Struan Farm

Gatsby Inspired?

Finally got around to embellishing my latest "Nellie Crush," my favorite of Lisa Cruse's wonderful knitted/felted hat designs. I was thinking that a chain of daisies might look nice with this color wool, but I've learned with these hats that you have twists, turns, u-turns and roller coaster rides as they reveal how they want to be embellished. It's not about you.

So I was surprised that this Nellie wanted daisies, yet she did. 

I started by needle felting the centers in a soft yellow, then working the white loops in Lazy Daisy stitch. After that I popped the big golden irridescent beads along the bottom edge of the centers, filling in with two golden pearls. After that I did some French Knots in gold embroidery thread and the stems/leaves in green. 

I'm not sure if Gatsby has anything to do with this, but then he was always a mysterious sort of guy. 

Stumped

I am not a big fan of tree stumps around Struan Farm. I think they're pretty much a blight on the landscape, need to be pulled out by tractor, digger, whatever heavy equipment may be required.

So this particular tree stump in the Pet Paddock teaches me a lesson:

It seems even tree stumps can be beautiful. Even sculptural. This mossy and lichen covered stump was discovered by John in his wanderings, and he sent me out to find it.

I take my lessons where I find them at Struan Farm.

Lambing Beat, Prematurely

Ever the optimists, Clifford and I went out recently to see if any lambs had arrived on the scene at Struan Farm. Unfortunately the answer is: not just yet!

So we decided instead to enjoy the scenery:

I also noticed that Clifford matches the fallen poplar leaves along the Old Road, funny that.

Sometimes we are too matchy-matchy in our family, what can I say? Hope to report on lambs soon.

Fencing on the Way

The fencer has started the next installment at Struan Farm, at least the part around the pond. 

But you know what this means, don't you? Time for me to start landscaping around the edges, planting. No rest!

Another Fungi Find

I found this wild looking fungi on Hydrangea Hill during my recent work at Struan Farm cutting back the hydrangeas. This winter we seem to be finding quite a variety. Perhaps they've always been there and we simply haven't noticed, or perhaps it's this particular year, not really sure. 

Interesting, eh? It looks almost woven or cellular. It is Ileodictyon cibarium or Basket Fungus, a pretty apt name.