Good Stuff

Always a favorite picture (above). It was originally a card my dear cousin sent me and it reminded me of the many farm stands I visit in Amish Country and even here on Long Island. And there is always a friendly cat! Come to think of it, there's always a friendly  cat at several stops I make. Lazy cats sleeping on the counter who are hesitant to move so that you can load your items or pay your bill! That's the life! I'm hoping to see this very same cousin this week if her plans work out.

So those who are part of my other pages, may know what is going on personally for Mom and our family so there have been major changes going on. Happily we have reached a period of stabilization and things are coming together quickly. The time that we have is valuable with her. Its been all encompassing but thankfully with the help of my husband and my brother and sister-in-law, things are working out well. I have so much to catch up on here at home and in the garden but I'm okay with that. It will all be here and the time with Mom is much more important.

Here is Caitlin's 8th grade graduation photo. My girl is something else. She is on the high honor roll and when she goes to high school next year she is starting a program for Deaf Interpretation which is a huge interest for her. Our celebration for her graduation is tonight at the Cheesecake Factory! That's my girl!

Speaking of girls, my chicken gals have been laying eggs and I think even one of my newbies is laying. Its hard to tell because I don't actually see it happen!

My sunflower I just love!

Have you made strawberry pretzel dessert? Some recipes call it strawberry pretzel salad. It is DELICIOUS! My family just requested it. Its one of those things I don't make more than maybe twice a year so you look forward to it!

I sure hope 4th of July has good weather! I'll be posting soon after! Enjoy your Sunday!

Summer

I love Summer; I love all the seasons actually which is why I enjoy where I live. We experience all the seasons on Long Island and not to the extreme; our Summers aren't scorching hot, our Winters are snowy but not overwhelming, etc. Summer was always a laid back time and I enjoy that. It's changing slowly though. It seems like yesterday when my kids were both celebrating the last day of school getting off the school bus. Now, although my daughter is only graduating 8th grade, my son goes off to work every morning! So the sheer excitement of "SUMMER!!!" has dwindled some.  Not for my daughter of course...but even she at 14 years old, has become more reserved about her glee that school is over. She has a Summer bucket list~she's already crossed off a few things~Summer is fun but I have to confess that whereas they are moving along I am internally shouting "NO MORE SCHOOL!! I'M FREE!!" because in my mind, I still go back to that feeling I had of happiness walking home on that last day after that last test and thinking SUMMER!I think of the family vacation we took every year, all of us driving to various destinations like St Louis or the Berkshires, staying and eating at Howard Johnsons and visiting every gift shop we passed.  My Summers were filled with reading; sitting in our backyard rocking chair and reading my favorite ~Nancy Drew. The beach and fishing off the pier, bbqs all wonderful. I hope my kids feel the same way about their Summers. They seem to have enjoyed them! They too enjoy the beach, the pool, meals on the big porch, our vacations. All I know is today is the last day of school for Caitlin and for ME :)    YAY School's out!!

So my girls have been working overtime supplying us with eggs. I'm not sure if any of the new chicks, who are now six months old, have started laying. I haven't physically seen them lay or sit on any eggs.

They have grown to be big girls now. No roosters in the bunch which is good. I use what I can and give some away. Once the new girls start laying daily, I will be giving plenty away.

Getting all the rest of my Americana out too. Although I have a lot out all year, I did have some new additions. My parlor is soon to be undergoing a renovation of new paint and carpet and I added my new Amish table so that is my inspiration to build around. We've been taking one room at a time to do fresh paint and updates. We started from the basement and worked our way up! Americana works so well in my home and I view it that way, as an Americana type home. I know Farmhouse style is everyone's current favorite of decor right now. I love it too. I've always incorporated some of that into my style but I still love the traditional country style which to me is a combination country, primitive and Americana.

That's about it for me. Hope you have a day filled with smiles.

Planting & Healing

Happy Saturday! I think it's going to be beautiful day! Hibiscus plants make even the rainiest of days cheerful! I have such good luck with mine! I have two plants and I'm looking for a white one. I have two of what they call "Hawaii Punch."

Taking care of my Mom as she is healing; happy she is at home with us. Isn't it funny how we feel better in our own surroundings? My home is my healing place; my happy place.

I continue to plant and we have expanded our garden. The lettuce is huge. My first year planting it. I planted several kinds but the butter lettuce is really loving its space and growing fast.

This weekend I have to pick up tomato plants, cabbage and the rest of my peppers. I made this tiny little garden too.

My Amish planter is on my front porch! 

Other things I've been doing are knitting and I have been tea staining flags! I want them to look as old as Betsy Ross! A lovely friend told me she uses brown shoe polish to olden up her flags or fabrics! What a great tip!

Back to the knitting, I saw a great tutorial on you tube from a young man and he really was a good teacher! I'm trying!

Well enjoy your Saturday! Thanks for keeping up with me!