Maggie's New Book

Just arrived!!!  Maggie B's latest book.  

A day at Sunny Brook is filled with WONDERFUL projects for your home.  Wool applique, counted cross stitch, rug hooking, flower press and much more.

The book retails for $26.95.

I read it on the way to Des Moines yesterday and I must say it is very interesting.  Lots of fun facts!!

Garden Fence is FINISHED!!!

The fence is finished and boy does it feel wonderful!!  Thanks to my husband and 2 boys who helped finish it up.  Now that the weather has cooled down I hope to spend some more time out there weeding, tilling and fertilizing.  The weather has taken such a tole on the everything!

This is one of my most favorite plants.  My dad bought me the very first one while we lived in Ohio and I brought it with us when we moved but unfortunately it didn't make it through the winter here.  

I recently purchased one and am so excited to see that it is actually growing despite the hot weather. 

It is called a Red Hot Poker Plant!

We live on an old farm that has LOTS of cement!  Most of it is heaved up and broken into smaller pieces.  We are slowly trying to remove what we can.  The worst part is all the little rocks that are underneath.

This is the area by the garden and the chicken shed.  We are attempting to clear that cement so we can lay some underground wiring and a water line.

Seems there is always projects going on at our house.  

Oh, did I mention that my son made a deal with me that he would take up the cement if I would FINISH painting his room?  He doesn't have much patience for that kind of thing.  

I agreed to the deal and he is wondering when I will start.......................................How much cement do I want taken up?!  ;)

New wool

Good Morning to you!  We have been receiving new items in the store so thought I would begin to share some of them with you.

New wool and I must say the colors are wonderful.  We have a beige and off white ticking (dyes like a dream), dark brown/black plaid, turquoise/purple plaid, a purple check that looks like it is hand dyed but it's not and my favorite............... chartreuse (this would make the most wonderful witches faces).

Even if you are not a purple fan or chartreuse they are great "spark" colors for you stash.

Don't know about you but it has been really hard to get motivated with the high temps and humidity.  

FINALLY, today the front has passed through!  YEAH!!

I am hoping that will give me a boost of energy (or a good kick in the butt) to get rolling!!

Salt Lake City Graduation

My nephew Max graduated from HS in Salt Lake City Utah a few weeks back.  We decided we would try and fly stand by so we didn't tell them that we were coming.  

Surprise we made it and all went well on the flights out.

I took some pictures of my brothers garden (which takes up the entire backyard of their home).

Above you will see a planter that he has designed.  Every plant in the container is real.  The white specs you see in the grass is actually grass that is blooming.  It was truly amazing!!

One of two heads of iceberg lettuce growing in the bed.  I thought that the texture and color was wonderful!

A little mileage sign in the middle of the garden in case you want to know how far you have to travel!

I think these were the tomato plants but I honestly can't remember.  Deneece made the sign for the graduation party.

Party lights that accentuated the garden perfectly!  Tim designed the picket fence himself.

This is the view from their backyard!!  

My brother also makes furniture and we saw some wonderful pieces while we were there.................however, I didn't take any pictures!  I think I got so caught up in looking I forgot to shoot!!

I took pictures of the chickens but not the chicken shed which was the coolest!!  

Next time I will have to be more on the ball and not so busy gawking around!!

Chicken Shed Renovations?

This small building was on our acreage when we purchased the site.  I am not really sure what use it was intended for but we converted it into our "chicken shed".

 Well, over the years the building has begun to deteriorate and the roof is in need of repair.  We have also had "many" pesky friends sneaking in through parts of the building!!

Upon just barely getting the garden fence up Grandpa said he had a "PLAN"  for our chicken shed!  I was trying to decide if I should invest in a gallon or 3 of paint.

Grandpa's "PLAN" sounds much more exciting and eye appealing as well.

  

Grandpa is so excited about this project!  He described what he thought we should do and it is perfect!  We will officially be "adding on"  to the previous building.  Are we crazy.........................well, we already know the answer to that. :)

In the meantime that means running electricity, putting in a water line and removing some cement. 

Soooooooo, when we start to have some action I will take pictures and post them.  

Hint:  we won't have to buy many materials..........................we are re-purposing!!

Sneak Peak INSIDE the garden fence

Just a little peak inside the new garden fence.  I don't know about where you live but it is so dry here.  I am watering the plants and seeds every day and sometimes twice.

The baby rabbits are enjoying the spinach and broccoli that are coming up.  Soon the gates will be up and they will have to look for food else where!!!

The plants are slow growing due to no water and warmer temps.........................and the fact that I am checking on them constantly!! :)  

When more things happen I will let you know.

Fallen off the blog and into the garden.............fence

Remember that pile of wood that I showed you?  The ones we got from tearing down a shed on our property?  

The boards were to be used for a garden fence that I have wanted for some time now.  As you can see the process has begun. 

Renting an auger from the local farm store uptown was a must.  We had 24 posts to put into place (Grandpa had some of his own as well).  Running that piece of equipment..................TOTALLY a guy thing!!

As you can see the garden is in pretty rough shape.  We had lots of weeds and it seemed to be a never ending job from year to year.  A couple years ago I asked for garden boxes for Mother's Day.  That got us pointed in the right direction.

Little wood steaks were used to mark the spot for the posts.....................except where there was LOTS of limestone.  The fence isn't the straightest but we had no choice.  

This is the front view of the garden.  The 2 tall posts will be the entry and are waiting a few more boards.

The pickets are all up and some perennials have been planted as well as moved and divided.  The gates are made and waiting for Dave to return to put the hardware on.

See the cement tank?  That was on the property when we purchased the place.  For awhile it was used to hold the sheep fence up.  Now I am going to use it as a planter.  For what you ask?  Not sure yet but know it will come to me shortly.

The little baby bunnies have already found the fresh vegetation.  They have gotten a great meal off of my NEW perennials.  :(

Just want to say a BIG thank you to Grandpa for his help in digging the holes and  a BIG thanks to Dave for all of his hard work and diligence in getting the fence up.  He did a fabulous job!!!

When we get a little more done I will post more pictures.