Early Spring project

Robin has been eyeing this little garden for a couple of years. This past weekend we had beautiful weather and it prompted us to make some changes to the area.

Part way done.....

We were at the store contemplating getting the stone we needed and took a guess at how many. It turns out we have pretty good eyes, we were only three and a half off. We will let this settle with this weeks rain and she will be able to plant and we will put the slate back in to form a path to the hose shut off. It was almost like one of those DIY tv shows, just an afternoon project, yeah right!

Spring continued...

Welcome April! We had a wonderful Sunday, with sun and blue sky, it was an outdoors kind of day. We went to our friends house where they were boiling down sap from 18 trees they have tapped. What a taste and a fun afternoon trip. Great family day.

Spring thoughts...

With the first day of Spring behind us now our thoughts are moving outside. We had a couple of beautiful days last week and that brings you out naturally. My thoughts seem to centered in and around the barn. This corner is receiving a new post this year and I have some ideas in the back that involve moving compost bins and light grading, planting grass, you know fun stuff. Robin's mind goes right to the gardens and many features. Our fish survived the winter in our pond, when we were looking at them yesterday the conversation went to the waterfall and then to a water feature off the deck. We looked online last night and found a very cool idea using our giant rhubarb leaves, more to follow on that. It's snowing outside as I write this, but who cares, we all know Spring has the upper hand now. So we will stay inside with our projects this week and let our thoughts stray outside.

It won't be long now

I think we are all in the same boat these days, we have had a wonderful winter season here in the north country, but as we enter March we just can't help thinking of spring. As you walk through the stores these days all the seeds and starter kits are out and the bags and bags of fertilizer and soil give us the smell of spring. It's still too early for it all of course, we know that March can have it's share of winter left in it, but you can feel the change starting to happen. The sun is higher and warmer, and at certain times you feel the melt starting to happen, then we get a day like today with rain. I'm ready for the day when I smell spring, there's always that one day, where you can smell it. It happens in the fall also, you'll have that one day where you just know summer is over, you just hope you're outside that day. We have been realtively quiet here for the month, with little home improvement projects, lots of shoveling and lots of movies by the fire. No cabin fever, just winter living, not much to write about just lots of memories for us to share.

Snowstorm visitor

So we had our "big" snowstorm last night. I find it funny how the media tries to inflict panic on us. I'm all for weather updates, it is important to keep yourself informed and prepared, but it seems like every storm we have is the end all. Anyway, today while we were inside getting ready to venture out, my daughter spotted this guy flying across the yard and landing in the trees out back. Not the greatest pictures, but if you look in the middle of the frame, you can see a big grey blob. I don't know what kind of owl it is but he brought much excitement to our day. Very proud of her for keeping her eyes open and seeing something very special.

We watched him for about fifteen minutes or so and we let her bring the dogs out so she could say hi. Unfortunately he was already gone when she got them out there. She did have time to name him though, say hello to Wink. Great family day today. Hope you are safe and warm in our latest storm.

What a difference...

This was two weeks ago, when we narrowly missed, the big storm that hit the east coast.

And this is what we look like today. After a balmy weekend, today is a little cooler, more like we're used to. Hopefully we will get some snow soon, so the frost won't be so deep, but I have to admit it's been nice not shoveling so far.

When the sun is out like this in the winter, I always take time to face it and soak it up, feel it on my face. A smart lady, that I am very fond of, taught me you can recharge your batteries this way. I'm often thankful I was listening.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Another Christmas has come and passed and the New Year is about to be celebrated. Usually Robin and I will reflect on our craft season over coffee and decide what worked and what didn't. This year we had many new things that were well received by our customers. We are still talking about the name change and all the affects it will have on Robin's Floral Designs. We are not in a rush and we will just see which way the wind blows us. Good thing too, because the wind has been howling for 2 days! We were fortunate not to get dumped on like many others in the surrounding are. The kids were not fortunate, because they are off from school and want to go sledding, and I can't blame them. I hope your Christmas was full of joy and wish you a Happy New Year.

Christmas season and things to think about

Many things going on even though we are done for the season with craft shows. Robin and I have been talking for awhile now about setting up an Etsy account. If you don't know anything about Etsy, it's a gathering place for many artisans, who offer handmade/vintage items for sale. Our website seems to be attracting many customers who are looking for a florist or floral shop, which we are not, so we are thinking about a name change. It will be a big step for us to change an entity that we have worked hard on getting this far. We are attached to Robin's Floral Designs and have to make sure we get the new name right. When Robin started out in the craft business, she was concentrating on florals and wreaths, and then like many businesses she expanded her offerings. I like the direction we are going, so many possibilities, and great enjoyment in coming up with new items. We will keep you posted through the transition. It's going to be an exciting and enjoyable new year, lots to talk and think about.

We are open Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10 & 11 for "After De Tour" Sale! Come visit me if you missed Christmas in the Country or come back for the specials I am offering this weekend only!!

Christmas in the country update

First day of the Christmas in the country craft tour went well. Robin was busy all day and reports from the other artisans were much of the same. There are three new additions to the tour this year, which is good to see, helps to keep it fresh. We received a dusting of snow last night and the weather looks good for today.

Sculptures in the front yard

Kyle's sculptures have taken over the front yard. These were all made during his time in college.

These guys are pretty spooky when you pull into the yard at night. They are good guardians.

After I put the guy on the right up, Robin thought of the idea of making the old sleigh into a manger, and with some straw and greens there it was. She got the idea from looking at the guy on the left, with his hands on his knees, it looks like he is looking down into the manger. Caution....creative mind at work.

All signs point toward Christmas in the Country

Last show is this weekend, a home tour, called Christmas in the Country. We have been very busy getting everything ready.

These signs were popular in Plattsburgh at our last show.

This was a door of some kind that I found up in the barn and made into a display. The barn is always giving if you look hard enough.

new woodturnings

This candle holder was turned last week and I just finished the wood burned design on the top. I had this design in my head and I'm happy with the way it came out. The house is busy right now getting ready for our last show of the year, lots of creativity in the air, you can almost hear it humming. Love it!

This was my latest turning project. I got tired of my factory shifting knob rattling when I sat at a stop light or idling somewhere, so I turned this new knob, out of a piece of birch I had in the barn.

Already had the wood burner warmed up, so I just had to burn my shift pattern on there, and when I started the truck there was no more rattle. I like this kind of turning project because every time I drive now, I will have my hand on something, that my hands made.

Birch woodburnings

Trying something new for me, wood burning on birch bark, which I found it to be easy and fun. Robin is going to use these in her designs and sell them individually with some ribbon to hang them wherever you may want.

Hope you enjoy these pictures more to follow when they are finished off with ribbon or in arrangements.

New candle holders

Robin made these candle holders last night and I think they are awesome. She and I had made the wooden backs a while ago and last night she had the idea of applying the star and made her own twisted wire holder.

I heard her pounding with a hammer and wondered what she was working on and when she brought them in I couldn't believe how great they looked. The pounding was on the two staples in the back.

Then before I went to bed she had twisted this Merry Christmas. She has her groove going for the upcoming Christmas in the Country craft tour. This will be tacked on to some sort of creation I'm sure.

Plattsburgh show pics

Robin and I were in Plattsburgh, NY this weekend. It is a great show that we have done in the past, and this weekend was another good one, lots of people enjoying the nice weather and getting some shopping done early.

This was the second show for our new set-up and we were pleased with the display. We did talk about one change we would make for the next time and also got some new ideas from other crafter's displays.

It was a great weekend and we received a big welcome from the kids and dogs that always makes you feel good to be home. The hotel bed was nice, but nothing compares to your own bed, needless to say we both slept like rocks last night. Time to unpack and start getting ready for Christmas in the Country tour.

First give-away on Facebook

We had a give-away for the month of October on Facebook. The winner is getting one of our popular pipberry garlands. It was an interesting experiment and we are going to do another one. There is a difference between Facebook and the blog. For us, the blog seems like you are sending your message out to whom ever stops in to read it, and Facebook has defined people your message reaches. The opportunity with Facebook, is friends of friends, may come across your message also. Whether it is the blog or Facebook it's fun trying to build interest in Robin's Floral Design.

Busy day today finishing (hopefully) Robin's inside set-up. She is doing a show this weekend at St. Mary's in Glens Falls. She has done this show in the past and it will be an opportunity to try out the new set-up before Plattsburg next weekend.

Dinner plans

Tonight I decided to make dinner. Robin is the cook of the house, hands down, no doubt about it. She is feeling a little under the weather today, so that's what prompted me to attempt dinner.
I went with the old reliable: goulash. I try to get as close to my Grandmother's as I can. Her's will always be goulash to me, and even though I know I will never get it to taste like hers, it's fun to try. Robin had two helpings, so I think she approved, time to cozy up by the fire.

New wooden votive candle holders

Today I broke out our new wood burning tool and made these two new candle holders. Robin is going to do a little painting on these and I will drill out holes in the top and do some finish sanding. Robin and I already have many ideas for this and can't wait to get started. I am also going to turn some candle holders and burn designs on them. Very excited about this, ideas are flying around, too bad I have to go back to work after this great vacation.

Working vacation

My last vacation week of the year has been a productive one. Monday, Robin and I went to Albany to help Kyle bring this sculpture home. It comes apart at the middle, so he took the long part in his truck, and we got the middle section. It came home and is laying in the side field awaiting it's next move. Tuesday morning was rainy, so we ran errands in Glens Falls, and in the afternoon we cleared all the brush from behind our vegetable garden. I would say we picked up a strip of soon to be yard that is 8'x30'. It should get more light to the garden next year and maybe help ease the bugs when we are up there. Wednesday we had two tons of pellets delivered by Lowes and I started working on Robin's inside set-up for the Plattsburg show next month. The pool is officially shut down for the year and the outside water on both sides of the house is shut off. Yesterday I moved the pellets inside the barn, with the help of my wonderful dog Eve, she has really taken to the work detail. Just in case you were wondering, pellets come in a 40lb bag, that equals 100 trips into the back stall. It only took me an hour and that includes the many times I had to throw the ball for my "helper". We tweaked the inside set-up idea and I think today we will have a keeper. I also got through about a third of the basement clean-up during the few showers we had. Robin has been busy with our annual Grandparents breakfast at the school Wednesday, Thursday and today. The last three afternoons have been busy with soccer games, with another tonight and one tomorrow, and then that wraps up. This may not sound like a vacation to some, but to me, this is what I need to recharge my batteries for my day job. These are all things that you try to cram into your regular schedule, things you think about, things you want to get done. I am happy to say that all the items on my to-do list for this week have been crossed off and I have four days left. I suppose now I can get started on Robin's list, you know that list, I never can quite see the bottom of it. : )