Every year I forget all about this pretty blue columbine until it shoots up out of the shadows of the iris plants and shouts, "Remember me?!!" This happens EVERY year...and I'm so ashamed. Don't worry though, I'll work through it. I always do.
05/10/18
Being of the freckled variety myself, I couldn't resist planting heirloom "Freckles" lettuce in the hoop house this spring!
04/28/18
This sweet black beauty hen just started laying, and she's already gone broody! I have a feeling she's gonna be a good little momma...
03/23/18
We're all ready for spring around here! Even Tom the cat loves the first bloom on the homestead this year.
03/15/18
I love it when a plan comes together...even if it takes two years of breeding to get there! These olive green, robinegg blue, and army green eggs were well worth the wait!!
02/11/18
I think Penelope enjoys the late-blooming roses just as much I do!
11/03/17
Happy Halloween from our creepy coop to yours!!
10/22/17
These volunteer yellow tomatoes I just found are huge! And also, some are red. Go figure!
10/22/17
Autumn Joy is what these sedums are called, and that name pretty much sums up my attitude this time of year!
10/10/17
The geraniums in my wheelbarrow planter are looking cheerful today...which is quite normal, actually, since they're cheerful everyday. Just like me. (Ahem.)
08/28/17
I can't believe it's already pear season! I've been busy picking baskets of sweet and creamy fruit off my gourmet pear tree, and what I've managed not to eat I've been hauling to the farmers market. They're going fast, too--freshly-picked seasonal fruit is so hard to resist!
08/14/17
The other day I got the chance to visit my grandparents old homestead..and in a way, the Missouri Ozarks of the 1930's. It was a surreal, poignant, and fascinating experience that I will treasure always.
07/29/17
07/17/17
Just a few high nutrient plants I gathered to toss into my smoothie today...
07/10/17
I had some baby American Bresse chicks that decided to hatch just in time to celebrate America with me! I love it when things work out as if I'd planned it...
07/03/17
I had one mini pecan pie that didn't sell at the market stand this weekend, so I felt obligated to eat it...I'd hate for it to feel left out just because it was leftover. Now we both feel better about the situation!
06/20/17
The dill is flowering, and gosh is it pretty! Such a useful herb, too--it draws in predatory wasps to protect my cabbages, plus it's good for digestion, hiccups, and can even benefit nursing moms and babies...not to mention that it tastes really great mixed in with fried potatoes!
06/20/17
Pierre is so proud...he's been showing Petunia all around the homestead. They've been down to the pond, inside the greenhouse, through all the gardens, up on all the porches, around all the chicken coops. And squawking sweet nothings back and forth the whole way!
06/12/17
I got a special delivery this week from my friends at Fibro Farms--one full dozen of the darkest chicken eggs on the planet! Can't wait to see who hatches out of these gorgeous globes...
05/29/17
Oh my! I might just be picking fresh tomatoes this week!! Greenhouses are wonderful things...
04/23/17
The wild violets are blooming, and that means it's time to make some more Wild Violet Syrup. Gotta keep those coughs and colds from getting ahold of us!
04/13/17
03/26/17
 February 15, 2017
My son "Sweet William" made this Valentine's Day arrangement for me and thought the bathroom windowsill was the perfect spot for it. I love ten year-olds, especially this one. And also, we both love Every Blooming Thing floral shop in Waynesville, Mo and their beautiful roses!
January 7, 2017
This might look like I'm mixing up a bowl of yummy frosting, but it's actually a batch of hand-milled soap! Soap-making is a lot like baking, except it's the outside of your body that gets to enjoy the treats, not the inside!
 December 21, 2016
I made good use of the last of my garden marigolds by turning them into Marigold Marmalade! I sold out of the last batch this Christmas season, but now I have a few more jars of this tangy golden goodness to get me through the cold winter months.
 November 14, 2016
My free-ranging chickens love grazing along the garden paths, and I love watching them roam around, scratching up squirmy snacks and pecking at the peculiar plants!
 October 23, 2016
This is my vegetable garden, but you'd never know it due to all the zinnias and blue basil that sprouted up, spread out, and unabashedly took over. On the bright (and colorful and sweet smelling) side, it makes searching for tomatoes and peppers less of a chore and more like a treasure hunt. I feel like Indiana Jones in gardening gear when I venture through the gate--minus the bad guys and booby traps.
 September 25, 2016
Apparently Aloe thrives on neglect. This massive plant grew from a tiny sprout that I tossed into an old pot in the greenhouse, intending to dump it in the compost pile. Like usual, I forgot about it, and months later this is what I discovered buried behind the tubs full of overgrown tomato plants! I guess I'll keep it since it seems so determined to survive...
I'm gearing up for the fall festivals by making homemade soaps. The varieties so far are Vitamin C, Citronella, Charcoal & Tea Tree, and Anise...and I'm not finished yet! I'm working on a Lavender blend and a Frankincense blend too-- my workshop smells so good right now!
 July 11, 2016
I picked some Bachelor's Buttons and I'm drying them in the greenhouse. I think I'll toss some in my tea in the next few days and see how it tastes!
 June 5, 2016
The lavender that borders the greenhouse is in full bloom and gosh does it look beautiful! I almost hate to harvest it, but my lavender lemonade wouldn't be the same without it...and I wouldn't be the same without my lavender lemonade to sip on!
 May 19, 2016
For decades these white peonies bloomed in my Grandmother's front yard. A few years back, when she moved out of her home and into a care center, I dug a start from her yard and transplanted it to mine. Now since she's passed, I appreciate these beautiful blooms as not just a lovely addition to my garden, but a beautiful reminder of a lovely woman.
 April 27, 2016
My comfrey plant beneath the old pear tree is just about ready for harvesting. Those broad, soft leaves hold such a wealth of goodness, from wound healing and cell regeneration to biodynamic fertilizer and soil enhancement! It's such an incredible plant, I just can't get enough of it!
My wisteria bloomed! Four years ago I took a start from an old, gnarled vine elsewhere on our property and transplanted it near my greenhouse. It has spent the last few years slowly creeping up the porch post, and then this year it finally decided to bloom where it was planted. I like that approach: Take as much time as you need to settle in, and then do something beautiful!
 March 27, 2016
Heavenly light shone through the church windows this morning, and it sure warmed me up on this chilly Easter Sunday...in more ways than one.
 March 21, 2016
Spring is unfurling in the form of my great-grandmother Minnie's old-time daffodils, and it looks like they're going to be beautiful again this year. With all the heirloom homestead perennials popping up in my yard, this time of year always makes me feel closer to days gone by than any other. They're such a faithful reminder of my past, my ancestors, and my heritage. I'm very grateful to have them around...
 March 6, 2016
And they just keep coming! With all these new chicks popping out of their shells, you'd think it was spring already! It sure looks and sounds like it anyway...peep peep, peep peep!
 February 29, 2016
Can you spot the seeds in this patch of garden soil? I'll give you a hint: There are four, and they're brownish-orange. Whoops, I guess that's two hints. But you're worth it!
 February 16, 2016
When it's chilly and windy outside, these fancy fellas just hunker down on the roost and wait it out--no sense in getting your feathers ruffled if you don't have to, I guess. I think they're wiser than I thought!
 February 6, 2016
This cluster of lemon blossoms sure brightens up a winter day, and better yet, it makes the corner of my house smell like Florida!
 January 26, 2016
There's no end to the strange items that end up in my kitchen windowsill--today there's a jar of calendula flowers infusing in oil, a gob of red winter wheat seeds in the midst of sprouting, a pack of kale seedlings destined for my smoothies, and two avocado seeds I'm attempting to root in a paper Valentine's cup. I love the ever-changing collection of oddities that occupy this spot!
 January 24, 2016
Our fresh eggs were a surprise hit at the trade show yesterday.
My hens were thrilled at the news!  January 14, 2016
I caught my Barred Rock hen settling into the nestbox today--I'm glad she's decided to join in on all the egg-laying fun!
 December 25, 2015
After a three month break, my lovely Isbar hens decided to lay me some pretty green eggs for Christmas. So yes, that whoopin' & hollerin' you heard coming from our neck of the woods early this morning was me...sorry to wake you. But since you're up now, Merry Christmas!
 December 6, 2015
I was baking up the Chocolate Pecan Pie I've been craving, dancing around the kitchen with the mixing spoon in hand while Merle Haggard crooned in the background, when I heard Will exclaim, "What are they doing in here?!". And I really had no answer. Things like this just seem to happen...and I like it that way.
P.S. I got the chickens out, sat down, and proceeded to devour the pie. I LOVE Sunday afternoons! November 25, 2015 I've got a pile of local pecans, one freshly roasted pumpkin, and three pie crusts chilling in the fridge. Let's just hope my willpower holds out until tomorrow. Pies are my weakness, and I'm not good at sharing.
The herb harvest is finished, and the packaging has begun for my homegrown tea blends. Soon I'll be sipping a cup of my relaxing Serenity Tea, and boy, do I need it!
 October 21, 2015
We stacked a wood pile by the front door yesterday in anticipation of the coming cooler weather, and these hedge logs will keep us nice and warm no matter how cold it gets outside. I love the changing of the seasons, but it's hard to believe it's already time to prep for winter!
 September 29, 2015
This Saturday (10/03) is the Olde Tyme Apple Festival in Versailles, Mo. I'll be downtown on the square all day long, so if you head that-a-way, pop into my booth & say hi!
 September 15, 2015
We recently discovered this photo of my grandparents taken in September of 1955, and the smiles on their faces warm my heart even though 60 years have passed. The hands of time have never stopped, but they certainly have carried a bit of joy from the past right into the present...and my day is brighter because of it.
 September 14, 2015
I'm thrilled to finally be growing these old-fashioned giant cockscombs, so named for their resemblance to the comb of a rooster, or "cock". Many old homestead wives had these beauties brightening their gardens back in the day, but now-a-days they are more of a "rare breed". I think they are so striking and certainly something worth preserving!
 August 31, 2015
This past spring I stuck some extra vinca, a few spare begonias, and my leftover Christmas Poinsettia in the kitchen window box just to have something there. To my surprise, they all got along great and have filled in so nicely that I might just do it all again next year!  August 18, 2015
Here's a sight I never tire of seeing: Flowers and herbs drying in the greenhouse, every one destined for greatness as part of a tea blend, serum, scrub, or whatever other concoction I'm creating. It doesn't get much better than this--beautiful and beneficial!
 August 6, 2015
My newest creation, Botanical Bug Spray, is really taking off! Laced with essence of Lemon Eucalyptus, Geranium, and Lavender, I think it's such a lovely way to keep the bugs off of me!  July 21, 2015
My new teas are almost ready! Here's a sneak peek at the Blue Basil-based "Revitalize Me Tea" that will debut this week at the Farmer's Market. Be prepared to get focused--that's what basil does to the brain! Honestly, I need all I can get...
 July 7th, 2015
These lovely hydrangeas are called "Limelight", and right now they're stealing the spotlight in my garden!
 June 27, 2015
I had a great time at the Nature's Source Anniversary Event!
I swapped garden gossip all afternoon with anybody and everybody who stopped by my display. Life is good-- and not all gossip is bad!  June 26, 2015
Join me tomorrow (6-27-15) in Eldon, Mo at Nature's Source for the 15th Anniversary Event. I'll be there from 12-2pm answering questions and chatting about homesteading, gardening, chickens, and whatever else crosses my mind. I'd love to see you there too, so swing by if you have a chance!
 June 11, 2015
Our tricky weather caused my garlic bulbs to ripen early by a few weeks, but they still look beautiful and taste fantastic despite being in a hurry to get themselves harvested!
 June 7, 2015
After a hectic first half of the year, we finally got a chance to breathe--at beautiful Bennett Spring State Park. Sitting on the banks of the cool spring-fed river & tossing in a line or two at our leisure turned out to be just the thing we needed. Reeling in plenty of fresh trout was just a bonus! And yes, supper was delicious.
 May 29, 2015
After moving this Rhododendron three times in the last three years, I guess I finally got it in the right spot--because it actually bloomed! I was beginning to think it was the non-blooming kind (which doesn't exist and never has...and never will, while we're at it. After all, what would be the point? And does anybody remember my point? Oh yes...pretty flowers. Amen.).
 May 17, 2015
There's nothing like a good old-fashioned simple church service to start my week off right. And the pots of pink geraniums on the stands certainly added a lighthearted element...not that we needed anymore light, though. There was plenty of it flooding through those beautiful stained-glass windows and lightening our hearts already! Aahhh...I love Sundays.
 May 6, 2015
It's always a thrill to have Miss Myrna sing and play piano for library storytime! Especially when she gathers the kids around the piano and sings "I love you, a bushel and a peck...". Those timeless tunes somehow make the world spin a bit more slowly, and in our fast-paced era, I cherish moments like this. (Even more so when she brings her accordion!)
 April 28, 2015
Join me tonight at the Miller County Farm & Conservation Fair! Visit my booth and catch my "Backyard Chickens" presentation at the Eldon High School Commons.
Fair starts 5pm, presentation 6:30 pm. Come by and say hi!  April 22, 2015
Loving our little Sweet William-filled corner of the earth, especially when my little sweet William is standing in it.
Happy Earth Day!  April 10, 2015
When Spring finally reaches my Northern-facing front yard, things sure get colorful around here! It does my heart good.
 April 4, 2015
The chicks stole the spotlight at my recent "Gardening With Chickens" workshop, but that's ok-they needed it to stay warm!
 March 27, 2015
A cute little vintage planter packed full of greens and edible pansies is sure to brighten up any windowsill! My mini salad bowls were a hit at the Spring Trade Show this past weekend; they sure make healthy eating fun and easy--and beautiful!!
 March 20, 2015
It's official! Winter is finally gone, and Spring has arrived...now bring on the blooms, please. Quickly, I've waited long enough. (This isn't actually happening in my yard yet. Soon, though!)
 March 17, 2015
I do believe these seed potatoes are ready for planting. Desperate might be a better word. So since today just happens to be "potato planting day" in my neck of the woods, I think I'll indulge them. It'll be fun. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
 March 8, 2015
The Spring Craft Show was a success yesterday! I snapped a shot of my display before the crowds arrived. Good thing too, because it didn't look the same by the end of the day. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to check it out!
 March 3, 2015
Just printed out my garden planting plan. It's the first time I've done my plan online (gardeners.com) instead of drawing it out by hand, and it was so easy. Although if I know myself, I'll change it a dozen times before Spring gets here. Oh well, change is good...in the garden at least!
 February 26, 2015
I've been working on some garden tea blends today, and the aromas filling the air are heavenly. Rose petals, ginger root, lavender buds, lemongrass, marigold petals...the combinations are endless, and the flavors are delicious! Tea time is so fun.
 February 18, 2015
The old maple tree in the backyard is home to some beautiful birds, and they've been busy flitting around in the fresh snow. I snapped a shot of this one when it paused briefly on a branch. I think it's a Winter Wren, but whatever it is, it's fun to watch.
 February 12, 2015
My potted Paperwhites bloomed, and just in time for
Valentine's Day...Thanks Anita, for sending them my way!  February 2, 2015
It's Groundhog Day, did you sow your lettuce? It's the traditional day to do it, but if you didn't get your planting season kicked off today, don't worry. There's plenty of time left in the game. Go team! Or maybe I should say "grow team!" instead. Yes, I like that better. Happy sowing!
 January 30, 2015
It's always fun when the Lavender Orpingtons start laying again, and shipping out their fertile eggs is a careful task.
 January 22, 2015
Guess what we made with our first homegrown ripe lemon...
good old-fashioned Lemon Meringue Pie!!  January 14, 2015
Those spontaneously wild cheers you heard this morning came from us. Sorry if we woke you. But when I went to check the greenhouse this morning, there was a surprise waiting for me--our first ripe lemon! Will did the honors, and there in the midst of Winter's frigid embrace, we were shamelessly basking in the warm fruit of our labors. And we partied like it was 1999. Cel-a-brate good times, come on! Clearly I'm having an 80's rockfest in my head. It's funny how that happens...
December 31, 2014 Will & Great Great Uncle Vic ringing in the New Year, Ozark Style.
December 2, 2014 Lavender Creme soap cakes cooling in the molds.
November 27, 2014 From my turkey to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
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 February 23, 2017
The plants inside the greenhouse are in full blown "spring mode", and with all the warm weather we're having, the ones outside are catching up fast! Such a lovely time of year...
February 7, 2017
Watching rare chicks emerging from their shells is so darn exciting! At least it is for me...not a whole lot happening on the homestead in the wintertime, so hearing a fresh "cheep, cheep" coming from the incubator never fails to liven things up!
 January 01, 2017
Meet my New Year babies! I woke up on the first day of this fresh new year and found these freshly hatched chicks waiting for me in the incubator. I'm taking this as a sign that it's going to be an exciting year!
 December 2, 2016
Got my morning started off right with a tasty cup of Rosehip Tea...such a great way to boost my immune system and ward off those icky-sicky flu bugs that swirl around this time of year!
 November 3, 2016
All this beautiful fall weather inspired my exotic honeysuckle to bloom again, and it's stunning. I'm training it to grow up and over the chicken run to act as a camouflage and also to pretty up the space...for me and the chickens!
 October 2, 2016
My old-fashioned apple pie took third place in the Apple Pie Contest at the Versailles Olde Tyme Apple Festival this weekend! Not bad for a last minute entry that I yanked from the oven and raced to the courthouse 3 minutes ahead of the deadline. I think it helped that the pie was still warm when the judges tasted it...I'll have to remember that technique for next year!
 August 28, 2016
The elderberry shrubs finally produced this year, and I've harvested enough to make syrup! I'm so excited to have this immune boosting tonic on hand for cold & flu season!
The market chickens are finally here--along with my new Sea Salt & Lavender Poultry Brine! I'll have them both in my booth at the Eldon Farmer's Market, Rock Island Park 3-6pm every Friday through August!
 June 26, 2016
Blackberry season is upon us, so to mark the occasion I baked a blackberry cobbler with the first pickings. We ate the whole thing for lunch that day...which probably explains why we just sat around the rest of the afternoon!
 May 7, 2016
Well, I finally got the greenhouse straightened up...for the most part. It's still full, but it's much more organized. I sure feel less claustrophobic in there now. In fact, I think I'll just head right on over to that rocking chair in the corner and rest a spell...and just breathe.
 April 24, 2016
My heirloom tomato seedlings and calendula flowers seemed pretty happy in the greenhouse this morning. I was pretty happy too, when I saw how perky they were looking!
 April 10, 2016
The yellow tulips are completely open and soaking up the sun today...and I don't blame them one bit!
 March 11, 2016
Spring is certainly in the air, and so is the sweet scent of apricot blossoms! The tree bloomed this week, the first of my fruit trees to wake from winter slumber. It marks the beginning of the new growing season, and hopefully a very fruitful harvest!
 February 19, 2016
I finally got my new workshop organized! Just in time to start prepping products for the farmer's market, too. Spring is just around the corner, and so is my workshop--literally. It's right next door to my house, and having a space to create in that is just a stroll away is exactly what I didn't know I needed!
My favorite Valentine worked his heart out at our favorite flower shop, Every Blooming Thing, this Valentine's weekend, and then he slept all the way home. But before we left, he got to make this creation to take with him, and boy was he proud!
February 2, 2016
This handsome little devil hatched today, and boy does he want everybody to know it! I hope he cheeps-out before bedtime, he's so loud I can hardly type. He sure is cute, though!  January 20, 2016
Our fresh bars of homemade soap are curing on the rack, destined to become luxurious hand-milled creations for the Farmer's Market this spring!
 January 17, 2016
I woke up to a blanket of snow outside and a cascade of blooms inside. My heirloom McKinley Christmas Cactus choose the perfect day to bloom. The roots of this plant can be traced back to the McKinley homestead, nestled on the banks of Indian Creek, just below the hill where I grew up. One hundred years of ladies have nurtured this plant, and I hope it blooms for a hundred more.
 January 9, 2016
The snow is flying outside, but the kale seedlings couldn't care less--mainly because they're snug as a bug in a rug inside the greenhouse. And for the record, there are no rugs in my greenhouse, but there is probably a bug or two. Although as long as they leave my kale alone, I couldn't care less!
12/16/15 I took advantage of the warm weather this week to gather more wild rose hips and turn them into my Rose Hip "Honey". Just a spoonful of this Vitamin C-rich nectar added to my morning tea helps boost me through cold & flu season, and makes my morning a bit more luxurious! (And believe me, my mornings need all the help they can get.)
My favorite Thanksgiving Turkey. 11/26/15
I thought I was the best mushroom hunter in the family...until my husband brought home this gorgeous Chicken of the Woods the other night. We wasted no time frying some up, and it was so good, I didn't even mind that my reign had ended!
My great-uncle Bink served in Germany during the 2nd World War. When the enemy damaged a bridge over the River Rhine, Bink and his fellow soldiers worked 14 hrs straight repairing it, because it was their only way out. Under enemy fire the entire time, these men persevered, many being picked off by sharpshooters, until the job was finished and all crossed to safety. Bink, and so many others of his time truly were "The Greatest Generation", and such an example for us today.
Fall is my favorite time to grow zucchini. The cooler weather makes them wonderfully crisp and sweet, and we simply can't get enough of their fresh flavor. It's one of the many reasons I look forward to fall!
The fibro-birds in the chicken tractor are always curious when I show up in the mornings. They love their daily snacks, but they don't mind posing for a snapshot in between pecks!
 September 4, 2015
Ten years ago this weekend my friend Joanie snapped this photo of my husband and I, newlyweds of about a minute, walking away from beneath the old maple tree where we were married and into our future together. Time passes quickly, but every day seems to be more exciting than the last. I am so thankful to have this moment captured, yet I hope we remain forever in motion. Life is a beautiful journey!
 August 24, 2015
Ever had a brontosaurus in your backyard? Around here, you never know what kind of animal you'll stumble across--especially when the theme of the day is Jurassic World! The birthday boy was thrilled, and the rest of us were too. Happy birthday William!!
 FALL GARDENING CLASS August 4th 6PM
If you're dreaming about planting some veggies but think you have to wait until spring, think again! Join us at
Nature's Source in Eldon and learn how you can reap the harvests of your very own fall garden!  July 12, 2015
I thought the chickens had scratched up this clematis I planted beside the coop, but apparently not--it was twining amongst the Virginia Creeper vines. I didn't notice it until it bloomed! Hidden treasures are so fun to discover.  July 4, 2015
I've been hearing Lee Greenwood singing in my head since I woke up this morning, and I think he's right:
"...I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me..." How wonderful that we get to celebrate the 239th birthday of our nation today. What a gift! You can bet I'll be watching a fireworks show somewhere tonight--and I know they'll be just as beautiful as they were at Disney World a few years back!  June 21, 2015
The Lavender Harvest is upon us, and oh my goodness, the aroma is breathtaking! I'm breathing in like there's no tomorrow. (It happens every year.)
 June 10, 2015
These giant Dark Chocolate S'mores were so good during our camping trip that I decided to make some more last night, except I had to roast the monster marshmallows over a propane flame instead of a campfire. They were still pretty darn tasty--majorly messy--but tasty! And totally worth all the goo that got on my face.
 July 1, 2015
The rare beans are ripe! We made the first picking and immediately cooked them up with some new potatoes for supper. And I may have added some bacon grease and a dash of sugar and spice and everything nice just for fun. My taste buds are still reeling--I love eating from my garden!
 May 31, 2015
A trio of lovely ladies visited us on the homestead Sunday afternoon, and they brought me the most beautiful bouquet of handpicked flowers and herbs. I simply adore it--and them! Thanks Opie gals, and come back to see me soon.
P.S. Bring the rest of the gang when you do!
May 23, 2015
During a recent visit, Great Uncle Vic began recollecting some of his experiences during WWII. Through tears and many pauses, this 92 year-old man shared memories of training recruits at the newly developed Ft. Hood in the early 1940's, driving his tank on the beaches of the South Pacific during battle, and the many horrors of war he experienced. The impact of those days still linger with him, and by seeing the emotion that almost overwhelmed this normally jovial man, I am even more thankful to him and all who have ever served our beautiful country. God bless America and the men and women who protect it!  May 11, 2015
We had a great time at the Baker's Creek Rare Seed Festival last week. I came home with neat seeds, weird tomato plants, and almost everybody I brought with me. And we all behaved ourselves...for the most part. At least we didn't end up locked up!
 May 1, 2015
I walked outside this morning and discovered that one of my iris had bloomed, and just in time for May Day! I think it's beautiful. The best part is that it's only the beginning--there are many more blooms to come. Bring on the blossoms, I say!
 April 24, 2015
A properly pruned ornamental tree is something to be appreciated, especially on Arbor Day. I don't know who planted this one years ago in my front yard,
but I'm glad I get to enjoy the fruits of their labor!  April 19, 2015
A bouquet of freshly cut lilac blossoms on the kitchen table says "Spring!" like nothing else. What a simple and lovely way to bring the outdoors inside!
 March 30, 2014
Here's a sneak peek at a tidbit I'll be sharing in my Gardening with Chickens workshop on Thursday: Chicken wire keeps chickens in--not predators out! And there's plenty more info where that came from...hope to see you there!
 March 23, 2015
It did my heart good to see my son reading the Bible before church started yesterday morning...even if he did forget to comb his hair. Some things are more important than others!
 March 19, 2015
Gazing at my freshly filled tins of Comfrey Balm is strangely satisfying to me...oh well, I've never claimed to be normal.
 March 14, 2015
I don't have to sample every pie on earth to know that my homemade, handpicked Blackberry Pie is the best in the world.
It's just not physically possible to create a better tasting pie than this. Not. Possible. Period. Happy Pi Day everybody!  March 6, 2015
Getting my display ready for the Spring Craft Show in Laurie, Mo, and it's coming together nicely. If you're in the area on Saturday March 7, stop by the Laurie Terrace Mall to say "hi"!
 March 1, 2015
I walked outside today and guess what I found...an igloo in the chickenyard! Complete with a window, a door, a hide on the wall, and a little eskimo inside--otherwise known as Will, who interestingly enough, resembled an eskimo baby when he was born. Funny how that worked out.
I was in the middle of making supper the other night when I realized that some of my leeks would be perfect in the pasta dish I was making. So out to the garden I went, and despite the freezing temps and the snow falling around me, I managed to get my frozen fingers to pull up a leek--which was not frozen at all. Amazing! And my pasta tasted pretty amazing, too.
 February 14, 2015
My favorite folks from Every Blooming Thing floral shop sent me home with some fantastic goodies...a rose-scented Yankee candle, a dish of chocolate-covered strawberries, and more rose petals than I could ever dream of. My table is so full, we're going to have to find somewhere else to eat for a while...it's too pretty to mess up. This is a Happy Valentine's Day for sure!
 February 8, 2015
I made a "snap decision" today. I planted sugar snap peas! I'm blaming
it on the lovely weather. I was minding my own business, enjoying the balmy afternoon, when I happened to wander past my barren garden plot. Suddenly I was overcome with the urge to plant something, and even though it's still a bit too early, I just couldn't resist. It's a gamble whether or not they'll ever sprout up, but I don't mind the risk. I'm just thrilled that planting season has begun...in my garden, at least!  February 5, 2015
Our wood stove is getting a workout today. Outside temps are below freezing, but the roaring fire is keeping us nice and cozy. I love wood heat--it's renewable, inexpensive, and very efficient!
 January 24, 2015
The chicken yard pallet fence is standing again. Thanks to the nice weather this week, I was able to get most of the repairs done. Just a few finishing touches to go, and then
I can turn the chickens loose. They can't wait! Neither can I.  January 19, 2015
I wish I could step back in time and wander through this town, even though I don't know a thing about it. I only know this photo must have been important to my grandmother, because I found it while shuffling through her keepsake box after she passed away. I'm content to let it remain a mystery--but my imagination is not!
 January 17, 2015
I am sometimes overcome with emotion when I see the morning sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows at our 1880's era churchhouse. The experience is simply breathtaking. This beautiful house of worship has stood the test of time, and because of that, I stand a little stronger each time I step inside it.
December 12, 2014 Gathering the Fennel before the bad weather hits.
NOVEMBER 22, 2014 Pistachio cake with White Chocolate frosting for breakfast.
NOVEMBER 21, 2014 Bolt herding Church, the guinea pig
NOVEMBER 19, 2014 Morning Mocha
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My Scrapbook....
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FEBRUARY 23, 2013 Lavender Orpingtons in the coop
OCTOBER 19, 2013 Setting up for the Harvest Festival
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MAY 16 2009 Chickens on a metal roof
NOVEMBER 17, 2013 Geoffrey taking a break from general store renovations
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