Birthday Celebrations, Camping and Garden Treasures

And then she was 5!!!

All she really wanted was a "stand" to sell something.

It was decided that she could sell popsicles

and donate

half the monies to the United Way,

saving the rest for something special.

Well, the stand was very successful and she is donating $300

to the charity and had a wonderful day on her 5th birthday.

The birthday party theme was Mini Mouse and she sported

her momma's vintage costume complete with Mini Mouse ears!

We all enjoyed pizza and mini mouse cupcakes and cookies.

And, of course, the annual ride around the block in Papa's Mustang.

Love this sweet, kind, bright and adorable little lady!!!!

Will love your forever, Will love you for Always ..

July has been full of sun and spending time outdoors in spite of Covid-19.

We had a wonderful opportunity to camp with friends in a near-by

Provincial Park on the ever beautiful Lake Huron.

The sunsets never disappoint and are always unique each and every evening!

Is this Lake Huron or a Caribbean sea?

A stray tame kitty was found and adored.

It must have been dropped off - who would do such a thing?

Our neighbours who have a litter almost the same age have adopted

him for safe keeping and kitten companionship.

He will be in good hands there!

The garden is producing well and giving us delicious

lettuce, asparagus, garlic and now the zucchini are beginning to march in!

Lock your doors!

Nothing tastes better than fresh lettuce from the garden,

dressed with cream and herbs.

Special flavour = a chiffonade of borage leaf

Borage

An extra bonus has been the wild raspberries that grow around

this old farm.

We've been picking them and freezing them.

I can't remember ever finding so many.

Now what shall we make with these, loaded with antioxidant, special berries?

Till next time .... stay safe as our world slowly begins to reopen and mid-summer is just around the corner.  I will wear my mask, wash my hands, and isolate as much as possible to avoid a second waive! I will pray for and be kind to those who oppose reason and common sense. I will pray for my dear friend Nonie who is undergoing cancer treatment. Wisdom and discernment will be my longing for this summer of 2020! We will come through this together!

June 2020 Musings

June was full and ended with a July 1st "non-bang"

No fireworks but lots of fun and excitement.

We harvested the garlic scapes - way too many by the way!

Several batches of delicious Pesto were created ...

... and some yummy garlic scape and lemon butter!

It tastes so good on asparagus, broccoli, toasted bread and so much more.
It certainly is a good thing we are isolating!

Logs of tasty butter for the freezer

Almost weekly,

Sourdough was baked and shared

Tractor rides with Papa were had ...

THAT,  was awesome Papa!

The blooms on this old farm were at their finest in June.

Finally got some lupins to bloom along
the barn wall. I think the weeds were too competitive other years?
One good thing about Covid-19 is that we
stayed home and got quite a bit more work done around this old place.













The "moon flowers" aka Evening Primrose, exploded with their happy yellow
evening blooms.

This never get's old!

My absolute favourite, the peonies, filled
my garden and house with a beautiful scent.
I always think of the dear lady who lived
here before us and left them for 
us to enjoy!
Some of the pink ones were also from my dear mother-in-law, on the "home farm" that's just down the road!











An anniversary came and went with a trail bike ride and a
first time, in house, visit with our wee family since the world hit "pause"!
They brought dinner and everything felt almost normal again.
So thankful for having them back in our lives in person!
What a special anniversary gift!

Things got a bit silly just before they left! Covid Hair - don't care.

A few more quilting projects were completed and new ones started.
Is it just me or do other quilters start planning their next projects way before the one
they are working on is complete?  Yikes!
I will need a long Winter 2020 (bite your tongue) to actually see these projects through.

A seascape panel inspiration

The quilt below may take some time. A pattern is released each month

and includes several blocks that need to be embroidered.

I have not embroidered for decades and it's a whole new learning curve.

Once I got started it became sort of addictive - to hear the squeak

that the embroidery floss makes as it slides through the material

brought memories of home.

Am I going crazy???

Block of the Month Quilt pattern by Gail Pan Designs - "Wish You Well" 

I'm behind with the monthly blocks but just finished the embroidery for March.

It made me think back to what it has been like since March!!!

The whole theme "Wish You Well" could not be more appropriate.

This little lady finished her last days of Jr. Kindergarten,

at home of course!

She is pure delight.

And keeps her little brother entertained - most of the time.
What a privilege to see them become best buds during this time spent together!

There's a farmer's saying that the corn should be 
"knee high by the 1st of July".
This was on June 28th so I think we're good.
Today when I look out over the field, the rows have grown completely together.
Albeit, we are in desperate need of rain!

And here is the "non-bang" ending ...

Our faithful 17 year old dishwasher gave it up and flooded our
hardwood kitchen floor with a Niagara Falls of hot water!
Thankfully I was in the house at the time and had lots of absorbent towels at the ready.
I think the floor survived with just a few bumps here and there. Eek!

Well, that is a glimpse of June 2020.

So far, in the first week of July we have experienced hot, hot, weather AND HAIRCUTS!
What could be better?

Till next time ... Hoping your Canada Day and 4th of July celebrations were fun and safe!

                         Praying that things are looking up and that all will be well very soon.

Hello June

A morning outdoor visit to Nammie and Papa's.

What a gift!!!!

We miss them so much...

This year's Relief Sale was cancelled,

but we were craving the special donuts - so we made some!!

The farmer did the glazing.

They were delicious and I must make them again soon?

Dilemma - we ate too many!

From the 1973 Relief Sale Cookbook binder!

Fresh Asparagus from the garden,

wrapped in Prosciutto and roasted to perfection!

Asparagus Quiche.

You can't see the asparagus because it's smothered

in all that eggy goodness.

Love cast iron "pies"!

A sweet gift arrived in the mail from my dear friend Nonie,

a childhood forever friend!

It even contained some fun things for Sully and Noa ... so thoughtful!

Nonie - we are all praying for you as you navigate this horrid disease!

June flowers have arrived and more are still to come.

This old farm is at it's best this time of year for sure!

June Flowers

The evening "moon flowers" are once again magically opening before our eyes.

It seems they start blooming right around dusk and that's also when the mosquitoes 

are the hungriest!

The garden is mostly up, the corn is filling in and everything is standing at attention today after the much needed but heavy rain last evening!

Thankfully no tornados, despite the warnings!

The peonies and chives weren't quite as happy about the heavy rain.

June's solstice is just around the corner and we are slowly

beginning to find our new normals in these pandemic days!

It's been 3 months now since isolation began.

The wind has changed today - could this be a sign of new beginnings?

Our hearts are heavy for this world tho we have faith in our Lord to keep us safe!

How are you all doing out there dear readers?

Till next time ... stop and smell the June flowers and pray for health and safety.

Purple Lining and Rusty Wheels

I think I may have an obsession for purple flowers?

Seems like everything that is blooming right now is

either purple or white.

It certainly is such a pretty time of year here

on this old farm!

I am enjoying the Spring blooms.

We were scheduled to be on tour in England right now

and would have missed it - so there's the "purple" lining of it all I guess!?

Also, the farmer has been doing a lot of cleaning up around here

and this old hay rake has been rusting in the back forty for

as long as we've lived here - over 40 years!

He dug it out of the grass and with much effort was able 

to get those gorgeous wheels off.

I've been wanting those for a long time and here they are:

Today was the date for the annual Mennonite Relief Sale in New Hamburg.

Because it was cancelled, due to Covid-19, they went ahead and auctioned off 100 quilts online.

What a joy to see the beautiful hand work with all profits going to

Mennonite Central Committee

for world relief. The feature quilt sold for $2,300 I believe.

Here is a link to the quilt catalogue if you care to have a peek.

https://nhmrs.com/quilt-catalogue

We've been enjoying such lovely warm weather for the past few weeks,

but tonight it has turned quite cold with a risk of frost.

My garden is planted and the tomato plants are covered for tonight - just in case.

Hope everyone is still staying healthy and patient ...

Till next time .... stopping to smell the purple flowers.

Covid Spring

Covid Spring 2020

Here we are, isolation Day 66, rainy Victoria Day 

My cup of tea and piece of rhubarb cake is getting me through today ...

I hesitated to post this but,

Documenting how I am feeling for my own reference some day.

This has been the strangest and most surreal Spring in my life/in the world!

Increasingly, my emotions seem to be getting the better of me.

Missing my friends and favourite little humans

I feel so unmotivated and cannot wait to hug my grandchildren.

Everything will be O.K. - right?

All the upcoming "normal" events have literally been crossed off our calendar:

Birthday parties - gone virtual

Weddings postponed

Church services - gone virtual and Zoomed

Church play cancelled

Local Theatre Play cancelled

Mission's Fund Raising Dinner cancelled

Curling Banquet and Annual Meeting cancelled

Way overdue hair appointments - don't get me started on the state of my hair - eek!

Doctor's appointments cancelled

The Stratford Festival Theatre Season cancelled - surreal

Ailsa Craig Quilt Show cancelled

Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale cancelled

Our trip to England cancelled

Vacation Bible School cancelled

Funerals postponed

Wellesley's Apple Butter and Cheese Festival cancelled

and so much more!

Everything will be O.K. - right?

However, many wonderful things have happened too since the World was put on Pause:

My sister's granddaughter Violet was born

Isolated Baby Violet's - First Peeks through the patio doors!

Birthdays were celebrated in very unique ways

Some sewing projects were completed

Mini Quilt Along Project almost complete

Quilting and rewatching the sour dough tutorial

Sourdough baking accomplished

New projects are on the go - i.e. crochet

Flower beds weeded and mulched

Misty Spring Evening

Spring Flowers are blooming

Mother's Day

Beautiful Flowers from my loves. Our Mom's - missing them so much!

Face masks have been sewn

Orioles, Hummingbirds, and Grosbeaks have arrived

Crops are planted and the stones have been picked

Apple blossoms are ready to burst

Fresh Rhubarb, Chives and Winter Onions from the garden

The almost daily FaceTimes with my loved ones - get's me through

Everything will be O.K. - right!?

Thank you for bearing with me on this post ...

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

The Good News: God is standing by your side, even in the toughest moments of your life. Do not be afraid, stand strong, and have faith.

Clinging to those words

Everything WILL be O.K.!

Till next time - how is everyone coping? Praying that you are all staying healthy and safe.

These two keep me giggling with their hilarious text antics!
I find myself watching them over and over ...