The Farmers Oldest Daughter

I Have Really Been Gone A Long Time

2011-02-07T15:02:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone -

I have really been gone a long time. I have missed birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Shame on me. There won't be any pictures in this one since I am posting this from work. I have so much to do here, I shouldn't be doing this, but I wanted you to know that I am still around.

Our son in law is doing so much better. Thank you everyone for all of the prayers that were said for him. He was off of work for 3 months and is now back at his job. He is so glad to be back. We spent Christmas with them and it was nice to see him up and around.

We have had more snow than we have had in years and we have also had ice under the snow. Last week we had about 4 inches of ice and then another 6 inches of snow on top of that. We are suppose to get anywhere from 3 to 10 inches of snow on Wednesday. To kick the year off, we had a tornado on New Years Eve. How strange is that. It basically destroyed a small town. We are not prepared in the south for snow so we don't want anymore.

I bought some great tobacco cloth curtains from Janet at Winter Willow Primitives. They are fantastic. You should buy some of her things. She has great items at fantastic prices. I will try and get some pictures posted of them. Thanks again Janet, they are wonderful.

I will check in with you later. Ya'll take care and I try and post some pictures.

Maxine

There’s Been A Lot Going On

2010-10-23T20:55:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone -

There has been a lot going on in our family plus we have been gone on a short trip, thus, no blog posts.

The first thing that has happened is that our son-in-law had a bad motorcycle accident a little over 3 weeks ago. They were visiting us and he brought a friend with him and they were out riding. He hit some lose gravel and he came off of his cycle. He has 4 broken ribs, a broken shoulder blade and a banged up knee. He has had surgery on his knee and is having surgery on his shoulder blade this coming Monday in Oklahoma City. I will go and stay with him while my daughter goes to school at night and tries to go to work some during the day.

We went to the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM for 4 days. It was absolutely gorgeous there. Here are a few pictures of some of the balloons.

The balloons looked like Christmas ornaments floating in the sky when they took off.

When we got back, we were going to go and get our little Mini Schnauzer from the vet’s where he is always boarded. The vet called the morning we were to go and pick him up and said that his diabetes was getting the best of him. We made the decision to have him go to sleep. That is so difficult to do. That is like one of your children. Our house is so quiet now. We are not going to get one at this point because we are gone for the holidays and it is so hard to board them all of the time.

I have been cleaning up the yard, getting ready for winter. Oh how I dislike that season, but it is part of it. It is still so hot here that our air conditioner came on several times today.

I hope everyone has a restful Sunday. I don’t know when I will be back since I will be in Oklahoma City some next week. If you think about it, say a little prayer for our family at 9:30 on Monday morning.

I apologize for not having anything more interesting to post about.

Blessings ♥

Maxine

Happy Birthday Terry

2010-09-25T13:40:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow, September 26, is my husband’s birthday. I wish I had some pictures of him when he was a small child but I don’t. He was adopted when he was around 2 1/2 years old and had a wonderful family growing up. He could not have asked for a better family.

My husband likes to fish and go to football games and baseball games. He also goes with me on my antiquing escapades and likes to help me decorate, on occasion. He has a great eye for things. He was in the architectural field for many years so he is very wise about things like that. He will NOT paint though. He totally refuses to do that. Right now he is out in his kayak fishing and tomorrow after church, we will go to lunch at a restaurant called “Monte Ne Inn”. It is a family style restaurant that only serves fried chicken and they serve it family style. That is his choice for lunch tomorrow. Great way to keep your weight off (HA)! He has lost a around 120 lbs, give or take a few, all on his own.

Here is a picture of him, last Thanksgiving, after eating a big lunch and before he lost all of his weight. We were at my cousins house and playing mexican train dominoes in the background.

He does this best.

Here he is with my cousin and her husband. I always kid him about having no hair but he says there is no upkeep.

He is a photographer also and has done weddings and entered many contests and done well. This is at Niagara Falls this summer.

Our daughter is such a daddy’s girl. Of course, I think most daughters are, I was.

Happy Birthday dear and may you have many more!!!

How Has Everyone Been

2010-09-19T20:43:00.001-05:00

As has everyone else, I have been doing lots of things plus working my 40 plus hours a week.

Our garden was so bountiful this year. I put up tomatoes and made sauce with herbs for this winter, plus I made hot dill pickles, pickled beets, put up peaches, apples, zucchini and other things. They will be good this winter. I started out making my pickles in a crock like my grandmother did. I used the Polish recipe. I put in the amount of salt it called for and so they are really salty but they are also spicy hot with red pepper flakes. I added that part myself.

We have been adding crown molding and framing mirrors in our bathrooms. Here is what they looked like before and after.

Before

After

Our mirrors were just big mirrors glued to the wall. I have wanted to frame them for the longest time and finally found an economical way to do it.

Before

After

The mirrors look so much better now and interestingly enough, it makes the bathrooms both a lot brighter. Neither one of my baths have windows in them so this helps a lot. I would love to get some new light fixtures but that will have to wait. It took me 5 years to get my hubby to help put up the molding. That is how long I have had it just waiting to put it up. It just kind of gives it a finished look.

Last Thursday I was doing the finishing touches of paint and was standing on the counter tops, getting ready to get back down and guess what, I kicked the paint can and boy did I have a mess to clean up. Thankfully it is water based paint.

Our daughter and her husband are coming home the first weekend in October. This is the first time in 2 years that they have been home for a full weekend. We are anxious to see them. They have plans while they are here so they will be in and out.

I am getting my fall decorations out and getting ready to put them up. Our weather had cooled off but the heat came back. It is too hot for this time of year in my part of the country.

Not to much to talk about this time. It sounds like everyone has their busy everyday lives and that is a good thing.

Thank you for your sweet comments. I do appreciate them, even though I don’t get on here too much.

Take care♥

Maxine

More Vacation Pictures and Info

2010-08-10T21:37:00.001-05:00

I did come back in less than a month, more than a week, but less than a month.

While we were at the Vietnam wall visiting and looking for names of individuals that we knew, there were several people mourning at the wall. It was so sad to see this. After all of the time that has passed, people still mourn there. This was the most solemn of all of the memorials and there was just an air about it. It gives you the shivers to be there. There were others that left notes, flowers and gifts. All of these items are gathered up and never thrown away. They are kept. I would like to see the area where these items are kept.

Here are a few more photos of various places. I will try and not bore you.

During the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we were asked to be quiet and turn off all cell phones and this was to honor and respect those that were entombed here. This was a very moving ceremony. It was so hot during this ceremony, I felt sorry for the guards in their wool uniforms.

We didn’t know that our church had planned to place a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. When they announced who it was from, I about fell over. It was such an honor to be there that day to see this happen.

We had lunch at Grand Central Station and that is the most beautiful place. There were wedding pictures being taken when we were there. The chandeliers are out of this world. We had a great lunch too but boy the prices were not so beautiful. My husband had 2 enchiladas and it was $20.00. They were good though.

I must say, the Canadian side is much more beautiful than the American side. I think everyone that I spoke with said the same thing. There is a magical feeling to the Canadian side.

We went to the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, Indiana. This was a really interesting place to visit.

On a lighter note, on the way home, it was decided we would have a legs contest that was with the guys. Here they are posing.

We had one gentleman who refused to wear shorts so this is what he came up with.

Needless to say, he was the talk of the town. He wore that all day long and everywhere we stopped people had something to say. Some people thought he was a rodeo barrel clown, some thought he was our mascot and I won’t tell you what others thought he was. He was a good sport about it.

This is a great way to take a trip and I would recommend it for anyone. I normally do all of the driving when we go places and this is so much better and you meet so many wonderful people.

I hope you enjoyed the quickie version of our vacation. It is a once in a lifetime trip for us and I hope that someday many of you can do this. I know there are some reading this that probably live there and see this everyday.

Y’all have a great week and I’ll be back.

Blessings♥

Maxine

We Had a Great Vacation

2010-08-05T21:26:00.001-05:00

We were gone 11 days. We were with 56 people on a motor coach. We knew some of the people so that made it more fun. We were picked up in Joplin, MO and from there we went to Church Hill Downs in Louisville, KY, Washington DC, New York City, Niagara Falls and the Amish Country in Indiana.

We ate so much. My hubby just lost 105 lbs and he was hesitant to eat but he got into the groove with the rest of us. He lost his weight on his own, changing his eating habits and lots of exercise, no doctors involved. He has done great.

Back to our trip. I will show you pictures and then in another blog, explain what we did in all of the areas.

This is just a few of the photos. I will show you more later, I promise, not a month later. I have been to NYC before but did not get to see a lot of the sights that I got to see this time. I had never been at the other places we visited. I am sure a lot of you have seen these things but to us, it was great.

Thank you to all of those who read my blog. I know I have lost some readers because I don’t post as much as I use to. Life gets in the way but I am thankful to have a job, a family and a home to keep me busy.

Everyone have a great weekend

Blessings ♥

Maxine

I’ve Been Thinking

2010-07-11T15:58:00.003-05:00

How is everyone doing? Fine I hope. I want to thank everyone for the kind comments on my last post and offers of how to fix my mantle. I’m still working on that one.
The title of my blog is a little dangerous. My husband says that when I get to get to thinking, something always happens. Either the house gets re-done, or the yard gets re-done or I have lots of projects for him to do, so he prefers that I not think too much, especially those kinds of thoughts.
It seems that my blogging posts are getting farther and farther apart. I think I am just getting old and slow, at least that is what it seems like to me. I hope everyone had a great 4th. We did. On Saturday we went to our local minor league baseball team’s game and watched the fireworks and listened to our local philharmonic orchestra afterwards, in the rain, I might add. Then on Sunday, of course it was church, and then on Sunday night it was Fireworks at the Crosses. We have a church at another location and we have large crosses. We had baptisms before the sun went down and then an AMAZING fireworks show after that. My husband posted the videos on You Tube. If I knew where they were, I would attach them.
The day after the 4th, I went to the lake with our neighbors. We had fun but girls and boys, let me tell you something, if you have never tubed before, don’t try it. You get bounced around and around and around and if you are not laying on top of the tube and instead if you are inside of the tube, you can get stuck. That happened to me. I had 3 people getting me out of that tube. There were 2 people pulling me, one on each of my arms and one person pushing on my butt. That was funny but also a very painful experience. I had some bruises from that. The story is funnier than that but I don’t think I need to go into more explanation than that. Let’s leave that sport to the very young. Water skiing is a little different.
The week before that we had a large Sunday School party at our home. My husband smoked 7 racks of ribs and smoked a pork butt. YUM! YUM! Everyone else brought delicious side dishes and desserts. Needless to say no one went home hungry. Sorry that I didn’t take any pictures, I was too busy, but believe me, there were a lot of bones left over.
We played a little game where everyone brought a picture from their childhood. I mounted them on poster board and had a guessing game. The winner won a prize. That was really interesting. No one looked then like they do now. I also had everyone talk about how they met and how long they dated. Boy was that interesting.
Something that I have been thinking about is that if we met a fellow blogger on the street and we had never ever spoken before, I do believe that we could strike up a conversation and it could last for hours. We would recognize each other by the pictures of ourselves on our blogs. We all like to blog and visit by leaving our comments on other blogs. What do you think? Maybe I am the only one that thinks that way.
We are going on vacation next week for 2 weeks. That is a rarity for us. When we get back, I will have lots of pictures for you. Sorry, but this is a pictureless post.
You all have a great week ahead and I will visit with you when I return.
Blessings to everyone ~
Maxine

I’M STILL HERE!!!

2010-06-10T21:18:00.001-05:00

I’m still here. I hope I didn’t lose all of you that read my blog. What have I been doing while I have been away.

Lots and lots.

I have been home to see family. The wheat harvest was ready to get started. Everyone was gearing up and the combines and headers were going down the roads in full force.

I have painted my utility room. It was a real light color and I painted it a little darker. It is Mousse Moose by Valspar from Lowes. The color looks really light in the pictures but it is really darker.

I have done some makeovers. There was a sale last week and I just couldn’t help myself. A friend and I took a long lunch hour and went shopping. Oh the treasures I could have had but I had to restrain myself. Here is a wooden bowl I made over.

Before

After

Here is a little carrier that wasn’t the most attractive

Before

After

I bought this little bottle, tea stained some flags to put in it. I couldn’t put them in the oven because the staffs would have melted. I just had to let them drip dry. I placed them on the runner that Kimberly made for me.

I have also done some moving things around and changing things around a bit. I never know what to do with my fireplace mantel. This is how I have for now.

It is still do not like it but it will have to do for now. Anyone have any ideas for mantels. I hung our game boards but I need a lot more of them to hang with these and some on the other side of the entertainment center.

We have been doing lots of yard work and have finally gotten the yard in good condition for the summertime. I just love it when I can sit outside on my patio and have my coffee and listen to the birds chirp and see them feed.

Everything has really grown since these pictures were taken. I don’t know how many yards of chocolate bark we put down, but it was a lot but it looks so good when it is fresh. My annuals have filled up the pots too. Here they were just planted. I have a lot of my Americana out also. The 4th will be here before we know it.

Everyone have a great weekend. Thank you again for all of the wonderful comments and they are appreciated. Blogging friends are the best.

~Blessings to you all~

Maxine

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

2010-05-01T21:12:00.001-05:00

May 2, 1926 my mother was born. She was the 6th child in a family of 7 children. There were 5 girls and 2 boys. All but 2 are now gone. My mother’s father immigrated from Ukraine because of religious persecution. My mother’s mother was from Beatrice, Nebraska. They were of the Mennonite faith.

This is a picture of my mother shortly after my dad died. She and my dad married, March 26, 1944 and she said 2 days later they had a very bad blizzard.

This is their wedding picture. They lived on the farm all of their married lives. My mom never worked in the field but always made sure there was food taken to the field for the noon meal and then later in the afternoon. In the evening, around 9 p.m. the hired help and my dad would come in and Mom would always have something for them to eat. She is a great cook.

My mother always made everything that my sister and I wore, from our coats and caps to our dresses, slacks, whatever it was, she made it. She use to make draperies for other ladies in the area where we lived.

I remember my mom taking us on vacations to California to see her parents. They moved there before my mom and dad were married. We always had a good time there. We would drive through the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona and it was so hot. When my sister was only 6 months old, we took the train from Oklahoma to California. I don’t remember much about it, but I do remember that I was glad to get off of it. My dad didn’t go with us because he stayed at home and farmed. A farmers work is never done.

Since my dad was a farmer, he was always looking for better ways to farm the land. Here he and my mom are receiving an award for something that he did on the land. This was in the late 1950’s, can’t you tell. We always had a big garden and canned or froze everything we grew. We had enough to last us all year long. We also butchered our own chickens, cattle and hogs for our meat. We were very self-sufficient and we always made our own bread too. Every Saturday my mom would bake bread and pies and cakes. She made a German bread every Saturday called “Zwiebach”. With a last name like Schmidt, you couldn’t help but make good German food.

This is my mom today. I wish there were more pictures of her growing up but sadly there aren’t.

She wears hearing aids because her hearing was damaged while working in a factory. Farmers don’t make much money so she had to go to work and help support our family. Both my sister and I went through school and received good educations thanks to my mom and dad.

Thanks Mom for all you did for our family and raising my sister and myself. You did a good job. You have 2 daughters, 3 granddaughters and 5 great grandchildren. You have done well.

Happy Birthday and May You Have Many More!!!

Thanks for sharing my mother’s birthday with me.

Blessings everyone ♥♥♥

A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That

2010-04-25T18:37:00.001-05:00

Spring has sprung in our area. Our cool days are fewer and fewer apart. HURRAY!!!

Our phlox has just about finished blooming

Our tulips have just about finished blooming

Our irises will soon be blooming and it is time to plant the annuals. The grass is turning green and once again time to mow. One of my least favorite things to do, but it must be done.

We went junking, antiquing, last weekend. My hubby found a box of things and everything in the box was marked $1.00. My kind of box. I found this blue granite pan. Being a sucker for blue, I grabbed it up.

I put a battery operated tea light in it at night and it is cute all lit up. The next thing I found for only $3.00 was this little crock container with a blue stripe. Also being a sucker for any type of pottery or crocks, I had to have it too.

I put it in one of my bathrooms with cotton balls in it until I decide to do something else, which probably won’t be long. I like to move things around.

I have also started on a lap quilt. How I got the fabric is a story in itself. Each time that our dog is groomed, he comes home with a bandana. Being the person I am and like to re-purpose things, I have saved them all and laundered them and am putting them into a lap quilt. These are just the first 2strips because work gets in the way of doing all of the things I want to do.

There will be many more colors than this. The triangles are all different shapes so I am having to do some trimming and also some stretching of the fabric.

I want to thank each and every one of you who leave such sweet comments. Thank you for visiting my blog, even though I don’t blog regularly. It seems that things get in the way of me doing that.

I hope each and everyone of you has a very blessed and fulfilled week.

Blessings - Maxine

Hi Everyone

2010-04-12T08:59:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone -

I really haven't forgotten you, I have just been running like crazy. We went out of town for Easter and other areas of my life seem like they are out of control at the moment. I am working on some new projects, I am trying my hand at a lap quilt with some various fabrics I have at home. I will show some pics in a later post. We are trying to get flowers planted and the rest of the garden in, etc. Springtime has hit big time in Arkansas.

Hopefully, I can get pictures of the redbud trees, the dogwood trees and all of the beautiful flowers that are blooming, posted very soon.

Our church always has a widow's banquet every year so last night we escorted our next door neighbor to the banquet. We had the greatest and the funniest speaker. She is from South Louisiana and I loved her accent. Everyone says I have an accent but you should hear her. She has a great ministry.

Sorry there are no pictures this time, just letting you know I am still alive and kicking.

I really will try and be back with all kinds of pictures this week, inbetween aerobics classes and gardening and all of the other things life brings us. I wish I could tell some results from the classes, but we all know how that goes. I have a friend who would ride an exercise bike and eat chocolate cake at the same time.

Y'all have a blessed week.

Maxine

Makeovers and Snow

2010-03-21T20:03:00.001-05:00

This week was spring break for the kids from our state. It was warm most of the time and on Friday it was a beautiful spring day, in the 70’s Here is what my jonquils looked like on Friday.

Here is what they looked like this morning before we went to church. Notice all of the footprints from our little dog and the hubby who went out to see how much snow we had at that time.

This is our deck at 6:30 this morning. When we got home from church we had much more snow yet. We had around 12 inches total since 4:00 yesterday afternoon, along with sleet and lots of rain.

Hopefully, it will all be gone by Tuesday or Wednesday when it gets into the'60’s. I have been doing some makeovers since I last posted. I got these 5 boxes at work and made them over. I didn’t know how it would work since they were a slick paper but I sanded them down and then painted and stained them.

They look better in person but they did turn out well. I had to give some of them 2 coats of paint so the design wouldn’t show underneath. I also finished a checkerboard that I had been working on for sometimes. I didn’t have the white checkers aged for these pictures. I also have a shelf that I made over last summer that I finally hung in my bathroom. There are too many things that get in my way for things that I like to do.

This is a little bowl that I found at the Goodwill several weeks ago. It had a bird painted in it with several other paintings. I, of course, painted it black. I just have to find the right place for it now.

We have started our garden for this summer. We already have potatoes, radishes, lettuce, onions and beets planted. The lettuce, radishes and onions were growing before the wonderful snow of this weekend. I am hoping the snow acts as a blanket for it rather than just freeze everything.

A good friend of ours has been doing square foot gardening for several years and told us how it worked for her so my husband built boxes and this is what we have coming up so far. I will have an herb bed this. I just love herbs, they smell so good and taste so good when you use them fresh.

It’s off to the start of another week. Hopefully, it won’t be so long before I post again. Everyone have a great week and as always, thank you for your sweet comments.

Maxine

Oh What A Beautiful Day

2010-02-27T20:47:00.001-06:00

We had a beautiful day today. The sun was out and the birds were singing, the sky was a beautiful blue and NO SNOW OR COLD!!! Hallelujah. The air was so nice and fresh and crisp.

I did lots of cleaning today and have lots more to do. I think it is called spring fever. I always feel so good whenever everything is clean. If it would only stay that way.

I have a few new things to show you. First off, I ordered a sign from Kath and it is great. She does such great work.

Thank you Kath. Funny thing about this, I received it last Saturday and hung it up in my kitchen and didn’t tell my hubby about it. He just noticed it today. He said he noticed it in the middle of the week when I asked him about it.

Also, I found the rugs to go on the new kitchen floor. They go so well with everything that I have in my kitchen. They are black so I will have to vacuum more than I do because they show everything and when we come in from outside and have dead grass on our shoes, it really shows up.

This is why I bought rugs with chickens on them. I have many chickens. A friend of mine gave me the bakers rack several years ago and I am always doing different things on it. I have my chickens on here for now, but don’t know for how long. This is not near all I have but I don’t need all of them out

or it would be too cluttered.

I hope each and everyone of you have a good Sunday. Until next time -

Hugs -

Maxine

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

2010-02-16T05:41:00.001-06:00

Wow, what a great bunch of questions. You made me do some serious thinking on some of them. Hopefully I won’t bore you with the answers.

1. Q. What is the strangest thing that you have that is not used for it’s original purpose?

A. I don’t know if it is a strange item, but I have a salesman sample possum belly table that I use as a night stand next to one of my iron beds. It has the metal for the belly under part . I also have a 2 drawer possum belly work table that has wood for the under part. I was very fortunate to get this, because as soon as I bought it, a dealer walked in and wanted to buy it. He was not a happy person when he found out it was sold. Here is a picture of the little one.

2. Q. How tall are you?

A. I am 5’2” and yes I do have eyes of blue. I am the shortest one in my family. At times, it is a handicap to be short but at other times it can be to my advantage. I played sports, when I was much younger, and in softball, it helped being short, I could run faster. The one thing about being short, is that weight loves to be attracted to you and it sticks to you like glue.

3. Q. I would like to know more about the Miniature Schnauzers that I have pictures of and some background on them.

A. This will be a lengthy answer so hold on to your chairs. Max, the oldest one, is our dog. We rescued him from the animal shelter when he was 3 years old and we are his 3rd owner. His is very lucky to be alive because the last time he was picked up by the animal control officer, before we got him, he was on a busy U.S.highway. He is such a joy to us. He will be 14 on the 26th of this month, is a diabetic and is blind. We know his time with us is short but we are making the best of it with him. He went to the vet today for his blood sugar check and we have to up his insulin to 14 units twice a day, one shot in the morning and one in the evening.

Murphy, the youngest one, is one of our 4 grand dogs. One of our daughter’s Shar-Peis passed away a year ago this past January and she was having a difficult time not having her “Sadie” around. Our daughter has always been around dogs from the day we brought her home from the hospital. She and her husband got Murphy after the death of Sadie. We got to keep him at Christmas time and it was good for Max to have a pup around. He really came alive. We are a family of dog lovers.

Dan, if you are reading this, I got tickled when I read your dogs names, Payton& Parker, those are the names of my pastor’s grandsons. Just a side note. LOL

4. Q. Regarding the flooring we put down, are they interlocking pieces and how long did it take?

A. They are interlocking pieces and are so easy to install. We did the kitchen and that was the most complicated room because you need to move all of your appliances out, even your dishwasher. By the time it was completely finished with trim and everything, it took about 4 days. I helped on the weekend, but went back to work on Monday. I know that sounds like a long time, but there are so many cuts to make around the cabinets and in the pantry, etc. It does not show scratches because we had a large appliance dolly to move the appliances and it had a rough blade on it and it didn’t harm the floor at all. If we can do it, anyone can do it. We plan to do our bedroom next and that should be a breeze, just straight rows and not take so long.

5. Q. How are you and your hubby going to spend Valentines Day?

A. We had a progressive dinner on Saturday evening with our Sunday School class. We went to 3 different homes with 3 different courses. Each home was beautiful with lots of good food and fun. On Sunday, after church, we went out to eat. I got some beautiful tulips from my hubby.

Here is what I took to the progressive dinner, red velvet cupcakes.

6. Q. If you had a Prim magic wand - “ab-ra-ca-da-bra” and you could use it only once, what would ya use it for?

A. My oh my, so many wishes, but only one can be had. I would have a home built to look like it was from the 1700’s or 1800’s or possibly a log cabin but with my modern plumbing and appliances inside. Either one of these would be fine. Is this being selfish?

7. Q. Was I a good student?

A. Yes, my parents would not let me participate in certain things if I didn’t have good grades. Neither one of my parents finished high school. My mother went through the 8th grade and my dad through the 10th grade. They had to stay at home and work, don’t get me wrong please, they were both very smart people when it came to business. My parents wanted better for both my sister and me. Both of us made the honor roll. It was a requirement or we didn’t go anywhere besides not participating in things. They were raised by the old school and that is how they raised us, hard work and education.

8. Q. What is my favorite prim piece?

A. My hutch which was built in 1879 with 3 different types of wood; cherry, walnut and pine. It has a big rat hole chewed at the bottom of the doors. I looked a long time for something like this so I would have to say this is my favorite piece. We bought many of our pieces back when they were not so expensive. No one wanted them but me and another friend of mine. We bought them when the getting was good. Here is a picture of it.

Well, that is it. I hope you enjoyed my answers and didn’t bore you too much. I probably gave your more information than you wanted to know.

Everyone have a blessed week and hopefully some warm weather will come to all of us.

Maxine

Question Time

2010-02-11T16:38:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone -

First off, I have been remiss in thanking everyone for the wonderful comments you have been leaving on my blog. I feel like if I would meet you in person, I would know you; it is as if we are one big family and that such a nice feeling.

I have been reading on some blogs where people ask you questions and, if they aren't too personal, you answer them back. It is really interesting what people are asking about and the answers that go with them. I love hearing about how everyone got into certain forms of decorating, etc.

I have given this a lot of thought, and if you would like to ask me a question, go ahead and I will try and answer it the best that I can. I will give everyone until February 15 to ask their questions and I will post answers on February 16. Leave me a question on this post. That gives everyone 4 days. This should be interesting. I'm sure that my family members, who read this, will REALLY be interested in what I have to say.

No pictures this post, but I have to say, I am so ready for spring. We still have snow on the ground, not near as much as those of you who live up North. I do feel for you. We really need sunshine too. It makes everyone feel better and also be in a better mood.

My bulbs that I planted last fall are coming up and the crocus should be blooming in another couple of weeks. I will post pictures when they bloom.

Better go. I am looking forward to your questions. If I don't post before Valentine's Day, everyone have a wonderful day with their loved ones.

Maxine

Our New Floor

2010-01-29T16:50:00.008-06:00

We installed a new laminate floor in our breakfast area, kitchen and laundry room last weekend. Kath, click on her name, gave the name of the flooring that she used and so we went and got some samples and oh, is it ever beautiful. Thanks Kath for the information. Here are a few random shots from the beginning to the partial finish before everything is put back together.
Just beginning. We are finally getting rid of our ugly white ceramic tile. I could no longer keep it clean. One thing I don’t like is a dirty floor.
We’re getting there. Look at the mess on the countertop and the fridge in the background. Oh, but it will be worth it.

We’re just about done, all we lack is the trim. The appliances have all been put back in their places. How does all of that dirt get underneath things, like the dishwasher?

Here it is with all of the trim put on. It is so pretty and makes our rooms look so much cleaner and put together.

I would like to get some new rugs since we have had these for ever. I will have to look at my budget first. I think the floors turned out great.
Now, guess what we have today, one inch of ice with about 12 inches of snow on top of that. Here is a picture of the parking lot at work.

This is ice, no snow yet. This came last night and early this morning. This is one reason it is so difficult to drive here because we have so much ice underneath our snow. Here are some more pictures of the ice.

When I left work today, the snow had already begun to fall and it looked like we were in a snow globe while we were inside, but once we got outside, it was a different story. If it keeps this up, we will have to get warmer clothes. This is one of the coldest and snowiest winters I can remember.
This is another weekend and everyone stay warm and cozy and have a very safe weekend.
Maxine

My Hometown!!! and Baby It’s Cold Outside

2010-01-07T20:49:00.002-06:00

It is so cold outside. This is the coldest I can ever remember. Our high today was 15 with a –5 wind chill. Our high tomorrow is 9 with a negative wind chill. OH MY!!! Next week though, back into the 40’s. I’m just thankful that we are not getting the snow the states up North are getting. I really do feel for them. We would be stranded for months if we had something like that.
I haven’t done anything special in the way of decorating or putting my house together in any special way since Christmas and the New Year so I thought I would show you where I was raised. I always like to see other parts of the country. The part of the country where I was raised is totally different than where I live now. In Western Oklahoma the wind blows, a lot, and what few trees there are, all lean to the north. If there is anyone from that part of the country that is reading this, I am sure you will know what I am talking about.
Here are some pictures of the countryside. This picture is rather blurry but there are lots of windmills to get the water out of the wells for the cattle. This is cattle and wheat country.

These pictures were taken at Thanksgiving and this is a flock of wild turkeys that was crossing the road. There were probably 30 in the flock all totaled.
This is just one of the many fields of cattle that are grazing on the green wheat that will be harvested next spring, probably late May or June.

There is a lot of drilling for oil and gas in this part of the country. They have to go down around 35,000 feet on some of the wells but they are great wells. This is called the Anadarko basin.

This is a picture of my 83 year old mother, soon to be 84. She gets around so well, still drives, keeps her own house and manages her own affairs. She was born and raised in a German Mennonite community called Corn, OK. It used to be spelled Korn but during WWII the spelling was changed. Her father immigrated from Ukraine and this is where they settled. When she and my dad married they moved from this area but she still has several relatives and friends here.

These are some pictures of my home town. Don’t laugh at the name, and no, it wasn’t named after a cow. I went to school here through the 8th grade and then I had to transfer to an area high school. I am a very small town girl.

My sister got married in this little church, many years ago and this is where we went when I was at home.

I played many a basketball game in this gym and also ran lots of laps getting ready to play basketball. I think small towns have lots of advantages, in some ways. People are always ready to help in any way they can in any type of situation. There are also disadvantages but I think the good outweighs the bad.

This was one of the local grocery stores. It is now closed along with all of the other businesses; except the co-op elevator. That is one of the sad things about going home; but there are larger towns around.

This is the house I was raised in. It looks NOTHING like it did when we lived there. My parents always kept it up, the yard was immaculate and everything was so pretty. They sold it right before my father passed away 28 years ago and this is what has happened to it.
My sister and I didn’t walk to school, we had to ride the bus because we lived out in the country. We would get on the bus about 7 in the morning and get to school around 8. It was fun except waiting in the cold for the bus.
I hope you enjoyed my part of the world where I grew up. It is nothing fancy but it is home for me.
Have a safe and warm weekend and I’ll be back later.
Maxine

Happy New Year

2010-01-03T09:10:00.003-06:00

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We had a white Christmas this year. The first one we have had in many years. I know to some of you our snow wasn’t very much but we have ice under our snows so it makes them very dangerous. These are pictures of Christmas morning.

My cousin’s car is in the driveway and when they left, late Christmas day, they had to really scrape the windows and let it warm up for awhile. They came Christmas Eve evening when the weather was “OK” and when they left Christmas afternoon, what is normally a 2 1/2 hour drive for them turned into a 4 1/2 hour drive for them home. Unfortunately, our roads are not kept clear because we don’t have the equipment to do that.
We had a quiet New Years Eve. We didn’t even see it in. Our daughter and her husband went to see his family this year so we kept 2 of their 4 dogs. This can be very interesting when your dog is blind and one of theirs is a pup and is quite rambunctious. They are good dogs though.
This is my daughter’s Shar-Pei that she had before she got married. he is really old.

Our dog is the one in the red sweater, his OU sweater. The other one is their youngest. He just turned a year old. These are our grand dogs, you might say. They both went home yesterday.
This morning we woke up to more snow. I am not a fan of winter but we have no choice in this. It is a pretty snow though. Here are some more pictures of our snow taken today.

It doesn’t look like much but it will turn to ice by tomorrow, just in time for everyone to go back to work.
I have a terrible head cold and tomorrow is my birthday so I hope I feel better by tomorrow. I never get a cold like this one, but it hit me this year.
I am hoping that all of you have a very blessed 2010 and I hope to meet more people in blogland. It has been a fun time getting to know everyone.
Maxine

I THINK I’M FINALLY FINISHED!!!!

2009-12-13T19:42:00.001-06:00

I finally finished up today!!! Hooray! Now I can get on with making my cookies and other things that I do. Here are some final touches that I did.

I I have a scripture stenciled around my dining room wall. That is what you above by my tree on the wall. Here is another view of my tree with just the lights on. Rather blurry!

The next pictures are of some cross stitching that I have done. These were done several years ago, especially when my daughter was a teenager and I would wait on her to come home at night. Have any of you been there???

This one was difficult to get a picture of because of where I have it hanging.

This is all for now. Everyone have a great week.

I love how each and everyone of you have decorated your homes. They are all different with our own personal touches and I really like looking at each and everyone of them.

Everyone have a great week and don’t eat too many of those great treats we have this time of year.

Christmas blessings to all of you.

Maxine

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

2009-12-11T21:38:00.003-06:00

This is my first time using Live Writer so if there are little quirks here and there, it is because I am learning.

It’s about time I posted a few of my pictures. I’m not totally done decorating yet, but I have made some progress. This is the tree in my kitchen. I just took and used cookie cutters for ornaments. I have a lot of old cookie cutters and then a lot of brass ones. They don’t show up very well.

This is of the baker’s rack in my kitchen. I left all of my pitchers up and added some of my pewter. Please excuse the television but I didn’t know what to do with it. Here is my mantel with some of my santas. I have a large assortment of them and this doesn’t even scratch the surface with the number that I have. Truthfully, I have too many.

The lights are not showing up, but I do have lights in the greenery.

These are just a few of my snowmen. The one sitting in the chair looks like he has his nose up in the air. Once again, they are not showing up like they should.

I have some hand carved carolers that I put out every year. The lady I bought these from no longer does crafting so I feel fortunate to have these.

I have a window hanging in my living room that looks real, but it’s not. I put a wreath on it, but after really looking at this picture, the wreath needs fluffing. And last, but definitely not the least, is the most important of all, the Reason for the Season. The birth of Christ our Lord and Savior. Without him, we wouldn’t have Christmas. While I was home for Thanksgiving, I got a coverlet for my king size bed. I just love it. My uncle had it and he and my aunt are getting rid of things and thinking of selling their home. I bought this from him for a mere fraction of what it was worth.

This is all for today. Have a great weekend.
Merry Christmas Everyone.
Maxine

It's Christmas Time

2009-12-08T09:15:00.000-06:00

This is a season that we all enjoy so much. I am working on my home and should have some new pictures posted in a few days. I don't know where my time is going, but it is going somewhere. It is so cold here, 20 degrees below normal from what we are suppose to be.

Hope you are all enjoying your special time this time of year.

I'll be back in a few days with some pictures.

Christmas blessings.
Maxine

THINGS I'VE DONE

2009-11-22T13:47:00.008-06:00

Happy Sunday to everyone -

I was reading some blogs last week, going from one to the other to the other. I think we all do that. I was reading a blog and the title was "Things I've Done". Here is the list of things that I have done, marked in green. Some of them are interesting and some are not.

To participate just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done. Let me know if you participated by leaving a comment!

Happy discoveries!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - Hope to do this soon.
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - When I was much younger
24. Built a snow fort - We have never had enough snow to do this.
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - Hope to next summer
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - We should be satisfised with what we have.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (do aerobics count) - sometimes that feel like martial arts
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I hope everyone has a very blessed Thanksgiving. I am going to go and see my mother. I haven't seen her in a long time and she is 83 years old. It is always good to go home and be with family, especially when you don't get to be around them much. I wish my sister could come but she will be spending it with her children and 5 grandchildren.

I will be back to share pictures of our Thanksgiving and my wonderful family.

Blessings - Maxine

P.S. Blogger is not cooperating very well today. It has highlighted some items in white and I don't know why and put in some spaces for some strange reason.

A Beautiful Fall Day In The Ozarks

2009-11-14T20:03:00.002-06:00

Hi Everyone - It has been a gorgeous in our neck of the woods today so we took advantage of it. It was in the 70's so I planted 205 spring flowering bulbs.

I planted 50 crocus bulbs

along with 80 tulip bulbs. The tulips are red and then some spring pastel colors. I'm not a big fan of pastel colors but I thought these would look good blooming in the spring time. Then I also planted 75 daffodil bulbs.

On top of a lot of them I planted pansies.

I think it is so pretty when your bulbs bloom in the spring and you have pansies blooming below them. Our Lowes had a huge sale on all of their bulbs. Most of them were half price or better. Fortunately I got there before they were picked over. The pansies were also half price so I did well and it will make our yard look pretty in the spring.

We raked leaves and put away furniture cushions and so many things you have to do before the winter weather hits. We don't have winters like a lot of you do, but they seem bad to us.

I did a post on our little dog when I first started blogging. He has now gone blind from the diabetes. He knows his way around the house but it is really difficult to see him struggle. He will be 14 in February. He feels good and tries to play but just bats at his eyes to try and take the blindness away.

He is a special little dog to us and will probably be our last one. We are pet lovers. I know a lot of people aren't but we have always had dogs and spoil them rotten.

Everyone have a great Sunday and a great week.

Blessings

Maxine

HAPPY VETERANS DAY

2009-11-10T16:24:00.002-06:00

I have not posted in awhile. Where does the time go? It seems like I meet myself coming and going and it seems work gets in the way. I am trying to clean out and get rid of a lot of STUFF and that is what it is, is just stuff. I don't like clutter and it is beginning to bother me how much stuff that I do have.

Back to the title of my post. November 11 is Veterans day and each and everyone of our veterans, and those in active duty, need to be remembered for what they have done for our country and what they continue to do. Those at Fort Hood need to be remembered for what they went through last Friday. I pray that those that survived will make a complete and full recovery and the families of those that lost loved ones will find comfort.

The service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan need remembering. Everyday each of their lives is in great danger. These soldiers get bad press at times, but they keep on giving.

The company I work for is putting together Christmas boxes for all of the military individuals that have family members working here. I think that is so great. We get so many letters of thanks for doing this. These individuals are all so appreciative.

If it were not for our service men and women, we would have no freedoms at all in our great country. If any of you are reading this, keep up the good work and we are so proud of you.

I don't have any pictures to share today, but please say a short prayer for our military, for the safety of those who serve and thank them if you see them.

Blessings
Maxine

The Hills Are Alive With Color and A Days Outing

2009-10-24T17:45:00.001-05:00

Today is a gorgeous day outside but it not to last. Tomorrow it is suppose to be cold and rainy and possibly some snow by the end of the week. What is wrong with this picture? We don't get that awful stuff here that early, not until January, sometimes December, but not very often. We don't know how to drive in that stuff.

Anyway, enough of that. Our hills are beautiful with color. We took a drive today out in the country and wound up at War Eagle Mill again. We go there several times a year. Here are some of the pictures from our area and also the War Eagle Mill area. This is picture heavy.

These were taken on my way home from work one evening and some of them are from our yard and in our neighborhood.

From the parking lot

I took this while at a stop light. It is by the office.

House across the street

The next ones are of our outing today.

This was taken alongside the road. The farmer hasn't hauled in his hay for the winter yet.

The colors behind this house have already been at their peak. They are not as bright as some of the others.

Going down the road.

This family has a lot of wood cut for heating this winter. Most of these homes are very rural and with the ice storm we had last January and being without power for 30 days, they are now prepared with lots of wood. It is no fun being without power for that long.

One of the old abandoned closed businesses at Sharp's Farm by War Eagle Mill.

I posted about War Eagle last summer but here are some shots of it in the fall and some interesting views.

This brick pillar plus one more is all that holds up the bridge above. It is a one lane bridge that is very old. I don't like driving on bridges but this one is really scary.

The water wheel that powers the grist mill inside.

The fall decorations outside the mill.

The facilities. It gets mighty cold in there in the winter time.

This is the restaurant on the 3rd floor of the mill. They serve really good soups, sandwiches and cobblers. We had lunch in there today.

You have to climb these 2 flights of stairs to get to the restaurant. There are no elevators here, very primitive.

After lunch we headed home. We snapped a few more photos on the way home.

I hope you have enjoyed fall in my part of the country. It is very interesting to see other parts of the country and see your fall and color.

Everyone have a very blessed week. Hopefully I will be back more often than I have been here lately.

Maxine

We Had A Great Time On Vacation

2009-10-15T21:48:00.001-05:00

We got back from vacation late Tuesday afternoon and had a great time. We took a bus tour around Lake Michigan and it was absolutely beautiful. We have never taken a vacation like this so it was something totally new to us and we have never been up North either.

This is our bus driver and the bus we went on. There was a total of 57 people on the bus. This was the most patient man I have ever met. He was so gentle with everyone. We had several older individuals on the trip and he was really good with them.

The scenery was great and the leaves were beginning to change. It was overcast the whole time and very cool. Mackinac Island was so interesting. Any place that doesn't have cars is very interesting. Horse drawn carriages and bicycles or walking are the only modes of transportation. Here are some pictures of places we visited.

This out building is at Sturgeon Bay, WI. This area is called a miniature Cape Cod. It is so pretty there and everything looks like it should be in the Northeast.

We had lunch at this restaurant. It is designed as an old English Inn. The food was very good.

We had a fish boil one evening in Wisconsin. It was with white fish that was caught that same day. It was so good. First the boil the fish, then douse the fire with kersosene and then the fire goes out. In with the fish are potatoes and onions and it is served with rye bread, coleslaw and cherry pie.

This is after the kerosene is put on the fire. The smoke then rises.

These are some of the waterfalls in Michigan. This is such a pretty state.

They were beginning to get a lot of color and we were told this was the last week for the tourists up in the Mackinac area.

Here is some of the color we experienced.

These are some photos of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. I believe there are around 86 rockers on the front porch.

The hotel has red carpeted steps leading up to it.

This is one of the taxi drivers that takes you down to the main part of town from the hotel. We had lunch at the hotel and it was so delicious. I believe this is the longest buffet I have ever seen. All kinds of different foods and oh so good. I do believe we all gained some weight.

It is back to work, as of today. All good things must come to an end.

I'll be back later. Everyone have a great day.

Maxine

Fall Decorating and A Vacation

2009-10-02T20:24:00.005-05:00

I have done some fall decorating and have taken a few pictures. Here are just a few of them. These are outside in the front.

This is the front of our house. I didn'tdo much outside this year, so far. I have lots of pansies to plant yet. Our water feature was really pretty until a large dog decided he wanted to go swimming. He really made the water cloudy but I guess he got cooled off. It didn't make my husband very happy though.

These are just a few of the things I have done inside. Usually I do things differently than I did this year and I usually do a lot more but since we won't be home for awhile, I didn't do much. When we get home, I will probably change a lot of things around and do something different; but for now, this will have to do.

This is my mantel. It looks so much better in person. I have a terrible time trying to figure out what to do with my mantel. Our home is not an easy one to decorate in the primtive style that I really like. The garland is much more full than what it looks like too.

This is above our TV cabinet.

This is in our entry way. I have so many crocks and in different seasons I put different things in them. I have some really large crocks and it takes a lot to fill them up.

This is the picture I have on my header. The object behind the table is an old bread dough riser that came from an old bakery.

This is all I have for now. We are leaving to go on a great vacation and we are both very excited. We are going on a tour through Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and will wind up at Mackinac Island in Michigan. I have never been to any of these states or any northern state for that matter. I have been to New Hampshire for work. That was in January several years ago and there was so much snow and it was so cold, it wasn't even enjoyable for this southern girl. We are just not use to that type of weather and don't know how to dress for it.

When I get back from vacation, I will have many pictures to share.

See you in a couple of weeks.

Maxine

Bikes, Blues & BBQ

2009-09-27T14:38:00.004-05:00

This time of year we have so many events in our area. It seems like every weekend something is going on. This weekend was our 10th annual Bikes, Blues and BBQ weekend. We have over 300,000, yes that's thousand, motorcycles of all kinds come to our area. They started coming in last Wednesday, the 23rd and everything was over with late last night. Southern Living was in town for the BBQ event. I took some pictures but we did not get down to the main event because you couldn't hear with all of the motorcycles going down the streets and roads.

Here is a motorcycle made out of parts of the State of Liberty when it was re-done several years ago. We were very fortunate to have it on display in our small area of the country. It is copper with lots of decorative painting on the back fender. The sign about it did not come out very legible.

The stars and stripes are on the back fender of this motorcycle. It is really interesting to see. Orange County Choppers built it all.

Here are a few pictures of some of the motorcycles. There were so many more than this and this doesn't even do justice to all of them that were here. There were so many unique ones.

.

Now here is my style of bike. It is the only kind that I can control.

This is a brand new one that someone had chained to a tree.

There was also a car show going on and anyone that loves old cars, especially my son-in-law, you would have been in car heaven. I wish he could have been here but he had to work and he and my daughter are planning on going to Wisconsin for Christmas so the are saving their money. I have always wanted a Corvette. I love fast cars but this is about a close to owning one that I will ever get and that is looking at them.

This is a true beauty.

My hubby is a Camaro person. He would really like to have one of the new ones but looking at them is about as close to owning one of those is all we will get also.

Here is one that he really did like.

There was a great 1957 Chevrolet station wagon and many other 1957 Chevrolets also. It was a great car show. I wish I could have gotten better pictures of all of the bikes but oh the traffic and our roads aren't the greatest around any here anyway. Too much traffic and not enough roads and also the battery in my camera was running down and did not do well.

Yesterday was my hubby's birthday so he enjoyed all of this and dreampt of younger days when he had his own 1968 gold Camaro with black racing stripes, a 4 speed and 4 barrell carburetor and he enjoyed it so much. Why did he get rid of it? Only he can answer that. We weren't married at that time, just acquaintances.

That was our day yesterday. I hope you enjoyed just a very brief glimpse of what is going on in our little neck of the woods.

I hope each and everyone of you have a great week.

Maxine

A Celebration and A Runner

2009-09-24T18:03:00.002-05:00

I have been away for awhile but we have had individuals staying at our home in conjunction with an Acts 1:8 celebration that has been held at our church. It was absolutely wonderful.

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. (NIV)

We had 2 great guys staying with us.

This is Tim and he lives in Nairobi, Kenya. He has lived there for over 20 years and does amazing work. His parents were there when he was a small child so he has lived there more than in the states. He works for the mission board for our denomination.

This is Eric. He lives in Pensacola, Florida and also works for the mission board for our denomination.

Both of these men have a great heart for the Lord and are doing amazing work. We really enjoyed having them in our home and learned so much from them.

Now on to the runner part of my post. Well, ladies, I got the most amazing table runner from Kimblerly. Here is a picture of the envelope I received it in. I was so excited.

Here is the cutest card that was included. It has cherries on it just like the runner.

This is the cutest cherry ribbon that was wrapped around the runner. She is so clever.

Here it is all wrapped up with the cute cherry ribbon.

And tada - here it is laid out on my table. I didn't get a real good full shot but this is the majority of it. The picture does not do it justice.

You can't see it clearly here, but her handstitching is absolutely perfect and everything is put together so perfect. If you want something great, just contact Kimberly.

I will be back later in the week with a post of something that is going on in our area this weekend. In the fall, we always have something going on around here.

Blessings to you all.

Maxine

Blues and Whites

2009-09-14T20:28:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone -

It has been over a week since I posted and the time has just flown. It seems we are all saying that more and more! It couldn't be because we are getting older or because we are enjoying our lives and what we are doing so much. I truly enjoy my life with my family.

On to the title of my post. Everyone has been mentioning different blues and whites. I thought I would look around and see what blues and whites I have. It is amazing what I have. Not everything is blue and white mix. I have some solid blues, many different colors of blue and some things with just blue in them and some things that are blue and white mixes. Here are a few of the pictures of what I have. I noticed that I don't seem to have anything that is solid white.

These are my only two pieces of flow blue. It is very old and very delicate. It belonged to my husband's aunt.

My blue and white chicken salt and pepper shakers.

I have 4 of these bowls. This is the largest of them. I found the smallest many years ago and didn't have the money to buy it back then. Sure wish I had it now. I have this thing for pottery. I can't seem to get enough of it.

Some of my blue and white granite ware. I found the basin at a garage sale for only a few dollars many, many years ago. It is in great shape on the inside also, which is rare these days. The pie plate is solid blue.

These are some of my speckled blue and white pieces. I have 3 nesting bowls, 2 pitchers and a sugar bowl. I got the 4 coffee cups at Cracker Barrel.

These are inkwells I got on a trip to Philadelphia.

My blue Fiesta Ware.

A blue pitcher I found at a flea market.

Some of my favorite, my Folk Art Pfaltzgraff. I have a service for 12 with lots and lots of accessories. I even have the stainless steel flatware with the Folk Art design in it. I have 3 different sets of the blue glasses with the Folk Art design. My husband doesn't want me to use it any longer since it is no longer made. You can find pieces to it, if you are lucky. I've noticed lots of people collect this.

My Bennington Pottery

More blue and white speckled items, salt and pepper shakers.

This picture shows another set of blue and white dishes that I have plus a blue bowl and several other blue items.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing just some of my blue and white items. This is not all but enough for now.

Let me see what you have in the way of blues and whites. These two colors can be very addicting.

Be back later.

Maxine

Craft Fair Time In The Ozarks

2009-09-06T18:00:00.000-05:00

First off, I want to thank everyone for all of the prayers that were said for me during my surgery. It was a little worse than what the doctor thought but everything is going to be ok. I feel so much better. My wonderful office sent me these. Aren't they gorgeous. Thank you everyone and also for all of the wonderful food that you brought to the house. My family appreciated it so much. They didn't have to cook at all.

My dear daughter and her youngest puppy came to take care of me. That was so thoughtful of her, considering she lives 4 hours away. She took off of work 2 days and left her hubby for 3 days to be here. Thank you Peter for giving her to us for 3 days. Here is a picture of her youngest along with her feet in the picture.

Now on to the craft fairs. They have started in our neck of the woods. Labor Day always brings the clothesline fair at Prairie Grove Battlefield. It use to be they had quilts hung on clotheslines and various other crafts displayed very primitively. Not anymore. They are now in booths or tents. I took some pictures of tents but the crafters don't like for you to take too many pictures of their wares for the sake of them being copied.

The Battle of Prairie Grove was fought during the Civil War. There is a lot of history in the area where we live. The following pictures are some of the outbuildings and history of the battlefield. There are a lot of pictures.

This fireplace is in a house called a dogtrot house and the picture right after it is the porch. Great place to sit with a cool drink and get a nice breeze.

This is the springhouse where the well was.

This tells about the dogtrot house above.

There was a large tractor show with lots of really old tractors. There were 2 tractors there like the type my dad had when he farmed in Oklahoma. If my dad would still be living, he would have loved these tractors. He died at such a young age that he didn't get to enjoy anything later in life.

These are the 2 tractors like my dad had. He loved those tractors and babied them. The day they had to be sold was a very sad one for him and the whole family.

Here are some more pictures of very old tractors. Being a farm girl, all of these just fascinate me.

I hope you enjoyed my little corner of the world and a little bit that is going on this time of year. Our leaves are beginning to change, even though it is really too early for that.

This is some kind of a young sapling so that may be why it is changing early but we also have a lot of maples that are beginning to turn.

I hope each and everyone of you have a great holiday tomorrow and a great week.

Blessings

Maxine

Textures - Round 2

2009-08-31T19:57:00.000-05:00

Wow, it has been a week since I last posted. Time is certainly flying by. I know the texture posts are almost over but I thought I would show round 2 and then I have some other things later in the week that I hope to be able to blog about. I have my surgery on Thursday so maybe by next weekend I will feel like blogging.

Each and everyone's textures have been so interesting. Here are the last of mine.

These are just a small amount but hope you enjoyed them.

I have a new laptop computer and am learning to use it. There are so many different types of items are on it, I will probably never know what they all do.

Everyone have a great week and I hope to be back by this weekend.

Maxine

Textures In My Home

2009-08-24T18:42:00.012-05:00

So many of you have been doing the textures in your homes and I think it is so interesting to see what everyone has in the way of textures. Carolyn, at Primitive Devotion, mentioned this on her blog. If anyone can give me some insight on how to post a link that would be great. I cannot figure that one thing out.

I am just showing pictures

I hope you enjoyed.

Until next time.

Maxine

Fresh Veggies and New Finds

2009-08-21T16:23:00.010-05:00

First off I want to thank everyone for all of the prayers and wonderful comments. I never take prayer for granted. I am feeling better and will have minor surgery the first week of September. The Lord is in control of all.

Our vegetable garden yielded so many great veggies this spring and summer. I was able to put up some brocolli this spring along with many other things this summer. With these tasty veggies

I got to put up this. This will be good in spaghetti, chili or stews and soups.

With a green version of these tasty veggies, I got to put up this green tomato relish. This is so good with fried catfish and hushpuppies and a baked potato. Yummo!!!! but the fried items are not very good for the waistline.

In this green tomato relish are these. It gives it just enough a kick for some flavor. These are good in guacamole, chili and oh so many other things. We like spicy foods.

We also had a large amount of herbs. I love basil and will use it in the tomatoes above for sauce. I have dried a lot of it for this winter. I also marinate tomatoes in olive oil and basil and it is oh so good.

These are oh so good marinated or made into pickles. Our garden bed just overflowed with cucumbers.

I went on a little shopping spree last weekend and this is what I came home with. It is a little box that playing cards were stored in.

I am going to paint it up and then I will put checkers in it for the checkerboard my hubby is going to make me.

In our area, it is rare to find a nice item like this. It is painted, etc but I am going to re-do it. I will show you once I get it done. It still has the dust on it.

I loved this little bowl. There are so many in blogland who have re-done bowls and I think they are great.

I really like wooden spoons, forks, etc. I had some in a previous post I had redone. I will also do these to add to my collection.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Be safe.

Maxine

What To Post About!!!

2009-08-19T17:38:00.002-05:00

First off I want to thank everyone for the comments you have left on my blog. Everyone in blog land is so nice and so helpful.

I have been away for several days because I have not been feeling well. I have had severe pain on my right side and my skin is very sensitive to the touch. I have had ultra sounds for gall bladder and nothing. I have had complete blood workups and other tests, nothing was found. I had a CT scan yesterday and a very large cyst was found on one of my ovaries. I had blood tests today to check for ovarian cancer. I certainly hope this is not the case. The doctor doesn't seem to think so, but he wanted to make sure.

I go to a specialist on Friday for another doctor's visit. I am never sick and it is hard for me to sit still and do nothing. I don't like taking medicine, which I have been doing, so I have been feeling groggy also.

I am not here to complain but just to tell everyone not to take your health for granted. It is something that should be precious to us all.

It is so hot here and so humid that going outside just makes one sweat profusely, so needless to say, I am inside at home, doing what I can to keep myself occupied. I am going back to work tomorrow. Wonder what will be waiting for me!!!!!

Hopefully I will be back posting again in the new few days. I was in some small shops last weekend and bought some really neat things that were very inexpensive.

Everyone stay cool and fall will be here shortly.

Blessings
Maxine

My Back Yard and Flowers

2009-08-14T18:54:00.015-05:00

I thought I would share with you some pictures of my backyard before summer ends. On Saturday mornings, I take my coffee and go on my patio and I just sit there and listen to the birds and just enjoy the peacefulness of it all. My bench is one my dad made many years ago. It has a slight tilt to it but it makes it more rustic. I call this my Saturday morning sit-a-spell spot. I love ferns and have lots of them. I trying to think of a way to protect them over the winter so I can have them next year.

Our deck is where my husband does all of the outdoor cooking. He has his grill and his smoker and also a turkey fryer. He fixes all kinds of goodies out here.

I have begonias planted in my planter boxes on the deck. They don't require dead heading and are so easy to grow.

We have a small fountain in our backyard and I planted zinnias around it. I like zinnias because they do not take a lot of care and they can handle our hot and dry summers we have.

The elephant ears come back every year. I am really surprised they came back this year because we had a real bad ice storm in January and lost several trees in our backyard. I like them because they offer a lot of greenery and look good with other flowers in a setting. We like to feed the birds so we have several hummingbird feeds and other feeders for woodpeckers and various other birds.

I like little flags in my flower gardens because they offer some color. These are 2 of them that I have.

This one is for fall, which I am so ready for.

I hope you enjoyed the short tour of my back yard and flower garden.

Make Overs & Antiques

2009-08-08T17:11:00.022-05:00

I have been working on a few things the past couple of weeks, inbetween my 40 hour a week job and other duties that must be done around the house. This is a long post and I hope I don't lose you.

If you remember on the post where I showed items my hubby had built, this item needed some TLC. Here it is before the makeover

and here it is after.

The next one is a bench that my dad made years ago. Here is the before

and here is the after. I had a difficult time getting the white spots off. They still show through a little.

I found some old wooden spoons and forks when I was out and about one day and I brought them home and and here is what I did to them.

These are some really small boxes that I have had for over 20 yeares and they had cows and pigs on them. I painted them and antiqued them but I an not real sure I like the color of them. They look too much like a caramel color. I like the blue that everyone is now using.

This is a small shelf that had a heart cut in it. I tried to fill in the hole, but you can still see the outline. You can tell that I like red by all of these pictures, can't you. That is my favorite color. I just have to find a place to put it.

Next are some of my antiques. This is our kitchen table and some of our chairs. The table has square nails and lots of cracks. We played cards on it one night and had to move to another table because the cards kept falling through the cracks. My uncle bought these chairs in Boston on one of his buying trips. A story about the chairs, our daughter had to sit in the backseat of our car when we brought them back from Oklahoma to Arkansas. She was not a happy camper but very glad when we got home.

I have a salesman sample possum belly table that I use as a night stand. The inside of the possum belly is metal where my large one is wood in the drawers. Here is a picture of each of those. I probably should have moved the fan before I took this picture. My display really looks better than the picture shows. Oh well, can be perfect and I am far from that.

This one is the salesman sample. I was very fortunate to find it.

This is a bed that we found lying in a ditch in Eureka Springs about 15 years ago. We go there frequently. We went up to the owner and asked her if she wanted to sell it cheap and she said sure. That was my first iron bed. I have one more.

I purchased all of these items many years ago. I couldn't afford to do it now. My husband lost his job over 3 years ago and has not been able to find one since. When you get to a certain age, no one wants to hire you, even though that is against the law. He interviewed at many places and once they found out his age they would never call back.

I would like for everyone to go over to Tammy's blog at Country Girl at Home and read her Faithful Friday's post. It is a great post and pertains to the future of our country. We have to really pray for our country and it's future. Our politicians are not listening to us and are doing what they want, not what the people want.

One of these days I will learn how to post a website so you can link to it.

Blessings to you all!!!

Maxine

War Eagle Mill and Eureka Springs, Arkansas

2009-08-05T17:18:00.006-05:00

A week ago this past Sunday, my hubby and I went for a ride after church. We went to War Eagle Mill for lunch. This is one of the few working grist mills left in the United States. It has been destroyed many times, once by a flood and once by fire during the Civil War. It was rebuilt both of those times and was rebuilt the last time in 1973. They make all kinds of yummy mixes, cornbread, which is a Southern staple, hot roll mixes, pancakes, you name it, they grind the grain and make it. They package everything in really cute cloth bags, just like feed and flour use to come in only in miniature.

These are just a few pictures of the inside of the mill. I wish I would have taken one of the outside. It looks like a 3 story red barn.

Grinding the grain. It goes in the 2 containers.

The following pictures are of the War Eagle River, which helps power the water wheel. It is not powered by electricity but by water only. It is really interesting to watch. You cross the bridge if you are going to the mill from the west side. It is a one lane bridge with the paths on the brigde for your tires. Can be a little scary at times.

The water wheel which powers the grinding wheel inside.

We had lunch on the 3rd floor of the mill. The restaurant is called the "Bean Palace". They serve great sandwiches and bean soup and also the soup of the day along with fantastic cobblers like blackberry, apple and pecan. Oh so good!!!

Each year, twice a year, there are giant craft fairs here, especially in the fall, the third week in October. People from all over the United States come to the fair. It will be interesting to see what happens this year with the economy the way it is. There are motor homes and travel trailers everywhere and every motel is filled to capacity. It is a lot of fun and you can eat your way through the fair with all of the wonderful goodies. The first one of the year is held in May and is not attended as heavily as the fall fair is.

After we through through having lunch, we went to Eureka Springs. It is a quaint Victorian village nestled in the Ozarks. Tourism keeps this town going. This is a picture of 2 guys playing their instruments on the sidewalk for money. You see a lot of this.

I hope you enjoyed our little afternoon out.

Blessings

Furniture Made By My Dear Hubby

2009-08-01T10:40:00.008-05:00

My hubby likes to build furniture and I am so fortunate that he likes to build them for me and our family. He has built many things for my mother and our daughter. Here are a few examples of what he has built for us.

This is a great toaster cover and it keeps the toaster out of site on the counter. See the pineapple next to it, that was made by Kath of The Old Weeping Cedar. She makes wonderful items. Hop on over to her blog and see her fabulous new kitchen.

Here is a coffee table he made for us out of scrap lumber. We had an old wooden box that we used for firewood in our other house. We couldn't use it in our present home so he made this and the tea cart out of the old wood. He also made the checkerboard and checkers sitting on top of it. I am wanting to paint the bottom half of the table black but it seems all men like wood and don't want it covered up. I am hoping to get the bottom half painted and primmed up. He is going to make me another checker board but that will be painted.

Here is the tea cart he built, complete with old wooden wheels. We were at a company that was going out of business and he spotted those wheels right off and I am so glad he did because they work beautifully. This cart also came out of the old wooden box that I mentioned above. The top is stenciled with Boston Coffee. I don't know if you can see it or not. This also has one of Kath's great pineapples displayed on it.

Here is a little carrier he made and it needs some TLC done to it. I have had it outside with flowers in it and I am going to repaint it and do some other things with it. I am wanting another one of these to do some other things with.

He is wanting to build us some Windsor chairs, but those will be painted black and made to look old.

I have a huge wish list so we'll see what I get so we'll see what gets done.

Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Maxine

QUILTS

2009-07-28T12:33:00.000-05:00

I love quilts, anytime of the year to decorate with or to cover up with, especially when it is cold outside. You can crawl into bed on a cold winter's night and just feel the love someone put into making them or you can lay on the couch and cover up and take a Sunday afternoon nap when it's cold outside.

I have a LOT of quilts, the majority are made by my family members and are all handquilted. Here are just a few of them for you to see.

This quilt is one made by my aunt and mother. It has feather stitching and lots of hand decorations on it and it is a real heavy quilt.

This one was made by my grandmother and it is a one person quilt, so only her hands touched it when it was made.

This is another one made by my grandmother out of feedsacks that she got feed in for her chickens. Talk about recycling.

This one was made by my other grandmother when I was but a mere child. I have had this since I was 8 years old and that is a long time ago.

Here are some lap quilts and also one of the trunks that I use to store them in. I have a ladder full of quilts, a closet full of quilts and 3 trunks full of quilts, all handmade and mostly by family members. I also have a beautiful Amish quilt that is just gorgeous.

I hope you enjoyed viewing some of my prized possessions. Let me know if any of you collect quilts.

Have a blessed day.

Our Very Spoiled Miniature Schnauzer

2009-07-25T14:21:00.000-05:00

Our little Schnauzer, Max, is 13 years old. Since we are empty nesters, he is great company. He thinks he is human. This past spring he came down with pancreatitis and is now a full blown diabetic. He has to have 2 shots a day, each shot is 13 units of insulin. Needless to say, he doesn't like it.

He is really a spunky little thing though. He likes to chase the birds, squirrels and oppossums in our yard. Yes, we do have oppossums, even though we live in town. There is a creek that runs by our house and the oppossums love to come out at night, but during the day they like to walk our site proof fence and that drives Max crazy.

Max is a rescue dog from the pound and I think he knows that we took him in and cared for him. He has been the best little companion. Whenever we have company, he barks like crazy so we make a pallet for him in the car and he lays in there, thinking he is going for a long ride. When the company is gone, he comes in and looks all around for them.

Enough about our little 4 legged companion. Be back later. Have a great weekend.

Blessings

Maxine

New To Blogging

2009-07-23T15:17:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone

This is totally new to me so stay with me as I try this new endeavor in my life. I, like many of you, like decorating, changing things around in my home and in my yard and so many other things. I work full time so it is hard to me to be able to do a lot of the things I would like to do. I have had a lot of inspiration from reading blogs and forums for inspiration for my home. I love to be at home with my family.

My husband and I are empty nesters but have one spoiled miniature Schnauzer named Max. Our daughter and her husband live in another state and we see them about twice a year.

This is short, for my first post, but hopefully I will be able to share pictures and the happenings of our home and family.