Spring Tickles

017-001Hoe while it is spring, and enjoy the best anticipations.  It is not much matter if things do not turn out well.  ~Charles Dudley Warner

Dear sisters,

Don’t you just love the anticipation of spring? Not the first day of spring so much, but the actual a rriiiiiiiiiiv ing of spring? Say it with me. A rriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ving! It’s a time of many firsts and tried and true rituals too. Those first few sunny days over 40 degrees have a way of tickling spring right out the earth. Buds on every growing thing begin to burst, bulbs in bloom delight us with their longed for vibrant colors and fragrance and us human-folk begin to happy dance our way through spring to-do lists created during the last snow storm. Spring is working its magic on me and I’m feeling tickled about lots of fun spring things! So, come on in! I want you to be tickled too! First of all, it’s just about planting time so I made a trip to my favorite garden center. They stock all of my favorite dahlia varieties and I hit this months sale to boot! Buying dahlias for large areas can put a dent in your garden budget but they are worth every dime you spend on them. So what if you have to put off getting those pretty new sandals and pocketbook to match? You won’t be needing them in the garden anyway. You’ll be outside in your garden clogs or muck boots having the time of your life, covered from head to toe in dirt like every other farmgirl in spring time!

038I’m still no master gardener when it comes to knowing all there is to know about growing dahlias but I keep trying. This handy bulb planting guide on the package is a great help for learning the proper planting depth and which end of the tuber to point up! Most tubers have an eye ( a bit of growth showing ) which you want to be facing upwards when you plant them. Dahlias must be lifted and stored over the winter in a cool place. Here’s a great link with all the particulars!

043

This will be my third year having dahlias in the garden and the anticipation of seeing them in bloom again come mid-summer has my little ole farmgirl heart a pound’n! I snapped up several Dinner Plate Dahlias and this new window box variety pictured below.

041

I love the bright yellow button centers on them!

026

Max is always a big help with my photo shoots! It’s hard to say no to that face, those eyes, his smile! Hold on a sec while I toss the flying squirrel for him!

019

My garden center always has a large selection of Botanical Interest Seeds which I have found to have a very high germination rate inside the greenhouse and when directly sewn. Plus, they are GMO FREE and have many Heirloom varieties available. And, I just love the pretty seed packets. Gathered together they make a lovely bouquet all by themselves!

I loaded up on my usual fair of sunflowers,

zinnias,

020

cosmos and morning glories too!

023

I’ve had great success with both of these Heirloom varieties.

008

031

I’m going to give these pole beans and snap peas a go too! I am in love with Edemame Hummus. I bet it tastes yummy made with fresh-picked butter beans. It’s also delicious steamed for five minutes and sprinkled with ground sea salt.

024

Here comes Max!

036

Good fetch Max! Bring it!

037

Good boy! Now, sit and stay!

We’re still a couple of weeks out before I can begin sowing flower seeds outdoors but I’m ready to grow when the time comes. In the meantime, spring has tickled me with the idea to do some ” inside ” sewing while I wait for the soil to warm up to planting temperature. Over the years, I’ve made my fair share of pillows, table runners, napkins, place-mattes, curtains, fleece hats, scarves, and head warmers and flannel blankets. I’m ready to try something different and springy!!!

084

Can you guess what I’m going to make by the look of the fabric?

089

My mom and I are going to make some FUN, farmgirly, floral aprons!

087

If you still need a little tickling to worm spring out of you I recommend a visit to your local fabric store for a date with the quilting fabric section. That surely did it for me. I especially fell in love with the fabric pictured above. Its covered in the cutest bird cages ,watering cans, flower pots and birds but it’s the encouraging printed phrases that really got me.

I’ll say them to you okay?

let your light shine

BE INSIGHTFUL

seek harmony

SHARE YOUR GIFTS

you are beloved

LOVE

be bold, be your sweet self

CELEBRATE LIFE

and

open your heart

Aren’t they wonderful?

You would be hard-pressed not show ALL of your true GIRL GENIUS colors swathed in that much positivity!

This last one’s from me dear sisters.

GROW IN YOUR OWN GARDEN

Tell me, what is spring tickling out of you right now?

074

Until our next shoreline visit~

Beach Blessings and MUCH LOVE,

Deb

sister # 1199

and Max ( who is obviously quite tickled with spring )

  1. Juanita says:

    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

    • Deb Bosworth says:

      Hi Juanita!
      Aren’t dogs such great company in the garden? It’s much warmer down your way…I’m ready for fresh strawberries now too! Thank you for the note and happy gardening!
      Love, Deb

  2. Joan says:

    AHHHH Spring, we’ve had a few days of it and the a few days of snow and supposed to have more snow this weekend so planting is a couple weeks out for us too. Although I am so happy to see all the pretties that are returning. A Robin has made a next on our front porch so that is fun to watch, no doggies here so am glad to see your precious Max. Always nice to read your blog’s, gives me energy. I too am busy making aprons, I have been asked to sell at a craft fair this Fall so need to get lots done before outside time. Thanks for the great blog.

  3. I have 3 doxies. Happy, joyful creatures. Love the outdoors. Love to sunbathe. it’s a week of rain here with some sun breaks. I put on my favorite garden flip flops and head outside. They come running out with me. Love hearing about your garden and lovely Max Just seeing blue skies and new green sprouts make spring so exciting.

    • Deb Bosworth says:

      Hi Sylvia! So true… Blue skies and green sprouts make everything feel and look better! And doggies too! Thanks for sharing your spring tickles! xo Deb

  4. Deb Bosworth says:

    Howdy Joan!
    As always, it’s great to hear from you! I’m happy to hear you are in stitches too! 🙂 What a blessing to have that little Robins nest to watch right outside your door… so many miracles in springtime to enjoy and appreciate…Happy Sewing Joan and thank you for your sweet note! xo Deb

  5. Wendy Brown says:

    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?

    • Deb Bosworth says:

      Hello Wendy! MaryJanesFarm has loads of info on choosing chickens, raising chickens, eating chickens and more. MaryJanes OnlineFarmgirl Connection is a great place to meet more farmgirls who are keeping backyard chickens and Nicole Christensen ( our Suburban farmgirl blogger) is a newbie backyard chicken keeper. She just wrote a very useful post about about surviving being a first time chicken mama! I think you’ll enjoy it!
      http://www.farmgirlbloggers.com/category/suburban_farmgirl
      Thank you for reading and the note too!
      Deb

  6. Nicole Christensen says:

    Deb, Oh my! Your fur-baby is toooooo cute! I love the last pic with the caption. You’ve just inspired me to pick up some dinner plate dahlias this year. Don’t ya just love new flowers in the garden?!

    Happy Spring Farmsister!
    Nicole
    (Suburban Farmgirl)

    • Deb Bosworth says:

      Hey Nicole! I sure do! Let me know how your dahlias do…and I’ll give Max a little pat for ya!
      Happy Spring to you and your family!
      Hugs! Deb

  7. CJ Armstrong says:

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

    • Deb Bosworth says:

      Hi CJ! I’m excited to get my apronista on, just like you! Haven’t done that since home-ec in High School!
      Maxi-doo is my lovebug for sure!
      Thanks for stopping by and saying howdy! xo Deb

  8. daisy says:

    So many wonderful things happening there! I can’t wait to see your garden and your completed aprons. Enjoy every doggone minute!

  9. 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

    • Deb Bosworth says:

      Howdy Neta!,
      Great to hear from you! Congratulations…what could be more perfect than a newborn grandchild in springtime? Blessings to you and your family as you welcome the newest little seedling into the family garden!
      xo Deb

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *