Farm Chick Finds -- Part 3 of 3

As a final installment of my "Farm Chick Finds" posts, I will show you what I actually purchased.  They seem rather simple compared to the wonderful things I walked by; but then that is what makes the show so much fun -- just walking by seeing so many pretty and creative things all under one roof.

Only moments after walking in the building, this little salt and pepper shaker set literally shouted out to me to get my attention.  They are only about 1 3/4" tall, and were so sweet, it was an immediate decision to purchase them -- especially after I was quoted only $1.00:

Just a few days prior to the show, my mom had taken us out to lunch, and had been telling us that before restaurants had creamers in little packets, the cream was served in little bottles on the tables.  She showed us the few little bottles that she had back at her house.  I thought how much fun it would be to have one.  Well, lo and behold, only a few short minutes after the salt and pepper shaker find, here was a little creamer bottle waiting quite patiently for my arrival. 

This cute little bottle is also only at 1 3/4" tall -- the same as the salt and pepper shakers:

I just had to stop by the Hilltop Honey stand that Serena had talked about over at The Farm Chicks blog.  The honey has been delicious.  And as a bonus the nice couple at the honey stand was also selling this cute antique flour sifter.  It will look great on my shelf next to my grandmother's canisters:

And last but not least, I have been looking for one of these for the longest time.  At least one that didn't cost a fortune.  I have great plans for it --- stay tuned, and maybe in the next few weeks I will have it all put together, and will share the fun idea that I have come up with.

Farm Chick Finds -- Part 2 of 3

Here are a few more fun things that I saw at the Farm Chicks Show this weekend in Spokane:

A child's pair of red cowboy boots.  My dad would have highly approved of these.  He loved buying cowboy boots for the kids, and red was his favorite color:

Creative use of an old cooler (I love the pinwheels):

Raggedy Ann and Andy at the Seven Sisters booth (they sell the best brownies ever, by the way):

A creamer and sugar in the most beautiful shade of yellow.  I really would have liked to have purchased these; but for some reason, I decided to be practical realizing I don't really have a place to display them.  What was I thinking --- that really has never stopped me before:

And finally, this sweet little picture.  This young girl is feeding the birds bread crumbs.  I really liked this print; however, the price was too steep for me.  If anyone knows the name of it, please share, as I would like to find it some day.

Farm Chick Finds -- Part 1 of 3

On Sunday I had the pleasure of attending the annual Farm Chicks Antique Show in Spokane, Washington.  This is such a great show; especially when I was able to attend with my sister, Kass, and all of my daughters.  It made for the perfect "girls' day out".  Last year (which was my first time attending) I was a bit overwhelmed with all that there was to behold.  This year I was prepared, and knew just what to expect.

Here are a few of my favorite items that I saw.  I didn't purchase any of these, but they were just so cute, I needed to capture them on film

First, a little child's kitchen, complete with all of the necessary utensils any girl would be happy with:

Second, the most amazing collection of enamelware that I have ever seen:

And third, post office boxes.  I saw these, and thought how much fun would it be to have a small set of these in your house.  It seems like there could be so many possiblities of fun items to store in them.  I thought of items in my sewing room.  My sister thought it would be a great place for storing cloth napkins.  And then, if my kids were younger, I know they would have had a grand time just playing post office with them.

Lilac Season

The long awaited time of lilac season is finally here in our neck of the woods.  Our lilacs are bursting forth in all of their glory.  I do believe that their scent ranks right up there amongst my top 3 favorite flowers to smell just for smelling's sake.  When out in my yard, I will purposely head right over to one of the bushes for the simple purpose of enjoying their wonderful fragrance.  And now that it has finally stopped raining (at least for today), my daughters clipped some beauties up at their grandparent's house this afternoon, and brought them home to me. Not only do I love them for their scent, but if you could actually see these lilacs in person, I know you would agree that the colors are absolutely amazing. 

A Special Day

Friday was a special day.  And because of last Friday, today is a special day as well.  Friday was our last day of school, and that makes today our first day of summer vacation.  That just sends joy through my heart -- and I'm the teacher.  I can imagine my daughter will be feeling the same emotions when she wakes up in a bit. 

When I was a little girl, our last day of school was like a magical day.  We would always spend it in the usual fashion of turning in books and gathering up our supplies.  One particular school that I attended would then go on a big picnic -- all of the grades together.  I can remember my mom would put a special treat in my lunch that day --- a twinkie!!  We never had twinkies; and so I can remember the thrill that went through my little heart seeing such a treasure in my lunch.  After the picnic I gathered all of my belongings together in my red book bag, and headed for home.  Once home, I would set all of my dolls up on chairs in nice straight rows, take out my used school supplies, and begin to teach school to my dolls.  What a fun time I would have!

This year our last day of school was an extremely rainy one -- so there were no picnics that were going to take place.  Instead we went to the library, and didn't even have to rush.  After the library we walked across the street to a delicious bakery, and enjoyed a hot drink along with a very calorie laden pastry.  It was a nice afternoon.

This morning however opens up all kinds of possibilities for the next few months.  More regular blogging, spending hours in the garden, sitting out in the warm sun with a good book, catching up on sewing projects, making jam and pickles, boating ........... ahhhhh, the list goes on and on.  I love summer vacation!!

Oilcloth Options

I just love oilcloth; and since I have been selling it in my Etsy shop, it has been fun being able to have a variety to work with right here at home.  As a tablecloth, its cheerfulness just can't help but bring a smile to my face as we sit down to a meal.  I have plans to line all of my kitchen cabinets with it.  Won't that be fun to see a bit of brightness each time someone reaches into the cupboard for a glass or a plate.  But recently I decided there was another area of my kitchen that needed a bit of brightness.  You see, I have a very small kitchen with few cupboards, so a lot of my dishes I have sitting out on a shelf.  Recently I decided that lining the shelves with oilcloth just might make for creating a cheery spot.  So I looked through my oilcloth supply, and landed on the red with white polka dots.  Cheeriness achieved.

A Sweet Vase

My grandmother was the world's best pickle maker.  Every summer she would work so hard canning up all types of pickles.  She would make dill, sweet, zucchini, lazy housewife, corn relish, pickled beets, and I'm quite sure there are others that are just not coming to mind at the moment.  I love my memories of her busy in her kitchen.  And of course one tool that she used over and over in her canning, as well as her baking, was a very cute measuring cup.  I now have the honor of being in possession of that particular measuring cup.  I don't use it as it is intended; but I keep it on my window sill as a sweet reminder of her.  But this time of year, I use it as a vase by filling up a small baby food jar with water, and placing it inside of the cup.  I just know she would approve.

Red Tulips

It would appear that nice weather is here at last.  The past few days have been so warm and sunny.  I have been able to begin my yearly task of getting all of the flower beds prepared for their pretty little flowers; as well as the vegetable garden for its yearly task of providing us with all sorts of goodies.  I love this time of year.  The work is tiring, and my muscles protest, but I stick with it.  The reward is tremendous!

Sisters' Sale 2010

Yesterday I attended the 2010 Sisters' Sale in Spokane.  I had a great time.  We spent about an hour and a half just roaming around looking at all of the goodies.  My sister, Kass, has attended the sale for many years.  Last year she brought me, and I had such a good time, I have marked it down as an annual event not to be missed.  Here are a few of the fun displays that they had:

Family

I was blessed growing up with many cousins, uncles, and aunts nearby.  If we didn't live in the same town, we lived in towns not too far away to warrant an occasional visit.  Family picnics and reunions were just a part of growing up together.  I have older cousins and younger cousins.  Older cousins that I didn't play with when younger, but was familiar with nonetheless; cousins near my same age that I have many, many happy memories of our time spent together; and younger cousins that I am getting to know more and more as the years go by.  Family reunions are still well attended even though they are now planned by my generation rather than by my parents, aunts, and uncles. 

Our parents instilled in all of us the importance of family gatherings.  The importance of staying in touch even though the years roll by, and even though we are separated by thousands of miles.  We were also instilled with the idea that our parents, aunts, and uncles are to be honored.  This was all very evident to me when just this past weekend, with only two weeks notice, 56 family members from 7 different states, all gathered together to honor my aunt at a party.  A party that she requested after finding out she most likely has only two months left on this earth.  And it was a happy party.  Lots of memories, lots of smiles, and lots of young kids ..... all cousins, of whom I hope carry on the traditions of family picnics, family reunions, and knowing the blessing of honoring their parents, aunts, and uncles.