Haven of Creativity

It was a bit breezy here in PA today, but the sun was finally shining and it felt wonderful! I went to a local farm market, Hoover’s, and picked up some apples,lemons, kiwi, lettuce, potatoes, strawberries, spring onions, tomatoes and shortcake for the strawberries. I made some burgers on the grill and enjoyed a wonderful dinner. Here is a picture of the chicken pen across the road at Hoover’s. My granddaughter loves to walk across the road and see the chickens after we shop. She wasn’t with me today, but she’ll be going soon, I’m sure!

One of the wonderful things about going to Hoover’s, especially on a beautiful sunny day, is the covered bridge you cross over right before you get there. I took some pictures as I was approaching it after I left Hoover’s and here are a couple.

Everything in the greenhouse is looking good. The cucumbers I started are coming up nicely along with some cuttings I started from my lemon verbena plant. I love taking cuttings from existing plants and starting new ones. Some plants have to be started like that, but with others it is just a quicker way rather than with seeds.

Well, it is time to get back to “The Voice” for me, so bye for now!

 

I’m so happy to be spending time in the greenhouse! It’s been a true labor of love getting ready, but it’s worth it! I have tomatoes started, along with cucumbers, green peppers, red peppers, and jalapeños. I started rosemary and lemon verbena from cuttings and have a nice assortment of flowers and herbs started as well.

I am so ready for this cold, damp, rainy weather to pass and for the sun to shine! Here are some more pictures of my early plants!

People have asked me about getting started in Needle Felting. I always suggest to take a class because a lot of people learn better by watching someone do something and it makes it easier to pick up. I like to watch YouTube videos when I can’t take a class.  Here is a that is exactly what I have that will get you started It is less than $10 and comes with plenty of needles in case one breaks. I like to purchase the wool from local shops so that I can see the colors, but I have been just as pleased ordering online. I have found a nice assortment of to get you going, and I love that they are under $15!

I am going to try to find time to make some felted birds this weekend, in between preparing my greenhouse for my herbs and flowers to move out of my dining room and sun room! It looks like a couple of beautiful days are headed our way tomorrow and Saturday, so while I may be stiff as a board on Sunday, I’m going to enjoy being outside as much as possible and beautifying my yard and getting my garden area and beds ready! I never accomplish as much as I hope and plan to, but that’s ok…like everything in life, it’s a process and not always about the destination, but the journey. I can really lose myself when I’m in my greenhouse. I love watching things grow, potting up larger plants and finding them new homes.

I just wanted to share the little mouse I made! Needle felting is a lot of fun, and a very relaxing hobby. I’m excited to show more of what I’m working on…stay tuned!

We are still having dreary, rainy, chilly days here in PA and I think everyone is feeling the ill effects of it all. At work, at home, everyone seems a little off their game and I’m sure it’s the weather. I know that sunshine is a requirement for my optimum mental health! I’ve joked at times that I need to wear one of those SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorder) lamps on my head and I’m not joking anymore so if you see a strange woman with a light bulb on her head, it may be me!

I started my herbs, flowers and veggies inside, waiting to transfer them to the greenhouse, but that hasn’t happened yet. We had a windstorm and I lost a couple of panels, but I replaced them and am now just waiting for the next several really cold nights to pass. I think when the weather finally clears and sunny days are here, I’m going to be outside as much as possible!

A hobby I’ve been enjoying lately is needle felting. I took a class that was a lot of fun and has really inspired me to keep doing it! I’ll post some pictures soon of my mouse and nests I’ve made. I gave a nest to each of my granddaughters for Easter, and made one also for my grandson’s room since he has a woodland themed nursery. More will be definitely be made and onto some birds too!

Here’s to April showers leading to May flowers and a lot of sunshine!