Green Hill Farm

Got Tenacity?

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  This sunflower inspires me.  I’ve planted these cheerful blooms in my garden a number of times, and they haven’t come up—maybe, because the birds ate the seeds.  I really don’t know. But, two summers ago, this little sunflower sprung up in the backyard of its own volition.  It didn’t just grow….it thrived.  To my surprise and joy, it bloomed and bloomed and bloomed…all summer.  This eager little flower, in its simplicity and loveliness, grew into a flourishing plant.  And, it accomplished this feat despite a lack of proper planting, no fertilizer, and without consistent watering.  I admire this sunflower for what it symbolizes to me:  determination, perseverance, and tenacity.   “Tenacity”   by Tonya R. Hengerer   Tireless Effort to resist Negative thinking And overcome difficulties, while summoning Courage In spite of Tough times—never Yielding.     “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” ~James A. Michener   “If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.” ~H.G. Wells

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Friday Farm Favorites

Friday Farm Favorites: The Beauty Before Us

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Volunteer sunflower in the garden Green Hill Farm   “When we come upon beautiful things….they act like small tears in the surface of the world that pull us through to some vaster space.”   ~Elaine Scarry   We have had a lot of rain this summer. I’m talkin’ forty days, forty nights kinda rain. It’s rained so much that I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see an ark in the garden.  I mean, we’ve got grass growing where it doesn’t usually grow—in the driveway, in the mulch of the flower beds, in the chickens’ aviary. Plus, the grass in the sheep pasture is more lush and green than it was in the spring.  The sheep are constantly wet; I even think their wool is starting to felt. It’s been a bit dreary, too. And, after a while, all that gray can really get to a girl. This time of year is usually my favorite. The heat and humidity have broken, and the sky is the most vibrant color of blue. The lilies and roses are still blooming, and the garden is a lovely place. But, not this year. Yesterday, I looked out the window, and the grayness covered the backyard and fields like a blanket.  My garden, which is usually fairly neat and weed-free, resembled something more along the lines of a jungle.  However; as I glanced across the overgrown expanse, something bright and cheerful caught my eye.  It […]

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Inspiration

Irises

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  “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggles, known loss, and found their way out of the depths.  These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.  Beautiful people do not just happen.”     ~Elisabeth […]

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Gardening

Teacup Bird Feeders

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I grew up in an environment of “old stuff”–old houses and barns, antique furniture, and heirloom quilts and china.  My grandparents lived next door in the family’s ancestral home, and Grandma Rieley loved antiques.  Almost every Saturday morning she was either at an estate sale, yard sale, or antiques store.  All of this influenced my appreciation and love of antiques and “old stuff” in general.  So, when I ran across this craft idea for making a bird feeder from a vintage teacup and saucer, I loved it! This would be a fun craft activity to do with older children (with adult supervision), a charming homemade gift for Mother’s Day, or even a hostess gift for a bird lover or gardener.  It’s fairly straightforward, only requiring a few items. Gather: 1.  Teacup and saucer–This can be anything you have on hand, mismatched or otherwise.  I found a few individual vintage teacups and saucers at a local antiques store for $10.00 or less. 2.  Sandpaper 3.  Super adhesive glue–I used E6000. 4.  Twine, string, or yarn 5.  Birdseed–My birds seem to like a sunflower and safflower seed mix. Directions: 1.  Thoroughly wash and dry teacup and saucer. 2.  Use sandpaper to scratch teacup and saucer where the two surfaces meet.  This helps them to adhere together once glued. 3.  Squeeze a small amount of glue onto the surface of the saucer.  Next, tip teacup onto its side and place on top of […]

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Green Hill Farm

Got Tenacity?

20 Comments

  This sunflower inspires me.  I’ve planted these cheerful blooms in my garden a number of times, and they haven’t come up–maybe, because the birds ate the seeds.  I really don’t know.  But, two summers ago, this little sunflower sprung up in our backyard of its own volition.  It didn’t just grow….it thrived.  To my surprise and joy, it bloomed […]

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Short Story

In the Garden

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A short, fictional story inspired by a Flash Fiction for the Aspiring Writer challenge with a photo prompt of sunflowers. Unfortunately, my story went a bit over the 175 word limit.  So, not so much flash, but just fiction. 🙂 As she sat looking out of the window, her gaze settled on the sunflowers blooming in the garden below her […]

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