recently

I keep bringing books home from the library, but don't seem to get too far before the allotted 3 weeks has passed {far too quickly} and they must be returned.  However, having still browsed through and done a bit of reading, I can say all 4 books above are very worthwhile.  American Farmhouses: Country Style and Design is an old favorite that I have actually read cover to cover and studied the pictures many a time.  Homemade Living: Home Dairy with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Make Cheese, Yogurt, Butter & More seems just as good and informative as her other books are--lots of wonderful recipes that, hopefully come fall, I will have time to try out.  Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre is full of great information, {even if you have more than a 1/4 acre}, and I found it very helpful when we were putting in our raised beds.  Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life was a Mother's Day gift from a child that knows exactly what Mom likes!  It's everything you want to know about rural living and the illustrations are amazing--eye candy for sure; and this is a book for all ages.

I have been spending time outside instead, weeding and stringing some trellises for the tomatoes, string beans, and cucumbers.  The romaine is providing us with many salads, but other than a handful of strawberries, there is nothing else ready.  The Envy zinnias came up well, as did the sage I planted from seed.  The hollyhocks I planted last year in front of the barn have just begun to bloom. The peonies are out and I managed to cut some before the rain and wind did their damage, putting  my new-old enamelware pot to good use.

Both birdhouses on the pasture fence posts are home to two families--a blue bird couple and their babies in one, and a barn swallow couple and their eggs in the other.  I haven't figured out what type of bird is in the last picture, so I should find my field guide which has been tucked away on the shelf for much too long...maybe tonight I can fit in a bit of reading,

Deb