Blackberry Lane Primitive Gal

Organizing....

2010-02-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Are you an organized person? I try to be, I have good intentions. I love looking at sites that tell you how to organize and what to organize with. I also love to see how people put their own skills to use in organizing their own home. Katy at http://countryblossom.blogspot.com/ has been so nice to share her method of organizing her home, schooling, and family affairs. That she inspired me to do the same...

It's not a perfect system, and is always a work in progress, but it keeps me on track with cleaning my home and saves me money by planning my meals a week or two at a time. I have one for a cleaning routine, one for bill paying, one for menu planning and one I keep in my bus for any notes I need to write about the day, and to keep track of days that I sub at the school. Planning and being organized makes me feel good about me and what I am doing to make things run smoother in my home, saves time, and money. Thank you to *Katy* for inspiring me to do it and Flylady also for all your help in organizing my daily chores. My home is not perfect, nor am I. But I stive to be the best wife and homemaker I can be, and with God's help and help from my *friends* I get a little better at it each day.

Hoping that everyone has a Blessed rest of the week and a Wonderful weekend!!

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T11:10:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a very special

Happy Valentines Day. Enjoy it with someone you love...

What I did today...

2010-01-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

Well the tree is down and packed away for another year. My DH commented that he was sad it was over, I am too... I do however still have my "Winter" stuff out, snowmen, some pine, and ***snowflakes***... I have cleaned the kitchen, dining room, living room and den today. Made a trip to Sam's, very busy.

Made White Enchiladas for dinner and for dessert had Ginger bread with lemon sauce. My DH went out tonight and played music with buddies, and I spent the evening with Julie & Julia, have you seen this movie? I adore it, could not be cuter...If you have seen it, have you ever thought of doing a challenge like that yourself? I think it would be fun, I have some cookbooks that I would love to cook my way through... Just a thought.

Off to church in the morning if the weather cooperates... and then football in the afternoon, I am praying that the Colts make it to the Superbowl!!

I hope everyone has a blessed, warm night and rest of the weekend..

Winter

2010-01-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

Winter time is here... Snow is everywhere...

The Holidays are over and everyone is taking down the decorations... I just can't bring myself to do the same yet. I love my Christmas decorations, yes I also love the simplicity of after the holidays are over and taking down the tree to reveal a simpler look, but for some reason this year is different. My family is scattered this year and we weren't all together for the holidays, maybe that something to do with it... I'll take it down sometime soon... at least before spring... here are a few pictures I took tonight of my "winter" look... I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do

I made both of the stitches last year... I think they are both Homeberries patterns.
Thank you for stopping by, from my home, to yours,

Have a Very Blessed New Year!

A new KID....

2009-12-30T14:19:00.000-08:00

Well the holidays are behind us now, and just when you think that the magic of the holiday has left.... NEW LIFE arrives in the form of a beautiful baby.... goat, yes I said goat.....But will be calling her, Bella.... A wonderful gift from God, to me... Thank you, Lord!!! Just what I wanted a girl!!!

My little Bella had a twin that didn't make it, and I am very saddened by this, but very humbled with the gift that was given to me....Welcome to the world Bella!!

Now on to other things....while reading Blogs today i have noticed that alot of you are putting away and packing up the tree.... not me, I think I will be leaving mine out a little longer this year, it just looks so nice this year and I love the glow it gives off in the evening, making the living room look so warm and inviting. I love the glow of a Christmas tree, don't you?

On Christmas eve my DH and I made sugar cookies and decorated them together.... this was the first year he has helped... willingly ...the cooled cookies awaiting icing...

My DH creations.....
And mine....

We had a lot of fun doing this together, and we might just give it a whirl again next year...We made gifts this year for my 2 sister in laws, my DH's sisters. I did the stitch and DH made the frames.... I think we make a pretty good team in the crafting area... Thank you DH for all your help....I think I might have some ideas for next Christmas already, we will see.

Well I better get off the computer and go finish my laundry. Hope everyone has a wonderful evening

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

Take time to enjoy this Christmas with Family and Friends. But most importantly remember the real reason we celebrate the season.... The birth of our Lord and Savior!!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Early Christmas gift

2009-12-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

It started snowing Friday nite, and I got in the "snack mood" so I made Chex mix, Homemade cracker jacks, a recipe I got from... http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2009/08/homemade-cracker-jack-popcorn.html and Brownies.... after that we went to my In Laws to play Rook, its a card game... we had a great time. It snowed all day Saturday, and we spent the day lying around, not doing much of anything... on to Sunday, we stayed home from church, most of the churches in our area cancelled, ours did not but it is 20 minutes from our home and we decided that since the temp was below freezing, that we had better stay in... so we decided to make each other feel better by gifting one gift to each other, an early Christmas gift.... i got a Wii......
and I got my DH a video making program that he wanted....

All in all you could say we were both pretty happy.... after watching some football, we played Wii till we were sore... but we had a great bonding time together, and don't we all need to bond with our spouses while laughing...my parents will be here Sunday after Christmas and I can not wait to see them play!! I'll take pictures of that.... well hope everyone has a great day... God Bless!!

Christmas Dishes

2009-12-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

Does the thought of New Dishes make you happy?? Well it does me!! I have been looking for the "right" Christmas dishes for 11 years and this was the year, all my waiting and patience paid off... I am in love with the dishes I found at Target.... And a special thanks to my brother and SIL for helping make it possible for me to have service for 8... my local Target did not have enough, but thankfully the Target in Pittsburg had the pieces I was missing. So my wonderful brother and SIL went and got them for me. Thank you Tony and Kate... I love you both VERY much!!

My new dining table and Christmas

2009-12-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post a few pictures of my home decorated for Christmas, and show off my new dining room table that my wonderful, talented husband made me over the weekend... And I wanted to say a Special Thanks to Lisa from http://primsfromabove.blogspot.com/ for your table info... it is different from yours, but I love it just the same.

Been a Long Time...

2009-10-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to stop by and let you know I'm still here. Not much been going on... My DH and I did make a quick trip to Pigeon Forge last weekend, to purchase some APPLEBUTTER, and fritter mix at the Applebarn... they have the best applebutter ever, nice and spicey. But other than that, life has been quite, which is nice, but boring for blogging. Here are some pictures of our trip...

Maybe tomorrow I will take pictures of my fall stuff and post that... Well off to bed...

2009-07-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon everyone.. thought I would show you a few of our neighbors that come and visit everyday. Don't you just love getting company... these birds had babies in the ferns on our front porch and they have decided to stay here. Which is fine bye me, I enjoy hearing them sing and watching them in the bird bath.

Here is the family feeding, looks like I need to fill up the feeder. The birds can eat the whole feeder filled full in about a day and a half.

Here are a few things I have been doing.

I love pumpkins! I am counting the days till I can put out all my fall goodies!

Do you remember this crate I got? Well it has been painted, sanded and stained. Now I just need to make an appropriate label to put on it, this one is just leaning there for effect. Any suggestions as to a label for this crate??

Here is the little cracker holder all primed up, although I'm not sure what to put in it. I saw one on someones blog that they had redone, but now I can not find it. Was it you? I would love suggestions on this as well.

And now the cabinet... the picture doesn't show it very well but, I painted it a cream (Alabaster) then sanded it and stained with Dark Walnut to age it. I love how it turned out, but, now it looks bare... I think it needs fabic, something to soften it... what do you think it needs??

On saturday my DH finally hung up my cabinet and also put up the shelves. I am so excited to have more storage in my craft room. It is quite a mess right now, so I will NOT share the rest of the room now. Soon though, when it is suitable for company... : )

And lastly, here are a few new pieces that I have picked up lately.

Summer stacking boxes.

A new square quilt block. I actually want to frame and hang it, but for now I like it here.

And lastly a new quilt. I love all the colors in it. Just the other night while looking at everyones blogs I saw that someone had the very same one. Great minds think alike!!

Well that is all I have for today. I'm still hard at work on a few TS finds and hope to get those posted by the weekend. Hope you are having a very blessed day!!

Everyday stuff...

2009-07-08T04:22:00.000-07:00

Not much been going on here the last several days. Hope everyone had a great 4th. I have been on here everyday checking in with everyone to see what you have been up to, and I have to say that compared to most of you, I feel, inadequate. Your lives seem to be filled with things going on with family and friends. Not that we don't have great family and friends. It just seems that they are all also very busy with "stuff" going on in their own lives. I'm not complaining, oh, yes I am, woe is me. HaHa... I mean we do the usual stuff, work, take care of the home (mow, weed, laundry, cook and clean), go to church, spend time together, but that's it. I guess when you don't have kids, you have more "free" time on your hands. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Today I hope to paint a little stand in our dining room, I'm going to paint it cream and then sand it and then rub a stain on it. Here it is before....

And I would also like to redo this cabinet in our master bath. I would like to paint this black, sand it and then rub it with stain. Here is the before....

With in the next few days I would like to make a trip to Hobby Lobby, I hear that they have out fall stuff and even some Christmas things. I would also like to make the thrift store rounds, and redo a little pink shelf I got last week at Salvation Army for 50 cents and these chargers for $1 a piece. They will all be painted black, sanded and stained.

Well I'm off for now, Hope that everyone has a Blessed Day!!!

My new Star Hook and other outdoor things..

2009-06-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is. My new Star Holder. I just love it, of coarse I love stars!! We went to Lowes last night to get a hanging geranium but they looked terrible. So we got the purple petunia instead. I think it looks just as lovely. We have only last fall and this spring started doing our landscaping, so mind you it is a work in progress. But while taking this picture it inspired me to take some outdoor pictures of our flowerbeds and where we like to hang out, when it is cool enough too.My little sheep my DH got me, another thing I love is Sheep!

I got this star birdhouse on my trip to Md. Isn't it cute? It's for rent right now, if you know any peeps in the area. LOL.

The plow.

The star bird bath... Love it!!

This is one of my Favorite places to hang out. Whether I am out there reading, listening to the birds, having conversation with my DH, or on the laptop. I LOVE this part of my home!!

On a really nice night we can be found here eating our dinner.

This is where my DH would rather sit, in his rockers on the front porch.

I like it here too... but, I like that the back porch is screened in. I don't like BUGS!!

Well that is all for today. We picked beans last night, so I better get to working on them, so I can get them canned. Ihope everyone is having a blessed day!!

My trip to Maryland and two Prim shops

2009-06-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

My mother and I went to Maryland last week to see my Grandfather and help with things around the house that he doesn't always get to. Cleaning and washing windows...While we were there he thought that he needed a change in the living room. As you can see he has dark brown paneling. So we took him to dinner and then to Lowes to pick out his "New" living room color. He lives in an old farm house and heats with wood heat, so we had to scrub the walls down first.
My mother hard at work.

We got the primer tinted to make coverage easier.And the final product. He was quite pleased with it, although it doesn't exactly match his John Deere green throw.And of coarse the dogs had to get in on the fun. There is Wags with his blue streak. There were 3 dogs there and they all 3 had blue paint on them by the end.

After two long days of work, we took a little trip to two of my favorite Primitive shops in the area. First on the trip was "The Barn" in Ridgeley, WV. The owners Shari, Lisa, Lori and Terry are such lovely ladies. They treated us as if we were life long friends. Thank you ladies for allowing me to photograph your beautiful shop. The ladies of "The Barn" have a Christmas open house every year, and it is coming up soon. So if you live in the area and you would like more information go to www.thebarnwv.com

The front porch.

Looking down the front porch. So much to take in...

An old washing machine made into a fountian. I just love this idea of recycling.

And our next stop was at "Dillons" in Romney, Wv.

It was a home, converted into a shop.

I got a large Star here. It free stands in the ground and holds a hanging flower. I will take a picture of it this week and post it. I need to get a flower for it first.

They have so much going on on the front porch, and southern mountian folk music playing. Very homey.

This is the back porch.

More of the front porch. My mother loved this multi-bird house. But we drove a Honda Accord and somehow I don't think we would have got it in the car. HaHa. At least not with my star holder that I got. It's about 3foot tall by 3 foot wide, or bigger...

All in all we had a great time. I took one day and went to visit with two highschool girlfriends, to catch up with what is going on in their lives. To often we don't take the time to do it. And their friendship means alot to me and I cherished the time we spent together. Thank you my sweet friends.

I hope and pray that we are all blessed with a great week. Till next time.

New member to the family

2009-06-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

This will be short today, but we just found out that are family has grown over night. Please welcome our newest member.... Luke.

He and mommy are doing well.

We thought we would have a Fall baby, so he was a very pleasant surprise. Well I need to go get things done so I better go for now. Have a great weekend! I have some Prim store pictures to post later this weekend...

Calm after the storm

2009-06-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon, I am hoping that everyone is having a good day so far. Not much going on here, my FIL was out this morning grating the driveway, we had a storm last night and it washed the driveway out a bit.

I was visiting blogs this morning and noticed that alot of folks where displaying their Americana decorations so I thought I would show a couple of mine....

This is a painters cloth hanging on my door leading downstairs to our den.

I just got these last week from a local Primitive shop, Primitive Swan, as a matter of fact, she has asked my husband to built somethings for her to sell in her shop. My DH is very excited about this, and should be, he does a GREAT job at it. At least I think he does!! :)

Well I am off to make dinner, Tuna Casserole, so that when I come home I don't even have to think dinner. I love a good casserole, don't you? If you have any casserole dishes you would like to share with me, that would be great!!

I best get started, I hope everyone has a blessed day!

Happy Monday Morning...

2009-06-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday to everyone! Most people dread monday morning, but not me. I love Monday mornings. Its like a fresh start, and the possibilities are endless. I hope everyone had a great weekend. I know I did, we didn't do to much, Friday night my DH mowed the yard I messed around inside.

Saturday I went to work for a few hours, I got a part-time summer job at our local CATO store. I love it, new clothes and meeting new people, my favorite things to do. After work, my DH picked me up and we went to Best Buy, and then to Atlanta Bread for a bite to eat. Then home and had a nice time resting on our back porch.

Sunday, up and off to church, home for dinner... tacos... a short nap and then visited with my parents at there home. DH called and invited his parents down to make homemade ice cream. It was divine, we had not made homemade ice cream in forever, I think we forgot how good and easy it is to make.
Today I will be working from my Home Journal, I'm in ZONE 3 & 4 trying to get ahead. You see I am going up to Maryland for a visit with my grandfather and I hate to come home to a dirty home. So I will be trying to get two weeks of house work done in 4 days...hhhmmm I hope to at least. I ran out to the back, dropped my home Insurance pymt of , and made a run to Walmart.

On the way home I stopped at Kimberly Kandles and bought some new oil(lemonade twizzler) and a new burner. I just love the oils and burners.

Well I'm off to work somemore on Zone 3 of my house.
I hope that everyone has a blessed Monday and remember the possibilities are ENDLESS!

Back Again....! Did you miss me?

2009-06-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

Here are a few things that my DH has been making me over the last couple of months

the tavern bench

sugar mold candle holder

table riser

my christmas gift and the hutch in my dining room

sofa table

little black cabinet in my bathroom

my desk in the masterbed room

my husbands "dresser"

2008-10-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

I found another give away to post, but the giveaway ends on oct. 20th so hurry over and sign up for it at http://oldehomesteadpeddler.blogspot.com/

Here's what she'll be giving away:

First Prize:A set of 3 Olde Dirty Grubby Apple Candles &One 8 Oz. Mulled Cider Room Spray!!

Second Prize:A set of 3 Pumpkin Candles &a 8 oz. Frosted Pumpkin Room Spray!

whatcha working on wednesday?

2008-10-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Well here is what i was working on last nite.

I got the pumpkin from Michaels traced star shapes on it

then cut out the star shapes

and then put a hole in the bottom and

put a flicker candle up the hole in the bottom.

I just love it

2008-10-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

Well after a long search (and the search was fun, I love looking at everyones blogs) here are the six I have picked:

http://3guysagirlandaprimplace.blogspot.com/

http://primpyourpad.blogspot.com/

http://simplethymeprimitives.blogspot.com/

http://theoldeprimitivehouse.blogspot.com/

http://sweets-mycountryhome.blogspot.com/

http://purtygirlprimitives.blogspot.com/

Rondell at http://rondell-tomatoecreekprims.blogspot.com/ gave me the award and asked that i pass it on to six more fellow bloggers and I just love what I see when I visit these six. Now from what I understand if you can you need to pass it along to six more ( If you can). There is a lot of talent out there.

My First Award...

2008-10-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

I got my first award yesterday from Rondell at http://rondell-tomatoecreekprims.blogspot.com/. Thank you so mush that was so sweet of you . Ilove visiting your blog, but never thought I would get an award so soon in blogland since i'm so new and still not sure how to do it yet. as I understand I now have to pass the award onto 6 more folks. It will be very hard to pick as I love sooo many of your sites and soooo many of you have already been honored with it. But i will try. I will post them today, after I look around a little more. :)

I also wanted to pass along a few giveaways Tania http://farmchickskitchen.blogspot.com/ is giving away all this neat stuff on her blog Fresh From the Farm , go take a peek at her blog. Just go to her blog and post a comment for an entry and if you put it on your blog you get entered again!!!

The second giveaway is from Nicole- http://backinthedaystore.blogspot.com/ it's her birthday and she is wanting to include us on her big day! The drawing will be Monday, October 20th, so stop by for a visit and wish her a very happy birthday . Happy Birthday Nicole!!!

another weekend come and gone...

2008-10-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon my fellow Bloggers. I first have to say Thank You to 3guysagirlandaprimplace for her Spicy Pumpkin Bars recipe. It was GREAT. My mothers birthday is today, (Happy Birthday MOM!!) and I made the bars to take to her house last night and they were the flavor of fall. So, thank you again for the recipe.

I also made DH a Chocolate Zucchini Cake. Also another favorite late summer or fall dessert at our home.

Not much happened at our little country home this weekend. DH had a head cold so he stayed around the house all weekend. My mother and i went to a holiday craft show the next county over, mostly jewlery and food (dip mixes, and cake mixes ) nothing primitive! :( we didn't stay long. I did finish my pillows though.

I also started on the stitchery that Robin, Bird in the Hand Primitives gave free. I did mine on felt though. Looks great so far, just a fwe more stitches and coffee stain and I'll frame it up to hang. I'll post a picture as soon as I'm done it. Well I hope everyone has a great Monday and I'll check in with everyone on Tuesday. Have a great nite.

whatcha working on wednesday??

2008-10-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

Here are some pillows I have been working on

Here are some pictures of a candle cozy I just finished. I'm making other ones to give as Christmas gifts to cousins and aunts.

dining room

2008-10-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

This is a view of the dining room. DH made the table, hutch, red cart, and little black cabient on the wall. Gotta love him for it.

Fireplace

2008-10-06T16:11:00.000-07:00

Again here is a better view of our fireplace

Here is our living room..

2008-10-06T16:03:00.000-07:00

We really like our fireplace and it provides a wonderful place to decorate and be creative and of course changes with the seasons

My first post

2008-10-06T15:03:00.000-07:00

This is my first post and i'm still learnign how to use the site, be patient with me. Thought i would share a photo of my home.