A Little Sunshine Stitchery...

The weather was perfect yesterday. The sunshine and mild breezes beckoned me outside all morning. By afternoon, I knew it was time to indulge for a while. 

I grabbed my thread box and a few scraps of linen and just followed my muse. I listed to music and visited with the little wren who has a nest in one of the birdhouses. She is a talker!

A little while later, I had a tiny bouquet of lavender finished. I can actually smell the lavender in the kitchen garden as I sit here. The breeze was in the right direction with me downwind. 

Claudette decided to bring a mouse onto the porch. Thankfully, she hadn't harmed it (yet). I told her what a good girl she was so she wouldn't run away from me. Even so, I did have to follow her around the porch until she was close enough for me to grab her by the scruff of the neck. Once I did, she dropped the mouse and it scurried away. I was glad that Crystal was off in another direction so she missed the exchange, or she would have certainly chased that frightened poor mouse.

I put Claudette in the house and then coaxed Crystal in, too. That way the mouse stood a chance of making a safe escape. They were confined to quarters (despite their noisy protestations) for the rest of the day.

I'm not sure how I'll finish this needlework. Perhaps a lavender sachet would be most appropriate. Yes. I think so. I work today, so I'll think more about that when I get home. This was just the ticket for me for now, though.

Lavender Embroidery And An Idea...

Brynwood Needleworks - Lavender Embroidery

I'm working on a new idea. This is the first colorway I did, and I have two more in the works. I'm hoping to have prototypes over the weekend so I can share them on Monday.

Today, Handsome and I are off to look at new furniture. We didn't go yesterday. By the time I got home from my clinic appointment, I really didn't feel like going out again. Anyway, we're going today instead.

 

We frequently have the same taste, but I'm sure we'll keep in mind "durability and comfort" over style (Dogs to consider, you know). I know I don't want dark or "poofy". I really prefer a more tailored look, so we'll see what we end up choosing. I'll share decor photos with you tomorrow. 

I'm also going to a Birthday party for my great-great niece this weekend, so I'll be doing a little gift shopping while we're out, too. Hard to believe it's already Friday again. whew!

It's Getting Colorful Now...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Hollyhocks

 

I figured it would only take a few more warm days for the hollyhock buds to start opening. I guess yesterday was the day!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Four Shades of Hollyhocks

There are at least four different colors in the garden...creamy yellow, light pink, dark pink, and magenta.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hummingird at Feeders

They're opening right next to the hummingbird feeders, and the hummers have noticed, too!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Beautiful and Colorful

 

I've been asked for my secrets to growing these beauties. My answer is...I have no secrets. They thrive in spite of me. I planted five original plants right along the foundation. They're well-drained, and sheltered in a southern exposure. I did plant lavender, chives, and peppermint at the feet of my hollyhocks, so they may contribute to the bugs leaving them alone, but I'm not sure about that. I'm going to say that I think 75% of my success with the hollyhocks is just dumb luck...but I'm really grateful.

This corner of my life - right outside our door - hollyhocks that are nearly six feet tall, lavender, English daisies, Shasta daisies (for Mom), a lone delphinium (I must rectify that by getting more), and bee balm. I'm going to add more plants in the open spaces to appeal to the hummingbirds, honey bees, and butterflies. It only gets better from here.

 

Sweet Surprises Right Outside Our Door...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Hickory Hill Farm Kitchen Garden

Every time we step out the "friends and family" back door, we're greeted by new surprises in my little kitchen garden. The mint got a head start this year, and they may have choked out the morning glories this year. Time will tell.

The chives were next on the scene, and I've let them bloom. The blossoms are lovely in their purple/pink dresses. The hostas love this spot, and they're shading the creeping phlox in front of them. The dianthus is already showing red blossoms, too. The lavender is taking a little longer this year. I left their stems to shelter the little bugs that may have hidden under them for the winter, but the sweet fragrance of their leaves is starting to fill the air, too. As I weed, I can smell lavender everywhere.

Brynwood Needleworks - The Hollyhocks Are In Bud

My big surprise this year are my hollyhocks! Where I had to support the plants last year, their stems are large and strong this year. Even though I picked many of their dried seed pods to be able to sow new plants this year, it definitely won't be necessary here! Just look at the size of my stems, and the number of blooms at the top of the plant. Those clusters of blossoms cascade down every plant, so they won't just flower at the tops!

Brynwood Needleworks - HUGE Hollyhocks

 

Look at how big the plants are...and how many of them there are! If you scroll back up to look again at the first image, you'll get a true sense of their size. Boy, are the bees (including the bumblebees) going to love me this year! Last year these were all bright pink. I'm looking forward to seeing just how colorful they get. I'll be sure to show you, too. It won't be long before they begin to open up!

By the time I took these photos yesterday, shade had already fallen over the corners of my little garden. The shasta daisies I planted for Mom Grace are nearly as tall as the bird bath behind them. Mom would love how they'll look once they start to flower. I will have to move them, temporarily, right before the porch project begins so I can protect them. I'm going to get a beautiful big planter to hold them until it's safe to replant them. I'll use the planter on the new porch, with new plants (hmmm. Maybe geraniums?) once it's done. I'm sure I'll get pictures of the daisies before I pot them up, so you'll those, too.

Only a few short weeks before the masons show up to start their work. Bella is taking her sweet time coming into heat. She seems to have thrown us a false alarm last Friday, so she's seeing the vet every few days to be checked. For now, we're staying put at the farm. Once she starts, I'll count off eleven days, and plan to be in SE Florida by the eleventh day for breeding. If she doesn't start soon, I may have to take her to San Antonio (TX), as her boyfriend will have gone back home. Cross your fingers for me, please. I'd really rather drive to Florida than Texas alone this summer, so I'm praying Bella gets going here very soon. In the meantime, I'm going to sit back and smell the flowers.