The Floridian Kentucky Derby Hat

In researching Kentucky Derby hats, these are the images I conjured up - large brim, ribbons, flowers, feathers, and veiling.  The bonnets are gorgeous, over the top, fanciful creations worn by equally stunning women.

My research also brought to light these equally stunning images.  These folks take the Kentucky Derby hat image to new and interesting heights.

I began to research Kentucky Derby hats, after receiving a request from a Florida friend for a purple and green bejeweled beige starfish fascinator, measuring somewhere between 12 and 17 inches, with some seaweed thrown in, attached to a headband  She is attending a party Derby Saturday where the women will wear not-so-serious Kentucky Derby hats.   

This will be fun!!!

First things first - a pattern.  

I think this sea star pattern is perfect, not to serious, waving little arms, about 15 inches across.  

I cut two pieces of beige felt, one about a half inch larger than the other,

and sewed them together.  This gave me room for stuffing.

Isn't my thread holder great!  My dad made it for my mom decades again.

My mom gave it to me several years ago to use in my workshop.

It is a treasured possession.

My cute little naked starfish is all ready for bejeweling and seaweed.

Seaweed was created from strips of chartreuse felt with a pipe cleaner sandwiched in between.  I used a zig zag stitch to secure the pipe cleaner in the layers.  The pipe cleaner allows me to bend and twist the seaweed.

Seaweed and assorted dark green sea life ready for assembly.

Pompoms of light green tulle, topped with the seaweed and pipe cleaners, were sewn to each inside corner of the starfish, so it would appear as if it were floating on a bed on sea plant life.

Purple and green jewels were then added to the starfish with a hot glue gun.

A headband was sewn to the back of the starfish.

That is how my friend will keep the fascinator on her head.

Voila!  A bejeweled starfish ensconced happily in a bed of seaweed.

This creation is winging its way to Florida for my friend's Kentucky Derby party.

It is another in the long line of interesting, lively Kentucky Derby hat interpretations.

Clintonville Farmer's Market 2

Better Half and I happened upon the Clintonvlle Farmer's Market

this morning, three years less one week from the first time we visited.

Opening day found people bundled up against temperatures in the 40s and

sprinkles of rain. Baked goods, beddings plants, herbs, meats, baskets, cheeses,

and flowers were offered by vendors lining the sidewalks and streets of the downtown.

Spirits were high, the music was magical, and square dance lessons were being offered.

A kind gentleman standing next to me must have noticed my tapping foot

and asked me if I would like to try the dance.

After shooting a quick glance Better Half's way, I decided against

stepping out into the street with a complete stranger to stumble around

with the other brave souls trying to master the complicated set of movements.

This fabulous willow basket was, by far, the most beautiful thing at the market.

As we did three years ago, Better Half and I bought ramps and homemade bread.

Ramps are an onion/garlic type spring crop, from the alium family, grown for their unique flavor.
They are available from late April to May.
 They will be on tomorrow's breakfast menu, along with the bread.

See Ramps post from May, 2012.

Dan the Baker created this stunning loaf of sesame bread.  Just look at the remarkable texture.  It tasted every bit as good as it looked. 

I was most interested in observing how the vendors set up their wares and displays.  Always looking for good ideas.  The Main Street Farmer's Market debuts in my town on May 16.  

Hope to see you there!

A gentle rain overtook the North Forty late this morning.

 While most rains come from the west,

today's rain brought heavy grey clouds and fitful breezes 

from the southeast.

The raindrops were a welcome sight, 

freeing me from the non-stop garden chores

which consume my April weekends.

I meandered about,

balancing camera and umbrella,

to capture a few rainy day images.

.

The Garden Cart

God Bless Orion and The One!  Last Christmas, they gave Better Half and me a John Deere garden cart for Christmas, claiming we are incredibly difficult to buy for. 

Our present sat unassembled in the garage all winter.  Better Half fretted over where we would store it.  Each and every day we walked around it.  As the weather grew warmer and garden chores mounted, I had begun despair that the little green cart would never make it to the North Forty. 

Today, a huge day of garden work lay ahead of me, so I began the task of assembling the cart while Better Half was not home. I knew it would come in handy.  Better Half quietly took over where I left off, and delivered the tractor and cart to the North Forty where I worked.  

Best Christmas present ever!!!!  In one day's time, the perky green and yellow cart has become my all-time-favorite-top-of-the-heap garden accessory.  I don't know how I have gardened all these years without one.  No more lugging tillers, flats of flowers, buckets ,trees, mulch, tools, trimmers, dirt, plants, dead plants, and sheets full of leaves and debris all over the North Forty.  No Sirree!  The handy dandy garden cart can do it all. Trust me, I put it to the test today.

Isn't she a beaut?    

From the Left

 From the Right

From the Rear

 Just can't get enough of her.

Thanks, Orion and The One.  

What a spectacularly great present!

The Promise Delivered

Just last week,

 I took to the North Forty 

in search of spring 

and found painfully little. 

Several drenching thunderstorms later,

spring has burst upon the scene exuberantly.

I reveled in its beauty this evening.

A special thanks to my brother 

for his words of encouragement

This one's for you!