Daisies, Cows, and Marshall Pottery

"Dizzy Dame". . . .That's an old, old saying I've heard all my life. . . .It wasn't until these past few weeks of vertigo that I felt I've earned that title. . . .My life has been spinning--literally. . . .My world has mostly been viewed from the bedroom window. . . .

The bad news. . . .I'm still dizzy.
The good news. . . .Today it's a little better. . . .Hoping I'm on the downside. . . .

To cheer me, my sweet John came home with a beautiful country mix bouquet. . . .He bought them because of our on-going joke about daisies. . . .

Actually, not "daisy flowers"--although I do like them. . . .It's "daisy cows" I'm more interested in. . . .Ever since I was a little girl I've called the black and whites Daisy Cows. . . . From the beginnings of our relationship, I've told John I'd have a Daisy Cow one day. . . .Every time he--or someone else in his presence--mentioned that the farm is looking good, I'd say, "Yeah, but it would look a lot better with a Daisy Cow!" John never fails to frown--a joking frown.

Recently, he did buy me my Daisy Cow. . . .a doorstop--true--but much cheaper to feed he says. . . .

The cow, the flowers and my vintage Marshall Pottery make me smile. . . .and remind me that all good things come in time. . . .Maybe not in the same form as we'd like. . . .but in a form that's better suited for us in the long run. . . .And that one day soon, I'll wake up without the dizzies. . . .All in time. . . .

Yep, there's a lesson in cows and daisies. . . .isn't there?

Don't forget. . . .Country Whites Weekend begins early Friday morning!

Hope to see you there!

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

Free Stuff, a New Book, and a Note!

Free Stuff?. . . .Yes!
I'm cleaning out and simplifying--again. . . .What to do with it?
I could (and did) donate to Goodwill and other thrift stores. . . .But, I thought how I love freebies and packages in the mail, so I decided to offer my blogging friends a few. . . .The only catch is you have to pay shipping and handling through PayPal. . .

I'll post the goodies at Our Old Country Store sometime this week. . . .and will be adding to the first batch along the way. . . .Watch for the first offerings. . . .Be sure to check back often. 
 

 And now. . . .I just have to tell you. . . .I'm so excited about Cindy Grisham's new book:

 A Savory History of Arkansas Delta Food: Potlikker, Coon Suppers & Chocolate Gravy

Don't you love that title?

Our farm, the cooks in our family, and a few family recipes are in it! 

So surprised and honored to be a part of all the other contributors! 

 Cindy visited with us last year, interviewing me about the food we ate while growing up.

I never dreamed she'd use that interview to feature our farm. . . .

Five pages +. . . .and a photo of the farm!

 Cindy interviewed and featured a number of farms and cooks from this part of the Delta. 

She also includes a detailed history of the area.

Says Amazon.com

 "Up and down the Arkansas Delta, food tells a story. Whether the time Bill Clinton nearly died on the way to a coon dinner or the connections made over biscuits and gravy or the more common chicken and dumpling feuds, the area is no stranger to history. One of America's last frontiers, it was settled in the late nineteenth century by a rough-and-tumble collection of timber men, sharecroppers and entrepreneurs from all over the world who embraced the traditional foodways and added their own twists. Today, the Arkansas Delta is the nation's largest producer of rice and adds other crops like catfish and sweet potatoes. Join author Cindy Grisham for this delicious look into Delta cuisine."

If you're interested in a copy, you'll find it at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and bookstores across the country. . . .Lots of good reading about the Delta foodways and it's people!

Just one more note. . . .I've been "down" with an inner ear problem. . . .So dizzy. . . .The floor keeps moving! . . .My tummy's not having fun either. . . .This has been a problem for several weeks. . . .which is the reason I haven't posted as much nor answered comments. . . .I so hope you understand. . . .I'll be seeing the doctor again this week. . . .Keep your fingers crossed for me that he'll find a medication that works. . . .I'm sooooooo ready to get back to normal. . . .and my blogging friends. . . .By next week, I should be standing straight again. . . .I hope. . . .

Thanks for your concern. . . .It's just a tiny bump in the road. . . .

Stocking the Potting Shed with Enamelware

Hi Everyone! Sure hope your week is going well. . . .

I've been on the road this week off and on. . . .Was I ever thrilled to see the Queen Anne's Lace blooming alongside the highways! . . .One of my absolute favorite wild flowers to dry. . . .They look so pretty in crocks. . . .Well, they look wonderful in anything!

I'd already promised myself that I'd cut and dry a few bunches this year. . . .missed out on it last year. . . .I came home excited--but knowing that I'd have to squeeze cleaning up the potting shed in between errands and making ready for a Christmas In June show this weekend. . . .The potting shed is the best place for drying the delicate beauties. . . .I've developed a technique over the years. . . .needed the table, as well as places to hang them.

I ventured out to the shed one morning at 5:30--that's a.m., ladies. . . .I'd hardly peeked inside all Spring. . . .I knew what faced me. . . .It was full of yard and garden items stored over the winter. . . .Along with the clutter was a half inch of dirt on everything. . . .We've had at least 3 or 4 dust storms lately, so bad that I couldn't see across the road. . . .You can imagine how much had accumulated in the sheds. . . .

First, I let out a huge sigh. . . .then I gathered up my strength and dug in. . . .

While I was at it, I did a thorough discard. . . .things I no longer cared about. . . .as well as just pure-d-old-junk. . . .You know it had to be REAL junk if I tossed it. . . .

What treasures I discovered, too! . . .Like the rusted door knobs, once used here at the farm. . . .Large glass jars for storing--anything. . . .Even found a bird's nest. . . .There's no telling how long it's been there. . . .We stopped the birds from nesting inside the shed a couple of years ago. . . .It was tucked in a broken crock on the shelf, way up high. . . .

 I also discovered I had a LOT more enamelware than I thought. . . .mostly pieces that were rusty, crusty and well used. . . .I'd picked them up over the years for potting flowers. . . .Once I had these white beauties washed and dried, they were pretty enough to display and utilize for storage. . . .for hiding all those little necessary items for gardening that just cause clutter.

I did add several pieces without holes or rust. . . .We have tons of it in our store museum. . . .Enamelware is a mainstay of a farmhouse. . . .I was fairly shocked lately at how the prices are going up. . . .Several ladies at the 100 mile yard sale told me it had been the hot-est item they'd sold. . . .A couple of years ago, I could pick them up for as little as $1. . . .sometimes 25c. . . .Not these days. . . .Good thing I bought as many as I saw then. . . I also had a good supply from my Mom and Aunts. . . .

They'll be such fun in the potting shed this summer. . . .I thought I'd use the coffee pot like a small watering can. . . .John found the red drawer in some else's trash. . . .I grabbed it up before he could hide it!

The gallon jars are ready to be filled. . . .the vintage tools? Rusty and crusty, too. . . .but totally useable.

Do you recognize the little chair below. . . .Bought it at the 100 mile yard sale. . . .Looks so much better painted white. . . .Just a touch of whimsy. . . .

Buried under all the clutter were three red wagons. . . .One regular size, one medium size, and this doll size. . . .They'd been buried for years. . . .The two larger ones headed for the store museum. . . .I kept the smallest. . . .another bit of whimsy. . . .I like things that make me smile. . . .little red wagons do just that. . . .

No potting shed is complete without a water dipper. . . .and lots and lots of baskets. . . .They are another item I've bought in the past that are becoming scarce. . . .
You might want to stock up on a few for your farmhouse before the prices sky rocket. . . .

A painted sign found under the barn tied everything together. . . .

The end result. . . .two mornings of discard. . . .move out. . . .hose down. . . .scrub. . . .move in. . . .I was so filthy, all you could see were the whites of my eyes. . . .Was it worth it?

Oh, YES! 

Now, what was the reason I started all this?. . . .Oh, yeah. . . .the Queen Anne's Lace!

Well, that will have to wait til next week. . . .I'll share my technique for drying with you later. . . .It's fairly simple and very old fashioned. . . .but it works! . . .I learned it from my Grandmother. . . .

Time now to get busy packing up for the Christmas in June show. . . .

Have a wonderful weekend, Everyone!

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .