A lil' "pick-me-up"...

...sometimes that is what I need when I start to take down all the Christmas decorations. You know how everything looks kinda of sad and lonely without all the pretty lights everywhere. So, I saw these sweet lil' lime green pots with healthy foliage at Wal-mart yesterday on clearance for $5.00. Just what I needed for a lil' "pick-me-up".

And it didn't hurt that my friend Janet brought me some yummy treats today called "putting on the ritz". Thanks for brightening my day!

Everybody have a blessed New Years!

Cathy

Merry Christmas Friends...

...may your Christmas be filled with many blessings. I'm wishing for you a joyful and peaceful time with your families.

God Bless and Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Cathy

I miss blogging...

...but oh my, there are not enough hours in the day right now. I know everybody is feeling that way - I've been painting up a storm (hopefully a snow storm) - for the shop and for friends and for teacher gifts and for classmates - well, you know how it is. But I'm having lots of fun - wish I could share with each of you.

Jus' wanted to share this quick note - I think I shared this with you last year - but y'all forgive my repeat. All my handpainted glass ornaments I put in my polka dot boxes - it's a fun way to give them plus an easy way to store them from year to year. So if you have an ornament or any sweet gift and are in need of a fun way to dress it up - jus' paint your box. A few polka dots, a swirl or two and some pretty ribbon - simple grosgrain works great.

Cute, Simple, Handmade, Fun to give!

Happy baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating or whatever you have left to do!

Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas everybody!

Cathy

Sometimes...

...when you least expect it - somebody jus' makes your day. I have been blessed in my life with many wonderful friends - who are all so very good to me. But a few weeks ago - a gift arrived - a beautiful gift but an unexpected one. Dear Tracy - with a touching story of her own - gave me this beautiful platter 'cause she said "It looked just like you". Well, she is right - and she knows me well - it is perfect in my home and I will cherish it always. Thank you Tracy!

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." - Mother Teresa

Merry Christmas friends!

Have a beautiful day!

Cathy

My $4.00 wreaths....

...yes, you read that right. About three months ago - I happened to be shopping at a Goodwill and I was lucky enough to find 3 pre-lit wreaths for $4.00 each. They actually still had the "new" tags on them for $69.99. So out of a possible $210.00 - I spent a whole $12.00 - I LOVE GOODWILL!!!

Now, they are nothing too fancy - I jus' put on a lil' ribbon, some berries and ornaments and they add a lot of life to the walls. Next year when I have more time (that never happens) I'll do a lil' better with them - But for now, I'll just enjoy my bargains.

In the dining room...

In the den...

Over the bed...

You all have a wonderful day!

Cathy

Don't forget...

...your chandelier.

A lil' greenery and a few Christmas ornaments - Instant Bling!

Think icicles, pine cones, berries, bird nests - oh my the possibilities are endless!

Have fun decorating everybody!

Cathy

Ranch Potato Bake...MMMMMM...

O.k. - it's not like we aren't gonna be eating A LOT in the next couple of days...but... I tried this new recipe - easy and simple - and thought maybe some of you would like to try it over the Thanksgiving holiday. I think it kind of tastes like a loaded baked potato - yummy. It would be great served with a meal or maybe while everybody is hanging out watching the ball game.

But before I get started, I wanted to wish you all a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. May you enjoy your families and may we all remember how very blessed we are. I am ever so grateful for the blessings in my life - my family, my friends, my job, my health - and yes, for my wonderful blogging buddies - so have a beautiful Thanksgiving.

Here we go...

Scrub 8-10 red potatoes - slice and boil in saucepan until tender...

In a bowl, mix sour cream, ranch dressing, parsley flakes, shredded cheese and real bacon bits...

When potatoes are done, place them in the mixture a few at a time, toss gently to coat - arrange potatoes in a greased 9X13 inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheese (3/4 c.), crushed cornflakes and melted butter (combined).

Bake covered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, uncover and bake for 15-20 minutes or until browned.

Ingredients -

8-10 medium red potatoes

1 cup sour cream

1 cup ranch salad dressing

2 tablespoons parsley flakes

1 3/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup real bacon bits

2 cups slightly crushed cornflakes

1/4 cup butter, melted

Everybody Enjoy!!! and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Cathy

As our gardens begin to rest...

...sometimes it is hard to say farewell to the last blooms. Here in Kentucky, the blooms are pretty much spent but my hydrangeas still have something to share. I cut off the dried flowers...

...and spray painted some of them red. Sticking them in a box like this or hanging them from a clothes line makes them easier to paint and dry.

Then I tied some in bunches with a lil' curly willow, some checked ribbon and then you have a nice lil' arrangement to last throughout the winter months. And I saved several to stick in the Christmas tree. If you plan to decorate your Thanksgiving table - you might use them in their natural state or add a touch of brown and mustard (with that trusty spray paint) and tuck in around the pumpkins.

Whatever you decide to do this weekend - have fun creating something special!

Cathy

Christmas In the Country - 2009

Well my friends - I have to say - it was an absolutely splendid day for our annual Christmas in the Country this last Saturday. The sun was shining, lots of people stirring, soup was on for everyone and simply - I felt really blessed by the turnout. Thank you to everyone who made it extra-special. Once again I didn't get pictures of the people - absolutely no time once the day began - but here are a few pics I thought I'd share. It jus' a lil' bit of the shop - hope you enjoy.

Have a blessed start to your week!

Cathy

"What's In Store Wednesday"

Sorry I've been away a few days - I'm really busy trying to get ready for our annual "Christmas In the Country" this weekend. Even though I try, I never do get it all done - but I'll give it my very best. So I'm jus' sharing three pictures with you today and I'll show more detailed ones later - hopefully ;-)

Come see us if you can!

Cobblestone Farms

Christmas In the Country

November 14th

9-4 cst

This is my very Merry and BRIGHT tree - I'm into yellow this year - don't you think it jus' makes the red and green POP! (Y'all jus' pretend you don't see that unfinished sign - still have to finish the string of lights on it - oops) ;-)

This is a "Country" corner - lots of handmade goodies over there.

This is jus' a picture of a bench my sweet papaw made out of an old crib - of course, I always brag on him because I think he does a great job for his age.

Oh, I know it is short and sweet - but I promise I'll share more later when I have a minute to spare!

Many Blessings,

Cathy

What's In Store Wednesday...

O.k. my friends, I'm gonna try and get back into my "What's in Store Wednesdays" - soooo you can see what you might find here at Cobblestone Farms. Today, I'm sharing just a few pics of a company I've carried for a couple of years now -

it's FUN, FESTIVE, and FAITH BASED - what more could you want!

Love and Joy plate...

A basket full of sweet ornaments...

"Let your Light Shine" plate...

and the "He Came" Christmas plate..

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here - come see us if you can!

Have a blessed day!

Cathy

It's A Fall / Christmas Tree..

...I know - Halloween was jus' yesterday - but... when you are in retail (like me) - I'm already late!!! But I thought I'd share a small tree with you that you could decorate now for Thanksgiving and simply change out just a couple of things to make it work for Christmas. But if I know you all like I think I do - I bet some of you drug out your Christmas decorations today! It's exciting - and hard to wait sometimes - so we will all decorate together in the coming weeks.

An interesting tree topper (my sweet mom's idea - gotta hand it to her). A basket turned on an angle - filled with burlap, some Chinese lantern sprays, a fabric sunflower and some mustard gold "Believe" stars.

This tree has grapevine garland, raffia, straw flowers, bittersweet, red ware ornaments...

...popcorn balls and large star bells with "peace, hope and joy".

This tree can be easily changed by removing the orange flowers - replacing them with red berries and maybe add some homespun ribbon in the with the raffia.

"Believe" in the magic of the season.

Have fun decorating!

Cathy

I've been tweaking...

...and my my, it was about time I got around to it. My poor laundry room - which is actually

the way everybody comes in to our home - was in sad need of a lil' TLC. Now, granted it wasn't quite as bad the first picture shows - I'd already removed the cabinet doors and there use to be a utility cabinet on the back wall - but that being said - it was not a very inviting entry.

I hope I've changed that! And nearly all of it was done with things special people have gifted to me. (except of course - that washer and dryer - which we broke down and purchased after ours kicked the bucket - but I LOOOOVE them.)

BEFORE... blah, blah, blah

Come on in - after all "Back Door Guests are Best".

A plain cabinet from Lowe's that was in my storage room - I painted it and added chalkboard paint to the doors - perfect place for all my lists!!!

My big pretty basket from my sweet mamaw, Ruby. It was handmade in the Rocky Mountains many, many years ago.

Of course, I had to add a whimsical rooster and you see my precious lil' man in the right of the picture.

My old light fixture - or at least I think it is.

An old window frame given to me by Geneva, my pretty lil' plates from my dear friend, Donna and one of my mamaw Cleo's, handmade T-towels with tatting.

I love my banner from Cherry over at Cherry's Jubilee...

And the beautiful painting of our barn and farm from sweet Becky - I'll treasure it forever.

You all remember that pretty hand thrown pitcher given to me by my hubby, Shaun - well,

...it sits atop this lil' cabinet that he gave me when we first married 13 years ago. I painted it probably 10 years ago from white to red and added a couple of barns.

That's about it - oh yeh, my curtains I got at the Peddler's Mall and jus' had to cut them down a few inches. And I almost forgot - a painting of the "Flower Garden" quilt pattern I got from my nice neighbor, Jim.

So needless to say - it's far from fancy - but it's the things I love from the people I love.

And, you are welcome anytime!

Happy Tweaking!!!

Cathy

The Travelin' Chicks are coming to Cobblestone...

...this Saturday from 9-2 cst. This very talented group of ladies (proudly named the Travelin' Chicks) will have handmade candles, children's bows and sweet accessories, jewelry, and even some cookware. I wish I had pictures to share but I haven't seen all their wonderful wares jus' yet.

It will be a small lil' gathering but I'm sure they will have some great things to choose from. Do I dare say it.... yes, great gifts for Christmas. It is right upon us you know.

Come and join us if you can - we'd love to see you!

And to all my "far off" friends - I'll share pics with you later.

Happy Thursday!

Cathy

I learned something new today...

...and needless to say, I've found a whole new appreciation for "rug hooking". Being a crafter myself, I understand the value of time but I have to admit I'm one of those who likes to see quick progress on a project. You know when I paint, the transformation happens pretty quick - I feel like I've accomplished something. Well, when I finish this lil' project I'll KNOW I've accomplished something.

I signed up for a "locker hooking" class at my local Extension office. I took the class last night after I got there a lil' late coming in on two wheels - ;-) We had loads of fun and had great instructors - sweet Ms. Linda and her daughter Audrey. But now let me tell ya something, it may be "easy" but it is time consuming. To put it in perspective - after being shown how - I didn't even make three rounds in nearly two hours on something the size of a potholder. So a rug for me - OUT OF THE QUESTION!!!

Linda, our teacher, had made a beautiful place mat - it took her 35 hours - 35 HOURS!!! That's nearly a work week. I think I'll stick to my lil' potholder and hopefully it will be done in time to sit something from Christmas dinner on it. And I'll be proud of it for sure!

Here is what I started with - 2 1/2 yards of torn fabric...

...my rug canvas, a needle and some Cotton string.


This is how much I completed.

I so enjoyed the fellowship with others - we really did have a great time and hey, isn't that what it is all about anyway.

I'll show you my finished project - sometime! Oh yes, and it will be available for purchase for $1,000 -hehe

Oh- the value of time!

Happy Crafting!

Cathy

Cuttings from the garden turned into..

...a couple of quick, fun, easy and nearly free projects. Today some sweet ladies from an area garden club stopped by for a visit and we had a great time. Had some cider and yummy desserts and we made a couple of things using everything from my yard. So I thought I'd share a few pics with you. Now, I know many of you have seen projects similar to these but this was my simple take on a wreath and pumpkin topper. So.... here we go.

First let me say - Welcome gardeners and those of you who even say your thumb is "black". No "green" thumbs required for these projects. If you have got some scissors - jus' look around you - there are plenty of things to cut on.

First project - Pumpkin topper. Now there are a couple of ways to do this one. If you need a fresh arrangement to use for a dinner or decoration - this is so easy and literally was done in about five minutes. Soak oasis in water and attach to top of a sturdy pumpkin using skewers - and place a little moss around it.

Next, gather some cuttings from your yard (or your neighbors-hehe) I used some nandina berries, some lemon thread cypress cuttings, a few pieces off my mums, a wild marigold that had popped up voluntarily, a small gourd, some grasses and a bit of raffia.

Start filling in your flowers and foliage and in jus' a jiffy - you will have a simple but beautiful table arrangement.

If you need something to last a lil' longer - hot glue Styrofoam to the top and use dried or artificial flowers. At the end of the season - remove from the pumpkin and keep the topper to be attached to new pumpkin next year.

Next - you'll need some scissors, a lil' hot glue, wire, some pretty ribbon if you'd like and a wreath or honeysuckle vine.

These are my dried limelight hydrangeas I spray painted orange. Spray paint - it is jus' a wonderful thing. A lil' Indian corn....

...even some dried sunflowers I spray painted - some red, some yellow.

I simply tucked in some tops of corn for some height, wired the sunflowers on...

...tucked in some hydrangea, added the corn and some ribbon and it's done. No fuss, just easy and CHEAP!!! Remember though, this wreath would need to go in an area protected from direct sunlight and rain.

So never look at dried up flowers the same again - simply get some spray paint - and bring them back to life!

Happy creating!

Cathy