Thursday, September 29, 2011

Farmgirl Friday blop hop # 26 AND a Fall Give Away


Autumn days are here again and Dandelion House Original Autumn note cards are here! The images above and below show a sneak peak of our newest collection of handmade note cards from Dandelion House Gardens.



I'm offering a fun Fall give away as my way of saying THANK YOU to all who enter this weeks blog hop! Simple enough right?  The winner will receive one set of 10 Dandelion House Original Note Cards.  Handmade note cards are a unique gift for any occasion! This collection is sure to bring smiles to your friend or family member who is in love with ALL THINGS FALL!

 * All images are from our gardens and can also be purchased ( Pay pal) by visiting our HOME GOODS page. Good luck everyone!



I was so thrilled to see we had 30 fabulous entries last week! Lets do it again shall we? Here are the rules for the Farmgirl Friday blog hop!

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, hen house, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the Mr. Linky space to your Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!

In autumn when the trees are brown,
The little leaves come tumbling down.
They do not make the slightest sound, but lie so quietly on the ground.




*If you're new to DANDELION HOUSE, you're just in time to settle in with us and enjoy some wonderful homemaking, homesteading and creative living blogs! Click that follow button or subscribe today!  The more the merrier!

Stop by my latest post for MJF and read All that AND the Kitchen Sink!






Monday, September 26, 2011

Rebel Chick!




Let me out a here! 

One of our girls has a wild case of wanderlust! She's forever getting out of the run which has 8 feet high chicken wire surrounding it.... None of the other girls could care less about getting out. Just Stevie. Every night for the last month we have to go outside and get her off the top of the coop and put her inside for the night, only to find her outside in the garden rummaging around early the next morning.
Naturally we want her to be safe, so we decided this special girl should have a feather cut! 
No, not the one we all wore in the 70's; the kind that will hopefully keep her cooped up for good!  We've never done it before so we looked around on you tube and found it's really quite simple!
Here, have a look!



Clipping Chicken's Wings. Have you had to do it? I'm sharing this post on this weeks Homestead Barn Hop. Dosado on over and check out some wonderful homesteading blogs! 


Saturday, September 24, 2011

Saturday Scenes with Boz



" Drifting "
A Saturday Scene for your enjoyment~ with Boz
Have a great weekend and Happy Fall!
Boz
And, thanks so much for your comments! 





Friday, September 23, 2011

Autumn Wishes




"The woods are full of fairies; the sea is full of fish; the trees are full of golden leaves; let's make an autumn wish." 

Dear friends,

Happy first day of Autumn! It's official! My favorite season has arrived. What are your wishes for Autumn? Do you have a favorite tradition, place or ritual you do with the arrival of Fall? Or are you one who loves to pack away your summer clothes in exchange for warm throws and newly organized spaces?

I'm almost ready to settle in but before I do, I've got a few things on my Autumn wish list to complete  before I can whole heartily welcome another New England Winter.

  • finish kitchen remodel ( replace hideous vinyl flooring, 19 years is long enough! )
  • get a small section of picket fencing installed ( Home Depot, here I come )
  • refresh our dining room and kitchen with a new coat of paint
  • fall cleaning and organizing ( I worship Ikea)
  • figure out how to keep Stevie, our rebel chicken in the run  ( honey, are you reading today?)
It's not much, but once these things are done, I'll feel good about moving on to more fun things like adding those special touches that say HOME SWEET HOME. New artwork, pillows, kitchen tools for cooking and organizing just to name a few! Oh, and of course a few new fall outfits for the chief editor of Dandelion House!

I'm wishing you a wheel barrel full of Autumn goodness!

How bout' you? What are you wishin' for?




Thursday, September 22, 2011

Farmgirl Friday blog hop # 25




It's that time again already!Yippee! I don't know about you, but I'm ready to kick back and read everyones Farmgirl Friday entries with a nice cuppa ( decaf hazelnut coffee with hazelnut cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Mm, Mmm.
I'm lovin' all the creative recipes, puttin' up and decorating you're all up to! We've had a busy, but fun week. Somehow, in between getting a broken wrist  (our son ) casted and Max ( our corgi ) treated for dermatitis we managed to get a few " home dec " projects checked off the old tattered and torn to do list and I can't wait to share them with you!  However, our main computer went kaput yesterday so we are makin' do with a couple of laptops until we are back in FULL SWING! Stay tuned!

In the mean time, enter YOUR Farmgirl Friday post below and don't forget to make the rounds and say howdy to all your farmgirl friends old and new!

Thanks so much for all you share each week! Let the farmgirl FUN begin!


Here are the rules for the Farmgirl Friday blog hop:


1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, hen house, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave a permalink in the Mr. Linky space to your Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post.

Be sure to check out MaryJane's ( Sister # 1 ) new daily diary blog called raising jane. It's great! She's just returned from the Creative Connection and has lots to share!






Monday, September 19, 2011

Monday Morning Glories



September weather is my favorite of all seasons! There's something about the clear skies and mild temps that get me feeling my happiest of all months of the year. We are just weeks away from falling leaves and shorter days which makes these last bloomers of September all the more special. I snapped these shots while at our cottage this weekend. Our neighbors plant them around the fence that surrounds their veggie garden every year. Check out this years blooms!


Here's a shot of this charming garden from a distance. Keep looking, it gets better!


 They look so elegant climbing the fence around the compost pile. ( see the squash in the bottom left of the photo ?)



I didn't photo shop these at all... Just look at that glowing bright,  white center! 



I'll be adding these images to our Cottage Collection of Dandelion House Original Note Cards! 

 Be sure and take time to savor what's left of sweet September! 
I'll be back soon with images for our Fall note card collection and a few early fall fix-ups from our house to yours!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Saturday Scenes with Boz






" Chosen Path " 
A Saturday Scene for your enjoyment~ 
with Boz...
Enjoy and have a great weekend! 





Thursday, September 15, 2011

Farmgirl Friday blog hop # 24



Welcome to Farmgirl Friday # 24! If you're a new follower or subscriber, jump right in and join the fun!  You'll truly enjoy this friendly community of bloggin' farmgirls!

It's easy!
Here are the rules for the Farmgirl Friday blog hop:


1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, hen house, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave a permalink in the Mr. Linky space to your Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post.



As for me, September is my favorite month of the year. I just love it when my nesting instinct kicks in, then I know for sure fall is in the way and I'd better get busy dusting and fluffing inside and that's just what I've been doing all week. The first week of  homeschooling  is behind us and I've been working non-stop ( in between rides to the dentist and piano lessons ) on our teenage sons bedroom make over! That means, the lawn is over grown, the frig is bare, the laundry is piled high and the garden needs one last good weeding before I put it to bed for good. I just can't help myself! I love love love making our home more comfortable and organized for the coming cooler days ahead. I've already made my first batch of chicken soup ( recipe coming soon ) and I've dusted off my paint brushes for several rooms that are waiting for fresh new colors!

Be on the look out for new posts on decorating, organizing and re-purposing from " inside" Dandelion House! 


It's been so much fun to gather throughout the spring and summer each week to share " what's doin' " on our little homesteads. Although I don't always have time to comment on each entry, I do read them all!  I am so inspired by the creativity, ingenuity, and just plain fun you share here! So please, keep the wonderful entries coming! I can't wait to see what you're all up to for fall!

Tell me, are you still enjoying Farmgirl Friday? Would you like to continue hopping through the fall and winter? I do, if you do!











Saturday, September 10, 2011

Saturday Scenes with Boz





 A Saturday Scene for your enjoyment and reflection. 


Never Forget! 
God Bless America !


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Farmgirl Friday blog hop # 23





Welcome to Farmgirl Friday blog hop# 23 where a wonderful bunch of creative, talented and fun love'n farmgirls gathe every Friday to play show and tell about all the fun things they've been up to whether it be in the backyard, barmyard, kitchen, or craft room!  You're sure to find something to inspire your farmgirl heart here!

Want to play along? It's simple!


Here are the rules for the Farmgirl Friday blog hop:

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, hen house, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave a permalink in the Mr. Linky space to your Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post.


As for this farmgirl, I've been busy ( with Boz's help ) creating a new line of Dandelion House Note Cards for you!  We hope you like them and will think of us when you need a one of a kind, hand -crafted gift for someone you love!


 










Dandelion House Note Cards!!!




 Now you can take your favorite images of  Dandelion House home to your family and friends when you purchase a set of 12 carefully crafted note cards! 



COST: 25.00 for a bundle of 12 note-cards with envelopes: This price includes shipping in the U.S.only.

Each photo is mounted on quality note card paper and includes envelopes for your convenience. All bundles come " gift wrapped ". See example below.

COLLECTIONS:
Fall and Winter
Spring and Summer 
Boats and Lighthouse 
Picket Fences 
Dahlias
Zinnias
Butterflies
Yard Flowers 

* All images are taken by the resident photographers here at Dandelion House. Boz and Deb.
* larger sizes available up to 11x14 upon request with mat or with out. Price to be determined at time of purchase.
*All proceeds contribute to the costs of operating this blog and more creative seeds to share with you!

  Be ready for your next gift giving occasion! We've done all the work for you!  Order your one of a kind note card bundle today from DANDELION HOUSE!






Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Goodbye Rudy and Rodeo Part 2



Who me? Yeah you Rodeo and your buddy Rudy Roo too! Sorry fella's but today your shippin' out on the next train west. Your going to THE FARM!! What's that you say," you're already on the farm "? Yes, that's true, but you can't stay. The girls have had it up to their tail feathers ( what's left of them )  with your fresh behavior, and constant cock a doodle doin' all hours of the day and so has the head homesteader here too... Papa Boz needs his rest and Mama Boz has made him suffer long enough. Not to mention what the neighbors have been sayin'!




Dear friends,
That was the conversation I had with " the boy's"  last Thursday after I made a call to the local slaughter house FARM! It took me a while to come around but the hard truth is this. We are a backyard hen keeping operation. Our little flock ranges in size from 13- 8 with 5 or 6 being a perfect number for keeping harmony in the hen house and fresh eggs in our frig. When we found out we had two guy's in our last bunch I was excited. I had never had a rooster before and  I wanted to have that experience. Well, let's say, I've had  it in more ways than one! I've come to terms with my chicken keeping limits and I've toughened up my farmgirl heart a little too. When it came time to try and re-home the boys I realized that it's pretty difficult to re-home them because they often become more aggressive in a new environment. I didn't want to wonder if they were cared for properly or not, so we decided the only way to really know what their outcome would be was to, well.... um...plan it ourselves... Rodeo and Rudy are no longer with us in feathered form but they ARE still here, in our freezer, frozen. I'm waiting for the perfect cool September day for a nice Farm Fresh Roasted Chicken dinner... right from our own backyard coop!

It wasn't easy to say goodbye at first, but I'm certain if you asked The Cottage Hens what they think, they'd be cackling up a storm telling you they were happy to see them go and asking why it took Mother Hen so long to come to her senses!  Especially Lacy Lou and Hazel... For some strange reason I've yet to figure out, the boys wouldn't let them out of the hen house for about two weeks. Each time they would try to get out into the run for scraps or food and water one of the guy's would chase them back inside the coop. I had to feed them separately to make sure they were getting enough to eat and drink.They were also starting to get getting a little pushy with me too!  I guess I have a lot to learn about roosters. They can be quite territorial which is good when there is a burglar in the yard, but not so much when Mother Hen is just trying to do her daily chicken chores.Yep, things were about to come to blows between me and the boys...!

I'm happy for the remaining " girls " and  since the fella's hightailed it out of here the stress level in the coop is about zero!  There's been lots of dirt baths, fluffing and preening, and in general happy clucking sounds coming from the Little Red Hen House. I think every one's happy now with the exception of Rodeo and Rudy of course.

 The most important lesson learned in raising our roosters for the short time was this. Mother nature has a reason for everything, and roosters have a job to do. And, they want to do it ALL THE TIME. That being said, if we had ourselves a real homestead away from neighbors, I think I would definitely keep roosters, so we could raise chicks. I would also research the best breeds for raising chickens for meat. I would alternate them in free ranging grassy areas and when they were of age for eating Papa Boz says he would be able to take if from there, if you know what I mean... Who knows what the future holds for us in the way of an actual location for more in depth homesteading. I definitely feel closer to having a sense of how things used to be done " on the farm " and I must admit, it's a good feeling opening up the frig and seeing two roasting chickens inside that we raised!

FYI: It cost 5.00 per bird to have them " prepared " and sent home fresh. Papa Boz brought a cooler with plenty of ice for the trip home.

Before they went, we all said our goodbyes and our thanks to "the boys". They weren't that bad...were they?  Don't answer that!

 I'll post the recipe when I roast them! ( if it turns out well enough that is )

I'm linking this post to Amy's Preparedness Challenge at Homestead Revival.

Come on.... tell Mother Hen YOUR rooster stories!!!



Saturday, September 3, 2011

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Farmgirl Friday blog hop # 22




Happy September friends and welcome to Farmgirl Friday blog hop # 22! It's an exciting and busy time here at Dandelion House as we continue along on our homeschooling journey. This month marks our eleventh year! I always get very excited at the start of a new season of learning. Because we are learning all the time, we don't get caught up in the back to school rush. It's our tradition to savor the remaining days of summer by venturing outdoors as much as possible. This is a wonderful time to take in our local farmers markets. The weather is cooler, the air is dryer and the sky is crystal clear! September is a month to savor and it's a time of new beginnings.

 Here's wishing you a sunny start to your September!


So, lets' get on with the hop shall we?

Here are the rules for the Farmgirl Friday blog hop:

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, hen house, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave a permalink in the Mr. Linky space to your Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post.


Remember to make a little time to visit each other and leave a comment so folks know you were there!

I'll see you soon with an update from The Cottage Hens! They've got big news!!!









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