Saturday, April 16, 2011

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS~

"And Spring arose on the garden fair, like the spirit of love felt everywhere; and each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast rose from the dreams of' its wintry rest." ~Percy Bysshe Shelley~ With each passing spring day Jonquils stretch their golden face's toward the sun....a simple delight on this cold April day. I planted these Jonquils twenty-eight years ago for my late mother in-law on a banking behind her home. The bulbs were planted in a location where they could be viewed from "Ellie's" kitchen window. A simple pleasure which my dear mother in-law enjoyed and looked forward to each spring. My small garden bed has been tilled and today the first sowing....peas....spinach....lettuce...."Old Timers" here in New England insist on planting peas before April 15th. I have faith in their wisdom. Wind and rain is forecast for this evening....I have covered the seeds with a garden cloth...hoping my recent sowing will not be washed away.... I have vowed to become diligent with my garden record keeping.... from the first sowing....seeds....annuals....perrenials....shrubs....trees....and to track the progress of each planting....what does well....and those that are a big FLOP.... Also....thinking it would be wise to track weather conditions....and the dreaded insect invasion....what is successful and what is not in the battle of their demise....

Onward to the kitchen....now.... when my grown son's make an impromptu visit....I am often confronted with the words "mom where are the cookies?" and my reply "well If I new you were coming"....so today I am prepared....triple chocolate chunk cookies....a man cookie....and a favorite here at Dog Trot Farm....and If you are wondering....yes....there are doggie bags to go.... Winslow....plain and simple smells like a SKUNK....the Skunk Kleen may have helped....somewhat....there have been several applications....but unfortunately the odor still remains....and unfortunately for me it has triggered a migraine.... Winslow.... doesn't seem to mind....not at all....

12 comments:

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

wow, i didn't know that it was tradition to plant before april 15th up there...we always wait for mothers day down here. the rains ruined our early plantings last year so hubby is wisely waiting. love those cookies!!! yummm!

Anonymous said...

Poor you, and poor Winslow. Our dear old Fishy (golden retriever) never learned the skinuk lesson. Try this: 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 c baking soda, and a small squirt of dawn dish detergent. IT worked pretty well the 4(!) times we had to use it. I hope the migraine is soon better. Good Luck!

Farm Girl said...

So sorry about that but it triggers one for me too. Then I notice how many perfumes when you go shopping that use a skunk oil base. It really is the worst thing in the world. At night when I take my dog out she has been on a leash just because I am afraid of skunks spraying her.
I hope it soon passes. Your flowers are lovely and you are ahead of me on the planting. We are supposed to get more snow next week. :( I hope the weather guy is wrong. Have a nice weekend and oh the cookies. :)

Janet-Olde Crow Primitives said...

Those cookies look wonderful!
As for the smell of skunk, I have discovered from past experience that no matter what you do to try to get rid of it, it just takes it's own time. I can smell skunk on my Louis and he was sprayed two months ago.
Hopefully Winslow won't take as long.

Jacque. said...

Julie...I feel for you, girl...migraines are the pits. Hope Winslow gets smelling better fast! Those cookies look yummy...lucky sons!

The Barn Door said...

Oh gosh I want some of those cookies, they look fantastic!!! I wish I knew of a good skunk odor removal recipe but I don't. You are right, it doesn't look like Winslow is upset at all! Hope that better smelling days are in your future!
Karen

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

Oh, poor Winslow! And poor you! Gus got sprayed once and I used the recipe from the post up above. It worked, but you do have to use it a lot! Keep us posted on your garden sagas!
Courtney

Julia said...

Lemon juice is a good odor neutralizer. I mix it with water and wet the cat with it when she got sprayed right in the face. It seemed to have neutralized the odor if I can remember. I dabbed it on her a couple of times. Vinegar and water will neutralize the odor too.

Sorry about your migraine.
Those cookies are looking tasty. JB

Anonymous said...

I used to wash my 'skunky' dog in apple cider vinegar and water.

A New England Life said...

Never a dull moment at Dog Trot Farm! Boy did the grass green up overnight or what?! What a great day it was today to work in the garden.

Anonymous said...

I would love a cookie with a cup of hot tea, they look so tempting maybe four or five would be more like it. Little winslow looks so happy now that he's feeling better. Keep up the good work.

doglady said...

Use a cleaner like Master Mechanics All Purpose Cleaner or Simple Green. You need to wash out the oil the scent is carried on. Don't worry, these products won't dissolve your dog, just the oil.