How can it be Saturday already? The days fly by! Since very hot temps were predicted for today and tomorrow, I pushed myself to keep mowing yesterday. I love a newly mowed lawn.
As I walked around the yard this morning, I saw lots of beauty including Telly who is hoping that squirrel in the tree would magically come down.
The hydrangeas are profuse!
As is the hops vine which is downright invasive.
Boston Ivy is beautiful as well but Rick hates having it growing on a building so he kills it whenever he gets the chance! It’s growing nicely this year since he’s not outside! Smile.
On to the barn where the chicks have earned their freedom to go outside.
They are happy little teenage girls – running here and there, flapping their wings and loving life in general. Every night they roost in the same place – where I had them locked in originally – and that’s good that they know where to go at night. I count to 14 every night but last night I only found 13! I looked and looked for the 3rd white one. I had to give up and assume she was there – somewhere. Sure enough, this morning when I opened the feed room door for Hazel, there she was, wanting out to get a drink first thing.
This is Hazel’s position in the feed room wanting a mouse to come out of the wall.
She’ll be waiting a long time – Mama and the kitties are super mousers – there are no mice to be had in our barn!
And what’s this????
A newly hatched chick! Please pray that it’s not a rooster! I swear I’ve been watching the ceiling area for hens sitting on eggs – obviously I missed this one. Please, be a girl! Please, be a girl!!!!
Kevin dug the holes for the hostas last weekend and they look so nice.
On to the shop – these shirts are begging to be a quilt!
I finished The Outsider by Stephen King and really enjoyed it actually. Now I get to read the Beartown sequel Us Against You. Connie also gave me the audible book by Patterson and Clinton, The President Is Missing, which she loved.
Reed is coming to hang out today – there are so many things we can do!
Maybe the next post will be Misc because I’ve got about a dozen little things to tell you about- I enjoy your comments about your own lives and activities.
Can’t those cats leave ONE mouse for Hazel??:)
Jane – I’ll pass that message on to those mouser cats!
Mary the yard looks so beautiful. You can tell you dedicate a lot of time gardening and mowing. I would sit and had sew in the shade to enjoy looking at the yard if it is not too hot!
Your hard work really shows in the pictures. I bet the yard is even prettier in real view.
I really enjoy reading your life on the farm. Always get excited when I see a new post.
God Bless
I wanted to let you know how much I love reading your newsletters and hearing all about your life. Your farm is quite beautiful! I was lucky enough to visit your quilt store two different times. I wished I lived closer. The whole ambience of a quilt store out in the middle of nowhere and on a farm has given me wonderful memories! To this I saw “thank you” for the memories! Hugs!
Your place is so beautiful!!!!
Your yard looks manicured! Your hard work shows! Love reading about your activities.
Your yard is beautiful. You have a lot more energy than I have to take care of all your little animals and yard. It has been raining for two days and my grass needs mowing. I hope I can get to it soon than later. I am getting some farm shares for the first time and in my box was rhubarb, so I have Connie’s muffins in the oven. They smell wonderful. Nice snack for a rainy, humid day.
Chris – I have so much rhubarb that I really should stop and make muffins. It’s so hot and windy today that everything will need a drink tonight. The grass will still be there.
They are delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Mary, your grass looks fantastic! Isn’t mowing great for getting an instant result? Mowed grass makes the whole garden look better, just like when one vacuums the floor of a room! Our pumpkins are flowering merrily in our vegetable garden (much smaller than yours), so I am looking every day to see if I can see little pumpkins developing. Your hostas look great, I just dug out, split and replanted some here, as they were getting too crowded. Our radishes are nearly ready for harvesting, shortly to be followed by red beets and carrots. Rhubarb is doing well, so I will be trying Connie’s muffin recipe!
Off to sew a binding on a table-topper. Enjoy your weekend.
Fiona – Reed and I checked the pumpkins today – only had to replant 4 hills out of 58! I didn’t plant any radishes this year because it got too hot right away but I sure do miss a great radish and peanut butter sandwich!
I don’t always post but I do want you to know how much I enjoy your posts and pictures. Just a warning on the english ivy. We bought a house almost 33 yrs ago. It was an old. abandoned house that was originally a log cabin, but had been added onto and Victorianized. Anyway there were and are a lot of mature trees on the property Someone planted ivy – who knows how long ago. We have been battleing the ivy ever since. It grows and climbs the trees and if you don’t get to it right away it can climb and destroy the trees. We will never be able to get rid of it. We have 3 acres with a 100 yr flood plain and it is thick – very thick and everywhere.
On another note. a few of our quilt guild members visited a small alpaca (12) operation. These animasl are really their pets but they shear the wool and make rovings and batts. There are so many processes involved. This is a retirement endeavor. Wow – so much work. I have a new appreciation for the pricing of wool and alpaca clothing, sweaters – just all of it.
We are expecting high temps and humidity the next several days here in Maryland. i just hate the oppressive humidity. It depletes all your energy. Enjoy your weekend. Your flowers and yard look terrific.
Patricia – thanks for the warning about the ivy. Virginia Creeper is the same and so is the hops vine. The hops is even growing down by the barn, for crying out loud! It doesn’t kill the trees however – that’s very bad – I would hate to see the trees die because of a vine. And alpacas look fun but too much work for just me. Did you see Kathy Hanson’s comment? Baby llamas are arriving at her house!
Seeing those shirts stir the quilting juices of my soul. Might just have to make a trip.
Your Hosta look beautiful and will really make a difference.
Enjoy your time with Reed you are making a difference that will last him a lifetime. I think many of us will have someone not related made a BIG difference in our lives because they gave of their time for us. I know I was blessed and am sure Reed will look back one day and smile because of your time together.
Angie – I can hardly resist those shirts but I have a couple more UFO’s on my list first. Reed and his family have become very dear to me – Reed likes everything I like! It’s fun to have him around!
So enjoy all your posts. I check every day to see if you have posted anything new. I must tell you that our beloved Molly which you had her pictured in the Goat Gazette passed on Easter Sunday . She was a dear and we had her almost 15 years.
There is a big empty spot in our house without her. Like you I have had to deal with my husband’s broken leg and cast etc. I do hope that I will be able to adopt a pet in the future when my husband is back to his usual self.
I also admire all your plants and flowers and your beautiful yard.
Judith – I am so sorry for your loss! If you’ve been a caretaker like me lately, I know you have no extra time. I hope you’ll be able to adopt in the near future. So sad, isn’t it, to lose them?
Hi Mary…. I’ve been very diligent to go to your blog and click on the advertisements… today I clicked on Benedictine University all the while wondering if it was the same Benedictine University on the other side of town… low and behold it was… have a great day today with Reed… he’s a doll… stay cool!
Kris – thank you sooooo much for clicking on the ads! I hate to keep reminding readers to do that but that income helps keep this blog going. THANK YOU!!!!
Mary, It’s 43 degrees outside this very rainy, nearly noon Saturday up here in Idaho. It should help with the two forest fires. Denmark just scored a goal at World Cup. All the years I spent with sons playing soccer my husband and I are watching FIFA today.
This morning I had the Cobblestone pattern out and went thru the fabrics I’d selected. Enjoyed Connie’s reds and taupes. I’m going with wider strips for a 40 x 40 finish this time.
Your yard looks so wonderful all mowed and I envy you the beautiful Hostas. The Elk and Deer coming to the property and a big variety of native wild flowers are what we have to enjoy.
I hope that cute chick is not a rooster, too.
I think your English Ivy must be as invasive as Cudzu is in the south.
Enjoy Reed’s company today! Be sure to measure the corn!
Launa – thank you for the reminder to measure the corn! I forgot!
I woke up to hear thunder, smiled and snuggled under my sheet. A good day for reading and napping!!
I love the smell of fresh cut lawn, so that’s one chore I didn’t mind doing. But love how everything “greening up” on your farm.
It’s enjoyable to see how loyal Telly and Hazel are at protecting their property, against fallen trees, squirrels and mice!
Have a great afternoon with Reed!!
Ann – isn’t that rainy morning in bed just delicious? Reed and I kept busy all day – gardening, sewing, planting. I taught him to machine quilt!
What a lovely opening photo of the newly mown lawn – the shade of the trees and the vista beyond. If only my little postage-stamp size lawn here in the city looked as good.
I love reading your posts and seeing your pictures. Gardens here in So. Florida much different!! I envy your hostas and hydrangeas!!
Don’t know where you get your energy!!! Keep up the great work!! Sue
Sue – my energy is about depleted! Ha!
Your yard looks beautiful. Did you just divide your hostages? Mine need to be separated but I heard you had to do that earlier in the spring? They were transplanted from a relative’s yard when she passed and I would be so sad if I lost them. You are lucky to have a green thumb and confident in your planting. Enjoy the weekend. Thanks as always for sharing.
Gloria B – I suppose early spring is ideal but I think you can divide any time- I plan to move a bunch this summer. Peonies, too.
Lol. Just saw that my post says “hostages” not “hostas”. That’s probably how my plants feel.
What a beautiful yard and flowers that you have!!such a lot of work for you but how amazing. We are on Cria Watch here. Cria is the name for a baby llama. We have two pregnant girls. Everyone’s mama, Roxie, is looking like she needs to unload her heavy load. I watch her for awhile but she will probably deliver when I’m not looking. Her oldest daughter is due soon now too. What fun the babies are. Looks like you will have a new baby soon too! Wishing for a girl and so are we!!😊🐣
Kathy – tell us when the babies arrive and maybe send a picture so I can post it here?
Just wanted to say “hi” and how much I enjoy reading all about your farm and your adventures–and I too hope that tiny baby chick is a girl for you!!
enjoy, di
A little “fox” in hen house! Lol! Reminds me of the time I adopted a Guinea Pig from a co-worker whose kids wouldn’t take of it. I had it for about week and would feed it in the morning before I left for work. I kept it in my spare bedroom in a large crate and never turned the lights on when I fed it. Work started at 5:30 am. One morning I went in to feed it and stopped and thought; “Wait a minute, there is more than one dark spot in this box!” Yep, found out it was a girl and she was pregnant with two babies!
Susan – I loved the guinea pig story!
Your yard looks lovely. I, too, love a newly mowed lawn. Ours looks great this year as my husband fertilized it in the Spring. Wow, what a difference! We have a golden hops plant that I absolutely loved – until it started to grow over, under, around and through everything and anything within a ten foot radius! It was so bad that we decided to dig it up a couple of weeks ago. Now I’m sad that it’s gone! The trellis it was on looks so bare. I think if it tries to come back I may let it – just will keep it pruned back better and see if I can keep it under control. And your little chick – I miss my hens so much! I hope it’s a hen, although I’ve loved my roosters in the past. Oh, and your shirts – are they Rick’s? Or do you get them in consignment shops? I’ve never thought to do that! I do get wool skirts for rug hooking at consignment shops, just never thought of using shirts for quilts! Great idea.
Janice – these shirts are from the thrift store. My hops vine has even spread to the barn area! Yes, it can definitely take over – maybe yours will come back. I love my roosters but Fred is mean to Daddio and confines him to the opposite side of the barn as much as possible. I feel sorry for Daddio.
Your yard is so nice and the flowers are wonderful. Loved seeing all those pics. Loving summer this year., All the flowers and roses here in the yard look so good. Spent today at the lake swimming with my sister. Still love a tan and it is so peaceful! We have 6 baby calves this year and a donkey due the first week of August. Been sewing on a “gingham quilt”. Just plain old squares and hardly any thinking. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. If you google “gingham quilt” you will find it and might decide to make it.. By the way, a couple years ago I made a shirt quilt in red, white and blue and love it. Wish we could send you some pics.
Paula in KY
Paula – a baby donkey! Please send a picture when it arrives. I’ll look up the gingham quilt.
Loved seeing your gorgeous yard and pets enjoying their estate. So blessed aren’t we to have our cozy homes and beloved pets and family and people who enrich our lives like Reed does each time he spends time with you. I like how you hung your baskets on the walkway. Clever. It’s hot here in western NY too so summer has arrived. Can’t wait to see what you make with the shirts.
Love the colors.
Kathy – I taught Reed how to machine quilt today!
Oh wow!!! I hope you share his 4-H projects he displays at the fair for all of us to see. We know you had a big part in him having some great home arts to enter into fair. I imagine you are going to be the one to give him his first sewing machine to continue his skills. Hope your feet are up for the day and a beer is in hand.
Kathy – I sure will show you all his entries – he also planted a succulent garden in a big pot today. Yes, if his interest in quilting continues, I see a gift in his future! Smile!
Kathy- forgot to say that my feet are up and there’s a beer in my hand! And another might be calling my name – hahaha!
Love reading your posts from Illinois. My daughter just moved away from North Liberty for a job transfer to West Virginia. Made me sad that she was leaving Iowa, but still feel connected with your stories.
Spent a week with my daughters and their families. Two grandsons 4.5 and 2.5 in ages. They don’t get to see each other often so it was great to see them together. Of course Nana had to make each a special quilt for the week. They had fish on the front and cuddle cloth on the back. They loved them. This year they got to take them home. Last year the quilt was a traveling quilt that I bring when I visit them. They love it.
Your green, green lawn is beautiful. Your home must be breathtaking from the road and from the driveway. Our lawns are green now, too, but the dry season is coming up and we don’t irrigate the front. It is long and large, like yours and our well is good, but not that good.
People are often surprised that we have a dry season in Oregon. It lasts from July to Nov. and that’s when we get wildfires.
Ivy is on our noxious weed list here. It can scale a tree quick as a cat. It seems to love fir trees. Best is to cut it all around the base of the tree. No more climbing.
I have one little ripe cherry tomato…the first this year….which I will cut in two for our salad tonight. Ha
Hoping that baby is a little hen chick.
Sue – we have a dry time coming up, too – grass is no longer this lush no green – guess that why I love it so much now. It’s hard to see our house from the road because of all the fencing – to keep the dogs safe. It’s sad that ivy is so noxious!
MARY have you ever just sat outside at night and heard the corn 🌽 grow? We used to do that when the kids were small, they would be real quiet 🤫 for a little while ☺️. Love your blog and all you share. Hugs🤗
MARY have you ever just sat outside at night and heard the corn grow? We used to do that when the kids were small, they would be real quiet for a little while . Love your blog and all you share. Hugs
Esther – you know I swear it grows so fast you COULD hear it growing! Ha!
I love reading about your farm. I loved growing up on a small farm in Iowa. In another life, I would still be living that life. Alas I am living another life, also a good life, in the city of Pittsburgh, not even the suburbs. I do miss Iowa, though.
What fabric content are those shirts. Would like to make a quilt with those sometime. Love all your posts! Admire your energy!
Paula – I only buy 100% cotton shirts – these are premium shirts, custom made it says with the owners initials embroidered on the cuff – super high thread count – they are cotton but feel like silk almost.
Hi! I just wanted to drop you a line & let you know how much I LOVE reading about you & life on your farm! You are possibly the hardest working women I’ve ever known! I wish I had 1/10th of your energy! I sure hope Rick appreciates you!
I love your quilts, your plants, your book suggestions & all the animals, mostly the dogs! I have a real soft spot for ALL dogs! I just love them. My Toby, a parti-colored cocker spaniel will me 13 this upcoming December. He often acts like a puppy tho he’s lost most of his hearing.
You simply work too hard! You’re retired, remember! Lol!
Did you forget to measure how high the corn was yesterday??
It has been raining pretty good and we are loving it. And the temp is about 65. It was 105 on Wednesday. And we do need the rain as there are cracks in the ground.
I visited a quilt shop yesterday in Bath, Wales, yesterday. It’s named Country Threads. I have a picture, but cannot send until I return home.
Mary Ann – wow! I’d love to see the picture – have a safe trip home!