Oh wow! There still ARE Gentlemen out there!!

Kevin sold some old bales of hay taking up room in my parent's barn to the woman down the road that owns a service station. This morning, he loaded up 6 bales into the truck. He had to stay at Mom and Dad's farm to help Eli with the barn project.
"Are you OK with taking those down to Ma Barker's?" He asked. "Because, I can take them down there later."
"Come on, it's 6 bales," I scoffed. I am used to handling much more hay than that, and I am good at it. In fact, it has been suggested that I am even better at handling hay than my brother who shall remain nameless.
Off I go to Ma Barkers; pull up next to her fall display area, and begin unloading.

Next thing I know, a tall young man, late teens, strides out of the store, walks up and says, in that unmistakable North Carolina accent:

"Ma'am, are you in need of assistance?"

He was wearing a John Deere cap, well used Carhart coveralls, and work boots. Obviously, he was into farming. (Those people who wear Carharts or Aussie gear as a fashion statement make me wonder. Carhart and Aussie, in my family, are work clothes. They're not meant for "looking cute" as Dad says. "This isn't about looking cute, it's about building fence!" I can remember him saying....)

For a split second, I considered saying no. After all, I am a country girl. I do this every day of my life, practically. My husband does it for part of our living. Did I look like I needed help?
But I reconsidered.

"Why, yes," I said.

The young man hoisted the bales like they were nothing.

"Thank you," I said.

"Have a nice day, Ma'am," he said, and walked back into the store.

I could just picture that young man dumping peanuts into his glass bottle of Coke, leaning on the counter, and chatting with the clerk about deer season, getting the tobacco harvest in, and the very unusual cold weather we've been having in these parts recently. That kid had no idea he was going to star in a blog post today.

I drove home with a huge grin on my face. And I thanked God once again that I live int he rural South.

Being in His Perfect Will - and Friday Blahs.

 

Here are some pics from the summer I don't think I posted before. They are some of my favorite shots from the entire summer.
I am pounding this out as I get ready to leave to take my "charge" back home for the weekend ( I care for her in my home during the day.)and get my horse chores done. There is a fire in the stove and it is all toasty and warm and I don't want to leave.
I have a tension headache, am craving bread and sweets (a bad sign) and generally grumpy. It has just been one of those weeks. I need a long ride on one of my horses; a hot soak, a good pasta meal, some chocolate cake, and a long movie. Then I need to sleep in in the morning - oh wait. I am working in the Antique store tomorrow... forget sleeping in. :(

 

Occasionally, I start to worry, and wonder, and ask myself - is what I am doing pleasing to the Lord? Is this what His will is for me to be doing right now? I wonder and worry, because it is my heart's desire to be doing what He would have me do, and not blindly go in the opposite direction, outside His will.
It is also my heart's desire to bring Glory to Him through everything I do. So yesterday I was driving out to the Averett University horse barn for a meeting, and I got antsy. I shut off the radio and drove in silence for a while, and then wondered out loud:
"How can I bring Glory to You by selling old clothes on line? Or, by riding horses, for that matter?"
"Is this really what You would have me do?"
"Am I all wrong; should I be doing something different?"
"Do I need to lay something on the altar?"
I don't know. Maybe it is the time of year, but I have just been agitated, antsy, restless, overwhelmed, and ill at ease. Maybe it's fear. Maybe it's insecurity from Kevin not having work and wondering about what we're going to do about so-and-so bill or whatever.
Headaches, irritability, doubts. I guess I just need to do more soul searching, praying, and getting quiet before Him.

So, lists help me out a lot. So even though I feel like I have done nothing all week, maybe I have anyway. Let's see, I .....

1. Posted some more stuff on Etsy.
2. Got to visit with my Gramma.
3. Got to see my Mom for a little while
4. Found the missing AQHA papers for my sister's horse so she can try to sell him
5. Got a bite on my ad for our OTTTB mare Jazz
6. Did laundry
7. Made it to the 4-H meeting at Averett
8. Posted some things on my new page at the Vintage Village
9. Dug out all my winter clothes and put away all the Summer clothes
10.Started on some of my sewing projects that have been sitting around.

And one more thing: I am bound and determined that this winter I am going to unlock the secret of dressing classy even in freezing weather. I begin every day in frumpy chore clothes; as my first order of business each and every day is feeding and blanketing/unblanketing or turning out/bringing in horses; mucking out; handling hay bales; and other dirty outdoor farm chores. By Mid morning I am a muddy, freezing mess in ragged jeans and Kevin's over sized sweatshirts; heavy boots and my Aussie Oilskin chore coat. VERY unflattering. I hate to admit it, but it is so true.

Most of the time I stay dressed like so, as I have to do it all again every afternoon; plus additional horses and goats for a friend. Most of the time I feel disheveled and unfit to be seen by anyone; and it has an effect on my outlook and mood.
So I decided I may just need to start changing my clothes and wearing cleaner nice jeans and my cute sweaters and tops in between chores.
Yeah, I'll have to change clothes several times a day but it beats being Queen Frumpy-horse-chore-clothes all winter long.

Ok. I have to go. I think I am done blabbering on this dreary Friday afternoon. Got to run and muck out stalls and feed my babies, and then I will see about that hot soak.
If nothing crazy happens between now and then........

My Vintage Roots

What makes a person want to collect vintage clothes? Certainly it is about personal style. For me, it is also about my vintage roots, and the fact that I was practically raised on it. Just look at this picture of my great Grandmother, Sophie Kelly, on her wedding day in the late "nineteens." (Mom, correct me if I am wrong.)

 

As a little girl,I used to just stare at that picture; it represented the epitome of loveliness itself. When it came time for me to plan my own wedding, I tried to find a dress as much like it as possible. I did find one, by the Russian designer Nataya, who specialises in vintage reproductions.

 

And here I am in the dress on my wedding day with my Daddy, looking a bit tense, I must say! The pic isn't great but I couldn't find my disc of the better ones. Sorry.

 

And here is my Grandmother, Dorothy Kelly (middle), Aunt Pauline (Left) and Aunt Elanor (right). This was taken in the early 40's while my Gramma was attending the University of Michigan. How I love Pauline's dress - from it's row of buttons, it's bow at the waist, and it's 3/4 length sleeves. I wonder what ever happened to it? I wonder if some collector somewhere has it and loves it? I hope so. And just look at those shoes! Grandma's dress looks velvet; in some pale color. I like to imagine it was blue.... how amazing that would look with her blue eyes and black hair! Grandma was a dish!

 

Of course, my Mom has some great old photos of vintage things she used to wear as well..... and there are more of my Grandma in more stunning outfits. But you will have to come back to see those!

Ya'll come back now, hear?

Vintage Aprons - another update

The shop updates will be pretty numerous, as I am still in the process of photographing and measuring and posting and tagging and ......... It is not as quick as you'd think. I am trying to do things in batches - hats, aprons; eventually more of my exquisite dresses and evening gowns. But these things take time, and in the case of some of my dresses and gowns, a skinnier model than I! ( Ladies in the "vintage" era must have suffered from malnutrition.)
Nevertheless - I am sacrificing some of my apron collection.

 

(Yes, that is my cat, Brutus. He weighs 13 lbs. I was trying to take a timed photo and he demanded my attention.)

 

Orange check half apron with lace trim. ($4)

 

Little girl's turquoise apron with embroidery embellishments. (Not my work.) ($6.00)

 

Ecru half apron, size large, red ric-rac trim. ($8.00)

These will be up tonight sometime. If you see anything you like, leave me a comment and you can "pre-purchase" it. (I put in prices for your convenience.)

*Brutus is not included in the sale of the orange check half apron with lace trim.*

Ya'll come back now, hear?

Vintage Hats: Shop update!

It's shop update time! I broke out my quirky vintage hats and photographed them to go alongside my demure, reserved ones already in the shop. NOTE: I am my own model; I take all these photos using a timer, or grabbing my husband and making him do it. Except for the children, they are my nieces. Anyway I got such a hoot today taking those photos in my front yard with all the cars going by on the street. They all must have thought I was a crazy lady, sitting in my yard, in these particular hats, taking photos of myself! What a laugh!
Anyhoo, these will be in the shop sometime tonight or tomorrow. If you see something you like here, leave a comment and I will reserve it for you.

 

This one is one of my faves. I am loathe to sell it; I might yet change my mind. It is by "Julius Garfinckel, Washington". Which was a big department store in the 40's - 50's. (According to my humble research.) It is black velvet with pink velvet flowers and leaves all over. Super cute!

 

This next one is a real dusey! It is covered in little orange blossom flowers and buds, and mini fruit! Bananas, pears, apples, grapes, berries. It has this adorable veil that just sweeps the cheeks. By "Miss Sally Victor - New York". (Another designer for department stores.)

 

I felt like I was wearing a pheasant on my head for this one! A shock of purple feathers, laced with green, blue, red and gold feathers throughout. Wow! No tag.

 

This is a demure, understated little bonnet. Black net and velvet bow. This one would look great as an accessory to a gloriously put together "up-do." I can just see it now......

I love these hats! Whaddya think of 'em?

Sewing Pattern Giveaway!

Don't you just love giveaways? I do, but I have never won one. Part of me still says they are a vast internet conspiracy, but I am doing one, my bud Lis is doing one for me, and my bloggy/Mary Jane's Farm friend Jodi is doing one for her new blog-shop, "The Pattern Princess!" She is giving away a great sewing pattern for a retro apron, so get over there and enter to win it! (Except, I plan on winning it, so you're all just out of luck, sorry. :))

Photo Sampler

What glorious weather we had these past few days! My brother Noah, his wife Katie, and their three children stayed with us this weekend. We had a blast, and we ate nothing that was good for us. I have lost eight pounds in the last few weeks of summer just by cutting out bread, white potatoes and rice, sweets, and many pasta dishes I love. BUT.
Did I eat fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, lard filled biscuits, and rice crispies treats this weekend? Yes, I did. Did I eat bacon for breakfast each morning this weekend? You KNOW I did. In any case........

 

Brendan found Uncle Kevin's trashed Michigan Snowplow truck in the weeds, and though taking it for an imaginary spin sounded like a swell plan. Only in rural Virginia, huh.

 

I think I named my new kitten the wrong name. He has been my constant companion since I found him in the hay mower. Every time I sit at the computer, he climbs up in my lap for a snooze. Or, he pounces my fingers on the keyboard. Or, he gets fascinated by the cursor on the screen as I click on this or that while setting up my Etsy shop. He loves watching other cats on You Tube, and loves his own You Tube video as well. He is curled up in my lap as I type this post, and as soon as I move, he will whine at me and want me to carry him with me.
I should have called him Etsy. But that is just not a good name for a strapping boy kitten. Philippe it will stay. Here, he was enjoying a snooze in my nephew Owen's car seat. I told Katie to give the seat to me when Owen outgrows it, for my cats. I think she might do it........

 

This apron will soon be on my Etsy with some others from my collection. Have you visited my etsy store? Click on the link in the sidebar to check it out! I am getting rid of much of my vintage collection that has taken me years to accumulate. You can also win a fairy stone necklace so get your name in the comments for the drawing! I love to give gifts! If you like giveaways, check out my dear friend Lis at her blog Herb of Grace for a hanky giveaway.

Ya'll come back now, hear?