What We Needed

 Hello Friends

It's been a while.

Truth be told, I had a post written and never posted it.

It didn't feel right.

I know, how very queer of me.

I've not only not written here, but have not written anything.

I usually have a story I'm working on in the background somewhere.

I've felt ragged, I s'poze.

We've been very busy at work and with the garden

and with life and with. . . . 

An example:

This weekend is Father's Day,

Hubby's Birthday & his twin brother's birthday,

and my dad's birthday,

and two graduates (from the same school),

and a wedding.

I don't really consider myself a social person ~

yeah, go ahead and laugh.

We had intended on going camping last weekend

even though we knew there would be many others since

it was Memorial Day weekend, but life happened.

So Hubby suggested we go this past weekend.

May I just say,

three days out of service in the woods

was exactly what we needed.

It was perfect weather.

We had plenty to eat.

And there were very few vehicles at all - maybe half dozen all weekend.

So each day we woke up,

drank our coffee and went for walks.

Hubby went for longer walks.

I took stitching and would stitch then go for a walk,

then go back to stitching, then another walk.

And what might we find on these walks?

Well, let me show you.

I don't even care for mushrooms, but Hubby loves them.

I think total we found about 15-18 lbs.

I do like looking for them.

They would emerge right in camp.

It was amazing.

In case you are wondering, morels, calf brains, chanterelles, and a couple oysters.

Made it home Sunday about lunch time & got busy.

Hubby smoked one batch, and we kept some for fresh,

but the rest went on the dehydrator.

Monday morning, I put the smoked ones on the little dehydrator.

For your reference:

About 5 lbs. of mushrooms fits in a quart jar.

That was a bit of a shocker.

Now we are back at it but with the lingering scent of the fir trees

in our lungs and the sound of the morning birds still in our heads.

It's like fueling up the car.

We can go for a few more miles now.

Wishing you all the peace that nature brings.

 

But It's a Good Tired

 You can find me in the garden ~

Well, this is a garden too, heehee.

Where to start?

I guess by sitting down for a moment.

I've been on the go.

Between work and regular home activities like

cooking and cleaning, etc. in addition to

getting the garden in and trying to clean up after winter,

it's been fun.

The summer kitchen is a hot mess.

I've somehow amassed a collection of items that require repair.

How does that happen?

I have just about everything planted.

I think there is one cuke waiting for me.

We've been eating radishes, and the lettuce is looking promising.

We have new planter boxes this year.

They are now all planted, but you wouldn't believe 

what it takes to fill each of those things.

Photo bomb curtesy of Ness as well 

as wood chips from filling the bottom half of each one.

I have a huge pile of pots to scrub but that's another story.

This past weekend,

we hiked 9 miles and equivalent of 74 flights of stairs.

We went back to our old hunting ground

which is where the first photo was taken.

We were looking for morels.

We didn't find any, but found 7-8 lbs. of calf-brain mushrooms

which are Hubby's favorite so he's happy.

We've been fortunate so far this year.

It's been a mild spring, and we've enjoyed occasional rains.

Last year, it seemed like the sun came out from its winter's nap and turned to triple digits immediately.

So, we are thankful everyday of this real spring.

This isn't a long post, but I wanted to let you all know

what was going on around here.

I need to snap some real pictures with or without 

feline assistance and share what's growing.

*Also*

I am having troubles leaving comments on blogs.

It says I need to sign into Google

which I am already signed into.

If I click on the button to sign in, 

it takes me back to the home page of my blog.

For some there is a drop down, and I can type my name and url.

Others won't let me at all.

I might try unfollowing and re-following 

to see if that does anything.

It really is discouraging.

If any of you know of a fix, please share in the comments.

It seems like there is something in privacy settings

that needs to be switched on,

but I can't remember what.

"Yum," said the bunny.

Oh what fun!

I did get a few fun things done this weekend.

These will be listed in my etsy shop in about 5 minutes.  It was fun

making a mess in the kitchen.

I also made a couple mushrooms for my mantel.

I had fun just playing and

experimenting.

I love the lore that

surrounds

St. Patrick's Day.

It is so whimsical.

Easter is rather early

this year so it seems

as though they

kinda run into each other.

I don't like

to rush the holidays

so I will have a couple

mushrooms and

maybe a little gold

around until after

the 17th.

Then I will bring out the

bunnies.

Have a beautiful day.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Bit O Blarney

Just a little something I actually made 

for last St. Patrick's Day.

I tried to keep it pretty simple, and was pleased.

It was one of the first things I sold on etsy:)

My description had to have a little disclaimer though:

As I was walking to the corner this morning, I heard a small rustling near the river. I am used to seeing and hearing small creatures where I live so I wasn't alarmed; however, when I glanced over toward the direction of the sound, I spied something unusual. There near a large moss covered rock were 3 intriguing mushrooms that I don't recall being there as well as a small green top hat trimmed with golden thread, buttons, a small piece of lace and a fine feather. It appears as though something (or someone) was making a quick get-away as he seemed to have spilled part of his treasures. The tallest mushroom measures about 4.5 inches tall, and the hat is about 2 inches tall. 
This set includes the hat, 3 mushrooms, and the spilled gold (about a tablespoon).
Little disclaimer: This isn't real gold, and I actually made these items, but it's such a lovely story for the young or just the young at heart.

I love the little hat.

As you can see, we had a little warmer spring last year.

No sunshine or vibrant green moss yet.

~Soon~

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches