Getting Ready to make potpourri

I have been busy collecting flowers for my potpouuri - some of my favorites are the sweet smelling pink  roses, some blue and pink larkspur, lemon balm lots of  lavender and red bergamont.


Here is a Basic Lavender Potpouuri recipe from "The Pleasure of Herbs":


Add 1 quart lavender blossom to 3 T. orris root pre-mixed with 10 drops of lavender oil


Variations:


Add a cup or two of dried lilac, larkspur,
cornflower, or any floral blossoms for an additional color,
or rose petals for fragrance, plus double the amount of orris root and oil


A tablespoon of ground cloves will add a spicy touch.
1/2 cup ground vanilla beans will sweeten the blend.
A cup of bergamot leaves and/or mint will add fresh liveliness.

I can't wait to get all my blossoms dried and put together for a wonderful fragrant potpouuri.

Soapmaking in the heat!!!!!!

After all the soapmaking process was done and the soap was put under a wool blanket for 24 hours, this is how it looked after I cut the squares.

The soap has been cut and will now "cure" for a few days until it gets hard and is ready to package.

This wonderful smelling lavender soap is now packaged and ready for gifts for my lavender-loving friends.





Early Harvest from the Garden

I received a recipe from my daughter on how to can cucumbers one jar at a time --
Here is the trick: after you pack your sterilized jar with your favorite pickle recipe..mine is
each quart jar gets 2 cloves of garlic, 1/8 tsp alum, 1 tbls mustard seed and
2-4 heads of dill.  The jar then goes into a 150 degree oven for 45 minutes,
then when the jar comes out you pour boiling brine which is vinegar water,
and canning salt over each jar and lids that are steralized and still hot...
todah! pickles!



TRIP TO MINNESOTA TO SHAW REUNION

What a great opportunity to spend time with family - meeting new family members and seeing our home before and after our parents lived and played in them. 


Shaw Cottage



The way it looks today (2011) - owned and enjoyed by a couple from Arizona
who come for the summer

The home at 441 Dassell Avenue as it looks today (2011)

My home growing up

Thus Comes The Lovely Spring

Ahhh, spring at last!

On a recent warm and sunny morning while walking along the Platte River, I found myself thinking about spring. These picutres I captured with my camera and I found myself soaking up the sun, listening to the music of the birds, checking the trees for new buds and generally reveling in the resurgence of life around me.

I found myself eagerly looking foward to the warm days ahead, filled with sunshine and light. The thought of green grass, flowers of every shape and color and trees in full leaf filled my heart with joy.

What has filled your heart with joy this spring day???

New Life and Old at Littleton Museum Farm

These horses are happy to see anyone with carrots or apples and will come when called. They are the "old" at the museum.

This little darling white lamb was only a few hours old when I snapped the picture and she was wondering where her mother was.

This little baby had a hard time getting up as she was newly born and then when she did get up she was looking for "mama". What fun to watch all the new lambs.

The birds are singing and it's a fun walk around the little lake watching ducks and geese and enjoying the great mornings in Colorado.

Unfinished Projects

I have been inspired by a friend to get busy and finish some old projects. I definitely have old projects. One is the quilt that I put together 17 years ago and I plan to tie it, hopefully in the evening when I'm watching TV or listening to music

Another even older Raggedy Ann doll is badly in need of clothes and from my stash I've found a couple fabrics to start with. I know she'll be happy to be dressed.

I will be busy on these projects and as I dig around I'm sure I'll find a few more things to finish.