Sunday's Bouquets: Part III

The last of my bouquets was one I entered into with some trepidation, since making large bouquets isn't my strong point. Nevertheless in the end I was pleased. Dad says this one needs a hairbrush.

Simplicity Roses

Grass (I don't know the variety)

Echinacea seed heads

Butterfly Swamp Weed seed pods

Sunday's Bouquets: Part II

I made my second bouquet to brighten up our main floor bathroom.

Nearly Wild roses

Bachelor's Buttons

Peppermint

Bonica Rose rosehips

Birthday Scones (and Muffins)

The birthday of a very special Mom is fast approaching. Our old birthday breakfast standby of caramel rolls won't work this year, so with Maren's help I whipped up a batch each of gluten free scones and muffins. Why two breakfast treats? Because I was afraid of failure from one or both recipes.

Scones have been tasted and deemed close but not quite like normal. I perceive more experiments in the future. The muffins have yet to be judged by the gluten free-ers, but I have a thumbs up from the gluten eaters in the family. A good sign.

Sunday's Bouquets: Part I

These have been challenging days of pain, poor sleep, allergies, weakness... I am happy to see local farmers bring in their crops for the year, yet I think the harvest dust may be part of the culprit. To ease some discomfort I chose to bring in the remaining summer colors from our garden. I was surprised by how much I found!

My first two bouquets were simple. Blue salvia in one vase and Bonica rose buds in the other. These two vases now reside in Hannah's and my bathroom (that still sports its original 1970's gold floor and counter).

"H"

Maritime Signal Flag Blanket "H" is in progress!

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First Fire

We had a small catastrophe last winter. A log burned too close to the tempered glass of our fireplace door, and the glass showed it's ill-temper. Thus ensued many months of a frontless fireplace - pretty to look at but impractical for keeping out smoke and producing fires with good heat. Now with a new pane of glass and a thoroughly washed door and frame, our fireplace once again is complete. Just in time for a cozy Sunday evening!

Walk In the Woods

My family took its annual autumn color drive a couple weeks ago. While the colors have increased in intensity since then, the woods were filled with subtle shades of yellow, brown, green and gold that I consider a perfect landscape. Here is what I saw on the small side.

Maidenhair fern (I think)

Note: I stand corrected by the botanist in the family. This is actually Thalictrum (known as meadow rue to us common folk).

Solomon's-seal

Fern of unknown name (I need Jason's help here!)

Maple tree seedlings

Aster

Martha & Ellen

Flavor for Winter

Garden celery chopped and in the freezer.

Thyme, surprisingly a perennial in our parts, drying for many a winter dish.

Today I froze fresh dill-weed picked by Dad from a carpet of new seedlings. I made sure to seal well - first in hefty bags, then in a tin. Sure we want to enjoy dill flavor this winter, but not in everything!