IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME

IN all my living days , I have never seen women so eager to buy ... THE STONE MEADOW FARM SALE STARTED at 4 and the line started forming at 3:20 ......

these matching DAIRY containers (from an out of state farm auction) .....yep you guessed it ....sold IMMEDIATELY

HOURS AND HOURS of time time were devoted to the smallest DETAIL ...

dining ROOM TABLESCAPE ....MOST ITEMS were scoooped up in the first few MINUTES ....

ALMOST PANDEMONEUM ... my little old midwestern heart was a-poundin'

THEATRICAL STAGE TRUNK from New York ...stole THE SHOW

unassuming in a large glass vat ... OODLES OF OLD CASTERS ...

CLOSE UP CANDLE LIGHT!!!!

candles resting in kosher salt ...it has a great snow effect

IF YOU LIVE WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE ...BETTER MARK your calender for the spring show ...

THE VOTES ARE IN ALL ACROSS THE LAND

okay, I'm tear-y now ...


just re-read these comments and my heart is so full


...THIS is why I would miss blogging ...You and your perspectives and your hearts on your sleeves.

I've decided to post once a week ... maybe twice ...cuz I LOVE the "Thriftn on a Thursday" venue ...the other post would perhaps be my ~~
stuffintheburbs

..infact that may be where I post the "Thriftin on a Thursday" post...

thank you for a look inside your soul(s) and your faithful visits and comments.

stay tuned

the cityfarmer

PLEASEJOIN IN THE FUN...AS WE SHOW "falling into Christmas" ...

if you live within driving distance of the burbs ...you won't want to miss this ...

To Market To Market Presents Stone Meadow Farm Welcome to the farm! You are invited to attend a showing of merchandise for home and holiday. Friday November 13 4-8pm Saturday November 14 11-4pm Goods have been gathered, fabrics have been stitched, treasures have been placed, all to delight. Please join us and bring a friend email me for directions

FENCED IN AND HANGING ON BY A THREAD ...to close my blog or not?

WAA WAA WAA ... as if there aren't enough projects going right now ...

Saturday, Don and I plan to build this arbor ... he just doesn't know it yet.

How hard can it be? I have the perfect place ... the pea gravel path and all ... the materials are cheap ... I have the fall clematis ready to plant ... so what's the problem you ask?

I'm hanging on by a thread ...so many things to do ...waa waa waa.

I was going to make a list ... didn't want to bore you.

I am teeter totter-ing up and down and back and forth as to whether to close out my blog ...

For all of the obvious reason(s), I just keep blogging. The reason is ... yes ... YOU

I'm addicted to you and YOUR blogs.

what's a too busy, mid life, gram with a hurting ankle and a flurry of ideas to do?

...TO HANG UP BLOGGING ... OR NO

Oh, I know ... many of you have, and have made your comebacks and all ... but how was it while you were gone? Did you have withdrawal? How did you ease back in to it?

HELP ME OUT HERE ... I'm all fenced in and hanging on by a thread

AND if you want my to do list, I'll gladly send it on ahead!

love y'all

the cityfarmer

MY MOM HAD A BIRTHDAY ... #77

IN MY DREAMS .... don't you only hope you can look this great at 77??

My Mom is on the far left ... yeah, she looks like one of the sistas doesn't she ...

my sister Ruth was the hostess with the most-ess ...

Julee, the second oldest and myself ...

we adore this woman of God ... she is the role model that we are striving to emmulate.

We gathered last Saturday, Oct 24th to celebrate Mom and her 77th birthday.

Mom ...

my hero

gosh, do we all look alike or what?

Sista Julee, up close and beautiful

even the great grand-chickens got in on the action.

Tata Chelsea

cake is next!!!

WOW ...way to go Mom ...here's to many more health filled years.

I love you.

BLANKIES, BOOTS AND BUNJ-IES ...HOME GROWN ETIQUETTE FOR JUNKINS, PICKN' AND TRASHN'

CITYFARMERS' HOMEGROWN ETIQUETTE FOR JUNKIN', PICKN' AND TRASHN'

OKAY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ...

yes there are rules for garbage pickn' ...these are from my book, you don't have to like it OR agree, but I'll bet you've hauled something home only to find it covered in pee smell.

1) if you meet the Mrs. out at the curb when you pull up, might be nice to just ask, "are you getting rid of that"? "Do you mind if I take it off your hands?"

2) better keep your wellies stowed in the car ... if you've ever dropped something heavy on

your bare tootsies ... then you KNOW to cover these precious little piggies.

Don't get too excited or make a big hairy fuss when you find something you love (especially at the flea market) ... it draws a crowd, and then everybody and their dog wants it ... the dealer's gotchya then!

3) speaking of dogs ... I love them and all ... but for the sake of your family and all that is sacred, better get your smell-er into action ... squat down and sniff for dog and cat pee and yes, sorry smokers ...the smell of smoke is forever in an upholstered piece.

4) if you and your dear best friend reach for the same thing, let her have it ... provided she gives first right of refusal when she thinks of putting this charmer on a garage sale.

5) wear GLOVES ... everybody's touched it ... nuff said

6) ask the dealer POLITELY ... is this your best price? And THEN, don't be haulin' out no 50 for a 2$ item ...

7) try to imagine this piece of "junk" in your house. If you have a three foot space for a mirror in the powder room, chances are the curb side special that's 6 feet wide, won't work.

blankies, boots and bunj-ies ... keep them in the car and let's hit the road

what have I missed ...you fill in the blank?

THRIFTIN' ON A THURSDAY

THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THE LAST 250 POSTS ... the most fun one could have on the internet.

I first posted in October of 2006 ... to the tune of a handful of readers for quite a long time ...

many, many posts later and this cityfarmer is one happy blogger ... and blogger has even stepped to the plate with a few add on features in three years ... ( we want more, right)

New friends, recipes, design dilemas solved, inspiration, and anything else your mind could conjure up is out there somewhere on a blog ...

You've all given me the desire and motivation to be more creative, more loving, more sensitive, and certainly more "out of the box" ...

oh yeah, speaking of out of the box ... this candle-abra in its first life was an icky black matte finish ...

hot off the worktable ... crusty, elegant and ready for any Thanksgiving table,

it stands proudly next to a luscious French design book at "Denise's Home Adornments" in Geneva Il.

this fun stuff is still out there, so let's get thriftn ... it's Thursday

savvycityfarm SACS™...HELP

I might be officially in business as of 4:00 today ... should I ...

set up a workroom?

sell to dealers? and blogland? ...

start a websight ...

stake a name for this business ...

should I keep any of these for myself ... (what with Christmas so close and all)

I've been sewing for years but I've been in the closet ... with the machine ...

PARISIENNE, my own daughter, and FARMGIRLCYN have inspired me as of late ...

HOWEVER ... don't wanna do button holes or zippers ... if ya catch my drift.

oh my achin' back, 12 of these beauties rolled off the press today ... now what do I do with them?

With all of the creativity smoldering in blogland ... help me name this venture

whaddya think?

I think the last "A" in Indiana is too close to the "N"

FARMHOUSE FREEB-IE

MY DEAR FRIEND BETH ...sent me a goodie box for no reason t'all!

A little chickadee must've told her that I love old glass bottles. Among other lovelys, too many to

mention, lay this beautiful (to me) old glass. It looked up at me from the box and pleaded for a prominent spot in this old farmhouse.

FUNNY THING ...the bottle was missing its glass stopper ... funnier thing ... I have an old dish full of these add-ons. This one fit like a glove.

Beth has now gained the rightful title of cowgirl. ( I'm having alot of fun reading archives)

Have you ever sent a friend goodies for no reason?

Hope you enjoyed the farmhouse freebie.

PLEASE STOP OVER and visit BETH.

CUBB-EE OR NOT TO BE

when something sits in the barn too long, I start imagining what it would look like at home ... this pine cubbie made its way from the barn to my dining room last weekend

here we are just moments before ... cherub heavy, I call it ...my wheels were a turnin' and i do believe for the better ....

oh they are lovely and all BUT, the time had come!

just for fun, the lace curtains said goodbye, too ... matchsticks blinds from Lowe's took their regal position.

AND last but not least ... can you say BARTER ...yep, you guessed it ...this cupboard for a custom paint job!!!

some weekend updates around this old farmhouse

BURLAP MANIAC ...I CAN'T HELP MYSELF

some ideas come at the crack of dawn, some in the middle of the night, others while the paint is being applied ... most often I let the piece "speak to me"

this one came yelling and screaming ..."put burlap on the top of the table" ...

my little old country midwest buttons popped right off my shirt when the final coat of briwax was buffed ...

well whaddya think???

p.s.

this piece is for sale at "Denise's Home Adornments" in Geneva, Il

DAILY GRIND ...

at times things that are as lovely as a vintage mirror come in bunches with things not so lovely that might even need paint ...

God has not promised skies always blue, flower strewn pathways all our life thru ...

BUT ... He has promised strength for today ...

Father, give me the courage to face one at a time

help me savour the vintage mirror AND the rough hewn timbers

ONLINE

there's something about being out in the wind that cleanses and renews ....

crisp and fresh like linens online..

renewal and refreshment came this weekend ....

re-vive our hearts oh lord as we head into autumn ... give us a glimpse of yourself and the work you want to do in each of us, your children ...

IN LEUI OF BIRTHDAY CANDLES

I BOW AT THE FEET OF the farmer that cross bred colored pumpkins to achieve white.

♥HE RANKS VERY high on my "creative minds ladder."♥

THESE BEAUTIES ADORN my front porch to celebrate the first day of fall.

In leui of candles, pumpkins will suffice.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

♥♥♥♥♥

IN HONOR OF THIS MUNDANE event we are headed to the SHIPSHEWANA ANTIQUE AUCTION and then north to Michigan to the almost lake shore farmette of farmgirl cyn. When we head HOME hopefully our car will be full of antiques, Michigan apples and many, many memories of yet another fun-filled time with lifelong friends and family.

"your trip begins at michigan.org"

♥9~23~53♥

THRIFTIN' ON A THURSDAY

TRANSPORT yourself back to the day when these little beauties graced the countertops in our favorite department stores ... telling of a sale or a store promo ...

THIS leather compact simply states it's owners lovely name

"Veralda" ...most likely an expensive give from some tycoon to his lady ...

OR maybe it's the name of the cosmetic vendor ... duh?

A treasure trove ... this industrial sized collander houses a mishmash of white ironestone and a collection of miniature silver domes ...

AS long as we are transporting back in time ...yet another counter display ...THIS TIME for perfume ... creamy, provocative Estee Lauder lippies perhaps??

ANY JUNK IN YOUR TRUNK??

BURLAP BLITZ

THESE DELICIOUS thrift shop cheese domes have new life.

A scrap of burlap, elmers glue and a hardware store package of stencils.

I can almost imagine the domestic godd-ess that falls for these beauties.

BARN PARTY ... NADA PROBLEM!!

HAY ...STRAW IS CHEAPER, grass is free

a heart warming sight at the edge of the gravel barnyard

PEACE ... at Nada Farm ...

...better wash up after using the porta' potty

one word says it all

kids were EVERYWHERE

... the

alter calleth ...dessert served

....thank you Anne Marie, from the bottom of our little midwestern hearts, we thank you.

Stay tuned to the give away just one post back!!

See more barn party fun over at parisiennefarmgirl

YET ANOTHER GIVEAWAY ..NO PEEKING ALLOWED

IF YOU KNOW ME AT ALL, YOU KNOW IT IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL THAT I'VE BEEN AWAY FROM BLOGGING FOR THIS LONG ...

IN HONOR OF YOUR LOYALTY .... YEP ....I'VE DECIDED TO HOST MY SECOND GIVEAWAY.

IF YOU JOINED THE FUN LAST SPRING, YOU WERE ONE OF 130 ENTRIES.

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN.

IT'S LONELY HERE WIHOUT YOU, SO COME ON ALONG AND THROW YOUR NAME IN THE HAT.

LIKE LAST TIME, THE GOODIES REMAIN A SECRET. IF YOU ASK BETH FROM OLD TIME MARKET PLACE IT WAS WORTH BEING SURPRISED.

I WILL PICK AND CHOOSE CAREFULLY FROM MY STASH OF WONDERFUL JUNK ...

ARE YOU READY?

LET'S PLAY

G.I.V.E.A.W.A.Y

POST YOUR COMMENT WITH REQUEST BY SEPT 17 AT MIDNIGHT.

IF YOU ARE AN ANONYMOUS COMMENTOR, PLEASE INCLUDE AN EMAIL

IT AINT'T EASY BEING ORANGE (the real thriftn on a Thusday)

A DEAR FRIEND IS OPENING A NEW STORE HERE IN THE BURBS ...I was honored to be brought into the merchandising and the makeovers...

latex pumkins once wore the color orange ... how do you like "me" now?

NO WORDS to describe this old bottle

my heart just stopped

Department store props ...

I can just visualize Estee Lauder lippies sitting stop this beauty

FUN FUN FUN

I adore multiples!!

Are you junkin this weekend?

THRIFTIN' ON A THURSDAY ... OH WAIT IT'S ONLY TUESDAY

...I was JUST thinking ...

" a new (used) bag would be a nice perk!!"

I think I'm in love~~

7.00

ONE YEAR LATER ...DON RESTORED ... I'D DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN

This is my man ... on the road to full restoration.

I love him

with all that is within me.

Today marks the one year date of Don's traumatic injury.

Does he not look strong and healthy and fully at peace??

Honor and glory to God for His healing power and faithfulness.

Thank you ALL for prayers that are still being offered on his behalf.

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."

Isaiah 26:3

I'd do it all over again to know what I know now.

TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY ..FALALALALALALALALA

THIS SEASON MAKE ME SO HAPPY ... GOT JUNK???

WHY YES, I DO.

Wooden crock lids transformed into wall hangings.

Background ... my faithful worktable

Sunday's fare~~ Arboretum Antique Faire

South Barrington

Rusty, dusty, noteworthy!!!

The old brass vases are Military funeral memorabilia ...engraved U.S.

Old plaster lamps, redesigned on my faithful workbench ... now stately staues!!

Dependable old red truck, hey isn't that a wine lable???

More of Sunday's fare.

Pristine weather and LOTS of customers makes me a happy camper.

Crate with chicken wire transformed into a ..... whatever???

Ageless feed sacks now tote a king size pillow from Target ... the perfect fit!

French bench gets a new dress of burlap and nail trim.

AND now sits at the foot of a king size bed in the home of its new owner!

Hekman furniture house of Grand Rapids ... deserves mention on the surface of this fabulous makeover!

You can always double click for double pleasure.

Are you finding junk in this jolly season???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ANGELA

A MOTHER'S HEART REFLECTS

... FIRST BORN ... FIRST BORN GRANDAUGHTER ...

May I tell you about this girl?

Born July 22 ... the words "it's a girl" ring in my head like it was yesterday.

Teeny tiny Angela ... 6# ... now bearing children of her own.

Once I got the hang of being a new mother, life with this child was a pure delight.

She stole the affection of aunts and uncles and she wears the crown of the first grandchild on either side of the family.

I thank the Lord every day for her. She so deserves my prayers.

I pray for patience, longsuffering and guidance as she leads her chicks down the paths of righteousness.

God will bless you Angela as you seek Him and introduce His perfect ways to your little family.

Where oh where has the time gone ... it slipped right thru my busy fingers.

As you celebrate this day, please know how much you are loved.

We are both blessed to play a part in the four generations.

Thank you for catching the baton as it was passed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

LOVE, MOM

I JUST COULDN'T HELP MYSELF~~I HAD TO SHOW YOU THESE BUNS

FUN IN THE SUN AT THE FAMILY FARM ...

... smothered in motherly kisses ... my daughter and her daughter.

PRICELESS!!!

IT TAKES A PRETTY SPECIAL MAN TO TAKE THE PLACE OF NO MAN AT ALL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DON

almost one year later ...we have survived and conquered.

Here's where you will find my guy during most of his free time ... in God's Word ... growing stronger and stronger every day ... physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I adore you.

Happy 52nd birthday!

IN A WORD ... CHANEL!

I ADORE CHANEL!!!!

They have a way with flowers DO THEY NOT?

At night after a shower there is nothing more soothing than slathering on the "C" word ...

Chanel

... Coco, Coco Mademoiselle, No.5, Allure ...

the list goes on!!

Somehow the fragrance lasts and lasts and lasts.

I love to pull the sheets over my face and get a sweet sniff of these world famous aromas.

ooooh, what's that you're wearing?

Allure is my favorite ...

Today I was basking in No.5!