Real Country Living

image from oabonny.com                                                  

Just takin' a coffee break, browsing through my Country Living Magazine. It's a total favorite. It's all of my hopes and dreams in the form of a monthly publication.
But I must have missed a couple issues.
I didn't get the issue where they mention that every window of your house will be filled with flies and every corner of every room will contain at least one spider.
I didn't get the issue with the photo shoot of the garden that was ripped to shreds from the 25 mph winds that regularly make their way through those romantic, wide open spaces.
I didn't get the issue with the cover shot of a sweet front porch with that painted wicker furniture and comfy pillows covered in an inch of gravel dust and little tiny gnats floating in the vintage pitcher of lemonade.
I didn't get the issue with the advice column on what to do when crazies stop at your house hoping that you can fill their gas tank, change their tire, or tell them why their car isn't working.
I didn't get the issue with the photo of the blonde farmer whose hair turned orange from the rusty water.
Ah well, I guess that's why they didn't name it Real Country Living.
And what did you say? Real life does not look anything like it does in magazines?
I'll still read it and drool over their gorgeous images of rural perfection.

Big Stack of Thank You

When I started doing this Etsy thing, I had no idea what I was doing. I had no idea how to do it. I had no idea that people would like my work and actually want to purchase it. I had no idea how much positive feedback I would receive, and how gracious my customers would be. Really, I swear I have the best customers. I've received friend requests on Facebook, personal emails, and even a Christmas card! I just want to say THANK YOU, and let you know how much each order means to me.

I spend a ridiculous amount of time on each order making sure it's exactly as it needs to be. When I'm making a hat I'm thinking about the little head that will wear it, and I'm hoping for sweet memories to be made while wearing it. These hats aren't made in a factory. There is no assembly line cranking them out one after another.

They are made by me, specifically for you, one at a time.

So many of you have told me you love what I do, and I just want you to know that I love doing it for you.

Awww, sweet. xoxo

Have you SEEN this show? OMG

I can't even tell you how happy it makes me to see women on TV talkin' some sense for a change. Seriously. Aren't you sick of that Real Housewives business? Kardashian B.S.? And the show where all those women dress up and fight over a man: I can't even bring myself to type the name of it.

I know, it's entertaining, but I think we better think of a better name to call it, because REALITY it is not.

 If you are a female between the ages of 16 and 100, please watch it. It's on tomorrow night.

Our womanhood depends on it.

You know what? If you're a man... you need to watch it too.

Here's the website:

The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet

I hope you love it as much as I do.

xoxo

Fab Foto Friday: 20 questions

What a sweet looking old lady.

It's my Great Grandma.
I have a million questions for her, but here's the first 20:

1. When were you born?

2. Where were you born?

3. What's your earliest memory?
4. What was your childhood like?
5. What makes you laugh?

6. What do you do for fun?

7. When did you get married?
8. Why did you get married?
9. Where did you get married?
10. What did you love about motherhood?
11. What do you do well?
12. What do you find challenging?
13. Where have you traveled?

14. Where are you standing when this photo was taken?
15. Why was this photo taken?
16. Where'd ya get that dress?
17. What's your most prized possession?
18. Do you know how to knit?
19. What's your proudest moment?

20. What do you want me to tell your Great Great Grandchildren?

Charlie Boy!

We spend each day dancing on the creaky old wood floors.

You love it.

Your head on my shoulder, staring out the window,
wondering what's out there waiting for you.

My right arm is around your tiny little butt, my left hand holds your sweet head.

Your right hand is on my shoulder, and your left hand clenches my shirt.

I peek into the mirror to see if you're sleeping and I notice how small you seem.

One half of me whispers:  oh please stay this way forever.

But the other half of me can't wait to get to know you better and see who you'll become.

This ain't my first rodeo Charlie, I know what's going to happen to you.

You're going to get too big for me to hold like this.

Too boyish.

Too busy.

So I just squeeze every little bit of baby sweetness out of you, and

I hope that even when you're a great big boy,

 you'll still love dancing with your Momma.

smooooooch.

From My Own Backyard

YES! Today marks the beginning of the season of eating things from my own backyard.

If you haven't done it, it's a sweet delight that gives you a feeling that you are a little bit more special than the rest of the population. If you have done it, then you've made that walk from your garden to your kitchen with your arms full and your smile wide.

It's RHUBARB time. Yeah, I know, it's not hard to grow. It still makes me feel special.

Honestly, it makes me squeal with delight. So good and bright and tart. Pucker!

Fave recipe is from Serena of Farm Chicks. Super simple, easy, and delish...

even if the rhubarb didn't come from your backyard. Wink.

Inspired!

I am like a big huge color freak. I'm obsessed with color and crazy combinations. I love it when a cluster of strange colors are grouped together and they end up working themselves into beautiful magical loveliness. Sometimes people feel the need to dance, or write, or cook in order to express themselves creatively. I feel the need to group colors together. Is that weird?

I'm constantly inspired, by everything. I mean everything. Sometimes strange things. I might tell you about that later, but I just wanted to give you an example of a recent item that struck my fancy. It attached itself to my brain and would not let go until I turned it into a baby hat.

I know! I wish I could direct you to its origin. I saw it on Pinterest (if you are not yet on Pinterest, please leave this page immediately and sign up. I'll see you in 3 days.) The link was disabled, so I have no idea where it came from or who is responsible for this lovely creation. I just couldn't get it out of my mind, so I turned it into a hat.

And then I felt better.

It's available here.

Customers that love my shop tell me they appreciate my use of color.

 But lean in close, because I'm about to whisper...

I'm really just a big copycat. Shhhh.

 I see something, I love it, and I turn it into a baby hat. Copycat is a little harsh, though. 

I prefer the term inspired, thank you very much.