Finished Projects

Saturday brought FOG.

Sunday brought RAIN.

Being stuck inside for yet another weekend, I decided to finish some long over due indoor projects.

Every now and then I have projects that get started and take very long periods of time (if ever) to reach completion. 

 I bought these frames at a sidewalk sale last year at Mary Lake Thompson   
Soon afterwards I bought masonite boards and painted them with chalkboard paint. The painted boards sat in my craft room next to the frames for months. Today I put them together and finished them. Yay! Done.

 Two, possibly three years ago, Beth brought me these prints from New York. Beautiful pictures of Central Park, taken at the same location in the park, one in Winter and the other in Fall. They too, have been in my craft room all this time collecting dust. Finally, I went to Aaron Brothers and bought frames. Yay-framed and hung. Done!

I had been wanting a new quilt for my bed. I would much rather have made a quilt myself, for the mean time this will do. I love this bed. It belonged to my Grand Parents when they were "newlyweds" (early 1900's). It is double bed size and can sometimes be a challenge, but mostly just "cozy".

This table belonged to my Grammy. I cannot tell you how many times we shared  loving conversations, tea and a snack at this table. I love it even more because she wanted me to have it in my home. I often sit with my tea and think of all the good times we shared sitting at this table together.

The Girasole Lady

p.s. It appears I am not very good at taking indoor pictures.

Sunday Barn Chores

 Sunday afternoons the horse barn gets a deep cleaning for the week. Makes for lighter cleaning chores during the week. No matter the day, or how crummy the weather,  there are barn chores EVERY night and EVERY morning. Yes-it's true-be it 5am or 10 pm, light or dark, rain, wind, freezing cold or blazing hot. EVERY day, as in each 365 per calender year.

The horses are spoiled! When they get fresh new shavings they roll in them like pigs in mud. I wanted to capture them frolicking in their pine shavings this afternoon, but seems they are a little camera shy.

Proof with shavings on Wyatt's back....

Apparently Wiley is more interested in the camera.

Hay has been stocked in the barn.

I love a barn full of alfalfa.

Then we eat...

Wiley likes to bury his head in his food. He is a neat stall-keeper.

Wyatt is a messy stall-keeper. He prefers to throw his dinner all over the floor.

For the most part, horses have their own agenda-EVERY day.  Good night.

The Girasole Lady

My Grammy's Garden

My Grammy was a big part of my inspiration for Girasole Farm.

These old black and white photos are from her garden in the 1930's. 

(Bloomfield, CA)

 I can't see all the details of what she was growing. Flowers & vegetables for sure.

We shared a very special bond together.

Grammy said "Busy hands are never in want".  Her hands were always busy tending to the vegetable & flower gardens.

When Grammy wasn't gardening she was cooking, painting, quilting, knitting or doing whatever had to be tended to. She lived a simple life, finding contentment and pleasure in the keeping of her home and family.

I am so grateful that she passed such valued traditions onto me. 

 Many, many times I have wished my Grammy was still alive today so that I could spend some more precious time with her.

The Girasole Lady

Frosty

Yesterday morning it was REALLY cold and VERY frosty.

It does not snow here at Girasole Farm.

Although, I have always wished it did...just a little.

 I don't think I would be fond of shoveling snow everyday to get to the office.

The frost was bad enough yesterday morning to freeze my hand to my gate.

The Girasole Lady

It's Cold Outside

This morning it's cold and frosty.

brrrrr...............

The Girasole Lady

Happy New Year