• Homemaking - Uncategorized

    May 2025: What’s in the Garden?

    This month’s garden update is perhaps not as impressive as I would like. It turned out that many of my seedlings from last month’s update did not fair well, although I am not sure why. They were already looking a little sad before I set them out on the porch to harden off. And many did not survive the hardening off precess very well. Aside from the zucchini squash and kabocha squash, I am not sure any of the seedlings will survive now that they have been transplanted out. But it’s not the end of the world. At this time…

  • Homemaking - Uncategorized

    What’s in the Garden, April 2025

    We had snow over Easter weekend, but today the sun is shining again! It’s a breezy day, and I can smell the lilacs that are just beginning to bloom along one side of the fence. I am so glad the snow didn’t freeze their blossoms because they are one of my spring favorites and probably the most nostalgic of all flowers and fragrances to me. They remind me of so many parts of my childhood I can’t even begin to describe all the memories they bring to mind. While the lilacs are just starting, the apple trees are in full…

  • Homemaking - Knitting and Crochet - Uncategorized

    10 Spring and Summer Knits I Want to Make

    Today I thought it would be fun to do something a little different and bring you a pattern round-up of ten knitting projects for spring and summer wearables that I would like to knit myself. As the weather has been warming up (although I am in a cardigan and shawl today because we have had a cold snap), I haven’t been as enthused about finishing my remaining winter WIPs. It’s hard to stay motivated about projects I know I won’t wear more than once before putting them away for next fall. So, my mind has been wandering to spring and…

  • Homemaking - Sewing and Crafting - Uncategorized

    Sewing Update: April 2025

    Life has been feeling a little hectic around here lately, and I didn’t even realize that I hadn’t already written and scheduled a blog post for this week until Wednesday had come and gone! So I scrambled a bit yesterday and today to take some photos and prepare a little sewing update for this month. Last month, when I found out that Joann’s Fabric stores across the US would be closing, I decided to go ahead and see if I could find any fabrics I wanted there before the option was no longer available. My daughter and I went together…

  • Homemaking - Uncategorized

    Our Container Gardening Ideas for 2025

    With signs of spring popping up all around us–crocus blooming, robins returning, buds coming out on the cotoneasters–I am thinking it is time to get my spring and summer garden plans finalized! This year will be different from other years as we live in a rental property now. I don’t have a reason to invest large amounts of money into garden soil amendments, rearranging the landscaping, or constructing large garden beds, even if I felt like I was “allowed” to do those things. Really, all we are required and encouraged to do with our yard is keep the grass growing…