I had a little time to check on my garden yesterday. I removed many dead plants and checked on the other plants. My strawberry bed looked bad...most of the plants are dead. I have been growing strawberry plants in that spot for several years and it is long past time to rotate the area. Well, this is the perfect time to make the change, get new starts, and new planting place.

I hope that I will harvest some berries like this in June - July! Fabulous!

Enjoy Your Life Brave Girls

Melody Ross Print

Dreaming of Summer Camping

I don't know about you...but I am ready for some nice, warm, sunny weather. This area has been in a rainy, snowy season for 5 months. The snowpack is deeper than normal, and my home just got another 7" of snow. The daffodils are coming up a couple of inches....and I still haven't been able to clean-up the dead plants in the garden, or trim the fruit trees, and berry plants.

I have made my peace with this situation, I have a good fire in the fireplace, and park myself nearby in a comfy chair, with a book, nook, tablet, and music. 

Live with Intention

Hi Girlfriends, Although it is nearly March 2017...I think that this is a good idea. You can save it, or print it, or just give the idea a thought. It is good to remind ourselves of the things that personally call to us. It is good to set up goals and ideas for ourselves. It is good to let the good things call to us!

Bring a Primrose Inside

from cottageatthecrossroads.com/spring-glass/

This idea is so very cute, and a small taste of the spring to come. I saw some Primroses for sale a few days ago. I picked out three plants that have many blooms. I replanted them into individual McCoy planters. 

They are certainly a pretty, bright, arrangement to have at home. They will last longer than a cut flower bouquet. I like to use my collections when I can...I love them. Happy!!

Gone With The Wind

I remember reading this iconic book when I was a young teen. The original book is much more interesting than the movie. The movie is great, and I watch it sometimes. I watched it last week. I decided to find a vintage copy, and read it again. My area has a chain of St Vinnie's stores, that are really great. They claim to be the biggest bookseller in the area...and I always go there when I want a book. The edition that I wanted was a 1936 copyright and printing. I researched online about the printings and knew that I did not want to purchase a book club edition, paperback, or a movie edition. 

I did find this hardcopy, 1936 copyright, with a 1964 printing. It is in very fine condition, with this dust jacket. The price $2.49...that is all... The book is worthy of collection, it was well cared for the last 53 years.

Newborn Dexter Calf

Yesterday, we had a surprise waiting for us. Sometime around 7am, our Dexter Cow, Daisy, had this little fellow. It was pretty cold outside, and he was very cold when hubby found him. He and I brought this calf into our home and warmed him up in the bathroom. We used heating pads, heaters, and towels to dry him. The little guy took about 4 to 5 hours to get warmed up using our method. I made up a pack of calf starter, and put it into a calf bottle...he took a little of it, proving to me that he still had a suckling response. What a small calf with the will to live! We took him back to his mama, and they are in a stall. Mama immediately took over, licking him and caring for him. She is very protective of her babies. He is doing good today, he has no fear of us....because we cared for him yesterday. I named him Snap. His mom is Daisy and Snap is short for another common flower.

You are Worthy

To Love Myself

Happy Birthday Sharon

I see that little girl in the middle...she is myself! I smiled when I found this art. The joy is unmistakable! Happy Birthday to Me!

Farmgirl Thoughts

Sisters on the Fly

Eugene, Oregon's... Good Earth Home and Garden show starts today, and some of my friend's are putting their trailers on display. They are representing Sisters on the Fly, to provide inspiration for women to join.

This is Anne's 1969 Aloha. She is from the Portland area. This trailer is currently on the front cover, and featured in Vintage Trailer magazine.  

This is Marie's 1960's Oasis trailer. She is from Salem Oregon. Marie took this trailer on Route 66 for a month last spring. The turquoise color is great, she told me that it is a wrap...not paint. I see that she has changed the bike rack, I am going the see what she did. I want a bike rack on my trailer, Prairie Flower.

I love the large front window on her trailer. It allows a nice bright light inside.

This 1950's trailer is very tiny, but oh so cute. The step is a good idea, I like the handle on it, makes it easy to carry. The windows are much smaller, and sometimes dark inside...but that is made better with the lovely original birch interior. I like the interior wood...I don't like the painted over birch.

A Surprise Quilt Project

A Surprise Quilt Project? How does that happen? I was shopping/trolling in the Goodwill store one day, and passed by the bedding area. What did I spy....this quilt. I gave it a close look and noted that this is an item that someone had made, and probably given as a gift. The hand finishing of the binding had come apart. The rest of the quilt was in like new condition. I know that making this quilt had cost much $$. The fabrics that were used are colorful and I like it very much. The twin size is good for using in my vintage trailer, Prairie Flower. Oh yeah, of course I didn't leave it at the store. Am I crazy? Maybe. I purchased it for a few dollars, and refinished the binding. This farmgirl spent several hours, and I really do love this quilt. This will become an heirloom...unless I give it as a gift....

Blueberry Lemon Loaf

I have many frozen blueberry packs this year. (My blueberry plants were very abundant this year!) I decided it is a good time to start trying to make new recipes and find ways to use the blueberries. I happen to have several lemons on hand...so I found this recipe on Pinterest. 

www.livewellbakeoften.com

Today, I baked this bread. I used the large bread pan that is recommended, and it took longer to bake. Next time I will use 2 smaller bread pans. I should be able to bake it in a shorter time.

My opinion?  Really good! I love it! Make it again...absolutely! 5 stars!

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Today became a day to spend in the kitchen, not in the craft studio. I decided to bring more of my frozen veggies into the house, and spotted two bags of frozen strawberries that needed to be made into jam. I freeze berries because I rarely have enough fresh to make into jam. My frozen berries were not camera worthy, so this fresh pic is much better.

I find that the process of making jam to be pretty straight forward, the most important thing is to get all the necessary equipment and materials together before starting the project. 

While hubby was outdoors snow plowing the driveway...yet again. I put on my apron and went to work. 11 cups of delicious strawberry jam were made, and put into 1/2 pint jars. He finished long after I cleaned up my mess.

I am a renegade about the boiling water process for jam. I think that the result is inferior, so I used the older method. I learned to make jam with that method, and I like it better....this is before a few years ago when the new method was introduced.

I don't believe what the new "experts" say. The package of pectin said that the jam is good for only 1 year. Not true, the jam stays just fine when stored properly...in a dark and cool place. I have a cupboard in the basement the stores my home canned food, and it stays good for several years.

Look Who Came To Dinner!

The trail camera took these photos last night, about 2 am. A black bear visiting the deer treats. The bear decided to climb into hubbies tree stand, and that is not unusual for bears. However, the bear chewed or clawed the padded arm rests completely. I hope is that is bear does not decide to visit our 3 honey bee hives.

Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart.

I am a Farmgirl. I enjoy my life in a rural area, with 10 acres around me. There are just 2 homes I see from here.  The deer, elk, turkey, fox, coyote, and cougar run free.  The snow is deep in the winter, and the rain is nonstop.  My garden is not producing, and I don't think it will. However, the grass is green and there is no drought here (or heat wave).  No summer either! My canning jars will remain empty this year. Boo woo.


My heart remains cheerful, hopeful and happy.  I am blessed. Truly.