A Corner of the Country Prim Farmhouse

 

 

Am I too old to have a PLAYHOUSE?

I sure hope not. . .because I was having way too much fun last week

'playing' in the 1930s TENANT FARMHOUSE. . . 

It wasn't all fun and games, though. . .First we had to do a little clean-up. . .Actually major clean-up. . .Remember the tornado this summer? . .We are still working on those repairs. . . The 1930s tenant house sustained a little water damage. . .The wind blew rain in and around the doors and window. . .We dried it out as best we could at the time. . .There were other repairs more pressing--such as a new porch on our house. . .

Last week the weather was WARM and PERFECT for moving everything out in the sun and continuing clean-up. . .As I did so, comforting flashbacks of my CHILDHOOD PLAYHOUSE filled my mind. . .I felt as if I was 6 years old again. . .My playhouse then was a two-room shotgun house at Grandmother's. . .I had a BED and a TABLE. . .an old HOOVER CABINET in the second room. . .a few CHAIRS. . .Actually I think the furniture was left from the time that Grandmother rented out the little house to older couples. . .Somehow I inherited the FURNITURE. . .It didn't matter to me. . .I had the BEST PLAYHOUSE of anyone in town. . .My dolls and I spent many hours there.

But back in the present. . .as I washed the dishes and wiped down the MAKE-DO 'Hoosier' I couldn't wait until the rest of the house was cleaned before I began putting things back in place. . .'Just one corner' I told myself. . .nothing fancy. . .in PLAIN & SIMPLE STYLE. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm calling it my COUNTRY PRIM FARMHOUSE. . .We'll be transforming this little cottage into a B & B during the next year or so. . .as time permits. . .We already have a waiting list of duck hunters wanting to rent it. . .Yet, we still have OUR OWN FARMHOUSE to finish. . .That bad weather set us back by several months. . .As I tell John, we have job security. . .It's never-ending. . .But the thrill of seeing our vision for the farm slowly evolve makes everything worth it.

AND. . .

THERE'S ALWAYS 'PLAY DAYS'. . .

(real big smile)

 

 

 



 

 



Thriftin' for the Farmhouse Bedroom

I have had a wonderful time JUNKIN' and THRIFTIN'  lately. . .finding VINTAGE CLOTHING and QUILTS for a song. . .If you've followed THE COUNTRY FARM HOME at all, you probably know by now that these are two items I never pass by. . .if the price is right. . .(grin). . .FARMHOUSE and PLAIN & SIMPLE décor doesn't seem complete without the two. . .not for me anyway. . .So I'm here today to  encourage you once again to add a few pieces of vintage clothing to your home. . .They add such a SOFTNESS to a room. . .They also add a PERSONAL TOUCH. . .For anyone who loves a farmhouse, seeing a 1930s everyday cotton wash dress hanging on the bedroom wall brings on a SMILE. . .Possibly back to childhood memories of someone who might have worn such a dress.

Vintage clothing is a TRIP BACK IN TIME. . .reminding us to slow down and to remember a life that was much less stressful. . .and fairly SIMPLE. . .often hard work. . .but so fulfilling. . .

Too nostalgic for you? . .Sorry. . .I get carried away. . .Let's move to the present. . .Have you noticed how fashion is incorporating and/or copying vintage clothing these days? . . .No? . .Then you should check out MAGNOLIA PEARL . .or the PBS program IT'S SO EASY. . .It's become pretty popular with the younger folks--and some older folks, too. . .They are grabbing up anything from the 1930s-1970s. . .Remember the polyester double knits? . .Yes, even those are becoming more and more popular. . .Who would have thought?

I find that 20th CENTURY ICONIC CLOTHING is still priced relatively low. . .but I doubt it will be for long, if the new trend continues. . .One of my favorite places to shop is Goodwill (of course) . .or other thrift stores. . .It's amazing what I find for just a few dollars. . .

  

Can't find true vintage? . .Then try pieces that appear to be. . .The shabby dress above isn't that old. . .but blends well with the other pieces, doesn't it?    

.

There was no plan in the way I've displayed these THRIFTY FINDS. . .They are haphazard and a little disheveled. . .as if someone will be dressing in them soon. . .which might be true. . .I rarely buy a piece that I can't wear. . .Often John and I DRESS UP AND PLAY  here at the historic district. . .but even if we didn't, I'd still be looking for VINTAGE PIECES. . .You know how I am. . .A DAY WITHOUT VINTAGE IS NO FUN AT ALL. . .(big smile and wink)

A New Quilt Series at Duncan Farmstead

 

 

Just popping in to tell you that I am starting a Delta Quilt Series at DUNCAN FARMSTEAD featuring utility quilts that are a bit different from what you may be used to. . .If you like the Gees Bend quilts of Alabama, then you'll enjoy this series, I think. . .Besides the history, research, and actual examples purchased here in the Delta, I'll be sharing some of my own original quilt tops. . .and scattering them all among other fun posts about our farm living. . .Hope to see you there!

 

DELTA QUILT SERIES: A Beginning

 

 



A Gathering of Hearts

PRIM HEARTS. . .SHAKER HEARTS. . .STUFFED HEARTS. . .WOODEN HEARTS. . .I pulled out all of them today and scattered them around the FARMHOUSE. . .

It was the LITTLE METAL HEARTS that started it all. . .Found them for 50c each at an Antique Mall and could kick myself for not getting more. . .You know how it is. . .At the time I had no idea where I'd use them. . .In fact, I intended to put them on gift packages. . .Maybe for CHRISTMAS. . .I wasn't thinking about using them for myself. . .but. . .Sorry FRIENDS. . .Now I'm keeping them. . .and hoping to buy more next time I go JUNKIN'. . .

You know. . .I've never thought myself to be a HEART COLLECTOR. . .except maybe where people are concerned. . .John says I gathered HIS HEART. . .(All together now. . ."AHHHHH"). . .I definitely had my DADDY'S HEART. . .I was a Daddy's girl and proud of it. . .and maybe my COUSINS. . .and FAMILY. . .a few FRIENDS. . .a few NEIGHBORS along the way. . .PRECIOUS HEARTS. . .

It occurred to me as I went about the FARMHOUSE. . .placing HEARTS here and there. . .that I must be drawn to the PRIM and SHAKER HEARTS because they remind me of all those loved ones whose HEARTS I've gathered throughout the years. . .Maybe a little SCRATCHED AND RUSTY from being bounced around too much. . .Maybe not PERFECTLY SHAPED due to the wear and tear of LIFE . . .Maybe FADED and GRAY. . .Maybe a little OVER-STUFFED. . .Some a little SKINNY. . .Yet all molded with ENDEARING CHARACTER that only time and everyday life can bring. . .A PATINA that cannot be replicated.

So as I GATHERED my HEARTS. . .I GATHERED my MEMORIES. . .and I placed them in every room. . .a reminder that when all is said and done. . .it's our LOVED ONES that matter the most in LIFE. . .It's those HEARTS we gather along the way that make LIFE worth living.

 

 

TO LOVE and BE LOVED is truly the greatest gift in LIFE. . .

Do you have a little GATHERING to do?

 

 

 

 

Sending you. . .

 

 

This Post is dedicated to A LOVING FRIEND and 'ADOPTED MOM'

who had a HEART OF GOLD. . .

 

WE WILL MISS YOU, HONEY

 

4 Sept 1919-21 Sept 2015

Saying Bye to Summer

Going. . .Going. . .GONE. . .There's a tear in my eye but I have to face it. . .Summer is over. . .Next week brings FALL and another FAVORITE time of the year. . .But before I donated the ferns and Fred (the ficus) to the Church Rummage Sale tomorrow (Saturday), I thought I'd give you one more look. . .

BECAUSE. . .For the next couple of months. . .MUM'S THE WORD. . .(giggle-smile). . .

Leave Those Vintage Reproductions Out

LEAVE THEM OUT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FARMHOUSE STYLE ON A BUDGET. . .

It's that time of the year, when I'm BAKING for FALL and needing the basic ingredients close at hand. . .Last week I made APPLESAUCE FRUIT CAKES and other GOODIES. . .As I began to tidy up. . .putting everything back in the cabinets. . .I really LOOKED at the supplies. . .Because I'm a VINTAGE GAL, I naturally gravitate to buying items in VINTAGE LOOKING containers. . .I had no plan to display them. . .but there they were. . .Mixed among the antique FOLGERS COFFEE CAN (I hide more supplies in it ). . .the CHEESE BOX (for holding nut choppers and cinnamon sticks). . .and the VINTAGE SNAP LIDS (John found these in the shop and put them there weeks ago). . .the CORNSTARCH, BAKING SODA, and BAKING POWDER--new with a bar code on the back--fit right in. . .I remember in GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE these items were always out. . .along with anything else she used daily. . .Grandmothers were sure SMART, weren't they?

Try it for a FARMHOUSE TOUCH in your KITCHEN. . .After all, the boxes are FREE. . .You're only paying for what's inside. . .HOW CLEVER. . .(smile)

Take a good look, though. . .Soon I'll be changing everything at this BAKERS CABINET for FALL and WINTER. . .I am already making the plans in my mind. . .It will be an all new 'OLD LOOK'. . .that I'll be sure to share. . .

A Little Collecting. .A Little Canning

Here I am as promised with a peek at my latest collecting interest. . .but first I should remind you that it's time to be thinking about PUMPKIN BUTTER. . .Won't be long until pumpkins will be readily available. . .I canned 22 pints of butter last week from the pulp I froze last year and never got around to canning. . .Such a MONEY SAVER, too! . .I figured my total cost for 22 pints was $3.50. . .The pumpkins were FREE last FALL after the neighbors were finished with them as decor. . .(grin)

John's church is having a Fall Festival and Bake Sale this month. . .That's why these are all dressed up and ready to go. . .only have a few more to finish. . .

By now, you probably have guessed what my newest COLLECTING INTEREST is. . .

both big and small. . .

Known by most as 'CHEESE BOXES' 

We've all seen these classic round containers. . .FARMHOUSE TUPPERWARE in wood. . .Lately, I've found many of the taller ones at antique malls. . .at a very nominal price. . Not sure if the taller containers were for cheese or not. . .Do you know? . .I brought the two above home with me 'to see what I could do with them'. 

Well, those two became. . .more. . .

The stack gets higher. . .I think I have about twelve containers now. . .in all sizes. . .May add some VINTAGE LABELS on a few. . .and display them beside the fireplace for FALL. . .I'll not have room for them all. . .Left-overs will be utilized in the country store museum for winter storage. . .No more plastic bins in a 1930s store!!!!!  

I do see so many possibilities. . .They have provided me with more vintage elements to work into my style. . .Something new and fresh and different. . .Since I'm seeing more and more of them for sale, is it the beginning of a trend? . .Maybe. . .I hope they don't become popular too soon. . .at least not until I  'corner the market'. . . (grin). . .Finding the larger ones for $10 or less is a thrill. . .because I do enjoy a bargain . . Whether it's almost free PUMPKIN BUTTER. . .or cheap and plentiful wooden CHEESE BOXES in all sizes. . .give me. . .

MAKE-DO. . .FARMHOUSE WORTHY. . . and I'll LOVE IT. . .