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As mentioned previously, the lilacs in our yard have finally started to bloom. And what a beautiful sight they are to behold! Their scent fills every walk we take with memories of childhood, grandmas and everything in between. The other day, I grabbed my camera and headed out in to the tree rows to snap a few shots of these beauties..hope you enjoy them!

Of course my Jakey was right beside me every step I took. When he wasn’t chasing bumblebees he would walk alongside and watch me with every cut I made. He truly is my little baby..

I truly lucked out when this little guy decided to drop in on a flower I was shooting!!

After I filled my watering can with as many blooms as I could, I took this shot then set it outside my door. Doesn’t the colors just represent English Cottage to you? Love it!!
Looking at this post, I can just smell lilacs..and I hope you can to!! I hope you have a fantastic day today, wherever you may be. And if you see a lilac on your travels, make sure to take in as much of its scent as you possibly can for they don’t last near as long as they should!
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The other day, I picked up my camera and cruised around the farm, taking photos of anything that caught my eye. The beauty of Spring, especially in the country, is that every day brings something new and exciting. We are starting to spot baby fawns with their mommas in the field, little baby goslings learning to swim in our ponds..its so beautiful and inspiring to see!! Around the farm:
lilacs are blooming like crazy..FINALLY!! They are so beautiful and scent up the entire yard with their musty perfume. Their scent alone brings back a million memories and I am so grateful to be surrounded by them every day!
I have been reading this book every day, and am loving it! The concept of this book is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately and it is bringing a lot of thoughts and ideas to light. Can’t wait to finish it and gather my thoughts on it for you all!

Construction on the dome has slowed seeing as the weather outside has gotten better and farm duties are calling. Although I am saddened nothing has happened the last week or so I do have to admit I am loving the silence again!!

Adam & I went to the dentist last Thursday together and both had really great reviews {ie: no cavities!} but I was told all 4 of my wisdom teeth need to come out, and I’m scared to death of the surgery. The referral went out on Friday and I am expecting to have the surgery this coming Fall {boo}

My garden is thriving, but could use a little heat now with all the rain. I need to get in here desperately and weed but so far, it is still too muddy. But, so far, everything is growing!! Better than expected even!

Meet Roo – our very first rooster! The other morning, while out feeding my flock, I heard a short crow and ran to see who was the culprit. At first I wasn’t sure but then I watched Roo open her mouth and let out quite the crow!! I’m a little disappointed {I hope he doesn’t turn out to be mean with his spurs, otherwise he’ll be “set free”} but also excited to have a huge symbol of farm life right here on Cosgrove Farms!

All my chickens have happily settled in to their new home with a big open pen that allows them the breathing space they deserve. At first, when I opened their door to let them out, they were extremely hesitant and slow to move out. But now that it has been a week, they come flying out the minute their door is open, they just love it and it makes my heart swell with pride to watch them!
And then I just had to include this photo of one of my very sweet Black Australorps. I have to tell you, they are the sweeties of the bunch! They don’t run as soon as I go to pick them up and once they are in my hands, they settle down to roost in my palm and quite easily fall asleep!! Love them all so much!!
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  • Amy Johnson - Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment. Love your story and pictures of your life on the farm. I live in farm country myself, although I’m not a farmer. I’m anxious to see what the ‘dome’ is. As far as wisdom teeth go, don’t fear. They put you to sleep, so there is really no pain. It’s more gross than anything because your mouth is full of cotton balls, and you can’t eat, and everything is swollen. That’s all.ReplyCancel

  • dawn - What a fun post this, love the thought of walking along side you smelling the lilac’s, checking on the chickens, the garden all of the fun farm stuff you get to each day. We have a heat wave coming today and tommorrow so I will send some your way to help the garden.
    Good luck on your wisdom teeth, great job on a good visit though!!
    I love the lilac’s in this post and your newest post. Mine haven’t started blooming yet, think my hubby trimmed them to much last year. They always smell so good coming in my kitchen windows.
    Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day and your beautiful flowers.ReplyCancel

Oh June 17th…what can I say?! This year you are bittersweet! This year Fathers Day lands on you and I am happy to celebrate the day of dad’s…especially my awesome one. But June 17th, you bring some heartache with you too. See, on June 17th, 1998..my grandpa was supposed to be celebrating his 73rd birthday. Instead, he woke up in horrible pain, ended up in the hospital and died that day. 14 years ago, we lost an integral part of our lives. In a flash..gone. Now, my grandpa wasn’t about the looks (see below) but he WAS about the humor in life..and man, was he good at it!
There aren’t any words to describe just how awesome I think my grandpa was..he just..was! He was all about family, he loved to laugh and enjoy a cold beer. He loved the lake, fishing, barbequeing and LOVED making pancake breakfasts at the cabin. He loved driving my grandma crazy and let me tell you, not many men love their wives like grandpa loved his. It was a gift to be able to see it in my lifetime..a gift that could never be taken away from me. When my grandma passed away a year before, it ripped my heart out to see him without her. Truly, it was an earth shattering loss for him. That day in June, 1998 was a gift for him because I knew who he was going to see on the other side and although we would be left without him, you have to smile knowing those two are together watching over us

I miss my grandpa daily. I crave knowledge about him. What I wouldn’t give to sit down with those two and just talk, for hours. Memories have faded rapidly but I will always have these photos and a video of our Easter Egg Hunt in 1989 incase I need to hear their voices. Sometimes I just want to sit and watch it, just to be mesmorized by who they were as people. Again, a gift that can never been taken away from me! So grandpa, if you are listening..I miss you, I love you and I really could use a candy now..and I know your pocket is full of them 😉
The flip side? Its Father’s Day..and this guy,
needs to be thanked for EVERYTHING has ever done and given me. I could never have asked for a better dad in life. He is my rock, my inspiration, my role model. The only thing better than having him for a dad in life? Is knowing my kids get to have him as their grandpa..and although they aren’t born yet..they are the luckiest kids in the world! Which is how you should feel, no?
Happy Fathers Day Daddio..love you, love you, LOVE YOU!!!
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  • Denise Marzec - Awwww, what a great post. Very touching.

    ….love that you call your Dad “Daddio”….that’s what my youngest called my husband for a LONNNNNG time. :)ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - okay, so I am Bawling and smiling at the same time. Thank you, love ya Kid!ReplyCancel

  • dawn - This is so sweet, I love how you write about your family. Now I need a tissue, happy tears are flowing!!ReplyCancel

Gone are the days of wanting new jeans, dresses and sweaters. In fact, this past weekend while at the mall shopping, although some of the store windows definitely caught my eye, I kept walking (unheard of even 2 years ago!) Now, well..stores like Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn are my candy shoppes..they make me giddy and are my go to places whenever I’m in the city! A sign of growing up? Absolutely!! But the truth is, the next thing on my wishlist cannot be found at Williams Sonoma..nope, its a little more…mmm, rural than that…the big item on my wishlist???

Yup, I want a mini donkey!! I have no idea where my fascination with these cuties came from but I will tell you, I am obsessed! They are so sweet, docile and gentle. A little noisy, yes..but my God I love them!! Adam has a friend who owns this sweet man above so we went to visit him the other day and I was giddy like a little girl!!

If I had one, I think I’d name him Chet, or something else old school and cute! Don’t their faces make them look soulful?
Now, Adam and I have a secret deal and if I win..I get my very own mini donkey!! Fingers crossed I win:)
Yes, being a girl from the city, I have definitely come a long way..living a dream life in the country! First I got my chickens..and next..well, maybe we’ll have a little Chet living with us!! Have a great weekend everyone!!
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  • dawn - This is so funny and sweet!! He does look soulful and like he needs a HUG!! Good luck on winning the bet, will cross my fingers for you!!ReplyCancel

My girlfriend recently had photos taken of my niece, Jaelyn, to celebrate her 1st Birthday. The pictures turned out amazing and I knew the instant I saw them that I wanted to print a few out and make a layout of them. What I got in the end, is something I’m quite proud of!

The photos themselves are full of color and although I usually keep my projects more neutral based, I couldn’t resist bringing out all the colors I could muster! Because there is a lot of green in the photos, I could have added it in the paper but chose to highlight the pinks and yellows instead, forcing more of her actual outfit to pop out! The hints of black worked perfectly too as they brought out the little black ribbon on her jumper
I also added a few of the wood veneer stars that I absolutely love from Studio Calico..in fact, I think I will have to add more to my stash in the near future!!:)
To finish off my layout, I added a few strips of washi tape that were in my stash from recent Studio Calico kits..love the hits of color they add!!
1 layout down for June..here’s hoping 9 more will follow to fill my goal of 10 layouts a month!! Happy Crafting everyone!!
love,
     dawn
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  • dawn - This layout is gorgeous Dawn!! LOVE LOVE the pictures, she did so good in them. How sweet her dress and that headband, oh how fun to dress up little girls!!! You did a great job on the colors and making the colors pop from pictures. So nice to see a layout and can’t wait to see 9 more, good luck!!

    Read your previous post and had fun reading all the CURRENTS right now. Your dinner sounds yummy!! Hope you can do more of these, it’s always fun and interesting to read them.

    I can’t believe how fast summer is going either.
    Enjoy your week/weekend!!ReplyCancel

  • Tracey - Hi Dawn, thanks for visiting my blog and saying. WOW I love this layout and the colours are just amazing. I laughed about your SC comment of hoarding your kits. I have only just started subscribing and have promised myself to use my kits before the next month comes. Yeh I am laughing too. Good luck with getting 9 more layouts done.ReplyCancel