~ Wishing all a Safe & Happy New Year ~

Anticipation......

anticipa-a-tion is makin me wait.

One of my very good customers/friends is so very thoughtful!

She was kind enough to send a box to me at Christmas. She knows how much I love dogs, and along w/ a few really neat ornies featuring dogs.......

she sent something for my girls.

Mia, being the Alpha doggie around here, of course wanted first dibs.....

on these yummy all natural Peanut Butter delicacies from the Doggie Bakery


She knew they would be worth the wait.


My Three Stoogettes were all so very patient while I made them sit still for a pic

they were on their best behavior too

even Missy Moo, our mentally challenged girl, managed to sit and wait, on command.

They love the Peanut butter yum yums!

Thank you dear friend for not only thinking of me, but of my girls.

We think you're

JUST THE BEST!!!

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas!!

Hope for Hope...an update

Some of you who have opened your hearts and been so very kind as to take an interest in the recovery of Hope (the starving and extremely emaciated dog found in Ohio) by sending in donations have wondered what is going on w/ her now. I knew since you were kind enough to try to help her, of course you would want to know if your donation has helped to make a difference, so I have been emailing the nice people who have taken Hope in and are caring for her to see what progress has been made since we learned of her need, so that I could share w/ you. Below is the response I got from the President of the Animal League
Thank you again for all of your help.

Hello, Thank you for the donation, we are close to having enough, but we have not yet finished out her vet work. She has to get her second treatment done before getting spayed, so I don't yet have a total on her vet care. She is doing well in her foster home, although she is food aggressive with other dogs, which is understandable with her starving.We had a program come forward that would like to take her in, it is a prison program here nearby. She would go into training with them and then go up for adoption. Just check in with me and I can keep you updated.Thanks,Katie----- Original Message -----From: Pkelly306@aol.comTo: info@aplmercer.comSent: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:56:42 -0800 (PST)Subject: my donation for Hope

And the giving continues....

I'm delighted to say that the giving continues.

My good friend Mo has created a wonderful holiday piece and is offering it on ebay w/ promise to donate 50% of the total to Hope's care! She is a huge animal lover and a kindred sister indeed.

A very special Thank You to all who have donated on my ebay offering, and also, a very heartfelt thank you to 2 more of my wonderful customers who are sending payments to the Animal League to help in Hopes recovery!

Thank you Caroline and Darlene!

These are difficult times for all of us financially, and it is so very kind of you to reach into your wallets and give. Every little bit helps, and again, together we all can and do make a big difference!

Merry Christmas !

My Last Auction for 2008

**Dashing Through The Snow **

~ Helping Hope ~

Here's my last auction of the year. I'm gonna donate 10% of auction total to help that sweet little angel of a doggie "Hope"

She's the one my friend Angie has been telling us all about. Just refer to my previous post to read about her, and see a pic of her, and if you're inclined you can even donate money to the Humane Society. She is nothing but a bag of bones, but in no time at all w/ a little bit of help from many, she should be on her feet, feeling good and looking even better. She's a beautiful girl, just look at those eyes. I think she's a Hound Dog!

Thanks so very much, and Happy Holidays!

***UPDATE***

2 of my customers have emailed to tell me they are sending a check to the HS for Hopes care !

Thank you Jackie and Marguerite!

Can you help......

Will you help?

Tis the season, right? The season of giving. Will you find it in your heart to give to help this sweet angel. I could take her in my arms right now and love her forever. Just look at her. Who could do this? Who could stand by and let this happen to man's best friend? Sadly, animals in this condition are far more common than we would like to believe. I know it is hard for some to hear, and it is hard for me to hear too, but it is the reality. Will you help?

Her name is Hope,

and she is in dire need of our help. Angie from Love the Prim Look has made it her mission to try to gather up as many people as possible to help, and through just a little giving from each of us it is possible to save this sweet gals life.

Hope was found terribly emaciated and will die without help. She came in from the Auglaize County Pound and is heartworm positive. A temporary foster has come forward, but the money for her treatment must be raised. If you can help this girl, please donate by clicking here or send a check to

APLMC, P.O. Box 663, Celina OH 45822. Please mark that is it for HOPE!!

Please don't turn away and do nothing. Please help if you can, even if it is just a dollar, it is help. Enough dollar bills can add up to a sizable amount and can make all the difference.

Thank you~

I want to help this poor angel, and I'm going to.

Tomorrow I will be listing my last Christmas set of the season on ebay. I am going to donate a portion of the total sale to Hopes care.

Please check out Sue of oodlekadoodle Primitives, she is donating money from her patterns to help Hope, and also, Peapickers Primitves as well, and please swing by Angie's blog to read more about Hope.

Together we can!

FUN Times & Christmas Cheer in TDIPT-land!

Oh MY!!!! The members of TDIPT are just finishing up yet another fantastic, best in the prim world swap!

As always we had a blast, and to add even more fun to the mix, it was a Secret Santa Swap, so we didn't know who was sending to us. Well, I did, b/c I am the one who drew the names, but it was a blast watching others try to figure out who was sending. I had my secret gal, and then another gal who joined our group late and not in time to join, so her and I decided to swap w/ one another, and boy, there was just no going wrong! I was just delighted w/ all the goodies I got from Michelle of The Blackberry Briar!

Just look at all she sent me! She went above and beyond, and spolied me rotton! She sent her wonderful tarts, room sprays and candles! THEY are beautiful, and smell just wonderful! She also sent a nice bottle of wine from Illinoise, and boy was it yummy! She sent me candy from a wonderful candy shop called The Confectionary. I got Black Licorice (my fav), and some yummy chocolates too! I got a Wind and the Willow Cheeseball mix too! Yummy!

BUT, my very favorite of all was a wonderful handmade Americana Belsnickle. He is wonderful, and I will cherish this treasure forever! How did Tink know I loved Americana?

Mmm, Cranberry Bog, and Autumn Spice, and a yummy Christmas Pine Scent!

Just look at this sweet fella! Who could ask for anything better, and boy, up close and personal, her work is perfect!

Thank you Tink, I adore averything!

Next up.....Jamie of Peach Street Primitives!



Well, once again, I hit the mother lode! Jamie is not only a super sweet gal, she is very talented, and she teaches pre-school. I know she has the patience of a saint!

Everything arrived looking so lovely. She took time to make sure it all looked pretty and festive when the box was opened.

She sent me an old Curier and Ive's tin, w/ some handmade ornies in it. She aslo sent a couple of books, a pumpkin bread mix, and cider too, and of course...candy!

I got a wonderful hardcover book called Old Dogs (I wonder how Jamie knew I loved Dogs?), and I can't wait to read it! Also a neat cookbook.

But, best of all, this sweet little vintage baby shoe that Jamie turned into this darling pinkeep, complete w/ vintage buttons, pins and ribbon. Isn't it gorgeous?

I will cherish this forever as well!

Thanks so much dear Jamie, I love it all!

Now, only a couple of months, and we get to do it all over again ! Hurry SPRING!

May you have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving

My Selling blog

I've started a blog to sell my dolls on. It's still under construction, but one of my friends already found me and stopped by for a visit. What a nice surprise it was.

Anyway...I hope to add some small items for sale for the holiday season, so be sure to stop by and check out my new selling blog. :)

Thanks as always and Happy H0lidays!

A Very Special Auction

I don't usually promote other's auctions, but for a good cause, i'll do just about anything, especially where the animals are concerned. This auction is certainly worthy and is very near and dear to my heart, and let me just say, the work of this gal is exceptional!

Pam of Goldiloo Woodworks is donating 100% of the sale of this auction to

The Humane Society of Marion County in Arkansas.

Pam is a friend and fellow animal welfare advocate, and she has a big big heart. And although she loves all animals, like me, she has a special fondness for dogs. She lives in rural arkansas, and she is always finding unwanteds along side the road, or at peoples homes, and she and her husband will always help, by bringing them home, and finding a shelter to take them in. Anyone who works in animal rescue knows this is not an easy task. Most shelters are full, and are not always eager to take in another animal. It's not that they don't want to, it's that they only have so much room, and limited help, and very limited financial funding. That is why this auction and the charity it represents is so important. So many people love animals, but do not realize that the shelters are so limited in their ability to help b/c of lack of funds, especially in today's economy, the animals and the shelters are really suffering.

Anyway.....if you love dogs, and you've ever lost one, this auction is for you. Perhaps you know of someone who has lost a beloved dog? What a nice gift this would make, and you would be helping out an animal at the same time. Again, I cannot say enough about the quality of Pam's work.

If you're inclined to help for a good cause, then please take a look at this

very special auction!

Thank you!

Happy Belated to you Mim

I wanted so badly to pay tribute to my late Grandmother last Friday for her birthday, but I was under the weather, and then playing catch up w/ sewing. I know she won't mind me being a little late.

Yep, Halloween was my Mim's Birthday, but if she was a witch, she was the Good Witch of the East! We always had a party for her every Halloween, and it was always so much fun to celebrate w/ her! We called her Mim, which is French for Grandma. She was the best Grandma ever, and I do mean ever! Warm, loving, and caring, like all Grandmothers should be.

As a child I spent my weekends and summers at her house, along w/ my cousin who was the same age. I lived for Fridays! I have so many fond memories. She taught us how to sew, and when we were real little she would order little crafts through the mail, and we would always look forward to coming to her house to create whatever she had gotten for us. She enjoyed it as much as we did, and she was so very patient w/ us. She made everything fun!

She used to can everything from pickles to peaches to mincemeat, and it was nothing like they sell in the grocery store! Mmm, I can still remember the smell.

She loved to reminisce about the old times, and we loved hearing her stories.

Christmas was always spent at Mim and Pip's house, and I just cannot tell you how magical they were. She loved to decorate her house, and it looked like a Christmas Wonderland, w/ those old Putz houses, and twinkling lights, and tinsel, and the blanket of snow on the mantel, oh she had so many decorations, I sure wish I had them now. She bought a Santa suit and stuffed it full and dressed up for us kids. She would make her voice real deep, and I can still hear her say "Ho ho ho!" she was such a kid at heart! She loved RED, and there was plenty of it in her home too. Oh, what I wouldn't give for another Christmas Eve spent w/ her when we were little and she was in good health, when things were so simple, or so they seemed to us.

She lived a good long life to the ripe old age of 85.
She always told me that I looked like her when she was little, and now when people see pics of her, they comment on the resemblance.

Here she is on her Wedding Day in 1928, that's my Pip on the left.

And here she is holding my Mother in 1930

Lovely...inside and out! I love you Mim, and I miss you every day.

My latest custom order

A sweet gal asked me for a black Santa door hanger, fashioned after my Snowfolk hanger from last year, and I was so very happy to oblige!

I considered it an honor that she would ask me to create a Santa for her, but not knowing exactly how he would turn out, I was a bit nervous, but I'm relieved and happy to say that after showing her the pics of him, she is pleased. I like him too :)

Thanks for letting me share!

I love Autumn, and this time of the year makes me want to bake up a storm!

I came across this yummy sounding recipe from the

Crown Point Bed and Breakfast in
Crown Point, New York and just had to share it!

Pumpkin Cheese-Filled

Pecan Muffins

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin-pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sour cream
3 ounce package cream cheese, cut into cubes

In a large bowl mix flour, sugar, pecans, pumpkin-pie spice, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl mix eggs, pumpkin, sour cream and melted butter. Add to flour mixture. Stir until blended only. Fill greased muffin tins half full. Place cream cheese cube in the middle and top with more batter.
Bake approximately 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.

Enjoy :)

TDIPT's Dreaming of a White Christmas

Be sure to join us for our TDIPT Mercantile's Christmas Open House celebration during the month of November!

We've got wonderful door prizes created by some of our very own TDIPT artists, as well as a $50.00 gift certificate up for grabs. To be entered into the drawing, all you will need to do is sign up for our TDIPT Newsletter. It's a 2 step process, so be sure to follow through and get confirmation. Anyone who purchases an item from the Mercantile will have an extra chance, w/ every purchase made.

We're celebrating this fun and festive event w/ our second annual

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"

theme as well. All of our artists will create Christmas Treasures in hues of white, off white and lovely creams!

Hope to see you there on November 1st!

Happy Birthday to my Nunny!

Today, my Nelly Girl (we call her Nunny or Nuh Nuh) turns 8! I think that's 56 in dog years! No wonder she's so grouchy.

No worries Big Nel.....you're not getting older, you're getting better!

She refuses to smile or don a party hat for her special day, and this is nothing new, this has been the case since her very first birthday back in 2001.

Well, I guess every party needs a pooper, thats why we invited her!

I could hardly get her to look at the camera this morning for a birthday pic. In fact, I couldn't, she just laid there quite aloof, ignoring me and yawning. She's so board w/ me :)

I love my Nelly, she is the oldest of my 3 dogs. She came to us at only a week old. Her eyes were not even all the way open. Her Mommy had been hit by a car, they think. Anyway, she was found in a field full of mosquitos. Some of our friends and neighbors each took a puppy. I took my Nelly to the Vet right away, and he said she was one week old, and we had to bottle feed her round the clock w/ a special puppy formula. We would wrap her in a blanky, and hold her like a baby and feed her w/ the bottle! we even burped her.....hehe!

I'm so glad I chose Nel. You couldn't ask for a better dog. She is like Lassie, so intuitive. She's a bit of a Nervous Nelly at times though, and is terrified of thunder storms!

She's gonna be one pampered pooch today, and I have a feeling it's gonna be a long day!

Danger Will Robinson!!

Oh my.....I bet some of you are too young to remember that quote, and others haven't heard it in a long while, but it's been running through my mind ever since having a mishap w/ this Antique Iron Corn Cob Dryer yesterday.

I love my primitves, but I'll tell ya, I'm not lookin at this piece w/ nearly as much admiration as I once did! In fact, I'm downright scared of it now!

With October soon approaching, I've been doing a bit of Fall decorating, and was eager to get my corn cobs onto this primitive cob dryer for a nice colorful Autumn display.

The dryer is made of heavy iron, and is a bit rusty, but in overall great sturdy shape. The ends of the prongs are sharp like an arrow in order for a fresh ear of corn to positioned on each one and hung to dry. You do have to work at it though, and getting those suckers on there isn't an easy task, especially when your corn is Indian Corn, and already dried, as mine was.

I got a few ears in place, when I was working w/ that one there pictured below. I was pushing and screwing and really working hard to get this one on, and it was particularly difficult, and I wasn't making much headway when all of a sudden, a piece of the cob broke off, and the tip of the sharp metal (and rusty) prong plunged right into the palm of my hand!




At first I felt nothing, then all of a sudden BURN like fire! It is a pretty nasty puncture wound. I realized a bit later that I couldn't recall when I had my last Tetanus shot, so off to the clinic I went.

Needless to say, there it sets, half empty, still needing some cobs added to it, but I'm not feeling the need to today. I'm gonna take a big step back, and give it a couple of days for me to get over the fear......lol! I think I'll get out the trusty drill and pre-drill the holes in those cobs!

The good news? It's my right hand, and I'm a lefty!

Anyway.....if you've one of these neat prim contraptions.....


PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Today is my baby girls 29th birthday! She's in Vegas havin the time of her life, but will be flying back home tonight. We celebrated her special day last Friday by going out to dinner at her fav Mexican restaurant, then it was back home for Cake.....homemade Tres Leche, at her request.

I just love this candid shot of her and Zoey blowin out the candle!

Her birthday has me reflecting back to the day she was born. Like sooo many of us think to ourselves...."if only I knew then what I know now"...oh my, that is ringing oh so true. I was only 19 years old, and my whole life was ahead of me. I was soooo naive!

Anyway....the day she was born, was a beautiful warm and sunny day, much like today here in Michigan. I had gone to the Docs, and my due date was the 20th. She said if I didn't go into labor by then, she was going to induce labor, as she was going out of town. Well....no need for that!

After leaving her office, I went to the Laundermat, and as I was folding clothes, I started having "cramps", no biggie, I thought. I went home, hub was gone, and all of a sudden, little squirts of water.....(no water breaking), just little occasional "squirts", so never having a baby before, I still didn't realize I was in LABOR!!!! I was speaking w/ my cousin on the phone, and she could hear in my voice when the occasional "cramp" would come, and she said "YOU ARE IN LABOR GIRL!". I was reluctant to believe her, b/c there was no massive flood, and no terrible labor pains, but I finally said, OK....maybe I am. Hub came home, I told him, "I think I'm in labor"...and he said "Nah, I don't think you are", and he would know, right??? After pleading my case, and convincing him we should go to the hospital, he finally said OK, but the whole way there he refused to believe I was in Labor. We got to the hospital, and even they were sceptical. I rememebr the nurse saying "Ok honey, we'll check ya, but usually your water breaks when you're in labor, but we'll check ya anyway to be sure". HUH!!!! To their surprise, I WAS in Labor!

Needless to say, that insensitive man is now my ex, and my current man would never doubt my word or judgement at such a crucial time.

Happy Birthday Shannon :)

Coming Soon.....

to an 'Eye Candy' Store near you!

Yep, TDIPT Mercantile will be updating tonight between 9 and 10 ET as always. We've got some of the tastiest eye candy you'll find anywhere, so be sure to come visit us.....and soon, b/c the treats don't last long!

Here's a peek at my offering

Random acts of kindness......

and friends

They do belong in the same sentence, don't they?

Last week, I was the "victim" of such a thoughtful act from a friend, a fellow TDIPT sister.

This is not the first time I've fallen victim to such a display of thoughtfulness, (another friend recently was so generous as to send a Petsmart gift cert to help any animals in my area, another sent a piece of her own original artwork, which I treasure, another sent golf hats for my two guys, and there are more...) but certainly this one came out of nowhere and hit me like a tone of bricks! I was blind sided, in a sense.
Many of you know we are in the midst of a swap in our ebay group, so when I received a box last Friday, I thought it must be my swap box. WRONG.....nope it was not, and as soon as I opened it, the note right on top said..."Patty, this is not your swap box"..hehe! It was from my friend Julie of 7 crows hollow , she had heard I sprained my ankle the week before, and as her note would say, she felt I needed some Chocolate!
Inside the box was a little crock filled w/ some of her scrumptious homemade roca candy (sorry, it's g-o-n-e, so no picture). Some of you TDIPTers have been fortunate enough to have tried it, so you know just how special it is! My whole family loves it, and she sent such a generous amount, I was even able to share it w/ my sister who loves it too. Along w/ that was some flavored coffee, tea, and hot cocoa mix!

Because we were in the middle of the swap, I didn't want to post about it then, but now that I've received my wonderful swap, and given the much warranted kudos, I feel it's only right to give a proper thank you to my friend, for her extreme thoughtfulness.
Julie is a dear, and a very kind hearted soul.

Thank you friend, your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

That's my Story......

and you best believe, I'm stickin to it!!!

There aint no swap like a TDIPT swap!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again and again and again!
I am so blessed to be part of such a warm and friendly group of talented artists! I have never ever seen such generous giving as what I see in our group during swap time. Each and every swap box that is sent out is so very special, and you can really see that each member puts their all into their gift to their partner.

We're in the midst of our Autumn Swap, and it's a secret swap too, so we don't know who is sending to us. I about fell over when I saw this gigantic box that was delivered by the friendly man in the Big Brown truck, AKA UPS!! When I opened it, I couldn't believe my eyes! I love cupboards....all shapes and sizes, but they must be prim! So of course when I saw this beautiful red farmhouse cupboard, it was love at first sight!

It was from none other than the very very talented Jenn of
The Prairie House Primitives!

Not only is she one of the very sweetest gals ever, she's a girl after my own heart b/c she's an animal fanatic, and I like to call her Ellie Mae Clampett, b/c she has so many critters on her ranch! She and her husband, make some of the finest early style prim cupboards you're gonna find anywhere, and they're made from old barnwood, and painted perfectly prim!

As if the wonderful red cupboard wasn't enough, she sent along dog biskies for my 3 girls, and some room spray, goatsmilk soap, and of course...Chocolate!

I couldn't be more pleased, and I can't wait to get it hung in it's permanent spot!

If you're in the market for some fantastic prim furniture, be sure to visit Jenn's website, she has all kinds of goodies for your prim home, and her prices are extremely reasonable! Hop on over to her blog too. You'll love reading about her life on the prairie!

Thanks again dear Jenn!

The Auction has begun!

The Miracles for Mallorey Charity auction has begun, and is off to good start, but we need more bidders...please!

There are some very lovely handmade pieces that were generously donated for this cause, so if you've not visited, please do.

Here is a peek at my simple offering, but you'll have to head over to the site to see the rest of the goodies!

Thanks for your generosity!

It's almost Auction time

I'm so honored to be among the fabulous and generous array of artists who are taking part in "Miracles For Mallory silent auction" , and it's almost time for the auction to begin, so get ready! I've copied and pasted below, some imformation as posted on Shays blog regarding the silent auction that will begin on the 7th of September.



Where will bidding take place?

Bidding will be at Miracles for Mallory, our official website. Click on the bid section of our website to see all the handmade items these talented women have so graciously donated.

When will bidding start & end?

Bidding will start September 7th at 12am and will continue through September 14th midnight.

How will bidding work?

Bidding will be done by email. Click on the "bid" button to email in a bid on that product.WE WILL TRACK ALL BIDS BY ITEM NUMBER.Please include the item number in your subject line when emailing.

This is a silent auction and bidding will remain anonymous, those whom bid will know if they are the highest bidder with a confirmation of bid email from us.

How will shipping work?
We will calculate shipping upon the end of auction and then send out an invoice. If you would like a shipping quote, I can contact the artist or crafter themselves to quote shipping. We have left that up to the artist themselves, some items might be heavy or require special care, please ask upon bidding if you have a shipping question.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~ I will be offering complimentary shipping on my donation ~*~

Today is the day to enjoy the Fruits of your Labor! I'm going to, and no sewing for me!

Hub has the day off, and is still sleeping, and it's so nice to see, as normal Mondays call for him to up and at em by 5:00 AM!

We are having family over, it's a beautiful hot summer day, and a good one for a BBQ and swimming. I won't be doing a whole lotta anything, as I sprained my ankle the other day, so, I'll perch myself somewhere and enjoy the company.

Steve and Stevie bought the Rock Band game......hehe, I wish you all could be flies on the wall. My son can really play the drums and guitar, but he hasn't grabbed the mic as of yet, but hub...he's a different story! He hogs the mic, and he is really good, but I think he takes it a bit too serious sometimes, and that's where the fun begins!

We are gonna host a Rock concert today when company is here, and my daughter, her bf and Zoey, love to sing, so it should be FUN!

Anyway......I hope everyone has a safe holiday, and thank you to our troops and their families for sacrificing, so that we can enjoy our holidays and our freedom!

New For Simply Primitives

Here's just a peek.....be sure to check him out on Simply Primitives tomorrow!

Thanks as always :)

Awards......

I have been given the Primitive Excellence Award by some very lovely and thoughtful fellow artists! Let me just say, I am honored to have even been thought of, and I thank you all!

A special thanks to

Carla of Country Road Primitives

Janelle of Little Sisters Dolls

Edna of Plum Thicket Primitives

Ivonne of Folk Art by the Crackling Crow


Again, thank you for thinking of me, and I feel the same way about your blogs!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



I have some folks in mind to pass this on to. It's going to be hard to limit though, as there are so many wonderful and interesting blogs to visit! I'm a big fan of so many, and so many deserve a special award just for being so generous as to share their life events.

I must pass it on to:


Peanut of Countryfolk Keepsakes be sure to visit.....she's a delight, and she always has something new and fresh to share!

Mo of Wings and Paws Primitives She loves animals, and is genrous in her donations to help them. I think the world of her!~

Starla of Briar Rabbir Prims she's also a fellow animal lover and does so much for the Pitbull breed, and she is just the sweetest gal ever!

Pam of GoldiLoo Woodworks, she's another animal lover, and a heart of gold. Like so many others, she'll put her own needs aside, to help an elderly person or an animal in need.

Jenn of Prairie House Primitives, who, along w/ her husband, makes thee most wonderful cupboards and cabinets, and she too has a huge heart. I think her name should be Elliemae Clampett.....as she and her sweet daughter Riley have taken in so mnay unwanted critters!

Deb of Pilgrims and Pioneers her blog is wonderful.....always a nice prim recipe or history lesson, and she has the best tarts too, let me tell ya!

Jane of Jane Augestein my world in Pictures, just a beautiful blog, w/ happy tails and wonderful scenery.



Now.....for some TDIPT gals who've just started blogging.

These gals are off to a great start!

Julie of 7 Crows Hollow

Deb of Bittersweet Pastimes
and
Diane of Tallowberry Primitives

I'll take ya to the candy shop....

We decided to take a day trip up north to a particular fudge shop to purchase something yummy for my swap recipient.

We're having another Autumn swap in our TDIPT ebay group, and it's a secret swap, and my gal has no idea who is sending to her, but she's getting a handmade somethin......a little bit of this and sprinkle of that, and of course one of her favorite sweet treats from the candy shoppe, and no...it's not fudge!

Anyway...we headed up north to the lovely and quaint village/town of Lexington. It's on the shores of beautiful Lake Huron. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the water was gorgeous, so blue, w/ some white caps. If you can't have the ocean...let me tell ya, the Great Lakes are the next best thing.

We weren't planning on swimming as it was a bit chilly, but it wasn't stopping some folks. Zoey couldn't resist walking in the water to feel for herself just how cold it was.


The view here is wonderful, and there is a pier to walk out on. On one side you see nothing but beautiful water as far as the eye can see, and on the other is the harbor.

A family of swans has been here for as long as we've been visiting the area, and it was nice to see them this time around.

Venturing off the beaten path.....

When we finished walking the pier, we went and had lunch, then bought our goodies at the candy shop. We got back in the car and headed for home, and Zoey was so disappointed to leave.
A few miles down the road, we saw a sign that suggested there was a country store if we turned down the next road. We decided since it was so early still that we would venture out to territory unknown to us, and if nothing else enjoy a nice ride in the country.

What a beautiful ride, and low and behold, there it was, the Country store. It looked so charming and inviting, yet being a Tuesday, and way out in the middle of nowhere, we weren't sure if it would be open for business.

But.....no problem, as the owners live right there on the property, and Peter (the husband) greeted us when we pulled into the driveway, and was kind enough to go fetch his wife (Vera) , and she came and let is in the shop. Ooooh, it smelled so nice inside from all the candles and sprays. Vera had plenty of prim eye candy, and the shop was stocked full of wonderful Autumn goodies!

I loved how she had Mums already placed in her flower boxes, as Fall really was in the air.

Peter and Vera were the most hospitable folks we had ever come across! They let Zoey use their bathroom, and welcomed us into their home.

We even got to meet their sweet and beautiful dog named Freeda. Isn't she lovely? Vera said to us, "don't mind the dog"...boy, she had no idea who she was talkin to. Mind the dog? We were thrilled and delighted to see her, and even more so when Vera told us that Freeda had come all the way from New Orleans. Yep, she was a Hurricane Katrina survivor, and was only 4 months old when someone rescued her from the flood waters, and somehow she was transported all the way up here to a shelter in Michigan where they were able to adopt her and give her a furever home, and what a home it is. All I can say is...Freeda is one lucky pooch~

After meeting Freeda, Peter and Vera asked if we would like to see their tipi, and of course we said "yes". On our way to the Tipi, Peter gave us the grand tour of their huge back yard! They had grapes, and apple trees, and a nice garden, plum full of maters, corn, peppers, squash, and melons.

Check out the Scarecrow! I loved this guy!

Here is the real live Tipi! It was mammoth in size! It came all the way from Oregon.

Peter invited us to come inside the Tipi, where there was a firepit in the very center, w/ rustic handmade furniture placed all around it, along w/ handmade drums and intruments. Everything was true to real Native American life in a Tipi, there were cow hides, and I'll just bet there was a peace pipe somewhere in there too :)

We were VERY impressed, and found it so interesting, and we sure appreciated Peter explaining it all to us. He said sometimes they have some type of gathering there w/ a real Medicine Man!

We were getting ready to leave (after being there a good hour or more), when Peter called Zoey over to give her something. It's hard to see in the pic, but it was a flower he had made from a big stick, and some tin, a make-do of sorts!

These were just the nicest people ever! I can't say enough about them, and this really made Zoeys day! Here we thought we were just gonna visit a prim shop, and it ended up being soooo much more. It was an adventure in itself, and unplanned one, and one we never would have experienced had we not ventured off the beaten path!

Thank you for a most splendid afternoon Vera and Peter!