Monday, April 12, 2021

Just Dropping In

.......with a little This and That

      


  I took this photo Sunday Morning, as it was so good to see the sun again. Friday evening through late Saturday allot of rain came down, and brought in some wind and cooler weather. Today-Monday-was also sunny but still a nip in the air.

   We do have lovely blooms, very green grass, and lots of dandelions. I love dandelions and this year we have lots-thinking me spreading some seeds around last year helped and we have gotten allot of rain in as well. I picked some to dry just a bit ago. I will infuse them in warm olive oil and add to my melt and pour soaps along with calendula petals next time I make soap


I hadn't taken a walk in months, so I grabbed the camera to view the pretty spring blooms
  This is my car and where I park so I do not need to back up on the steep driveway down below this. The previous owners parked their huge camper here-and you can see the road to the right which is where our mailbox is-so pretty views walking up to the mailbox


   Trees are just beginning to show green, redbuds are blooming, I saw a small dogwood tree in bloom, and my lilacs are beginning to bloom, I also potted some wild violets in the lawn, love those-that is our dock project down below

  Also the last few early mornings we have been enjoying watching a pair of loons-the pretty black and white ones. Never knew they came this far down from up north. I love listening to their calls too, and I just so surprised to see them here. Haven't been able to get a good photo of them yet, as they are swimming toward the middle of the lake mostly.


    Some times when one is anticipating mail to arrive, a bunch of it will arrive in one day. Today was that day. Larry got two packages, I got two new rubber stamps in the mail, stamps I ordered from the post office online-I like to buy stamps that way because I can get the newest ones out and they just released coffee stamps, and slow mail from Amanda in Spain-that was for sure slow mail as it took 27 days but that's ok with me-happiness in my mailbox

    I was looking for rubber mounted stamps with script, the one on the left I fell in love with, and the same seller had the one on the right too-thought it would be perfect for my slow mail to other countries. The seller also put in those little cutouts. and I received one of Amanda's raock's included with her slow mail letter today.

    I am really enjoying writing and receiving letters again, I enjoy the whole process very much-so thank you all so much. It helps me feel more connected to friends Especially more so--as we don't see any friends any more since covid and also mostly because we moved an hour away from the woods house.


and I found the perfect spot for Amanda's gift-hanging on my copper pots and cast iron rack


I got this really pretty card awhile ago from Iris in Germany, I love all my pen pals-hugs to you all


 I am making progress adding in yarns for the fringe on the shawl. It's a slow process but I have a "system" now haha.  I am almost finished with one side.

   Those of you that have celiac, IBS or other digestive issues you will understand my pain. Something I ate about 5 days ago or so must have had some hidden wheat in the product. I think the culprit was the corn chips I was eating-and they were organic yellow corn chips from Chi chi's, they were not marked gluten free but usually corn chips will be ok for me especially organic ones. Not these. I have been drinking yarrow tea with chamomile, eating yogurt, applesauce, chicken soup, more yarrow tea or decaf green teas.   I have not been in this sad a state for years. I had to re think what to do as I have not had this severe a flare up for many years. Also peppermint oil capsules helps as well. Hoping the pain will be little less finally soon. Hubs wants me to go to the doctor since it's been over a week now-but I am pretty sure its the celiac and/or IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

   My seeds must be too old that I am trying to start in the bottles. So far only one tomatoe seed has sprouted but we have had a cool week.

    Have an awesome new week everyone

24 comments:

  1. You've been busy Kathy. And you have spring. No dandelions here yet, but you have lots. I've never tried making soap so I'm not sure if the dandelions are for scent, color or just to be in the soap. The yellow from them is beautiful. You got nice happy mail too. Isn't happy mail the best? Have a great new week Kathy. hugs-Erika

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Erika, dandelions have allot of healing properties so they are nice in handmade soaps, can make allot of things from dandelions. these are very large flowers too this year yes happy mail is the best-hugs

      Delete
    2. https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/using-dandelions/

      Delete
  2. Just dropping by to say hi. Great and large dandelions this year. Your redbuds are in bloom and looking good, too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the picture of all the dandelions. This must be the year of the dandelion for my yard is covered with them. Billy JoeTatum (Wild Foods Cookbook& Field Guide) served them up fried. 3 cups dandelion buds, stems removed. Butter for frying, 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Wash dandelion buds and drain well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat butter in an iron skillet over medium heat until foam dies down. Place buds a few at a time in the pan and cook just until flowers burst into bloom. Keep warm while rest of buds are being cooked. Serve hot. Serves 6
    I should have saved that recipe for your cast iron cooking post. You would probably really enjoy B. J.s book.
    I have been admiring the stamps on your slow mail and wondered where you bought them. I even asked at the post office.

    I am not sure what’s going on with corn chips. I have not been doing well with the Santitas we like. I hope you are already feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mary, while I was reading your recipe I was thinking this is perfect for cast iron saturdays. I have not eaten many dandelions, the greens I always forget to look for before flowers so they will be less bitter, but your recipe sounds good. I like to use dandelions infused and then added to my melt and pour soaps, they are also good in healing salves too.
      that cook book sounds familiar will check it out. I have never had an issue with corn chips before and most bags do not say gluten free-which would mean made in a gluten free enviroment-I won't be eating them for awhile
      I started buying my stamps online because the little post office we had at the woods store never had any new ones, we have a really nice post office here near the lake-but same thing they are always out of the choices. online they only charge around a dollar for shipping

      Delete
  4. Wonderful photos, and I love those dandelions, they will make a wonderful soap! Hugs, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Valerie, it's so good to see you-hoping you are feeling better-hugs these were really lovely dandelions larger than most years. last night we were quite chilly and all the dandelions are now really wilted up-so I picked them at the perfect time

      Delete
  5. I didn’t know! could make dandelion soap. Exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Soap! This sounds... WOW. Did you know before they bloom you can pick one, blow away the seeds and if you manage to blow them all on one try you can make a wish?
    OK, you can always make a wish ;-)
    Oh, lovely tree - here all still naked.

    I absolutely love that you still play! Mind if I copy the words? They so speak to me! The deam-catcher sure found the right place. Oh. The owl! :-)

    I am healthy, but Hubby... like you, he has to be so darn careful with what he eats, it´s also a pain for me to witness.

    A tad late here,, but: To a good week - sunshine here (if DARN cold).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Iris, I tell my friends that you are never too late to -hugs. Yes you can copy the words-those came in with my stamps-so fun. sorry it is still cold there. we are still a bit cool too but not too bad. enjoy your week-hugs

      Delete
  7. A wonderful post Kathy, with lovely photos. You live in a beautiful place. I hope you are feeling much better now, and all the remedies have helped.
    Hugs,
    Alison xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you Allison, Yes I love our lake views very much, and our eagle visitors too

      Delete
  8. Very glad you liked the little RAOCK keychain. I really like to think my crochet gets to someone on the other side of the world :-) Impressive view out across the lake. I hope it is also warming up there for you. Sorry to hear about your tummy problems believe me I so know. I am still waiting to hear from the specialist. I don't think they know what the problem is yet. Hope you feel better soon. take care Amanda x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love your raock, yes I had told my husband I won't move out of our woods home unless I have a view-it took allot of looking to find the view and a house we could afford but so worth it to me. this house needed some work, I am doing a bit better-My system was really really messed up this time. I think the yarrow herb tea, and yogurt is helping thanks

      Delete
  9. Spectacular views, nice to see where you live. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks yes we have lovely views-we just recently moved out of the woods and to the lake, my husband wanted to greatly downsize and be on the lake so he could go fishing

      Delete
  10. Looks like springs arrived with those beautiful blossoms, what gorgeous views of the lake and pretty pink tree blossom - I love it! Sounds like you've been busy walking, picking dandilions and baking too 😁. I bet your soaps will be amazing with all those pretty petals! Take care and Happy Thursday! Hugs, Jo x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jo, yes it has been so pretty here the last couple of weeks. Happy friday and weekend hugs

      Delete
  11. Beautiful photos! We seem to have lots of dandelions around this year! Sorry to hear you were in so much pain - although have already read that you are much better now, Hugs, Chrisx

    ReplyDelete

I always enjoy your visits and reading your comments and I do reply back to your comments as well
Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit