A Countryfolk Christmas...

Be merry.
Be bright.

:> )

YaY!!! We got lots of snow...

Now it feels like Christmas.

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I'm slowly decking the halls...

Boy! I can't believe Christmas is a little over three weeks away!

I was hesitant on decorating like I do. But I know my parents wouldn't want me to wallow in sadness missing them this holiday season. So I won't. ♥

I started with my little Americana tree. This tabletop tree was my mom's. Although slightly battered and extremely crooked, I was able to prop her up and decorate her in a little Americana glory.
I think Mr. Franklin is pleased too.



What better tree-topper for an Americana tree than a United States (pocket) Constitution. Perfect!



The past few months I've admired those really skinny "pencil" trees. They aren't like the skinny scraggly alpine trees. These are skinny yet full.

So I decided to go for it!!



I must admit, I liked it. But I wasn't really loving it like my old, slightly chubbier tree. But it is starting to grow on me.
Even though it took me the same amount of time to string the lights and decorate it, I LOVE the room we still have in our living room!!

So I'm off to do more holiday decorating to make my parents proud.

I'll be back with more photos.

Remember to be merry and bright.

:> )

Lord,

thank you for loving us;
And providing food, shelter and each other.
Every moment of our lives is a gift;
And we appreciate all the time You have given us.
Thank you for all our good fortune.

Amen.



Wishing everyone a blessed and happy Thanksgiving day.

♥

Another family treasure...

My sister and I continue to go through our mom's things and our childhood home. As I mentioned before, it is so overwhelming.

Today, my hubs and I hung my mom's Bicentennial 1776-1976 Revere copper ware. It hung in my parents home for years and years. Now this vintage set hangs in mine.



It means so much to me. Back in the 70's, I remember going with my Daddy to get it for her. He was like a little kid when it came to buying presents.

We drove out to Rome, NY where the Revere Copper plant was and still is. I also remember the HUGE iconic Paul Revere horse rider sign. When it was lit, it had movement to make the horse look like it was galloping. So very cool.

Sadly, Paul no longer rides.



But hopefully someday he'll ride again.

Happy Saturday.

:> )

TONIGHT on Early Work Mercantile...

"Dashing through the snow..."


"Give Thanks"



"Get along little doggie."



"Count your blessings instead of sheep."


Click on the banner below to go directly to my page.



"Rule the roost."



The rooster is available on my Countryfolk Keepsakes selling site.
Click on the "Critters" button below.




Hope to see you then!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!

:> )

It's been pandemonium lately here at the ol' Countryfolk homestead!

Holy schnikes! We've been dealing with medical problems and injuries with both our furbabies.

Our little Gracie has always had belly troubles. She also likes to snack on the neighbor's cat's "tidbits" it leaves all over our property. Grrrr.

I ended up having to take her to the vet and we found out her pancreatic enzymes levels were high. The poor little thing.

Then last week, when I went to take my little Stella outside, she couldn't stand or walk! Ended up rushing her to the vet. She has a bad spine injury! When it rains, it pours!

The vet said she needs strict monitoring. No playing. No running. No jumping. For at least two weeks. Well, have you ever tried to keep a Boston Terrier from doing any of those?? It's next to impossible.

So as I sat at my kitchen table trying to contain all my nervous energy, I got an idea!
Since I'm housebound anyway and I'm nuttier than squirrel turd, why not repaint my whole kitchen?!

As much as I love my kitchen, I felt like it was time for a change. I really wanted to go with an off white farmhouse look. I mean c'mon. I live in an 1800's farmhouse. It'a no-brainer.

After a trip to the Home Depot and the local lumber yard, I got crackin'.
I repainted the walls, the trim and the cabinets.

Since I am a fan of Behr Premium Plus paint, I used:

"Hazelnut Cream" on the walls.
"Powdered Snow" on all the trim and cabinets.
"Ivory Mist" on the beadboard, vaulted ceiling, kitchen ceiling and soffit.
"Awning Red" on all the doors.




I even put up beadboard and trim around my peninsula. I'm pretty proud of this one. My sweet hubs was impressed.
(Don't worry. My 1776 flag I painted is still underneath. I could never get rid of that! ♥ )







I left all the doors red (except the bifold doors). I believe every room in a home should have a little (or a lot of) red.



I added beadboard wallpaper to the bifolds.







I especially love this photo.
Not because of the kitchen. But because of "something" else.
Look closely and see if you spot what it is...



♥



I guess all my nervous energy was put to good use.
I told my sweet hubs I'm going to start wearing a tool belt around my waist and grunt like Tim Allen.

Happy Sunday, all!

Update: My sweet hubs and I hung my mom's vintage Bicentennial Paul Revere Copper Ware Collection. I think it looks perfect.




:> )

Tonight on Early Work Mercantile...

It's Hattie the Swamp Witch!
My latest Halloweenie creation.





You can click on the banner below to go directly to my page.



Hope to see you this evening!

I also want to take a moment to say I haven't forgotten about my blog.
I have so much on my plate right now with dealing with my mom's estate. It lays heavy on my heart.

But I promise I'll be back to share more photos and stories happening at the ol' Countryfolk homestead. Like I decided to redo my kitchen again!! I know!! Crazy, right??!!
I'm waiting for the guys in the white coats to try and catch me with a gigantic butterfly net. Good luck with that!! ((giggle))

So to quote Ahhhh-nold Schwarzenegger...
"I'll be bah-ck."

:> )

ONE

By: Cheryl Sawyer

As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.
As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building,
We became one class.
As we lit candles of waiting and hope
We became one generation.
As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno
We became one gender.
As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.
As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.
As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.
As we mourned together the great loss
We became one family.
As we cried tears of grief and loss
We became one soul.
As we retell with pride of the sacrifice of heroes
We become one people.

We are
One color
One class
One generation
One gender
One faith
One language
One body
One family
One soul
One people

We are The Power of One.
We are United.
We are America.



Stand united...



Never forget.

This Evening on Early Work Mercantile...

We're coming up on my favorite time of year... Autumn!!!!

So I have two offerings available after 6pm.

Calliope



A Trio of Folk Art Pumpkins




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Hope to see you there!!!


:> )

As much as I hate to admit it...

next month I'll be "celebrating" being another year older. Ugh.

While most women ask for jewelry, perfume or other girly things, all I'd like is an antique double barrel shotgun.
No, not to use on anyone in particular. *wink*wink*
Just to hang on our wall as a decorative piece.

Well, as I did my usual, daily "Craigslist" search, I noticed there was a "living" estate sale near us. So my sweet hubs and I moseyed over to have a look.

Well, guess what we found???!!!
YaY!!!



He bought me an early b-day present!!!
YaY again!!!
I don't mind getting old now!
Well, that's a bit of a fib.



How I love that man of mine!!!

:> )

"Try to be a rainbow...

in someone's cloud."

:> )

I've been on the lookout for...

a small, vintage hutch for my kitchen. Man are they hard to find! Sure there are a ton of the gigantic, monstrosities large enough for a family of four to live in, but small hutches are few and far between.

I thought about going with a primitive cupboard, but I wanted it to match my colonial style, Windsor dining room set.

Well I finally came across a lovely, vintage, Temple Stuart colonial style SMALL hutch. Where else, but on Craigslist. (C'mon, what did you think I was going to type???) It was just what I was looking for! But there was a slight problem. The gal was selling it along with a matching dining room set.

Lord knows my hubs would have kittens if I brought home another dining room set! Heck, I have two in our farmhouse and two in storage. (Don't call A&E's Hoarders yet.)

So I took the chance and emailed the gal asking if I could purchase just the hutch. My chance paid off and
she said yes. YaY!

When I went to her home this sweet gal told me the dining room and hutch were a gift to her parents from her grandparents. Sadly her mom passed away a few years back and she hasn't been able to bring herself to sell it. Since she and her hubs are in the process of moving to Florida, she knew it was time to let go.

I mentioned my mom recently passed away and that I can totally relate to not being able to let go of her mom's things. I too am dealing with those same emotions.

I then told her I would take really good care of her mom's hutch (Which I truly will)
She thanked me and was genuinely happy and relieved.

So now I have this lovely, vintage little hutch, with some wonderful history attached to it. So cool.








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