Hello Again.

 

All is well here.  It's been a busy time for us.  We were gone so much last week for swim lessons.  An ordeal and a half, but so worth it.  I am glad it is done though!
We were also busy with our County Fair.  That was fun.  Maybe I'll get to a post on that soon. 
The picture above is from a Lavender Festival I went to earlier in the month.  I'd love to write about that, too.
But...not today.
I just wanted to check in. 
What are you up to?  Anything fun?

What's Blooming Now

I gathered up a few pretties last night while I was grilling supper.

I've become rather proficient on the grill.  In fact, I grilled everything last night:  these veggies, chicken, eggplant, tortillas and even the peaches for dessert.  A little oil and a lot of my Herbal Salt make it all so good.  I'm using fresh herbs as much as I can, but I find the Herbal Salt works great on the grill especially on things where the fresh herbs would fall off or burn.
I love cast iron, don't you?  I can mix up whatever I want inside the skillets and toss the whole thing on the grill.  I get the great flavor I want, don't heat up the kitchen, and nothing falls through the grates or sticks.  It's perfect for the little things. 

Good Morning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the day the LORD has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Even on the days when rejoicing is harder.
(Nothing's wrong this morning.  Just a thought.)

this evening

 

 

 

yes.  we need to paint.  someday.

dear boy

 

cheery cherry blossoms

 

Mixed Up Morning

poppy in the early light

I was out walking this morning early.  I've been getting up earlier and earlier to walk.  It's so beautiful around here.  I can walk and walk for miles and miles just listening to the birds and thrilling at all the colors of green there are. 
It's rare to see another human or vehicle.  For someone born and bred in the city, it's an amazing thing.
I feel like I am becoming a part of this place.  I am seeing and absorbing so much. 
Some mornings are still cold and yesterday rain threatened most of the walk, but I press on.  The other morning I was up early enough to complete a six or seven mile walk and still get home in time to make breakfast.  That was a long walk.
This morning was funny though.  I was walking along and heard a lamb call out.  Looking around, all I saw was a horse walking towards me.  No sheep in sight. 
A few moments later on the other side of the road, a cow mooed.  What did I see?  Just a dog. 
It was like one of those old toys where you pull the string and the arrow spins around, points to an animal and makes that animal's sound.  Only all the sounds were off and animal or two. 
Of course, it is also like looking at animals with Cupcake who barks at horses and moos for almost everything else.  Well, except the chickens.  That girl loves her chickens.

An Evening Walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few pictures from the other evening before the sun slipped behind the mountains across our valley.

Poppies at Sunset

Thank you!!

Our First Daffodil

Thank you everyone for all your ideas and suggestions for the goats and chickens.  Some I have already done, some I will do!

Close Up of Our Cream Separator

 I just had some homemade yogurt I made last night from Bella's milk.  It turned out really good!  I added honey and vanilla to it while I was making it and we love it.  

I tried to make yogurt once before in the crockpot and had a runny mess.  This batch was made in a refurbished yogurt maker Sweetheart found online.  The consistency was perfect.  

It is busy week in the kitchen.  I picked up a box of apples from a farmer selling them on the street corner.  Wish I had a picture of him selling his fruit.  It was just perfect.  

(And yes, I always buy lemonade from lemonade stands.   There's just something about it all.)

Now I have apple chips and applesauce in the works as well as plenty of apples for eating.  The boys are thrilled.  So am I as it will be Autumn before our little orchard is ready.  I'm hoping to make enough applesauce to have on hand until then.

I've been busy also working out details to be a part of the nearby Farmers Market this summer.  I want to sell our produce, fresh flowers, herbs, and some of my body products.  I am also hoping to make some cloth produce bags to sell.  Hopefully, I'll be able to sell baked goods and homemade goat cheese as well.  I've got a lot of work to do obviously!  

The whole earth seems to be coming alive here.  The grass is greener by the day.  The trees are budding and the birds are giddy with delight.  The daffodils are blooming, as are the little blue flowers below.  Anyone know what they are?  They look a bit like grape hyacinth, but the buds open to flowers and don't stay in the clusters.  

Mystery Blues

There is so much to share, and so many posts written only in my mind.  Hopefully, I'll actually get them up soon.  Until then, if you don't hear from me know I am either buried under a bushel of apples, in the barn doing chores, or playing with the kids outside whenever the sun is shining!   (There is a reason it's so green.)

I've also been thinking a lot about tea.  I miss it.  Remember back when this was a tea blog?  Hence, the CUP part of Kimberly's Cup.  Yeah, it was awhile ago.  I am so looking forward to having the couches in one piece and having all our things here.  I am planning on having a tea and inviting everyone I've met so far!

Sharing a Touch of Spring

This is my Hyacinth. Maybe I should name her Claire. Or Cynthia. :) Any other "Wives & Daughters" fans out there? If not, you should be! Such a wonderful movie.
She is currently residing on my kitchen counter and as I am in the kitchen more than any other room in our home, I am able to enjoy her amazing perfume. I do just stand here drinking in her gentle, sweet fragrance. She has brightened the whole room.
I look forward to planting her in my garden after her blooms fade. She has one set open now and one set still in bud. Lovely!

I wish we had scratch & sniff screens so I could share.