Happy Mother’s Day! You and your family are truly blessed and I wish you all a lovely weekend together. I’m sure you have ice cream for the wisdom teeth removal, right, Mom?

What a wonderful article! I’m a mom of four and have been a stay at home for most of the 30 years. Your fun comments made me realize once again how blessed I am! It also helped me realize that we have way too much experience to put on a resume! I also decided to cut and paste your article into emails to my kids so they can be impressed!

Hi Deb.
I love how you phrased the whole Mom job! I’ve raised two, then two grandkids. Been a lot freer with the grandkids. They lived with me for 6 years. Despite having my freedom cut off when they arrived, I truly enjoyed having another crack at being a Mom. I relish the moments spent with both my kids and the little ones. This weekend is both my daughter’s birthday and Mom’s Day. We will celebrate and I will be thanking God for such a blessing.
I like the chocolate ice cream soother.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

Great list. I’ve been a mom for 47 years and mostly it’s great. Especially when they’re. great kids

Happy Mothers Day to you all !
I have two boy’s 25 and 18 both great kids and as my oldest will admit to anyone he is a mama’s boy lol all though I have know idea how cause I am a tomboy mum lol ! Wonderful post and photos . Being a mum has never been a job or a chore to me it is a blessing ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

Debbie, I so enjoyed the blog, as a matter of fact I enjoy all of them. Love Max, he is a doll, I have a Yorkie and I love him and he likes to be out with me when I plant. I plant in 4×8 boxes . My strawberries have blossoms and They will need covering w/ net before the Robins get to them. Yes spring has really sprung here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and now if the pollen would just go away I can enjoy it. Any way enjoy and keep up the good work. Farm Sister #1020 Juanita

I saw your beautiful hens. Does MJF have anything about eggs and raising chickens? We don’t eat our chickens we just love to hear them and watch their antics and the bug and snake eating is always welcome. I have silkies and a few silkie/brama roosters and new leghorn babies. My brother in Kingston Washington raises miniature goats, his new kids were 6″ tall, so cute and he has trouble with coyotes. Any ideas or stories about chickens?

Looks like some fun projects in the works! Thanks for sharing everything!
Max looks like a swell fellow!
Happy Spring to you!
CJ

Deb, that Max is a ham isnt he. What fun fabric and beautiful seed packets. I love spring time because I love the longer daylight hours and opening the windows for fresh air flowing thru the house. Also this spring is special as I am officially a grandmother after waiting on these kids for the last 19 years, they adopted a beautiful baby boy who was born this past Wed. He is adorable. I will send you a pic to your email later. it is beautiful here in NC we spent a day with my younger son and his girlfriend hiking and on a picnic with all 5 dogs. Wooo, I am tired. Be Blessed, and happy planting. (by the way I am going to try some of those window box dahlias.) neta

Looks so fun! Can’t wait to get to our lake place when the snow is gone and the frost comes out of the ground. Be careful with that heater! Don’t want to put that fire truck to work. Also about your windows, on Rehab Addict on HGTV they showed how to replace the rope and get the window working again, maybe you could find a tutorial.

What a wonderful place you have! I had a Mr. Buddy Heater in my RV and attached a line with a 5-gallon propane tank to it. It was much thriftier than replacing the small green canisters. Just a suggestion. Also, the damage to your house was minimum and that’s a blessing for spring. The shed looks yar and with minimum work, will be as shipshape as your cottage. Yay Spring!

Oh so glad the beach cottage made it though the winter! It is the part of your property and stories that I like best!
Wish we could move our town cottage to a beach, but it is just about sold so we will keep our main country place and move on to visiting new places.
We visited Park City, Utah last week. Beautiful country!!

Loved your post, the scenes brought back precious memories for me of growing up in San Diego, Calif, in the 50’s, taking the city bus to the beach to just sit on the shore all day long. I can still smell the bonfires burning there in the sand at night.
Our home in the Ozarks is now finally feeling spring, it was a long, long winter, with cold days and nights, but its almost time to plant now, we can hardly wait!
Joyfully, Diana, Noel, Mo.

Deb…just thought I’d let you know you don’t have the oldest unfinished projects. We’ve been married 52 years and some of ours are from before we got married.maybe some day they really will get done. Your place by the sea looks pretty good considering the horrible winter we’ve had. Minnesota has hard winters too. But at least you have sand. Roads cost a lot more to repair. But, spring is finally coming and we farm girls will git’er done!

Hello Deb, Good to see you’re at the beginning of your cottage season! Here on the Cape we have the same signs of ‘finally’ Spring. Our little cottage on wheels raring and ready to take off at the end of next week for a little ‘southern spring’. Isn’t it nice to begin again!

Aaah, fellow clutterer. I now look at things I’ve acquired and remember the spirit which egged me on to gather them. I need to calm that spirit and tell it, “nevermore, nevermore.” I am now trying to organize a sewing studio. I do use the phrase “do you love it?” or now, “will it make a great apron or dish drainer quilt?” The spirit always says,”yes!” Are we hopeless?

I’m tackling my barn this summer and I plan on being ruthless once I get the time to dive in. We could use more space so those cross-country skis I haven’t been on in 20 years need to go! Along with that broken bike I’ve never fixed and that wall of bookkeeping records that the IRS wants me to keep for seven years. Gone! I’ll recycle what I can and donate what’s useable. It’s gonna feel soooooooooo good.

I don’t call it clutter,I call it lovables. It’s like trying to hold 15 chickens at a time. We love them all but can’t hold them on our lap at the same time. Deb, you’ve got it right. Time to focus on the things we love the very most and pass on to others the rest. Whee…….the process is fun and heart-wrenching. How about a photo record instead of keeping the real stuff. Less space and we still have remembrance. Love your blog farmgirl. Bonnie

I have boxes in my mother’s basement that I have not unpacked since I moved. 20 years ago. I’m shaking my head knowing that it is sentement and only sentement that keep me from it. I’m pretty sure of what is in there. There are all the pictures I took on a trip to Europe with my 85 year old grandmother. 20 some years ago. There is a box of Noritake china my father bought for my grandmother when he was making one of his 3 trips around the world, during WWII. Then there is the box that holds the last of my father’s belongings. A soft camel jacket with suede patches on the elbows….It’s knowing that when I have paired everything down to the bare end, that I will have to say good bye and let go. It makes me sick just thinking about it. I am curious to see these things again after all this time. 20 some years, for some a lifetime ago, to me still sitting there waiting.

Creative spirits are great collectors who love to share with others! I totally understand your decision, as I found being tethered to my store, full time, by myself, began to wear on my soul. It was difficult not being out in the thick of fleas and sales, where my adrenaline would flow. I now find that when I need to ‘share’ a little with others I hold upscale yard sales, and all in all, haven’t really missed much that went home with someone else. Good luck on all you endeavors! Sandi

Spring cleaning fever has struck me too. I have been tackling the “black hole” I call my guest room closet. I have discovered that I am really good at packing a lot of stuff into a small space. How do you get rid of your treasures you had so much fun collecting? I am having a hard time with that one. I appreciate your insight on having your business and moving on too. You have inspired me to try a few new ideas and feel OK if they don’t work out. Thank you for all your wit and wisdom. Spring is finally here!! Looking forward to your adventures in the garden and on the shore. Hugs to you Deb!

I feel the pain. A very good friend downsized a few years ago and during her downsize I realized my kids are going to back up a dumpster if anything happens to me, I’ve been decluttering every since. My hardest is my “I oh so want to make this” pile. Makes me feel good I am NOT alone!

Very nice post. Bees are such an important part of our natural landscape.

Congratulations on beginning your fourth year, Deb! I’m also a former Nevada gal and have relocated to the other coast, in southern Oregon. Happy almost Spring! Love your posts!

Those of us on the Left Coast would love to share your snow with the Tahoe ski areas. The snow melt in the spring would fill our reservoirs and we would be out of the multi-year drought. I totally agree with turning off the technology once in a while and just talking with someone over tea. All my older relatives are gone so I’ve adopted a couple of grandmothers (or bubbies) at my synagogue. We have a great time sharing stories. You are blessed to have someone to be with whom you love so much. On to Spring!

Oh how precious is your mother in law! She makes me miss my granny so bad!! I would love to sit and visit with her just one more time!

Love this post. So many great photos. My oldest son just crossed over from a Webelos II to a Boy Scout this month. He has a goal of becoming an Eagle Scout. Congrats to your son on that accomplishment.

Once again, I can relate, because my oldest boy earned his Eagle Scout rank and my youngest boy had braces. All precious and proud moments 🙂 Thanks for sharing, beautiful pix !

I loooong for FLIP FLOPS!! I live in South Georgia! We have had snow once and flurries one day! That’s enough of the white stuff for me! I’m planning a trip to the east coast! Just my dear daughter and I! That’s all she wanted for her 13th birthday!! A trip to the beach-“just me and you,mama!” We are so anticipating a warm, sunny weekend! I loved reading your post! I could almost smell the salt sea air!! Thank you!

If I EVER get there, could I come and visit your cottage? Would love to walk the beach and feel the surf lapping around me ankles.
Stay warm and safe in your wintry weather!
CJ

Loved your post I just read this morning …. As I had another cup of coffee and watched the snow “fly” adding another three inches to our already 22 on the ground :). I do love snow especially when the power stays on and I can stay right here in my little cabin…..I do love the beach, too, and your post just took me there for a few minutes….thank u – have a great day 🙂

GREAT post Deb!! 🙂

My one and only turned 18 a few short weeks ago. A newly blossomed maturity came almost simultaneously with her birthday.
She also accomplished a lot this past year, fulfilling her goals, and getting ready to start college in July. (yes, July)
I take comfort in knowing that even though she is not a child, I can still be her guide.
Blessings to your son – may he grow to be a strong, prosperous wise man.

Congratulations Rosanne!  It’s a wonderful feeling to know we got them this far isn’t it? And, that we will still be their guiding light as they continue to grow… Many blessings to you and your daughter as she begins a new life in college!

xo Deb

Congratulations to Zach and you and Boz, a huge milestone for sure. It’s been 25 years for me but I remember it like yesterday, enjoy it and love each second. Thanks for sharing. God Bless

It’s wonderful and awful at the same time when they grow up. We’re proud and scared at the same time. How can that be. And I’ll tell you what Deb, they never stop being our little ones. Look at the age of mine and I still want to take of them. You know what I mean. You must be so proud. His journey is just beginning. Lots of hugs to you on that one girl.
Merrilyn

Wheweeee you are on busy GIRL!!! so good to hear that you aren’t letting anything get away from you. My family say that I make them tired just looking at my bucket list – and I keep adding, oh well keeps me out of trouble. Love the saying that Sylvia shared – hope to remember that – oh I will print it out and hang it in my craft room so I can read it every day. Thanks Deb Happy New Year!!! God bless

Happy New Year Joan! Glad to hear you keep your family on their toes too! LOL Great idea to hang Sylvia’s saying in your craft room! Think I’ll do that too! Blessings Joan! xo Deb

Hey Deb! Your blog is so energizing! I love your enthusiasm and excitement for future endeavors. I have lots of projects waiting in the wings. It is time for me to make a little list to get me focused on where to start. I am right brained, so I have the creativity; just not as organized about I could be.
Enjoy your virtual course. Have a great New Year!

Hi Pam! So nice to hear from you! Wishing you a wonderfully creative New Year as well! Hope to see you next time you come " home" to the shorelines again!!! xo Deb

I’ll share a few of my favorite quotes for the new year:
"Do or do not. There is no try." Yoda

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in that gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow lines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

2014 was plotted by Thanksgiving Friday 2013 and as new items emerge, they are added to the activities for Mind, Body and Spirit each day.

Have a wonderful 2014!

Happy New year Adrienne! Great quotes indeed! I especially like the second one… 🙂 All good things n 2014. I look forward to hearing more from you here in the coming year! xo Deb