My Yellow Farmhouse

WHOA

Sure didn't mean to be gone that long but you've heard that one before haven't you. I'm starting to sound like a broken record. I'm glad that you all enjoyed the birthday party that the woolies threw for me.  I was again totally blown away and totally surprised.  Between the super bowl get together and that party - turning 50 was a fun fun fun event I will never forget.

Things are really picking up speed here at the Farmhouse house and the lake house.  But I keep telling myself that before I know it I'll be twiddling my thumbs looking for something to do - I'm looking very forward to those days :).  I check around bloggy land to see what everyone is up to and see all the wonderful creations that you are all whipping up and I'm jealous.  I'm looking forward to having some show and tell to share with you that I've whipped up. These fingers are missing the needle and thread.

Last weekend was a quilt retreat that I've attended the last few years.  But this year I knew it wasn't going to be in the cards for me and very wisely declined early on - see with age comes wisdom, LOL.  A few of the peeps decided that they would go and I knew that I would come by for a few hours on Sunday to check out what everyone was doing.  I missed the show and tell on Saturday night and I guess it was a good one.  There is a group of fun ladies that come from another area that we always look forward to seeing and catching up with.  We keep talking about getting together outside of the retreat and hopefully that can happen sometime this year.  They always have fun projects to share - and I managed to get a couple of pics of them - look at this absolutely beautiful punch needle project - way to go Judy - the project is punched on a beautiful background fabric and very dimensional

Oh I loved this project - one of them is going to email me the pattern name - but does anyone out there know who the designer is - how dang cute is this

a couple of other beautiful projects


look at those tiny squares that make up that nine patch - "gulp"

This quilt was available as a kit at the retreat in October put on by the same people and she got hers done - lordy it's a beautiful quilt. Anyway I bought the same kit with the intention of making it for the new house. One of the peeps bought one of my antique cupboards from the lake and offered to make the quilt top for me in exchange for the cupboard - WHOA - I was thrilled to have her do it.  It will hang in the staircase of the new house.  You know how I love love love stars and there will be some theme of that going on in the new house -  anyway this way it will be done shortly after we move in - hey momma didn't raise no fool, LOL,  I of course said yes, how could I refuse.  I will have to have it quilted and put the binding on - but I think I can handle that when I'm twiddling my thumbs :).  Thanks LL

So what did I work on the few hours I was there - this cute punch needle project


I'm waiting for the Valdani threads so that I can kit this for the website - oh my poor website has sure taken a back seat and I've got lots of new things to get put on there - oh sorry I digressed there a bit.  But check the website by the end of the week - I've got some cute Easter decorations and other fun things to get on there and my goal is the end of the week.

Anne sent me a darling picture for my birthday and I asked if I could share it - she knows my taste to a "T" - thank you Anne, you know I LOVE IT :)

So like I said things are really moving around here.  We met with the Realtors last week and the house will go on the market this coming week with the Realtor tour the following Tuesday.  Mr. Farmhouse and I are spending the weekend out in the cold garages getting them in shape and making several trips out to the lake hauling "stuff".  The wood floors are all down now - here is a picture of the pantry - it's where I could get the best color and the rest of the floor is all covered up to protect it - I love how it looks

the window trim is all up on the second floor - it still needs to be painted but I like how it turned out as well.  I have to share these pictures because I think it looks like those fake scenery shots that you see on TV - this is in the sewing area

this is in the Misters office

On Monday they start putting in the kitchen cabinets and lordy I can't wait to see how that looks.  The house is really going to be taking on it's look over the next couple of weeks.  Our move in date is April 11th and it's on schedule at this point.  Last week all of the lighting and the rest of the plumbing was finalized.  Only a few more things left to decide on - YAHOO, I'm, running out of steam.  I know that I've been MIA from lots of your blogs and in posting here.  It's been busy here with the house and life and frankly when I sit down at night I'm pooped.  I've even taken a quick "blink" (what Mr. Farmhouse calls a little nap) a couple of times after dinner - so not me. My sleeping at night has taken a bit of a hit as well - the brain doesn't want to shut off at night with the "to do" list going through my head.   So I visit you when I can and hope you understand.  I've also taken a break from answering any comments so if you have any certain questions that I haven't answered please email me and I will get back to you.  I have a couple I know I need to answer and I'm working on it.  I'm thinking of taking a blogging break very soon until after the move - goodness it's coming fast :).

Until Next Time 

WHAT TO DO WITH WOOLIES WHO MIS-BEHAVE - HAVE WINE OF COURSE

Sooooooooo yesterday was the monthly get together with the woolies.  I picked up Kari and we headed down the road to visit the woolie house of D.  As we pulled into the driveway Kari says to me - hmmmm what does that sign say and I quit talking (yes I can quit talking for a few if I have to) for a second to read

it's at this point I'm starting to understand that something is up, so I remove my sunglasses, look at Kari and just realized what she's wearing (hey nothing gets by me)  - and say "you are dressed totally in black, what's up with that" and she says "I had nothing to do with this" - with a big smile.  So I waddle up to the door to be greeted by this

a snowman in mourning

a front door with a wreath dressed in black ribbon and signage


thank goodness I was able to make it for Thirsty Thursday, LOL

So after being invited in by the somber and gracious Ms. D, also dressed totally in black I was invited in for a little glass of the grape and brought into a room with other woolies all dressed in black, one wearing a saucy little hat I might add.  After a few minutes of me appreciating and admiring there attire Ms D escorted us up to the parlor where we were handed these programs

now several of you have gotten emails from me where I end the email with " I'm off like a prom dress" - hence my name on the top of the program (hopefully you can read it by clicking on it to enlarge and appreciate their cleverness) - these ladies didn't miss a beat for this show oops I mean memorial.

Then we were invited to view the last of my youth in the black box

 

a bouquet of suckers

 

the flower arrangement that has a card that says "amen sisters" another saying I throw around once in awhile LOL, that special picture from the super bowl party confiscated from this blog.

Evidently in my youth according to the program I had several very interesting  jobs I won't get into here, but one of them was as an exotic  dancer at a Men's Club in a very quaint town close to here, thus this little beauty was inside the black box

a black feather trimmed boulder holder with tassels on the end - what a beaut I tell ya.  I was asked if I could twirl them in opposite directions at the same time - I declined to answer.  Evidently that's where I met Mr. Farmhouse and it was love at first sight LOL.  After the lengthy reading of my youth, the ladies proceeded to play Amazing Grace on the kazoo

and finished off the service with a wonderful rendition of "The Old Grey Mare Ain't What She Used To be - under the disguise of their frowns which were used to cover their BIG smiles.

Well now it was time to head down to the "lunch room" to have a de-lish little snick snack put on by the church ladies - of course it was typical "church lady" food, egg salad sandwiches, jello with real whipped cream, because the church ladies don't use that cool whip stuff, pickles and topped off with a big old piece of chocolate cake.  The table was set with a nice assortment of linens that the local bank always donates, such lovely paper placemats and napkins with the banks name on it, with a business card from the bank in case we had a need for a little financial advice  and the center piece was the bible opened up to the 23rd psalm with a red rose draped over it and a wonderful picture of the guest of honor

 

then they capped it off with such a sweet gift - totally made up for everything else, LOL

a box - handmade by a woolie and filled with little pillows (they know how I love little pillows) handmade also by them

wasn't that just the best gift - they do know me so well :).  It was such a wonderful day - full of lots of surprises, laughter and tears from laughter and joy on.  I believe I was without speech several times during the event - surely something that isn't seen often.  Once again I'm blessed to have dear friends who take their precious time to celebrate or morn another friends milestone.

The cast of characters:

Ms. D - who wore some kick ass shoes I must say - played the part of the funeral director so well


Ms. Faye (no blogger who needs a blog) who wrote and read the eulogy in a style only she can do

The lovely Ms Penny who has a wonderful tan from a recent trip to Cancun for her son's wedding

The talented Ms Jean who makes wooden boxes, frames, quilts and knits like a crazy woman - there's nothing this girl can't do and she wears hats very nicely

Ms. Kari - who was also tan from a recent trip to the Bahama's - wiping tears from her eyes from laughing so hard, or is she in mourning because her turn is right around the corner - I'm just sayin

Thank you ladies for a terrific afternoon, it's another one I will treasure and remember (well hopefully I will remember it) for years to come.

So after the de-lish lunch of funeral food there was a little show and tell that took place .  Ms Faye is teaching at the local church a monthly quilting get together that is a bible study and they make a block that pertains to that month's study.  OK I can't remember what this block is called but Depression comes to mind, but it could have been because of the days activity - there is also 2 sweet little zipper bags that Faye and Jean made - love that block

Ms. D, Jean and Faye belong to another quilt group and they had a get together and a challenge of everyone making the same block and then taking it home and putting it together in whatever way they wanted.  So they showed us how they put theirs together

loved them all and I told the ladies that anyone of them would look great here at the farmhouse - no one offered to give theirs up

Ms. Jean whipped up a couple of knitted hats and a great wool penny rug

Ms D had this little cutie

These ladies are so talented.  Someday I'll have show and tell - yes I will - someday.

These 2 quilts were made up by some others for the quilts of valor project - love the scrappiness of them

So tomorrow I'm co-hosting a clothing party with Kari for this fashionable friend below

who just started her own business selling Cabi clothes - I wonder if she'll look like this tomorrow :)

Until Next Time

Wow It's Monday Already and We've Got Winners - Yes Winners

Can you believe it.  Hope everyone had a nice Valentines weekend and enjoyed something yummy and sinful:).  Mr. Farmhouse took me out of town this weekend all the way up to Fargo, LOL.  We spent the day Saturday doing shopping and eating and then he surprised me with a very nice suite at a nice hotel for Saturday night.  Gotta love that guy.  He was a patient man while furniture shopping and he got lots of points for that one.

Sunday afternoon we loaded up the car with more stuff for storage and headed out to see the changes from the week.  I'll show you those after I announce the winners here.  I swear I was starving every time I read a comment describing something wonderful to eat.  So many great memories are associated with birthdays and food.  Thank you all for sharing those.  So I asked Mr. Farmhouse to pick a number for the drawing in the car on Saturday heading to Fargo and I was ABSOLUTELY SURE he would pick 50 since it was for my birthday - BUT he surprised me and picked 52 for his age - I guess he wanted to be involved in the number this go around, LOL.  So then I thought I would pick 50 because that is my age - so we have 2 winners. #52 is Anne (your plotting worked, LOL) and she will win the prize shown and #50 is Pam who will get a little something sent her way.  Pam you are a no reply so please send me your address.  Thank you all again for playing along - it was so much fun to read all the comments and the memories.  Thank you also for all of the birthday greetings - it made the day, or should I say week that much more special.

Many of you asked in your comments about the frame that had all the stitcheries in it.  I can give you the email for the store folktales@netzero.net as that's how we got a hold of her.  Thanks to Wendy that's how I found out about these great frames.  I know there was a limited amount available and that was last summer.

Plus I wanted anyone who is interested to know that I listed lots of those wonderful mittens made by my friend from felted wool sweaters on Farmhouse Woolens.  Her works is beautiful, she has them lined inside and they have little wool palm and thumb patches on them.  So check them out - they are one of a kinds and so when there gone there gone.

So lots of fun things going on at the house and I'll share a few pics with you.  Mr. Farmhouse has an office right next to my sewing cave - you know it won't really be a cave anymore since the light coming in is FANTASTIC, must think of a new name - ok sorry I digressed there a bit, now where was I.  Oh ya and right next to him is the exercise room.  Because the house will have a bit of a, you know I'm not sure what to call my style - let's just say Farmhouse/country/ cottage/americana - whoa that's a lot going on there, I think they call that eclectic - ok sidetracked again - I thought that his office should be a bit more manly and the exercise room should go along with that.  Because of the great light a dark color could be put in that room with no problem.  Here's a peek from the exercise room into the office going into the sewing area

as you can see it's a bit more contemporary with the large stripes around the room.  Because we have 9ft ceilings in the whole house each stripe is 3ft high.  Mr. Farmhouse has a big map of the world that he got from S#2 for Christmas that will be hanging in the stripe room.  The map is in the old world colors of sepias and the paint color goes perfect with it.  The Mister was so pleased with how these 2 rooms turned out.  He will have black cabinets that will run along that dark brown wall and french doors that will close him off from the cave.  The entire house has only about 5 colors throughout so I can take furniture from just about any room and place it in another. It's amazing how the paint colors take on a different hue depending on the time of day - but they all blend together beautifully. My friend Libster did the stripes in the exercise room and then was hard at work in the upstairs/kids bathroom

doing her magic to make this happen

isn't that cool - the bathroom vanity in this room will also be black - loved how both rooms turned out.

Here's a shot of the tile in the downstairs area that goes throughout the mudroom, laundry, 3/4 bath, the hubsters workshop/hunting room and the hot tub area outside

this is the hot tub area and will be screens where the windows are

there is a tiny little ledge up by the ceiling that will hold rope lighting inside.  The wall with the big windows is remove able if the hot tub should ever have to be taken out - we've had that happen in the house we are in so we know it's always a possibility.

This is the kitchen and family room and a shot from the sunroom looking into the family room and to the stairway

this is a shot of the bathroom tile for the guest bath

They have also started on the siding outside as well - this will be painted once spring gets here to match the garage - so it's only primed at this point - but I like how even that looks


I'm loving this porch so much - can't wait to sit out there with a cold something something in my hand :).

I'm having trouble with my laptop so getting around to visit you will be hard for me until I get this problem figured out which will be quickly I hope.  Well this has taken me most of the day on and off to get typed up.  So on that note

Until Next Time

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME AND A GIVEAWAY

Ok is that wrong to wish yourself a Happy Birthday - yup I think it's all right since it is the BIG 50 there don'tcha ya know.  Thanks for all the sweet birthday greetings from the last post that meant so much to me.  I still chuckle when I think about that day and how they totally surprised me.

I talked about how truly lucky Mr. Farmhouse and I are to have the wonderful friends that we do.  That goes out there in bloggy land as well - I've been blessed with many emails and cards from some bloggers today and I want you all to know how much it means when someone remembers and sends a little happy thought and wish.  I even got an email today from a woolie who is visiting out on the west coast and didn't have her date book with her but was pretty sure today was the day (thank you JM) - lordy I can hardly remember with a date book, LOL.  One of my my son's friends wrote a birthday greeting on my wall on Facebook, (not sure how that all works) which was a sweet surprise.  While I was out this morning I had to stop at the Post Office and pick up a package that they had tried to deliver but I wasn't home.  I was pretty sure that it was some books that I had bought on Ebay - ones that Linda had shown on a post and I decided I needed them as well, so I waddled over to Ebay and bingo found them.  But that wasn't the box, it was a surprise box from Wendy and what a surprise it was.  Wendy's birthday was this past weekend and I sent her a birthday email - singing Happy Birthday. She went waaaaaay beyond sending an email - this is what she sent my way

look at this ADORABLE back pack - oh my goodness I've never seen anything like it and it's WOOL - how dang cute is this - I just love it and can't wait to use it - her stitching is beautiful - I just love this Wendy

and this adorable little quilt that she showed on her blog that I was drooling over, I'm lovin the colors,  a sweet needle keeper with needle felted heart on it, a darling wool mat with stars (my favorites) and a sweet red heart, plus a wonderful card

I was honestly totally overwhelmed by her kind and generous heart.  I truly feel not worthy of such a wonderful gift and I will treasure this for years to come as well as her friendship. I'm tucking these treasures away for the new house.  When special things have come my way over the last few months that's what I've been doing - tucking away to enjoy when this move is complete.  Thank you again sweet Wendy - the colors in that little quilt are perfect for the new house.  Your friendship is one of my blessings.

Saturday Mr. Farmhouse, S#2 and I headed down to St. Cloud to meet S#1 and DIL for a birthday lunch, S#1's birthday was in Jan and mine is today.  What a great way to spend some time together.  It's a town about half way for each of us with great spots to eat.  Tonight Mr. Farmhouse is taking me out to dinner and has something special planned for this weekend - can't beat
that can ya.

So in honor of my birthday I'm going to do a giveaway - leave a comment by telling me what your favorite birthday treat is to have on your special day.  Mine is dessert with chocolate or caramel or better yet have both in it.  The winner will get the braided table runner (size is 13x36) in this picture, a set of 3 small bowls ( I will be adding these bowls as well as the bigger table runners to the website in the next few days) and a McCalls candle in Apple Spice.

 I will have Mr. Farmhouse pick a number on Friday night for the winner and get it in the mail on Monday.

Until Next Time

Friendship

I think one of the true blessings in life is friendship.  Those people you know you can always count on either for support, help, a good shoulder, sharing, crying, laughter and everything in between.  I've been so very blessed in my life to have a great circle of friends and family who are always in my corner no matter what.  Always there to lend a helping hand, listen with a kind ear and have a laugh at my expense - let me introduce you to my sweet, kind friends who just did that - have a laugh at my expense :)

  
yes those sweet and kind gray haired stinkers showed up in their Sunday best for our Super Bowl party to help me ring in this

yup the BIG 50 is just around the corner - YIKES ( Man I want those glasses)

To open my front door and see 16 people all dressed up in such finery, well to say I was blown away would be putting it mildly - because my birthday wasn't even a blip on my radar that day it took me a minute to fully understand what the heck they were doing.  Once they started to sing it clicked in (hey nothing gets by this girl, LOL).  It was so much fun to see them all in the character of their outfit which they stayed in during the entire time they were there.  A couple of the wigs did come off later on and a pair of bosoms where also dropped off after the meal (she had quite the set, LOL) and I am still laughing today while I think about what they all did.  One of the couples owns an eye glass business and supplied everyone with some pretty special glasses for the event, there sure were some beauties in the group.  Mr. Farmhouse asked me a few times before they arrived where Little Silver was and I was like "why are you worried about the camera".  He said he was worried I was getting suspicious and quit asking.  I of course didn't catch on, not a big shock here about that.

Now isn't this chicky something else - in real life she just started her own business as a "fashion consultant" selling waaaaay cute clothes - hey Les I'll buy what your selling, LOL

her first project was her hubby - wowzers what a hunk - don't you love the padded tummy, LOL - he reminds me of Elmer Fudd

this sweetie pie never put her purse down - even while cutting the cake she hung on to it (hey Libster - what's in the purse)

her golfer dude
 

who sported a little action on his cheek

this one had actual curlers in her hair - remember those hard plastic jobs with the picks to hold them in place - OUCH, she said she found them at a thrift store - great shopping Missy - looks like hubby was liking your rolled down nylons, LOL

What a happy couple - hey I'm digging that foxy neck warmer there sister - and hubsters looks just about to bust out of his fancy coat

A little smooching going on here

  

I think he looks like Jack Nicholson and she has that saucy little red french beret - ooo la la and her glasses remained crooked all night long

He reminds me of Mr. Rogers and she's very prim and proper and dressed so elegant with her fur cape

 

Her hat just cracks me up and she let me borrow it for my picture with the cake and I'm digging his big red rim glasses - stylin

 
Watch out here come Clark Kent - newspaper reporter - looking for the scoop on the party

I did put them to work playing a few games - aren't they a studious (ok is that a word)  group

 

Poor Ms Cami was really confused about it all and at this point was in dire need of a nap
 

When this group gets together there's always way to much to eat and no one goes home hungry

What a great evening we had, lots of laughs, games and a little friendly wagering on the game.  Like I said in the beginning Mr. Farmhouse and I are so very blessed to have such a great group of friends.  It meant the world to me that they took the time to plan this and surprise me. We treasure their friendship and I will always remember this special day :).  Thanks everyone for a wonderful surprise -  your all the best.

Hey I can't leave Mr. Farmhouse out of the pictures - 

 

So does anyone else out there having a case of the "lazies"?  Like everyone else my days are full of lots of stuff, then when night comes along and I have a little extra time to read blogs and catch up on emails - I just can't muster up the energy to do it or anything else for that matter. Yikes I've turned into a slug at night.  Maybe it's the mid-winter blahs that I'm feeling I don't know.  But I need to "snap out of it" and get caught up on lots of things including what's happening in your neck of the woods.  Am I alone in the "lazies" out there?

Check back Tuesday for a giveaway to celebrate the BIG 50.  Have a wonderful weekend and see you Tuesday :).

Until Next Time