The Hovander Homestead

Welcome friends...thanks for coming by. We're seeking beauty in all of creation... in our faith and our families; our art and our music; our crafts and kitchens, and even in our own backyard. We'll share a poem or a recipe, a picture or a memory; maybe a dream of how we wish our life could be. And though we acknowledge that the world can be harsh, we're keeping it pleasant in our little corner; endeavoring to keep the words from the Book of all Books: ...Whatsoever things are lovely; think on these things.

I so enjoy hearing from you...so leave me a comment; it'll make my day!

Photo: Bee and thistle: Taken high in the Cascade Mountains where there is a bee buzzing on every thistle. by Debora Rorvig

Monday, July 16, 2012

The Hovander Homestead

My last post was about Hovander Homestead with pictures from the barn. Today I'm sharing some photos of the house and gardens. The home was built in 1901 by Hakan Hovander, a Swedish immigrant and architect. He and his wife raised their 7 children in this 6800 sq. ft home which is situated on 260 acres along the Nooksack River in Ferndale, Washington.

The gardens are old-fashioned and very romantic. I didn't take too many pictures though, as I am becoming a little bored with photographing flowers. But this bean-pole birdhouse was just too charming to pass up! This would be fun to make, but I have to wonder if then birds would poop on the beans?? On the other hand, they'd surely help eat the bugs!

This charming succulent garden was planted in a birdbath that was tucked under some foliage.

Meet witch Hazel. She lives in a children's garden with about 10 other delightful scarecrows. She's my favorite. BTW...did you know that Witch Hazel is wonderful astringent that is effective for acne, psoriasis, hemmorhoids, eczema, and bug bites? The branches of the Witch Hazel tree is are commonly used as divining rods.

Love Mr. Broomstick scarecrow's flat top.

2 comments:

allisamazing said...: I love the scarecrows! I really need something like that in my garden :); July 17, 2012 at 5:59 AM
ellen b. said...: Very nice. I drove through Ferndale on I-5 twice on Saturday. Now I know there is something interesting in Ferndale....; July 17, 2012 at 10:00 AM

I Am From

I Am From...

by Debora Rorvig

I am from a lumber mill worker’s company house
with peeling paint and a sidewalk made of two by fours.
From faded flannel shirts that smell of pine and cedar boughs.

I am from Mason Jars of homed-canned pears,
from Dairygold milk with cream on top
in bottles on the porch.

I am from a garden plot with rows and rows of golden corn
that always wanted hoeing,
and from atop the highest branches of the Gravenstein apple tree in the Attolini’s orchard-
with apple juice dripping from my chin.

I am from saurkraut and wooden shoes-
the Millers and the Youngedykes,
and from the lively Scottish clan
who wear the McKinnon tartan.

From farmers and woodsmen
plain folk all,
who’s hands were calloused hard
but who’s hearts were tender-soft.

I am from ‘what will the neighbors think’
and ‘if you can’t say something nice,
don’t say anything at all.’

From saints and sinners who didn’t see eye to eye
but loved each other anyway,
and in their own way.

I am from the Western shores of Washington
strewn with agates, kelp and driftwood,
from Steelhead salmon, salty smoked
and chowder made from clams we dug
at Semiahmoo spit.

I am from my mother Ruby,
who taught me how to sew
on the old Singer treadle machine;
and told me all about my heritage.

And from my daddy, Raymond Claude
who took me nightcrawler hunting in the moonlight
and showed me how to bait my hook
and fish along the Nooksack River’s edge.

I am from an ancient, tattered Holy Bible kept safely on the upper shelf
with pictures of Jesus Christ
and a letter edged in black- carefully tucked inside.
There are births and deaths recorded there,
and a poem by great- great grandfather Alexander Laughlin Mckinnon
who I never met--and yet I know him
better than some I’ve met.

Precious is that Book to me.

And that is where I am from.

My Life List

*Seek first the Kingdom
*Never stop dreaming
*Make a difference in my students' lives
*Create alternate streams of income to fund my goals
*Dress with flair
*Master virbrato on my violin
*Try cross country skiing in Eastern Washington
*Lose those extra pounds and be healthy
*Be more active in my church
*Stop fearing things, people and confrontation; say what I think
*Stop Hurrying
*Inspire my grandchildren
*Own a Cottage on the Beach
*Live the Word
*Memorize the Book of Hebrews
*Find the perfect hairdo
*Be myself
*Look up old friends and make new ones
*Remodel the kitchen and bathroom
*Make my garden lovely
*Sleep under the stars in the desert and hear coyotes howl
*Write and publish a book(s)
*Travel toRio de Janiero, Cape Breton, South of France, Italy,Scotland, Wales, UK, Ireland, Norway, Turks & Caicos, New York City and the Eastern Seaboard; The Deep South, Africa

Monday, July 16, 2012

The Hovander Homestead

2 comments:

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