From Looking Back...to Looking Ahead...

 In my last post...I reminisced a bit.  But, in this post...I'm looking ahead to something exciting!  What I'm about to share with you is something I've wanted to do since we built our house 4 years ago.  Yes, I can hardly believe it...but, we were actually in our house 4 years Halloween Day! My oh my...How time flies!

You can kind of see how our place is laid out in this picture.  To the right of our house you can see a cabin, a glorious big Maple tree...

 

 ...and a barn.  It is an old tobacco barn that has seen better days...yet, it still has its charm.

  So...instead of thinking about it - I'm just putting it out there...  I'm gonna have a barn sale there next year!

My sister and I have decided it is time to make it official...no more talk...just action.  So we are giving ourselves a year...a year to clean (oh my...the groundhogs have made a mess out of that place), a year to haul out the junk that was there long before we built here, a year to shop for furniture and fabulous finds, well, I keep saying a year to prepare, but honestly, knowing me...I'll put it off as long as I possibly can.  Can't help it...that is just the way I roll!

But with all that being said...we have a cabin that my late father-n-law lovingly restored...

...a really neat cave that just kind of lures you in...

...and we even have an outhouse!  So what more do you need for a fun fall afternoon on the farm.

 So, y'all have to hold me to it...o.k.  And we'll look forward to seeing you next fall..for our first barn sale...right here at Cobblestone Farms!

Looking Back...

It is no surprise that many days I really miss the lil' store I use to have...and other days...honestly, not so much.  But if ever a season brings my anxiety about it back to the surface...it is definitely the fall of the year.  I loved the fall growing season, I loved the long days of working outside in the crisp air, I loved the smell of my store (I can still recall it when I think of it), I loved growing and picking pumpkins and the beautiful colors of the mums, I loved my annual Fall Harvest celebration which brings me to the thing I miss the most...I loved "my people"...the ones that came from far and wide to visit my special lil' place.  It was small & nothing fancy...but it was loved and nurtured by me and many others.

  I'm so thankful I had it.  

Here are just a few pictures that take me back to an extremely busy yet very happy time. 

Happy Fall Friends...what a beautiful time of year!

Chicken Feeder turned Fall Table Centerpiece...

 I have always wanted a chicken feeder like this but had never been fortunate enough to come up on one...but luckily...

 ...the other day at our local antique mall - I SCORED!  I didn't even look at the price before I picked it up and decided it had to go home with me.  It wasn't over the top expensive BUT it was little more than I expected.  Plus it still contained a left over feather or two and some nice dried up chicken droppings.  Oh well, nothing a good scrubbing couldn't fix.

It was super long - like 4 feet plus.  It had this neat bar across the top but I had to remove that in order to fix it like I wanted.

I had some gourds and three little ornamental cabbage I had intended on using.   I had to scratch the cabbage because I wanted to use it on my table and I knew it wouldn't fair that well inside plus all that dirt on my kitchen table - not the best idea!

So I began by folding up some old material I had so that all my fixin's didn't sink down to the bottom.  I simply rolled up about three big pieces and laid it in there.

 Next I topped it off with a layer of burlap because I knew some of it would be showing.

I began by simply layering in the gourds...

 ...Then I added in a little shredded grass for texture, a few walnuts and pine cones for some interest.

...took it inside and put it right down the middle of the table.  It is narrow and doesn't get in the way and I love it - just something a bit different.

I'm already thinking about what I'm going to put in it for Christmas.  I'm thinking candles and fresh greenery...but till then...I think we will enjoy it like it is.

Happy Fall Decorating!

Cathy

Sunpatiens and Strawberry Bread in September...

 O.k. friends....I have a new favorite flower!  It has only been around a few years but it is just about the easiest flower I've ever grown and I. LOVE. IT!

Meet Electric Orange Sunpatiens....

It is mid-September and my window  boxes still look like this...I have to admit, I'm impressed with myself - just kidding...I'm really impressed with this flower.  These window boxes don't look a bit tired from the summer heat and stress of long hot days.

Things that you need to know in selecting this easy plant for your garden next year...
1) They don't like to be fertilized a lot - I've only fertilized them three times since the end of April!
2) They do like a lot of water - especially when it is really hot!
3) They love the sun and/or shade...
4) Well...that is about it! They are practically maintenance free!

I mean....How Easy is That????

No deadheading needed...they just bloom like crazy people...crazy..blooming... flowers!

 

Of course you learn by doing and I did make a mistake when I fixed my window boxes this year.  I had this flag that was my color inspiration...it was orange and pink.  So I decided to pair pink ivy geraniums with my sunpatiens...big mistake.  Why? you ask.  Well geraniums LOVE fertilizer and not much water...right the opposite of the sunpatiens.  I knew better. Oh well, I won't do that again.

And honestly...the sunpatiens get so large...there really is no need for other flowers because they pretty much outgrow all the competition! 

And the orange is so pretty, I think I'm going to leave them through fall - I don't have the heart to pull them up yet!

Window Boxes for Spring 2016 - I'm not sure the color - but they will definitely be filled with SUNPATIENS!

Now for the Strawberry Bread recipe I promised I'd share with you.  This is my mother-n-law's specialty so we are going to call it:

Sara's Strawberry Bread

2 c. or 2 pkg. frozen strawberries, thawed (Oh do try and use fresh berries, it makes all the difference)

4 eggs, beaten

1 1/4 c. oil

1 1/4 c. chopped pecans (optional)

3 c. Self Rising Flour (sifted)

       (or you may use 3 c. AP flour, 1 tsp. soda, 1 tsp. salt)

3 tsp. cinnamon

2 c. sugar

Sift flour and mix in other dry ingredients, then make a well in center...

 Mix wet ingredients in bowl.

Add wet ingredients to flour mixture and stir to dampen (do not over mix)

Lastly add delicious strawberries which have been cut up.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour.  Makes two loaves (one large, one small)

Extremely easy - incredibly delicious!  You are going to love this!

 The countdown to the fall season is on.  It is only going to be 70 degrees here in KY this weekend!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend wherever you are!

Cathy