Autumn Splendor Penny Rug and Jenn's Needle Punch

What a busy week where has the time gone. Here it is the last day of August and soon the leaves will be falling and pumpkins will be abound in all their glory.

I have been putting out some of my fall items around the homestead and our lil' grandson just ooh's and aah's at all the rich bright colors. He is amazed with the scarecrows. Isn't it fun to see life through a child's eyes.




Jenn finally found some time and came for a visit...The gal only lives four miles away but with work and trying to keep up with family her life stays busy. She has some wonderful needle punches she is offering at our Lemon Poppy Seed shop. She got in my crafting room and dug through some of my boxes and found some to use for goodie boxes and they turned out really cute. It looks like she would make her Mom one but so far I'm still waiting!

I'm working on a little giveaway for September. So be sure to check back in a few days and see what I've come up with.

The autumn splendor penny rug was lots of fun to make and with the hand~dyed wool that some of the gals at Country Collections had made it turn out just perfect. It is also over at the Lemon Poppy Shop.

Happy Trails to You and may you each have a safe and Happy Labor Day!
Ginger

My Two Lil' Boys

It is simply amazing how fast your children grow up. I know at times while there home and under foot it feels as though some of the days seem to just creep by. But then you look up one day and poof their graduating from school, working at a job and married.

Dan or Lil' Dan as we call him was Moma's boy. We went everywhere together when he was little. I took him on his first fishing trip and he would ooh and aah at the fish and even squeal when I let him touch it. Days spent at a local park swinging and going down the slides were always fun. Before long a little sister came into the picture and he would want up in my lap right beside her. He would hold onto my ear for some reason and just be content to be held, too.

Of course as he got older he wanted to be with his Dad learning all about hunting and working stuff. I had the privilege of teaching him how to drive...we still laugh at the first day that he got his permit and I let him drive home. He kept blowing on his hands he had sweaty palms and of course I was telling him keep both hands on the wheel. I think I gained a few gray hairs that day.

Lil' Dan is also a prankster...must take after his Mom. One day back when he was little he had a coonskin cap and he just happened to be hiding out in the laundry room. The old farmhouse we lived in had many rooms that had been added onto over the years and this old laundry room was one of them.

Dan was hiding underneath that table and I had no idea he was out there. I'm busy taking care of the mountain of laundry that I always seemed to have and all of a sudden this furry thing comes flying out at me...I was out of there doing a dance all the way. He laughed and laughed thought he was pretty funny. Like to gave me a heart attack. I fixed him good though he got a large dose of water from a squirt gun for a wake up call the next morning.

Now Sloan has a coonskin cap and I just wonder if he will be up to some mischief. Hopefully he will save it for his Momma and Daddy. I'll just be content to take him fishing.

Happy Trails....Ginger

~*~THE GREAT STATE FAIR~*~

THE GREAT STATE FAIR is coming soon and Mr. Pennyworth has found his top hat and his favorite bowtie. He can hardly contain his excitement just thinking about all there will be to see. Oh there is sure to be lots of wonderful smells as well...roasted ears of corn, fresh baked apple pies, ice cold lemonade, and the taffy pulling contest is sure to be a hit again this year.
The judges will be lining up to taste test all the wonderful things that all the ladies have made and all the handmade quilts and needlework will be displayed for all to see. The log cutting and greased pig contest are always a big hit!
Of course the men folk will be looking over all the new farm supplies while the kiddo's anxiously await rides on the giant ferris wheel.
Yes dear old Mr. Pennyworth is counting the days until the Great State Fair comes to town once again!

Hello Friends,

I must say that while I am busy in my craftin' room it just seems that these little pieces that I enjoy making just seem to come alive and gain a personality right before my very eyes. Actually Mr. Pennyworth is going to the Great State Fair and very soon. My sister Jane signed me up for an entry in the needle punch category. Now Jane is a seasoned veteran when it comes to entering in the fair. She is quite the cook. She won 1st place just a couple years back in the homemade ice cream category...Butter pecan cheesecake and MMMMhhhh is it ever good!
She was also selected a couple years ago in the Pillsbury Bake Off. She didn't win the million dollars but she got a great trip to Orlando, Florida and an experience of a lifetime. I was lucky enough to go along with her and watch all the fun. It is quite a production.
Now Jane has her two young daughters and our Mom entering some of their Prize winning recipes in the State Fair. Of course there is lots of taste testing going on before the big day arrives making sure everything is up to par!

It's been a busy weekend down here on the farm. We have had a few welcomed rain showers, the lawn is mowed, and Danny built us a new entrance gate he just has to put on the electric opener and will be livin' high class!

I also tried out some dyeing wool with kool~aid in a jar....and it turned out so nice. While I was at it I got out the crockpot and dyed some more floss. I just love how it makes the floss look prim.

Now I'm off to clean up my craftin' room before I can start another goodie or two.

Happy Trails to You....Ginger

Halloween Needle Punch~*~ Granny Goode Witch & Farmer Jack

Granny Goode Witch loves to be the keeper of the KEY and Farmer Jack loves tending the pumpkin patch in his new overalls. They will be making their appearance soon over at eBay....nyafarmgirl

It's been a busy day with work and hauling off some steers to the market. I did find a little time for some punching. So it's off to hit the hay!

Happy Trails to You.....Ginger

My Pumpkin Patch

These little Jack O'Lanterns are all finished up. Now I have to get busy and finish up some of their friends.

Happy Trails to YOU....Ginger

A Simple Woman's Daybook Day 4

FOR TODAY...August 18th, 2008

Outside my window...the darkness of the night has settled in.

I am thinking...about when I was a kid and we would drive to my Granny's house that lived in Texas and spend days with her. My Dad's brothers and sister and their families would all come and we would have a big fish fry, and all the kids would play while the adults sit around and reminisced.

I am thankful for...parents that set down rules for us girls to live by, and a mother that prayed for us and still does each and every day.

From the kitchen...heavenly smells of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.

I am wearing...comfortable pj's.

I am creating...pumpkins from old raggedy quilts.

I am going...to start putting out my autumn things around the house.

I am reading...through some of my pattern books

I am hoping...to buy some mums soon and plant a large grouping under one of the trees.

I am hearing...the sounds from outside as the windows are open tonight.

Around the house...Danny rests in his recliner, the Olympics are playing on the TV, and a basket of laundry needs to be put away.

One of my favorite things...sleeping under a quilt with an open window letting in a cool crisp breeze.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:hauling steers to the market, playing with Sloan, working on our ever growing To~Do list, finishing up a few needle punch projects.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing



When you find a moment in your day stop by and visit Peggy to look into other simple women's lives.

May each of you have a blessed week.

Happy Trails....Ginger

And the winner is......

We have a winner for the Fall Giveaway....Christine
We also have a runner up...Betty of Primitivebetty's

I received so many wonderful comments that just warmed my heart. Treasures of heartfelt words about the Season of Fall. Thank you to each and every one!

I also want to give each of you that would like this little line drawing. You can use it for redwork, needle punch, rug hooking, painting, or whatever your heart desires. Just right click on it and open in a new window and print.



I enjoyed this little giveaway so much that I will be having another one in September so be sure and check back.

Happy Trails.....Ginger

Takin' Care of Business....

He's workin' 9 to 5 just tryin' to make a livin'......and he is absolutely serious about doing his part!
Okay it's really 8 to 5:30 and part of the day he's watching Litte Einstein video's, playing with the bottled water dispensor, opening drawers, grabbing the phone, having a snack or two, an occasional power nap, and then he wants to go outside!

He loves to look out the windows at the guys driving around on the forklift. Today it wasn't too hot so we went outside for awhile. We stayed busy watching the guys unload a trailer load of tires...Then we made our way to the forklift. PaPa just happened to be walking by so Sloan got his first lesson in driving a forklift!


Now all good forklift drivers know you have to make sure and look behind you before backing up!


You have to be sure and look left and right.


Okay don't call the Child Labor Law Folks...I promise he gets paid very well! He gets kisses and hugs, and I think there just might be a money trail to Wally World and Toys~R~Us.


Well now for a little refreshments and it's time to head home with his Daddy to see Mommy after a long day. Yeah...It's Friday!

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Jenn and I have been busy finishing up some more needle punch pieces. I'll be sharing a few more in the next few days.




Dessert is my downfall. I had just enough ripe bananas to make Banana Nut Bread. Now to find the butter....mmmmhhh



Thanks to everyone for the wonderful wishes for our anniversary. We really are blessed!

I am so enjoying all the wonderful comments on the Fall giveaway! What wonderful memories of fall. Now if you haven't got your name in the giveaway be sure and do it before Sunday evening! I think I might even come up with a runner up gift!

Cyndi over at Woollylott is carrying on the Pay It Forward. So if you want to play along just hop over to her blog when you find a spare moment!

Happy Trails To You Until We Meet Again....Ginger

Oh~Danny Boy.....

Long ago or so it seems two young kids with lots of dreams fell in love and packed up a few of their things. With their families blessings and just a few friends they vowed to love, honor and cherish among other things.


We've had sickness and we've had good health. We were blessed with two children the loves of our lives. It's wasn't always easy but we worked side by side.

Today we celebrate our 27th anniversary....We were high school sweethearts and never dated anyone else. We married soon after high school and moved about 3 hours away from our families. Soon homesickness hit and before long we moved back to be near family. We have worked many a day side by side, we still hold hands, and still say I LOVE YOU...We are best friends and we rarely fuss. We enjoy our families and give thanks for each day.



So as we grow much older and time passes by I want you forever right by my side!

Happy Trails...Ginger

~*Primitive Early Fall Giveaway*~

I've been busy gathering up some goodies and have decided to have a giveaway!

What kind of goodies have I got...
oh just a candle by Keepers of the Light in the most wonderul scent of Sweet Potato Pie...mmmhh it does smell ever so good.
Then there is a little wooden bowl filled with little pumpkin pods, 3 old wooden spools that I have put some of my hand~dyed cotton floss on. The floss colors are warm colors of orange, mustard, and barn red. A hand~painted muslin sunflower, 3 little grubby candles, dried sweet annie sprigs, and a lil' smilin' jack~o~lantern that I needle punched.

So come join me in a little Early Fall fun and just leave a comment telling what you like best about Fall.
Maybe it's hay rides, or picking out a pumpkin, local fairs, apple cider, family gatherings, fall gardening, cool crisp days, scarecrows....

If you don't have a blog just leave a email address just in case your the lucky winner.

I'll announce the winner Sunday evening!

Happy Trails...Ginger

A Simple Woman's Daybook Day 3

FOR TODAY ~ Tuesday the 12th of August, 2008

Outside my window...The evening sun is peeking through cloudy skies as the cows are grazing lazily. In the garden a bumble bee is busy pollinating one of the big sunflowers.

I am thinking...that I have much to do before the day is done.

I am thankful for a heavenly father that knows our every need....Little is much when God is in it!

From the kitchen...the lingering smells of pot roast, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob.

I am wearing...my favorite pajamas

I am creating...doodles on paper and finishing a ever~growing pile of pumpkins.

I am going...to dig out my Christmas CD's and start driving my family crazy!! Usually I start it in July so I have spared them a whole month.

I am reading...Mary Jane's Farm magazine and finishing up the book of Psalms.

I am hoping...to work on some more of my Christmas shopping. I want to be done early this year.

I am hearing...the sounds of the mower as Danny is out mowing around the electric fence hoping to move the cows to greener pastures.

Around the house...I need to start putting away a few summer things and begin working towards fall.

One of my favorite things ...is making a campfire on a cool crisp night and sitting outside and just taking in the smell of the wood burning. It reminds me of the days of camping as a kid when Moma would cook over a campfire...fried chicken and fried potatoes. Daddy would be fishing and us kids would swim in the river for hours. We went to the most remote places...and slept in tents. We never stayed in a hotel. We bonded as a family, came home with a great tan, lots of fish, and poor ol' Moma came home with poison ivy every time! I don't think Moma misses it one bit.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:clean up my sewing room once again, make a trip to the library, and try to make someone happy!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing


This is a quilt that my Mother~In~Law made when she was very young for her Grandparents. She handstitched it all. When her grandparents passed away it was given back to her and she has so kindly gifted it to me. What a Treasure!

When you find a little time in your day be sure to visit Peggy the creator of The Simple Woman daybook to take a look into other lives of simple women.

The Country Mouse...

This afternoon we were blessed with some much needed rain and some cooler temperatures. So Danny and I thought we would go out to the barn behind the house and start sorting through Danny's tools and begin putting together some shelving.

Once we had some of the shelves and bins put together I started dragging over all those tools scattered about and began laying them out on a table for him to put where he wanted. How can a person have so many hammers...must be how I have so much fabric!

I'm thinking as I'm pulling all those tools out of boxes and sacks hope I don't run across any critters. I do not like mice, snakes, or worms! Well of course it wasn't long before I started hollaring and Danny was yelling What????? Just a few days ago I had found a snake waiting for me just inside the door so I guess he thought it's another snake.

Nope just a mouse...So finally I get up my courage and tip the box over and leave it alone hoping the mouse makes his get away. I continued gathering up more tools but leave the box alone. After a while I decided okay the mouse is gone all is safe so I brought the rest of the stuff to the table and begin opening packages and boxes....Mercy Me there it was inside a box with it's head tucked inside a grease cap driver and it's tail sticking out! Good grief I was holding it....I know I lost a year of my life right there. Believe me I can move fast when I need to. Danny grabbed the box and out the door it went. I think Danny may be on his own with the rest of those boxes.



The little mouse in the picture is from a trip several years ago that I purchased at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. when my Mom, sisters, and I went on a weekend visit and had great fun. Not a one of us like mice. But being the prankster I am along with my sister Sherry we purchased a few and decided we would plant a couple of them in our hotel room....Oh you should have seen my Mom believing we had mice in the bathroom! I still get a good laugh just thinking about it! Then my younger sisters had come back from a walk and what fun watching them scream and standing on the beds blaming me for getting a mice infested room!

You just never know where this little mouse will show up....He has actually been to church! I know shame on Me!

Happy Trails....Ginger

~*One Step At A Time*~

It's hard to believe that Sloan is 10 months old today. It is amazing what children learn in that first year of life. The develop a character early on and from just following you with their little eyes to waking up from a nap and off to find the doors to my sewing room open with all the wonders to behold for these little hands.

Sloan is a very busy little boy and loves coming into my craftin' room. He likes to pull all the drawers open to see all those goodies. When he's a little older I'm sure he will have his own little crafting spot right along side me! He is walking more and more everyday and before long he will be very hard to keep up with....I keep telling myself it's exercise!


I have been trying to walk some late in the evenings it is just so steamy hot right now. The ponds are starting to have moss all around the edges and the bullfrogs seem to love the heat!


Today I went to my favorite store here in Oklahoma "Country Collections by Hart" lots to ooh and aah over and I taught a needle punch class today. The girls had fun and they caught on really quick to the punching. While I was there I was able to work on some of my pumpkins....I just love smilin' Jack!


I am almost finished with this little locker hook rug...It is a line drawing pattern from Kelley. She draws wonderful little patterns and can be found on eBay under kanknchester.



After a day spent away from home it was good to be back on those country roads. I do like getting away every once in a while but there is no place like home! To top off the evening I came home and Danny had the laundry going and the house all picked up! It sure is nice to come home and just set a spell.

Happy Trails to You.....Ginger

~*~Pay It Forward~*~

While visiting Kim at Simple~Need's Blog I saw that she was playing a wonderful little game called *~Pay It Forward~* and it sounds like a lot of fun.
Here is how it works, the first 3 people who comment on this post I will send you a surprise.

Then you post it on your blog and the first three people who respond to your blog you would then send them a lil' gift and it just keeps going!

You just keep your gifts SMALL (something that can fit in a manilla envelope or just a regular envelope).

On this part I am going to change the rules just a bit....The first 10 people that leave a comment here on this post will receive a surprise!!!

I have some lil' goodies all ready to go out so be sure to leave your email address so I can get one out to you!

Happy Trails.....Ginger

~A Simple Woman's Daybook....Day 2~

For Today...Monday August 4, 2008

Outside My Window...The hot summer's day is done. The birds are quiet, the cows are resting, and the frogs are croaking down by the pond.

I am thinking...about the one's that do not have air~conditioning during this heatwave.

From the kitchen...fresh picked cucumbers, tomatoes, and another cantelope.

I am wearing... a pink shirt and brown shorts

I am creating...lots of Jack~O~Lanterns

I am going...to try and lose some weight.

I am reading...a book by Victoria Thompson and still continue to work my way through the book of Psalms

I am hoping...for a slow steady rain.

I am hearing...the stillness of the night.

Around the house...the busy day has come to an end and the dishes need to be washed and put away before bedtime.

One of my favorite things...is the older generation. Since I was a kid I have always enjoyed visiting with older folks. They just have so many things to share.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Pick the garden, fill the hummingbird feeders, take a walk each evening, and count my many blessings!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...



Thanks to Peggy for creating the Simple Woman's Daybook. Stop by her site to create your own daybook.

Happy Trails To You Until We Meet Again....Ginger

~*HaPPy BirThDAy DaDDy*~

There is just something about a dad being a DADDY!



We had another fun~filled evening on Saturday night. My sisters and their families, along with my Mom and Dad and my kiddo's took time out to celebrate Dad's birthday. His birthday was this past Wednesday but we waited until this weekend to fire up the grill.


Sometimes we do get a little out of hand and have to call in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol....JUST KIDDING! My brother~in~law found his way over to the house to share in the fun!


With this great party grill the hamburgers and hotdogs were cooked up in no time.


With the heat wave we have been having everyone chose to stay inside to eat.




We always have lots of desserts. My niece Erin made a wonderful cheesecake. She made up her own recipe and hopes to enter it in the State Fair!


It is always nice to see my daughter and son having a good talk. It wasn't so long ago that they were teenagers and pestering one another.



It looks as though Danny and Dad are busy discussing farm stuff once again. Wonder what they are planning...


Sloan just loves rides on these 4 wheel bicycles. It is all pedal power and it will give you a work out.


All the girls love to have races and you better look out because they don't ever use the brakes.
All in all it was a very nice evening spent with family. Soon it will be time for the kids to go back to school and life will be busy going to ballgames and doing homework. I hope each of you find a little time in your busy days to enjoy some time with your family.

Happy Trails....Ginger