SOCIAL MEDIA


Bucking Hay Bales in 97 Degree Heat

Monday, June 30, 2014

The weather forecast is for extreme heat here, very high, and the fact that the temperature has been under 85 all this summer is important. We humans cannot handle the change to 97 very well.  I bring this up because we are putting up more hay bales tomorrow. We hire local High School boys to work for us. We pay them well.  I am worried the everyone is going to suffer in the heat...maybe have heat related problems....certainly hubby. I told him that I didn't want to take anyone to the hospital for heat exhaustion, or stroke. Hum...I think that he could care less. I just know that I will be watching everyone closely while working.

Foxglove in the Garden

I like these plants around the farmhouse because the deer do not eat them, and they self seed for continuing plants. I found that I had to saved them from hubby.  He saw something on the local news about the plants being toxic to honeybees....well, I had to check up on that story before he removed all the plants. As it turns out, the story was about the pesticides that had been sprayed on the plants prior to sale at the local nurseries. My plants have never been sprayed, and are bee friendly. I had to call off the crazed hands of you-know-who. The plants are saved!

Organizing Magazines and Craft Books

Sunday, June 29, 2014
If you can purchase some of the Ikea cardboard files, do it. They are inexpensive, and really easy to make into pretty storage for magazines and craft books.

This DIY shows using fabric to cover the cardboard files. The fabric is more challenging than my method.

I use paper. Wrapping paper, brown bags, scrapbooking paper, and old book pages.

I like old book pages or wrapping paper. I put it on with Modpodge. When they are completely dry, trim to the edges of the cardboard, and use some more Modpodge to finish they edges nicely.

This is very inexpensive. The finished project looks great, and works in your personal studio with your other great ideas. 

Have fun!

Bravely

Saturday, June 28, 2014
Susan Branch Artwork


What does being brave mean to you?  I think that it means to be true to yourself, to be the person you were meant to be and to seek and find the meaning for yourself. I know when I am not being or doing what I want...and that situation is daunting. Being brave, and doing better for my truth..........
So today when hubby wanted me to go with him on a minor errand, that would take the whole day...I ask him to see if his friend would go with him...I just wanted solitude. That is bravely asking for what I need.

A Creative Art Supply Idea

Thursday, June 26, 2014

I came across this idea for storage of art supplies. I think that it is pretty cute, and will be easy to make. I see mine with Mod Podge in the bottom, paint in the center, and glitter in the top. A good use of space, and I will be able to see my supplies without digging into a plastic bin. Yea, I love it!!

It is Time to Hay!!! Getting Started!

Saturday, June 21, 2014

I just took this photo from the front door of our farmhouse. The hay is ripe and the weather seems to be perfect to make hay. The grass hay has nice ripe grass seed heads, and all the pollen is gone.




This photo shows how close the hayfield is to our front door. Yes, there are 2 birdbaths in the photo. Why? The one on the left is specifically for winter, it has a thermostatically controlled heating element. It is great to keep open water for the winter birds. Did you notice the foxglove I am growing, why, because it is something that deer will not eat.



The cutting of the grass hay has begun. The standing grass is 5' to 6' tall.


Another photo showing the work in progress. The top roof of the tractor is visible in the top middle of the photo.


This is another photo showing behind the house, where the lawn is next to a fence where is grass is very tall. As you can see the area around us is Forest. The Willamette National Forest to be exact. I guess that it is no surprise that we are having trouble with wild animals here.

I hope that the haying goes well. We hire High School students to "buck bales", the hard work that is too much for us older folks. We pay them fairly with cash. There is not much work for pay in this area....so we offer the work to young men we know.

Sing around the Campfire

Friday, June 20, 2014

This picture is very nostalgic for me. I enjoyed growing up as a Girl Scout. I felt a wonderful sense of belonging and developing into the person I am. I don't remember these camp uniforms. I remember a white shirt with a dark green short...green knee socks. This picture could be timeless...except for the accordion...I don't know anyone who plays one. I noticed the girl playing a ukulele. Back in my day, I played a guitar. I still have my guitar, and play it, and enjoy the same songs from the campfire.

I am looking forward to this summer!!

Thick and Chewy S'mores Bars

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Hey Camptown Girls...I am bringing these to our next camping trip. These look so good, and I can make them at home before I leave. The recipe is from my peeps at Brave Girls Club. www.bravegirlsclub.com

Vintage Glass Door Knob

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

I found an old glass door knob today for 49 cents, at the local thrift store. Hum, I think that there are many ideas for using it in a creative way. I think that these note or photo holders are pretty cute. I am thinking about finding a way to use it as a paperweight on my desk. I visualize something sort of similar to the one of the right in the photo. I have pretty little vintage treasures that would work well...maybe use a pretty metal button on the top, with bits of rhinestone jewelry. 

Update - the gopher is now deceased...Hubby won the battle!

Canning Strawberries

Wednesday, June 11, 2014



Yesterday was the first canning day of the season. My own organic strawberries, picked with my own hands from my garden....made into such wonderful deliciousness for such breakfast enjoyment!!!! Yum...Yum...Good!!

Gopher 20 - Hubby 0

Monday, June 9, 2014
The voracious eaters have consumed the leeks, garlic, cilantro, and are under the rhubarb at this time. It is evading all attempts to trap it so far.




  At least the strawberries are OK, and I picked a flat today, and I will be making Jam tomorrow.


From Scratch Magazine

Friday, June 6, 2014


This is a terrific online magazine that is free. I love Free!! There are some wonderful articles in this issue.  From Scratch Magazine

Update - Gophers 10 --- Husband 0

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Finding a Perfect Beach Umbrella for Glamping


 I have been looking for a beach umbrella for a while. 

My search has not been successful until today...I have not found any, zero....

I knew that there was a sale going on at this place...

The location - World Market

The price - on sale $9.99



 World Market has these on sale right now.

There are 5 or 6 fabric choices.

Nice selection of fabrics, stripes, florals, and several color choices.
Here is a close-up of the fabric that I liked best. A paisley print with background of dark coral, and shades of blue. The fabric is unique and so very fun!

Well, with that great price and knowing I would never find another one exactly the same....I brought home 2.

My plan is to take them in my glamper, Prairie Flower for shade. They will not see a real seashore...but maybe a lake shore.

Fabulous!!!!