Double R Farm (Amish Country Soaps & Sundries)

It's hard to believe it is almost the 1st of June. Heavy frosts the past few nights have sent us scurrying out to cover the tender young tomato and pepper plants. We are working on additional plantings for the CSAs as weather permits. We have already planted many, many seeds and they are just now emerging. Thankfully the frost has not effected them.

Things seem to be finally waking up here in Sugarcreek. The weather they say is supposed to be beautiful from here on out. Last night we spied a somewhat lost oppossum in the shed, and this morning we saw a large skunk wandering around near the pond.

The irises and lupines are just now blooming filling the air with their sweet fragrance. Soon the lilies, peonies and roses will follow.Over the past few years we have been cultivating some older as well as newer varieties of many different perennials. We will be offering some new additions on our listing this fall.

 For now,  I"ll  leave you with a few photos of the spring garden.

 Yesterday's weather proved to be as glorious as the optimists had predicted. The chilly early morning gave way to above average warmth by noon. The children at school quickly shed their heavy winter jackets, and the birds sang loudly. Finally, we enjoyed a day of springtime warmth.

Today, unfortunately was not as pleasant. It appears that Mother Nature has decided to change her mind and remind us that winter is not completely gone. We have wind gusts between 35-45 mph, and the temperature has plummeted. The children have put back on their winter coats, and the brave souls sporting shorts have surrendered them yet again to long pants.

It is still early Spring here in Sugarcreek, and it will be a few weeks before we see some real warmth.The early spring flowers keep their buds tightly wrapped, hesitant to open completely. The only flower seemingly brave enough to open completely is the Lenten Rose. They were planted  years ago, because they are one of the earliest Spring flowers. True to their name they only open during the season of Lent.

This morning we were greeted by the Northwest winds roaring across the pastures in Sugarcreek. Occassionally, the winds would subside just long  enough for us to hear the sweet songs of  the springtime birds.

In the past few days the weather here has been warmer, warm enough to send the farm animals into their springtime frolic. The chickens were up for a friendly game of hide and seek and were eager to taunt me with their antics. Instead of laying their eggs in their chicken house they decided to lay them in the barn in a nest of dirt and hay that they had collected from the barn floor.

The heat from the much needed sun was warm and welcoming as we watched many more robins gather in the front yard. We decided to venture out and look for some spring flowers. Like treasure hunters searching for gold we set out, and were quickly rewarded when we spied a lone golden yellow crocus bravely peeking out from the soil.The almost overlooked jewel was nestled among the dead grasses and twigs of last years' growth. Our son seemed the most captivated by its simple beauty as he bent down to get a closer look. We watched as he pushed his little nose deep into its soft petals. "Wow, he exclaimed, "this is the sweetest flower I ever smelled!" That it is, and soon the land will be filled with many colorful flowers and the sweet scents of Spring.

It's early here.Too ealy for even the sun to rise as we greet yet another frigid morning in Sugarcreek. It is bitter cold. Just how cold I am not sure. I have stopped looking at the thermonmeter and only catch pieces of the weather forecast. It is that time of year when I start looking outside to see the weather and the wonders of Mother Nature. 

Spring for me holds much promise with the anxious bulbs that peek through the frozen ground and the welcome return of the robins. I can tell we are getting close when I see the daffodils up about  a 1/2 inch and one plump robin at the feeder looking a little out of place. Soon the bulbs will burst forth providing a canvas of color that only Mother Nature can create.

Not long after the emergence of the early spring flowers baby birds will hatch. Watching the mother birds teach their young to gather food and learn to fly provide us with hours of entertainment. We also enjoy a host of springtime wild bunnies.Sometimes we name our springtime guests. We have had Dory the mourning dove, Hopper the robin, and Thumper the baby bunny.

As I put the dog out this morning I stop and look up into the early morning sky. I look for the Big Dipper and some of the more familiar constellations. I barely even notice the cold. As I watch the twinkling stars I  remember of a story one of my students told me, and I can only smile. 

This past year we had a bad wind storm which knocked the power out in our area.While most of the students were complaining about no t.v., no video games and the fact that they had to go to bed early becasue they had no lights one students voice rose above the others. I listened while she told the story of how she had seen "the most beautiful thing".

She told the story of how out of boredom she and her Mom had stepped outside and with no street lights she had been able to see something for the first time. Something that we sometimes take for granted. Just above their house they noticed the evening sky. She was amazed at how brightly the stars had twinkled and just how dark the evening sky was. Normally, this magnificant veiw would have been washed out by the street lights.

So as I start my day filled with thoughts of peace and solitude I am determined to hold onto these no matter what craziness this day will bring.  Should I  begin to fret or worry about things I can not change I need only look to Mother Nature for Inspiration.