Overcast With A Chance Of Clouds

Well, we might as well face it. Summer is upon us and cold, wet days haven't left. We should call it a day and try again next year. In two days the days will begin to grow shorter. Not that it will be noticed around here.
Maybe I'm just being a cynic, but I spent the better part of today getting rained on at Farmers Market. And that makes me cranky. I don't melt in the rain but I get cold and I hate that.
I did sell all my gallon tomato plants and two flats of basil that luckily had been kept in the greenhouse. Folks want to plant but are getting discouraged by the cold weather. They were happy to see my plants with fruit on the vines already. These might be the only tomatoes they see this year.
I feel for the hummingbirds. They have no reserves of warmth and alot of the flowers are late so they really need those feeders.
The songbirds look ticked as they try to find shelter from the storms and food to take home to their hungry babies.













Even the local chickens don't look happy.






So let's all go SHOPPING!!
As you probably heard, last weekend was the Farm Chicks Show. An annual  event that showcases everything vintage, junke, and funk. It was huge and fantastic. And I met several gals whose blogs I have been following. There was so much to see and explore. I went Saturday after Farmers Market with Lori from work. We oohed and aahed for hours and found a couple of things on our (okay, my wish list). It was fun getting to know  the things we each liked to collect.
On Sunday, I met Betsy there and we spent all day really looking things over. We took lots of photos and jotted ideas down. If I want to have a booth there next year I need to have ideas for display. The Farm Chicks are known for their special art of display.
We went to the magazine signing of both Country Living and Flea Market Style and met some wonderful ladies. And of course the Farm Chick herself, Serena!
By the end of the day I was beat and happy to get home and put my feet up. But that weekend will stay with me a long time.

I brought home a French bath tub and stand, a cider press, a glass-inlay washboard, and a vintage dress. And many memories and new friends.
Can't wait till next year!

Farm Chicks weekend!!

Well, it's almost time. Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds for the biggest, most fun events around! The Farm Chicks are having their yearly sale and I'm finally able to go! It will be a shabby, farm, garden extravaganza. I hope to have a booth there next year so need to look at all the details and get great ideas for displays.
Can't wait to meet some of our fellow bloggers plus authors and editors of various books and magazines.
 My garden is awake at last and so many different things to see as I walk around between thunder storms. It is so wet and cold here still, but the lilacs have never been more intense in scent or the fruit trees so in bloom. It is finally green here after the greys of winter!!

Thanks to Candy at The Little Round Table for being our garden walk hostess today via her new party, This Week in My Garden.

 The tomato plants are finally looking better. Lots of little fruits on the plants and ready to go to good homes. It has been too cold to plant any out yet but hopefully this following week the temps should be in the 70's. It has been so cold and damp they weren't looking so hot and the peppers were lucky to be growing at all. We have cucumbers on the plants still in the greenhouse and the gourds are sure to be blooming soon.
I have some new plants this year I am very excited about. Some fab coleus offerings, begonias, repeat-blooming lilacs, and a compact buddleia  in 3 exciting colors. Stay tuned!
Well, I'm off to bed and up early to get all my weekend chores done so I can play at the Farm Chicks!!
Patti                

A Long Pause....

Okay, I admit it. I told myself if I were to write a blog, I must faithfully do so. Now here I am writing this after a very long absence.
Can I say in my defense that I have been very busy? But other bloggers lead even busier lives and still find time to write.
I'm old. Well, I'm sure there are older bloggers.
Been busy spring cleaning. Yeah right. Have you seen this place. I should be on a Hoarders episode.
Nothing to write about. Are you kidding? Look around me.
Anyway, I'm back and hope to do better.
Three garden sales and  a Farmers Market later and I survived! Couldn't have done it without Dan and Betsy and my wonderful friends!
Horrible weather with winds and rains and cold temperatures. Then hot the next day with more wind and thunder storms. Back and forth.
Even a crazy motorcycle rider did a hit and run on my little Subaru and left  granddaughter Jessica and Betsy's boyfriend on the side of the road with a busted tire. And a lost hubcap! But no one was hurt, thank goodness. Well except my poor little Subaru has a dent on her door and is missing a hubcap!
Sales were good and saw lots of repeat customers and met some new ones. Lots more plants I want to grow and offer. More ideas for re-purposed items.
But I need to find a way to sell my plants without lugging them all about the country. It is just too hard on them. And me! I need more land for greenhouses and a storefront! Anyone out there have a few acres they want to get rid of?
Mother's Day got me breakfast in bed to start the day off. Well, my breakfasts now consist of half a sausage  and a protein shake. But it was in bed! Then the grand kids presented me with plants for the pond and some garden flamingos. Jessica also took Betsy and I out on Wednesday for pedicures.
Thursday was our anniversary. Dan and I have been married 37 years! We went out to Red Lobster where I had six oysters. Yippee! Not even a drink. Boy, am I a cheap date!
I have spent some time lurking on other blogs. Usually late at night when I am winding down after a full day. Man there are some great blogs! It is so cool to find people writing about the same things you love, collect, believe in, etc. Seeing different points of view and perceptions of ideas. Getting excited about projects and trying new ideas. Finding new shops and products! Thanks to everyone and stay writing!
Well, my tea is gone and it's late. Lots to do in the morning before work.
But I got this written.

Look what I found for Spring

http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-spring-celebration-nest-give-away.htmlLook at these cool nests