Sour Cherry Jelly

Both Hands Open

The sour cherry tree was absolutely loaded with cherries this year. The birds took their customary top section but left us many buckets full.


I started making jelly


and jelly


and more jelly.


Then I thought ok I'll just freeze the rest of them.



It was then I noticed that the family was going thought a pint of this jelly every day. My sister says it tastes like cherry jolly ranchers. It is so good, sweet and tart at the same time.


Luckily I had two granddaughters over for several days. Then we started getting serious about making sour cherry jelly. We got to the very last batch and filled the last quart jar. I heard a cracking sound. I thought I imagined it. When I went to pick up the jar a quart of hot cherry jelly went everywhere.

We mopped and mopped. It was still sticky. We mopped and mopped. Finally got the floor where it was not sticky.

We are enjoying the blessing from the cherry tree.

Both Hand Open

6"x6" gallery wrap acrylic

My Weed Proof, Chicken Proof Garden / Art Installation Project

Or What Do You Do With All That Horse Sh*t My stepmother has always done the garden, but this year I took over. I had a couple of issues. One, I don't like to pull weeds and two is the free range chickens. I started out putting lots and lots of composted horse manure in piles. The chickens kindly spread it all out for me. When I put the six inches of straw over that I immediately covered it with ground cloth to keep the chicken crew from spreading that also. I weighted it all down with boards from an old fence we took down. It looked like a weird black checkerboard.
The parents were rolling their eyes. The little tiny plants could barley peek out when I put them in. But they did grow with no weeds and no chicken scratching. It was starting to look better until I decided to build some tomato cages. Depending totally on scrap material we had on hand my granddaughter and I built another art project. We used fencing scraps, lattice and zip ties. It looked hideous and we staked it all down.

Now the garden is looking fabulous as it has covered most of its interesting beginnings. The parents are rolling their eyes at the amount of veggies I bring in daily.

The first day of summer harvest. What a blessing.

Baby Britton's Portrait

I have recently fininshed this portrait of Britton. Talk about a little darling.

And a miracle child too. Read his story here http://thegiffens.blogspot.com/.

Anyway it was a gift for his Daddy for Father's Day. I am so glad he likes it.

For more info contact me at dlancasterart(at)hotmail(dot)com

or visit my esty shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6068156

Chicken Chicken Duck

I was sitting out on the studio steps today taking a little break. I hear a bunch of squawking and one of my young hens comes racing around the corner with a rooster right on her heels. They race around the apple tree, he's still behind her. She spots me and comes running over. The rooster stops. She ducks right behind me as close as she can get. I shoo the rooster away but the little hen stayed behind me until I went back into work.

This little 5x7 acrylic painting is on wood panel and comes with a frame. You can see this art and much more at my Esty shop LancasterArt.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24753969

The Dog DNR

Storm Horse
SOLD



It's been a month now since Corky's accident. After she chased one of the horses and got kicked in the head. She died and was brought back with chest compressions. Her recovery has been amazing.
But she hasn't gotten any smarter or more obedient.

So Paula and I were standing at the fence and calling the horses in for dinner. They were over the hill and we couldn't see them. Tonka and Corky were out in the pasture. We heard the sound of hooves. The little white mare tops the hill at a gallop. I call the dogs. Tonka comes, but Corky turns to chase Dolly. We stand there horrified. Dolly gallops past her without incident and she turns back before the other four horses pass by.

I turn to Paula and say "if she gets kicked in the head again don't resuscitate her."

"You mean she has a DNR?"

"Yep that's right. I'll get her a little tag."

Momma J's Words of Wisdom

Miami says we're making a splash at Momma J's!

My art has been featured today on Momma J's blog. Check it out here.

http://crochetbymommaj.blogspot.com/2009/06/artist-feature-donna-harelik.html

Also take a look at her two Etsy shops. www.jewelrybymommaj.etsy.com

And my favorite: www.crochetbymommaj.etsy.com

All those lovely crochet baby things got me wishing for a new grandbaby. :)

Herb of the week Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm

sold

Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family with a wonderful lemony scent.

As a tea lemon balm has been used for anxiety, depression and longevity. It is still used for headaches and fatigue. It is very good and easy to make. Add one tablespoon of fresh lemon balm leaves or two dried to a cup of boiling water.

Lemon Balm leaves can be applied to bites and stings for a soothing effect.

In the kitchen lemon balm has many uses from salads and herb butters to casseroles and meat dishes.

Lemon Balm prefers a moist shady area to grow. It is a hardy perennial that is a beautiful addition to the herb garden.

Tonka Goes Camping

Tonka went on his first camping trip. We went to a beautiful tiny Arkansas lake, Spring Lake. He had a good time. For a pup that sleeps in a tepee you'd think a tent wouldn't be that much of a difference, but he thought it was and ended up barking alot the first night. I guess it was the firelight flickering on the trees.Yes his eyes always look like that. :)

Tonka is five months old now and 45 pounds. He is a chewing machine.

And a digging machine.

Here he is hunting for buried treasure.

I think he found something.