It's Been Way More Than a Month!

I sat down today to put something new on the blog to see how long it has been since I last posted!  Whoa!  I had put a lot of emphasis on actually living life this summer, and to be honest, I am so busy living it, I have not been here very often! Not for way over a month it appears!!! I have lots to share, in all sorts of different areas!  However, for the moment I will pull a few things at random, and hopefully everyone will enjoy!

This year my sunflowers are all over 7ft tall! They have kept a great bee population around to keep everything pollenated, and productive!

Sad state of affairs, but this is all of the knitting that I have done this summer!  This owl was for Ky's birthday, and it blended in on the shelf so well, I forgot it was there, and she received it a couple of days late!  

Blueberry season is here!  Hot, humid, hazy, and lots of berries this year!  This picture is of a random field, and is looking pretty good!  I did see some fields that were blue carpets, but I found myself without a camera, and a lot of farm equipment to navigate.

Went to the Gentlemen of the Road Concert this year.  Mumford and Sons, and seven of their favorite bands. Heard music from 2pm till nearly 10pm!  Awesome day!  It was held in Portland, ME, on the Eastern Prom overlooking the harbor! 

Kylie enjoying her grandmother's birthday clams!  She ate a pound by herself!

Had fresh peas from the garden all July long!  This was pretty exciting as most people's peas rotted in the ground this spring, due to it being extra wet, and had to replant.  Second plantings had a difficult time in the heat!  So, we thankful for this blessing!

Ky cooked dinner for me and herself, all by herself for the first time!

Little birthday present for me!  It is still waiting for me to pick it up, and create!  I am waiting until it is a bit cooler!  Don't need sweat mixed in with the lovely smell of wool!

My sister loves sushi, so Ky tried sushi!  She loved it! :)  Thanks for the exposure to new things Auntie!

Bunnies have become big and fluffy, and even had their first hair cuts!!! I am not yet a "good hair cutter," so I am saving them from embarrassment by not showing the after pics! I promise to work on my technique!

Yup, I am a rooster! Started crowing last week!  This picture is from about 3 weeks ago, and the girls and boy are bigger yet! Going to go have to snap some new pictures! He still needs a name!

Well, it seems that 12 chicken were not enough!  I got three more!  These are Barred Rocks, they are the chickens that I wanted in the first place, and could not get. I found them at the local feed store when going in for rabbit food!  They are bigger now too, and my older girls accepted them into the flock with ease! Need names too!

Much fun, much action, family and friends = serious napping!

That's what I have for today!

Love and Blessings everyone!

Meandering Thoughts

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." ~ James Dent

Summer is  definitely here!  93 degrees yesterday, humidity through the roof, and an afternoon rain shower to cool things off by about 20 degrees.  This morning sunny skies with wispy clouds, and the humidity is at bay for now.

The combination of heat and rain means that I should mow the lawn today, but it is too nice, and I enjoyed a morning walk instead.  It gave me some much needed reconnection to nature, as I found myself seeing birds and wild flowers I had yet to take notice of this summer.  There is fantastic amount of natural beauty that surrounds our dwelling!!!

Here are Wild Valerian (they have a thick smell like lilacs, but are much sweeter!) springing up through some Sea Roses,

A lone Black-Eyed Susan beneath a Spruce Tree,

The road outside my front door is lined with Sea Roses as well,

And across the street is all Blueberry land as far as the eye can see...these fields were full of tiny, white flowers (and thousands of bees) earlier this spring, they will be blue with fruit by the end of the summer, and in the autumn will turn red as the leaves on the trees show true colors as well.

This is the current view from my home office/craft room!

I had planned on doing a little more writing this morning, but nature is calling me back outside to rejuvenate my soul, and marvel in its wonder!

Namaste`

Summa Is Heah!

Oh my goodness folks, summer has come in with a bang!  It has been in the 60's for the last 4-5 days, and today it hit 95 degrees in the blueberry barrens! I was going to take photos today of garden growth, development of chicks, and let the bunnies run around in the grass.  At nine this morning it was 80 degrees and plans were changed!

Fresh water has been given to all of the animals throughout the day, bunnies stretched out and laid as still as possible, chicks still peeped and ran around (played in the waterers all day,) and dogs laid in front of the air conditioner and fans, and only showed life when nature called.

Pole beans and pumpkins jumped out of their slumber and shot up about and inch, peas are steadily growing at a couple of inches a day!

I would like to think that I would be able do follow through with my plans tomorrow, but the same hot and wicked humid weatha is forecasted for tomorrow as well.  I am just waiting for one rocking thunder and lightening show to happen!

So, all I can do is report on yesterdays activities, here you go:

Here are a couple of pics of bunnies out of there regular cages (which were being cleaned,) and awaiting their turns to be groomed!

We have decided on the name Leo Petit for the white bunny!  After my grandfather, he makes me laugh, can be a little pushy with his brother to get his own way, and loves a good meal!  Leo Petit, and Felix are growing boys, and when they are out of food, they through the feeder around and thump! Hay is gone in the wink of an eye as well!

This is Felix's coat up close, it is tri-colored!!! We will see if the first color is just baby fur and a one time only deal or if it continues to change.  As you can see from about Felix's ears are gray.  I have also seen bunnies that have different colors alternate between gray and taupe as well, I wonder if he may be one of them!

Shanti loved getting out of her cage, and running about on the grass.  She hopped around for a good 10-15 minutes before slowing down, then started to climb the sides to see if she could get out!

Shanti settles right down when she is held close, and even allowed me to pick a couple of mats out of her coat, behind her ears, with very little fuss!  She is so excited to see me come to her cage everyday, get out, and get hugs and pets!  She does not like having to go back in the cage!  So, I come get her as often as I can!

Here, in the direct sunlight, you can see how Shanti's coat is getting lighter, and that white is coming in underneath, this is going to make one beautiful, light, gray fiber!

Well folks stay cool! Hope to be able to document some more very soon!

I will end with a quote that struck my fancy today:

"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over again the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives." ~Henry David Thoreau

As She Grows...

As the glasses were slipped on my daughter's face for the last fitting before leaving the doctor's office, she aged right before my eyes.  My breath caught, my mouth went into a smile, and my heart swelled.  There was a tear or two that threatened to break its tension over my eyelid, but did not. How is it that I am always taken aback when I realize that she has grown oh, so much more than when I noticed it last?  Here is my baby taking her next step into becoming a young adult.

I Am Really Still Here! Part 2

Taking care of me...sometimes it is easier said then done.  This time however, I made plans a couple weeks in advance!  My sister-in-law let me know about a Woman's Retreat in the area, and we signed up immediately! Great women to hang out with, lovely conversation, yoga, relaxing music, guided meditation, hot rock foot massages,

a healthy and delicious lunch (even walked away with the rice recipe!),

and then to wrap up the day, we learned to give one another head, hand, and arm massages!  Wish I had more photos, but I was too busy loving the day and living in the moment!

Do What You Love!!!

About nine months ago I let a lot of things go in my life!  My job (who doesn't like working up to 65-70 hours in a week and getting paid for 40?), people who were negative, and satellite TV.  The world did not stop because an income was missing, I became nicer to myself, and not being bombarded by negative, scary breaking news and their cooperate sponsors, I believe that is called relaxing.

Being a stay at home Mom with my daughter all summer was awesome! And to be honest it really took me that long to actually let the job, and the things that I felt responsible for, go.

Fall came around, and I volunteered at her school one day a week, and became the room mother for her class.

What about the other four days?

I was not feeling useful, I was not sure how to define myself.  So, I did what any respectable woman with yarn would do.  I made a Christmas that was entirely hand made (until the dog ate several presents, but really, I did it!)

After Christmas, same issue...

"Do what you love, love what you do!!!"  This has been said a myriad of different ways, by people of success, and compassion.  Origin of the quote, I do not know, if you do let me know, and I will put the credit where it is do.

That little saying kept popping up everywhere, email, blogs, websites, books, and straight from a friends mouth!

But how! My mind kept asking.

First, I had to get honest, what do I love doing?  Knitting, crocheting, sewing, gardening, and being with my family.

Second, I did not need to make a million dollar business in two days, and understand clearly how it all worked. (Still learning things in all areas daily!)

Third, I had to actually do it!  

So, I have done it!

I have opened a little store on Etsy, created my FaceBook page for my business as well.  I will have the links placed on my blog (one of the things that I am still learning to do!) as soon as possible.

Until then my Etsy shop is called LadybugHillFarm, and my page is Ladybug Hill Farm on FB as well. Hopefully by the time you read this it will not be an issue! But sometimes this computer has an off sense of humor!

I have spent more time at the computer lately, putting all of this together, and knitting as such has taken a back seat! So, I am hoping that this will start to even itself out soon as everything is finally put together.  

What I have noticed is that I have been very busy, given myself a new way to define myself, and have not felt like I have been "working" yet!  I have sold two hats so far, and that cash went straight back into the yarn supply.  However, for now, slow is good...let's see where this may go, shall we?

Doing what I love, and loving what I am doing!!!

I do have to give one huge note of thanks, to my sister, my lovely hand model below!  This was a present, nearly a month late, for her birthday.  She posted her wares online, and the response!  That was the moment that started this whole adventure in motion!  She is my best tester (the pay is not so good, but if she gets to keep the goods she is a willing participant!) She has a good eye for what's gonna be "hot" this year, and the colors she suggests to me makes sure I do not just use my own favorites, and thus will be eye catching to others that do not share my tastes!

So, needless to say, she has been a huge support!  I would like her to take a closer look at the twists that I did put into the  fingerless gloves themselves.  Because when stretched they are x's and o's!!! Love you, and thank you!  I think I need to find a really good name for that pattern!

Thanks for checking in with my ramblings! 

Namaste` Everyone!

A Little Green...

...a little hope.

I do not know about you, but I am very excited (whatdaya mean impatient!?) for spring to arrive! Taking the dogs out for walkies, I have begun to notice that there is indeed a lot of dirt mixed with water out there! Mother Nature is trying to awaken, however Old Man Winter is becoming the house guest that has over-stayed his welcome!

Our family has ordered our 12 chicks, sent out and received our seeds for our veggie garden, and now we have to wait!  So, not to be proven wrong (that I am not impatient?), on went the Muck Boots, camera in hand, and off to find some green in the back 10, so to speak.

Pine and spruce do not count for what it is that I am trying to find, and I think I see something peeking out at me, through the snow!

Yay!  I actually think that I have found something, and it is not an old tennis ball that has been thrown into the woods for a lazy doggie to find!

Wooo-hooo!  I never thought that I would be so excited about moss, or rather it's probably lichen.  I have many friends who will kindly let me know!  The neon green of spring to come!  I am excited as I am frozen!  The wind chill today...brrr...

So, for now this will have to suffice, or so I think...

Inside while getting warm, I notice something else...

This week one of my husband's customer's said thank you buy giving him some forsythia, and cherry blossom cuttings.  Today, they have started to open their buds!

Hark! the hours are softly calling

Bidding Spring arise

To listen to the rain-drops falling

From the cloudy skies

To listen to Earth's weary voices

Louder every day

Bidding her no longer linger

On her charm'd way

But hasten to her task of beauty

Scarcely yet begun.

~Adelaide Anne Procter

A Day of Love

Yesterday was Valentine's Day! It was bitter-sweet for me, I finished the last of my "Room Mother" duties by coordinating the Valentine's Day Party, making "The Cupcakes" (always my job! :), setting things up, and then taking it down.

Now, my turn is over...and the next Mom gets to step into the role next year. It has been wonderful to get to know my daughter's classmates, and I am honored that most of them are always very excited to see me. Hopefully, I have forged positive relationships with these children, and these will be as beneficial to them and to Kylie, as they have been to me.

I have grown to love them all in their own way. And I have made it so that they at least love my cupcakes, which I have vowed/promised to keep making until they graduate high school!






"And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."
~Khalil Gibran

What moved me today...

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate;

our deepest fear is that we are

powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness,

that most frightens us.

We ask, who am I to be brilliant,

gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God!

Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about the shrinking

so that other people

won't feel insecure around you.

You are meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest

the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us;

it's in Everyone!

~Marianne Williamson

I was reading old journal entries this morning to see where I find myself/soul today as compared to 3 or so years ago.  I did not find what I was looking for, whatever that may have been.  But I found little reminders, quotes, and inspirations that have become new again for me.

I believe that I put this in my journal after my first Reiki class.  This was the beginning of my human mind confirming with my soul, I am not insignificant, and that I am loved!  There are things to have faith in, and gratitude for!  And with faith, and gratitude, we do make a difference!

Reading, and writing keep these feelings revived, and refreshed in my mind, and body on a daily basis.  I can consciously make them part of my daily life, and complete my daily tasks with love, light, and gratitude.  So, I share this with you now, hoping to spread a little of that spark with love!  

I guess I did find what it was I was looking for!

A Return to Self

Namaste` Everyone!

It has been along time since I have been here and written!

I have found that email, social networking, blogging, and pinning have all been getting in the way of my living life!  Somethings have been dropped, some new things have been attracted to me like a moth to a flame! And I felt the burn!

It needs to stop!

I used to journal, I used to write, I used to...enough!

This is what I am going to be doing for now:

I will be sharing with others through this blog.  You may find what I am doing, new interests, thoughts, prayers, knitting, my family, quotes, how to make whatever, what I am cooking, what has made me laugh or cry, poetry (good or bad, but from me!), story ideas, where I have been, may be going, and what dreams I am having or pursuing.

If you want to follow, please be my guest.

I will leave all of my contact information up on Face Book, but I will not be there often.  If you need me, call, email, or write on these pages.

Thank you all for being a part of my life!  I am blessed!

Love and Blessings for Your Highest Good,

Thea