Yeah!.... and What Else Is New!

Can someone tell me what happen to March?  It flew by!   I have been  busy sewing. I have posted several  items over on the Maple Leaf Mercantile, my selling blog.   I was asked,  "Why did you  add a selling blog ....you have the Butternut Creek Folk Art blog?   Well..............because I wanted to!  Oh, now that wasn't nice was it.  But when you sell, you have to be  about doing business...and the folk art blog is work space I would like to call it a fun space...a place where thoughts and ideas and are born and nutured and I expose the real me . Kinda of like the good the bad and the ugly.  Ugly....  I hope not to much of that, but, then again, ugly happens.

Shhhhhh!   Don't tell anyone but.......  I am going to have another blog......I heard that... "are you freakin' nuts" in the background!

It  is called    FAERN-LAEGA,  art dolls.  This is where my art dolls will  live and be discussed . This blog is ME!  The music and the blog background  the castle picture it's just ME !ME! ME! I go there and just meditate when I have a creative block. You may have seen the button on the side bar...yep that's  mine.  (Sorry no click link yet )  Faern-laega  is old saxon for Farley, my maiden name.  Farley-Hungerford Castle is  my ancestral digs.  What better name for fantasy art dolls!  You should know by now that  all  my endeavors  have an attachemnt to my life.  Butternut Creek is in my back yard.... thus Butternut Creek Folk Art.  Farley's Country Store  my home, my store and mission control.

 My selling blog Maple Leaf Mercantile ....Just because!   My  blog ....of crenels and thatched roofs....my family had castles and thatched roofed cottages and many, many lives and lores. 

Go to the place where I go to get grounded  and where beautiful things will live.  http://www.faern-laega.blogspot.com/.

 I have ambled  on enough for tonight ..talk again soon.  'nite!

St. Patrick's Day....All In The Family!

When I think of St. Patrick's Day...these images come to  mind.

Picture one is circa 1907 just after my  grandmother Jennie Ruddell and her father James Ruddell, came to the United States from Portadown, Ireland.  The other picture, circa 1903, is of the home and family they left in the motherland.


*Just a note:   I will have a story about Grandma Jennie, an Irish linen factory worker, on my  "...of crenels and thatched roofs"  blog sometime this year.

Introducing: The Maple Leaf Mercantile

May I introduce to you  " MAPLE LEAF MERCANTILE" my selling blog.  I had this in my thoughts since November and now it's finally done. 

I had several beaten and all primmed up shelves and dolls to put on the "Merc"  but I had one heck of a busy week in the store.  Now I have no shelves left and my Jelly Cupboard that I have had forever in the store...yep gone....alot of "smalls" ...yep gone again.  

Two sets of Ms.Melba and Friends dolls went to a very nice lady in Perry, Ohio.  She collects Aunt Jemima anythings!

So what better time than when  stock is down to start a selling blog LOL!    I am  not sure what I was doing but the "Merc" has an on line presence and I am sure I will need to tweek....alot.  Excuse the ruff edges...  constuctive criticism is welcome!  Take a look by clicking on the Maple Leaf Mercantile tile on the side bar to your right. Enjoy!

Saps A Risin' and a New Blog

Wow! We had 24 inches of snow on the ground last weekend and this weekend snow's gone  It was 69 degreesWednesday!  That means it's Maple time in Geauga County.  Chardon is known for being the snowbelt capital of Ohio as well as the Maple Capital of Ohio.  Tim and I celebrated Tappin'Sunday with pancakes and the local liquid gold. Yummo! Maple Festival will be the end of April!

My family had been in the area maple industry since the 1830's.  Here is a picture of Grandpa  in the 1930's .
Notice the shirt and tie...maybe it was Sunday!
                                  ***********************************************
Do you like seeing this kind of posting?  I have just opened up a new blog :... of Crenel and Thatched Roofs.  This will be about stories of life "back in the day".  I have had many emails from folks wanting a place just for my memorablia and stories...without the art.  I will post there when I have compiled a story to tell. Do you remember my past postings of the Civil War Diary and Lovina's Gift?   That is what  ...of Crenel and Thatched Roofs will include.... present day to medievil England.  You are more than welcome to step back in time with me!   You can  become a follower now....so you will be there when the next story happens.  ( I have not posted there yet.. this article will be lengthened and tweeked and then live there for evermore)  http://www.crenelsandthatchedroofs.blogspot.com/

Absolute Americana!

This piece was an absolute joy to make!   I felt like a 7 year old again.  Many small facets  make the piece grand...what fun...I was sad when the fun ended last night, as the flags went into the hands....It's done and I am so pleased!
Sam and Libby are stump dolls...the balloon is a nine inch styrofoam ball...making the total length 25 inches.  This is a Prim and Proper Folk design. (Click on picture for greater detail)

Leprechaun Class of 2010

What a fine group of  lads we have!  This was a fun pattern by Pea Pickers Primitives.  Fun Fast and Funky!

Sunday Morning Thought

I woke up this morning and I was going to bitch...yes bitch, about the weather...5 more inches overnight...blah...blah ...blah.

My thoughts went to the people that lost so much  in Haiti last month and the Chileans yesterday....What a spoiled brat I am. 

It is cold and beautiful  today... and I shall not want!

What Do You Think?

What is my plan for the big 85th this year.. I don't know!    My family was not the type to bring attention to themselves.  Advertising was unheard of ...an act of desparation so they said, back in the day. Fortunately, the store is located at the intersection of 2 main state routes...lots of  commuter traffic...but ask anybody and they  will know exactly where  the store is ..."been there forever"... possiblities are endless!

I am a procrastinating, spur of the moment...let's do this.. then think about it for awhile, kind of person.  I have been wanting to paint the store for about a year. I had totally redone the store in 1995, before that nothing had been changed since 1945.   Tim is color blind and he isn't seeing my vision.  This is what I am thinking:

The walls would stay the same, although, I wouldn't mind a change.  The green on the present shelves would be white with distrssed sanding and stain.

This shelving is on the entire wall 25 feet floor to ceiling.
 Am  I crazy or a genius?  I am tough... be honest!

Am I In Love...Really?

Whata question?    Whata thought ...considering I am happily married?  I was reading Country Business  Magazine, during my morning soak today....  "Don't fall in love with your fixtures"  the article states.  Hmmmm...I want to call it sentimentality.
 I have a HUGE  island of shelves in the  middle of the store.  They have been in the store since the 1940's when my dad bought them from an old grocery store in downtown Cleveland.  They are old maple wood and held alot of  canned food items... I can remember what was displayed on each shelf.. cookies, crackers, pickles, peaches and pears, cake mixes, baby food, dog food, and on and on I could go!   On the very bottom shelf was where I used to hide as a feisty 5 year old  and scare customers by reaching my hand out and touching a leg or  a giggle seemingly coming from nowhere and watch  the puzzled look on their faces.
Today... The shelves are not working  as well as they should be for me ...I'm not sure what I would put in thier place..  a few round oak tables..  a big old farm harvest table... maybe I should  have the old shelves made into other display fixtures?
It's a touchy subject with me and I'm not ready to deal with it right now....Yes, I am In Love With My Fixtures!
Next time:  How to celebrate 85 year in business!

Ming Update!

Ming is home, taking a nap, and doing well!  Thanks for all your good thoughts today.

Think Good Thoughts for Ming Today!

This is Ming!   He is one of our two Bengal Cats.  This morning Ming greeted  me with his usual demanding cry...Feed Me Now!    He turned his tail toward me and there it was .....12 inches of thread hanging out the poop chute.   Blog buds with cats will know that thread can be a deal breaker in a cats life.
 I have tried to be  very careful .  Ming has a fetish for thread. ...especially if it is on a sewing machine.  He will go into a trance when he sees thread and will pursue until he gets to it or will watch to see were I stash the spool.
 Ming is a techy.. I have lost count on the number of thermostats he has dismantled... we have digital ones now.  He has issues with the guy in the answering machine ...and the printers don't get me started .  Ming thinks he was put on this earth to kill what lives the printers.
Well, Ming is at the Vet's office.  When we left he was on the way to x-ray and then the the elimination station... an intimate moment with Dr. Domico, I'm sure.  Then another x-ray.  Ming...Ming... Ming  I am missing him  this afternoon...the house is  too quiet and calm.
As a bengal owner a word of warning... exotics are beautiful and fascinating ..but know fully what you are bring into your home, hopfully, for the next 15 years.  Don't take my words lightly...be fair to yourself,your family and above all  to the magnificent creature.  
My project today is to tighten up my sewing supply security.   I became lax and Ming is paying the price!
Think good thoughts for my Minger-Man!

A Doll orTwo For President's Day!

Just put the finishing touches on two pieces.  George and Blueskin  was a fantastically (?) fun pattern to make . Both are about 20 inches in height.  The Uncle Sam Tames The Hare is just delightful to look at and  a great tool for story-telling .  Both patterns  were designed by Prim and Proper Folk.  Both pieces were requested  for purchase review.

Just a thought!

After a while you learn
the subtle difference
between holding a hand
and chaining a soul,
and you learn
that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't mean security.
And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of a woman,
not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is
too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down
in mid-flight.
After awhile you learn
that even sunshine burns if you ask too much.
So you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn
      that you really can endure
           that you really are strong
                and you really do have worth.
And you learn
        and you learn
             with every goodbye
                   you learn.....
                                
                                     -(V.S.)

Sew Little Fingers...Look What You Have Made!

Believe it or not I have been sewing.  I do tend to go on history rants....that's just the way I am.  I hope to have all seasons represented in the store.  Sounds  good in theory... We shall see  as I can never get too far ahead as far as inventory goes.  This fine young cupid to our left has been a great seller for me.  He is certainly a smile maker.  He is a "Nanny Norton" Pattern.  He is fun to make and will melt your heart.  As I said, he is a mainstay in my inventory. Next is "Dill"  She is a plump frog....  lots of "tude".  This is almost too cutesy, country for my liking....still a fun doll to make ....I have already sold one this week. She is made from a"Simply Nantucket's" pattern.

Next, what can I say about Vampire Bunnies...they are heart stealers.

fun to make ...mostly a painting project.. Well worth the time... my peeps are asking for them  even though it's mid -winter.  They came from the beautiful mind  of "Frowning Francis". 

What's  on my work table?  I have several simple  sweet bunnies.

A Queeen Anne Doll...that is looking very anemic tonight...she will have life in a few days.  Her clothes are beautiful and I can't wait to show her to you.  I have a skinny twin to "Dill" the plumb frog...her name is "Pickles"...A long , tall gal for sure.  I just received my glass eyes  today.   I had been looking since Christmas for them....very much worth the wait...they will bring life to an art doll that is way, way different than any pattern I have done before.  And I am going to have to try to create my own pattern for an order request to be completed in March.  I never thought I would be making my own pattern.... a detailed Dragon fly will be a  test for me. 

Love That Pink Dessert!

What the....!

hoew styole mi spyell chieck ?

MoonDog Coronation Ball 2010

It's that time again when  Cleveland  celebrates it's  Rock and Roll  heritage.
Picture it... March 21, 1952, Cleveland, O*H*I*O.  Local DJ Alan Freed, the man that coined the phrase "Rock and Roll",  and a concert promoter sold 20,000 tickets to a  concert venue that had the capcity for 10,000.  Fearing a riot, the concert was shut down by firefighters after the first act.  This was America's first rock concert.
Freed was not deterred.  Becoming more and more popular with Cleveland teenagers, called by Freed "MoonDogs" and was known for his howl into the micrphone.....  The concert became an annual event.
Today, WMJI 105.7, hosts a more gentile event at the Quicken Loans Arena, home of The Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James. Nostaglia reigns for the evening for about 18,000  young and old rockers... just enjoying the sounds of their youth....  just one more time.
Tim and I have gone to this concert each year since we were married 8 years ago.  It's a guaranteed date night we look forward to each year.  This year we may add a visit to ... Cleveland's own Iron Chef America...Michael Symon's LOLA BISTRO.  I can't wait.
Last year,  we were entertained by Little Richard, Three Dog Night, Hermans Hermits, Jerry Butler and my very favorite Tommy James and The Shondell's.   It was the best!!!   MoonDog 2010 will deliver to the stage: Little Anthony, The Turtles, Grand Funk Railroad, and Paul Revere and The Raiders .   Sounds like a good show.
Cleveland, the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, invites the world to the MoonDog Coronation Ball 2010. 
Blogger friends, if you can come to Cleveland  that night,  Tim and I would really like to meet you.  Trust me Cleveland can be fun and beautiful....there's a lot of history and art in Cleveland and the surrounding areas.  Come on give Cleveland a try!

Lovinia's Simple Gift

I enjoy antiques.  If I can find a potential family piece that is just about as good as it gets for me.  An on line auction site was where the gem to the left  was discovered.  I won the auction with surprise.  I felt bad that I didn't pay more...I would have.  The white and indigo blue 1855 coverlet is in tough shape.  My thought was, "I want the corner with all the info on it , maybe frame it".  When I opened the package I fell in love with the entire piece ..I can't cut this up for "needfulls".  This is going up on the wall of our bedroom or Grandma Farley's old bedroom.....little holes and rough edges to boot.  I love it!
I  am also caught up in the history of the coverlet.

I have been working on the history of this textile piece of art for 6 weeks.  Lovinia LeBaron  born  19 May 1815 in Leroy, New York. Died 15 April 1876.  Her father was Dr. Francis LeBaron (1768-1832) born in Killingworth, Conn.  Her mother was Sabra Kelsey. The Doctor was Apothecary General of the United States from 1813 to 1821. His picture is to the right.
 So this is the lineage of Miss Lovinia:

• Lovinia Lebaron marries Benjamin Farley
• Franicis LeBaron marries Sabra Kelsey
• David LeBaron marries Martha Chatfield
•     (Served in The Great Rebellion in the Army)
• James LeBaron marries Martha Bensen
• Dr. Francis LeBaron  marries Mary Wilder

The last Dr. Francis (1669-1695) was a French Huguenot. He shipwrecked  in Buzzards Bay off Plymouth Harbor, MA.  Taken prisoner by the colonists. Later, he saved the life of  a townswoman. and became a freeman.  He lived and practiced medicine  in the Wilder Homestead.(pictured)

The final picture is a painting by Fredick Dielman "The Wedding of Francis LaBaron and Mary Wilder".1695

Lovinia and Benjamin Farley lived in Newfane, Niagra County, New York.  New England towns usually had 2 weavers....Newfane had only one between 1843-1860.  The town weaver was Thomas Gladding, born in England, about 1810. Weavings like Lovinia's would cost between $14 and $20.  Truly an investment for her home.

Benjamin was a genius farmer for the time. Serving as sheriff in 1857 and  State Assemblymen 1866-1869.
He is not a direct line ancestor to me.  We have a common ancestor and I will find the bond someday.

I Call It Cabin Fever after 14 days!

Yesterday, I did my best impression of a ground hog on his special day.  I did not see my shadow...but we did get a dead battery in  a certain Big Box Shopping Center parking lot.  See there are silver linings...in the parking lot!!!
I just had to get some Gesso for one of my newest projects.  I have made pattern templates for 4 new patterns I bought last fall.  I am shaking in my shoes at the thought of working on The Beast  by Pam Grose... If anyone has made him  I would like to know what your thoughts are concerning the project.
Robert will have the driveway plowed out Friday...what a nice Birthday gift for me.

And There Shall Be Snow!

The Lake Erie snow machine is in fine working order!  We live 12 miles inland from the lake in the rolling hills of Ohio!

So we get on average 140 inches of snow a year.   The snow started on  New Years Eve and hasn't stopped yet! We have around 35 inches on the ground.  It is beautiful. 

Lily loves the snow!  We thought she would be a diva and not want to go out in the white stuff.... she finds  excuses to ring the bell and get out there and snow tunnel.

Our snow plow guy, Robert, blew the transmission on his truck.....that means no plowing for most of the   week.  I don't think the store  will be open soooo....what will I do with the free time?   Choices... to many choices...

I could:

• Do Spring Cleaning in the store
• Finish 4 frog dolls
• Finish 6 Bunny ornies
• Start "The Beast" art doll by Pam Grose
• Work in the cold basement
• Futz around on the computer
• Make snow angels with Lily
• Clean my half of the office

What will I do???

Happy New Year Everybody!

Heaven Can Give No More!

"Oh God, take us in Spirit to the watchful shepherds and enlarge our minds, let us hear good tidings of great joy, and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, and adore. Place us with the oxen and sheep in that stable, to look with them upon our Redeemer's face and know ourselves delivered from sin in Him. In Him, You have given us so much that heaven can give no more"

Sweeeeeet!!

Just as I thought everything was under control....I have to make another 50 pounds of fudge to cover more phone in orders from yesterday ...can't turn down my loyal, last minute, "Fudgies". My shoulders are cringing.. but my soul will be pleased! 50lbs in 48 hours...the math.... the math!!!

What Have I done!

I declare at this moment that I am content with what I have made for the Christmas.
Soleil is complete. I also made over one hundred "smalls" as I felt thats what "my peeps" wanted this year. Even my little Vampire Bunnies are selling as tree jewelry.
I need to make many multiplies when possible. My true satisfaction comes in crafting a large complex piece. I have been blessed that my first is the best.
The new year will be here in 16 days! My list is coming together to proudly proclaim what I will commence to do in the new decade. Thank God! It's been a tough 10 years all over the world.....to be continued!

SOLEIL!

Soleil is the third art doll I have made. He was a challenge...much different than the prim dolls I am used to making. I hesitated on selling him...so he is just "tending shop" for now. He may show up on the mercantile site when I get it up and going.

UTT OH!!!

I heard these two words coming from Tim, who was in the office. We decided to get an external hard drive for my computer. "Better safe that sorry"...words that everyone of us has heard from a saged family member.....Sorry came before safe for me that night..10 days ago. The scenario leading up to the fateful minute was on going for the entire day. "Utt...Oh....Pussycat, I think everything is lost on your computer". Tim went on line to find a possible recovery system...found some...didn't work...Called a few places....robbery!!!
It was late when we went to bed. We were both very quiet, starring at the ceiling. I was not angry...maybe just in shock and denial. Tomorrow is another day, right! Then I started to think about my Legacy file with at least 852 years and 3.5 months of my family lineage on it... GONE! All my prim patterns....GONE! Pictures...Gone!!! EVERYTHING... GONE!! Then it felt like we had lost a family pet. Not much sleep.
During the last election... a classmate of mine was running for our Township Trustee. He stopped in to see if we would be interested in supporting him. He has a computer warehouse were he salvages and repairs them.
Mike is a good guy...one of the smartest and clever of the lot in 1976. "Tim, call Mike D. and see what he says". Four days later I have my computer back,and a full back up system in place, and everyone one of my files are accounted for... Mike's son is a true computer whiz. When did fate step in to play?... at election time who knows.. But, my prayers last night included a former classmate and his son...Oh Ya!

That Turkey Don't Lie!

Well... I did it! I thought this year would be different but.....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I have succeeded in the Holiday Procrastination Tradition... some say it's a family thing. If I did every little thing on my "THINGS I GOTTA DO LIST" there would be nothing left to live for ...Ha!!!
My friend, the Turkey (to the right) that I invited to live on my blog just rubs it in every time I look at him. I thought he was cute .... now he laughs at me. Two freaking days.
Anyway.... We are going to Punderson Manor for Thanksgiving Dinner. I still feel that I have to cook a dinner... that will happen on the weekend.
Back in the 80's and 90's of the previous century...we had a few old order Amish ladies that would bake a multitude of yumminess to sell in our store. Mary Miller would host Amish Wedding Dinners for the "Yankees" as a part of tour group our store was connected with. I had the pleasure and privilege to be invited by Emma to a full Amish Wedding Ceremony and Dinner for her son Mikey Slaubaugh and his bride. This is one of my cherished and greatest memories...Oh the pictures I mentally took that day!
Here is one of Mary Miller's recipes that I will be making this weekend:

MARY MILLER'S DATE NUT PUDDING
Batter:
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons butter
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dates
1/4 cup nuts

Syrup:
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups hot water
2 teaspoons butter
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Whipping Cream

Boil syrup for 5 minutes and pour into cake pan. Mix the batter ingredients together and pour the batter on top of the syrup. Bake for 30 minutes at 325 to 350 degrees or until a toothpick comes out clean just off the center. Cool and serve with whipped cream.

Happy Thanksgiving! Outen The Lights

Jay C., James A., Jelly and Jam

Jay C. Smith was my great-grand uncle. Born in Ira, Caynga County, New York, April 28, 1838 to Aretus Gregory and Keturah (Davis) Smith. Jay was the fifth of ten children.
I became interested in Jay as I am in possession of his diary. I have posted the last entries made to his diary which you can find below. He did not die on the battle field in a grueling battle...but he died in an Army Hospital of disease. His words are few but in reading his last words I can feel the cold and see the bleakness that surrounded him. Feel the warmth of the fire that he took refuge in when his own hospital bed was frozen.
Company B of the 41st OVI Regiment was formed in Geauga County, Ohio. Henry W. Johnson and L. T. Patchin went from village to village, neighborhood to neighborhood, with the flag flying, to the step of a fife and drum....this was grass roots recruitment. Jay C. Smith at the age of 23 entered the service for the Battle of the Rebellion, August 20, 1861.
Can you see these men walking with the flag?...Can you hear the fife and drum?
Can you see the anxious faces of young farm boys ready and able to fight for their country?
I am sure Jay started recording his Army days on August 20,1861. I don't have any proof that an earlier diary existed but I think it did. Even when Jay was very sick he made entries everyday without fail.
What else can I learn from Jay's diary? Tucked in the back slot is a teaching certificate dated 1858.... so he was a teacher...maybe. A few newspaper clippings one for "Cottage Pudding and Sauce" and "Buttermilk Pudding with Maple Syrup" and "Apple Jelly"... Many hand written recipes are in the last 8 pages of the little book. The writing appears to be that of my great grandmother Lodiska, sister to Jay.
Interesting recipes.... maybe I will post some of these. Tomato Pickles, Ginger Snaps, Sponge Cake, Mince Pie, Fruit Cake, Lemon Pie, Spiced Peaches, ( Note: My Mom made these are they were the best). I can get lost in "olde time" recipes.
The Smith family is buried in South Newbury Cemetery. This was a bustling farm community at one time. James Abram Garfield (later our 20th president) spoke at the Union Chapel at South Newbury. This is a great bit of history....Garfield was barred from speaking at the Congregational Church...the parishioners did not think it was proper to speak of politics in the house of the Lord.
In 1856, the people of South Newbury built the Union Chapel,dedicated to free speech...... across the road from the Church. The walls of this small yet mighty building heard the voices of James A. Garfield, Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, Louisa M. Alcott, Theodore Parker, the advocate of the 8 hour working day, and John B. Gough, three time candidate for president on the Prohibition ticket. Wow! Wow! and Wow!
Field Trip....7 miles from our front door! Here is what we found:

A Tribute to Jay Cleveland Smith, My Great-Grand Uncle

Louisville, Kentucky 41st Ohio Regiment
Jay Cleveland Smith (28 April 1838- 26 January 1862)
His diary as follows:

January 1, 1862 Wednesday
The weather looks like rain this morning. Henry Hotchkiss came this morning and I went with him to his friends, where I partook of a splendid dinner. I walked back and was about bushed.

January 2, 1862 Thursday
It is cloudy and unpleasant this morning. I did not feel very well stayed in the house all day. Did not go to bed tonight. Very slippery.

January 3, 1862 Friday
It is rather misty and cold this morning. It rained quite hard before night. John Whitlam came in here today. He came from Camp with James Sisk. Two of the 91st boys started from here for Camp this morning.

January 4, 1862 Saturday
There was some signs of snow this morning. I feel rather miserable today. _____
______ came to see me today. There was a lot of sick men brought in tonight. I received a letter from R. P. Bennett Jr.

January 5, 1862 Sunday
It is not very pleasant. This morning some of the Ohio boys were sent to Cincinnati. I started to go a visiting today but the _____ did not______.
It rained and froze.

January 6, 1862 Monday
I was taken with the measles today and sent to No.4 Hospital. I was some sick, but did not like this place very well. Slept on a miserable bed tonight.

January 7, 1862 Tuesday
Ached so bad from lying on a bad bed. I got up and went to the fire . Thought it could no more than kill me and it would surely do that, to lay in a bed that is froze up solid. I slept very sound.

January 8, 1862 Wednesday
I began to feel quite well today. I am very weak and my back and sides pain me so. I am in misery. We have awful hard life here.

January 9, 1862 Thursday
It rained hard most all day. I lay on the bed about all day. A hundred sick men came in last night. They sent some of the Ohio boys to Cincinnati today.

January 10,1862 Friday
Nothing new on the program today. The room as noisy as ever. I had some mush and milk for supper tonight.

January 11, 1862 Saturday
Got up this morning and made my bed for the first time in this hospital. Got some potatoes for dinner with sprouts two inches long. I took a dose of oil today , the first I can remember of.

January 12 1862 Sunday
It rained very hard some of the time today. I would like a clean shirt mine are both dirty. The nurses all came out with white shirts today.

January 13, 1862 Monday
It is pretty cold today. some of the boys started for their Regt. this morning. L.T. Patchin came here to see us today. The bed hurt my bones horribly tonight. Very cold.

January 14,1962 Tuesday
It was very cold this morning. I did hate to get up. did not feel as well today as yesterday. preat came in last night sick and came here today. Some more sick men came in tonight.

January 15, 1862 Wednesday
I took some pills for the dierer did not do any good last night. Was so weak I could hardly walk. i lay on a bed just about all day. Some more sick men came in to night.

January 16, 1862 Thursday
It was very unpleasant this morning. I took six more pills tonight for my dierear.
Brigadier Quartermaster Johnson came here last night. Advised me to go home. I felt rather offended about it.

January 17, 1862 Friday
I felt worse today had a hard fever the Doc's gave me they're powder. I was glad when they were gone. Pleat came again today. I could not sleep tonight.

January 18, 1862 Saturday
lay afed gr as a
"The last words he ever wrote was to sick to finish what he commenced"

January 19,1862 to January 25,1862 no entries.

January 26, 1862 Sunday
Pa reached Louisville this morning, Jay was very anxious to come home, and laid his plan for coming. Thought he could ride in a boat as easy as to lie in the hospital. But his journey was different from what he anticipated..He died at 10 o'clock P.M. Very cold and dreary.~~~ written by Lodiska Smith, Jay's sister

IT'S GRRRRAPE!

Making Concord Grape Pie has become a yearly ritual... a rite of passage into fall.
Squeezing one of these fruits of the vine and the robust taste explosion that comes afterwards,just says... YES! FALL IS HERE!!!! It's happy dance time...I am baking pies! Concords may not be available everywhere...and they may be pricey in the grocery stores. Grapes grown nearer to the Lake Erie shores are the best.

Lake Erie Concord Grape Pie
1-9 inch pie crust unbaked
4 1/2 cups Concord grapes
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
Oat Streusel (recipe below)

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees

Wash grapes and remove skins by pinching. Keep the skins.
Place the pulp in a saucepan and bring to boil and cook a few minutes until pulp is soft. Put through a food mill, while pulp is still hot to remove seeds. Mix strained pulp with all the skins. Stir in sugar, flour, lemon juice and salt.

Place grape mixture in unbaked pie crust shell. Sprinkle Oat Streusel over filling. Cover pie crust edges with foil. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 20 minutes more until golden. Cool on wire rack.

OAT STREUSEL
1/2 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar,firmly packed
1/4 cup butter

ENJOY!

Mummies,Witches,Ghosts, Cats and Pumpkins.... Oh! My!

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Betz Takes A Rest!

 

I can't find words to describe Betz. She is a bashful witch. She is beautiful in her own way!

Meet Hedra!

I just finished this wee field witch. She comes to life at night and runs around the store looking for mushrooms!

Time Flies....Run and Catch the Wind!

There was so much more Summertime when I was younger. I pretended I had a diner at my slide in the backyard. My imaginary special was the Hay Seed Soup....but you had to sit on slide step #3 to be served. All my "regulars" loved my cooking. There was always a new secret spot to explore...especially near the banks of Butternut Creek.

Reading the posts of the blogs I follow ...There is a time and a purpose for all those little things that make up a much bigger picture... Most of us are busy trying to keep up with our businesses...sewing, painting, and designing...others are cooking, canning and eating great things from the garden. But, some are mourning losses in their families as well as celebrating new beginnings.

I forgive myself for not blogging in almost 2 months. Tim, Lily and I are now house broken. We trained Lily to ring a strand of sleigh bells attached to the door knob when she needs to got out! Lily has tripled in size to about 30 pounds. As for detante..hum...Max is having the hardest time getting used to Lily...he was the baby and he just doesn't get the purpose of Lily. Max turned 2 years old on September 23. We each celebrated by eating 2 shrimp.

The seasons they are a changing...it has been so warm..so nice. Tomorrow it is going to rain and maybe highs is the fifties on Monday...where did the Summer go? I stood on the bank of Butternut Creek today and the wind blew the leaves of the elm tree...I saw these leaves when they were only buds... really not that long ago. My thoughts went directly to what I had wanted to get done this year and what I actually accomplished... instead of running to catch the wind .... I will turn and face it head on in the sunlight and just let life be.

A Few Vacation Pix!!

Lucy and Lily and Liberty!

Tim and I vacationed in Minnesota, near the Boundary Waters. Tim's family is from that neck of the woods. We had an excellent time, celebrating with family every night at a different cabin. Food, food , family, food , family, family! You know what I'm talking about.

This vacation started with a visit with LUCY!!! Lucy of http://lucyslazydayzprimitives.com/ How that much energy and creativity can be in one little body, I just don't know.....I am inspired.

I was so honored that she and her husband took time out of their busy day to met Tim and me. Thank you Lucy and Tom.

If you are near Tomah WI stop in and see" Counrty Spirit Shoppe" it is beautiful. Lucy rocks!!! (I bet she hears that alot)

We made the 820 mile trip from Chardon to the Twin Cities in 14 hours. The next day was final leg to our destination. With sister-in law Terese and her husband Lawarence, in from San Fran ,we traveled three more hours straight north to Lake Vermilion.

Happy July 4th to all!!

"Will you be at the parade in town?" "Meet us at the usual corner by the bank". "We have a lot to do before the after-parade-reunion party". " Can we pick anything up at Zup's Food Store?"

"MOM!!! Carol and Tim adopted a puppy at the parade!!! "

Yes, there is the pitter patter of new little paws in our lives......Lily!

Let me tell you about the greatest puppy dog in the world.....I know your dog is better than mine, but just give Lily a moment.

Lily is a Cocker Spaniel/Bassett Hound mix. Big eyes, big ears, big feet, little legs.

Lily loves everyone and everyone loves Lily! She was a favorite at all family gatherings.

Detente pact with Lily, Ming, Max, Su and Mia being worked out as I write....Updates to follow!

Peace and liberty to all......man and beast!