Filbert or Hazlenut??

Filberts, also known as hazelnuts, originated in southern Europe and Turkey. They have been grown in the U.S. only since the late 1800s. Oregon produces 97% of the U.S. crop, with Washington accounting for the remaining 3%. These two states account for roughly 5% of the world's production. At the present time, there are approximately 30,000 acres of filberts in Oregon. While plantings continue to increase, they are being limited by the availability of suitable nursery stock.

The name filbert is the scientifically correct name for the tree and nut. The name is of French origin and the tree was likely first introduced into Oregon by early French settlers. Hazelnut is the name coined by the English and it was applied to the native species by early settlers. Hazelnut is more commonly used in marketing channels. In 1981 the Oregon Filbert Commission decided to conform to the common standard and began emphasizing "Hazelnut." According to a manuscript found in China, from the year 2838 B.C., the filbert took its place among the five sacred nourishments God bestowed on human beings. In olden times the filbert was used as a medicine & a tonic. The Greek physician Dioscorides 1800 years ago, emphasized the properties of the filbert: "It cures chronic coughing if pounded filbert is eaten with honey. Cooked filbert mixed with black pepper cures the cold. If the ointment produced by mashing burnt filbert shells in suet is smeared on the head where hair does not grow due to normal baldness or to some disease, hair will come again." Some thought 'filbert' was derived from St. Philibert, as August 22 is dedicated to him, corresponding to the earliest ripening date of filberts in England.

The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

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What a gorgeous day here in Oregon! Spring has finally arrived and given us a lovely sunshiny 75 degree day. Doug and I had heard that today was going to be beautiful; the weather man on channel 8 has been tempting us all week. We packed a picnic lunch and drove from Hillsboro to Woodburn, Oregon (about 25 miles) to finally, after living here 16 years, visit the "Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm" http://www.woodenshoe.com/

We only waited a short while to gain parking access and our first stop was the gift shop(bring lots of money!) Doug bought me a pair of Delft, Tulip shaped candle holders and a Delft tulip shaped spoon holder for the stove top! I love Doug! Then we strolled up the Tulip aisles and toward some antique cr 1911 wood burning tractors.

Theses tractors are so interesting! They are all in the original operating condition!













Tulips everywhere..............and looking East is majestic Mt. hood in all her glory! On the way home looking North we were able to see Mt St. Helens, Rainer, and Hood!!! Unbelievable.........















They have the cutest little "Cow Train" for the little kiddies to ride.












Tulips

Tulips, tulips, tulips................















I Love the variegated tulips!

Momma's Jacket.......finally completed!

Well it took me long enough to finish this for you Momma! TaDa..it's done! The belt gave me fits......Burda patterns are very sparse on their directions. I'm pretty confident that I made it entirely all wrong but it turned out OK. Now, here's the tricky part.........let's hope it fits.