Quiet Times

Good Day!

We are still very much enjoying the Drippy Weather we have been blessed with these past few weeks.  From years of not much precipitation, we are so thankful for the glorious rain fall as of late.  I know others are getting quite tired of it, but for us, it is still wonderful!

After the storm

We have had a rather quiet week here, a lovely change of pace for us.  The Bee Keepers came out on Sunday to do some maintenance.  They reported that the hive is doing very well and supporting about 20,000 honey bees.  Wow!  The Queen is producing babies and the workers are gathering the necessary pollen to create the honey.  Alex says that we won't be harvesting any real amount of honey this year, as it is a new hive and will need all its resources.  From the honey we have tasted, it will certainly be worth the wait!

Smoking the hive to distract the bees

Wow!  That's a lot of bees!

Honey Bee in the High Bush Cranberry bush

Honey Bee on an onion scape flower

Since we had the RO water system put in, we have been curious if it really is making much of a difference in our water.  Papa thought it would really show if there was a true difference if he make up two tea samples:  one using the iron removed only well water, the other using the Reverse Osmosis water.  The result was staggering!  He began by separately boiling a pot of each of the two waters, then poured them into a 500 ml sealer jar, each with a single Red Rose tea bag.  From the first photo, they are virtually indistinguishable, except for a little bit of foam on the top of the well water.

RO boiled water tea on the left
Iron removed boiled well water on the right
Pretty much the same except for a bit of foam on the right jar

We monitored the samples for 24 hours.  Hour by hour, the RO tea didn't really do much, but get a little darker.  Even after 24 hours, you could still see through the tea and the tea bag stayed afloat the entire test time.  The well water, however, was another story.  It got very dark, cloudy, scummy and the tea bag sunk.  You couldn't see through it at all.

24 hours later the RO water is still virtually clear
The well water is dark, cloudy and the tea bag sunk

The thing that troubled us the most was the scum that formed on top of the well water sample.  In a close up photo, you can even see an oily residue.  You cannot see into the jar, like you could with the RO water. 

Even though our well water was recently tested by the health unit and it showed nothing to really significant be concerned about.  It does, however, concern us as to what our bodies had to filter.  I am really glad that we decided to install the RO system.  This absolutely confirms it for me that we did the right thing. 

RO tea after 24 hours - still clear and bag is visible

Well water tea after 24 hours - cloudy, sludgy, scummy
And what is that oily texture??

Our three steers are doing very well.  They are very social and curious.  I love it when we get a relaxed and easy group.  Makes for a lovely growing season.

Whatcha doing?

Boys bellied up for dinner!

The Lilacs are now done for the season.  The fruit trees have finished blooming and whatever was pollinated is now setting fruit.  The peonies and irises are now really beginning to put on their show.  When it isn't raining, we are keeping up with the weeding.  I think every bed and row has had its first major weeding of the season.  Now it is just maintenance.

Black Iris in bloom

Purple and Purple & White Irises in the east raised bed fill the air with perfume.
Laundry drying on a sunny day!

Peony by the front step

The Main garden is doing well.
We are enjoying Romaine lettuce, spinach, chard, green onions
Potatoes are finally all up and the rest is growing well

Onion scapes harvested - what I saved before Papa
composted the rest!

Apples growing!  Yay!

With all this rain, I have had some serious Studio time.  Here is another little table topper ready to be sandwiched and quilted.  It will be about 24" square when it is done.  I love its vintage look.

Little vintage style quilt ready to be sandwiched
and quilted - about 24" square

We have plans to take our Little's for a picnic tomorrow, to celebrate the end of the school year for the two who are in school.  They will be off on a big family adventure and we won't get to see them for a few weeks.  Ah, to be young and love camping!  They will have a marvellous time for sure and we will be eagerly awaiting their return to hear all the wonderful stories.

Until next time, I hope this finds you all well and dry.

Take care.

Warmest regards,

Gremlynn

Welcome Summer!

No Regrets Log Entry:  June 21st.  The Longest Day of the Year!  Welcome Summer. 

We are still experiencing a glorious rain fall.  We have had well over 2" this past week.  Everything is so lush and beautiful and smells so wonderful!  It is such a lovely time of the year.

I am thoroughly enjoying the last of the Lilacs.  I even made up a little bouquet of one stem each of the four different lilacs we have on the property.  The smell was incredible!

Lilacs in a Mason Jar to enjoy inside

The Pots around the property are all doing well.  We plant everything from 6" clay pots to 1/2 whisky barrels all over the property.  It is wonderful to discover them all.

Summer Deck Pots filling beautifully

On the north side of the studio, we have a raised bed full of shade loving perennials.  This is probably the nicest it has looked in years.  It takes a while for the Hostas and the Ferns to get to a decent size so they actually fill in the space they are occupying. So very serene! 

The Shade Raised Bed is so lush with all the rain

 Much of our flower garden is perennials.  I have always loved Columbines.  Right from the very first time I saw them.  They bloom for such a short time.  But I guess that is the way of all perennials.  You just have to enjoy them while you can!

Purple Columbine

 

Beautiful Columbine!

The little bee enjoying the Allium

It was a drippy wet day yesterday.  A perfect day for baking and sewing.  I did up 4 loaves of Rustic Sour Dough bread, a batch of Boiled Chocolate cookies for afternoon coffee with friends and spent some time out in the studio.  A perfectly spent rainy day, indeed!

Rustic Sour Dough Bread

Watermelon themed Flag Garland
This item will be available for purchase at the Tin Chicken,
when I next get to town to drop it off

Left over watermelon and green scraps from the Flag Garland
to make an adorable Dresden Plate wreath.
No plans for this yet.  It's just Cute!

We got our Booth filled last week at the Tin Chicken Antique Mall and Mercantile.  I am pleased with our space.  Chris has lots of interesting items, from a diverse group of vendors, in her new location.  I think it is going to become a real going concern.  We wish her all the best in her new venture!

Our Booth All Set Up!
A mix of hand crafted items and vintage pieces

Every now and again, we get a Mystery Egg from one of our chickens.  Recently there was the shell-less and yoke-less specimen.  This one came with a hole in the top.  You just never know what treasure you are going to find when you go out to collect the daily offerings.  We certainly never would have suspected such treasures before we had our own Chickens!  Who Knew?

A Hole in the top of the Egg!

Seriously!  A Hole!  Go Figure?!

I have always loved vintage items.  Even as a child I loved looking at old photographs, old magazines, pretty much anything from times gone by.  I guess it would be no mystery then as to why I love the simplest things in life?  

I have been collecting Vintage Mason/Canning Jars for years.  I have different shapes and sizes and several different colors as well.  When we built our home, I wanted garden style doors, complete with Transom windows.  Why?  To display my Vintage Mason Jar Collection, of course!  This is our back door.  I have the same again over the front.  The jars make me smile when I see them.  It really is the simplest things in life that I love the absolute most!

Part of my Vintage Mason Jar Collection

It has been a much quieter week out here after the busy weekend.  Why is it that everything always seems to happen within the same day or two?  I guess that is pretty much normal for everyone, isn't it?  We had a lovely time out for our monthly dinner party Saturday evening with two other couples and another lovely time here, on Father's Day with my folks, our kids and grand kids.  It is always wonderful to see everyone and catch up on all the news!

This week, Papa got one year closer to the pension.  Not one for much of a fuss, it was just us two and a simple day.  The next day we had errands to run, so we met up with good friends for a quick bite and visit.   

And that is about it for this week.  I hope this finds you all well and enjoying your own little piece of happiness, where ever that may be!

Until next time.  

Regards,

Gremlynn

When it Rains, it Pours, Watching Jupiter and Pea Perils

Rain, Glorious, Beautiful, Amazing Rain!

Weather Report:

We are so very happy to report that since last week, we  have registered 1 3/4" of rain!!!   Rarely do we end up being in the center of a rain cell.  Apparently, it has a lot to do with our location.  As the crow flies, we are due west of the northern point of Gull Lake.  And if I am to understand it correctly, weather systems split, right there.  So, often it is pouring literally a mile to the north of us or a mile to the south.  The closest town is 8 miles away, about 10 km, and they can be getting the rain of the decade, and, we'll get nothing.  Same thing for the opposite direction.  They are getting hammered.  And, we get nothing.  So when it does rain, we dance the happy dance and relish in each beautiful drop.  And our beautiful water catchment barrels fill to capacity.  I do love a good storm!

Jupiter Rising:

Did you get a chance to see Jupiter this week?  Now that Papa has a smart phone, he does what every other old guy does, check the weather.  A lot.  I don't know what it is about old guys and the need to check the weather, but they sure do like to check it.  A lot!  Anyways, on the Weather Network, they have lots of trivia and current events.  A recent post shared that Jupiter and its 4 moons were going to be visible for several days this past week.  We looked one evening, and saw a very bright spot in the SE sky.  We checked it out with the binoculars and sure enough, it was much brighter than the average star.  So, we put the telescope out on the upper deck and dialed into the bright spot.  Wow!  Totally Cool!  We got to see the planet And all 4 moons!  We checked it again the next night and got a better view of the planet, but only 3 of the moons.  Wednesday night was supposed to be the brightest, but we had cloud cover and couldn't see anything.  I am truly impressed. 

Antique Mall Creations:

We have busy finishing up items that we are going to bring to our booth at The Tin Chicken Antique Mall and Mercantile.  We are having lots of fun just creating.  Recently Papa got an order for "ready to paint" wooden stakes for a Mother's Day craft with a local day home group.  These were so well received that he thought he would make up more to take to the mall.  Our grand kids, among other visitors, simply LOVE to paint bird houses and these stakes when they come over.  It is a lovely way to pass time while you get a good visit in.  Even those who swear they can't paint a thing, will often paint more than one, for the sheer joy of it when they discover that they actually Can Paint! With that, he thought others would enjoy painting them as well.  OMGosh!  Is his display box absolutely adorable!  It will be stocked with ready to paint stakes in various shapes and styles that we will change with the seasons.  Too Cute!

Paint a Stake display box, ready to be stocked with ready to paint stakes

Samples with the first coat of color

Besides painting, I have been making a few more sewn items for the mall.  I wanted to do some vintage style half aprons but couldn't find a pattern anywhere.  I came across a similar design to what I wanted in a vintage advertisement.  I really liked the concept and decided to attempt recreating it.  The apron in the ad had a bow on the front.  I took it that it must have had extra long ties, so I thought I would give it a try.  I absolutely Loved the first one - made with Betty Boop fabric and I was off to the races.  It was sew cute that I needed to make another, and another and another!  I have a feeling that I will be making more of these as I discover more fabric that they would look good in.  These too will be available at the Tin Chicken.  

One of several Vintage Style half Aprons

Garden Update:

The asparagus is pretty much done, but we are still managing a few spears every few days.  It has been a great season for it!  We just munched away and enjoyed it as it came.  I was considering preserving some of it, but we simply couldn't stop eating it!  That's okay, too!  

Currently the rhubarb is doing well after that amazing rain.  Up until that point, it wasn't looking like we were going to get anything this year.  It had already started to bolt, but since the rain, it plumped right up and we were able to get a great first cutting off it.  We use it mostly in baking - crumbles, pies, muffins and cakes, but if I get what I want into the freezer, I will certainly do some preserving with anything extra.  I saw a recipe for a syrup that you mix with 7-Up for a tasty and refreshing drink.  Might have to give it a try!

First picking of Rhubarb . . .

 . . .  Netted 3 large Ziploc bags full

Bee Activities:

The bees have been doing their job.  Alex was out to give them their 2 week check up.  They all appear to be thriving and busily working away.  He even harvested some honey for us to try.  I am the first to admit that I am NOT a honey fan.  I have tried it many times in my lifetime and have always had an experience where the aftertaste really puts me off.  It catches at the back of my throat and just doesn't appeal to me.  I fully understand the health benefits of honey, but when you can't stand the taste of it, it is hard to get past that.  Well.  That was then.  I cannot believe that I am actually saying this, but I LOVE this honey!  When I questioned as to Why it doesn't have that overpowering "honey" taste, he thinks it may have lots to do with where they are collecting their pollen from.  Since none of our land is sprayed for pests or weeds, this may also play a factor in it.  Who Knew?  

The Littlest Bee Keeper 

Checking the frames

Harvesting some honey after only 2 weeks!

Sharing the harvest between 2 jars

Hummer Sightings:

We have had so many hummingbirds at our property this year so far.  I have 4 feeders out.  Three are in the front of the house and one at the back.  I am shocked at how much nectar they are going thru!  I guess it only makes sense since the blooms have been so late this year.  The feeders might be their main source of sustenance at this time.  Hopefully they stick around.  We just love watching them!

Bellying up for a good feed

This little one enjoying a snack

Perched on top for a few seconds rest before flitting off again!

Pea Soup Perils:

I did some pressure canning this past week as well.  We had a ham for supper one night and there was a lovely, big bone to simmer for broth.  I love French Canadian Pea Soup and figured that if I just put the raw ingredients into quart sealers, then pressure can them, I should have a similar product to Habitant Pea Soup.  Yum!  Experiment to proceed.

Apparently, 1 cup of dried split peas is a bit too much to add to a quart sealer.  I layered in my peas, diced carrots, diced onions, some ham, an 1/8th tsp of ground thyme and topped up the jar with the ham stock.  Proceeded to process it for 90 minutes at 12 lbs pressure.  It smelled divine!  And then I opened the pressure canner.  Most of my liquid had evacuated and I was left with a hard packed pea blob in the bottom 2/3 of the jar.  Sigh.  They did all seal, so I figured they would be safe to consume.  They would just need to be seriously re-hydrated.  

So, for lunch the next day, I popped open a jar - and it did pop, so it was safe to proceed.  I added about a pint of water and some salt and pepper to the pea blob in the pot.  I then heated it through and had a taste.  Wow!  It tasted like it had been simmered for hours and hours!  Amazing Flavor!

After lunch, I consulted a few resources to see what may have happened.  Apparently, everything was fine until I added the full cup of the peas.  That amount if perfect for dried beans.  Not so much for dried peas.  For a quart jar, I needed to add only 2/3 cup of the dried peas.  Apparently adding more can cause a bit of an explosion as the peas need room to grow. We will be consuming this batch rather quickly though and I do have the remaining jars in the fridge, for safe keeping.  Lesson learned, but I can't wait to try it again with the correct amount of peas this time1

Water Woes:

We also had our water treatment system upgraded this past week.  We are on well water, so it is recommended to have it tested periodically.  It had been several years since we last had it done.  I figured we were probably due for a check.  Our report came back a little high in one heavy metal, other than the high Iron we are currently treating.  Nothing to really be concerned about, but we figured better to be safe than sorry.  On Wednesday we had our iron system upgraded to one that uses compressed air instead of a chemical as well as had a Reverse Osmosis system put in.  It will take a while to get used to the RO water since our well water tasted so fabulous, but now we know our water is completely safe to consume without worry.  And it will be wonderful to not have to purchase any more chemical iron treatment, as this new system doesn't require anything added to it.  Win, win.

I guess that is about all I know for this week.  We have a busy weekend coming up with friends and family.

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Dad's, Daddy's, Pop's, Papa's, Father's, Uncles and so on out there.  Thank you all for doing what you do.

Regards,

Gremlynn

The Bridge Over Not So Troubled Waters, a Label and a Bounty of Beans!

Greetings!

My Day Off:

These past couple of weeks have been an absolute blur!  I told Papa Monday morning that I was not available.  I needed to go play.  He went his way - out to the garden, and I went mine - out to the studio.  We each enjoyed our moments of solitude. I didn't cook or wipe down anything or even do a load of laundry.  It was pure bliss!  I am by my own admission, an Energizer Bunny, but I also don't realize that I am tired, until I hit the proverbial wall.  You would think that after this many years on the planet that I would begin to recognize the symptoms, but nope, not yet!  Perhaps next year.

I was really happy to get this little Disappearing Four Patch quilted up and bound.  Another one done, made up from scraps and a neutral background.  I am very happy with it.  I even inserted ric rac into the binding to give it a bit of a zing and some texture.  And, of course, my signature Prairie Points are included on the quilt. 

Hidden 4 Patch made up from Bee Happy scraps

The Bridge:

This past winter Papa designed and built a beautiful wooden bridge to put over his pond.  He had it stained and the rope was hung between the posts.  We were at a retirement party this past Saturday night, when the hostess, our closest neighbour, suddenly announced that all available muscle would be needed to move the bridge from the workshop down to the pond area.  Nine strong and sturdy men volunteered and the bridge took a journey closer to its destination. 

On Sunday, our son came and helped his dad put it into place.  With the aid of the tractor, the two of them got it into its final destination.  I am happy to report that I absolutely LOVE the look.  The pond always lacked something for me and this absolutely finished it.  Now, to continue with the landscaping - which is an ongoing theme out here . . . .

The bridge in its final position

It took a team of strong men to get it next to the pond!

In Search of a Label:  

I had been looking for a label to sew into my finished products for some time.  I could make them on my embroidery machine, but figured it would be too time consuming and they would be made of fabric instead of the woven ribbon look I was wanting.  After searching for Canadian websites and contacting a couple local printers, I was without any success.  My search went to the US.  

I found the Dutch Label Shop out of Philadelphia, PA.  A long ways away for labels, but since they could do what I wanted, in a timely matter, and within my budget, I figured I would give them a try - one order anyways.  Well.  I would love to report, that if anyone is looking for a custom made label, to certainly give them a try.  I am very much pleased with the end result.  They are exactly what I was looking for!   https://www.dutchlabelshop.com

Bounty of Beans!

While meal planning for a BBQ, I discovered that we were almost out of my pressure canned beans. This become the focus for last Friday.  I proceeded to put up 18 pint jars of Maple Bacon Beans and 18 assorted pint jars of Garbanzo, Kidney, Black Eyed and Romano beans.  Hopefully we should be good for the summer now. 

I am happy to share my recipe, but I do use the non-approved dry bean (as in un-soaked) method.  I prefer the texture of the finished product over the approved pre-soaked method.  If you choose to follow my recipe, please do your own research and decide if this is right for you.

Maple Bacon Beans:

Into each clean and warmed pint jar, add 1/2 cup of rinsed, dry navy beans

To this add 1 heaping tablespoon each of the following three ingredients: 
finely diced onion
peeled, chopped apple
cooked (or raw) bacon

Then add 2 tablespoons each of brown sugar and pure maple syrup to the jar

Top up the jar to 1" head space with boiling water and remove any bubbles with a chop stick

Pressure can for 75 minutes using the instructions for your own pressure canner

These beans are absolutely Amazing!

Maple Bacon Beans

All 36 jars of pressure canned beans
We are set for the summer now!

An Old Fashioned Angel Food Cake:

My eldest grand daughter came out to hang out with Gremlynn, while her Dad helped Papa move the bridge.  First, we wiped down, labelled and put away all the jars from my canning sessions on Friday and Saturday.  Then we set about to bake a cake for dessert for our Sunday dinner.  

Since I had a surplus of eggs - which is an odd occurrence around here.  I am usually sold out! - we decided on an Old Fashioned Angel Food Cake.  Missy separated all the yokes from the whites, while I prepared the rest of the ingredients.  

Holy Wow Batman!  I will Never buy another Betty Crocker Angel Food Cake Mix again!  I had never ever made one from scratch before, but figured it should be fairly simple, which it really was.  There is absolutely No comparison at all between the box mix and the scratch cake.  I really did not think it would be such a big deal since really all it is is dehydrated egg whites in one package and the flour and sugar mix in the other.  Apparently, I was mistaken.  Papa reported that it tasted exactly like the Angel Food Cake that his English Grandmother used to make when he was growing up.  I now know for certain that hers were always made from scratch.  He said it was travelling back in time!

The dozen egg whites whipped up like meringue
I had to put the shield on the bowl to keep it contained!

The finished product
Papa says it tastes just like what his Grandma used to make

Greenhouse and Garden Report:  

The greenhouse is doing very well.  We are enjoying our daily cucumber.  The tomatoes and peppers are growing and ripening beautifully.  Yay!  Summer food!  

Green peppers growing

Tomatoes ripening

Our daily cucumber ready to be picked

The garden will very much enjoy all the lovely rain that we have so graciously received these past 12 hours or so.  This has been our first significant rain of the year - the two 15 seconds sets of drips are not being counted as rain - we have had over an inch since early this morning.  It did turn to snow for a few hours and the temperature dropped to 0*C, but it is all moisture and we will take what we can get.  Everything should absolutely pop now!

Our cherry and apple trees have all blossomed.  As have the Saskatoon and Haskap bushes.  I hope the new bee hive inhabitants had a chance to do their jobs before the wicked wind blew all the blossoms away!  

Apple blossoms

Cherry blossoms

We have been enjoying the amazing lilac scent in the air this past week.  It is not often when we get all 4 bushes to bloom at the same time, but we are blessed with just that this year.  It is absolutely heavenly at the back of the house right now.  I was weeding in the lower, east raised flower beds and thoroughly enjoying the wonderful scent they make.  It is incredible!  

Mr Wilbur posing with the lilac bushes

The scents from these four bushes is absolutely divine!

Our Wind and Solar Dryer:

With the warm weather, I have been hanging out all the laundry lately.  I love my Wind and Solar dryer!  I used it every chance I can.  I just love the scent of freshly dried laundry.  It is wonderful.

The quintessential Prairie picture - Lilacs and Laundry!

Another freshly washed quilt, hanging out to dry!

I hope this finds you all well.  

Take care and keep warm all,

Gremlynn