Archive for the ‘spring’ Category

Signs of Spring – and Some Knitting Projects

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

It’s hard to believe it’s the middle of March, and we are already seeing signs of spring here. I’m certainly not complaining!

Neither are the bees. They were up bright and early this morning.

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We fed them this afternoon and I wish I had remembered my camera. I’m so tickled at how quickly they’ve built up their hives so early in the year.

The daffodils are welcoming spring with wide open arms.

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The horseradish is making it’s appearance.

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The asparagus is peeking out of the ground.

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And the rhubarb is happy for the early start.

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Bobby Lee has started greeting each morning loudly from the top of his favorite stump.

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Spring seems to be coming early this year. We’ve had such beautiful weather for the past week or so. Soon we’ll be working in the yard on most days. I can’t wait!

I spent much of last fall and winter learning to knit. I got most of my practice knitting dish cloths. Lots and lots of dish cloths.

And then I graduated to slippers – and I knitted a few pair of those.

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I knitted a headband with a flower to wear in the winter and Dolly modeled it for me.

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My friend, Mary Ann, welcomed her first grandbaby this year, and I knitted this oven hanger/tea towel for her.

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I’ve started several projects that I haven’t finished, but the one I’m really excited about right now is a Feather and Fan scarf, made with Conshohocken Cotton yarn. It’s only 4 inches wide and intended as a spring/summer scarf. I love the pattern, and I love the yarn.

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I’m sure knitting will slow down as the warmer weather gets here and the daily outside chores mount. In fact, I need to get busy starting some seeds and getting potatoes in the ground!

Have you been working on fun projects over the winter? And are you seeing early signs of spring this year?

Spring has Sprung

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

I realize there are a few things out of place in the milking/storage area of the goat barn, but if you look closely you may see one thing that positively does not belong here……

chickens

Shhhhhh. She doesn’t think we see her.

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I let a broody hen hatch out three chicks and keep two of them:

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I gave one to another broody.

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A few days ago, yet another broody hatched out three chicks. Today I removed the front of the brooder and the mama brought her babies out into the coop for the first time.

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We have no shortage of broodies here this year.

The Irises my mother gave me last year are now in full bloom.

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And we should be eating strawberries soon.

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Spring has definitely sprung.

April Showers Bring ….. Lots of Rain!

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

We’re getting our fair share of April showers this year. We need it, but it’s been slowing down the chicken coop progress the past week or so. Even so, we’ve managed to get a fair amount of work done on it. By “we”, I really do mean Bernie, but I have helped as much as time will allow. You can take a look at how far along we are on the Back to Basic Living website.

Between rainy days, Bernie has to find one dry enough to go to town and mow the lawn at our house there. He’s got his plate full between trying to keep up around here, and do maintenance there. But he fits it all in and never complains.

I made some gift baskets to sell for Mother’s Day. One has a Goats Milk Body Lotion and a Goats Milk Soap bar made with goats milk, honey, and oatmeal. I put them in a reproduction antique enamel soap bowl:

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I also have some gift baskets with three large bars of soap. Check them out if you’re looking for a nice Mother’s Day gift. Since I’m selling the soaps and lotions at a lower price with these baskets, I can’t offer any discounts, but I may be able to save you a couple of dollars in shipping if you request it in the notes section when you order. If you want me to check for better shipping, add a note and don’t pay right away – wait for me to get the shipping cost and I’ll bill you via PayPal.

All of the rain is really helping my spring garden grow. It won’t be long until we’ll be eating fresh salads here on the homestead. Next month we’ll be putting in the summer vegetable garden. With the arrival of the chicks scheduled for the middle of May, we should have plenty of fertilizer for it!

Bee Free,
Penny