The light in my shop is so pretty.

I love the way that the light shines through all the windows!! Its so pretty, and a happy place to be!

Robert, Dobert, My helper!!

Rob helping, hang mirrors and doors.

Staining a floor! I love how it looks!!!

My desk area. Its a start

My little cottage is getting so cute!

We, I mean Andy and I have been working like crazy. Its looking so good. Poured a patio that hooks to the shop, cleaned Years of grease and grime off the floor, stained one part of the concrete. Looks even better than I thought it would!

My Little Shop!

Well its coming along. Trying to clean, move stuff, wash windows that haven't been washed for ?  25-30 years! Its been  1st, a house, next a garage, next a potting shed, next a garage, then a junk shed. Am I trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear or what?? Why yes I am!

Music!!

Isn't it amazing how music can affect our mood. Calming us down when we need it, reeving us up when we need that. I love all kinds of music. Listening, sometimes to just the beat of the music, sometimes, mostly the words. But either way it can change your mood in a few minutes.

Yellowstone Park!

We're heading out to Yellowstone Park with kids & grandkids, I'm so excited to show it to the ones who haven't seen it, and see it again with those who have. There are so many fond memories, starting with going there as a child with Mom, Dad and siblings. Staying in a cabin that a bear tried to enter while we were sleeping. Dad had to scare it away. Thank heaven for the heavy screening on all the windows! My kids were there alot as children, but its been awhile. This going to be great!!

Bible Study and my friends

I love going to bible study and talking to my sister girls there. We can say anything, and get amazing advice. This summer its 1st, 2nd, 3rd, John. Amazing positive books. Makes me want to be a better person.

Blogging and Me

Ok, I'm Trying to understand what this is all about! About the time I think I have it, blogspot changes things!! Where is my old templet?

DREW

My 1st grandson Drew, is turning 10 on Thursday!! It was yesterday, that I was holding him on my lap and eating raisins out of the box, then sitting on the floor, eating spoons of molasses. Grampa had him taste that, and he was hooked. (strange thing for a little one to like!) Such a sweet boy!

Getting Older!

And I am getting older! My grandchildren tell me so all the time. Grammy? Why is your face getting wrinkly? Or my Nephews son, telling me I only look old around here! Making circular motions around his face and then his neck! They cut to the chase quickly, and force you to look at your self, with new and different eyes. I only feel old sometimes. Dark gloomy days or after a long day of cleaning, when everything aches. Going to a wedding and watching the younger people dance, and thinking, that used to be me out there. I'm finding, I like the older version of myself, even if I haven't quite got it all figured out yet.

Shop time!

Summer is finally here! I think it is any way. Today is a little chilly! Farm Chicks is over so now I can concentrate on my shop. Lots and lots to do. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the floor?? Its concrete and wood, kind of uneven. I'll figure it out. I have a few choices and I only want to do it once!!!

MY BEAUTIFUL GRANDCHILDREN!

I love this picture! It shows a little of each of their personalities. I love that. (sometimes the moms don't).

Farm Chicks 2010

Well we did it again! We had so much fun! So much to do, you never think you are going to get it done, but, we did, of course. Lots and lots of help, lots and lots of hours. Great people! Serena does a wonderful job. Celeste of Chaps, put on a dinner for vendors. Simply amazing. I'm gushing aren't I!

Skirts!

I want to wear skirts!! The problem lies with the fact I'm short! ( My Mom said,  only on one end though.)
I still don't know what that means. Skirts make me look 3' tall and 3 ' wide. I am only 5' 2".  Not good! I want to look cute!
When you have an idea of what something should look like and it doesn't, it kinda puts a damper on that dream. I guess I need to find another look, (dream).

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I am having to much fun! Mom said to keep my hands busy and my mind will follow! (I hope thats true, menopause slows down that process!) I am so busy right now. There is much to do. The weather will not cooperate!. Okay, I'm done complaining about the rain. I think!

Another chair, and its green!!

Whats better than that? This is an old childrens high chair, Can be used as a booster. I'll have this at Farm Chicks. SORRY ! I sold it, you'll have to wait till next year!

My Desk!!

I just finished THE most amazing desk, (for me) this time. Its large shabbied, whiteish, beautiful! And I'm keeping this one, at least for now. I've looked for awhile for something for my large computer, printer, and assorted stuff, to all fit on. This is it!

Chairs, chairs, chairs!

I love chairs! I admit I have a problem. Large or small beat up or perfect. I collect them. My husband feeds that addiction, my sisters feed it. I don't stand a chance! This one is one of two, my sister Deb brought me last weekend. I can't wait to glue them back together, sand, paint and re shabby, or---not. How ever, what ever seems right at the time.

Melissa and Me!

My daughter is who I want to be when I grow up! Melissa can accomplish more in a day, than I can in a week! She has been helping with the furniture since I first got interested. Her husband isn't quite sure that's a good idea since she redecorates on a monthy basis. All this furniture comes in handy. Lucky Steven!
She has such a good eye for just the right piece. She really is an artist! She sees things how they can look, way before I do. Makes a really good partner.

All my Dear Sisters! And my sweet Mom!

I have six sisters! All with different lives, ideas, dreams and personalities. But one thing we all have in common, is the love and devotion we have for one another. When I'm in need of an idea, in need of a laugh, or just a smile, I call one of them. With 6 of them, one is bound to be home!        My sweet little Momma would have loved the antiques, shabby chic, and old barns. We had so much fun "antiquing" as she called it. It really was just junking, but we had so much fun! I miss her everyday. Such a sweet sweet lady. We were always laughing! She was one of the wittiest people I knew. 

Rain, Rain go away, come again another day!

My dear husband is so smart, he started a fire in my living room wood stove and put a few pieces of my furniture in the room to dry. ( I'm trying to get another coat on an end table.) Ta Da! Heat really works!
Now all I have to do is pick a new piece to redo. Fun, fun, fun!!

My Leaning Old Barn

I love my old barn. Its not good for much, its full of holes and leans to one side. But I really do love it.

My Cottage (in Progress)

I've been working on an old building on our property, turning it into an actual cottage. Its been on this property since the early 1920's thats our best guess. I'm not sure what it was originally. We had to have the roof shored up, the walls reinforced. Had it insulated and used old wood for the walls. I wanted lots of light, so I had more windows added and put 4 sets of french doors in. (Andy says they help hold the walls up.) Funny man!                                                                                                         It now has electricity, and an old wood stove for heat. I still have alot to do but I hope to get it done soon. Before it snows again.

Wonders of Paste wax!

Sometimes I find a piece of furniture that I really don't want to change but it needs freshening up. Clean it first, then wiping it down with paste wax sometimes works wonders. Just remember if you decide you want to paint or stain it later, you need to wipe it down with something like TSP. You can find this at most hardware stores.

OLD BARNS!!

This spring I got to go through my daughter-in-laws, Mom's barn and out buildings! It was so so fun! It seems the older the dustier the better. About the time we were getting ready to leave, Andy climbed up in the hay loft and found a set of beautiful pocket doors with years and years of hay, dirt and grime. He lowered them down with some twine we found and checked them out. I want these somewhere in my house!! Maybe I can add another room!  I'll get some pictures and put them on here.

Rain and Paint!

Do you know how long it takes paint to dry when its raining out?? I'm finding out! I've never been known for my patience. I think I need a heated paint booth! Maybe Andy will build me one for Mothers Day?! Someone call him and tell him to surprise me!

Learning a lesson!

Yesterday I was complaining about the rain and my sweet little granddaughter said that THIS was her Favorite time of year, then preceded to draw me a picture of green grass, on top of brown dirt, with flowers of all colors either coming up or blossoming. She even had little dots, showing the rain coming down. It was really beautiful!  Sometimes it takes a 6 year old to show you that you need to look at the world with there eyes! Lesson Learned, at least for today.

So Many Beautiful Blogs!

I'm reading Serena's Farm Chicks Blog, and I'm always inspired by something she has done or is doing. I should say Always doing! ( I want that energy!) Anyway I see her lists of blogs, for people like me. Always seeing something new and inspired. Lisa Souers blog is Great. I can't wait to see what she brings to Farm Chicks this year! I'm sure I'll want alot of it.  Make sure you make it to Farm Chicks this year. June 5th and 6th, at the Spokane County Fair Grounds.   SEE YOU THERE!!

My favorite birdhouse! And its Green!!

My beautiful daughter-inlaw, Stephanie made me this bird house a few years ago. I can't bring myself to put in outside though. I keep it in my kitchen where I can look at it all the time.

Where is my creativity when I need it?

Have you ever had a piece of furniture that you're just not sure what to do with it? I have a gorgeous old vanity, with a three piece mirror. I really love it, but where to put it is the question. It takes up space and is really not practical. So its time to get creative. Do I put a sink on it and use it in a still undone bathroom?

Creative women.

I found a magazine that I immediately fell in love with. Its called How Women Create. Check it out.

What Inspires You?

One thing that I have found inspires me, is the color green. Green furniture, green hats, green leaves, green tea pots, green dishes--- Okay, I think you get  it. I've discovered that green goes with everything. Match it with Coral, lavendar, brown, pink or pale shades of teal, and you get different moods, different looks, all of them make me feel happy and Inspired. I'm not sure why colors make us feel, but they do, so what inspires you?

CHERIE AND ME

When we were young, Cherie and I were inseperable. This picture shows us, after fishing with Dad, showing off his catch for the day. Neither one of us were to keen on touching the smelly things. But it was fun exploring while Dad was busy. We camped, or went fishing alot when we were young. Mom and Dad would take all 9 of us kids camping in a tent, rain or shine, or sometimes, snow.

One Of My Favorites!

One drawback to this hobbie/obsession. is that you want to keep everything! One of my favorite things, from when I first started is this chair that I keep by my bed as my night stand. I think its gorgeous, even if its not to practical.

TEA POTS etc!

Just how many tea pots, tea cups, pitchers, etc, etc, etc, does one person need? Well, between my sister Cherie and me, you evidently can't have too many. (Well maybe you can.)                                               We really don't think about that when we're on a hunt to find  something wonderful, and we always seem to find that something!

Add a touch of spring!

My many pitchers, vases, old glasses, come in handy when
I need to place flowers around. It gives me such a boost, especially when spring isn't quite here.
Everything is budding, so I know it'll be soon. One of my favorites is a little green pitcher I got a few years ago. It'll hold flowers, sauces, gravy or whatever is the need of the day.

New Baby in our family!!

I have a new Grandson, born March 31, @2:58 p.m., weighing 6lbs. 8oz. 18 inches long. Kolton, Randall. Beautiful baby boy. Now I have 5 grandchildren to keep me busy, What a blessing they are!.

Today is a rainy day, and two of my grandchildren were here. We took pictures on my computer yesterday, and made a book, they put the pages together and dictated a story for me to write on those pages. They are truly amazing! Its such a cute book, They think they need more pictures and more of a story. We'll see what they come up with tomorrow.

Today we melted chocolate chips and cut up fruit to dip. Short days at school means Gramma gets to have lots of time with them and lots of fun.

Tomorrow we are going to paint a piece of furniture. They like to help when I'm getting ready for Farm Chicks. They like to feel part of it, which is great with me. I hope its stuff they remember the rest of their lives.

There are things I will always remember about my Gramma Tritt , and Nanny, my Great Grandmother Addie. Thats where my name for the furniture came from. They taught me so much with out even knowing it. Both of them made me feel like I could do anything and it would be great. I think all children should have someone like that.

Sisters, daughter and Farm Chicks,

I'm working on some very cute furniture for the June sale, Sisters are coming in May, (we have a work weekend every year. ) We do get alot of work done, along with talking alot, laughing till our stomach 's hurt, and drinking either coffee or Coke. Keeps us going. Home Depot loves us. Its filled with as many men as women. I have even given some people tips on painting tables etc. Kinda fun, I hope it turns out for the, and I hope I saved them a step or two! My little cottage is so full right now I have to find storage somewhere so I can work in there. The question is, where to put it?? I really look forward to this time of year, even if it means lots of work!

Little Farmer Girl

My adorable spitfire of a grand daughter is teaching me all about raising sheep. She always starts a sentence with "Gramma did you know?" what ever the topic is for today. I never know whats coming, maybe today she'll teach me about the names of the females which are ewes, boys are rams, babies are lambs. And thats just the beginning.She explained which ones are pregnant, and how many lambs they will have. most have two, (she tells me.) Since I know nothing about the raising of sheep, she can tell me anything and I'd never know if it was true or not. Shes turning into a regular little farmer. (or is that rancher?) Did I tell you she's only six? She is way too smart.

When I was growing up we lived in a quaint (old) little house in Butte Montana till I was 9. I remember huge flowers ,with equally huge leaves, on a background of yellow. I thought they were beautiful.

Dad worked as a miner for several years then went back to what he had done in the Army during WWII, driving truck. He mostly worked for moving companies, sometimes bringing home fun things the people didn't want. One time after we had moved to Great Falls, he brought home a parrot. He was very colorful, and talked a lot. Unfortunately his language was colorful to. Thank heaven my aunt didn't seem to mind his bad language as much as Mom, he went to her house to live.

I'm not sure why I love furniture that shows some wear, character? Most of it shows the love someone had for it, I imagine who owned it, what they were like. You can make stories for of all the pieces. They change all the time. Busy Mom, busy Dad, Farm people, Things I've seen at my Grandmothers, Nannies, antique shops. ( I grew up with that ) Am I an antique? I do show some wear and I hope character.