Farm Animals in the Kitchen

Maybe I have gone a little overboard but it seems everywhere I turn there are barnyard critters--the inanimate kind--to collect. . .and it's sure been fun to do just that. . . Afterall, this IS a farmhouse with a farmyard filled with barns and outbuildings. . .It's true. . .the only animal stock we have is Little Bit, the rescued cat who lives in--and thinks she owns--John's workshop. . .She roams the barns and buildings all day but at 4:00, she's ready for her treat and shows up on schedule. . .John trained her from a kitten to expect a treat at 4:00, so that he can lock her in the shop overnight. . .We have several coyotes roaming around that would love to have HER as a treat. . .  How she knows the time, I have no idea. . .but she never fails.

Other than Little Bit, we have no other domesticated animals. . .We do have Sissy and Fred, the barn owls. . .And then there's Faith. . .the dove I nursed back to health a couple of years ago. . .But even though they fly around and 'talk' to us, they are still wild. . .and take care of themselves. . .

It wasn't always this way. . .There were mules, cows, horses, pigs, oxen, and chickens filling the two barns and the chicken coop. . .and roaming around a large pasture where we now grow our cotton. . .

I sort of miss all the animals of my childhood but not enough to own any now. . .Collecting tin, metal and wood ones are fine with me. . .

I HAVE begun staging other areas of the house for the COUNTRY RUSTIC magazine photo shoot in October. . .We have changed a few things. . .are painting a lot. . .and as I dig out accessories, I'm playing with how to display them. . .So I may share a few quick photos with you along the way, maybe without much of a story, but with lots of ideas. . .The house often looks different in photos than in the actual setting. . .As they say in the interior decorating realm. . .I'll be auditioning them to you. . .

As a side note. . .Yes, it HAS been a long time since I LAST blogged. . .but this Summer has been a whirlwind of unexpected happenings. . .We've had rain, wind, floods. . .and a drought. . .and another flood. . .Then out of the clear blue sky, the opportunity to buy a weekend home in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri popped up. . .but more about that later. . .And next was a mammogram that concerned the doctors. . .and more tests. . .ending with three biopsies. . .Ouch. . .We didn't breath for about a month while that was going on and were all relieved when the biopsies were non-cancerous tissue. . .I will be followed with a mammogram every six months for a while, though. . .I can deal with that. . .

Which brings me to the real reason I'm telling you my story. . .I started to keep it to myself but then decided . ."No. . .Others need to be encouraged". . .to get those mammograms done. . .I am now a believer. . .Radiologists have come a very long way in the last few years in their ability to detect changes which might be pre-cancerous or early cancer. . .In my case, there was NO MASS to see. . .There were only some indicators that there might be a problem. . .Had cancer been found, it would have been so early that the chance of cure was 97%. . .I looked at my own x-rays and believe me, there was nothing there for the untrained eye to see. . .Scary. . .But you sure won't catch me ignoring another mammogram!!!!!!. . .I'll be there with bells on. . .

How about you? . .Please don't ignore having a mammogram done. . .Don't wait until you can feel a lump. . .It's the first step and best detection of very early cancer. . .Your family and friends need you. . .Take care of yourself. . .

from: women welfare foundation

Okay. . .I'll get off my soap box. . .

And, I'll be back soon with snapshots of our projects. . .

Sorry I've been gone so long. . .

The Summer went way too fast. . .

The Ever Changing Farmhouse Bath

Over the past seven years, our vintage bathroom has taken on so many styles it's hard to imagine. . .I've shared them all with you and you can revisit those posts with links at the end. . .I have gone from rustic to cottage and back again, but one theme has remained. . .It's been FARMHOUSE all the way.

There's a reason for this. . .and it's simple. . .We live in a 1930s cottage farmhouse. . .and I believe in matching the decor to the era in which the house was built. . .It is not a new home with a farmhouse flair. . .It is not perfect in all ways either. . .The walls have cracks. . .The floors creak. . .The furniture speaks of a time past. . .The decor has evolved with REAL farmhouse items. . .and few reproductions. . .There is certainly plenty to choose from in our barns. . .

So many times I have looked at those older posts in which I proudly displayed our collections  and thought, 'In reality, did they live with this much stuff'?'. . .My answer has always been, 'I think not.'. .For years I've thought it was probably because they had little money. . .which was often true but I think there were other reasons, too. . .

Most of our tenants and managers had large families. . .There was little room to spare. . .They didn't always have separate bedrooms either. . .Space was at a minimum and filled with the necessities. . .They utilized every room in the house daily. . These families were not trying to make a decorating statement. . .They were living the life and hard work of a farm family. . ..The farmhouses themselves were busy 'bee hives' of activity.

With that thought in mind, I have scaled down a lot. . .I have begun to look at each room with the actual use of it in mind. . .For example, the bath. . .filled with the necessities and not much more. . .A chair to sit in while changing clothes. . .A wooden tub filled with towels. . .and maybe for soaking tired feet. . .A bowl and pitcher for quick sponge baths. . .Soap and toiletries at the tub. . .Bags hung on the wall for dirty clothes. . .

There was only one more thing I decided I should add that isn't necessary but sure pleases the eye. . .No matter how basic the farmhouse was decorated. . .I remember flowers from the garden beds. . .or the wild ones from the ditch bank. . .brightening rooms. . .These memories come from my Grandmother who had a green thumb like few others. . .Outside and indoors,  her home had color everywhere from her flowers. . .

I think I love this look more than any other. . .

There's another plus, too. . .Without the clutter, the bath is so easy to clean and quickly dust each day. . .That's a big plus in my book, because living on a working farm brings lots of dust and dirt our way. . .Each morning, a quick lick-and-a-promise is often all the house gets. . .as we head out to other chores. . .

I suppose you could say I'm still learning about living a simple life on our cotton farm. . .thanks to those who came before me. . .

BATHROOM POSTS THROUGH THE YEARS:

My Blue Heaven

Yikes! Stripes!

Before and After in the Bath

Farmhouse Treasures in the Bath

Clouds and Chandeliers

By Candlelight

Candles-Snowflakes-Vintage Ladies 

Ivory-Crepe Myrtle-Sailboats

Shabby Chic Bathroom Accessories 

Another Sweet Little Blue Chair 

Junkin' Freebies for the Bath 

Spring Starts in the Bath

Garden Style in the Bath

Cool Blue 

Cottage or Farmhouse?

Splish-Splash-Stripping Down the Bath

The 1930s Country Bath

The Farmhouse Bath at Night

Important Update About John's Rag Rug Looms

Big News!!!! For us anyway. . .

John is soon retiring from ONLINE LOOM SALES. . .

so. . .GET YOUR ORDERS IN. . .

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE. . .

Make Your Own Leather Crock Tops and Spots

This is a quick but impressive way to top crocks with smaller openings. . .So many have noticed my leather crock toppers over the years and wanted to know where I bought them. . .The only thing we buy is leather at the thrift stores. . .skirts. . .jackets. . .anything with leather will do. . .It's much cheaper than buying leather pieces from a craft store or you local hide trader. . .(grin). . .Then we make our own tops to fit each crock individually. . .

It is such a simple technique. . .but the results are fantastic. . .We used this method many times at Colonial Williamsburg. . .

 

1. Materials: Leather or Suede, Scissors, Pliers, Heavy Rubber Band

2. Use a plate, bowl or other round object to draw a circle, adding at least 1 1/2" for the skirt.

3. Cut out the circle.

4-5. Soak circle thoroughly. Squeeze out excess water.

6. Place on top of crock. Hold with a rubber band.

7. Band must be tight. Double it if possible.

8. With pliers, pull skirt down evenly to tighten top. 

Leather should be pulled tight like a drum.

8. Let dry. Depending on the leather, this could take 24 hours.

9. When dry, remove bands.

That's all there is to it. . .SIMPLE. . . 

If at some point the top becomes limp from too much dampness, wet it and follow the steps again. . .They will last 'forever'. . .

'SPOTS' are another item from Colonial Williamsburg that we still utilize in our home. . .Spots are just what they seem. . .Circles of leather, placed under crocks to  spare our countertops from scratches. . .or under candlesticks to catch drops of wax. . .

Cut leather circles whatever size you'll need. . .I often cut spots the exact size as the crock bottom but it isn't necessary. . .Letting a little edge peek out adds to the charm. . .

Two simple projects that will add so much to your FARMHOUSE KITCHEN. . .
Time to visit the Thrift Store. . .




For WOODEN CROCK TOPS, CLICK HERE AND READ MORE

A LITTLE HOMESPUN. . .A LITTLE PRIMITIVE. . .LOVE IT

There is nothing I love more than HOMESPUN. . .HANDMADE. . .items for our FARMHOUSE HOME. . .and John has sure come up with a couple of winners in my book. . .He was working in his shop again several weeks ago. . .but this time, instead of making looms,  he surprised me with two items I have wanted for a very long time. . .Junking trip after junking trip I have coveted the candle boxes and wooden washboards in prim booths at the antique malls. . .and every time I do, John said, 'That would be easy to make. . .' Then it's forgotten. . .until our next picking journey. . .

I didn't need a real antique. . .I only wanted that PRIM look. . .I knew John was right. . .He could carve it. . .but when?

Well, I guess he got bored with all the rain and bad weather we've been having. . .sat down one day. . .and began to make my wishes come true. . .

 A beautiful hanging CANDLE BOX. . .

and. . .two. . .count them. . .two WASHBOARDS. . .

He said he couldn't decide which one to give me. . .so I got both. . .

LOVE it when that happens. . .

Yes. . .They are primitive. . .and Yes. . .It took him a while to get his technique 'in the groove'. . .(pun intended). . .but. . .He sure mastered it in the end. . .didn't he? . .I am so blessed to have such a talented guy. . .

A LITTLE HOMESPUN. . .A LITTLE PRIMITIVE. . .LOVE IT. . .

and. . .

It's just in time for SPRING CLEANING. . .ugh. . .

Garden Shed Inspiration From A Roadside Cafe

So. . .John and I were trucking down a country road in central Arkansas one day. . .trying to avoid major road construction on the main highway, when we came upon the ONE OF A KIND CAFE AND ANTIQUE MALL. . .'STOP!'. . .'You want me to turn around?'. . .Silly man. . .

Obviously. . .this little cafe has amazing farm style inspiration for anyone's garden shed. . .We shopped the mall. . .Some really nice collectibles at reasonable prices. . .but. . .it was the little cafe that I wanted photos of. . .I thought I could remember each little nook and cranny. . .but you know how that goes. . .

While I was snapping photos, John was eating fried pies. . .Peach, I think. . .He said they were delicious. . .We didn't try any of the other food, since we had just eaten elsewhere, but it sure looked and smelled wonderful. . .

I posted THE BOOT HOUSE AND FARMER SEATS last week. . .I have John already working on them for our farm. . .I'd also like to find a chicken coop. . .

There was a time. . .back when I was younger. . .(in the olden days). . .where these little roadside cafes were all along the road. . .Very few Wendy's or McD's. . .They almost always had a daily special. . .sometimes a full meal called the BLUE PLATE SPECIAL. . .Veggies fresh out of the garden. . .Real-and big-hamburger patties. . .Homemade pies. . .almost a lost art. . .

This fellow was a little scary from the road. . .but he was just a big old soft-y. . .If you look close, you'll see my guy in the background. . .I guess he thought he might have to protect me?

Once John bought more fried pies to take with us. . .we got back on the road. . .We certainly didn't make any better time than we would have on the main highway. . .but it was sure a lot more fun. . .

ONE OF A KIND ANTIQUES AND CAFE

372 E Glazypeau Rd

Hot Springs Village, AR  71909

The Spring Issue of 

DELTA CROSSROADS MAGAZINE 

is out. . .Pick up a free one or read online. . .

I have an article in it, taken from THE COUNTRY FARM HOME:

SPRING CHICKENS AND DAFFODILS on pg 92-94

Hope you enjoy it. . .

A Boot House and Farmer Seats

John and I do get away from the farm every now and then. . .On one of our trips to central Arkansas, we ran across an antique mall and cafe out in a field, on a side road where we never dreamed one would be. . .We were taking a shortcut, simply getting out of construction traffic. . .

What fun we had. . .The unique cafe was a photo opportunity in itself. . .and one I will be sharing in the next post. . .For now, I wanted to share two of my favorites. . .inspiring me to use these ideas at our farm. . .somewhere. . .one day. . .

The boot birdhouse is so do-able. . .any boot would do. . .John has a pair that I could use. . .They are almost falling apart. . .I'll have to grab them one day when he's not around to talk me out of using them, even though he said I could. . .Once a boot goes on the board, there is no turning back. . .

I love this idea for seating, too. . .At one time we had numerous tractor seats. . .if I can only find them again. . .A task that will be first on my list once the weather gets warm and I can get to the barns. . .In the past we have used many wooden benches around the farm that John made out of wood scraps. . .They deteriorate quickly if left on the ground. . .These tractor seats would be great. . .The concrete base will keep the wood away from termites and rot. . . .I think a few scattered about would be fun. . .

WARM WEATHER. . .will you ever get here?

I was inspired with more make-do's. . ."Coming Soon to this blog". . . You're gonna love them, too. . .

Cotton is King Again--In Decor

How many years has Cotton been the mainstay of my own Farmhouse decor?. . I've been sharing it with you for so long that I had forgotten when I first started. . . I went back to numerous posts, only to find out that it's been a part of The Country Farm Home blog every since it started in 2011. . .Even then it wasn't new to me. . .For those of you who haven't caught on, we own a Cotton farm in the Delta of Northeast Arkansas. . .It's been the family livelihood since 1919 when my grandparents arrived here in a covered wagon from Missouri. . .Cotton was King then and often called the 'White Gold'. . .I learned quite early while decorating my first apartment on a shoestring how interesting incorporating Cotton stalks could be. . .I'm proud of my heritage. . .and our legacy to Cotton farming. . .Whether popular in the decorating circles or not, I always had a few stalks around. . .

Nowadays, to my surprise, I'm seeing Cotton--mostly imitation--everywhere. . .The new Prairie Farmhouse Style has brought much interest to Cotton. . .and seems to have crowned it King once more. . .

I was astonished recently when shopping at Hobby Lobby. . .There was Cotton everywhere. . .Not the Cotton I pick from the fields. . .Some of theirs were metal. . .others were wooden stalks with sanitized Cotton balls added to the burr. . .There were paintings and prints of Cotton fields. . .and metal signs spelling out C-O-T-T-ON. . .It was amazing. . .To all those who passed over my decorating ideas with those white balls of fluff. . .I have to say.  . . 'I told you so. . .' (grin)

Trends come and go . . .and this one will run its course, I'm sure. . .I'll be in style with my Cotton for a time and then it will be gone. . .Even so, I've never been one to follow trends too much. . .I can guarantee you that in our Farmhouse, Cotton will always be King. . .I'm too old and set in my ways for it to be otherwise. . .

 

An apology to all that I cannot mail you authentic Cotton from our fields. . .The Boll Weevil Eradication Board frowns on it. . .But. . .if you happen to be in the area when fall arrives, stop by and we'll see what we can do. . .