A change in direction for Countryfolk Keepsakes...

I was recently notified TDIPT Mercantile will be closing its virtual doors the end of April.

I have been a member and sold my wares there for the past three years.

Although I am sad to say goodbye to many wonderful artist friends, I do realize, "times they are a changin'."



Please know that I will continue to sell my folk art on my Countryfolk Keepsakes selling blog.

With spring just around the corner, I have so many new ideas swirling around this noggin of mine! I can't wait to get started!

Please feel free to join my email list for updates on my latest pieces being offered.

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So for now I'm flying solo.
But in the future I hope to find another group of artists to join and build a wonderful kinship with them.

When that happens, you'll be the first to know.

:> )

I'm on another mission...

I want to replace the small black console table I have in my kitchen with a *Drum roll please...
dry sink! Not only do I love the look, I also love the idea of extra cupboard space.

Most of you know I'm an insane "Craigslist Junkie." I have gotten the most awesome deals on there!
But man, I was surprised to see how hard it is to find a dry sink in these parts.
Well... At least one I can afford. I've mentioned many times in the past I'm rather cheap *cough* frugal with my earned money. Growing up, my Daddy taught me the importance of not blowing my cash on frivolous stuff and how I needed to save for a rainy day. Unfortunately, at the time I believed the sun was always shining so I didn't listen to him. But as I matured, I understood what he tried to teach me.

Even in this day and age of instant gratification and everyone "deserves" everything, I do understand and accept (wrinkling my nose) the fact that the $16,000.00 antique dry sink I want is out of my price range. Hey, you can't have everything.
BUT the vintage 60's or 70's colonial reproduction (for under 150 bucks) dry sink is! So that's what I'm searching for! YaY!

But here are some examples of (out of my price range) pretties. I'll just sit back with my drool bib on and enjoy...



RED!! Be still my heart!!





Anyone got $16,000.00 I can "borrow????"




Love this gal's dry sink too!!! Check out the rest of her beautiful home!



Okay. Back to reality...
I did find this one that is somewhat local. It's about 50 minutes away and in my price range. So I plan to take a mosey out and have a lookie-loo.



She definitely has that 70's dark stained pine vibe. But with a little work, I can give her the new look she "deserves."

See... even furniture "deserves" things now!!
((giggle))

I'll keep you posted.

Happy Sunday!!


P.S.

Couldn't resist snapping this pic of Stella sleeping on my lap as I typed this post.

She's such an angel when she sleeps.
But when she's awake... pea soup should come shooting out of her mouth!

:> )

I should be cleaning, BUT...

instead I'm decorating!
I think homemade dollies look better in an old pickle crock than pickles,



don't you?
Although I do love a snappy dill pickle.



An old steamer trunk can't be patriotic without Uncle Sam.



or a birdie.
Okay, so I'm wrong about the birdie.



Like I said, I really should be cleaning.

BUT I can always clean tomorrow.
Yeah right. Then there's the one about the three bears.
((giggle))

Happy Saturday!!

:> )

UPDATE!!! Man, I should have known better!!
CLICK HERE and see for yourself.
Sigh

TONIGHT on TDIPT Mercantile...

I ♥ Holsteins.



See you tonight!!

:> )

Got milk?

I do!

Just click on the "Critters" button.





Happy Wednesday!

Moo.

A sneak peek...

At my Folk Art Holstein which will be offered on TDIPT Mercantile the evening of February 28th.



She is a slightly smaller version of the Holstein in my "Dream" piece that was seen in PRIMS magazine.

How I ♥ Holsteins.




See you then!

Remember to enjoy nature.

:> )

It's Saturday...

Enjoy it.

:> )

Happy Birthday, Mr. President...

You were truly an amazing man.
Sadly sir, you don't get the recognition you deserve.

♥

American history is important.

Educate.

Teach.

If we don't, who will?

I've Got Cat Scratch Fever!

Not really. But I do love Ted's song.

Actually, I have a new Primitive Tabby! She is being offering on my selling site.



Meow

Just click on the "Critters" button below.



Happy Wednesday!!

:> )

It's Presidents Day...

I've always wondered how Presidents Washington and Lincoln would feel if they saw how their birthdays are celebrated in the United States of America these days.

Two very important men in American history, yet they are only seen foolishly dancing around trying to sell cars or furniture. A "tad" insulting, isn't it?

We live in a day and age when many Americans don't know the year America first celebrated its independence, yet they can answer the question "Is there a Cry Translator App?" Unfortunately, the answer to that last question is yes.

American history is important.

Educate.

Teach.

Oh.... and Happy Presidents Day.

♥

Happy Heart Day...

((giggle))


:> )

"I am a firm believer in the people.

If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts."

~Abraham Lincoln

Happy Birthday, Mr. President.

♥

Calgon, take me away...

Heck, I'd be happy with Mr. Bubble right about now.

It's been three weeks since Stella arrived.

It's funny how 4 lbs. of fur can wreak such havoc in a home. But she has taught me a lot and has made me laugh uncontrollably.

ACK!!! I had a huge post but I accidentally hit a wrong button and deleted it all!! DOUBLE ACK!! I HATE THIS LAPTOP!

Sorry for the short post. I'll be back tomorrow.

Ummm...Can I add a Southern Comfort with ginger ale to that Mr Bubble bath??


Happy Monday!!

:> )

Are they besties yet?

H*ll no.
BUT they're getting closer. I mean that literally too.



This morning we woke up to find our teeth chattering. We also woke up to find our furnace sh*t the bed during the night. YIKES!! Hopefully it's nothing serious and hubs can fix it when he gets home.
In the meantime, me and girls are holed up in the keeping room with the wood stove. Thank the Lord above for wood stoves.

A nor'easter is heading our way. We're supposed to get a foot or more of snow. (That's not bad at all)
But that will give me plenty of time to frog around with my "new" camera. Well, my new camera is over a year old. I just took it out of the box the other day. I'm not one for change. ((giggle))



Happy Thursday, all!!

There's No Lights On In The Barn...

Not so many years ago,
If you were to take a drive,
Across America's farmland
And thru the countryside;

If by chance your ride should happen,
As the day was nearly done,
Most every farmstead on the road,
Would have the barn lights on.

The farmer and a kid or two,
Or maybe even more.
Each one busy with a task,
Doin’ up the evenin’ chores.

Milk the cow, feed the chickens
And gather up the eggs.
Throw some hay down from the loft
And water the sow and pigs.

Sometimes my mind will wander back,
And I’ll recall those days, now gone,
Of peaceful winter evenings,
And the lights on in the barn.

The smell of all the cattle,
Mixed with the grain and hay.
To me it was a pleasing smell,
Though, to you, it may not sound that way.

And while filling up the water tank,
I’d watch the cats at play.
A nearly perfect ending,
To another busy day.

Then gazing toward the house,
I could see the kitchen light.
Momma’s fixin’supper,
To feed us all tonight.

And the warm glow from that window,
Made this country boy work hard,
To get in to that apple pie
And that chicken fried in lard.

But the trend today is larger,
And fewer family farms.
Not so many places left now,
With the lights on in the barn.

They tell us that it’s progress,
And nothin’ stays the same.
We must look toward the future,
And not the past from where we came.

And I know, that is true,
But tell me, what’s the harm?
If I feel a twinge of sadness,
Cause There’s No Lights On In The Barn.

Everything is gettin’ big,
And no one seems alarmed,
That the chickens and the hogs now,
Are mostly raised on Factory Farms.

We’ve taken out the fences,
And..the barn.... it’s been torn down.
It takes a lot of room,
To turn 16 rows around.

My favorite memories take me back,
To the way we used to farm.
To a peaceful winter evening,
With the lights on in the barn.

Written by: Lewis Baumgartner

We're making progress...

Thank the good Lord above because I am ready for the funny farm.

Gracie is finally coming around. There are times she tries to play with Stella, then there are times she wants to feed her through the wood chipper. (She's watched "Fargo" one too many times)

The one bad thing about getting a puppy in the dead of winter is the bathroom training. With these frigid temperatures she's too tiny to go outside. The pee-pee/poopie towels are working but now she thinks anything cushy under her feet is a pee-pee/poopie towel. This list includes all my braided area rugs, comforters, quilts and a waded up shirt that missed the hamper. The list goes on. But I can't get mad at her.

Her crazy puppy antics have my sweet hubs and I laughing until tears roll down our cheeks. That laughter is worth her accidental "dribbles." Material things can be replaced. But she can't.



Happy Tuesday!!!
:> )

"Do you believe in miracles???!!!!"

Forget the United States 1980 Olympic hockey team winning the gold medal miracle!

Look at THIS miracle!!!!

Gracie and Stella are near each other!!!
**and the angels sang**
"Haaaaaaaallelujah"



I'm not sure how long this is going to last. But I'm hoping all my late night online reading about training a dominant puppy is finally working. Then again, maybe not.

But right now I don't give a rip! I'm just thrilled to pieces!!!

Happy Miracle Friday!!!

:> )