~~Exciting News~~

Good Morning~

      It’s going to be another gorgeous day here on the farm.   Warm weather & blue skies.   Now I ask you, does it get any better than that for the month of February?   Actually, the whole winter has been like this.   We’ve only had one real snowfall and even that didn’t last.   Really makes you wonder what our Spring is going to be like.   Pray it’s not going to filled with tornado’s like a lot of the older people are predicting.   That we don’t need!!!!

      As as I mentioned in my last post, we’ve had some exciting news in our family and it just keeps coming……It started in Oct. when our son & his wife Renee announced they were expecting again.   Reese’s little brother (Yes, it’s a boy!!!) is due in June.  I can’t tell you how happy that makes us.

     Two weeks ago we (Keith, Mom, my sister Sindy and myself) were in our local clinic waiting for Mother to see the doctor for a check-up on her knee.  As we were sitting there I could hear my phone ringing but since it was at the bottom of my purse (Yes, we are old and could care less about cell phones.   Only carry one for emergencies.) I couldn’t get to it.   When I finally dug it out I saw that I had missed call from our daughter Kara.   Because she works, Kara never calls during the day so my first thought was something was wrong.   I immediately called her back.   When she answered the phone and I heard her voice I knew I was right.     The first words out of my mouth were, “What’s wrong?”   She said, “Mom, how would you like to be a grandma again?”   Okay, Kara & Paul are big dog lovers so my first thought was they were getting another one.   And that’s just what I said.    She said, “No, I just found out I’m pregnant!”.    Now for a little background here….Kara has never wanted a family.   She loves her job and their dogs have always been her babies.    To say I was in shock is the understatement of the year.   However, the real shock was still to come.   

      Of course I’m yelling out to everyone that Kara’s going to have a baby & everyone is saying how wonderful it was.   I then asked her when she was due.    She said, “March”.   Now I might be old but I still thought it took nine months for a baby to get here.   How could she be due in March.   That was only a few weeks away.   Did she mean next March?    I was really confused.   She then told us she had just came from the doctors office and the doctor told her she was not only pregnant but due in eight weeks and it was a little boy!!!

      How could someone be seven months pregnant and not know it???  Yes, it’s true Kara has really packed on the pounds since her and Paul married a little over two years ago but she’s always called them her “happy pounds”.   But wouldn’t she have felt a baby moving???   Apparently not when you have the stomach problems she experiences.

    To say this family is overjoyed is the understatement of the year.   We are beyond thrilled.   After all these years to think she’s going to have a baby.    And now that the shock of it has wore off, she’s thrilled too.  (Paul has always wanted a baby and now he’s going to have a son!)

     Now we are going wild trying to get things ready for a little boy who will be arriving in less than five weeks.   We are having a shower for her this weekend and the nursery is well underway….It’s being done in a monkey theme.

      In all the excitement of this, our son Seth & his wife Codi brought my late birthday present to me.   Unwrapping it we found a gorgeous frame announcing once again we were going to be grandparents…Their little one is due in Sept.!

      How could anyone be more Blessed than we’ve been?   Three grandbabies in one year!!!!   Every time Keith & I think about it we laugh.  Can you imagine how full this little house is going to be with three babies crawling around on the floor?  And if Seth & Codi have a little boy it’s going to be three little boys crawling around!

    I’m sure the year 2012 will bring it’s share of heartaches and tears, for no year goes by without them.   But for now we will dwell on the good and look forward to the new children joining our family.    Blessed We Are, Sher

     

     

Coming Full Circle

    Life at our house has came full circle.    When your young your parents take care of you.   As your parents grow older, you take care of them.     We never think it will happen but suddenly, without warning that day arrives.   The middle of December my Mom had a full knee replacement.    At the tender age of 84 we knew recovery would be slow, no one knew there would be other problems to contend with.

      For two months my sister Sindy & I have taken care of her every need.   I have to be honest, Sindy has had the majority of the work since Mom’ has been staying at her house.  My ‘job’ has been to go in daily with meals and run her to various appointments while Sindy works one of her two jobs.

      While it was hard to be away from my own home so much, I have to be honest and admit the memories I made with Mom were priceless.    We talked about everything from their feelings when we adopted our son,Michael from South Korea, to what she wanted each one of us girls to have when she’s gone.    These were things that needed to be said now before it’s to late.

      A week ago she felt as if she was strong enough to go home so Keith & I loaded her up and took her back to the farm.    Walking into the house I could tell by expression on her face she was overjoyed to be home.   You could tell she wanted to us to hurry up and leave.   I’m sure she was wanting to ‘talk to daddy’ and tell him what’s been going on.  I know just being home has made her feel as if he’s with her once more.

     She’s been doing pretty good until Friday.   Once again her knee is swollen, as well as her foot.   Keith & I took her to the doctor and she’s on some new medication.    My youngest sister & her husband has been home from Louisiana for Glen’s mothers funeral so they’ve been keeping an eye on her.   They flew back today so tomorrow I’ll call and see how she’s doing.   Hopefully between the medication and bed rest the knee has returned to normal.

     Now that I’m home full time, I’m back to working on a zillion & one different things.  This afternoon I pulled the last loop on my latest rug and tomorrow I’ll start whipping the edges.   I’m excited to get it done so I can start another one.

      Well, it’s getting late and I still haven’t told you our families exciting news.   Guess that will have to wait until my next post.   For now I’m going to head to bed so I can get up super early and start on my rug.   I hope your all staying warm and enjoying these last few days of winter.   Hugs, Sher

~~Feeling The Season~~

 

     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

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!!~~

     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 ~~

     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~~

    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

      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

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

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

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?~

    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!

   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”~~

 

     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

 

   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!

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

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
 

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

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????

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