Poor Tree

Oh nooooo!  

We have a big branch down!

After talking to the tree company, 

we made the very sad decision

that our Bradford Pear tree needs to be removed.   

It's too close to the house.

The wood is too soft to hold itself up when it gets this big.  (It's huge!) 

Branches are easily damaged, rot on the inside and then fall. 

I'm so glad I was not weeding over there when it fell.

(Today I am very grateful for the wasps that kept me out of there.)

Poor tree. 

Thank you for providing us with shade.

Thank you for the beautiful display of snowy white blooms every spring.

Thank you for providing a safe home for the birds.

It's time to say goodbye.

Lewis and Clark Barn Quilt

A brightly colored "Lewis And Clark" quilt block hangs

on a wonderful 90 year old barn.

Doesn't this barn look amazing against our blue, Kansas skies?

The current owners of this property 

raise cattle (beef)  and grow corn, soybeans and wheat.

I am enjoying this opportunity to connect with the land around me.



***
Go here to find the quilt barns in your state.

Be Good To Yourself

I picked up some pretty zinnias and gladiolas 

at the farmers market this morning.

A gift for me from me.  

Just because.

Be good to yourself.

And have a wonderful weekend!

Unbelievable Luck!

My Dala herd has tripled in size!

What started out as two has grown to six. 

I found three Dalas at a local vintage/gift shop and one more in an antique store.

I did not actually dance,  but I was pretty excited  

when I discovered they were priced at just a few dollars each.

Unbelievable luck! 

I had to bring them home with me! 

What wonderful treasures have you found recently?

Pile Of Books

A big pile of books to read 

(real ones, borrowed from the library)

and a nice pot of green tea,

equals one happy girl.

These three should keep me busy for the next two weeks.

And if not, I've got a couple more waiting in the other room. 

Have you read any good books lately?

Currently Reading:
The Girl In The Blue Beret - Bobbie Ann Mason
The Rose of Sebastopol - Katherine McMahon
The Last Runaway - Tracy Chevalier

Herbal Pantry Luncheon at Fire Lake Camp

I had an opportunity to take an Herbal Pantry class 

with Martha, of Lines From Linderhoff, yesterday. 

The setting at Fire Lake Camp was idyllic!  

Beautiful home and barn, with sweeping lawn down to the lake.

Tables set with jadeite dishes and milk glass vases filled with zinnias. 

 Julie was the sweetest hostess one could ever meet.  

We gathered around the kitchen island and

Martha showed us how to make herbal vinegar, jam, honey 

flour, sugar, salt, butter and pesto.

Each of those things was then incorporated into the lunch we were served.

It was all so fresh and beautifully presented.

 Scrumpdillyicious!

Pesto pasta

Carrot and cranberry salad with lavender honey vinaigrette

Lettuce, basil and tomato salad with basil vinaigrette 

Biscuits, with chive butter and peach rosemary jam 

Blueberry basil jam cake with icing

Lavender sugar cookies 

I enjoyed chatting with all the wonderful ladies at our table. 

And what a delight to meet Martha in person!

Such a pleasant and happy way to spend part of my Saturday!

Shady Hosta Garden

Hostas are blooming beautifully in my shade garden.

About a month ago we had a big hail storm rip through here.

The large hosta leaves sustained quite a bit of damage. 

Still, nothing can beat the way the slender stalks of white flowers 

look against the massive, dark green, ribbed leaves. 

This shady little garden is also a quiet place to remember

beloved family pets who crossed over the bridge many years ago

and now wait for us in kitty-heaven.