Where can I be found?

Just so you don't think I have stopped blogging here ~

with warmer weather with us at last,

you will probably find me in The Garden,

or cooking up something in The Pantry,

or perhaps stitching up something for those

I love in The Sewing Room.

I am also busy taking care of 'the girls and boys'

out in The Barnyard ~

Please stop by and say 'hello' won't you?

I do enjoy our visits so!

~*~

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. "

Selected verses from Proverbs 31

Decorating For The Birds!

I'm not sure how it happened, but I have somehow

amassed a collection of birdhouses!

It's okay, though, for I love birds!

This is the entryway to our little abode,

and I like to change up the decor with each season.

I've had all these birdhouses displayed in my

hall bathroom for a couple of years

but thought it would be fun to bring them

out for a springtime display in my entryway!

Below the shelf, that my dear Gentleman Farmer made for me,

 which holds the birdhouses,

is a dear old vanity that was once my grandmothers.

I love it here in the entryway because

it is so handy to set down one's things upon entering the home,

or for a quick glance to check one's hair or clothing

before leaving.

It is always a gentle reminder, each time I pass it, of the grand

lady that raised me from a small child.

The birdhouses came mostly as gifts,

though the large one I bought

because it was too good a price

to pass up! 

A little display of a charming hummingbird nest

with a sweet little 'mushroom' bird and a

lichen covered twig under a glass dome.

Here are several bird eggs, in various stages of

development, as found around the farm.

A chalk ware plate with violets stands behind.

It was my grandma's too!

Because the entryway is very dark,

I like to have a lamp there, in addition to the

overhead light. The lamp gives a softer, more welcoming glow.

I have two 'birdhouse' lamps, one a rusty red and this one,

a faded blue.

I favor the blue, but the shade that came with the lamp

was too large to sit properly on the vanity. I 'borrowed' one

that was a better size from a lamp in my bedroom, but I

didn't like the color. Remembering some fabric in my stash,

I fashioned a little slipcover for the shade

with the bird covered cloth.

If you would like to see a quick little tutorial on

how I made it, please visit The Sewing Room.

~*~

"How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah."

Psalms 84:1-4

Joining~

The House in the Roses for Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Heidi for The Country Homemaker blog hop

A little spot of Springtime!

Inspired by the brief, albeit welcomed sunshine,

I brought out my few pieces of Springtime decor consisting

of chicks, eggs and bunnies.

I hesitate to call it Easter decor,

for none of these represent the

Truth of Easter.

A few flowers from the garden

 Sweet little golden chicks

 an assortment of eggs.

These are some first attempts at Pysanki (Ukrainian Easter eggs) that

I made ages ago. These are dark and not very

Springlike, as all  the pretty ones have been

given away.

These are some 'drilled' goose eggs

also made years ago,when I kept geese.

The eggs are blown out and cleaned

with a vinegar solution to whiten the shells

and dissolve the thick membrane lining the

inner shell. Draw a design on the shell

and with a Dremmel Drill fitted with a small

grinding bit, 'cut' out your design.

These are much prettier if sprayed with

a light coat of varnish.

If I ever get more goose or duck eggs

I will make some more and perhaps do a tutorial.

~*~

The chicks and eggs speak of the

'new birth' of Spring and

are a reminder of the New Birth

that we can have because

of the death and Resurrection

of our Saviour Jesus Christ!

~*~

"I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore."

Rev. 1:18

"Because I live, ye shall live also."

John 14:19

Joining these blog parties:

Deborah Jean for

Farmgirl Friday #52

Kathy for

Home and Garden Thursday

Chill Chasers

In a previous post, I mentioned that I was crocheting a pair of

fingerless mittens while the Winter storm wreaked

havoc around the farm.

Well, as it always does, the storm has passed

and I am enjoying my new pair of

hand warmers. Several of you have asked

about those mitts, so here are

a few photos and the link to

the directions for making

your own pair of

Winter Crochet Wristers. 

www.redheart.com

I did not use two colors like the pattern

but used black to go with my black wool

jacket and red and black Buffalo Check scarf.

I did not add the cuff edging.

I made the larger size and used hook size H

They are a quick (1 day to make a pair)
 and easy project
and you may learn a new stitch if you
are a novice like me.
I have made several pairs for friends and family.


I like how they keep my hands warm
but are not restrictive for driving, writing, etc.

~*~

"He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes."
Psalms 147:16

{Joining Deborah Jean for Farmgirl Friday}

The Mountain

You are cordially invited to a

Wildflower Walk on The Mountain.

Accept your invitation by clicking the

tab at the top of the page.

Don't forget your hiking shoes!

~*~

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence cometh my help."

Psalm 121:1

~~**~~
Joining the Blog Parties
 Jami's Tuesday Garden Party
Susan's Outdoor Wednesday
Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursday
Deborah Jean's Farmgirl Friday
Kim for Wow Us Wednesday

Making a Lavender Wand

Joining Tracie at Fishtail Cottage for

Cottage Flora Thursday

This is a repost from a couple of years ago.

The Lavender is perfect for making wands right now,

and thought you might enjoy a refresher course!

~*~

I just love making things with lavender! The blissful aroma envelopes you as

you happily work at your project.

My lavender is just coming into bloom ~ the perfect time to harvest and use

in your crafting projects. I have two kinds of lavender ~ Royal Velvet which

is a dark purple flower and somewhat more compact plant. I have just recently

planted it along a new walkway that Gentleman Farmer made for me last summer.

It is not yet big enough to really harvest. But next year!

My other one is Grosso ~ a good all around plant that can be used for many crafts because it has very long stems, and is very high in aromatic oils.

I am just starting to harvest my lavender this year and thought you might enjoy

a little tutorial on making a Lavender Wand.

Let's begin!

~

1. Start by gathering your supplies.

You will need:

Feshly picked lavender stems (18 for this project, I am using two stems to act as one because I like the look better than a single stem, but any odd number or multiple of an odd number will work.) Morning is the best time to pick lavender, after the dew has left but before the sun evaporates much of the aromatic oils.

Prepare your lavender by removing all leaves and lower flower buds, keeping the stems long.

Letting them sit for awhile to wilt just a bit also helps with bending the stems without breaking.










You will also need approximately 2 yards of pretty 1/4 inch ribbon.

(If you want to make the loop, take an additional 12 inch piece of ribbon folded in half and make a knot about three inches down. Tuck ribbon, loop hanging down with the stems, and tie loose ends around base of flowers along with other ribbon in next step.)


2. Gather your flowers into a bundle making sure all the flowers are even across the bottom. Tie your ribbon tightly around the base of the flowers leaving one strand of ribbon about 12 inches long.



3. Turn the bundle upside down and grasp the flowers in one hand and with the other hand, gently bend the stems down over the ribbon all around the bunch of flowers creating a kind of cage. (The shorter end of the ribbon should be buried in the center of the flowers.)




4. Begin weaving the longest ribbon over and under the stems, two at a time. Keep the ribbon tight and snug up against the preceeding row as you go. (The lavender will shrink some as it dries.)
It is awkward at first try, but it will get easier as you continue down the stems.






5. Continue weaving down the cage until you reach the bottom of the flowers. Pull out the short end of ribbon and wrap it and the weaving end around the outside of the stems in opposite directions, crossing in the back and tying in a knot at the front.
Cut the stems evenly at the length you desire.
You may end here by simply tying a bow
or.....






6. ...create a little embellishment to add to the bow. This is pretty if you plan to display the wand on a table, but if you plan to use it in a drawer or closet, leave it off because it will get knocked off anyway!

These make wonderful gifts for just about anyone for any occasion!

A couple of years ago, my youngest daughter and I made 75 of these for a friend of hers to

give at her wedding as favors. They were done in her colors of course.

She lived across the U.S. and when we went to mail them,

the ladies at the post office didn't need to be told what was in the box; a cloud of
perfume preceeded us!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"...the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance..."

Song of Solomon 2:13

~*~

Since writting this post I have started a Garden Blog

where you will find all of my gardening adventures!

Thanks for visiting and hope to see you in

Lady Farmers Garden soon!

Summer on the farm

Summer has come at long last to Cove Cottage Farm!

As I lie under the verdant green of the stately old Maple tree,

I dream of what the days of summer hold for me

here on our sweet little farm.

Bowers of flowers to be pressed...


...or woven into gifts for cherished friends and family.

Turning bounty

into blessings....

...to be savored when once again, the days of summer

have past.

Beholding beauty...

and sharing our place

with other gentle dwellers on the farm.

Welcoming the simple tasks

and sharing the simple beauty

of a lifelong journey

that began one summer

many years ago.

~*~

Joining Kathy for

Savoring Summer!

~*~

"Thou hast established all the boundaries of the earth; Thou hast made summer and winter."

Psalm 75:17