Big Storm...

This is what our apple tree looked like yesterday morning. This is an old tree, and Handsome (who used to tend his own apple orchard before he met me) said it's never been properly trimmed so that it would produce optimal harvests. He also said, it's too pretty as it stands now to do more than trim away the dead branches. There's one on the left side of the tree here, but the hummingbirds love to fly over and land on those branches. Now that our overhead power lines are underground (another favorite perch for them), we'll be leaving that branch for the time being. 

To the right of the apple tree is a beautiful, big lilac bush. There was always a lovely stone circle with some large boulders to mark its placement, however it's overgrown with black raspberries these days. They were volunteers planted by the birds. 

My dilemma with removing them is that I harvest the berries for preserves each fall, and they're quite tasty. Do I remove the prickly berry bushes to clean up the lilac bed, or leave them for preserves? I haven't decided yet.

When I photographed the apple tree yesterday morning, the blossoms were slowly falling like snowflakes onto the grass. It was really quite lovely.

Last night, though, we had a whopper of a storm roll through. There were high winds and heavy rains. Our state weather service was reporting tornadoes all around us, so it was a pretty violent event. The storm passed before dark, so I looked out to check on the status of the bird feeders I absentmindedly neglected to bring in. All feeders were still in place, but half of the apple tree's blossoms had blown away with the wind. 

The tree is still standing and still beautiful, so for that I'm very grateful. All our other trees - especially the grand old maple in the front yard - are also still standing. Our farmhouse kept us safe and dry as it had for many generations before she became ours. So, all in all, we did well. We count our blessings, and wake up to another beautiful day at Hickory Hill farmhouse. 

I hope all my local blog friends fared equally well, and that you're all safe from harm. I also hope everyone in the storm's path in Wisconsin or Michigan are okay, too. 

My last day of work this week is today. Then I'll have the weekend off. One more week of three six hour days and then back to normal. I can't wait! Gotta run. Happy Friday!!!

Rex The River Otter...

Knowing this is my newest spoolie, I'm sure many of you were thinking I'd name this little guy "Steve" after the famous comic otter featured in many of my Saturday Silliness posts. But I was specifically asked by Handsome not to. (If you know, you know.) I honored his request and named my latest spool animal, "Rex the River Otter" instead.

I'd love to have a small snail, stone, or a wee crab in his paws, but until I find or create such a think, I'm going to leave him as is. No necktie. No vest or jacket. Just Rex au naturel.

What do you think? Does he look like an otter to you? He's a wee bit larger than my other spoolies, but not enough to require a larger spool. Feedback appreciated. 

I have another blissful day off today. Time for a bit of homekeeping, and then I'm going to work a bit more on my bluebirds. A little zen stitching before I go back to work tomorrow. aaaaahhhhhh

Spring In Wisconsin...

Spring has finally arrive at the farmhouse. All the trees and bushes have begun greening up, and the flowers are opening again. The most wonderful gift here is to see our old apple tree bloom and bless us with her fragrant, showy flowers each year. This year is no exception.

I was working on my spoolie last night, but am completely unhappy with the head shape for this animal, so I'm going to start over today. After two days of standing on my feet at work, all I want to do is give these old knees a rest. A little needle dancing (where I can just sit) is just what I need.

My plan is to rework and complete my spoolie today, and then I have this month's Artist Trading Cards to do. This month's theme is flowers, so I'm looking forward to creating something pretty and floral. 

I'll share whatever I complete today with you tomorrow. I'll also be able to do a little housekeeping around here tomorrow, too, after my "day of rest". As for today, I shall play.