My Yellow Farmhouse

Anyone Else Feeling Like A Slug

WOW the last couple of days I sure have.  It's like going 80 mph and then slamming on the brakes, LOL and not wanting to move and I haven't done much of that the last couple of days.  Even being on the computer didn't snap my socks, LOL.  Our Christmas holiday was wonderful with our kids but not quiet.  The married ones at Thanksgiving brought a new puppy home with them.  A darling basset hound named Bel.  Christmas was our first meet and greet with her and Ms. Cami wasn't really sure what it was all about.  Being a pup Ms. Bel likes to play, sniff and nip, which brought some noisy expression from Cami and even Dakota at times.  Yes she did a fair amount of this

and decided that she really liked Cami's puffy ball to sleep on

but even with all the activity and noise (look at the size of those paws)

how could you not love this face -we sure do

S#2 is hoping to move this summer into a place where he can get a yellow lab like our sweet Hogan.  My DIL said when that happens we will be like the Bumpasses from A Christmas Story movie with all the dogs running around, LOL.  Paints a picture doesn't it.  Speaking of yellow labs, on Christmas Day we all went to see the movie Marley and Me.  I know it's not getting great reviews, but we loved it and let me tell ya - the tears were flowing at the end of it.  Our Hogan was a bit of a stinker with some quirks and nothing like Marley, but the movie reminded all of us of our sweet Hogie and how much a part of our lives he was growing up with the boys, and how quickly the years go by.  We still miss him lots even after 7 years.

Saturday we headed down to Mpls for the day for a quick get together with my family to celebrate the holidays.  I gave all the girls those great mittens made from old sweaters that my woolie friend made bunches of (there will be lots for sale on my website starting next week).  So my bro got us all lined up to take a picture of it.  Because I didn't have my mittens with me I'm wearing some socks that I gave someone as a gift (my bro's idea not mine, LOL) - can you tell which one is my sister

My bro loves to cook and I had these cooking hats embroidered for him with a rooster and some lovey dovey names that he and his wife call each other,  everyone had to have their pictures taken wearing them - here's Mr. Farmhouse and I

here's the whole family with the exception of S#2 who had to work (it's hard when you are your own boss and we sure missed him)

remember I told you about my little cheap plastic Santa - well here is my Mom's

My Mom loves her Ethan Allen hutch.  It's something we carted home with us several years back when she moved, didn't have room for it in her house and couldn't bear to get rid of it.  So Mr. Farmhouse and I were keepers of the hutch temporarily.  Well when she moved into the house she's in now - SHAZAAM there was room made for it and back it came.  Mr. Farmhouse said the only way it was coming back home with us was as kindling for the fireplace because it's a heavy sucker to move - Mother Tother was aghast, LOL.  Here's for you Mom - the Ethan Allen all decked out in your blue and white dishes and holiday red

her other hutch (yes she has 2) also decked out in her Blue Danube dishes and red

her tree was so pretty all decked out in red

why even the light fixture had splashes of red as well

her kitchen even had a tree all decked out in red

Thanks for a great evening Mom and Phil - it sure was special and your house looked so pretty all decked out in Christmas finery.

It's time to share my swap goodies that I received from Anne before Christmas

isn't that picture adorable, something she stitched up - I LOVE IT.  She knows that I'm a Willie Ray fan and found that cute ornament, she also made that cute pillow.  Love the block set and that darling little basket with the cinnamon sticks,greens, berries and bells - how cute is that.  I think that candle in the can is just dang sweet with the snowman on the cover and the scent of Hot Cinnamon Buns inside - yummmmm.  Thanks Anne you know me very well and I love and treasure my swap goodies.  If you want to see what I sent her, stop by and pay Anne a visit.

Well we are under another winter storm until later this afternoon.  Last night when we went to bed this deck was clean as a whistle because Mr. Farmhouse had shoveled it off last weekend - now look at it


I guess we've gotten somewhere around 12 inches of snow so far and a bit more to come.  The wind is supposed to pick up and since it's a nice light and fluffy snow that will cause lots of blowing and possible white out conditions for those driving.  Me, I'm staying home and working on my Jan Patek Girl Gang blocks (yes I am Ms. Anne) and almost have #1 done - YAHOO for me :) with another one to get done before the January 5th deadline that Anne and I have set up - well maybe I set it up I don't remember, but  both blocks need to be done because we just received #3 in the mail this past weekend and I am determined to get this one done and stay on top of it.  I'm hand appliquing it and finding I'm a bit rusty at doing curves and points.  I know practice practice practice.  I'll show you both when there done.

So let's get back to regular posting and catching up on everyone out there in blogland, goodness I've missed lots I know.  I'm looking forward to making some changes in 2009 and one of them is regular postings about decorating, baking and SEWING.  If you've read this loooong post - thanks for hanging in there.

Until Next Time

Merry Christmas Everyone

I'm wishing for all of you a wonderful and safe holiday season rich in time spent with family and friends and full of special moments and memories

Hello From Blizzard Country

Yup we are smack in the middle of a good old fashioned blizzard today.  Winds and lots of snow are hitting our area right now and boy is it beautiful out there if you don't have to travel in it. Freeways are closed, as well as local highways and roads. 8-16 inches of snow is expected and with the high winds there will be lots of drifting.  A couple of pics from our neck of the woods

Mr. Farmhouse shoveling out a small area for Cami to visit when she heads outside - you know she travels pretty low to the ground, LOL

love this view of the backyard

I know not everyone is having wonderful weather, especially out on the east coast.  If you want to see some amazing pictures of an ice storm head on over to Linda's blog  and see just what destruction has happened in that neck of the woods.  I keep everyone who is struggling with awful weather in my thoughts.  Mother nature can be both beautiful and terrible at the same time.

You all know how I love any kind of mail, whether it's a fun card, a magazine or book I'm waiting for, a fun postcard from kilt country LOL, and a surprise, well that just throws me over the edge and I had 2 of those last week.  Linda sent my way some darling holiday tags that she made that I will use when I wrap some special gifts.

Aren't they adorable - thank you Linda, I can't wait to use them.

Then another box showed up from Carrie full of some fun things that she sent for the new house and for right now, a cute towel and darling notepad in patriotic design, some special coffee from her neck of the woods, (I love my coffee) some fun napkins and a darling scissor holder that she made

Thank you Carrie for your sweet "just because" gift.  It's been fun getting to know you and I hope we can meet up in June :). 

Last night we ventured out in the beginning of this storm for a Christmas party at my friend Kari's house.  Her home was decorated so beautifully.




outside by her front door - several of these ice lights greeted us and they looked so beautiful in the snow along with the white lights


good food, lively conversations

mouse ears were presented to the next lucky person since Kari has fulfilled her duties, LOL

doesn't she look cute

when invitations where sent out I answered back that I would be there with bells on - so behind my back (the stinkers)  they all decided they would bring me things to wear last night with "bells on", so here is a wonderful svelte looking picture of me LOL, with my bell earrings, necklace, ring, slippers with bells attached and what I like to call a neck cozy (unlike what Leslie called it - love ya Leslie, LOL) with bells.  Sooooo there was no sneaking up on anyone last night you could hear me coming allllll night looooong, lol
 
We had a white elephant gift exchange that we did, and after much stealing from each other and some pretty crazy gifts

I ended up with this

A Partridge Family Christmas Album - WOO HOO, LOL.  Do you remember their TV show - I was a fan, although i was probably one of those rare ones who didn't have a crush on David Cassidy, my heart belonged to Donny Osmond - and they called it puppy love, LOL.Fun and laughs were had by everyone - thank you Kari and B for hosting a great evening - it's always so much fun when we all get together.

Yesterday we headed out to the lake so Mr. Farmhouse could do a walk through - this is what I saw out the window - fish houses being moved, kids ice skating and their dogs running around with them and heading out to the ice house on the 4 wheeler - ahhhh life in Minnesota :)
 


 

love how the ceiling looks in the new sewing cave

 

a view from the stair looking into the eating area and the sun room

thought I would share a picture of the back of the house since the front is still covered with a tarp while they work on the porch

Well I'm pretty sure I could pack more into this post - but I will sign off now - go enjoy the view of this storm from the sewing cave and get something done.

Until Next Time

Let's Be Honest

Does anyone feel it? You know that little nugget taking root in the pit of your stomach - that will grow as the holiday season gets closer.  That "will I get everything done" knot that you swear up and done won't be there next year, nope - that you will never be in this position again - next year you will start earlier, be more organized and calmer, so you can enjoy the season.  Well sweet peeps I've got the nugget, threatening to grow if I don't get my act together, LOL.  I remember last year after the holidays when I made the GRAND statement that the next holiday season would be a "handmade holiday", making gifts for the special people in my life.  Well I do believe I'm chewing on those words right now and not liking the taste.  Time is running out isn't it.  How did we get from Thanksgiving to December 9th in 2 point 2 nano seconds.  I haven't even really thought about gifts yet - although there are kernels of ideas popping in my head - that is at least a start.  So this morning I started my list again - yes again because I lost my last list, LOL, but this notebook is a large one and harder for even me to lose.  Anyway I will continue to add to it and hopefully crossing off of it as well.  Part of this notebook will be goals for next year - not resolutions to break but goals that need to be worked on and hopefully achieved over the course of 2009.  I will be 50 (lordy how can that be, LOL) in February and I would like to go into the New Year not talking about change but actually working on that change resulting in a more organized calmer self.  AMEN sisters on that note.

You remember my sweet friend Faye who I told you is one of the woolies who broke her leg.  Well she just went through her 2nd surgery yesterday.  Due to some complications she was transferred down to Minneapolis over the weekend to another hospital where it sounds like they fixed her up right.  Without getting into detail she has had a rough time since this has all started, lots of complications.  I know she would love it if you could leave a comment wishing her well.  It would brighten up her day and mine.  She's a sweetheart who needs a little ray of sunshine.  Miss you Faye :)

Soooo last night was the annual holiday dinner with the sewing peeps that I host. Yes I know the tablecloth color doesn't match the color of the dishes - but hey I was determined to use what I already have, LOL.  Besides it was dark when they got here and maybe they didn't notice, I kept the lights down low, LOL
 

We've quit exchanging gifts with each other, although I miss that (hey peeps maybe we need to bring that back).  So last night was just a nice dinner with scintillating conversation.

I put them to work on a little stitchery that I traced for them

and they all finished them up to take home and do whatever their blessed little hearts want to.  Just a simple little mitten design from Buttermilk Basin

YAHOO Peeps - you rocked it and got it done. 

A little show and tell from a couple of the peeps last night - and forgive me I can't remember the name of the table topper, the little bag is a This an That pattern

I've been working on a little sewing for my Christmas swap with Anne, so I can't show my projects - but soon.  Anne has even met the challenge I set forth on completing the Jan Patek Girl Gang first block - you rock chick.  I promise - yes I really do -  I promise to post both blocks by December 31st because this chick refuses to get behind on the sucker.

I did finish my tree skirt tho in time to actually use it this year - it's Buggy Barn pattern

So now I will go write in my notebook my goal for the Girl Gang blocks - hmmmmm where did I put that notebook.

Until Next Time

Tap Tap Tap - Anyone Out There

I know it's been a week since I posted and I hope you are still stopping by to see what's new at the Farmhouse.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with some of our family.  My sister was unable to make it at the last minute due to the flu - I encouraged her to stay home, LOL.  But her kids still made the trip which I was very thankful for and enjoyed spending time with them and our kids - small but nice.  Sooooo that meant that the gravy was mine and mine alone to make, LOL.  Here I am trying to be like my Mom last year - whisking hard to have lump free gravy just like her

I did it by the way and it turned out.  But I told Mom I didn't want the pressure next year - I would gladly give that job back.

I won a polka dot giveaway over at Sharons awhile back and it came in the mail last week.  I made myself wait almost 2 days to open it until I had some icky jobs out of the way and it was my incentive to get those jobs done.  What a box full of dotty fun it was to open

Look at all of those polka dots.  There was polka dot pencils, erasers, ribbon, blank cards, notebooks, magnets, tissue paper, gift bag, jelly roll strips, button candy, cute box, dixie cups and lordy lordy I finally got one of those little bags she's famous for making.  What a haul, LOL.  Thank you Sharon for picking my name.  Everything in that box is wonderful.  If you've never stopped over to Sharon's blog, take the time to stop by.  She's a warm and generous person who is just a hoot to read.  I had the pleasure of meeting her in Houston this fall for dinner along with her side kick the "sweet" NancyNoBlog who now has a blog. Thank you Sharon - your the best.

Lots going on at the new Farmhouse and it's kept me in the car running back and forth the last several days.  The fireplaces went in the other day - this one is a see-through between my sewing area and Mr. Farmhouse's Cave

you can see in the background that insulating has started and the many decisions that have had to be made before that point are done.  I've gotten to be buddies with my electrician, LOL.  I'm not sure if he thinks I'm nuts or not but he's been a great sport through this whole project.  I'm not a fan of ceiling lights and like to have most of my lamps go on with wall switches - so there was lots of juggling and switching of locations and lots of outlets because I love to have small lamps sitting everywhere giving the rooms a soft glow.   Just think about your house  if you didn't build it, someone had to decide where every outlet, switch and light goes.  Which switch turns on what light and where should that switch be.  How many lights go in the kitchen, over the island, which switch turns on what lights when you walk in the room, where your tv cable goes, phone jacks, blah blah blah. Plus throw in the plumbers, heating guys and a few others and well there were a couple of days that it was overload for me and I came home hitting a brick wall and hoping I did it right.  Yes Mr Farmhouse was involved in the major meetings, but the day to day stuff was my baby.  No matter how much you think you've planned, it's never enough and there are always lots of surprises that need to be answered quickly.  Well it's done now - right?

This fireplace in the family room caused me to go "oh oh" when I first saw it. I knew right away that something was off.  Now that sucker is a big one to begin with.  You know how Mr. Farmhouse loves his real fires and he wanted a large fire box.  The man seriously doesn't ask for much and this one was important to him.  I would have gone a bit smaller but for the most part he let's the planning go to me and things that are important to him he get's involved in, so when he wanted a big fire box we went with that (yes I know how dang lucky I am, LOL)  Now you can't tell by the picture, but it's to high.  The hearth was supposed to be 15" high total - this one when finished would be 24" high - with a large fire box it would have really looked off kilter and goofy.

So it's going to result in the fireplace people coming back to fix it - as Mr. Contractor went over all the measurements with them and they assured him it was right, but it's not and it's there problem now.  I do feel bad because it's going to be a beast to take out and put back in - but since it's the focal point of the room and I'm paying for it and they did it wrong - it needs to be fixed.  I'm sure I've made a few friends at fireplace world, LOL.  It's really been the only goof so far and that's a good thing.  We have a wonderful contractor who really keeps everyone on schedule including me.  This past week because of the push to have all of the guts in the house in place it was a beehive of activity with lots of worker bees doing there thing.  Between the sounds of the heaters they have running to keep warm and the sounds of all of their equipment going at the same time and the music blaring I'm amazed that any of them can still hear - personally it drove me crazy, LOL.  Sheet rocking starts next week - and that will be fun to see.  The rooms will actually start to take shape.  Here's a shot of where the sewing cave will be - the picture is taken from the upstairs landing looking down the hallway into the cave.

Along that back wall between the windows will be a wall of wonderful cabinets for storage, my sewing table will sit in front of the cabinets.  Gee do you think I will be able to fill them up - hmmmm that could be a challenge, LOL.  Kitchen cabinetry needs to be finalized on Monday and I think I've got that one in pretty good shape thanks to a great kitchen planner.  She's been a joy to work with and has great ideas.  I'm hoping now to have the pace slow down a bit while the sheet rocking is going on.  I've missed talking with my bloggy friends as well as my other friends.  A friend here in town thought I was mad at her because I hadn't gotten back to her after she had sent a couple of emails (I kept meaning to, LOL)  She knew I was busy and was pretty sure that was why.  We finally chatted last night and I felt terrible about not getting back to her and I'm glad she understood - thanks Leslie :).

Well there's been very little sewing going on or baking and very little cooking - so nothing to share in that area - but soon, very soon.

I took a few pictures the other night of decorating and will share a couple now.  I'm hoping to take the rest tomorrow and then get them on the webshots page.

 

 

 

 

 

The little Santa and Mrs. Claus salt and pepper shaker along with the little girl in the red dress in the above picture belonged to my grandma and I treasure those

That's it for now - back to regular posting I hope and catching up with you all.

Until Next Time