As I listen to the wind rattling the windows in my old house while the prairie blizzard rages outside,  I envy others who live in more temperate climates. I can imagine the beautiful blue hydrangeas starting to bloom at the west coast, a lasting impression from my first visit. It will be weeks before these giant drifts of snow will allow my crocuses and tulips to awake from their wintry bed.  I thank goodness for the flowers in my home that make the wait for spring blossoms more bearable on this stormy first day of spring in Saskatchewan.

Pink peonies on chippy blue chair

Every prairie farmhouse has at least one peony bush. In July, these beautiful   flowers burst open announcing the onset of summer holidays. Try as I may to bring them indoors to enjoy, the ants remind me that the peonies belong to them.
 I always take a bouquet in my travels but they remain out on the deck or on a picnic table. I shall have to be satisfied with the peonies in the barkcloth covering my slipper chair and leave the live flowers where they were intended to be, with the ants. Please visit my website www.prairiefarmhouseprimitives.com  for many nature-inspired treasures.

Barkcloth was originally made by the beating of sodden strips of the fibrous inner bark of trees. 

Presently, barkcloth is a thick textured fabric with a rough, nubby surface similar to tree bark. 

Usually made from densely woven cotton fibre, barkcloth is recognized by tropical patterns, atomic prints & large floral bouquets. 

My barkcloth cupboard is too full so I will be parting with some of my precious collection.
 You will see it on eBay (seller:  chenillechintz) as well as my newly published website. Enjoy!
 www.prairiefarmhouseprimitives.com.