It's Almost Time: Fall Home Feature in Country Rustic Magazine

Has it really been a year since DJ Williams contacted me and asked to do a photo shoot of our home for the 2019 Fall Issue of Country Rustic Magazine?. . .My how time flies. . .But the issue has been sent to press and will be on news stands very soon. . .I mean VERY SOON. . .And for the first time, you'll be able to buy a copy at Walmart, Kroger, and many other mainstream stores. . .

I've already seen a PDF of The Country Farm Home feature. . .There are ten pages of photos and information about our farmhouse style. . .including how our Delta cotton farm influenced the color palette. . .how we decorate with found and natural materials. . .and the fun we have had incorporating family treasures into the mix. . .It was a treat working with DJ on this project. . .I sure learned a lot about how much time goes into a single issue, too. . .Some of you have noticed I haven't been posting as often. . .Now, you know the reason why. . .It is a lot of work. . .but so rewarding. . .

The really hard thing was not sharing photos I took that day of the shoot. . .The photographer took over 500 photos. . Until I saw which DJ selected, I didn't dare show you mine and let the cat out of the bag. . . I think I took about 200. . .But. . .I can't share many of them right now. . .because. . .

There's MORE good news. . .The Country Farm Home will be a feature in the Winter, Spring, and  Summer Issues as well. . .By that time, you should know all our tips and secrets as we have renovated and restored the old farmstead and house. . .

 

It's all beginning soon. . .Please watch for it. . .

and I'll be back later with more of the inside scoop. . .

 

A Second-But Rustic-Farmhouse Bathroom

Yes. . .we have another. . .but a more rustic. . ."bathroom". . .If you have followed The Country Farm Home for a few years, you can probably figure out from where the photos in this post came. . .Our farmstead necessary room out back. . .better known as the outhouse. . .But. . .I'm not concentrating on the outhouse itself. . .but rather providing some inspiration for rustic farmhouse baths inside your home. . .

With a huge basket, I went through Our Old Country Store and picked items I have successfully used in the farmhouse bath. . .but when in the combination of primitive walls and painted barnwood, it takes on a totally different look. . .more suitable for rustic farmhouses. . .

 Old bottles and hand towels. . .

 Ironstone pitchers. . .shabby step stools. . .a bird nest in the drinking ladle. . .a weathered fence. . .our garden bunny. . .and a wreath of soft blue to set off the stool. . .

Don't forget to add a farmhouse chair, too. . .a plain and simple one. . .

Here is another idea. . .I'm never happy with just one. . .I started with a mannequin wearing Grandmother's nightgown. . .added cotton stalks to a shabby ice cream bucket. . .a smaller bucket to the side. . .And notice the blue bird perched on the fence. . .It picks up the blue in the smaller bucket. . .

I think I will give you a peek of the outside, too. . .because the wooden wash tub would make a fine accent in a primitive, rustic or farmhouse setting. . .

And in the window. . .it's Old Spice and another ironstone pitcher. . .

The secret to making everything work is plenty shades of white. . .

with touches of a pastel. . .

Lots of texture. . .and bringing a little of the outside in. 

Most of all, just have fun with it. . .

Make it your own. . . and throw away the rules. . .

I do. . .

Love These Tea Boxes For A Unique Sofa Table

The photo doesn't look like The Country Farm Home? . . .It's not. . .but I'm thinking about getting a set of these Tea Boxes for it. . .I just love them. . .They were handmade for us by our friends at Sassafras Creek Originals and are now in our home at Ste. Genevieve. . .

They are the handiest things I've found in a long time. . .I am such a "paper lover". . .magazines, books, writing pads, journals. . .that I always have more than I have room for in a basket. . .it overflows onto the floor. . .Now. . .at our Heil House, I can hide it all where it is very handy. . .

Kandye and her husband Dale are both so talented. . .Her store is full of handmade and unique colonial items that in many cases can be utilized in any decor. . .I've already bought several items for The Country Farm Home from them that fit well in my plain and simple farmhouse style. . .

Yep. . .I think I might need another set for the farmhouse. . .I'm positive these will never leave our Missouri home. . .CLICK HERE TO SEE AND READ MORE. . .

Faith-Love-Joy-Stockings-Angels-Christmas

What a title combination of words, huh?. . .but I bet I got your attention, didn't I? . .I just couldn't wait for the winter season to show you. . .I am so impatient. . .sometimes. . .and what's wrong with having Christmas in June. . .? ? ?

Faith. . .Love. . .and Joy are needed the year round. . .as are Cotton Bolls and Baby's Breath. . .in our Farmhouse anyway. . .

But. . .a stocking, too?

To tell you the truth. . .I've been photographing again for Country Rustic magazine. . .for the 2019 Christmas issue. . .It is forever strange to me having to look ahead two seasons from now. . .but I am getting more accustomed to it. . .And I'm also getting better in developing vignettes that I can possibly let remain set up. . .as with the bathroom shelf. . .If not for the stockings below, it could be intended as a year round display. . .with its soft message pillows. . .the cotton. . .and baby's breath. . .none of which are especially "Christmas". . .

And. . .Mom continually commented that Angels were needed all year round. . .not just at Christmas. . .She always had some of her collection scattered throughout the house, no matter what season it was. . .

True. . .a Christmas tree is a little harder to explain. . .hmmmm. . .I suppose it will have to be stored in the closet until the proper time. . .

But. . .now I ask you. . .

Do I really have to take my stocking down? 

Front Cover: Our Little Necessary House Outback

I have a sneak peek for you. . .the SUMMER ISSUE OF COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE hits the stands May 24. . .just two days from now. . .and. . .I'm sure excited because. . .my story is listed on the cover!!!! . .for the first time. . .

My Mom on the left. . .

"Our Little Necessary House Outback" is a story about the "fancy one" my Grandmother had in back of her house. . .but it is also about how John and I built our own one summer. . .with before and after photos. . .To top it off, we included some black and white photos made by my Dad of vintage outhouses. . .He has a whole collection of them. . .

It was a fun article to write. . .and I think you'll enjoy reading it. . .Hope so. . .

Coming in the FALL ISSUE, our COUNTRY FARM HOME will be featured. . .with lots of photos inside and out. . .I can hardly wait to see that one. . .Lots of cotton and farmhouse decor. . .Of course, I'll let you know. . .

 COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE LINK

Just a quick little post to let you know what's happening. . .I'll be back at the farmhouse this week and will catch you up. . .Life has been anything but boring lately. . .

Blue Bird--Blue Sky--Blue Bath

I never tire of soft and calming, light denim blues in our bath. . .In fact, I've even painted the ceiling a light blue and added clouds to make the room feel as if there is no ceiling. . .only open blue skies. . .

Recently I read that birds, like the sky, are often used as metaphors for feeling free. . .flying above whatever it is that might be holding them down. . .I loved that. . .Immediately my mind went to a bird's nest that I had rescued when it fell out of a nearby tree. . .no eggs in it, so I was sure the babies had long flown away. . .free of the ties that bound them. . .

With the nest and a 50 cent metal blue bird I found at a flea market. . .I set up a vignette in the corner of the bath. . .where I can lay back in the tub and imagine my little blue bird flying off into the sky (ceiling) above. . .and thinking how I should always remember. . .no matter how bogged down and disheartened I may get. . .that the sky is the limit. . .for a little blue bird. . .and for me. . .

"If happy little blue birds fly. . .beyond the rainbow. . .why, oh why can't I?"

Is It Easter Already?

My goodness. . .How did Easter slip up on me so quickly this year. . .It seems only last week I was scraping ice off my windshield. . .Yet. . .I am so thankful that's all over with for another year. . .and I am so glad Spring is officially here. . .The trees are leafing out. . .flowers are blooming. . .the garden is planted. . .my Spring cleaning is almost done. . .and I can wear white again. . .Remember that old rule about not wearing white shoes or hat before Easter?

I can't help but think of those Easters years ago, when I finally was allowed to wear new white sandles, a new pastel dress with a white hat trimmed in flowers and white gloves for the first time. . .Such a special day. . .My family always went to our own church at Easter but then it was a quick trip to my Grandmother Duncan's house for lunch and an egg hunt. . .Of course, we had to wear our fine clothes all day because there would be numerous photos snapped. . .

Happy Times. . .

Happy Easters. . .

Have a Wonderful One! 

Enjoying Spring at My New Reading Hideaway

Well. . .I told you I'd be back and that Spring would come. . .Right on both accounts. . .It took me almost two months to get things straightened out and have an available internet. . .We have so few options for our net needs at the farm that I tried to work with the phone company that I'd been with since 1973, thinking they would make it right. . .That was a mistake. . .I finally had enough and went with another company and couldn't be happier. . .So, everyone. . ."I'm back in business!". . .as they say. . .

We've had some rather cold Spring days. . .but when the sun shines and it's warmer. . .I like to be outdoors, whether working in flower gardens or resting with a good book. . .I decided I'd carve me out a little reading nook at the side of our Ste. Genevieve home just for that. . .I gathered brick from around that house. . .and. . .concrete pads from the Country Farm Home, along with a wooden planter left over from the fall. . .There was no expense at all, except. . .the little boy. . .Believe it or not, I walked into a thrift store at the same time I was working on my little hideaway. . .and there he was!!!!. . .$8. . .I couldn't imagine anyone discarding him. . He was perfect for my reading area. . . .

I do have an iron bench I'll be adding to the area for comfort. . .but this will do for now. . .I must admit, too, that sitting outside, admiring our backyard, I can sure daydream a lot about project possibilities. . .but that will be later. . .I'll have to work a little on John first. . .

So glad to be back visiting with all of you. . .

Hope you are enjoying this Spring weather, too. . .