This Season's Harvest...

Brynwood Needleworks - 2016 Hickory Nut Harvest

 

I've finished shelling my 2016 harvest of hickory nuts. I also added the small ziplock bag of nuts that Shelly gave me when we first arrived at the farm. 

 

Here's how my harvest breaks down this year...One 3/4 full five gallon bucket of nuts (in the shell and husk) yielded almost 1-1/2 quarts of shelled nuts. I saved the husks and shells which will continue to dry out, and they'll be used either in the grill, smoker or our fire pit to add their hickory smoke to our cooking. (I'm not going to count hours expended or blisters earned.) 

 

The rest of the yield from the three hickory trees on our near our property will be left for the resident squirrels to feed them through the winter. I'll enjoy watching them romp and play in the snow, fortified by the nuts they'll collect yet this fall.

 

All in all, I'd say I did pretty well. Prior to purchasing the farm, it never even occurred to me to collect the fruit of the hickory trees. 

 

Thank you to those of you who shared treasured family recipes with me for their favorite uses for hickory nut meats. I'm looking forward to trying them! 

 

 

Thanks, also, to those who commented on my farm dress patterns yesterday. I will definitely rethink the tights/boots decision. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this. I also read the comment(s) asking me to share how I actually make clothing. So, when I start sewing up my dresses and aprons, I'll share the process with you. 

 

Making your own garments isn't scary. I've done it for many years, and it's a very satisfying process. I'd love to share how I choose fabrics, cut, and assemble those fabrics into a finished garment, so that perhaps others will have the confidence to make their own outfits. I'll plan now to even create a few step-by-step videos for you. I know. You can hardly wait, right? Same here!

Farmhouse Dresses...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Dress Patterns

I was in Sarasota for a haircut yesterday, but before I left town, I went down the mall to my favorite Jo-Ann Fabrics store. I was on the hunt for dresses that would be suitable for wearing at the farmhouse. You know...like your grandma used to wear. I scored four different patterns that I think will be perfect! Three of them are "dottie angel" designs, and the last is from "Sew House Seven".

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Dress

This is a sweet style. It has dress and top style options! I'm not sure about the boots and tights. I'm a grandma, after all. I won't be trying to look like a 20-something, but they are cute with this dress, and they'd make the outfit suitable to wear in colder weather. I'd even knit up a slouchy cowl to go with it!

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Dress

This top works as an apron or an over-shirt. It's reversible , so it can tie in the front or back. I almost always wear an apron in the kitchen, and if I put big enough pockets on the front, I can even carry my collected hickory nuts in them! I think I'd like to make linen slacks to wear rolled up with it during the summer.

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Dress

This is a great layered look. I think it would be especially good during the summer with the option for the sleeveless dress. There are those boots and tights again. hmmmmm

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Dress

  This was actually the first pattern I chose. The style is light and airy. I'll choose fabrics that will be cool and comfortable during the summer. Don't expect me to be striking any poses like this though! (Well, not for the camera, anyway! hee hee)

I'll be making these over the winter...after my commissions and Christmas gifts are finished. I can't wait to see how they sew up. I know they'll be fun to wear.

I'm looking forward to getting Destiny back in the studio so I can get after that list! Time's a-wasting!