Friday, June 28, 2013

Summer's Here!!!. . .& The Country Whites Weekend Top Three


"Spring has sprung,
Fall has fell,
Summer's here
And it's hot. . . .again"
(grin)
Not the usual ending, is it?
(grin)


No lie. . . .It is HOT here in the Delta. . . .
and HUMID.
Around 100 degrees yesterday.


The only thing that loves it is our cotton, which is growing like a weed!

We're up bright and early each morning so we can grab every ounce of "cool". . . .
My first stop is the potting shed, which was once the old chicken coop.
Love these little buildings.
I marvel at their age and still in good shape.
I hope I fair as well at 83 years old!


Visiting them each morning puts a smile on my face,
Gives me the push I need to get to work, 
Reminds me I'm here for a purpose--
Keeping our Delta history alive.

How about you?
How's your summer going?


Our turn-out for Country Whites Weekend last week was a little disappointing. . . .BoooHooo. . . .
I suppose everyone's busy with Summer. . . .or just forgot. 
Sometimes Cindy has to remind me! I lose track of time myself.
We will be changing things up a little next month--doing some tweaking here and there.
Changes are coming! Hopefully, they'll be changes you'll enjoy.


Since it was such a small party, we decided to feature the Top Three instead of  the usual Five.
Hope you didn't miss these!

Oh what gorgeous flowers and vignettes
Kris shared with us from Junk Chic Cottage's
Summer Garden
 

 
  So hard to pick just two photos. . . .Hop on over there and see the rest!

You don't want to miss My Ordinary Life's
A Finished Project either!

Isn't this the cutest idea?


Her chicken coop is to die for, too!
Lots of inspiration here, Ladies.
Click the link and go see for yourself!

Kris says she doesn't sew. . . .Really?
Did you see the no-sew skirts at Junk Chic Cottage's
Skirting Around the House?



She shared two with us. . .The first one is in the laundry. . . .
My laundry never looked that good!
Check it out!!!!

Congratulations to each of you Top Three. . . .
Grab a Featured button!

Thanks to all of you who participated. . . .and to those who visited. . . .
We so appreciate you!

. . . from my farmhouse to yours. . .




Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Coke Case & Cola Bottles--Farmhouse Style








Coke Case and Cola bottles. . . .What could say "Farmhouse" better?


Summertime is coming to the kitchen/keeping room. I've been stuck in the house so much with vertigo that I need a change in my surroundings. . . .The living room has come to a stand still since I'm not safe on a ladder. It's the pits. . . .I need to be creative!



I know I've said this before. . . .but, I'd like to say it again. . . .True Farmhouse Style only takes a "make-do" attitude. . . .Use what you have. . . .Make everything multipurpose. . . .Let's face it. . . .Though gratifying, farming has never been a glamorous occupation. . . .and neither were the farmhouses. . . .They  had to be functional, with little money left over for frills. . . .That didn't mean the ladies of the house didn't decorate. . . .They did. . . .We DO. . . .but, instead of going to a shopping mall, I visit storage buildings and pantry shelves. . . .yard sales and thrift stores. . . .

Our barns are filled with "tons" of cola bottles--mostly from the 70s-80s--Cokes and Pepsi--some Dr. Peppers. . . .Now and then I find a few of the smaller, older ones. . . .They're tough to clean, since there's 40 years of dust, dirt and grime. . . .Yes, it would have been much easier to just go buy one at $5--or more. . . .But, remember, I'm in a make-do attitude. . . .When I found the old Coke case at a yard sale--already painted--I knew I had to visit the bottle pile. . . .I grabbed a few of the cleaner ones and headed for the house. . . .


The thing I didn't realize was. . . .our 70s cola bottles wouldn't fit into the cases's cubbyholes!
They were mostly king size. . . .The original colas were much smaller. . . .Who knew? Did you?

Back to the barn. . . .and the bottle pile. . . .

On my way, I grabbed some Queen Anne's Lace. . . .my favorite summer wildflower. . . .

From the pantry, a chicken or two (very "farmhouse"). . . .A piece of faded cotton feed sack. . . .






I'm loving it!!!!!. . . .Like I said. . . .Farmhouse Style, Plain & Simple. . . .Making do.
Now that I'm inspired, I'm ready to tackle the rest of the room!. . . . More Coke cases?. . . .More Cola bottles?. . . .of course!!!!

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . . 

$1 Coke Case--Yard Sale
Cola bottles--Free
Queen Anne's Lace--Free
Black & White Rag Rug--Yard Sale years ago
$2 Chick and Rooster--Goodwill
$1 Chicken Plates--Goodwill
Moss--???
"Eggs"--Free (from artificial grapes)


Sharing this post with: * Tweak It Tuesday * Feathered Nest Friday * Home Sweet Home * Be Inspired  * Simple & Sweet Fridays * Share Your Cup Tuesday

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Country Sundays. . .Priceless


Warm Summer Breeze. . .Cozy Cottage Swing. . . .
The Fragrance of Roses filling the air. . .


Good Books. . . Good Thoughts. . .Good Day. . .

Priceless 
  
Just a lazy Country Sunday
. . .from my corn crib to yours. . .

Friday, June 21, 2013

Summer Projects. . Country Whites Weekend #7



Happy First Day of Summer, Everyone!

Growing up, I always loved Summer. . . .No school. . . .Lots of time at the lake. . . .Visiting our farm down dusty gravel roads. . . .but, what I loved best of all was time spent in Missouri with my Granny and "Pop" Duncan. . . .


It was Granny who taught me most of my needlework skills. . . .She was a dynamic person. . . .A lady of great intellect and style. . . .Her interests and work covered numerous areas--fashion designer, seamstress, beautician, china painter, doll maker--President of the Women's Business Club, Grand Matron of the Eastern Star, a member of the Governor's Council in the State of Missouri--just to name a FEW. . . .

Her home was never locked. . . .Open to everyone. . . .Just like her heart. . . .


Every Summer--as the days get warmer--I'm reminded of the time I'd spend at my Grandparents home. . . . I would insist on visiting at least 2 or 3 weeks with them. . . .more, if possible. . . .
Granny worked during the day. . . .Pop worked at night. . . .I'd spend my time running in and out of the Beauty School and Gift Shop, swimming at the nearby pool, and joining Pop sometimes with his fishing and cooking. . . .He was a wonderful cook. . . .Kept me very happy with country style meals. . . .My favorite? . . . .Fried fish and hushpuppies. . . .Yummmmmm. . . .


But, there was another activity that I probably loved most of all. . . .learning all types of needlework. . . .with an expert. . . .Granny.

It wasn't a chore to her. . . .I honestly think she got as much fun out of it as I did. . . .Throughout the year, she'd gather up kits and projects that she thought I might like to learn. . . .They were all placed together in her Lane cedar chest. . . .I wasn't allowed to look inside until Summer. . . .so, you can bet that was the first thing I did once I arrived for my visit. . . .

It was hard choosing which project to make first. . . .Sometimes I'd narrow it down to 2 or 3 and let Granny choose. . . .Then it was mine to work on as I wanted. . . .If I needed instruction, Granny was next door. . . .At night, we'd both sit and do our stitching or crocheting or quilting or embroidery or beading, comfy and cool in the big stuffed rockers, often while watching an old black and white movie on the TV. . . .but usually we just talked and enjoyed each others company. . . .and, Granny was always teaching me something new. . . .something exciting. . . .skills I'd use my entire life. . . .


I often put aside projects for the Summer even now. . . .I don't have a Lane cedar chest to store them in. . . .Mom's is full of family quilts. . . .But, I do have a special place to put them. . . .right below one of my favorite snapshots of Granny. . . .


Every time I grab a project, I mentally blow her a kiss and thank her for being the person that she was. . . .for teaching, caring, loving me. . . .for taking the time out of her busy life to make me feel so special.

Now, it's your turn. . . .
What projects are you working on this Summer?
Time to share them with all of us!

The Country Farm Home
&
Old Time Farmhouse  
join together every third weekend for  
Country Whites Weekend
Friday morning through Sunday evening.
Link here or there and you will show up on both blogs.
Features will be held the following Friday. 
The Rules are simple. . . .
Please Do:
Write your country whites post first and link back here to 
Country Whites Weekend with
Text or a link back using the Country Whites Weekend photo within your post.
Here at the party, be sure to link up your post url, not your blog url.
We’d appreciate it if you became a follower of both our blogs.
Take the time to visit at least 3 other party participants.
Please Don’t:
Link to shops, giveaways, parties and blog hops.
Link up something that you have already shared here.



Now, It's Time to Party!
Have a great weekend. . .
and keep those Summer projects going!


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

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. . .


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