Apple Blossom Time

Apple blossoms are so pretty and you smell them before you see them. Here is one from a Jonathan Apple tree. The pinks are deeper and the whites are creamy.

These lacy white and pale, pale pink blossoms come from our Grandmother Tree. This old tree is over 80 years old. It produces two types of apples. One of them is a gravenstein and the other is a yellow transparent. They both have a delicious old time flavor and are good for fresh eating, drying, juicing, pies, and applesauce.

The old barn and Grandmother Tree have been here since 1930. Oh, the tales they could tell ~

Bike Helmets. Wear Them.

If you have young children who love to ride bikes or scooters or skateboards, please make sure they wear protective helmets. Check the helmet to be certain it fits your child's head properly and securely. Make sure your youngster can easily buckle the helmet into place. There really aren't any style points for helmets and kids often times think they don't look "cool", but better safe than sorry. Other times, children are in such a big hurry for the fun to begin and the safety step is overlooked. An easy way to build in good habits of remembering and wearing the helmet is to buckle the helmet on the bicycle or scooter when it is not in use. Be sure equipment is stored properly so kids can access protective gear as soon as they want to play. Accidents happen so quickly and prevention is the best medicine. Please be diligent and protect the heads of the little and not so little people around you.

Happy Birthdays!

A happy, hairy, bunny hug for Tyler on his seventh birthday! We love you!

A happy, harmonica, party hug for Bob on his 80th birthday! We love you guys!

Peach Blossoms

Peach blossoms are so pretty. The perfect color of pink and the trees are full of them this year. We hope the summer harvest will provide enough for pies and cobbler, shortcakes, and drying, and best of all eating fresh with the juices dripping all over! What do you do with your peaches?

Happy Easter

Hot Cross Buns were the perfect morning treat with a hot cup of coffee by the fire on Sunday Morning. Dried fruit, orange oil and the sweet frosting.

The Irish Soda Bread with golden raisins was made to accompany Trina's very yummy lamb stew. The savory stew was served over mashed potatoes in a bowl. Here's to a beautiful spring full of new discoveries and beginnings.

Easter Vigil

My sister, Trina was part of a very special ceremony at St. Anne's for the Easter week end. The service started late in the evening at the bonfire, and lasted nearly 4 hours.

The Holy candle was blessed and then the flame was used to light Father Bill's candle, who in turn lit another wick and so on until all attending had a single flame to light the way back into the church.

My niece, Margaret, in the pink dress and her friend Emily, carefully guarded their precious flames as we all slowly walked back inside.

The single candle was held for about 30 minutes inside the church. When the flames were extinguished, the candles were set in the pew backs in front of us. They were used again later, when Father Bill had some children relight their candles from the Holy Flame and light up the parish. The children were pleased with this powerful lesson.

Trina is on the right with friend, Jen. The service was given in both English and Spanish and the bilingual music, prayers, and blessing added to the celebration of the evening... Just one candle burning bright can fill the world with light ~

April Fools Day!

The hens are happily laying their golden-yolked eggs...

The sheep are pleased with their dry feet on higher ground...

The Nigerian Dwarf beauties are thrilled with the green pasture on the other side of the fence...

...and playful with the idea that the days are getting longer and lighter now that April has arrived! ~Happy Spring~