I’m going to find this book & red it for sure!

I picked up this book at the library a few years ago, and I must say it is one of the best and most unique books I’ve read. Definitely recommended.

I have a copy of this book which evidently was a huge bestseller in Europe. It has been on my ” summer reading list”. I am now moving it to the top of the list for sure adn reading it next. I love sheep but have not had the privilege of actually raising them. I look forward to this mystery.

Oh, I love this idea! I had pen pals as a child, and I still do to this day–different ones now. I remember how excited I got to receive some mail.I also had the opportunity to write and share my life with a friend. I write to my grandgirls who live 11 hours away. They love getting mail! As one of my friends said in a letter not too long ago, “It’s good to write and share our lives. It helps keep our friendship alive.” She is so-oi-o right.

I love writing letters and I have a few farmgirl pen pals, that I enjoy sending letters too. Sometimes though time gets away from me and I forget to write that special pal. But, as fall and winter approach her in the mountains of Colorado, I am taking my early mornings to write my letters while having my first cup of coffee. Oh life is sweet!

Love this post! My youngest daughter homeschools and last year her part of her daughters writting curriculum was writing letters. Myself and hubs added some new stationery and fun stamps to our desk areas so we could write back at least twice a month to each. It was fun thinking of something new to write each time and my hubs always drew some sort of cartoon in his note and got all the praise for his letters. I will pass on this info to my daughter, I think she would love to know about it!

I couldn’t agree more. I love pen pals. I had one when I was a child. What I don’t like is there is someone out there charging $10 for the “matching service”. These are kids, supposed to be learning about new people and new places. So what if they don’t match, they figure that out for themselves. Teachers should be encouraging this with their classes. Grade level and gender is all that matters, not whether they have things in common. That’s part of the fun. It shouldn’t cost anything but the price of a stamp, paper and envelope. If you are creative, the paper becomes the envelope. Cheap fun. I don’t have “pen pals” today. I have certain friends that I write too. I also send what I call “Happy Mail”. Little notes/cards to people I know who could use a little smile/hug, instead of a bill. Just my thoughts.

As a Children’s Librarian who has facilitated pen pal programs, I know first hand how much kids love the opportunity to connect with other kids through the written word. They just need to have it presented to them as a fun activity and voila–they’re off and running. Adults need to put down their own eletronic devices now and then to be a role model for their children, who are mimics and will naturally want to do what Mommy or Daddy are doing. And if you catch them young enough, kids will experience the intrinsic pleasure of such activities and are likely to carry them into their adult years to inspire their own children to slow down and partake in deeply pleasurable activities. I grew up having pen pals and have never outgrown the satisfaction of connecting with friends and family through cards and letters. And believe me, my 90 year-old mother (who gets a letter from me every week) is especially glad of that! 📬

Lovely busy framed in a summer task!

Driving on the way to float on the Snake River, a mom and 5 ducklings decided to cross the street . Everyone in both directions stopped to give them plenty of space and time! We all immediately want to protect these innocent creatures just going about their day. I agree there is a hidden lesson there!!

One of my favorite moments on my first trip to Boston was seeing the bronze ducklings and their mama, just before our ride on the Swan Boat. If you go to Boston, don’t miss the Gardens!

Oh my gosh! I do remember the book! Does that ever bring back memories!

Grandmothers are such a blessing to the younger generations. With their years of life experience, they help their grandchildren navigate the sometimes challenging twists and turns of growing up. I think their great cooking has to do with years of seeing how ingredients all work. They have already weathered failed recipes, wacky stoves, lean financial years, and the art of cooking with baby on the hip. I believe, it is that wisdom that helps them know what really works in a recipe and what doesn’t. Sometimes, it isn’t the actual ingredients themselves that matter as much as the right dish for the right moment. A good example might be the Thanksgiving dressing always served in the same casserole dish. Even if the recipe is simple and easily reproduced, it will never match the taste of Grandma’s when she places her version in that dish on the table. Food is as much presentation, association and anticipation in our hearts and Grandma has the winning hand!

I loved looking at his pictures of these loving Grandmas in all the different countries. Even in some of the poorer countries, where there were only the smallest of portions, their pride for their special dishes shone in their eyes. I loved these pictures the most, as it made me remember that you don’t need 20-30 ingredients to make a good dish. Cauliflower and pumpkin leaves….who would have thought you could eat them? Yet these beautiful women made very tasty looking dishes out of them. Thank you so much for sharing this story and the link to the pictures.

I’m so excited to join the Mary Jane Farm community, and a new member of Project Farm! Our iron wreath giveaway is this Thursday the 25th! I’m also very happy to have found Mary Janes Agar thickening gel online. I’m working on a new product that Wholefoods market is ready to sell here. I have already found a commercial kitchen, but my product tests from MSU are coming back a bit too acidic. I really think its the gelatin Im using and plan to go with her vegetable Agar instead, and go for round 3 of testing. What perfect timing!

Oh my! I love pigs & this article was fun to read. I now want to get that children’s book for my library & grandgirls! 🙂

My whole family was amazed at this video and story. Thank you for sharing the story with us!

I love daisies. They were the flowers that my husband brought me at the birth of our first child. As a result, they are forever special in my heart!

I love these kinds of books. There are some amazing old ways of doing things and I find them very fun to learn about. Acorn coffee? Aren’t acorns supposed to be very bitter? I cannot imagine!

On a different note, Mary Jane, I am enjoying the old book In the Green Valley very much. Set in the Welsh mining area of England, it tells the story of the hard lives of the coal mine workers and the huge rife between the younger men and the older men over supporting labor unions. One wonders why supporting better working conditions were not universally embraced by all ages. But fear of job loss kept people willing to keep the status quo, no matter what. I am about half way through but it is a great piece of history and so pertinent to today’s workers who keep pushing for better and safer working conditions. The struggle continues!

Just in case, if anyone wants to experiment with applying leeches, they are more. than. welcome. to come remove as many as they would like from my pond. Ewwwww…

Truly lovely! I have a thing for white roses & all kinds of other flowers:-)

Have you seen pictures of (or heard about) the old garden rose…tree that grows in Tombstone, Arizona? The canopy looks amazing but what is astonishing is when you see the..barren~moisture deprived dirt this long~lived rose grows from. The trunk looks a bit petrified too but once a year this rose covers a huge pergola with pretty blossoms & green leaves. Out of the desert…grows the rose??? Not sure how the saying goes but I imagine it’s what they call a desert rose;-)