Something or Nothing Important

 Hello Friends~

It's nearly the end of March.

That seems a little unreal since we just celebrated

the arrival of the New Year.

The days are getting longer no matter which time

they choose to call it.

It certainly is a true spring.

One day it's freezing and the next is sunny.

For the past two years, I've had very few blossoms

on my lilac bush which is directly out the kitchen

window as it should be.

I figured out a little too late last year

that it was due to being so dry.

I've been keeping my eye on it this year.

And of course so far we've had decent precipitation.

I'm not complaining about that as I'm looking forward

to seeing and smelling those amazing clumps of beauty.

This past weekend, we ended up getting a new rototiller.

We meaning Hubby.

Then he "played" with it most of the day Sunday.

We had so many weeds after last year's heat dome.

Our grounds that we till are all nice and clean now.

Now, we'll just have to keep them weed free.

Then of course it will be planting time.

It's always so exciting when things go in the ground.

It's a true season of hope and expectation.

As we place that tender little green in the dirt,

we can almost taste the delicious fruits and veggies.

Isn't that how it should be?

We should see promise in more things.

Last year, on a whim (shame on me)

I bought a little greenhouse on clearance.

I am now glad I did.

I'm having so much fun with it.

Now I want a bigger one (oy!).

I have my peppers: jalapenos and Anaheim,

tomatoes: three varieties, sweetpeas, hollyhocks,

balsam, cabbage, broccoli, and some herbs.

I've enjoyed watching the little seeds emerge and spring to life.

It seems almost silly that one can be excited over

such a little event.

Then again, it seems silly that one wouldn't be excited

for such a happening.

It's the silly little things like a sprouting seed 

or a bulging bud about to burst open 

that bring so much joy to life.

The big events are going to happen.

They refuse to be ignored.

But the little things that cost nothing and happen quietly

can lift a spirit if only they are noticed.

Those little unimportant things are really significant.

As we progress into spring,

I'm trying to take my own advice 

and minimize screen time.

In winter with the long evenings,

it's easy to justify when it's dark and not much is happening.

There are things I want to do now with longer days.

Also, there is a lot that I don't think is healthy right now

or maybe just not healthy for me.

There are so many living in fear, in anger, or in naïve bliss.

Just because the weather is stormy in one area of life,

doesn't mean it can't be sunny in another.

Just as a blizzard is blowing in one place and

in another the warm rays are tanning bare feet.

I feel like I need to find peace in those sunny spots of life.

So if I'm not around making lots of comments,

please forgive me.

Sometimes, I need to listen more than speak

which is the opposite of much online interaction.

I'm here.

I'm living.

I just have to catch my breath

and find some peace in nature.

Doing simple tasks with no interference or interruption

has become a rarity.

That's part of what I'm seeking - 

that completion of thought.

That's the peace I'm looking for right now.

I hope that makes sense.

Until next time~

enjoy this beautiful spring.

*Sandy: thank you for your messages.  You have no reply.

 

Yes, Elk Have a Sense of Humor

Oh the beautiful creatures. . .

Oh the delicious scandalous creatures!

Here they are leisurely parading along the hill

right across from our house.

They look at me and say,

"See this rump roast you don't get to eat?"

"How about all the steaks I might make?"

Oh they are warped creatures indeed.

How cruel they are to taunt me such.

During hunting season, they were singing a different song.

It was more along the lines of the Gingerbread Man.

All joking aside,

I am truly blessed to live in such a place

and am extremely grateful.

Firewood and Morels

Well hello all.

I do hope everyone had a pleasant Mother's Day weekend.

While some women might want diamonds and pearls,

my sweet hubby brought home something a bit more practical.

Precious stones don't really burn as well.

This is out behind the shop where I usually wouldn't show anybody.

We are afraid they are going to shut the forests down early

due to the drought so decided to get wood in the spring this year.

Hubby found a fortunate surprise while heading towards the wood.

Morels!

He loves them sautéed in butter.

I received a bit of a bonus as well.

This is actually a tamarack,

which is wonderful to burn and the pitch is just as 

beneficial in making my soap as pine.

If you missed that, you can find it right here. 

I only got about 1/3 cup, but enough to infuse oil for 1-2 batches.
We had all the wood split and stacked by about 7:30pm.

Mr. LB said that he thinks he likes getting wood in the spring
if he can get morels as well.
He was so excited,
he went back up yesterday after work and found a few more.

That's the same bowl as above!
He was just getting ready to clean these up
so never mind the bits of grass and such.
This morning he said he might head back up after work again today.
I asked if he was going to be able to eat them all.
"Oh, yea."
He did take a few to share with a couple of co-workers so
he's not completely stingy.

If you usually wait until fall to get your firewood and you like morels,
spring wood-cutting might be something to consider.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Sweet Scent of Spring

The wild plums are beginning to blossom.

They certainly are a heavenly sight after winter greys.

The feathery petals are soft and pure.

At times, I think flower petals and butterfly wings

must be spun from the same fiber.

We have had an extremely mild and dry winter

which is worrisome in the way of water for summer.

There is little snow-pack in the mountains,

and we have had only a few rains.

The good news is that I began working the garden.

While last year at this time,

the ground was frozen solid.

I just got my potatoes in the ground and

am hoping to get radishes, carrots and beets in soon.

Our last freeze date is about the middle of June,

but I am following a little different advice this year.

You can read some of that in this garden post.

Our daffys aren't quite blooming yet,

but it will only be a matter of days.

I have some pretty ambitious yard and garden plans this year.

We'll see how much of it materializes.

I will keep you posted and hopefully have a mini tour coming soon.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

This post shared at:
 Clever Chicks Blog Hop
The Home Acre Hop
The Art of Homemaking Mondays
From the Farm Blog Hop

*~*Springtime Closet Maintenance and a Little 'ol Computer Crash*~*

Spring in the closet...

First thing to do is pull out all the sweaters.

I keep mine on the shelf above the hanging bar.

Then go through the sweaters and either

wash or have cleaned the ones that require such.

I put all of the sweaters through the dryer on "air" setting

with a few drops of cedar oil on the wool dryer balls.

Also, when the sweaters are off the shelf,

I wipe it and the hanging bar with cedar oil as well.

I just got a little spritz bottle and keep the oil in it.

I use an old sock so if I feel like the oil won't wash out very well, I can just throw it away.

The other thing that happens during this time, is that I 'make a run'

through my clothes and pull what I haven't worn, what might not fit well, and what is so uncomfortable I cringe at the thought of wearing it.

I have pulled all of those items and

hung them on one end.  A couple of the items, I have decided to keep, but at least 95% of them have gone to the bargain counter.  I do still have a few things to try on.  I have come to the point that 'if I don't wear it, I don't want to store it.

My sweaters are now all organized and folded nicely awaiting next fall.

The closet smells fresh and clean when we enter - don't you love the smell of cedar?

I also have an abundance of hangers now; whereas before,

we were always searching for an empty one.

Doing this each spring keeps things in good repair 

and keeps me from 'acquiring' too many items I don't wear.

It's a reminder every time I consider bringing home more clothes.

I think, "Will I have to try it on and pass it on in the spring?"

My reply to myself is usually, "Ugh," so I pass.

I would also like to apologize for my absence.

My computer did a sorta crash.

I was able to back-up my information,

but it was taking about 30-45 minutes

just to turn it on.

I am now working with my little Acer that was not intended

for the work load of a 'real' computer.

It doesn't have the same programs or functions,

but until I save enough for a new computer,

I will attempt to limp along.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

All Dressed in White

In one of my favorite movies,

'Enchanted April'

there is a bit that states

"The whole countryside seemed to dress itself in white."

I think that's how it goes.

It is in reference to all the flowers that were in bloom~

Mock oranges smell heavenly.

I feel the same way towards our spring.

One white flower follows another.

Night-glow wears a beautiful dress that glows in the light of the moon.

It's a little later than April,

but I look forward to it every year.

Wild roses provide wonderful red hips for tea, jelly and crafts come fall.

The shades and textures against the sweet new green.

 Snowball is nearly finished.

A sweet little petunia type in a pot.

And of course my favorite - the locust blossoms.
Their fragrance is intoxicating and fills the air
so that you think you must be in some sort of faerie land.

(I missed getting pictures of the white lilacs
and don't have one of the elderberry blossoms.)

Happy Spring everybody.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches 

Spring...Please

Oh, whoa is me.

(those are actually marble eggs - wish I would have bought
more when I had the chance.)
I am so ready for spring.

It's been dreary and cold and blowing sideways.
The last two mornings, we have awaken to more snow.

So while at the store day before yesterday,
I saw they had beautiful tulips.
There were yellow, purple, white, and fuchsia.

I got the purple ones.
I needed the cheeriness so they are on my table
where I can see them all the time.
So here's wishing you all a warm, cheery, and
most perfectly pleasant spring.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches 

Fixing A Flat in Heals!

I know, it sounds like a really bad redneck joke - Nope

Just a day in the life of me.

We live in a beautiful place that will look like this again soon~

As I was coming home from work this evening, it happened.

I remembered at one point in life working with a wonderful lady

that said she wouldn't know how to begin to change a flat tire.

She said, "I just call AAA."

Well, the other usually wonderful thing about living out here

 is no cel phone service.

 I was quite thankful that I grew up on a ranch with miiiiles

of dirt & pot hole roads.

Instead of helping each other to change a flat,

we would time each other.  

I think between my mom and myself, our record is 14 min.

from popping the trunk to closing it.

I can't remember who did the changing though.

Changed the tire (yes in heals today of all days) 

and am safely home.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches

The Chicken or The Egg

Oh, let's just say the egg.

I have eggs, but probably won't get more chickens

until next year after we build a new coop.

It began with a mess on my table.

It's too embarrassing to show the whole table. 

I tried several different techniques - I like these and

have one other set that are in process that I like.

A couple sets are going in the rubbish bin. 

It's fun to play and experiment so will keep at it.

Have a beautiful day.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers & Even Stitches

"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