Saturday, January 30, 2010

Lavender and Rosemary


Lavender and Rosemary, sounds like great names for new pets! Truth is, I purchased seeds today to start indoors. For the next 3 months these will be "pet plants". I always tell people I don't like to over winter plants in the house because I don't like caring for "pet plants"! This is different, I can watch the entire process from seeds germinating to tiny plants begging to go out doors and sink their feet into that rich soil at the Farm. I have a wonderful location in a sunny window above my kitchen sink. I could start talking to them when I do dishes, when no one is looking of course!
I have wanted to plant an entire field of Lavender. There are many tasks to achieve before I get to that point. I still need to find a good spot for the vegetable garden, fence off the grapes so the deer quit dinning on them, weed the asparagus patch, create a path to the Loo.....its the "Land of endless projects"!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Small Farm Renovation Continues



The five acres that we have was once part of a larger farm. I was told it was divided some 25 years ago. The wooded 5 acres with the house and barns was sold and the farmer kept the tillable land. Some of the out buildings and the house burned down. The main two story barn remains. This is the building we are trying to renovate. It has a small cabin that was build in the last five years attached to the barn. We have enclosed the cabin and are trying to make it more winter resistant. Doug found large beautiful shutters in the barn. He has cleaned and painted them and he is going to attach them to the cabin as bermuda shutters. We have built an adorable out house. It is large and very bright. I was attended a lecture by a Dutchess who was rebuilding an estate garden, open to the public. She said one of the most important features should be "the nicest Loo anyone has seen". I have incorporated that thought into the outhouse.


At the present time, the first item we are going to purchase this Spring will be a chipper shredder. We have an abundance of limbs and branches to turn into usable mulch. I spend way to much time weeded the flower beds and mulch will help cut down on that.

Monday, January 25, 2010

New Puppy

Yesterday my daughters family increased by one. The new addition is an 8 week old black lab named "Zoe". She is so adorable. There is nothing like a new puppy. We had labs when Sayrah was groing up so she knows what she is getting into. If you have ever had a puppy, you know what I mean when I say "puppy breath".
As a Mother and Grandmother, it is amazing to watch your children grow and experience joys and a few set backs. I'm here if she needs me, but my job is to watch from a distance. I still enjoy giving words of wisdom when asked. I did a fine job raising her and she is doing a fine job too. Carry on!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Bridal Shower Planning


I am planning a bridal shower for my daughter in June 2010. A friend with a greenhouse is going start Rosemary and Lavender from seed. I want make tiny topiaries for each place setting. I have dreamed of this day, of hosting a bridal shower for my daughter. There will be lots of vintage cloth and china. I'm going to carefully plan the gardens and containers this year. More heirloom plants would be nice. The fairy garden should have a "Fairy Wedding Theme" too.


Some women dream of the day they get married, and dream of the perfect wedding. I have three daughters and I have always dreamed of their weddings. With our oldest daughters wedding, she wanted it simple and "NO" shower. I was devastated! This time I will have the shower of "my" dreams. Go MOM!!!