Yea and thanks to bellasbowtique for featuring some flags I made on a Memorial Day Weekend Etsy Treasury!!!!!

Here's the link! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=59648

Please visit bella's shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6470098

Have a great and safe weekend.

Hugs, Barb

A Red White and Blue Dessert

Stars and Stripes Forever Dessert

I am going to make this on the weekend. If you try it, please let me know how it goes for you!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY Weekend to you!!!!

From Taste of Home http://www.tasteofhome.com

Served with a creamy, full-bodied dip, sugared puff pastry stars and a fresh berry medley make a festive dessert. “It’s pretty, delicious and easy to prepare for the Fourth of July or any summer gathering,” says field editor Gail Sykora from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

SERVINGS: 8

METHOD: Baked

TIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 10 min. + cooling

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 to 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
• 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon Domino® or C&H® Granulated Pure Cane Sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

Directions:

On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured star-shaped cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Brush lightly with water and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cool.
In a large bowl, combine berries and 1/4 cup sugar; set aside. In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add remaining sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Place sour cream in a small serving bowl; fold in whipped cream.
Place bowl on a serving platter. Spoon berry mixture onto platter; top with pastry stars. Yield: 8 servings.

The greenhouse

Spring is especially busy around here. These are pictures of the greenhouse, which my sons built. (Yes, I am a happy and proud mom-most of the time!) The greenhouse has done exceptionally well this year and the herb garden should double in size. YEA!!!!!!!

Today, must get DD ready for her 5 day camping trip for a medieval re-enactment. This is going to be very stressful as she is the ultimate perfectionist. Getting ready for son #2 to come home for the weekend-that's good. He said he would appreciate a break before he graduates. Sheep should be getting sheared today and about the llamas. They too need shearing. That should be interesting! The guys are taking the chainsaw out to the back tree line where a lot a trees went down during the storms this spring. I always worry.

Hopefully, this afternoon, I will be able to sit down, have some tea (my crutch) and do some sewing or painting. I think I will need the therapy.

Enjoy your spring. talk to you tomorrow.
Hugs,
Barb

What ya workin' on Wednesday

Today I am going to finish up some primitive items for the home. Pictured here is a wall mirror with hooks (I have to put the hooks back and add the mirror) a desk organizer and a letter organizer. They are all done in black and distressed. I am continuing to work on Prim Patriotic dolls. Again, so much to do and so little time.

There is still still to enter the Name the New Kids on the Farm Contest. Please add your suggestions in the comment area. So far the names are terrific. The little goats are female twins and they are pictured in a previous entry. Drawing will be on the last day of the month!!!!!!
Be creative and have some fun with their names.

Happy Wednesday,
Barb

Happenings in the House Tuesday

Well, I have been working on the mural in the entryway, but it is not ready for viewing yet. I did decide on the grey to paint the wainscoting. Maybe it will be ready next week.

So I thought I would show you a part of my studio or work room. When you live in a barn, it can be daunting or a great adventure to turn an area that was once used for milking into a family friendly home. It also helps when your sons are talented and can do the things you ask them to do even if they groan while doing it.

The lower level of our barn was total open space which is great for seeing everything going on in the family but not so good when desiring some peace or privacy. So after showing the guys the "brilliance" of my idea, they built a wall of closets at the back third of the barn. It allows me to attempt to hide my fabric and other items I am working on. They still spill over onto the dining room table and more. But they are great to do this and it does make life a little more livable in our fun home.

There are three boys and one girl in the family and they will soon be home for the summer. The list for this summer includes more closets, new bathroom ceiling and other indoor projects as well as the never ending fencing in and around the pastures. I hope they will be happy to be home.

Hugs, Barb

Etsy Shop of the Week

Every week I try to share a wonderful shop on Etsy with you. These are members of a great group of artisans from Olde Farmhouse Gathering, a great group of people. Love them all!!!!!

Today, you can visit the shop at I play outside the box. She has a free recipe for you. SO generous!!!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17323585&ref=em

Also check out her great blog at : http://iplayoutsidethebox.blogspot.com/

Happy Monday and it is a great start to the week.

Hugs,
Barb

It's Armed Forces Day-USA

Today at the grocery store the veterans were taking donations and giving the traditional poppies in return. The veteran I talked to said the money would go to help service people returning from Irag, Afghanistan and other places we have them stationed around the world. Presently they are trying to help a young man who has returned from Iraq and is in need of help paying his mortgage because he can't find a job. There are so many people who do such wonderful and needed things. It's an honor to help them, even if it is in such a small way.

These patriotic ornies are available at:
http://prairieharvestarts.com/shop/ornies/americana/saltbox/pieced-american-flag-ornies/prod_46.html

Have a safe and happy weekend.

Barb

A give away at Momma B's

MommaB is making a beautiful and useful napkin holder available as a giveaway at her blog.

It is great for the spring and summer for all the picnics, cookouts and for your kitchen...holds large size napkins....
Rules...
post a comment on her blog...please leave email address...she can't contact you without it.. holder available to a random winner at her blog.

See her blog at: http://mommabsfrontporch.blogspot.com/

And good luck to all of us!!!!!


Hugs,
Barb