May CupboardScape

 

Good morning friends.

For today's cupboardscape

I wanted to share items

that would remind me of 

my foremother's.

My great grandmother's would have worn

boots similar to these.

My mom use to starch my dad's shirts in the day.

This was my maternal grandmother's

sewing machine. 

All the mother's in my life

cared for their children. 

Hoops and yarns also reminded me

of my maternal grandmother.

My paternal grandmother always wore

a bonnet while tending her garden outside.

Bonnets would have also been worn by my

great grandmother's.

My paternal gramma quilted.

She loved the colors of pink and yellow.

This was the reverse side of the quilt

from my April cupboarscape.

I have many memories of all of my foremother's.

Each has shaped me into the woman I am today.

I am so grateful to have had them in my life,

although I never met my great grandmother's,

their stories passed down have also molded

me into whom I am today.

I am so thankful for all of their knowledge and

sacrifices they made to provide the life

I now enjoy.

It was a hard life back in the day.

In other news,

my mom enjoyed her stay with us.

Her and I watched cheeky Hallmark movies

all Mother's Day.

Bob brought home pizza and salad for dinner

after the store closed.

I missed seeing the Northern Lights.

Friday I forgot and my neighbors did see them. UGH

I stayed outside for almost 2 hours Saturday

night and the clouds moved in.

Last night I had to get to bed early for work.

I saw pics from where my mom lives,

and they were spectacular there as well.

Oh well maybe next time.

I know a few of you saw them.

May Blessings To All!

Janice

Friday Finish

WOOHOO

I have a finish!

Hello friends.

I have a finish.

WOOHOO

Can you tell I am excited.

I have a new finish.

Spring Awakens.

I chose this fabric from my stash for the back

 to make into a pillow. 

I hand stitched this.

Most use lizard litter, sawdust or walnut shells

to fill their pillows.

My preferred choice is rags.

Small fabric pieces I stash away

 from previous creations.  

Too little for anything else.

Placed here now with my antique coverlet.

I tried to get as close to the colors of my coverlet.

This one is 183 years old.

Still in great shape, but just used as a display now.

My Spring display finished now

with my quilt kitty and blue stoneware cake crock.

This crock would have been filled 

with cake batter and placed on hot coals to bake.

Coverlet with a few other blue coverlet pieced ones

tucked inside one of my antiques splint baskets.

All atop my huge covered dough box

with a 6 board chest underneath.

Both hold Christmas items inside.

Now onto something else to finish.

In other news,

the other evening our state had some 

terrible storms roll in with tornadoes.

15 minutes to the South of us

one of the marinas there only has a half a building left.

Metal flew everywhere.

The house across the street is half gone.

It was not categorized as a tornado on our side,

but to me driving through it looked like a war zone.

Downed trees and wires everywhere.

In the morning I had to drive around trees 

in the road as I was headed to work.

Coming back in the daylight was when

I saw the destruction more.

So many tornadoes this year and I pray

for all those affected my them.

Before the storm hit, we saw this after 

the first rainstorm came by.

It actually was a double rainbow, 

however the second one did not get caught on camera.

Tomorrow my mom is coming down

for Mother's Day and us kids are taking her to dinner.

Its her favorite restaurant near us, so I know

she will like it.

I hope everyone who is a mother has a fantastic

Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Blessings To All!

Janice

A Work In Progress

 Hello my friends.

Let's play what is this antique.

Any ideas what this could be?

I purchased this years ago from a friend

who owns a primitive antique store.

When I say years...probably 10 years now.

I always knew which room it would be hung,

just not sure exactly where until now. 

It is hand forged and very heavy.

Clue Number 1: It would have been used in

a general store in the 1800's to hang a certain 

item for sale. 

Clue number 2: It would have involved horses.

Clue Number 3: Jockeys use these in a shorter form

in horse races today.

I decided to finally hang it from the ceiling

in our keeping room as I planned all along.

For those who may have guessed 

a buggy crop whip display, you would be correct.

This piece held horse whips that were for sale.

My intention was never to hang whips from this.

I wanted to hang candles.

I only have three sets currently, 

so will need to purchase more.

Our ceiling on this side is 11 feet and fits perfectly 

in the corner here now.

My next decision is to figure out what to add

to these two walls.

Plus a display on top.

I sure hope it does not take another 10 years. LOL

Looking at this picture, I may also need

 to paint the switch plates.

Your thoughts?

In other news,

looks like we may need a new stove.

I was going to re-heat some chicken nachos

last night that I made on Saturday.

The oven would not heat.

UGH

Bob has to work the store today,

but says he might be able to fix it on Tuesday.

If not, will be purchasing a new one.

I started weeding my front flower garden

Saturday morning.

Since having to work the gift shop,

Bob did the gardens.

Now I have the time, so it will be my job again.

Am out of practice though.

Was only out there for 2 hours and decided

enough was enough. 

Not use to physical labor anymore.

Need to get back to it next weekend.

Well its Monday and have to drive into work.

Hope you all have a marvelous week!

Work In Progress Blessings To All!

Janice

Spring Mantles

 Hello friends!

Since we are in full swing of Spring now,

I wanted to share my two Spring mantles with you.

With two mantles now, 

I can go in different directions with my displays.

A  more Primitive look.

A Colonial look for this one.

My home is filled 80% with antiques.

The other 20% I like to be whimsical.

I dont want my home to be a museum.

I want it to feel homey and comfy.

In other news,

Saundra asked about the hooked pattern

in Lori's book

Autumn at Notforgotten Farm.

Here is the picture of that rug.

Lauren asked me what method I use to stitch.

I have always used the stab method.

All these years, it still works for me.

I did try the other one and no way...

it was slower for me.

Guess sometimes you just cannot teach an old dog

new tricks. LOL

Also in other news,

the marsh I drive though to and from work

is alive now with activity.

This 845 acres is the largest freshwater marsh

east of the Mississippi.

My drive through it is a mile long 

with water on both sides.

Unfortunately it is illegal to stop anywhere,

otherwise I would do so and take pictures.

The egrets, swans and herons are back

from their Winter vacation.

The muskrats can be found alongside the roadway

foraging for food and also swimming.

I saw a Coot yesterday.

They are a species of black duck.

The lily pads are sprouting out soon to flower.

No turtles yet, but am sure I will see them soon.

Spring is finally here in my part of Michigan.

WOOHOO

Spring Blessings To All!

Janice