My New Calendula Label

Here's my new label for my calendula soap. Just thought it needed something bright and cheery!! I'm also switching to a glass jat for the salve which will have the same label. My calendula isn't blooming yet, or I would have gotten a picture of it, instead of the lavender.

The Bean Teepee

Latest Pictures From The Garden

I went out last week and took some pictures of the garden. Things are coming along very slow this year because it has been so cool most of the month. I included a picture of the bean teepee that I made for my son. It'll be really cool once the beans make there way to the top. The arbor is one that I made from branches around our property and it has a hops vine climbing on it that I bought on the way back from farm fair last summer. My lavender is about ready to be cut. It think it just needs a few more hot days. I love the long stems on the plants that I have now.(anna louisa, lavender grosso) The green house was finished last year and made from mostly recycled materials.

It's strawberry time!!

I went for my first wander around the garden since my surgery a week ago. I was surprised by a few ripe strawberries. All the u-pick places are open now and I hope I feel better by this weekend. I'll just have to bring something to sit my hiney on while i'm picking. The herbs are already so lush. My oregano is beginning to take over and will need to be divided this year. I cut three big bunches. Last night I made a tuna-pasta salad with some of my fresh flat leaf parsley. oh, it was so good.

We've had a lot of rain this last week and the weeds have begun to take over again. I'm usually out there every day pulling a few, but haven't been able to to that. I guess it's one of the downfalls of organic gardening, but I wouldn't do it any other way. Even the flavors of the veggies and herbs are better when they're grown organically. I added some composted manure to a big pot of organic soil and started a small tomato plant in the green house. (I"ll post a picture later) I've never had any luck with them outside, so thought I would experiment and do it this way. Between the compost the the heat, that plant that was once 6" tall is now 3 feet tall or more in a matter of about 6 weeks and is full of blooms. I also put a green pepper plant in there and it's doing just beautifully. The foliage is a rich green and looks so healthy. So far, so good!!

I started to poop out a little so gathered up my little harvest. As I was walking up the driveway with my arms full of herbs, the breeze blew the scent of oregano, lavender and strawberries into my face and it was like heaven. What was even more heavenly was the tase of those fresh ripe strawberries. I wish I could share them with you!!

Spring on the Farm

It's been awhile since I shared any news from the farm. It's our third year here and the "third year it leaps" saying is so true. My flowers have gone absolutely crazy this year. Everything is so lushe and full. The iris just finished and I just enjoyed the last bouquet of peonies. I got 14 blooms from one bush and they were so gorgeous and smelled heavenly.

The animals are really active of course and the chickens are laying like crazy. I'm getting a dozen or more a day right now and actually having a hard time keeping up with them. I walked in to collect eggs one morning and found a perfect round nest with some feathers and two pretty brown eggs. It's those little moments that are as fullfilling as the big ones. The girls are outside right now working hard and I can hear them anouncing there eggs. One of them sounds like she's chuckling to herself. I wish there was a way that these moments could be wrapped up and put in a box and then opened on a dreary day.

No baby goats this spring, but I'll try again next fall. God is a pretty smart guy though. I've had health issues the last couple of months that have left me pretty dependent on others and then had surgery a week ago. All went well and I even took s stroll in the garden today. It's a gorgeous and sunny day.

My 8yr old had a play this morning. I love when he looks up and finally spots us in the crowd. He gets the biggest grin and has to do the little wave. At the end of their play the teacher had the parents take the place of their child and did the play a second time with the parents playing some of the roles. It was a hoot and Christien got so tickled over me playing his part.

My 19yr old text messaged me last night and forwarded a picture of his new eybrow piercing. Oh, my. I suppose if it makes him happy. He's a great kid and loves the lord. I'm so glad he opted not to do the lip! yikes!! I text him back with "OMG, I forgot you were doing that. Did it hurt?" He called me back and apparently he and his friends were quiet humored over his mom texting in abbreaviations. His words were, "Mom, your so cute. You make me laugh". I love to make my boys laugh. Kids love to see their parents show their silly side.