Garden Closeups

So more and more flowers are blooming everyday! John has been out keeping up the lawn and it is looking better everyday. I still have lots of weeding to do, but somehow I think it will always be that way. Anyhow - here are some closeups of a few of the flowers in my garden. (You can click to enlarge if you would like!)


Thanks to all the great suggestions so far! Keep 'em coming! :)

Carding, gardening, and Phat Fiber! Oh MY!

As mentioned yesterday I went to a pretty amazing garage sale with lots of fiber & yarns. I got several pounds worth of dyed fiber and yarns for under $50! I immediately got to hand carding the luscious dyed raw wool and I can't wait to start spinning it (though I still have a lot of carding to go!). These aren't the best pics (it is overcast and kind of gloomy today) The first is before, the second the after - the white is some angora that I have been carding in.

I am a bit late but here are some progress pictures from the garden. I have columbine, forget-me-nots, and poppy's blooming with many more getting close! I still have lots of weeding to do - but am hoping to get to that maybe sometime tomorrow! The lawn was mowed by the hubbs including the newly planted grass and I think it is to the point of being ready to play on so I am sure I will be out there lots with the boys this week.


Last but not least Phat Fiber June's boxes go on sale today!!! I am doing my Phat Fiber Day sale again as well, offering 20% off everything in the shop for today only!!

In the early stages

So as promised here are the garden pics. Please excuse the neighbors house (and my long grass)....I will try to update with pics every week or two, I am excited about seeing the progress. I won't be getting to buy any new plants this year, but I am looking forward to tending what I have. Each week I am going to feature a different flower, hopefully as they are in full bloom.


Also I updated today, so drop by and check out these great new fibers up in the shop! More to come tomorrow!

Tulips....where are you?

Today was a nice average day. Perfect for getting out into the garden. Which (after really putting it off) I did!!! With much help from my Aunt I was able to really get most of the big weeds out and really "bring to light" my bulbs and perennials! I really am wishing that I took a before picture as it was pretty bad. I have so much grass coming over from the next yard it makes it a little difficult to keep up with! Not to mention that I was pretty pregnant at the end of last summer and my garden really suffered. With most of the weeds out and everything cleaned up I am hoping to have a summer with lots of time tending my plants. A few didn't come back this year - but most are back a rearing to go. The new grass we planted has come in pretty thick and I think it's getting close to being ready to mow. I will be taking pics of freshly dyed fiber tomorrow and I will try to get some "early summer" pictures of the garden then too.

In the home I have been meeting more goals. All of our meals for the past week have been cooked from scratch and they all have been much heavier on the fresh fruits and veggies too! I just need to really keep things going to try and make this habit - I think the key for me will be having the evening meal thought out and ready before evening arrives. That is what's been working so far.

Anyhow no fun pictures or links tonight! Though I will most likely finish up some handspun yarn tonight that I plan on putting up in the shop! It has definitely been a while since I have spun yarn for sale.....I have been a little greedy ;P

I will include this recipe that is a favorite of my family - handed down by my Grandmother.

Ginny's Beans:

1 Can Pork & Beans
1 Can Lima Beans w/ham (I usually use butter beans...)
1 Can Kidney Beans
1 Can Tomato Sauce
1 Can Stewed Tomatoes
1/8 Cup (+or-) mustard (try different varieties to kick it up a notch)
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2lb-1lb Browned Ground Beef
1 Medium Onion, chopped (optional)
1 Green Pepper (optional)
1/2lb Crumbled Bacon (Optional)

Put all ingredients into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 2-4 hours. For the cans, just make sure they are all the same size - this recipe is very easy to double for more people! Yep that easy!

I love this recipe as it is easy to make last minute as the key ingredients are easy to keep on hand! Especially shopping at Costco. It is very flavorful and the mustard and brown sugar come together to make an amazing combination. This is one of my husbands very favorite meals - he asks for it often!