A DREAM COME TRUE-WILD PHLOX-FRANCIS

GREETINGS

Delightful weather is here with some needed rain tomorrow and Sunday.  I am starting to put in the garden today, late as usual.  It always works out.

A DREAM COME TRUE

Tomorrow night my daughter, Cindy will graduate from Law School.

Its been a dream of her since she started college.  It was put on hold for many reasons.   When she decided to go ahead with it nothing could stop her.  She persevered through serious health problems, the sudden death of her beloved Mother in Law and other obstacles.  Tomorrow night she will get her degree and all will be worthwhile.  I am so proud as is her Husband Rick , her two sons, and her extended family  She will go on helping others.  My Dad and Mom will be watching from above and cheering her on.

Cindy and Rick, Ricky and Chris

 

WILD PHLOX

I don’t know where they came from. Maybe from some tansy that I got along side the road.  But I love them they have filled in and created a path way to the side yard chickens.  The smell is heavenly.

FRANCIS

Francis is going on 14 this summer.  She usually lays beautiful blue eggs in the summer, and loves dirt baths.  You can see age in her eyes but she still goes out every day, looks for worms and takes her dust bath.  She will often, these days come in and take a little nap and head out again later in the afternoon. 

 

Thanks for reading my blog on this delightful summer day.  hope you day is wonderful.  Carole

 

MURPHY-LAST DAY FOR THE POP UP SHOP

GREETINGS

We are having a bit of a cold snap but for Christmas Eve  day its suppose to be around 60.  Too warm but we will take it.  I am sure we will get plenty of snow in the new year.

MURPHY

Murphy is a great rooster, hatched right here on the farm he is truly the kindest and gentlest .  Two nights ago I came home from the pop up shop and did my usual animal routine.  I lock up each coop and count chickens.   Murphy,Francis and Miss Speckles were missing.  I got my large flashlight and ran out to their yard.  There himself was with his wings covering the two girls.  The netting  covering  the top of their run came down and covered their doorway so they couldn’t get into the door.   He takes care of his girls and knows when one is missing and will go back out and stay with her and nudge her to come in.

Francis is quite old in chicken years, yet she goes out every day and in summertime still manages to lay some beautiful blue eggs.

LAST DAY FOR THE POP UP SHOP

Today is the last day for the Pop Up Shop.  Its been so interesting .  As a group we offer diversity in products and we would like to do it again.  Many of our customers wanted to know where and when we would be again.  Its given us all something to think about.  I have met new crafts people and got to spend some time with my friend Susan.  I have also learned  a lot about doing this.  Its fun and exciting and a short commitment at a busy time.

CHRISTMAS YIKES!!!!!

With so much going on with shows and making things I am so far behind.  Hope to catch up in the next few days.  I haven’t even made my Christmas cards yet so they will be  late.  I do have an idea though and it has something to do with Cosmo..

Hope you have a wonderful day and many thanks for reading my blog.  Carole

PICKING DANDELIONS-EGGS-SOAP

GREETINGS

Its gotten quite cool here, some areas receiving a frost.  It was a nice change from the hot and humid weather that we have been having and I did light the wood stove today

.  No rain to speak of but tomorrow there is a 60% chance of it.

BREAKFAST

PICKING DANDELIONS

I really want to make some dandelion soap but don’t have the time now, Yesterday I went to the nearest cemetery by the river and sat myself down and picked enough for the dehydrator.  My neighbor was walking her dog and stopped to say hello.  It made me think how wonderful it is to live in a small town where you are safe.  SOmetimes I take for granted how nice it is.  The dandelions are in the dehydrator and it won’t take long before they are dry.  I will pick another basket full soon, and some to press too.  I thought in the dehydrator that they would stay full but they shrivel up.  I do want some that will lay flat..  I may decorate the wrapper with one on top.

EGGS

What a day yesterday I got 8 eggs!!!!    I have 8 already this early afternoon and Francis is stilling  in the nest.  So it will be 9 today out of 10 gals that lay.

Francis

SOAP

I am planning on making soap tomorrow.  The Calendula soap will be ready for the fair and still needs to dry another few days.

Many thanks for reading my blog today and I hope you have a  wonderful day.  Carole

 

 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL -THE WRINGER WASHER AND HANGING CLOTHES OUT-FRANCIS

GREETINGS

We had a shower yesterday morning but do need lots more rain.  Everything is popping up and the birds are out in full force

SADIE’S PLACE

THE WRINGER WASHER

My Mothers family lived in Maryland.  We would visit a couple of times a year staying with my Grandmother. SHe had an old, 2   story Maryland style home with a large front porch.  There was a walk out cellar that always had a little puddle of water when you took that last step into it.  All laundry and canning was done in that cellar.  I can still remember the smell of it.  The house stood facing some railroad tracks and the Susquehanna River.  Oh what wonderful times were had there.  From my quiet life in Massachusetts to large family gatherings, a dog named Joe, lots of cousins and fun on the river.  At night the sounds of trains far away and boats with music and people partying on the river would lull me to sleep

The above hand painted picture is of my Grandmothers house.  Painted by my Cousin Gary. 

I loved helping my Grandmother with things and her washing machine was so different from ours at home.  She reluctantly instructed me on how the wringer worked and repeatedly told me how an arm can be broken in one of them.  One day she said I could send the clothes through to her and for a while I paid close attention to what was going on and then my arm went in with the clothing.  Luckily she had an emergency release on her new machine.  What an experience.

I come from a long line of women who hung their clothes out to dry  I have had a clothesline every place I have lived.  Although I do use a dryer occasionally I do love the feel and smell of freshly dried clothes.  Thanks to my blogger friend Eliza for reminding me of the wonders of hanging laundry out.

FRANCIS

Francis is 13 years old this year and it summertime and she has started laying her beautiful blue eggs again.  The other day she was in the nest box and for a moment I though she was dead.  SHe was just taking a nap while laying her egg.  It’s not easy laying an egg when you are old!

I hope that Mothers Day is a delightful all, many thanks for reading my blog.  Carole

SPINNING CLASS-FRANCIS & SWEET PEA-BOOKS I AM READING

HELLO

Yesterday was the last spinning class.  Everyone has done wonderfully.  They accomplished so much in these three weeks.  We made some designer yarns yesterday 

 

The yarns came out so different and all made quite nice designer yarns.

FRANCIS AND SWEET PEA

Both hens laid eggs this morning.  Francis is well over 10 years old which is getting up there in hen’s years.  Sweet Pea, I believe is the Mother of the two light-colored chicks.

FRANCIS

Books I Am READING

The Field Guide TO Fleece

by Deb Robson and Carol Ekarius

This small field guide is a MUST for spinners and buyers of wool.  Everything you need to know to pick out a fleece for your project is on two pages.   A description of the sheep, use of dyes on the fleece and best uses for the fleece along with pictures of the sheep and fleece are listed.  This guide is small and will fit right into your purse.  Take it to the next sheep and wool event .  

 

The days are going by fast at the farm, still many spring chores to get done.  Today the chicks will be moved, what a delight for them and for me.   They are not going outside just yet but into the back coop.  I need to tighten security in their yard.  I still have no idea if they are roosters or hen’s.  Here’s hoping they are hen’s.

It’s a cool morning but will warm up quickly.  Hope you have a wonderful day, thanks for reading my blog.     Carole