Cobblestone Farms

In my new Laundry Room...

2012-01-23T17:35:00.000-08:00

...I find it is the little things that make me most happy to do laundry. Truthfully, I haven't complained (not yet anyway) about doing laundry since we moved into our new farmhouse. Honestly, I use to grumble quite a bit 'bout doing laundry - but now, I'm finding when you have room to be organized a bit - everything seems to be a lil' more enjoyable - even if it is washing dirty clothes. But instead of ramblin' I'll simply share some pictures with you and let you in on why this room makes me happy.

Of course, starting with my sink - graciously given to us by Linda and Tommy from an old house of theirs being demolished. I'm so thankful they thought of me - because I will always love this sink. It is cast iron of course with a 1934 stamp on the bottom of it.

So #1 - I love my sink!

#2 - I love my big window that lets in lots of light and I can look out and watch the cattle grazing up on the hill.

#3 - I love the simple things like my handmade soap - ready to work as many hands are washed in there.

#4 - Oh how I love this painting - lovingly given to us by my friend Becky, of one of our barns with the quilt squares.

#5 - I'm still loving my front load washer and dryer - it is about 3 years old now - and farm clothes really give them a workout.

#6 - I love my faucet - purchased from Overstock.com

#7 - I love this painting - also gifted to us by a talented artist, Mary Lou - of a lady hanging her clothes on the line. I want a clothesline - that'll be a summer project.

#8 - I love my cabinets - lots of places to put cleaning supplies and such.

#9 - Of course, you gotta have a place to sit down and take your boots off - and this is why I love my lil' chair.

#10 - I love my kettle - a gift from mom and of course, I love that lil' boy in that picture.

#11 - I love my cabinet with pretty baskets.

#12 - I love my bead board and all my molding - thanks Andy.

#13 - and lastly, I LOVE the fact that all the ugliness - like all my dirty clothes and hampers and shoes and my brooms and you know - all that stuff you gotta have to live each day - well, it is hidden nicely behind this door and I love that ;-)

I say you can make any space - no matter how big or small - a happy place when it is filled with things that make you smile. I'm grateful for this space to do something for my family and I'm thankful for the lil' things more and more each day.

May your day be a happy and blessed one.

The Fireplace...

2012-01-08T14:21:00.000-08:00

Hello friends - hope your new year is off to a fantastic start. First, I want to say thank you to all of you who have had such nice things to say as I've shown you around some of our new home. I'm finding out that getting this house all put together - is gonna take a long time - so I appreciate your forgiveness and oversight of the many things that are yet to be done. There are curtains to be sewn, lots of furniture to be found, things to be painted - but that is all a part of the process - and I'm enjoying it more all of the time.

But today, I thought I'd let you look in on the fireplace. I must admit - I did not necessarily want a fireplace - I was afraid it would make things really dark in the den but after the mantle was given to us as a gift from Shaun's late father, I couldn't say no nor did I not want to incorporate such a neat piece of family history into our new farmhouse.

You may recall me posting this picture nearly a year ago - showing you the condition of the mantle. It had been stored overhead in the barn for nearly 50 years. Shaun's dad had rescued it from his grandparents home before it had been tore down. After some research - we figured out that it was 150+ years old and made of chestnut. Chestnut trees were wiped out in our part of the country I believe back in the 40's due to a disease. So with that being said - we knew we could not paint it. I wanted to paint it white - but I was threatened - hehe - by many people, like my cabinet man, my dad and my hubby - that I just couldn't paint such a great piece. I suppose I lost that battle - but that is o.k. - there are many reasons why it was so special just the way it was.

Our "stone" guy, David, used the same stone that we used on the outside of the house around the fireplace. It kind of ties the two together.

Here is one of the few imperfections in the wood - we figure it is a water stain from being stored next to the roof in the barn. After a lot of sanding - it still wanted to stick around - so we just left it - it really doesn't bother us a bit - just adds more character.

Here you can see the wide width of the boards on the base - the boards measure a foot wide.

So there it is - a great gift from our beloved Poppa - whom we miss so much. He would have so loved to have seen this in our new home.

But each time we see it - we think of Glen and the many gifts he gave us. What a great piece of family history to incorporate into our home. Thanks Poppa.

The Sunroom..

2011-12-26T17:34:00.000-08:00

...and just like the rest of our new home - it is still very much a work in progress. My husband wanted a more "neutral" palette in this room - and trust me - when I see people who use all the lights and neutrals - I truly am drawn to them but when it comes to my own home - I'm a color girl - I can't help it. So needless to say - I'm having trouble with this room - it is just burlap and navy - aaaaahhhh where is my red??? Don't worry - I think you will see it soon. But till then - we will browse around a bit.

Excuse the absense of presents - they have already been opened ;-( I miss them already. Another project - paint coffee table and end tables - they were hand - me - downs from my sweet mamaw, Ruby. But they don't quite fit the way they are.

In the other corner - a rustic ladder I had - a great place for my plethora of magazines - along with every drawer and basket in the house ;-)

My husband was also quite sure he wanted a metal ceiling and I must admit - I was leery - afraid it was going to be toooooo shiny. I felt more comfortable with some that had already rusted a bit - but oh no - he wouldn't go for that. Anyway, I have ended up liking it a lot and so does everyone that sees it. I must give him credit for this one. (Ignore the plastic on the clock - my ladder is not tall enough to get up there - I can't believe I haven't taken care of this yet - oh well, someday)

I love my lamps I found - bought one 1/2 price and got the other for FREE - just had to tighten it up a tad. The burlap shades are my favorite. That cool wooden ball came from the peddlers mall - I loved it from the moment I spotted it.

A couple of navy and white chairs flank each side of the entrance into the kitchen. You'll also notice that the walls are simply made of 4X8 sheets of an exterior grade material that has a rustic barn wood look.

My Christmas tree in this room was full of some natural elements as well as a little sparkle. Again, I stayed with more of a neutral palette of navy, browns, creams, silver and white.

Pods, nests, snowflakes, birds, netting, burlap ribbon and traditional Christmas balls all found a home on the tree.

You can see we are gonna have a great view out the back when we get the yard all fixed up in the spring. Right now, I'm waiting on the first snowfall - I think it will be so peaceful and relaxing sitting in this room.

And you remember from the previous post - you enter the sun room through our barn doors - sorry I just love talking about them. Now, only if I could get them painted.

Hope your Christmas was happy and that you made great memories with your family and friends. Wishing you continued blessings for a happy new year!

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. - Hamilton Wright Mabie

Merry Christmas...

2011-12-24T18:31:00.000-08:00

...from our home to yours...

Kitchen Post #4..."Where we eat"

2011-12-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

Ok friends - we are down to our last new "kitchen post". You know, ya gotta eat somewhere and right now - till I get it jus' right - it is here. You can tell from the previous posts - there was no room to eat around the island - so everything is happening at this table. It is a really old table with a fresh new coat of paint on it - but - I have got to distress it - it is looking just to bright - but not being in the house but a lil' bit over a month - it just hasn't happened yet - but it will. Another must have - new chairs - I'm currently looking for mix matched chairs - or at least new ones for the ends. Maybe I'll paint these - and put two upholstered arm chairs on each end. Oh well, just another project in the works.

In this picture, you can see we still have plenty of room in between the table and island - so maybe I'll even look for a bigger table - I think I'd like that.

I'm enjoying our light fixture - it really does put off great light - and I've been painting lots of ornaments at that table so that is a good thing. Next year - I'll get around to hanging some fresh greenery from it.

Just another angle...

At the other end of the kitchen is our sliding barn doors - which we love. I still haven't distressed them either but I will - someday - I promise.

I had to show you this picture that my dear friend, Kim, gave me. She gave us two - both of which were her mothers. We loved her momma, sweet Ms. Fannie, so much and Kim thought these would look just right in our farmhouse and I agree - we love them Kim. Thank you.

One more pic...

Next I'll show you what's behind the barn doors - our sun room. Which is turning out to be our favorite room in the house.

Hope you are enjoying all your Christmas gatherings - with friends and family. What a beautiful and blessed time of year!

"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness." - Bob Hope

New Kitchen Post #3...Over on the "left"...

2011-12-05T09:21:00.000-08:00

O.k. friends - now we take a look over at the left side of our new kitchen. This side is more utilitarian with the stove and refrigerator an all - but needless to say - I still like the way it turned out.

We have another matching corner cabinet on this side - these flank the double window which lets in a lot of great light. I filled this side with more of my pitchers - most of them gifted to me by my sweet "mamaws" and a couple of older quilts. "Quilts in the kitchen" you say - I know - I won't leave them there long but I love the pop of color they provided. I also have a small tree sitting on the bench. When it is not filled with "stuff" - it is great place for somebody to sit and watch the cattle graze out the window.

We opted for a simple hood but I'm already thinking about how I might "tweak" it a bit. I haven't been in here but a month and I'm already thinking about changing something - ;-) I can't help it - it is just me!

Here is a good shot of those drawers I was mentioning in the previous post - I do love these - I've got all my kitchen appliance books in one and the other is still waiting for something to fill it - don't worry - it won't have to wait long.

Here is my lil' scale that my precious momma bought for me - mainly - because it is one of my favorite colors even if it isn't accurate - obviously those cherries don't way 3 lbs. but it is still cute nonetheless. I bought a tiny poinsettia to fill my # pot - I love these pots - I'm gonna have to get some more.

Looking down the wall is the fridge - we are really enjoying our new Frigidaire appliances - I've never had a dishwasher or ice and water in the door before - so we are getting spoiled quickly!

And at the very end of that wall is my old mantle that I bought many months ago - not having a clue where it would end up - but here is where it has landed for now. I love the blue/gray color of it - so I didn't touch it.

And on that mantle, my carolers - I talk about them every year - are they glamourous - no, are they fancy - no, are they perfect - no - but to me they mean so much - my mamaw, Cleo, made them for me and I wouldn't trade them for anything! And that sweet picture - my lil' guy many years ago - but I just love that smile!

Have another fantastic week - and there are still more posts to come - like "where do we eat?"
Merry Christmas!

New Kitchen Post #2...the "Right Side"...

2011-11-30T15:18:00.000-08:00

O.k. friends, today I thought I'd show you the "right" side of the kitchen. There are a couple of things I love about this side of the kitchen - my farmhouse sink and my open shelves. I'm also glad I decided to take the cabinets all the way to the ceiling. Our ceilings are 9 ft. so I must admit - the far upper cabinets are not that practical - but they are great for storing seasonal dishes and such.

In this pictures you'll see the pantry door - oh my goodness - probably the room I've spent the most time in since we moved in a month ago - the pantry. I love having all my "non-pretties" in there and the best part - it is so easy to find everything. When I get it all organized one day - I'll show it to ya ;-)

In each corner of the kitchen - I decided on two cabinets that kind of resemble a kitchen hutch. Great for displaying my white pitchers and other finds. I also love the two drawers under them - I'm sorry - you can't see here - but they are perfect for foils, wraps and such. You will also notice - the glass is not in the corner units yet either - jus' another lil' thing that still needs doing.

My open shelves - hubby says "just another place to sit things" - well, he is right. Fortunately, I did not need the cabinet space and I love the airy feeling it gives this side of the kitchen.

Lastly, the one thing I said was a must when we built this house and I truly only asked for this one thing - a farmhouse sink. I found many online in the 1,000+ dollar range and I thought about just breaking down and getting one. But I have a great friend, Julie, who let me tag along on a very loooooooong drive to IKEA and we found this one for just $299 - which sounded great - no fun to load - but the price was right! Thanks Julie!

You will also see we opted for a traditional shaker style cabinet front - we are really happy with the simplicity of it!

Well, that's it - the right side of the kitchen. I'll share what's happening on the left a lil' later!

Have a happy day!

My new Farmhouse Kitchen...the FIXTURES

2011-11-27T17:29:00.000-08:00

Today will be part one we'll say of the "kitchen posts". Now, I'll share with you right of the bat - this will be far from the fanciest, "priciest" or prettiest kitchen you'll ever see - but I love it and I'm loving it a lil' more each day. Our intent with our farmhouse kitchen - was just to give it a timeless look on a budget. You will not see any tile or granite here - just simple finishes for a simple family. But it is much improved from what I had - most importantly - I have a dishwasher - YEAH! - 15 years without one and I didn't realize what I was missing out on. It came in real handy this past weekend when we got to share our new home with family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Hope you enjoy the things I get to share with you - and if you have any questions about the products we used - just holler at me ;-)

Fist up are the island pendants - they have an industrial feel but I just loved the simplicity of them. These fixtures were purchased from Lamps Plus and give nice diffused task lighting right over the island.

Next is the Allen + Roth fixture from Lowe's. This one hangs right over my new apron front sink, which I LOOOOOOOVE by the way. But honestly, as much as I love the look of these new fixtures with their Edison style bulbs - they do not give off good light - if it hadn't been for the recessed lighting - I would have had to return this one. I will probably change the bulb out soon for a "whiter" light. Don't get me wrong - I love the style of the light - I just need a brighter light for function.

We chose simple farmhouse pulls and some knobs for the cabinetry.

I priced many vintage style faucets - fell in love with many but just could not fork over that much $$$$$. Plus our sink had one pre-drilled hole so that also posed a bit of a challenge. Luckily - I found several on-line at Overstock and settled on this one. I was unable to use the sprayer and soap dispenser - but that is o.k. - I've never had one anyway. My favorite things about this faucet are the height and the "hot and cold" buttons.

And lastly - this is kind of cheating a bit - but I get to see my other favorite fixtures out of all my kitchen windows - which I love. My barn style pendant lights from Barn Light Electric.

More pics in a couple of days! Have a blessed start to your week.

Cathy

Happy Thanksgiving...

2011-11-23T19:30:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a beautiful, happy and blessed day

with your friends and family.

A Happy Fall Wedding...

2011-11-20T21:12:00.000-08:00

...yes, my friends - I'm still here. We are in our new home but I have been without internet for nearly 3 weeks. But besides the move - I've been extra busy these past few weeks with other projects. Before I begin to share with you some pics from our new farmhouse - I thought I'd share some pictures of a recent wedding reception I had the honor of helping with at the end of October. Meet sweet Christina - a beautiful young lady - both inside and out who married her prince charming, Chris, on October 21st. I also helped with her precious sister Morgan's wedding a couple of years ago. Luckily - Morgan's husband is a very successful farmer - a pumpkin farmer - and that helped a great deal having that contact for Christina's fall wedding. As usual, this family is always wonderful to me - helping me in every aspect - so I can't take all the credit. It was an incredibly beautiful day - about 70 degrees - warm sunshine - crisp autumn breeze - couldn't have been a more perfect day!

A country wedding - with all the warmth of happy smiles and lots of love. Best wishes Chris and Christina - I wish you all the very best!

A Fall Wedding...

2011-11-20T21:01:00.000-08:00

I'm getting SUPER excited...

2011-10-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

about the little details in our new farmhouse. We are not in yet but we are getting close - I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I wanted to share with you some of the things that make me just smile from ear to ear. Like this sink - we rescued it from a tear down in our local town - hubby hauled it home and then hauled it back out of town for it to be refinished - it was sooooo worth it even if our backs were broke!!!! Lots to do around it still but YEAAAAAH - I love it!!!!

Here is my lil' mirror I found at a yard sale - I've had it for years -knowing it would have the perfect home someday. I distressed it and it has found it's space in our half bath! Gosh - I love it when things come together!

Our super talented trim man - Mr. Andy - ~~who probably hates to see me coming 'cause I'm always having a "thought" - Jus' kiddin~~' - he has been AWESOME to work with. Anyway, we wanted barn doors - we gave him a picture and look here - just what we wanted. Now I have to get busy with a paint brush - distressing those will be a day's work alone. Thanks Andy - we are so happy with them!

I'm also beyond giddy with my new pantry shelves and school house style light. I've never had the room to get to my canned goods easily - without dislocating my shoulder digging in the back of the cabinets - y'all know what I mean. But not anymore - now they'll be all lined up nice and neat - at least for a lil' while anyway ;-)

And now we are back - to what made me the happiest today - and that is seeing my sink again. Greg is working his magic on my cabinets - but till then I'll just sit and stare at the sink. See - I couldn't stand it till I put my lil' greenery pots up there - I think I'm gonna love doing laundry in there - if that is even possible.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of the things that put a smile on my face today. I hope you had a beautiful day as well!

...Just five more...

2011-09-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

yes, FIVE more days until we open our home up for an Open House one week before the BIG SALE. Open House will be this Saturday from 4-6 est if you are looking for a place to call home.

It has been a great home to us but we are jus' 'bout ready to move across the way. The actual sale will take place on Saturday - Oct. 1st. If you are interested - please go to Partner Realty for info.!

Home is where you heart is so they say. For 15 years this house has been a happy, loving home - May it be a blessing to it's future owners.

Have a blessed day!

Oh and yes - I have lots of pictures of the new house - they will be coming soon - soon as I have time to breathe that is ;-)

We have BARN LIGHTS...

2011-08-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

I have been MOST excited about getting our new barn lights put up on the house. And yesterday I came home to a nice surprise. All in all - we have 12 of these around the house - and I LOVE THEM - and it's a good thing I tell ya ;-) I'm gonna have to love them for a loooooong time.

The porch has three pendant lights - and one gooseneck light by the front door - (please pardon our unpainted porch posts.)

This one is to the left of the front door - which I painted WHITE by the way. Can you believe it - after all that color searching - I just went with a classic white for my farmhouse door.

Most of the lights are gooseneck - but the front porch did get these special pendants - a lil' industrial and a LOT "farmhousey" - y'all like my new word - but you follow me, don't ya?

Hope you like them as much as I do. Of course they come from that wonderful company -

Barn Light Electric

Have a happy day!

Lots of painting and trimming going on...

2011-08-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

...and thankfully - we have been blessed with the best crew. You know I have found out in this house building phase of our life - just how important somebody's "word" is. Our friends, Andy Judd - from Judd's Painting and Trim, and his fantastic dad, brother David and friend, Chris - have made this part of the process absolutely painless. And we are very thankful for their honesty, hard work and their talents. Here is just a peek at some of their handiwork.

I shared with Andy what I wanted in the office - I came back that afternoon - and TADA - it was done. It is a simple treatment done with 1X4's and paint. The color at the top of the wall is Sherwin Williams Sea Salt. Such a peaceful color - I looooooove it!

Here are my doors I shared with you - I'm crazy about them - I think they look a lil' "old fashioned."

This week Andy is working on the stairway - again - I just wanted something very simple - no frufru (is that even a word?) - Anyway, he understood what I meant. Now, it is not finished yet - still has to be painted and just over look all those "drywall dust footprints". Those treads give you an idea of the hardwood floor color - oh my - will I ever keep them clean? In my dreams, right.

Here is the hallway coming off the garage - actually this is one side of the laundry room. I've chose to put my beadboard up on the wall at a height of 6 ft - to protect those hallway walls from lil' handprints. Actually this same treatment is used in all the bathrooms as well and that I dearly love.

Now, this is one end of the kitchen/dining room area. This is just a primer coat - it will be the same as the laundry room above - which is also a Sherwin Williams paint color called Rainwashed. On the right side of that beam will be a faux tin ceiling - but let me ask you, what color do you think - white or silver? I can't decide - all my fixtures are bronze. Lucky for me - paint sprayers make quick work out of things - so they were kind enough to spray some furniture pieces for me as well. All I'll have to do is sand and glaze - yeah!

Well, this is where we are. I appreciate all the kind comments regarding the loss of my FIL. We sure do miss him - he so wanted to see our home completed and it hard not sharing in the details with him. But I know he is still happy for us and shining down on us. After all - he gave us the valley where our future home sits - and we find a peace there like never before.

Have a happy week!

Heaven seems a lil' sweeter...

2011-07-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

...now that our precious Poppa is there.

My dear father-n-law passed away yesterday. He was at home surrounded by all of us that loved him. We've been looking through many pictures today - all of them holding special memories - but none more special than the one above. My son accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior on December 21, 2009 and my father-n-law, who was a Deacon, asked if he could baptize Casen. Of course, we wanted him too. At that time, Glen said, "I have now seen both my children and all my grandchildren saved - if I left this world tomorrow - that would be o.k." How lil' did we know that just a few days after Casen's baptism, Glen would be diagnosed with cancer. He put up an incredible fight. God did not choose to heal him on earth - but He sure has made him perfect in Heaven.

We will so miss you Poppa - thank you for the example you set and for the love you shared.

I'm still here...

2011-07-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

...I know it has been forever but I promise there is just reason for not being around much lately. The house is still progressing - I had told y'all that I would let you all in on everything but boy oh boy - when things start happening - decisions have to be made in a jiffy, don't they? So we are making decisions - left and right - and praying they are the right ones. We recently got our garage doors installed - you know how little things happen when you are not at home to oversee everything - like when I ordered these doors without hardware but came home to nice "holes" in the doors. So I suppose I better like the hardware. Actually, I do like them, but plain would have been a lil' more in keeping with the house. Oh well, a minor bump in the road.

Porch railing is up - still have to place those decorative bands on the columns in the right place and they have yet to be painted but the porch is near finished none the less.

My interior doors I dearly love - they remind me of the doors we have in our older home now - which is exactly what we wanted. The trim is going up and I'll share pictures with you when the paint is on and you can see it.

And of course, the dry wall is all finished and waiting for paint - yippeee - the fun part.

But the main reason I've not been blogging is that every single spare minute we have - it is spent with my father-n-law. Oh what a precious man he is - a good hearted, honest, gentle, life-loving, man of God. I had mentioned to you all when we started building our home that he was battling cancer and what a fight he has put up. He is now at home with hospice care and we are cherishing each moment we have with him. We recently got to go to Florida with him which is where this picture was taken - sitting on the boat dock watching the boats come in with their daily catch. Fishing - absolutely one of the favorite things in his life.

Remember our family as we all battle with our emotions. And as difficult as this is - we know God is good and He is in control and we trust in Him and his timing.

May God bless you all and I wish you much happiness on this day.

It's all about the "S's"...

2011-05-19T20:50:00.000-07:00

...the "STONE" that is...which is SOUTHERN Ledge design in the color of SULPHUR SPRINGS...

...and the cypress green "SIDING"...

...the board and batten "green" (yes, I changed my mind) "SHUTTERS"...

...and some textured "SHAKES"...

...all put together looks a lil' something...

...like this!!!

We are finally getting there my friends! It has been a VERY rainy way of it lately - but I will not complain. We feel tremendously blessed considering the flooding and other weather devastation which has affected so many in our country. Our hearts are with all of those people who have been so tragically affected.

We still have to get the stone grouted and the porch and railings on, gutters and the exterior lights - but we'll get there. I'm so excited about my outside lights - they are from Barn Light Electric - and I. LOVE. THEM!!! They are simple but they fit our farmhouse feel jus' right I think. I'll show them to you soon.

As you all can see - I still haven't picked a color for my front door but when I do - if it matches one of your suggestions - I'll send you - yes - another "S" - a big SURPRISE. I just haven't decided yet - I have to STUDY it a bit longer.

Hope you all enjoyed the pictures - and pretty soon - y'all can help me pick out the fun stuff - the interior paint, the lights, the flooring - SOUNDS like fun to me!

Have a happy and blessed weekend!

Cathy

We have a Winner and a "Sneaky Peek"...

2011-04-27T17:39:00.000-07:00

Well, y'all have waited long enough - I give you credit - you all are beyond patient with me - and I love ya for it! But finally we have a winner for the Spring Giveaway and it is sweet Leisa. My lil' man drew her name and I'll be sending her package out at the first of the week - So Congrats Leisa and thank you ALL for your kind words.

Now - a sneaky peek - "at what?" you say - well, you know that new job I mentioned - See - you can take the girl out of her greenhouse but not the greenhouse out of the girl. This is my greenhouse away from home I guess you can say and I love it.

The ribbon cutting on the greenhouse is this Friday - April 29th at 10:30 cst at Central Farmers Supply and I'm so excited.

Plus anybody who has ever had a shoppe knows - once it is in your blood - you can't ever totally get it out of your system. Thankfully - my new employers - who are my dear friends and long time supporters - have given me a chance to continue to share my love of "stuff" with you. Isn't that exciting!!!!

So here is a peek inside the lil' shoppe - it'll be all things garden.

I will post more pics tomorrow night - 'cause y'all know me - I'm never ready till the very end - that's just me and I suppose that will never change!

Happy Wednesday!

Cathy

Spring Time Giveaway...

2011-04-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

...especially for one of YOU! Yes, a lil' late on my giveaway but never fear - I'm still here. Y'all forgive me for being M-I-A. Between a new job ;-) (tell ya more 'bout that later), building a new house, getting one house ready to sell, ball practices - well, ya know - life is jus' a bit busy!

But I did squeeze in some time to paint a sign for somebody special and I hope one of you will like it. It'll be nice by your back door or maybe on your garden shed.

I've also got you a cute necklace with a great saying - "DIG IN THE DIRT" - y'all know how I love to do that...

...and it has a sweet picture of garden tools on the back...

...and last but not least - those WAY COOL metal tags I showed you a couple of posts back. Tags for - well... - for you to do with whatever you please.

I simply wanted to share a lil' spring cheer with you. I hope you'll enjoy tossing your name in for a chance to win - just leave me a comment and of course, follow me on my journey if you'd like.

I'm wishing you all a simply beautiful spring!

Cathy

P.S. - I've got more "house pics" to show you next - we've gone green - well, the house has anyway!

Breaking Ground...

2011-03-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

...literally. Shaun broke the garden this afternoon - and. I. love. it. I so enjoy planting a garden and watching it grow from seedling to sprout to harvest time. And I'm especially grateful for the land to have a garden

and good health to work in it.

I'm looking very forward to delicious home grown veggies to eat and to can. Can't wait to line up the pretty jars in my new "soon to be" pantry.

As you can see - lil' man is right behind his daddy looking for fishing worms...

...and he sure found a few.

Since I last showed you - we now have a roof - a metal one in "burnished slate". We are really happy with it and think it fits right in. Siding goes on next week!

Hope you get to plant a garden this year! What's your favorite thing to grow? Mine - well, I must say Mr. Stripey tomatoes! lOOOOOOOOOOve 'em

Happy Spring my friends!

Cathy

Oh and P.S. - I'm having a lil' spring giveaway in just a couple of days - be sure you stop by to put your name in the hat.

Numbers...

2011-02-26T20:12:00.000-08:00

...these days numbers are here, there and everywhere. From furniture to wall art - they are simply "in". So this week at my mos' fav' farm supply store - I snatched up these great metal numbers. Now, are you ready for me to tell you what they are for?

They are cattle tags. Now these are not like the most commonly used tags - which are plastic ear tags. These are heavy, thick, metal ones that look - well, totally cool, I think.

So for just a few pennies... I brought them home and tied them on my baskets which I've been collecting for a while. I THINK they are ole' racks out of freezers/refrigerators. I think they are gonna look great in my new pantry filled with potatoes and the like - don't ya think they'll be cute all lined up in a row?

I love this one 'cause it has a neat blue color to it. I put some "project" fabric in it for now - but needless to say, the only project happening around here these days is "home building".

The previous numbers have no significant meaning but I'll let ya in on a lil' secret - shhhhhh - I'll be this many PLUS 10 tomorrow. Yep...39... hard to believe. But hey, age IS just a number, right? And I'm grateful to have another Happy Birthday.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Cathy

We have....

2011-02-14T20:16:00.000-08:00

...drumroll please................................ WINDOWS - Yeah! After a very loooooooong, freezing cold, extra wet, snowy white, frigid dead of winter - we have a lil' "closure" in the construction of our farmhouse. Here you can see the windows in the sunroom - I love the light pouring in.

Here is our view out one of the front windows - nothing like cows, barns, trees and grass - that is exactly what we wanted to see out our front door - peace and quiet.

And I'm super excited about my front door. I have seen this style door on a lot of older homes - the real solid wood ones I'm sure - I believe my friend over at Bella Della has a great old door similar to this on her beautiful farmhouse. But I just love it - it's fiberglass but I think it looks like a farmhouse and that is what we had hoped for.

Here it is from the inside looking out...BUT I need your help! If you look back a couple of posts you'll see where I talked about our exterior color choices. Now tell me what color you think this door ought to be. It will be with browns, kind of a rich celery green color and stone. Now, usually I have no problem with color - 'cause I love color and I think "heck, it is just paint" but I'm stumped. So share with me if you have a great color in mind - who knows - If I pick your color - I'll send you a Cathy Cobblestone present. ;-)

And another big decision - is kitchen layout. As you can see - right now - it is just a long rectangle - kind of looks like a bowling alley - but I've got some ideas. Many of which have been inspired by YOU!

Hope you all had a blessed Monday - and please don't forget to tell me what you think about the color of my front door - I really need your help!

Have a happy day,

Cathy

Happy Valentine's Day...

2011-02-14T05:13:00.000-08:00

to you!!!

May your day be filled with happiness and love!

Cathy

I'm ready...

2011-01-31T15:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm ready...

I have so enjoyed my pretty yellow tulips the last few days. Picked them up and the grocery and they jus' made my day along with the sunshine - which we had not seen around here in a loooooong time.

You can see the house is progressing - and look at those gorgeous blue skies - we just had a gorgeous weekend - but now it is raining again ;-(

Thought I'd let you in on a few selections we've made. This is our stone which will be around the base of the house. Actually this is the color but not the style. We selected Sulphur Springs for the color (see the greens) and the style is actually called Southern Ledge but this is not it. It has a more uneven look instead of a stacked look like this one. We wanted something that looked old - like they would have used a long time ago.

You can see here - we selected a tan grout, green siding, classic white trim and a rich brown for the shutters as well as the roof (which will be stand and seam metal - we hope).

Actually there is a long story to this siding. See, we fell in love with James Hardie siding in Heathered Moss. But honestly - it costs lots and lots of pennies if ya know what I mean. So we went on a frantic hunt to find just that color in a vinyl siding. Many, many companies later - we finally found it - Cypress from Certainteed. Each company we reviewed had a cypress color but none were the same. I wanted a more yellow green instead of sage. This picture shows the actual color better. So I'm tickled we found it!

This week - the windows are going in and the front door. So I'll give you a peek when they are in!

Have a happy week!

Cathy

Slow as molasses...

2011-01-28T18:32:00.000-08:00

...yep, that's right. My blogger picture upload is so sloooooooooooooooooooow - who has time to wait a half of a day for one picture. Sorry my blogging buddies - as soon as it'll let me - I'll share a bit with you!

Hope you have a splendid weekend!

Another house update...

2011-01-16T12:23:00.001-08:00

I don't mean to bog you down with "house" details but honestly, that's about all I know right now. I'm also really grateful to report that Shaun's dad got to come home from the hospital Wed. night and we are so thankful. He is doing so much better and that makes us all happy. So he wanted to see the progress on the house so I thought I'd share it with you all too. Hope you don't mind.

I think it is starting to look like a "farmhouse" and that is exactly what we wanted. You can see the front porch is being put on and the main construction of the house is about done except for building the garage and putting the roof on. We've had so much ice and snow that it has been to slick up there on the rafters- absolutely no need for someone to get hurt - it is not worth that.

An exciting addition this week was around back where there is going to be a small sun room with many windows. I can't wait to sit back there and watch it snow - but as for now - I wish the snow would just move on along.

A side view of the sun porch...

...and inside it.

This will be the view out the back. Snow is 'bout gone but it is still freezing....brrrrrr....

You can see the front porch coming along. I can jus' imagine sitting there on the porch swing. Hopefully there will be plenty of time for that - I sure hope so.

Now, honestly - I'm gonna go try and accomplish something - REALLY. It is a lil' project that I'm gonna share with you in a couple of days - Lord willing and the creek don't rise - hehe.

Have a beautiful week!

Cathy

Oranges...

2011-01-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

They are a happy fruit to me - cheerful, yummy

...and they remind me of summer. Which is a good thing because...

it still looks like this around here with more snow on the way.

I think I'll go and have an orange now and think of the sunny days ahead. And speaking of the days ahead - I hope they bring my Father-in-law home. He is much improved - after a tremendous scare. There are many of you local who have called and checked in, visited him and we so appreciate your thoughts and concern. And thanks to all of you for the heartfelt prayers. Please continue to remember him.

Have a beautiful, happy and hopefully sunny week!

Cathy

Progress and a Present...

2011-01-01T14:55:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year my friends. Hope your Christmas was wonderful and that you are looking forward to a bright and prosperous new year. Thank you all so much for sticking with me and giving me daily inspiration - I so appreciate it! I hope I make y'all as happy as you make me. Sharing is the joy of blogging for me.

So our 2011 has started off rather busy - we don't know any other way - do you? But here is a peek at what's happening here.

The house is coming along...

At the first of the week - it looked like this under 5 inches of snow. Our builders, poor guys, have either battled 20 degree temps, snow, or heavy rains since they started this project. They have been real troopers.

Some of the rafters are up...

Here is looking up part of the stairs...

The fireplace wall...

A few from the side...

Enough about the progress - now, lets talk about the "present". My sweet Father-in-law, Glen, who broke his leg a week ago and is still in the hospital and is battling cancer - well, he needs prayers. But regardless of his condition - he is always, ALWAYS thinking about others. He tells me "Cathy, I've got this old mantle overhead in the barn - I think you'd like it for the house." My reply "O.K. Pops, I'll come look at it." So he and Shaun got it down several days ago and set it up and yesterday when I went to feed - there it was!!! It was my FIL's great-grandparents! Isn't that awesome - well over a 100 years old and it is perfect - ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! I love the clean and simple lines - it will be just right for the farmhouse. Thank you Glen - I LOOOOve it!

And then before I ever knew about the one from Glen - I had already "gifted" myself with this one. Which I also love - but I will probably use this one in the guest bedroom or maybe in the foyer. Who knows - I'm just excited about them both!

And I'm not touching the paint on this one - it is a weathered gray-blue and it is also perfect just like it is.

Happy January, Happy Winter - Happy 2011!

Blessings,

Cathy

A "mini" Christmas Tour....

2010-12-22T16:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our dining room/den I suppose you say. It really is kind of all together. So it is pretty much decorated the same. Hope you enjoy the peek.

Our stairway decked out in red, blue, cream, silver, money plant and...

...pine cones, and netting, and well, just about anything else I could stick in there.

My red hutch in the dining room with a lil' festive cheer on top and a lil' candy and the gingerbread house Casen made with his buddy, Madison, and her sweet mom, Karen.

Happy, Happy - Joy - Joy...

Oh and yes, that above mentioned "sweet Karen" also made us some SCRUMPTIOUS homemade red velvet cupcakes, peanut butter balls and coconut bon bons (which are my favorite - so I've already "hid" that platter. She brought us three in all - love her sweet heart!

One of my prized possessions. A hand carved Nativity made by a cousin of mine. It was given to me by my grandmother and was hand made in 1984. I'll keep it always.

The wise men...

...and baby Jesus. I love the detail.

On the table...

My BIG wreath - you can't even hardly walk up the steps - hehe...

...a peek into both rooms...

...Our family tree...

Balls and greenery hang from the light fixture...

"Merry Christmas to all" - that is what my lil' boy wanted me to write on the chalkboard - consider it said.

...My lil' blue cabinet with some holiday cheer...

My small carolers under glass...

A closer look...

And another prized possession. My BIG carolers - handmade by my sweet, Mamaw Cleo. I'll treasure them forever.

Thanks for stopping by. One more day to get ready so I gotta go...

Merry CHRISTmas!

Cathy

I'll have a blue (and yes, green) Christmas without you...

2010-12-21T14:53:00.000-08:00

...no need for "the blues" here. This is my happy colored, light and bright Christmas tree in our bedroom. Just a simple tree covered in green, blue and white balls, several colors of ribbons and netting and a few butterflies, dragonflies and hummingbirds flying around.

I just put my star in the middle of the Christmas wreath, tied on some netting and that's 'bout it..

In my cabinet - I just filled up the clear cylinder with extra ornaments...

Remember those paper flowers I told ya about - they make oh-so-pretty and so-very cheap package toppers.

Up on my cabinet with my picnic baskets - I simply added some garland, some lights and the same type of ornaments.

Snowflakes hanging on the mirror...

Don't ya love always seeing your reflection. Ya think you are being all secretive and you upload your pictures and - well - there you are - staring back at yourself! Busted. hehe

Here is for a merry and bright Christmas day.

Cathy

A Monday of Change...

2010-12-20T19:42:00.001-08:00

...Did you all think I'd skipped the country? I'd like to - hehe. No, jus' kidding. Just been busy like the rest of ya. First I will say that I PROMISE I'll show you pics of the house - tomorrow night. This is just a quick picture of our bedroom decked out for the season. More to come and I'm not lying (since I told ya two weeks ago I was gonna share them with you - y'all forgive me - o.k.).

But the title of this post is to indicate - how much things "changed" today. A Happy Celebration was for my husband - who turned (dare I say) the big 4-0 today. Happy Birthday my sweet Shaun. He had to have help blowing out ALL those candles - from our son and our sweet lil' friend, Madison.

On a more bittersweet note - today also marked the last week of my lil' shoppe being open. Twelve years ago - I began this journey and what a blessing it has been. But oh how I will miss it - my dear friends especially. But by making this decision - it has allowed us to follow other dreams. Dreams of a more peaceful, less hectic (I hope) life where there is much more time for family and friends. So I will try and not be sad about closing "my" Cobblestone Farms but be grateful for the opportunity I have had. An opportunity afforded to me by God, my family, and an incredible support team of friends and many, many, many dear customers.

So on to a happy change. This morning when we left to go pick out a front door - there were no walls up. But when we returned - we almost had a complete first floor. Wow - that was quick.

So - this Monday was definitely one of change. And even though there were a lot of different emotions involved with each "event" - at the end of this day - I simply feel blessed.

Merry Christmas to you my friends!

Happy Pictures tomorrow - Promise!

Cathy

My Christmas Porch...

2010-12-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

Well, I survived the Christmas Home Tour yesterday - actually - I had a great time. We had many many people and it was all for a great cause. So I was tickled to be asked to be a part of it. Now, I thought I'd show you a few pics of our home this week. And I'll tell ya like I always do - nothing fancy here - just HOME. And as you all know - this Christmas will be extra special because this will be our last one here 'till we move across the way. So I want to treasure this season for many reasons.

To start you out - these are some pics of our back porch - which is really the main entry to our home (especially since I have a Christmas tree right smack in front of the FRONT door-hehe).

I usually do more rustic/natural back here BUT this year I was inspired by some color. I had these blue and red toile place mats and napkins I had never used and also a wooden box in red and blue gifted to me by my friend Audrey. So that is where it all began.

All the silver balls were leftovers from years past and I thought they added a lil' "bling" if you will to the outside.

Those pretty clear snowflakes - .50 cents from the Dollar Tree (on clearance last year) - they look just like ice. Love them - thank you Mamaw Cleo.

My blue box with red polka dot ribbon - thanks Audrey - was the perfect container for one of my lil' Charlie Brown trees.

My "Basket window box" which is one of my favorite things - got dressed up with some garland, magnolias, snowflakes, balls and a "winter" garland I made. Stole that idea from my friend, Cindy, over at Cottage Instincts - thank you.

Best part about it - it can stay up till February - let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

My Christmas tree pillows my sweet mamaw made for me years ago - not a great match but I love 'em still. You can see we had a lil' skiff of snow today - LOOOOOOVE it!

Here is another tree I placed in a wicker sleigh I have. Pretty much decorated the same - ribbons, balls and some great white wire open balls I had for sale at the store. I have used them everywhere - I really like them alot. I'm gonna use them after Christmas as well.

My pretty fresh Frasier Fur wreath in the back corner as well as my white pine garland draped all around the outside of the porch came from my favorite local feed store, Central Farmers Supply - which is another post all together - and I'll tell ya that great news another day.

Love my watering cans...

Cute lil' wreath I picked up at Big Lots...

My window box filled with ornamental cabbages and kale we grew, sticks, magnolia, some nandina stems and berries and some silver balls.

And last but not least, my pots outside the back door - just dressed up a little bit.

Hope you enjoyed a peek inside the back door - I'll take you inside a lil' later. Hope you have a great start to your week!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Cathy

Been Busy...

2010-12-02T05:39:00.000-08:00

...decking the halls and walls with balls and balls and well, enough rhyming. No kidding - I've been decorating maybe more than usual 'cause our lil' house is on the Christmas Home Tour this weekend.

Not really for sure why they asked me - BUT - it is for a great cause - it is a fund raiser for our local Junior Miss program. So even though I'm sleeping like - NONE - I'm happy to be of some help! Anyway, I'll show ya more pics after Sunday.

Till then though - ya know those paper flowers everybody is making - myself included - try making some for your packages. They are so inexpensive but so very pretty. These are for my lime green and blue tree. But do ya want to know how behind I am - they don't even have anything in them - they are "dummy" gifts - ha - I haven't bought the first thing. One thing at a time Cathy... just breathe!

What lil' time I've had to look around - everybody's decorations are just BEAUTIMOUS (that's my word). One of my favorites for inspiration - Cindy over at Cottage Instincts - go and take a gander now - won't ya?

Happy Thursday Friends and Merry Christmas!

Cathy

Our farmhouse will soon be...

2010-11-22T05:49:00.000-08:00

...here. Yes, things have been moving along quickly since I mentioned to you all a while back about us building. Now, I'll have to say - if it were up to me - I would have loved to have found a great old house - but since we have been blessed with our land - we are not going anywhere. So I thought I'd share with you where it is gonna be. You can see here in this picture of the dirt being cleared away and a few stakes in the ground - but - just a few days before it looked like...

...this - just looking over the hill down in the valley. See it is going to be left of the nearly 200 year old cabin that sets just beyond those trees.

Here is another shot of the flat space...

And lucky us - there is another barn quilt down there - this one is "glitter - glitter".

And we have a great cave that is jus' in behind the house - which my son absolutely loves...

turning over rocks and catching crawfish.

And here is Shaun's dad who is helping clear some brush. You all please remember him - as he is putting up a great fight against cancer.

Here is another view from up above.

Even since these pictures - we have poured footers and they are laying the block today. So - here we go - I'll keep ya posted along the way. We are excited, scared, nervous but trying to enjoy the process. We also feel very fortunate to be able to do this. So we are thankful for many things this Thanksgiving - a new house being the least of those. It is all about family and the blessings money can't buy and we are so incredibly blessed.

May you have a beautiful Thanksgiving with your loved ones!

Happy Monday,

Cathy

A Peek Into Christmas At Cobblestone...

2010-11-10T19:11:00.000-08:00

...well, my friends - I have to say this IS just a peek 'cause guess what - I'm still not ready!!! But I'm getting there. So I'll share with you what's in store - so far...

Some creams and greens - lanterns, nests, cages...

...some sweet lil' angels...

...cute lil' reindeer and pretty champagne color ornaments...

...some new pillows...

...and chalkboard black and white stockings...

...some initial ornaments and many more being painted...

...and gingerbread men...

...and pretty festive plates and pitchers...

and some pink and green to top it off...

Of course there is more .....BUT... I'm working on it! Hand painted goodies will be ready for our Christmas in the Country on Saturday. So I'm off to paint - y'all send some good energy this way so I can get it all done. But then again, I'm never done 'cause I always want to do more!

Hope to see you Saturday!

Cathy

Christmas In the Country...

2010-11-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

...yes, it is this coming Saturday!

Just a friendly reminder plus I'll be sharing pics with you all week of "What's In Store".

Everybody have a great start to your week!

Cathy

Wrapping up...

2010-11-04T06:06:00.000-07:00

...the posts on the "barn reception" today. I thought I'd share just a few "odd - n- end" pics with you. And again thanks so much for all your kind comments throughout this lil' journey. I have so appreciated it and all those who have linked up to it on other blogs - that was so sweet of you!

This lil' vignette was at the entry door - a topiary, large scale birdcage, a chalkboard, her "Nan's" antique lamp all surrounded by grapes, white pumpkins, hedge apples and yes - beans.

The "new" tv (a wedding gift to the bride and groom) that showcased a slide show of their years growing up and together... We made a simple banner for the front.

We also used several pocket wreaths filled with burlap, hedge apples, money plant, peacock feathers and topped off with a bird.

We brought in a few tree limbs - this one is dressed with tags and paper flowers.

Two great John Deere tractors were used at the entry with some yellow mums to pop off the building - and to compliment that great yellow - you know I'm a farm girl - I love tractors!

This was the loft area of the barn - again, you just can't beat tobacco canvas - it drapes so well. Of course burlap and more big paper flowers were used at the corners.

Come on in...

A bride in her cowgirl boots...

Thanks again - Tiff and Shane. You all were awesome and you were so good to me and my family. Those two weeks of decorating were filled with lots of laughs and loads of fun! Thank you for including me in your special day.

I wish you a life of happiness and love. May God bless you both!

Have a happy day everybody!

Next up - pictures of where our new house is gonna be! We are getting ready to get started!

And pics of the shoppe - Christmas in the Country - next Saturday - the 13th!

Cathy

Wedding Table Centerpieces - "Country Style"...

2010-11-01T19:55:00.000-07:00

...well these centerpieces are not maybe what you'd expect - BUT - they were different, perfect for their setting (in a barn, don't forget) and better yet - relatively inexpensive - which is a good thing since there were over 40.

On about 15 tables, we decorated with "real" sap buckets filled with sand to hold curly willow (free) and dried hydrangeas and sedum(yes, free and free) in place. They were tied with a piece of burlap and placed on an additional piece of burlap. For a pop of color - we used more hedge apples (which again - were free). A couple of simple votives and some white beans and split peas sprinkled around finished it off. Oh and I almost forgot - those white rusty balls - available at the shop - were added just for some interest.

...all lit up...

About 15 other tables were dressed with wire cloches and pretty birds perched high. They were set on cake plates - "borrowed" from many family members - for a lil' height. Some simple honeysuckle, hedge apples, a few dried hydrangeas, a candle and of course, beans, complete the look.

The simplest arrangements on the remaining tables were just various glass containers ( again - Borrowed) filled with beans, peas and candles. Simple - but pretty.

This lil' vignette was on the gift table - a large lantern filled with hedge apples, some leftover gourds, beans in a jar - imagine that - and some willow and peacock feathers.

You can see the willow a lil' better in this picture. Let me suggest if you don't own a "curly willow" tree - DO GET ONE. They are easy to root, quick to grow - make gorgeous accent twigs in all kinds of arrangements and do you know how expensive they are to buy at the store? - well, they are HIGH - that I do know.

Just showing you how pretty doesn't have to be expensive and...

...sometimes - more memorable.

Now, y'all go buy you some beans and get decorating!!!!

Happy Tuesday,

Cathy

The "Workbench" wall...

2010-10-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

...of the barn. Yes, this is post number 3 in our "barn makeover" for Tiff and Shane's wedding. Jus' sharing with you what we started with and where we ended up. Tiff wanted something different - something casual, kind of "earthy", somewhat fallish - yet no orange pumpkins or mums. Well, here a few more pics of what those requests translated into.

As you can see - this wall had to be tweaked quite a bit. From the very beginning - we thought that this workbench would be perfect for the buffet line. But that shelf above - well, it was gonna be jus' for pretties. So here we go...

...some birds, some wire cloches, some green gourds...

...some white pumpkins, grapes and hedgeapples...

...lanterns, a wall of Christmas lights, yards and yards of burlap...

...old windows, lanterns, and big paper flowers...

...it was a pretty big focal point when it was said and done...

...it jus' glistened as the day turned into night...

I loved the way it turned out - it was different...

...but oh so pretty.

Happy Friday!

Cathy

In the back corner...

2010-10-27T05:55:00.000-07:00

...of the barn, we had to do a lil' more "camouflaging". See that big speaker on the wall in the corner - well, we had to hide it and the electrical box. This is where we all decided would be a good place for the cake - so the transformation begins...

Once again - trusty plant bed canvas and burlap saves the day. We also added that second mantle (read last post) and some wood boxes for arrangements. On one of their shopping runs - Aunt Sandy spotted this neat lil' bird cage hanging lamp for 10 dollars. It was perfect for this space hanging in front of some kind of wooden grate - courtesy of one of her dad's remodels.

See it way back there in the corner...

A few flowers and twigs after I antiqued the boxes. Some candles and a yummy cake and well -

...there you have another corner of the barn.

Have a happy day! More pics later!

Cathy

A peek at the wedding...

2010-10-25T19:46:00.001-07:00

...jus' one corner of it anyway. I was going to show you a lil' slide show of it all but I thought it might be better to walk you through a few things - just to show you where it came from. And what some clever cover ups can do.

First let me say - that it (the wedding) turned out wonderful - it was a gorgeous day - a stunning bride - happy families - what more could you ask for?

Secondly - these families were amazing. So incredibly willing to help - so giving and gracious - this "job" didn't even seem like work to me - it was so enjoyable. I feel really blessed to have been a part of it.

Now - remember I told you this reception was in a "barn" - well, that is if you can call it that. The floors are heated, there is a sound system, strobe lights, a bathroom - well, needless to say - it is a very nice "barn/shop". But no matter how many amenities it has - it still is not that "pretty" and it isn't suppose to be. It is to work out of - normally full of tractors and boats and tools. Farm equipment galore was inside. Now after the family moved what they could - you are still left with lots of lil' things that jus' won't go away. For example...

This corner - we have an industrial size fan, portable heaters, a treadmill, a welder, craftsman tool boxes and well, the list goes on and on. What do I do with all this? Well, thankfully, the bride's dad is a great builder (lucky me) and her uncle Scott is an awesome helper. So in a jiffy...

...a wall was constructed to "hide" all that stuff...

...then we covered it with burlap - bought on a roll at our local feed supply store. We just won't talk about how many staples we used on this job - shhhhh. The groom's family home jus' across the road had two beautiful unused mantles upstairs jus' waiting to be put to good use.

...then we draped some plant bed canvas - backed with some lights, hung a yard sale mirror I found, and decorated the mantle with things that were all green and white and some grapes to bring out the color of the girls dresses which were a rich blue.

Then, the bride and groom's table along with the bridal party tables were set in front of the wall. I thought it made the perfect backdrop and hey, no one knew of what was behind there. You don't go and tell anybody - o.k.

In the light of the wedding day...

The mantel was filled with jars of white beans and split peas, money plant and curly willow. Also along the top were faux white pumpkins, real green and white gourds, grapes, honeysuckle, candles and birds.

We (as in grandmothers, aunts, momma and bride) made big paper flowers for the corners - in a parchment color which was a great accent to the burlap.

When the wedding party arrived that evening - Tiff - the beautiful bride, placed her gorgeous all green bouquet in a vase on the table.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the first corner of the barn. More to come a lil' later!

Have a happy week everybody! Now, I have got to get to decorating my shop for Christmas! Our annual Christmas in the Country - is just about three weeks away! I'll keep ya posted!

Cathy

Split Peas and White Beans...

2010-10-16T22:14:00.001-07:00

...No - not to eat - but to decorate with. See I can't show you much of a picture - 'cause I'm working on a wedding (in a barn) for this upcoming weekend and everything is still a work in progress. But my mom and I had this idea to use "beans" to fill some jars - and since the colors are all "earthy" and whites - well split peas and white northern beans just seemed like the perfect mix.

Bags and Bags and Bags of Beans...

...all layered up...

...some just in mason jars with sweet lil' "baby boo" pumpkins...

...just makes for a simple, pretty and unique accent.

I'll be a busy girl the next few days getting everything ready to go. And I'll be sure and show you pictures - promise. I've just gotta wait till it's over - ya know, so it can be a surprise!

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Cathy

Simply.....

2010-10-14T19:35:00.000-07:00

....a SPLENDID day! Do you want to know why? Well, there are many reasons - it was beautiful out, I felt great, I got quite a bit done - BUT.... there is still another reason. I had "blog stalkers" come to visit today - well, that is what they called themselves! But they had real names - Sandy and Angie - and they came to Kentucky all the way from Alabama to visit - yep, you guessed it - ME and Cobblestone Farms. Now, isn't that the sweetest thing! Did I know they were coming - nope. Did I have them anything nice to eat for lunch - no way. Did I put on my best gardening attire - nada! Oh I wish I had known they were coming so I could have really "treated" them - with all kinds of goodies. But they were jus' as happy as could be just being here. But....

...what they don't know is - "You made my day. You all were so kind, so full of life - so excited - so happy - that I have no doubt - I will never forget either one of you. See in the short time you were here - it was like talking to two people I had always known! Thank you for taking time out of your lives to drive - like forever - to come to my LITTLE BITTY place. You made such an incredible first impression on me! Thank you both for sharing your laughter with me - it was a delightful visit."

See they, "blog stalkers", have been friends for about 20 years, raised their families close together, go to church together, both of them are cancer survivors - well, they are close to say the least. But what a blessing to have such a friendship! And in saying all of this - one thing that stood out to me in the conversation was when I asked them how they became friends? Sandy said, "When I got back into church..." and then Angie interrupts - hehe...."I just went up to her in church and said "Hi - I'm Angie" and then Sandy says - they've been friends ever since.

And so the reason I share this lil' tidbit with you all... is - do we ever think about how a simple "hello" or "how are you today" just might change someones life? No, we usually don't give something so simple such great value - however, that could be all it takes to make a difference in the life of another. I believe that is what happened in the case of these two beautiful ladies. And today - their simple "hello" made a joyful difference in my life.

"Thank you - Sandy and Angie!"

If one life shines, the life next to it will catch the light. - Anonymous

It was only a glad "good morning"

As she passed along the way,

But it spread the morning's glory

Over the livelong day.

-Anonymous

Have a beautiful Friday,

Cathy

Change...

2010-10-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

...sometimes the timing is unexpected - but often change is desired, sometimes it can be very bittersweet - yet, peaceful at the same time. That is how I would describe the changes that are happening at Cobblestone. Now, don't let this post disappoint you - because it is not a "sad" post. Many of my wonderful customers and friends have known this lil' tidbit of information for a month or so now. I'm just now making time to tell you - my extended "blogging" family - so sorry I'm a lil' tardy - ya know - I'm always a busy, busy girl.

But simply - sometimes to achieve one dream you have to close the door on another. My husband and I have been praying about this decision for about a year now and it is with a peaceful heart that we have made the decision to close Cobblestone Farms after Christmas. "Why?" you ask. Well - for something exciting - building a house! See Cobblestone is just steps away from where we live now - so it is virtually impossible to separate the two. And since we will be selling our home now - it kind of all has to go together. Are we selling our farm? - no - we couldn't do that. Just a piece of land - that's all.

Our new home will be "across the road, over the hill, and down in the valley" - (and to grandmothers house we go) - hehe. We are building on the "other" Murray farm by the cabin - in a very quite, peaceful place - I'll show you pics soon. So many factors went into this decision - nothing was decided without a tremendous amount of thought, prayer and yes, some tears. See - I simply love what I do - that has never changed in the twelve years I've been open. But I also love my family soooooo much and we all desire a lil' more time for each other. So a lil' "down time" is around the corner - but don't count me out - I'm not selling "Cobblestone Farms" - ya never know where I might end up. Maybe on-line, maybe down the road - my mind is already thinking up new ideas. What I will miss most - my incredible customers - no, not customers - my friends - my extended family. Since I sent out my newsletters with "the news" - the calls, the letters, the cards, the "stop-bys" the e-mails - well, I simply can not put into words what they have meant to me. I have been so touched.

And just like I have loved Cobblestone - I have loved our lil' place too. Lots and lots of great memories here. Happy memories.

Welcome...

...our home...

...a stones throw to the shop and greenhouse...

...one of our barns in the background...

...Casen's play area...

...the greenhouse with pasture in the background...

...I know it will make someone else a great home just like it has been for us.

So... stay with me as things unfold. We are going strong through Christmas. Hopefully the house will be started by then and I hope you will follow us through the building of our "new" farmhouse. It's scary AND super exciting!

And as Henry Ward Beecher once said...

"Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith."

We choose faith!

Blessings to all my Cobblestone family,

Cathy

Today....on the farm...

2010-09-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

I woke up to sunshine, cool - crisp fall air, dew on the pumpkins and to "two happy boys" - my eight year old and my hubby who were both very happy 'cause it is almost "fall break". (my hubby is an agriculture teacher in case ya didn't know) And then I ventured to the shop and I thought to myself - "I am so blessed to be able to do something that brings other people joy". I have done this for twelve years and what an incredible journey it has been - a very blessed one.

Now, who couldn't be happy surrounded by pretty flowers all day?

Even this sweet lil' lady took her "picking out" very seriously. She says "This one will do - "

"Well no - maybe not - I think I'll try this one"

And then she was off to the gourd wagon - carefully choosing each one.

Today was a happy day and I am so grateful for the happiness in my life!

I Hope you have a happy day!

Cathy

Oh and P.S. - You make me happy too!

Back Door Guests are Best...soooo...

2010-09-23T06:05:00.000-07:00

...won't you come in for a visit.

Well, this is my lil' country back porch. Now, it needs some more "fallness" but that is not gonna happen 'till after today because it is gonna be 98 degrees - uuugggghhhh. But here a few pictures to share with you of what we've done so far - remember - it is a simple country home - nothing fancy - jus' home.

Love my old orange plaid material - picked it up last year for .25 at the mission store.

My lil' boy (who just turned 8 last week - hard to believe) has been in awe of Indian corn this year. He has picked the kernels off many ears and put them into this jar. It tickled him when I said "let's use it to decorate the back porch". I love the subtle layers from the different ears.

Oh yes, and my "pumpkin in the pot". I just love to put pumpkins in containers for some reason.

My lil' corner cupboard...

I snatched this birdcage up at Peddlers - I love it - it is so big and perfect for a big pumpkin...

...my "basket" window box - I kept my ferns and just stuck some dried hydrangeas and some kind of orange reeds in there along with a big black wooden star...

...you can see the shop and one of the greenhouses in the background - I really do have a short "drive" to work - hehe

My "window" greenhouse filled with seasonal goodies...

...From the outside looking in...oops - I see my yellow broom...

Love my red window box filled with mums, ornamental cabbage, kale and ivy...

...on the table...

...a couple of painted topiaries on the outside closet - it holds lots of "farm clothes" - ya know, coveralls, muck boots, etc...

Right by the back door...

...hope you enjoyed your visit....

And actually - this porch and our home is gonna be up for "adoption" soon. We are changing things up a bit here - I'll keep ya posted. Don't worry - it is a good thing!

Have a beautiful "fall" day!

Cathy

It was jus' so pretty outside today...

2010-09-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

...that I took a minute (and that's all I had - a minute) to snap a few pics.

We've got pumpkins...

...and gourds...

and "jack - b - little" pumpkins...

...sweet lil' baby Indian corn (large bunches also)...

...I love my tub I rescued from a friends basement...

...my pretty red dahlia peeking over the fence...

...love my big basket filled with millet, kale and mums...

..."climbing black-eyed susan" literally climbing everything in sight - and deciding it makes a nice seat cushion in my red wood chair...

...this pretty purple cabbage is about to start to show off -

...my rusty metal pumpkin...

...my rusty metal chair - I think I have a crush on rust...

...and my sweet potato vine still going strong makes a nice backdrop for a volunteer marigold - the orange is perfect for fall - so glad it decided to take root right there.

...I hope you all are getting your place all "gussied up" for fall.

Have a beautiful weekend - and plant something!

Cathy

Better late than never...

2010-09-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

...don't you agree? Sorry friends - I promised pictures "BEFORE" our annual Fall Harvest Gathering and it just didn't happen. A week of working till 3:00 am every morning - well, I don't think my brain or my fingers could have put two sentences together - correctly anyway. But, here are some pics of the store and the yard - BEFORE everyone got there. And all I can say is THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU!!!! It was our biggest and best fall harvest celebration in the twelve years since we have been open. Even though it rained the night before and one of the tents fell overnight - the sun came out and it was beautiful till it rained again late on Saturday - but that didn't stop them. People came from everywhere! We were so blessed and are extremely grateful to everyone who shopped with us, came and ate with us, to my family and friends that did so much to help me! Oh my - how blessed I am to have such wonderful people in my life! That's all I've got to say about that or I'll just cry!

Jus' simple table decorations...

I love my pretty lil' brown jars that were given to me...Thanks Jewel!

Ornamental Kale and zinnias and gourds...

my lil' goat wagon - a gift from my better half...

...some tables before everything was quite ready...

...pretty pears...

...rusty buckets...

...I love gourds...

...and pumpkins...

...yummy, yummy, yum-yum soup mixes from Wind and Willow...

...happy scarecrows...

...and a lil' blue and orange...

...love that orange hydrangea wreath...

...well, y'all know me - I had to get some orange polka-dot pitchers...

...big, BIG "Welcome" pumpkin....

...some green and brown...

...more pumpkin pics - oh my - those price tags look tacky - sorry 'bout that...

...more metal...

...pumpkins of all kinds...

...and pumpkin flags...

Now, honestly - just about everything you see in these pictures sold on Saturday. But never fear - I'm gonna get busy - I've already got some new furniture pieces and I'm on the hunt for more goodies.

There was so much more but once everybody gets here - there is no picture taking - but we had a beautiful day in so many ways - thanks to everyone who made it that way!

Have a happy week!

Cathy

I've been a bad...

2010-09-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

...bad blogger lately - so sorry. But those mums - oh my - watering all those mums and ornamental cabbage and millet - and picking Indian Corn and gourds - well, needless to say I'VE BEEN BUSY - my dear friends. And I've been pressure washing the porches and replanting my containers all in preparation for this weekend and our Annual Fall Harvest. Yep, it is here once again.

Saturday, September 11

9:00 - 3:00 CST

Won't you come and join us? I so hope you do! It'll be a lotta fun - I promise! And another thing I promise - more pics of our goodies later this week. Bear with me please - this shopkeeper is a busy girl - but some rest is in sight. I'll share more on that later!

Have a great Tuesday - I'll be back soon!

Cathy Cobblestone

I needed a "pot filler"...

2010-08-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

... ya know when at the end of summer your flowers start to look a lil' "spent" yet it is a bit to early to plant fall flowers - well, I'm there! This asparagus fern was looking a lil' lonely and I couldn't bare to toss out a perfectly healthy plant so I begin to think of ways to enjoy it a tad longer before I planted a mum or nestled a pumpkin in there. And since we are gonna have some company in the next couple of days - it needed some sprucing up.

So here was my quick fix and I think it'll do the trick for the back porch steps.

My lonely asparagus fern looking for some company...

...I found a small grapevine wreath that fit the top of the pot - simply laid it in there and let the

fern fall around it...(honeysuckle vine would be pretty wrapped around it also)

...got my "most absolute favorite" antique watering can (gifted to me by my sweet papaw, Jodi) and placed it in the pot - that wreath holds everything nice and steady...

...filled it with water and cut some of my beautiful limelight hydrangea blooms.

So - since "back door quests are best" - this lil' pot will be there to greet them when they show up. Well, until pumpkin thyme anyway.

Have a happy start to your week my friends!

Cathy

What's growing at Cobblestone Farms, you ask?

2010-08-17T19:57:00.000-07:00

Well, mums of course...

...and more mums

- growing and growing -

and will be in full bloom in just a few short weeks...

...and pretty Purple Baron millet...

the perfect accent plant for fall...

with its tall rich foliage and "cattail" like blooms...

...also starting to show off is our ornamental cabbage and kale - soon to turn white and purple and red...

...other pretties growing at the farm are sunflowers backed by the tall stately Indian Corn - two of my favorite things...

....and zinnias of course - now, tell me - is there a prettier, "easier" plant to grow? - nah, I don't think so...

...so pretty in red...

...and purple and every other color for that matter....

...which I turn in to sweet lil' arrangements that make people happy - INCLUDING ME!

...Like this one I delivered a few days ago - nothing says "happy day" like a bouquet of fresh flowers - proudly homegrown!

Sooooooooo.... that is what is happening around here -----outside---- in a few days I'll let you peek at all the fall goodies -----inside the shop.

Thanks for stopping by and if you don't grow your own flowers - let me encourage you to do so - it's easy, fun - and what joy it is to share them!!!!

Have a happy day!

Cathy

Lighten Up...

2010-08-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

...that's what I wanted to do to my bedroom, I mean. Well, it was green, black and white and even though I liked it - I wanted a breath of fresh air for summer - without painting. So like I told you all in my last post - I thought I'd bring in a lil' blue - so now I've got the blue of the sky and the green of the grass and for this time of year - it makes me feel happier. Now, y'all know - nothing 'bout my home is fancy or fussy - so this lil' reveal is just some simple things I thought I'd share with you. Sorry - it is a lil' picture heavy...enjoy!

I already had green walls - so no work to be done there - I did purchase a new bedspread - Target...

This is a quilt my grandmother made me as a lil' girl and it was my inspiration piece...

...two pillows found at the peddlers mall - can you believe they matched this perfect?

..."my all time - most favorite, makes me most happy" canvas (available at my shop - had to get that in there)

...my old picnic baskets that were red - I spray painted blue and green and paired them with an old globe and $5.00 topiaries bought at a local consignment store...

...my lil' blue bench - found at peddlers already painted that pretty blue...;-)

...just simple breezy panels that were to long - so I jus' turned over the tops and a lil' emblem I covered with scrapbook paper and paint and placed on an old painted coca-cola crate...

...pretty colored books bought at the local mission store - a dime a piece...

...perfect bed side reading and fresh flowers of course...

...this room is tiny but comfortable...

...my cabinet made from an old window - I've currently got one similar available at the shop...

...I wanted to give it a punch of color -so I simply taped a piece of scrapbook paper to the door...

...I hope I am a blessing to my family...they sure are to me...

...and of course, my lil' burlap pillow I made - with the one thing written on it that I'd like to do - REST!

Just sharing with you - hope you have a beautiful and blessed week!

Cathy

P.S. - Thank you all so much for your sweet comments on my last post - they made me very happy!

Forever and ever ago...

2010-08-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

...like in February - oh my - I told you all I'd share with you my lil' "mini-makeover" of my dining room. Well, it is nothing "all that" but I actually had a few minutes today to snap some pictures. Since we don't have an eat-in kitchen - we actually eat in this room everyday and do homework and pay bills, play games - well, it all happens at the dining room table. Hope you enjoy...

Before colors - classic khaki and lobster...

...even though I LOOOOOOVE my red - I was itching to add some of that "new blue" that everybody is using - mine is "seascape" - a valspar color from Lowe's...

...paint on top and a bead board like type paper at the bottom - I know - wall-paper - said I'd never do that again - well, all I can say is NEVER SAY NEVER...

...remember the curtains I showed that I made - store bought panels that I added a couple of patterns to to lengthen them. Also added some colored scrapbook paper to my cabinet...

...found this cute table at the antique mall - love the red crackle finish...

...here is my red hutch that was - are you setting down? - GIVEN TO ME - sort of - in exchange for some of my "decorating advice" - I think I got the GREAT end of that deal...(Thanks Sandy)

...my "faith" sign with my Limelight Hydrangea blooms...

...those tall topiaries I got at Big Lots on clearance a couple of years ago - love how big they are - and my tabletop greenhouse bought at Peddler's Mall...

...filled with some of my goodies - love those cherries...

...an "ancient" fork and spoon - probably from the 70's with a new distressed finish - now I lOVE them...

...my unique black chairs - I love the backs of them - kind of "wing backed" - I also found them at Peddlers Mall already covered with red seats - lucky me!...

..."my bench from an old bed" my sweet papaw made me is at the back side of the table

...and that's about it - just a comfy lil' space that we proudly call the center of our home...

...which serves as a pass through to the rest of the house.

Anybody else been "redoing" lately? I'll show you my "summer bedroom switch" in a few days - once again - I had to get a lil' of that blue in there.

I hope you have a beautiful week!

Cathy

Sweet Corn - mmm....mmm....

2010-07-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

Shucking...

Silking...

Sittin' pretty...

Cutting...

Juicing...

Cooking...

Chillin'...

Baggin'...

Now - off to the freezer! It'll be so good come winter time.

Is your garden keeping you busy! It's Work no doubt - but rewarding at the same time!

Happy Gardening

Cathy

A special request...

2010-07-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

I don't know what else to really say - except - please pray for this lil' guy. He has already touched many lives in one week - he and his family will touch yours if you read.

http://www.lukesexton.blogspot.com/

Sweet Lil' Luke went home to be with the Lord. We will continue to remember him, the message he brought to so many without uttering a word, and continue to lift up his family in prayer. This story has touched our community, the world and our hearts in an overwhelming way. I encourage you to continue to read their story and remember their sweet family in this time of grief.

"What's In Store Wednesday"...

2010-07-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

Well, a lil' white and lavender...

Pretty white pitchers - fits any style...and a sweet lavender and green hydrangea wreath...

Lavender toile chair...

Beautiful hand hooked rug in lavender, yellows and blues and a rustic white star made of recycled tin...

...White wall cabinet made from an old "coca-cola" crate...

...and last but not least - a barn quilt pattern - perfect size for a garden shed.

Everybody have a great Wednesday!

Cathy

We've been on vacation...

2010-07-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

...a much needed one. Had a fantastic time at Cocoa Beach, Florida...

Casen was all smiles the whole time...

Got to tour Kennedy Space Center with My in-laws and my sister-n-law, Rhonda.

I even got to meet one of my blog followers - how cool is that!!! Sweet Brenda from Melbourne, what an absolute delight it was to spend the afternoon with you.

Then when we got home there was yummy goodies in the garden ready for pickin'...

I put my lil' sugar snack and golden nugget tomatoes in a jar in the window seal - they are pretty to look at and even better to snack on - always close at hand.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer. Have an enjoyable 4th of July weekend!

Cathy

Do you all remember...

2010-06-18T21:01:00.000-07:00

...those .99 cent cabinet doors I was working with a while back?

Well, here is my latest project with them...

This is how they started - kind of drab brown...

...this was my first project with them - my house number sign...

This go around I painted the frame - took out the woven insert and covered the back in old book pages. Then I used my handy dandy cricut to cut out this chandelier...

...and this one got the ole' fork and spoon treatment.

...a few buttons to cover the knob holes and we are good to go.

-Instant Art-

Project - simple, fun, inexpensive and the possibilities are endless.

Happy Creating my friends,

Cathy

Quick-fix

2010-06-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

Oh my - I've had no time for projects lately - much less anything for myself - but I squeezed in a 30 minute, FREE pillow project. Just 'cause I needed to do a lil' something to lift my spirits - ya know what I mean?

Here we go...

Some free burlap -given to me by a friend who thought I'd do something with it - I love friends like that - don't you?

I quickly free handed a whimsical peacock feather on it - dried almost instantly. Be sure and put some cardboard behind it - paint will bleed through easily.

I added a few buttons out of my endless supply of button jars...

Stitched it up, stuffed it with stuffing from an old pillow that needed tossing and simply pulled on the ends of the threads to fray the edges.

Now, if there was jus' time to "Rest".

Everybody have a great Wednesday!

Cathy

Happy Memorial Day weekend....

2010-05-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

I've missed you all - hope everyone is doing well. May you have a blessed, safe and happy holiday weekend.

And let us not forget all those who have sacrificed so much for our country. We salute you.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Cathy

What's in Store Wednesday...

2010-05-04T19:02:00.001-07:00

Welcome my friends - I can't believe it has been yet another week since I've posted - PLEASE forgive me. Once flower season eases up - we will get back to some fun projects - Promise!!! But 'till then I thought I'd show you just a few things that might make some really great gifts for Mom this weekend.

Cute metal signs...

...you know how I love that bright, HAPPY pottery...

...inspirational tiles and signs...

...plus a few more...

...love these whimsical frames...

...several great pieces of locally handmade furniture...

...absolutely amazing soaps and loofah bars - THE BEST STUFF!...

...and yes - flowers...

...and garden flags...

...and more flowers...

...and fun container plantings...

...plus much more - including handmade pieces that won't be out till Friday!

...Till next time - Have a beautiful day!

Blessings,

Cathy

A peek inside...

2010-04-21T16:43:00.001-07:00

Hi my friends - I've missed you all! But I've had plenty of work to keep me busy - watering, planting, and tending to the flowers and vegetables in our greenhouses. I thought I'd let you take a peek at what's inside...now, this is JUST a peek - there is so much more - you'll have to come see.

Shop and Greenhouse hours...

Come inside...

...don't you love these cute spring kites - perfect for your containers or landscape...

...of course, the polka dot ones are my favorite...

...beautiful cherry rose ivy geraniums...

...bright and happy durango mix marigolds...

...exquisite Kong Coleus...

...love anything lime green - hence the sweet potato vine...

...down the sidewalk...

....clay pots - so simple - yet so delightful waiting to be filled up...

...pretty Boston Ferns...

...Lavender Shades Asti - osteospermum...

...one of everybody's favorites - dragon wing begonias...

..."knock out" roses...

...and pretty pansies...

....SOOOOOOOO....

Now, I have to get busy making unique planters, pocket wreaths, more hanging baskets - oh my, lots to do. I'll keep ya posted.

Happy Spring everybody!

Cathy

Where I've been...

2010-04-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

...in the greenhouse...

...from sun up to sun down. It is taking all our time right now - but we've learned this routine after 11 years of growing flowers and veggies. Now, this is a picture from last year - this years blooms are still about two weeks away. So I'll be sharing lots of pictures as they begin to show all their beautiful colors. Jus' in the meantime - if you need me - I'll be diggin' in the dirt. I do love it!

Happy Beautiful Weekend!

Cathy

Happy Easter Weekend!

2010-04-02T16:23:00.001-07:00

Wishing you all a beautiful and blessed Easter Weekend -

A special time with your families and friends.

My lil' pots of rye grass with cute lil' chicks....

I read this today - simply stated but the ultimate truth.

"Passports offer proof of our citizenship and allow us to travel to new places. The cross is proof of God's love for us and is our passport to salvation."

May we all remember the "gift" of Easter.

Many Blessings,

Cathy

"Eat Cake"...

2010-03-23T05:22:00.000-07:00

...I love to eat cake no matter what it is served in but how fun would it be if you had this to greet you every time you went for a piece!

I started with an "antique" cake dome I found...

Painted it some bright happy colors - with polka dots of course, but the possibilities are endless - monograms, scenery, family stick figures, seasonal - oh my

...Don't forget to dress up the knob...

...put a coat of varnish on it to protect it (I don't paint the base for food safety) and TADA - simple, simple but oh so cute!

Now tell me, who wants some cake?

Happy Tuesday!

Cathy

Happy Spring...

2010-03-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

yes, today is the first day of spring and I know we are all ready for a lil' cheer. The sun was shining here today and I hope it is shining in your hearts as well.

Enjoy each and every day - it is indeed a blessing.

God Bless,

Cathy

It's that time again... time for Easter Salt Dough

2010-03-16T18:04:00.001-07:00

I feel like you all probably get tired of hearing me talk about salt dough ornaments. But I get so many e-mails (which I loooooove hearing from you all) about how to make them. So as usual, I haven't got to make any for myself yet - this is a picture from last year. But I'm just reminding you to give you some ideas while you are preparing for the upcoming season.

Now, since I don't have enough smarts to "link-up" to the post from last year with all the instructions - I'll give you the long way around - go to the history section in the side bar and click on March of 2009 and it'll be there. Maybe one of my super smart computer friends out there can tell me how to link to it without re posting it. I am not computer savvy.

Some spring Salt Dough ideas: eggs, nest, birds, chicks, baskets, flowers, carrots, bunnies and the list goes on.

Happy Creating!

Cathy

"What's In Store" Wednesday...

2010-03-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

...well, my friends - I'm sorry my posts have been a lil' thin lately but this greenhouse is keeping us hopping - not much time for anything else. Today we got in the "sea" of ferns you see here...(this is before I got them unbagged and hung up) but I love a "sea" of green.

But one thing that did come in this week that I'm excited to tell you about are these neat signs...some large, some small - but I love the messages on them all.

And no matter what style home you have - I think they "fit".

I hope to check in again real soon - gotta keep plantin' right now though!

Have a great week everybody!

Cathy

"Prettying" up the Porch...

2010-03-02T18:48:00.001-08:00

O.k. I know - "prettying" is not a word - but you know what I mean. Well today I decided I've got to do something to liven this place up. It's still cold - the wind is blustery and it was cloudy for most of the day. But the sun peeked through just about 5:00 and I was ready for some color. Sooooo, a while back I was inspired by my friend, Angie (OH SUCH A VERY TALENTED LADY) over at The Happy Homebody, to make a fun lil' something for my porch. Now, this is my own version - but she got me to thinkin' - and sometimes that is dangerous - hehe.

Started out with a door I got for .99 - yes - a 99 cent cabinet door...

I used some spray paint, spray adhesive, outdoor fabric, a few nails, a wooden letter, a piece of scrap wood and some acrylic paint...

And this is what I did - Our monogram and house number in polka dots, of course...

Right beside our front door - WELCOME Sunshine - jus' enough to cast a shadow...

Next up - something new for the door - and polka dot pillows made from a 1.00 vinyl table cloth from a good ole' yard sale!

Let's all get to "prettying up our porch"!

Happy Wednesday!

Cathy

"What's In Store" Wednesday...

2010-02-24T06:01:00.000-08:00

...well, I've missed you all. I had computer problems - AGAIN - but I'm back. I'm just sharing some "stuff" pictures from the shop today. It is starting to fill up and look a lot like spring and I think we could all use a lil' lift from some of these cold temps - so here it goes...

Robin's Egg Blue...

Classic black and white...

Chippy green and brown stool...

Sweet new prints...

Polka dotted Easter eggs...

Some rabbits, ducks and chicks...

More new pottery just in...

Polka dot rooster pottery in brown...

Old yellow chair with cute pillows made of vintage chenille...

Blues and greens...

...and brown.

Just a quick tour of what's in store today! Have a blessed day!

Cathy

Outside today...

2010-02-15T14:01:00.000-08:00

...more snow. And it was soooo windy and cold but inside...

the greenhouse - seedlings are growing and it was time for transplanting...

geraniums - 1,000 today - with some help from our lil' man...

...but I have to say as much as I love the snow - and I truly do - I'm looking forward to when that geranium Casen is holding looks like this...

Aren't you?

Have a great week everybody!

Cathy

Happy Valentine's Day...

2010-02-13T20:56:00.000-08:00

Have a blessed Sunday and Valentine's Day.

Cathy

Love is patient, love is kind...It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4, 7-8

"What's In Store Wednesday"...

2010-02-11T14:48:00.000-08:00

...O.k. I know - it is Thursday - I'm a day late - the story of my life. But I had to share with you the beautiful creations from my dear friend, Linda, of Kindlelight Blessings Candles. Now, one of the many things I love about my lil' shop is that it is filled with handmade things that are made with great LOVE. And that is what Linda does - her passion for what she does is evident - she is so incredibly creative with her work and the quality is top-notch. The name of her candles may be Kindlelight Blessings - but her friendship is a blessing to me and her work - a blessing to my shop.

Perfect for Valentine's Day...

candles in several sizes...

I love her new labels - very fresh looking...

Look at the beautiful chocolate covered strawberries on top of this "Passion Fruit" candle - almost too pretty to burn...

Sweet lil' jars...

"Conversation Heart" tarts...

...and her hand painted, wonderful (everybody has got to have one) air fresheners...

...she makes different ones for each season. Each as cute as the last.

It's so fun being able to share the talent of my friends - I hope you enjoy.

Happy Early Valentine's Day my friends,

Cathy

Who says...

2010-02-06T17:02:00.000-08:00

...hearts have to be "red" anyway? Well, these aren't - they are pink and chocolate brown - jus' what my friend, Carolyn, ordered (thank you sweet Carolyn). So I'm sharing with you all so you can have yet - even more salt dough making ideas!

Large monogram hearts...

...small polka dot hearts...

...I thought the colors jus' turned out really pretty. Think Valentine's Day gifts for classmates, they would make super cute party favors or tied on to a gift you'll be giving!

HAPPY SALT DOUGH MAKING!

Have a blessed Sunday,

Cathy

"What's In Store Wednesday"

2010-02-03T16:17:00.001-08:00

Yes, I went back to work today after my lil' "winter break" - boy, did that fly by. But, going back to work for me is easy when I'm greeted by new red and white pottery. Just sharing a few pics of some cute ideas for Valentine's Day or any day for that matter.

Pretty square polka-dot platter and lil' cake plate with red ribbon....

Oh my favorite - a red and white polka-dot pitcher...

Large striped canister set...LOOOOVE IT....

A cheery - "cherry" tea-pot...

...and matching pitcher...

Looking forward to seeing everybody back at Cobblestone again! Have a great day!

Cathy

And the winner is...

2010-02-01T16:24:00.001-08:00

...Oh I hated to jus' pick one. I wish I had enough for each of you...but

Casen reached in and pulled out...

"Luverlie" - perfect name for a Valentine Drawing. Congrats - can't wait to send it to you!

Thank you all for your kind and sweet, sweet comments. I'll be sure and do this again sometime! Happy Valentine's Day my friends!

Cathy

A Valentine - from Me to You...

2010-01-28T06:59:00.001-08:00

...That's right - I think it is time to "treat" one of you because you all are so good to me. I made this bracelet and thought it was the perfect gift for Valentine's Day because of the sweet rose pendant in the middle.

Actually, I believe it is an antique pin with pretty pink and robin's egg blue buttons on the side...

A lil' gold and a touch of pearl.

I'd love to share it with someone - maybe it will be you. I'll draw a name on Monday, Feb. 1st. That way - you'll have plenty of time to enjoy it for Valentine's Day.

Let me know if you'd like to see this bracelet in your mailbox ;-)

Have a Happy Day!

Cathy

My Valentine Wreath...

2010-01-20T19:02:00.000-08:00

...what do you think? Well, I confess - I've never been one to decorate much for Valentine's Day. Not for sure why - I just don't really have any decorations. But browsing around looking at everyone's wonderful ideas - inspired me to make myself something - something simple.

My plain green wreath was looking a lil' lonely...

I bought this great angel from my friend, Frannie, at the antique mall for $7.00...

Used my cricut to cut out a lil' "love"...

...dressed my angel up a bit and tucked him in the middle...

...cut out some tags and hearts to match my new room...

...tied on some red ribbon...

...and now I feel all better because I have a lil' Valentine Cheer in my dining room.

Thanks for inspiring me everybody!

Have a Happy Day!

Cathy

A simple fix...

2010-01-18T08:06:00.000-08:00

Well, January is my "nesting" time. The shop is closed and it is about the only time all year when I have a minute to focus on something in my own home. Sooooo, of course I had to "change" something - I don't leave anything the same for very long. And since I do all the work myself - nothing is ever very expensive. A lil' paint, a lil' material, a lil' TLC - and everything feels fresh and new again.

So, here is my delima - I found some curtains at Lowe's that I liked but they were way to short. I don't usually buy store bought curtains simply because I like to piddle with sewing. Now, I'm no seamstress by any stretch of the imagination but I can sew to suit myself. Just don't go peeking underneath - it might not look very pretty - hehe.

About 10 inches to short...

Some corresponding fabrics...

My trusty sewing machine...

After I sewed on the border - I pinned the fabric so it would pleat like the top panel...

And here they are... I really like them. Now, they look kind of custom. They still need to "soften up" so they will hang a bit better - but I think I'm gonna be happy with them.

I'll show you more pictures of my mini makeover later...if I can manage to ever get it finished.

Happy Monday friends,

Cathy

Valentine Salt Dough...

2010-01-13T20:02:00.000-08:00

Another holiday means more fun salt dough projects. Actually I'm cheating a lil' bit and showing you pics from last year 'cause I haven't had time to make mine yet!!! But here are a couple of ideas you could use while you are creating your own!

You know the recipe by "heart" now I'm sure but here it goes again...

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup salt

mix well and add

1 cup warm water

Form dough and shape with your hands or use cookie cutters

Bake at about 325 degrees for a couple of hours - give or take

Insert loops in the top if you'd like to make lil' small charms...

Paint them to your liking...

Here are some I monogrammed, polka-dotted, and glittered to make lil' necklaces. They were for all the young girls in Casen's kindergarten class last year...cute and inexpensive.

And for those of you who do seasonal trees - they would make the perfect ornaments or tie-ons for gifts...

And I haven't tried it yet but I think it would be really cute to make small ones painted in pastel colors that looks like that candy - you know - "kiss me", "u r cute", "I luv u". Place them in a sweet dish for a lil' Valentine decoration. And you'll keep your new diet in check - because you can't eat them - you know, cute on the eyes, not on the thighs -hehe

Everybody have a blessed day and

Happy Creating!

Cathy

Not much snow...but...

2010-01-07T14:59:00.001-08:00

...enough to say -

My friend, Sara, made this cute lil' hat for me - thanks Sara - I love it!

Casen made a snow angel or two... and we threw lots of snowballs!

I made some yummy vegetable soup...

...and chocolate chip cookies.

So even though we didn't get enough snow to sleigh ride - it was still a wonderful day.

School's out again tomorrow - so everybody have fun and brrrrrrr.... stay safe and warm!

Cathy

Some thoughts...

2010-01-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

Well, we are expecting a lil' snow here in Ky tonight - I'm sure hoping we see some. We had a lil' last year, note the picture, but I'd love to see enough to sleigh ride jus' once.

I'm in a project - a big one - I'll be sharing some pics with you soon. But I got this in an e-mail today and I just loved it - every single word of it - so I thought I'd share it with you. Thanks sweet Julie for sending it to me.

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends & family will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

I think if we all live by these words - we will have a very blessed 2010.

Cathy

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

2009-12-30T13:23:00.001-08:00

...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...

2009-12-23T20:06:00.000-08:00

...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

2009-12-23T20:05:00.001-08:00

I miss blogging...

2009-12-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

...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...

2009-12-10T06:01:00.001-08:00

...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....

2009-12-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

...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...

2009-11-28T17:40:00.000-08:00

...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...

2009-11-25T05:15:00.001-08:00

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...

2009-11-20T21:00:00.001-08:00

...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