Old Crow Farm

Feeling The Season

2011-12-12T10:29:00.001-08:00

It’s a dark, dreary morning here on the farm. There’s rain in the forecast for the next two days. After a very dry summer we welcome the rain but it would be nice if we could see a little snow. After all, we are entering the Christmas Season!

And speaking of the season~~~I’m happy to announce the house is all decked out in red & greens. Since we now have three kitties (~~What was I thinking?~~) in the house I really didn’t want to put the main tree up until the last possible minute. However, Keith saw things differently. (~~Like he’s going to be in here to pull the kitties off it!~~) so up it went. Actually they’ve done pretty good where it’s concerned. They like to sit in the old buggy seat and bat the balls around but for the most part really haven’t bothered it.

Now I don’t want you to think they are little angles either! Earlier this month I NP four little sheep off my dear friend Betty’s (From Primitivebetty’s) “Symple~Herb Filled Sheep” pattern. Girls if you don’t have that pattern, run right out and buy it. I swear they are darling and if someone with my sewing skills can put them together, you know the pattern is easy! I made these for my dear friend Carolyn, trying to duplicate two of her sheep. I knew wouldn’t see Carolyn before Christmas so decided to stick them in a bowl with some greenery and display them in my house. Starting off, they were on my Hoosier cabinet. That lasted all of one hour. Our cat “Baby” must have thought they looked like mice (~~Hmmm, maybe my sewing skills aren’t as great as I think they are?~~) and the next thing I know, she’s walking around with one in her mouth! Screaming “Bad Kitty” and chasing her for five minutes I finally manage to get it away from her. By this time I knew they were going to have to be displayed somewhere else. Deciding high up on my kitchen table would be a safe place, I went happily to bed. The next morning I awoke to greenery scattered like leaves in the wind and a bowl missing two sheep! It was hours before I finally found them….One tucked under a throw rug and another under the loveseat.

Now during the day they are still displayed on the table but each night, bowl & all they are carried to the master bedroom to sleep safely through the night. Sorry Baby, no more having fun with my sheep while I sleep.

Since we have so many young’uns they will all be coming home at different times this year for Christmas. This means ole Mom gets to do tons of baking all month long. Luckily they each have their ‘favorites’ so I’m not cooking the same old things over & over. The storage containers are quickly filling up (~~And un-filling as my crew snacks on them.)~~ and I’m having fun trying out lots of new recipes. Is it any wonder we are all getting so fat????

Well girls, the day is quickly passing & I’m not getting anything done. It’s time to get in gear and who knows, maybe they’ll even be time to pull a few loops on the new rug in there on my frame. Have a great day and stay warm. Hugs, Sher

A Fall Walk Through Our Cabin

2011-11-25T06:23:00.001-08:00

Good Morning!

Another Thanksgiving has came & gone here on Old Crow Farm. For the first time in 43 years I didn’t fix the traditional Thanksgiving meal. It seemed so strange not to have turkey (We opted for a spiral ham which my crew eats much better than turkey. It was even eaten the night before with our son Seth & his wife Codi.) but I’m thrilled not to be throwing out turkey this morning. Even though I didn’t bake a turkey, we still had one Thanksgiving day…..We ate with my Mom and three of my sisters and their family. We had a wonderful day and spent as much time laughing as we did eating. Okay, that’s probably a lie. We ate a lot!!!!

Now that we have one holiday behind us, it’s time to move on to the next…..Christmas! Apparently the weatherman has decided it’s time to let the Thanksgiving season go too as cold weather is in the forecast. The perfect time to start a fire in the fireplace, remove all the Fall decorations and replace them with our Christmas things.

Before I do that though, I wanted to take you on our walk through our little cabin all decorated for the Fall season. Are you ready? Grab your coat & a hot drink as it’s getting chilly out there.

Okay, let’s walk through the front door. How do you like my chair? It’s the perfect place to curl up with a good book or your favorite stitching project. And that second chair with little foot stool is just perfect to invite a friend to stitch or hook with you.

Now if it’s cold, we can start a fire in the fireplace. Okay, maybe we be better do a ‘pretend’ fire. We don’t want to burn the place down! HA

If we get tired of stitching, we can always set on the sofa and watch a movie. Or if we get really bored we can open one of my many cupboards and go through recipe books.

No matter what we do, I’m sure we’ll have a good time. I mean, how can you help but have fun when your with a good friend?

Okay, it’s time to drag out the Christmas decorations. Grab your coat and let’s go back to the ‘big house’. Your welcome to stay but if you do have to run (I know…We’re both a little late for all the Black Friday specials!) I understand you can can come back any ole time you want.

I hope you’ve had a Blessed Thanksgiving and have had a lot to be thankful for. Heck, just have you as a friend is Blessings enough for me. Hugs, Sher

What A Day!!

2011-10-26T06:57:00.001-07:00

I know I promised to share pictures of the cabin the next time I posted but have you ever had one of those days that you just had to put down in writing so you wouldn’t forget it? ~~Or maybe I want it in writing to make sure I never do anything so dumb again!~~ Trust me, yesterday was one of those days for me.

It all started out so innocent. A perfectly normal day….Fighting with the little ones to get up and get around for school. Making sure everyone had breakfast and all school books were in one spot. Then things started to change. Not just change, I mean it was like a ball rolling downhill.

First, I went to the basement to get meat out of the deepfreeze for supper and to bring up a gallon of milk from our second refrigerator. Since I’m old & hate to make those stairs, I decided to bring up some other things I was needing at the same time. That was my first mistake of the day. With hands full, I reached for a can from our storage unit and dropped the milk. That plastic bottle shattered like a glass on concrete and in slow motion I watched one gallon of milk flow over that basement floor. I was in such shock I just watched it running like a river over rocks. By the time I came to my senses I had milk everywhere!!!!

I flew up those stairs (Yes by this time who cared about a few stairs!) to grab the mop and a bucket. Before that could happen, Keith yelled that the garbage cans (Which sit down at the end or our drive on a very busy highway) were gone….The wind had blown them onto the highway! I just stood there no knowing which way to go. Did I clean up milk that was making it’s way to our furnace or run after garbage cans that could cause a wreck? Thankfully Keith had gotten dressed and said he’s go after the cans. It was back to the basement for me.

This weekend is our monthly family get-together and being the ~~smart~~ stupid person I am, I decided this would be a good time to do a little fall cleaning. Now in case there are any other ~~smart~~ stupid people like me, let me issue a warning here….DO NOT clean a super tiny bathroom with more than one chemical cleaner at a time. I almost gassed myself to death. Yes, I have a clean shower floor but no lungs!

Thanks to my morning ‘milk spill’ I had no milk for our supper. So, I got really creative and planned a meal around the lack of it. Since Drew wouldn’t be having the mashed potatoes I had told him he was having, I decided to try a new recipe for a chocolate popcorn for our dessert. Now this is where my day really took a nose-dive.

The recipe called for Kettle Corn and staying in tune with the rest of my day, I burnt the first batch. While the second one was popping, I turned on the oven and started making the sauce. Suddenly the house was filled with aroma of sweet, gooey goodness. Being the ~~smart~~ stupid person that I am, I’m thinking this has to be the most wonderful sauce ever to smell so good. The only thing I couldn’t figure out was why it didn’t smell like chocolate since there was so much chocolate in it. It was then I opened my oven door. Inside, puffed up and dripping down from the rack to the oven bottom was a large bag of what had once had been marshmallows! Yes, one of my darling family members (Okay, maybe it was me!) had stuck a bag of marshmallows in the oven to get it off the counter. If you haven’t seen what marshmallows and the plastic bag they come in look like melted, just take my word for it….It’s not a pretty sight!!!!

Of course I screamed and that started a whole new set of problems. ~~~~ Drew’s cat Stormy decided she’d better check out the commotion so she comes running in. By this time I had pulled out the whole rack (Dripping, hot, gooey marshmallows with every move.) and then stood there no knowing which way to turn.

I finally decided the trash can would be my best bet. If I haven’t lost you by now, keep reading…….. Imagine one fat woman, holding a hot baking rack, dripping hot, sticky marshmallows over a trash can and a large gray cat reaching to pull those very same marshmallows off. (And we all wondered where the saying, “Curiosity killed the cat” came from!!!) Of course I’m still screaming only this time I’m trying to kick the cat away from the hot marshmallows. I didn’t make it. She dipped both front paws in and then calmly laid down and started licking her prize from her feet. Yes, she’s enjoying herself and I’m going nuts.

If you’ve never cleaned hard (Yes, they harden once melted) marshmallows and hard plastic from your oven racks you might want to take my advice and not try it. It’s not a fun adventure.

By the time night came I was more than ready to climb into bed and be thankful the whole day was over. I’m sure each time I turn on the oven these next few weeks I’ll be greeted by the smell of warm marshmallows. Heck, maybe the day wasn’t so bad after all. Hugs, Sher

Finally…Fall

2011-10-11T05:40:00.001-07:00

For several weeks now the signs of Fall have been coming to Old Crow Farm. Gone are the super long, hot days of Summer. In their place are cooler, shorter days. Days when you can walk out the door and actually not have your breath taken away. No longer is the grass bright green. It’s been replaced with dry, brown earth. The trees are doing their magic, turning once green leaves to shades of gold, brown, red, yellow and orange. Fall, you’ve got to love it.

Long before we actually saw or felt these changes, I was starting to make some changes of my own. It seemed as if every rug I hooked had a pumpkin or two in it. I made Keith dig out my “Fall Tote” (He had to do the digging because he had moved it from it where I normally keep it!) and that’s when the real fun started.

Each year I add a little something new to my Fall collection so I have tons of things to work with. Some of the old favorites are left in the bottom of the tote to be replaced with new, others are set out first. Within hours my “Americana themed” house is transformed with touches of orange.

Since we’ll be hosting the Halloween party for my side of the family in a few weeks, I’ve gone all out in decorating the outside of our place too. I started with our ~~tiny~~ little front porch. I made Keith haul an old primitive table (Which is much to big for that tiny space.) out of his shed and together we some how got it fitted in. When everyone is here I’ll lay a Fall themed rug on it but for now this is how it looks…..

[The rug will be between the large pumpkin in the wire basket and the small pumpkin in the old metal bucket.] I haven’t taken a picture of it yet but to the left of the big pumpkin, there’s a an old wooden piece Keith made sixteen years ago hanging. From it I’ve hung an old ratty broom and a skeleton. See, I told you I was taking this Fall decorating seriously! HA

Not to leave any stone unturned, I next moved on to our little bus stop house. (Which looks more like an outhouse! HA) I normally decorate with mums out there but this year I decided not to waste my money. Instead I went with small pumpkins and some hay. I love the look….Simple & cheap! In my next post I’ll tell you how I’ve decorated our little cabin for the season.

The change in our season has also brought some changes to me. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older or maybe it’s because I’ve suddenly realized I’m never going to accomplish everything I want to do in my life. Whatever, I’ve decided to start using my time more wisely. No longer do I spend hours online reading what everyone has been up to. No longer do I rush to ‘do it all’. I now have set aside time to do all that’s important to me. Oh, I’ll never give up my favorite blogs…But they are now checked within the first few hours of my day. But once that’s been done, I quickly move on to the things that really matter….My family, my home and my many hobbies. Not only has it made me a much happier person but it’s made my family feel the same way. The house is clean, there’s wonderful meals on the table, yummy desserts waiting to be ate and I’m smiling because I’ve actually done something FUN that day. Does it get any better than that????

So join me on this new journey and let’s see how much I can get accomplished before the snow starts to fall. Hugs, Sher

Getting Ready For Fall

2011-08-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

    Well, this is the day we have been waiting for....The little ones go back to school. It's such a mixed feeling day. I'm definitely not ready for them to be gone all day long but these past few weeks they've became restless so I know they are ready to be back among their friends. Do you remember what that feeling was like? You couldn't wait to see what your friends had been doing all summer and to catch up on the latest gossip. Two days later and you were ready for the weekend so you could be away from everyone! HA

   Of course having the kids gone all day long has it's advantages....I get to have Keith all to myself. Normally when the kids start back to school we have a 'date'. We go out for a special lunch and then hit all the flea markets. This year things will be different. Drew had a dental appointment yesterday in Lawrence and since we were so close to Topeka, we decided to swing by and do our monthly Sam's Club run. Since Keith's surgeries every little thing wears him out so there is no way we can run two days in a row. So, instead of an outing, we'll be heading to town for a light lunch and a visit to the library. Exciting times! HA Actually, they sound pretty good to me. That means I'll have the majority of the day to work on fun things around the house.

     The weather in Kansas has finally started to cool off. Okay, truthfully they say the heat will be returning over the next couple of days but this past week has been wonderful. For the first time in months there is the hope that Fall is right around the corner. I'm so excited!!!! Not only is it my favorite time of year weather wise but it's also my favorite time of year to decorate. It seems I'm not alone in my feelings either...The blogs & magazine are all full of the colors of Fall. Naturally I've been pouring over all of them and making list of the things I want to make for my house.

     And speaking of fall........The kids will start their first full week of school Monday and that's when I'll start giving this ole house the evil eye and be deciding how it's going to be decorated. I can't wait for the earthy colors to come out. They can't help but make me feel cooler and the days more crisp. (Okay, that's what I'm telling myself.) I have so many plans and naturally most of them include the color orange, rust, brown, deep reds and gold. Time will tell if they all make it into the house.

     And it's just not the inside of the house we'll be decorating but the outside too. Tiny though our front porch is, I have some ideas of bring it into the season. From there I'm moving on to the cabin and giving it a make-over. I guess you can tell I really am excited to get everything started. HA

     On my list of things to make & do are rugs, rugs and more rugs! HA I just finished a wonderful rug pattern {"Five Pumpkins"} by Judy Cripps of Rustic Rugs. I did my border a little different than she did hers (Okay, let's be honest here...I couldn't get the border to hook up as neatly as she did...My fault, not the patterns.) but I still love it. In fact, everyone who comes in my house goes on & on about it. So, if your a rug hooker, give Judy a call and order that pattern. It's definitely a winner. I'm now working on another pumpkin rug and hope to have it ready to show early next week.

    Well I could ramble on for hours but it's time to run to town and then the fun begins....I'm gonna spend my afternoon hooking. I hope your all enjoying cooler temperatures and thinking thoughts of Fall. Until later......Blessings from Old Crow Farm & Sher

Change

2011-07-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

      Life is always changing.   Sometimes it's a good thing.   Sometimes it's a bad thing.   One thing you can always count on, nothing is ever going to stay the same for to long at a time.
       These past few months Keith & I have been reminded how quickly things can go from good to bad in the blink of an eye.   It started with an ambulance ride for Keith and a six day hospital stay.   Heart surgery and home to recover.   From the time we got home we knew things weren't right.   Another heart surgery last weekend and home once again.   The chest pains are still there so I'm sure he's facing by-pass surgery in the near future.
        We have now officially became 'old people'.   No dropping things and taking off at the blink of an eye.   Now everything is thought about half a dozen times before we actually do it.
       As for good ole home-cooked meals..... Yes, even those have taken a turn for the worse.   Do you know what it's like to watch calories, sodium and cholesterol? Trust me, it's not fun!    I've had to learn a whole new way of cooking but learn I have.   I even amaze myself with some of the things I come up with.
       I've told you the bad part of our lives, now let me tell you the good. Keith is still with us and all this time at home as gave us more time to do the things that really matter.   To kick back and look at how fortunate we are to be at the stage of life when we don't have to get up and go to work every morning.   To not have to worry about how were going to do each & every little thing. (Thank God for older children who have picked up the slack and make sure were okay.)   Yes, life is still good, it's just a lot slower than it used to be.
       In the next few days I'll be telling you how good life can be when a person is home all the time.   In the meantime everyone please stay in from this horrid heat and enjoy your homes.    Hugs, Sher

Thursday on the Farm

2011-03-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!
The last day of March and what a gloomy day! Actually, the whole week has been gloomy. We've had everything from rain, to sleet to snow. Notice I didn't mention sunshine? That's because we've only seen the sun for about ten minutes this whole week. Tomorrow that is suppose to change and I pray for once the weathermen are right...I do not handle dark, dreary days so you can about imagine what my mood has been like. I'm definitely not someone you would want to be around right now.

Because I'm getting older and the ole eye sight is going, dark days make it hard for me to work on any sort of craft...I need direct sunlight to see! I have managed to pull a few loops on a rug for my friend Carolyn..........

But those loops have been far and few between. Hopefully tomorrow when the sun is shinning all of that will change and I'll be back to hooking away.
        One thing the darkness has been good for is cooking.   I've tried several new recipes these past few days and most of them have been keepers. Because we were having such cold weather I refuse to go to town {I refuse to get out when it's cold unless I just have to!} and since I was down to a fourth of a gallon of milk, I had to get very creative on the meals I fixed.   At first it was a challenge but by the end of day four I was starting to see we really could get by without milk. Try it sometime, you'll find your family eating a whole new way.
     And there is definitely an up-side about the days being dark~~It's the perfect time to drag out a good book to curl up with.   I've been doing my fair share of that too.   I'm halfway through my second book this week.   Hmmm, maybe these days aren't so bad after all.
       Well, my day is quickly passing by so I'd best bring this to a close and get something constructive done.   Wishing you warm, sunny days!   Sher

The Gorgeous days of March

2011-03-21T07:40:00.001-07:00

Good Morning!

Once again Spring has came to Kansas. The grass is getting green, the trees are budding out and the weather has turned off gorgeous. Okay, I’ll admit it….I’m a Winter Girl! I love it when the snow is softly falling and the air has a nip to it. But I have to be honest and admit there is something about Spring that is wonderful too. When the air is cool and the sun is shining one can’t help but feel God it standing right beside you. What a wonderful feeling!

This year my family decided to do a little something different to celebrate Spring’s arrival. We decided to have St. Patrick’s Day party. Not one of our usual gatherings but a real St. Patrick’s day celebration. Out came the green decorations, the table held a real shamrock center piece (Oxalis), Irish music played in the background, everyone dressed in green and we had all Irish food. I was really feeling snug about everything I had fixed and then my sister Sindy had to show me up….She did tons of research and came up with traditional Irish food. The potato dish with bacon & cabbage had everyone asking for the recipe!

Now if her food wasn’t enough, she decided we should all have real Irish Coffee. And just not any Irish whiskey could be used, it had to be this real expensive stuff. (Sorry I can’t remember the name of it.) Imagine a bunch of ole Kansas gals fixing real Irish Coffee, it was a sight to behold. You never saw so much laughing in your life. Or heard so many directions being given…“Now lightly whip that cream just until it’s slightly whipped!” “Pour that cream slowly over the back of the spoon so it doesn’t sink to the bottom”. It was hysterical but we had so much fun!

So much fun that we decided we were going to have a special gathering with a different theme each time the kids come home. Our next one is going to be in May and the theme for it is Mexican. This ole gal won’t be outdone in the food department for it….I’m on a search for real Mexican food that will out-do everyone else's! Yes, we definitely need to get a life!

With our gathering over, it’s time to get back into my real world…One of cooking, cleaning and working on some new things to decorate my home. I’m happy to report my newest rug is just about complete. Want a to take a peek at it?…..

Yep, once again I got wild on the colors. I’m not sure what’s going on with me but for some reason my last two rugs have been bright & bold. Definitely not my usual style. Maybe I’m changing. Hmmm….

With this rug almost complete it’s time to get another one ready for the frame. Before that happens though, I think I’ll work on a few Needle Punch designs. Who knows, maybe I’ll decide I like one of the enough to make it into a rug.

Well girls, our little ones are on Spring Break so it’s the perfect time for this ole Mom to work on some fun things for the house. I hope your all enjoying gorgeous weather and getting tons done. Until later. Stay Safe, Sher

A Rainy Tuesday

2011-03-08T06:52:00.001-08:00

Good Morning!

It’s a rainy day here on the farm. While I’m not crazy about that, I am thankful it’s not snow….And just across the state, it is! I know we are going into our Spring season and I don’t look forward to it at all. In fact, I’m really dreading it. I’ll take snow any day to the threat of tornado’s. Not to mention I’m not ready for all the yard work that comes with spring and summer. Okay, guess it’s safe to say I’m just a winter gal.

It seems forever since I’ve posted. That’s because I’ve had major computer problems and when I finally got them fixed I found that my blog had disappeared. At least the dashboard for it had disappeared. It took me forever, but I think I’ve finally figured out what the problem was. Why couldn’t I have been born with a better brain so I could be computer savvy???? SIGH

Even with the computer problems, I’ve managed to have some ‘fun times’. The main one being going to the Lenexa Hook-In. Like always, we had to drive in a little bad weather (Heavy fog and a little ice) to get there but it was so worth it. Lots of wonderful vendors and rugs. But the highlight of the day was not only ridding up with my friends Betty & Robin but meeting new friends once we got there….Sandra, Ginger, PatiJane and Chelle.

Not only did I come home with bags full from a buy spree {Wool, patterns, books, dyes, ect..)but also with wonderful gifts from some of the girls there. Honestly, they spoiled me rotten and once again I’m amazed at how giving hookers are. Such a wonderful bunch of loving, giving women.

For months Betty has been trying to talk me into trying Oxford Punching. The last thing I need is another hobby but once I saw the piece Ginger was working on at Lenexa, I was sold. So, it off to a vendor to buy her last needle. I haven’t had the chance to try it out but hopefully that will be next week. Ginger made it look so simple but I know me….I’m sure I’ll struggle to push so much as a loop. Maybe we can talk the Oklahoma girls into coming back to Ks. for another lesson??? Sounds good to me!

Of course I came home inspired from all the wonderful rugs on display. I quickly finished up my “Circus Rug” (Aptly named for it’s bright colors!) and I’ve now started another. At least Keith can’t say I’m wasting money on wool…It’s all being used!

So, on that note I’m going to sign this off and get back to hooking. Everyone try to stay dry, warm and well. Until later. Hugs, Sher

~A Monster Snowstorm?~

2011-02-01T05:07:00.001-08:00

For over a week a monster snowstorm has been predicted for Kansas. Of course we’ve heard talk of things like this before and nothing ever comes of it so we haven’t paid much attention. Last night before the first snowflake so much as fell our local schools we’re called off. Our schools close very seldom, never before it’s 100% necessary. At that point we realized that maybe, just maybe we really were going to have a major storm.

This morning we awoke to snow falling from the sky at an alarming rate, the wind blowing ninety miles an hour and temperatures so cold you can’t be out there for more than a few minutes. (I know this for a fact as I have outside cats to feed!) Yes, it’s true…Kansas in the middle of a monster snowstorm!!!!

It’s times like this I’m thankful Keith & I are retired. It’s hard living on a ~~tight~~ set budget but I would hate the thought of getting out on these horrid, snow packed roads too. It’s easier to live on less money and know we don’t have to risk our lives to get somewhere. [Betty, I’m worried about Tony!]

So, this morning George Jones is softly singing to me about lost love, candles are burning and my little family is safely sleeping in their beds. A good time to have some ‘me time’.

For weeks I have been telling you about the “Winter Rug” I’ve had on my frame. My goal was to have it hooked & on the floor by the end of January. I’m happy to report I made it! While there are things I would do differently if I had to do it over, I’m just thankful it’s done….Note to myself, “Do not do another rug that big.” Anyway, here’s how it looks:

Not one to have nothing to work on, the minute the last loop was pulled, I had several more projects ready to go. I really wanted to start another rug but since I was waiting on linen backing to arrive in the mail, that wasn’t possible. Instead I decided it was time to work on a few Needle Punch projects. Out came the weavers cloth, DMC floss, patterns, NP needle and my little work basket. Within a few days I was happily punching away. I have to be honest it was nice to work on something different for a change. Of course by now I’m ready to move on to another rug.

Well, George is getting tired of serenading me so I best let him get some rest and start thinking about some breakfast for my crew. How does waffles & sausage patties sound? I hope your all warm & safe in your homes this cold, winter morning? Remember, in just a few weeks we’ll be talking “Spring”.

Winter Smiles, Sher

Happy Birthday Kansas!

2011-01-29T04:52:00.001-08:00

Today our great state of Kansas turns 150 years old. I think the way I feel was best summed up by our thirteen year old daughter. When talking about Kansas she said, “Mom, she looks pretty good for someone who is this old. If we take good care of her she’ll continue this way.” Amen Jeni!

The month of January is about over. It’s been a sad month for our family. We have said good-bye to two wonderful, older women in our lives. First to leave us was our DIL Codi’s great grandma. Grandma Jackie was one of those special women that to meet her was to love her. Not only did we love her for who she was but because she welcomed our son into their family with open arms and treated him like one of their own. There’s no greater compliment to a parent than to see their children loved by others. She’ll be missed but never forgotten.

A week later we said good-bye to a dear neighbor lady of my youth. As I attended the funeral yesterday I was reminded of what a talented woman Ruth was. Always willing to teach what she knew to others, a wonderful neighbor and a loving wife and mother. The bells of heaven are ringing and two special women have been reunited with their husbands who have gone on before them.

Today will be a day to go on with living. I will be finishing up my winter rug and hopefully by evening it will be lying in front of our fireplace. Then it’s on to another project. There are several ideas dancing in my head and by evening one will be started.

So, I will leave you once again reminding you how precious life is. Enjoy each & every minute. Tell those you love how how much they mean to you and hold them close. Hugs, Sher

A “Snow Day”

2011-01-11T12:49:00.001-08:00

Yesterday the heavens opened up and the snow drifted down. All day long it fell & by the time night arrived the ground was white. Along with the snow there was talk of the wind picking up & and a cold front moving in. With talk of a ‘white-out’ arriving by morning the children held their breath that school would be canceled. Yes!!! This morning along with the cold we had our first official snow day of the season.

Now I ask you, when you wake up to this~~~

And this~~

How can you not be happy?????

My first order of the day was “We need more bread”. Out came the recipe books and within a couple of hours I was pulling this.. out of the oven.

Of course you can’t have bread without having a homemade soup to serve with it. Next order of the day, this… Wild rice soup with chicken & mushrooms.

My family has now been fed so it’s time for me to have some fun. The next few hours will find me working on my newest rug….

I hope you too are enjoying a snow day and having some fun! Hugs, Sher

A New Year~~~2011

2011-01-05T06:18:00.000-08:00

At last Christmas is over & all the decorations are put away for another year. Oh how I looked forward to that day. My winter rug was stretched on my frame . Floss, linen and patterns were calling me to sit and stitch, piled beside my favorite wing backed chair. And then it happened…..My legs that had been giving me fits all through the holiday season suddenly gave out. Just like in May I was back to being flat on my back. Not the same time of pain as before but horrid never the less.

So, for the past week I have been laying in bed complaining to anyone that came within ear shot. Okay, I admit it….I’m not someone who can lay around and if I have to, I make everyone around me miserable. (If you think I’m kidding, just ask Keith. He’s taken more tongue lashings than any man should have to take in one life-time!)

Laying flat on your back in bed you can only do a few things…Read, watch TV, play on the lap top and look at every little thing in that bedroom that’s needing done over. I swear it’s enough to drive a person nuts. Finally I decided the time had came to try something besides bed rest….I started taking the muscle relaxers the doctor had given me back in May. Within an hour of taking one I knew why there so many left in the bottle….Not only did I feel loopy but all I could do was sleep.

However, they seem to have worked. My legs are still bothering me (At this point I’m starting to think it’s old age!) but not to the point I want to commit murder. I can finally sit for more than two minutes at a time and walk across the floor without screaming in pain.

I have decided I have to take it easy for awhile & give them time to heal (~~It’s a good excuse for not cleaning house.~~ ) but I should be able to work on a few crafts. The first thing I’m going to do is finish up my winter rug. I’m waiting on an order of wool to arrive {It was my Christmas present from Keith & wouldn’t you know it was lost in the mail! GRRRR } and then it’s back to hooking for this old gal. So, hopefully next posting I’ll have a photo or two to share.

I hope all your holidays have been safe & fun and that your starting the New Year out in good health. Stay warm, Spring will be here before we know it! Hugs, Sher

It's Getting Cold Out There!

2010-12-14T08:03:00.000-08:00

Good Morning!
     December has slowly made her way into Kansas and with her coming she's managed to bring some cold air. To cold I might add! This past weekend we not only had frigid temperatures but the wind was out of sight.   No matter how high I turned that ole furnace up, I just couldn't get this house warm.   Of course having the fireplace open all night (Because someone keep the fire going late into the night & by the time everyone went to bed the coals were to hot to close it off. Now who would have been that stupid?   Oh yes, ME!) let that cold air stream down the chimney. No wonder it was so darn cold. Today it's suppose to get above freezing and since we've had no snow I really shouldn't complain.
      I've been absent from this old blog for over a month now.   I have a good reason....Jeni has finally been able to be fitted for braces.    In doing so, she's had to have all four wisdom teeth removed. It seems as if anything that could go wrong has so Keith & I have spent our days driving back and forth to Ottawa to the Orthodontist and Oral Surgeon.   We'll be making another trip tomorrow & then hopefully things will start to fall into place and we can stay home!
      Even with all these unplanned for trips I have managed to get the tree up, the house decorated for the holidays and 90% of our Christmas shopping done.   And even more surprising is, all of our gifts are wrapped & under the tree.   To those who know me (I HATE wrapping presents & put it off until the last minute!) I know this will come as a surprise.
     Being gone from home so much has really put a dent in my crafts.   I did manage to finish up one little cross stitch piece & I have to tell the story of how it came to be........
     Living on a farm we are always encountering dead critters. Be it mice or opossums it seems as if there is always something smelling up the place.    About a month ago we both noticed a smell out by our wood pile.   Keith moved some wood around but we never could discover what or where the smell was coming from.   About a week went by and since the weather was staying pretty warm the smell was really getting bad.   So bad I started walking the long way around the house when hanging laundry out to avoid the smell.   One day as I was fixing supper, Keith came in and told me to follow him he had something I had to see.    Across from the wood pile in our hay field lay this BIG dead deer!!!   That's where our smell had been coming from.    Now I ask you, how I had we walked by that area a million & one times and never seen him????   Talk about feeling stupid!   We have no idea what happened to him.   Maybe he was hit on the highway and made it into our yard to die or maybe he was hit by a deer hunter.   Either way, that magnificent critter was dead.
    It was several days later as I picked up a piece of old linen and began to stitch I realized how much the death of that deer had effected me.   For on that linen, a Christmas deer suddenly came to life.   I'll never look at this little pinkeep without thinking of that poor deer who not only died on our property but who we ignored for weeks.

        With our weather turning colder it suddenly dawned on me that I didn't have a Christmas rug.   So, out came the linen and within a few hours I had drawn out an image to hook.    Of course I can't leave anything alone and within pulling a couple of dozen loops I had it off the frame & was adding more to it.   Hopefully I'll be able to share a photo after the holidays...Not a chance it will be done any sooner with all the running we've been doing!
      Well girls, I've pretty well caught you up on all our news. Now it's time to head for the kitchen and get everything out for Keith to make his 'famous fudge' and then I'll have the privilege of cleaning up his 'famous mess'. HA    Have a great week & stay warm. Hugs, Sher

October Rug 2010

2010-10-31T07:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!
Yes, it's that time of year. My favorite time. Not only is the weather crisp & cold but in a few hours little ones will dressing up as their very favorite character and walking house to house saying "Trick or Treat". Alas, this will be the first year the last of eight in our house won't be going. I know there has to come a time for the fun to end {After all, our little ones are as tall as most adults!} but I'm sure not ready for it. I guess I'm just a kid at heart and I've had fun living life over through my kids. Instead we'll be fixing a spooky supper and watching a bunch of new movies.

Last posting I promised to share some of the rugs I have been working on. In thinking it over I've decided each month I will share something (A rug, a Needle Punch project or a cross stitch design) rather than sharing them all at one time. Since it's a cold Halloween day what better one to start with than the one that is now in front of our fireplace.....

This little rug is a Notforgotten Farm design. I wanted the witch to stand out and since I didn't have any light purple wool (And was to lazy to dye some!) I choose to outline her in a light gray.   I know the tree looks as though it has 'spots' but in real life it doesn't.....A reminder that I need to read the instructions that came with my camera! I'm really pleased with how it turned out & I'm sure it will grace my home (and then hopefully one of my children's homes) for years to come.

      Tomorrow all our Halloween decorations will come down and be stored for another year.   In their place will be other signs of Fall.   Before I know it, they too will be taken down and out will come the Christmas things.   Time/life is definitely passing to quickly.

      Well, I still have a load of laundry needing hung out and then there are Halloween cupcakes to frost.   Guess I'd better get in gear.   I hope your all enjoying a spooky day and have a safe night. Hugs, Sher

2010-10-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks Fall has slowly been making her way to Kansas. Gone is the horrid heat of summer. In it's place are cool, crisp mornings, falling leaves and nights that makes you snuggle under flannel sheets. But of course we can't go into this season in total bliss....We have to have a little sickness too. Yes, it's that time of year when our little ones bring germs home from school that they so willing share with Keith & I. We always say it's because we're so old we catch things worse than others but I'm sure young parents get sick too. At least Keith & I have the advantage of not having to get up and go to work when we're not feeling well.

Jeni was the first in our family to come down with a bad cold. Naturally, I caught it from her. Of course I would catch it the weekend we had plans to visit our kids in Neb.. Sam assured me they had been sick too and for us to go ahead and come. I hated to do it but he kept insisting so finally I gave in. I didn't feel good the whole time we were there but did manage to spend some "grandma time" with our precious Reese. (Thankfully none of them caught it from me.) I'm so glad we went. Despite not feeling well we had a wonderful time (They've done so much to their home since the last time we were there....Renee has a wonderful way of mixing new with family heirlooms!) and we even went to a great flea market....Where I picked up a wonderful primitive table. (I could write a book about trying to work it into the van!)

By the time we got home not only was I really sick but so was poor Keith. (He swears he caught my cold from being cooped up in the car with me and I'm sure he's right!) For over a week we have laid around and just now starting to feel like we are going to live. I know we'll catch more 'crud' before the winter is over but I sure hope it's not anytime soon. I've laid around enough to last me a lifetime.

With Fall in the air it's been time for decorating. Out has came the bittersweet, pumpkins, autumn flowers, fall leave garlands, wreaths and crows. It's such a departure for me to go from my Americana theme to 'oranges' but one I truly love. So perfect for these cooler temperatures and shorter days.

And you can't decorate in fall colors without doing a little fall crafting. Dragging out my NP needle I quickly made the two fall designs you see at the top of the page. The pumpkin is a design from my dear friend Betty (Primitivebettys) and the cat and jack-o-lantern is a Notforgotten Farm design. Aren't they darling? I have several more that the punching has been completed, just not the hand-work involved in finishing them up. Sigh

This time of year also makes me want to surround myself in wool....Which explains why I recently purchased five more yards! HA First I made a witch rug (Again a Notforgotten Farm pattern) and I'm now whip stitching the edges of another cat rug. I love seeing all these wool projects come together but was even happier when Keith remarked, "Wow, your really whipping those rugs out there." Okay, I haven't done that many projects but it was nice he thinks so! I'll be sharing photo's of those next post.

While I could ramble on for hours, the kitchen floor is calling my name so I'd best get in there and give it a good cleaning....Especially as today is 'date day' for Keith & I and I sure don't want to be late for that. Enjoy these cooler days. All to soon it will be winter. Hugs, Sher

Our Time Together

2010-09-03T03:05:00.000-07:00

With another Summer coming to a close, our little ones have started back to school. Normally this is a bittersweet time for Keith & I. While we love our time alone, it's sad to watch the children climb on that big yellow bus and leave us. A reminder that we're growing closer to the time they'll be leaving our home for their own lives. Not a happy thought to these two old parents!

This year it was a little different for us. While we weren't happy to see them go, we knew it was time. It's been one long, hot summer here in Kansas. One where we have all been cooped up in this old house and we were all starting to get on one an others nerves. Time for school to start!

With our young'uns safely in school, it was time for Keith & I to enjoy one another. What better way to do that than hitting every flea market, yard sale and new restaurant around! I love shopping with 'the girls' but I absolutely adore shopping with my Sweetie! I swear girls, Keith & I can walk up to the same yard sale and he'll always manage to see some wonderful treasure that I over-looked. It's like he has a built in radar for finding these things. The past two weeks have been no exception. Each time we've went out we've came home with the van loaded down with everything from a hand-made table to old crocks, vintage linen, baskets, antique furniture, old chairs, crafting supplies and even an old trunk. What great things we've been finding.

Of course finding all these wonderful treasures has only been half the fun. Now we have the excitement of finding a place to put everything. Sadly our little house is already wall to wall with our finds so a lot of this has been stored in my shop. And that brings another problem...Shop over-load! We're praying these next few weeks bring cooler weather so we can head out there and get it back in shape. I have a gal coming for our antique cooking stove so having it gone will definitely free up a lot of space for more things. Oh how I love 'playing' in my shop!!!!

Well girls, there's another yard sale in town this morning so you know where we're heading. As Keith said yesterday on our way home from one out in the country, "Aren't we lucky Sherry that we have something that we both enjoy doing and that we have the time to do it?" I couldn't agree more. Have a safe Labor Day weekend and do something with the one you love. Talk to you soon. Hugs, Sher

What Was I Thinking????

2010-08-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

Each year Keith & I try to do something to improve our home. Some years the projects are large (A cabin out back, a swimming pool with deck, a greenhouse, ect..), other years they are small. (Painting our old picket fence, refinishing a piece of furniture or installing a new dishwasher.) After much discussion this year we decided a complete remodel of our main bathroom was in order. No, this isn't something wanted to do but rather something that was needing done. After all, this tiny little room hadn't been touched in over twenty years and it was definitely showing it's age. The only problem was, we didn't discuss exactly when this little project would be started.

So, it came as a complete surprise to both of us when one morning about three weeks ago I walked into our bathroom, grabbed the corner of one piece of wallpaper and gave a pull. At that point there was no going back, we had officially started our bathroom face-lift!

As with any old house, ours sure has her fair share of problems. This became very clear as the remodel got underway. For each step we took forward, it seemed as if we would take two steps back. Of course it would have helped if we had planned exactly what we were going to do before I pulled off that first piece of wallpaper. Keep in mind, I've never said I was the brightest crayon in the box!

The first order of business was to remove all wallpaper and get the walls in painting condition. Sounds like an easy task but when you consider there were THREE layers of wallpaper on this room and I was having to keep the air vents covered to keep crap from going down them~~~ Well, let's just say it wasn't a pretty picture. I swear, everything in this house was coated with a fine coat of white speckling dust by the time I was done.

Once the walls were in painting condition, it was time to make the real decisions...What fixtures we were going to put in there. Keith said since we would probably never do this room again (Like I need to be told that!) to get what I wanted. For almost a week I hit ever store around looking for just the right things to go back in there. Do you have any idea how many vanities, lighting fixtures, flooring choices there are??? I tell you girls it's mind boggling.

All my married life I have preached to anyone (My kids included) to live on shoe-string budget. As I was shopping for this bathroom I suddenly stood back and took a good look at myself. How could I preach one thing and do something completely different? For me that was the changing of the tides. Back to my cheap roots I went.

It's amazing when you have to do something on a small budget how creative you can get. Honestly, you look at everything in a whole new way. Suddenly that outdated vanity and old cabinet didn't look so bad after all! In fact, everything looked pretty good except for the flooring and light fixture. Since I was saving so much money by reusing most things, I felt I could splurge on the flooring. I wanted the look of wood and was thrilled when I found a flexible linoleum that filled the bill.

It's been a LONG, HOT three weeks but at last I'm happy to report the room is complete. While not the greatest in the world, it's clean and neat. How long it will stay that way is any one's guess! For now I'm thrilled just to have it complete and look forward to the fun part....DECORATING it!!!! Stay tuned, pictures will be posted within the next few weeks. Hugs, Sher

Summer 2010

2010-07-17T04:52:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!
Summer has arrived in Kansas! Now we have had years where I swear a person can actually hear the corn growing it's so peaceful. Not this year! Summer on "Old Crow Farm" has been a wild, sad one. It started out with Keith going out of State on business. I never handle him being gone with ease but this year was the worst of all. We've had tons of rain so mowing our yard (Which I have never done and will not do now because of my back problems.) became a every other day affair. Our son Seth was driving back and forth (Almost one hour each way) to try and stay on top of it and even that was hard to do with all the showers we were having.

As the rain came down, our beloved old dog Bubba was called to The Lord. Through more tears than all the rain we were having, we watched him go downhill and take his last breath. Once again Seth made the trip back to the farm to lay him to rest. He's now resting in his pen with all the other farm dogs we have had through the years. Jeni made his cross and fresh flowers were put on daily until we could purchase silk ones. Never has a dog been more loved.

Keith hadn't even made it home, when Mother called to tell me a dear classmate had passed away. We knew this day was coming (She had cancer) and I'm so thankful I had the time to talk to her and tell her how much I loved her and reminisce about all the good times we'd had over the years. Once again reminding me how important it is to let the people you love KNOW it before it's to late.

Then just one week later my Uncle Joe passed away. This was Mother's only living brother and his death came much to close to Dad's for her. She's has had a hard time dealing with everything and ended up in the emergency room at our local hospital. Thankfully with Keith home, I was able to over and stay with her until she got back on her feet.

With all the sadness Summer has brought it's brought joy too. I've been able to reconnect with another dear classmate (Bonnie) and spent one afternoon catching up on all the adult news in our lives. Isn't it strange how forty years can go by and the minute you see someone everything comes rushing back? Thank you Bonnie for being my friend then and now. Love ya!

With Dad's death in March, this year no ones heart was in to having our annual Fourth of July meal. Instead, on the Fourth we held a "Family Dinner". We had eighteen here for lunch and we did things differently than usual. Sam did most of the cooking and while the big kids played in the pool, I spent my time cuddling Reese and playing trains with my youngest grandson Carson. I know everyone was thinking of Daddy (Oh how he loved coming here on the Fourth!) but by not holding it outside and putting up the tent it helped.

With just a few short weeks until our little ones go back to school (I'm NOT ready!!!) we are now trying to cram in as many fun times as possible. I'm hoping my dear friend Betty and her son Trinity will make a trip to the farm within the next week and we also plan to meet in Emporia so she can see Seth & Codi's new home.

And speaking of their home.....We will be going over next week while they are on vacation to help them with some outside work. To be honest it's much to hot here in Kansas to be working outside but it's got to be done so........

Well, this pretty well catches you up on our lives. I have several other things to share but they are going to have to wait until I have more time. I hope this finds everyone well. Please try and stay cool and remember to TELL your loved ones that you love them. Hugs, Sher

It's Spring in Kansas!

2010-04-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I updated this blog. For those of you who follow my other blog you know that in March Daddy went Home. It's been such a sad five and a half weeks. We've tried to be strong for Mom, all the while our hearts are breaking with the loss of Dad. My Dad was a man who had such a love for life and because of that we will carry on. Just with a much heavier heart.

Spring has arrived in Kansas with it's usual rain, storms and weeds in the flower gardens. There's not much I can do about the weather but I have been trying to work on the weeds. Keith & I spent one whole week cleaning out a shed and cleaning up the gardens. I was awarded for it with my back giving me fits. It took several days of bed rest but I'm at least able to walk once more without being in horrible pain. It's not fun getting old...Especially when you live in the country and have so darn much to do.

This past week the rain has moved in and while I hate storms with a passion, I have to admit I have enjoyed the break from outside. Don't get me wrong, I'm not crazy over house-work either but at least it's not back-breaking work! Of course after spending so much time outside the work inside had really piled up. Slowly I'm working my way through things and I've even managed to do a few fun things too.

School will be out here in a little over four weeks. I can't wait! These last few weeks the teachers have really been piling the homework on the kids and I for one am sick of it. Jeni still has to work on a 'Personal Brochure' and then I think the big projects will be completed. At least I hope they are. I'm ready to have my babies home, fighting and swimming in the pool!...Remind me of that in July! HA

Well it's clouding up here again so it looks as though we are in for more rain. Time to shut this ole computer down and fix my crew something for supper. I hope your all enjoying your Spring and staying safe from storms. Hugs, Sher

Appreciating What You Have

2010-01-23T06:18:00.000-08:00

As winter moves forward in Kansas and we are 'house bound' one can't help but take a good look at their own home. I mean when your cooped up for days on end, one can't help but be aware of the things surrounding them. I'm going to admit something here.....For weeks I have read all the wonderful blogs out in Blog Land and drooled over all the wonderful, big homes displayed. To be honest, it's not hard to be envious of some of these women's homes. Not only are they big and the furniture perfect for each and every room but these women are always going shopping and buying more. Whether it's a big piece or something small to add just the right touch (Okay, they call it 'tweeking' but I absolutely hate that word!!) money seems to be no object.

The past two weeks we have watched the horrid and destruction in Haiti unfold. We have watched people who owned next to nothing lose even more....The most precious things they had, their loved ones. Among this nature made hell and grief beyond belief we saw the true sprit of human nature come through. With no money to build back their homes they put what we primitive lovers call 'make-do's' into work. Taking bits and pieces of tin, wood and rocks they have constructed new 'home's' to provide shelter for their families.

As I watched I was suddenly not only ashamed of myself (For being envious of others wonderful homes.) but for the people who own these homes. Why do American people think they need so much? Why do we think we have to have the best, the most perfect things for our homes? Why do we feel each room as to have just that 'right touch' for everyone to see?

Shortly after this devastating earthquake hit I was up early one morning walking through our house. Walking down our hallway my hand brushed against an antique piece of furniture and it was as though a jolt of electricity went through me. This old familiar piece of furniture that has been around for close to one hundred years was calling to me. It was telling me to take a good look at my house. With only the dim light of daylight starting to break through the front window, I looked around at this old house we call home. Yes, the carpet is worn in some places almost through and yes the walls need painting in the worst sort of way. The furniture has seen better days and nothing ever seems to stay in it's place thanks to kids and animals. But as I looked at each familiar room it showed me something else. This was OUR HOME! The home that we worked long hours and scrimped and saved for so we could have it paid off by the time we were fifty. The house that our kids call "home" and one that brings them comfort when things aren't going well.

Oh, I'll continue to buy pieces for this old house as we run across them at yard sales and I'll continue to make little things to give each room a different look. But no longer will I envy other woman and their gorgeous big homes with wonderful furnishings. My home is OURS and just like the people of Haiti, I will 'make-do' with what I have and thank God every day that He has allowed us to have a roof over our heads, food on our table and our family to be together. After all, isn't that what a home really is? With Love, Sher

Winter 2010

2010-01-04T16:32:00.000-08:00

The winter of 2010 is one we here on the prairie will not soon forget. It started on Christmas Eve day with ice/sleet. By evening the snow had moved in and what a snow it was. Visibility went down to zero and suddenly we were in a blizzard. All night the wind howled and the very core of the house shook. Morning brought dark skies and snow so deep Keith actually had to break a window out on our back door to get outside.

Since then we have not only had several more snowfalls but we are experiencing bitter cold temperatures. By the middle of the week our highs are suppose to be -7 during the day. Now for Kansas, that's COLD!!!!

Christmas is always a busy time for us (And I'm sure you too!) and this year we had the added excitement of waiting on our precious new granddaughter to be born and our newly married kids to be moving into their first home. So, we kept putting off our monthly shopping trip to Topeka until it was to late....Bad weather was upon us.

Anyone that knows our family knows we can not live without a 'Sam's Run' at least once every six weeks. So, tomorrow Keith & I are going to brave the cold and make a mad dash for Topeka. I hate leaving the farm when the kids are in school but we have no choice....If I don't have pork and chicken to cook with, I'm lost. I know this is going to be a very expensive day for us (You would have a light stroke if you saw our grocery list but I swear I'm out of everything!!) but it can't be helped. By the time we get home not only will our deep freeze but also our pantry will be filled to the brim.

Once we have plenty of food in the house I plan to sit before the fireplace and start some serious stitching and hooking. I have so many ideas whirling around my head and thankfully everything bought to complete them. So, check back in a few days and I'll be sharing pictures of what all I'm making.

And now it's time to head my little ones towards the tub and then in a few hours they'll both be tucked in for the night. I hope this finds you safe & sound in a warm house, enjoying the Winter of 2010! Hugs, Sher

A Box Full of Bittersweet

2009-10-31T10:54:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago my Mother & I made a pilgrimage to my Uncles farm in Osage City to pick up pecans. The drive was long but one filled with much laughter and talk.

As we turned off one country road on to another, we were meet with a breath taking sight~~~ Bittersweet growing over an old fence and up a tree! I'm going to make a little confession here. I absolutely LOVE Bittersweet. There is something about it's yummy orange colored berries and snarled vines that just makes my heart sing. What do I know about Bittersweet? Absolutely nothing! I have no idea if there is a difference in the Bittersweet that grows in the wild or the kind that grows in town. I just know it's gorgeous!

This Bittersweet was different than any I've ever seen before. Not the pale orange berries of that in town, instead it was a brilliant orange....Like those pumpkins we see with the dark orange color. And mind you it wasn't skinny little berries either but big, plumb gorgeous one!

While I was going nuts over this beautiful display, Mom wasn't the least bit impressed....Probably because she had walked this old farm ground for years in her youth as she went back and forth to grade school. Yes, this wonderful Bittersweet was growing on her Aunts land, which is just across the road from my Grandpa's farm.

Mom assured me that Aunt Reen wouldn't mind if I took some so after we picked up our pecans we stopped at this magnificent bush. As I was whacking away and filling my box, who should drive up but Aunt Reen and Mom's first cousin. (They thought we were stealing their walnuts! HA) Aunt Reen told me to take all I wanted and I needed to come back this Spring and dig up some plants for myself. Oh be still my heart!!!!!

Arriving home I proudly carried that box full of Bittersweet into the house. My poor ole mind was racing with ideas of decorating with it. But where to start??? As I walked through the house my eye came upon an old primitive cabinet that has a little Needle Punched sewing bag hanging from it. The design on the bag is that of a bird with a few twigs of Bittersweet around it. Yes, the perfect spot to add some berries.

Next my eye rested on another primitive cabinet with a precious little bag made out of homespun my dear friend Sher in New York made me. With a little muslin "tag" stitched with the simple word, 'herbs' on the outside of it, it was another great place to hold some.

Spying a black basket I had just refinished for my DIL, Codi, I could resist...She just had to have some of these gorgeous berries so I proceed to fill it. (That basket is now proudly displayed on top her kitchen cabinets!)

As I turned and saw my fireplace I knew where the rest was going....My mantel!!!! For the next hour I quietly worked weaving berries, vines and leaves across the top. As I stood back and look at my work I couldn't have been more pleased. Before me that mantel fairly dripped with the color of orange. Just the perfect display for Fall.

In a few weeks it will be time to take down my gorgeous Bittersweet to make way for Christmas. There will be something so sad about seeing it all come down. It's going to be like saying good-bye to an old friend who has brought me much enjoyment. However, Spring will be here before I know it and at that time I'll make another pilgrimage to Osage City...This time to bring home Bittersweet plants that I'll loving plant and care for during the summer month in the hopes that in years to come I'll have my own berries to decorate with.

2009-10-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

Where does your inspiration come from? I have to be honest and admit that a good deal of mine comes from the Internet. With just the click of the mouse I'm inside all my favorite bloggers homes. Drooling over their decorating ideas and asking myself, "Now why didn't I think of that!"

And of course we can't forget our wonderful friends who we see in person and chat with online. I'm always amazed how much a note from a dear friend can inspire me to get up and get something done. How sharing an idea with someone you love can make it seem 'right' and just perfect for your home.

Nature is another source of inspiration for me. At this time of year when I'm watching the leaves slowly drifting out of the trees and feeling the crisp morning air all my sense come alive. Suddenly it's like looking at the world through a different set of eyes. The eyes of someone who is seeing something for the first time. A simple red leaf can make me think of a new hooked rug design or primitive Fall pinkeep. Just the other day the stock of a tall, dead sunflower set my creative juices flowing. Think how one would looked hooked out of dirty light brown wool. The perfect table runner for Fall.

Our old farm provides it's share of inspiration too. As I walk around my eyes drift to the old pieces of wood laying here and there. They call my name to be picked up and have a small piece of cross stitch added to them. That's how the design came about for the above piece. While small in size it's just the perfect little piece to fit inside a made-over bowl. And to think it was made from a piece of wood the dog was carrying around in her mouth!!!!!

Yesterday while at my parents their old barn called my name. To expensive to be restored, it's slowly falling down. A part of my life that will end in a heap of old wood. This is the barn where my first husband and I stole kisses (Bet you didn't know that Mom & Dad! Then maybe you did but didn't want to admit it!) and where barn dances were held with my classmates. Daddy has gave me several pieces from it but that wasn't enough. Leaving Keith to talk to Mom, I walked around it. Suddenly I had an idea. This morning I shared that idea with Mom and she told me to go for it. For now I won't be telling anyone what my plans are but hopefully within the next few months I'll share it with all of you. A way for the old barn to live on for each of my sisters and our children.

Now it's time for another sort of inspiration....One my Sweetie loves....My cooking. On that note I'll sign off and get some Chili started for supper. May you find inspiration in everything and everywhere you look. Hugs, Sher

Summer 2009

2009-08-01T06:41:00.001-07:00

Good Morning!
Summer 2009 is slowly coming to a close. I realize I have neglected this old blog in favor of some of the others I have and the time has came to rectify that. From now on I will be giving this blog equal time and will use it a little different than I use my other blogs. It will be more of my thoughts, rather than our day to day life on the farm.

Summer this year has been different to say the least. We started out cool and wet and went to hot and wet in a matter of weeks. We are now ending July with temperatures so cool it's unbelievable. We are also staying wet. (Another hard soaking rain last night!) While we have really enjoyed the cool weather we could have done without some of this rain. Right now we can't even get our hay bailed and I hate having all that tall grass next to the house. Daddy always said he'd take a wet year to a dry one because eventually you'll get the crops out and with a dry year, there are no crops. So I guess the farmers are happy.

While summer has quickly passed this year (Little ones start back to school in just three weeks) we don't feel as though we accomplished much. Keith has spent the summer mowing (I hate to think what we've spent on gas alone for those lawnmowers!) and I honestly don't know what I've done. We did have a busy year with Jeni's surgery on her nose, gatherings at our home and Seth & Codi's wedding. Could those have taken up the whole summer? Believe it or not, they have. I for one am glad to see it come to end and with the first feel of Fall to the air I am starting to feel free....No more being cooped up in this house because of the heat, no more hating to fix a good meal because I don't want to run the oven, no more hating to drag my crafting supplies out because it's to hot to clean up the mess. Yes, I'm more than ready for Fall!

And with Fall is going to come a new me....One that is starting to pitch more junk, one that is going to be hooking, cross stitching and needle punching until she can't see, one that is going to change a lot of things about their house and someone that is going to enjoy their family to the fullest. So stay tuned and follow my journey. Hugs, Sher

The Best Mother's Day Ever

2009-05-12T04:40:00.000-07:00

It all started Friday when a gorgeous bouquet of flowers of was delivered from our oldest daughter and her sweetie. (Thank you Kara!) Later that evening, our son, Sam and his wife Renee showed up. We spent the evening visiting with them and on Saturday morning Seth & Codi came with more flowers in hand. (Thanks kids!) By now I'm feeling like the luckiest woman alive. Little did I know I was about to become even happier!
Earlier in the week Sam had called and asked if we could eat at everyone's favorite Mexican restaurant in Iola. Keith and I agreed that we would do this rather than me fix a big meal on Sunday. When asked, the kids all agreed they wanted to eat lunch rather than supper so plans were made to be in Iola at noon.
After everyone sat down and our drinks had been ordered Sam (Who was sitting next to me) asked what I wanted for Mother's Day. I told him just having my kids home was enough for me. He then said, "Well, would you rather have a boy or girl?" Since we have just gotten Latte (the puppy) my first thought was he was wanting to get us another dog and instantly I said, "I don't want another...." then it hit me! They were going to have a baby!!!! Keith and I were laughing and crying at the same time. I'm sure everyone in that restaurant thought we had lost our minds!!!! You see girls, for medical reasons we weren't sure they would ever be able to have a baby so this was not only a miracle but truly a special gift from God just as all babies are! I swear we cried for a good half an hour we were so happy!!!! Poor Jeni and Drew weren't sure what was going on (Jeni couldn't hear what Sam had asked me) but once they found out they too were excited....Jeni is already making plans to "baby-sit"! HA
Our special little one is due on Christmas Eve. Of course that means Mommy and Daddy won't be here to celebrate with us but ole Grandpa and Grandma are making plans of their own. If he/she arrives during Christmas break {Remember, we still have little ones in school!} and the weather cooperates, we'll be making a trip to Neb.. Otherwise we'll be glued to the computer (Camcorders) so we can see our baby daily! Can you tell this old grandma is one happy person??? HA
After this good news the rest of our weekend passed in a daze. We played board games, the boys helped Keith get the pool ready for summer (I don't think it's ever going to get warm enough to swim!), the kids all loaded up and took Latte walking in town, ect... It was just a laid-back, wonderful, relaxing weekend!
So, Mother's Day 2009 will be one of happy memories and now we'll be spending the next few months praying for a healthy baby and safe delivery for Mom and Dad. Blessings to Your Family From Ours, Sher

Winter in Kansas!

2009-01-21T05:31:00.000-08:00

There is only one word for winter in Kansas this year....Weird!!!! I have honestly never seen a winter like we are having. We will go for days with freezing temperatures and then suddenly the sun will come out and things will warm up enough you don't even need a coat! Now I have to admit that we are really enjoying it. Winters are hard on Keith as he's cooped up in this house with nothing to do. So, when it warms up he's able to go out and piddle around outside. A much needed break for him! And don't tell him I said this but it's a much needed break for me too! (No matter how much you love someone, being with them 24/7 can get tiring!!!)
For the next two days we are going through one of our "warm spells". Once again I'll spend my time catching up on all this laundry. (So far this winter I have only had to use my dryer once!) It's true my old hands about freeze as I hang clothes out of a morning but by afternoon they are all nice and dry and I forget all about the pain I went through getting them to that point! HA
Since we have cold weather moving back in Friday, today will also be a time to fill our fireplace with wood and to bring more around front. Earlier this winter we ordered a load of firewood from an old grade school friend of mine and when they delivered it, they stacked it right in front of our house. While the wood is wonderful, it's not "seasoned" and therefore hard to burn in a fireplace. That means we have all this wonderful wood right in front of our house were it would be so easy to carry in and I'm having to walk around it and go to the back/side of the house and carry in the old. Oh well, I'm just thankful we have wood to burn and a fireplace to put it in so I won't complain. (And next winter will have tons of "seasoned" wood!!!)
Keith has been using these warm days to get our greenhouse ready for Spring. I tell him it's going to be months before we can actually plant some seeds but he's insisting it's time to get it ready. Unfortunately we have different ideas on how things should be set up out there so for right now I'm staying out of it.....Once it's time to plant I'll go out there and set it up the way I want! HA At least he's got it all nice and clean for me!!!
While I've talked of the warm days, I don't want to forget the cold ones too. These days give us those special times to be alone and talk about the future and what we hope it will bring for our children. They give me the time to hook, cross stitch and Needle Punch and Keith time to take long naps. They also gave us the time to watch the inauguration and President Obama being sworn in.
So, whether our days are cold or warm, winter in Kansas is to be cherished....Before long Spring will be in the air and we'll be so busy we won't have time to think. Winter Blessings, Sher

Christmas is Over

2008-12-30T13:06:00.000-08:00

Another Christmas has came and gone. This year it was a bitter sweet Christmas. Daddy is not feeling well and we couldn't help but wonder as we took pictures of everyone if he would be with us next year. We have tried not to dwell on the sad but to look on the positive. How many woman can reach 58 years of age and still have both their parents alive? We need to be thankful for all the years we have had with them and to thank them for raising four daughters who have lead productive lives.
After a week of bitter cold, the weather has turned off gorgeous. So nice that the children have even been able to play outside in heavy sweat shirts. Alas all of that is changing tomorrow. The cold air is moving back in and there's a chance of snow Thursday night into Friday. At least we've had a small break from it and for that we are thankful.
With Christmas behind us, it's time to start settling in for the winter. My favorite time of year!!! Oh how heavenly that sounds after all the hustle and bustle we have been going through. The time of year when I can sit before the fireplace and hook, cross stitch or Needle Punch to my hearts content. If the snow if softly falling, it's just that much better.
Of course staying home is only half the fun....The Topeka Hook-in is next weekend and I'm hoping the weather will be good so I can go. Not that I need any more wool (That doesn't mean I won't buy any though! HA) but rather I need some inspiration and your sure to get that from all the talented gals that attend. I'm going to be embarrassed beyond belief for everyone to see I'm still working on a Halloween project but I refuse to start anything else until it's done. (I told you I've been busy!!!)
Along with all the fun crafting projects I have planned, I also have lots of yummy new recipes to feed my family. I'm branching out and starting to make up some recipes of my own. At first I wasn't sure I could do this but I've made up two new cookie recipes the past two days and both were big hits. Keith told me I can experiment all I want if this is any indication of what I can do! HA As I can go along I'll be sharing what I've come up with so you can try them out too.
Well, there are clothes to be brought in and dishes to be done (One of the downfalls of cooking!) so I best get in there. I hope you've survived the holidays and you too are enjoying winter. Hugs, Sher

2008-11-29T15:15:00.000-08:00

Awaking this morning I was surprised to see snow lightly falling! While not gorgeous, big fluffy flakes it was still snow and that in itself sent excitement through out the house. You would have thought the President of the United States was arriving the way we all pressed our faces to the window. What is it about the first snowfall of the season that makes us giddy with excitement? For me it means the time has arrived that my house will be filled with the smells of candles and tart warmers and also yummy food cooking in the kitchen. It's that time of year when the fire will be crackling and I'll be surrounded by wool hooking to my hearts content. A time to cozy up with Keith and remind ourselves how lucky we are that we don't have to venture out in the cold and how Blessed we are to have the home we have. Oh, I know in a few months you'll hear me complaining but for today I'm going to sit back and enjoy the day and be thankful for it. Hugs, Sher

Our Bus Stop Decorated for Halloween

2008-10-31T08:57:00.001-07:00

Good Morning!
I simply could not let the day pass without sharing a photo of how we have our little bus stop decorated for Halloween! Yes, even that little building gets into the spirit of the season on "Old Crow Farm"!
This year we have decorated with some Mums and pumpkins that we grew right here on the farm. Now the story behind these pumpkins is that they weren't "planted" on the farm but instead grew from last years pumpkins. Yep, we threw the old pumpkins in the compost pile last year after Halloween and this year we were rewarded with some gorgeous pumpkins. Granted they didn't grow very big but still they were FREE and it doesn't get any better than that!
Take a peek in the window. Do you see that precious Witch flying on her broom with her trusty black cat? Well, my dear friend Sher Needle Punched her for us and she's just precious. [Thank you Sher!!!!] I had planned to display her in the house but decided I would put her down by the highway where everyone could enjoy her. After draping some artificial Fall leaves around her, I think she makes the perfect focal point for the window! Apparently everyone else does too as we've had lots of compliments on her.
Well girls the day is quickly passing so it's time to get in gear. Just wanted to share another touch of Halloween around the farm. Have a great day and safe evening. Hugs, Sher

Our Living Room

2008-10-30T16:50:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I promised to show you one little section of our living room and how I have it decorated for Fall. This area is the love seat that sets to the south-west of our fireplace. I think I wrote about this section of our living room on my other blog....Everything you see is "used". Things that have been bought from auctions, yard sales or given to us. The most expensive thing you see was the sofa and it was bought at the Salvation Army for $50! And of course as you look at the picture you'll notice more "crows" tucked here and there!
Do you see the green "Drawer Box" sitting under the old bench? This is one of my newest finds when Keith and I went out junking. It's an old Atlas Powder Co. wooden box that someone has turned into drawers. It's the neatest thing and a real make-do as they even used wooden spools for the handles! I just love things like this as they are so unique.
Also, I don't know if you can see it but inside the old wooden dough bowl on the bench is an old granitware dipper. This old dipper holds many wonderful memories. That's because it belonged to a wonderful (At that time) eighty year old woman who loved to tell the story of how she meet her second husband. She said he came to the door and said something teasingly and she had the dipper in her hand full of water and she through it through the screen door onto him. Several years later they were married and she always said they fell in love at first "throw". I couldn't believe it when she went to live with her daughter twenty-six years ago and told me she wanted me to have it. For years it's hung off a hook in my kitchen (Just as it did in Muriel's) but for Fall I've moved it to the living room where it holds a white pumpkin with crow on top. Now it's making memories for us.
Our living room is the place where our family gathers each day and this touch of Fall makes us all know winter is just around the corner and soon we'll be sitting in front of the fireplace with a roaring fire longing for warmer days. Hugs, Sher

Feeling Like Fall!

2008-10-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Girls!

It's a crisp cool Fall day here on the farm! Yesterday we woke up to our first frost of the season but today it's just cold! One of those days when you wish you could just snuggle back in under the covers but you know it's not possible...Because you have little ones to get around for school! So, with them out the door, the house is mine!

Now before I go any farther I want to thank Betty over at PrimitiveBetty's for the above wonderful award. I've known she awarded it to me for over a week but there just hasn't been the time to post it. THANKS Betty!!!! I wish I could say I deserved it but the truth is, my Fall decorating has taken a backseat because of all that is going on in my life. And I'm going to award it to all girls who are decorating their homes in brilliant, Fall colors!

With Fall in the air, things are getting busier around the farm. These next few days Keith and I are going to find ourselves coming and going with all we have going on. However, as busy as we are we are going to take some time for us. Today at noon we'll be going one of our local Mexican Restaurants for lunch. We love their #1's so know just what we'll be ordering. And then once we eat we'll head to our local Dollar General to pick up some things we're needing....Things like cat food for the farm cats! It seems like this cold air is making the animals as well as the humans eat a lot more! HA

Well girls, it's time to do a little house-work so I'd best get in there. If I don't get to it this afternoon, tomorrow I'll be posting a picture of a piece of our living room decorated for Fall. I hope you'll all having a super day and getting more done than I am. Hugs, Sher

Another Fall Picture!

2008-10-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

Good Evening Girls!
I start this entry off with an apology. I know I promised a picture of the east side of my porch weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to posting one. Let me explain.....Our porch is super tiny! So tiny that you really have to think long and hard of what to put on it least you go "over the top". I have hit that point!!!! I have so many Fall items that I love and in my poor little porch has been the place I decided they needed to be. For days I worked on that poor little porch. First putting five things there, removing them and putting ten more! By the time I finished I stood back and looked and my first thought was, "Everyone is going to think I've completely lost my mind! Who has ever seen so much red, gold, green, orange, yellow, ect..?" And poor Keith....He took one look at it and said, "Don't you think it's a little "much" Sherry?" Okay, it is a little "much" but girls, I'm a little "much"!!!! So rather than pull it all off and start once again (By this time even I'm getting sick of the colors!) I decided to leave it.
So, are you all ready to see what will meet you when you come up the steps of our house and look to your left?....

Yes, a sea of bright Fall colors but some how or other they all seem to be a part of me. A part of Old Crow Farm that screams, "Fall has arrived". I'm sure strangers and family will wonder about my sanity but let them. Those that know me know I have always marched to my own drum beat and the porch is a part of me. The part that says, welcome to our home! Hugs, Sher

I've Started My Fall Decorating!

2008-09-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

For days I have been painting on our old picket fence. As I paint I pray for those in need (And when your painting 362 pickets you know you are praying for everyone two and three times a day!) and I think about what I can do to make our old farm house look better and not spend a lot of money. I'm now working on the front of the fence, so each time I look up I see our front porch and of course I see all the little things that need to be done to it. It too is needing a new coat of paint {I guess everything on this old farm was painted at the same time as they are all getting that "shabby" look at the same time too!} and once I get done with the fence I'll move on to it. In the meantime though, I decided to do a little something to give it a quick face-lift and add a little color.
So, earlier this week I dumped a bunch of "Fall decorations" in a clothes basket and started to work. I loved the look of my old bench and wooden "press" (I confess, I'm calling it a press because I honestly have no idea what it is! HA) so I decided to leave it and decorate around them. Pulling out pumpkins, garland of Fall leaves, crocks, and fresh mums I set to work arranging a setting that sets just to the south of my front door. I had so much fun trying to arrange things in the little bit of space I have to work with. Did you notice how a "crow" has joined my arrangement? In days to come as I post more pictures, keep an eye out for the crows in my groupings. After all, we are "Old Crow Farm" so we just have to live up to our name! HA
Tomorrow I'll show you the east side of our little porch. I'm still putting the finishing touches on it so it's not quite done. As I work my heart is filled with joy for The Lord allowing me to have this old farm and having this wonderful season to work in. Fall Blessings, Sher

Thoughts of Fall!

2008-09-19T05:59:00.002-07:00

Good Morning Girls!
The sky is full of clouds this morning but it hasn't stopped the my thoughts from turning to Fall. Have you ever noticed how after the heat of summer the first cool breeze you feel you automatically think, "Fall!" I for one have never really enjoyed summer. While I enjoy having the kids home from school and being able to play outside (Although this year that wasn't the case because of the heat!) and watching my flowers grow, for the most part I dread it. I'm not someone who enjoys being hot and summers in Kansas are definitely that! And then there are the bugs! This year we had record rainfall and I swear it was the perfect setting for mosquitoes!!! So, all of that being said, you can see how I long for the cool days of Fall.
There are so many things I associate with this time of year. While the cooler temperatures are wonderful so are the sites, sounds and smells of the season. In these next few weeks I'll be sharing with you some of these things around our farm. I'll show you how we decorate, cook, prepare for winter and how we get that wonderful "smell" that makes you think, "This is the best time of year!" I can't wait to share with you how we are working the colors of Fall into our home. Of course there is all the other new "things" we've bought I'll be sharing with you too. Before the season is over you'll be sick of seeing all my "junk"! HA
I hope you'll join me on this journey and please do share your Fall decorating tips and pictures. I want to know how you drag the season out as long as possible and what makes you have that "It's the best time of the year!" feeling. To give you a little sneak peek of things to come I'm going to leave you with some "dog biscuits" to show you how even our old yellow lab gets to be a part of the season. Think Fall! Sher

I'm Back!!!!!!

2008-08-31T10:33:00.000-07:00

After taking a blogging break from this blog, I have decided it's time to come back! While I'll still be keeping my other blog, it will be used for our daily life around Old Crow Farm and this one will be used for the things I love....Decorating, rug hooking, cross stitching, antiques, ect.... This way my friends who want to know what is going on in our lives can check one blog and if they want to see what I'm doing they can check this one. Is all of that as clear as mud? HA
So, on that note, please keep checking back as I share the sites of Fall on Old Crow Farm. Talk to you soon! Hugs, Sher

Our Mini Spring Break Vacation

2007-03-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

What a week this has been!!!! It all started last week when Seth and Sam both came home for the weekend. Now that Sam has graduated college and started working we don't get to see him much so the weekend was spent catching one another up on all that is new in our lives and talking of his up-coming marriage.
It was also the start of our little ones Spring Break. Naturally Keith decided this would be the perfect time to take them on a little mini vacation. Now this might be a good time to add to those that don't know me, I HATE to leave home. I drive everyone around me crazy because I'm someone who has long as I can order online would stay home bound 24/7. That being said, I do realize life isn't about me alone so I agreed to go. Thankfully Seth was on Spring Break from college too so he agreed to come home and "farm sit".
Before starting out we made a list of things we wanted to do. Keith being one who has traveled all his life insisted we make our motel reservations ahead of time since we wanted a motel with an indoor pool. Now I ask you, who in there right mind would do something so stupid??? I've come to find out, anyone who is SMART!!!!
We left on Tuesday morning to cool air and cloudy skies. Naturally I didn't pack any warm clothes and only took along one blanket for the kids to wrap up in. Needless to say, our first stop was a trip to Wal-Mart where Jeni became the owner of a new jacket (Thankfully marked waaaaay down!!) and a blanket to wrap up in. After a quick breakfast we were on our way to Kansas City.
In Kansas City we took the children to a place called "Science City". As I've already said, I'm someone who hates to go places and even I would recommend this! The children had a ball. They rode a Sky Bike (Ok, not very far but they were at least brave enough to try it!!) went through an Astronaut Training Center, dug for dinosaur "bones" and did a million and one other things.
We also went to a Planetarium and saw a presentation of Ancient Israel, the story of Israel, the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they live with us today. It wasn't until we walked into the darn place that I suddenly remembered we were going to be shut up in a room that would be completely in the dark. Me, "Miss Claustrophobic" shut up in a dark room for God knows how long...NO WAY!!! I promptly left Keith and the children and sat on an end isle so if I had to get up and leave I could. Thankfully it wasn't all that dark and I was able to make it through the whole presentation. (Ok, so I SLEPT through it...Heck, I was tired from all the walking we had done!!)
Next we went to a Regnier Extreme Screen 3-D movie on Sharks. Of all the things we did on vacation we all agreed this one was the best. It was unbelievable those dumb looking glasses everyone had to wear could make sharks and other ocean life come right up in our faces. I was laughing so hard I could hardly watch the movie as little Drew kept putting his hands out to touch the animals as they came towards us! HA I hope each of you have a chance to take your children or grandchildren to see something like this as it was truly unforgettable!
Last on our stop there was a tour of Union Station. It brought back so many memories for Keith who had traveled by train as a child. To the rest of us it was interesting just seeing another wonderful piece for the past. How life has changed and I'm really not sure for the better.
Parking at Union Station was in a parking lot....One of those kinds where you drive around and around in a dark building to find a spot to park and then you try to remember which floor you were on and what area you parked your car. When we had went in the weather was sunny so we had just walked down stairs and to the area we were going. Coming out the skies had turned dark and the rain had started. We made a mad dash for the parking lot and decided to take the glass elevator to the floor our van was parked on. What happens next could only happen to us..........We were the only ones on the elevator and naturally Keith was looking outside at all the wonderful buildings around us. Just as the elevator door opened Keith said, "Sherry look out at that building...That's where we should have ate lunch." Drew and I turned around to look where he was pointing and Jeni stepped off the elevator. Someone must have pushed the button down below and those doors slammed shut and off we went. I was hysterical. Our nine year old daughter who has never been in a building like this was not up there all alone but that building was DARK and she had no idea where our car was!!!!! By the time the doors opened for the other people I was all but screaming we had to get back up there. (Keith said he thought I was going to push the other people out!) Thank God she had the presence of mind to stand by the doors and wait for us. (Although she admit she had thought about trying to find the car!!) She took one look at her daddy and started crying! I swear I lost ten years of my life over that one.
By the time we got out of there all I could think of was getting a motel. It's here I came to learn sometimes I really should listen to Keith. I kid you not, we drove all over and there wasn't one motel to be found that had an indoor pool. When we passed the second sign in a store window that said, "Cash for your title" I told Keith it was time to find a room, indoor pool or not!!!!
The rest of our little mini vacation passed uneventful. We shopped until we dropped and ate more than anyone should eat. The kids are already looking forward to their summer vacation and one thing you can be sure of...If there are anymore elevators this old mother will have a hand on both kids the whole time we are on it!

The Month of May!

2006-05-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a hectic May here on Old Crow Farm! May is always a special time...One in which we run ourselves frantic trying to keep up with the ever growing grass and getting new flowers set out. This years as has been even more wild. We have had two graduations with parties following. Drew has been having his usual round of sickness and now we have added bad teeth to the list. Surgeries are scheduled for next month and I'm hoping once they are over all of this will be behind and he can start leading a normal seven years old life. (No more staying inside with Mom while Jeni goes out to play!)
Keith has been working on our cabin and it's slowly coming together. Each day we try and spend a few hours out there just enjoying the peace and quiet. I feel that sometimes we get so caught up in all the "work" on our old farm that we don't have time to enjoy the rewards of it. This year I have decided it's going to be different. We will finally MAKE ourselves stop and enjoy what we have been working so hard on. The cabin has been a good place for this. Not only is it quiet out there but the place actually stays clean! What heaven to open a door and walk into a room without stepping over toys!!!
In just a few days June will be upon us but for now we are going to enjoy these last few days of glorious May!

There Should Be a Law About Roses!

2006-04-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

As I was working in my "Rose Garden" (Each of my gardens have a name) I suddenly thought how there should be a law over the way my roses look! I swear girls, the first year I planned them they were gorgeous (I'll post a picture so you can see what they looked like) and now they look like death warmed over. Each year I feed them and cut them back and each year they look horrible. My first thought is to just dig them up and re-name the garden but there is something about those poor little things clinging to life that stops me. I mean, doesn't it seem somehow criminal to you to kill something that is trying to hard to cling to life? So, I'll continue to baby them along but you can bet I'll be filling that spot in with other flowers and one of these days my "Rose Garden" won't have a rose in it!

"The Money Pit"

2006-03-30T07:49:00.000-08:00

I think most of us have seen the movie, "The Money Pit". If I'm not mistaken, it stars Tom Hanks. This the movie about a young couple who remodel an old home and find it takes more money than they ever dreamed possible. As Keith and I work on the new cabin I am starting to see us following their footsteps! Who ever dreamed something as small as this cabin is going to be could eat up so much money????
If you'll all remember, we started this little cabin because we had picked up wood at such a good price. Well, once Keith got the foundation there was no turning back. First it was the weather....You can't have a house sitting "open" to the elements. That meant we had to buy everything to get it enclosed. From there it was a like a ball rolling...Fifty dollars here, one hundred dollar there. As of Tuesday we were up to $2,000!!!!!
We are now at a point where we can sit back and say, "The rest is going to wait". No more buying high priced wood. From now on we are back to our shoe-string budget...Buying things here and there and using them as needed. There are still things that need to be done to the outside (The soffits around the tin roof, a new storm door, a porch, ect..) but they are things we will find that are within our budget.
Of course it kills me to walk in the house and see it not done but my family has to eat too. So, we will continue to buy things as we find them and before we know it, it will all be done and I'll be decorating it the way I want.
So, the next time you see "The Money Pit", remember to tell all your friends, "Oh yeah, I have a friend who can relate to that!" Hugs, Sher

The Perfect Piece!

2006-03-01T07:48:00.000-08:00

The past two days we have been running around and I'm to the point I'm about to drop! Don't get me wrong, the "running around" we've been doing has been wonderful! First we attended two auctions (Bought several neat things!) and then Keith told me it was time to hit the REAL antique stores and see if I couldn't find the 'perfect piece' so I could make up my mind on how I wanted our "cabin" to go!
I guess I had better back up here and explain that statement. For weeks we have been calling this new building, "the cabin" and yet in the back of my mind I wasn't sure I wanted it to be a cabin. You see, I love the primitive, rustic look of a 'cabin' BUT I also love the soft, romantic look of a 'cottage'. Now Keith doesn't care which I go with but he's got to know within the next few weeks which it's going to be so he'll know how to do the outside of the building!!!
So, yesterday he took me antique shopping. He said he didn't care what I bought, or what I spent...It just had to be something that would be the deciding factor on what our building was going to be decorated in. We tromped in and out of antique shops and suddenly there it was...The perfect half corner piece! Once it had been painted in that old timey green paint but it was all peeling off and had left it with that look I love. I flipped over the price tag and decided we could eat beans for the next week and said I wanted it! (I got lucky...It was 15% off when I got up to pay for it so we only have to eat beans for half the week!!!)
Now with my first real piece for the building you would think I would know if it's going to be a cabin or cottage...WRONG...This piece would go either way!!! It has a rustic look to it and yet it has that Shabby Chic look I love so much too! So, once again I'm right back to where I was...Cabin or cottage???? What do you think????

Our Exciting News!

2006-02-25T12:38:00.000-08:00

For years we have talked about it....At long last we are starting to fulfill our dream! As of Thursday Keith has started the work on our very own "Little House on The Prairie"! How this house will turn out I have no idea. It's being built with used lumber and anything else we can pick up at sales and auctions. One thing I do know, it's going to be the perfect place for our little ones and us to get away from the daily routine of life. It will have two rooms as the main part and then a small room that in time we hope to put a real bathroom in. It will be built in our pasture and just like those that came before us, it will look out onto the Kansas prairies. When will it be done? Not anytime soon that's for sure! At our age everything is done one day at a time and in very slow motion. However, I do know it will be completed as soon as Keith's old bones allow. He says that will be no latter than May!
For now it's string laid out into a 16X21 rectangle and concrete blocks where the foundation will soon be. To most people it looks like string and blocks, to us it looks like another dream being carried out on our little farm!

Old Bottles

2006-02-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

Several months ago, Keith and I were at an auction when this strange looking box appeared. The box itself was filthy and the contents not in any better shape. Digging through it we found it to be filled with old bottles. Now I sure didn't have any use for old bottles but I told Keith if it didn't go to high to buy it. Sure enough, we picked it up for a few dollars.~~~ We probably spent more money on the water and soap to wash them than we did the bottles themselves!
Most of the bottles are now out in my shop in an old wooden basket with a tag reading "Old Bottles $1 each." I'll probably never know what they once held. One can only imagine as they look at their different sizes and colors. One thing we can be sure of, those that held medicine would be surprised to see their plastic sister bottles of today.

The Old Arbor

2006-02-01T10:26:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again.... Keith has been busy getting our old arbor re-built! Every year we say we are going to retire that poor old thing (It was cheap to begin with and nine years of bad weather has just about done it in!) and every year I can't bring myself to let it go. Have you ever noticed how some "things" suddenly become "family" they have been around so long? That's how this old arbor has became to us. Each time I look at it I think how excited we were when we bought it and how many family pictures have been taken in front of it. One only has to look at the old gate to remember our "babies" standing there so shortly after we adopted them to have their pictures taken on their first days of school. It's seen proms, high school graduations, romantic shots of young love and soon it will have a college graduation picture taken in front of it. To let it go would be like saying good-bye to a very dear friend. So, once again Keith will try to repair it and once again we will say, "Next year we'll replace it." I have a feeling "next year" will never come and our children will be tearing it down when we have left this old farm for good!

Happy New Year!!!!

2006-01-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

It's official~~~2006 is now here!!!! I honestly planned to watch it come in this year. I mean, it's been thirty years since I've watched a new year come in!
Here was our plan...We all had our snacks early in the evening so no one would be hungry. Keith and I then settled down to watch a couple of good movies, "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle". Now I ask you, what better way to bring in a New Year than to watch movies about love with the man you love?
Our two youngest are children who will not sleep. (It all goes back to their lives before joining our family.) Last night proved to be no different than any other night of the year! So, instead of watching the New Year come in with the oldest man I love, I spent it with the youngest man I love! I vaguely remember waking up to Keith kissing me on the forehead and saying, "Happy New Year", mumbling something and promptly going back to sleep!
So, nothing has changed in thirty years. Another year arrived without me being awake to see it in and once again it came in just fine. The thing that has changed is what the year will bring. Hopefully all the changes will be good ones. One thing we can be sure of, no matter what changes come in 2006, we'll all weather through them and hopefully become a stronger Nation because of them.

Good-bye 2005

2005-12-31T16:11:00.000-08:00

Another year is drawing to a close. It's a time for looking back, a time for moving forward.

2005 has been a year our world has seen natural disasters and wars in the mid-east. It's been a time for saying good-bye to old friends, a time of watching our children grow up and a time for watching us grow older.

While we're all a little older and I hope a little wiser, we're also a little wearier. No longer do Keith and I spring form our beds and start our days at a fast pace. It takes us longer to do even the simplest of things and we're getting more selective of what those things are.

So as 2005 draws to a close so does another chapter of our lives. No one knows what 2006 holds for any of us. We can only pray it will bring world peace and that our troops will soon be back on American soil with their loved ones. God Bless us all.

Going Home

2005-12-30T09:35:00.000-08:00

All our lives we have heard, "You can never go home again". Earlier this week we were to find out if this was true.
My parents, Keith the children and I had been invited to my Aunt and Uncles for lunch. On the way to Lebo, Kansas we found the main highway was closed for repairs and we would have to take a detour through the country to reach our destination.
After a wonderful lunch (My Aunt is a terrific cook!) we spent the afternoon visiting about old times. When it came time to go home we decided to take a different detour and go by the farm where I was raised.
It's been forty-three years since I have seen the old farmstead. In 1963 the John Redmond Reservoir was built in Coffey County. This reservoir covered a lot of farm land, including the farm my parents farmed. So it was with a heavy heart we had to say good-bye to the home we love and move over thirty miles away to another farm.~~This time one we owned!
The trip this week was like a trip down memory lane. Gone was the old farm house. All that was left was an old cedar tree (Which Daddy was quick to remind us Mom had backed into years ago!) and brush and water kept us from getting to close to that.
It's funny how the mind of a child is different than that of an adult. The road that lead from one farm to another suddenly seemed to much shorter than I remember it! One thing I knew I wasn't wrong about was the road was straight and now it was curved. Dad explained the "curve" had been added when the water had washed the other road out.
We took a leisure drive through the town of Ottumwa. Some people would now call it a ghost town but a better word would be a place in the road.~~There's no sign of a town anywhere! I did recognize two homes and the old boxcar an older friend of ours used to live in was still there all though all but rotted away. As we drove along Mom and Dad pointed out pieces of land where old neighbors had once lived and farmed. It was a bittersweet time to remember one neighbor who had just passed away three weeks ago a the age of ninety, as he had been OUR neighbor too on Old Crow Farm. It was also sad to think there are only two farmers (Counting my dad) who are still living from our area.
Of course Daddy and I had to argue about where the old "Western Christian University" had stood. I remember it being across from the old general store and he says it was located in what is now a pasture. I've been checking the Internet but still haven't found the answer. Thankfully another Ottumwa resident will be able to settle this one!
Yes, it's true you can "never go home again", especially when that "home" is now under water. You can however go back to where you once lived with those you love and share the stories of your youth.
So, while good farm land and the old family farm are covered with water, the memories of a Farmer's Daughter will live on.

Once Again....

2005-12-17T15:51:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again.~~~Time to put up the Christmas tree and dig out the ornaments. Now the key word here is "dig". If I was an organized person (Anyone who knows me knows I'm far from it!) we wouldn't be in this mess every year.
Ok, it's all my fault and I'm the first to admit it. The minute Christmas is over I'm so anxious to get that tree down I lose all common sense. I start yelling at Keith to get it out of the house and back to the storage shed. That's how I lose track of where everything is!
One reason I hate putting up a tree each year is because we live in a little tiny house. This mean in order to put up a tree we have to take some of the furniture out of the living room. Not a fun thing to do when the temperatures are dropping daily!
This year I decided I'd had enough. I was going to solve the large Christmas tree problem once and for all. A trip to town brought home a skinny little tree that even had it's own lights. (One less thing for me to find each year!!) For over a week it proudly stood with it's little lights twinkling and not so much as one ornament on it!
Lucky for us my dear friend Sher in New York (Check out her wonderful Blog: http://uponacountryknoll.blogspot.com/ ) must have known the situation. Last week we received this BIG box from her and dear husband and in it was several items for our tree. (Bless you dear friend!!) When Keith saw those ornaments scattered around the tree trying to fill it up he decided to take matters into his own hands.~~He braved the cold and dug through the storage shed until he found the ornament box!
So, once again Old Crow Farm has a decorated Christmas tree. In my heart though, I know by December of 2006 you'll hear me once again saying, "Now where did we put those ornaments last year?"

Snow!!!!

2005-12-07T12:56:00.000-08:00

It was the day the two little ones and I had been waiting for.~~Last night the weatherman predicted that by morning we would have the first major snowfall of the year. Now not just and inch or two but anywhere from five to eight inches! Unheard of in our area!!!
So, this morning we all ran for the picture window in the living room. Flipping on the yard light the squeals started!..Snow was coming down! While not the big fluffy flakes we love, snow is still snow!!!
It's been coming down all morning. So far about three inches are gracing "Old Crow Farm" and they say it's to keep up through tonight! Wahoo!!!
Jeni and Drew still had school so that meant Keith and I had the day to ourselves. The first order of the day was to get the fireplace going. Once it was blazing we could do some fun things. Earlier this morning I saw where one of the farmgals from MaryJane's Farm site (http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/) had posted a recipe for Soft Molasses Cookies. They sounded so good I just had to try them out! I'm glad I did because not only are they wonderful but the smell of spices is now filling the house!
Since it's bitter cold here, Keith and I have decided to use the oven to fix most of our supper. We've decided to have Stuffed green peppers, small red potatoes with Olive Oil and herbs, cauliflower in cheese sauce and fresh buttermilk biscuits. Gee, why can't everyday be a snow day????

True Friends

2005-12-07T06:17:00.000-08:00

It was just a simple Christmas card. A Christmas tree with fireplace on the front and a verse wishing us Happiness throughout the coming year. What was so special was the note inside. A note I look forward to each year. The chance to catch up on the news of a very dear friend, her family and other friends that we don't get to see on a monthly basis. This year the card was different.
Several weeks ago I read a joke about friendship. While not word for word, it went something like this: "A friend is someone who will bail you out of jail. A 'true friend' is someone who is sitting there beside you saying, "But didn't we have fun?". For over thirty-four years I have had two such 'true friends', Mary and Carolyn.
No, we haven't been in jail together but that's about the only thing we haven't shared! Our friendship has truly stood the test of time and there have been more joys and sorrows than I care to think about. We've shared recipes, raised our children with each others help, held one another as two of us buried our sons, prayed as Mary fought cancer twenty-six years ago and gave words of comfort as all three of us lost our husbands. Like the Three Musketeers it was always, "All for One, One For All".
In October of 2004 more tragedy was to hit us . Our precious Mary was once again diagnosed with cancer. In January of 2005 she went Home to be with the Lord. In those three and half months Carolyn and I shared many phone calls, visits and tears. Once again we were pressed to the breaking point and once again we were there to hold on to one another.
When Carolyn's card arrived this week it was a bittersweet time. While thrilled to read her family is well and she's going to be a grandmother again it was also a sad time. Once again it brought back memories of our Mary and how much we both miss her. In Carolyn's note she talked of finding a poem Mary had sent her years ago. In my note back I'll be telling her how Mary's old letters keep coming up in the oddest places...An old magazine or book. Almost like she's saying, "Don't forget what I had to say...It's important!" Like we could ever forget her! Both of us are so Blessed to have had her in our lives for thirty-four short years and she'll always be with us.
As you write your Christmas notes this year, I pray everyone of them his going to 'true friends'. Those that would be sitting right there in jail beside you.

The Old Dough Bowl

2005-11-11T08:47:00.000-08:00

For months now I have been hunting on e-bay for an old dough bowl. There is just something about those old bowls that stir my imagination. Maybe it's because I'm someone who loves to cook. Just looking at them brings to mind how all the women before me made their daily bread. Alas their cost has been out of my budget so I've just drooled over them and passed on bidding.
Imagine my surprise when Keith and I went to an auction earlier this week and there among the junk was, "the bowl"! Measuring twenty-seven and half inches it was a dream come true. Heck, not only was it primitive but it even came with it's own worm holes! Never mind that it had a crack down the middle. Or that someone had used two rusty tin can lids on each end to try and repair it, in my eyes it was perfect.
I looked at Keith and told him to take note.~~~When we left that sale that old bowl was going to be clutched in my grubby little hands.
For over an hour I stood by that bowl waiting for it's turn at the auction block to come up. As the auctioneer moved closer I kept glancing around to see if anyone else was showing any interest in it. Suddenly the auctioneer was before me. For the next three minutes the bidding was fast and furious and when it was over~~~ Well, let's just say there was one unhappy person and it wasn't me!!!!!

The Birthday

2005-11-10T15:09:00.000-08:00

For the past month there has been a count down in our home! Each morning our precious seven year old daughter, Jeni, has been telling us how many more days there are before she turns eight! From the excitement in her voice you would think she was turning sixteen and being handed the keys to her very own brand new car!
At last the count down is over. Today is the day we have, by this time, all been waiting for! Now this is no small affair! We had to have both homemade cookies and "goodie bags" for every child in her second grade class.
Then of course there was the family birthday party after school. All she asked for was the "Princess Alexa" doll and as you can tell by the above picture our little princess got her wish!
So tonight we have a happy little girl in our house. Old Mom and Dad are feeling a little older and a little sadder. For after all, it won't be much longer until our little girl will no longer be excited about the count down to turning one year older. Before she knows it, she'll be dreading those birthdays just like every other women does. So enjoy it princess while you can....And now there are only 364 days until you turn nine!

We May Have to Move

2005-11-01T12:36:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's true.~~~We may have to move off Old Crow Farm. Not because we can't make the payments and not because we have become too feeble to keep up with all the farm work. Rather we may be forced to move because of our six year old son's action Halloween night! Here's why..................
In the last few weeks Drew has started carrying around this little tiny stuffed camel. (Note his hands in the picture.) Last night as we were getting ready to take the children "Trick or Treating" I noticed Drew making a costume out of Kleenex for "Camel". This is where I made my first mistake. Why didn't I ask him "WHY" he was doing that??? My second mistake was not watching what he had in his hand when I was loading everyone in the van.
It wasn't until we stopped at the first house did I find out what our darling son was up to! After giving my yearly lecture of "Take one piece of candy and say thank you" we all get out of the car and go tromping up to the door. Jeni, being the perfect little witch, took her one piece of candy and said a polite, "thank you." Then it was Drew's turn. Oh, he took his piece of candy and said "thank you" all right. Then, in the blink of an eye he stuck "Camel" out and said, "Can Camel have a piece too?" I thought I was going to have a heart attack!!! The minute we got back in that car I grabbed "Camel" and gave that child a lecture.
At the next house "Camel" stayed in the car with Daddy but Drew already had another plan. Once again we went through each child taking a piece of candy and saying thank you. Suddenly Drew said, "Camel is in the car, can I have a piece for him too?" I could have crawled under the porch!
From then on, at every house we went to he pulled this stunt.~~~This from a child who doesn't even eat candy!!! We live in a small town where everyone knows everyone else and the only way I can think of facing people from now on is to MOVE!!!!
As we were coming home last night Keith remarked, "Wouldn't our lives be sad if we hadn't adopted these two?" When I raised my eye brows he said, "Ok, maybe I should have said quiet instead of sad." Quiet yes and oh so boring!!!!

Halloween

2005-10-31T15:07:00.000-08:00

This morning I looked out our front door and realized that Fall has finally arrived in Kansas! Suddenly there are more leaves on the ground than there are on the trees. The days are becoming shorter and they are certainly much cooler.
I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that Fall is here, after all today is the day the little ones have been waiting for...Halloween! Drew and Jeni have had their costumes ready for a week now. Our little red head is dressing in black and orange and going as a witch. Poor Drew, we begged him into wearing his lion costume "one more time". Yes, it's getting way to short but he just looks so darn cute in it!
This afternoon Keith and I loaded up and went in to town where we watched them walk in their schools annual Halloween Parade. As I watched them walk with all their friends I realized in just a few short years like our older children, they too are going to be to old for this. So, we snapped a few pictures, stored these precious memories in the back of our mind and tell ourselves, "At least they'll still be dressing up next year!"
It's getting dark now so it's time to load them up and head back to town. One more "Trick or Treating" memory. Scary night all.

The Old Wood

2005-10-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

Every now and then we all run across something for sale that makes us feel we have found the buy of the century. That's how Keith and I felt a couple of weeks ago. We were in one of our favorite antiquing shops and found "the wood"! Now if you're not in love with old things you're probably not going to appreciate this. ~~~There on the floor, between an old saddle and old cupboard was a pile of old wood that was in perfect shape. (Ok, as good as shape as any old barn wood can be in!) The lady that runs the shop called the owner of the wood, Charles, and he came in and told us the story behind it.
In 1986 Charles father tore down a barn that had been built in the 1800's. Thinking to use the wood himself, he stored it his barn. For nineteen years the wood had been sitting out of the elements just waiting for someone to come along and put it to use. Charles knowing he would never do it, decided to sell it in his booth at the flea market. Luck us!!!!
Looking at this wonderful pile of wood our mind raced. What to make first? Our old shop just calls for a "fireplace" so we decided that would be our first project. After about ten minutes of discussing how it should be built, Keith was off to his work shop.
Twenty-four hours later our old farm has another "fireplace". While not the wood burning one in our home, it's primitive charm is just perfect in our little shop. And the best part is~~No ashes to clean up!!!! Now the only problem is, what to do with the rest of that pile of wonderful old barn wood!

Our Old Farm

2005-10-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

Located just one hour South of Topeka, "Old Crow Farm" sits on the Kansas prairies. Named for all the large black crows on our farm, this little piece of land is definitely our piece of heaven here on this old earth.
I honestly think I was born in the wrong era. While other women love to shop and run around, I'm perfectly happy sitting out here on our old farm. From the time I was a little girl at my grandmother's knee, I have loved anything old with a story behind it. My grandmother made everything she touched and every story she told magical.
I'm all grown up now but things haven't changed a whole lot. Now I'm the mother/grandmother who has little ones sitting at her knee and I'm still in love with old things with all their chips and dings. Like my grandmother before me, I'm still hanging out my clothes, baking my own bread, trying my hand at soap making and living on a shoe string budget. Heck, is there any other way to live???
The newest adventure on our farm is that we have started what will soon become our very own vintage junk shop. Taking an old cattle shed, lumber from my parents farm and things we have picked up at auctions, "Old Crow Farm" is starting to come to life! When done, it's going to be filled to the brim with old treasures, each with it's own story to tell. While nothing will be "pristine", each primitive "treasure" will still have a lot of life and love left in them to make someone happy.
If you enjoy old things and life on the farm we hope you will check back often. There will be lots of pictures and adventures to share, I promise! If you live on a farm too and share our love of old things and making do on a shoe-string budget, please drop us a note

Old Crow Farm

~~Feeling The Season~~

A Fall Walk Through Our Cabin

~~What A Day!!~~

~~ Finally…Fall ~~

~~Getting Ready For Fall~~

Change

Thursday on the Farm

The Gorgeous days of March

A Rainy Tuesday

~A Monster Snowstorm?~

Happy Birthday Kansas!

~~A “Snow Day”~~

A New Year~~~2011

It's Getting Cold Out There!

October Rug 2010

Our Time Together

What Was I Thinking????

Summer 2010

~~It's Spring in Kansas!~~

~~Appreciating What You Have~~

~~Winter 2010~~

A Box Full of Bittersweet

~~ Summer 2009 ~~

~~The Best Mother's Day Ever~~

Winter in Kansas!

Christmas is Over

Our Bus Stop Decorated for Halloween

Our Living Room

Feeling Like Fall!

Another Fall Picture!

I've Started My Fall Decorating!

Thoughts of Fall!

I'm Back!!!!!!

Our Mini Spring Break Vacation

The Month of May!

There Should Be a Law About Roses!

"The Money Pit"

The Perfect Piece!

Our Exciting News!

Old Bottles

The Old Arbor

Happy New Year!!!!

Good-bye 2005

Going Home

Once Again....

Snow!!!!

True Friends

The Old Dough Bowl

The Birthday

We May Have to Move

Halloween

The Old Wood

Our Old Farm

Feeling The Season

What A Day!!

Finally…Fall

Getting Ready For Fall

A “Snow Day”

It's Spring in Kansas!

Appreciating What You Have

Winter 2010

Summer 2009

The Best Mother's Day Ever