Do It Yourself Girl Illustration Garden and Farm

How was your Christmas holiday? We had a white one here and it's still white out.
It really is beautiful but if you are not bundled up properly it feels like the North Pole. We run around outside looking fluffy but that means warm and the wind bypasses us.

I've started some new artwork and have a few listed in my etsy store  Dictionaryreader. How many out
there are do it yourself-ers? I know there are many. So here is a little grouping of art
I did for all of us.

Happy New Year is soon! No dieting til then. ;-)

Seeds catalogs are my good friends!

Westie Valentine Dog

Here's one of my Valentine boys.The hairest one.

I tried to put a red ribbon on his head. He shook it off and played with it instead. He sees the cat do that so you can't blame him.




We have a nice clean landscape right now. Snow freshens up and brightens up everything. Makes it right slippery too! Some of the Canada geese are still here. There are 6 who stayed behind this winter. Mr. Red Fox is out in the fields, but I never have my camera when I see him. I don't want him eating the geese eggs this spring.

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Cinnamon Sticks Table Decorations - Holiday

Vintage silver sparkles for the upcoming holidays. I played around today experimenting with different cinnamon stick arrangements (sweet spicy scent) and other outdoor organic finds I gathered. I am a gatherer! My cream and sugar doing double duty. The tarnished look makes them even more primitive especially against burlap, don't you think?





Cinnamon sticks are versatile! I bought a big box last year of them and their scent is not as potent, it's subtle and yummy now. Some fir tree tips (wonderful scent) were inserted into one cinnamon log/stick and they make quite a cute vase. I like this gingham ribbon better than baker's twine. (Probably because I'm out of it!) The ribbon is soft and silkier and easier on little fingers. I'm thinking of the little sweethearts that will be around our thanksgiving table.

My idea of country farmhouse decorating is to use what you have to make some eye candy. If it's useful too that is even better. Now if it's eye candy, useful and also smells heavenly...I sit up and take note. My cookie cutters came out of their box.

The copper colored bird pulls out the warm browns of the cinnamon. It also means our creativity is taking flight ;-)

A bird filled with holiday greenery. There is a nest in it's heart.

So much fun. Arranging and rearranging and even more ideas blinked in my head.

Lavender stars in this napkin topper. Mini tree bouquets. I did add a pinch of lime green cedar. Greenery and plants make us happy especially as it dips into the 20's tonight.

The cinnamon woods! This year I am hoping the table decorations are just as good as the food. Now to work on the menu again........

I am connecting up with these friends.

The Shabby Creek Cottage

Friday's Unfolded

Inspire Me Friday

Country Cottage

Farm Friend Friday

My Romantic Home

Inspiration Friday

Features and Simply Creations

Blueberry Homesteading Book

The Blueberry Years by Jim Minick

I got this book in the mail from my sister. Since we've been sick I've had time to devour it. A "delicious" read it said in one review. Jim has a knack for describing people, human nature and blueberries! Everyone has a dream and Jim and Sarah's is to support themselves on a homestead of blueberries. How hard can that be they question that question? (Since his father grew some bushes it should be in his genes. No?) Blueberries that are not yet planted, nor the bull pines cleared, but they have the land and the dream. Easy enough they think. Jim takes you with him and his wife on this journey of labor and love and mother earth. Not any journey but an certified organic farmer's journey who invites strangers to his farm to "u pick" blueberries right along with them.

You soon realize he has a love affair with blueberries. I wonder how many blueberry bushes have been sold by nurseries because of Jim's apt description of their gorgeous existence.

When you toil over the land and plant the bushes you become protective of it. Jim also becomes an analyst of people, relationships, religion, money, dreams, neighbors, and the ever productive blueberry...all of the clever evaluations come from keeping the hands busy and the mind turns things over and over until every visible side is exposed. You laugh. You worry. And like a good friend he shares his feelings with you whether they are right or wrong at the time. Unlike myself he has learned when to pause and not answer. If you are not an organic food believer you will be.

After I read the last page I wanted to ring them up and invite them over for dinner. To think he used to teach high school English in Maryland. Jim is a gifted writer and poet. This book is not just for "do it yourself-ers" or homesteaders, it's a book about life and relationships that come from working toward a dream.

As a bonus he has added blueberry recipes at the end! I highly recommend it.

Adding to the Red Hot Garden

The hot is going to get hotter. The hot colored garden that is! I had this Orange Harvest iris rhizome and in it went. The color is a rich orange that darkens. It looks great against red foliage shrubs. Plus it reblooms in the fall. How great is that?

Remember twist ties? I guess they are history. This has a rubber band that is attached to the plastic label and then you twist it around the rhizome to keep them happily together and identified. Ta da! Ideas just waiting to be patented out there.

The thing I like about German iris plants is their foliage looks super for about 9 months here in our gardening zone. That soft morning sea breeze color of sage and the softest turquoise. Romantic. Beautiful and it doesn't droop but stands tall and strong defending the garden perimeters! (I want to paint a few chairs that color!)

Speaking of drooping...I am on the mend I will tell you. It's been raining and gray outside but inside I turned the heat on this morning to dry out the dampness and haven't stopped since.

Sweet Herb Nosegay

This morning was beautiful and long sleeves felt good. I picked a little nosegay bouquet to bring in all of the loveliness and a little fragrance with it. A snip of hidcote lavender, common sage, lemon balm, globe amarraths, lamb's ears, lavender cotton, and butterfly bush. I snipped off a small piece of ornamental grass over the lambs ears to tie the little bundle together. No special tools or floral supplies needed.



I wish more people would include lavender cotton in their gardens. The leaves have a wonderful scent and the leaves are small and dainty. They do have little yellow button flowers in June. They also can be trimmed and formal in knot gardens.



These little bouquets make you feel so feminine. They are small and adorable. I ended up setting it in a small blue and white tea cup on the table. Did you pick any flowers from your garden today? I'd love to hear.

Peaches Say Sweet Summer

Hello! How is everyone? I have been busy and my computer crashed and burned. But then there is peaches. So sweet! I think they are my favorite fruit. Favorite at the moment. They are like golden sunshine balls filled with sweet tart sugar. I could sing praises all day for peaches.

I have enough to make some french tarts, peach and lemon jam and peach banana and soy milk smoothies with a pinch of honey. So delicious. This all sounds heavenly but I have lots of other things to do as well on the farm.

Walk, run...fly

Today it hit 71 degrees and we were giddy. Very careful giddiness because the ground is still frozen solid and the top 1/4 inch has melted and it makes for slippery walking on the hillsides! I took this video of some very happy Canada geese in the field.

White Wednesday Artist Diary

Another lovely White Wednesday today. Here is what I did in one hour today.

I tried to take some pictures of lace and leather which happens to be my skirt and my cowgirl boots. I think it's a great contrast of textures. My husband is not too thrilled when I wear these boots out to town with skirts. "Aren't they hot?" he'll ask. Psychology is amazing; isn't it?






Soon we had fur, lace and leather. More white textures. (I also found out you can only bend over so far and take a picture before falling over.) I made a mental note to get a tripod and use the timer next time. Hopefully I will not forget the camera and run inside. The mind is amazing; yes? Mine is full of goings-on and at times I think it's unraveling, but I graciously gather it back up and keep going.






Our little romp outside turned into a fur party. Just sit down on the grass and everyone climbs on board. If someone would have opened the gates the sheep would have been upon us too.






Sir Salty, our westie dog, is being patient and trying to share the love, but it's hard. Etsy says to share the love.

I can't believe how fast the kittens are growing up. They used to be these fluffy "antique white" balls just a few weeks back!







I ended up looking back on my camera of all the stored pictures there. There are about 60 percent animals and 40 percent people.

What came of our day was a little aceo oil painting of our siamese kittens. I paint rather fast and all in one sittng. I feel that gives a better impression, better brushstrokes and it's not overpainted. You have to simplify, just put on the canvas what's important.

Do visit the other white wednesday ladies and gents posts here.

Original Fox and Rabbit ACEO Paintings

Boys will be brave especially if they have company. These two scouts have camped out by themselves all night for the very first time. Yes, they are very happy to see the sunrise. I tried to make this one those colors somewhere between night and morning. This is an aceo which measures 2.5 by 3.5 and it is an original small acrylic painting.




More boys, bunny boys, mind you. How can you read a book when you are next to a ball field? This bookworm bunny can. Another aceo original acrylic painting. Up for sale on ebay.

I really love baby animals. I might chase out the rabbits and ground hogs from the gardens, but when you see the babies, it brings you to your knees. They are so cute!

Collect White China with Roses

Sugar bowls are the most inexpensive items to collect. I'm going to share a secret.






First this little pink dianthus. I love how it looks like someone used pinking scissors on them, but that is how God made them. So perfect and a wonderful spicy clove fragrance to go with them.







I've also loved roses forever. A wonderful way to collect them is on castaway vintage sugar bowls and china plates at thrift stores. The best part is that I use them for small vases on the table pictured here outdoors. You could even put in a name card in each bouquet if you have one for each guest. The secret is they are beautiful and all very inexpensive vases, but all the things we ohhh and ahhhh over. The one above was 1.50







Another beautiful white china plate with rose wreaths on it. 1.50 The back of the plate is stamped FRANCE Depose.






I love these roses too. 1.50 This one is stamped WINSFORD, England, W.H.Grindley and Co. on the back. All ready to serve little tea sandwiches or tiny confections. They really set the country white mood with their blush of pink roses. Now for tea.


Do visit other funWhite Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday posts.

Shabby Pink Cottage July Flowers

It can still look like England outside even in this heat wave of 100+ degrees. These soft pink/plum flowers are blooming now. Love the colors of this one over many other ones!

Doesn't this mallow, or hibiscus, remind you of raspberry ice cream?





It's paired up with Monet Moments, a bright pink lobelia. This one is to be much hardier for us than most. I love it up against the weathered gray fence.

Exotic Echinacea Flower Trail

This is the time of summer when we come to expect bold, splashy colors. Gone are the days of spring pastels. (Even though we still love and have white gardens.)

Top photo is Flame Thrower echinacea or coneflower. I took the pictures of the standard pink coneflower in the background so you can see the difference in colors.

These all look spectacular against burgundy foliage. Like these flowers in front of tall, large- burgundy-leaved cannas would be smashing.

The other two photographs are of the lovely neon-ish Tomato Soup coneflower. The color combinations you would know are my favorite. Orange, pink and burgundy. And just the right amount of each.

Prices are kind of high for each plant, (like $14.) but be patient as they will come down next year when newer ones are offered.

White Wednesday Horse Farm Dress

I love the vintage white lace dress that my daughter is wearing standing in a log cabin that was moved and is being rebuilt. The air smells like lavender and fresh cut hay! To think pioneers used to sleep on straw or hay beds and still thought life was good! That is why their dreams were sweet.

Horses are like my puppy. Once they are washed and clean they want to go out and roll around. This horse just rolled in the dry dirt and look at the dust as she shakes it off. Look at her expression too....

How do you ladies choose fabrics out at the fabric store when there are so many cute vanilla prints to play with?

My favorite coneflower - lime coconut.

Is everyone wearing white linen today or white cotton while you carry the hose from plant to plant? I am linking to
Faded Charm's White Wednesday blog party. If you love white vintage things you'll love everyone's pictures.

Kids Potager Vegetable Garden

The perfect childrens garden. Lots of leafy veggie foliage make this one so appealing. The circular design makes it easy for little gardeners to reach anywhere easily. When the kids aren't gardening the statuary rabbit will watch over each tasty morsel for you. Cabbage and lettuce have never looked so good. This little precious garden belongs to a friend of mine.

White Wednesday - My First

White flowers have a cooling effect on us in the hot weather. It's 90 out so I'm looking directly at these now. The white snapdragons will bloom all summer into the fall. Yay! I love beautiful, sturdy flowers that don't fail. Plus they are an upright torch-goblet shape which looks good with blouse-y flowers that flop all around it...or just place them next to a boxwood hedge...boxwood is such a classic!

Eating after dark by candlelight these will be like twinkling wands under the moonlight.

I don't know why they don't sell more white snapdragons at nurseries. They mostly sell the mixed-color market packs. Up close it has a hint of blush on it. It's own, not mine!



I picked a few greys from near the porch and they look luminous against my white linen. So dreamy and the lemon thyme makes me want ice tea. I love this grey-green and white combination of colors. Looks so clean, crisp and fresh.





Look how dainty these seed heads on the dandelion are up close. They are ready to take flight like a flock of migrating birds. Good thing the sheep eat them and think they are cotton candy!

I am linking to Faded Charm, who sponsors white wednesday, for my very first time. A fun group of folks who love sharing pictures of white colored treasures inside and outside their home. Join in the fun!

Show off your Cottage Monday

I am joining in on some fun and sharing some pictures of a taste of our cottage home started by a house in the roses. Each Monday you can post a picture of your garden, home or items that bring happiness and that cottage feeling.

We have some sweet siamese kittens that are purrr-fect. Look how she's looking up and enjoying our company! ...And we just bought a serger sewing machine on Saturday (my first one ever!) so I added my rose skirt fabric under my gardening hat which is under one of my siamese kittens. Layer up your display items with love and you usually end up with a nice little arrangement.

Won't you join in on the fun?

Kiparoo Farms Yarn for Knitting/Crocheting

We went to Kiparoo Farms and met Annie Kelley and saw her beautiful studio. It's on a working farm of sheep and cattle. She has 150 head of sheep and if you raise sheep you know the work that involves. Annie is as petite as a clothes pin, but has more energy radiating from her than the lit White House Christmas Tree. She is a fine example of hardwork, a love for what she does and a super personality! We had such a good time there.

This is Annie's helper who lived on the farm before Annie did and now lives royally. Friendly as can be. The lacey crocheted tablecloth...gorgeous. When can we move in?

This is Annie above on the left. Her studio is in several rooms of the old farmhouse. She refinished the floors and the walls are white with high ceilings. It's decorated in her beautiful scandinavian-heritage style. Lots of bright whites and beiges with a little pink here and there.

She sells her own wool yarn from her sheep in every texture and color combination imaginable. A real bonus is that there is the actual handmade item next to each of her patterns which really sells them. Some with more than one color variation to show the possibilities. Look at these little cute purses above.

I didn't begin to capture the ambience of her shop, Kiparoo Farms, you have to experience it yourself. Then you will know what a joy it is. Her website is here.