The beauty and grace of the past back to life

The above quote comes from my daughter's blog and her passion on sewing 18th century clothes. I just wanted to echo my sentiments too. Where is the beauty and grace of the past? Such a good question. Case in point...whatever happened to knife rests? This lovely example belongs to my mother. Is this not the neatest thing? A place to put your knife when not in use. Not only does this beautiful crystal antique looks good but it also serves a great purpose. It keeps your knife off the table and away from germs. Maybe we should bring them back? Let's start in restaurants! A major complaint I've heard and have noticed is that most of the average restaurants have eliminated the paper placemat. Have you noticed? This all done to save major dollars in expenses no doubt. But where do you put your clean silverware before you plates have arrived? I know the wait staff and busboys clean the tables but have you seen what they use?? Give me a knife rest or a tablecloth otherwise I will have to start bringing my own! A wonderful piece of grace and beauty from the past.

Days are getting shorter and shorter...it is now pretty much dark in my neck of the woods by 8:10pm or so. We missed out on all the rain so our pasture and yard are pretty sorry looking. Garden is hanging in there...with a lot of watering. Fall is in the air, walnut trees have lost most of their leaves and most butterflies are like the long summer days....gone

from along Turkey Run Creek

"Glorious" Morning Glories and the return of my blogging muse

Seasonal fall is just around the corner and my Morning Glories have decided to play nice and bloom! On Tuesday morning there were over 20 blooms...unbelieveable! And this plant is the one that decided to grow on its own - up from a crack in our sidewalk. I need to collect its seeds...I feel they will be a more hardy group!




The Morning Glories that were planted by man, (my husband) are sneaking a peak at their 'wild' cousin...just not quite the same! I will say that the wall is covered in buds...so pretty soon they will probably be outshining all the rest of the garden blooms.





All these blue morning glories lead me to question...why is a true 'blue' color hard to find in the garden? I have shades of purple, yellow, orange and pink...but real blue is a little more elusive.
While checking on my favorite "Forget Me Nots" ...I found another a surprise... a wild enchanting small morning glory blooming! I guess it wanted to join up with my other blue flowers!


I've been home for a week now, from taking care of my parents in Ohio....I think my blogging 'muse' has finally decided to come for a visit. Seems like she disappered while I was otherwise engaged! So my muse and I are enjoying a cloudy fall like day in the garden...anticipating a little rain.

Affectionately yours
along Turkey Run Creek...
where the turkeys have returned for a fall feast

Picking sunshine

It's been a busy few days since I was able to write. My father is home from the hospital and is able to pretty much take care of himself. So plans are back on to move my parents to assisted living here in Southern Indiana.
Thursday I was able to leave the Great Miami River and come home to the farm. What a feeling it is to come up our long driveway ...I never realized how much I enjoyed living about a quarter mile off the road..but that long driveway puts a big buffer between you and the world.

I wasn't home 24 hours when my stallion, Woody, (see picture in previous post)...colic. This is a very painful condition for a horse and also a killer. Many horses do not survive. I was lucky. I called a good friend, who is a vet, and she came over immediately. I also had to call in another horse vet, and after 5 hours of walking (dragging/pushing him so he would not lay down) Woody and pain medication, pumping his stomach with mineral oil, he has recovered. I am so happy and grateful...but can we say...Stress!!!

Today is a beautiful fall day. Lots of sunshine, slight breeze and the early colors and smells of autumn. There's nothing like the garden to help eliminate stress. My husband did a great job keeping the flowers alive. However, he doesn't deadhead. So this morning I got my bucket and headed to the marigolds as they were in need of a good grooming. Trust me, there is nothing like deadheading marigolds for stress. I believe this is even better than popping bubble wrap. And the best part? When you are finished...you fingers are slightly yellow and you have the smell of sunshine/marigold on your hands...kinda like picking sunshine.
I left this bloom and the bumble bee hanging on...as you see in the picture above. I think he was another victim of work related stress. He has been on this flower in the same position since at least Thursday when I got home. Don't think he is going to make it...

from along Turkey Run Creek
where the wild turkeys have returned....

A confession.....and some retail therapy

Just a quick note on Labor Day... I don't want to 'labor' too long!

I have a confession to make...

After my rant about primitive decorating, my husband (who came up to Ohio for a visit) took me to the local flea market. His idea of retail therapy for me and to give some 'care' to the caregiver. Anyway...after my rant on Saturday...here's a tally of what I purchased at the flea market. (Prices were excellent I think the dealers didn't want to pack things.)



1 flax hackle
2 cast iron kettles (for my fireplace and bonfire)
1 farmer's tool..have no idea what it is...but it will go on display
1 basket
1 sheep design cutting board
1 Blue/White coverlet woven by William Van Gordon, from Covington, Ohio This coverlet has no date on it, but the history books have Van Gordon working in Covington from 1848 - 1853. This was cheap cheap cheap because it had a hole in the middle and no fringe, but it displays well..with over 2/3rd usable material if I want to piece it out. (Don't think so)

I ended up dumpster diving cause I saw good clay flower pots that someone had thrown away. We were at the market on Sunday so I can only assume that it was from a dealer who packed up on Saturday. I told my husband after this hot summer, I was throwing away all plastic pots.

Didn't see any hanging gourds....phew!

Guess I had better re-call my rant on primitives! Anyway it was a great weekend to get outside and for some retail therapy.

New moon this week...also we are in a 'no-burn' situtation on the farm, due to the lack of rain. Hope we get some soon...once I get home it is time to have a bonfire.
Morning glories are blooming finally...I was beginning to think they went on vacation to escape the heat. We are losing daylight quickly so enjoy the days while you can.


affectionately yours
along the Great Miami River

Early Fall Musings....

Odd thoughts for a beautiful September day..


I’ve thrown in the towel…(yeah you guessed it…TEA stained brown) on being a “prim”….After careful research...I’ve decided that decorating style is just plain dirty. The ‘straw’ that broke the camel's back for me…was one too many houses hanging 2 dipper gourds on their front doors…..looks like the local bull’s gonads to me…that .. just ain’t right. (ok ok I admit it, there's some of primitives stuff I still like! )



Found my mother’s collection of old Colonial Homes magazine from the early 1980s, now that’s decorating. I think I will start a new trend to offset ‘dirty’ primitive….Country Colonial…oh..wait…maybe that’s out there already! Here's my idea of Country Colonial - my mother's living room and majolica collection.





Note to Primitive Antique dealer in Ohio advertising a “Fall Gathering” and Open House. You need people for a gathering…and maybe some refreshments, some signs pointing the way, entertainment and maybe samples or giveaways. And for crying out loud…get the dang gourds off the front door!



Where are the flowers??? I’m talking at the hospital…I rarely saw any fresh flowers delivered to the hospital the entire week my father was there. I know that cut flowers from South America are covered in pesticides…but still…scientific research has proven that flowers help in the healing process…so is it just the economy that has changed that practice or what? Bring your garden flowers to the hospital…make mine lavender if you have it!


A special note to my best friend, Janice. Thank you for always being there for me...otherwise...I would look like the bee on the leaf...not the bee on the flower! (Work related stress....it's a killer...)

Stencils...a "Prim's" best friend

Just a quick note...my father is doing well...thanks to everyone for their prayers and good thoughts sent my way! I so appreciate your support!
My dad has refinished furniture all his life. He is a great carpenter and expert woodworker. All the wood furniture in our family home has been re-worked and refinished by Dad. During the beginning of the primitive decorating craze in the late 70s and 80s...he and Mom stenciled much of their home. My Mom has the ideas...Dad is stuck with the execution! Here are some areas in their home..that he has stenciled.
The above large basket and border is in the master bedroom. The main family room is stenciled with a border located above the chair rail and above the doors.



My bedroom is also stenciled...(ummm I was the one that started them on stenciling - go figure!) with a heart and border design. I love stenciling and for some lazy reason...I have not done any in my farmhouse. I think it is time to right that wrong!

Another hot day...and I miss my garden, farm and husband. He has been watering the garden very faithfully and I am grateful. I am going to miss all my Forget-me-nots and other late bloomers that I have babied all summer. Our morning glories are sulking in the heat and not showing their faces. Maybe they are waiting on me to come home? That would be nice.

I have just about wiped out my supply of lavender essential oil during this stressful time. Time to stock up..and I forgot to bring a new bottle with me to Ohio. I need to create a emergency travel kit of some essential oils. Next year if my lavender survives the heat and winter... I am going to distill my own..and make my own hydrosol too. (Hydrosol is the left over water from distilling oil. It has been shown to be as effective as the essential oil.) Stay tuned!

Affectionately yours...
along the Great Miami River