Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Fall Inspiration Inside the Gazebo


Well. . .Okay. . .So it's not your everyday standard gazebo. . .but I don't know what else to call it. . .John actually named it. . .People looked at us funny when we'd tell them to meet us at the Corn Crib. . .I remember my cousins meeting their Dad's at the Corn Crib with a belt for an 'attitude adjustment'. . .not a pretty sight. . .I think they also went there to smoke. . .They thought they were getting away with it but Daddy always knew what they were doing. . .being boys.

But back to our Corn Crib built ca 1930 by my Granddad Magers. . .It was in an awful shape when we returned to the farm. . .Some told us to bulldoze it. . .They're eating their words now. . .John called it 'The Corn Crib Gazebo' from the beginning. . .'The Gazebo' stuck. . .I have one cousin who loves to sleep here. . .Can't blame him a bit, can you?

It's become the meeting place for friends and family when the weather is good. . .and Fall is the perfect time to enjoy it. . .I try to have afghans handy for the chilly days. . .So far, we haven't had any, but I'm sure cooler weather will be here soon.


In years past I've used vintage metal gliders and chairs, but with several years of use they were beginning to fall apart. . .One day I was killing time at Lowes while John was sorting wood and found these white Adirondack chairs on sale for $8. . .I immediately staked my claim on them and sat there until John found me. . .I didn't want anyone to grab them. . .They are really comfy. . .In fact, I found John napping in one last week. . .They are much easier to clean, too. . .A hose-down is all they need.

I've been told it might become a favorite meeting place for the witches on Halloween. . .That would be fine. . .as long as they leave me a chair. . .and maybe John, too. . .In fact, looks like one has already claimed the swing, doesn't it?. .(grin)









. . .from my corn crib gazebo to yours. . .
 
 
 


Sunday, September 21, 2014

SUNDAY: There's Always One In Every Crowd


Have you ever noticed this? You get a crowd together and one will stand out from the others. . .Might be a clown. . .Might be their fashion style. . .Might be someone with a lot to say. . .Not a bad thing. . .They only become memorable. . .Leaders stand out in a crowd. . .Trend Setters shine brighter. . .

Do YOU know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator?
Unique and unlike anyone else?
Well, you are.
 
In this day of being politically and socially correct, our uniqueness is threatened. . . .Sometimes I have to remind myself that I don't have to do what everyone else is doing. . .
 
 
So very true. . .
 
 
Be Who You Were Meant To Be, My Friends. . .
Because You Are Beautiful Within Yourself
 
Sunday Blessings From the Farm!
 
 


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

A Farm Kitchen Revealed

Chances are you'll never have a kitchen as primitive as this. . .I honestly hope not. . .but I wanted to quickly share with you a typical farm kitchen inside a shotgun house during the Great Depression. . .In fact, this one may actually be a little fancy for most families.


Wheee. . .It's been quite a journey this summer getting to this point for our Fall Tours at the farm. . .One of the things I was set on was to stage COWBOY'S SHOTGUN HOUSE as a Depression Era two room home. . .pretty sparse, huh? . .Back then a kitchen was a work place. . .not a show place. . .without running water or electricity. . .Can you imagine? Well, even during the 1960s I visited inside homes such as this. . .By then they did have electricity and maybe running water from the well. . .but very basic kitchens. . .I remember them as warm and cozy--the Mom cooking or baking or canning in the same manner that my Mom prepared the food in her new and modern kitchen. . .What a difference. . .yet with the same function.
 


Many finds for the room came from flea markets and junk yards. . .In fact, John took a big load of our junk to the county dump and returned with the wood-burning stove. . .I have every intention to try my hand at cooking on it one day. . .The Hoosier style cabinet top had also been discarded. . .this time on the side of the road. . .Now that was real junkin', huh?

I posted peeks for the two rooms of the shotgun house at DUNCAN FARMSTEAD if you'd like to see more. . .Since many of you don't follow that blog, I thought I'd share a few more kitchen photos here. . .Thought you might enjoy them. . .Sorry they are a little grainy. . .I had limited light since the windows haven't gone in, yet. . .had to rely on an overhead light. . .The shotgun isn't finished--that's a winter project. . .We will add walls (not all tenant house had them) and windows and a back door, but the rooms will pretty much remain set up as you see them here. . .a farm kitchen representative of the Delta during the 30s.












Gotta run for now. . .
I've enjoyed popping in to say "HI" and hope you're enjoying this Fall weather. . .
 
 


Sunday, September 14, 2014

SUNDAY: Working with My Hands in the Quiet of the Day

 
On this Sunday-this day of rest-it might be a little odd that I'm thinking about work. . .The countdown to farm tours fills my thoughts even on this day, but probably not in the way you might think--as in 'to-do' lists and endless details. . .What fills me is awe at the gradual transformation of a mind-set from the tech world and a hurried life where every minute is filled with 'something' to the realization of the blessings found in the hum-drum tasks before me.
 
The Shakers believed that their daily labors, when attended with devotion, would bring them closer to God. . .Working with my hands in the quiet of the day, I often reminded myself of the Shakers and their dedication to God in ALL things. . .Over and over I'd say to myself, "Hands to work. .Hearts to God" and little by little I've begun to see the wisdom of it. . .It's become an incredible journey. . .just me and God. . .An experience that has been a surprise but such a blessing in my life. . .I feel centered and upright. . .in a simple sort of way. . .
 
MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH A LOVE-FILLED SUNDAY, MY FRIENDS
 


Thursday, September 11, 2014

Ivory-Crepe Myrtle-Sailboats

Catchy title, huh?. .I'm sure you're thinking, "What in this world is she up to now?"
Well. . .Read on. . .


I'm probably behind everyone else with this discovery for our farmhouse bath. . .Have YOU seen Ivory in it's SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE WRAPPER? I hadn't when I ran across the bars for sale at Dollar General a month or so ago. . . I only bought one at the time, thinking I'd add it to the bath "somehow". . .Once I brought it home and saw how it added so much to the room, I went back to buy more. . .and was so disappointed. . .They were all sold out. . .Bummer. . .I began stopping at every Dollar General with no luck. . .Then I found them! . . .at Dollar Tree of all places. . .They only had three. . .bought them all, of course. . .



My goodness. . .the fragrance of Ivory soap will forever remind me of my Grandmother's home. . .what a lovely memory. . .But, this isn’t just your grandmother’s soap. This is your great-great-grandmother’s soap! It's been around for 135 years. . ."Just a little more than 100 years after our country declared independence - Ivory first floated. The first cake of Ivory was sold in October, 1879. . ."  It's definitely been around for a while.

The SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE  WRAPPER covers a large size CAKE OF IVORY SOAP . . .and reminds us that "it floats" . . .How well I know! . .It's not only the fragrance that reminds me of Grandmother's bath, it's the sailboats we made together with Ivory soap bars. . .Now, that's a memory. . .


Toothpicks and paper were all we needed. . .We'd make a whole fleet of sailboats. . .I could spend hours--if she'd let me--in the tub. . .I guess you could say I'd be squeaky clean, huh?

We've been so busy with the farmstead that I've barely taken any time for myself the last couple of months. . .As I finished the laundry this week, I glanced over at the Ivory--suddenly having a desire to make at least one sailboat for a long soak in the tub. . .

I headed to the kitchen for supplies. . .and noticed right outside the window that the Crepe Myrtle was fast fading. . .I realized I had not brought a bouquet indoors all summer long. . .It's been beautiful this year. . .but now the blooms are fading. . .a sure sign that fall is on it's way. . .I ran out and cut a few to enjoy. . .

Actually, I sort of like the look. . .much more suited for fall, I think. . .


Before I knew it, our vintage bath was looking as if it was straight out of a magazine. . .So SIMPLY done. . .I have to give the Commemorative Ivory Soap Wrapper the credit.  . .Who would have guessed that a $1 bar of soap would bring inspiration for our Plain and Simple Farmhouse Style. . .and such wonderful memories. . .So many times it's the little things that impact us the most. . .isn't it?


My long soak in the tub with Ivory-Crepe Myrtle-and Sailboats was "heavenly". . .
I highly recommend it to you. . .or to your kids.
Hey. . .why not share a fleet of sailboats with them. . .and create a memory?
There's nothing more simple.
 
. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .
 
 
 


Sunday, September 7, 2014

SUNDAY: Old and Faded

There are days when I can relate. I sometimes feel old and faded myself.
 
 
Some days it's really hard to get up from my comfy couch and go to work here on the farm.
There's a never-ending list and at times I just don't want to deal with it.
Yet, I do. . .
as the same ole Bible verse plays again in my head:
 
 
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,
to mind your own business
and to work with your hands. (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
 
Yes, Lord. . .I hear you!
 
SUNDAY HUGS
. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .
 
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