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!!!

Second Try Success...

I need to write a note to self. If I'm going to garden one day, I can plan not to stitch for at least the next two. My hands were suffering after my recent foray into the garden. I was unable to comfortably hold a needle, and going back for a second day of weeding was also out of the question. Lesson learned (for now).

So, when Sunday rolled around, I wanted to try the lilac jelly again. The blossoms are peak right now, so they'll be off the bushes within a couple days. I hoped to make up a fully successful batch before it was too late this year.

I went back through my recipes to find the one I originally used for my flower blossom jellies, and compared them to the one I used earlier last week. There were definitely differences. I pulled out all my supplies and picked blossoms to make a single batch.

I followed the recipe except for one thing. It called for food coloring to change the color of the jelly, but I added about two tablespoons of fresh lemon instead (an ingredient from the recipe I used last week), to naturally change the color away from a dull green to this pretty pink/peach. 

The tall jar in the back right of this photograph was a planned first use jar that didn't go through the water bath. I actually knew it wouldn't fit in the pot I used to process the jars, so we'll eat that one first. 

This time everything came together perfectly. It was already jelling before I could get it into the jars! A short 10 minute water bath and all the jars pinged when they came out of the canner. 

After this was done yesterday, I spent a little time just sitting outdoors and enjoying the sunshine, and Handsome and I had a nice dinner together last night. We've had a Cameron™Stovetop Smoker for the past 30 or so years, but I've only used it one or two times. It can be used stovetop, on the grill, in the oven, or even over a campfire.

We pulled it out to try the stovetop method on a couple of nice ribeye steaks. Twenty minutes in the smoker with hickory chips, and then finish browning them in melted butter in my cast iron pan. (Is your mouth watering yet?) The result was another kitchen toy that will definitely see more action in the future.

I don't work again until tomorrow, so I'm going to attempt a little frog stitching today. I don't think I'll be able to marathon stitch - as I love to do - but I should be able to make some progress nonetheless. 

Here we go with another new week. I'll be back tomorrow, and hope you will, too!

In The Garden...

Sunshine and weeding were on the agenda for this week's Hump Day. Handsome helped me dig weeds out of my raised beds, and we added ash from our burn barrel to each one. I'm also going to get some sand, mushroom fertilizer from the local mushroom farm, and a little more soil to add to each bed. 

For now, though, we raked in the ash and I covered the beds with cardboard (to try) to keep the dandelions that are going to seed from settling in the newly-tilled soil. 

This lilac bush has grown quite a bit since we purchased our farmhouse, and it's close to where we worked, so the sweet fragrance from these blooms filled the air. We actually have lilacs all the way around the farmhouse, some likely established when the house was built. Those are now beautiful sentries stationed right at the edge of our hedgerow leading to The Habitat where I first fed the opossums, raccoons and the feral cats. 

This spring, I took all the pineapple scraps from my canning day down to The Habitat, and was pleasantly surprised to watch four deer move across the field right into the spot where I'd left everything. When I checked the next day, everything was gone. I'm sure they figured they'd located the Mother Lode of sweet treats that afternoon!

Anyway, exercising an abundance of caution (I didn't want a sore back to end the day), we managed to clean out three of the four raised beds, leaving one to go. I'm going to clear that one today. I'll also bring out my planting bags, garden tubs and other accessories. Then, I can decide how I want to plant everything this year, and it will be set up to go. 

Right now, I'm trying to decide if I want to add a few rows of straw bales to try straw bale gardening this year. If I do, our neighbor will have some for me. I just need to ask. I think I'd use them for tomatoes, beans, or squash, but I can't make up my mind. I'm torn, because truthfully, the garden beds yielded quite a bit last year without them. Then there's the maintenance part. Do I want to increase my work load? Decisions. Decisions.

No. I'm not one of those people who pore over gardening books and planting diagrams all winter. I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda girl. I suppose it could get me in trouble one of these years, but so far it's working, so I'm not going to "fix" it.

I'm also going to have to spend some serious time in the kitchen garden. Those glorious, persistent hollyhocks are already knee-high and trying to take over the entire area. If I want to see any light whatsoever from our walkway fixtures, I'm going to have to thin them out...soon. Otherwise, they'll be even more ensconced and nearly impossible to remove. I thought I had them under control last fall, but I was obviously woefully mistaken. I'll take before and after photos to show you what I mean.

So, I'll be back outside again this morning and work until it gets too hot...unless it decides to rain...at which point, I'll be back at my needlework, joyfully working on frogs. If the weather holds, I'll stay in the gardens until noon. Then, I'll come in, shower, and stitch away the rest of the day.

Handsome is going to the funeral of a good friend and former associate of ours. Bob Fehring passed away late last week. He worked on photo missions with Handsome when they both worked for Mercury Marine, and he had his own advertising agency. 

He's the artist who created my original Brynwood logo which was used in all my advertising and on my needlework charts from the very beginning of Brynwood Needleworks in 1989. While I've slightly changed colors over the years, the design has remained the same.

We remember afternoon-into-evening photo shoots with Handsome, Bob and me, as we set up the cover designs featuring my samplers. He was such an easy man to work with. We were nearly always on the same page, and only a few times did we need to tweak from my vision to his execution. 

Although we haven't seen him in years, he's come to mind frequently because I work with his art regularly. We're both saddened by his passing, so Handsome will represent us at his celebration of life. There will be other folks in attendance he had in common with Handsome, so I'm sure there will be a nice reunion in his honor. He was a great guy and will be missed. The world was a better place with him in it. RIP, old friend.

Lilac Jelly...

Yesterday was lilac jelly day. By the time I finished, there were sixteen 4 ounce jars and eight 8 ounce jars of mild, sweet goodness for the pantry.

I made a double batch, which I've done before, but after water bathing the first batch, I didn't feel like it was going to set up, so I emptied all the jars, added more pectin and re-jarred everything. As of bedtime last night, it appeared to be turning into a jelly, but I think it may be a day or so before I'm confident. I really don't want to have to rework it again. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I can say it tastes delicious, so I'm happy with that part. The jars are beautiful, and I'm looking forward to creating a lovely pound cake to become the base layer for said lilac loveliness.

I'm working today, but will be back to stitching on my frogs this afternoon after I get back home. Nothing like a little needle dancing to end the day.

Delivery Day...

 

Five yards of soil mixed with five year old compost will be arriving this morning...just in time for the holiday weekend! I'm sure you can guess how I/we'll be spending our time.

The photo above is our lilac bush near the old apple tree in our yard. All those lovely black raspberry vines next to the lilac are all volunteers, seeded by birds. There are at least three other large patches, so I'll definitely be making more jam this year.

I'm going to have my morning cuppa and then watch for the truck to come up our road. It's going to be a busy day. I'm so excited!

A Wonderful Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Beautiful Mother's Day Flowers

After all the excitement of Friday night, it was hard to come back to earth on Saturday. I drove to town to help our nephew and his fiance' move into their first home. It's older than our farmhouse, and needs some TLC, but they're up to the challenge, and it's large enough for their family of six. They're so excited to be there, and their enthusiasm was contagious.

I arrived with a large crock-full of homemade chili, chili toppings (diced onions, shredded cheese and sour cream), rolls and chips. Handsome and I made it after we got home from the banquet on Friday night, and it cooked in the slow cooker overnight. There was plenty for everyone who came to work - plus the bit I put aside for our dinner when I got back home.

There were lots of boxes to unpack, so I thought I'd help where I could (without lifting those boxes). I washed all the cabinetry in the kitchen, and then I tackled windows and doors. When my niece got back to the house, the cabinets were ready for her to decide where things will start in the kitchen. I told her not to sweat it too much, because she'll likely change everything around once she starts actually working in the space. By the time I left, everything was put away.

My nephew's dad, and his future wife's dad both tackled the large fenced-in back yard first, mowing and picking up debris left over from winter. Then they mowed the front yard. Their property looked 100% better - and loved - by the time they were finished.

When I got back home late afternoon, there had been a flower delivery for me from our younger son, his wife and our granddaughters. They're so beautiful, fragrant...and perfect!

Brynwood Needleworks - Lilacs In Bud

Handsome and I spent most of our day outdoors on Sunday. We mowed the lower yard, leaving the dandelions in bloom on the upper hillside for the emerging bees and butterflies. We also did some maintenance on the large pole barn doors and gutters, and then ate lunch outside.

 

The lilac bushes are all greening out and budding. I can't imagine blossoms won't be far behind, which means lilac jelly in the next month. Yum! 

 

Bella discovered chased the black cat that's been my guest all winter. Thankfully, the compass barn doors were opened so the cat had a place to escape. She (I think it's a girl) jumped up to the loft where she stayed the rest of the afternoon. I took food out to her, hoping she calmed down. 

 

It must have worked, because when I looked outside before going to bed, she was curled up on the stairs to the porch. Yep. Right outside the house. Short memory or no fear? Your guess is as good as mine.

 

I love the promises that come after a cold and snowy winter. It's going to be a beautiful late spring and summer at the farmhouse. I hope you'll continue to join me as I celebrate the seasons this year.

Tag will see you tomorrow. He had fun outside this weekend, too. I'll let him tell you about it. See you Wednesday!

 

"Just The Flax, Ma'am"...

Watering  The Flax Flowers

I apologize for the bad pun. If you're anywhere my age, you'll remember Sgt. Friday on the original Dragnet tv series. (This was frequently his line when a witness got sidetracked when answering one of his questions.) Handsome groaned when I told him what I thought of for today's post title. lol

It was a wonderfully busy day yesterday. It was in the mid-60sº, so I got a little stitching time in. I was going to wait until last to do the flowers (kind of a treat, really), but I couldn't resist tackling them at this point. I stitched between running downstairs to rotate loads of laundry.

Farm Girl, Flax Flowers and A Sweet Sheep

 

My sister stopped by late afternoon, too. She brought some of her homemade floral jellies (peony, white apple blossom, and wild plum blossom) for me, and I shared some of mine (pomegranate, garlic-onion, cranberry/jalapeno, Christmas jam, and lilac). Then we headed down the road to a place where I'd seen "wild" lilac bushes on an abandoned farmstead. We picked enough for me to make jelly, and Sher to make lilac water.

 

After dinner, I made up the last batch of lilac jelly for this season. By the time I was finished...I was finished. I originally planned to stitch afterward, but decided to put my feet up and enjoy a late cup of tea instead. So, when all was said and done, all I stitched yesterday were the flax flowers. 

 

"Just the flax, ma'am." 

Sometimes I crack myself up. lol

 

It Won't Be Long Now...

Farmhouse Lilacs

 

All our lilac bushes are in bud, now. If the weather continues to stay warm, we might even have flowers this week. I love lilacs, so I can hardly wait! 

 

I have a slight dilemma this year, too. Do I enjoy the short-lived blossoms in vases for a week, when part of me wants to make a luscious lilac jelly that can be enjoyed into the summer? I just can't decide.

Today, Shelly and I are heading up to Honeymoon Acres Nursery, not far from here, to purchase some of our garden stock for the year. I have my list, along with a few things I'd like to research. I'm looking forward to our little trip.

Oh, and a little bird update: I've hung six hummingbird feeders this year. We had one hummingbird until after I put up the four newest feeders. Now we have two hummers visiting. I'm hoping they'll tell their friends, so that we'll be able to enjoy lots of them hovering around the house. Fingers crossed!

Tag will be back tomorrow. Who knows what he's got up his little, short sleeve? I'll be as surprised as you are, and look forward to seeing you again on Wednesday.

Lilac Buds...

Lilac Buds

   

We've had 60º plus weather the past two days. Sadly, we weren't able to save all the birds. Bella brought two robins that had died in the cold to Handsome, and I found a dead sparrow on Sunday. I feel bad that they didn't make it, but our efforts weren't too late for so many others.

Yesterday, we had a pair of brown-headed cowbirds visiting, and the purple finches have been hanging around. Three large blue jays are enjoying the sunflower seeds in the bird mix, too. The rest of the birds, stop in for a bit now, but their regular food awaits them now that the snow is (mostly) gone. (It lingers in areas of northern exposure where the direct sun can't melt it yet.)

I noticed our lilac bushes have started to bud now, too. They promise that Spring isn't far behind. Soon, I'll be spending more time outside, but for now, I'll be in the studio, making more pretties.

The Lilacs Have Arrived...

Hickory Hill Farm Lilacs

Our weather was perfect for "popping" lilac buds over the weekend, and the results were glorious! There are three different colors of lilacs on the farm, and the lightest color bloomed first. This is the color I remember from my childhood, and I couldn't wait to harvest some for the farmhouse.

Hickory Hill Farm Lilacs

I wish I had a way to give you a true perspective of the size of this clump of lilac bushes in our front yard. The bushes are at least fifteen feet tall and at least that far across. I grabbed my camera and pruners - and headed out to photograph and collect a few bunches.

Even The Smallest Lilac Buds

Even the tiniest buds are beautiful. They remind me a bit of forget-me-nots, but in sweet shades of lavender pinks, blues and purples. 

Hickory Hill Farm Kitchen Hutch

 

One arrangement is in my bedroom, and the larger one is here in the kitchen. Whether I'm upstairs or down, the rooms are filled with the fragrance of these lovely flowers. I looked for them when we first came to look at the farm, and I've waited for them since the weather started to turn warmer. 

 

My patience was rewarded, and I know there are more colors and arrangements to come before they'll be spent for this season. I'll celebrate every second of this bloom...and look forward to the next garden treat revealing itself.

 

Waiting For Lilacs...

Lilac Buds At Hickory Hill Farm

We woke up to a sunny day here at the farm yesterday. It was chilly, but that wasn't stopping the trees and bushes from working on their spring attire.

Lilac Buds

From the looks of things, it shouldn't take long for the leaves to pop, and the flowers won't be far behind. This is just one of the lilac bushes here at the farm.

Tiny Flowers In The Grass

Of course, some of the flowers are already showing up in surprising places. These tiny blossoms are growing right up through the grass!

My Corgi On Patrol

Tag made sure I wasn't getting into trouble, and he wasn't either (for a change). Bella was off racing around the house when I took this shot. I love this little dog, and he looked so darn cute, standing there and watching me, that I had to capture the moment.

I've emptied over seventy boxes (and put away the contents) since Monday. I'm taking part of today off to go and play with our neighbor, Shelly, for a little while. We won't go far, but I need a breather. I'm a little tired of boxes, bubble wrap and paper. My hands are a dry mess, and I'm in need of some "retail therapy". Just what the doctor ordered, I think.

Fragrance Cards...

 Some may call me "spoiled", but I have always preferred "well-loved".

One of my guilty pleasures is to purchase laundry powder from a 

West Coast (California) company called La Bouquetiere'.  I learned of this 

company years ago, when another vendor enclosed a sample with my order.

Image courtesy of La Bouquetiere

My favorite fragrance is "Delice Infini". 

This is the company description of this particular fragrance:

"Infinite Delight. Resides in the Floral-Aromatic world of fragrance. Her bold, 

earthy base notes of exotic sandalwood & oak moss are layered over powerful 

 musk. Elusive white violets, patchouli & sumptuous roses form her flirtatious, 

floral heart. While fresh notes of lemon, orange & aquatics float lightly 

to her head producing an intriguing and captivating creature."

It's eco-friendly and free of severe chemicals, so it's perfect for washing

my lingerie and bedding. It also has a companion fabric softener, and more.

I admit that these products are a little expensive, but it doesn't take much

to clean a load of laundry, and the fragrance lingers for a long time.

 When I placed my most recent order, the company was offering 

FREE fragrance cards.. All I had to do was pick and choose and

they arrived with my most aromatic delivery. Oh, goodness.

My whole shipment smelled heavenly!

The best part is that these fragrance cards allow me to sample other scents.

I can tell you that many of them really appealed to me, and I'm already 

planning my next order to the company. There are room fragrances, lotions,

body sprays, candles, bath products and household cleaning products.

This card especially caught my attention...

LILACS!

Now I know what I'll be ordering next.

I love that long after the fragrance leaves these cards, I'll still have lovely

images to use for art projects or other special uses. They're real "keepers".

If you're interested in browsing the La Bouquetiere' website, THIS IS THE LINK.

I can tell you that everything on their site is a feast for the eyes,

and you can take my word for the fact that when a package arrives,

it's a real feast for all your senses, too. No apologies. We're worth it!

Lilac Love...

There are no lilacs growing in Florida. They need a hard freeze to thrive, and that almost never happens in subtropical climates like ours. We have bouganvilleas, magnolias and hibuscus bushes that are so stunning they'll take your breath away, but alas, you'll find no lilacs. 

Being raised in Wisconsin, I never saw any of these southern beauties until Handsome and I came here on vacation. But as lovely as all of our southern flowers are, none of them compare to the fleeting fragrance and soft lavender-blue or lavendar-pink color of lilacs in late spring...and I miss that scent every single year.

When I visit all my internet friends and see lilacs, I'm filled with a true longing. Sometimes, I'll see photographs of huge ironstone pitchers filled with freshly-cut stems. Other times, I might find a snap taken on a sun-dappled afternoon in the backyard. There are bushes upon bushes of cascading blooms and I can almost smell them!

Recently, my talented blog friend, Michelle Palmer decided to share watercolor versions of her own lilacs, and created a number of framed stems. I just knew that one of them would have to come and live in the studio! (Click here to visit her watercolor Etsy shop.)

It now resides in a favorite spot where I can see it every day that I'm at my machine. There's only one thing missing - that heady fragrance. Now, I'm in search of a "bottled lilac" that most closely mimics the real thing.

Do you have any leads you could share with me? If you have a favorite source for "lifelike" lilac fragrance - either a room spray or body mist or drawer liner? I'm desperate here, girlfriends! Any help is greatly appreciated.

And I Become A Child Again...

One of the stunning photos from Kate's Monday, April 19th post

On Monday, I read this post from my friend, Kathleen (Kate) Young at Chronicles of a Country Girl. You need to know just how much I enjoy reading what Kate writes. She shares her country life with her husband and their border collie, George (who has his own Facebook page!). I love sharing her daily walks on their property, and her incredible images (I covet her camera and her photographic "eye".)

When I left a comment on Monday, this is part of what I wrote to her:

Hi Kate: I simply adore (and miss) lilacs. Nothing like them in the whole wide world...and none in Florida. ;0( Thanks for sharing them with me, too.

Later that evening, I received an email from her asking for my address, and I asked for hers in return. We exchanged information that night, and I'm so glad. Here's why...
A package arrived yesterday with a return address I didn't recognize. Sweet Kate had sent her incredible images to me straight from her print service! My photograph doesn't do hers justice, and that's why I used one of her blog images as the first photo here today. These lilacs - which were captured from her yard - are stunning, and my heart swelled at Kate's generosity in sending them to me.

My eyes welled with tears at both her kindness, and the childhood memories of days long ago...lilac bushes coloring our backyard with their blossoms and their scent. Tall bushes, lovingly pruned by my mum, and their perennial promises to return every spring. If I close my eyes, I can relive those carefree days, and the thoughts make me smile.

I don't know if Kate has any idea just what a kind, meaningful and special gift she sent to me this week. I do know that I'll find the most perfect frames for both of them so that one can reside in our bedroom and one will have a permanent spot in the studio. I'll think of her with great fondness whenever I look at them...and I'm already working on a special gift for her!

Thank you, Kate, from the very depths of my heart.

If you haven't had the pleasure of exploring Chronicles of a Country Girl, please click on the image of her blog header and settle in for a bit. There's a lot to see, read and experience. I'm sure that you'll find that she speaks to you, too. Don't forget to say "hello" to her (and George!) when you visit. I know she'll appreciate it.