So, that happened...

     I turned 40 on this past Tuesday. Now before I tell you any more, it is funny the reactions that you get when people learn of said birthday. 

     Young people (39 and under) feel sorry for you and offer condolences to you with fear that it will one day happen to them. 

     People in their fourties welcome you into a special, secret club. There is a secret handshake and passwords and all, but I don't want to tell you and lose my membership. I just got it, after all. 

     People 50 and older still call you a "youngin'". That's nice. 

     Now students, well that's where it is interesting. There are two reactions there. Students around the fifth grade age-level know how to schmooze. "I thought you were 30!" Heh. Nice work, kid. You still failed the spelling test. Kindergartens and first graders? 40 is the kiss of death. My principal announced my birthday in chapel and everyone sang happy birthday. I hated that. Then her words were, " If Mrs. Wise were to run around the chapel for every year she was born, she would be very fatigued" I am pretty sure that the kindergartener I was sitting next to thought that meant I was 100 and ready to keel over at any moment. He kept eyeballing me. I think I worried him. 

     But, my day was a blessed one spent with my "children", friends, and family. 

     My class decorated the "living room" side of our classroom with balloons and their shining faces. After the pent-up excitement of the promise of popped balloons ( NOT by me) and the rush of sugar, the parents took them outside to run laps and pop balloons (those that survived the throwing of the balloons and exclamations of, "Happy Birthday!")

     They also sang their own version of "What Does the Fox Say?" entitled "What Does the Owl Say?" In their song were the many phrases that I say, apparently a lot:  you're done, air high five, all that and a bag of chips, great minds think alike, gold star, you're my favorite, anything from The Princess Bride, counting, I didn't drink my coffee yet, Stewart is having a bad day, What day is it, you're a nut, boop yourself in the head, walk of shame, and, my personal favorite... I'm going to jump off the deck. Gee. I need new material!!!!

     My own family was so sweet in celebrating my birthday. My husband made me lasagna, and my mom brought more cake. Cake is really a weakness of mine. Both cakes were from my favorite bakery, Bakers of Buffington. Gee, I am predictable. My school family and my real family know my weakness. It blesses my heart because of their thoughtfulness in celebrating my special day. 

     My husband continued this thoughtfulness during the weekend before and after my birthday in taking me to my very favorite antique flea market, Shupp's Grove. The first visit was their Spring Extravaganza which was filled with prims! The following weekend was their garage sale weekend (the first Saturday of each month). I met so many nice people that day. I love to hear the stories behind the items they are selling. I met this sweet lady, Joan. We talked for a while. She told me about the old store her father ran. She was selling some really nice prims. Another couple I talked to gave me good tips to make sure that my tent for my garage sale didn't blow away ( it's hard to make change and hold onto a tent. I was always fearing that I would do a "Dorothy"). I go to this flea market often. A little too often. I kind of have a "Cheers" relationship with the people there. Everybody knows who I am. Is that good or bad? I am not sure, and I bet my husband has mixed feeling about it as well... 

     Here are a few of the goodies I picked up on my excursions...

     I actually got the little stove with some birthday money. It's a toy stove from the 1920's. I got it on eBay for $20 including shipping. I don't know if that was a bargain, but it was so dear. Then, it inspired me to look for vintage wood and metal toys. The little iron and rolling pin were a bargain. The feed sacks were the big score. They are the heavy, rough cloth with make-do patches. I got them for $3 each. They are in great shape!

     I  just think this little stove is adorable!

     Now these next two items I love, but I am interested in some creative ideas in using them. The sieve I got for $10. I am not sure whether to use it on the wall, suspended from the ceiling??? What do you all think?

     My mom picked up this strainer for me at a garage sale for $2. I always wanted one. I saw some ideas for using it on Pinterest (and by ideas, decor, not food. I am pretty sure that would be a disaster!) . I was just curious as to your ideas! :)

     Well, that is all for now. I have actually been plugging away at this post for most of the week. I feel bad not posting. I miss all of you. I will start plugging away at some posts on my field trip to DC, spring decor pictures, and a tutorial of sorts! Whew! Big plans! 

     Before I forget, Charlie says, "Hey!"

Love and hugs,

The Marm

Oh! Hi!

Hello there! 

 I is cold.  It was warm and sunny, now it is not.  Mom won't close the windows.  Something about airing out the house.  I promise.  I did not do a "no-no Charlie". So, mom is busy with getting her school year done with finishing her school year (she made me fix that.  She said it didn't sound polite.  Well, then why does she keep talking about summer?), and I am taking over her blog for now. I don't know.  She had time to go to a garage sale, Shupp's Grove, out to eat, and have cake at Mom-mom's and Pop-pop's, but NOT for blogging? I think you all should be suspicious. Oops.  Here she comes.  Don't tell her I back-talked, okay? So, um, yeah.  

Do you want to go on a mini-tour with me?  Mom said to show you stuff she got when she was out "not-blogging". She said that she can't show you house changes.  May be my fault.  She puts things out.  Then, she sees I can gets it.  She has to change it again. She throws her hands in the air. I guess she is hot.  I guess that's why the windows are up.

Eating birthday cake.  Yeah.  Her birthday is tomorrow.  Oh. Oh. Yeah, wait... Mom said I could say her age, but it has to be in a math problem since she is a teacher. Pshaw.  That's lame.  How about I just barks it to you.  Okay, ten's place (See? Math.)- woof.woof.woof.  Okay, now one's place- woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.woof.

Presents.  I got a present the other week.  I chewed it up.  Not have present anymore.

Cake.  Mom brought it home.  My sister, Bailey, is too small to reach the counter.  Mom says I may be the first dog they ever had that could grab food off of the counter.  Is that good or bad?  She put the cake up.  I am thinking not so good for me. 'Sides, see how much is left??? There were only 4 people! They ate half a cake!

This is her birthday stuff.  I like it.  Wood.  Good to chew.  Pottery- bah!

Mom says this is for posies.  Mom-mom got it for her. I eats posies.  They will never make it to this little thingy. Hah!  Shhhh.  Don't tell.

She said this is for something called a pin cushion.  I like cushions! Not so sure about pins, though.

Basket.  Primitive.  All the same- crunchy...

So get this... This is PART of a wheel (She paid $6, and she didn't even get the whole wheel).  She said she is going to hang it from the ceiling and put things on it that she doesn't want me to chew.  Bet the basket is going up there... Oh. She just yelled from the other room.  She said, "Yup." Rats...

Bobbins.  She got 2 for $5.  She likes the "beehive" bottom.  Will there be bees?  Hmmm.  I need to keep my eyes on these. They are going on the table.  She said she will share it later.

Arg.  Another crock. A man at my grandparents' church is a potter.  He sells his seconds to make money for the youth group.  Mom said that it was $8. She said, "If that is a second, what are his firsts?" I think that is a good thing. He is very talented.  God gave him talented hands and a kind heart.

Ooops.  Blurry picture.  Um. Oh! $5 at a garage sale.  Can't chew it.  Rats again.

She said she bought this box from an old lady named "Morgan". I don't think that is nice at all to say about people.  I like the box.  Wood. Crunchy.

Mom said not to show this to someone named "Granny". So, if you are "Granny", don't look.  She said it was $4 at the garage sale. 

Wicker purse- $3 at Shupp's Grove.  It is WAAAAY up high! Ya know, they lets dogs at Shupp's Grove.  Why have I not been there? I think it's a con-speer-a-see. Yup.

Okay.  So she was making these boxes.  She knocked over her bottle of "Modge Podge". She made a BIG mess. I try not to laugh.  Her one cloth placemat thingy is a little stiff.  Ha ha!

This basket is way up.  Why?

$5 at garage sale.  Getting painted black. Dad says, "Shocking." Oh, and he said, "Yes.  That is sarcasm."

Little bear. Etsy. Yum...

 Well, I gots to go now.  We is watching a movie about some guy name Ferris.  He's got a day off. Mom says it helps her to know students' tricks.  All I know is I wants a day off... Bueller... Bueller... Bueller...

Have a great day!

Love and Hugs,

Anyone? Anyone?

Charlie

P.S. Mom is going on a field trip to Longwood Gardens tomorrow. She will post pictures later...

Makin', Flippin', & Goodies in the Mail...

Making...

I must admit, this was like last weekend.  Not much done this week!

I coffee stained my grandma's old doilies.  They were just too white.  I need to fix the one with spots.  I used a pizza pan to put them in the oven. Ooops.  I am thinking about offering the homemade goodies on my own selling page instead of eBay.  I will continue to offer my flipped items on eBay.

 

So, here's one of my little prairie doll pouches.  I planned on them to be able to hang on a peg. But as you see in the second picture, she's a lazy gal.  She keeps tilting over.  I need to fix that. What do you think?  A wire on the back?  Ribbon or lace hanger?

Here is my attempt at crazy quilting for my pincushions.

And finally, my apple pie for the church function last Sunday.  Apple Pies are the one thing I make well.  My husband is really the cook in our family! :)

Flipping...

Between Goodwill and Shupp's Grove, I found some goodie to sell on eBay.  Total purchase for the haul-$16.50.  There are some antiques, vintage items, and handmade folk art.  I will try to post them tonight! :)

 

It looks like an older courting candle that someone sprayed with textured paint.  It is a grey/blue with rusty areas.  It would look great with berries or pumpkins in the middle.  It is really deep!

This is a wall hanging.  But, it needs something.  I may paint it and letter it with "Welcome".  What do ya'll think?

Goodies in the Mail... 

It is a blessing to look around the house and see the works of the hands of my dear blogging friends.  I feel like I can have a part of y'all over for coffee!  I should arrange the things around the kitchen table and have a little tea party like when I was a kid (Okay, so that was last week. Shhhh...).

Salmon Falls Prims- She let me pick my colors!

The Tin Crow- It goes with my crow shelf sitter and little crows that I also purchased from her- Sooo prim!

The acorns are from Angela's Prim Attic and the quilt piece I found on eBay.  It is part of a Civil War quilt- prim and a teaching tool!  Perfect!

And, my dearest purchase- A penny rug and stump doll from my dear friend, Christine!  I was so excited to get a package from a kindred spirit from across the pond!  I just love them!  And the pillow is a creation of hers too!  They are definitely treasures from a treasured friend.

 

Friends Don't Let Friends Buy Too Many Pumpkins...

Seriously.  This is what happens after a long week at school, a cold, and a lack of fellowship with my dear, blog friends.

Shupp's Grove- It is actually a box! $5.  The lady was offering it at 1/2 price!

Same place, same lady- I think it is a coconut. $1!  I may be offering this on eBay!

eBay-Cherrysprairiesprimitives2.  I loved it!  It is crocheted with a real twig as its stem.  $8

eBay- Old Goat Primitives-$13  It is really tall!  I can't wait to place it!!!