Small but powerful joys Happy Homebody Monday #13

Howdy! Happy HomeBuddies

I'm continuing to organize and make pretty. I found these beauties whilst I was dusting.

I had forgotten all about that I had picked them early in the summer. 

 Lavender from the small bush which produces so much lovely. I didn't even collect it all as I left some for the pollinators in lieu of flowers which did not grow well from seed this year.

  I carefully removed these beauties from their stems and it smells amazing. While I still had more cleaning as I had now stacked up things in piles to go various places, it was very nice to sit and ponder how doing rather fiddly things slows us down in a very good way.

 It was just enough that I felt settled and content, and no doubt the aroma had something to do with it.

   

I have no idea what if anything I will do with these. I can always just open the jar and inhale all the beauty. I have considered sachet's but not there yet. Time reveals what to do in time. Maybe it is just to look and smell pretty, to calm...priceless.

Victorian Lattice Square update

Square is large, estimated to be about 10" without edging

Pattern Motif Victorian Lattice Square Destiny Wymore

Edging/join Cypress Textiles

Yarn

Lion Brand Pound of Love

Colorway Quartz/Motif

Colorway Sugar Cookie/Edging    

Be of Good Cheer!

Chit Chat over the Clothesline

 

 love this little picture, everything about it.

(Internet Photo)

  Another week has gone by, here we are at the clothesline. What's news? The ice cream truck is driving around, and the song will be stuck in my head all day, you hear it? He's a one trick pony, I bet when he gets out of that truck he can't get that song out of his head...

Do your ears hang low? Can you tie em in a not, Can you tie it in a bow? I remember my mom giving me 15 cents to buy something when the Ice Cream Man used to come around. I remember that 7 up popsicles were one of my favorites. One time, I lost a dime playing while waiting on him to come down our street. I went home and told mom, she wouldn't give me another dime. I learned something that day, take care of what  you have, it wasn't easy for her or me, but maybe we could use some of that today.

just saying.......Thank you Mom...you did the right thing. Love you, wish I could tell her.

 Out in the garden

We are not yet into full summer, but there are things growing and flowering which require attention for harvesting now, for soon they will be gone for this year. 

Roses, Lavender & Honeysuckle are in their prime now, and so I'm harvesting, drying and setting up some tinctures etc.

I already mentioned about the Honeysuckle, I've just pulled a batch off the dehydrator. Next up I pulled some Roses off my vintage plant they've provided me with beauty and joy for a few weeks now, and I've selected some to make Rosewater, and the others I am dehydrating for something later mixed with the HoneySuckle & Lavender. I've got a good amount of Lavender flower heads which I captured a fews year back, and will use those first, and fill in with the new flower heads which are coming along nicely.

Honeysuckle

Rosewater

Roses drying

And now, I'm afraid I must get some chores done, there is laundry to fold and put away, a loaf of bread is in the rise for supper, it has been a lovely calming day working with all these beautiful flowers provide to us by the Good Lord. They have benefits beyond their beauty, and I am enjoying learning about it. 

see you next time at the clothesline!

 

 

It's me Laura from the hood

 

Good Morning Neighbors!

We had a lovely thundershower last evening, the garden is well this morning, fresh fed from the heavens.

Remember I'm the oddball neighbor, who does this in the hood? My husband carried out my camp chair, out where the Lavender grows. I sat there in the coolness of the morning, and trimmed my oldest Lavender plant, saving a few sprigs here and there for the Honeybees & Butterflies.

"Would you look at that nut" She's out there cutting something off her plants, she has a dress on, and a wicker basket. Hey Laura, the 1800's called, they are looking for you again.

                                              A joyful basket of lovely & it smells heavenly.

 I have 4 Lavender plants, one which I bought last year, it will be blooming in the next few days, 2 of the pink variety which I started from seed , oh maybe 3 years ago, and one I've had for at least 5 years maybe. It would seem that for the 1st time I've had a bumper crop of Lavender.

I cut most of it, and left a little bit for the Honeybees & Butterflies.

A little Basil was also harvest, one sprig of Thyme, & a little Lemon Verbena.

This is all going in the dehydrator to be used for something delightful.

Crochet

Not on the hook yet, but I am going to paruse around for some crochet sachet patterns, it would be lovely to put the Lavender in.  Crochet Farmhouse cotton washclothes are in the hopper as well.

 ~Be Blessed!~

Faith

Well, it's rather warm

Oh my!

August weather in June. It gets cool at night still thankfully. Not one drop of rain in sight, unless we get a pop up. The mornings are still fresh, and when I stepped out this morning, the fragrance from the Honeysuckle filled the air, what a lovely aroma. 

I gathered some, and some Lavender.

Dehydrating them and will make something with it which will be lovely. I don't know what that will be. 

 Do you make any salves or creams with these two ingredients, infuse them in oil or make tinctures.?

I'd love to know what you fashion up.

 

In the garden

 

I've always wanted to grow Hollyhocks! Every year I purchase the seeds, this year is no different. I even tried to start them inside to no avail.

Last year, or maybe the year before, yes it was the year before I tossed out some seeds and of course zip zero nada. No Hollyhocks.

Toward the end of that year, something popped up in the garden, not where I thought any of the seeds had been scattered, it had large leaves, not like anything put there before....I mused to myself that it maybe could be....a HollyHock. After all I am still waiting for the Virginia Blue Bell to come up every spring, nothing...just nothing. Ever hopeful.

So I got a little happy about this, and then...this happened 

I've named her Rosebud, the rest of her family our Isabelle and Tobey...

aka " My DEER Friends"

Love them to bits, but they took a big old bite out of the Hollyhock. 😒

So this year, the plant came back, it is huge! And it has buds.....I've been spraying it with stinky stuff so Rosebud and the gang move on.... 

Let's give a look see!

                                                        See the buds there in the center? 

                                                  Those leaves are about the size of my hand.

I do like vintage things, and that includes flowers and such...

This opened up just this morning. This was from a cutting over 25 years ago when we moved in our home. The house next to us was almost 100 years old then, and these roses were growing in the yard. The original owner had passed away, and her so n still lived in the house, and he was moving to Florida.The house was empty for a time, and I snipped a few cuttings. I have 3 plants now from that original in all stages of growth. Such a beautiful color. 

Lavender is up and blooming, I went out early and snipped some off to dry. I don't get alot of blooms, but enough for me. I also noticed the pink lavender has a bud, I grew that from seed last year and will be anxious to see what that looks like.

We are to get some rain today, which will be benificial to garden, rather than hosewater.

Enjoy your day.

 Happy Birthday to my loving Dad, he would be 100 today. I love you Dad!💓

 
 

 

  

In the wee garden II

In and about the my wee little garden. Checking the Lavender which remains on the plant. The garlic..scapes are forming, it won't be long now. I've done some research on those about whether or not to cut them. It doesn't hurt, and in fact will send more energy back into the bulb. Harvest isn't far away now, watching the leaves is what will happen now. I found a recipe for garlic scape pesto.

The vintage rose cultivated 25 years ago which was absolutely beautiful, it's a climbing rose and it just spills over with color and vintage fragrance.

we moved it, it has been struggling every since. And this year I have beautiful blossoms (4) on it. It's growing and I couldn't be more happy about it. I sprayed it with a rose spray which kills those little bugs which eat the leaves, no leaves, no roses. And...a little repel scent for my "deer friends", who I love deerly but not when the eat the little roses. I can see that they have paid me a visit, but the roses were not eaten.

The Peonies...how lovely the scent.

We have seen the mama Robin and her baby in the yard for several days now. Mama is teaching the wee one how to forage for food. I love to watch them. That little one hops around and screaches for food mouth wide open. Mama goes about her business, and every once in a while treats the little one to something she's caught. Fun to watch. Soon the little one will be on their own. 

The potted plants are starting to fill up with plants, it seems like it is taking along time for things to come from seed this year. I didn't mark what is in where, and so I'll be surprised. But every day they grow taller and taller. The calendula is taking a particularly long time getting it's leaves.  

Peace & Simple Joys

A little harvesting from the wee little garden

As if overnight, yesterday I noted that the Munsted Lavender in my wee garden had sent up some shoots with flower buds. Today, I checked, and some of the shoots, not many had begun to pop the purple flowers. I don't have alot of lavender, so I was able to harvest about 10 or so stalks with flower buds, not yet opened. I did a little research and it is said that to maintain the fragrance of the Lavender it is best to harvest before the buds flower.

I did not harvest all the shoots, as some of them are still forming and there will be more to harvest from the wee garden. I'm happy. It was a simply lovely joy. I tied them up in a bundle upside to dry.

It just tickles me.

A little harvesting from the wee little garden

As if overnight, yesterday I noted that the Munsted Lavender in my wee garden had sent up some shoots with flower buds. Today, I checked, and some of the shoots, not many had begun to pop the purple flowers. I don't have alot of lavender, so I was able to harvest about 10 or so stalks with flower buds, not yet opened. I did a little research and it is said that to maintain the fragrance of the Lavender it is best to harvest before the buds flower.

I did not harvest all the shoots, as some of them are still forming and there will be more to harvest from the wee garden. I'm happy. It was a simply lovely joy. I tied them up in a bundle upside to dry.

It just tickles me.

Deep Breaths, and being Thankful

The events of the last few months a whirlwind are behind us now, stored in our hearts memory, and  picture albums, to be played again for maybe a new generation. I  couldn't decide whether or not to go to my youngest/tallest Board of Review...I know how I am about these things, and yet it was his accomplishments and hard work his goal was being realized, how could I not be there. The review takes about 1 hr, the scout is introduced to the Council by the Scoutmaster, and the questions begin. All the paperwork had been completed and reviewed, this is just finalizes the process. 

I didn't cry... When he came out of the BOR, he looked satisfied, and relieved. They called us all back in and gave us the decision. I didn't cry..He was treated to ice cream after by his troop leaders, and so when he got home it was to late to have ice cream cake, yippee we get to have it today. He seemed more calm this morning like he took off this hugh pack. When he got home, we had wrapped a few gifts, and he cried...then I cried....I think it finally hit him......bless his heart.

So we are all taking a deep breath, savoring the moments and planning some kind of doing or another to celebrate. Thankful for the opportunity to take this journey with him. He is an amazing young man.
Thank you for those of you who commented on our special day, it is appreciated.

So today...back to life planting my flowers in their pots, we have sunshine...and warmer temperatures. My poor beautiful Lavender plant/bush...looks rather.....unresponsive. There are a few green sprigs, not many, I was a beautiful bush which yielded me some lovely Lavender last year, I was looking forward to a bumper crop this year. I think the Artic cold we had coupled with the last snow which was wet and heavy did the bad turn. I have to get out there, and get myself on the ground, and investigate, & make sure I have someone or something to help me get back up...oh bother !

I started some more Zinnia and old fashioned from seeds, Earl that Squirrel got in the first one and tore it all up. So these are staying inside, until they can go outside. Yesterday, they were just poking their small little heads out of the soil, today, they are an 1" tall, it's almost like you can watch them change throughout the day. Nature.....amazing.

 A few errands to run this morning....and taking some things off my to do list.. 

This picture was taken in Amish Country. I love when the Earth touches the sky, and look at those stunner clouds..... 

Have a beauty!

For the love of Lavender

 
    Information you can use!


Do you love Lavender? Do you grow it in your garden?

Helping a blog I follow, and maybe some of you do to. If you've not visited the blog here is the link, You'll like it, stop over. They are having a pre sale for their new book. When you visit the blog page, it will tell you more.

Spread the word and  help them out!

The Essential Herbal 

Ordering mine today, they have a variety of pledge levels to choose from. I'm going to order mine today ! They are 43% to their goal. It is all or nothing by June 1st. Please help them make their goal, and select your pledge. I received free shipping on my pledge.

Here is a sample from the blog of what you will find in their magazine , it really is a nice magazine.
Essential Herbal/books/mini-mag

For the love of Lavender

 
    Information you can use!


Do you love Lavender? Do you grow it in your garden?

Helping a blog I follow, and maybe some of you do to. If you've not visited the blog here is the link, You'll like it, stop over. They are having a pre sale for their new book. When you visit the blog page, it will tell you more.

Spread the word and  help them out!

The Essential Herbal 

Ordering mine today, they have a variety of pledge levels to choose from. I'm going to order mine today ! They are 43% to their goal. It is all or nothing by June 1st. Please help them make their goal, and select your pledge. I received free shipping on my pledge.

Here is a sample from the blog of what you will find in their magazine , it really is a nice magazine.
Essential Herbal/books/mini-mag