Norma's Rag Rugging!

I had special guests Monday morning. . . .Norma (who found my blog back in the spring) and her husband drove down from Illinois to pick up a rag rug frame and to get personal instructions on how to weave  with it.

She caught on quickly. . . .I knew she would. . . .

and I shared a few tricks of the trade with her. . . .

Look at those hands go. . . .

She's promised to share photos of her first rug with us. . . .As fast as she was weaving, that could be a matter of days!

Wouldn't you like to see Norma's rug? 

She'll be checking this post. . . .so, leave a comment and encourage her. . . .

*Update: I forgot to tell all of you that the rug Norma's working on is actually mine. . .oops!!!

Norma will be making a different one!

Sorry for the mix-up. . .but, thanks for all the compliments. . .

For more on the rag rugs, see:

Rag Rugs: A Delta Folk Art

To purchase a loom, visit:

Our Country Store

About Vintage Aprons

Do you love aprons as much as I do?
I've lost count of how many I have in my collection.
Recently, I've been trying to gather them all together
and store them according to decades.
To be accurate, I began doing a little research online. . .

Well, I've found a delightful blog 

that is all about vintage aprons--and more. . . 

Apron History is a mix of antique finds, vintage cookbooks, recipes, sewing, 

and, of course, APRONS. . . .

Heide describes herself as, ". . .a creative, vintage crazy girl. . . I like to do things like they did 'in the good ole days'; sewing aprons, knitting sweaters, using vintage egg beaters, cooking from my 1930s cookbook. . ."

I think Heide and I are kindred spirits. . .

She'd fit right in here at the farm. . . 

It's been fun reading her entire blog, getting to know her and the wonderful women in her family that she often features. . .

But, don't let all the extras I've mentioned throw you off the main subject of her blog. The focal point of Apron History IS APRONS--

the ones she collects and the ones she makes, as well as a wonderful reference section. . .that includes examples of apron patterns, 

drawings and advertisements from 1300-1960. . .

Here are just a few: 

 1900s ********************************** 1910s

1920s ************************************  1930s

 1940s *********************************** 1950s

1960s

You'll also find tutorials and free patterns. . .

Like this one. . .

 Dish Soap Bottle Apron Tutorial

This has to be the smallest apron of all. . . And, so cute. . .

I could go on and on. . .but why don't you see for yourself. . .
visit Heide at Apron History . . .I think you'll enjoy your time there. . .and tell her
The Farmer's Daughter sent ya. . .

One day soon (I hope), I'll share some of my apron collection with you. . .

Sharing this post with: * Share Your Cup @ Mrs. Olson's
*Vintage Thingie Thursday
* Rural Thursday

Barn Charm--Everett Log Barn Becomes A Log Cabin

I've had several of you ask about the log house that I often use as a back drop for my photos. It started life as one half of this dog trot log house turned barn, built in 1825 in Prim, Arkansas. Shirley and Dave Short donated the structure to our historic district for us to use whatever we could salvage.

Even I thought the barn might be beyond salvage. But, a closer look proved at least one pin (side) of the dog trot structure was in very good shape. John and one of my cousins took the barn down, and the usable logs were moved to the farm. Gradually, the one pin is being reconstructed into a cabin behind our home. It's slow going but coming along nicely, as you'll see in the last photo.

Older, run down barns are often considered too far gone to salvage. That's not always true. I think the Everette barn tells a different story. . .

Sharing this post on Monday with Barn Charm.
If you like barns, visit Tricia's link party at:

Re-Purposed Shabby Doors and Windows

We took a day off yesterday and headed for our favorite junking places in Missouri. (see: Junking In The Bootheel of Missouri) I was amazed at the clever uses of old, shabby doors and windows at several malls we visited. Just look at these wonderful cabinets I found at The Country Bumpkin in Popular Bluff, Mo. 

They are all for sale and would make a wonderful addition to any home--

whether shabby, rustic, or country. . .

This one's probably my favorite. . . .notice the mail slot. . . .

At first glance, I didn't realize the doors for this small cabinet were re-purposed--
as well as the hardware. . . .

 Putting good use to an oblong window frame and chicken wire. . . .

I almost passed this one up before I realized it's front was a door. . .
notice the drawers. . . .
and, I like that they left the doorknob and plate. . . .

This old door became a canvas. . . . lots of talent here. . . .

A glass knob is left on this one. . . .

Can't you imagine this cute cabinet in a farm house kitchen?
 Or, in a bathroom?
Or, in a garden shed?

On our way home, I spotted the glass house made from old windows. . .
I've seen these on the net but never up close. . . .
I can think of a lot of possibilities here. . . .

One more door to show you. . . .

An Uncle Sam? was hung with a wire on a door
and propped against the wall. . . .hmmm. . . .
so simple. . . .hmmmm. . . .
He could be changed out with each season or holiday
and propped in the corner of a room or porch. . . .hmmmmm. . . . .

All day long, I was inspired and amazed at the re-purposing skills of our neighbors to the north. Just wish I had room for one or two of their goodies. . . .
couldn't talk John into it. . . .

"Party Pooper". . . .


Sharing this post with: * Cowgirl Up! * White Wednesday * Simple & Sweet Friday * Vintage Inspiration
*Feathered Nest Friday * Inspiration Friday * Show & Tell Friday

Wildflower or Weed?

Like many other states, we have been in a heat wave and a drought. Few of my flowers are blooming. The ones that are blooming look wilted and faded.
One day this week I decided to walk to the cotton field "out back", passing by the log house. To my surprise I found numerous clumps of these pretty yellow flowers in front of the structure, bright spots on the otherwise dry, brown grass.

It's not like I've never seen them before. They grow wild on a lot of the ditches and road sides. I've always enjoyed them. . . .even though farmers consider them weeds and plan major attacks against them.

But, that day it was like I saw the bright yellow blooms for the first time.
That day they looked a lot more like flowers than weeds to me. . . .

I had my camera, so I headed that direction--before the sun got too hot.

Dragonflies must have been enjoying the beauty, too. . .
They were swarming all around. . ..

A little research and I found that these wildflowers are native to Arkansas.
They are called Golden Tickseed and come from the aster family.
They are considered a flowering plant from seed. . . .but can get weedy.

Looking at them closer, I began to think, 

"Wouldn't a whole field of these be beautiful?"

 I've tried for years to have flower gardens at the farm. I've spent lots of time and money on plants that I like, only to watch them wither and die during our long, hot summers. So, I've decided to go with whatever is hardy enough to withstand the harsh conditions of open, unshaded, unprotected land.
It seems these Golden Tickseed fit the bill.
They don't mind poor soil.
They are drought and heat resistant.
They bloom all summer.
Perfect. . . .

 No more mowing them down. No more weed killer.
Hopefully, by next year we'll have a blanket of yellow behind our house to enjoy during those hot summer months.

Wildflower or Weed?

I guess it's all in the eyes of the beholder. . . .farmer or not. . . .
I see FLOWERS. . . .

Sharing this post with: *Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage

Inside the Outhouse--Just For Fun

 No, I'm not kidding. . . .

we have an outhouse. . . .for our farm visitors. . . .

I like to change the "outhouse decor" fairly often. . . .

just for the fun of it. . . .

Sometimes it's shabby. . . .

Sometimes it's country. . . .

Sometimes it's western. . . .

And, sometimes it's downright elegant. . . .

Depends on the occasion. . . .

the visitors. . . .

my whim at the moment. . . .

Green frogs, burlap bags, bird cage with no bird, chair back in the corner,

 fanny ribbon in a bucket. . . .

One thing the outhouse never is. . . .

DULL. . . .

Sharing with: *Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Saying "I DO"---A Rustic Barn Wedding

We hosted a beautiful country wedding at the historic district this weekend--set in front of our 1930s Magers Barn. What a perfect backdrop the barn proved to be. . . .

Farm Chic would be my description of the occasion. . . .

When you put wedding items together like wildflowers, cotton bolls and wheat, burlap, Mason jars, reclaimed wood signage and actual vintage farm equipment--all in a barn setting--you get an amazing wedding. When you add a gorgeous wedding dress made by the bride's grandmother, the beautiful denim blues of the attendants attire, fancy cowboy boots, and vibrant colors in the bouquets, you get great wedding style--a wonderful mix of rustic with feminine touches.

Barn weddings are very popular these days, especially for those couples who have ties with farming. And, many of them include do-it-yourself details that make a wedding so much more charming. . . .

Burlap and wildflowers decorated the barn setting. . . .

Vintage farm equipment became part of the charm. . . .

A primitive farm table was set with more burlap, wildflowers, green moss balls, and ceramic love birds for the simple--but lovely-- detailed guest book. . . .

 

 Corsages for the ladies were handmade of tiny white roses, accented with soybeans and feathers. Boutineers for the men were crafted of tiny cotton bolls, wheat, and feathers--emphasizing the couple's connection to this farming area. . . .

Blue Mason jars--from the collection of the bride's mother--were partially filled with white sand and battery operated tea lights.  These luminaries, coupled with rose petals,  lined the aisle. . .  .

No overalls were necessary. No kitchen aprons on the place. 

But, western boots did peak out from under the beautiful  gowns. . . .

Denim blue and barn red carried on the country theme. . . .

It was a joyous occasion, in spite of the heat. . . .

The day was a celebration of family, too. Mother and daughter--who was also the flower girl--had a few moments together before the ceremony. . . .A quilt made by the bride's great grandmother was displayed at the barn. . . . .The wedding decor was planned and crafted by the bride's mother. . . .The proud father gave the bride away. . . .The groom's best man was his father. . . .

And, the bride's grandfather married the couple. . . .

Done in rustic and personal style, it was a charming and beautiful wedding. . . .

a fine day indeed. . . .

I'm so glad we were able to be a part of it. . . .

To Jeremy and Anna Harris. . .

Special blessings and much love. . .

And, may you live. . .

Sharing this post with: * Vintage Inspiration @ Common Ground 
*Vintage Friday @ At the Picket Fence
* Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
* Simple and Sweet Friday @ Rooted In Thyme