Spring Chickens and Daffodils

When I was a little girl. . . .around this time every year. . .my Grandmother Magers received a huge box of baby chicks in the mail. . .all yellow and fluffy. . . .

The weather was still too cold for the babies to be outdoors, so Grandmother fixed a place for them in the heating room--where the huge old furnace was located. . . .It kept them warm and happy. . . .

The minute I opened the back door, I'd know she'd gotten a shipment of chicks. . . .

Cheep, Cheep, Cheep. . . .They were never quiet. . . .I was just as relentless with my begging to play with them. . . .

Spring never arrives that I don't remember Grandmother's baby chicks. . . .

I remember. . . .

Yellow chicks and yellow daffodils. . . .

Grandmother's yard was filled with  hundreds of those bright yellow "teacups"--my childhood word for daffodils. . . .They were scattered everywhere. . . .in garden beds. . . .under trees. . . .along fence lines. . . . Many of the same bulbs that now bring rays of sunshine to our farm. . . .They're the first sign that Spring has arrived once more. . . .telling us that Winter is over. . . .

There's still a chill in the air. . . .but that doesn't fool a Farmer's Daughter.

The sun is shining brighter each day--warming our rich Delta soil. . . .We've seen baby rabbits in our garden and birds building nests in cubbyholes. . . .Daffodils are blooming. . . .Trees are budding. . . .Shoots of green are beginning to pierce the ground all around.

After a long winter's nap, Spring is waking up and stretching in the sun. . . .

The calendar says it's seven more days til Spring. . . .

but with yellow chicks and yellow daffodils 

bringing sunshine to my kitchen,

 TODAY I say. . .

Welcome Spring!

I missed you. . .

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

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There's a Corner in the Kitchen. . . .

A Farmhouse Good Morning to You All. . .

There's a corner in my kitchen that I've overlooked for quite some time now.

Never seemed able to come up with a satisfying combination.

I sat a bowl and pitcher there for years.

Pretty but not that functional. . . .

Felt it needed more above on the vintage shelf.

I was hearing a few complaints here there about having 

to walk "so far" to the dinner plates, stored in the pie safe--

only about eight feet away.

Not enough complaints to do anything about it,

til this morning as I unloaded the dish drainer 

and was making several trips to that cabinet eight feet away. . .

It CAN wear you out a little. . . 

On my last pass, I stopped in mid-track--at the corner cabinet-- and thought,

"Okay. . . .So I'll leave a few plates here."

Well, one thing led to another and I ended up with a little serving area--

closer to the kitchen and convenient.

Once I filled the corner cabinet top, 

I knew what needed to go on the shelf above. . . .

finally. . . .

after all these years. . . .

It all came together quickly. . . .

I added my recent 50c pitcher find. . . .

and a 25c linen towel.

Such a beautiful crocheted border. . .

Now that corner is pretty and functional--

no more fussing about the eight foot walk either. . .

Just goes to show you that in any room,

a little tweaking can always be done. . .

Have a wonderful day!

Hope it's filled with sunshine!

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

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So sorry--Email Problems with Your Comments

Good Morning, Everyone!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. . . .

Mine has been fairly frustrating.

As I began reading your comments at the latest posts,

I realized there were many more comments than I had email notifications!

There were over 300 comments thrown out as SPAM during the month of February!

So, here's the deal. . . .

First of all, I'm so sorry I didn't notice this problem before.

With the number of emails I receive each day,

I missed it.

I like to reply to your comments whenever possible. 

Afterall, you take the time to let me know your thoughts.

I consider it an honor.

 I'm sorry, too, if I didn't reply to you personally when you commented last month.

I think I have the problem taken care of.

My worry is that some of you began following that I missed your comment.

If this is true of you, would you please leave a comment below 

that you'd like me to follow you, too,

and I will visit your blog as soon as possible.

I do try to visit all new followers blogs, but sometimes it takes time. . . .

and sometimes I don't know you're there!

Don't know why but new followers are often placed in the middle of the list.

Honestly--

don't you think sometimes old ways are best?

Thank you so much for your help!

Together, we'll get this problem solved!

And, Thanks Again for your wonderful comments and interest in

The Country Farm Home. . . .

I truly appreciate each one of you!

Just a Reminder! 

Country Whites Weekend starts next Friday, March 15!

Get those posts ready!

A Bedroom Vanity Change

I realized this morning that I've had the same arrangement on and around the bedroom vanity for over six years. . . .Six years? Yep. Amazing, huh?. . . .Out of character since I seem to change out other rooms monthly--sometimes weekly. . . .

As I rolled up the winter rugs (I'm determined winter is over), the urge finally hit me for a change--to a more plain and simple look--of course. . . .less clutter. . . .

I'm not sure how plain and simple I made it. . . .There's still a little fussiness. . . .But, it is less cluttered. . . .Lighter and brighter. . . . Reflecting candlelight adds to the glow. . . .

I'm now ready for an even bigger change. . . .Just as soon as the weather gets a little warmer and we can get into some of our storage buildings, I'll be bringing a few different pieces of furniture into the bedroom. They are a bit "plainer". . . . thought I wouldn't get stuck in this rut any further. That's part of the fun of having so many buildings with storage, I can change pieces as much as we have the energy to do so.

. . .but. . .I couldn't wait that long for a temporary change. . . .I'm determined to shoo winter out of here.  .  .Get that little light shining brighter. . . .

"If everyone lit

Just one little candle,

What a bright world this would be. . . ."

 

Wishing you a bright and glowing weekend. . . .

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

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Mixing Up a Spring Garden

Is it Spring where you live, yet?

Well, whether you're basking in the sun or shivering in the cold north winds,

I found a way to let the Springtime in!

I was inspired by my little vacation. . . .

They say when the cat's away, the mice will play. . . .But, last week the cat (Boo) stayed home and the mouse (me) played. . . .

It was nice to take a break from the routine and head for the hills. . . .which is exactly what I did!. . . .I spent six lazy days in the Ozarks--enjoying the beautiful scenery from a cliffside condo. . . .No leaves budding on the trees, yet, but there were jonquils blooming everywhere. . . .

I got Spring fever. . . .bad. . . .

returning home anxious to get out and dig in the dirt.

 But, I'm afraid the closest I could come to a garden today ended up in baking cupcakes for John--thought I'd put a little Spring in his life, too. . . .I was feeling a tad guilty for my time away--something lovin' from the oven was in order. . . .

Found the recipe weeks ago on the net. . . .I'm still into easy, quick two ingredient cupcakes. . . .They fascinate me for some reason. . . .Since I don't eat sweets, the fun must be in the making of them?


For these Two Ingredient Chocolate Coca Cola Cupcakes, I used German Chocolate cake mix--the only chocolate mix I had on hand--and a can of Coca Cola. . . .Just mixed them together by hand. . . .till all was moist. . . .Then baked them in a 350 degree oven for approximately 35-40 minutes. . . .til done.

The "icing on the cake" is a simple buttercream tinted grassy green. . . .See the chocolate cupcake "dirt" peeking out from underneath? . . . .Pebbles and rocks are Creme de Minthe chocolate bits. . . .a little coconut for weeds. . . .mini mint patties back up the cute mat board flowers. 

They turned out so GREEN, they'd be a great treat for Saint Patrick's Day, too!

I added garden gloves and a sweet little frog to carry on the theme. . . .

How much fun is that?

John had a huge smile on his face when he saw his treats. . . .

even a larger one when he bit into the "Spring Garden". . . .definitely a hit. . . .

definitely cheerful. . . .

I still have a car to unpack, mail to handle, loom orders to get out--you know how it is after a vacation--so much to do, it's hard to decide where to start. 

I'm glad I chose to put all else aside and bake first. . . .

a little expression of LOVE never hurt anything. . . .

Helps make those "chores" go better--for everyone.

Maybe I'll be able to play in real dirt soon. . . .

I sure hope so.

My hands have that Spring Fever itch.

How about you?

Any plans for a Spring Garden?

 Or will you bake cupcakes instead?

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . . 

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