Unexpected Father's Day

I've had to re-arrange my kitchen area. It has taken on the look of an old world kitchen. Well, it has always looked a little that way, but now it has the traditional sick bed off to the side. This space was my little sitting nook off the kitchen. For now, it will be a space where my husband will spend time resting, yet able to look outside, and keep in the hub of the family.
Saturday night we had been sitting by the fire in the back yard, just taking time to relax. My husband went to get a piece of wood and fell over a spot of uneven ground. His ankle didn't twist with the rest of his body. He had broken both bones by his ankle and dislocated the ankle joint.
We spent most of the night at the ER. Now he is wearing this.
Thankfully, we had a family dinner planned at our home for Father's day. Although we were tired, the BBQ went on as planned. We still ate strawberry shortcake for dessert. It seemed though, that the spirit of the celebration was a little different. We were thankful for and honored the fathers in our family. We were very thankful that this dad was here, yes, looking forward to surgery next week and a long recovery, but here, with us.

Finally Here!

Usually...........a term that isn't happening here in the Northwest this year regarding weather. Usually, we are picking strawberries as soon as school is out, or even before. Strawberry festivals abound the first part of June. Usually, strawberries are part of graduation events, part of Father's Day celebrations. We have a hard time waiting for the first sun -warmed, juicy, luscious bite. A sign that summer is really here. Picking strawberries is pleasant when thinking of shortcake, jams, and pies. This year......well.....yes we have strawberries, but late, and few. It has rained and rained, ruining and delaying many crops. We have had a few partly sunny days, so things are starting to move along. Today we went out to pick strawberries. The first field we went to, (they advertised picking this weekend) well, I didn't even see a berry. Several fields are not even letting people u pick this year because of so few berries.

This is where we picked. Yes there are berries hiding from the rain under the leaves. Luscious, juicy, berries. They were not as abundant, many were oddly shaped, but enough for us. I have to say that picking under the bright clouds, instead of the beating sun was a pleasant change. We filled the trunk with berries. The whole car was filled with the aroma, just teasing us all the way home.

Now.........I'm making jam.

Mad Dash Into The Garden

We finally have had a few sunny days here in the Northwest. Yeah! So those of us who garden have made a mad dash out to our gardens. I'm enjoying the bright spot my new garden clogs bring, along with the riot of madly growing plants and festive blooms.

With all the rain we have had, (three times the norm in May and more than the average monthly rainfall for June in the first five days) I was afraid the plants might drown. No worries! They are growing crazily. Along with the weeds! My compost pile is huge!

Many blooms are a little late, but the wait is very much worth it. The windows in the background are to the chicken coop. The "Ladies" worked very hard early spring and cultivated the raised beds, while ridding the beds of many slugs and bugs. Now the lettuce and spinach, etc, are without pest.

Saliva spires stand tall, while Jupiter's beard waves it's crimson arms. The Rebecka (black-eyed Susan) in the foreground have not set their blooms yet.

Dames Rocket and Giant Inula, stand under the bird houses, hosting a new family this spring.

Being in the garden on one of my favorite things to do.

Remembering

Thank you to all who have served and sacrificed to give us the freedom and opportunities we have today.

Thank you to all who are serving now. Thank you to the families, who support loved ones in that service.

Memorial Day can be all about picnics and the first camping trip of the year. It's great to have those times and build memories. Many times I've forgotten to reason for the holiday - to remember those who have gone before us. To take a moment to give thanks to those who have sacrificed so we don't have to go through the horrors of war or live without the freedom we experience today, to live in a democracy. So I'm taking the time to reflect, a moment to say Thank you.

Cozy Little Rugs

I like to have a little project that I can just pick up and work a few moments on. So I can feel creative for a moment or two in between all the happenings of a day.

I had an idea for hooked coasters. I have hooked a little, so I thought these would be a fast project. The first one I made with lots of texture, not unifying the loops, just to see how that would look.

The next on , more unified loops and color contrast.

Perfect for protecting from heat and moisture.

Cozy little old fashioned "rugs" for glass and cup.

Is The Color Right?

It's a project I had been meaning to do all winter. Really, I had been talking about doing it for over a year. But I couldn't decide. What color? Sometimes going into a project I will just "know" what color something should be. But in this case.....I just wasn't sure. I have a very old kitchen. Not much has changed in it since the house was built in 1892. I have one built in base of cabinets. The rest of the kitchen has free standing cupboards. Some old, some Gerry and I build to look old, and a large walk in pantry. The built in base was a combed yellow, matching the wood work . Yellow is very sunshiny in the gray months of the Northwest. But this was getting grimy and dingy and wouldn't clean up well. But what color to paint? I have yellows, greens, red, along with natural woods. I didn't need another color to add to the mix. Finally, I decided on black - the latest neutral I'm told. Black Licorice #0529 by Miller Paint. I was really afraid it would be too bold. In reality, it is a blending influence. I like it.

For handles, I bent old serving spoons and forks and screwed them onto the doors and drawers.

There is a slight green tone in some lights to the black. Also, the texture from the combing application in the previous paint is still there, adding more dimension.

I like the pop of the silver on the black.

Most likely there will soon be a few dings. When that happens, I'll softly sand the edges and around the handles a little for a distressed look. But for now, I'm enjoying this look. I'd love to know what you think.

Debbie

Introducing Handworks

I'm excited to introduce you to Handworks. You'll see the link to the left of the page. It's just a low key site to offer some of the work of my hands to you. Some of you have asked if I sell my work. The answer is "Yes" to the people I know will appreciate the work and skill involved. I do these items out of love for the craft and delight in creating. My day job (from my studio in my home) is sewing and altering formal wear. So this is a nice change for me. I hope you will enjoy my offerings to you.

Happy May Day! I'm enjoying spring. It has been a very wet one here in the Northwest. We haven't had many days to get out and work in the garden, and the ground is still heavy with water, unless you have raised beds.

Thankfully, I do have some raised beds. I've been able to start some greens.

I've been able to pick a few leaves to add to salads. YUM!

With all the moisture, perennials are growing well. The woodland Hyacinth abounds. Hope you are enjoying your May Day, and please enjoy a visit to Handworks.

Debbie