A Peachy Kind of View

A lovely grove of fruit trees graces the front of my old house.  A peach tree resides there that has been with this old house for many a year. 

Like most of us, age has taken a toll on her.  Her branches are not as fruitful as they used to be and she seems frail in the blowing wind. 

She is gracious in her composure and generous in her nature. 

Buds are forming once again on her branches, as she readies herself for yet another season. 

A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds.  A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love. 

Saint Basil 

Planning the Day

If the world were merely seductive that would be easy.  If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem.  But, I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.  This makes it hard to plan the day. 

E.B. White 

Sky Watch

I love the weather.  In times of mental drought, it gives me plenty of fodder for my blogging habit.

The sky starts swirling over the farmette and out comes the camera. 

It was 75 degrees here yesterday.  Storms rolled by, but didn't bother us.  

Snow predicted tonight.   

Mother Nature...she is a fickle one.....

Thoughtless Thursday

Straw Bale Cold Frame

Though it is still technically winter, spring is just around the corner.  My plan was to start some seeds early this year in a cold frame made out of leftover straw bales from last summer's garden project.  Well....squash bugs invaded my garden and I destroyed the straw bales, due to any possibility of eggs with the new season.  

Secret Agent Man surprised me yesterday with a few new bales and he set them out for the cold frame.  

The bales cost a few dollars and the old windows were free from a friend.  I have some seed trays that will be placed into the cold frame in the near future.  A thermometer will be going into the cold frame this week, so I can begin to monitor the temperature. 

Other ideas for cold frames can be found here and here.....and by a quick search with our friend, Google.

Anyone out there had success with this project?  

I Say Boxes and You Say Bricks

So, I decided to surprise my son, The Deerslayer, with some bullets.  I realize that is not your average surprise for a teenage boy, but he is the quintessential outdoors man.  He loves hunting, hiking, and all things nature related.  

This meant a stop at our local small country store.  Now, I could have gone to a larger, more commercial, store to make my purchase.  However, we do try to support out local small town businesses whenever we can.  

I put on my game face and entered said small country store.  And, low and behold, I was the only woman in the place.  In my, "fancy", work clothes no less.  This store was full of farmers, older gentleman, and just guys in general, "hanging out".   Now, I should explain that this is the type of store where you can buy a loaf of bread, chips, soda, and milk.....along with bullets....and make a deal for some calves, if need be. .  An all purpose stop, if you will, before you get back to your farm.  

I asked for two boxes of bullets and some very elderly gentleman chimed in, "She thinks those are boxes".   *chuckle*  The men then quizzed me about what I received for Valentine's Day and assured me they would be speaking to my husband.  Told me to be on the, "lookout", for the big gift next year.  

Lawd help.....

After relaying this story to Secret Agent Man he said he was surprised that I went in there alone.  He then explained that bullets are sold in bricks.  

I told him that he needed to watch out the next time he went into this store.  He was in for a bit of teasing himself. 

Gray

Gray -  adjective, a mixture of white and black

Gray skies abound here in Smalltownland. 

Dreary colors have their place allowing everything its winter rest. 

Patiently waiting for spring. 

Thoughtless Thursday

Sending Some Love Your Way

Sending you..

love in its truest form,

along with kisses, 

hugs, 

and best wishes for a special day with your loved ones.  

Colonel Mustard and the Silver Fox

Inspired by a brandy-swigging silver haired gentleman, this mustard sauce is high on flavor and low on preparation.  The thought of combining dry mustard with sweetened condensed milk had me intrigued.  When I read that it also required white vinegar, I was hooked.  I knew I had to try it.  Kudos to Martha Hall Foose for passing this along to the masses. 

Combine:  1/4 cup dry mustard, preferably Colman's

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 

1/2 cup white vinegar

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon salt

Whisk it up well.

I used it to dress up my leftover roasted chicken and vegetables.  

A tad of sweet with a biting kick, it does not disappoint. 

The remaining sauce is resting quietly in a mason jar in my fridge, where it will keep for up to one month.  

It will not be there that long. 

That Four Letter Word

It seems like we are in line to finally get some SNOW! 

Although a few flakes have fallen from the sky, I am doubtful that we will get much at all.  This makes me sad.  Will we ever have winter?  What up Mother Nature?  

Dann gifted me with a Leibster Award and the best part about this is that I can link you up to some of my favorite daily reads.  

Home School on the Croft gives an amazing peek into the daily life of a family living off the coast of Scotland.  Stunning views, I tell ya.  

Nancy at A Rural Journal has some killer photo skills. 

Birdman always has some words for the wise.  

Hooked on Houses....need I say more?

All are great reading on a snow day.....

Thoughtless Thursday

Higher

What happens when your dad sees you jumping on the trampoline and decides to join you? 

It's all good!  You get to go higher and higher.....

and you think it's great!  The fun and the laughter are almost too much to bear.

Then he decides to grab you and throw you up in the air.  

And then the laughter ends and the look of terror descends! 

Up the Road

Today our adventures took us to a town not too far away from the farmette.  Bardstown, Kentucky is located about an hour away from us.  To be honest, I haven't had the gumption to visit, even though I have heard that it's all that and a bag of chips.  

So, I discovered that it is. 

I had breakfast at Mammy's restaurant and yes, it was fabulous. 

Then, I discovered all of the historic details of the town. Seriously, this house was for sale by owner.  

Be still my old-house-lovin'-heart. 

Even the old jail house has been turned into a bed and breakfast.  I threatened to put the kids here, but they just rolled their eyes. 

They're on to me....

Winter....where art thou?

Look all around thee! 

How the spring advances! 

Ludwig Tieck

Thoughtless Thursday