Summer is winding down, I think!

We have had some really great weather for the past week, a little cool snap that makes me long for fall. I know we have more hot weather on the way but I take solace in the knowledge that we will be entering a new season soon.

I have been promising another one of my "Moccasin Holler Memoirs" with you and before summer does come to an end I decided to share one of the scariest moments in my life which happened to take place in the summer. Keep in mind, my "Moccasin Holler Memoirs" are a collection of my memories of growing up in the country in the 1950's...hence no indoor plumbing in our neck of the woods.

Outdoor Toilets…

Hmmm, not one of my best memories. Especially the time we went to Granny and Papa’s and I had to make a trip to the “facilities”. I locked myself in and picked up some pages out of the Sears’ & Roebuck catalog. I was in the process of crinklin’ the pages up to make them nice and soft when I looked down. On the floor, peeking out from under the pages was what appeared to be the face of a little squirrel. Well, who doesn’t love a cute, little squirrel? So, I reached down and pulled back the pages.

Like a bolt of lightening, a creature rushed out from under those pages and began to attack me. It was HUGE and so fast I couldn’t tell what it was, definitely not a squirrel! It could even walk on the ceiling. The battle seemed to go on for hours.

Actually, the only battle was between me and the latch on the outhouse door. I finally escaped and ran as fast as I could, which wasn’t very fast. Have you ever tried to run while shaking with fear and trying not to fall over the britches that are wrapped around your ankles?

Finally, my haven of love and safety was within reach. I headed straight to the kitchen door and the arms of Mama and Granny. I knew that when they heard about the danger I had so narrowly escaped, they would grab me, hug me tight and tell me everything was alright…nothing was going to hurt me now. And, most importantly, they would send Papa out to kill the monster.

Noooo, they doubled over laughing when they heard my tale of horror! I was never so hurt and humiliated. It seems a big lizard had taken up residence in the outhouse that summer and they were happy about it, seein’ as how it ate bugs. Bugs, my foot, didn’t they realize the thing nearly ate me!!


Remember...I always love to hear your comments.

Monday Marketplace

It's that time again and I have another wonderful artist from Old Farmhouse Gathering to feature. She is a sweet gal and I know you want to get to know her, too, so please read the interview...it's great.

Here is a glimpse of her etsy shop...be sure and go to etsy to see all her wonderful creations and while you're there type OFG in the search bar and enjoy all the talent that is Old Farmhouse Gathering.



1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you
choose that name?
My shop name is Willowtree Treasures. As a child I had
a willowtree that was located in our back lawn. Every
time the branches would float in the wind it seemed so
magical to me. I thought some day ...if I looked hard enough...
I may find treasures nestled beneath the moving of these branches.


2. How long have you been on Etsy?
I have been on Etsy for a little over a year.


3. What type of items do you offer?
I offer items that range from extreme primitive to primitive
with a touch of vintage appeal. I create dolls, doll lamps,
pincushions, doll pins, hang tags, door greeters, shelf sitters
and much more to aid in home decoration.


4. How long have you been crafting?
I have been creating for about 10 years. I started with
primitive jar lamps surrounded by a layer of moss and silicone
bulbs as the lighting source. When I began to sew I then began
adding the half dolls to my lamp creations. I then graduated to
full dolls, ornies and doll pins. My business branched out from
there.


5. Who or What inspires you?
Life in general inspires me . The life stories people have
to share of their triumphs and disappointments I also find as
inspirational!


6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
My favorite item in my shop is Annie and the Clairabelle cow.
I found the construction of this set to be very challenging and
did a lot of techniques for the first time! This project I truly
had a hard time putting down until is was completed because of
my interest in seeing the final product when it was finished!


7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

Blog:
http://www.willowtreetreasures.blogspot.com

Olde Primitive Sister's Marketplace:
http://www.oldprimitivesisters.com/shops/

FuzzB:
http://fuzzb.com/profile.php?profile=102660

Artfire:
http://artfire.com/users/Willowtree Treasures


also twitter and facebook


Thanks for stopping by!

MONDAY MARKETPLACE...

It is Monday and time for another Marketplace where you will meet one of my Old Farmhouse Gathering sisters. Since not all of you may be familiar with Etsy, this will give you a chance to check it out and see some of the very talented people you will find there. And, I have to say that I think our OFG Etsy team is filled with the most talented.

Today, I am happy to introduce you to Kim Orcutt of Valley Primitives. Kim is a great asset to our OFG team and is a wonderful artist. What she can do with a needle and thread is amazing!!! Just see for yourself!!





Read on to get to know Kim a little better and you will understand why all of us at OFG are so proud of her.

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose
that name?
VALLEY PRIMITIVES
2. How long have you been on Etsy?
MARCH 4, 2008
3. What type of items do you offer?
HAND STITCHED FRAMED PRIMITIVE STITCHERY’S, STITCHED KITCHEN
TOWELS, HANG TAGS, PILLOWS, AND ORNIES.
4. How long have you been crafting?
I HAVE BEEN CRAFTING FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, I LOVE TO
WORK WITH MY HANDS. I’VE DONE STAINED GLASS, TOLE PAINTING,
BEADED JEWELRY, AND NOW I AM HOOKED ON STITCHING.
5. Who or What inspires you?
I AM INSPIRED BY ANYTHING OLD! I LOVE TO FIND THINGS THAT
SOMEONE ELSE IS THROWING AWAY AND GIVE IT A GREAT PRIMITIVE
MAKE OVER. I HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY LOTS OF OTHER PRIMITIVE
ARTIST MAKEOVERS AND THE WEALTH OF IDEAS THAT THEY FREELY
SHARE ON THEIR BLOGS.
6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
SO RELAXING.
7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)
I HAVE A BLOG http://valleyprimitivesgiftshoppe.blogspot.com/

MY ETSY SHOP IS http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5675144

WE ALSO HAVE A SMALL GIFT SHOP IN OUR HOME, CALLED
VALLEY PRIMITIVES GIFT SHOPPE.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Kim and seeing her lovely stitcheries.

Check out following blogs: The Country Shopkeeper, Bee Charmer Primitives and Kim's Valley Primitives Gift Shoppe to see more Monday Marketplace interviews and there may be more so please check back for the links. I know you don't want to miss any of these great artists!!

Thanks for stopping by, I'm always tickled to hear from you so please leave those comments.

Something new....

The first installment of "MARKETPLACE MONDAY"
(And, aren't you proud of me...I'm actually getting my first showcase up on "Monday")

Yep, every Monday I will be showcasing an artist from the OLD FARMHOUSE GATHERING Etsy group that I belong to. You will be able to read an interview of that artist, see an Etsy mini of her listings and find links to her other shops, blog and all the other places on the web that she can be found.

Today I want to introduce you to Carol, the original FIRECRACKER KID.
Even more that being such a talented artist, she is a real sweetheart...now, sit back and enjoy!


What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

Firecrackerkid Primitives. I chose this name, because I was born on the 4th of July, and my family always called me "the firecrackerkid". My father said when I was born I came out with a bang, jokingly of course. Plus it's Independence Day, and I really love my country and my freedom so it all fits together nicely.

How long have you been on Etsy?

One year and four months

What type of items do you offer?

One-of-a-kind Woodcrafts and reproduction woodcrafts of different Early American dough bowl racks and furniture.

How long have you been crafting?

Twenty years.

Who or What inspires you?

Well, the economy is what inspired my husband and myself to make our own Primitives to save on money. My husband is who inspires me, because of his hard work ethics, and the fact that he can do just about anything or any challenge put before him. He's a hard working man. A Jack-of-all-trades so to speak. He was a carpenter since he was a teenager, and even built our home along with several other homes locally. Pretty inspiring and impressive to me.

What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

That would be our one-of-a-kind items. We like to come up with unique woodcrafts that no one else has, and that are functional also.

You can also see Carol on Facebook.

Wasn't I right...you enjoyed that didn't you? Don't forget to check in every Monday to see a new artist featured on my blog and now go to The Country Shopkeeper's blog and enjoy another Monday Marketplace interview.

Alrighty...

got through those last two chicken days without a hitch and camp is officially over for this year!!! We do have a few more things happening at camp but nothing that I have to cook for. I didn't get pics like I had planned. I will try and get some to post from others that were more on the ball than me. I have to admit that when I am in the kitchen all I can think about is getting those meals ready!!

I was looking forward to a week of recuperating after the last session of camp...didn't happen. I got a call from a friend that owns the local lumber shed/hardware store asking me to fill in while a couple of the girls get married/go on honeymoons. It has been challenging, fun and really tiring for this old gal. I have decided that by the time I am through I am going to be a lot smarter or my brain is going to explode.

I am working on some cypress knee santas...I "will" post some pics when I get them finished. And, I have a few new ideas that I hope to be able to share before too awfully long.

I have missed this bloggin' thing and am going to try really hard to start posting regularly so please keep coming back. I will be posting more of my "Moccasin Holler Memoirs"...the next one will be about "Cotton Patch Etiquette". Sign up as a "Follower" so you don't miss anything.

It's great to be back!!!!

Only two more chicken days to go...

yep, that's how I'm counting down the camp sessions now and it translates to two more weeks. Thursdays are "Chicken Days" which means we prepare a good ole down home country chicken dinner (that's lunch to you northerners). It is also my most dreaded day of camp. Don't get me wrong, I do love cooking for camp but the thought of frying all that chicken just wears me out!! But, it's all worth it when the little critters, I mean campers, come through the line.

Here is a small sampling of what we cooked during the last two sessions of camp. Keep in mind that these were two of our smaller groups. In fact, next weeks session will be larger the the last two combined!!! Do you see the little tear trickling down my face!! :-) Okay here goes:

Sausage......................564 patties
Bacon........................449 strips
Eggs..........................64 dozen
Made from scratch biscuits...347

Not included are all the pancakes, french toast, dry cereal, milk, juices, oatmeal, gravy and chocolate gravy...and that is only breakfast.

I have to say that I have had some great helpers who work hard and make my job fun.

Did I mention that my day starts around 5:30 am. I head to the kitchen by 6:15 and head back home around 8:30 pm where I do the laundry for the day.

After all that, I have to say that BYC or Bootheel Youth Camp is GREAT!!! I had hoped to share some pics of workday with you but I forgot my camera, duh!! I am planning to keep it close at hand next week so I can show you some of the great things that go on.

Till next time...

It's almost time...

for camp to begin. For those of you who may not already know, my husband and I live at Bootheel Youth Camp. That is our church camp and we are the caretakers. Well, Mike actually does most of the "caretaking". But, this is the time of year that I really get busy and have I been busy this week.

We have a workday scheduled for tomorrow and I have been workin' myself silly/sillier this week just getting ready for it. I have been sanding, scraping and painting till I'm sort of a medium terracotta in the face...that's the color I was painting the front of the main serving counter in the "Cafetorium". Oh, I also have a pair of tennis shoes that are accented with that "exact" color!!

We have lots of stuff to do tomorrow and I know it will be a great day filled fun, fellowship and work. I'll try to get some pics to share so all of you can join in.