Graduation Celebration

This past weekend we went to WV to celebrate my daughters graduation from James Madison University. I am so proud of her, it has been a long journey going to school and raising a family.
She still has a year and a half to go, she is starting school at Mary Baldwin to finish her social work degree, so she is almost there. I can never thank the Lord enough for how he has touched her life.
She has overcome her eating disorder, she has an insulin pump, (you probably can't see it, but it is in her pocket and looks like a pager). She loves it and it controls her blood sugars so much better, and she is feeling well and happy! I am just so thankful! When she feels well she is just so bubbly and full of life.
 I invited my family and we had a big family cookout. We had such a wonderful time, the only thing,
my battery died in my camera, so I didn't get all the photo's that I wanted to. But I will share the ones I did get.
I love the conveniences of living in Va. being close to everything and my grandbabies.
But when I go to WV it is like another world, so laid back and peaceful.
 We are praying about what to do with that property. It is really hard taking care of both places,
plus the expense. I have a brainstorm of creating a website and renting it out for weekends and weeks of vacations. I really think people from DC and the city would just love it there, so peaceful and remote.
That way it would help pay for it, and also we could still enjoy it. Not sure what all I would
have to do to make this happen.
 I also want to show an Americana cross stitch that I recently finished. The pattern is by Joyce Reed,
she has several with the mammy and children. I just love mammies too.

Surprise Stephanie and Mat

Family, I am so blessed.

My parents and most of their clan.

We are putting the cards for Steph in an old picnic basket

Old building

Beautiful view of the mountains

The other side of the farmhouse

Little Bo

Another view

Just love these old buildings

Ronnie, Bo and me

Americana cross stitch

Until Harvest, A must read!

I am a book reviewer for Bethany House, my only requirement is that I read the book and give
an honest review.
 A while back I read the first book in the "Appalachian Blessings" series "Miracle in a Dry Season",
and I knew when the second book came out that I would have to read it also.
 The author Sarah Loudin Thomas is just wonderful, one of the best authors I have found
in a long time. She makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. This book was awesome, I just couldn't put it down.
 The story takes place in 1975 in Wise, WV. That got my attention right from the start, since
I grew up in WV and we now have a farmhouse there. I also graduated from high school in 1976, so
that was my era. he he
 Another thing that really touched my heart is that one of the main characters is a type 1 insulin diabetic. I know first hand what the struggles are with that,  having a daughter that is a diabetic.
 The book centers around Henry Phillips and his family. Two of the other main characters are a young
girl named Margaret and her diabetic sister. Margaret is Henry Phillips grandmother's caregiver.
 A tragedy happens in the Phillips family that turns Henry's world upside down. It takes Henry
a while to realize that he isn't the only person around that has trials and heartaches.
 It is a story about tragedy, but also of hope, family bonds and healing.
 I recommend this book highly and know you won't be disappointed.

New Prairie dolls and bonnets

I don't have time to craft like I would like. But I do want to show you my latest creations.

I especially love to make prairie dolls and bonnets. I recently made two prairie dolls and

four bonnets. I am offering these for your consideration. The bonnets are $22.99 each plus shipping

and the standing prairie dolls are $45.00 each plus shipping. Please contact me "Farmhouse Prims" to purchase or

for any questions. I accept MO or paypal only, thanks.

Wonderful Swap

I don't blog like I used too, but I can say that I have made so many wonderful friendships through blogging. And I know some of those friends will be a friend for life. One of those friends is Tammy Wellman "North Carolina Primitives From the Past". We usually do a swap or two every year,
we recently did a swap and I want to show you the wonderful goodies that I received from Tammy.
I am hoping that one day soon, Tammy and I can meet in person, that is on my bucket list and I know it will come true one day. Now to show you my wonderful swap goodies.

Is this Christmas or what, even us big kids like gifts.

Love this mammy in a can, wool, bowl, burlap flower, tin candle holder, 2

 mini bread boards

Wonderful standing prairie doll and standing gingerbread doll set, Love this!

Wonderful civil war soldier and tarts

Big prairie girl, love her. She is wearing the cutest apron, look at her fingers.

Finished Pinkeep and gardening

It has taken me a while but I finally finished a pinkeep that I have been working on.
The pattern is by "The Blue Attic", you can find her patterns on etsy. It is a large pinkeep approx.
9"x9". She has an entire series of cross stitch patterns with a "Little House on the Prairie" theme.
I just loved this pattern.
 I also planted some flowers and this year my husband, my son and I are going to try gardening.
We have planted lettuce, radishes, onions, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and green beans.
I am so excited about our garden to have fresh vegetables. If it does well I am going to even
try my hand at home canning. I am a practical person and like useful things for gifts, my
husband asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day and I said a pressure canner, I just
hope I am able to use it enough to pay for it. he he
I also want to share a photo of our May Christmas gift from Cole and Riley.
 Hope everyone is having a beautiful Spring!!!

I love my garden flags

Love planting flowers in old things.

My window box

Love planting flowers in old coal buckets

Love my Americana decor on my front porch

Our garden

an eraser, coin, cross, letter, drawing and photo's

The Love Letters

I am a book reviewer for Bethany House. I am given a book to read and my only requirement is that
I give an honest review of the book. As you know I love amish books and am especially fond of Beverely Lewis. I read her book, "The Love Letters". What an awesome book, it was one of those books that I was unable to put down and didn't want to end.
 The story takes place in 1966. Marlena Wenger is a young Old Order Mennonite girl who
goes to spend the summer with her recently widowed grandmother. Shortly after arriving she
learns that her sister, (who had broken away from the amish faith), was in a car and her husband
is away at war.
 The couple have a baby girl and someone is needed to take care of the little girl until her mom is well, Marlena thinks that this will probably only be for a few weeks at the most.
Marlena also is miles away from her Old Order Amish Mennonite beau and hopes to return to him shortly.
 The story also centers around Marlena's Grandmothers neighbors who are Amish. They have
a handicap son who becomes friends with a homeless man who has dementia.
The homeless man treats "Little Jay" with respect and overlooks his handicap. They develop
a bond with each other that will touch your heart.
 This book is one of those books that you never want to put down. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. I recommend this book highly! A must read for the Amish lover!!!!

Click this link, You tube video, "The Love Letters"

Visit to the Amish Country

My best friend Shelia and I made our Spring trip to Lancaster Pa. last week, we were able to spend two nights. We had the most enjoyable time. We always enjoy riding in the country and looking at
the amish farmland. We went to probably 5 amish greenhouses, everything was so lush and beautiful.
 We also hit several primitive shops. It was such a relaxing and fun trip. I will show some of my purchases. Sorry I didn't get any amish photo's except one. It is hard to get pictures of them especially
since the amish don't want you to take their pictures.  I go there at least twice every year and I never
get tired of it there.

Amish plowing their fields.

Chicken wire lamp

Old Glory Banner

Small bathroom trash can

Some of my greenhouse purchases

Americana table runner

Burlap valances with stars

Bigger look of dining room

Hoosier with Americana runner and canvas print above hoosier.

Canvas print

Americana table runner

Americana table square

Chair for porch

Star arrangement for porch