Thursday, May 13, 2010

Such a busy time of year.....

I love spring! It has always been my favorite time of year! Winter is over, green is showing, things are growing!
It's also a very busy time for me. Seeds need to be started, nurtured, and then planted. The garden usually has to be re-dug, and prepared. We get lots of rain, so then the garden has to be weeded! This year I was able to plant the first peas on St. Patrick's Day, a tradition in my family. Most years it is either cold, snowy, rainy, or just plain muddy when I do this, but this year it was a beautiful balmy spring day! I was able to get lettuce, arugula, radishes, onions, carrots and lots more peas in. I am now ready to plant my potatoes and get the rest of the garden ready for other veggies.
Then there are the chicks. Whew, still working on that coop! Hopefully, it will be done- at least enough for them to live in there- by this weekend. Then I will post pics on here. After that, it will be time to work on their run. I also have weeding to do all around the house, trim work, have to paint the coop, and start planting some flowers.
I love it though! Looking out my window this evening I could see storm clouds rolling in.... I wish it would stop raining for more than 1 day so I can catch up on those weeds!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

100 years ago today, right this minute....

my great grandmother Elisabeth was probably preparing baths for her children.
She had just fed the family dinner, maybe a roast chicken, so that there will be cold meat for sandwiches tomorrow. As it is a Saturday night, everyone needs to be bathed and ready for church in the morning.
She puts the children in the tub, one at a time- first Floyd, he just turned 6, and is able to wash himself nicely, so she puts Clifford, age 3 1/2, and Merrill age 2 1/2 in also, so that Floyd can help them wash at the same time. She has a hard time stooping over the big tub as she is 7 months pregnant with her fourth child(who will be a girl) but she does what she has to do.
Elmer, my great grandfather is probably shining every one's shoes ready for the morning, and worrying over finances. Though he has a good trade, and is a second generation plumber and contractor, times are not easy.
The little house in town rings with the sounds of laughter from the children, and gentle scoldings from their mother. She tries to hurry them through their bath time, knowing it is still chilly for mid April in upstate NY.
As she dries them all off, she gives them each extra hugs and kisses, thankful for each one of them, and for a warm house, food on the table, and a husband who has a job.
Stay tuned for more 100 years ago today episodes!
***This is something that has been very important to me for more years than I can remember. My great grandmother disappeared one day, a long, long time ago. She left behind 5 fairly young children. Her family and her husbands family all say she was gone without a trace. No foul play, no other "interests" she just vanished. It has been one of my goals for the last 5 years or so, to find out what happened to my great grandmother, and there are just certain days, when I think of her so much, I can almost imagine what she was doing at this very instant..... 100 years earlier.

New little fuzzy butts!!!

So, I have 33 new little fuzz butts!! lol! That's chicks for those who don't know!
I brought home 6 little Cornish x almost 3 weeks ago, and 2 days later, the order I had placed for 25 came in, with 3 little packing peanuts, bringing the total up to 34!
I had 12 adorable little cornishes (they are the cutest little yellow fuzzballs at first), but lost one of my first ones a few days ago.
Also ordered: 5 Golden Laced Wyandottes, 5 Barred Rocks, 5 New Hampshire Reds, and 5 Buff Orpingtons, have an extra one of those. They are all very sweet, growing fast, getting used to seeing my head poke over the top of the box, and calling, "here girls, come to Mama" a lot!
The Cornish won't be around for more than a few more weeks, then I will be left with my girls-21 of them, and am thinking of ordering some black Jersey Giants, beautiful chickens!
As soon as I can figure out how to post pics with my blogs, I'll put some up.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Gold and Pink this morning

Looking out the east side this morning, there was a beautiful sunrise! With the Japanese Maple out front almost turned pink, the whole yard looked pink. Then when I went and looked out the west side, everything was golden from all the gold leaves! They have been falling and blowing yesterday and today, with the strong winds we've had, but ti's been beautiful just the same!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

I love baby girls!

Girls, girls, girls! That's what I have!
4 daughters.
4 grand daughters.
2 nieces!
That's why I would love Diane to have another little girl this time. Oh, I love little boys too, they are always, always making me laugh. But, there's just something about little girls, who grow into bigger girls, then grow into women who are so special!
In the photo: Isabelle, Ella, Gracie, Kiki, Emma

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Skunks and more skunks....

Sunday it was the big family of 4 heading up the hill towards the house. They were so darn cute.... however, it was broad daylight, and they were making good progress. Last fall we had a stubborn skunk come to live in the woodshed that is attached to the house, and it was 2 solid months before we could be sure he had either died or left for quieter surroundings! We don't want any more living in there! So, unfortunately, they were "chased" away. The next day, one skunk was much, much closer to the house before we noticed it. The dogs of course had noticed it at 100 yards. Luckily, we got him, before he got us..... the next day, another one in the apple orchards, then another and another. I don't feel safe anymore walking back there alone.
My question is: why are they coming out during the day? I mean, skunks are supposed to be nocturnal right? We don't have food at all outside for the dogs, I make sure I bring their bones in at night. I know there's grubs in the rose bed, but geesh! I know it's the time of year for critters to find their winter homes, but they are not going to live in any part of my house!
The view again was gorgeous tonight- pink cotton candy sunset that just went on and on! I love God's artwork!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Soaps and Aprons!

Yesterday I made 2 more batches of soap, another oatmeal and honey, and then a jasmine scented with what was supposed to be pink swirls but ended up being a light red. Interesting looking, for my first attempt not too bad. I've started using one of my first bars, just a plain soap, but I really like it! 
I also made 6 aprons yesterday! I had got some vintage fabrics over the weekend, so took all the one yard one pieces and made 1/2 aprons with them. They're all different, most have pockets, some have trim. I think they are cute, and gave one to Donna for a house warming gift. 
Today is Aunt Gloria's 81st birthday. I wish I could be with her, and wish I had something I could send her. I guess I will have to be content with sending her some pictures....
The view tonight is gorgeous! The sun has shifted south again, so that it sets directly in front (or to the side) of us. Last night it was beautiful, tonight it will be too!