weekend shots

I really had no idea how much I would love my sacred space on the porch.

I've been seeing a lot of hens around.  This morning I saw two hens and six babies.  I always worry when the hay is cut because they normally nest in the tall grass of the fields.

First batch of hay has been cut, raked and rolled.  

Despite the heat of the weekend and needing another hair cut Katie Bug is still ready to play.

I love how the dichondra finds it's was through the teeniest holes.

My roses have been going crazy blooming!!



My shoes are off as much as possible.

Bulbous Begonias growing and doing well.

Something about the top being off of my truck makes me feel good.

My Christmas cactus is slightly confused on the time of year but I am not complaining about this beautiful bloom.

 

Lazy porch naps.

a house cleaning

We have lived in our beautiful home for six years now.  all the while I have maintain a clean home on the inside and have tried my best to keep check in cleaning the outside furniture at least twice a year.  Mainly to get pollen off so you can sit on chair without getting your breeches dirty.  The outside of our home has been on Shaun's mind for a little bit know and a couple of weeks ago, and after the two nests of birds who call our porch home had flown the coop, he decided to give it a bath with the pressure washer.  Man!  What a difference it has made.  Our porch looks almost brand new!  So clean and bright.  I didn't truly realize how bad it was.  I guess I was used to it. 

Now, if it ever stops raining for a bit, we plan on sealing the wood.  Maybe then we can just hose it off when it needs it again.

 

Porchy stuff gets pushed to one side during the cleaning.

Miss Kitty could care less either way.

salads

I have always been a salad lover but never really stuck to eating salads as a meal.  Lately, in an effort to get rid of what I call and am not afraid to admit "the winter beginnings of a beer gut" I have been eating fresh salads for lunch.  My lunch salad is lovely and contains only a little bit of dressing and no meat.  I have wanted to get Shaun on the salad wagon too, at least for some of our suppers, as he complains about the "BG" too... on himself... not me!  In an effort to do this I have tried to come up with salads that have meat added to them.  The problem I find is in the dressings.  Mexican or Tex-Mex salads are easy.. just throw on some salsa to counter act the dryness along with some chicken.  I love it but it will get old and you can't just throw ranch dressing on everything.  So I employ the help of my beloved library.  I found tons of books to grab online and have sent to my local library plus a few extras that had salad in the name and seemed fun enough to place on hold too!

 

Does this not sound like fun in a jar?!? 

And goodness knows I've got the jars to do it!

 

 

On the list for this one.  It's on order.

 

 

The thing I love about the warmer months is that it is never too late to throw some seeds in a pot of dirt and before you know it... fresh greens!

 

 

 

 

My spring mix growing at the day care.  Lovely to be able to snip a few leaves to go with my romaine for lunch.

Made into a healthy lunch for me.

 

Hey... here's an idea... check out a book from the library instead of staring at your phone or kindle or whatever you choose to stare at.  It will probably reduce your stress level not to mention get your eyes off of the blue glowing screen. 



herb hike

I am pleased beyond words to report that one of my dreams of our farms and it's nature has come true!  A month or more ago, my yoga teacher Tracy had a spark in her eye when I walked into class as she saw me walk in.  She asked me about our land and if it had water and woods as well as field.  I answered "of course!"  and she told me that the iridologist there at the store was interested in finding a good spot to hold a wild herbs walk and class.  My first thought was "do I want a bunch of people up?" then the V8 commercial, palm to forehead, hit me saying "hello!  this is exactly what you have been dreaming of!"  So a couple of Fridays in a row Nathan and his wife Ida came up to our place and we walked through the woods and on the trails to see what we could find.  I have always known there are plants here that could be medicinal but knowing what they are was beyond me.  The class date was scheduled and we were ready to go!

This past Saturday morning everyone arrived with open ears and minds read to learn just like I was.  We had a perfect morning as the rain held off and the temperature was mild.  We began right by the driveway as he pointed out the black walnut, slippery elm and wild cherry trees.  Then walked along the tree line from the back of the house and down the trail as he pointed out all sorts of herbs and allowing us to sample some by feel, smell and even taste.  He explained the medicinal purposes of each and what parts of each plant were useful whether it was the root, flower, leaves and/or stem.  He showed us the differences in leaves, their veins, edges and sorts.  I was in sheer herbal heaven. 

The walk lasted a few hours.  Then they gathered a bit of passion flower vine and leaves to show us how to properly make a tincture once we got back to the store.  We took a break for lunch and all met back at the health food store where he had a slide show prepared for us showing more herbs and also talked about making teas, tinctures and salves.  We also were able to purchase a copy of his herb book which I am in awe over.  It is by far the most valuable herb book that I own because not only does it explain and have diagrams of plants and pictures of herbs with descriptions of each and telling their many uses and preparation techniques but also I love it because it shows plants that are native to my back yard.  I have vowed to myself to study his work and become the lady who knows all about the land she has been blessed to live on.  I feel I have been granted this dream come true for a reason and maybe will be able to use it in wonderful ways. 

They plan to do more hikes next year and I really am excited.  I am positive that this alone will get me through the cold winter months with a smile on my face in anticipation of our next hike!

Remember when I had the urge to begin a Farm Documentary?

And my Herbal Morning walk?

It just really goes to show you that new dreams can become reality.  I don't know what I did right to deserve this one coming true.  Maybe if I keep dreaming and wishing the greenhouse one will come true too!