Friday, October 31, 2014

Outside In: The Story of a Pair of Vintage Doors

 
This is the story of a pair of wrought iron screen doors,
handmade circa 1948. . .One for a Mom and Dad's front door. . .
and one for the newly married daughter who lived behind them.
 
The Mom and Dad were Alice and Earl Magers. . .my grandparents.
The daughter and husband were Irene and Curtis Duncan. . .my parents.
 
 
The doors served the owners well for many years. . .until security and storm doors came on the market.
Then the beautifully crafted wrought iron doors were removed and stored in the barn. . .
where pigeons roosted. . .mice made their winter nests. . .
years of dust and dirt and grime built up on their swirls and turns. . .
Gone. . .forgotten. . .


UNTIL. . .
 
The Farmer's Daughter, who loved to climb and poke around in the barn lofts,
discovered the aged and dirty doors under stacks of cast-off tin and cypress. . .
That was the day their new life began.
 
She talked her Super Carpenter Honey into replacing the rotted wood. . .
Then she scrapped and painted the old doors to their former beauty. . .
and added them to her 1930s Farm Manager's home. . .
the "M" on the front. . .the "D" on the back.
 
And there they remained for many years. . .
Until time and the elements worked away much of their wooden frames. . .
So much so that only the handmade wrought iron could be salvaged. . .and brought inside. . .
where the Farmer's Daughter felt they had earned the right. . .
to remain sheltered and appreciated for the rest of their lives.
 




THE END. . .OR IS IT THE BEGINNING. . .AGAIN?
 


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Dream Kitchen


If I had plans (GRIN) to build one more home in our future, this kitchen featured in the K+BB MAGAZINE would be my dream. . .I simply love it. . .It's timeless beauty. . .TIMELESS is the key word here. . .It spans decades. . .fitting a vintage farmhouse kitchen style with a few additions such as crocks and enamelware. . .to the more contemporary sleek and clean lines that you see here. . .

Basic white. . .shades of white. . .neutrals. . .touches of wood to bring a warmth and contrast. . .to take away the starkness of too much white. . .No clutter. . .Lots of natural light flooding the room. . .Let the kitchen speak for itself--classic design and top-notch materials are all that's necessary.


Now don't go telling John I'm planning another home. . .although I've told him I have one more house to build in my lifetime. . .He thinks I'm kidding. . .I think I'll leave it that way. . .You know how us gals are. . .new ideas flooding our minds. . .Blogs and Pinterest inspire us everyday. . .It doesn't mean it will happen. . .just Dreams. . .Letting the mind roam around. . .

Come to think of it. . .Is it just me or is my kitchen a lot like this one? . .As I write this post and look around. . .I realize how much our present farmhouse kitchen somewhat mimics the K+BB one. . .That was rather a shock. . .but good to know I'm happy with my style and have picked another with the same elements. . .Same color walls. . .white cabinets. . .similar feet on the lower built-ins. . .wood floors. . .a punch of black. . .Hmmmm. . .




Isn't it uncanny? . .True my kitchen reaches back to the past. . .the K+BB kitchen is more contemporary. . .Two takes on the same theme. . .and tweaked to satisfy individual tastes. . .By George. . .Have I finally settled into MY STYLE?. . . After so many years of trial and error? . . .Awesome. . . .A GOOD THING to know. . .


I think I'll keep this Dream kitchen handy, though.
I do love it.
One never knows when I might need a new plan.
Beside that. . . . .It makes me smile as I dream of new possibilities. . .

 
 

Sunday, October 26, 2014

SUNDAY: Lawdy, Lawdy


"For the most part. . .Southern religion is about decorum. We dress up right, we sit in the pews waving our fans just so, we nod when we're supposed to and whisper amen, and we sing just loud enough for the Lord, but not our neighbors, to hear us. And when the service is over, we make sure we say a kind word or two to the minister on the way out the door. . . .

Now, even those of us who've been singing Southern hymns since time began sometimes forget that that classic hymn is NOT called "All Glory, LAWD, and Honor" but "All Glory, LAUD, and Honor"! But this mix-up is purely Southern, and we'll forgive it. Other expressions you're likely to hear in a Southern church include:
"Lawd, have Mercy!"
 
"Good Lawd!"
 
"Lawdy, Lawdy, Lawdy!"
from The Grits Guide to Life
 
I'm poking a little fun at our Southern ways, but I wouldn't change my upbringing in the Church for anything. . .
Makes me want to break out in song:
 
"Do Lawd, Oh Do Lawd, Oh do you 'member me?
Oh Lawdy. . ."
 
 
(BIG GRIN)
and SUNDAY BLESSINGS. . .


Thursday, October 23, 2014

Still Making Those Shabby Chic Aprons!

It was two years ago that I made my first Shabby Chic Apron from discarded blue jeans.
The apron was a hit then. . .and remains so to this day. . .
I've lost count of how many I've made and sold. . .and given away as gifts. . .
The inspiration I had with that first one seems to be timeless. . .
 
 
If you missed the 'how-to' tutorial before, here's a link: Shabby Chic Denim Apron
 
While I was putting together the latest one, I documented a few more tips for you:
1. Choose your laces carefully, graduating from the widest at the bottom, becoming more narrow at the top. . .A different color tucked into the mix adds interest. . .The faded moss green layer is actually a vintage curtain. . .Remember when heavy lace curtains were popular?
2. There's no need to finish the bottom of the cut jeans. . .You may if you like but it can add bulk if the edge is turned under. . .A serged edge is best. . .I often hand tack the lace on first in order to make sure the gathers come out just right. . .Then sew with a machine.
3. A little more tacking--with the lace edges unfinished on the top. . .Sew flat onto the denim with a straight stitch . . .Then zig-zag the edges down if you like. . .Sometimes I do. . .Sometimes I don't. . .
4. A better shot of how I graduated the width of the laces. . .Cover the last raw edge with a flat lace. . .Now it's time to embellish. . .
5. Buttons and lace on the pocket. . .Also notice the waistband becomes the ties. . .If you need longer ties, add more denim fabric on the ends. . .I let them fray. . .It's a shabby apron, afterall. . .
6. There's more interest if you embellish each side differently. . .Makes the apron go from blah to WOW!
 
And Here You Have It. . .
 

The latest creation is much like the first apron I shared with you. . .yet different, too. . .
Isn't it adorable? . .One day I'm gonna keep one for myself!
With Christmas coming soon. . .(Can you believe it?). .
.these Shabby Chic Aprons would make nice gifts. . .
You can stitch one up in no time. . .for very little expense.

This one is now on it's way to it's new owner. . .
and I'm on my way back to the sewing machine. . .
Just wanted to pop in and maybe inspire you a little while taking a break.

Our tours are winding down.
Maybe we can get back to the house renovation soon.
A new living room floor is next. . .Of course, I'll be sharing that with you, too.

Have a wonderful weekend, My Friends!




 


Sunday, October 19, 2014

SUNDAY: I Meant That




Today's Sunday thought is brought to you by:
Farmer John and Little Bit
 
I'm resting after a long, hard week. . .
Have a REST-FILLED SUNDAY yourself!
 
 
 


Sunday, October 12, 2014

SUNDAY: Go Home and Get Your Lunch


You'll get a chuckle out of this tale from "The Grits Guide to Life". . . .
 
My young daughter Dana often visited her grandparents in a small Southern town where every day a siren blew to mark the noon hour. It was so loud that it terrified the poor girl and left her screaming. In order to soothe her and help her understand, her preacher grandpa (my daddy) told her the horn was to let the children know it was time to go home for lunch.  He even suggested that Dana say the words, "Go home and get your lunch" each time the whistle blew, which she would do at the top of her little lungs, albeit with the fear of God written all over her face.
 
One Sunday, our entire family was packed into the second row of the church, listening to Dad deliver his sermon. He was pretty wound up that day, if I remember correctly. It was breezy and all the church windows were open.
 
Well, right in the middle of his railing, and before we realized what was happening, darn it if that noon whistle didn't blow. Dana stood up in the pew, turned toward the three hundred people in the congregation, and shouted, "Go home and get your lunch!"
 
Do I have to tell you what happened? Church was over at that very moment. No benediction and no sevenfold amen! Later my preacher daddy, who had the world's best sense of humor, admitted: "It wouldn't have been so bad if half the congregation hadn't shouted AMEN!"  
 (Sue Buchanan)
 

 
Now that you're smiling. . .pass it on. . .
and have a JOY FILLED SUNDAY


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Peaceful Farmhouse Living Room


Yesterday afternoon there was a lull in the chaos and activity going on at the farmstead these last couple of weeks. . .It came unexpectedly. . .I looked up from my computer when I realized something was different, glancing toward the window and being struck by the sun steaming in and the peacefulness of our living room. . .It might be too vintage for many. . .but to me it was picture perfect farmhouse setting. . .Let's see if you agree. . .


 




 







. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Before and After Corn Crib Gazebo Reveal





What a transformation our little Corn Crib made on it's way to becoming our Gazebo. . .I'd forgotten myself what disrepair it was in until I started looking for the Before photos. . .It was worse than the one above. . .believe it or not. . . A dream and perseverance was the only thing I had going for it.
 
You have to see the transformation over at the 
There's before and after photos and a story about the daydreams behind it . . .See you there!
 
 
  
 


Sunday, October 5, 2014

SUNDAY: If You Grew Up In The South

The Magers Women: Grandmother Alice Magers, Mamie Mae Magers Griffin, Emma Irene Magers Duncan, Naoma Ruth Magers Gill, ca 1960s

"If you grew up in the South, especially in the Bible Belt of the Deep South, you understand how much religion is a part of the fabric of Southern life. We know the power and promise of contagious, outrageous joy in the Lord, and we know that Sunday is a day set aside for dressing up, visiting friends, and dining with the neighbors.
WHETHER IT WAS THE LORD OR MAMA WHO DECREED IT THAT WAY,
WE SOMETIMES AREN'T SO SURE."
(from The Grits Guide to Life)
 
Cousins Malcolm Roosevelt Griffin, Jr. and Ordie Magers Griffin
 
Sunday Hugs to All



Thursday, October 2, 2014

Celebrate the Day with a Breakfast Treat

 
I've been playing with my bread pudding recipe again. . .This time baking up a breakfast treat with the mouth-watering goodness of honey buns and pecans, bread pudding with cinnamon and sugar, homemade peach preserves and whipped cream. . .Everyone will think you slaved over a stove in the early morning with a special treat for them. . .but the great thing about it is that you can prepare the Bread Pudding the night before and just pop it in the oven the next morning. . .



Place Honey Buns in the bottom of a lightly greased casserole. Top with Pecans, Almonds, or your choice of nuts. Fill in the spaces with day old or toasted French bread (or bread of your choice). Cut more French bread into cubes. Layer on top of the Honey Buns and Nuts.
 
In a mixing bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 cup sugar.
Then whisk in 3 large eggs.
Add 5 tablespoons flour and whisk.
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 cups buttermilk or regular milk. Whisk.
 
Pour mixture over the bread. Let the bread soak up most of the pudding mixture. If the top is not saturated, place a plate or other weight on top. This will take approximately 10-15 minutes, or it can be covered and refrigerated overnight. Top before baking with a cinnamon and sugar mixture. Set oven at 350 degrees and bake for 45 minutes or until the pudding is set and the top is a golden brown. Let it cool slightly before cutting.
 
I top each piece with Homemade Peach Preserves. There's a recipe for Amish Peach Jam HERE or choose any favorite jam or preserve.  Add whipped topping. Then set back and enjoy the compliments with your coffee!
 
. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .
 
 


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