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. . .

Spring Brings New Beginnings

I'm thinking SPRING these days. . .and with Spring comes new beginnings. . .One of which is a new camera. . .My older one was just not good enough for magazine images. . .Plus, I have dropped the old one so many times that a lot of functions didn't work. . .This new Canon has more buttons and whistles than I know what to do with. . .But, I'll eventually figure it out. . .I do love the clarity, which I'm sure will be even better once I learn how to operate it. . .

I set up the kitchen area very simply done. . .to play a little with the camera settings. . .To my surprise, I actually like this simple look. . .Might be another new beginning for me?

We are also changing the focus of our work at the historic district. . .reducing the many tours and workshops to only a few by special appointment. . .John will be shifting to more restoration work. . .I'll have more time to be a 'keeper of the past'. . .and to do what I love. . .write. . .'telling their stories'. . .This should be a plus for the blogs. . .

And. . .of course. . .there are the articles I'll be writing for COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE. . .My first one is out!!!!. . .I totally love working with the editor, DJ Williams. . .It takes a bit more time than I thought it would. . .mainly because she doubled my word count and images. . .but I actually find that easier. . .It was harder to tell a story in just a few words. . .You know me by now. . .I do like to spin a yarn. . .

Based on the story of my grandparent's new beginnings in the Delta, in this first issue I take the readers to SPRINGTIME AT THE COMPANY STORE. . .with our old country store featured. . .of course. . .

In another publication, one of The Country Farm Home posts from past years will be featured in the Spring issue. . . It's not the first time we've been in DELTA CROSSROADS. . .but somehow every issue feels like it. . .

It seems we're a lot like the jonquils. . .popping up all over the place. . .but in new and exciting ways. . .New beginnings couldn't have come at a better time than Spring. . .

Playing With Angels-A True Story

 

DON'T MISS THIS STORY!!! CLICK HERE. . .

 

 

HALF ROW WEAVING: A New Rag Rug Pattern and Tips on the Technique

This was the coldest January we have had in years. There have been days that we were colder than Alaska . .No venturing from the warmth of our home for way too many days. . .Because of cabin fever. . .and boredom. . .I started weaving my latest RAG RUG, working on a new pattern that only my mind's eye could see. . . Now I'll share it with YOU. . .It's been so long since I have shared RAG RUG WEAVING with you, I figured I owed you one. . .

The FIRST STEP is to weave a number of rows from the right-hand side, with the same technique as the regular rug. . .Right over left along the warp and to the left. . .But instead of weaving all the way across, turn back somewhere along the way and return to the right side again. . .left over right. . .I varied the rows to give it a streaked look. . .

I only went about a third of the way down, so that I could start on the left side to see how this pattern would work out. . .

The SECOND STEP was to begin the first row on the left-hand side and weave left over right, meeting at the first right-hand row. . .I was patting myself on the back by now, liking what I was seeing. . .When I had several rows filled in, I could see I had a problem. . .so. . .let me warn you. . .

Where I was simply turning around on a warp as I had done on the right-hand side rows, it left a gap (see above) when I wove back to the left. . .DON'T SIMPLY LOOP AROUND THE WARP WHEN TURNING FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. . .

Instead. . .I fixed the problem like this. . .

STEP THREE. . .Take a large hair pin (or crochet hook), catching up the fabric strip and threading it through the loop on the right (purple) when you meet that row . . .

The row you just wove will then be turned around correctly to begin STEP FOUR. . .weave back to the left. . .right over left. . .

The row now fills in correctly . .The loop over the warp from the right side (purple) is a little too tight but I can go back and ease it up a little later. . .And, it's another lesson learned. . .DON'T WRAP THE WARP TOO TIGHT from the right. . .

And here you have it. . .No gaping hole like the rows above. . .

This is actually a fun pattern to make. . .I hope I haven't confused you. . .It's a pattern for the advanced weaver maybe but as long as you follow the photos, you should have no problem. . .I'm using John's ADJUSTABLE RAG RUG LOOM. . .I can make just about any size I want and am thinking I may weave some placemats in this pattern and use shades of white and tan. . .but I want to finish this rug first. . .If we get anymore snow and ice days, it won't take long. . .

 

MERCANTILE GATHERINGS is now COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE: A New Name, A New Beginning, A New Writer--ME!

"I TOLD YOU SO, didn't I?" 

I could hear the smile in Cindy's (Old Time Farmhouse) voice over the phone. 

"Well. . .Yeah. . .but I didn't consider it."

I hadn't fully grasped the news myself.

"But, I just KNEW it. . .Remember I TOLD you? . . .I was right, wasn't I?"

I had to admit she WAS right. . .

but, I swear on my last dime that I never, ever thought I would be writing for a nationally published magazine of any kind, much less a magazine that was on the top of my list of favorites. . .Yes, Cindy did tell me a couple of years ago that I should write for a magazine. . .It was our first face-to-face visit with each other. . .Or was it the second? . .Well. . .anyway. . .That's what she told me. . .I thought she was just being nice. . .It was not on my list of goals. . .nor my bucket list. . .so, it was a real shock when DJ Williams, the editor of Mercantile Gatherings, called and asked me to be part of her team. . .

Sometimes LIFE surprises a person. . .and. . .sometimes we even like it. . .

And. . .There's more news. . .I know most of you are familiar with Mercantile Gatherings Magazine. . .Beginning this Spring, it will have a new name. . .COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE. . .

 

DJ Williams took over Mercantile Gatherings a couple of years ago. She was interested in making some changes but took time to listen to what the readers wanted and to develop her concept. . .The result is the new COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE . .On January 2, DJ made her announcement. . . .

. . .we have some Exciting News to share … A New Name, a New Beginning this year in 2018, the heart and soul of Mercantile Gatherings wrapped up in a *New* Package as Country Rustic Magazine, Coming this Spring!! To celebrate our *New* Look and the coming of our 1st Issue as Country Rustic Magazine, we will be having all sorts of FLASH Sales and Special Offers up to and through the release of the Spring Issue which is scheduled for March 1st, so stay tuned and be sure to subscribe to our Newsletter and Facebook so you won’t miss out on important news!

. . .For those of our loyal readers who have been with us for many years, perhaps even since our humble beginnings in 2004 as Mercantile Gatherings, or maybe you’ve just recently found and joined us, you’ll find that each of our Issues welcomes our readers through personal home tours of charming homes decorated with antiques, primitives and country home décor, providing inspiration and ideas, as well as DIY crafting, make-do’s and recipes. We also bring you interesting and informative articles on antiques, history and traditions of antiques and primitives, country and farmhouse-style home decorating, and more…

DJ is a dream of an editor and has given me quite a bit of freedom with my articles and photos. . .She also didn't get upset when my first article couldn't be submitted on time. . .It's a story in itself about all the things that went wrong, as I hurriedly tried to meet the Jan 2 deadline. . .Let me just say, I broke three cameras and two computers. . .and that was on the good weeks. . .I didn't meet that deadline. . .but DJ extended the time for me. . .I was glad that my articles were to be fairly short with lots of photos. . .Once I bought a camera that actually worked, the rest was quick and easy. . .

I can already tell this will be a very good experience for me and fun to  boot. . .

I have one more surprise. . .There's more? . . .Yep. . .DJ and her photographer (and hopefully our friend Mercy, the Open Hearth Cook) will be traveling to our farm from Pennsylvania in October when the fields will be white with cotton. . .They'll be shooting photos of THE COUNTRY FARM HOME for a feature in 2019. . .We are so looking forward to that visit. . .DJ seems like 'family' already. . .and a visit with Momma Mercy is always a treat. . .

Isn't it all wonderful news? . .I hope you'll consider subscribing to COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE so that you don't miss out on the beginning of what promises to be an exceptional magazine. . .DJ has some wonderful writers and the photography is super. . .To subscribe. . .or to order products, go to:

COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE WEBSITE

I'm still learning how to operate my new camera but it won't be long until I'm in full swing and back to writing posts and sharing our life at THE COUNTRY FARM HOME again. . .We're experiencing a lot of ice and cold weather, but nothing like the rest of the country. . .I think that's another reason I'm looking forward to the first issue of Country Rustic Magazine. . .a sign that Spring is not far off. . .I'm more than ready. . .aren't you?