Ol' Blue

I found a picture of Ol’ Blue, recently. Some of you may remember me telling the story of her before. If you haven’t, well here goes!

I started driving Blue, a 1980 Ford, when I was 4! Yes, four! My daddy would load hay in the back of ol’ blue and we would head out to feed cows. My mom was expecting my brother and didn’t go out to feed with us. Daddy would stick her in granny gear (1st gear) and stand me up in the seat, jump out and start throwing hay out to the cows as the truck inched along. Now I don’t remember the day I must’ve drove crooked, but I’ll NEVER forget the day I drove straight!

As daddy was getting out of the truck, he kept telling me to “drive straight.” As I approached a big water hole, I pondered his words and my 4 year old self reasoned that if he wanted me to drive around that water hole, he wouldn’t have pointed me in the direction of the wet spot and emphasized “drive straight.” So I didn’t go around it. When ask why, I said “but daddy, you said drive straight!” We walked home on a cold winter day and got the John Deere tractor and went and pulled her out.

Flash forward 10 years and I drove her all over the community, to church, grandmama’s house, checking cows and following the tractors between hay fields. (I got my first paycheck for driving a tractor at age 11.) Drivers Ed was only a technicality and the first time I ever drove an automatic... where was the clutch?!?

The air conditioner spit water at you (it felt good on a hot summer day) and operated with a light switch, the radio only worked with a wire running from under the steering wheel and wrapped around the radio dial. More than 1 pillow had been lost in the seat. The bed was held together with a cable, because too many loads of hay and fire wood were wearing it out. Daddy locked his keys in it one night and reached through the floor board and opened the door. A wheel took off in the opposite direction of the truck one time. Everyone teased I would drive her to school when I turned 16. I always said no way!

One day daddy called from Lone Star Steel and said to meet him when his swing shift was over with a truck and trailer. Ol’ Blue had died, just a few months before I turned 16. I was relieved I didn’t have to drive her to school... but dang, we lost a good farm truck that day!

As today is “Labor Day,” I’m reminded of our upbringing - this long weekend would have been a prime square baling weekend. Daddy usually would take vacation from work to work even harder in the hay fields and we would be out of school to drive tractors, rake hay, and pull hay wagons. There would be many loads that looked similar to this!

We were taught “work before play.” Take care of your responsibilities, before the rodeos, play days, and 4-H shows, etc. We worked hard, but we played hard too! Today I’m thankful for a family that taught us the value of hard work and responsibility!

4th of July

Wishing you all a Happy and Safe 4th of July! 

 As our nation celebrates its independence, I realized the date holds another significance in my life. It was 25 years ago today, I received my first paycheck.

That morning in 1992, my dad woke me up and ask if I wanted to learn how to drive a tractor that day. A few lessons driving out beside the house and I was in the hay field that afternoon. My Granddaddy stood on the draw bar of his Farmall tractor, giving me instructions on where to go and made me so nervous. I raked hay for an hour and a half and received a paycheck for $7.50! I was paid in the field, that very afternoon.

My family had a commercial hay baling operation and that day they needed two crews running and I became the new hay raker, at 11 years old! The first summer or two, I just raked for the square baler, but before long, I was in the out there everyday. I proudly sported a "farmer's tan" every summer and learned a strong work ethic from my family. I drove my Granddaddy's Farmall 140 when we baled square hay or "Little John," my favorite John Deere tractor when we baled round hay.

I've earned a paycheck ever year since and by junior high I had a checking account and buying most of my own clothes and remember writing a check at the book fare and paid cash for half of my first truck, before I turned 16.

I wish I had pictures of those tractors and events, but back then, the camera didn't get taken out very often, so this is a picture from the hay field a couple years ago.

Now, if you think that was the day I became a farm girl, you are wrong... I actually started driving a truck when I was 4 and you can read about that farm adventure here! 

Ol' Blue

Ol' Blue - I started driving our blue pickup truck, the winter I turned 4! Daddy would put it in "granny gear" and point me across the field. He would jump in the back and throw out square bales of hay to the cows and I steered her along. 

One day he specifically told me to "drive straight." Apparently the day before I drove crooked. I came to a large water / sink hole... Now being a four year old, scared to disobey, I decided I must "drive straight," because if daddy wanted me to go around it, he would have a.) pointed me in a different direction or b.) not specifically told me to "drive straight."

Well, when we got stuck, he ask why I drove into the big wet hole? "Daddy, you told me to drive straight!" We walked home and got the tractor...

 I've always been a farm girl! 

(I know I've told the story of Ol' blue before, but it's a favorite childhood story and I like to retell it from time to time!) 

Countin' Calves...NOT Sheep

 

Last night I was wide awake, like after 3:30 am type of wide awake. I've been on the puny side this week and went to the doctor for the first time in a looong time. The combinations of medication I am taking, had me playing on Instagram, reading Twitter, browsing Pinterest, playing on Rhonna Designs app (picture above) and using all my lives on Candy Crush as well as reading all about bronchitis and sinus infections and side effects of drugs to treat these ailments till the morning hours.

 

I flipped and flopped, tossed and turned, starting at 8:00 pm. Somewhere along the way, I started counting calves. Calves, you ask? Not sheep? Well, you see, when I was a wee little girl and couldn't sleep, my dad told me to count calves. We raised cattle, not sheep.

 

Now you ask what this picture has to do with counting calves? Way back when (I was 3 or 4), my family had cows in the pasture on the right of this dead end lane and my grandparent's herd was on the left. In my childhood imagination, when I counted calves, they were always climbing under the barbed wire fence on the right, crossing this road and then slinking under the fence to go to Granddaddy's place. So now when I have a sleepless night, I still count calves the same way!

 I got my medicine changed today and I am feeling better than earlier in the week. So hopefully when the sun goes down tonight, I will be ready to fall asleep. If not, I'll be counting more calves!

 

Vicki's Country Wedding

Today I would like to feature pictures from Vicki's country wedding. Vicki had ordered burlap and lace bouquets from me earlier in the year and sent me pictures of her April wedding this week. 

 

I love her dress, boots, and all the turquoise! Vicki and her bridesmaids carried bouquets with turquoise, tan, chocolate brown, and cream burlap  roses with lace.  

 





 

 

 

 

Come as you are

Stay as long as you can

We're all family

So no seating plan

 

I like how weddings are focusing less on who sets on what side now. 

 

Here's one of the guys wearing a burlap rose boutonnière. 

 

 

Seriously, the bridesmaids have the cutest dresses, that I'm sure they will wear again! Brown and turquoise is one of my favorite color combinations.

 

 

 

 

I love all the country, cowboy and cowgirl decorations they used and seriously want a piece of cake now!

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Vicki and her new husband! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day and for sharing pictures with me! Wishing you all the best in your new marriage!

After the Rain and a Cute Bird Nest

After a summer rain, everything looks better. No matter the reading in the rain gauge,

a nice evening shower helps wash away the dirt and lift the spirits. We received a light rain this afternoon and I found myself out with my camera. Not too  much is blooming in the yard right now...its just been too hot and dry. I did find this rose bud that enjoyed a drink.

 

 These two junk buckets are holding on with the heat. Last week, we watched a sweet little birdie build a nest in the bucket with the mixed flowers. She has a tunnel style nest built under the purple petunias. I guess she is a fan of rusty junk and approves of the bottomless bucket for a home!

 We think it is some type of wren that has built the next. I watched each day as one new egg appeared. I've yet to capture a pic of the mama bird. (Follow along on Instagram for bird updates.)

As I wondered around with my camera, I noticed these onions that were plopped on the rail of the gazebo.

 Just thought they kinda looked neat sitting there!
 

 

We definitely need more rain. If I hear one more person day "if it rains, its gonna ruin our plans..." yada, yada, yada...I'm going to scream. It was two years ago that the drought and fires were so bad and we don't need a repeat of that.

 

Hope y'all are all having a great summer and staying cool!
 

New Ready to Ship Burlap and Lace Items

Last weekend I got caught up with my custom etsy wedding orders. That hasn't happened since the first of the year and only lasted about 12 hours! I am so thankful for all of the wonderful brides I have worked with this year that have kept me busy, busy. I truly appreciate everyone who has allowed me to be a part of their wedding. 

Instead of cleaning house, going to the movies, taking the day off, or anything like that, I added new inventory to my store. Most of these items will be available only one time. 

 Here are a few of the 

NEW and READY TO SHIP 

BURLAP AND LACE  ITEMS: 

Here comes the bride sign, perfect for ring bearer or flower girls to carry announcing the bride's entrance. 

An all white/cream sunflower and burlap rose bouquet. 

I also added a couple of shabby chic, rustic wreaths to the store. 

I think this rustic, nature themed bouquet would be perfect for a fall wedding on the farm. Sunflowers, tan burlap roses with pearl accents, pheasant feathers, feather grass, pussy willow branches, and hanging amaranthus comprise this bridal bouquet. 

This cream colored burlap and white lace head band would be great for any young attendants to wear at a wedding. It would be just as adorable on a sweet baby girl too! The headband is a super soft and stretchy white lace. 

Also new is this shabby hat with a big burlap and lace flower on the side. 

I had a few request for flower girl balls, so I made up this one as a sample. Mini burlap roses with lace accents cover the flower ball. 

To find these and more items, please visit my etsy shop at http://GypsyFarmGirl.etsy.com