REARRANGING THE PLATE

Yes we are rearranging our plate. We are changing the slices in our pie. Our plates have been very full. So we have decided the shop will be open by chance or appointment.  We have thought about this long and hard. Together we did some serious soul searching. We searched a lot, together.

Farmer Dave wants to go to a tractor show when he wants to go to a tractor show.  We want to travel more. We are so fortunate to have a house and dog sitter while we are away.  We are blessed that we "get" to do what we want, we know many can't.

We want to be able to go see our family more often. We both miss having sheep and not going to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. We want to be in the fields more. We have been doing well with lavender and would like to expand.  I would like to expand the fields with cut flowers. Farmer Dave would like to be on a tractor more... we can't keep waiting...now is the time...while we still can.

And so perhaps sheep are in our future.  Perhaps the lavender field will grow with flowers beside it.

We have been asked to set up at a local farmers market and we couldn't be happier. We were going to look into doing one and one came to us. We call that confirmation!

We didn't want to add with out taking away.  We will keep our shop's three events a year (maybe squeeze in a lavender festival like other years) and our vendors who share space and will be open by chance or appointment.  We will announce on Facebook when we will be open or please call. Some days we will be closed when family and friends are vacationing here.

Here's a little recap of our first trip without worrying about the shop.

We wanted to go to a different show ~ so Lucketts Spring Market is where we were headed.

On the way we stopped at Beaver Creek Antique Mall in Maryland.  It wasn't off the path too much. Jimmy Cramer is set up there and his booths are always awesome. He knows what we love.  We bought two things from him and they are our favorite things we brought home.  How did he know that I have been looking for Mr. Rooster for YEARS! Farmer Dave loves farming advertising.  We are changing up the kitchen so the chalkboard MIGHT go in the kitchen.

We are on Instagram now and there we met some new folks who steered us

to some barn sales along the way...farmer Dave loved the John Deere

 

We visited farms and met new friends

 

 

 We ate at an Irish restaurant and I had wonderful Cottager's Pie

 

 

Then a sneak peek the night before into Lucketts Spring Market

Loads of Spring items...just what I was hoping for

 

A little stop the next morning... this used to be a gas station years and years ago

They have a million flavors ~ we tried a few!

 

Then we off to the market...7th in line out of 750...

look at the sweet wagons...they were ready for serious buying

  

 

It was nice meeting Marian from Miss Mustard Seed, Beth from Olde Tyme Marketplace and

visiting with a show friend Heather.

 

 

Then we went onto Frederick, Maryland for old time sake. 

We used to go there every year on the way to the sheep festival.

Onto home sweet home ~ it was the first time away without the new dogs.

It was so fun meeting new friends, seeing old friends, visiting farms, but always happy to be home.

 And it was great to come home with a van load for our shop's customers

 

I have been blessed with a few decorating jobs ~ a few things for those customers too!

Next time we will talk about more changes and decorating...fun!

Until next blog time
 

Blessings from the farm ~ farmer Dave and Audrey Ann

 

 

 

 

 

FEEDSACKS AND FUN

For our events at the farm we usually hang quilts in front of  the tractor shed and they sorta hide "stuff" in the tractor shed. But me bride thought it would be fun to change up and hang some feed sacks. I loved the idea (now why didn't I think of that!) and out they came.

We lined them up on the lawn to see which ones we wanted to hang. This was a fun decorating project for us.  We were about to celebrate 20 years as a brick and mortar business. Before our brick and mortar business we did shows, sometimes more than 12 a year. We were asking each other...were we crazy? 3 very active kids, raising sheep, jobs...were we crazy?  How did we do it? When you love what you do it's not crazy.  It was fun discussing the feed sacks. Where did we buy them? People we have bought them from. Friends we have made along the way.  What was it that attracted us to the bought ones?

Graphics. Purina.  Pratts. 

 

cute faces...a chick family...a rare one with a cow on it.

 

one of my favorites...Clover Farm

 

 

I love feed sacks from local mills

 

 

 I ran out with one of my Purina clothes pin bags

my sweet bride was loving it

 

 

 

almost done

 

 

We liked so many we extended the line over to the house

 

 

This project reminded me how much we really do love what we do

 

So many people were complimenting Audrey on her feed sacks and wanting to buy them but they are my collection and if you know me I rarely sell from my collections, I still enjoy them.  I also collect egg baskets with farm advertising on them but then that 's for another blog post.

 

 

I don't think I paid more than $5 for any of them

 think these are like clothes fashions ~ coming around again!

 

NOPE, I CAN'T SAY GOODBYE TO ANY OF THEM!!!

 

Farmer Dave

 

 

 

EARTH DAY AND BIRTHDAYS

My baby boy was born on Earth Day. 

Not too many celebrated earth day when he was born.

Some parties were Earth Day themed. One year in grade school farmer Dave painted the earth on every cookie, we had tree cookies...and all the boy themes like tractor rides in the woods.

There was a time it was the two of us...until Farmer Dave....

Every Birthday is special...

my mother taught me birthday's are special

 

My dad on the couch...never missed his parties...they were buddies

 

This year was a little different

in the past year he walked down the aisle

and he has walked down the aisle...many times

 

 

This time down the aisle was different ...now a married man

 

 

This was his first birthday to celebrate as a married man

She is so beautiful...inside and out

 

and his grandpa in heaven couldn't be more proud...as we all are

 

 

as we believe in all the saints that went before us

 



RESPITE

early in the morning ~ we took a walk around the farm

knowing we are so blessed to be living where we live

only hearing the frogs and what's in our head

hearing and smelling Spring in the air

we took off January and February in the shop

we were closed to customers but busy behind the scenes

we worked together on our website ~ putting tons of thought and hours into it

wanting it to be a real sampling of who we are

1824walkerfarmhouse.com

we cleaned the shop ~ we worked in the Walker Farmhouse cellar

we did find time to do a puzzle together ~ and other fun stuff

Audrey Ann did do some painting (that always makes her happy)

we rearranged furniture in the house (that's always a January tradition)

we thought long and hard ~ talked long and hard

what we choose and hope for

for retirement years ~ still we are young ~ wanting to do things while we are healthy

family plans ~ shop ~ sheep ~ travel ~ tractor shows ~ antique shows
lavender fields ~ farmer's market ~ open houses ~ shop hours

what we really want to do ~ feeling blessed we can do what we want

rearranging our "plates" ~ rearranging ~ our plans ~ goals

having a shop forces one to live somewhat in the future

still learning

living for today ~ because that's what really counts

Blessings from the farm ~ Farmer Dave & Audrey Ann

THE RIGHT WHITE

Years ago I came home from work and my bride was

 

repainting the family room

 

It was not the "RIGHT WHITE"

 

Now in our bedroom she is painting the trim and when I peek in she says
"I don't think it's the RIGHT WHITE"

 

 I panicked with only a little bit of trim painted

Our bedroom is about 20 by 20 so that would be tons of repainting the baseboard and trim all around the ceiling, window, cupboard doors...in all our best interest

I begged her to let's go to the store and find the RIGHT WHITE

 

 

 

 

with a new shower curtain in the bathroom it was not the

RIGHT WHITE

 

with the theme of the year of finishing projects I did finish the trim and bead board in the bathroom

 

 

 

 

My bride painted it the RIGHT WHITE

 

What I have learned

When you decorate it's important that the colors are right

It's important you love the color ...because...well

I won't tell you how long ago it's been since I came home 

to the right white in the family room

 

I understand the "RIGHT WHITE"

 

R----I----G----H----T !  ?

 

 





SMALL BATCHES

Wow, it's almost February ~ where did January go?

Farmer Dave blogged about projects

I never had a "New Year Resolution"

Maybe I do this year ~ small batches ~that's what's on my mind

Now we are both retired ~ empty nesters ~ life is different

Everything we've done ~ large batches

When we raised sheep ~ it was large ~ large batches
Two breeds ~ two pastures ~ keeping rams where they belong

 

I still am cooking in large batches

You know ~ when all the kids were home ~ their friends

Our mother's at the table  ~ but now small batches are ok

 

I love to bake in large batches ~

I don't know if I could in small batches ~ I could try

 

Moving my ggg grandfather's house ~ that was a LARGE batch

 

We've been working on a new website
We will have two on-line stores (small batches?)
One will be First Friday's
So I am telling myself small batches
Not like the eBay days when we put large batches on for sale
Small batches are ok
Maybe some months just a few ~ maybe more

We are thinking of getting sheep again ~ we both miss them
We are thinking what breed ~ we loved both our breeds
Suffolk ~ Naturals
Small batches Audrey ~ SMALL BATCHES 

Oh and by the way the website is finally here
www.1824walkerfarmhouse.com
We are hoping you like it
We love to share our country life ~ in large batches!

                        Love, Audrey Ann

 



 



Tuesday's Table at the Farmhouse

I am so happy my friend Jenn of Rabbit Hill Primitives
reminded us that this past Saturday, January 23rd was
National Pie Day!
American Pie Day was created by the National Pie Council
I didn't know there is a National Pie Council ~ did you?
The National Pie Celebration began in 1986

I Love to make pies...love, love, love!
I starting making these a few years ago

 

These are so fun to make

 

I use straight sided 4 oz. mason jars

2 - 9 inch pie dough recipe makes about 11 pies

 

Make your favorite pie dough

You can use store bought if you want

I never made the store bought but I don't know why it wouldn't work

 

Take a small amount of chilled dough and roll out into a circle

I make these so often I measure the dough (2 oz.)

Roll out a circle about 6 inches round

 

Tuck the dough into the jar trying not to stretch the dough

Form dough around the entire inside of the jar

It's a little tricky at first 

Fill with your favorite filling and have fun with the top dough crust

 

Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes

If you make a lot at one time you can freeze and bake before serving 

If frozen put in cold oven and bake at 350 for 1 hr.

 

I made these for a wedding at the farmhouse

My friend Karen came and helped

It's fun making and baking with friends

 

 

I marked January 23 on my calendar for next year

 

I come from a long line of pie makers

For sure a celebration in my house!

 

Happy spouse day Farmer Dave!

Another reason to celebrate!

 

                          Love, Audrey Ann

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



THAT DOESN'T RHYME

I asked my bride a week ago ~ What is your yearly rhyme this year?
2009 will be fine
2008 will be great ~ but her mom died in 2008 ~
fun phrases but not always true ~ there is sadness sometimes

 my bride ~ she always sees the world with love
at times when love was not shown to her
her friends say
"she is the most go with the flow girl" or
"what kind of creamer is in her morning coffee?"
her daddy said "she's so happy, it makes him dizzy"
I understand what he was saying!

She answered ~ ah oh ~ seriously
This year let's finish all our unfinished projects

WHAT?! THAT DOESN'T RHYME!
WHAT UNFINISHED PROJECTS!

The bathroom trim, the extra railing on the Walker House, the deck off our back door, the barn

Unfinished ~ I think she was talking to herself

She couldn't decide how we were going to finish off the trim
The extra railing is not unfinished, that's a new project (small)
The deck, that's not unfinished, that should be ripped off and put in the
NEW PROJECT list!
The barn ~ my bride came home and decided it should be cream
so we painted it cream   ~ then RED ~ so I thought why do all sides until she is sure ~ she is sure so I agree we need to paint it all red.

The bathroom wall & trim is complete ~ we are off to a good start
no matter what

I asked again   What is the rhyme this year? 
She said the theme this year is SMALL BATCHES
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!
THAT DOES NOT RHYME!

TEA WITH GRANDPA

 

It's so cold here in Western Pa. today but the sun is shining bright through the window so I sat and had tea with Grandpa Pilston.  I was pondering about this blog ~ another blog. I've always loved blogging.  It's so easy to share. I have made life long friends through blogging.  They are so friendly, encouraging, inspirational. 

I was thinking of Tuesday's Table at the Farmhouse, Farmhouse Friday ~ easy to remember ~ I looked on-line ~ oh my!
Sunday Salt ~ Tuesday's Table ~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Thankful Thursday ~
 Farm Girl Friday ~ High Five Friday ~ Sew Simple Saturday ~
So many catchy phrases ~ they are all great!
I love organization ~ I work at it ~ I need a few phrases
to keep my thought process organized ~ it's how I am wired

It still might have to be Tuesday's Table at the Farmhouse

We are so excited to be working on our new website

One of the reasons (besides we need a fresh one) ~
Organization for me ~ for farmer Dave
A place where we will have all the information our customers need
A place to sell our blacksmith, candles and lavender items
A place for First Friday's ~ WHAT?! Yes!
First Friday of the month on-line shop
Just a few items ~ antiques ~ vintage ~ farm
A catchy phrase? no ~ organization for me ~ for farmer Dave

Enough pondering ~
Onto playing

 
               Wishing you a wonderful day, love,  Audrey Ann

NOW I UNDERSTAND ~ ALMOST

Yes, we are a husband and wife team
as the old saying goes we are joined at the hip
but we are wired differently
EVERY January my bride decides to organize and purge
This year she is organizing BIG TIME

I mean BIG TIME

I wondered what's with the shoes because she organized and put them in boxes last year. She said they would stay cleaner and easier to find. She gave tons of shoes to Goodwill last year.  Now I understand. She couldn't see what color were in the boxes.

Huge bags went to Goodwill yesterday ~ yes she uses wooden hangers ~ it's a retail thing but plastic would be fine with me

She said someone will think she has too much time on her hands but in the long run doing this saves time...for her. 

Now we will find things easier and faster and have more time for our family, fun times and business ~ now I understand ~ ALMOST
                                                
Now onto real organizing! stacking wood!

                                      until the next time folks ~ farmer Dave

DETAILS ~ DETAILS

This is my third time at blogging
First time as husband and wife team
We will be working on details for our farm shop today
It's so cold outside ~ a good day to be at the computer
I kept this serving fork ~ I love the tiny flowers engraved at the end
I kept this homespun fabric ~ tattered ~ old repairs
A local piece of fabric from a local sheep farm

Farmer Dave thought it would be fun to mix up photos
for our advertising postcards.
He was thinking vintage!
Twenty years ago
We will be working on all the details today
Love having my husband as a business partner!

                            
Wishing you a wonderful day ~ farmer Dave and Audrey Ann