Who in their right mind would have ever guessed we’d be in the middle of a pandemic come Spring? How are you all coping, I hope this post finds you well and sane, if nothing else. We are all (crossed fingers) healthy here and practicing as much safe social distancing as is possible. My hands are sand paper from all the washing. I have now begun wearing a face mask in the grocery store, as are most other people. I also see others wearing them when walking outdoors – I think that’s a bit of an overkill in areas like ours, perhaps not in the big cities and in stores, etc. When will it all end? Well, when will we feel comfortable sauntering around a store or sitting in a crowded restaurant when someone coughs? *sigh. When there’s a vaccine, I suppose? …. we can only wait and see.
We opened the cottage for the season last week – water turned back on, lawn is mowed, garden beds raked out, the beds newly made with fresh-washed linen, floors and furniture wiped down, outdoor furniture back in it’s place. There is fresh dirt in all the pots and I’ll plant annuals once the threat of frost is gone – Mother’s Day is a good rule of thumb but this year I’m a little impatient.
I bought two new candy and dog bone glass jars for the counter – they look like Fire King jadeite type glass but I’m not sure they actually are. The Pioneer Woman’s line in walmart.
We moved our Miss Leah home because I do believe the show season is official deceased. I could be wrong about that but I don’t feel comfortable putting myself and my daughter out there while they find out. She has adjusted very well to home life and we continue to give her exercise as she would normally get at the show barn. My daughter and I have actually ridden together again for the first time in a long time! In the photo below I’m riding her old boy, Max. He has glaucoma in one eye now but we are managing it with meds.
The farm has been such a blessing as we wade through this time of quarantine, social distancing, etc. The fruit trees in the orchard are blooming, the berry bushes we planted last year are greening up, and most of the christmas trees we planted for the third time the wrong way are actually alive. They might just live to see Christmas in a tree stand some day.
My kitchen junk drawer got cleaned out and organized – holy crap, I found christmas ornament hooks I didn’t know I had, baby aspirin that expired five years ago, four pairs of dog nail clippers, at least five collars, 5,000 hair elastics, and I could build a bathroom with the tools in there, I’m almost not exaggerating. Below is the “after”.
I’ve been exercising more, which is a good thing, and I finished the painting of Opie, which I started last year after he passed on. It was just too sad to sit there reminded of him, so I left it unfinished for a long time. I’m no professional, my work is primitive for sure.. but I’m happy with the result and finishing it was therapeutic. And maybe that was because I was watching episodes of Outlander ( watching Jamie Fraser if I’m being totally honest) as I went along. The painting is of Opie standing under our ancient pear tree on a misty fall morning.
A few funnies for you below and an old recipe a friend shared – wishing us all good health and peace of mind as we carry on through and past these weird days –
Till soon, friends…
Karen that painting of Opie is somehow different then anything else you’ve done, lighter, more alive. Your talent is evolving. mom
Thanks, Mom… it looks far better in person, the photo is not great.
Love the painting of Opie. I envy you your cottage on the lake.
Thank you!… and we are actually on a cove in Long Island Sound, part of the Atlantic.
I know that chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe!! I used to make that all the time for birthday cakes and other special occasion cakes. I found a different recipe to use, but now maybe it’s time to revisit it! Husband is still the ONLY one wearing a mask when he goes to the grocery store (mind you, we aren’t in a spot where there are many cases, but you just don’t know, do you?). Take care. -Jenn
Oh, so then it’s a good recipe! I’ll give it a whirl. Most people are wearing masks in the grocery now around here, but we are near the epicenter (NYC).
I like the funnies! My hubby and I have been retired for awhile so we’re used to each other….well, for the most part! It is different to be together ALL the time though. And I think all of us wish we lived out where we had some land to get out and walk around. Most of our trails are closed now so I am having serious withdrawals on the hiking. Hiking twice a week is just not enough! But I shouldn’t complain. We are well! And close to our family…praying for everyone all the time. Take care my friend and stay healthy. You are such a talented artist!
The farm definitely affords us some space away from each other, LOL… and my husband is still working so for us it’s not terrible. Although our political differences are a whole’nother story.
Stay healthy Diane and family!
Stella! It’s so good to see you again and looking as lovely as ever!
Doing just fine here in Upstate New York. I am in no hurry to get my physical so it has been rescheduled for June…maybe I can lose some weight by than…or not.
You and your daughter both sit so tall in the saddle…almost like you know what you are doing! 🙂
The painting of Opie looks really good, you have some talent there.
That recipe card reminds me of the Christmas that my late mother-in-law gave me the best ever gift. She gave me a recipe box, filled with tons of recipes, all written in her handwriting. Forty years later I still have that box and all of those recipes. One of the recipes calls for butter the size of an egg…I can’t even imagine how old that recipe is.
Stay healthy, stay safe and let’s hope Dr. Fauci hangs in there until this virus is under control.
Hahahahahaaaa… I did the same thing! My physical was rescheduled for June and I am so glad, as now I might lose a little weight too! Not likely, ugh it’s so darn hard.. .but I am trying.. sorta .
Hi from Wales (UK). Like you,we are hunkered down at home for however long it takes for the world to find a vaccine . . . Glad you have your horses at home with you for sanity. What breed are they? They look a bit like Morgans but if you have one back from the show barn, then that tail is too short!! (That’s about all I know about show Morgans anyway!) It would be lovely to have my horse (Arab, Fahal) still here with us so I could hug him and escape into the Welsh hills, but sadly he has been in a new home since 2007. I love your painting of Opie. My Fahal was chestnut too.
We are glued to Outlander too – a nice bit of escapism in such trying times. Now I finally have time to re-read all the books but we are very busy with our garden here, trying to increase the size of the vegetable and soft fruit plots so we have plenty of home grown produce this summer. It may be in short supply in the shops, due to no Pickers coming over from Europe to work the farms.
I like your jars – I can remember when Pioneer Woman “only” had a blog. Now I can buy her books, watch her tv programme and wish I could buy her Jadeite jars!! Stay safe.
Ah, I remember when she “only had a blog” too.. and I think I enjoyed her better then. The whole thing got too commercial. But I do like her line.
Our horses are Quarter horses – which have been bred and bred again so that some look like thoroughbreds, not the stocky cow horse that USED to be the Quarter horse only. Max on the left is more like the appendixy type… and Leah on the right is more the old QH style.
Your painting is beautiful. You have real talent!
I am surprised by all the elderly people at the grocery store and elsewhere without masks. Occasionally somebody will have a scarf they pull over their mouth (but not their nose!). I wear a mask when I am going to be around people (supermarket) but not while driving or on walks. But I’m in the country; the viral load is low to non-existent.
I wonder about life after. Will people be afraid to go out even when permitted? Or will they be so sick of cabin fever that they’ll go all-out? Reading about the after-effects of Covid-19 is scary–lasting lung and heart problems for some people. All the more reason to stay inside until there’s a vaccine, but to wait a year or more? Yikes.
Right?! … I’ve been thinking… when will anything feel comfortable “normal” again?… I think we may rethink all of our social interactions after this pandemic. I hope they develope a vaccine, soon!
You’re keeping very busy and that’s a good thing! I like your painting and it’s a lovely tribute. I’ve never made a mayonnaise cake but I have made mayonnaise tea biscuits, very tasty.
They do sound tasty, I might look up a recipe for that! Guilty pleasure, I do love mayonaise sandwiches.
Your work is WELL beyond primitive. That’s a splendid painting and I’m so glad that in doing it you found a bit of healing. Well done.
The cottage is beautiful. We are not permitted to travel between multiple residences in MIchigan (with good reason; the hospitals in the north aren’t as equipped to deal with those who might bring the virus with them from downstate). And we wouldn’t open till next month anyway but I wonder what it will be like to be up there. I confess, I’m a little nervous about it all. We’ll see. Your cottage is so lovely, a true home. And to be on the water again — I envy that just the slightest bit. Spring in your world is far ahead of ours.
I do wear my mask when I’m walking — partly because I see people on city streets and it is a good reminder to those not wearing one how important it is in public. Partly because my own natural state is coughing which scares people, even though it has nothing to do with the virus. And because my doc was very emphatic about my doing so. But I do lower it below my nose when no one is in sight! That fresh air never was better! Please take care, stay well and enjoy being on the water!
I think you are very wise to be safe and careful. And I hope you do get to enjoy your lovely spot on the water soon – Thank you for the kind words!
I love seeing Stella. That place is so charming. I want to move in. I don’t think anyone would notice me?
I shouldn’t even complain, but here in the northland it snowed yesterday a bit. Yup. Not that unusual, but I like to keep my street cred current and in everyone’s face cuz yup, I win. Ha! Not really.
Our governor doesn’t want us going to our summer homes. I call crap. I want to go there so badly even though I know it’s in a different state and blah blah. It’s our home! I am thinking about having a little garden or something. We have a few acres and being outdoors would be so good when the weather does turn. And it will.
btw – I just now (I don’t know why!) looked at the vacation photos. You really are so cute!
LOL… You are far more adorable than me.. .but thanks, I’ll take the compliment! 🙂
Why.. can’t you go to your second home? I don’t get that. You’re still isolated, and working around the yard outside is also still practicing safe distancing. Will you get a ticket if you visit your own home? Hmm….
I’m not sure why he doesn’t want any of us at our summer places! We did go last weekend. I went up on Thursday morning and Pup came that evening. I stayed until Tuesday. There was still snow over there, but it was great being someplace different. And we didn’t see a soul! I stopped at an Aldi on the way to pick up supplies, but other than that I saw no one. But it was great getting away for a bit.
You are very sweet, but this staying home always is making me a chubby for sure! And all I’m ever in is comfy clothes. Ha! xxoo
Girlfriend! Why have I not seen your artwork before now?? Huh? I love that painting. You do indeed have a wonderful place on the farm to spend this turbulent time. And I could totally move right into Stella for the summer. I even have the same line of patio chairs as you except mine are the swivel gliders. Even the same blue cushions. How’s that for coincidence? Stay safe.
Great minds think alike, Sue! And I don’t think I’ve posted much in the artwork department. Thank you for the kind words, I’m reluctant to show my work because it’s not professional, not one bit. But then, why does that matter? A person’s art is their art, period.
Love it all <3
I hope this finds you well and sane, and not too puppy -exhausted, LOL.
I’ve rarely had to venture out to stores as we can get deliveries, even from a large liquor store (thank goodness for that when we are at the end of our rope!). I did place an online order at PetSmart for the pups and it was curbside pickup. It was interesting to see people, some wearing masks, some not. Groups, perhaps family, walking close together. And I was a little surprised to see some people driving their cars with the masks on. ???
I loved seeing pics of your kitchen in Stella, I’m a bas blogger. The cabinets and windows are so, so charming, and I would die for that sink. How old is your place? It’s fantastic. I’m loving your bedrooms and the whole cozy vibe. I haven’t been up to the lakehouse. I’m so well stocked here it would go to waste, and at the lake I clean out the cabinets, pantry and fridge in late fall, even though its a year round home. So I’d have to go back out to buy food, staples, etc. Michigan also has some very strict, insane mandates and I’m not liking them. So I’m patiently waiting.
Everyone in the family has stayed in their own homes. All of us were unknowingly in contact with people and groups just when the stay at home orders were given–but none of us had gotten the virus and it’s been a good four weeks. When it comes to the grandkids, that’s off limits. Asthma runs in the family as well. Abby and Tom are school teachers and the mayor of Chicago really put off letting the schools close on the back burner. These schools were like grounded cruise ships. Christ.
Sending love. Stay safe and sane. 😘
Jane
Stella was built in 1935 and those cabinets and sink are the originals. When we did the renovation, We kept just about everything except there was a wall where the marble backdrop behind the stove and counter area is now – so we can see the water if we’re cooking – whereas before it was a walled in tiny space. bleh. Heading down there today to mow – something we can do while staying away from public spaces.
I’m glad you’re all well! We have the seasonal allergy thing going for about a month now but we’ve been careful and we’re not sick. amen for that.
Karen, I’m just now seeing this post. For whatever reasons, I can no longer see when a friend updates their blog. It’s a nuisance, but is what it is.
I was wondering about Stella. So glad y’all have that lovely place; I know it’s Godsend for y’all to visit and relax. I love the bed with the canopy; don’t believe I’ve seen that before. Beautiful.
As with others, I think you have many talents and one is definitely being an artist. That is such a beautiful painting of Opie. I wish I had even a little of your craftiness!
I’d heard of the mayonnaise cake, but didn’t have the recipe. Might have to make that one day with the hope it comes out better than the one time I made mayonnaise biscuits. A disaster. lol
You and K look so sweet on the horses. It’s wonderful you two have that love to share.
xoxo
Thank you, Sally – the bed came with the cottage – it’s old and a little rickety but I loved it from the start so it stayed. I put that fishnet type crochet canopy over it to jazz it up.
Now, I heard mayonnaise biscuits are awesome – but haven’t tried it. I might give the cake a go, if you do, let me know how it turns out!