I Wander'd Lonely As a Cloud

"I wandered lonely as a cloud

   That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

   A host, of golden daffodils;"

Okay, so it's not quite a host, but our little daffodil patch has begun blooming, bringing a little sunshine to our hearts!

The crocuses are also making a show, although you about have to get down on your hands and knees to see them. :)

The lone trillium (the chickens killed its friends) is about to bloom as well, which means that morel mushrooms will be popping up in the woods.

Ground ivy is blooming, and its flowers have a sweet, dainty fragrance,

And the primrose on the dining table has inspired a beautiful nature journal entry by an older daughter~

It is snowing right now in our neck of the woods, and we are praying that the cold weather will spare our flowers, peas, and greens coming up in the garden!

Love,

Marqueta

The Garden in May

Dear Friends,

We have been having fun with blue paint around the garden, wanting it to look like the South of France. We may not have a stone mas to live in, but it does look prettier than before!

We splurged on these allium bulbs last fall, and now they are the queens of the show. Even the foliage is attractive, with big, strappy leaves.

The girls have been practicing to perform at the local farmer's market, and our cat Ginger made sure that the bodhran was properly tuned.

Hickety Pickety decided to check out the chicks' pen whilst they were elsewhere, to make sure it was properly outfitted. Doesn't she look lovely amidst the irises?

Radishes have been our best crop in the garden so far, other than the wild greens that are running rampant throughout the yard. These are from Tasha's personal garden spot~

Hyrum just keeps growing and growing (as does his bushy hair). He loves being out on the trampoline!

The peony in back is now in bloom, and it complements the irises perfectly. We put in four more peonies out front, and will have a hard time waiting till next year for them to bloom.

Peony bud.

Last but not least, we planted this catmint and false blue indigo next to each other last spring, not knowing that they would match perfectly this year. I love it when things work out this way, seeing the faeries at play! Now where are all the bees and butterflies they are supposed to be covered with?

Until next time.

Love,

Marqueta

"A swarm of bees in May
Is worth a load of hay;
A swarm of bees in June
Is worth a silver spoon;
A swarm of bees in July
Is not worth a fly."

-  Rhyme from England

"Bound and Bordered in Leaf Green..."

"...Edged with trellised buds and flowers

And glad Summer-gold, with clean

White and purple morning-glories

Such as suit the songs and stories

...unrevised in text or scene..."

--James Whitcomb Riley

Dear Friends,

Our summer has been unusually cool and nice; which means we have been able to be outside more and jump on our trampoline. (And draw with chalk!)

Evangeline doing a flip~

Our Black Swallow-tail caterpillars have all turned into beautiful butterflies and flown away.

The garden is in full bloom and looking lovely.

These little hobbits found giant cabbages and eggplants in "Farmer Maggot's" (aka the Farmer's Market) crop.

Have you ever seen the likes of those cabbages and eggplants before? They are huge!

The heat has been turned up lately, with temperatures around 100, so now it is starting to feel more like a real Missouri summer! We do love the singing insects at night, as well as the fireflies on a sultry evening, and will miss them when they rest this fall.

Many blessings to you all.

Love ~ Marqueta

Master Franklin Has a Birthday

 Dear Friends,

Oh my, can Frankie really be seven already? He loves African animals lately, so we made him a rhino cake with bananas for horns (so creative, I know). The ice cream topping melted quickly, so the photo doesn't look its best, but at least Frankie liked it!

Frankie wanted to go to the zoo to see the African animals, but we went to a nature center instead, since it was supposed to rain. The day after his birthday was nice and sunny, however, so he finally got to go see everything in its animal glory. I think that a person could do worse than be in love with animals!

Here are a few photos from his special day, for you to enjoy:~

 

Seven Times One

Jean Ingelow

THERE’S no dew left on the daisies and clover,
There’s no rain left in heaven.
I ’ve said my “seven times” over and over,—
Seven times one are seven.
I am old,—so old I can write a letter;
My birthday lessons are done.
The lambs play always,—they know no better;
They are only one times one.
O Moon! in the night I have seen you sailing
And shining so round and low.
You were bright—ah, bright—but your light is failing;
You are nothing now but a bow.
You Moon! have you done something wrong in heaven,
That God has hidden your face?
I hope, if you have, you will soon be forgiven,
And shine again in your place.
O velvet Bee! you ’re a dusty fellow,—
You ’ve powdered your legs with gold.
O brave marsh Mary-buds, rich and yellow,
Give me your money to hold!
O Columbine! open your folded wrapper,
Where two twin turtle-doves dwell!
O Cuckoo-pint! toll me the purple clapper
That hangs in your clear green bell!
And show me your nest with the young ones in it,—
I will not steal them away;
I am old! you may trust me, linnet, linnet!
I am seven times one to-day.

Love, 

Marqueta

Happy Tasha Tudor Day 2013

 Dear Friends,

We're celebrating the birth of a very special lady, who would have been 98 this year. She continues to inspire us every day, to embrace the simple things in life.

Although we may never have a garden to equal the magnificence of hers, every time we enjoy our flower beds, fresh herbs, and vegetables, we feel a little kinship with Tasha.

And although we may not be able to re-react antique dresses just by giving them a look-over, sewing something by hand is a celebration of the creative spirit that she engenders in us.

 (The following poses we based on this painting by Tasha, although I feel more like a full-rigged ship than a woman young and fair!)~

May you take some time today to enjoy the simple things, like reading a book with someone you love,

 

 Admiring the beauty of God's creations,

 

And finding a few surprises along the way!

Blessings to you all,

Marqueta

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“Life isn't long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege even to be alive. In spite of all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is. Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think what you would think. The wonder of it!”
 

― Tasha Tudor