Oakleaf hydrangea

On May 26, 2022 By CarynIn Garden

So excited! The oakleaf hydrangea we planted last year has bloomed! Granted, it has two blooms, but right now it only has two stems, so not many opportunities for more blooms, yet. I’m taking this as a sign that it is happy. As it establishes deeper roots, I hope it will develop more branches and overall size. There is an oakleaf hydrangea in the town gardens that is over eight feet tall. It will take years to get to that magnificence.

I am giving it a regular application of neem oil, peppermint oil, and castor soap to keep the grasshoppers from snacking it to death.

Toad in the hole

On May 25, 2022 By CarynIn Wildlife

Ok, so not quite; we really have a frog in the pole, but that doesn’t have the same ring. My husband spotted this guy hanging out in our flag pole.

Sourdough success

On May 24, 2022May 21, 2022 By CarynIn Bread

I bought a book, Sourdough Cookbook for Beginners by Eric Rusch & Melissa Johnson. My first recipe from the book came out well! I have been reading many sourdough recipes, and trying a new loaf about once a week, and this round had the first decent result. I’m using my grand mother’s dutch oven with parchment, which seems to help the loaf bake well. I started the sourdough journey at the end of March; a month and a half seems a long learning curve, but I’m glad I’m showing improvement.

Keychains

On May 23, 2022 By CarynIn art, Craft

Recently finished up a custom order for a favorite customer. I designed the flamingo graphic first in pencil, then refined it in Adobe Fresco, then cleaned it up in Adobe Illustrator. Using my Cricut, I cut out the pattern on permanent vinyl (I did try removable vinyl, but needed the extra stick for those teeny, tiny eyes). Weeding these 1.75” circles was an exercise in patience, but I think they came out well!

Transferring the design to the inside of the keychain cover, and as an aside, my favorite weeding tool

As a bonus, my youngest loved the extras because her basketball team this spring was the “Pink Flamingos”. (I always make extras because there are inevitably errors or scratches on purchased blank keychains. I don’t want those to go to my customers.)

Lumpy blankets

On May 22, 2022 By CarynIn Cats, dog

My eldest covered Missy the dog with a blanket. She was OK with it, until Sophie the cat came over and laid on her, like the dog was a pillow. I think Sophie knew exactly what she was doing. Missy was quite confused and appalled.

Critters and Craft

Month: May 2022