Farm Journal 2020 Number 3

Hello there my dears... 

Lovely to have you visit the Blessed Hearth today.. 

I am glad you are here.. 

Hope you are all doing well in your corner of the world! 

We have been enjoying our summer!  

We were just saying this morning coming home from church that summer is on the downswing!  

It saddens me!  

I do not enjoy intense heat but really we have been blessed with some cool temps along with our hot days.  

Fall is lovely but then Winter! 

That is all I will say!  smile..

So with that you can bet that I plan to enjoy the rest of this blessed season!  

Anyway.. 

We have been up to the farm quite often.. 

Although we are not there as much as we thought we would, everything is looking great.. 

The gardens are growing and some herbs have been picked and are drying and such.. 

The bunting finally is finished and hung! 

Sorry, Donna for taking so long getting to this..  

Terry is weeding there.. 

He spends a lot of time on his knees out there in the garden... smile.. 

This is just a glued bunting as it does not last up there too long.. 

It sometimes stays all winter but the last couple of years half of it ends up blowing away.. 

This year I bought a strong kind of string and hopefully that will last better.. 

The measurements I used are 13 x9.. 

I just traced out how many I might need.. Just guessed and only had 3 pieces left over.. 

You could measure and figure it all out but I am by guess or by golly kind of girl when it comes to this bunting.. 

Then all I did was use my glue gun and made a line of glue.. Stuck the string in it and folded each one.. 

I ended up only have two colours.. 

The house is yellow and we are planning on painting it this summer and I want a blue door.. 

You can make as many colours and sizes as you like.. 

The buntings I use inside are usually sewed together and turned inside out and a bit more polished..  

This is a pic from a previous year.. 

If you have any questions you can message me... K? 

This pic was taken a week ago ... 

It is hard to believe how fast it all grows once July hits the calendar.. 

Please notice the dear poppies growing again.. 

We have a squash and a pumpkin bed.. 

Cucumbers on the other end..  

We are usually working outside and our lunches are not too fancy.. 

One of our favourites.. 

Grilled Tomato and Mozza.. 

For Christmas Terry gave me a Panini type thing.. 

I don't know what you call it but it is cast iron .. 

About the size of a brick without the height and a handle.. 

You make your sandwich, butter the outside and put the cast iron on top.. 

Works wonderful!  

Not hard to store, either.. 

He bought it at Moffett's Hardware in Sussex.. 

Our lettuce bed is doing great too.. 

In one of my books the author wrote that the lady of the house washed her lettuces and fried it along with a bit of bacon and then added vinegar.. 

We tried it and it is delicious!

The last food pic... grin.. 

Supper.. 

A new bread recipe which is awesome (will share next time), last year's canned green beans, fresh salad with herb dressing and chicken which was browned in a fry pan then placed on a tray, finished baking in oven and then cheese and herbs and returned for a few more minutes.. 

It is nice to be able to use oven when it is cooler here..

This is a few other things going on.. 

My dear dear Lavender!  

It really flourished this summer.. 

Nine large bundles!  

I know you may think I am strange but I feel like it is such a lovely accomplishment!!  lol! 

Doesn't take much to satisfy some people, eh!  

Lots of projects coming on with all that.. 

I will share as I go.. 

Making potpourri seems to be large on my agenda this summer.. 

This one was an accident!  grin.. 

Terry had picked me a huge bouquet of wild flowers which I put in a mason jar on the kitchen table at the farm.. 

It sits in a window and as we were not there all the time it slowly dried out ... 

So.. 

I just cut them off their stems and put them in an old bowl.. 

When I get time I will seal the bowl with several drops of essential oil and it will last for ages.. 

So pretty, don't you think?  smile..

Perfect Petal Potpourri...  

And there is this going on at home.. 

Picked roses everywhere.. 

At the farm, on country drives and from our own bushes.. 

Lay them out on old laces and such and letting them dry.. 

Some will be used for potpourri, rose oil for soap and toiletries, rose vinegar for rinsing dishes and so on.. 

There is just so much you can do with dried roses.  

Do you see the cloth on the bottom right.. 

Has a few pine cones and such.. 

That is our anniversary potpourri.. 

Everywhere we go on our little drives and trips are being dried and added to an old hat box.. 

I will add scent and name it later on in the year.. 

Probably call it... 

We made it!  lol.. 

And.. 

Picking herbs every time we go out and drying them.. 

Sewed up a bunch of herb bags.. 

This is one for soup herbs... 

You can add whatever turns your crank but I love to put thyme, lovage and organo in my tomato base soups.. 

Do you make these? 

Well dear hearts I am finally running out of steam .. 

But.. 

This is a pic of a border we have had in the apple orchard a lot this summer..  

She is not afraid of us at all.. 

She loves the chickens and even upset the bucket with chicken food and had a great lunch.. 

I love deer but want them to stay in the woods.. 

Deer ticks... 

Anyway, I had read where you soak rags in vinegar and tie them on your garden posts and they will not bother it.. 

You renew the vinegar at least once a week.. 

Well, she was here all the time until we did this.. 

We have not seen her since so hopefully she just reacted to the vinegar and is keeping her distance.. 

We are putting them in the gardens, too.. 

Just a tip if you have deer visiting that you would rather not.. 

And before I go.. 

Still celebrating our 50th each month.. 

Our darling children took us out on the town!  

To a wonderful place called Gusto Restaurant!

So much fun and delicious Italian food!  

We were all there except our precious son who is out west.. 

There are exactly 12 of us now in our family.. 

Thankful to our Lord for each and every one of them!  

Aren't they dear!!  

We do little things just like you do.. 

Had breakfast last week in a new cafe at the Green Pig Market.. 

It was delicious! 

And fun there too.. 

Old china with fruit salad and toasted biscuits on an antique saucer with homemade strawberry jam in an enamel cup!! 

Gotta love that!  smile.. 

And so my luvs this is it for another time.. 

But will show you the last great books I have been reading.. 

I so enjoyed this series and found it all so inspiring.. 

Reading Christian books not only inspires but also encourages.. 

We as mamas and wives can get drained and with the world so messed up I find it lifts up my spirits.. 

It is a busy time of year with canning, preserving and such but reading how they accomplished so much in the 1800s without all of our conveniences challenges me to make a better effort to accomplish what needs to be done.. 

If you know what I mean.

And the author's reference to God in their lives in something I need to hear.. 

I want Him to be front and foremost in my life.. 

Not just for myself but for my children and grandchildren.. 

He is coming soon!  

God bless you sweet friends... 

Saturday in March Ramble and Roll.....

Hello everyone... 

Welcome to the Blessed Hearth on this Saturday evening.. 

A very blustery and cool one here at home..

I am so happy you stopped by.. 

It takes me awhile to get back but I eventually make it.. smile.. 

We have been busy doing this and that but there is always some more of this and that to do!  grin.. 

I thought this evening that I would invite you into my kitchen perse!  smile.. 

Have a sit down and we can chat... 

It has been few weeks since I have been here so there is a bit of catching up to do...

I expect you all have been busy looking forward to Spring and such...

We have been doing some cleaning up here at home.. 

Down in the basement in our workshops is the main focus... 

So much stuff .. 

We had the craft business for over 20 years and have not disposed of all of those supplies ... 

Finding some treasures, though.. grin.. 

 

Just so many bits and pieces... 

Love finding bits of old lace and linens.. 

They come right upstairs with me!  smile.. 

And it seems I want to just make something with them.. 

I did make this wool type apron the other day.. 

I follow a dear girl on Instagram... 

1824 Walkers Farm House ... 

She had a pic of some woolens hanging and I thought one was an apron but it was actually a petticoat... 

Nevertheless, it inspired me to make a wool type apron.. 

I found an old pillowcase down there with this old lace edging on it and it just fit the bottom of the apron... 

I enjoyed making this although I am no seamstress! 

I think I need to do this post in sections as there is quite a lot of stuff... 

sorry about my messy kitchen. 

I have a new bread recipe for you all.. 

You girls who have been around for a long time have probably at some point made the no-knead bread.. 

Well, I have tried making sourdough.. 

I love the look of it and all but it is something that you have to be consistent with and that just is not my middle name.. 

More like helter skelter.. grin.. 

Anyway... 

I noticed at the Bulk Barn that they have a sourdough mix... 

Hmmmm.. 

Thought I would give it a try but made it according to the no knead bread recipe and the artisan bread way of cooking it.. 

It is simply lovely.. 

Here are some pics..

This was todays! 

I also made Chili but dear Terry is probably getting into it all by himself as I have been here quite awhile.. grin.. 

So... 

I just use 4 cups of the sourdough bread flour and make the no knead recipe.. 

Then after it raises I put the cast iron in the oven at 450 degrees F and heat the cast iron with the oven heating up and another additional 10 minutes.. 

The bread has been punched down and laid on a teatowel with flour ... Patted flat and rolled at each end and over again like you do the NYTimes no knead bread.. 

Sprinkle a little flour on top and when the cast iron is ready then throw it in.. 

Bake for 30 minutes with the cover on and 5-10 minutes with the cover off... 

Terry loves it.. 

The funny thing is that he thinks the no knead bread is not light enough and the NYTimes bread is too crusty but this one is perfect.. 

So.. 

"c'est la vie"  ... 

It also makes a huge loaf.. 

Lasted us 4 or 5 days and stayed fluffy.. smile.. 

As we are on the baking bit ... 

Here some other pics.. 

saturday morning bake off.. 

Using up bananas.. 

Froze most of it.. 

And made some 2 ingredient dough bagels and apple turnovers.. 

You can just google the recipe or it is on one of my posts.. 

if you can find it.. sorry.. 

This was one of our meals... 

We roasted one of our turkeys and it made us many meals.. 

This is Turkey Shepherds Pie.. 

I made a few litres of stock, few pints of gravy, turkey for sandwiches, soups, turkey and rice casserole, turkey shepherd's pie and a few turkey dinners.. 

A big turkey goes a long way with just two people... 

So easy though to just pull some out and it is already to go.. 

This casserole has stuffing in it along with the gravy, veggies and potatoes.. 

Onto another bit.. 

Found this sweet book at the Thrift the other day.. 

My friend from Arkansas had just told me she had read this and the next day or two I found it.. 

I already have one ..... somewhere.. 

Do you remember this book?  

I love kid's books for some reason.. 

The old authors.. 

Do you?  

I am still felting hearts.. 

This was for someone special... 

I did several daisy ones and put lavender inside... 

I need to sew these up ...

I did a few more but no pics.. 

I am trying to get better at felting flowers and I had made a basket full of hearts from old sweaters so decided they would make a good addition to my gift pantry.. 

On to something else.. 

Oh oh... 

I guess this is a Ramble and Roll.. 

I was wondering what I would title this post.. lol.. 

Some of these pics have already been on Instagram so sorry to you dear hearts who follow that.. 

This is a lovely gift from some dear sisters who live in Hillsborough.. 

A piece of their old cactus that has been in their farmhouse for many many years.. 

They even put it in that lovely old pottery.. 

And gave me the old child's chair, too.. 

So love it.. 

Also a Christmas Cactus and they are both doing well.. 

Love my plants.. 

My White Geranium is blooming.. 

Imagine.. 

In the winter... 

I think plants help to make a house feel like home.. 

I know I am so so old fashioned.. smile.. 

Do you love them too?  

Okay... 

Rambling along here.. 

Here are some pics of drives and such that we took.. 

Checking up on our old farm a couple of weeks ago.. 

The weather has been so mild here that we are thinking we might get a head start on spending some time there this Spring.. 

So much we want to do... 

As always, eh!  

Some of our neighbours here.. 

This gentleman was so kind to stop and let me take my pic.. smile.. 

Country byways... 

This is a couple of the city of St. John... 

Where Terry and I started out 50 years ago this month.. 

We are still celebrating our big anniversary year.. 

Will show you pics when we do this special month's celebrating.. 

This is Terry in a mall there.. 

There were hundreds and hundreds of ducks.. 

In the mall parking lot..

It was amazing... 

We made several trips to St. John the last couple of weeks as my sweet sister is in the hospital there.. 

She is doing much better but please say a word for her.. 

There are only the two of us in our family and she is younger.. 

Only a year and half so we grew up very closely.. 

Years come and go and lives take their course but when all is said and done then our families are what is dear to our hearts... smile.. 

With that being said.. 

The world is in a panic mode at the moment... 

Scary things are taking place and we really don't know the whole story... 

It could be worse then the media presents or it could be better.. 

I will be honest and tell you when it first started raising it's ugly head my heart was pierced with anxiety... 

I don't worry about myself.. 

Like you mothers and wives we think of our husband and children and their children.. 

What will develop with it all.. 

We have a son in Alberta who does not have a wife and loved ones living with him.. He lives alone.. 

He has dear friends who are like family but I would like him closer.. 

So... 

I had to take it to the Lord in prayer.. 

I do not want to walk this road being fearful and fretting.. 

I spent an evening.. 

Listening to old gospel songs that put hope and peace in my soul.. 

I studied on His promises in His Word.. 

I called on His Name... 

Told Him how I was feeling and repenting of my fear... 

And as always... 

The Peacemaker touched my heart and spirit and let me know all is well.. 

No matter what happens.. 

He is in the midst of this right with us.. 

Nothing will come to pass that He hasn't allowed.. 

But best of all I was assured of His love and the sweet peace that only He can gives calmed my fears.. 

The song..

 All my hope is in Jesus is just so true.. 

So thankful I know Him by Name and he knows me.. 

Well sweet ladies that is my piece on all of that.. smile.. 

But with that .. 

We are responsible to be sensible and try to be wise.. 

Take precautions and do what we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones... 

We went to the store yesterday thinking to buy some hand sanitizer for when we are shopping and such.. 

None ...

 Every store we went in was out and not expecting any.. 

But all is not lost.. smile.. 

We made some in our Keepers meeting a couple of years ago.. 

So I just bought the stuff required after getting the recipe from sweet Lindsay... 

And there are recipes you can google.. 

Here they are.. 

Lindsay's Hand Sanitizer.. 

1/2 cup pure aloe gel

1 1/2 tsp. witch hazel 

15 drops of tea tree essential oil 

5 drops of lavender essential oil 

Add 1/3 cup of H20 to thin it down..

and she mentioned adding some drops of thieves essential oil .. 

Stir together and put in a squeeze bottle.. 

Or.. 

Spray or Gel Hand Sanitizer recipe..

Well there you go my dears.. 

Another ramble and roll for you.. 

Hope it blesses someone.. 

Love hearing from you all .. 

Here or on Face book page.. 

And welcome to all you new followers.. 

Love having you..

Have a great week and tomorrow is the Lord's Day.. 

Take care of yourselves and your sweet families.. 

God is faithful...

A Friday Evening in February...

Good Evening my dears... 

How are you all doing?  

I am happy to welcome you to the Blessed Hearth on this Friday evening in February.. 

Already here and partly gone!  

But I am finally back after a month of absence.. 

I am sorry about that... 

It is freezing rain this afternoon as I sit here in our Sun Room... 

The plants are keeping me company as the wind whirls the ice pellets against the windows!  The old apple trees are bracing against the wind while a few apples still cling to their stems... 

I wonder where the birds are!  smile.. 

We do not have a lot of snow here in southern New Brunswick but we are in the midst of a freezing rain storm.. 

It is to change to snow later tonight and the winds are to rise... 

Awww... us Canadians!  

How we love our weather chat!  grin... \

And how have you all been.. 

January has gone and left us with longer days!  

So love that! 

What have you been busy doing? 

We were very busy in January and that is one reason that I was so slow to get back to you but here I am.. 

Will share some of our doings as usual... 

One thing about a post once a month is that it is a long!|

Not too boring I hope! grin.. 

I have been enjoying my Winter magazine and trying out new recipes in it.. 

This was a delicious Orzo Salad and very simply made.. 

Making suppers and enjoying our long evenings.. 

One of our very fave suppers is the Cabbage Roll Casserole although I just make it on top of the stove in a large frying pan.. 

I also tried a new recipe for the Yeast Rolls in the first pic.. 

The link is Here...

I just followed the recipe and not the video.. 

These were the easiest and best recipe for a no knead yeast roll recipe that I have found.. 

And so quickly made!

It just makes eight and you put them in a muffin tin... 

Lovely! 

Now.... 

The best thing that happened in January... 

Was that our dear son came home for ten days from out west.. 

He was home only one day and we were snow bound but it was fun!  

He and his Dad enjoyed their time together so much.. 

Doing snow removal and such.. 

We had family dinners and we all went to my Mom's ... 

She was so excited to see him!  

And his brother and sister of course... 

We had a lovely time but about Thursday I started dreading his leaving!  

So longed to see him!  It had been over a year but God was faithful and brought him home and back safe and sound... 

We miss him a lot but have placed it all in the Lord's hands as He does all things well.... 

Anyway... 

On with the post.. 

Will just share a few winter doings ... 

Enjoying my herbal teas... 

Trying to get my immune system stronger.. 

I am so happy that I grew and dried lots of herbs for this.. 

Do you dry any herbs for tea or do you buy some.. 

We have a wonderful health food store in Sussex.. 

 WINTERWOOD...

They have Nettles, Horsetails and such if you would like 

to do this.. 

Just add 1/4 of cup of dried herbs to a quart mason jar of boiling water.. 

Steep for 15 minutes then strain and sup away all day.. 

Very good for you.. smile.. 

We have been to the farm often to make sure all is well ..

If we can't drive in then Terry will haul a sled in to get jugs of water.. 

We are hooked on our Spring water.. grin.. 

Then as always (even in Winter) we take our long drives along the country roads.. 

Lots of horses in our part of the country and all so well cared for by the looks of things.. 

This one is one I put on Instagram.. 

I think I took it on Wednesday.. 

We have more snow now... 

Not a lot for us but more then that... 

Love these beautiful old churches that dot the countryside here.. 

Way back on rural roads you will find many old white churches.. 

Just lovely.. 

Now the small churches are all gathering together in one large one.. 

Getting there and back is much easier then it used to be when they were built... eh!  

We go to a small lovely church and we enjoy it... 

For so many years we attended a larger church and I didn't think I would be happy in a small one but it is wonderful!  

So love the family of God... 

I am back to growing my jars of sprouts.. 

Alfalfa... 

my fave.. 

Love this bread plate that I picked up at a thrift store.. 

I seem to only eat one slice of bread now but it is still delicious.. 

Just bread, some mayo or aioli sauce and sprouts and s/p... 

Love it for breakfast with a boiled egg.. 

Am trying to get some of my silver collection cleaned up.. 

These are a lovely set of King spoons that I found at a thrift store.. 

My mother had a King George spoon that she used as a child at home ... When she married my Gram gave it to her.. 

I always loved it for some reason and so was just thrilled when I came across not only one but six of these.  

Three different kings with two each.. 

Been also working at essential oil things.. 

I read to put your empty bottles and caps in a jar and when you have enough then cover with Epsom Salts .... 

Then it sit for a time then strain out the jars and use in your bath... 

Thought I would give it a try.. 

Hoping to get some soap made this month... 

You must remember my cheapo Country Living UK calendar... 

Lol! 

I feel that to buy one and have it sent to Canada is too costly so I just take out some lovely pics from my magazine and stick to some heavy kraft paper I have... 

It is not the same but I am attached to them.. grin.. 

Here is a book I received for my birthday or Christmas... 

Can't quite remember but it is simply wonderful.. 

Chapters had it on sale for only 12 dollars!  

Have been slipping my plants and begging them from my friends.. lol... 

I love plants.. 

The little white dishes there are another thrift store find .. 

I wanted them for my homemade salad dressings.. 

Only fifty cents each.. 

Terry and I are enjoying our 50 year marriage celebration.. 

We are celebrating in different ways each month.. 

He gave me a bouquet of tulips in January and said he would be giving me a fresh bouqet each month this whole year!  

Lovely eh!

Planning our February celebration now.. 

Will share with you next time.. 

Well dear hearts this is all for tonight.. 

It has grown dark as I sit here at this old computer... 

It took me ages to find the yeast roll recipe.. 

It was in my notebook out in the kitchen but when I move this old computer turns off!  LOL!  So .... 

I finally found it! 

Then I download pics from my phone to my tablet to here.. 

I know!  

Complicated! 

But I love using this old thing...It knows me!  haha

Anyway... 

Here we are at the end of the post and I know it has not been very exciting or informative.. 

I hope to do better next time.. 

My friend is teaching me rug hooking and I have picked up a new craft called slow stitching which I so love.. 

Google it!  

Here is a heart I made.. 

Another friend invited me to a craft group day and it was lovely.. 

I worked on this while the other ladies all did their own thing too.. 

It was fun!  

I have two more to finish before Valentine's Day.. 

Thank you all for stopping by... 

I loved having you and please be patient with me.. 

I hopefully will be back sooner.. 

I have been considering doing just wee posts on here like Instagram but not sure you all would prefer that or just these seldom long posts.. 

Perhaps you could let me know in the comment section here or on the Face Book page.. 

Thanks.. 

I close with this pic of yours truly and my darling babies.. 

They are just so precious to us!  

All grown up but they will always be my babies.. 

Time flies!  

I am so proud of them all and thankful for them.. 

But do you know that their walk with God is the most important of everything to us.. 

Hope to hear from you all.. 

Here is something little I saved and read every once in awhile.. 

Hope you enjoy it... 

I get the invitation every morning when I wake up to actually live a life of complete engagement, a life of whimsy, a life where love does. It doesn’t come in an envelope. It’s ushered in by a sunrise, the sound of a bird, or the smell of coffee drifting lazily from the kitchen. It’s the invitation to actually live life, to fully participate in this amazing life for one more day. turning down this invitation comes in lots of flavors. It looks like numbing yourself or distracting yourself or seeing something really beautiful as just normal. It can also look like refusing to forgive or not being grateful or getting wrapped around the axle with fear or envy. I think every day God sends us an invitation to live and sometimes we forget to show up or get head-faked into thinking we haven’t really been invited. but you see, we have been invited – every day, all over again.
—  Love Does // Bob Goff

                  GOD BLESS!