Thanksgiving Wishes. . .and Rag Rug Loom Gift Bags

 

I promised to give you a 'head's up' when the MINI LOOM GIFT SETS were available!!!!

Well. . .They're HERE!!!!

You'll have to sneak over to OUR OLD COUNTRY STORE to see them.

 

The bags are a little larger than the last ones I posted. . .

Giving you more room for additional supplies. . .

And. . .the bundles of weaving strips are larger, too!

Check them out!

 

 

I couldn't let this week go by without wishing you all a SAFE and HAPPY THANKSGIVING. . .

John is helping smoke turkeys and hams today. . .I think they have about fifty. . .Now I can mark one thing off my list. . .because you can bet we're getting one! They are THE BEST. . . 

Wishes that your Thanksgiving is just as DELICIOUS. . .



 

 

Simple Seven

 

 

HEART WEATH--ANGEL--WINDOW--

CANDLE--TWO GOURDS--HONEYSUCKLE VINE

=THE PLAIN AND SIMPLE SEVEN  

I've learned something about myself. . .I've become a PRETTY SIMPLE GAL. . .in my HOME. . .in my FASHION interests. . .in my entire LIFESTYLE. . .As I have taken on more responsibilities around the farm, I've had much less time to do anything not SIMPLISTIC. . .To my surprise, it has turned out to be a positive thing. . .I don't know why it's such a surprise because I began this journey with THE COUNTRY FARM HOME to find my decorating style. . .I coined the phrase 'PLAIN AND SIMPLE FARMHOUSE STYLE' and knew the direction I was taking. . .Little did I know, though, that I would get SIMPLER and SIMPLER and SIMPLER. . .If you've been reading the blog for a few years, you've seen the evolution. . .

I think this is the simplest and quickest grouping I've ever done. . .Yes, you've probably seen the SIMPLE SEVEN before. . .but placing them together up high changed everything. . .

 

 

Most of the SIMPLE SEVEN were headed to storage when I thought to myself. . .What could I display above the kitchen storage cabinets for this time between Halloween and Christmas?. . .I started grabbing from the pile. . .cleared off the area above the cabinets. . .and up went the HEART WREATH. . .the GOURDS. . .the WINDOW. . .the ANGEL. . .the CANDLE. . .I stepped back and looked. . .It needed something more. . .something to tie everything together. . .Then I glanced out the kitchen window and saw a pile of cuttings that had been left to carry to the compost pile. . . THE HONEYSUCKLE VINE !!!. . ."PERFECT'. . .I ran out and  grabbed it. . .came back in and literally threw the tangled mess on top. . .Fifteen minutes and I'm done. . .LOVE IT !!!!!

It was at that moment it dawned on me. . .

I must have become a PRETTY SIMPLE GAL. . .



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morning Light at the Baker's Cabinet

 

It was 7:00 this morning. . .The Winter sun was coming up and shining through the windows. . .Casting light on the newest additions to the kitchen. . .Making everything feel warm and cozy. . .

 

 

 

 

For years I've struggled with finding just the right thing to place above the BAKER'S CABINET. . .I needed something FUNCTIONAL and EYE-PLEASING. . .One of our friends who owned an antique mall in Tennessee had exactly what I wanted years ago--a vintage SHAKER shelf. . .but he didn't want to sell it. . .He liked it, too. . .I thought I'd eventually wear him down if I waited long enough. . .Didn't happen. . .So I continued my search. . .Everything I found was too big. . .too small. . .too expensive. . .and nothing pleased me anyway. . .

How many times have I done this only to realize I actually had what I needed? . . .Many, Many, Many times. . .A person would think I'd LEARN THAT LESSON. . .I had the perfect addition all along. . .

You may have seen the CROW SHELF in some of the very early Country Farm Home posts. . .I had grown tired of it several years ago and had stored the crows for the LOG HOUSE once it was finish. . .Forgot all about it. . .In the meantime, we painted the kitchen floor in BLACK AND WHITE CHECK. . .built WHITE CABINETRY. . .painted our WINDSOR CHAIRS black. . .Well, let's just say everything changed. . .

While cleaning out a storage building, I came across the FORGOTTON SHELF. . .hmmmmm. . .BLACK AND WHITE. . .FARMHOUSE PRIMITIVE. . .the EXACT WIDTH as baker's cabinet below. . .Was this a no-brainer or what?

 

 

The CROW SHELF is constructed from an old wooden door cut in half. . .

Isn't that CLEVER? . .Notice the door knob hole. . .so PRIM. . .

 

 

Then, as blessings appear out of nowhere. . .last week on a junkn' spree in Missouri, I ran across the GRAY ENAMELWARE. . .probably my favorite of all enamelware. . .and hard to find. . .a box full for $10. . .10 pieces in all. . .I knew exactly where they were going. . .LOVE the way it worked out. . .

 

 

I'm finally happy with that little area of the kitchen. . .have done more than one HAPPY DANCE as I walked past it. . .and I look forward to preparing those Christmas cakes and cookies there soon. . .

 

 

 

 

 

Oh!!!. . .And speaking of fun. . .the LITTLE GRAY MOUSE . . .loves it, too. . .

 



(A BIG GRIN. . .)

 



 

 

 

Our Looms Benefit Women in Nigera. . .and Lower Shipping Rates for the Holidays

 This story will tug at your HEART STRINGS. . .whether you are a RAG RUGGER or not. . .

 

 

 

 

We were contacted recently by an American lady named Marta, who has been working as an Architect at the American University of Nigeria. . .She wrote:

"A year ago I purchased one of your sets of three looms to bring to a very small town in Nigeria where I am working as an Architect with the American University of Nigeria. With the support of the university I began a program called “CREATING WITH THREADS” to empower the women of the community of Yola.  Little I knew the program took off and the ladies began creating beautiful rugs.

There are 42 ladies involved in the program who have created and sold about 200 rugs, 20 sets of placemats and a few hand bags.  We are presently  working on an order of 480 rugs!!!! The materials used for weaving is  recycle strips of fabric from local tailors.

This is the first time these ladies have done something for themselves and their earnings is allowing them to send their children to school, attend to medical difficulties but most of all is giving them confidence and empowerment. . .

This is the story of Halima.

Halima, a  6 year old girl,  learned the art of weaving watching her mother. She lives in one room, shared with her five siblings and her parents. With the money she earned for selling a set of 6 placemats she bought her school books. Amazing to see her weaving. ! Let’s encourage Halima !" 

 

Their story HUMBLED US. . .that our little loom business was. . .and is. . .a part of it.. . .As Marta and I emailed back and forth, we learned more of the story. . .

"After being in Nigeria for few months and seeing the beautiful and colorful fabrics  they have, I thought I needed to do something to help the women here. I “googled” options and came across the weaving of rag rugs. Ordered the looms and self-taught by watching videos in you tube… and here we are with a large group of empowered women.  

 

 

Working with the needy in a way where you build personal relationship with them is SO REWARDING !!!.  It is really what keeps me going."

Because shipping rates are so high to other countries, Marta had us ship John's looms to New Orleans where she made arrangements for them to be transported to Yola. . .We ended up sending 33 looms. . .with our BLESSINGS and BEST WISHES. . .Don't you love this story? . . Another example that we never know how we impact other's lives even in little things.

 

 

 

And. . .just in time for the HOLIDAYS. . .we have cut back on the recent increases in our loom shipping. . .USPS continues to increase shipping rates at their whim. . .We had to increase our rates recently. . .but we're cutting them back to 2014 RATES on most and only a few dollars increase on others for now. . . You can read more about it. . .and order, too (grin) at:

 

OUR OLD COUNTRY STORE

 

 I have some LOOM GIFT BAGS I'll be listing at Our Old Country Store soon. . .a Mini Loom, bundles of fabric strips, instructions, and a bag to hold it all. . .Everything needed to complete a MINI RUG. . .Some people use this size for MUG RUGS or HOT MATS or a small HAND BAG. . .Coming soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Three Denim Britches Quilts. . .Vintage and Rare

 

'Tenant farmers in the South wore a muted palette of browns, grays, and blues. . .Old denim pants and overalls, field-worn and sun blocked, create a rich spectrum of dusty blues. . .wear-tears, stain, patches, mendings and faded seams provide further nuances. These characteristics are an integral part of the work-clothes aesthetic. . ." Architecture of the Quilt

Britches or britchy quilts are sometimes called work-clothes quilts. . .They are probably my favorite. . .but the hardest to find thus far. . .Although I don't know the specific stories behind them, I'm certain that the old shirts and denim  have seen their share of picking cotton and farm work. . .They have been aged through many washings and much wear and tear. . .READ MORE. . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken in a Pot...and Moonshine Raids

 

 

Just a little Farmhouse HUMOR to start the weekend. . .

 

Acually. . .I wanted to share these FLEA MARKET FINDS (below). . . 

Don't they add a sense of timelessness to the kitchen?

 

 

 

 

We rarely see this type of JUG in the Delta. . .When I was living in Virginia, they were everywhere. . .and quite 'price-y'. . .I got these two for a fraction of the cost I'd pay in other states. . .I was doing a HAPPY DANCE. . .grinning from ear to ear. . .Nothing can beat the excitement of finding a TREASUE for a song. . .True Junkin' exhilaration. . . 

 

There's also a family story about jugs such as these and why I chuckle every time I look at them.

 About my Grandfather and a still.

Back during the prohibition era, many raids were made in the swamp lands for illegally distilling MOONSHINE. . .My Grandfather was a teetotaler, so he very often took part in those raids 'to get the evil drink off the black markets.'

 

Well, one Saturday night the local men made a raid and confiscated A STILL and all it's fixin's. . .for court on the following Monday. . .My Grandfather was chosen to bring it home and keep it safe. . .He put the still in their OPEN garage. . .You can imagine how well that went with Grandmother. . .She was so afraid someone would see it on their way to church that she spent most of the morning trying to cover the still with QUILTS so that it didn't look like a still underneath. . .But everyone knew what it was. . .It was the TALK OF THE TOWN. . .and the topic of interest at CHURCH that day. . .to Grandmother's embarrassment.

 

Needless-to-say. . .Granddaddy never brought another one home. . .and for years no words were spoken about it. . .It was my Aunt who finally broke the story to me. . .I couldn't do anything but LAUGH. . .knowing just how my always PRIM-AND-PROPER Grandmother must have reacted. . .We probably don't know the entire story of what she said to this day. . .

 

 

CHICKEN IN A POT. . .and MOONSHINE HUMOR. . .

I'm being a little mischievous today. . .aren't I?

Wanted to start your weekend off with a smile. . .

 

Do have a GOOD ONE!!!!!

 

 

 

 



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?    

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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)