Baby Cakes Thornless Blackberry Bush

From the Bushel and Berry collection, Baby Cakes Blackberry, a thornless variety bred for containers or small gardens. Mine came in a 3-gallon pot from the local Armstrong Nursery. Said to grow 3 to 4 ft tall at most, with an upright, rounded habit. So far, doing well. First two berries picked with more to come. Can't do much with two berries, but I am hopeful there will be at least a handful for the girlies to pick when summer comes.

Fairy gardens in bloom, April 2019

Spring 2019. It's April and heavy rains have delivered a bountiful garden this year. The daffodils bloomed first, but they have already moved on. These early spring blooms are thriving and my fairy gardens at the Casita are full of life. 

Waiting for springtime...2019

New additions to the Casita garden. Pictured here...a Palo Verde tree, taken on a cold pre-spring day. See the green bark? And also...at last...first and only bloom on the Butterfly Magnolia tree. I purchased this tree online a couple of years ago. Currently in its third season, one day this tree will be loaded with blooms all or, at least, that's what we hope for.

New Year's Resolutions 2019. C'mon Chris...already?!!

Christmas is here and now almost past. Too soon to put up New Year resolutions, do you think? Nevertheless, I'm jumpin' in, sending mine out there into the Universe. I reflect but will not dwell upon happenings from 2018 and years prior. "Let the balloon go," is a frequent saying of mine. "Move forward, not backward."

In 2019, it is my goal to:

• Sew more, knit more, garden more; for myself, for loved ones, for fun.
• To live quietly and peacefully as the gentle fade of aging encompasses me.
• To do things that make me happy and thus stay healthy in mind and spirit.
• To love myself, to have compassion for all and most of all, to be thankful.

I cannot change the world, nor anyone but myself; therefore I will work upon myself and hope that in some small measure, it makes a difference.

About Goldie's Bowl:

Me looking out; you looking in

: )

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Christmas Knitting at the Casita; 2017

Knitting projects for Christmas 2017.  As in years past, time is flying and I'm knitting as fast as I can.  Above, my trusty work bag.  Below, Christmas ornaments from the Christmas Balls book by Arne and Carlos.  Knitted monkeys and one big rabbit from Itty Bitty Toys book by Susan B. Anderson.

Little Spring Bouquets

Roses, pincushion flower and yarrow

Rose, pincushion flower, yarrow and dianthus

Daffodils, snapdragon, yarrow and lavendar

Red rose, white and yellow yarrows, lavendar sprig

Little Cotton Rabbits...Boy Bunny

Boy Rabbit

Final rabbit knit for Easter 2017 giving. That's a wrap for the season, but I'll be making many more bunnies just because they are a pleasure to create.

Granny Square Tea Cozy

Granny Square Tea Cozy

Ribbed Tea Cozy

Here are cozies I have made. The crocheted granny-square cozy is a pattern adapted from Alexandra Mackenzie's "Granny Square Tea Cosy" (purchased through Etsy), meaning that I had to downsize the squares for a more custom fit. The gray cozy is also crocheted, one that is quick and easy to make. The teapot pictured holds 3 cups of liquid when filled to the top. Cozies keep the teapot warm, that's for sure.

Springtime 2017

Little posies and brilliant colors add happy pleasure at the Casita.

Little Cotton Rabbits for Little Girlies

Finished these bunnies in time for Easter giving.  There are still a few bunny bodies in my basket waiting for little outfits to be complete but I may have to take a break from bunnies as this project has been front and center for at least a couple of months already.

Jaden got first pick; first granddaughter, first pick : )

For Gracie and Morgan, although I've heard that their grandmother may have a hard time letting these go

For Chloe and Natalie

Bunches of Bunnies!

This knitty noodle (me) in a bunny frenzy; knit, knit, knit, day after day to get these bunnies done for Easter. Bunny pattern source: Little Cotton Rabbits. I love you, little bunnies, but I'll be glad to move on to other projects. The garden is coming into full swing and I'm getting read to work on quilting projects again. Plus, I must sew a handful of gardening overalls and smocks to knock around in...primary wardrobe these days.

Speaking of Henry...

Henry overlooking his kingdom. Je suis Henri and this is my world.

Springtime snippets

Calendula

A shady spot

Anna Apple - "Good morning Anna!"

Clayton's Japanese Maple

The flowering plum in bloom

Lavendar wands abloom

Welcome Spring 2017!

New additions to my garden

No bucketfuls of flowers in my garden, but always enough for a small bouquet from time to time

Springtime is here at the Casita; here today, gone tomorrow, it goes so quickly. Already the temperatures have soared and spring blooms have begun to fade. Flowers bloom and then melt away, replaced by colorful canopies of leaves that will take us into summer.

Je suis Henri!

Je suis Henri!

Comings and goings; all granddaughters visited this past summer at one time or another. The girls love Henry. He's not as frisky as he once was, but always at the center of cheerful mischief; love and patience is evident. Summer is winding down, the echoes of happy laughter slowly fade.

Fruits from the garden...

Pictured, Einsheimer apple, from an ultra-dwarf fruit tree that we planted two seasons ago. First time apples have grown since planting. "Hallelujah!" a shout out from me. The tomatoes and peppers were harvested from my garden as well. When there is a good harvest, I take pictures, and now those pictures have become subjects for my paintings.

Family Pets in Watercolor; Sammy and Happy

Sammy

Happy

My sister's two dogs, Sammy and Happy. As it turns out, Sammy is our dog Henry's best pal. They've known each other since Henry was just a young pup and that's about eight years ago and counting. Henry, who is an only child, adores Sammy and is happiest when he gets to hang out with these dogs. Happy is the newest adoptee in the Bikel household. She's a strange "cat" but I'm growing to know and understand her better.

Basil Jelly; Summer 2016

In the hot Temecula sun, I grow basil in the shade of a white paper umbrella.  Hubby's not big basil fan but still, I make pesto when basil grows. Having a bountiful harvest of healthy basil leaves, I wanted to do more. Herbal jellies came to mind, so I looked for a Basil Jelly recipe, gourmet stuff. This one comes from www.food.com, posted by Maryland Jim. The basil flavor in this jelly is delicate, with just a hint of lemon. Success; this one is a keeper. Yummy!

BASIL JELLY
1 cup fresh basil leaf, lightly packed
1 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cups water
6-1/2 cups sugar
2 (3 ounce) envelopes Certo liquid pectin

DIRECTIONS
1. Place basil leaves, lemon juice and vinegar in an 8-10 quart sauce pot
2. Let basil, lemon juice and vinegar stand while you are measuring the water and sugar
3. Add the water and heat almost to a boil, stirring to blend, then add sugar all at once
4. Stir to dissolve sugar
5. Bring to a hard boil
6. Add both pouches of Certo, stir to mix and return to a hard boil
7. Boil for 1 minute or until jelly point is reached
8. Remove from heat
9. Remove basil leaves with a slotted spoon
10. Pour immediately into hot sterilized 1/2 pint jars
11. Seal and process for 10 minutes in boiling water bath

Pen, Ink and Watercolor

Summer harvest: tomato varieties and jalapenos. Rendered in pen, ink and watercolor.