The beginning of March is a fine time to begin thinking Spring. Around this time, I always like to pack away my winter decor and get out the birds nests, vases of fresh daffodils and budding twigs, and of course, pussy willows. I've made my own evergreen wreaths for the holidays the last few years, and decided to branch out this Spring with a pussy willow wreath for the front door. I went for ...
Chicken Chats
Everyone, even chickens, need a friend to lend an ear from time to time. Apparently, Paul Bunyan is a good listener. If only I could have been a fly on the wall for this conversation. What do you suppose they're chatting about? ...
The Arrival of Lady Spring
When winter gets snowy, dark, wet and cold, we start to look around us for even the smallest signs that Lady Spring is on the way. A daffodil or crocus flower opening, white pussy willows emerging on the trees, the familiar songs of birds returning to build nests; all of these become welcome heralds of her arrival. I've been busy in my craft workshop getting ready for Spring as well, and have ...
First Crocus
Down in my solitude under the snow, Where nothing cheering can reach me; Here, without light to see how to grow, I’ll trust to nature to teach me. I will not despair–nor be idle, nor frown, Locked in so gloomy a dwelling; My leaves shall run up, and my roots shall run down, While the bud in my bosom is swelling. Soon as the frost will get out of my bed, From this cold dungeon to free ...
Camping with the Next Generation at Fort Stevens State Park
Looking back at my childhood, some of the richest and most treasured memories are the adventures in the outdoors with my family. My parents took my brother and I on all kinds of great excursions near and far, in wilderness and in places wild in their own right. As adults, my brother and I recognized the importance of these experiences and decided to continue the tradition with our own annual ...
Wild River Wall Hanging
I needlefelted this wool wall hanging portraying an ancient old growth stand of Sitka Spruce trees growing along the Hoh River on the Western Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. The Olympic Mountain peaks tower over the ridgeline above the Hoh River Valley, where the forest grows and shelters a whole world of life. A fallen nurse log gives nourishment to young seedlings upon a mossy ...
Bewitched by Witch Hazel
One of the things I have always appreciated about living West of the Cascades is the abundance of year-round color. Through the depths of winter, things stay nice and green around here. Even still, I wasn't expecting to see any flaming reds or yellows in February until these bright flowers caught my eye and I realized we have a pair of Witch Hazels in our yard. Having always wanted to grow ...
Make Your Own Glassware Garden Art
Sometimes you just need to look at an old object in a new way, and sometimes you just need a reason to go thrift shopping. I'm always looking for ways to spruce up my garden in the winter when there isn't much to be doing with seeds, vegetables and flowers. My winter gardening skills are still a work in progress, and we haven't had time to build that recycled window greenhouse yet. There is always ...
Fairy House Follies
If gardening isn't fun, then you are doing something wrong. While this may not always be true, like those times that hard work out in the garden is more rewarding and good for you than it is fun, I still do my best. I subscribe to the "play as hard as you work" philosophy in life, and lately I have been taking advantage of any fair winter day that comes along and "working" on building fairy houses ...
What’s Happening at Mountain Hearth Handcrafts?
I started Mountain Hearth Handcrafts about four years ago when I was a full time homemaker and homesteader as an endeavor to support my family and my handcrafting habits. During this time, the whole project has evolved, expanded, contracted and taken on a life of it's own. I've enjoyed running my Etsy shop, vending in a booth at markets and festivals, taking on some exciting custom orders, and ...