Dreams and Design....

Random thoughts .......

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Speaking of dreams.... I made this little piece years ago... I love making little collages... these funky little pieces of art are a joy to make, however, they never caught on in my little world. I made a dozen or so pieces like this and would love to make more..but, I think I'm the only one who liked them. That's okay :-) Here's another one......

This just cracks me up.... What fun to make ! Now, I'm in the mood to make more ! Mind your manners !

Simon says "Hello"
One of my favorite old things around the house....this old cow pull toy has been through quite a bit over the past 100 or so years.

Wishing you a most lovely day.... may all of your dreams come true !

Fun with the letter F ....

Today, children, we have the letter F
This is what I like to call FARMHOUSE FRIDAY -

on which days I usually have a little something special going on here or my website of things for sale... But, this week I've FINALLY been FOCUSING my attention on my FALL FOLK ART

and that's just getting started... So we're just going to have a FARMHOUSE FRIDAY FULL of FUN !

Early morning sun shining down on my FINE FARMHOUSE .

a FUNNY, FURRY and FAITHFUL FRIEND....my little Ezra.

I wish you a FABULOUS FRIDAY...FULL of FUN !

H.O.M.E.

Up until about 2 years ago...I had always decorated very primitively. I THOUGHT I liked that what was all the rage - it was too much of an early style for me. I was actually trying to decorate my big white 1913 Farmhouse as it were an old pioneer home or something...crazy ! ( at least for me... I just could not get comfortable with that. I also had quite a collection of teddy bears and old toys ... That was all fun to collect for awhile..but, it is g.o.n.e. Well, except for my absolute favorite pieces. I sold all of the items that I could live without....turns out...that was ALOT ! I've been experimenting... I lived with a white and natural color scheme for awhile..which I really liked... it was peaceful and calming.... but, NOW... I'm having fun adding back punches of color. I really like the direction I'm going in. Today, I'm sharing a few random shots of a few of my favorite spots at home.......





Still using all of my favorite objects of affection....trying to display it all in a whole new way. I have a very long way to go to get it like I want it - but, finally have a direction that I am excited about. I am striving to display these things as little objects of art, instead of piled up collections.... This is fun stuff ! I now know what I need and want to get this place whipped back into shape ! More to come in the future.... It's so nice to have fun doing what I always loved again. I lost the decorator in me for awhile.

there .
Peace and Happiness.....

Random Friday

For the life of me... I just can't seem to get settled ! Oh, it is getting better around here..that's for sure...but, taking me much longer than I thought. I, mean, really..how can I expect to clean up 3 years worth of pile ups in just 2 weeks ? I'm enjoying some time to make things and take care of my little family too :-).
So, here are just some random things that I've been into this past week......

My first sunflower ! I have a nice little plot started...so far..this is the only one I have..... It inspired a mini photo shoot !
I really have had to work some these past few weeks.... I created my new candle line :-) If you would like to see more.... link to my website is in the sidebar . My goodness .... They all smell SOOOOO good !
I've put together some new Farmhouse gift baskets as well !
Little Miss Kate is doing very well ! She has moved inside ! LOL ! She is such a nice calm dog...and is just so loving and sweet. She's good for both Me and Michael... and , the Cats too !

They're all good pals !
Have you heard about this new Magazine ? First issue is due out in September... FOLK looks to be a fresh new magazine...brought to you by our Friend and neighbor, Ben Ashby - and his young team. The average age of this group is 23 years old ! I love how they are keeping the love of Country alive... yet, with their fresh new take on it all....A whole lifestyle magazine - decorating yes, and SO, much more ! Very refreshing indeed ! Check it out... http://folkmag.tumblr.com

Lastly.... Instead of it being Farmhouse Friday today ( As I've been striving to do more regularly- just not there yet) I am having FLEA MARKET FRIDAY ! Yes...Later this afternoon - I will be listing on my website - Many nice , vintage items that I've uncovered while going through my messes. Please be sure to check that out... you may just find a bargain there ! Again...if you need the link....it's in the sidebar :-)
Hope you all have a great weekend ! Enjoy your summertime...it'll be over before you know it..................xoxo, Dru

Friday Again ?

It's another Friday...already ! I wanted to let you know that I still plan on doing my '"FARMHOUSE FRIDAY" selling days... I"m just a little delayed :-) Seems I got so caught up in
all the excitement of my changes...I didn't stop to think that I had all this organizing to do. ha ! My plans are to get started back to creating full force by Monday..and will be selling more on the site AND here on the blog again soon !
Have a most wonderful weekend !..............Dru

A bushel and a peck....of CUCUMBERS !

Every year.... I swear, I will not put in a garden. It's too much work and I can buy produce from the Amish family when they set up their stand in town. Yet, we find ourselves again, picking tons of squash, cucumbers, peppers corn and I do believe we are going to have the finest tomatoes EVER this year ! I truly do enjoy it all....even with all the hard work. I've been picking squash and cucumbers like crazy. I made some Fridge pickles yesterday.

I always put them up - using Mike's grandmothers recipe......

2 pickling cucumbers
1/2 white onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh dill, loosely chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
2 cups ice cubes

Slice cucumbers as thin as possible and place in a large bowl. Add thinly sliced onions and chopped dill. Mix in sugar, salt, pepper, capers (if desired) and ice cubes. Add vinegar and water, stir until sugar and salt dissolves. Refrigerate until ready to use. Store in air-tight container in fridge.

Makes 2 cups of sliced cucumbers.

Next batch I make I'm using this recipe that I just found this morning....It sounds wonderful....Will add a nice twist to our standard recipe.....
Fridge Pickles

makes about 1 quart

1 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

6 whole cloves

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I use about 1/4 so they're not too spicy for the kids)

1 teaspoon dill seed

4 to 5 small kirby (pickling) cucumbers, peeled in stripes and sliced into 1/8 inch thick rounds

1 small white onion, thinly sliced into rounds (I tend to go a little light on the onion. They get in the way of my pickles!)

Combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, cloves, bay leaves, red pepper flakes and dill seed in a quart jar. Place the lid on the jar and shake until the sugar has dissolved.

Layer the cucumbers and onion in the jar using a wooden spoon to press them tightly into the jar. Place the lid on the jar, shake it well and refrigerate at least 4 hours, shaking the jar occasionally to keep the ingredients mixed. These pickles will keep in the refrigerator for at least one month.

I realize that this post is all mixed up with fonts and all...ha ! I don't think I'll ever get the hang of posting on blogger... I copy and paste, and can't match the fonts. It's just a mess. Please forgive me ;-) Hope that you enjoy the rest of your week !

Summer Days....

Hello to you ! This past week - I've been as busy as can be...simply regrouping and getting organized. It's been great fun, actually. And I still have such a long way to go to have it all just the way I want it. And that's is just my workshop and studio I've been working on. I haven't even started on the house yet ! Told ya' I was behind on everything :-) However, this is a new little vignette in the house. Very fresh and farmy .I did take a day or two off - to enjoy the holiday with friends and family. That was a nice change of pace. We don't often do that. Shameful to say...but, will continue to do so from here on out, That's for sure !
With as much cleaning and decorating that I still need to do.... I can't wait to dive into creating ! I have been pouring my new candles while doing all this clean up.... , Can't wait to show those to you.... and this weekend - I'll start making some of my new cloth , folk art goodies. I think I've got some great new ideas....Oh, yeah !
Make it a wonderful day....and I'll chat with you again soon,