Eggs, Chicks, and A Very Special Gift

Hi Farmgirls! It’s been a crazy busy month for me here. How about you? It feels like spring comes and BOOM! We are “off and running”! There’s so much to do with the changing of the season from cold to warmer, and then everyone is busy with holidays like Easter and Passover, too! It’s still a wee bit chilly here in New England, so grab a cup of tea and come visit a bit with me!

Here in New England, you never know what April will bring. We have daffodils peeking outside, and if you want to have a vegetable garden planted using seeds, seeds are started inside. Mine are doing quite well, but it will be several weeks before anything can be planted outside into the veggie bed. We start thinking of spring, but Mother Nature reminds us that it can still be cold. 

Yesterday, we woke up to a layer of ice. (It’s gone now).

It’s not the cold that slows chicken egg laying down, but more the lack of light in winter. Thankfully, my chickie girls have started laying again, even though it has felt like the sun has been sleeping away behind the clouds most days.

Not only was I surprised at the price of eggs this winter, but look at the difference in color and freshness of a store-bought egg (runny and pale), compared to the egg from my happy backyard hen. So fresh!

They taste better, too. I can’t wait until I have fresh tomatoes, as well. Even organic store-bought tomatoes are forced to ripen with ethylene gas, so they don’t taste as good as one slowly ripened from a sunny day in the backyard. C’mon summer!

Speaking of eggs, look how cute this is! My dear friend Julie sent me a goodie box for my birthday. I love the little fried egg  “candle rug” she included. It looks like it’s made from a repurposed wool blanket or jacket. So clever!

Also, talking about eggs, Easter is coming up soon. It feels like it snuck up on me. I usually like to put my box of Easter decorations out as soon as St. Patrick’s Day is over, but I have been too on-the-go-constantly-busy the last few weeks. I love my Easter bunnies, but I have to admit, there’s something “eggstra-special” about Easter decor with baby chicks, especially when it’s something vintage or vintage inspired! It may still feel wintry outside, but inside it feels like spring!

It may be cheery and spring-like inside, but as I mentioned, this past month here, the weather has been dark, dreary, windy, rainy! Even when it has been sunny, it is still colder than it is usually at this time of year. However, I am not going to mind the cold, because how can you not be cheerful when you wear…

wait for it…

AN AMAZING REPURPOSED QUILT JACKET FROM OUR VERY OWN DEAR RANCH FARMGIRL, DORI!

I am a skilled farmgirl in many ways and love all sorts of crafts. I am an expert knitter, but while I do sew (and collect sewing machines), I am nowhere NEAR the level of skill with a sewing machine as Dori. She is absolutely amazing, especially with her fantastic quilting skills! Not only is Dori an amazing talent, but she is also one of the most genuinely sweet and kind farmgirls EVER! 

When I complimented her upcycled, beautiful, repurposed quilt jacket she made, I was so surprised and overjoyed when she contacted me and said she would make ME one!

I thought this 1940’s “cutter” quilt from a local thrift shop would be a good candidate for a jacket. It had all my favorite colors, lots of character, but was too worn in places to be used as an actual quilt. Still so soft and vibrant, it had life left!

Dori and I texted back and forth many times over the next few weeks. She was so adorable, sounding just as excited to make me a quilt jacket, as I was to receive one! We had so much fun in the process. Dori is a blessing to know, a truly beautiful soul.

Then, one day, she sent me a text with a tracking number. I thought I would burst with excitement! Of course, somewhere along the way, the box got delayed in Pennsylvania (no doubt due to crazy weather). 

Then, on a day that had started out stressful, (as our elderly cat needed to go to the vet – we were so worried, but she is fine now), I came home to find a large box on the porch! I was overjoyed and couldn’t wait to open it!

I texted Dori right away that it was here! I was so thrilled to open it, and my daughter filmed me so that Dori could see how excited I was! 

The jacket is beyond expectations – it is truly a work of art! The seam binding she picked is so beautiful! I LOVE the big pockets!

The jacket is STUNNING, and so soft and cozy! It’s just right for jeans or dresses in the cool weather. It fits me perfectly, and feels like I am “wearing a hug”, it is so cozy! Again, I am amazed at Dori’s talent and skill, and am so touched by this beautiful, gift, a reminder of how special the sisterhood of farmgirl friendship is. 

I could not WAIT to wear it, so the very next day, I wore it into town for a few errands. I got so many compliments – and told them how it was made for me by a special, kind friend.

Of course, I have been working on a special surprise for Dori, too. I am BURSTING with excitement for her to receive it! I wish I could show it to you, but it’s not quite finished yet, and I don’t want to ruin the surprise, so you will have to stay tuned!

HAPPY SPRING TO ALL!