Saturday, August 30, 2014

September on my mind

Autumn has arrived at the
Hixton Schoolhouse Antique Mall....
Dealer "SPY"!


All the mall information to the
right under "Chapters"!










Friday, August 29, 2014

good morning!



You just can't plan this...sweet sweet
morning glories self seed & return each 
year at our flag pole base. Here they
hug a rabbit statuary & a birdbath.

I do adore nature's surprises.

Have a great l o n g weekend!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

just be


My mantra for today, for this week, for this year:

"Just be."





Thursday, August 21, 2014

sun flower time

they grow & grow & grow & grow

~ ~ ~  then Bloom ~ ~ ~


           Such happy flowers!






Monday, August 18, 2014

my news


This vignette is very representational of me, Kari.
The smaller vintage sketch is of an apple tree...
my ode to our beloved farm and orchard.
The larger sketch is by Carl Larsson...
who lived about the time our farm was born ~ it is
a picture of a young woman, her back to us, holding a wreath. 
The mirror to the right is from my childhood home, 
passed down from my grandma.  

As you may know, I am contemplative, a bit vintage.  
I am also passionate about advocating 
for children & families ~ that is the teacher in me.  

My Ian recently shared what he believes
to be my foible, he shared that "I care too much".  
And I suppose I do.

I believe a life lived with compassion & passion, is a life well lived.
My news is not about antiques, our farm, barn sales or kittens & goats.  
That is all a part of who I am, as is my work life...which I tend to 
not write about here.  What I do know is that I must be passionate about 
my work, and I have always been fortunate to have just those kind of jobs.

So, my news is that I am taking on a new challenge...
one that fills me with great pride.  I have accepted the position 
of Executive Director of the Family Resource Center of Eau Claire 
& Dunn Counties.  This wonderful agency grew from a community 
vision about 15 years ago to provide multi faceted support to families.
From Playgroups to support to teen parents to support for incarcerated families 
to trainings, etc....if there is a way we can support positive parent/guardian and child
interactions, we are there.

This is my news, and I am feeling very lucky.  It is time for a change!



Tuesday, August 12, 2014

waiting, hoping....


~~ potential change is looming~~


Hope to share some very good news soon...

Until then, enjoy my August Rose in the stair rails!


Friday, August 8, 2014

pumpkins

Of course I needed pumpkins...so I threw some seeds in an old water trough,
and the blossoms have arrived!  I am anxious to see how this raised garden works!
I figure I may have to provide some support as the pumpkins get bigger.  Love a 
little horticulture experiment!  And, love the prospect of pumpkins!



        Almost pumpkin time!


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

filling in

My favorite local nursery has now reduced hours and
diminished plant stock.  All the same, I recently was 
there on a mission to find some hardy fillers for my planters.

I start each spring with my beloved pansies & violas...which
tend to hang in there, but with certain disdain for hot days.  
They begin to straggle over the edges & yellow....blooming 
with their little faces all the while.  So I grab whatever 
annual looks like it will take my planters into fall.  Sedge is
my new favorite...a tall brown grass with curly tops.  Lettuce
in a deep burgundy will work...as will Asparagus Fern.



I dig them in around the yellow violas.  Smooshing in
some Thyme for good measure.  This vintage metal 
ice cream chair was missing a seat....an enamelware
pan (with several rusted holes for drainage) is perfect.

Tucked a bunny in with the plantings....why of course!

It does make me a tad sad when the summer plantings begin
to round the bend on their way to Autumn~~ but I do so
love that season, too!

How are your gardens?  Do you fill in too?



Saturday, August 2, 2014

my nest


This is where I sit, reading & thinking.  Dave has his bait shop open, the 
farm cats all have found nap spots, and the goats graze or stand 
on their bridges awaiting a troll.  The birds sing...and it all feels a bit
magical.  

Just this morning I found a bird on my steps, perhaps she had 
flown into a screen, all the same she let me lift her to the safety of a raised 
planter until she was ready to fly off.  I assume she may be sitting in a tree 
branch above me as I write this on my deck....knowing I am the being 
that shares this farm with her.  That her home is here.


I look around and feel just a bit awestruck.  This lovely farm is mine...
and I am hers.  We both found each other at that moment when we
both needed each other.  Just as I helped to breathe life back into 
her nooks & crannies, she did the same for me.  I wonder what I 
would have missed if we had not made that unpretentious 
decision that we would live on a farm in western Wisconsin. 

Just like that bird, I had flown into life head first.  This farm picked me 
up, ever so gently, and welcomed me home.  And this is my nest.


Friday, August 1, 2014

room with a view



I quite adore a sweet view...so feel very lucky
that the row of Peegee Hydrangeas I planted about 5 years
ago provide a lovely view.  I try to plant off center so
that the view is accentuated not blocked.  
*Helps to have a sweet August Rose in the window too!*

Here is the same window from outside against 1857 brick.
Peegee Hydrangias turn a lovely pink as we enter Autumn.
And they dry quite beautifully too.  I ordered them as 
bare root stock and first planted in the spring.  They were 
planted a tad over a mower width from the house, so we can
mow behind & around.

And look what those beautiful Hydrangias hide...command central
(air conditioning unit & Dish Satellite).

 I did the same with our kitchen window, 
 with sunflowers....should be blooming soon.

Ah...a room with a floral view!  
What is your favorite view?



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