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PEGGY'S
LITTLE
CORNER
Spring Crafts
Seed arrivals, yard outfits, and wreathss
The last round of seeds arrive and I get started sewing some new yard outfits and repairing my old egg wreaths.
January 30, 2016

The second round of seeds arrived this week, and finally we had our first big snow.  I always love these days when the snow is so deep that the schools shut down, very few cars are traveling on the roads, and life seems to stand still.  Outside, only the cardinals can be heard chirping, and a few drops of snow fall from the tree branches as the sun comes out to warm them.  Everything is peaceful and calm.

I always plan ahead to have some projects to work on, and days like this are usually very productive for me.  I always get a lot accomplished.  I had purchased some bolts of material several weeks ago, anticipating just such a day to snuggle in a warm house and make some new yard outfits.  I have always burned very easily, but I love to be outside all the time.  So, a long time ago, I came up with the idea of using an old medical scrub pattern I found in a fabric shop and began making bottoms and jackets in lightweight cotton.  I can pair these outfits with a lightweight T-shirt and a straw hat and be out in the sun all day.  It’s a great idea for anyone like me who has had a bout with skin cancer, but still loves to garden and be outside.  It allows me to enjoy the great outdoors, and it’s also a way for this 53-year-old to get as whimsical as she likes.  Some of my outfits have been made out of some very unique and zany patterns.

Today, it was very warm—a stark contrast to the snow we had earlier in the week.  I used this opportune break in the weather to clean out the greenhouse and carried out flats of clay pots from the potting shed to the greenhouse.  All of the seed orders have arrived now and I have sorted them all and made my planting itinerary.  I don’t usually arrange every aspect of my life by the hour, but with seeds, it helps to have an organized plan, at least by the week, if not by the day.

I also got a start on delphiniums this week.  I planted the delphiniums in trays filled with dampened seed starter, sealed the trays in plastic bags, and put these in the refrigerator to begin stratification for two weeks. I must confess I have mixed success with delphiniums.  I usually get a decent number of plants from my efforts, but they are not as far along as I would like them to be.  I talked about this with the owner of my local greenhouse, Tom, and he suggested I start the seeds in July and keep them over the winter in the greenhouse.  It’s a thought, but too late for this year.  I might try that next year if I’m not satisfied with the results this time.

In addition to all of the garden business, I found time to revamp some of my Easter decorations.  I always like to get an early start on each season, and take inventory before the next season’s decorations go up.   As I was looking at my spring decorations, I found where a mouse had gotten into the box and did some chewing and pooping all over the decorations, and then decided to die in the box.  No doubt he was lured there by the smell of confection still lingering on the Easter baskets.  This required some new netting, bows, and grass for the baskets, as well as a thorough cleaning of the basket and eggs.

Another casualty was one of my egg wreaths that I purchased about 15 years ago.  I really like the muted color palette of the wreaths, and the eggs would be difficult to replace.  I deconstructed the wreath carefully to see how it was made.   It appears they painted the Styrofoam brown, so I purchased a new wreath form and painted it with my stencil paints.  I replaced all of the old Spanish moss with new, using the hot glue gun, and reapplied the eggs using the same toothpicks the manufacturer had used.  Once everything was in place there just remained the task of rewrapping the grape vine.  Voila, one rescued wreath.

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January 6, 2022

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April 21, 2021

Crazy weather, the greenhouse is packed and flourishing, Easter happiness, and waiting for the arrival of new baby chicks.

February 17, 2021

Wrapping up the holidays, jumping into a painting project, and cleaning the house from top to bottom.

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For years I would sit and stare at my house and wonder why it didn’t have that colonial feel that... View Article

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November 9, 2020

November begins with cool weather and blustery days. The seasons change and Harry enjoys the days.

November 2, 2020

Once again the coop needs some attention and some much needed safety additions. My joints just can't take the bend to feeders anymore!

October 31, 2020

Rushing to finish a big job never helps, but some last minute trim ideas make a big difference, and all in time for Halloween

October 20, 2020

When it rains it pours. Both the weather and the power tools conspire to keep the porch from being repaired.

October 19, 2020

A quick autumn stir-fry that is both healthy and tasty

October 19, 2020

A hearty one pot soup for all the leftovers or just in anticipation of Thanksgiving

October 12, 2020

Cool days give a taste of fall weather. I spend some time in the greenhouse and muse over the animals enjoying the day

October 5, 2020

Spring bulbs arrive for next year and Harry discovers a toad

I begin the porch project with some early painting and decorate for the season

Non-native problems continue but I tarry on with the season all the same.

Anniversaries can never just run smoothly, can they?

I start looking towards the holidays with an old fashioned recipe, and I look backwards as I transplant some wildflowers

The old yew bushes are removed to make way for a porch face-lift, and I attend to some inside repairs

Some late season planting, ordering bulbs for the coming year, and tackling a new antique project

August 17, 2020

Where has time gone? Visiting a familiar old house that has gone to ruin.

July 12, 2020

The stars and moon align to make a magical Fourth of July

July 3, 2020

The weather has switched to summer heat and it is searing. Time for the garden to explode with weeds and produce.

June 27, 2020

It's my birthday again. Strawberries are in season, and I spend some time hauling rocks . . . again.

June 20, 2020

I do some late season gardening and try some greener products again, this time, with sheep milk

June 13, 2020

The garden has been giving us a preview of what is to come, and the weather gives us a taste of storms ahead

The package saga continues, and some early summer sounds kick into high gear

May 31, 2020

Some cat trouble ensues and the weather plays havoc with the garden

May 23, 2020

I finally bring an old idea to fruition and make a nice little grill cart

May 16, 2020

Mother's Day arrives, and amidst enjoying my homemade tea room I deliver some lovelies straight from the greenhouse

The wildflowers are here. I begin planting the last bits of my spring order and gift an instant garden to my sister

May 2, 2020

Warm weather comes a bit early for us, but my toad friends are back for another year of bugs

April 25, 2020

More deliveries as Covid continues. Each day is full, and only the inconvenience of a few missing packages affects the Little Corner

April 18, 2020

As we all adjust to Covid, Harry helps the Easter Bunny and delivers a bit of springtime cheer to family

April 11, 2020

We tackle the window project and find a few surprises, meanwhile my tattersall rugs arrive in time to give the house a lift for spring

April 4, 2020

We begin ripping out the old windows in preparation for the new installation, meanwhile spring burst forth all around us

March 28, 2020

Some fruit trees arrive, including some very old varieties, and I do a massive replant in the new section. Time to make that little forest grow.

March 22, 2020

We experience a strange St. Patrick's Day as the first Covid birthday gets underway, and the fencing project finally comes to a completion

March 15, 2020

While the country seems to be poised for a lockdown, we keep plugging away at the fence, and work in a little landscaping too

March 7, 2020

The fence project continues, while we have a quick birthday for Doodles and a little bit of cherry pie to celebrate the day

February 22, 2020

We start the task of fencing in the whole of our 5 acres, and with the weather shifting between snow and warmth there is a lot of mud

February 15, 2020

I get creative with trying to solve an old puzzle -- just what did that old baker use to make such perfectly sweet red icing?

February 8, 2020

Our great prognosticator has predicted an early spring, and we begin preparations for the new parcel

January 31, 2020

A new phase of the Little Corner begins with the beginning of a wildlife habitat and expanded sheep field

January 25, 2020

It is already time to think about the garden and time to think about getting cuttings from my salvaged fall pots

January 19, 2020

Our snow for 2020 looks like it is going to remain a bit spotty, but Harry still gets some time to play, and I tackle cutting the petunia trees

January 13, 2020

I begin the New Year with spring cleaning, a repair inventory, and some Moses Eaton styled floor cloths

January 6, 2020

This year the flower color palette for the Vienna New Year’s Day concert was in shades of pink and yellow. ... View Article

December 31, 2019

I end a busy 2019 sharing my best wishes to everyone and a wish for the 'quiet life'

December 25, 2019

The season marches forward with Christmas bakes, and I try a few experiments on some old favorites

December 7, 2019

With Christmas on its way, I take a look at the 400+ seedlings in the basement, and Harry helps . . . or so he thinks.

November 30, 2019

I substitute an old favorite in our rarely altered traditional meal, and my family and I head to the tree farm again

November 24, 2019

My daughter's birthday inspires some unicorn decorations and the sky seems to join in the fun

November 17, 2019

After so much heat, and still so much green hanging on the trees, an early snow surprises us all

November 9, 2019

I get my husband to make a late season alteration to our coop, which will hopefully help my bones this winter

October 31, 2019

I make some last minute adjustments to the yard, just in time to catch the last of the warm weather

October 20, 2019

The frost finally shows up and autumn activities accelerate to match the change in weather

October 13, 2019

I scurry around gathering seed tops and cuttings for spring 2020

October 6, 2019

When we should be thinking of hot drinks, the weather keeps summer barreling into fall, which makes late season gardening miserable

September 30, 2019

As we wind down the year towards the fall season, another repair presents itself, this time our refrigerator

September 22, 2019

Following a recipe mishap years ago, I attempt use up some of our pear bounty and make a tasty chutney

January 6, 2022

Repurposing old storage containers and celebrating with a 12th Night feast.

April 21, 2021

Crazy weather, the greenhouse is packed and flourishing, Easter happiness, and waiting for the arrival of new baby chicks.

February 17, 2021

Wrapping up the holidays, jumping into a painting project, and cleaning the house from top to bottom.

November 19, 2020

For years I would sit and stare at my house and wonder why it didn’t have that colonial feel that... View Article

November 18, 2020

Seed starting begins again, just before the busy holiday season gets into full swing.

November 9, 2020

November begins with cool weather and blustery days. The seasons change and Harry enjoys the days.

November 2, 2020

Once again the coop needs some attention and some much needed safety additions. My joints just can't take the bend to feeders anymore!

October 31, 2020

Rushing to finish a big job never helps, but some last minute trim ideas make a big difference, and all in time for Halloween

October 20, 2020

When it rains it pours. Both the weather and the power tools conspire to keep the porch from being repaired.

October 19, 2020

A quick autumn stir-fry that is both healthy and tasty

October 19, 2020

A hearty one pot soup for all the leftovers or just in anticipation of Thanksgiving

October 12, 2020

Cool days give a taste of fall weather. I spend some time in the greenhouse and muse over the animals enjoying the day

Spring bulbs arrive for next year and Harry discovers a toad

I begin the porch project with some early painting and decorate for the season

Non-native problems continue but I tarry on with the season all the same.

Anniversaries can never just run smoothly, can they?

I start looking towards the holidays with an old fashioned recipe, and I look backwards as I transplant some wildflowers

The old yew bushes are removed to make way for a porch face-lift, and I attend to some inside repairs

Some late season planting, ordering bulbs for the coming year, and tackling a new antique project

August 17, 2020

Where has time gone? Visiting a familiar old house that has gone to ruin.

July 12, 2020

The stars and moon align to make a magical Fourth of July

July 3, 2020

The weather has switched to summer heat and it is searing. Time for the garden to explode with weeds and produce.

June 27, 2020

It's my birthday again. Strawberries are in season, and I spend some time hauling rocks . . . again.

June 20, 2020

I do some late season gardening and try some greener products again, this time, with sheep milk

June 13, 2020

The garden has been giving us a preview of what is to come, and the weather gives us a taste of storms ahead

The package saga continues, and some early summer sounds kick into high gear

May 31, 2020

Some cat trouble ensues and the weather plays havoc with the garden

May 23, 2020

I finally bring an old idea to fruition and make a nice little grill cart

May 16, 2020

Mother's Day arrives, and amidst enjoying my homemade tea room I deliver some lovelies straight from the greenhouse

The wildflowers are here. I begin planting the last bits of my spring order and gift an instant garden to my sister

May 2, 2020

Warm weather comes a bit early for us, but my toad friends are back for another year of bugs

April 25, 2020

More deliveries as Covid continues. Each day is full, and only the inconvenience of a few missing packages affects the Little Corner

As we all adjust to Covid, Harry helps the Easter Bunny and delivers a bit of springtime cheer to family

April 11, 2020

We tackle the window project and find a few surprises, meanwhile my tattersall rugs arrive in time to give the house a lift for spring

April 4, 2020

We begin ripping out the old windows in preparation for the new installation, meanwhile spring burst forth all around us

March 28, 2020

Some fruit trees arrive, including some very old varieties, and I do a massive replant in the new section. Time to make that little forest grow.

March 22, 2020

We experience a strange St. Patrick's Day as the first Covid birthday gets underway, and the fencing project finally comes to a completion

March 15, 2020

While the country seems to be poised for a lockdown, we keep plugging away at the fence, and work in a little landscaping too

March 7, 2020

The fence project continues, while we have a quick birthday for Doodles and a little bit of cherry pie to celebrate the day

February 22, 2020

We start the task of fencing in the whole of our 5 acres, and with the weather shifting between snow and warmth there is a lot of mud

February 15, 2020

I get creative with trying to solve an old puzzle -- just what did that old baker use to make such perfectly sweet red icing?

February 8, 2020

Our great prognosticator has predicted an early spring, and we begin preparations for the new parcel

January 31, 2020

A new phase of the Little Corner begins with the beginning of a wildlife habitat and expanded sheep field

January 25, 2020

It is already time to think about the garden and time to think about getting cuttings from my salvaged fall pots

January 19, 2020

Our snow for 2020 looks like it is going to remain a bit spotty, but Harry still gets some time to play, and I tackle cutting the petunia trees

January 13, 2020

I begin the New Year with spring cleaning, a repair inventory, and some Moses Eaton styled floor cloths

January 6, 2020

This year the flower color palette for the Vienna New Year’s Day concert was in shades of pink and yellow. ... View Article

December 31, 2019

I end a busy 2019 sharing my best wishes to everyone and a wish for the 'quiet life'

December 25, 2019

The season marches forward with Christmas bakes, and I try a few experiments on some old favorites

December 7, 2019

With Christmas on its way, I take a look at the 400+ seedlings in the basement, and Harry helps . . . or so he thinks.

November 30, 2019

I substitute an old favorite in our rarely altered traditional meal, and my family and I head to the tree farm again

November 24, 2019

My daughter's birthday inspires some unicorn decorations and the sky seems to join in the fun

November 17, 2019

After so much heat, and still so much green hanging on the trees, an early snow surprises us all

November 9, 2019

I get my husband to make a late season alteration to our coop, which will hopefully help my bones this winter

October 31, 2019

I make some last minute adjustments to the yard, just in time to catch the last of the warm weather

October 20, 2019

The frost finally shows up and autumn activities accelerate to match the change in weather

October 13, 2019

I scurry around gathering seed tops and cuttings for spring 2020

October 6, 2019

When we should be thinking of hot drinks, the weather keeps summer barreling into fall, which makes late season gardening miserable

September 30, 2019

As we wind down the year towards the fall season, another repair presents itself, this time our refrigerator

September 22, 2019

Following a recipe mishap years ago, I attempt use up some of our pear bounty and make a tasty chutney