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This is the place where you can always catch up on the latest Farm News!
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1/28/2009
Changes Happening
12/31/2008
January news!
12/3/2008
Same Day Shipping!!
11/25/2008
Lower Prices...
11/16/2008
Simple and Sweet...
11/8/2008
More Handmade Christmas coming..
11/4/2008
Find me at 'The Primitive Gathering'
10/29/2008
It SNOWED!!
10/16/2008
Christmas goods added
10/15/2008
A Cold Fall Day...
10/7/2008
Finally, a picture of my girls and what's new here..
10/2/2008
**SALE on All Halloween items!
Please Come and visit me.....
10/1/2008
Some Fall Decorating Pictures
9/18/2008
Busy bees..
New Update Finished.
9/5/2008
THANK YOU....
7/27/2008
Being Commited...
6/30/2008
More bad news..
6/17/2008
We are OK!
6/1/2008
Every Little Bit helps.....
5/29/2008
We are helping the storm victims and so can you!
5/28/2008
A Very Scary Weekend
5/23/2008
Todays News
5/14/2008
HOUSE CLEANING SALE...
5/9/2008
Mother's Day sale
5/5/2008
Spring Has arrived...I think
3/22/2008
2 days left!!
3/14/2008
Annual Spring Sale
3/11/2008
Farm Goods Added
3/3/2008
Back to work...
2/14/2008
Life on the farm..
2/2/2008
Snow and chickens
1/12/2008
Finally...
1/6/2008
Update Jan. 7th
12/18/2007
Have to admit.....
12/4/2007
More dolls are in the makin'!
11/21/2007
Happy Thanksgiving
11/15/2007
It's Finished.
11/4/2007
Part 2 of 'The makings' of a chicken hut'
Christmas is coming!
10/26/2007
Makings of a Chicken Hut
10/14/2007
Our Soy Candles
Fall Activity
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Date: 1/28/2009
Title: Changes Happening
We are working on revamping our whole website. I'm so excited. We are adding some wonderful new category's...changing items around...and bringing in more of the Primitive and Colonial items you love. So please pardon the mess.....
Date: 12/31/2008
Title: January news!
We've been out scouring old barns and junk shops for some really wonderful goods for our upcoming update happening January 6th!
So please make sure to mark your calendars....You won't want to miss it!
We also have **FREE SHIPPING on all custom light orders of $500 or more! So right now would be a great time to get those light orders in and save a nice chunk of cash!
Also going on is the sale on selected Christmas items. Up to 40% off! This sale will be done January 6th...so hurry and get those great Christmas goods for next year.
Date: 12/3/2008
Title: Same Day Shipping!!
Well everyone...the Christmas season is in full swing and with that, we are once again offering our 'SAME DAY' shipping!!
All orders on items we already have on hand (NON-CUSTOM) will be shipped the same day as ordered, if placed before noon (CST). All orders placed after noon(CST) will be shipped the very next business day!
We still have plenty of Christmas items for your tree decorating..so pick some up and we'll get them to you right away!!
Merry Christmas!!
Date: 11/25/2008
Title: Lower Prices...
You may have noticed recently that we've lowered our prices on some of our items. We've done this as our way of helping you out with the economy and Holiday crunch.
We hope that this helps your holiday buying and lets you enjoy a bit of Rusty Pins and Old Lace at the same time. This will only last till the 1st of the new year.
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Date: 11/16/2008
Title: Simple and Sweet...
Busy.. busy.. busy!! I just can't wait to finish up these wonderful new goods I'm working on!
Simple goods are a comin' soon. The sweetest dolls..both Christmas and everyday..a few animals as well will be in the bunch!
Hopefully I'll have them up in the next day or so. We've been so busy with orders, that finding time to work comes late at night when hubby's gone to work and son is sleeping. Needless to say..there hasn't been much sleep going on here these past few weeks. BUT..I do believe I need to take a break as I feel a wonderful cold/flu coming on. Yup...a bit wheezy in the tummy with a real bad headache And that just won't due with Thanksgiving right around the corner and a whole houseful coming!
So...be looking for the new goods......I'm going to bed early. As soon as I grab those Lysol wipes and hit every surface in this house! Good night all!
Date: 11/8/2008
Title: More Handmade Christmas coming..
It looks and feels more like Christmas then Thanksgiving now. It's STILL snowing here. YICKY!! But it does put me in a wee bit of a holiday mood...so please look forward to our new handmade ornament later today.
Nice and primitive and made from all early fabrics.....make sure you check in!! As you can see our holiday goods are selling out quickly and I don't want you to miss out!!
Thanks so much!!
Date: 11/4/2008
Title: Find me at 'The Primitive Gathering'
What a joy it is to be a part of such a great group of gals! All very talented artists...I'm just tickled to be with them.
You must stop by and see what's new. I update on the 1st of every month with items that you won't see on my website.
Right now I have the sweetest Santa & Angels in Wooden Pockets!
Date: 10/29/2008
Title: It SNOWED!!
It finally happened...that dreadful deed you all know I hate.......SNOW!!
This past weekend was our wedding anniversary so we decided to spend the weekend with our daughter and grandbaby. Kaden is a year and a half now....white/blond hair, blue-green eyes that sparkle...dimples and a cleft chin! An angel for sure...just as sweet and calm as his Mama was when she was little and never without a smile. No fussin' did he do....just giggles and laughter.
On our way home on Sunday we had heard that snow was happening across the eastern part of the state...but never did they say that it was blizzard conditions!! About 10 miles from home we drove right into it.....couldn't see even 1/4 mile.....ofcourse I was driving...and cussin'....and wishing we were in Florida.
We got home with the winds howling and the snow blasting against our faces. Thank goodness the girls were all safe and cozy in the henhouse.
We watched it snow the rest of the evening.....blowing across the now empty fields...and when it started sticking to the ground was when our son (who had been out in it since we arrived home)...begged his father to take out the snowmobile!!!
That was it...the final straw. I headed for the warm shower and stood there pretending that I was in Hawaii under the warm waterfalls...and soon a good looking Hawaiian man was going to come with a dry towel and a plate of peeled grapes that he would soon feed me....... and then hubby stormed in the bathroom announcing that..'I have to pee'. What a bubble burster THAT was!!!!
Anyhoo...the snow melted the next morning.....and the sun shone bright and beautiful against those ever so blue skies. And I...well I've finally accepted that fact that Winter will arrive...no matter how much I dream it away. (deep sigh)
Date: 10/16/2008
Title: Christmas goods added
With the Holidays right around the corner, we wanted to add some of our favorite holiday goods today.
We have our ever popular ' Popcorn & Cranberry' garlands which I LOVE and use every year. I've had mine now for 3 years and it still looks as good as when I first bought them!
These are sold in sets of 3. Enough to cover a 7' tree and are each 9' long.
They sell out fast, so pick yours up early!
We also have this year our *NEW Redware Ornies. These are so much prettier then I thought they'd be! What a statement they make on a tree! Beautiful and so primitive!
And the Christmas cards!! OMG are these AWESOME!! Printed on high quality card stock, these cards just jump out at you! The colors are vivid...it looks as if your really looking at each scene in a window! These are my favorite!!!
We have so much more to add.....so make sure your checking in everyday...you never know what you'll find!
Date: 10/15/2008
Title: A Cold Fall Day...
With gusty winds and chilly rains, you can almost mistake those rain drops as snow flakes. It's one of those days that requires warm wool socks and layers upon layers of undershirts, long sleeved turtlenecks, and a heavy knit sweater. Large and roomy so one can tuck one's knee's under while sitting in the big easy chair. The leaves seem to jump off each tree branch like little ballerinas....swaying and twirling to the ground . Our yard is now a spotted mix of yellow and deep red with small dots of still green grass.
Very pretty to look at, but I'm happy I'm not out in it. The girls seem to be enjoying it....they take turns digging already worn spots in the browning flowerbeds for tasty little treats.
While working on a pot of homemade chicken and dumplings thoughts of my Grandmother surface. I miss her dearly and wish she was here to sample her dumplin' recipe. One I use often and each time I do...I hear her loudly in my head saying'...NO PEEKING'. Only after that allotted and exact time of 17 min, could you lift the lid to see those fluffy little clouds of perfection!
Grandma had a knack for cooking. It came easily to her. I couldn't help but sit in awe of her while watching her whip up something for dinner. She never went out to eat...everything was homemade and so delicious. Well...except for the one thing she made for me to try...and try as I did, I could NOT even pretend to enjoy her clam chowder! I did try...but she saw through me and chuckled as she took the bowl away.
I don't remember Grandma without a smile.....I don't remember her ever being angry....with her white hair and her sparkling eyes I always felt comfortable and warm when I was with her. She was a flawed but remarkable woman that I think about often, and miss greatly.
I'd like to share her dumplin' recipe with you. I hope it brings warm and happy memories to you each time you make it.
Grandma's Dumpling's
1-1/3 cups flour
1- tsp salt
2-tsp baking powder(make sure it's fresh)
1- egg
1/2 cup milk
Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. in a small separate bowl beat egg and add milk. Combine milk mixture to flour mixture and mix. Don't over mix. Drop into your boiling pot by the tsp. Cover and cook for exactly 17 min. NO PEEKING!
It doesn't have to be any thing as fancy as chicken and dumpling'....any soup or stew you make just hollers for dumplin's. Just warming up a can of soup will taste homemade when dumplin's are added. Use it often...and enjoy! I'm sure Grandma would be pleased.
Till next time, put on an extra pair of socks and snuggle down with a hot bowl of chicken and dumplin's and a good movie.
Warm Fall wishes to you.
Date: 10/7/2008
Title: Finally, a picture of my girls and what's new here..
This morning while watching the 'Weather Chanel', I almost had a heart attack!! I see SNOW on the ground in the West! After rubbing my eye's and whispering to myself 'it's only a dream' many times...I've decided to accept the fact that 'ol man Winter is heading our way. (DEEP SIGH)
As you can see my friends, I have finally taught myself how to put pictures up.LOL Ok, Ok....I'll admit that without the help of my super smart daughter...this would never have happened.;o)
Here's a picture of a few of my girls.
The little red girl in the front is a 'Rhode Island Red', and the beautiful grey girl behind her is an 'Americana'. The reds pretty much all look the same, but each of my Americana's are different colors.
They are molting right now, so if we do get snow early, I'll be busy knitting sweaters for all of them :o) Now wouldn't that be a sight to see.
I thought that today I'd share with you one of my favorite magazine. It's called 'Mother Earth News' and is one of the best magazines I've ever read. It's just full of articles about saving energy, how to live 'Greener' and how to live a bit simpler.
This magazine is NOT what I expected it would be... I've been pleasantly surprised with every issue. If you haven't read one yet, check out your local library to see if they have past issues. That's a great way to see if the magazine is something you'd like to read more of before purchasing it.
If you'd like to subscribe, or learn more....click here. Mother Earth News.
Other news..
We are busy working on our Holiday line. More Santa's are in the works right now along with new ornaments. After this Springs flooding, I lost all of my Christmas decorations, and most of the tree ornaments. Many where from the kids..the ones they had made in school. So after many tears, I've decided to enjoy the idea of having a totally different tree this year. One that will be nothing but our handmade ornaments with popcorn & cranberry garlands and a wooden twig star on the very top.
The process of coming up with ornament ideas has been a grand time. I keep a notebook with me at all times now just in case an idea pops in my head. Gosh...I hope the gal at Target didn't think I was doing some secret spy work. HHmmm........maybe that's why she was looking at me funny when I suddenly whipped out my notebook and pen.
Well dear friends, it's that time again. Time to finish this up and get dinner on the table.
So, till next time, pick up a 'Mother Earth Magazine' and put your feet up. Even if it's just for a little while.
Oh yes...please don't forget our *FALL SALE* going on on all of our Halloween items. This sale won't last long! So if you see something you like, you'd better grab it.
Date: 10/2/2008
Title: **SALE on All Halloween items!
Don't miss out on this one time **SALE on all of our Halloween items! This won't last long.
Date: 10/2/2008
Title: Please Come and visit me.....
I'm so happy to say that I'll be the featured artist on 'Prim Sister's Talk Radio' this coming Monday, Oct 6th at 11:00!
I had a fabulous chat with Miss Brenda and the laughter went on for hours! What a great gal!
So if you'd like to get to know 'ME" a bit better, and hear my squeaky voice..(why is it that we sound so much different to ourself?) then mark it in your calendar and make sure you drop by.
Click here to visit: Prim Sisters Talk Radio
Date: 10/1/2008
Title: Some Fall Decorating Pictures
Dig out your coat and head for the yard....it's time for FALL!!
These are a few pictures that a very dear friend of mine, Pam, wanted to share with us. Doesn't it put you in a Fall decorating mood?
Date: 9/18/2008
Title: Busy bees..
Life is somewhat back to normal....Fall is in the air......the chickens have cleaned all of the corn out of the veg garden/weed patch (deep sigh).....and every single ripe tomato that I had my eye on seems to have disappeared. Oh yes....I have nice plump chickens let me tell you. They eat better then I do. Did I tell you that 'Lucy' (she's a half breed of Americana & Rhode Island Red) LOVES pop tarts? Why yes she does. If I go outside with my favorite 'Blueberry' pop tart in hand...she can see me eating it all the way from across the farm. That fat 'ol girl runs like her butt's on fire till she's standing in front of me with that sideways,head tilted look she always gives me when she wants somethin'. AND, if I don't share with her fast enough...she jumps up and grabs it out of my hands!! I swear....she needs 'Miss manners' over for a little self discipline. And by Goodness...don't ever eat a peanut butter sandwich in front of her! You won't have it long, trust me. I had to chase her all the way to the corn field to try to grab it from her...she lost me in the corn. I sure hope she enjoyed it, cuz I sure didn't.
My friends tell me that my chickens are not normal. Which suits me just fine...cuz neither am I!!LOL
I know that I've been saying that I was going to get some pics up here so you can see where we live and the girls ofcourse...and I have some great pics of a few of my dearest prim friends homes (which I LOVE seeing so if you'd like to share...just email them off to me.) which I want to share with all of you as well. Now daughter told/showed me how to do it...so I'm going to have to read all the info she saved for me (stop laughing) and give it a try. I'm apologizing right now for any mistakes you might witness during this time. just know that it's NOT your computer..it's just little 'ol me trying to pretend I'm computer savvy.
So I'm off to mow and picture take. Hopefully you'll hear back from me real soon. ;o)
Date: 9/18/2008
Title: New Update Finished.
We've just added a bunch of New Fall items for your home. A handful of great Autumn dolls are looking for new homes. They need nice warm homes to go to since Winter is right around the corner.
I hope you find a little somethin' that you just can't live without.
Thanks!
Date: 9/5/2008
Title: THANK YOU....
Thank you my dearest friends and valued customers for all the kindness you've showed at this time of loss. I keep telling hubby that we have the BEST friends/customers in the world!!
You will never know the true impact of all the kindness you've shown.....it has helped us in the decision to keep the business going.
This business was built on a dream and has grown over the past 5 years with the determination and the passion of myself and hubby. I have finally realized that no matter what, this business is all about 'Love'. The love of the items I dream, build and bring to life...and the love that you have for the items you adopt into your home.
I'm sure Mom would be so disappointed if I didn't continue.....so continue I shall.
I had made Mom a sweet little teddy bear for her birthday in June......I named him Taylor after our son (whom she adored with all her heart), and gave him clothing made from some of Taylor's old baby outfits. He was perfect and oh so cute. She just loved him and he sat in a place of honer where she could see him daily.
Mom was full of smiles and giggles....always helping out anyone who needed it...and loved her family and friends truly. I miss you Mom...she loved coming out to our farm just to sit in the flower gardens and spend a lazy day watching the chickens. I have placed an angel in one of the gardens in memory of her. I think she'd like that....to be in the flowers.
I will always see you Mom in the birds that fly over my head, in the poppys that were your favorites and in all the paintings you have given me over the years.
Fly high Mom...we will miss you always.
Date: 7/27/2008
Title: Being Commited...
With the last few bad months behind us...we are once again in full swing here at the farm. I've got my head buried in the sewing machine whipping up all kinds of new goods for you to enjoy. After much thought of closing down the site....we've decided to just jump in with both feet and continue on full steam. It hasn't been easy with the tornado..the floods and now my mother in law...but we've decided that this is what we love to do..and do it we shall.
We are committed to you and our #1 rated customer service! After the floods delayed many shipments...we realized that the hand of God sometimes jumps in...but we will continue to work our hardest at getting your orders shipped out to you as quickly as we can. We will be shipping all orders(non custom ofcourse) in 2-3 working days with some orders being shipped the same day as ordered. We are also adding order tracking to all orders so your more able to keep track of your shipment.
We thank you as always for your wonderful emails and phone calls. Keep them coming!
Best wishes to all
Date: 6/30/2008
Title: More bad news..
Goodness girls...how I wish this year was over with and the new one was starting.
My Mother in law was rushed to Iowa city last Wednesday with a stroke..or so they thought. They've now said it's a brain tumor...and have also found a tumor in her left lung. The news just keeps getting worse and I've been so very worried about my father in law. He's just so lost without her.
I've been absent from home with all this going on so if you've emailed I will get to you asap.
I'm working on some 'so sweet' new dolls and goodies for Fall. Hopefully I'll have them on the website shortly. I'll make sure to send out an email so if your not signed up...please do so. Then you'll know what's goin on. :o)
Well my dear friends, I'm off to the hospital again. Take care and huge hugs to all!
Date: 6/17/2008
Title: We are OK!
If you've been watching the news, you know that most of Iowa has been hit by the devastating flooding that has been going on for the past week and a half. We have been one of the lucky ones as we've not lost the farm....but there are many that lost everything. This degree of flooding has never been seen here...and the amount of damage is overwhelming!!
We have had no Internet till today..so if you've tried to contact us and haven't heard from us yet. PLEASE email again. Our Internet is STILL unstable..so we may not be in touch with you for a few days.
As for orders, most of our major cities have been flooded and mail services have NOT been able to get in or out of these areas. I can't tell you when your order will arrive...but we are doing our best to get in touch with all the mail services and to find out just where the orders are and when they'll be able to get them out. When we can find out more...we'll let you know.
Thank you for your kind emails and your prayers. They have all been welcomed in this time of need. May God bless you all.
Date: 6/1/2008
Title: Every Little Bit helps.....
Thank you to those gals that have already helped the storm victims of Sunday the 25th EF-5 tornado. Please help...even a few dollars helps those in need. Thank you for your kindness.
Date: 5/29/2008
Title: We are helping the storm victims and so can you!
We are donating 15% of every order to help the storm victims of Sunday's devastating tornadoes. 7 people lost their lives and many more lost everything...so please do your part and help us give to them.
FOR EVERY ORDER YOU MAKE, WE WILL GIVE YOU A COUPON FOR 15% OFF YOUR NEXT ORDER JUST FOR HELPING THOSE IN NEED.
Please help. Thank you.
All donations will be given to American Red Cross,
Grant Wood Area Chapter, and to 'TheTornado Relief Fund' being held at the Lincoln Savings Bank in Waterloo.
Date: 5/28/2008
Title: A Very Scary Weekend
Sunday started out as a beautiful warm day at our friends home... about 1 hour away from our farm. As we were enjoying our morning coffee, our son was watching the weather. He's a 'wannabe' weatherman at heart. He announced that there were going to be thunderstorms later that day.
As the day progressed, the storms grew larger and more deadly...by late afternoon we received a call from our daughter as she huddled in a kitchen restaurant with the rest of the patrons. I could hear the tornado sirens in the background...I was as terrified as she was. The storms were 2 hours away from where we were...but right on top of our daughter. She kept texting us news as they received it...'Parkersburg destroyed'.. the storms where growing in strength with so many tornado's I couldn't keep count. 'The edge of Hazelton is gone....was our next text....we knew the storm was heading straight for the farm and traveling fast. We then heard that a F5 tornado was heading straight down highway 3...1 mile from our farm. I was terrified...what could we do but try to keep in contact with our family. We lost our daughters signal...but they were now trying to get home. They had ducked into a Walmart with no power as the tornado sirens were going off all around them in Independence.
With no phone signal from our daughter, I tried to call our neighbors to no avail. I was sick to my stomach and prayed that our neighbors where all right and that our farm would still be standing when we returned home. We watch the storms on TV....tornadoes popping up all over the map. We sat outside as the storms approached our friends home. The lighting was so frequent it looked like daylight.
We heard on the TV that Lamont was underwater and that the tornado was right on top of them. We all sat in silence as the storms raged on into Wisconsin taking along debris from tornado struck homes and livestock that had been picked up.
We wouldn't find out till the next morning the devastation the storms had left. Our friends brother lost his home.....and ours....by the grace of God, had been spared. The tornado traveled 90 miles on the ground...and had missed our farm by 3 miles.
Traveling back home was awful. What would we see...how many homes had it taken....Lamont was totally flooded and as we slowly traveled through we saw people pulling wet items from their homes....2 miles of power lines had been ripped out of the ground. The edge of Hazelton was gone....homes, livestock...cars..all gone.
To be in the middle of such chaos just tore my heart out. I cryed all the way home.
I've never been as thankful as I was when we pulled into our driveway. It was such a close call...it could have been us. We would have lost everything. What a sobering thought.
Tornadoes give you no warning, nor do they give you any sympathy. 7 people died in those storms........my heart grieves for those familys.
Date: 5/23/2008
Title: Todays News
Tomorrow is the start of our long awaited weekend get away...and boy do we need it. I'm actually excited to get away for a few days...no phones...just fishing poles, good friends and evenings by the fire.
I'm finished getting the huge veg garden in....in one day. And let me tell you...my back told me how stupid I was for 2 days after that. Thanks goodness for Tylenol and heating pads.
After last years garden full of weeds and none producing plants...I decided to make it a very well planned garden this year. Martha Stewart would be SO proud of me. The peas and beans are in nice rows with old tree branches for climbing..then we have a whole row of marigolds and zinnias..onions and head lettuce come next, then another row of leaf lettuce and basil then peppers, tomatoes and marigolds..with 6 long rows of sweet corn..and finally cucumbers and pumpkins.
It looks so fab right now...just ask the girls as they've already found and told me that the peas seeds and leaf lettuce starts taste WAY better then last years!
Ya...What in the world was I thinking?? I just planted the worlds largest Chicken Playground!!!!
Memo to self....get hubby to put a fence around the veg garden.
If you haven't noticed, we've just added a bunch of great new stuff to the site. I did have a ball this time finding all those things. If you don't know me by now...I'm an avid junker and I'd much rather dig through boxes of old stuff at a junk shop then shop at Macy's or Target...though they do have really pretty handbags(another fetish).
The best find of mine was 'Ugly Chicken'. The poor thing was buried in a box and marked $1.00. I just had to have her. She was So sad looking....and besides I loved the way she had been made. It was quite obvious that somebody lovingly made her for a child. With her pencil drawn body and colored facial features...she was quite special. She's stuffed with old papers....which to me makes her even more special as I believe that whoever made her, probable wasn't very well off and just made do with whatever was on hand. All day long I carried 'Ugly chicken' under my arm....my girlfriend laughed at me the whole time thinking I was crazy for buying that ugly thing. I got home and gave her a place of honer. In the living room chair where I can see her everyday and think about the little girl that once played with her. I loved her so much that I decided to make a sister to share with you. Made exactly the way my chicken is made...she's also been made with tons of love. I hope somebody feels a tug at their heartstrings and just has to give her a good home. It's those silly simple things in life that make so SO happy!! That and watching my girls chase bugs! Now THAT's a hoot!!
Well dear friends...I'd better leave you for now. I must finish laundry and get orders packed and shipped. I thank you for stopping by the farm and keeping up on my endless chatter....that's farm life. Oh...we are celebrating our 1 year anniversary here! I can't believe we've been here a year already..and still there's no where better then here! I just love it!
So, till next time do a little junk shopping with your best pal and don't be afraid to dig deep into those old boxes. You might just find that little something that makes your heart sing!
Sweet Blessins',
Paula-Queen Chicken
Date: 5/14/2008
Title: HOUSE CLEANING SALE...
The prices are as low as they will ever be! We're making room for our new items, so take a peek and see if there's a little something you just have to have. Loads of items are one of a kind...so have a great time shopping!!
Thanks bunches!!
WE'VE ALSO ADDED (2) **NEW SHIPPING OPTIONS !
**NEW - FIRST-CLASS MAIL (for your smaller items)
**NEW - EXPRESS MAIL (for those items you need right away)
YOUR STILL ABLE TO CHOOSE EITHER 'PARCEL POST' OR 'PRIORITY MAIL' AS WELL.
Date: 5/9/2008
Title: Mother's Day sale
Don't miss out on our biggest sale EVER!!
It's our Mother's day sale going on now and ending Sunday at midnight! These prices have never been lower...so take a peek, you might find a little something you just have to have. ;o)
Date: 5/5/2008
Title: Spring Has arrived...I think
Well...the birds are singing, and the lawn needs mowed...so I guess that means it's finally here. We did get snow last week, so maybe I shouldn't say anything...might curse it and Winter will come back all over again.
The girls are very happy that they can once again can sample the young shoots of plants the grubs. It was a long hard winter for them, and they all made it. Ofcourse with much love from me. George rooster is no more. Yup...I just had to get rid of him. He was getting so mean. I had gone in the chicken hut to gather eggs, and with my back turned that son of a gun jumped at me and knocked me down. And while I was down, he jumped at me again only this time at my face. That was it..I just couldn't have that with a 1 year old grandson. I couldn't take the chance of someone getting hurt.
So now we have the 2 boys left. Both Americana's and both stepping up to the plate quite nicely. Granted, they airn't as tough on the girls as Geoarge was, but they do a pretty good job of taking care of them.
I love the mornings...I grab my coffee, the egg basket and their treats and off I go to the hen hut. I always yell that I'm coming...don't want to scare them, and as soon as I open that door they are all around me...chatting up a storm. It's like they each have to tell me what happened the night before. I gather the eggs, refill the food and water and off I go to the house...with 14 chickens trailing behind. They follow me to the door..and would come in if I'd let them. During the day as I do my chores outside, they are all next to me scratching up the ground, looking for yummy's. I have to laugh because I remember last year when they where just a few days old, and I had to teach them how to scratch...that was so cute.
Ofcourse I have 3 favorites that are on my tail all day long. 2 beautiful Americana's and a rhode Island red named Lucy. It's really soothing to hear their low chatter and watch them go about their day. Watching them run is really funny as they put their heads down low...spread out their wings and run as fast as they can. Their fuzzy little butts just a waddlin'. I'm so proud to say I'm a chickem owner...and with eggs being $2.00 a doz at the store now...I'm even more grateful!!
Well...enough about the girls...I have laundry to hang on the line. There just isn't a better smell then laundry off the line! And I have some volenteer plants coming up that I'm transplanting...so I'd better get to it..should be a nice day today!
So till next time....take a quiet moment outside, and just listen to the sounds of nature. It really does make your heart smile.
Date: 3/22/2008
Title: 2 days left!!
Our annual Spring Sale will be ending at midnight on Easter....so make sure you pick up those last minute goodies you've been eyeing. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Happy Easter!!
Date: 3/14/2008
Title: Annual Spring Sale
Beginning this evening...and going thru Easter is our Annual Spring Sale!!
10% off all order of $15.00 or more. Just use code 'spring' in the voucher box at your checkout time.
Happy Spring!!
Date: 3/11/2008
Title: Farm Goods Added
It's finally happened....the update that is. With new dolls and so many wonderful farm items...the store is full again. I'm really pleased with this update...we've really been working hard and some of our favorite things have been added. We hope you enjoy them....and please note...all of our items are from old farmhouses...from the wood we use for the shelves to the barn pegs ...they are really old! Thanks for the questions. ;o)
Now, make sure you stop by often as we will be updating every week now. Spring is coming!!!
Date: 3/3/2008
Title: Back to work...
We are finally into a new month...with still no sign of Spring arriving!
I have great hopes that it will come bounding in like a long lost puppy....hopefully in the next few days as I'm so tired of SNOW!!
But even with the fact that I had to buy yet another new snow shovel....I've started 3 large flats of seeds! After seeing the gardens in bloom last year, I've decided that all the red and orange flowers must go. These had been planted by the gentleman that lived here before us...and beautiful as they are, they are just not my color. So lots of pinks, purples and blues are coming in. He did plant the most wonderful peony bushes that bloomed last spring in shades of pink and white. They are one of my favorite flowers so I had alot of them in jars around my home.
So after much drooling in the seed catalogs, I finally chose some great annuals and a few perennials to start. With so many gardens to fill, I've decided to start 30 plants of each. I also like to plant in groups...it makes a nicer impact, especially from a distance.
Here's just a partial list of the seeds I've started.
Cosmos- one of my most favorites to have, easy to care for, and usually reseeds
Verbena-
Zinnia- I've started a few different kinds of these, 'Giant Enchantress' and 'Rose Pinewheel'
Ice Plant-Perfect for our very hot summers
Viscaria
Larkspur- another favorite that I've had in my gardens for years!
Lupine- I'm trying a new one this year, 'Texas Bluebonnet'. A beautiful blue one
Foxgloves- another favorite but have had no luck with them here in Iowa. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Sunflower-
Atleast I can play in the dirt while I've starting seeds, and pretend that the breeze is a warm one....till I glance out the window and see the snow up to the windows. How depressing.
After the past fews crazy weeks, we are finally back to work here at the farm. Our son is doing fine after his accident on the snowmobile. I'm just thankful that he was wearing his helmet. His collarbone is healing....it's just going to take some time till he's back to his usual self.
Thank you for all of your kind emails...and I do apologize to all for any delays that this has caused. Your support and understanding has been wonderful.
ON a happier note.....we will be doing our update on the 5th. Great old wood items as well as new dolls will be added. Please make sure to check in, and if you'd like, sign up for the newsletter. I always send out one when we've added new goods.
That's it for now dear friends.....hubby just called, he's stuck down the road, so I'd better grab the new shovel and head on down there!
Till next time, plant something pretty. Even if it's just repotting a plant, get your fingers dirty and enjoy it!
Date: 2/14/2008
Title: Life on the farm..
We've finally dug out from the 2 huge storms that hit us last week. I thought I was going to lose my mind. Now I know how our fore-sisters felt way back when. No Internet, no mail (even though he has a Jeep, still couldn't get through) and NO TOWN SHOPPING!
What was I thinking when I told hubby to build the chicken hut WAY..oh way.. over on the other side of the property. Nothin' is better then being wrapped in layers...mummy wrapped with a 10ft long hand knitted scarf (ok...I didn't know how to finish, so I just kept going!)..and 3 pairs of gloves, trudging through 7' high snowdrifts JUST to gather the eggs and feed the girls. I scared devil George so bad when I opened the door that he just couldn't get off that roost fast enough. He's jumpin' at me like some darn kangaroo on steroids...and I'm blindly swinging the basket hoping that one of the swings will hit home and he'll run for the corner. I'm sure THAT was a sight to see.
After all that...and I had only 3 eggs. Ofcourse I had to have the little pep talk with the girls, kind of cheer them up. Let them know that better weather REALLY was on it's way...gave each their belly rub, told them I loved them, and back to the house I go.
Well, I'm off to finish dolls. I have 5 New Barn Baby's to add. I think a few will be going over to 'Lemon Poppy Seeds' and the rest will be added here. So if you'd like to peek at them, the link to Lemon Poppy Seeds is on the front page. They update on the 1st & 15th.
Oh ya....Happy Valentine's Day girls!! Hope your sweeties give you want you really want this year...extra sleep and a foot rub! Oh...sorry, that's my wish!
Till next time, keep your coat buttoned and your long john's on...AND KEEP THINKING SPRING!!
Sweet Blessins',
Paula
Date: 2/2/2008
Title: Snow and chickens
This has been such a crazy winter so far...more snow then I can remember in a long time...and way below our normal temps. For this reason we've keep the girls in the chicken house.....which of course makes for unhappy chickens as they are so used to having the run of the farm.
Yesterday wasn't bad...the temps were in the mid 20*'s...so I thought a little fresh air would do the girls some good...so off to the chicken house I trudge...calling all the way. If you don't announce your arrival before you open that door...Devil George is all over you...so I'm a callin' 'hay girls...Mama's comin'...I open the door and of course they are all right there. Now, there is nothing funnier then seein' 13 hens all stuffed in the doorway lookin' at you with the tilted sideways look....and just a talkin' at you. Here comes George, if I haven't told you yet, George is the devil himself...only in feathers. He is an Americana rooster...mostly white with gray spots on his tail feather and on his saddle feathers.(the feathers that circle his neck). and gray tufts under his eyes..... and he is about 9 lbs of pure muscle.
So..over the top of the girls flys George, I duck..he flys right over me out the door. He takes off a runnin'...and suddenly he stops. He isn't moving...totally still, not even a sound comes out of him.
I go walkin' up to him and he's still not moving..nothing. What the dummy had done was run right over the snow...which was soft underneath, but had a thin layer of hard snow over it....and his feet had gone right through. So there he was, stuck in the snow pile. He was so scared....now here is where I have to admit that I just couldn't stop laughing.....it was so funny to see this huge mean as fire bird stuck in the snow!!
In the meantime the girls have all gathered at the door watching George.....not a peep out of any of them...they were starring at George...not a one would cross the threshold!! Not even a foot would step on that snow!
I'm standing outside the house...watching all this happen...laughing so hard I'm gonna pee my pants cuz George STILL hasn't moved a feather...and the girls are all standing there staring at him...not moving!!!
After a few..I figure I'd better save that dummy...I walk over to him..he still isn't moving...and I pick him up. He STILL doesn't move...or say a peep as I carry him back into the hen house...I set him down on the straw and the girls all gather around him clucking like mad. It takes a few minutes, but that mean George shakes it off and again is strutting his stuff like he's something else. Ofcoure I don't even get a thank you...just that sideways glare as he bristles all up. Someday Me and that bird are going to have a 'come to Jesus ' meetin'!!!!
Well....all in all I don't think I'll have to worry about ANY of the chickens wanting to go outside again...at least till the snow melts.LOL
Date: 1/12/2008
Title: Finally...
Have the New look finished! We hope you like it. Thank you so much for the kind emails.
I've had a few asking about our graphics. My daughter and myself do all of graphics. She's going to collage for graphic design.
The green board background is from an old cabinet we have in our livingroom. I bought it 2 years ago and just fell in love with the color. Yes I believe that green IS coming back in primitive, and besides, I always like to do things different then everyone else, so I decided to jazz things up a bit and add that great color.
I wanted just a bit cleaner look...I do hope we've done that.
We do hope you like it, and let us know what you think. We are always open to suggestions. Making you happy is what we are all about. :o)
Date: 1/6/2008
Title: Update Jan. 7th
You know..it just never fails! We get all ready for our update, and then lose the server for 5 days!! I guess that's living in the country...but goodness how upsetting!
So please forgive us as we will be adding our new stuff later tonight and early tomorrow morning.
AND...please forgive the 'unfinished' look of the website...we are in the process of changing the graphics. New Year...new look. We hope you enjoy it.
SO, please stay with us as we are working like mad to get our update done! I promise, it'll be a really good one. New dolls! Even a new line of dolls.....I'm pretty excited about that. A few new wood items that I'm really crazy about...and a few things for the big Valentines day coming up.
Don't forget to take advantage of the Christmas items on sale...we will be taking them off when we update tomorrow, so pick them up now when they are at great prices.
Thanks bunches!
Date: 12/18/2007
Title: Have to admit.....
I have been slackin' off! I know....it's almost Christmas...and I DO have tons of dolls and goodies in the works...but I've not been in the mood to finish them just yet. Have you had days like that?
It's been so nice just takin' my time decorating and shopping for this Christmas. Usually I'm a frazzled mess by Christmas....and I have a hard time enjoying it because of all the work I'm doing.
So, this year I'm takin' my time. But don't worry...those dolls will be done by New Year's eve...as a matter of fact, I think they'll be ever better because I've been able to really think about how I'd like them to be. SO don't give up on me...I promise you'll really enjoy them. :o)
Date: 12/4/2007
Title: More dolls are in the makin'!
Yup!! I've received so many emails wanting to adopt snowmen and snowgals that I'm working on them right at this very moment.
Thank you for requesting them....I'm even finishing up 4 new 'Barn Baby's!! Don't fall down...I know it's been awhile...but wait till you see these new kids!! SO cute!!!
So make sure you check in often...I'm not to sure when they'll be added...but my sore fingers are working very hard to get them done ASAP. ;o)
Thanks again dear friend...please email me anytime if you have questions....I love chatting!!!!!
Date: 11/21/2007
Title: Happy Thanksgiving
The candles are burning....the Christmas tunes are playing....and it's SNOWING!!
It seems more like Christmas then Thanksgiving. I just can't remember a Thanksgiving where we've had snow on the ground...except when I lived in Minnesota. How beautiful it is. There's a pair of Bald eagles that live close..and they are gliding over the bare fields as I write this. What a sight.
The house is just about clean...and the pies are made. Just a few more things to do for tomorrow. Ready the turkey, make the fruit salad and the cresent dough.
I'm ironing all the linens right now....no paper napkins in this house! nope...mixmatched linens that I bought through out the years....just like the plates, silverware and glasses. I am sticking to a couple of colors though...my white Ironstone and brown transferware I've just started to collect. The napkins will be all white, but all different. Some have monograms(nope..not mine) and others are just plain. The glasses will be a mix of clear and green...up..mixed it up a bit there. I hate boring! I was going to do a floral centerpiece, but now that it's icy, I just can't go to town...so I think I'll do something with my old glass cloches and the baby pumpkins I have. I think I'll pile them in the cloches then set the cloches on some fall colored preserved leaves that I've ironed to flatten. I'll then tuck in the larger white pumpkins and the glass candle sticks with white candles , so it's all down the center of the table. All this will be on a 27" wide piece of drab brown homespun I have. It's long enough to reach the chair seats on both sides. Just perfect.
Well....I think that's it. Till next time..... have the most wonderful Thanksgiving ever!
Take care and I'll see you again next Monday. We'll be decorating for CHristmas!! Woohoo!!!
Big hugs!!
Paula
Date: 11/15/2007
Title: It's Finished.
Finally...the girls are now in their New home! I was rewarded the next morning with 9 eggs.
The hut looks so great....with it's old 4-pane windows..and the 'Bling' in the center of the room for light....it's a really special place. The girls just loved it when we put them in for the first night. They dug around the new straw .....climbed in the nesting boxes and after much fuss and primping...made them Just perfect for the eggs. We have the 2 roosts at the same height so they don't fight, and after much investigating, they all flew up to the roosts, snuggled next to each other, and fell asleep. I keep the 'Bling' on all night...just incase one of the girls is afraid of the dark. No laughing...I am!! I used to wake hubby up in the middle of the night to walk with me to the restroom.LOL Now it seems a bit funny, but back then, I was terrified of the boogyman. ;o) Too many scary movies when I was a kid....
Thanks for your wonderful and very kind emails about the 'Chicken Hut'. I promise many more tails of the girls as they get older...and hopefully I can get some photos on here as well.
Sleep well dear friends...and if you need to....turn on the light!
Date: 11/4/2007
Title: Part 2 of 'The makings' of a chicken hut'
We have a hut!! Well....almost. I figure we MIGHT be finished by the 4th of July! Ok...maybe not July...but it will be close...or at least that's how it feels.
We have the whole inside insulated and boarded up....the nesting boxes are in place, and my father in law has added the 2 roosts (where they sit) and has framed out the windows. Not to much left to do before we can get them in. Get the hooks and chain on the windows and the chicken wire on them.....put in the 2 cross holes for fresh air...and finish the small trap door for cleaning. Then we are getting a paint sprayer and painting everything a few coats of cream paint. that way it'll be easier to clean. Then comes the super fun part of decorating! yup....I'm decin' out my girls house. Hubby has built a small cabinet for the corner where I'll keep their odds and ends...I've got a few small metal trash can's for their feed and we'll chicken wire this area so the girls can't get on anything and make messes. Then I'll add the beautiful chandelier I picked up for them.LOL Go ahead and laugh. my father in law rolled his eyes..so it's ok. It's a small 4 arm light that will hang in the center. It'll give such a nice glow....and who says that my girls wouldn't like to feel pretty. :o)
So..that's where we are so far....I'll keep you posted. Gotta go....I'm pickin' out some pretty pink poke a doted collars for them.(wink)
Date: 11/4/2007
Title: Christmas is coming!
Oh how I LOVE Christmas time! I do have to say though...that it is a bit much to see Christmas items in one of my favorite craft stores at the beginning of October! I'm always thinking Christmas ahead as well...but that early. It's a bit to much.
Anyhoo.....this is my first year that I haven't been swamped with wholesale orders...and I must say that I think stopping the wholesale was the best thing I've ever done. It has given me so much time to enjoy doing what I love most, and that's creating. I have so many ideas that I just can't get them done quick enough.LOL
As you can see, we've added a bunch of new stuff for the holidays....and believe me, we have MUCH more that we'll be adding. I have more Santa's in the works..as well as more ornies....wall decor...antiques....oh my goodness....just bunches of stuff!! My house is a wreak....but I'm a happy crafter thats for sure. :o)
I do hope you enjoy the items we have for you. I thank each of you for your orders...and know that your always in my heart.
Well...I'm off...I think I smell something burning!!!!
Date: 10/26/2007
Title: Makings of a Chicken Hut
How many men does it take to build a 10'x12' chicken house? TOO MANY!!
Let me tell you a little bit about our chicken hut. I wanted it made from old wood..windows and doors we had, and made with an old fashion feel. Nothing fancy, just a sweet little hut for my girls. Right? WRONG! It starts out with a tin shed that's on sale at the local hardware store. That's $225.00 right there. Well, you can't attach nesting boxes and such to tin, so a wood frame must be built first....cha-ching....another $200.00. The frame goes up, the tin over it, cut outs were made for the 2 Southern windows, a cut out was made for the trap door at the back for easy cleaning. all good, except that when I go out there, I can't stand up IN the house because the roof is to low! Ca-ching....another $300.00 for more lumber to build joists, wood for the roof AND SHINGLES!!
Yup..a mighty fine chichen hut your saying...I know, but here's the best part. Yesterday we spent another $200.00 on wall wood, AND INSULATION! FOR A CHICKEN HUT!!
You know it's bad when the nice old guy down the street stops by and tells ya that the 'ol hen house is looking real sweet and that he'd keep his company in it instead of chickens...and that he'd never seen a hen house insulated before. 'them must be some real expensive chickens'...he says as he heads down the road.
Stay tuned for more adventures of 'Makings of a Chicken Hut'.....
Date: 10/14/2007
Title: Our Soy Candles
I had been on the look out for some really good candles for almost 4 years.
It took me MANY years, and hundreds of dollars spent on candles that claimed to 'really smell up a room', or that just didn't burn..or smoked the house up, before I really did find a candle that did as it said it would.
These candles are all soy bean wax. Meaning they burn longer, no black smoke, and they burn all the way to the bottom.
These are also the best smelling candles ever! Just burning (1) candle in my living room will scent the whole house! I promise!!
Are you tired of buying a candle that you have to bend over the flame just to smell it?? Then PLEASE try ours!! They will make your home smell so wonderful!!
These are the only candles I burn....the only candles I give as gifts, and the only candles we carry for our customers. That's how much I believe in them!!
So please give one a try. I promise that these candles are nothing like your old candles!!
Date: 10/14/2007
Title: Fall Activity
I think I'm finally getting into this 'Farm life'. It's a really different world then living in town. Everyone waves at you...and life just seems slower here.
The corn fields are being harvested....it's crazy seeing the farmers out in the dark pickin' the corn with their headlights on. I didn't even KNOW that the machines had headlights! My son loves laying in his bed and watching those big machines in the fields. It's like a ballet dance...the farmers are so in sinc with each other.
Ofcourse my chickens are ever so happy with all the corn left over....you can just see them smiling as they run the fields.
My chickens are 5 months old now, and I have 5 hens laying. Beautiful brown and green-blue eggs. I have 13 hens and 3 roosters. I know I have to get rid of 2...but my 'ol heart just can't do it. We have one rooster, George, that is mean as the devil himself. He'll come right after you. But, for as mean as he is, he also is so great with my girls. He is right on them if they wander from the rest. He even stopped a big racoon from taking one the girls. So...I guess I'll keep him...even if I do have to hit him on the butt to show him who's boss. :o)
The girls all have names...and come to me whenever I'm outside. I have a couple that will follow me everywhere. They are just like dogs...and just have to know what it is your doing.
I just can't imagine not having my girls. They put a smile on my face everyday. ;o)
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