Primitive 1900 Maritime Cat Doll with Fish

Available on ebay here, at a reduced price! 3 day auction only!

Happy 4th of July!

Here are some pics of my garden, which is growing like gangbusters this year!! My pole beans are reaching over their 6 foot support. 

My cucumbers have exploded with blossoms! Yeah! We will have pickles this year!

 Here is a picture of the healthier of the only 2 sunflowers that made it past the seedling stage. I didn't do well with seedlings this year, and had to buy most of my plants. It kind of feels like cheating to me. Next year I am going to use my brother's greenhouse to start my seeds, so they get enough light.

 We have already decided to double our garden space next year. There just isn't enough room. I also want to separate out my herbs and put them in their own plot. a lot of them are getting overshadowed by some of the larger plants. You learn a little more every year!

Pattern writing and taking a trip!

I am busy writing the pattern for this piece.
 But first, I am taking a short trip to Cincinnati, from Wednesday, June 23 to Sunday, June 27. I will not have computer access while I am away. I will be happy to answer any and all correspondence on Monday June 28. See you then!!!

Sneak peek for TDIPT tonight!

Have you seen this?

Food Inc. 

This documentary confirmed everything I have suspected about our food supply and more. I have been getting into organic food for a couple of years now, mostly for health reasons. I have hypothyroidism, which I take medication for every day, and for the rest of my life. I have had this condition for many years, and it has really taken its toll. As I  get older, my energy is easily sapped. Diet plays a huge role in this. If I eat healthy-lots and lots of veggies, I actually feel almost good. If I eat badly, I feel awful. Sugar especially effects me, and I try to avoid it. High fructose corn syrup makes me actually achy and tired.

So...I have started gardening in earnest. 

I buy eggs from a local farm. 

I am using organic flour and whole wheat pasta. 

I have thrown out all processed foods. All.

This last winter I had my first free range turkey-it was unbelievable!

Now I am on a mission. 

It is probably a 10 year mission.

It is about self-sustainability.

I am planning a process of slowly living off the land, and becoming 3/4 vegetarian.

My hubby and I put in a 450 square foot garden this spring. I am growing carrots, turnips, onions-red and yellow,basil, lavender,flat leaf parsley, broccoli, kohlrabi, peppers-green and jalapeno, swiss chard, dill,tomatoes-heirloom,cherry, roma(for sauce), and beefsteak, cucumbers, zuchini,pumpkins and pole beans.

This is step one.

Next year we will install our beehive in hopes of having honey the following year.

Eventually, we will move to a house in the country where will will also have our own chickens. There is a no-chicken ordinance in this town or I would not wait.

So that is the plan. We have a lot to learn but our quality of life depends on it. My kids are growing up and out, and we now know what we want to do as we move towards retirement(still many years away). We will end up living a homesteading type of self-sufficient lifestyle out where the wind blows through the trees and you can hear a car come up the road from a long way off.

:~)

Cats!

Ready to go to their prospective homes!

Did you know top hats are in?

Even when you are 6'4"?? This is my son Aidan's Jr. prom picture. I do think he looks dashing in top hat and cane, but I was a little surprized because I knew his date wasn't very tall. So I'm thinking he is going to be like 7" tall with a top hat! But it wasn't that tall a hat, so it worked. They look great! A good time was had by all.