Wednesday, April 27, 2011

National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry month.
I have always loved poetry. When in younger years I kept my love of poetry a secret.
I don't really  know why, perhaps out of fear of not "fitting" in at a time I felt was important.
Poetry speaks for me the feelings in my heart that I cannot express for myself.
I am not afraid to admit that now.
                                                                   Nature, the gentlest mother,
                                                                   Impatient of no child.
                                                                    -Emily Dickinson-
This is my letter to the world
That never wrote to me
The simple news that Nature told
With her tender majesty.
Her message is committed
To hands I cannot see;
For love of her, Sweet country men,
Judge tenderly of me.
-Emily Dickinson-

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune
Without the words,
And never stops at all.
-Emily Dickinson-

Who is your favorite poet?
The Girasole Lady

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Choosing A Name

One of the first things I needed to do in materializing Girasole Farm was to choose a name. I wanted a name that said something about the dream I was creating, and who I felt as a person. Something welcoming and smiling. Something that reaches out to you and invites you in for a visit. Something strong, sturdy, and easily recognizable to the eye.

I had these incredible Sunflowers growing in the garden by the house.


A  GIGANTIC forest of Sunflowers were out by the vegetable garden too.
See me in the forest.....
I knew this was the flower that most represented the Farm and myself.
I thought to myself "Sunflower Farm", that speaks the language of a happy heart.
But there was something lacking in the title, something whimsical and magical.
I searched other languages for Sunflower.

There in Italian was the magical word Girasole.
(My brother-in-law & sister-in-law recently came back from a month long trip to Italy and brought me these Italian Girasole seeds) 
It's a perfect name for Girasole Farm!
The Girasole Lady

Monday, April 18, 2011

A Lighter Heart

Finally we have more SUNNY days than rainy days.
My heart feels light and fresh once again.
I feel the peacefulness of Summer starting to creep in.
There are many changes happening this Spring for me, on a personal note. (more later).
A re-freshed flower bed.

Apple Blossoms
Just a wee bit of Irish Shamrock... for the wee bit of Irish in me.
"May those who love us, love us.

                                                         And those who don't love us,
                                                         May God turn their hearts.
                                                        And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
                                                        May he turn their ankles,
                                                        So we'll know them by their limping."
                                                                               — An Irish Blessing
The Girasole Lady

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Crafty Things

When I am not gardening, working outside, sewing or cooking, I am crafting.
I have been on a creative streak, lasting longer than usual. I tend to lose my ability to stay focused for very long on any one project. I'm pretty sure I have a crafting disorder of some kind.
 I have wanted a tile back splash in my kitchen, but I am on a tight budget so I improvised. Improvising is one of my strongest qualities.

I have this old pile of wood out back...
and I have every calender I have ever bought...

Lang calenders are the best
and... I have MOD PODGE!
(I am in love with this stuff) ♥
Mix it all together and this is what you get...

 Pictures (4 different ones) from a calender stuck to the old fence board, covered with the Mod Podge .

And NO my counters in my kitchen are NOT that clean.
They look more like this...........

Yep- I am a real person, with a real life.
This old wooden frame came out of the house Caveman (aka my husband) grew up in. I used calender pictures, (Lang Calender/Robert Duncan) for each of the squares in the window. It even has the original glass.

Thanks for visiting.
The Girasole Lady
p.s. Do you ModPodge?