When I got up this morning Rick was in the kitchen making coffee!!! I think we made it without me killing him – haha!
It’s been an outdoor tidying up day and pulling weeds. Found these two old dresser. Irons in the back shed.
Really dirty and no hangers – they were both dresser mirrors so now I want Rick to make them ready to hang.
Gotta talk about the cards – remember Day in the Country cards with the pattern inside? Moe saved this one to send to somebody special – thank you so much – I’m going to make this!
And Kathy’s card had these bright little snippets in it – I would never have thought about that but it’s so cute!
And did you take this photo and make this card, Vicki? It is beautiful?
And who do these two look like? Yes! Hazel and Keeper! Thank you, Mareen – they could have posed for this card themselves.
I think we should go on a card campaign. A greeting online is so thoughtful but a card in the mail? Now that’s downright awesome! You’d have to leave your name, address and birthday in a comment and if you leave your name you will be expected to participate. Sound fair? I will write down all the info in a notebook but will not write any prompts in the blog. You will have to keep a notebook, too. Or, does this sound like just too much hullabaloo? It might be – I can get carried away sometimes with ideas. Sigh.
Pictures around the farm today – mostly flowers.
I’d like to plant hydrangeas all along this fence but I think the sun would be too much for them. It would be beautiful!
Pet Parade
Good Night!
Hi Mary,
Happy Belated Birthday! I love this blog and the community you have built with it. It’s so nice to be able to come here and read about all of it. This last week, one of my students died. He was so young, 15. It’s lifted my spirits to come here and read about Ricks recovery, all your birthday cards and the goings on of the farm and your readers. Thank you.
Elizabeth – oh my, that’s too young to die! Think of his family and how grief stricken they must be. This blog community is great – I wish more readers would join in the discussions however.
Tomatoes in washtub, it’s the galvanized I the tubs,, a reaction. At least what I have heard..
Margaret – well, I’ll be darned! I won’t do this again, will I? Thank you for that very valuable info.
My husband built wooden raised beds which won’t last a really long time but the vegetables are doing fine. Bonus – it also keeps the rabbits out.
I have never seen such beautiful hydranges as your grow. Is it the Iowa soil or your green thumb? Probably both.
Maryjane – oh, it has to be the soil and the perfect sun exposure because I do absolutely nothing!
Good for you , Rick! That first pot of coffee after hip surgery is truly a sign of recovery coming! Now, just mind your p’s and q’s on the bending limits! No time to be pulling on socks and shoes or weeding😇
Glad to hear Rick is up and about. It will be a relief when that restriction to not bend is lifted. When that restriction was lifted I had NO restrictions. Good thing because my husband had surgery later that week and I was the caregiver for him. Mary your flowers are beautiful!
Just today I read about “sploot”, the position of the tan dog on stomach with legs back! Who knew this even had a NAME!!?? In most cases, the pet ( others besides dogs sploot) is relaxing!
Set a cool record last night of 49° F. Loved the break in heat
..felt ambitious!
Hi Mary, great that Rick has found the kitchen ! I was sad to hear that one of Elizabeth’s students had died, 15 is too young. I took a extra set of sheets to my neighbour yesterday day, her 8 year old daughter has long extensions put in , the colors are glorious, dark rainbow shades with sparkle, l said her hair looked beautiful and her little friend told me it wasn’t her real hair. So many cute things for girls nowdays!
The hydrangeas look wonderful Mary! Time for coffee! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Your Hydrangeas are beautiful…the flowers so full!! That’s the way many are around here too. Must have been a good spring, though dry.
Enjoyed the cool today!! One more day then back to 80’s, we need rain so badly. The clouds keep separating and don’t give us any rain. We heard locusts singing on the 4th…old tale…6 weeks til the first frost…WOW!
So happy to hear Rick is feeling better! Don’t let him overdo.
The old mirrors you found are beautiful! Looks like they’re beveled which is nice. Where will you hang them once Rick adds wires? There really is nothing like getting real cards and letters in the mail. Seems there are fewer and fewer every year.
Tina – I think one of those mirrors has a double bevel. I’d like to hang them on the backside of the fireplace rock. I don’t have enough walls!!!
I’d love to participate in the birthday greetings group. I know postage is going up, though. That may preclude people from participating. I was in a FB group where we sent each other Christmas cards. That might be fun too.
Brenda Jeffers
15379 Highway 149
Ottumwa, IA 52501
June 9
Love this blog. Loved the cards and the pet parade. So fun! A birthday greeting group sounds fun!
Rick must be careful and not overdo it!
Your hydrangeas are beautiful, Mary. Mine are blue.
I have a late bloomer that starts out white and then turns pinkish color. Tomorrow morning I have to water and very carefully trim some blackberries. They grow wild where I live. It has been warm here in the Pacific Northwest with no rain for a while. Everything is dry.
I cleaned my sewing room under the supervision of my cats. I’m working on my first project of the Dirty Dozen a little at a time so that’s keeping me busy!
I’m scheduled for cataract surgery in early September. Not looking forward to it, but it should help especially with sewing and reading.
Take care everyone!
Sharon, my cataract surgery was the easiest surgery I’ve ever had! You will enjoy how bright the colors are once again! I had worn contacts for 40+ yrs, so this is so different & I’m very happy with the results! Alice
WHAT a great post today! Those hydrangeas! Just gorgeous. Planted along the fence line would be stunning. The birthday card thing would be such fun but for me the postage would be a problem. Darn.
We are headed home—5:44 AM😀. I am anxious to see Squeak and Buddy😺😺. Love all the outdoor pics today and the Pet Parade😀
Love your flowers..hydrangeas must be very hardy and spread easily? This year I have a few blooms..they started out white, then turned pink around the edges..now are blue! The only thing I add to the soil is coffee grounds! Tell Rick to save em!
Mary, thank you for keeping us going with all your activities and the blog about nothing. We appreciate you!
Blessings, Sharon
I agree with you about actual cards, such sweet friends you have (says the one who sent you virtual greetings! 🤦🏼♀️). Your hydrangeas are positively spectacular! Rick’s progress is remarkable, one step (literally) at a time. Can’t wait to read more about that interesting scrap quilt. ❤️
Mrs. Goodneedle – please don’t get me wrong! I loved all those media birthday greetings!! Black soil in Iowa is the answer – I don’t do one single thing except put the fence up to keep those heavy heads from hitting the ground!
Good morning, Mary. I agree with everyone in this post about your Hydrangeas. They are beautiful. I would like to visit with you in person to learn where to plant them. I’ve had no luck at my house. Elizabeth, I am very sorry for the loss of your student. Prayers for both you and his family. The birthday card club sounds fun!
Susan Sundermeyer
2321 Shroyer Rd
Dayton, OH. 45419
October 13
I was just wondering yesterday why my hydrangea gets all droopy even though it’s well watered. The thought crossed my mind that maybe it was just “hot”. Aren’t yours in full sun? They look happy. So many adorable pets out there, and unfortunately so many adorable rescues needing homes. Jo’s little Shephard mix would be perfect for me, but we’re too far away. I need to find the local rescues in the area. It might be time to start looking. It’s so hard to decide though if I could take it on. Between elder and child care, and the rest of normal life, I’m just not confident it would be the best for the dog. Ya know? I trust God to let me know.
Carla – yup, probably too hot and sunny. There will be a day when you know absolutely you need a dog. Just wait for it.
Mary, I did take the photo of the little “Star” quilt and make the card. You are our STAR, Mary! Glad you had a great birthday week!
Vicki – I just loved the picture and card! Thank you so much – I hung it up!
Great for Rick! The first week is the hardest. He just needs to remember to not overdo. Love the hydrangeas. Really love your blue bench with the red, white, and blue decor. Do you ever take time to just sit there and enjoy the day? I have a porch swing that my Dad constructed, for which I made a cushion. My “luxury” moments are just sitting there with a cold drink, gently pushing the swing with one foot.
I still send birthday cards, as well as Valentines, Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. I have friends who comment that I am the only one they know who does this anymore. It brings me pleasure. We have an old mirror from my Dad and Mom’s utility room that my husband refinished. It has an oak frame and I just love it. Will you put a picture on the blog of your refurbished frames when done? I enjoy seeing how projects turn out. Before and after pictures tell a story of the work of the restorer.
Beautiful weather here in southeast Iowa yesterday. Temps in the 70’s and I could have the house open most of the day. Yay! To be nice again today.
Vicki – bench picture was from a reader – sorry I didn’t say that. Yes, if and when I get the mirrors refinished I’ll show them – I’m an open book, Vicki – haha! I have very few secrets! Did you mean to leave out your birthday?
I didn’t include my birthday because I try to limit my personal info on the internet as much as possible. Including my address and month/day of birth makes me uncomfortable. I love the idea of the cards. May everyone who participates receive those birthday blessings. It is just me, being me, in not participating in something that should be fun.
Great to hear Rick is up to make coffee. Bit by bit…. Mary you share your birthday with our grandson! He turned 21! I too love your hydrangeas! Your greeting card idea is awesome.
Joy Vandentop
1716 170th St.
Larchwood, Iowa
51241
Jan 12
Joy – please tell him Happy Birthday from another much older “almost a firecracker”! Haha!
Wonderful pictures to begin my day! Such sweet pets make me smile and the quilts people make are such an inspiration every day to see. We just had some new windows installed and Renewal by Anderson was amazing with the truth that they cut down on the sun rays and noise. It was worth every hard earned pennie. Now I am putting things back in place but I say to myself do I want to clutter it back up again as I think I got use to seeing some wide open spaces!
I would send cards to a senior group and always included snippets of batiks in them to resemble confetti so I knew you would enjoy it. Yes I love sending cards and wrote down these addresses supplied in your comments. I sent a wine bottle rebate in yesterday for $2 and kinda chuckled thinking I spent 50 cents on the stamp so why did I bother. Much rather use a stamp to send a card!
Kathy Case
2437 South Union St
Spencerport NY 14559
Kathy – you forgot to add your birthday
Yup I did after I hit send . Thanks.
It’s July 24
Mary, your hydrangeas are stunning! They would be beautiful along that fence, but I agree that spot might be too sunny. Maybe clematis? They like the sun, and come in so many lovely colors. I’m wanting to plant one along a fence, just need to convince someone to dig the hole.
Love, love, love the hydrangeas, Mary! I have one Lace-cap variety, which is very delicate and blooms a pretty pale pink. But i really prefer the varieties with the huge round flowers clusters. Thanks for sharing yours!