Just Dropping In.......

Good evening. Hope you all had a good weekend. We had beautiful weather again so I went out and put a few more outside decorations up. I really don't have much outside, but it took me awhile because I was cleaning some things up as I went. Maybe I can add more once I get my boxes out.

I picked up this little pillow at the local Christmas shop the other day. I thought it was cute but not quite prim enough. So....out come the coffee and cinnamon dye.

Here is the after. It's hard to tell much difference because the light is shining on it. I like it much better this way. I have to find a home for it. I just plunked it in the bowl for the picture.

After cleaning my bedroom the other day, I decided to change things around a little. I had an old ladder with towels on it in this spot. I was really getting tired of it so I replaced it with this little setting. I did just get the footstool on the bottom, but most everything else was somewhere else in the house. I had the little ladder in the attic for about a year and decided to redo it for this spot. I have had the little cat for years also and just coffee dyed it to blend a little better. I made the little ditty bag last Christmas.

I guess that's all for tonight. I plan to get some major cleaning in other parts of the house this week so I can get Christmas things out. I think we will get our Christmas tree next weekend. Our kids always enjoy picking one out and it smells so good when we bring it in.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of family, friends, and food.

Take care.

~Melissa~

Snow Girls and Santa

Hi. I hope you are having a good day so far. It has been cold and rainy here all day. Quite the disappointment after having such a beautiful weekend. It is November after all, but I don't have to like the cold weather!! I spent today finishing a few things~~finally. I have listed a few things on my selling blog and hope to have more by the end of the week.

I finished painting DS room on Saturday. Wow, what a relief that is. Now it is just a few touch up here and there. Our middle daughter has been sick since Friday. She missed school again today and tomorrow is doubtful. Just a fever and sore throat. It has really taken it out of her. Our oldest daughter is in Drama Club at school. Their play was this weekend also. It was Murder at the Orient Express. It is a spoof of Murder on the Orient Express. They all did very well. She is the one right above the gal in the red beehive.



Well, that's all for now. Stop by my selling blog if you get a chance. The link is up in the corner.

Until next time, take care.
~Melissa~

Busy, busy, busy

Hello, friends. It has been ages since I last posted. We have been busy in the fields. I should say DH has been. I've been busy running meals to them, running kids everywhere, and I have been doing some serious fall cleaning. Walls, carpet, and general cleaning out of stuff. I spent today stripping wallpaper border off of DS's room. He had John Deere and he is switching over to Ohio State. I have it all ready now to paint this weekend. Hopefully time will allow. He has wanted me to do it for what seems like forever. Anyway, here are some pictures of some of the field work.





I stopped by GW yesterday and found quite the bargains. The birdhouse was $5, the cupboard was $10, and the biggest bargain was the shelf for $1. I'm not sure where to put the cupboard. It doesn't really work in any of the places I thought it would. Oh, well.



I have been working on several stitcheries and Christmas items. I am hoping to get them listed soon. The stitcheries need to be made into pillows also. I have listed a new holiday item on my selling blog. It is a prim beeswax Belsnickle St. Nick. Pop on over using the link above and check it out if you have time. It makes a great gift for you and also a nice little extra for someone else.



Well, Grey's Anantomy is starting and I need to go catch Dr. McDreamy.

Until next time....take care.

~Melissa~

Yankee Candles Web Sale

~~For all of you Yankee Candle fans~~

I'm not sure when this expires but I just used it today online and bought 4 small jar candles for 4.99 each. The smalls are originally 9.99

Buy two small candles, get two free via code "CRM911S"
buy two medium candles, get two free via code "CRM911M"
buy two large candles, get two free via code "CRM911L"

I don't know if there is a limit or not. I had seen the balsam and cedar candle in a store and just loved it. I'm not one for pine, but this was a bit different. I'm sure you have your favorites and with Christmas coming up, they make great gifts. Standard shipping is only $5.

Just click on the title of the post and you will be taken to their site.

Take care.
~Melissa~

New Christmas Store in Town

Good afternoon. I hope you are having a good day so far. We had a new Christmas store open up in town last week. It is a small town and the store is owned by a younger couple who also own the furniture store. They have done so much for our town by fixing up the old buildings and giving them new life. It is so neat to see that in a little town. Anyway, I had to go to the post office which is right next door to the Christmas shop. Well, I had to go in right? It would be rude to just walk right by!! Wow. It was so neat inside. It is your typical Christmas store with all varieties of decor, but it was so pretty. I walked around quite a while just taking it all in. They had so many garlands and berry sprigs and wreaths. I had trouble deciding just what to get. Finally, I decided on this little tree and these berry sprigs. The close up of the berries was fuzzy so I didn't put it on. There is a really pretty berry wreath/candle ring that I may need to back up after. I was trying to decide just where the right spot would be. Oh, it's a good thing that store isn't a prim one or there would be trouble. So now as I sit here typing, I am listening to my New England Christmas CD and wondering if Sunday is too early to take down the fall stuff?? I hate to skip over Thanksgiving, but I just love decorating for Christmas. I know you are all the same. I feel just like a kid!!




I had to take this picture yesterday. I stepped outside and the color just caught my eye. Isn't it beautiful?? And the leaves on the table with the pumpkins? I feel like God just put things that way so I would take a minute to really enjoy all He has given us.




Well, I'm off to finish cleaning our bedroom and switching the closet over to cold weather things. Oh, how I wish I could just snap my fingers and have that job done. Have a great rest of the day.

Thanks for stopping by.
~Melissa~

I Feel Like Walmart~~~Lowering Prices!!

Hi there friends. I just wanted to pop in for a minute and let you know that I have lowered the price and included shipping on my cupboard light sets found on my selling blog. With the holidays quickly approaching, I know how important each dollar is. It's also great to have a few little extra gifts tucked away for those surprise give aways. These cupboard lights will take care of each of those problems. You get a set of 3 lights. They are hand poured blackened beeswax. They also come with a rusty wire hanger to use as ornaments. Stop on over and check them out. Have a great day.

~Melissa~

What I Was Up To Last Week

Hello, everyone. I hope you have had a great weekend. We were busy Saturday with a quick shopping trip with the girls and an afternoon football game for DS. It was a little cold to be sitting out, but with lots of layers, blankets, and hot chocolate, it didn't seem too bad. Sunday was just catch up day.

Last week was a very nice one. We had some beautiful weather early in the week. It ia amazing how much more energy I have when it is not dreary outside. I made good on my promise to myself to cut back flower beds in the fall instead of waiting until spring. Wow, that is a good feeling. I also planted tulip bulbs the girls and I picked up several weeks ago. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but one package is for black tulips. I have never seen them but thought they would look nice with the red and white. I had to plant more this year because a ground mole must have eaten my bulbs last winter. I had very few blooms this past spring. My speed planting tip is to dig a big hole and drop about 8-10 bulbs in it and cover it up. Way quicker than one at a time, plus it gives more impact. I can't wait until spring to see them.

Another project I tackled last week, and I may try for more this week if the rain holds off, is spray painting my GW finds with a base coat of black. I can't spray the paint in the garage because of DH's car and it will be too cold outside soon. This way, I will have things primed and ready to go. Maybe that will inspire me a bit more. Here are a few things I worked on. I have 2 full boxes of things in the attic...my how things accumulate.

Speaking of GW. Our local store is in the process of opening up a larger store. It seems like it is taking forever, but it is to open sometime next month. I have been going to a couple of other TS lately. Things are really picked over, plus I feel I am getting more particular about what I pick up. I don't need everything. Here are a few things I have found recently. I found 2 of the candles--$2 a piece. The mug says Delaware, OH on the front so I just turn it around. The box is so ugly, I can't wait to redo it. The plate was only 55 cents. I think I did pretty well.

The kids carved pumpkins yesterday. It was nice enough to do it outside. Husky the cat decided to join the fun. He was intrigued by the little battery cutter. Notice the seed on his head.

Then he was in the leaf pile with DS. It looks like he is being choked...he wasn't too sure about that. He was willing to help with the wheelbarrow, however.

We also made caramel apples. I usually would use a homemade recipe for the caramel, but was never happy how they turned out. This year, I just bought the Kraft caramels. They have them now where they are unwrapped little caramel balls that melt in about 3 minutes. They turned out great and tasted really yummy. Sorry, there is no picture. We ate them too quickly.

Well, that's all for now. The weather this week is supposed to be warm again. They just changed the forecast--it was supposed to have been rainy. Good change!! Hopefully I can finish cleaning our bedroom and then get to work on some crafting. It seems the crafting plans always get put aside for all of the other non fun things. I really need to work more on making time for what I want to do instead of what I think has to be done. I think I may have posted that comment before. How do you all balance your everyday chores with getting all of your wonderful projects done? Maybe your tips will inspire me.

Have a great week.

~Melissa~

Help for Curtains!!!

Hello. Because it was so bright and sunny and warm here today, I decided to take down my bedroom curtains and wash them. While ironing them to put them back up, I really got to looking at them. Yuck is all I can say. I made them several years ago to save $$$. They are faded around the edges where I didn't line them, and it seems they have shrunk some as well. I can't get them to iron flat...they are all whopper-jawed (don't know if that is how that word is spelled or not!!). I have seen so many of you with great prim curtains, I would love to know where you get them. I have a few catalogs, but new sources would be great. Thanks so much!!

~Melissa~

New Selling Blog Item

Just wanted to pop by and let you know that I have a finished framed Halloween stitchery listed on my selling blog. It is a Primitive Stitchin' pattern. I just love those.

I haven't been up to much. It is pretty boring around here...just the day to day stuff. I would like to get some fall cleaning done. Actually it is spring cleaning that I didn't feel like doing last spring. I am waiting for the weather to cooperate a little. It has been so cold and rainy here for so long. It is sunny and warmer today but wow is the wind blowing. Too hard to hang curtains on the line!!

Harvest is in full swing around here. I will get some pictures of the combines and all in the fields when they are a little closer to home. I thought it might interest some of you "city slickers"! Check back later.

Our oldest DD went to Homecoming a couple of weeks ago. It was at another school. We don't have ours until the winter. I am just showing her picture. I didn't know if she wanted me to post one of her date or not. It was their first "date". He's a cutie.

Well, that's all for now. Hope to be back soon with some fun stuff to share. Take care.

~Melissa~

Some More Fall & Peach Pie

Good evening. I hope it is nicer where you are than it is here. It has been raining ALL DAY!! I feel bad for our DD who has to march in the cold rain again this week. It is an away football game so we didn't go. We will catch her next week at home. Maybe by then the rain will have stopped!!

Again, I haven't done much this past week. I'm still working on a pinkeep from last week. I messed up my counting and had to tear a bunch out. Ugh!! So I'm hoping to finish it in the next couple of days. It isn't very big, I'm just rather slow this week.

I took some more pictures of fall decorations around the house and wanted to share them with you. I wish I could figure out how to take really good pics. They are either so dark you can't see what's in it or so bright it looks bad. I guess you get the idea even if it isn't perfect lighting.

I bought this fall plate this year at Wal*Mart. Never thought I would buy anything prim there!

The basket in the back was a birthday gift a few years ago from my friend Ann at A Hole in the Basket Primitives. I filled it with my sweet annie from last year.

This shelf was a TS makeover. I just love Jack!!!

Here is some of the wax corn I made earlier this fall.

Since it is so cold and rainy out, I decided to make a peach pie after supper. It smells so yummy!! I will share the recipe with you. It's very easy and I use it as a base for all fruit pies. We like a crumb topping on our pies so this goes over very well.

Streusel Top Peach Pie

Filling:

4 cups peaches

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/2 t. cinnamon

Topping:

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup butter

1/2 t. cinnamon

Prepare crust in 9" pan. Heat oven to 375. In a bowl combine filling ingredients. Mix well. Spoon into crust. Blend topping ingredients together with fork until crumbs form. Sprinkle over filling. Bake for 40-45 minutes until fruit is tender and topping is golden brown.

I have been asked about selling items wholesale. For those of you who do that, how do you figure out a price that is reasonable enough while still doing more than breaking even? I would appreciate any input on this. Thanks.

Well, guess I'll go for now. Warm peach pie awaits me!!! Have a great weekend.

~Melissa~

Good evening. I hope you are all doing well. Things are the usual around here. It has been a busy week again so I don't have any projects to show you. I have done a couple of pinkeeps which I have listed. They have both sold. Yeah!!! I have another Halloween stitchery to finish up and then I think I will start some Christmas ones. It will be here before we know it. I changed up a shelf in the kitchen today with some more fall pieces. Nothing too dramatic, but at least it is a little different.

I stopped by the TS today also. I found this great little tote. It had the original price of $28 on the bottom. I paid $4!! I love the handle. I was going to paint it, but the plain wood is growing on me.

I also stopped by a little country store in town and picked up this new candle ring. I really like the leaves. It is around a Fall Festival candle. I can't smell it too much yet, but hopefully soon.

It is a cold, damp evening here. Thank goodness the football game is away. Our DD plays in the marching band. She is okay with us not going to the games that are farther away. I still have to pick her up when they get back so it will be a late night. At least I'm in where it is warm and toasty. I think I hear my stitchery and a cup of hot cocoa calling.

Thanks to those of you who have stopped by my selling blog. I will try to get some more things added soon--I hope.

Enjoy your evening and have a great weekend.

~Melissa~

Outdoor Decor & GS Finds

Hi. I can not believe it is Friday already. Seems like I'm always busy but not accomplishing too much!! I was just thinking how awesome it would be to have a maid and a cook on duty all day. I could just go in my room, shut the door and craft away. I suppose until I win the lottery, that will never be an option. I have alot to get done this afternoon so this post will be short on words and long on pics. I just love those!!!

I did get outdoors yesterday and get my decorating done. My MIL grew pumpkins this year so she blessed us with a bunch. Every year, I plan to plant some, but forget to remind my DH not to spray part of the field by us so I can plant the seeds. The chemical he puts on prevents germination of seeds. I usually get so aggravated that we farm so much, but have to buy pumpkins!!! This year, we didn't have to. I did buy the gourds and would like to keep some seeds for next year.

I did get to some garage sales today. It has been awhile. I found some cool things. I bought the basket for $3. I has holes in the corners and the bottom, but I still love it. I thought of my friend Ann when I bought it. Her blog is A Hole in the Basket Primitives. The gourds were 25 cents each. The lady in front of me bought a bunch and she had the really good ones. GRRRR.

Isn't that little chest just beautiful!! I plan on painting it and using it for a jewelry box. I'll let you see it whenever the time comes to paint. One can never have too many totes!!


This little crock came with the little shelves up above. All three pieces for 75 cents. Pretty good deal. Well, that's all for now. We have lots going on this weekend. I hope you all enjoy yours.

~Melissa~

New Fall Offerings on Selling Blog

Good evening, all. I hope you have been having the beautiful weather that we have had in NW Ohio. It is the type of weather where I should be out taking care of flower beds and planting spring bulbs, but I have been inside stitching. I like how the dead vegetation looks with snow on it in the winter, but grumble each spring when I have to cut things back. Some day I vow to do it in the fall. Maybe I will find the motivation soon!! I have added three new items to my selling blog. You can link to it from the top left corner. I just got a bunch of pumpkins to decorate with. I hope to be back soon with pictures of some more fall indoor and outdoor decor. Thanks for stopping by!!

~Melissa~

I'm Getting Out Some Fall Goodies

Good afternoon. I have been a little under the weather with either a cold or allergies and haven't accomplished too much the last couple of days. I did bring down my box of fall things to put a few more goodies out. It always seems less daunting to do a room at a time as I get a chance. My DH always laughs at me while I decorate. Something about me wandering aimlessly through the house looking for just the right spot seems funny to him. I know you can all relate--put an item somewhere, step back and look at it, and either leave it or pick it up and start all over.

This is a shelf that a friend's DH made for me a year or so ago. I had been going to put it in our bedroom, but decided I liked it here in the family room better. I bought the chair at our churches' garage sale last year. I just love it.

This is a corner pie safe we bought at an auction after we were married. It was on the junk wagon complete with rotted boards, gnaw marks, etc. He again thought I was losing it when I kept bidding. I think it went for quite a bit-probably more than we should have paid, but it is such a neat piece. It has screens in the front that I have put a osnaburg curtain behind to hide the books we store in it.

This is the display I have on top of it. I made the rug last year and the candle on the little cupboard is made of beeswax. I have them for sale on my selling blog.

I rearranged my yellow ware bowls on top of our other pie safe. The kitty is one I just completed also. She is from a pattern by Tennessee Ridge Primitives. I have her for sale on my selling blog also. It is Farm Field Primitive Goods. Please stop by if you get a chance. I moved the pieces around on the inside as well. The butter molds on the top shelf belongs to my DH's grandma.

Well, that's all for now. I need to try to get something done. I have another kitty to finish and a pinkeep just about done. I hope to get it listed in the next couple of days. I will leave you with a picture my DS had me take before the OSU/USC game Saturday. He has a little helmet and he put it on our cat Husky. Doesn't he just look thrilled!!

Take care. Have a great day.

~Melissa~

New Fall Offerings ~~Farm Field Primitive Goods~~

Hi. Just wanted to pop in quick and let you know of new offerings on my selling blog Farm Field Primitive Goods They are new fall goodies. Please stop by and check them out. I also updated my Header picture to something a bit more fall. I'll be back with more soon.

Take care.

~Melissa~