It's been a fun summer!

It's been almost too much fun. Having a hard time getting back to work. The garden is doing well and the kids pop in a lot and I love the noise and confusion.

Here is a fun a healthy tip for a midday snack. Easy to prepare and no refined sugar.

Put 2 bananas into the blender. Blend until smooth. Ad two cups of frozen (preferably organic) berries--we love blueberries and blend until the mixture is thick and smooth.

This has the consistency of a sorbet, and is O SO GOOD!

I don't get pictures because it goes right away.

Staying healthy on the farm
Barb

Firecracker Kid Presents.........

Firecracker Kid, aka Carol, is a wonderful prim artisan as well as a great online friend. Always something positive to contribute. So in honor of both her fine craftsmanship and more, she is my Etsy pick of the week.

Get a cup of tea, some time and enjoy her shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5748075


This item is described as: This OOAK(one of a kind) wooden, handcrafted, 4-pin rolling pin rack, or as I like to call it a rolling pin keep, will display your early old antique or vintage farmhouse rolling pins, and primitive related items. This 4-pin rolling pin rack is new and made of 3/4 inch pine wood by my husband and handfinished by me.
I sand it to give it a worn look and rub it with paste stain for an added effect. NOTE: This rolling pin rack can be custom made with measurements to fit your rolling pins. Give us the length of the barrels, and total length of each of your rolling pins at checkout. This listing is for the 4-pin rolling pin rack only. The other pictured items are for decorating ideas and are not for sale.

Since this is a one-of-a-kind item, no two are exactly alike so the measurements are approximate and according to your rolling pin sizes...

Top shelf...
14&3/4" W x 4&1/4 D

Below the top shelf...
13" W x 3&3/4" D x 22&1/2" H

Happy Monday,
Hugs,
Barb

Super giveaway at Creating from the Heart, Keepsakes by Melissa !!!!

Melissa from Keepsakes from the Heart is having an incredible giveaway on her blog. Please check out how you can win a Cuttlebug. Go to: http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/2009/07/are-you-ready-for-giveaway.html
for all the details. Plus her blog is a lot of fun!!!!!!!

Hugs, Barb

Etsy shop of the week....

Bette has been an online friend of mine for a while. She makes wonderful items, many of them very useful. Sse is offering this e pattern for one of her bags at her etsy shop. You can see it at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21868629&ref=sr_gallery_5&&ga_search_query=ofg&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=4&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

Here is the heart and star version of my very popular rag quilted purse pattern. The finished size of the bag is 8“ x 11“ x 2“. Strap is 39" long.

You will receive a pdf pattern emailed to you when I receive your payment.
Enjoy shopping with Bette.

Hugs, Barb

Entry way Mural nears completion....

Finally I took some time to work on my house. The entry way really needs to be finished and that is what is finally happening. It is still not finished. I am going to put a blue heron in the pond on the right side. I love seeing them in the area. Again, the buildings are very similar to the buildings that were on our farm at the turn of the century.

The doors are the stall doors that were from the days when the barn was actually a barn. Fun stuff!!!!

Talk to you soon!!!!
Barb

What a Summer!!!

Family always comes first and maybe soon I will be able to work on new projects in sewing and painting. As soon as Dave graduated, Ted went back to school for the summer session. Then Annie had her orientation at the University this last Monday. Every mom should have a daughter like her. Incredible person! And Ted is bringing home a friend for this weekend! A girlfriend!! I like her.

The top pic shows my daughter with Representative Manzullo. She played at a meeting he was a speaker at earlier in the year. Next she is shown at her last Phi Theta Kappa meeting which is the National Honors Society for 2 year colleges. She was president. The lower picture shows her not wanting her picture taken at summer event. She can get crabby when her picture is taken.

She also got a call from the University asking her if she was interested in applying for the honors program. cool!!!!!!

She is a great farm girl also. She can do almost anything here and is a wonderful equestrian and is nearly a botanist with all that she knows about the plants in our garden.

I think one of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child is the desire to work hard and living here on the farm is a way of doing that. The 4 grown kids here can bale hay, fix fencing, ride and gentle horses, study hard and have fun with family and friends. Not bad.

Its been more than a busy summer, its been a lifetime and a great one at that!!!!

Hugs from a tired but happy mom,
Barb

Our friend returns to China today

The last couple of weeks have been very full. Dave graduated and then invited one of his friends from China came to spend some time with us. It was a wonderful time. Our guest was so sweet and we will miss her a great deal. We wish her all the best on her return to her home and want her to know that she will always have a another home here when she returns to the U.S. She is on the plane now and on her way.

Now that things are maybe retuning to a dull roar, I am looking forward to getting back to swing of sewing and painting. Today I will clean my studio as therapy and prepare to get back to work.

Life is an adventure and I love it!
But I could use a little more energy right now!!!!!!

Etsy Shop of the week!!!!!

Rabbithollowprims is a great place to shop!!!!!! Love this cabbage that has so much personality. This would look great in a kitchen, dining room, porch or sun room all year round.'

Made from muslin and up for your consideration are cabbage heads. They roughly measure 10 inches across and vertically also. They can be made in green or red. Each one has a sculpted face and hand-painted eyes and mouth with separately attached eyelids. Great as bowl fillers or cupboard tucks and more. Pattern by R & K Creations.....

You can see this item and more at the Etsy store by Rabbit Hollow Prims:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22115528

Sue does great things, You will enjoy your visit.

Hugs,
Barb