English Ironstone Mystery

We have a mystery. . . .
This gorgeous English Ironstone Chamber Pot showed up on our doorstep a few weeks ago. . . .It's a wonderful turn-of-the-century piece. . . .No nicks. . . .No breaks. . . .and signed English Ironstone. . . .We thought someone would get in touch with us and claim 'responsibility'. . . . but so far, we haven't found the gift giver! . . .It's a complete mystery!

This beautiful vintage piece will be placed in our C. A. Smith Grocery Museum, so we'd like to document the donation. . . .We would also like to know the story behind it. . . .If you have any information, please email us:
backatthefarm1938@yahoo.com
PLEASE!!!!



It means so much to us that the local community has supported our endeavor here at the historic district.
Many thanks to all of you!

Now, Mystery Gifter. . . .It's time to reveal who you are!

 

 

 

Farmhouse Signs of Spring. . .Are You Ready?

 

It's here! . . .It's here!

The first day of Spring!

Want to join me in a Happy Dance?

I thought Winter would last forever.

 

Evidently, Mother Nature got the memo, too!

We're suppose to have temps in the 70s tomorrow,

after temps in the 20s earlier in the week.

 

I'm energized! 

Spring Cleaning. . . .Spring Gardening. . . .

coming up SOON!

 

BROOMS READY?

 

 

BELL JARS READY?

 

 

BEE SKEPS READY?

 

 

 

 

CLAY POTS AND CLOTHESPINS?

 

 

GARDEN HATS TRIMMED AND READY?

 

 

HOMES FOR RETURNING FRIENDS READY?

 

 

AM I READY?

 

 

You better believe it!!!!

New Season. . . .New Beginnings. . . .New Blessings

 

 

Up A Ladder and Nowhere to Go

Do you ever find yourself up a ladder with nowhere to go?

It's been happening to me a lot lately. . . .


 

 

I don't know why Mom moved the ladder out in the middle of nowhere. . . .

I was just TRYING to HELP. . . .

She had that big fireplace and keeping room to clean, so

I looked around to see what I could get into do to help.

I spotted a ladder beside the cupboards. . . .Hey!!!! 

I could dust the tops of the cabinets. . . .and

 

I do LOVE climbing ladders!!!!!

 

The only thing I like more is jumping from the ladder to 'higher ground.'

It wasn't my fault I knocked off the enamelware and bird's nests. . . .

and made such a loud noise that Daddy came running in from outside.

There's only so much room up there, you know. . . .

 

 

When I ventured out from under the bed a little later,

my ladder was sitting in the middle of the floor. . . .

Hmmmmm. . . .

I need to get back to my dusting. . . .

Hmmmmm. . . .

Doesn't Mom see me waiting patiently?

 

 

I'm getting awfully tired and sleepy. . . .

 

 

Oooooh. . . .I had a thought!

Maybe I could jump from here? . . . .

Uh-uh. . . .Too much effort. . . .

 

 

I'll just rest here for a while. . . .

I really have nowhere to go anyway.

 

 

. . . from my farmhouse ladder to yours. . .

 

 

Boo is our walking miracle.

He has survived Addisons Disease for six years,

in spite of all odds and the frequent and painful crises.

He has been close to death more times than I like to think.

He has suffered much. . . .

But, he loves life and never considers giving up.

We won't give up on him either.

Each day we have him is a blessing.

 

Boo continues to work in research for Pfizer Pharmaceutical.

Through his vet and friend Dr. Cato, he reluctantly gives

his blood for research and willingly tests experimental drugs

in hopes that a cure will be found.

He has his own room and couch when he's 'at work'

and has won everyone's heart.

 

Out of the 600 original participants,

Boo is one of three left and the oldest of them all.

 

With their help, progress is being made with this disease that is becoming

more and more common in animals--as well as humans.

Maybe one day an answer will be found

so that other pets--or humans--won't have to suffer.

 

For more information about Feline Addisons Disease:

CLICK HERE

 

Canine Addisons Disease symptoms and treatments 

are basically the same.

 

 



Popcorn and Redwork

I bet your first thought was "HUH?"

What does popcorn and redwork have to do with each other?

 

 

The Answer?

Nothing--Normally--In this instance, they do.

Hang in there. . . .It will all become clear to you soon.

 

I wanted to brag a little. . . .Hope you don't mind.

I've told you over and over that I have no green thumb. . . .

but LOOK at my geraniums!

It's WINTER. . . .They're BLOOMING. . . .

The stems seem to be reaching for the sky. .  .

but. . .hey. . .They're not dead!

 

 

I'm so proud of myself for not killing them.

In fact, I have five plants that are doing just fine. . .

although I think they'd rather be out in Summer sun,

but who wouldn't?

 

 

I'm as proud as these 'PUFFED UP' kitchen chicks.

Along with red and white Dollar Tree popcorn containers

the geraniums have added a POP of color to our winter days. . . .

(Get it?  A 'POP' of color? . . .grin)

 

 

Yesterday I found left-overs from the holidays, including two bags of popcorn. . . .a bag of those huge marshmallows. . . .(what DO you do with those?). . . .and a half bag of red vanilla candy chips. . . .I had the makings of something for John's sweet tooth! . . .perfectly coordinated with the red and white February décor. . . .But, February is almost over, you say? . . .All the more reason to use them up.

 

I found the recipe on Pinterest. . . .It's basically the one we've all used for Rice Crispie Treats. . . .In the past, I've added a lot more ingredients to it--nuts, chocolate chips, M & M's, Rice Crispies, candy corn--whatever I had on hand. . . .I call it Popcorn Hash when I add a number of items together. . . .But, all I had on hand were the three left-overs. . . .They became Mini Popcorn Balls to POP in your mouth. (There's that word POP again!). . . .Takes no time to whip up a batch using the microwave.

 

 

                 Marshmallow Popcorn Balls or Popcorn Hash                    
Makes 8-10 Regular Size Popcorn Balls

or 20-25 Mini Popcorn Balls

or a lot of Popcorn Hash!

 

1/4 cup butter or margarine

40  regular size marshmallows

1/4 tsp. salt (if butter is unsalted)

1 tsp vanilla, optional

12 cups popcorn, popped

 

Melt butter in a Pyrex bowl in the microwave.  Add marshmallows--salt and vanilla if desired. Continue to melt in the microwave, stopping to stir every 10-15 seconds.  Heat until all is melted and combined well.
(Total time in my microwave about one minute)

 Spread popcorn on a pan or cookie sheet that has been lightly buttered. Pour the marshmallow mixture on top and toss with wooden spoons. Add vanilla chips last and mix.
(Chips are added last so that they don't melt in the hot marshmellow mixture)

Shape into mini or large balls with well-buttered hands.

 

For Popcorn Hash: Before pouring marshmallow mixture, add to the popcorn your choice of nuts, candied fruit, Oreo cookie pieces, tiny marshmallows, anything you choose that will not melt. Pour warm marshmallow mixture over the top and lightly toss with wooden spoons. Then add the candies and chips. Toss again. When cool, break up into bite size pieces and store in a sealed container.

 

I'll make another batch for SUNDAY's indoor picnic. . . .

(See where the redwork comes in?)

This time it will be 'Hash' and filled with all sorts of goodies,

which means a visit to the grocery store. . . .ugh. . . .

maybe I'll send John. . . .because. . . .

 

I was hoping there would be a few mini popcorn balls left for the weekend. . . .

Not a chance. . . .Mr. Sweet Tooth has discovered them!
I can see now. . . .

 

They're history!!!!

 

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . . 

 

Thoughts from the Farmhouse Kitchen Window

A kitchen window. . . .with a time-worn farmhouse sink below.

 

For once, I'm without many words. .  .

I wanted to share these photos with you that--for me--conjure up all kinds
of memories and feelings, likes and desires, dreams and realities. . . .
but the truth is, I have few words to share. . . .

Sometimes perhaps it's better to be silent. . . .
to hold our thoughts dear. . . .
 

 

And, sometimes it's best to allow others to do the same. . . .
 

 

As I gaze out my own kitchen window,

I have to admit that today

 I am content and satisfied with life.

 

 . . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

 

 

A Glamping We Will Go

SOURCE

'A Glamping we will go,

A Glamping we will go,

Heigh Ho, the Merry-O

A Glamping we will go!'

 

You do know what Glamping is, don't you?

Glamour Camping in a Vintage Travel Trailer!
 

SOURCE

 

Yep, I have a new Playhouse.

A 1973 Argosy 24 Airstream.
 

SOURCE

I lived in an early 50s Airstream when I was in college.

Daddy bought it years earlier for our Summer

lake vacations. . . .When I went off to college, he moved it

so I could have a little of bit of 'home' with me.

 

He was such a sweetie. . . .
 



SOURCE

I loved living in that Airstream and have wanted one of my own ever since.

 

SOURCE

 

I spotted the one we bought three years ago,

at J R's Cars in Malden, Missouri.

He was asking more for it than our pocketbook could do,

but when we left, I looked at the Argosy 24 and told John,

'That's MY trailer.'

SOURCE

 

Every time we drove by--and it was still there--

I'd say again. . . .

'There's MY trailer!'
 

SOURCE

 

On a whim last week, I asked John to call J R

and ask if the price was still the same.

We want to take our looms on the road

and would like to have some of the comforts of home

to take with us.
 

SOURCE

Low and behold!!!!

We offered him what our pocketbook could pay

and he took it!
 

The previous photos are not my new playhouse. . . .

only daydreaming. . . .

It will be a while before I'll be able to show our renovation.

For now, though, we can use it--everything works--

and the glamping work can come later.

 

This one is ours:

 

She's a little pitiful looking right now,

but eventually she'll be a 'Glamper'.

I'm so grateful for a wish come true.

 

What the power of positive thinking can do!

(A Special Note Below)

. . .from my farmhouse (glamper) to yours. . .

 

 I want to thank all of you for your sweet comments

on our loss of Mr. Smokey. You have truly touched my heart

and John's. It's still a tender spot, but we are all adjusting. Thank you

for your good wishes and kindness.

 

There's a link to Heide's February

Apron of the Month at:

Our Old Country Store

 

 

and

 

 

a link for a

Make-Do Apron from a Man's Shirt

 

Hearts and Good-byes

 

I had a beautiful post planned last week for Valentine's Day. . . .then. . . .Life Happened.
Seems as if life is happening a lot more frequently to us these last couple of years, now that I think about it. . . .The one thing we can all depend on is that Life WILL change, at times in a matter of hours.

I know many of you are animal lovers, just as we are. . . .It's always difficult when we lose one of them. . . .One of John's feline shop pals, Mr. Smokey, became suddenly ill last week. . . .For two days, it looked as if it was a minor problem. . . .Then early Friday, he took a turn for the worse. . . .within a few hours he was gone in spite of anything we or the vet could do. . . .As it turned out, it was a genetic disorder that often goes undetected. . . .with no known cure. . . .John's always maintained that Mr. Smokey and Little Bit were 'just shop cats'. . . .He wouldn't get attached. . . .Famous last words. . . .He was a wreck.

 

At the same time, my Boo (Mr. Velcro--he sticks to me) was also in the hospital fighting off another Addison's crisis. . . .Little Bit (Smokey's sis) was alive and well, yet she seemed to know Mr. Smokey was gone the minute it happened. . . .For three days she hid from us. . . .wouldn't eat. . . .grieving. . . .As if this wasn't enough, we had an out-of-town emergency. . . .Our world was topsy-turvey for a while. . . .

Good news, though. . . .Little Bit is eating again. . . .still sad, but she'll be fine. . . .

The emergency crisis is over. . . .

and Boo is back in my lap.

So the post I intended to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day

has become an opportunity to remind you to give your special companion

an extra hug and maybe a few more treats today. . . .

How quickly they steal your heart. . . .and how quickly that heart can suffer a loss.

 



Mr. Smokey



 

 Life is getting back to normal for us. . . .I say that with a smile. . . .

Life is rarely normal around here. . . .Each morning brings the possibility

of a new adventure. . . .and new blessings. . . .

yet, sometimes difficult, too. . .

 

Saying Good-bye has reminded both of us to

look for the Blessings in Life. . . .because. . . .My Friends. . . .

Life can be very Fragile.

 

. . .from our farmhouse to yours. . .