The view from here

Such a busy time of year.....

2010-05-13T20:38:00.000-04:00

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!

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

2010-04-17T19:31:00.000-04:00

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!!!

2010-04-17T19:22:00.001-04:00

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.

Gold and Pink this morning

2009-10-31T21:02:00.000-04:00

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!

I love baby girls!

2009-10-07T20:49:00.000-04:00

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

Skunks and more skunks....

2009-09-10T20:44:00.000-04:00

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!

Soaps and Aprons!

2009-09-02T19:10:00.000-04:00

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!

Having my daughter back home! :)

2009-08-24T18:32:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy weekend! Jill moved back home with us temporarily on Saturday. Yesterday we moved all her belongs up here. I love having Jill live with us! She and I get along so well, and we are a lot alike! She had a lot of stuff though, lol! More I think than even she knew! We did have help though, so that was nice. Now, we will spend the week finding a spot for things she is going to store and stripping wallpaper then painting her room. Noah and Alyssa are staying here this week too, which makes for a full house! Someday they will not be coming home to stay until I am old and decrepit and need someone to stay with me to take care of me. A sobering thought.
My view right now: Barely there brown spots on the ground cover and maple trees, getting ready for fall!

Messing up my Template....

2009-08-21T18:39:00.000-04:00

I wanted a new pretty background for my blog! I found one that I love, but when I applied it all of a sudden all of my posts and followers and archives and About Me were all in one column. So.... I deleted the background, but now everything is still in single column format and I don't know how to fix it!!! Help! Anyone who is reading this can chime in and help me out! I am computer literate, but this one just boggles my mind!
The view from here: watching husband outside grilling strip steaks. There are some fierce thunderclous over head, glorious and beautiful but no rain, Bonnie and Bear are patiently laying next to the grill waiting for their share!

On quilting....

2009-08-20T19:12:00.000-04:00

Wow! Two posts in one day, lol!
I get such a joy out of quilting. And, every year at this time, I seem to get the urge to make more. I'm sure it has something to do with a natural instinct to prepare for winter.... of course today has been a very muggy high 80's kind of day, so at least I did refrain from actually laying any fabric in my lap, and sewing, lol!!
I did however, go through my supplies, looking at what I have and what I need. I have several quilts that I would like to finish. Two are ones that I had started about 4 years ago for my grand daughters. Because Ella was leaving for Alaska to live, I finished hers , but Emma and Isabelle's got put aside. The tops are done. Emma's has her appliques on and her name embroidered. I just have to finish them quick then they can have them. Gracie needs one now, but I have a pretty top started that I will finish for her. Jonah and Micah will have to wait until they move into their new house, then I will do something to match their room. The girls' are all soft pastels, pink and yellows, light green. For some reason, the prints remind me of being very young and staying at Uncle Merrill and Aunt Doris's camp. They are not perfect by any means, but there sure is a lot of love put into them.
I also have a patch quilt- lots of plain 4 " patches, all in browns, or tans, that I had started for the guest room bed at our old house. It is plenty big enough for any bed that I put it on now. Just need to do batting and backing. My flannel quilt I will definitely be finishing up this fall. I will need something else on my bed to snuggle under when the nights grow cold.
So now, I can plan my new quilts for this year!!! I can't wait! :)

Making my garden count!

2009-08-20T19:08:00.000-04:00

And by that I mean, taking everything possible out of it!
Yesterday and today I made zucchini relish. Yesterday was the chopping the zukes, and red peppers and onions, and mixing them all together with salt and jalapeno peppers. Then it had to sit over night. Today I drained it all, and mixed with boiling vinegar and other good stuff. Poured it into jars, processed it and yum! I had some leftover, and I can't stop eating it! I know that I will be making another batch in the next few days. I'm also making a bean dip that I love, uses mostly canned stuff, but I will use fresh tomatos, and cilantro in it.
I love summer and the fruits of my labor!
The view for today: Hazy skies and storm clouds moving in, I am just hoping that the storms hold off until after I've had at least a few hours of sleep!

On doctor's appointments and change....

2009-08-19T17:22:00.000-04:00

Today was my second drs. appointment out of 4 total in 2 weeks. We have always had great insurance through UPS, but due to the economy, changes are a-foot. Starting in October for the first time ever, we will have to pay a co-pay when we go to the dr. I can't complain, it's been excellent coverage for us. Husband though has decided that we need to have every visit we can between now and then! . As a result, I have seen the orthopedist for my knee- slight tear in cartilage and will now be seeing a physical therapist for 8 weeks, have seen the dermatologist- mostly age related stuff, but a spot I need to watch on my foot, may be suspicious, will see my internist for, ahem, female stuff, anticipate no problems with that, and will also see a podiatrist, for bunions that just keep getting worse. That one will be the major one- after seeing my aunt's feet a few weeks ago, I am not willing to let that go even though it entails surgery and no weight bearing, cast on for at least 6 weeks. Both feet. Different times. Sigh....

Being the daughter of a physician who felt that going to a doctor only led to more problems, I've always been reluctant to go unless I absolutely had to. However, my dad was always in perfect health. I never remember him being sick, breaking or even spraining anything, absolutely nothing at all until about 10 years ago. Then within a few years of each other he had: a major heart attack and bypass surgery, skin cancer on his face, and cataracts removed. At 77 he is wonderfully healthy and active and I only hope I can be as active as him at his age. :)

As I listened to the dermatologist today tell me: That spot is related to age, yes this one is too, those red spots- age related, oh this one is a clogged pore, also related to age, I had to laugh. I've been mostly healthy thus far, I guess the various spots and blemishes I have should be no surprise. At least I can comfort myself with the fact that for the first time ever in my life, I am putting almost 0 chemicals or foreign substances on my skin! What I see is all me! Oh, and some wonderful oils..... more on that next time! Ciao!

And, the view for today is: seeing migrant workers outside in the apple orchards pruning those apple trees, getting ready for harvest in a few weeks. It makes me sad though, to see all the little apples that fell off the trees. :( I want to go rescue them all and make them into sauce!

Bring on those lazy, hazy days of summer!

2009-08-18T16:45:00.000-04:00

Well here we are in mid August and we are finally getting summer. Aside from the fact that here on the shores of Lake Ontario, everything is a bit cooler, summer in New York this year just wasn't much to write home about.
Despite that fact though, the past couple of weeks have improved considerably. We have had plenty of green beans, zucchini and even cherry tomatoes, though most have what I call "stretch marks" from being loaded with moisture. Very sweet though! I am loaded down with basil- love it! and am planning on canning the rest of the banana peppers tomorrow. Our pumpkins have finally taken off, with the big ones just about doubling in size every day. Too bad I didn't plant any pie pumpkins. :(
Weeding the garden this morning got me thinking of all I want to grow next year: garlic and onions, more squash, more zucchini, eggplant, brussels sprouts, peppers, heirloom tomatoes, more spinach, less lettuce, arugula, parsley, oregano, and cilantro, and even though I had 6 big basil plants, I will plant more next year. After all, all my children love pesto, and I'm betting by next year, Emma, Ella, and Isabelle will be willing to try it.

It's About Time!

2007-04-17T11:54:00.000-04:00

Here, for the very first time, is my blog. It took me long enough, but I've always liked the idea of a more private page to share with family and friends. I look forward to adding to it frequently and to everyone's comments!