Fourth of July.....Entryway Frippery

Dearest Readers,

It is time to celebrate America's Birthday!  Here at Honey Hill Farm, that means decorating our entryway......

Ribbons, vintage (and not so vintage) postcards, Holly Hobbie plates and flags all have pride of place....

A sunny and patriotic spot to welcome our guests...

Turn of the century Ladies' accoutrements wait patiently for a chance to go out and be seen...

A Liberty inspired vignette.....

The American Flag has never looked so lovely....

Every corner displays the American Spirit....

A truly delightful Fourth of July to share with family and friends...

 I hope that you are enjoying this wonderful holiday, Dear Readers...

Yours so kindredly,

Shan

Recycle, Re-Use and Rejoice.....

Dearest  Readers,

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was working on saving our much loved Market Umbrella from the rubbish heap. It had been viciously attacked by local marauding mice and was in a terrible state!  In order to live gently, Dearest and I  search out ways to practice the three R's... Recycle, Re-Use and Rejoice!

After a trip to our local Jo Ann's Craft Store I came home with a small bottle of glue, aptly named "Fabric Fusion" by Aleene. It stated that it permanently adheres fabric after drying for 48 hours.

I cut out flowers from a lovely remnant and began gluing them in place on both sides of the umbrella.  I had our oldest Darling Boy carry the umbrella out to our shop, so that I could work on it without the worry of rain spoiling it before it could dry.

After a couple of weeks out in all types of weather, I am happy to report that it has indeed held together and looks quite charming. We are Rejoicing that we were able to gently, and lovingly return a faithful servant to active duty.

I would love to hear how you Recycle, Re-Use and Rejoice...please leave a link or comment for others to enjoy.

Yours so kindredly,

Shan

Simply Summer.....

Dearest Readers,

Goodness Gracious, do forgive my absence!  I did not intend to stay away from you for so long, but this lovely season of warm days and cool nights encouraged me to linger here at home....gently tending to my family and homestead.

The farm has it's "summer legs" now and we have all kept pace with the changes.  This is the view from just outside our front gate......

Sweet faces nestled in the fields....such a delight!

The yard, strewn with sunlight, serves as our "parlour" as we savor each day spent outdoors.

The flower beds.....splendidly attired!

 Lovely touches of patriotic pride add joy to our celebration of the summer season.

Dappled sunlight, soft breezes....a cold glass of tea....just too wonderful....too wonderful indeed.

Yours so kindredly,

Shan

P.S. Shiloh is recovery very nicely, thank you for all your lovely comments and prayers!

Treasures By Post.......

Dearest Readers,

I was delighted beyond measure when the Postman brought a box full of "treasure" from by dear friend, Nadine, of "Nadine's Nook". She lovingly bestowed these delights upon me as my name was drawn in her giveaway!

Oh my goodness, there are too many things to mention them all!  Here is a look.....

Isn't it wonderful?!  I will enjoy each and every item in this box and I am so thrilled to have won!  Thank you Nadine!

Yours so kindredly,

Shan

P.S.  Shiloh had to have a second surgery on Saturday, but seems much improved today....she is a lovely little patient.

Puppy Hospital....

Dearest Readers,

Oh Dear!  Yesterday our sweet, sweet dog...Shiloh Marie, was injured in an accident. She was run over right here on our road and sustained pretty serious injuries, so we had to take her to the 24 hour Veterinary Hospital.  You can bet I had to reach for a tissue as we left our Dear Dog in their capable hands to perform surgery.

She is home now and we have her tucked safely inside our Mud Room/Puppy Hospital.  It is located right off of our back parlour so we can keep a very close eye on her.  (When we designed our Mud Room we kept in mind all the times we have needed a safe and easy-to-clean room for any injured critter that might need our assistance...I am so grateful for this room today.)

We were sent home with a plethora of pills and instructions to help her on the road to recovery.  I stopped at the store and picked-up a few supplies including a very large chew bone....hoping she will lick it instead of her wounds.  She did eat and drink and use the "facilities", which is encouraging, she even let us put an ice pack on her very swollen leg.  Right now, she is just dozing off and on...snoring and kind of whimpering.....sigh.

She is such a love...all 87 pounds of her. She is a "mutt", but to us she is a noble as any purebred dog.  What a faithful companion she has been these 9 years, keeping watch and making sure all is well here on our farm.

We love her so.

Yours tenderly and kindredly,

Shan

Sacrifice......

Around the Homestead.....

Dearest Readers,

It is quite on the cool side here at our little farm....a perfect day for working out of doors on this and that.  We have been much occupied with a number of small projects around the homestead.....

Dearest and our Oldest Darling Boy put in two small watering systems - one for the fruit trees and one for the wee flower bed near the chicken house.  Dearest also made a very lovely wood arch to go over the gateway to the chicken yard.  I still need to paint it (he builds, I paint) and I will be sure to post a picture...

We have planted a multitude of seeds in the flower garden beds and are kept busy making sure that they stay well watered until they become established.  A few of the favorites are...Morning Glories, Four-O-clocks, Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia, Sunflowers, Sweet Peas and Blue Flax.  This year I am trying Dahlias for the first time. The are a lovely mix of pinks and mauves and are partly shade tolerant so they should do well in my yard. 

I have some repair work to do on our outside umbrella as there were quite a few holes that revealed themselves once we opened it up this season.  I suspect we had a mouse in our storage area and it decided to use our umbrella for its nest....aaarrgghhh.  We looked at replacing this umbrella, but it is a very large market style and the price of a new one was, well, quite shockingly high.  While I have the paint out today, I am going to finish up painting a few little picket fences that we want to put in front of a small flower bed.

I think I will spent the rest of my day puttering about inside my dear old home....I am still re-arranging a few antiques and collectibles to celebrate the change of seasons. I want to take out my Flag and make sure it is pressed and ready to fly on Memorial Day.

Everyone seems to be out and about today here at Honey Hill so I am planning a simple supper of BBQ Ribs (from the crockpot) & Sweet Potato Oven Fries.  I can dish up dinner at a moment's notice....easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

And before I forget to mention it, I want to tell you about a giveaway over at Nadine's Nook.  You won't believe the darling goodies that she is offering....please stop by and visit.

So Dear Readers, I will say farewell and head out the back door...

Yours kindredly,

Shan