CHOOSE TO MAKE MEMORIES, THAT WILL LAST A LIFE TIME!!

Tressa brought flowers again to me tonight. I will never get tired of her doing that for me. It is a memory that I will tuck in my heart FOREVER! We all pick flowers in our house for each other. Our sons pick bouquet for their wives. I love it.

Our oldest granddaughter asked me if we could go out into the watermelon patch and pick one so they could eat it. It was such a beautiful evening, so I got a real big baking pan and we cut the watermelon open right there. I got spoons and they all sat around it and started digging in. What a fun memory for them, Poppa and Grammie. They laughed and we all just sat and talked. Tucking memories in their hearts and ours. One day I will have pictures to remind them of the night. Maybe they will read my blog and know how much they were loved on a beautiful cool fall evening on the farm. I am grateful for the children the Lord has put in my life to love for Him.

This is what the watermelon looked like. They kept coming back and ate and ate and ate!

Blessings to you all as you make memories for your children and grandchildren!

Linda

THE DAY YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR TA DAH!

The winner hands down had to be Madrekarin!

You won this WINTER SNOW Pillow!

She said “EYE PATCHES FOR SANTA’S ELVES”. Now I am not a Santa person, I’m a Jesus person at Christmas, but this had to be the most unique answer. All of you were just fantastic though! I loved every entry. You made this simple game so delightful and gave a whole lot of smiles to our family and for that thank you so much.

I am posting some of the ideas and what I did with them throughout the post. Enjoy!

I Don’T think I have had so much fun in sitting down to my computer and reading all the adorable ideas! It had my head spinning and was just to much fun for one lady, a precious husband and two cutie daughters to read. Every time another idea came in, the farm was a buzzing.......... We loved it. Right next to me

on my sewing table I have my two baby chicks that are in a birdcage. Yup, you heard me a birdcage. The momma guninnea is in the brooder house with her babies, so the baby chicks are with me. It has been really funny to watch them when a little fly gets in their cage. You talk about loud. They were my little helpers as I stitched away!

SNOWMAN GARLAND

Anyway, I didn’t have the time to do what I wanted to do with the little snowman head, but that will come in the weeks ahead. You all win in my book!!!!!! I wish I truly could send everyone a gift. Wish this farm girl was rich! Well I guess I should say I am since I am a

“princess of the KING!”

SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENT

Okay now with all the ideas (every one was incredible!) , Jar toppers, lollipops, key ring, ornament (yep!), tea towel (didn't get to finish it), advent calendar,

garland, candy cane cozy, door knob cover (doing one), ear muffs, coasters, penny rug heads all the wayaround the edge (that is a pattern for sure), yoyo quilt, (cute cute)

SNOWMAN MITTEN

Christmas skirt, scarf or table runner, garland, pin, candle mat (a must), embellished hand towel, barrettes, snowman head sewn on mittens, lapel pin (not enough time, doing), center of a snowflake, jelly jar toppers, and a winter wreath.

I so badly wanted to spend hours sewing, but not enough hours in my day. I will be adding to my store in the weeks to come. I love winter thyme and fall thyme!!!!!!!!! Since we are doing a Christmas show I have to be in two seasons AT ONE TIME!

Blessings to all you ladies. You are one of my bright stars in my life. Some have even written prayers for myself and family. You can’t imagine how that touches this heart! You are alllll totally precious in my journal of life!!!!

COME OVER TO OUR STORE! WE HAVE ADDED SOME NEW ITEMS!

A friend loves at all times. Proverbs17:17

Blessings, Linda

Getting Organized!

Hello ladies,

This morning is nice and cool for a change. It has been so muggy and hot around our farm. I don't mind hot, but not the mug!

I have been a part of a forum from Aunt Ruthie's Sugar Pie Farmhouse. When you go there you will see Girl Talk forums. If you are interested sign up. It is so delightful and the ladies are just wonderful. I have meet some real precious ladies! Aunt Ruthie is just a sweetie and her blog is too fun. I love seeing what she has going on there. Any way she put up a topic about cleaning on Focus on the Family. The program is with Sandra Felton, author of The Messies Manual. Yup, that is me when I am crafting and designing! Fabric is flying everywhere plus with a small house that is hard. With school starting soon I think this program will help me. So for my first attempt I am starting to organize. When I was in Cottonwood Falls for our anniversary, I went to the co-op called Prairie Past Time and found a whole bunch of mason jars. It was a true find! They were sooooo cheap. Yea, for me! I had this great idea to put them on one of my shelves in my sewing room and put all kinds of things in each jar. Well yesterday was the day to go to the barn and clean up a shelf and move it in. It was so nice to have some organizing going on! I am only able to do a little each day, but thanks to Aunt Ruthie and Sandra, I am doing at least a little something each day.

When you look at this little jar just think Spring Thyme, Summer Thyme, Fall Thyme and Winter Thyme in a Jar! I am trying to hurry to get them ready!

Also, I bought these little mason jars for a new kit series. I can't wait to get them ready for our Peace Creek Collections Store. They will be up and ready real soon. I love designing, wish I had more hours in my day. Today is baking day for Farmer's Market. It comes to soon........... smile.

Can't wait for you to see what my little snowman head is. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every guess. I kind of have a little surprise to show you beside what it really is. Thank you for leaving the comments. I do appreciate everyone!!!!!!!

Blessings,
Linda

Can you guess what one little head will be?

I am going to be busy in my sewing room making up some ideas for the store. I love punch needle and I have been very busy making these little snowmen heads, as we drive from place to place. I can't wait to get them ready. I still am working on orders, so they are just sitting looking at me waiting for me to sew them up! I love their sweet little faces. Each one is their own snowman! You can guess if you want what they might turn out to be. I will pick the best answer and send the winner the finished product! I will be putting up a made one on Friday. Please join me in this fun!

Blessings,
Linda

YODER HERITAGE DAY

As you all know my sister has been here for the last week. We have had such a wonderful time. We decided since Yoder Heritage Day was going on on Saturday, that it would be a neat place to take her. We saw everything from Pony Pulls, Mutton Bustin, Antique Tractor Pull and a Quilt Auction. It is really a must to see. Their are lots of Amish, Mennonite and Englishers (Fancy, me). There is lots of food and interesting sights to see. Hands down though Demelia's Quilt Co. was the highlight of our day!

This is the owner Cindy and her daughter. We were having so much fun talking, that I didn't get her daughter's name or maybe I did and I don't always hold that in my brain real well. Sorry!!! My sister and I had so much fun in this quilt shop. They have worked so hard at making it look sooooo cute, so that when you walk in you feel right at home! The name of the shop is Demelia's Quilt Co. I love the name. It fits the store perfectly. I found some wonderful vintage pieces and my sister found some flannel. We truly had so much fun and the girls there are just an absolute delight. They will treat you like you have been friends forever.

This is the place to be!!!!

Cindy used antiques throughout the store to display all her quilt books, fabrics, patterns and notions.

The red section was a must stop for me!

We left the store and my Phil and I saw this precious little boy! I just had to take a picture! I didn't get the little boy's face to respect the Amish.

He was just looking around for something to play with. Look at those sweet little chubby hands.

They had lots and lots of horses. They were beautiful. We have 5 ourself so it was a treat to see some others.

The Mutton Bustin as they call it was fun to watch. They didn't stay on to well this year, but we still enjoyed watching. Last year our grandchildren did this. I laughed so hard.

I can't wait to start sewing with the new fabrics I got at Demelia's. I need to get some orders off first, then I will get busy. My sis and I had so much fun on the day we got to sew together. I wish she lived next door. We are truly so grateful for our friendship. I had to take her to the airport today. It is always hard, but the one thing we do know. We will spend eternity together and never have to say goodbye again!!!! Hope all of you are doing well. I think of you often. I am so grateful for everyone that comes by and leaves a note. It brightens my day. God Bless you all and Cindy and daughter just be looking for me. It won't be long I promise. Then I will get the name and won't have to call you daughter. smile You can leave a comment and invite everyone to your store!!! mmmmm.... that would be a fun thing to happen. Ladies if you go tell them I sent you.

Blessings,
Linda

Two Little Ones That Are New To The Farm

I have 3 momma hens that are sitting on eggs. The other day I went to check on them and I found these two little chicks. I can't keep them in the chicken coop, because of all the other hens and roosters. So I brought them in the house and put them in their bird cage. It is a really neat way to keep my babies when they are so little. I wanted to put them in with the momma Guinea, but she started getting real nervous. Does anyone have experience with this kind of thing?

Wish they could be cared for by the Momma Guinea!!!!

Don't they look so tiny in the straw?

My sister is still here and today is going to be sewing day. Can't wait to see what we come up with. Maybe some things for the store? We have always been real close, especially after we both came to Christ. It has been such a sweet friendship. I wish we lived closer, but we don't so we call all the time and when we are together it is extra special. I would love to hear from you on your relationship with your sis or sisters.

Blessings,
Linda

Cottonwood Falls A Favorite Place!

Cottonwood Falls, Kansas is a wonderful place to visit and for those that live there, I am sure they love it. We were greeted with lots of hello's. Every Friday evening except for certain holidays, The Emma Chase Cafe hosts jam sessions of local and out-of -town musicians. It sounds like a fun place to be on a Friday night!

This is Sue Smith. She is more fun!! She wears many hats in Cottonwood Falls, but one thing for sure she loves people and serves her town. She has a gift store and a cafe. Yes, I bought this metal sunflower. I will take a picture of it when I put it in my flower garden. She also started a coop of other crafters called. Prairie Past Time opened May 1 - it is an antique and crafters' coop. I had fun. I met Kathy who was working that day at Prairie Past Time. What a sweetie. Cowgirl all the way, she does make some beautiful jewelry and even wears it and looks adorable!!!!

Here is Sue's Cafe.

We have stayed at this motel two different times for our anniversary. Each room is fixed so sweet. The owners Sharon and Richard are so pleasant!! The name is of the motel is Millstream Motel. Fishing and camping in the back. A deck in the back is so nice to sit out on and enjoy the birds singing and the Cottonwood River. It is truly a wonderful place to stay.

There is a dam just a little ways from the motel that you can enjoy.

This is the Cottonwood Fall Court house. It is magnificent. They have restored it and have done a fantastic job!

This is the spiral staircase inside the Courthouse. It was so beautiful. I think I would like to have a place like that to come down if I ever got to have a renewal wedding. I would truly feel like a queen.

Now this would make a beautiful bouquet. There is enough for each of you to have at least one. This is a home that a family built in Cottonwood Falls, that is my favorite place to come and see every time I come. I want to make our farm look like this and one day it will happen. I will start this fall. I just love it. My house will not be able to be stone, but I will have a fence like this.

Enter and leave with a happy heart. Yes!!!

This is exactly what I will be doing with my farm. Is this the cutest.

What a warm welcome this family has every time they walk into their place.

I love collecting these kind of tin buckets to put flowers in. This is just too sweet!

I have two of these planters. They are blue, they will soon be black. Is this just

not the cutest?

One for Pa and one for Ma that is when we get old-errrrr!

The zinnias are so beautiful each year. I want to do this

on my farm!

I would love to see pictures of your home or farm if you want to email me. If it is already up on your blog please let me see. I love how people decorate! Thank you also for all the encouragement that you all posted for our anniversary. We really had a special one this year!!!

Blessings,
Linda

AND THE WINNER IS!

And the winner is..........................

I just want you to alllllll knowwwww that I wish you could of all won! As I would get on my blog and read all the sweet notes and get to see your heart, I would think over and over I wish I could make one for each one of you, as you would write me and enter. Truly you are all so precious and the kind words are all tucked in my heart.

Thank you every one for making this giveaway so fun and thank you for following me on my blog. It truly blesses my day when I come to read a comment. Life is hard out there and it seems to get harder with all he layoffs and such. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Do not faint and be weary, he is caring for you.

Well, here is the time that we have been all waiting for and the # 1 winner is:

..................... Katy at Country Blossom:

I love this clothespin bag!! I love to hang

clothes out!!! I would LOVE to win!!!!!!! Thank you for the chance! Katy

BLESSINGS Katy. Enjoy!

Now if any of you have ever been in one of my contests you know I just can't stop at 1. So here goes. My sweet sister is out here visiting our family. My Dad is having his 80th birthday this next week and she will be here to celebrate. Anyway, she is the one that is picking out the winners from my green rimmed graniteware bowl. I am so excited to tell you who is going to get a surprise gift, since this is a surprise. You won't know until you open your package in the mail. Now the 1st winner also will get the same thing. Okay here we go.

# 2 winner is

Leslie said...

Very cute bag!!! Please count me in!

I posted about the giveaway on my blog! Thank you for stopping by my blog and saying hi! I have spent two days reading yours and love it!!!

#3 winner is:

Prim2Pink said...

What an adorable giveaway! And so useful too!!

Please enter me in your giveaway. I am now a folower also and I'll post your giveaway on my sidebar too!

I'm going out in my garden to get some lemon verbana & try that recipe. Sounds yummy!!!

Judy

#4 winner is:

Carrie of Farming On Faith said...

Linda~ I am trying this again for some reason it did not work. I love your blog! I was sent here by Christa @Country Hearts At Home.

What a wonderful clothespin bag~Please count me in for your drawing. I also posted your giveaway to my blog!

Blessings~

Carrie

#5 winner is:

TZel said...

We would truly appreciate having this clothespin bag to organize ours better- thank you so much!

# 6 winner is:

Carol @ TheWritersPorch said...

Came rom Kentucky Farm Girl's! LOVE THIS BLOG!

I'm so glad she sent me! I've joined up!I want that bag! So cute!

#7 winner is:

Becca said...

Great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win this cute bag!

and #8 winner is:

monica said...

The bag is really cute! Please count me in! I would put a pic on my blog, but I can never quite figure out how! I will post about it though! May God Bless your efforts and the work of your hands!!

Thank you again for all the sweet words and for signing up. I can't wait to do another giveaway........... hmmmm I wonder what it is going to be. See you in Sept. with another giveaway! I will be contacting all of you and sending out the treasures!!!!

Blessings, and love you all bunches!

Linda

PREPARE YOUR BRAIN!!!!!!

35 years with the most adorable man! My kids make fun of me when I say this

to them, but one day I hope they will remember and smile

about their momma and daddy who loved each other..

and wanted to live for Jesus

Alright now............ when you go to a blog and you read a blog, do you get an impression in your brain of what that person might be like? Well I do. So with that. This picture is going to have some of us who were married in the 70's going "I can identify" and others go "you have got to be kidding!!!!!!!" Whatever one you are, I want you to know that we have changed. Phil's hair is not long and I own a bra (glad men don't read my blog!!!) We were not walking with the Lord and for that I am so sad. I do know though that the Lord did not leave us and gently over the years brought pain to chisel off the things that did not please him. I know that He has given us a love for the lost and a passion to see people with Christ's eyes.

Today, I woke up and walked outside, looked to where our north garden is and saw where 35 years ago I married my Phil. As you can see in the picture Grandma Jo (Phil's mom) had planted a rose garden in front of the picket fence. She had welcomed this young lady that had just moved from Alaska, with battle wounds from the world and her precious 2 year old little boy. I saw a love with Grandpa Jack and Grandma Jo's marriage, that made me want to have what they had. One where you laughed at the dinner table and had conversations of kindness. The last 35 years with my Phil has been one where we have both learned by having a commitment to Christ. The Lord will take you to places to choose forgiveness where there has been hurt, love instead of dislike, encouragement instead of tearing down ,prayer for the other instead of unkind words and acts of kindness. I have done them all, the negative that is, but oh the faithfulness of my Father who has come to me as I would seek His word and he would transform my mind to line up to His will. Will I do this marriage thing perfectly? No, but thank you Mr. Phil for being the very one that God used to make me want to do what is right. You are adorable and I am so glad that when I brought you home to my momma and Poppa, that you proved them wrong. The long hair was only the culture we were in, but God had plans, for two broken kids, that wanted to do right, but just didn't know how. Thank you Mr. Phil for our 5 children. What a joy and sorrow we have had in our family, only to see the faithfulness of the Lord to get us through anything. When we start marriage all those years ago did we ever think that we would have the love we have today? May the Lord bless all those who stepped in to walk with us and encourage us over the past years. My precious children when God said "it was good and children were a blessing ". He was right. Even having our girls when I was at the age of 39 and 42 in a culture that said that I didn't have to, Lord you did beyond to bless Phil and I then we could imagine. We love them so. Also marriage brings the fruits of your labor and grandchildren. Each grandchild that we have, have a speciual place in our heart. Each is individual and unique. I will continue to pray that each one will choose to accept what Christ did on the cross to make a way for your salvation.

I am a blessed and grateful woman today. One that the Lord looked down and said, because you have given me permission with your life I will bless you and never leave you. I thank you Lord for this day, for my precious husband, children, daughters-in-loves, grandchildren and friends. Also I love you Lord for "your faithfulness", when I had none.

I will love you Mr. Phil forever!!!!!! The flowers you picked for me this morning are beautiful. The love note to be treasured by me and maybe read one day when we are gone. I hope they will want to have a marriage like we have, not perfect, but a blessing of commitment. Maybe the next generation will read of the love of two broken people made by God who made us one. Father you explain marriage best:

Eph. 5:25-33Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Phil. I will love you forever, with the Lord's help. Please continue to wash me in the word so I can be without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless .

Blessings,

Linda

My Faithful Hens and Moon and Stars Watermelon

When I enter into my chicken coop, this little birdcage and chicken greet me. I just love her. Simple things bring me joy and she is definitely one of my favorites!

These past few days we have been getting only a few eggs. This morning we could not find any yet. Sad! My girls have been so faithful with their eggs. They are taking a break and I need them to still be laying with all the cooking I do for the Farmer's Market. Oh well, I guess that is the way it goes. Makes me think about how thankful I need to be for all they have done!!!!!

Our store has been doing real well. The orders are coming in. Some of the ladies have been having a hard time leaving comments. Just email me if you do. It works out great and we can get out your orders. I am loving it. Meeting wonderful ladies and I get to do what I love to do. Sew!!!!!!!!

The momma Guinea is doing great. 3 of the babies have died, but she still has two. Every morning the daddy is up on the roof talking away at her. I think he is sad.

The green beans are producing wonderfully. We will have a lot to sell this weekend.

Cantaloupe and watermelon are doing well also. I am so thankful to the Lord that He gives me one seed and returns so much more. I can't ever loose sight of that.

This is called Moon and Stars Watermelon. They are soooo sweet and beautiful. Saving seeds for next year. They are a heirloom watermelon. Nummy also!!!!!!!!

Blessings,
Linda

4 MORE DAYS FOR THE CONTEST

Good morning ladies, there are only 4 more days for the contest. Please email any of your friends that you think might think would be interested in the Clothespin Bag, to come sign up on our blog.

Baking bread today!

Blessings,
Linda

Neatest Rug!

Hope your summer is going well. I have pumpkins in the pumpkin patch that I have been picking and lots more to come!

I did not do this rug, but I am going to. Isn't this the cutest thing? It will be added to my winter to do list. It is going to be a fun winter I can tell. I thought you would like. I think it would be so squishy for your feet. I bet you can't tell what color mine will be. Heehee.

I asked Sheri at Prime Rose Hill if I could post this rug. The pattern is on her blog. Go see and tell her I sent you. She is a sweetie! She said yes and so I did. Tell me what you think and what kind of rug is by your bed. Hope you like and if you do tell her so. She has a really darling blog. It is a must to see. She also has recipes for you to try out. Enjoy!

It must be a green day! Here is a favorite at our house and sooooooo simple. Cut your cucumbers really nice and thin. Make up some real Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing and pour on to the cucumbers . This is so lite and wonderful to add to your summer meal. Enjoy!

Blessings,
Linda

PEACE CREEK COLLECTIONS STORE IS HERE

Peace Creek Collections Store. click

My very own store on the internet, my dream come true. Thank you my precious daughter T. We have worked sooooo hard to get this off the ground. We did it! Thank you Jesus! We hope you all have so much fun seeing the work that goes on at our little farm house. I love to stitch, paint, design and work with my hands and brain.

Please subscribe to our store by entering your email, if you would like to know when I add new items to the store. Also, sign up if you want tooooooo be a follower. If you have ideas that you would like to see at our store let us know! You are all so precious to me!!!!!!!!! Hope you like the store. Even if you don't buy, just leave me a note. I love hearing from you all.

Blessings,
Linda

Baking and Sewing Day

Our daughter is working really hard today to get up pictures for the store. Here is what I have been stitching up the last few evenings. They will be available at my store. I willllll let you know as soon as it happens. I know I have been saying that, but it is really going to happen soon. These are little kleenex holders.
Today I will be making up the Lemon Verbena Bread. The leaves look like this. It smells so good in my little kitchen. I bought a vintage apron over at Bluebell Country her blog is called Simply Fine Linen. You will love her blog. It is so fun to the eye and heart! I love my new apron and I am going to wear it while I cook. I will feel like a princess of the King of course. smile....
I woke up this morning to thunder and lightning. It was wonderful!!! We have needed rain real bad in our area. The rain has been going around us for some reason. I kept praying though. The lemon verbena is going to take off.

Fabric is off and I am happy. Now I am on to other fun things. Hope you are doing well out there. Just know I am tucking you all in my heart and praying for you!!!

Blessings,
Linda