A frozen patio table top is no place for tea, coffee, or even a hot cocoa.
We are saddened by frozen apple buds.
So we are out of here in Big Blue.
See you in a few days. Have a great weekend at the end of your rainbow.
Does anyone know the name of this poppy? A few years ago, it showed up all over the garden but were tilled under or pulled out except for the garden's edge. What a show they put on. They still show up amongst the vegetables. If they are within the walking path, they get raked out, as they are not happy to be transplanted. The seeds that they give each year, however, self-seed as the wind takes them where they may. There are even some showing up in the field.
It's supposed to rain for a few days. There is nothing prettier than raindrops on the cabbage leaves. 
Look at my newest ' toy.' It's a convertible rake with a long arm and rubber handles. I love anything that makes gardening more of a pleasure than it already is.
This lil' rascal converts from 7 1/2" wide for in-between my flowers in tight places, to 25" wide for larger raking with just a flip and lock of the orange handle. The teeth are lightly coated with a rubber-like material that will not damage my plants, yet get the job done. It's a real gem at only $5. I found my Black and Decker rake at our local Dollar Store. Now, go get one. You will love it.
I already had one but it did not convert, nor did it have that much desired, longer handle...needin' it and recommending it for any of my fellow arthritics out there~~~
Yes, we had ' snow ' again, waking to it Sat. morning. It melted away by Easter morning, thank goodness. Sticky, wet, snowbunny snow.
Part of our weekend entertainment was provided by sister Cher's granddaughters. What natural talent our great nieces have. Minnie picked up her sister's guitar only a couple of weeks ago, and already she has figured out cords, picking and strumming. I'm so proud to be great aunt Dar. The little one, Summer, made up words for a song to thank their Mom for being such a good influence on them, and Minnie put the words to song. Amazing and beautiful. Look out American Idol.
Next Minnie uncased her viola and did a little number. So cool what this young lady has accomplished in her young life. She also has done a little taxidermy with her Dad...what a talent.
The viola turned fiddle for a few doe-se-does around the room.
Even Great Grandma got into it. No bunny hop here, just ' twirl your partner, round and round. '
Do you think if I watch real close, I could learn?
Way to go Brooke! You've got the idea. Brooke is my sister Mel's granddaughter. Such talent we have in the family. It has to make one proud.
Of course, every kid around, young and old, had to visit Grandma O's newest members of the farm...she has a couple pair of geese from one of my neighbors.
Hey, George, do you think they saw my egg? Will they leave it alone.? Oh, dear!
No, this is not Lucy's egg. It is another that came from our neighbor's farm. It's huge compared to Ben's 3 yr. old hands. He was being so careful not to break it.
I keep them in my cupcake tin as they do not fit in an average egg carton. Just one goose egg is equivalent to 3 large chicken eggs. I use them in baking. 
This was just a peek at the past weekend. We did a lot of visiting at the farm and at home. The food and conversation filled my appetite for family. The GrandLoves and their 2nd cousins all had such fun. The sun warmed the day enough for walks and egg hunts pursued here and there after thanking our Lord for the greatest gift of all, His Son, who died and rose again to save everyone of us from our sins. One of our grandson's learned that colored eggs and Easter baskets really did not have anything to do with the true meaning of Easter at all.
It's big family time here, so I will be away from cyberspace. Happy Easter to you all as you celebrate with your loved ones. 
Yes, IT snowed AGAIN!
I thought I'd start by making this camisole that I have had my eye on. It's light enough for spring/summer wear and adds just the right warmth for upcoming rainy/windy days when I still want to wear a tank top.....hot flashes, ya understand? 
Practical/ still a bit daring/ me!
I also am having issues with my split end, salt and pepper hair, so thought, what the heck. If I can still manage a camisole, surely I can go for another change. I'm only as young as I feel and today I still feel young. So, from this salt and pepper, to~~~~
To ah-nat-u-ral auburn with subtle copper highlights....like? I love it and feel so much better. What is it about a ' cut and color ' that makes us feel so good? It works for me.
That's it for my day of doing for ' me ' on a blustery day. So much for my vanity fair. Everyone needs one once in awhile.
I was serious when I asked if any of you would like a spot of iced tea, as my mint is so full of it!
As we move around to the back door bed of Purple Iris trying to make an entrance, you will find more ice damage. As hardy as these plants are, however, they will still come back strong, just to stick their tongues out at the adverse conditions they are under at the moment.
Tho the tulips are also dancing on ice, they don't seem to do as well after this harsh of a freeze. After all, it is April and they were hoping for a drink of rain water, not frozen ankles.
The deep burgundy lilies aren't sure if they want to survive. My hope is that they will give me quite the show, just out of spite, come mid-July.
We have sure learned to ' brave the elements.' It keeps us as strong as the branches that bend in the strong winds. The spruce trees were covered with a thin layer of ice too. Click on any of the photos for a closer look., not that you'd want to.
The driveway was iced, as well as~~~
the wind chimes by the feeders. As the wind blew, I could see the ice chipping away. Have you ever heard a difference in the tone the chimes when they are ice covered? Me either! Ha!
Even the waddle fence around the flowerbeds were ice covered. Let's just say, it was treacherous out there for the early perennials and anyone taking an early walk.
Are we sick of this weather? YES! Are we used to it? YES! Do we want to move because of it? NO! Even though we have very long, sometimes miserable winters and springs, we still would not leave. We have grown to love the 4 seasons of the year, even tho they are not equally shared in length. We love the fact that we have no venomous snakes, and only one of the dangerously venomous spiders. That keeps me happy and here. We usually only have to turn the A/C on a couple of weeks out of the year and we have most gorgeous color in our maples, birch and oaks, come fall.
As much as I love this glorious old fence that has withstood time on our homestead for the past 30-some years, time has dictated a change. These pictures are from about 5 yrs. back, and since then, the old fence has taken a turn for the worse.
The boards are now down for the most part, having rotted away from the spikes that held them fast. The posts have rotted off at the ground, no longer holding strong. Even the weight of the flowers is too much for the fence to bear. I will miss the moss that has decorated with time. 
I am hoping that some of their beauty can still be salvaged for another use. Maybe they will still make fine birdhouses or a trellis with iron support behind them...any suggestions for these old fence boards? Bill wants to burn them but I'm not ready for that. I digress, my man just has no vision. 
The sunflower was from about 15 yrs. ago. Isn't she a beauty reaching nearly 20 ft. in the air.
These next two pictures are just because I am yearning lambing seasons gone by. The farm raised many a lamb. They are so darned cute.
What's for breakfast? The lambs are having alfalfa hay. I'm having a spinach, bacon & onion, tomato & cheddar filled omelet, steaming hot coffee and an apple. Yum Yum
What are ' ewe ' having? 
Dark Chocolate Cake from scratch, filled with Peanut Butter Cups or Whoppers, (Malted Milk Balls), frosted with Peanut Butter Frosting, and
the end result was a box of cupcakes, enough for, one for each year of his life. He grinned ear to ear when we presented them to him. He said he was not taking them home. In order to set the table the big box had to be moved so he, eventually, did put them in his truck. I have a feeling he will be making a few stops on his way home to share.
BENNNN just said, " That's 'tupid!" 
So much for today. Thanks for stopping and listening. 