An Organic Natural Orange Cleaner

I take no credit for this fantastic, natural cleaner formula. . . .Dawn, at Creative Cain Cabin, tested the idea from Pinterest and was so kind to let me share her post with you. . . .

I ran across the post right after Christmas--sounded too good to be true--but since we had lots of Christmas oranges left over, I decided it was worth the try. I've used all natural cleaners for years due to allergies and reactions to chemicals. . . .

Now, I'm definitely adding Dawn's Orange Cleaner to the list. . . .Easy to use. . . .Everything shines. . . .Wonderful fragrance of orange throughout the house. . . .

So, hop on over to Creative Cain Cabin for the directions for making this easy Orange Cleaner and try it for yourself--then let us know what you think. . . .

Don't forget to say Hi to Dawn while you're there!

. . .from my clean farmhouse to yours. . .

Sharing with: * Make It Pretty Monday

Denim Rag Rug on the Farmhouse Table

I absolutely love the new Two-in-One Loom John made for me! 

The weather was very cold and rainy the end of last week. . . .John was off working--as was my feline companion Boo (yes, he has a JOB, too), so I spent my time weaving in front of the fire. . . .It didn't take long to finish this denim rug--a lot less time than using the larger loom. . . .only used five denim shirts in various sizes. . . .

. . . .John's already asked if it was his? He loves blue and denim . . . .As it turns out, he will use it--as a placemat. . . .so big and roomy. . . .it should catch all his crumbs. . .

What a nice setting it makes. . . . a white ironstone plate on top of blue and white transferware, a jeans pocket to hold the napkin. . . .a couple of crystal shrubs. . . .a cute chick egg holder. . . .

  

A simple farmhouse style for the table. . . .

Now, I need to get busy and make three more placemats in case "company" shows up!

The denim colors combine well with blue canning jars, too. . . .They make a charming combination. . . .

So far, I don't use my Rag Rugs on the floor, but they would certainly be a welcomed addition in front of the sink or at the door. . . .

As I've said before, weaving these rugs is addicting. There's a calming rhythm to it and such a feeling of accomplishment once it's done. . . .I find myself planning my next rug as I weave. . . .I also find myself thinking I'll weave for a few minutes and end up working for a couple of hours before I know it--hating to quit even then. . . .

Since I was on a roll, I also finished a large Rag Rug started months ago. . . .You can see the difference in size. . . .

The larger Rag Rug was woven entirely from old cottage curtains from the 1960s. My Mom made them years ago for a trailer I lived in while going to college. I put them in their estate sale but no one wanted aqua. Not one to throw anything away, I laid the curtains aside for a while. I knew I'd eventually repurpose them.

The rug turned out so pretty--reminds me of water or the seashore--with a few mountains thrown in for good measure. . . .

What's next? So glad you asked. . . .John was playing in the shop one day and put together a hot pad size loom. . . .So cute and talk about a fast project. . . .I made a hot pad yesterday in two hours total--from tearing strips to weaving. . . . If I can talk John into making another one (no problem there), I think I'll have a give-away soon. I've almost hit 400 followers. It's time to celebrate! Be watching in a couple of weeks or so!

I'll also be sharing another tutorial soon--with some more detailed weaving instructions and tips I've gathered along the way.

Rag Rugging is certainly catching on. . . .Many thanks to everyone who is keeping this almost lost art form alive!

 Beware, though--It IS addicting. . . .

 

. . . from my farmhouse to yours. . .

Sharing with: * Make It Pretty Monday * Blue Monday * Mop It Up Monday * Share Your Cup Thursday * Budget Decorating Party

Country Whites Weekend #2--By Candlelight

Welcome to Country Whites Weekend!

"It’s plain and simple and oh, so sweet.

Embrace your country whites and share them here!  

Inspire us. . .Take us home. . .Fill us with country charm. . ."

Hi, Everyone. . . .What's going on in your world this week? 

I've been having fun turning our cottage bath into a Plain & Simple Farmhouse Style retreat. . . .A place where I can relax after a long day's work. . . .

I'm totally charmed with our farmhouse bath by candlelight. . . .Just soothes the soul. . . .

From where do I get my inspiration? From all of YOU!
Sharing your inspired ideas at Blog Hops and Link Parties provides oodles of possibilities for us all. . . .on almost any subject imaginable. . . .Sharing your posts with others is a wonderful way to exchange ideas, ways of life, personal experiences. . . .

And, sharing them here at Country Whites Weekend makes it even more special to Cindy and myself. . . .I continually say that we couldn't have a party without you! Maybe I should also add, we don't want to have a party without you!

Just like the candles in my bath, 

here at Country Whites Weekend you can let your "little light shine. . . ."

We had many wonderful links last month! 

I can only imagine what all our farmhouse friends
will have to show us this weekend. . . .

Want to link up and join the fun?

Here are those necessary rules and information. . . .

‘Country Whites Weekend’

The third weekend of every month…

Friday morning through Sunday evening.

 

Held jointly at

The Country Farm Home
&
Old Time Farmhouse

Link here or there and you will show up on both blogs.

Features will be held the following Friday.

Be sure to check both blogs to see if your country whites have been featured. 
Cindy and I will be visiting all your posts to find our picks,
but due to time constraints, we won't be able to comment on each one.  
Hope you understand. . . . 

Please Do:

Write your country whites post first and link back here 
to Country Whites Weekend with

text or link back with 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--to one and all--
Welcome to Country Whites Weekend!
Let the party begin!

Have fun!

A Family Saved from the Dumpster

Such a lovely family, isn't it? There are at least four generations of photographs here--a legacy of images--volumes of  history--an entire family--saved from the dumpster. . . .

Yes, someone threw this precious family--and their heritage--away. . . .

A few weeks ago, John made a visit to the local dumpster--set up for depositing larger items. . . .What he found left me speechless. . . .so speechless that I've done nothing but think about it ever since. . . .

He found dozens of vintage photographs, eight to ten family albums, memento boxes filled with vintage baby items, and framed studio photographs, many very old. . . .

It was a sad find. . . .

Bless my John's heart, he wasn't about to leave the family there alone. . . .He rescued them--and all their memories--and brought them home to who else but me. . . .He knows how dear I hold family. . . .He knew I'd want to adopt them. . . .

Adopt them I did. . . .You may have noticed a few of the photos in my recent posts. . . .

Every family has a story to tell. . . .
The happy couple married young--possibly out of high school. . .  He served his country in the Navy. . . .She stayed home and raised a family during the 1950s. . . .They had three children. . . .

They were close to their families--many generations represented in the photos. . . .She was raised in a tenant style home, where her parents remained. . . .Holidays were often spent with the Parents and Grandparents. . . .Aunts, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters, Cousins and Friends gathered there. . . .Every time there was a family gathering, the camera was grabbed for family portraits--to remember the occasion and the loved ones who attended it. . . .

How am I doing, so far?

Being passionate about keeping family history, I must confess it confuses me as to why anyone would throw their family away. I do realize not everyone is interested in the past but am willing to bet someone in this family is. . . .We never know what grandchild or great grandchild or some distant cousin will one day wish to know about their heritage. When that day comes will all be lost?

 

If no family member is interested in their heritage, there are also archives, museums, and libraries that would treasure the family history and photographs. . . . 

Please take a lesson from our discovery. . . .

Think about your own family--your heritage--and keep it alive--

Please don't throw them in a dumpster. . . . It's so sad when a family is lost and forgotten. . . .Treasure your family's life stories. . . .always.

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

Sharing with: * Tweak It Tuesday * Make It Pretty Monday * Feathered Nest Friday * Home Sweet Home * Simple & Sweet Fridays

The Farmhouse Bath at Night

On the spur of the moment last night, I picked up my camera and headed for the bath--to take a few shots for my own use. . . .What I discovered was--the farmhouse bath takes on a very different glow at night with only the light from the chandelier--picking up the red in the roses and spreading it throughout the room. . . .almost a fairytale quality to it. . . .

I've been busy changing out the bath to a Plain and Simple Farmhouse Style this week. . . .Since I've never decorated plain and simple in that room, it certainly was a challenge for me. . . .I found myself putting in too much--stacking too many--adding this and that--coming up with the same look I've had for years. . . .

I can't tell you how many times I arranged and rearranged, only to tear it all down again, thinking "No, I want plain and simple. . . .like my keeping room. . . ."

Keeping Room! The "Simplify" sign!

So to remind me of my goal, I stole the sign from the keeping room and set it up in the bath--my inspiration for the rest of the week. . . .

There must be magic in that simple, thifted little 50c item. . . .Every time I'd gather too much together, I'd glance at "Simplify" and come back to my senses. . . .

I had two goals--to put together a simple farmhouse bath reminiscent of early to mid-20th century Delta farmhouses--and at the same time, challenge myself to continue with my Plain and Simple Style journey. . . .one I realize is not embraced by everyone--but one that has become very important to me--a goal I'm seeking--in my home and in my life. . . .

I've gained many insights during this challenge--the steps to accomplishing my goal. . . .I'll tell you about them one day soon. . . .But, for now, I wanted to share a little fairytale night time with you. . . .the glow of artificial light and a big bouquet of red roses. . . .

A simple grouping on the Victorian chest of drawers. . . .

A little vignette on top of the linen cabinet. . . .

I'm pleased with this Plain and Simple Bathroom Style. . . .Such a little transformation away from the cottage look--but a start. . . .When I reveal the bath in daylight, you'll see more touches of color and the soothing blue of the painted beadboard. . . .It looks totally different from this nightly play on light and shadows. . . .

After enjoying these photographs myself, I'm thinking candlelight, soft music and a bubble bath tonight. . . .Anyone have a rubber ducky I can borrow?

. . . .from my farmhouse bath to yours. . . .

For more about the Farmhouse Bath, check these links out:

The 1930s Country Bath

The Shabby Bath

Farmhouse Treasures in the Bath

Sharing with: *Budget Decorating Party * Tweak It Tuesday * Make It Pretty Monday * Show & Tell Friday * Feathered Nest Friday * Home Sweet Home * Be Inspired Fridays * Simple & Sweet Fridays * Share Your Cup Thursday