Seeds, seeds, seeds

This is our kitchen counter....or the seed sorting desk. 8 feet of counter under the cover of seed packets and jars of saved seeds with notes and dates sprawled 24/7 for the last 2 weeks. I try to contain the bounty of seeds in the wooden bowl in the left portion of the picture, but we are always regrouping and organizing and planning. A temporary collage of seeds for our counter...beautiful.

Fresh spring greens. We use to gather these "field greens"or "salad greens" for a inexpensive accompaniment to poached eggs of any sort, duck, turkey, or chicken, when we were first independent young adults trying to stretch our pennies. A great dinner would be steamed "field greens" and wild onions with a poached turkey egg and maybe a piece of bread with wild blackberry jam. Now these tasty nutritious greens are cultivated and sold at farmer's markets and grocery stores. You can discover more about "salad greens" in this month's, "Virginia Living," magazine featuring our favorite farmer of "salad greens" Manakintown Specialty Growers. Field Cress, wild onion, and dandelion greens are pictured here on my Grama's china.
Mmmmm delicious, nutritious,
fresh...and now gourmet.

Apple Blossom Time

We are grateful that last week's frost did not damage the Apple Blossoms. The bees are enjoying the nectar of these beautiful trees, and we hope to enjoy the fruit this fall. It will be Pearl's job to keep the squires out of the orchard until harvest time.

A walk through the orchard this time of year is great place to capture photos of family and friends.

Rhythm

The rhythm of our daily lives is beautifully reveled all around the farm these days. Outside and inside.

Did you know....?

Red Bud blossoms are yummy for people and bees. We eat them on our salad.

Lately we stroll the fields and woodlands for our daily exercise....however the pace has slowed quite a bit....Ross needs to take note of every plant that may bloom, is in bloom, or has bloomed and will it taste good as honey? In other words there is little exercise and a lot of exploration. Ross notes if there is pollen on the bees and how much, and where the is bee going, where has the bee been? Observation of what most people take for granted is amazing in the case of honey bees.

My Gramps use to dig dandelions up and out of his manicured lawn. Gramp's most hated "weed" next to wild onions was dandelions. Ross, he is thrilled with dandelions...food for bees and good for honey production. One man's weed is another man's gold. (me) LOL

Pink & Green

The Dogwoods of Hickory Green Farm
were emerging from tightly formed buds in a
pastel pallet of rose, soft green, and amber on Saturday
when my mama came to visit us.
Serendipitous as her favorite flower is the Dogwood blossom.

Pink and green are my mom and daughter's
"signature colors."
Even on a very casual Saturday stroll around the farm my girl's are
" fashionistas" coordinating with the spring blooms in their beautiful
"signature pink and green."


Of coarse we shared good food and giggles while enjoying the sunshine, blue sky, rolling green fields, and blossoms.

One Spring Day...

Last Saturday I saw: hope, anticipation, encouragement, compassion, excitement, determination, shear guts, humor, friendship, strength, community spirit, kindness, positive energy, exuberance…

Guess where …

It starts at 4:45 am, I prepared for year, I pray, I see: Elvis, Divas, cows, people from several nations, architecture and landscape from a 100+ years to present day, famous works of art more than a hundred years old, contemporary works of art, cobblestone alleys and brick walks, dogs of many sizes, bananas, bagels, granola, lots and lots of cups and bottles, signs and banners, Flags, band aids, & bands, dancers and cheer leaders, Parrot-heads, dancing dragons, readers, buffets, brunch, fried peppers & onions with hotdogs, birthday cards & birthday balloons, coaches, grandmothers & grandfathers, sisters & brothers, daughters & sons, aunties & uncles, friends and teams, fraternities and sororities, officers, priest, juice and water, hats of every color and style, Easter wreaths and eggs, balcony parties, sidewalk picnics, cameras, reporters, a college campus, mossy tree trunks, cranes, canes, places of worship, historic landmarks, tents, port-a- potties, philosophy, poetry, posters, flags, plus 66,000 sneakers.

Yea you guessed it…

I was lucky enough to participate in the Ukrops 10k Monument Avenue Race in Richmond, Virginia. That evening we met several friends at the White Hawk Café in Goochland County for sandwiches and some great Bluegrass music by “Maidens Crossing.” A beautiful Spring day in the heart of Virginia shared with friends old and new. A very fine day to remember.
“Zippity-do-daw !”

Hope to post a video of the 6.1 mile route soon. Stay tuned.

P.S. Seeds are sprouting! The weeding begins.