I still have eggs in my pocket........

with a chick, chick, here

and a chick, chick ,there,

here a chick,

there a chick,.......(and.....a rooster or two) 

everywhere a chick, chick ........

and the wonderful sound of an early morning crow! 

and in case you are wondering........yes.....there is always a needle 

in my hand. 

I have been making very tiny hand stitched quilts.

You can read about these on my embroidery blog at this link

My tiniest quilts yet

Have a wonderful day!

Well, my goodness, this year just can't seem to get on a good start......

the sickness and death from the COVID virus,  the hardships that many people are facing, 

the unrest, the injustice, the hostility, in our country......and now in other areas

of the world, is about the only "news" on the television these days.

 Like most of you, no doubt, 

my mind has been overwhelmed with it all and I just want to 

run and stick my head in the sand and hope it has all passed when I surface.

However, I have faith that we are a strong people who have a deep love and respect for

our country and each other.....and that somehow......through all of this,

we will come out of this, and see calm and happier days ahead.  

That is my hope at least. 

I try to avoid posting things on this blog , such as this, and I try to keep it 

cheery and light........but , 

I feel, we are all in one way or another, touched or affected by the past few weeks events, and 

I just don't want to seem that I am ignoring what is happening around us. 

So with this being said, wherever you are, what ever you are going through,

my prayers and good thoughts go out to you.

and now................

one can never know what lies ahead on a back road in Texas. 

And I can tell you that I was just as surprised as you probably are 

right now,  to see a herd of Gemsbok antelope and zebra calmly grazing underneath

mesquite trees in a field outside of a neighboring town. 

I have asked friends about these unusual ......and displaced

animals.  It seems that ranchers raise these animals on their ranches 

here........not all ranchers......but a few.  I still do not know if 

there is a reason.......but it is a pleasant sight to see.

As much as I have complained about prickly pear cactus taking 

over the acreage and am constantly trying to remove it.........

I actually love cactus and have a very nice "cactus garden"

growing in containers. ( I know........the house needs a coat of paint....sigh)

This is not the prickly pear, but a cactus that is called "Devil's Claw"

or as ranchers call it "cattle killer"

It is cactus that ranchers will kill and remove because it has hard thorns that

can cripple a horse or cow when stepped on.

I love them for their round shape and have found that when 

grown in containers, they get very large and beautiful.

I also have some growing in a small "ground cactus garden"

but they seem to grow better in containers. 

another round cactus I dig up on the acreage and transplant to containers

is this round cactus that is very pretty when it blooms.

I also purchase any unusual round cactus when I come across

it in nurseries. 

Although it is not round, this cactus blooms so beautifully

that I have to have it in my collection. 

I have found myself enjoying just to walk around the grounds, enjoying what

is blooming and growing at this time.  It gets me away from the dreadful news

and gets my mind to focus on other things.

So dear friends, I hope this finds you all well, 

safe in your homes,  and that your area is at peace. 

  Look after yourselves and keep close to each other.

“The moon is a friend for the lonesome to talk to.”

Carl Sandburg

Fresh and cooling rain

has come several times......leaving us with much needed moisture,

a fresh fragrance, and lovely rainbow afternoons.

As much as you have read about my dislike for the cactus

that is trying to take over the acreage......

this time of year......I have to say.......I enjoy

it's unique beauty.

Cactus rose blossoms in the prettiest colors of soft yellow,

peachy orange,

and vibrant yellow, cover each thorned paddle and are

 filled with busy, buzzing, bees. 

These past few days, I have kept my hands busy making 

miniature decor for my miniature kitchen scene.

I have to say........I can get completely lost in making

miniature things!

 I want to invite you over to my " My Country Kitchen"

blog to share a wonderful cool and delicious recipe with you.

This is such a wonderful dessert/fruit salad for those hot days of summer

and for get togethers.  It would be wonderful for this Memorial Day 

weekend!   Just click onto the link below

Peach Gelatin Salad

for this wonderful recipe! 

Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend.

Sometimes we come to life's crossroads

And we view what we think is the end.

But God has a much wider vision

And He knows it's only a bend-

The road will go on and get smoother

And after we've stopped for a rest,

The path that lies hidden beyond us

Is often the path that is best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger,

Let go and let God share your load

And have Faith in a brighter tomorrow,

You've just come to a bend in the road.

(Helen Steiner Rice- The Bend in the Road)

wishing you a clear view and happier days soon!

Pretty days......and hopefully......happier days ahead?

I hope this finds all of you well and that you have not suffered from this dreadful coronavirus.
I hope you all have found a way to "hang on" and to get through this difficult time.  Sunny, pretty days always give me hope that things will be better..........I truly hope that this will be true when it comes to this virus.

Today.........come take a walk with me, and look at the crooked, twisted mesquite trees that are fully leafed out and make every space

look welcoming......even on the hottest days.

New paths have been made deeper into the "woods"

and now there are more spaces to create more 

"wildscapes"

Usually, everyone in this area knows the mesquite trees are 

small thorny bushes.......which , we have plenty of those. 

Here, on the grounds, we are also happy to have very old and 

large mesquite trees that are actually "trees"

even the large stumps that look dead

have new growth sprouting and twisting upwards

I love the way they bow over to each other, making a

natural archway. I am in the process of making a "sitting area " here.

All along the grounds, hundreds of wildflowers are in bloom.

Many have sprouted in the spaces I have cleared in the woods.

They seem to know exactly where to sprout and to show their beauty.

Wild birds are filling the air with their songs.  

Wherever there is water, they are sure to show up for a drink or a splash

As many of you have seen through the news media, one positive thing this virus has brought out......

is the spark of creativity in many. I hope after this has all passed, that everyone will still hang on to 

their imagination and keep creating.

From the grounds, there are so many "gifts" from nature. With just a little bit of time, 

you could create  rock flowers along some paths with the natural rocks that you find along your walk.

they also serve as a great decorative accent to the cement walk ways

The latest thing I have discovered is the beautiful color that

the flowers and plants give in the process of natural dyeing. 

I am not an expert on this.....so if  you are interested, you can find many helpful tips on

natural dyeing on the internet.  Go out and see what plants in your yard can give you an amazing color.

Even on the hottest days........Sophie still loves to tag along and 

 explore the grounds as much as I love to.

Now ......tell me.......what is growing in your backyard?

Have you found time on your hands and a new creative pastime?   

Whether it be in sewing, carpentry, gardening, or any other

creative outlet, I would love to hear about what  you are creating!

Solitude with God repairs the damage done

by the fret and noise and clamor of the world.

Oswald Chambers