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Meadow Sweet Grove
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 It is the last day of the merry, merry month of May and the little fairies in the Grove are busy packing up the maypole and ribbons and storing them away for another year. One day this May, a few callous humans happened to spot the fairies at their dance. They informed the fairies that their dance, although old, was now symbolic of conquest and power and an evil group of people. To this the fairies stared at each other in astonishment (although with a certain amount of sage recognition as well) ... and then burst into laughter at the ignorance of the humans' comments. They merrily continued their communal dance around the sacred maypole chanting (in the immortal words of their kin Robin Goodfellow) - "What fools these mortals be!"  Fairy Dance, Artist Unknown Fairies are immortal. And eternally young. They do what they do and disregard the foolish folly of mortals. They have danced since the beginning of time and have seen holidays come and go, wax and wane. They have seen maypoles torn down and burned in small villages; only to be joyously erected in others. They have seen May Day processions outlawed, only to cover their faces in masks and hold their festivities at night. And they celebrate in private, in their sacred groves and await the time when their dancing will once again herald the joyous beginning of summer. It would seem that "so it has been and so it will always be". Long live May Day!  Image: Pinterest, Artist Unknown Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019
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 Creepy or cute? Does anyone remember Creepy Cinderella? She's a vintage doll that my daughter found at a thrift store - in a terrible, neglected condition. I spent a fair bit of time cleaning her, but unfortunately got busy on other things (like you do) and never got back to the job. The hardest part remains - her face and hair. Since each of these is a really big task ... I think I'll just embrace the face! She was so filthy! The rubber on her face is discoloured, but that can't be helped; however, dirt can be removed .... with hot water, soap and a nail brush! Her eyelids are now a lovely clear pink and a little bit of the fog was removed from the glass eyes.  The fine line between clean and dirty! The cheek is clean whereas the chin and neck are still dirty. Now scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed some more, we present a nice clean face! The water turned black as I scrubbed her face, ears, nose and neck - but the result is so worth it. What struck me most was how the oily, sticky, shiny appearance of her face disappeared upon washing - caused by deteriorating rubber I guess ? Not sure. But the result is a lot less creepy! I think her lipstick needs a little touch-up now though ... my daughter has offered to paint her lips; colour - ruby red maybe? Interested in Cinderella's transformation story? You can read the first 6 chapters here which follow her Arrival at the Grove until now: Chapter 1: creepy-cinderella-creepydolls-collectordolls-vintagedolls.html Chapter 2: creepy-cinderella-creepydolls-collectordolls-vintagedolls7928443.html Chapter 3: chapter-3-creepy-cinderella-cinderellas-cleaning-commences.html Chapter 4: chapter-4-creepy-cinderella-gets-a-shoe-shine-cinderella-creepydolls-vintagerestoration-vintagedolls.html Chapter 5: chapter-5-creepy-cinderella-saving-a-lost-soul.html Chapter 6: chapter-6-creepy-cinderella-the-dark-side-of-the-year.html Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019
Over the years - from the 1990s to early 2000s - every time we visited England, I would always try and pick up a different mini cookbook in the "Favourite" series. With such titles as "Favourite Teatime Recipes", "Favourite Yorkshire Recipes" and "Favourite Farmhouse Recipes" ... how can you go wrong? Always in the gift shops at many of the tourist traps (and usually right at the cashier) and only 99p. These little cookbooks were so nice and small and fit easily in the suitcase. Then, one English relative, who had noticed I was collecting these; started mailing new ones to me each Christmas. I now have a wonderful collection of these mini cookbooks - store in an old vintage tin of course. I haven't seen them for sale on our last few trips so this collection means even more to me now. This recipe comes from "Favourite Casserole Recipes" and I have altered it slightly (as you do!). It calls for one can of Guinness ... but make sure you buy more than one, in case you have a fan in your house. My husband loves this stew and his only complaint is that I don't buy a can of Guinness for him!
This is a simply sumptuous meal! You will notice the gravy thicken and bubble beautifully. It is imperative that you keep the heat low to low medium. This is a very slow cooking meal ... but so easy to prepare and worth the wait. Comfort food at its best! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019 / edited 2021
Mmm, mmm! Home-made Baked Beans - yummy, comforting and economical! Make them in a crock pot or open-face in the oven. A fantastically warm and wonderful dinner with baked potatoes and a salad. And lots and lots of left-overs for breakfasts, lunches and the freezer! See recipe below.
Bake covered in a 300° oven for 2 1/2 hours. Uncover, give it a poke, and bake, uncovered, for an additional 1 to 1 & 1/2 hours. Seriously enjoy with buttered baked potatoes and a green salad.  This recipe makes a lot! So you will have yummy left-overs. Here's some options: Breakfast: Do a traditional English fry-up with bacon, eggs, sausage, fried tomatoes, toast ... and a side of homemade baked beans! Lunch: Warm up and put in a thermos for the kids' lunches or enjoy with a bit of buttered toast. Dinner: Makes a great side with most Indian and Mexican dishes. Try breakfast burritos for dinner! Load up a soft tortilla shell with warmed baked beans, scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, and chopped veg of your choice -- like green onions, peppers and tomatoes. Roll up, sprinkle a bit of left-over cheese and veg on top, place on a baking tray and heat in oven until cheese melts. Make sure you freeze some: After 2 or 3 days, if you haven't used all the beans, do make sure you freeze them. I tend to freeze several portions right away in different sized containers for a single serving or main meal. Really helps out to have a loaded freezer of left-overs! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019
 Beautiful memories Okay, now that I have just said something so radical that many may be literally falling off their chairs; something that seemingly goes against all current and popular way of thinking ... grant me the opportunity to share another viewpoint! But first, a sincere apology to those sputtering; "But I feel better when there is no clutter around!", "My parents/ grandparents stuff is so out-dated .. and I don't want it!", "I have more time to go create experiences without having stuff to dust!" And so on and so forth. Yes I do hear these protests (and more) ... ad nauseam in fact. It is pounded into my head constantly by posts on social media and by well-meaning individuals. And I believe this resonates with many people for one very simple reason; that there is indeed good value in clearing out useless clutter! The alternative viewpoint I wish to share, however, is based on not being so over zealous that we "throw the baby out with the bathwater"; but rather that we focus on "sorting the wheat from the chaff".  The Family Farm, c 1962 Here's the thing. I love my "stuff"! It fills me with great joy to be surrounded by sentimental items. They jog memories that I thought forgotten. They provide a warm connection to family, friends and pets who have since passed, to my family history and heritage and to travels taken. And these items reflect back to me, a little of who I am, where I've been and what I believe in; thus providing a sense of grounding in a sometimes unstable world. I wholeheartedly believe that this sense of belonging is something that so many people are searching for and that I believe, could at least be partially found, in celebrating their own personal (and family) story through that very "clutter" that is so often devalued and discarded. The definition of clutter has recently evolved to mean basically anything and everything in the home - except for only the most necessary and (usually) neutral items. Under current attack in the name of "clearing the clutter" are sentimental items, heirlooms and keepsakes. We are also urged to discard books, records, videos, CDs, DVDs, photos and documents that can be transformed (or re-purchased - Aye, there's the rub!!) into digital form. It has come to mean vilifying anything and everything that can't be used in the actual moment. It has come with the illusion that new products are always better. And it is this new definition of "clutter" that I don't actually see as clutter at all, but in fact, an attack on heritage, disdain for the generations that came before us, and an inability to recognize quality household goods that last. It is also a symptom of the "throw away" culture.  Getting ready to make Rose Petal Jam - Click image for recipe Defining heirlooms An heirloom is defined as "a valuable object that has been owned by a family for many generations". Value is determined by you; and many generations can also start with you too! This really comes home when you have a child. I take great joy in mixing up some baking ingredients in my Mom's old Pyrex bowl set - but what greater joy is there to watch my daughter do the same thing?  Can't Buy Me Love ... or my record collection! Save money by keeping hard copies of books, music, movies & photos Don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE being able to snap digital photos and have access to them immediately; without the need for processing or printing. And I enjoy scanning old photos and having the tools available to restore them and thus prolong their survival. But printed photos in themselves, have a story to tell and are still necessary to safeguard your special memories. I have dozens of photos I need to print and I intend to do so. Once they are printed, I will be able to view them all by myself. It is dangerous in my mind, to rely solely on a technology that requires power and a provider, in order to view your photos or documents. The important ones really do need to be backed up on paper. And a lifetime collection of favourite books, films and music is very expensive to reassemble on your devices. True, it may save space - in fact considerable space, but the old joke holds true that every time the medium changes ... we all have to buy "The White Album" again! But it is really no joke. At even 99¢ a song, that can really add up if you are a serious music lover. And I had gotten so used to hearing The Beatles on digital recreations, that when my husband ran one of my old albums on his turntable; it literally felt like John, Paul, George and Ringo were singing right in our living room! I had simply forgotten the fantastic and superior sound of vinyl records and all the feelings evoked by hearing these blokes again, properly ... and re-examining the much worn and loved covers of my 35-40 year old record collection - the best feeling! Let's not forget the sheer pleasure of holding a real (and much loved) book in your hands, late at night, without the added distraction of "firing up" that electronic technology. Don't even get me started on how much it would cost to replace my book collection ... Or cooking recipes from your Mom's, Grandma's or even Great-Grandma's recipe books and cards! Sure, you can look up new recipes on-line and why not? (though I encourage you to compile these new-found recipes into a book of your own) - but what a joy and feeling of connection to see the scribbles, notes, clippings and long-ago food splotches in your Mom's much utilized recipe book! I guarantee you will learn something you didn't know about your family by following the path they took in their kitchen on some long ago day. Find new uses for items you would otherwise discard Another benefit that is often missed with keeping a little "clutter" about, is the amount of money that can be saved by having items on hand that can be reused or repurposed; not to mention that you receive Mother Nature's undying gratitude! This is huge for any one committed to "going green" and once you start doing this you see reuses in just about everything. Old clothes, linens, containers, craft items, school supplies - this stuff adds up and adds to the clutter. But what a savings to have these items on hand when a costume is needed for Hallowe'en, school plays or dress-up days! Old clothes that are in good shape should be donated, but worn out clothes can be made over into a variety of items - like doll or pet blankets, hankies, catnip bags or potpourri pouches! The rest can be cut into rags and used for all kind of tasks from polishing furniture to cleaning bike chains. Cards can be cut up to make new cards and tags; wrapping paper can be re-used; brown grocery bags can be turned inside out and re-used to mail parcels; cloth ties on bags can be re-used to tie up tomato plants! The list becomes endless. A big one for me was sorting through last year's school supplies and comparing what we had on hand against next year's school list - often saving a small fortune (and unnecessary waste) by not buying all new school supplies each and every year.  "Fisherman Bear" This little fellow and matching blanket was made out of an old blanket from my childhood. I had kept it, even though it was worn and torn (literally falling apart) and couldn't be mended anymore. Inspiration came from my daughter on a rainy day when watching "Little Bear" cartoons. So with some of the good bits of material, we made my old blanket over into a couple of "new" things my little one could enjoy! "Little Bear" stories and cartoons by Else Holmelund Minarik / Maurice Sendak Find new uses / new owners for inherited items Dishes inherited from older relatives are sometimes unneeded or unwanted. They are often discarded due to their "dated" patterns. But the high quality of china of generations past is phenomenal and can not be matched by visiting the box stores of today. They also provide a tangible link to your family and while I truly believe in creating your own style (and weaving your own magic) into your home - I think such decisions should be made carefully. Quality lasts - and that saves you money. It may be that certain pieces of an inherited set can be blended into your existing set - especially such useful items as extra platters and serving dishes (which don't need to match your place setting) and to have on hand as dinner and side plates for large gatherings. Forget using paper plates for appetizers - hand everyone a fancy side plate or saucer. Or pack up a full set of 2 to 4 basic place settings and they can be ready to accompany a young person to their first home - the traditional "hand-me-downs" that save money on furnishing that first apartment! All of these practices and more make Mother Nature smile, save you money ... and reduce the demand on manufacturing. So by all means, de-clutter your home of unnecessary items. But remember what clutter truly is - the old bills, the half-empty make-up jars, the books you won't read, the clothes you won't wear - the unneeded or outgrown items that can't be reused. The appreciated, but unwanted gifts. All other things that you love and cherish, bring back good memories, or can be re-used or re-purposed; I quote these old and wise adages that still hold true and will keep your home fresh and un-cluttered: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" " A place for everything, and everything in its place." Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019/edited 2021
 1950s Refrigerator Advertisement I hate to throw out food. It has just gotten too dear to fool around with! Before Christmas and New Year's we purchase all kinds of groceries and goodies. We bake and cook - sometimes a little too much in anticipation of guests (Note: 2020-not this year of course!), and just in the spirit of abundance that the Yule Season represents. Hopefully, you have been freezing all your leftovers along the way - especially those best cuts of turkey. I recommend taking a good look inside your fridge ... and now! Because that food is going to spoil if you don't get to it very soon. It's too easy to forget about something you bought and didn't use and that is now buried in the fridge, which is overly-stuffed with bits and pieces and leftovers. So do a proper clean-out to make sure you are saving as much of that food as possible.  Covered dishes are great for leftovers Step 1: What's in your fridge? Take a good look on each and every shelf. Push everything aside so you know what is really in there. Remove all spoiled food and compost it, wrap up for the "green bin" (if your city provides that kind of recycling service) or toss out. Don't forget to reuse all those plastic, glass or metal containers ... if you haven't been using your very own covered dishes that is! Step 2: What's left? Now take a look at what is left and prioritize. Do you have extra cheeses, vegetables and sauces? Make them part of the next few nights dinner plans so they don't go to waste, with these ideas: ~ Post-Christmas Dinner Plans ~ Various kinds of cheeses from cheese platters, sour cream, homemade dips = "Put-It-All-Together" Macaroni & Cheese Find the recipe here: february-when-theres-snow-on-the-snowdrops.html Cherry tomatoes from finger food veg platters = Spaghetti sauce or addition to salads. Or preserve and freeze to use as tomato sauce later on in the year. Instructions here: january-make-even-more-of-the-food-you-buy-by-reincarnating-it.html  Left-over root vegetables like turnips, parsnips, carrots and potatoes = Roast and serve as a side dish with meatloaf or fish dish. Left-over vegetables like brussel sprouts, broccoli, carrots, celery and peppers = Stir fries, soups, omelets or cut up for snacking with hummus. Left-over tortilla chips, salsa, sour cream and cheeses = Nachos! Left-over (or soft) mandarin oranges = Orange Slush This is the absolute best! DO NOT throw out soft or wrinkled mandarin oranges. Wash, cut in half and juice. Pour the juice into a blender together with desired amount of sugar and some crushed ice. Blend and pour into glasses. Sooooo sweet! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019 / edited 2020
 Cranberry Apple Chutney Like cranberries with your turkey but dislike that "stuff in a can"? There is still just enough time to make your own for Christmas dinner!
Set the bag of frozen cranberries on the counter to thaw. Peel and coarsely chop the apples and lemon. Try and chop the raisins a little bit too! Then put apples, lemon and cranberries into food processor / chopper, a few at a time, until coarsely chopped. Remove and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped raisins. Then add all the sugar and mix thoroughly until completely mixed. Let stand for 10 minutes. In a small saucepan, mix water, brandy and pectin. Bring to a boil and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour over the fruit and sugar. Continue stirring for another 3 minutes until well mixed but don't worry if a few fruit pectin crystals remain. Pour into sterilized jars and seal tightly. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Will store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze to keep longer. It's Christmas Eve and I know you have lots to do ... but since you are probably in the kitchen anyway, you might have just enough time to whip up a batch of fresh Cranberry Apple Chutney to accompany the Christmas turkey this year .. and impress the heck out of folks!
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018
 I LOVE buying vintage items ... or just plain used! It's a way of life for me - why pay more when you don't have to? (Mother Nature will love you too for keeping good, reusable items out of the landfills!)
"Buy everything used when you can, and only buy new when you can't" Meadow Sweet Grove / Vicki Buchanan
Gentlemen: Everyone is keen on saving the environment these days aren't they? Find some old over-sized vintage handkerchiefs for the boys. Wash and iron them. Even if he doesn't want to use them at work or at home, they're handy in the car for coffee spills or wiping a spot off the windshield. Indispensable in his pocket while working in the garden or the workshop for wiping the sweat off his hard-working brow!  Children: Young children are the easiest. With usually boxes of toys to choose from, you can put together a nice little collection of toy cars, doll clothes, board games (check to make sure all the pieces are present) or some little stuffed animals. Take them home and give them a good clean. Plastic toys can be wiped down and the little crevices cleaned with a wet Q-tip. Stuffed animals can go right in your washing machine, with mild soap and cold water on the gentle cycle. Let them sit on a towel to dry. Barbie and doll clothes can be washed in the sink in a similar fashion. When dry, mend any little tears. Put them all together in zippered toiletry / cosmetic bags or small decorative boxes from the dollar store. Parents will appreciate that your gift comes with its own storage ... and not all that ridiculous plastic packaging that takes a hacksaw to get into!! Seriously, this reduces frustration on Christmas morning when the little one has to wait for scissors to be found, packaging to be cut ... not to mention cutting or untwisting all those superfluous tie-downs. And then somehow removing the delicate plastic toy without breaking it! The amazing thing is that by shopping this way, you actually will find you think more about the person you are buying for. What do they really like? Would they be able to use this item? What could I pair it with? You spend less, yes, and save the environment too, but the result is actually more personalized ... and thoughtful, which is ultimately what gift-giving is all about!
~ Ending with a Heart-warming Story ~ My daughter was indoctrinated early into the thrill of the thrift store. Honestly, from the earliest days (when she was still in a carriage), I wheeled her in. She soon learned how quickly Mom would say yes, when a coveted toy was only $2, versus a brand-new toy in a "regular" store, complete with its copious packaging ... and retailing for $30. My sweetest recollection was when she was about 3 years old and playing with a Winnie-the-Pooh musical toy. It had a keyboard and Winnie, Tigger and Eeyore figures standing up at the top ... all ready to chime in when pulled. When it was time to leave, she reluctantly put the toy back on the shelf without even asking if she could have it (already she knew I had a limit on the "physical size" for toys). I told her to bring it along to the cashier and the look on her face was so dear - "We're getting it???" she breathed. That is the pleasure of second-hand shopping and that is the pleasure of being able to say yes, when a toy is only $3.99 ... with working batteries included!! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018 / edited 2019
 So many apples! We've made Apple Pies, Apple Cider, Apple Sauce, Apple Muffins, given apples away, each eaten the recommended "apple a day" and ... here is the latest batch of goodies - Apple Chutney! Last year, our apple trees didn't produce too much, so I didn't put up any chutney. This year I was delighted to be able to make a large batch. I thought I followed the recipe I used two years ago, but I guess I looked at a different version ... in a different cookbook! (Meadow Sweet Grove has quite a few cookbooks ... some inherited, some rescued). This time, a happy mistake was made! I thought the chutney looked a very deep red, I thought it smelled a little different; but I couldn't figure out the difference.   I gave a sample to the"top taster" here at the Grove, and was told it had a "delicious heat" and tasted just like Red Pepper Jelly! So I consulted my recipe from last year: Apple Chutney Recipe: its-apple-harvest-time.html ... and have ascertained the difference! I had doubled up on the red peppers, practically eliminated the yellow pepper (I'm a big fan of using what you have on hand ... and I only had a small portion of a yellow pepper available). I used regular old white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar. And the last "mistake" is a little habit of mine (sometimes not always appreciated) - I upped the spice - in this case, cayenne pepper ... just a smidge you understand. The result is fantastic! Enjoy with crackers and a sharp white cheddar. Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018
 Market stall display on Portobello Road, London, 2018 Halloween, in its current form, is primarily a North American tradition. Its roots, however, spring from the old Celtic traditions of England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Wales. But the English don't observe All Hallow's Eve with the same vigour as the North Americans, who revel in Trick-or-Treating and spooky decorations, or even really at all. They have Guy Fawkes' Night and all those bonfires to see to! Nonetheless, our recent trip to England was just at the very end of summer and so for me, I was already beginning to dream about the glorious colours of Fall leaves and ... Halloween. I think some of the pictures I took show that I definitely had "Halloween on the Brain" and show my strong fascination with anything slightly macabre or gothic - things that are ever present in wonderful, magical England!
Hover over images to magically discover their origin! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018 / edited 2019
Summer is almost over. Did I just say that? No worries - capture the essence and feeling of summer by making rose petal jam! This jam is really easy to make. I am continually astounded by how much our small city garden gives in the Grove. Our roses have been really abundant this year and I discovered that there are many recipes with which you can use or include rose petals such as: rose petal jam or jelly, garnishments for salads, rose vinegar dressing and more! Collect rose petals and make some jam now with this simple recipe! 
You will need:
- equal parts rose petals and berry sugar - juice of one lemon - water - canning jars ... and a little pectin (if required)
Step 1: Collect the rose petals
Pick petals from your loveliest roses and choose only those free from blemish. For this recipe, I used approximately 250g / 8 ounces of petals.
Step 2: Wash rose petals, dust with sugar and chill
Rinse the rose petals with cool water, discarding any with blemish. Drain well and crush lightly in your hands with a bit of berry sugar, making sure to bruise each petal slightly. Place in bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Step 3: Making the jam
Pour 1/2 litre of water into a saucepan, together with 250 g berry sugar and the juice of one lemon. Bring to a boil, stirring all the time. Add the crushed rose petals, reduce heat, and continue at medium heat, stirring constantly until jam consistency and setting point is reached. Add 1/2 package of powdered pectin if necessary.
Step 4: Preparing the jam for storage
Properly sterilize your canning equipment. I usually achieve this by boiling jars, rims, seals and any utensils I will be using. Spoon the jam into jars and seal tightly. Store as appropriate for the canning method you use. Enjoy with toast, croissants or scones on a rainy day when you are dreaming of summer ...
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018
  It's been hot all day and now the house is stifling! But you need to serve dinner. It's too hot to light the stove! But you need to serve dinner. It's too hot to eat food that is even warm, let alone hot! But you need to serve dinner. Ploughman's Lunch to the rescue! Not just for lunch ....
This is without a doubt, the best meal to serve on a hot summer's day. It is so simple, most everyone loves a good sandwich and they can assemble to suit their taste - and best of all - no cooking required!  Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018
 May is such a magical month that the appearance of fairies in your garden should come as no surprise! Even the staunchest disbeliever must do a double take when ... apple, pear or cherry blossoms float and swirl though the air, fresh new leaves rustle in the wind or the sun shimmers and gleams in nooks and crannies in the garden. All these subtle happenings can be evidence of fairy activity ... Here are 3 simple ways to attract fairies to your garden:  1. Foliage This is a biggie because fairies are like songbirds. They love trees as this gives them little branches to cling to, or big branches for swinging and leaves to hide behind. Not to mention that their older cousins, the Dryads, will often tell them stories at night about ancient times and places. Plant lots of perennial flowers that will magically sprout up in the Spring, year after year, without any extra work on your part - bluebells, tulips, daffodils, forget-me-nots, Jack Frost, Lily-of-the-Valley, foxgloves - your garden will be alive with colour and sweet scents that attract the birds, bees, butterflies ... and fairies!
 And for some fun, blow some bubbles from a bubble wand! There is something magical about bubbles floating gently on the breeze ... and the fairies will be sure to notice. Accept the magical world around you and welcome it into your garden. It doesn't matter how big or small it is. Whether you are charmed with a "back 40", a fantastically witch-y cottage garden, a "postage stamp" city plot or even an apartment balcony; you can always add in a little bit of nature - usually more than you think once you get started! Prepare to be amazed at how special life becomes when your home becomes a safe haven for fairies to congregate and play. Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018 / edited 2020
  The beginning of May marks the beginning of Summer in old English tradition. The year was divided into two halves -- with Summer beginning on May 1st and Winter beginning on October 31st. Of course, the weather doesn't always conform to these dates! This year, however, the Grove has seen a lovely hot week of sunshine - after the usual amount of copious April showers of rain and hail. Hopefully, it will continue for a wonderful and warm May Day on May 1st. The garden is certainly responding to the heat and all sorts of plants are bursting forth with leaves and blossoms. Here are just a few that my camera caught today! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018
 Easter continues at Meadow Sweet Grove! How could it not with lovely fresh eggs, courtesy of our neighbours and their urban backyard chickens? The lovely hues of these eggs are their natural colours - so there was no need to dye these beauties for our Easter display. I think the glass egg cups (a great vintage score scouted out by my mother-in-law); provide the perfect pairing for this little trio. Having these chickens so near (and occasionally since, the delightful opportunity to care for them) must have stirred something in my blood. I was born on a poultry farm but my parents decided to semi-retire and relocate when I was 3 years old. As such, I only have a few memories of the farm they owned and operated. But it got me to thinking that backyard chickens would be such a wonderful addition to the Grove. A small coop and run space really wouldn't take up too much room for just a few "hobby" chickens. But, unfortunately, our garden area is extremely limited right now and we are looking for a bit more room to add veggies ... not fowls! Photos: c1970 - BC Poultry Farm, Canada
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018 /edited 2021
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