New Hunter ceiling fan "before..."

It's a great fan. But that light had to go. For me personally, a bowl light is best for a bedroom. Or a den. Not a kitchen. Especially when I like to do my sewing at the kitchen table. These old peepers of mine must have bright light.



So here was my idea.
All I needed was a can of spray paint and my sweet hubs' brain to figure it out...



Ta~dah!









We also decided it was time to say so long to an old friend. This little guy served us well over the years. But we wanted to upgrade to a large Jotul wood stove.



Hello, gorgeous!
While most woman swoon over diamonds and clothing. I prefer wood stoves and lighting.



Let's see... We need to make a larger hearth pad. I need to touch up the stove pipe with spray paint and I need to hem my curtains. Just add these to my projects list!

That's it for today.

Happy Thursday, all!!

P.S.
I'm still determined to find a spot to hang the ol' candelabra I had in the kitchen. I already broke the news to my sweet hubs.

P.S.S.

I thought about swapping out the glass shades with old clear canning jars. But I have concerns about the heat from the bulbs in the enclosed jars. Have to do a little more research on that.


:> )

Sure it looks really cool but...

unless you want your room to have ambience lighting of a candle, I'd pass on it.


,i
There's a long story behind the purchase of the "million dollar" incandescent Edison style light bulbs. Okay, a million dollars is a bit of a stretch. 9 bucks a bulb is pricy to me. But I bought them anyway.

The gist is, our new ceiling fan is up but I haven't shared any photos yet because I STRONGLY dislike the (bowl style) light that is attached to it. So much so that I removed the bowl and have the exposed bulbs for now until I find a compatible light kit that I like. That's a whole other ball of wax. That's because most reasonably priced ones are butt ugly. Ooops. Did I type that out loud?

I did find only one that I love... it's hanging in our living room. I purchased that ceiling fan a loooong time ago. We had it in our first house. I loved it because the light kit looked like old antique gas lights that pointed straight downward.
When we put the house on the market I made sure we swapped out that ceiling fan for another because that one was coming with us!

After hubs figured out he can fit it to the new ceiling fan in the kitchen I made a mad dash to the Home Depot to find spray paint to closely match the new fan AND grab some million dollar Edison style bulbs. How cute that would look, right?? Absolutely yes. Practical? Absolutely not.

Needless to say the unopened bulbs are going back to HD.

So... I will share photos when the ceiling fan is complete.

Happy Wednesday, all!!

:> )

America's Choice!!

:> )

R.I.P., Mr. Palmer...

He was an inspiration to all.



I read this yesterday and found it to be so appropriate.

Arnold Palmer, the Everyman 'King' of Golf, Dies at 87
that Arnold Palmer — the pants-hitching, chain-smoking son of a greenskeeper who helped transform golf from an elite country club pursuit in to a sport for the masses, winning every major honor the game has to offer along the way.

My dad was a huge golf fan and loved to play. I'm sure he could have been a pro. But he chose the path of a provider and family man. (I'm glad he did)

As a kid back in the 1970's, I can still picture my dad sitting in his favorite chair in front of the T.V. all Sunday afternoon watching golf. Watching Arnie.

Now maybe they can play a few rounds.
(But I'm putting all my money on dad.)

:> )

I wish there were a Washington

For every failed state,
A Jefferson or Madison
To guide them through the gate.

I wish there were a Lincoln
For those now ripped apart,
A Roosevelt or Kennedy
For those that have no heart.

I wish each had the fortune
With which we have been blessed,
And found in their own founders
Fit heroes for the quest.

I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish,
But such things none can will.
One can only plant the seeds
And shape the soil well.
~Unknown

You spin me right round baby right round...

Well, the new Hunter ceiling fan arrived and I am pleasantly surprised!



First, the color is perfect. I was worried it was going to be too white. Or too yellowish white. Nope! It's the perfect off white and it coordinates with the paint colors in the kitchen. Yippee!!

I'm even diggin' the genuine imitation barn wood looking blades! I'm guessing it's the same imaging technology used to make laminate counter tops. Pretty cool.

Am I thrilled to replace the chandelier I have now? Nope. But for a ceiling fan this has the esthetics I was looking for with the practicality we need.
So I think it's a win-win.

I have no idea how we're going to hang it though. Being a cathedral ceiling there is no attic access. There is no way were are going to remove all the shiplap to move the junction box. That being said, the fan needs to hang where the ceiling hook is for the chandelier. But that's not where the joist is. I think the weight of the fan is too heavy not to hang it from a joist. Or maybe we can since it's a vaulted wood ceiling and not drywall? Am I making any sense? ((hee hee))



If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be much obliged!

Happy Saturday, all!!!

:> )

Stella Update...

Click on her photo.

They're Heeeere...

More Halloween Firewood Folks!! YaY!!!





Sorry these photos don't fit properly on my blog.
Just click on the "Firewood Folks" button below to go directly to my Countryfolk Keepsakes website to see more!



Hope everyone is enjoying our first day of autumn!!!
I sure am!!

:> )

Delicious autumn!

My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

Me too, George.

Well tomorrow is officially the first day of autumn. It is truly my favorite time of year!
I have a bit of an obsession with maple leaves. Each one is different and unique.
I like to pick them like others like to pick flowers.

The maple trees on our property are just showing a wee hint of color. As I stepped outside early this morning, this little beauty greeted me. I brought her inside.



Happy First Day Of Autumn Eve, everyone!!

I'll be offering my new Halloween Firewood Folks tomorrow!!

:> )

Look! Up in the sky!!!

It's a bird!
It's a plane!

Nope...



It's a little pink rubber ball.




YaY!!!!!

May your days be filled with happiness and a little pink rubber ball.

:> )

A quick sneak Firewood Folks peek...

I put the finishing touches on my two latest Halloween Firewood Folks!! Just in time for the first day of autumn!





I know I mention this every time, but I have soooo much fun making them!!

I'm hoping to do their "professional photo shoot" in a day or two and offer them on my Countryfolk Keepsakes selling site.

So if you haven't already, join my email list to get notifications of my latest offerings.

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Okay, back to work.

Wishing everyone a happy and productive week.


:> )

I can't believe I did it...

Every autumn I contemplate it. Every autumn I decide... No way!
Well this time my practical side got the best of me.

Since we have a small cathedral ceiling in part of our kitchen, it traps a ton of heat produced by our wood stove which drives me absolutely nuts since the purpose of having the wood stove is to keep the whole kitchen (and then some) warm and toasty. At times it's a good 20 degrees warmer up there!!



Everyone I've talk to said the only way to get that heat out of there is to get a ceiling fan. You mean replace my awesome candlestick chandelier with a ceiling fan & light kit??!! Are you *#%$!* crazy??!!

Well... I guess I am now.
I ordered this Hunter one. It's kind of got a farmhousey/cottagey look to it.



Let me also say I'm not making any promises. But I am willing to put my stubborn side (thanks BOTH mom and dad) aside and be a bit smarter when it comes to heating this old farmhouse.

If only that area was bigger. But unfortunately for me it is too small to have both my chandelier and a ceiling fan. They would practically be on top of each other.
So it's one or the other.
Between you and me, I'm hoping my sweet hubs won't be able to figure out how to hang it on an angle. Who am I trying to kid?? He's like my own personal MacGuyver.
Oh well...

Happy Sunday, all!!

P.S.
Stella and Gracie are doing fine. YaY them!!!
♥

New mini pendant and is that what I think it is??!!

Since I switched out the glass globes in our kitchen and powder room with the schoolhouse style, I wanted to find just the right mini pendant schoolhouse light for over the sink. But I wouldn't allow my frugal self to spend a lot on it. Besides, I need to cover all the vet bills.

I found one!





Since fall is upon us and we'll be putting our wood stove to good use, I had to swap out my light and airy buffalo check curtains for my dark plaid ones. I must admit, I prefer the light and airy ones. Oh well...

Next, I'm hoping all my green thumb gardening blog friends can help me.

Many years ago I purchased some Sweet Annie seeds and planted them. Well, the next few years... nothing. Then I forgot about it.

The past few years I've noticed this growing all over our property. But I didn't think anything of it.



Is that Sweet Annie?? It smells like it.

Here's what the leaves look like. They are near the base of the stems.



Could it be?? Man, I'll be happier than a tick on a hound dog if it is!!

Finally, here's my Stella waiting for me to play with her and giving me the "stink eye."



Here's Stella when I asked her if she wanted to go outside.



Happy Wednesday, all.

Enjoy life.

:> )

"Hey Grandpa! What's for supper??"

Stella's Slop!



Sure it doesn't look very appetizing but Stella thinks it's swell!! Gracie, too!

It has organic brown rice, organic boneless chicken thighs, low fat cottage cheese and spinach. Ummm... "Yum????"
I'm still giving her some of her regular dog food. But if she does have a liver shunt, this food will help and I'll switch her diet completely. If she doesn't, it won't hurt her for length of time I'll have her on it. Since the chicken and rice are organic, she is not having a histamine reaction to it. YaY!!!!

I will admit I'm not too crazy about giving her brown rice (grains) and dairy. BUT if that's the diet she'll need to help her thrive, I'm all in.

We've got her scheduled for an ultrasound next week. Hopefully the specialist will come to some sort of conclusion and diagnosis. If not, we're back to square one. But I'll keep searching.

Anyhoo... That's it for now.

Oh! I did swap out the light I had above my kitchen sink with a cute mini pendant school house light. The little glass shade is so sweet! I'll snap some pics to share.

Happy Tuesday!

:> )

Meet Me In The Stairwell...

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say "Goodbye." I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, "Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK ... I am ready to go."

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. "I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!" I said. "Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now."

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was with the Firefighters, the Police Officers, the Emergency Workers. I was there, watching each brave step they took.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Kansas, London. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; "Come to Me...this way...take My hand." Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well.

Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are "ready to go." I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

~God

Written by: Stacey Randall











265 on the four planes, 2,606 in the World Trade Center and in the surrounding area, and 125 at the Pentagon. All murdered.

NEVER FORGET





Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith, and former Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods were murdered in Benghazi, Libya.


NEVER FORGET

I didn't get the second call back from the vet yet...

So I decided I wasn't going to sit around and wait. Since she is leaning towards the diagnosis of a liver shunt, I dove head first into the internet. Stella actually has a few of the symptoms of a liver shunt. Although subtle, I have noticed them.

Knowing what I know about food and what it can do to the body (humans and canines alike), I researched diets for dogs with liver shunts.
It's frustrating on what is the "correct" way to feed your dog. Opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one and with the internet, they are all out there to make your head spin. Everyone argues that their way of feeding is better than anyone else. That being said, I decided on one recipe that made the most sense to me and cooked it up for her.

Needless to say she loves it! Although I still need to get her the proper supplements. But for now getting her on the right food is a start instead of waiting for someone to tell me to change her diet. It's all about common sense.

Thank the Lord above she is still seizure free and pray she will continue to be.

That's it for now.
I have more Halloween Firewood Folk heads and bodies strewn all over my dining room table. I plan on working on them over the weekend with Stella by my side.

Have a terrific Saturday, all.

:> )

Finally got the call...

But still do not have a definitive answer.

The results of her bile acids test show that her first (fasting) blood draw was normal.
But her second blood draw (2 hours after eating a high calorie meal) was not normal.

That means her liver isn't functioning properly. A liver than isn't functioning properly can cause seizures.

So I asked what causes a liver to not function properly at such a young age. She didn't want to commit to any particular diagnosis, but she mentioned Stella may have a liver shunt. Liver shunts are usually congenital and show signs when the dog is a puppy. But it can show signs as the dog matures. It can be detected with a sonogram. (Although I read in some forums it can't be detected with a sonogram) Sigh.

But before we do anything she wants to consult with the doctors at the lab. So I am waiting for a call back. I pray I hear from her tomorrow.

As I frantically read online about liver shunts in dogs, many are controlled with diet. Surgery can be done also.
I am feeling quite overwhelmed with what to feed a dog with a liver shunt. But the key is to control the protein (purines).

That is it for now. Truthfully I'm not sure if I should be terrified or relieved.

I'll keep everyone updated as I get more info.

Thanks again, everyone.
My dear blog friends are the best.

♥

Still no answers...

Been waiting for bile acids blood work test results. Called to get results yesterday, vet left for the day. Asked if I could speak to the vet Stella saw on Sat. not there either.
I won't say type what I'm thinking... But I'm sure many of you can guess.

So we are still waiting.

Stella hasn't had a seizure since. We've been sleeping on the sofa. Well, Stella has. I can't sleep. Gee, who would have thought.

If her liver test comes back normal I'll probably schedule an appt with a canine neurologist. Although there are none in our area. At least an hour away. I'm hoping he/she can provide me with more info. instead of suggesting test after test after test with no answers.

I've been trying to keep her quiet for now. Limiting her exercise and no ball chasing. I'll toss it to her to catch but that's about it. Not sure if over stimulating her brain is causing a problem, too.



But as you can see, he little rubber ball is never far from her.

Thanks again for the prayers and the kind words.
I know many of you feel the same way when it comes to your furbabies.
I'll keep you all posted.

♥

In need of...

for my little Stella. She had three bad seizures on Saturday. We rushed her to the vets. So now we must begin to try to figure out what the cause is. The vets seems to think it's idiopathic epilepsy. Which basically means they have no idea what causes the seizures. Those who know me, know that that is a diagnosis I can't except. There is always a cause and I want to know what it is.

She had one back in April. A very mild one in June. Then on Saturday.
So now it's a matter of trying to rule things out. She'll have a bile acid test tomorrow to check her liver function. I can't imagine a dog under the age of 4 having liver damage. But then again, I feel the same way about seizures.
Our little Gracie has had seizures. There is something wrong.

Man, I am having such a difficult time dealing with this. Why are so many of our beloved pets having seizures? Or bad health problems for that matter. Growing up, I never heard of anyone's dog having such severe medical problems as they do now and they always lived to a very ripe old age.

So I ask all of you who follow this blog (and Stella's blog) to please keep her in your prayers. She is such a sweet precious little girl. Full of love and life.
Positive thoughts are also greatly appreciated, too.

Thank you.

♥

Yippee...

Finally!!!



Holy crap! I'll tell you what. I consider myself one tough old broad and have dealt with severe pain in my lifetime.
But this dang root canal I had done truly tested me. Ear pain. Neck pain. Tooth pain. Jaw pain...
I'm not a fan of prescription pain meds so I handled it with OTC pain meds. Yeah, probably not the smartest move. But hey, that's how I roll.

Just as I was about to grab some string to tie around my molar and then to a doorknob the pain finally subsided to where I could function.

As much as I'd like to blame the dentist, I have no one to blame but myself. Okay, maybe I'll blame the chocolate chip cookies. ((giggle))

So it's time to get back to cleaning and creating!! Not necessarily in that order either.

But I really need to tackle cleaning out the refrigerator. I'm pretty sure I'll find Waldo in there.

Happy Thursday, all!

:> )