Why I Moved to the Country: Reason #125

Did you know that day lilies, the ubiquitous flower of many a rural landscape, only bloom for one day?

 It stands to reason then, if you pick them for an arrangement indoors, they'll be dead by morning.

Things you learn when you move to the country.

Be well friends!

It shoots, it scores!

Spring garlic I planted in the garden, last fall, is sprouting well, as seen here, enjoying the warm afternoon sun.

Life is good.

House on the Hill

 I thought I'd share with you some of the Artist's handiwork.

It's called House on the Hill and like a lot of his paintings, is a rural setting.

He probably wouldn't want me to tell you this, but he won an award for this painting. He's not one to toot his own horn. He'll never mention to a house guest that the art around the farmhouse was done by him. Only when someone with an eye for art brings it up does he admit the work is his. I on the other hand, will tell just about anyone who will listen. I can only dream of having that kind of talent. 

I'd love to cross the little foot bridge and climb up the hill and explore that barn. I have a feeling it's full of treasures.

Be well friends,

Why I Moved to the Country: Reason #42

 I found this tile while thrifting last week,

and the memories came flooding back.

Holly Hobbie

As a kid, I adored Holly Hobbie. I think I still do. I vaguely remember having a few Holly Hobbie items, not least of which was my Holly Hobbie doll. I used to keep her safe, from the witch who lived under my bed, by keeping her securely under the covers throughout the night. She went with me everywhere, including my first sleepover away from home at Brownie camp. I was Homesick. Homesick with a capital H, Homesick. 

An older girl, whom I did not know very well asked if she could see her. Within a few minutes she had ripped the bonnet off her head. I was devastated. So devastated that I had a hard time ever sleeping at that camp again. Ask my stalker mom, she had to come and 'rescue' a teary eyed girl on more than one occasion. Over time, I ended up losing the bonnet and for all eternity she has worn a cap, not unlike this...

When I brought the tile home and propped it on my desk, it dawned on me. This is where it all began. This is why I have always wanted to live in the country. My first doll was a country girl. I couldn't have helped myself even if I wanted to. The wheels were set in motion, a long, long time ago. Okay, well, maybe just a long time ago. No sense going crazy about being old. 

For many years, she has been hiding safely in a box of my baby clothes. I think it's time she and I joined forces once again. I'll be sure to introduce you, when we do.

 Be well friends,

Another Homemade in the Farmhouse Kitchen

I've read many a blog post lately on making home made bread. Here at the old farmhouse, we make several loaves a week. The Artist has even started making a nice herb bread. It's delicious and lends itself for a nice garlic bread. The only difference with us is that we're still using the bread maker. All those recipes making it by hand look easy and delicious but, for now, I have to be choosy. Working full time, commuting several hours a day, and raising the Glimmer Twins mean sometimes I have to be stingy with my time. I'm very happy with the machine we have and in Canada regular flour can be used instead of bread flour, which is cheaper, more flavourful and has a nice texture. It makes a great loaf that, based on my tastebuds, has improved tremendously from the early machines. So by letting the machine do the work, I have time to do other things like making homemade croutons.

 

I love having home made croutons on hand. We enjoy having a simple salad with our meals, and the twins, while already good salad eaters, are always keen to have lots of extra croutons. I got the idea from my brother in law, a first class maitre d'. Through the year's he's picked up many cooking tips from top notch chefs and has become an excellent cook himself. He always keeps some home made croutons on hand and he uses them in what I think is the best Caesar salad. Ever.

I'm sure there are as many ways to make croutons as there are to bake a loaf of bread but I prefer to keep it simple. I cube a loaf of day old bread, drizzle some olive oil on top, add whatever herbs I have on hand, mix well and bake in a 225 degree oven for approx 45 minutes. I usually flip them over or give them a stir half way through. I usually judge by tasting, when they're crispy enough for my liking I know they're done.

I love being self sufficient, even if it's baby steps like this. I'm also loving my recent thrift store finds, like this 50 cent canister made in France. Self reliance can come in many forms. I'm enjoying my independence from grocery and department stores and keeping it as real as possible in the old farmhouse kitchen.

Be well friends,

Why I Moved to the Country: Reason #30

Beautiful sunsets.

What A Difference a Day Makes!

By the time I arrived home yesterday afternoon, the raging river twinning our road was now reduced to this.

After taking this photo, I headed back to the house, and there on the far side of the pond was our summer resident, the blue heron. He's very cool. He's also very shy. I went up on the deck to try and get a decent photo of him, without the willow tree blocking the view. A nature photographer I will not make; I was distracted for a moment and when I turned around, he had disappeared into thin air.

What could possibly distract me while there is a majestic bird in my backyard, you ask? It was this.

Not just one, mind you, but hundreds or more. The western wall of the old farmhouse was covered with loudly buzzing flies basking in the warm sun. Me no like this very much. The Artist shrugged his shoulders, and said something about getting lots of flies when you live in the country. Whoa!!! I didn't sign up for this! I signed up for quiet, lazy Sunday afternoons, getting dirty in the garden, tapping the maples, raising chickens, and other 'country stuff'' like that. Nobody told me becoming a country girl would include fly breeding. Up to now, I thought I had this thing licked, a real piece of cake becoming a country girl and all. Boy was I wrong.

And then, I really showed just how much of the city girl is still left in me. 

We went for a walk along the rail trail and looped back through a small village nearby. As we were rounding a corner, I heard a clicking noise. It sounded like a film projector. That seemed sorta, kinda odd but then I looked over to the barn down the opposite lane way and there smack dab on the side of the barn was this blue and white flashing light and I realized what it was! I shouted out to the Artist and the male twin, 'they're playing a movie on the side of that barn over there!' 

You can see it in the photo below underneath the word HERE. The barn makes a pretty cool outdoor screen don't you think?

No sooner had I put that out there for the whole village to hear, when the Artist looked at me, let out a small sigh with a delicate slump of the shoulders and said, "that's an arc welder!" and then began to laugh so hard I thought I might have to carry him home. And if you really must know, no, I was not wearing my glasses.

What can I say? I may be able to spell lots of farm related words, but when it comes to living in the country, that Artist guy has me beat.

Be well friends!

Sunday Muddy Sunday

We've had warm days around the old farmhouse this past week. Sunny days tempered with rain this weekend. Lots and lots of rain. Last night it was raining sideways! We woke up to find the outer boundaries of the pond pushed the furthest we have yet to see them in the last year and a half. 

The ditch across the road has become a fast moving creek, almost at road level. We were concerned the road might flood overnight but the water has been flowing away from us into a swampy area across the road. Our pond has also been feeding this area; and there is a lot of ice to melt. Any one daring to walk in those woods better have a good pair of hip waders or a hovercraft.

So, what do you do, in the country, when being outdoors will only cause you to look like this?

Why not stay indoors, in front of a warm fire, with a plate of cheese and crackers, a glass of wine and a good game of Scrabble. I suggested we have a match with only country themed words but the Artist was nonplussed about the whole idea. I think he felt threatened by my suggestion.

We're evenly matched when it comes to Scrabble, and very competitive; he says we could go far with his strategy and my spelling. He likes to confine the game to half the board or less which pretty much drives me insane and he almost always gets the triple word score, simply by wearing me down. I get bored when it takes him fifteen minutes to play his word. I, on the other hand, constantly challenge his word choices. Today it was dito and afix. I wasn't buying either one of those. He does try to challenge me but I don't know why. Today he challenged reek and ye, and he lost. Do you think it's mean not to tell him I received straight A's for spelling in grade school?

Hope you enjoyed your Sunday friends!

Why I Moved to the Country: Reason #16

Putting these to work...

like so...

to make this.

 Maple Syrup

Worth it's weight in gold.

And if the Artist was compiling this list, it would be in the top ten number one.

 Of course, letting him tap our sugar maples is sort of making an enabler out of me. You see he has a thing about pancakes and maple syrup. He makes a nice crepe-like 'thin' pancake, a family recipe that he would eat daily if I would just oblige. He's addicted to pancakes. Addicted, I say. Seriously. Addicted.

I've ate more pancakes since we've been together than I had in my entire lifetime before.

Did you know that maple syrup has trace amounts of many vitamins and minerals and is considered a good source of three essential elements - calcium, iron and thiamin? I am reminded of this daily.

The Artist calls maple syrup nature's perfect food.

We may have to go head to head on this one before year's end.

Now that I'm a bee girl.

Maple syrup vs Honey.

This could get interesting.

Be well friends,

This Just In

Crazy Heart has won an Oscar for best original song.

It looks like I'm not the only one with a touch of crazy heart.

As you were.

And the Oscar goes to...

 Drum roll please....

Amy!

...is the winner of my follower thank you giveaway!

 Amy has recently completed a blog makeover moving from River Rock Cottage to Homestead Revival. Her mission statement says it all..

 

The mission of Homestead Revival is to encourage women to return to the joy of keeping a home, to get back to the basics of living closer to the land, family, and community, as well as to educate and leave a legacy for the next generation of homesteaders!

Recently moving to the country myself, I find her ideas and knowledge, useful and inspiring. Nothing is nearer to my heart than a local, sustainable food chain, returning to the forgotten 'chores' in the kitchen of past farm wives and learning how to make a home made life with my family.

Can I tell you something else about Amy?

When she was creating her new blog and mulling over what to call it, she wrote me and asked if I would mind if she used the word Revival. You could have knocked me over with a chicken feather. The fact that she would take the time to ask if I minded tells me a lot about who she is. So if you haven't visited Amy yet, what are you waiting for? Get yourself on over and say hola to my revival hermana.

Oh yes, I almost forgot. This is the Alhambra, the grandest of castles built by the Moors in Granada, Spain.

At the very top of my destination list. What's on yours?

Amy, I know you know how to reach me! Send me your mailing info when you have a chance, please and thanks.

Be well friends

Friday Night Lights

Living in the country isn't all fun and games. Sometimes there's hard work involved. Ask the Artist. Seriously, around here we have to work so hard that we need to make our own excitement. I'm pretty busy during the week so I wait until Friday night and, you know, go hog wild. I leave the office at the end of the day, yelping out a big yee haw as I turn over my horse (powered car). I stop every few minutes to take a photograph or two. I usually get home sometime Saturday afternoon. There are times, along my route, that I have to take a little detour to get myself turned around and get a better angle for what I hope will be a decent photo. One such detour led me to these guys.

They were busy holding their own Friday night celebration. They lowered their heads to eat without taking their eyes off me for more than a few seconds.

Isn't he cute? I really wanted to walk over and give him a big noogie on his forehead and wrap my arms around his neck and call him George. I would have too, except for this guy.
 

Who? That guy, on the left, he was staring me down. He wouldn't take his eyes of me for an instant. He even stopped eating. That told me only one thing.

 

He meant business. I just wanted a picture. I told him, 'Don't have a cow, man'. He failed to find the humour in that statement. Geesh.

Did I mention it was warm outside? I had the window down to get a better view. Can you imagine what this smells like?

All I will say is that it was strong and I loved it. It was the perfect cure for barnheart. At least, it should have been but it just made my case that much worse I'm afraid.

Be well friends and I hope you don't have to work as hard for your Friday night excitement.

PS. Don't forget about the giveaway posted yesterday. 

Cinquenta!

Cinquenta

Huh?

Sorry, sometimes I forget my Anglo-Irish-Welsh-French roots and believe I was born in Spain. 

Sometimes I'm even positive I grew up here...

 

 What other explanation could there be for thinking, dreaming, and leaving comments in Spanish?

I can't think of a one.

Thanks for indulging me.

Cinquenta or fifty.

50 followers!

Welcome to new followers, I look forward to visiting with you soon!

It's time to treat all of you sweet followers with a surprise giveaway.

I received a package in the mail last week. This was inside, actually, there were two.

I'd like to share one with one of you. 

Please leave a comment in this post to let me know that you're interested in being entered.

And if you really feel like indulging me, tell me a Spanish word you know..(besides gracias, gracias)

or tell me the name of the place above where I grew up or tell me if you speak a second language or just enter and be done with it.

Followers only please, this is my way of saying thank you.

Of course, if you'd like to become a follower...then by all means, join in!

Please enter by Sunday @ 6pm EST.

I'll draw shortly after that...before I go into Oscar mode.

Be well friends and thanks for following me.

Publish Post

Why I Moved to the Country: Reason #81

While I may not have been aware of them beforehand, there are reasons for moving to the country that have become apparent since moving into the old farmhouse. When I was still a city girl with a heart yearning for the country, my sense of music taste remained that of a city slicker. Firmly planted. No budging this girl. My standard answer was 'anything but country and rap, please and thank you very much'. Well, the rap thing hasn't changed, at least the profanity laden stuff, but, oh, you know where I'm going with this don't you? No fooling you.

I told you moving to the country was starting to change me. When you're surrounded by nature, when you feel like you're on vacation just by pulling in the drive, when life is set to a relaxing pace of weed pulling in the summer and crocheting in the winter, you want your music to reflect that pace. Then you hear about this movie and it's Golden Globe winning soundtrack and you just have to order it from the library. Just to have a little listen and see if those foreign press correspondents really know what they're talking about. Or not. 

I had my doubts. Jeff Bridges can sing? Really? Let me tell you, the Dude's deep, rich voice translates him into a resonating and soulful master of melodies. I forget who is singing and get lost in all of the tracks he sings. I'm sure T-Bone has a little to do with it. I really like T-Bone. I really love T-Bone's sound. If Meryl can change her name to T-Bone then I want to too. 

There are some other delights on this CD from Buck Owens' "Hello Trouble" which I think was written especially for me and my conspiring onions to "Once A Gambler", by the late Lightnin Hopkins, the world's most prolific recording bluesman. Halfway through the album, I heard a man begin singing whose voice seemed oddly familiar. How could that be? Then I remembered where I had heard him before. It was here.

That's right, I recognized Waylon Jennings voice. If you think that's weird, because I sure did, things became even more odd. I heard another guy sing, an Irish bad boy, who doesn't sound half bad, maybe even better than that, while singing a country tune. Quite a catchy tune too. 

Yup, Colin Farrell, and I think I have included gratuitous photos for all age groups.

Happy to oblige.

Crazy Heart...this girl is stuck on a little crazy heart. Crazy heart and barnheart. Not a bad combination for a new country girl. I'm enjoying it. 

Moving to the country and becoming a country girl.

What can I say?

Be well friends and since everyone likes to share their music, what country music tastes do you have to offer to this new country girl? Please, go easy on me.

It Must Be Spring!

 Three signs that spring is in the air...

1.

I'm wearing these on the way home.

 2.

Callie has started working on her tan.

 

3.

My dear, sweet friend Misha at From My Front Porch in the Mountains is having a very generous giveaway and it ends soon! 

REAL SOON!

 Be well friends,