspect of it. I am so behind on all my projects for my spring sale. Does anybody have any handmade or trash to treasure project ideas for my garden sale?

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful, with icy roads and bitter winds. But inside the smell of bayberry and oranges spiked with cloves, the sounds of football intermingled with Christmas carols, and the sights of decorations, lights, and very excited grandchildren!

Not too much baking this year. I am about to go into surgery and have been on a liquid protein diet for a couple of weeks so nobody is getting anything!! It was bad enough to have to prepare the Thanksgiving feast and just watch everyone else devour it.
We had a wonderful decorating party yesterday. What memories awaken when the boxes marked "Christmas" are lugged upstairs and opened. Handmade decorations  the kids had made through the years; ones handed done from loved ones no longer with us. Try explaining to a 4-year old that the "Night Before Christmas" book they find is older than Grandma! Hot cocoa awaits the frozen few that ventured out to string lights and garlands round the fence and to hang up the wreathes and flags. The fortunate ones stayed inside and put out candles, wreathes, window clings, and all sorts of finery.
It is a record this year because of my pending surgery, that all the Christmas shopping is done and all the presents wrapped.

And still, work must go on outside too. Hoses must be brought out to refill water barrels in the greenhouse and chicken coop. Paths shoveled for dogs so they will venture out and leaves mounded up on pots of various perennials to keep them frozen till spring.
I want huge quantities of snow. Hey, I won't be able to drive so why not? I want snow days so everybody has to stay home with their families. I want to hear the whine of snowmobiles running up and down the road because the cars can't make it through. Neighbors having snowball fights and kids making snow forts and sledding runs. Why can't we hibernate like the bears used to do, all snuggled together. Think how much money we could save on everything.

In the coming weeks I hope I am able to keep you posted on my recovery; my trials and tribulations; all the gory details!
Till then, embrace the Spirit of Christmas around you, down to the very smallest detail.

Joy To The World!!