Proof!

First crocus of the season

Proof of life, that is.  Bits of spring hinted here and there.  In spite of the last wintery blast, the sun is making more frequent appearances.  And its giving off greater heat.

Yellow wildflowers called Coltsfoot and often mistaken for dandelions

Suddenly out of nowhere, there are tons of red-breasted robins pecking in the lawn in search of worms and grub.

Fresh green stuff!

Amidst all the grey decay and dead matter, new life sprouts.  Green stems and stalks break through the once frozen earth.

Tulips breaking through . . . 

I love spring!!  The promise of something fresh and new is in the air . . .

Sunshine and Such . . .

Ever have one of those days when you drop your knitting in the corner and venture outside? A day where the sun beckons you outdoors?  Well, this was one of those weekends, with glorious blue skies and warm sunshine.

Clothes drying outside

The clothes ventured on to the line for the first time since last fall.  So nice to wear clothes dried outside--they smell so fresh like sun on skin or freshly cut grass.

Front garden

And I finally managed to clean out the flower garden out front.  Lots of  broken branches and debris leftover from winter.  Life has sprung anew as the garden slowly awakens from its winter slumber: everything is sprouting, including the weeds!  

Dwarf Red Tulips

The garden looks so sparse.  I can hardly wait to get myself to the garden centre in search of new plants and flowers to fill in the empty spaces . . . 

Have a good week!

Slowly . . .

Frozen Lake

Amidst the gnarled tree limbs, you feel it.  Springtime slowly makes its way to our parts.  Not in big melts and sudden bursts of spring colours.  

Knarled Tree

Instead a steady sun slowly picks away at the snow piles, melting them ever so slowly.  The earth warms up and then it happens.  Brown, yellow and faded green peaks here and there through the white stuff.  Tufts of old dead grass poke through. . . 

Spring is coming.  Slowly.

Wintery Blast--Take 2

Ice on Window

So last weekend we had a blast of winter with snow and ice.  We only got 'bout 16 cm of snow, but the ice pellets and blowing snow made for treacherous driving.  And the frigid temperatures of -20 to -30 C did nothing to clear up messy roads (All week I had to drive on ice-covered roads.  And I hate driving on ice!!).

The View to our Neighbours

This weekend is no better.  Snow and ice again.  Not sure how much snow we've gotten so far, but it's still snowing.  And blowing.  Have I mentioned how much I hate winter?!

Tree at Top of Driveway

Thank heavens for the wood stove to keep us warm and cozy on those blustery days.  There's nothing like the warmth of a wood fire to chase the chill from cold bones.

Warmth of Wood Fire in Stove

Wherever you are, stay warm.  And have a good one. :)

Some Distractions

Mixing dry ingredients

Instead of finishing my wee little Kirbys, I was busy doing other things.  Of late I've taken to baking every other weekend, usually muffins and occasionally cookies.  

Stirring dry into wet 

There's something terribly satisfying about makin' stuff from scratch: it feels like I'm doing something good for my family and they truly do appreciate it.  Everyone enjoys a muffin for breakfast or snack.

Spooning batter into tins

And I have a really good basic recipe that can be used with just about any fruit.  My fave are with bananas, but I've made them with apple sauce and pumpkin puree.  I bet you could easily substitute other fruit (although come fall we'll have a tremendous amount of apples to use up 'cuz we got loads of apple trees).

Freshly baked banana muffins

Not sure where it originally came from, but my mother-in-law gave me the recipe.  Thought I'd share with you my most fave muffin recipe:


2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2  tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)


2 eggs 
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups fruit (applesauce, mashed bananas, or pumpkin puree)
Note: for pumpkin puree use 1 cup of pumpkin mixed with 1/2 cup water


Mix dry ingredients thoroughly.
Mix in sugars until well combined and the stir in raisins (optional).
In another bowl mix wet ingredients until smooth.
Stir dry into wet (don't over stir.)
Spoon into greased muffin tin and bake at 350 F (180 C) for  20-25 min.
Makes a dozen muffins.


Enjoy!  And hope you're having a great weekend too. :D

Tractors?

Compact Tractors

Is there something amiss in the my acrylic-filled brain if I ogle tractors?  Is it so wrong to have tractor envy?  

More Tractors

Seriously, I'm lovin' the ones with a bucket--mighty handy for clearing the snow from my long, long driveway come wintertime.  You wouldn't believe how expensive a brand new tractor can be.  If only we had some extra money . . . Or maybe we can find a decent used tractor (And just FYI, my FIL and BIL are feeling the tractor envy too.  Just sayin').

Recent Magazine Purchases

For the past year I've been reading a lot of Mother Earth News and Hobby Farms.  It can give a girl ideas--crazy, farming, living-off-the-grid and growing-my-own-food ideas. 


A girl can dream . . . 

A Life in the Country

A few days ago I posted something rather cryptic about changes.  My reticence came from not wanting to put the proverbial cart before the proverbial horse.  Now I can fully reveal those "changes": Acrylic-girl is gonna be a Farm-girl! 


Its no secret that I live in a small rural community (surely you've noticed my laments over the lack of available crafting supplies).  Nevertheless, we still live in town.  Even in a small town, there is traffic, noise and other people to contend with (made even more so with the annual influx of  university students--suffice to say the town almost doubles in size).  And I won't lie that there has been a certain amount of convenience--especially since my commute consists of a vigorous walk each morning. As convenient as that may be, we've always longed for the country life: a quaint farm house with a few chickens, a few pigs (maybe a goat or two; perhaps a cow eventually), a large veggie garden, a greenhouse and lots of green features (mainly solar heating and wind power--eventually).  I even shared my dream online a few years ago (although we'd been thinking about it for a while).


Finally the dream has come to pass!  In about a month or so, we'll be living in the country in an old farm house.  Yes we'll be sharing the place with family, but that will be a good thing.  The more hands, the better 'cuz there will be lots of work.  Lots of work!

Our New Home

Wish us luck as we embark on this new and exciting adventure.