This was this winter's big project.  It's almost finished.  It still needs the rod pocket on the back for hanging, and the label claiming credit for making it along with the year I made it.  

 

Jon's oldest daughter, Sheri, bought the kit, and I made the quilt.  It is a wall hanging:  42 x 42 inches.  I didn't create the design, but I did a pretty good job of following the directions.  And it was really exciting making it.  I learned some new skills, and had fun, AND it's pretty!  What more can you ask for in a project?  

 

Sheri's coming Memorial day, and will take it home then, so I have a little more than a month to enjoy it.  I'm thinking about sewing on tiny clear glass beads to make it sparkle when the light hits it.  

 

Whadda ya think?   I like it!!!

 

HAPPY QUILTING!!!

 

This is my newest project.  It's a quilt kit, that came with 11 yards of fabric and the pattern.  Skill level:  intermediate;  I'm not scared!!!  Now all I have to do is  decipher the pattern directions, cut, piece, sew, and assemble.  

 

Seeing how we are back to winter and MUD, I should be able to get a lot done.  So far, I have 16 hours invested, and since it's warm upstairs (my sewing room) I think I'll get back to it now!!!

 

HAPPY QUILTING!!!

 

Long before the apples are ripe, we get blueberries!!  They start getting ripe on Father's day....every year, on Father's day we pick blueberries!

 

The bushes are really loaded with blossoms, and bees.    Last year we picked 12 gallons of blueberries.  We love to share, but you have to pick them yourself.  We start about 8 am and finish for the day by 9:30.  If you get here early, you can pick your own blueberries.  If you get here too late, well...you're too late.  

 

The bushes are on a hill, so wear your hiking and/or climbing shoes.  We go out early before the sun is in our eyes, but sunscreen is a good thing to wear too.  Hope to see you in June for some berry picking fun.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We are going to have lots of apples!!  Our orchard is in bloom!!!  And the bees and butterflies are all over the trees.

 

They usually bloom for my birthday, but this year.....they are blooming for Roxanne's birthday.  I hope she gets back in time to see them.  They are SO pretty!

 

Now all we have to do is:  pray that the "BlackBerry frost" is mild and short-lived.  And pick the apples before the deer get them.  Last year we missed that opportunity by one day!!!  One day a couple of trees were full of golden delicious apples, still a bit unripe, and the next day THEY WERE ALL GONE!!!! 

We did get red apples, because we picked them soon after.  So... they didn't get the entire crop.

 

Hopefully, we can learn from our mistake and do better this year.  Gardening teaches some tough lessons.  But we are (somewhat) smarter than the deer, so we have a chance to get it right next time.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

.

 

I know that clover is a weed, but.....

 

I don't pull it out, cause I love spotting a four leaf one!  My friend, Pat Bridges could be walking at a normal pace, stop, bend down and pluck a four leaf clover!!!  I am pretty good at seeing them too.

 

Yep!!!  I AM LUCKY!!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!!

 

Momma is still on the nest.  And yesterday we saw her feeding two tiny chicks!!!!

 

Go there NOW!!!!     https://wildbirds-1.click2stream     You'll be glad you did!!!!!

 

I just learned that Mr. Bluebird has a white eye-ring and is brighter than Mrs. Bluebird.  Now we can tell WHO is babysitting.  Still just two babies.  Hmmm.  Wonder what that means.  Keep watching!!!!.

 

LOVE THE BIRDS!!!!!

Hey!

Those of you still in Florida.. git ur self up here and watch this amazing transformation from winter to spring!

ahhhhhhhhh a sunset in the spring!

 

mark

 

Sandy Bradley sent me this picture today.  It's her entrance in Port St. Lucie, FL. 

 

Just outside the door are Black-eyed Susies.  Her dad grew them in Pittsburgh years ago, and she keeps his memory alive by growing them.  I think of her dad when mine bloom too!!!!

 

In the foreground are Cosmos.  Maybe you've see them growing on the highway, and in the medians.  I know that these seeds came from Patty Mondl's butterfly garden.  It's been a few years ago, but we collected a handful of the seeds.  Sandy planted them in her front yard, and HERE THEY ARE!!!!!

 

Cosmos are sun-loving, drought tolerant annuals that attract butterflies.  They are easily grown from seed; and they SELF seed, meaning that they just keep coming back, year after year.  A pack of seeds is less than $3.  Give them a try.

 

SO BEAUTIFUL!!!  Thanks Sandy for sharing.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Do you know this plant?  Hilda gave it to me years ago.  It's rhubarb!!  And that protrusion at the top is its flower bud.  Rhubarb is valued for the succulent stems, not the blossoms, but I just love seeing plants bloom!

 

Rhubarb is a northern perennial.  It likes cool weather, and suffers a little during our hot summers.  But these have been doing fine since I planted them.  It's about time to divide the plants, so let me know if you'd like some.

 

Jon likes to make a sauce with the stems.  Tear off the leaves, they are NOT edible.  They are beyond inedible, the leaves are TOXIC.  Wash and cut the red stems into one inch pieces.  Then cook them for about 20 minutes in a little bit of orange juice.  By a little bit, I mean a couple tablespoons.  When it is the consistency of apple sauce, add a dollop of orange marmalade.  Some people add sugar, but we don't like it too sweet.  It's good as a side dish, just like apple or cranberry sauce.  Oh yeah!!!  Sometimes he adds cranberries into the pot for a tart blend.  I don't eat ice cream, but I bet it would be good on top of vanilla.

 

Don't you love Spring things?  Keep looking, there are signs of spring everywhere!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you're still checking on the bluebird nestbox at  https://wildbirds-1.click2stream.com/

 

I looked yesterday and saw 5 pretty blue eggs.  They should be hatching any day now.....Go look!!

 

FASCINATING!!!!