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Thursday, February 27, 2014

Waiting for Spring....


Greetings from the hills!
African Violet
Yes, it's still very cold, but these tiny mock orange leaves are very encouraging.


Along with these maple seed buds - I can't wait for spring. I want to start my garden!


Our Lavender Orpington chicks are three months old now and are outside in a large pen now. We had bought 5 straight run chicks back in November '13 hoping to get at least two hens, and it turns out...

Three are hens and two are roosters..yay. I'm only keeping one roo so I'll be selling the other one.

This week I've been teaching one of our granddaughters how to use a sewing machine.

The younger set these days doesn't necessarily like to begin with making clothes. She wanted a leather-look water bottle carrier and has gotten off to a good start, but it's gonna take another session to finish it.

Ha, it's been a slow winter around here. Maybe spring will bring some excitement. ;)
Have a great weekend.

57 comments:

  1. neat that you're teaching your grandgirl to sew! really like your chickens' grays and charcoals. pretty!

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  2. Our last house had mock oranges and I will miss them!!!
    Love your chickens. My grandma taught me to sew and I will always treasure those times!

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  3. Thanks for the update from your neck of the woods. Your chickens are so handsome, and good for your granddaughter learning to sew!

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  4. That's going to be a pretty cool water bottle carrier. Good for your granddaughter, making it herself. My hubby is so ready for a spring visit to the Smokies. He keeps watching the weather there, waiting for a warm and sunny week.

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    1. Linda, I think your husband has the best ideas - there's no place I'd rather be myself. Tell him to just hang on a minute as our weather is a roller coaster ride ready to change at the drop of the hat. ;)

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  5. Your chickens are so cute :) And the color of them is very pretty.

    Spring seems to be on the way here in the Rockies, but often we will get hit with another big snowstorm right when we're enjoying the warmer temperatures.

    The water bottle carrier is going to look very nice! I hope we can see it when it's all done :) Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Stephanie. I'm planning to blog the water bottle carrier when she is able to finish it. They live in another town so it may be a few weeks or so before she can come back and spend a few days. Just trimming the pattern then cutting the main fabric, felt lining and wonder under was a new experience for her not to mention the actual sewing. She was a trouper though. :)

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  6. Love that you are spending time with your grand-daughter and teaching her valuable skills! :) That is wonderful! My grandmother taught me to sew my first dress and those memories still cause me to smile... although we are many clouds apart.

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    1. Thanks JES, I was really tickled that she wanted to learn to sew because she's never been the crafty type before this.

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  7. I just love the Lavender fowl! And I am so glad to see you are teaching skills to your grandchild! Our church was just talking about how even basic skills in housekeeping, child rearing, etc. have not been taught to so many young people today and is reaching out to help the situation by mentoring. God Bless and have a most wonderful weekend! You brighten my day...

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    1. Isn't it sad that with so many mothers in the workforce there's no time for teaching these kinds of skills.

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  8. we are so waiting for spring too, I noticed today when I was bringing in firewood that our maple is starting to bud too-we have a major ice storm coming in on sunday though-are you getting that too? I have never met that breed of chicken before-they are beautiful-what color eggs do they lay.
    how fun to teach your grand daughter how to sew-hugs

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    1. Kathy, these hens are brown egg layers. And I hope we don't get any part of the storm that's coming. Checking, it looks like we won't this time. I hope you keep your power if the storm hits.

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  9. Hi, Toni :)
    I am glad to see your granddaughter learning from you, her grandma! She is really blessed to have you as a teacher and mentor. It is 15 degrees here today, but SOON, we will see evidence of the new life! Your violet is so happy in that spot! I never replaced my bunch when we moved and were building: I gave them to happy new homes ;) I have mites in my spider plant so it has to go :( It is an old friend :( I'm looking forward to seeing what you will do in the garden~! Hugs today and always!

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  10. Don't know how I missed your post-I look for them as they always make me smile. we had a buff orpington once and I called her Ophelia. Your lavenders are beautiful. We finally got a soaking and we sure needed it. All the growing things are singing Happy Happy Happy. I am so hoping one of my granddaughters will want to know how to sew. Have a fabulous weekend.

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  11. Ahh. I've always wanted a mock orange bush (or tree?) but just haven't gotten one yet. They're so pretty.

    Sewing. I remember my first pattern. I made a vest. I look forward to seeing her finished water bottle carrier! I'm sure she's enjoying the time with you teaching her. What a great memory.

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  12. LesleyAnn, the mock orange I have is a bush, and it usually blooms around the first week in May. I always look forward to it blooming.

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  13. Hello from Snowy Michigan. It is lovely to see your budding world. Nothing even hinting of budding out here. Your Hens are a neat color. Never seen any this color before. Lovely to see your grand children taking an interest in sewing. Hugs Judy

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  14. Just stopping in to say a warm 'Hello'! I am praying for you today and for your time in the Word and with your grandchildren. Spring can't be far now :)
    Love in the Lord,
    Jacqueline

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  15. Love your beautiful violet and those first buds! I've never had a mock orange, but it must be pretty. Maybe you can show us a picture in May when it's in bloom.

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  16. How nice, teaching the younger generations to sew! I also agree that it's best to start with something that appeals you instead of going all the way from the basics and bore her out -- that's what happened to me.

    I am scared of spring this year (not that I ever like it). We haven't had rain since last August in my city and both the autumn and winter had been very dry and windy. As I type this, the wind is blowing so hard that I can't even open the windows for fear the glass will break. My allergies are waiting for me out there!

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  17. I love your violet. I've not seen many with such a lovely color. How awesome teaching your granddaughter to sew. This is wonderful. I love all of your photos and look forward to spring, too.

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  18. I saw your comments on homesteadlady's blog & I live less than an hour from you! It's so cool to find people near, especially those of a like mind! I just wanted to drop by & say hi!

    Michaela @ http://www.vicariouslyvintage.com/

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  19. this gives a real "spring feeling"

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  20. Your post is full of life, Toni! A very pleasant read. I'm looking for buds. The snow is just off the grass and some fields. Not often we have mud season here, but this has been an unusual winter. My mother always had african violets, yours is lovely. She taught one of my daughters to sew, such a neat grandma thing. Glad I stopped by. Enjoy your spring!

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  21. I used to have one of those lavender orps, but had no idea that's what it was! Neat that you got 3 hens. My straight-run adventures generally don't turn out that way! :)

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  22. Great to see you teaching your granddaughter how to sow. Great series of photos and I thank you so much for visiting my post. Have a great day :)

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  23. I think this post is awesome!!! Sewing, for youngsters, in my opinion, teaches them perseverance, patience, creativeness, and a sense of accomplishment. High five to you teacher!!!!

    That African violet is beautiful.

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  24. I am so pleased that you visited. Fun to read your blog. I have never seen this type of chicken....pretty! I taught both of my daughters to sew...and can't wait to teach my granddaughter...but she is not quite two!

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  25. Ah...you had buds way back in February?! We're finally seeing a few here. It's been a long winter, but finally we're seeing glimpses of spring! Thanks for stopping by!

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  26. those are really attractive chickens... my first time to see this type... I am also Southern to the bone, and make my cup coffee...

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  27. It's wonderful that your granddaughter is learning to sew- from you. That will give her such nice memories of her grandma and such a useful skill!

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  28. The African violet is a beautiful color!! I adore house plants that bloom!! I am so ready for spring!!

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  29. I have never seen chickens that color. So pretty! My mother would've loved for me to sew, but I was always a tomboy and nearly failed Home-Ec. :/

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  30. What beautiful mountains! Those chickens have a color I've not seen before. Thanks for inviting us in to your sweet home-

    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral

    =^..^= <3

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  31. I love your blog so I nominated nominated you for the Liebster Award. This is basically a shout out to some of my favorite blogs. If you'd like to participate, just visit my blog, if not, that's fine too! It takes a little time, but it's fun.

    http://ladyleeshome.com/what-you-didnt-know-about-me/

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  32. Hello; Your tiny mock orange leaves are SO beautiful; lots of spring pictures♡♡♡
    Love your chickens (I don't think I've seen gray ones, haha) and so sweet to see teaching your granddaughter to sew♪♪♪

    Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  33. How nice that you are teaching your granddaughters to sew! I love to sew, but my two daughters never cared for it. Hoping I have grandchildren I can teach some day soon! Very pretty African Violet and such unusual chickens. I've never seen any that color. Thank you for your sweet visit. xo Karen

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  34. Those are awesome looking chickens. Love seeing the new growth.

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  35. Lots going on this week with you. How wonderful you are teaching your granddaughter to sew. Lovely knitting images to the right.

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  36. happy Spring & Happy Crafting. Love your chickens.

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  37. I'm so happy spring is on its way at last.
    When I was young I took some sewing in 4-H but I never enjoyed it much. You are passing along what is almost a lost art.
    Thanks for your visit.

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  38. You live in a land I've Always wanted to visit. Now I can see it through your eyes. You have a lovely blog. xo Jenny

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  39. I think it's wonderful that you're teaching your granddaughter to use a sewing machine. The water bottle cover sounds like a GREAT project!

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  40. Beautiful family time, wonderful flowers just about to burst forth! Happy Spring.

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  41. Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope spring has finally reached you.

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  42. Hello, Toni!
    I have been wanting to stop by to say 'Hello'. I'm sorry I haven't been over to visit for a while and have missed catching up on your blog :) I'm praying for you, friend, and hoping you are doing well in the Lord.
    The sunshine is streaming in the windows to my right, and I think spring is really finally here. Have a great week!
    Grace and peace and multiplied blessings to you,
    Jacqueline

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  43. Nice pics especially of those budding leaves.
    Hope she completes the water bottle carrier.

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  44. I'm so glad spring has sprung! What an awesome posting. It's wonderful you are teaching your granddaughter to sew. I hope you are doing well and having plenty of sunshine today.

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  45. Just visiting your blog to wish you and your family a very Happy Easter and a beautiful spring. I appreciate very much your visiting my blog and your comments.

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  46. Hey friend! I wanted to drop by and wish you a blessed Holy Week and Easter weekend. I hope Spring is bringing sunshine and warmth to your days.

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  47. I just wanted to stop by and hope you had a wonderful Easter. I love your photos. It's so wonderful for spring to finally come after such a harsh winter. Have a great week.

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  48. beautiful chickens ! i want to knit a scarf for your pretty chickens ! lol !

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  49. Beautiful chickens! I want to knit a scarf for your pretty chickens !

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  50. Hope you have had a wonderful 2014 so far! Love your posts.

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Thank you for your comments!