MERLE FEST 2011

Okay, I won't say a whole lot, but had a super great time.  Yes, I had to shake it a few times.  A definite to put back on my schedule for next year, only I'll stay a couple more days. Enjoy the pics.

Breaking Away

Taking a few days off for the weekend to attend the MerleFest with my Dad.  I'm taking him to this for his birthday; he is a "young" 78 years old.  For those who don't know, MerleFest is a 4 day Americana music festival held in Wilkes County, NC. It is touted as the largest music festival in the U.S. It will last for 4 days and will include the VERY best of bluegrass, blues, folk, old-time music, cajun, jass, country, celtic, on & on ...lots of banjo pickin', for sure.  I pray for good weather as my Dad and I are very excited about going to this.  It seems no one in this family EVER can get away with a business to run, all the dogs, horses, etc to attend to ... but hey, I bet everything will be the same when I get back.  Any bets? The garden has been planted, yard man is supposed to come and mow, horses get shots when I return, got coverage in the stores, so ....what's for concern.  Why, as women do we think they can't do without us??? Truly, they want me to go.  Get out and go Mom, by-by honey... So little friends, hopefully, I'll bring some outrageous pictures back and feel like a totally new person when I return. 

A New Look

Okay ~ My daughter came over last night and we played around with the blog.  As you can see, we changed the whole look and added some things, changed my profile picture, etc.  Since we are "Seven Gates Farm", I thought it best to put my entry rock with my farm name as my profile - that way, I'm identified.  It's all still new to me and extremely frustrating at times.  Maybe I'll get a blog book. Any suggestions?@#* One thing for sure, it's keeping me up way.... to late at night!!

Have a wonderful Easter everyone. It couldn't be a more beautiful morning in the Carolinas.  Enjoy!

These are beautiful salvia.  The contrast of this purple against the dark green of my woods really explodes!!**

Don't you just love this laminitis green pasture.  Actually, I am quite anal about pasture management.  If you look closely, you can see a white spot back there. That's our gray thoroughbred laying down.

This was such a drop dead photo, I had to post it.  Actually, I fixed something up just like that for a farm party of mine this spring.  It was really pretty. 

Just to warn you, this is only 1 of 5 dogs.  This is Nellie, hopefully sniffing out the squirrels!

Really beautiful view of our campfire area at the farm.  Thank goodness the pond is off to a good start.  It was dry in December, but looking much better.  Thank goodness for the rain!

Survived the Weekend

FYI - I made it through the weekend. Pampered Chef party huge success.  The house was finally clean, dogs tucked in one of the horse stalls, lights in the trees all lite up; exceptionally really pretty night. My friend made some money.  Yeah!!  Farm Tour .... another story.  Rained, oh my gosh, like tornado ripping weather - terrible.  Only made it to about 3 farms, but it was good.  Bought gobs of plants, gorgeous ~ it's going to be some kind of pretty out here when I'm finished.  Might soon be time for another deck party. 

Spring Day

Well, the rain finally stopped. What a storm we had.  I don't think I'll ever get in the garden. The weeds are really growing in there and I bought all these blueberry bushes this weekend.  The pond is filling back up which is really good.  I'm having a Pampered Chef party for a friend of mine this coming Friday, plus a house guest coming in Friday night to do the farm tour on Saturday afternoon.  It's going to be one of those weeks. Hopefully, my pasture fella will get over to help me mow up the property and get the fescue mowed this week.  I divided a lot of the hostas and moved them around.  I can't move them too far on the property because it will be "deer-candy".  It looks really pretty out here with the dogwoods all blooming + the redbuds.  Got rid of a little horse manure this weekend too.  So... things are shaping up. I hear all the little night frogs out by the pond singing their songs tonight.  I bet there are MILLIONS of them out there.  Anyway, got to find a jack russell out there tonight.  I'll keep you informed of the working garden.

With spring being here, I am starting to get all my outdoor ideas ready.  I am always looking for new creative ways to display all my greenery.  I found some great ideas that I am thinking about trying.  I am so happy the weather is getting warmer.  My green thumb is getting twitchy!

Isn't this a great idea to stake your tomatoes!

This would make a great work space.

I am going to do this!  This is beautiful.