~~Appreciating What You Have~~

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~~

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

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.

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 ~~

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~~

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!!!!!!

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

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!

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!

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"

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