Winter in Texas

What has happened to winter in my little corner of the world? Usually this time of year we see "Northers"  blowing in every couple of weeks. The photo of the rose was taken yesterday!

Sometimes our temperature can drop to 27 degrees. But, not this year.

Generally speaking, in my part of the world,  February is a good time to plant roses. Or in my case yesterday, to move some old ones to a better spot. It is also the time I prune back the old growth.

Looking at the gardens, I noticed more roses in bloom. The dilemma became, "To prune or not to prune".

 When I bought the farm 12 years ago, the landscape was all natural, with prairie grass growing right up to the doorway. Even the drive way was covered with grass and weeds.

As a follower, you know Friday is my big outside project day.

The rain barrel that I installed last week is already full of water from the rains of a couple of days ago. Yesterday, two more barrels were installed on the back side of the workshop.

As the day of projects was coming to an end, the sky began to cloud up with a norther in site.

 Mr. Scarecrow's arms and legs stretched out in front of him as the winds became stronger.

I guess it's true what they say about Texas weather.....if you don't like it, just hang around and it will change soon!

Meggie Mac

Cathedral Windows

The cathedral windows pillow is one of the most rewarding projects I have done in a while. I followed the instruction from this book I had purchased last year. It is full of cute ideas for "pretty little pillows".

While doing a google search about cathedral windows, I found this blog. She did a terrific job, showing with photos, how to do this technique. I hope you will give it a try. It is a great way to make something beautiful using scrap fabric.

I also finished two felt cases for my small sewing scissors. I apologise for not remembering where I found the idea. But, it is a easy pattern to make up. This was my first attempt at the blanket stitch...I do need more practice!
My daughter, who also sews, will be gifted with the pink and green case.

More and more, I'm finding out there is just not enough time to do all the projects I would like to do. Especially since I live in the country and other outside projects are pulling me away from the sewing nook. Do you also find that to be true with you?

Enjoy your Friday....

Meggie Mac

Look What's on the Lunch Menu

I'm just trying to tempt you. Homemade wheat bread and homemade wieners....
How about joining me for lunch today?

The $3.25 per pound wieners (maybe, you call them frankfurters) are not like the ones made commercially. The quality and taste are more like an expensive sausage.



It is a short drive from the farm to a small community of families whose ancestors are German and Czech.  It is not uncommon to be able to buy homemade bread at the same place you purchase gasoline for your truck or auto. The city market has meat that is grown locally, along with these wonderful wieners made from his grandmother's recipe. With this heritage so prevalent in town, homemade noodles and kolaches are available every day in the local bakery.

Also included in my lunch for today, are fresh pickled carrots and cucumbers made by yours' truly.

 I used 2 re-cycled jars a friend was happy to give me.

Lunch would not be complete without a serving of kolaches for dessert.

So, if it's too late for today's lunch,  tomorrow will be fine too!

Meggie Mac

What a Nice Surprise!

The Rustic Vintage Country has awarded The Versatile Blogger Award to my blog, Meggie on the Prairie. A big thank you for this!

With accepting this award, I must in turn pass it on to 15 recently discovered blogs.

Here is my list, in no particular order. I hope you will check out each one, for they are all unique.

1.  Pear Tree Log
2.  Tales from Beyond the Nook
3.  Country & Cosy
4.  Beck to Vintage
5.  The Barefoot Crofter
6.  The Log Cabin
7.  Little Home in the Country
8.  And Sew On
9.  Mias Landliv
10. Pellas Lotshemman
11. Going Green
12. Making It Vintage
13. Ngo
14. The Barefoot Gardner
15. Happy Cottage Quilter

Part of the acceptance requirement is to create a list of 7 things about myself.

So here goes.....

1. My age....let's just say I'm 60 +
2. I'm learning to play the Bodhran
3. Careers out of the past and long ago...Newspaper Reporter, Activity Director of a nursing home
4. I know how to pour, dip and carve candles with a knife.
5. I get sick when I fly
6. Last year, I began writing a historical romance novel
7. I love life and find some joy every day.

Thanks again to Rustic Vintage Country for the nomination.

I'm so proud of all of us!!

Meggie Mac

The Beauty of a Kitchen Garden

This is what I see looking out my kitchen windows.....parsley and chives.



When the shades are completely open, the kitchen garden is in front of me with a background of a couple of miles of rolling hills. Lucky for me, these old windows were stored in the barn when I purchased the farm. Originally, there was one very small window centered over the sink.

Sometimes, when you are cooking, you just need a sprig of fresh parsley or a couple leaves of a herb like oregano. That is part of the beauty of having the kitchen garden so close to the farmhouse.

Or a handful of lettuce to add to the sandwich I am making for lunch.




Onions






Parsley



The sage, planted last summer, is still going strong.

The romaine lettuce needs another couple of weeks of growing before it is ready for a salad.




The Brussels Sprouts have a long way to go in growing.

The Arugula is almost ready to snip and add to my salad.

The good thing about keeping it small, especially in the cooler months, I can easily cover the entire space if the temperature drops. Gardening weather from November through February is unpredictable. I may have a day of 75 degrees and the next evening it might drop to 32 degrees. And before the week is over, it can go back to the 75 degrees.

In summer months I also keep at least one tomato plant, several varieties of peppers and many more tender herbs.

I hope this inspires you to give it a try....remember, some of this can be grown in containers!

Meggie Mac

Thankful Sunday

Looking at the bouquet of tulips this morning made me think about my family and how thankful I am for being blessed with them.
I'm also thankful for all the new friends I have connected with through the world of blogging.

The post I did earlier this week about the painted churches in my area was so well received, I've decided to continue to explore, photograph and post about some of the others. Most are located in a 20 miles area close to the farm.

Yesterday, I remembered another interesting church. The drive was a short distance.

               The church is only 14' 3" x 18' 1". Apparently, a mass is still held here once a month.

It was almost noon when I took this photo. There was not a cloud in the sky with a crisp temperature of 56 degrees.

 

Let's take a closer look at the details on this small church, originally built in the late 1880's. The story is told that by 1915 much of the congregation had moved away so the building was dismantled to build a school in a nearby town. It has been said, that it was rebuilt with the left over lumber in 1915.

Take a look through one side window.....

If you click here, you can read more about the painting that is hanging behind the altar.





There will be no chance to nod off to sleep with these rustic backless pews.

      The ceiling has been left in its' natural state with the walls painted a soft shade of green. 

Meggie Mac



                      

Another Perfect Friday

Let me say, I was right about the To Do List. It was too long to accomplish in one day. I worked until dark, picked up my tools, and made my way to the farm house.

The first of "more to come" rain barrels did get installed on Friday. As it turns out, they are not that difficult to install.

Decide on the location of the rain barrel and make a level spot that is strong enough to hold 58 gallons of water. I used concrete blocks I had re-cycled from another project. I wanted it high enough to make sure the water would flow all the way to the garden when I attach a hose.

Because I didn't originally have a downspout installed on the greenhouse gutters, a T-section and elbow had to be installed.

After determining the right height for the water diverter, the downspout was cut to the correct length.



Now isn't she pretty. The goal is to install at least 6 rain barrels on the back side of the barn. I'm hopping this will help with the cost of water in the summer. I do have a well, but it would be nice if I had enough caught water to use for the garden.

I also accomplished planting an apple tree and installed pipe for summer watering to all the fruit trees. This part of the day took much longer than I anticipated.



I still need to spend a few more hours to tidy everything and add the mulch around all the fruit trees.

So, not everything on the list was accomplished. That didn't keep me from celebrating the day.
It was.... a perfect project day!

Meggie Mac