Struan Farm

Tulips, The Next Installment

We are loving the tulips at Struan Farm's front gate. As reported, we planted them last autumn with help from Ella and Livvy. While I knew that I'd purchased a reasonable variety, what I hadn't envisioned was the difference in colors and staggered blooming times, which has really worked out well.

Here's the latest so you can enjoy them, almost as much as we are:

 

The last ones above are quite different and thus my favorite, Princess Irene Parrot.

They have been so successful that yes, next fall we'll put in another 200-300 to extend the patch. So rest up, Ella and Livvy!

First Bloom

We hadn't expected the Awanui flowering cherries planted in the Cottage Paddock at Struan Farm this winter to flower at all this season. Particularly given a very windy spring. But they're so happy they've managed a few blooms, hooray!

In Japanese culture cherry blossoms symbolise the fragility and beauty of life. Hopefully at Struan Farm these have found strength in their special place.

Crochet (and Macrame) Comeback?

Okay, what I'm showing you below is definitely your Nana's crochet, these are vintage pieces discovered on my recent trip to LA. While I'm not so sure about the doily, I really like those pot holders. So out, they're in? 

I can't be the only person out there noticing that crochet has made a big comeback. I'm seeing granny square blankets everywhere, next it will be those vests we all made in high school followed by macrame belts and purses (actually, kids here in NZ may already have a jump on that, they are wearing macrame bracelets made with plastic tubing).

In talking to my friend Cathy B. about this, she informed me that in NZ macrame is pronounced "ma-KRA-may," while in the USA we say "MACK-ra-may." So I'm clearly still learning the language!

 

Let Them Eat Cake?

I'm definitely into using old serving pieces at Struan Farm, especially cake servers or pieces that can be used for this purpose, pick them up when and where I can.

While recently in LA I came across a good stash in a small antique shop in South Pasadena. Some of these may technically be "antiques," at least one dates back to Victorian times. They've cleaned up reasonably well. I love the fact that they have character (one or two have engraved monograms), and often wonder about how they were used by previous owners. The stories they might tell, if only they could?!

To quote Marie Antoinette, let them eat cake?

Relaxing at the Farm

It's fun to watch the lambs playing and resting at Struan Farm. I like taking my time to approach them so I can get as close as possible to the action, or inaction, as the case may be. 

Love this one above nibbling the snow drops!

The one above was blissfully zonked out, oblivious. I remember when I was able to sleep that way, wish that were still the case!

Blooms at the Farm Gate

John sent me a photo while I was away of the tulips starting to bloom at Struan Farm's front entrance. Last fall Ella, Livvy, John, Daniel and I planted 200 bulbs to extend the edge of the wooded garden.

It was good to get back and see the results of our hard work first hand:

We planted both early and late blooming varieties, so the show should continue for awhile.

Latest News from Struan Farm

I will blog eventually about some news related to my recent trip to LA, but thought it was more important (and interesting) to share some bigger news from Struan Farm:

Sooty has delivered her first lamb. A little white one. Both mother and daughter(?) are doing well, we are leaving them to it.