Raised In Cotton

My Farmhouse Dream

A few weeks ago Deb sent me this link~

For Sale~Beautiful two story Missouri farmhouse built in 1865 with original stained glass doors, 9 ft ceilings, crown molding, pine plank flooring, center staircase with carved post, porches, fireplace and transform windows.  Sellers moving out of state, hurry will not last.

• When I opened the link to check out the online photos, I was completely stunned.  My ultimate farmhouse dream, right before my eyes….and….only 2 miles from my house. WHAT, you have GOT TO BE kidding, how did I not KNOW about this treasure? 5 minutes later, I was sitting in front of the farmhouse.  The next day my husband (who I will refer to as Mr. PracticalPants) and I were touring the farmhouse with the realtor. Sigh…once again speechless and stunned. I tried to keep my emotions to myself but the interior was right out of my perfect farmhouse dream. Bright, light with creams and white details. Not dark and dreary like some old houses. No horrible wallpaper that would need to be removed (Mr. PracticalPants and I have issues when trying to remove old wallpaper together) or no 1970’s left over shag carpet but PERFECT.  Now Mr. PracticalPants was trying to point out the imperfections and reel me back in but I was bitten, smitten and a goner when I entered the front door.  He said, “No basement, do you really want to go down the stairs of a dark root cellar” I said, “Why sure, I am a farm girl, would not be my first root cellar dance”…..  He said, “The railing on the stairs is shaky, the outside paint is peeling, the window sashes have damage”  I said, “All fixable”….He said, “Where are you going to put all of your STUFF” .....Uh Oh, he knew how to get me, think fast Carol….I said, “Well lets double the size of the detached garage so you can have more room for your antique cars and I can have shelves for my STUFF”…..Nothing like bringing out the bigger garage card to convince a practical man that he really needs a certain house.

This is my news, that incredible treasure will be ours in 30 days. Still pinching myself thinking about how much fun I am going to have decorating. I already have ideas for Fall and oh my Christmas. Since this all began, I keep thinking that my sweet Mama Stella Mae has been guiding this entire find from heaven. I always told her that one day I wanted to live in a beautiful farmhouse like she and my Dad had in the Ozarks. I think she has had a helping hand in making my dream come true.

I hope you will not get tired of my tons of photos I will be sharing in the near future as we decorate and renovate the farmhouse.  It has really been hard for me to keep this all under wraps until I knew it would be ours. So my Dear Friends, come with me as we take on this new journey and I would appreciate any and all prayers that everything goes smoothly.

Roses and Seashells

Simple Summer Settings Idea #2~ Roses and seashell bouquet in a vintage glass candy container that I found for .75 at a local sale. Very easy to do, just layer the bottom with seashells and then add roses. I used a combination of white shells with pink edges and faded pink roses for my bouquet.

 

Of course Angel had to check out everything:)

 

Lots of news to share with you in the upcoming days:

*Issue #4 of the hot, hot Jeanne d Arc Living Magazine will be available for sale on the website. Since introducing the line two years ago, I can't believe the amount of emails and calls I receive asking about the Jeanne d Arc products.  I am working with the company on a couple of things that I hope you will love.

*Tara Frey's Book, Blogging For Bliss available on Amazon now. I am honored to be one of the blogs featured in this lovely book. Plus on Aug 4, Artsy Mama will be hosting a blog party for the book:)

* My 4 year blog anniversary with a giveaway that I think you will enjoy.

* Debs article in Romantic Homes will be available. Remember the post I did about how windy it was the day we tried to style her house for the article. Hopefully you will not see the flying concrete garden statues in the photos:)

*Last but certainly not least in my world is some huge news I hope to be sharing with you in the near future:)

I hope you have a Blessed Day My Dear Friends:)

A Visit To Big Cedar

Just back from one of my favorite places in Missouri, Big Cedar Lodge. I took these photos to share with you, please enjoy:) Click the photo to enlarge for a better view. don't miss this:

Our Shop Helper

Thought I would introduce you to sweet Miss M who is our #1 shop helper. Miss M has a penchant for the color pink, check out her shoes and hair pretty:) On this day she was especially helpful with planting flowers around the shop and of course needed some garden gloves so she would not get her pink nail polish dirty:)

 

Speaking of sweet helpers, I wanted to show you this darling photograph that my buddy Karla took of her little Sugarwings.

Look at that angelic face and crystal blue eyes, the perfect model for Karla don't you think:)

Fruit Baskets

Don't you just love these little fruit baskets? Originally seen at Farmers Markets to hold fruit and vegtables, they can be repurposed for many other uses:

*Line them side by side on a shelf to hold all kinds of goods. They are perfect in a craft room to organize beads, buttons and other small elements.

* Tac them on a wall to make your own interesting display. Take five across by five down and nail the bottom of the baskets to a wall and you have a vintage shadow box.

* How about making a fun pendant light out of them. Turn the basket upside down and drill a small hole in the bottom. Put a small bulb and cord through the hole and secure. The bulb and cords from those Christmas village houses would be ideal.  Take a piece of burlap ribbon and wrap around the cord for a rustic covering.

* Use them to hold a small gift such as candles, candy or soap. Layer some excelsior or paper shred in the bottom and place your gift on top. Take a piece of ribbon (more burlap) and wrap around the basket for the perfect hostess gift.

I would love to know your creative ideas for these sweet baskets:))

Announcing~Flea Market Style Magazine

I am happy to help announce FLEA MARKET STYLE a new publication by Junk Queen Ki Nassauer and Style King Matthew Mead set for release in early Spring 2010~

When Ki contacted me a few weeks back to discuss the new magazine, my heart skipped a few beats! Finally a publication dedicated to VINTAGE DECORATING that is creative and fresh! Better still, Ki and Matthew will have full editorial control so you can imagine how inspirational the 144 pages will be. Also on the talented team will be Linda of Restyled Home and my buddy Heather Bullard so it us sure to be a hit! I am also excited to be sharing some of my ideas and projects with Ki! So if you get weak in the knees when you see a pile of Junk or adore the thrill of Flea Market shopping such as I do, You will love FLEA MARKET STYLE. Please could you pass the word to all of your Vintage Loving friends too:)))

Fresh Tomatoes

 

Just picked this morning, fresh tomatoes right outside my back door. Nothing smells or taste better then growing your own tomatoes. Little effort to produce such wonderful Summer time rewards don't you think? Do you have a favorite tomato recipe? Would love to know:)