February 2nd is Groundhog Day and Mr. Groundhog certainly didn't see his shadow today. That means we'll get an early spring... It's been gloomy, snowy and overcast. The weather is rather mild and it's a good thing. We attended a funeral service for a dear family friend who was 99 years young. Adele would have been 100 in May but she certainly didn't look her age. She died two weeks after a fall. After her fall, she decided that maybe it was time to move to an assisted senior complex... Our large church was packed even though it was snowing heavily at the time.
It stopped snowing for a short time and it's now snowing again...
What to do when Spring is not far away, but it's still wintering outside? I dream of tending my flower gardens of course. If everything goes as plan, I'll be retiring from dairy farming in the spring. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed. I'm not afraid to get bored as I have more hobbies than I can do even if I lived to be 100.
I've been looking at my seeds catalogs and writing down what seeds I want to buy.
It's unbelievable how expensive the seeds have gotten since I started gardening many years ago. I only had a few gardens then and with no money to buy plants, I bought little packets of seeds. They were very cheap then. I remember my first little makeshift greenhouse was a large picnic table turned upside down and I draped it with a large sheet of heavy plastic. I would pull back the plastic in the morning and put it back on in the evening, somewhat like a cold frame and I had great results.
I'm hoping that I will have more time to do some weed prevention this spring but I'm only dreaming.
I started this little rug April 2017, since the backing was too small for my frame, I basted some wool strips to stretch over the frame.I'll be weeding that grass and try to hook the grass differently. THat baby is sleeping with one eye open, lol...
I've also pulled out my not so great Rock-A-Bye Baby rug and I've resumed hooking the sky. I've been using leftover wool worms for everything but the sky as it was a challenge rug but since our daughter, Nicole passed away, I kind of lost interest and just put it away for a while. It's rather smallish for me as I was using a small leftover piece of linen burlap backing that I had hanging around.
I design all my own rugs and just can't be bothered to buy a ready made pattern. Someday, I may do a portfolio of my hooked rugs, just for fun.
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving comments. I really appreciate it when you take the time to let me know that you came to say "Hi"
Hugs, Julia
What to do when Spring is not far away, but it's still wintering outside? I dream of tending my flower gardens of course. If everything goes as plan, I'll be retiring from dairy farming in the spring. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed. I'm not afraid to get bored as I have more hobbies than I can do even if I lived to be 100.
I've been looking at my seeds catalogs and writing down what seeds I want to buy.
It's unbelievable how expensive the seeds have gotten since I started gardening many years ago. I only had a few gardens then and with no money to buy plants, I bought little packets of seeds. They were very cheap then. I remember my first little makeshift greenhouse was a large picnic table turned upside down and I draped it with a large sheet of heavy plastic. I would pull back the plastic in the morning and put it back on in the evening, somewhat like a cold frame and I had great results.
I'm hoping that I will have more time to do some weed prevention this spring but I'm only dreaming.
I started this little rug April 2017, since the backing was too small for my frame, I basted some wool strips to stretch over the frame.I'll be weeding that grass and try to hook the grass differently. THat baby is sleeping with one eye open, lol...
I've also pulled out my not so great Rock-A-Bye Baby rug and I've resumed hooking the sky. I've been using leftover wool worms for everything but the sky as it was a challenge rug but since our daughter, Nicole passed away, I kind of lost interest and just put it away for a while. It's rather smallish for me as I was using a small leftover piece of linen burlap backing that I had hanging around.
I design all my own rugs and just can't be bothered to buy a ready made pattern. Someday, I may do a portfolio of my hooked rugs, just for fun.
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving comments. I really appreciate it when you take the time to let me know that you came to say "Hi"
Hugs, Julia
He saw his shadow. 6 more weeks of winter.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, I have no way of knowing where you live, but here in Fredericton N.B. Canada, the sky was overcast and the sun didn't cast a shadow as far as I can see. Sorry for deleting my comment, I WISH I COULD HAVE CORRECTED A SPELLING ERROR WITHOUT DELETING MY COMMENT.
ReplyDeleteJulia
I hope your retirement dream comes true. I know I fully embrace mine.
ReplyDeleteHere in the states they say he saw his shadow and since we're getting more snow and cold this weekend and next week I guess I'll go with 6 more weeks of Winter! I'm dreaming of my gardens too and many more projects. I'm also dreaming of retirement but that still 2 years away if all goes well. I hope all your dreams come true! Take care Julia!
ReplyDeleteI believe an early spring in on its way, we barely had a winter, which is odd for us. Thinking and planning a garden is a happy thought among all the snow you are having. May your dreams be of beautiful flowers! Retiring, now thats also a happy thought. You've worked so hard around your farm, it's good to let it go and relax. I love your idea of a little green house using the picnic table, genius! Your rug is so darling with the little baby I just hope the bough doesn't break haha.
ReplyDeleteTake care Julia and stay warm!
Hugs,
Saimi
That little baby is so cute! I think she's sleeping with one eye open so she knows when Spring arrives! :-) Happy hooking!
ReplyDeleteso glad to see you take up your hooking again. I have my fingers and toes crossed you retire you deserve to retire you have worked hard a big chunk of your life.
ReplyDeleteyou are so creative and have many interest you will do just fine. And more time to spend with your grand babies.
That was a good long life 99 and she must of made an impact to have that many people at her funneral.
Cathy
Hi Julia! Here in Ohio the ground hog saw his shadow so definitely six more weeks of winter for,us and the weatherman says March is going to be stubbornly cold! Oh well, getting a lot of quilting done, might actually get caught up with my quilting in 2018. Then I can move on the other things....might even get my hook out and finish a couple of small rugs that I’ve stwrted....
ReplyDeleteChar
Hi Julia, I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Ninety years young is quite an age to reach. It's summer here in NZ and we are experiencing the highest temperatures we've had in 10 years. Love the rug x
ReplyDeleteYour friend lived a long, long life. I don't care about what the groundhog saw, because here in the California mountains, there's been no winter, no snow, not even any rain. I love how creative you are. Send some snow my way, OK.
ReplyDeleteHi Julia,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you have decided to retire. I think it will do you good to not have to work so hard. Just garden and hook. Its really warm here today.
I can't believe all of that snow. I am so sorry your friend passed away.
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.
Hi Julia, Good post. I like a bit of gardening myself. My dad let me have a patch when I was a little boy and I used to grow stuff there. It was years ago now
ReplyDeleteLove all your posts. Your home, gardens, farming are all fascinating to me. It's so different from the Arizona desert. Years ago my cousin planted purple iris seeds at the head of my mother's grave. One spring, I visited and saw the brilliant irises in bloom. What a sight among the dormant dry and brown desert plants. Since then I've loved irises. You have beautiful gardens! It never ceases to amaze me how busy, busy, busy you are...not a minute wasted. Thank you for sharing your life and home.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the loss of your friend sweet Julia. It seems she was very loved. That little rug is so cute. I like that the baby is sleeping with one eye open, gave me a smile. I am so looking forward to spring. I hope you will share pictures of all your beautiful flowers and garden this season I sure enjoy seeing them. Hugs
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your friend but it sounds like she lived a full life.
ReplyDeleteMy fingers and toes are crossed for you, too!! You deserve retirement more than anyone.
xoxo
Lauren
It sounds like your friend had a life well lived. Wonderful to have that kind of support from your church community.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a portfolio of all your hooking projects.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI love your greenhouse idea. I do not have a greenhouse and dream of a small one. Your idea just might be my answer.
I agree, seeds have gotten very expensive. $6.00 for a pack of sunflowers seeds. I almost fell over!
Love, Carla
You, of all people will do well in retirement. You have great skills and hobbies that are rewarding.
ReplyDeleteI sending good vibes that everything falls into place for the retirement to happen seamlessly.
R
LOVE LOVE LOVE your Rock a Bye baby. I think the ground hog was right as far as more winter. It is snowing here all week.
ReplyDeleteI changed my blog address and blog so you can find me here now :(. HUGS B
I hope so much that you will be able to retire and enjoy all your hobbies- you deserve it Julia! Seeds ARE expensive- it's always nice if you can cultivate your own from old plants as I do with runner beans but is not always possible!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that your 99 year old friend had a good send-off from the community.
The rug is beautiful and that is the one you mentioned in the one I commented on I presume! It is fab. You should make a portfolio of your patterns!!