Just Passing Through

Been catching up on all gardening chores.

This little box turtle decided to pass through while I was busy planting today.

It's always nice when a friend stops by.

~Cindy~

Rag Quilting

I made my first rag quilt...so easy and so fun.

Anyone can make one and have it completed within a few days.

This one is for my first grandbaby who will make his?/her? grand debut in a few weeks.

I'm so excited. 

I discovered the art of rag quilting on Pinterest. There are so many wonderful tutorials on the internet including YouTube. If interested, just do a search or let me know and I'll send you a link to what I used.

Do you quilt?

~Cindy~

Rustic Finds

Found a few rustic treasures over the weekend.

Three old folding rulers. May make something out of these. 

Two old orchard crates. Dug out of a dumpster.

Wire milk crate from the 50's. Complete with bottles.

And two Hamilton letterpress trays. Very popular in the shop.

Rust and crust and weathered and worn make great treasures, don't ya think?!!

~Cindy~

Pickin' Plants on Earth Day

I celebrated Earth Day yesterday by going out and purchasing some plants for my garden.

I must admit that this year I did not get around to starting seed indoors.

I was a little disappointed in myself in the lack of getting this done.

One of the best places to find plants around here is the flea market.

Some nurseries and farms set up in the spring with all their offerings.

This year I found (what I call) plant plugs. The plants were in tiny holes within huge trays. 

I told them what I wanted and they pulled the plant out and put it in a small cup with the name of the plant written on the side of the cup. Best thing about this method? Each plant cost 25 cents!!!

I brought my newly purchased plants home and easily planted them into my own pots.

Here they will stay until the air and the garden soil warm up.

In the meantime, I made a makeshift greenhouse out of plastic to keep the plants warm and happy.

I also have some seeds ready to plant directly into the garden.

Looking forward to...

playing in the dirt,

seeing plants emerge from seeds,

gathering fresh produce,

cooking it up for delicious meals,

and putting it up for future months.

I find gardening therapeutic and a simple pleasure.
What about you...do you garden?

~Cindy~ 

Sunshine on my Shoulders...

...makes me happy!

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”

-James Matthew Barrie

May your weekend be bright and beautiful,

~Cindy~

I Win

Whoo-hoo! I win!

I don't usually enter giveaways, but The Old Farm Bell was having one in which you could spend $50 in her shop. Didn't want to pass on that opportunity and so happy that I didn't because I won. Yippee!

Go ahead and visit Marlene. Her shop is here and her blog is here.

I think she said she'll be doing more giveaways...hint, hint.

I chose the wine bottle coaster and the french horn stein in a pewter like finish. They look great mixed with my whites and rustic items. The coaster reads 'A dinner without wine is like a day without sunshine'.

Ha! What do ya think?

~Cindy~ 

Cottage Love

I've been scheming planning me some cottage love. 

I have some ideas for my own little outbuilding that will overlook my garden and the lake.

Hubby asked to see pictures of what I had in mind. Ummm...it's in my head.

So I started looking online and I found it...my cottage.

(source)

Here's another one that represents my style.

(source)

Cute, huh?

I'm hoarding saving building materials when I come across them.

My sweet little cottage will have a history all its own.

Barn wood from my sister's barn.

Wood and doors saved from a shed that was torn down.

And shutters. These I found this past weekend at the flea market.

They'll be perfect for a window on each side of the cottage.

And these (sideways) shutters.

(What the heck is wrong with Blogger, anyway? Pffftttt...)

Anyhoo, they are 6 feet tall making them perfect for the front doors.

LOVE THEM!

I found two of these shutters propped up against a truck at the flea market.

I asked the guy 'how much?'. 

His reply 'You can have them. I have two more you can have if you want them'.

Say what!!! Are you sure??? I can't just take them!!!

He said they were given to him when taken down from a pawn shop.

He has used them as tables (on sawhorses) for his flea market items and he doesn't need them anymore.

These are moments that make me want to jump and down and squeal like a kid.

Shutters! Free! History! Yippee!

I did manage to shove some money into his hand before I ran off with took the shutters.

He declined at first, but I thought it was the least I could do for him. Such a sweetie.

My cottage will take some time to materialize. I promised hubby he could have his shed first.

But that is okay...gives me more time to dream, plan, and perfect.

Cottage love to ya all,

~Cindy~

Linked up to White Wednesday!

Check it out!

Pickin' Finds

Saturday was a day filled with two auctions and some yard sales.

Came up empty handed. Really!?! That's a first. 

Thank goodness for Sunday's flea market. Lots of fun!

Brought home two industrial stools to put in our shop.

Found some white plates with a rose pattern for me.

The shop needs some summer fun so we brought home some old croquet balls.

And shutters!!! More about these another time.

Rustic crates and boxes do well in the shop.

Look at that Teacher's Highland Cream Whisky crate.

What a hoot 'n a holler!

My favorite find I'll show ya soon. Real soon.

It's a fun find that's mine, all mine! 

Are you finding any goodies this early spring?

~Cindy~ 

Straw for Sale

We needed some straw for the garden so we went down the road.

At the small sign that reads 'straw' with an arrow, we turned in.

Went down the path.

Went by some rustic buildings.

And arrived at the barn. We threw the straw into the back of the truck.

And paid D. Pepper. Using his honor system.

This is why I love my simple, country life.

~Cindy~

Warming Up

TGIF, my blogging friends. And thank goodness the weather is warming up again.

Summer weather hit us here in March and then...

I had to protect these branches the other night due to a freeze warning.

It took me awhile to cover them. Ten sheets in all, 

but it was so worth it even though my fingers were beginning to get a bit numb.

See these blossoms? They are blackberry blossoms. So early this year.

I also have a raspberry patch that needed protecting.

The effort saved them all as it did freeze during the evening and early morning hours.

And now the weather is warming up again. Looking at being in the 80's this weekend. 

I do love my blackberries. And my raspberries. And warm weather.  

What about you? Do you have fruit in your garden?

~Cindy~

Happy Easter

Wishing you a wonderful holiday,

~Cindy~