Pennsylvania Countryside Ride

This photo is to the entrance of The Open House Shop off of I-80 exit 78( Brookville, PA. ) on Rt. 36 north about 1 1/2 miles on the right just passed the Quilt Shop that is on the left. The little Yorkie is named Bailey. This website will give you the details and some photos of this shop ~ http://www.gailsprimitivegatherings.com/theopenhouseshop.htm

This little shop is filled to the brim with lots of goodies. Antiques and vintage finds from furniture to buttons, prim towels, longaberger baskets and pottery, good smelling melting tarts (for your potpourri burner) that scents up the shop with a wonderful aroma and olde outside decor, some of which is shown in the photo.

Below is two photos of some *supplies* at the Bulk Country Store that is located at Farmers Inn in Sigel, PA. just 10 minutes from I-80, Exit 78 going north on Rt. 36 ~ turn right in Sigel at the blinking light and go two miles down Rt. 949 towards Clear Creek State Park. www.thefarmersinn.com

The Farmers Inn has a wonderful homestyle food restaurant with a buffet on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, mini golf, a driving range and a wildlife zoo plus Amish furniture and the Amish style bulk food store. And MORE !



This food store has a wide variety of bagged candy, some good *sodey pop* from Kutztown Soda Works, Mrs. Miller's jellies and jams, cheeses and more.



The photo below is of a quilt fabric and gift shop located off I-80, Exit 53 in Knox , PA. only 1/4 mile north. This building was once a General Store way back in 1895.



I found a few goodies at the Open House Shop and at a couple other little antique shops in the area, but it is too dark now to take photos of them. I love finding goodies to tuck in the wall pockets I have been making lately.

This was a very pleasant Saturday afternoon ride with the dh and even the rain held off until we got home this evening.

May your weekend be wonderful !

Hugs,
Linda

Vintage Antique Collections

These are a few things that I collect (that collect dust) ! The chickens/roosters were gifts from three different people and are not vintage. The silver colored pie plate came from an antique store in Connecticut. The crock holding the rolling pins and wooden spoons is not a vintage piece. I embroidered the pocket that is on the green checked towel. I have redone this grouping. I should have taken before and after photos. Prior to this look, I had a small quilt hanging from the bar on the shelf and the cupboard top was so cluttered with stuff that it looked messy.



It is difficult to take photos in my dining room with the light and the big dining table in the way. The lamp shade was bought in the quaint little town of Black Mountain, NC in a little prim shop.



This is part of my newest collection that I started. Olde brushes and vintage whisk brooms. I just love the tiny whisk broom hanging on the side of the broom box. The box was made by Sweet Liberty Homestead. On the little shelf is two green wax frogs made by my friend. They are a honeydew scent.



The shelf was a two dollar find in Connecticut and I repainted it. On the bottom shelf is a grass basket that was made by a lady on the street in Charleston, South Carolina. ( it's holding the pears ) The little teapots are McCoy and Hall. I have redone this shelf also. Looking at some of the prim blogs has inspired me to dust :o) and rearrange a few things.

Hugs,
Linda

Sneak Peek ~ April TDIPT Update Tonight

TDIPT Mercantile will be updating tonight between 9 and 10 p.m. It is hard to believe it is April already !

For April's offering, I have made two prim pockets filled with *needfuls*. I had so much fun making these pockets! The inspiration for the pocket is from Piney Creek Primitives with lots of my own touches. The labels are from Yankee Lane Primitives and the lantern lights are from Samplers Country.

My dh and I went to a huge antique mall the other day and of course, I am always looking for little items I can use for my dolls, etc. I didn't realize how much a sock darner went for ! Yikes !

Right now I am melting one of my friend's tarts in my tart burner.. oh, I wish you could take a whiff of this blueberry cheesecake tart .. instead of the homemade lasagna I am making for dinner, I should have made a big thick blueberry cheesecake instead ! :o)

I am so ready for the warmer weather and sunshine and right now the daffodils and crocus look so pretty after having had all that snow and cold weather.

May you have a Blessed and Joyous Easter. Jesus is the reason for this season, too !

Hugs,
Linda

Strawberries ....

This prim bunny will be listed on ebay this evening. Tucked inside the rusty wire basket that I made are some ripe, sweet prim strawberries from Ol' Mc Ornery's garden.

I have noticed strawberries are now in the grocery stores and just look so yummy , but I haven't bought any yet.

Here in Pennsylvania we had brilliant sunshine, totally blue sky and warmer weather than usual today, and it was just wonderful !

I didn't get a chance to enjoy much of it, though, as I finished up making the bunny, taking photos, and listing her on ebay.

I had to delete my last post because of some pervert's lewd comment. Most of it was blocked out but had the words DVD and sex on it. It would be nice if people like this would play in their own backyard !

May you all have a warm and wonderful week ! Spring starts on Saturday !

Hugs,
Linda

Groundhog ( Day ) Chili

Since there is going to be six more weeks of winter, ( darn groundhog ) I thought it would be a great day to make a big pot of chili.

Most of the ingredients are pictured above, except for a teaspoon of sugar sprinkled over the tomatoes and of course, the groundhog.. I mean ground chuck. :o) Here is my chili recipe:

1 3/4 lb. package ground chuck (one and three quarters pound )
1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes, cut them up in the pot
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon of sugar sprinkled over the tomatoes in the pot
1 16 oz. can light red kidney beans, drained
1 16 oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained
1 16 oz. can chili beans, drained slightly
1 onion, diced
1 medium size green pepper, diced
1 stalk of celery , diced..optional
1 -2 tablespoons of olive oil
about 1 to 1 1/2 cups water added

I don't really measure my spices.

Start out with 2 tablespoons of chili powder.. add more if you like it spicier.
1/2 teaspoon cumin, optional
a few good dashes of garlic powder
a few good dashes of onion powder
a pinch or two of Italian seasoning
about three pinches or so of oregano

Brown the ground chuck and add to the pot of beans and tomatoes. Saute the diced onion, green pepper and celery in the olive oil until transparent.. watch it doesn't burn. Add to the beans, tomatoes and ground chuck. Add about 1 to 1 1/2 cups water. Add your spices. Bring to a slight boil then let it simmer all day. I use a heat diffuser on my burner. You can buy a heat diffuser at a kitchen store. ( I have a gas stove. )

Taste the chili about two hours after simmering. Add more chili powder (and cumin) if desired. You can also add some crushed red pepper flakes, if desired, for a hotter type chili.





Serve with cornbread or crackers and a salad ! Chili is also great for a super bowl get together. Serve with sliced cheeses, crackers, tortilla chips. Add a vegetable tray and some dip !



Happy Groundhog's Day ! Not for us, though, that live in Pennsylvania.. six more weeks of winter ! :o(

Hugs,
Linda

This is the nicest note !

Below is a note that a customer sent me about my Stella Swampbottom froggie doll. This really makes a doll artist's day !

Hugs,
Linda

Stella did arrive and I haven't stopped smiling since she got here. I can't even tell you how much I like her - it makes me happy every time I see her. It is everything about her but especially the mask - it's just too much : ).
This is truly one of the best things I've ever purchased for myself. And, I have to tell you too that was the most fun I've ever had opening a package - ever!
She's taken up her post and she's the first thing you see when you come in the front door. I've got an army of people coming in next weekend so they'll all get to see her too! They'll be very envious : ).
Thank you so much for bringing this entertainment into my life! She'll be treasured.
Thanks for the bonus pumpkins too! This has been so much fun!!