Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Lilla Rose Flexi- Clip Giveaway ~ A Halloween Treat!



I'm so excited to be able to offer one of you a chance to win a beautiful Lilla Rose Flexi- Clip!
As homemakers/homesteaders we are on the go, often dashing from one child's activity to the next. Our hair is often the last thing we check on our way out the door. Shame on us! Even though our families and homesteads keep us happily busy, there's no good reason to let our appearance fall by the wayside. When Jill Wright ( fellow homeschooling/ homemaking mom and frequent Farmgirl Friday participant ) contacted me about doing a give away for her I was on it! Lilla Rose Flexi- Clips are so pretty and feminine! I love the classy way they are bejeweled without going over board. They're just right for everyday and elegant enough for a " little black dress " night too!  Plus, there are several bead color options. Jill chose a clip with Autumn toned bead for me which I love! I wear my hair up ( at least part of it ) several days a week. I have mid- length, thick, naturally curly hair which can easily take on a wicked witch of the east look if I'm not paying attention.

 My new Lilla Rose clip is a medium ( go here for the size chart ) and even though it's made of metal it feels light and comfortable all day long.

To enter this giveaway simply leave a comment, then head on over to Jill's Facebook page to learn more about the Lilla Rose Flexi-Clip and like her page! I'll announce the winner next Monday!

Happy Halloween! Be safe out there!
Sharing with Tilly's Nest Down Home Blog  Hop


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Sandy is Gone


Sandy made her way to the Plymouth, MA. shorelines yesterday bringing plenty of high winds ( up to 80 miles per hour at times) and rain. We ( along with thousands of other MA residents) lost power temporarily. We made it through with minimal preparation. Our local pizza place was even open for regular business hours so we had a hot meal for dinner last night. The power was back on this morning in time for me to make Pumpkin Spice Coffee!  We are grateful that Sandy went easy on us here in Plymouth and are  holding good thoughts for the recovery of our more southerly eastern seaboard neighbors in New York and New Jersey.  

 How did our east coast Dandelion House friends make out?
Wishing you all a safe and speedy recovery!


Saturday, October 27, 2012

Saturday Scenes with Boz

STORM WATCH 
SATURDAY SCENES at DANDELION HOUSE  is our day to share images from the Boz Scenes photo library.  Please join us in this weekly tradition of taking pause to appreciate the beauty of nature.If you feel inspired to share a Saturday Scene of your own, please do and link back to this original SATURDAY SCENES post. Be sure to leave a comment so we can visit your scene too!

 A note to our COASTAL FRIENDS IN THE EAST!  Be safe this weekend as we await  Hurricane Sandy. Check your local utilities website for storm preparedness and batten down the hatches! 

 As always, thanks for looking have a beautiful Saturday...

Love,

Deb and Boz







Thursday, October 25, 2012

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 80


Woo Who! Welcome back to the ORIGINAL Farmgirl/Guy Friday Blog Hop, now in our 80th week!
80 weeks? Can you believe it? I'm so excited about this weeks hop because Heidi, Dolly and I get to share some exciting news from the FARM. MaryJanesFarm, that is. 
 
MaryJane was on TV last week glampin' it up on the Home and Family Show promoting her newest book " Glamping with MaryJane ". If you have a hanker'n for some outdoor fun, buy a copy for yourself and your girlfriends too. You can spend the winter planning your first glamping escape!



 Mary Jane Butters coined the phrase " Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart" and she's so charming in this interview. She is a never ending source of fun and inspiration for is girls! We love you MaryJane!!!
We'll get back to our featured farmgirls next week! Enjoy the video and I'll see you on the hop! 

Oh, and be sure to stop by this weeks MJF BEACH FARMGIRL BLOG.

 


 Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/guy 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, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the  Linky tools 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!
4.) Enter up to three entries per hop!

 DON'T BE SHY~  
Be sure to leave a note if you're new to the hop!
 We want to get to know you better! Have a great week and I'll see you on the hop! 

 Love,
Deb 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Goodnight Garden


Dahlia ( October 23rd)
What an amazing garden season we have had at Dandelion House this year! If ever there was a year to dip my garden spade into the world of backyard flower farming this was it! Our south coast weather couldn't have been more cooperative. Spring brought sunny skies and consistently warm temps ( with just enough rain ) followed by plenty of heat when we needed it the most. These are the most favorable conditions for the tropical dahlia flower and they've put on a never ending show of beautiful blooms for this first time grower of dahlias.  My go to guy at our local garden center said this was the best year for dahlia's in a long time which  makes me wonder what to expect next year. All I know is I'm spoiled and so are my family and friends... We've had non stop house flowers for weeks and weeks!  Alas, I think I have finally cut the last of them. As sad as I am to say that, It has been such a fulfilling experience watching my backyard flower farm blossom from seed to vase.  From the first sprout in the greenhouse to learning that dahlias will grow even if you plant them upside down, and every precious moment in the garden with family and friends. It's been pure joy! So much so I've decided to write a book to encourage other backyard hobby gardeners' to think local and grow more  ' yard flowers'  right at home. While my gardens rest I'll be working on my manuscript, getting it polished and ready for submission. I'll keep you posted on the progress along the way! 
Back to the garden...


 Harvest time is well under way and it's time to clear the beds a replenish the soil with nutrients. The above photo is what my front 4 ( of eight ) beds looked like before I cleared the zinnia, cosmos and sunflower beds. Once the dahlia foliage dies back to brown it will be safe to dig them up and properly store them. ( I'll do another post just for that when the time comes) 

Oh, how I hated to fill that wheelbarrow, but it had to be done! On the other hand looking at my naked flower beds filled we with hope for next year. Oh ,the possibilities!!!


I wanted you to see how Jiffy Peat Pots perform. This was a sunflower planted  in a peat pot in the greenhouse. Once it was mature enough it it was easily transplanted into the garden. The advantage of these pots is that you don't have to disturb the fragile roots when you transplant them outside. You can see that the roots found their way through the bottom and sides of the pot and into the soil. They'll biodegrade in the compost pile over the winter. I'll use them again next year!

Just look at these blank canvases! Ready for the first brush strokes of spring...


 Speaking of brush strokes go here to see how the garden inspired my mom to begin painting flowers! She loves flowers as much as I do, but because of her back she doesn't garden as much as she used to. Instead, she spreads her love of flowers on canvas creating her signature stylized paintings. I made sure she has a steady supply of fresh flowers from the garden for inspiration. She also signed up for painting classes which she loves!


My mom arranging flowers to take home! She was just like a kid in a candy store when she would come to cut flowers!



I'll sure miss looking down at these flowery faces as my gardens drift off to sleep for a much
deserved long winters nap.

Putting Your Beds to Bed: These simple steps will guarantee you a proper start come spring and are applicable to raised beds and established borders as well.
  • Clear away dead plants that have any mold or mildew present. You can leave others to decay as they will add nutrients to the soil which can be turned in come springtime.
  • Add nitrogen with organic matter ( homemade compost, kitchen scraps, composted manure ) 
  • Plant a winter cover crop. 
  • Mulching with leaves, straw or wood chips now will give your garden soil the proper time to replenish over the winter and keep the nutrients where they belong. Under cover! 

" This has been one of the best years of my life" ~ Mary

 Mary is my mother in law. She's 90. Many of you know she visited us off and on throughout the spring and summer and spent a lot of time in the garden with me during our ' daily garden walks.
 My mom and my mother in law have been my constant cheerleader's from the very inception of the garden and having them by my side through the entire process was priceless... We  are already planning for next year and we thank you for sharing this growing journey with us!

I'm sharing this post with Tilly's Nest
 Down Home Blog Hop!








Saturday, October 20, 2012

Saturday Scenes With Boz


 "  Night Magic

SATURDAY SCENES at DANDELION HOUSE  is our day to share images from the Boz Scenes photo library.  Please join us in this weekly tradition of taking pause to appreciate the beauty of nature.If you feel inspired to share a Saturday Scene of your own, please do and link back to this original SATURDAY SCENES post. Be sure to leave a comment so we can visit your scene too!

 As always, thanks for looking and have a beautiful Saturday...

Love,

Deb and Boz



Friday, October 19, 2012

Goodnight Greenhouse: Fall Clean Up


Turning Leaves at Dandelion House
I  have a confession. I haven't lifted a finger in the greenhouse since June and it was quite a mess! 
I've  been waiting for a perfect warm day to get some of my ' fall work ' done and it finally came this week. I'm talking about the sort of day where all you can hear is the crinkle of crisp leaves under foot as you putter around the yard under a clear blue sky, no wind and the ever present smell of "compost in the making" as the fallen leaves begin to decay.
 That my friends, is the perfect fall garden chore day in my book!

The Greenhouse Garden ( fall )
  If you have a green house, hoop house or small potting shed here are a few quick clean up things you can do now so you'll be ready come planting time in early spring.
  • Clean and store garden tools and organize seed packets, and other useful tools.
 

  • Spray and sanitize seed trays and any pots you are recycling.




Seed flats  drying in the sun
Seed pots after being sprayed.


  • Store all organic plant food and pest control in a cool dry place.

 My garden warriors against pests and natural plant food. 
  • Sweep out the floor and dust off all surfaces
  • Clean buckets and vases.
  • Store garden stakes, trellises, tomato cages, sprinklers,  hoses, inside.
  • If you have running water to your greenhouse turn off outside water faucets and drain all hoses. 
  • Throw out warn out gloves with holes, that way you can ask Santa for a new pair  to tuck into your Christmas stocking!
* I use one part bleach to 9 parts water for cleaning all flower buckets and seed trays and pots.





 Just look at my little soldiers all lined up ready for action!

I'd like to gussy up the potting bench/counter next year with a burlap curtain to hide the drain which will supply run off water to the garden outside.

Right now I have a large piece of cardboard on the floor of the greenhouse. I plan to put down weed barrier over the entire 10 x 10 area for next year. The greenhouse is in tip top shape and it only took about an hour and a half from start to finish to get this fall chore checked off of my to do list!The best part is that it does double duty as storage for our lawn mower, wheel barrow and other garden necessities. 

What did I learn and love about having a backyard greenhouse?

Planting: Zinnias don't benefit from being started early in the greenhouse. I planted 8 trays of seeds and only one and a half really sprouted.  I did an experiment. I planted one raised bed with seedlings and another I direct sewed. The bed that was sewn directly was more lush and yielded more blooms than the one with transplants. Next year I'll use that space in the greenhouse for something different.

The Cosmos started very well in the unheated greenhouse, as did all varieties of the heirloom sunflowers and tomatoes not to mention the ornamental eggplant ( Pumpkin on a Stick ) . I even added a  few cuttings of it  to my fall wreath on the front door for a pop of color!




I loved my first season with a greenhouse. It really helped me expand my growing knowledge and confidence as a backyard flower farmer!  

Stay tuned for my follow up post, Goodnight Garden! 
 

 "There was something frantic in their blooming, as if they knew that frost was near and then the bitter cold.  They'd lived through all the heat and noise and stench of summertime, and now each widely opened flower was like a triumphant cry, "We will, we will make seed before we die." "-   Harriette Arnow



Thursday, October 18, 2012

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 79


Welcome to the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 79!
Before we get going, I want to apologize for the weird thumbnail issue last week. I got in a hurry and forgot to choose the larger size we are accustomed to seeing and linky tools chose the smallest size by default. When I edited it the images were larger, but blurry, which made our blog hop somewhat of a mystery last week!  I hope it wasn't too much of a deterrent and you got out there to see what your fellow farmgirls were up to! What can ya do? Onward and upward as the saying goes!

This idea of ' Farmin' around on Fridays seems to be catchy! There's another blog hop in town where you can go to get even more of your farm fix on Fridays! 

Farm Life at its Best

Tayet is a 4-H farmgirl at heart and author of the adorable blog Farm Life At Its Best. 
She loves her animals and photography! She and her sister Yolanda of Chickens on the Moon blog  are hosting Farm Fun Friday together! Go check them out to find out the rules for their hop and click that follow button while you're there!

I'm honored to have these fine farmgirl bloggers Co hosting the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop!
Heidi of My Simple Country Living and Dolly of Hibiscus House.

Now it's your turn to link up for your weekly dose of farmgirl soul food!
Speaking of soul food.... Be sure to check out the Farmgirl Friday Recipe Box... We're up to 149 pins, 393 followers and growing thanks to all of you who enter your delicious recipes to this hop each week! 

Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/guy 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, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the  Linky tools 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!
4.) Enter up to three entries per hop!

 DON'T BE SHY~  
Be sure to leave a note if you're new to the hop!
 We want to get to know you better! Have a great week and I'll see you on the hop!



Wednesday, October 17, 2012

WINNER: AUTUMN NOTECARD GIVEAWAY!


 Congratulations to Tammy of Our Neck of the Woods...

Go visit Tammy on her new homestead! She's cooking spaghetti with NOT meatballs today!

A big thank you to all who entered and commented! 

Go here to purchase your own set of our original handcrafted note-cards!  

They make a wonderful birthday, hostess or Christmas gift and they're perfect for a heartfelt " thinkin' of you note". ! 


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Hay Man


Isn't this Hay Man far out? What can I say?  I'm a child of the 70's! 
We grabbed the warmer of the two days last weekend and took the family out pumpkin pickin' and I almost got to sit on a tractor but my handsome Yankee talked me out of climbing up on top of it! 

 

 Instead,; he took my picture leaning up against it and that was almost as good as startin' her up and heading for the field!
 
How old do you think this tractor is?






The teens played punkin' face a little reluctantly 


but my begging finally worked and the promise of pizza for dinner later!

They got lost and went for a walk in the corn maze while we took a look around in the farm stand where they  had crates full of harvested root veggies and gourds.





YAMS!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH




.
MORE PUMPKINS!

We picked out a few for carving. I can't wait to show you what we've decided to do with them!


  Hay Man says, "Get out there and grab yourself some of fall before all the leaves are on the ground. "




I'm taking this little farm tour over to Melissa's Down Home Blog Hop today!
 


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