Just Call Me The Pioneer Woman

My husband and I recently returned from our "getaway" cabin in the Smokies..it always is meant to be a relaxing time but we spend most of it fixing, cleaning, and just generally working our heineys off while we're there.

This time we even allowed ourselves a couple of extra days..I had visions of flea-market and antique-shopping; my husband decided we needed to "take down" two 25 foot pine trees that were indeed encroaching the cabin. (Personally I think he just wanted to see if his new big truck could handle hauling these giant trees up and out of the way). We attached a big ole' chain to the trailer hitch and around the first tree, and guess who got to be the one to drive the truck? Little ole' me. To be honest I had a blast :) When with the first tug the tree didn't budge, he said "forget it..it's not going anywhere". Well, don't tell ME to forget it..I was going to get that tree down if it took all day! A few times backing up and going forward and "boom"..down it came! Now remember all this is being done on a mountainside..at one point he decided to inform me I had one wheel almost 3 feet off the pavement. Gosh..me..a flatlander! Then of course we just HAD to bring down the second tree...piece of cake :) Next thing you know I'm out there with a chain saw hacking away.

The icky trees were replaced by a beautiful weeping cherry, and we moved a big hemlock to take the place of the other tree..all in all it was quite an adventure...and I didn't even mention moving the three 200 lb. boulders!

It's just nice to know this whole thing would've made my widowed Mom proud..she always had to do all her own heavy work so I have never been afraid of laboring like that, either. Not to mention I ended up losing a few un-wanted pounds on our trip..despite the fudge, pecan pie and good old Southern home cooking we treated ourselves to! Here are before and after pictures..the snowy one was taken the last time we were down there..it was beautiful but way more snow this year than we've ever seen in TN!
Hugs,
Debbie

Have You Ever Felt Like Someone Is Watching You?

Here I was, minding my own business..working at my computer and I felt someone staring at me. I knew it wasn't the dogs, or my husband. Hmmm...took a look out the window and I had a visitor :)

I know these guys can be nasty, but it's hard to be angry at them getting in the trash when you look at their cute little bandit faces. This one just sat and stared at me for the longest time...I'm sure they are hand-fed by neighbors around here..too tame not to be. Not something I would do myself, and I don't like to encourage them to come around. I'm always afraid the dogs will chase them and I worry about rabies.

Still, I honestly was happy it was just a racoon and not a bear...or worse!
Hugs,
Debbie

By Your Hands Blogspot Feature!

My dear friends and OFG sisters, Bette and Deena surprised me this St. Patty's Day with my shop being featured on their fabulous blog "By Your Hands Blogspot"! Haven't stopped smiling since I saw it posted there :)

These two talented ladies have been selecting one shop from the Old Farmhouse Gathering team weekly and doing a beautifully written, nicely done feature and I can't thank them enough for choosing my shop this week!

Come take a peek if you get a chance..they always have wonderful posts there..much to see and learn, too.
http://www.byyourhands.blogspot.com/


Hugs,
Debbie

It's Time for The Old Farmhouse Gathering Spring Celebration!

Whew! We've all been burning the midnight oil, so to speak, in order to put forth our most creative Celebration yet! Comprised of more than  150 Spring and Easter primitive and country folk art Spring and Easter themed creations , this unique gathering is something you won't want to miss.

Listings will be added througout the day today, so come visit and you're sure to find that special something you've been waiting for..I know I have! (there goes my paycheck!) Clicking on the above graphic will take you directly to the Celebration pages. It doesn't get much easier than that!

I'm posting a a picture or two of some of the things I've been working on, then it's off to try to pick up the after-effects of my "creativity"...my husband informed me last night that our house looks like he's walked into a Michael's Store! My response to that of course is.."and that's a BAD thing"?   :D

Enjoy your weekend, and please stop by the Farmhouse if you get a chance!
Hugs,
Debbie

My Blackened Beeswax Rabbits

Baby Duck Sarah Jane Makedo

Rabbit and Egg Lighted Cheesebox Gathering

Get Ready for the OFG Spring/Easter Celebration!

If you're looking for some super-special creations to decorate your Spring home, or to present to a lucky friend as a gift...the wait is almost over! Beginning this Friday, March 11 through Friday, March 25, the annual Old Farmhouse Gathering Team's Spring/Easter Celebration on etsy will be here, and it promises to be better than ever!

You may find the items created by this talented group of artists by typing "SECOFG" in your search beginning this Friday, and there will be treasuries spotlighting their primitive and folk art wares.

Spring is just around the corner, and what better way to get ready than by sprucing up your surroundings with these creative heirlooms-in-the-making you're sure to cherish forever.

We hope to see you there!
Prim Hugs,
Debbie

I Looove Bunnies!

Thought I'd share these blackened beeswax bunnies I'll be listing in my etsy shop when the Old Farmhouse Gathering begins its Spring Celebration in a few days :) I can see I'll definitely need to take better pictures of the pair..these just don't do them justice. Their sister, a chubby gal bunny has already been listed there...although she doesn't like to be reminded she's chubby!

I love to work with beeswax..it's natural fragrance is just so nice I'm constantly smelling everything I'm working on! My husband thinks I'm nuts. That's why I don't like to add fragrance oil to it..it smells just like honey if you use fresh beeswax.. The amazing thing about beeswax is that it takes seven pounds of honey consumed by a bee to make one pound of beeswax. Those little buggers must eat like crazy!

And bunnies are about my favorite animal of all..we just lost "Mr. Bob", a French lop-eared bunny who lived to the ripe old age of 13. He just got worn out, I think..our vet said she'd never had a rabbit live that long in her practice. He was a tad spoiled, I suppose :)  He was named by my grandson Brendan when he was just a little guy. Even our big dogs were good with Mr. Bob..the male, Clouseau, would sit and clean his ears whenever he had the chance. Just goes to show you if given the opportunity, adversarial animals can get along... as long as Mom is watching, anyway!

My giveaway for Wendy is on its way to her..and I'll soon be doing another. It was fun! Hope to have many of you sign up for my next one also.
Hugs,

Debbie

We Have a Winner!

Woo-Hoo! Congratulations go out to Wendy of Ravenwood Whimzies for being the winner of my very first blog giveaway! She must have had a wee bit o' Irish luck in her :)

Thanks to all of you who entered, and are followers..I am planning a Spring giveaway shortly so be on the look-out for that one to  "hop" onto my blog  *wink*wink*

Here's to a Happy St. Patty's Day to all of you!
Hugs,
Debbie