Just Putterin Around

My Grandma used to say that sometimes when I would call to see how she was or stop by to see her.  Rarely did she have those moments with all the kids.. then grand kids.. then great grand kids, and yes.. great great grand kids.  Her house was always busy and was never fancy.  Always warm and welcoming.  Putterin to her was more when she got to do some canning, make a rag rug and listen to the quiet, or crochet a new baby a blanket to come home in.

Putterin to me is when you have time all alone in your home.  When you get to move things around or fix up a piece of old furniture.  Maybe sew some curtains.  Lighting some candles and being proud of what you so geniously just came up with.   Just working on making your house a home.

So here's some of my putterin around...(see, I do have furniture!)

 (wow...baddd lighting)

I know....I need a camera besides my phone.  I'm learning, I'm learning.

More to come soon!

Just Laughing

Ever just sit around in your kitchen and laugh till you cry reliving family moments?  I really missed that.  We had a time tonight.  (it was actually my son's kitchen in the back of the house, not my dream kitchen...well anyway..)

So many hours we spent doing that where I grew up.  That kitchen was so tiny yet somehow we all fit in there.  We still joke about "rotating" if someone needed in the fridge or the bathroom.  We did not have much but I have the best memories to live on.  My mother rented there for 30 years!  Now that's something!  Wish I could buy it for her and move it here.

I think some days I forget what an opportunity I have here.  The furnace is out, the water is awful, and yes the roof leaks.. luckily only in one spot.

I know God gave me this chance for a reason.  I need to just push ahead and not be so serious about it all the time worrying.  After all, it is in God's hands as is everything.  So..I am just going to enjoy it.  Hopefully the kids and the grand kids will have good memories here and where ever we can be together and just laugh.

I'd love to know some of your favorite bellyachers...

Inside the house..

The Living Room

The Dining Room

Thought I would show you a few pictures of what I have to work with in most of the house.  The top pictures are of the kitchen.  It is wired plumbed and ready for cabinets and all.  Hope that happens soon..geeeez.
I love the barn looking doors in there. they are all over the house.  There is also a barn door on the door that goes out to the garden.  Great spot for the kitchen to be able to step right out in the garden when it is all beautiful and lush.

I'm still trying to figure out which way to go with the kitchen.  Pretty sure i want lower cabinets, some old sink, and open shelving for the top to display things.  One of those doors of the two in the picture far above is a pantry so I don't think I will need the uppers.  Too bad Layla (The Lettered Cottage) doesn't live next door! :)

I do have furniture in the rest of the house It's just not pic ready.


I have to tell you though that I ran across http://myshabbystreamsidestudio.blogspot.com/  and I now feel kinda silly trying to make a big ol farm work after seeing the most beautiful little house I've ever seen.  What an inspirational story too.
Here's a peek since I don't know the ettiquite just yet of putting others items on here.

Stop over there and check it out.

Oh and she had some posts of  http://urbanfarmhouse.blogspot.com/ Which I love and live very near to.  Lisa over there is going to love me too as soon as I find a box of cash.  I'd buy everything she has if I could.  I think it is the most beautiful and artistic shop I have ever seen.

Hope you find some inspiration too.

Patsy

Opening the Book..

Of course,  I'm only beginning with this blog but, I am amazed at all the help that is out there.  What a wonderful community of special people all helping each other.  Isn't that how it is supposed to be?  I think a lot of people forgot that in life.

We have all heard the stories about the ways of the past.  Take pioneers.  They all helped each other survive, build homes, and barns, feed each other if one was in need.  That's the spirit of America!

So...what's happening here?  Some exciting things (well, exciting plans). For one, Turning the barn into an antiques and home decor Super Barn!.  I think it will be beautiful once I get it clean and closed in.  I long to have it done by spring so I can have fresh herbs ready to purchase and plant in that special garden that someone is growing.  The smell alone will be heavenly.  Of course some perennials,  some clay pots, and anything else I can think of.

Oh for next Christmas!  Selling cut trees until we can get our trees planted and grown for sale.  Decorating the farm and the barn in anticipation for the season.

You get the point.  I am starting to dream again and that's progress.  

A Blank Page

My favorite post is the one I begin today.  Actually it started yesterday..   For some time I have been trying to find an answer to be able to afford keeping this farm or move on (give up).  I'm one of those people who need a neon sign to drop down in front of me before I am sure of a decision.  January 1, 2011 was a neon sign.

I was looking around on the internet at houses and decor of homes, dreaming.  I came across "The Lettered Cottage"  Wow,  so much inspiration!  So talented.  I was on there for hours and on other sites that I found from her site.

Here's what got me:  The Post,  The favorite post of the year and maybe my neon sign!

She had a quote on her site:

" We will open the book,  It's pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter begins on New Years Day."


And so I go on....
This  is my first page of Chapter one 2011

<div align="center"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/a-few-of-my-favorite-blog-posts-2010" title="The Lettered Cottage"><img src="http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj29/LaylaPalmer/2010%20Linky%20Images/Favorite_Blog_Posts.jpg" alt="The Lettered Cottage" style="border:none;" /></a></div>