BAMBUSA!

The bamboo shoots have arrived on this cold, blustery April day. They are so small, we usually feel them first with our feet before we see them. Now we must be careful where we walk if we want them to grow tall and become part of the grove.

GETTING READY FOR EASTER

The week before Easter is quite busy around here with all the preparations. Today I began hand washing all of the vintage linens and tablecloths. Once a year I go through the ritual of taking them out of the cabinet and selecting the ones that I want to use. They must be washed in the tub and then hung out to line dry, I feel like Mrs. Tiggywinkle with all of the hand laundry! At the back of the cabinet I found a box marked with a card, it turned out to be my grandmother's wedding negligee from 1919. The fine fabric is embroidered in satin stitch and french knot and bordered with delicate lacework. It brought a smile to my face, as my mother saved everything and also wrote descriptions and notes with her treasures. It is amazing the fine needlework that was done a century ago. Tomorrow I will repack all of the newly discovered fabrics and then begin
the ironing.

HURRAH ALICE!

After much work and preparation, Alice started her CNA Clinical today, she looked ready and great in her uniform!

MORNING RAIN AND MANY SURPRISES!

There were many Spring surprises in the early morning garden, the magnolia has bloomed, tiny buds are appearing on the peach tree, the peonies and red onions are peaking through, and the young lettuces are ready for salad making tonight.

SPRING WALK & GENEALOGY

Part of my arthritis exercise regimen is brisk walking. Yoga practice is three days a week and walking fills in the other days. We started out on the Manasquan bike trail this morning. The trail was once a railroad track that went to Allenwood and then on to Camden and Philadelphia, it was built in 1870. The Atlantic View Cemetery runs alongside the trail and is the resting place of many of the area's original families. It was quite a surprise to find gravestones of the Mulfords, an old family name that goes back to South Jersey, and is worth further investigation. Another curious headstone was the one of Captain Asher Curtis, and it is a beautifully sculpted tree trunk. I later found out that this monument was created by Woodmen of the World, a fraternal organization, to honor their deceased. The founder, J. Cullen Root wanted all members to have a decent burial and gravestones were free of charge if a $100 rider was purchased when a member was initiated.
The practice ended in 1920, but Woodmen Memorial Day is still practiced on June 6 of each year.

CREATIVE NESTING

Now that the chickens are free-ranging again, they have been copying many of the nesting techniques of the wild birds. Little nests are hidden away in the most surprising places. I spotted the first one this week, a moss and pine needle one next to the window air conditioner, one hidden on the back porch, and one from last year with sheep's wool woven through it. Goldie the chicken has made a very comfortable one for herself in the pansy flower box. The pansies were missing, but a nice, warm egg was there instead.

PRINCYCLOPEDIA 2011

Princeton's Cotsen Children's Book Library annual show was a total Greek Mythology event based on Rick Riordan's book, "The Lightning Thief". We stepped into an amazing world of ancient Greece. We were greeted by a Parthenon ice sculpture and clashing Greek warriors. There was wine tasting for kids, ambrosia ice cream, consultations with the Oracle, and the Minotaur ride in the labyrinth. Relaxation from all of the events was a beautiful harp serenade, we felt as if we were on the pinnacle of Mount Olympus!

DAY IN NEW YORK & BROOKLYN

It was a whirlwind day, alot of train travel and walking but it was a great day spent with daughters, Annie and Marie and their friends. Fred and I caught the commuter train from the shore to Hoboken. The ferry dropped us off in Battery Park and we walked up Broadway to Chinatown where we met everyone for lunch. Days and times like today are so special and the wonderful feelings last forever!

BABIES' BREATH FARM

TO BROOKLYN WITH LOVE

Springtime in New York! We will be visiting my daughter Marie, and Annie is coming in from New Orleans. It has been such a long time since we have seen them, it will be a joyful reunion!

THIS OLD HOUSE

It is one of those expenses that could not be put off any longer, the expense of a new roof will curtail any vacation plans for a long time. Actually, we have gotten our money's worth, this is the first time that we have put a roof on the front part of the house in the 28 years that we have been here. The back section on the old Newton farmhouse was done 9 years ago, the week that Chris came home from the hospital. There is always some kind of expense in older home ownership, this year it was the hook-up to city sewer and some plumbing expenses. Plumbing has always been the major drawback here, you either have to have a separate plumbing fund or be a plumber. So we are here for the long haul, we have to live somewhere and the dream of moving to New York to the grape barn has been deferred for the time being.

RAINY DAY INTERLUDE

A favorite getaway is The Showroom in Asbury Park. This is a cozy, storefront movie theatre where Fred and I saw "Tamara Drewe" - it is small with comfortable chairs and pillows.

BAMBOO HARVEST

We have started to thin out the older bamboo now that the new young shoots are starting to peek through. It is quite labor intensive, they must be cut with a handsaw and the sharp stumps pounded back into the ground with a mallet. After the long stalks have dried for a week, the sharp branches are removed and set aside (The thin branches make terrific wreaths and decorations). The thickest bamboo will be used for gates, fences and obelisks.

MOTHERING SUNDAY

Happy Mothering Sunday to All the English Mums!

MERLIN & CHRIS

One of the true family bonding pleasures of the week is watching Chris at his riding lessons.
Merlin, the Welsh Pony is very gentle and eager to please. Chris enjoys working with him and seeing the other animals, the chickens, horses, bunnies and Jake, the pot-belly pig.