Happy 2013 Friends!

From Our House To Yours...

From our house to yours....

Big Hugs,

Mary

It's all most here, can you feel it?

You don't want to miss out on this one friends!

Good morning friends, I would like to remind everyone that today is the last day for sign ups for Carly's wonderful Blog Hop Giveaway, at Boggy Bottom Bayou Blog. I know most of you have already signed up already, but just in case you haven't you need to do so now! Today is the last day for sign ups with one lucky winner being announced tomorrow. I don't know about you, but I think it's so awesome that so many wonderful artist have chosen to share there talents with all of us once again. What a beautiful thing to have a chance to decorate our homes with such much "Love" from so many generous artists and their creations!

Until next time friends....

Big Hugs,

Mary

Please Join Us In Prayer

If you would like to share this prayer chain, you are more than welcome to take.

WHOOO HOOO WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

Good Morning friends,

Well the day is finally here to announce the winner of my Santa and Snowman give away.

But before I do, I would like to THANK each and everyone of yous for choosing to sign up for my little give away and for sharing all your wonderful memories with us all. I don't know about you, but I have so enjoyed reading them all and it has brought to mind so many wonderful ones of my own.

I also would like to THANK everyone for their kind words about my little creations. It has been a tremendous boost to my confidence not to mention it has made my little ole' head grow quite large! LOL You are all winners in my eye's and I wish I could give each and everyone of yous a Santa and Snowman, but unfortunately It would be too costly and would take me forever and day to get them all done. I do however plan on having more give away's in the near future seeing this one has been so much fun, so I hope you continue to follow along! Getting on with what you have all come to find out.... and not rambling on any further..

THE WINNER IS.....

Congratulations Jennifer http://jennifer768-thecountrymouse.blogspot.com/, as soon as I receive your information I will get this out to you right away so you can enjoy!

Until next time friends.....

Thank you so much again,

Big Hugs,

Mary

LAST DAY FOR SIGN UPS FOR GIVEAWAY!

LAST CHANCE  TO SIGN UP!

Good Morning friends, 

Just wanted to remind everyone, today is the last day to sign up for my give-away. If you have not done so and are wanting to just go to the post below and sign up.

Winner will be announced tomorrow December 8th.

Good Luck to everyone!

Until tomorrow,

Hugs Mary

WoooHoo... I's finally Give-Away Time!! Also Photo's To Share Of OLM's Ornament Swap.

Good Evening Friends, Well after many hours..... a bit of hair pulling and a few choice words ( Pic Monkey gave me fits all day, in editing my photo's Ugh!)  I finally have my giveaway ready to share. My Olde Time Santa giveaway will run now through December 7th. and I will announce the winner on December 8th, this way you will have it in plenty of time to display and enjoy them for the up coming holidays. This giveaway is for all my friends living in the US and Canada only. Sorry but shipping rates are to expensive to ship else where. New followers always welcome. Please make sure I have some way to get a hold of you if you do not have a blog or are a non-reply blogger.  If you would like to be entered into my giveaway please leave a comment telling me so, also for a bit of fun I would love to hear what your favorite childhood memory of Christmas was and what was the earliest time you can remember getting up to see what Santa brought you. :)  For an 1 extra chance post with link back to my blog on your sidebar. For 2 more extra chances do a post on your blog with a link back to mine, telling about my giveaway. Please leave a comment telling what you have done and leave it in all one comment, telling me how many chances to put you in for.

Now that all the particulars are done lets get this giveaway started, shall we?

This giveaway is for my Olde Time Santa, Snowman and Sled. Santa and Snowman have been all handmade by me and given that old time look. My pictures really do not do justice to show the old worn time look off. Santa stands a full 9 inches tall and his little friend is approx. 51/2 including sled. They are both made from ornsburg and wool fabric and grunged to make them look old time.  I am also including the feather tree with rusty bells which I thought would make a great addition to this little vignette!

I would like to take this time to thank each and everyone for stopping by and visiting from time to time. I truly enjoy your visits and comments.  I have met and made so many wonderful friends through this blogging journey of mine and I am truly blessed for all your love and support and look forward to each and everyone of your visits!

Before I close I would also like to share with you my wonderful ornaments that I received from Old Lady Morgans Ornament Swap that were made by some very talented friends. First one is a wonderful woolie ginger made by Trace from Granny Trace Scraps &Squares. I am so in woolie "LOVE" with this sweet lil' guy!

Next I received another wonderful ginger, this time from sweet Brenda from The Rusty Thimble. This little guy is grunged to prim perfection and will look so awesome on my tree!

Wait there's two more, yes two more..... look how lucky I am :) *Giggles* The next one came from another talent artist named Janet from Olde Crow Primitives. This little crow is just prim delightful and I cannot wait to display him along with all the rest on my tree!

Next is this wonderful Belsnickle made by sweet Amy from Bumble Bee Lane. I was in Awwww when I opened Amy's, as a couple years back I was lucky enough to win a giveaway that Amy was hosting and it was for a wonderful salt glazed Belsnickle and since that time I have been hooked.....and have been collecting them ever since!

And.... this little bag of yummy goodness was included in my box from our Sweet friend Marie, from Primitives By Old Lady Morgan. I have to say it has been quite the challenge to save this little bag of goodies to show off.....but as I write I am munching and punching letters.....Oooooh soooooooo good! hehe I wonder how she knew I have a thing for sweets! heheh
I would love to thank Marie for hosting such a fun swap and for all her hard work and time putting into it and  making it such a great success! I would also like to thank all the wonderful talented gals for their beautiful creations. I love them all, and I am so looking forward to displaying them on my tree as soon as I can get it up and decorated.
Ok friends, on that note I am going to close, I hope you haven't fallen asleep on me with such a long post tonight. I thank you all for sticking with me and letting me share. I hope you will decide to join in on my giveaway. If you would like to visit any of these wonderful talented gals I have provided the links to their blogs (Just click on the blog names and it will take you there). Good luck to all!

Until next time friends,
Big Hugs Mary

Give-away Starting On Tuesday!

Good Evening Friends, I know I promised to start my special giveaway at the end of the week,

But, I have had a few unexpected things come up here at the old homestead which has caused me to be a little behind in doing so. My giveaway will start instead on Tuesday Nov. 27th. and will run till Dec.7th. I am really sorry for the delay, as I know your all excited to see what my give-away will be.. 

I hope you will come back for a visit on Tuesday and join in on the fun!

Until next time,

Big Hugs,

Mary

Happy Thanksgiving!

We Have A Winner And A Special Surprise!!

Good Morning friends, Well the day is finally here for the winner to be announced for the Big Blog Hop Christmas Ornament Giveaway........are you ready to find out who won?

And the winner is.....Kim from Valley Primitive Stitches! Wooo Hoo Kim! I have emailed you, and as soon as I receive your info, your Santa's will be on there way!

I would like to take a moment and Thank Brenda aka The Rusty Thimble for hosting and coming up with such a fun giveaway! I am sure you would all agree it has been so much fun! I also would like to Thank the many wonderful talented artists who so graciously donated there creations to help make this giveaway a a success....."Thank You" gals all your work is truly amazing!

And to you my friends, a special "Thank You" to you too...for taking part and for all your wonderful comments. 

I look forward to visiting and sharing our blogging journeys together!

Now onto the special surprise...are you ready? hehe I noticed that I finally have reached 150 follower milestone.....so my special way of saying "Thank You" to all, is by having a special giveaway myself :)

I will announce all the details by the end of the week.....and pictures of what I will be giving away...So stay tune friends, I hope you will come back and join in on the fun!

Until Next time,

Big Hugs,

Mary

Last Day For Sign Up For The Bog Hop Give-Away!

(Isn't this picture just the sweetest, I just had to share. My daughter that owns a Doggie Day Care business has been taking picture's of her clients dog's that come to daycare everyday. She is making Christmas cards for their owners. This lil' gal is one of her dogs that she owns. Will post a few more picture's soon.)

Good Morning Friends, Just a reminder that today is the last day to sign up for The Christmas Ornament Blog Hop. If you have not done so by now, just hop over to The Rusty Thimble for all the details and a list of  of the many talented artist that have so graciously donated their wonderful ornaments and a list of their blogs that you must visit so you can get in on this giveaway before it's over.

You must hurry friends, as the give away ends tonight a midnight and the lucky winner will be announced sometime tomorrow. Wishing Good Luck to all!

Until till next time,

Big Hugs,

Mary

The Christmas Blog Hop Give-Away Is Now Under Way!

(After many inquiries about my Santa's in regards to selling them: I will consider taking a few orders for them. *Please note that colors my vary as they are made from hand dyed wool*. If  there is a particular color you are wanting, please enclose in your request, and I will do my best to try and accommodate....  Price is $10.00 each plus shipping or a set of 3 for $26.00 plus shipping. If Interested please contact me and I will get an invoice out to you through pay pal... )

Good Morning friends, Well the day has finally come for the Big Blog Hop Giveaway to begin. You will have from today, Nov. 12th till the 18th of Nov. to sign up for this giveaway.  On the 19th of Nov. one lucky winner will be announced. and they will receive all 37 wonderful ornaments you see above. Yes you read that right, all 37! Now how awesome is that! There was a total of 15 very generous gals, such as myself who have donated all the wonderful creations the lucky winner will be receiving. You will need to stop by and visit each of their blog's and let them know you want to be entered. The "First" blog you need to go to is Brenda's, there she will have a list of all the blogs you are going to be visiting and all the details and rules about the giveaway will posted there on her blog "The Rusty Thimble".

(You Can Click On Pic. To Enlarge)

Now if you have done all that and you are here to sign up for my little goodies (the three Santa's above), my rules are simple.......All I ask is that you be a follower of my blog and you leave me a little comment below telling me you want to be entered. That's it, pretty simple huh? lol If you care to share on your blog or sidebar, we would appreciate it very much. I wish everyone the best of luck.... have fun!

Until next time,

Big Hugs,

Mary

Are You Ready For A Gigantic Give- Away?

Good Morning friends, I want to share with you about a "Gigantic" giveaway that is going to be starting on Monday morning . As many of you know by now Brenda from "The Rusty Thimble" has been hosting a ornament a week giveaway. Starting on Monday morning Brenda and many talented artists(including myself) have teamed up together, to bring to you a gigantic giveaway...just in time to help with your holiday decorating! All the details will be posted on Brenda's blog "The Rusty Thimble" on Monday morning and it will tell you what you need to do to sign up and be a part of the giveaway. One lucky winner will be winning all these primtastic ornaments pictured above.And Below is 

 a little sneak peek of what I have donated which will be included in the giveaway. 

 I hope I have sparked your interest, and you will visit back here on Monday along with visiting Brenda's blog to find out more on all the details.

Wishing All A Blessed Sunday!

Big Hugs

Mary

Marmmie's Little Halloween Treats

Hello friend's, I hope everyone enjoyed there Halloween. I know I sure did! Thought I would share with you my special treats....My Grands, they surly have a way of always making my day with there precious smiles........Here they are all dressed up and ready to start there Tricks or Treating! They were so excited, they could hardly wait to get started! LOL

After returning back home and enjoying our Cider and doughnuts...it was time to say good-nite.

They left with their bags full of treats and ready for a good nite's sleep...A fun time and special memories were made on this spooky Halloween night!

Until next time friends,

Big Hugs,

Mary

Happy Halloween!

From my house to yours......

Wishing all a safe and Happy Halloween!

Untill next time,

Big Hugs,

Mary



Fall Give Away Going On Now At Sweet Creek Bear Whims!

Hello friends, I would like to tell you about a wonderful Fall Giveaway our sweet blogging friend Jody from Sweet Creek Bear Whims is hosting. I am sure you will not want to miss out on this one gals! Jody is so generously giving away to one lucky person this sweet OOAK pumpkin candle holder that has been designed and all handmade by Jody herself! Now, wouldn't he be just the perfect addition to your fall decor?  Wait that's not all Jody is giving away, she has included a wonderful snowman pad...which I am sure we all can all put to good use and if that isn't enough.......she is has a;so included in her giveaway one of her wonderful bars of homemade soap! If you had not had the pleasure of trying one of her bars of soap, you are really missing out on something so wonderful and luxurious my friends! Her soap is really a must try and smells so yummy too! I can't begin to say enough good things about her soap and if you can not tell by now.....I am sooooo hooked on it! ( Thanks to Carol from Buttermilk creek farms...hehe, She so generously gifted me a few bars in my box of goodies she brought to Shipshewana for me, you can read all about it in my previous post below)  Jody does sell her soap from her website (many scents to pick from) and many other wonderful items too, from her awesome patterns and creations to a lot of supplies for all your crafting needs...While your signing up for her giveaway make sure you stop by her website and check it out....I am sure you will find something that you will need or just have to have! Her giveaway is going on now till Oct. 15th. with winner being announced on Oct. 16th.

Good luck my sweet friends!

Until next time,

Big Hugs,

Mary

New Falloween Treasures From A Wonderful Friend

Good Evening Friends, Tonight I would like to share with you some wonderful treasures that I was so lucky and blessed to have won from a wonderful friend Valerie from http://thewoodenacorn.blogspot.com/ "The Wooden Acorn". Valerie was celebrating having finally settle in her new home after a very long journey of moving and decided to share her joy with us all, by having a Falloween Giveaway.  She had four very generous give aways. One to be given away each week for the month of  August with a "Grand Surprise" box to be given to one lucky person at the end of the month just for signing up for her give away through the month. Each week Valerie very generously added to the surprise box and at the end of the month all the names were put into a drawing and she picked out one lucky winner.........can you guess who that winner happened to be? Yeap you guessed it.....Moi!  :)

Oh my gosh gals, when I went to her blog and seen my face posted (yes she posted the picture from my bio, which made it so nice as one could then connect a face to the name) on her site I could not believe I had been chosen as the lucky winner.....I even second guessed myself and had to read the whole entire post to make sure the person I was looking at was really me! heheh OOooooh and the treasures she added to the surprise box were every crafter's dream come true! Well, instead of me telling you, why don't I  just show you...hhehe

Look at all the wool would ya! I told you it was a crafters dream come true! All wonderful warm color's of fall. And if the wool wasn't enough, she included three beautiful spools of Valdani thread all warm fall color's also! Then there was a spool of my favorite wool thread. Gals if you do penny rugs this thread it fantastic for doing so. It compliments all colors of wool and yet stands out and gives your piece a more prim look. Valerie does carry it in her ESTY shop, which can be found here http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrimFolkArtShop?ref=em

Valerie also included this wonderful Falloween book, loaded with tons of beautiful fall projects and patterns

Penny rugs, pumpkins, Wool pillows.

 A wonderful little squirrel pattern all made from wool. Punch needle pattern and many, many more other patterns too. This book is just awesome friends, and Is already one of my favorite books for fall projects...So many great project's that I want to do! If this wasn't enough, Valerie also included in my little box of treasure's this wonderful Halloween note pad too!

If you have not have the chance to visit with Valerie at the Wooden Acorn http://thewoodenacorn.blogspot.com/yet, you are really missing out on meeting such a special gal! Valerie is just the sweetest and always makes you feel so welcome! Gals, if you have a few free moments stop by and say hi......I know she would love for your visit! She also has a wonderful ESTY shophttp://www.etsy.com/shop/PrimFolkArtShop?ref=em which I mentioned above. It is chocked full of wonderful patterns from needle punch, rug hooking, stitchery, pennies, to name just a few. She will also now  be carrying notions, vintage finds, Valdani  thread sets, both for punch needle and stitchery and many, many more great items.  I have been shopping with Valerie for a few years now, and her shop is one of my favorite places to shop! Not only does she have an excellent assortment of crafting items....but the service is impeccable and I can always count on receiving my items within a few days! 

I just LOVE all my new treasure's and can not thank Valerie enough for everything she has so very generously gifted me......and for the wonderful service she has given me by making my shopping experience with her such a PLEASURE!

Thank you Val, and thank you my sweet friends for letting me show off my awesome new treasure's tonight....

Until Next Time

Big Hugs,

Mary

Last Of Vacation Pictures

Good Evening friends, I am back once again to share with you the last of the few remaining pictures from my little vacation to Shipshewana Indiana. The pictures are of the Amish that I am so very fond of.

I have to say out of all my pictures of our trip. This one by far is my favorite. Just look at the sweet innocentes in her sweet face.

 The large barn in the background is a huge antique shop. Two floors tall with tons and tons of antique's!

Loved walking through and looking at everything. There was such a large selection of antique's made it super hard to not want everything! hehe

                                       Here is one of there school's. Notice the Hand Made sign.

 On the side of the school, is a row of children's bikes. That is how these children get to school.

(Remeber you can click on the picture's to enlarge if you want).

Well friends that is all of the pictures of our little trip. Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed reading all about Shipshewana Indiana, just as I have enjoyed sharing with you all!

Until Next Time

Big Hugs 

Mary

Part Two Of Do Dreams Really Do Come True?

Good Morning friends,
         I hope my post finds you all well and enjoying this Blessed Day. I finally made it back to post part two of our wonderful vacation. I am so sorry for the delay, if I kept you waiting. You might want to go grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea as this may be a bit picture heavy.

Gals, If you ever get the chance to go to Shipshewana and are looking for a "WONDERFUL" place to stay at, The McKenzie House B&B is your place! It is not located directly in Shipshewana, but in a small town called Middleburry which is only around 10 minutes down the road from Shipshewana. The house sits back from the road and nestled in a very beautiful country setting.

Here is the main house. Which houses, the owners apartment (Bruce and Sheri), three rooms that are available for guests (one of which Carol and her hubby stayed in). It also has a gorgeous sitting and reading room which guests are aloud to use. A dinning room where all the wonderful home style breakfasts (Sheri, can cook her heart out friends, everything she makes is an experience in it's self and her home made Baked Oatmeal is to DIE for!) are served daily. Then there is a small area connected to the dinning area where there is fresh coffee, drinks and snacks which are left out for guest to help themselves anytime throughout the day.

It also houses a huge theater room located in the basement along with a movie theater popcorn machine & popcorn that the guest may use at any time....Plus on the other side of the basement is a awesome music room, that guests can use also......Now how wonderful is that!!

I am sorry, I didn't think to take picture's of the inside....but trust me when I say this, it is absolutely gorgeous inside. So, welcoming and decorated all in a country decor.

On the left side of the property located steps away from the main house, sat the guest house. That is where Mark and I stayed. In the guest house there are two apartment type rooms. One on top and ours which was located on the bottom. 

Here is the side view of the guest house and picture of Mark enjoying the peace and quite before heading out for our busy day.

Would you like to see inside? Well come on in, let me show you around.  Here are some pictures of the kitchen area.

Everything was just impeccable and super clean! Nothing left to need or want. The kitchen area was very well stocked from dishes, coffee & coffee maker, tea, hot apple cider mix,fridge, microwave to wonderful place mats and great smelling candle on the table. Next we will head into the small living room. 

There was also a small desk and lamp located on the other wall in the room. I love how the wall was made to look like an old bar door! So neat....and just added to the country charm of the room. Are you ready to see my most favorite room in the house? Can you guess what it is? If you guessed the Bedroom....you hit the nail on the head sorta' speak.....hehe

Gals, let me tell you......this bed was to die for!!! It was a real feather bed, and to lay in it, was like I had died and gone to Heaven!!! The bed just seemed to cuddle every inch of your body and I have to say It was the best sleep I have had  in a very long time.

The whole McKenzie house experience was themed around a bird/country theme. Thus for the birdhouse headboard.....which is I thought was really creative. There was even a small sound machine located on the kitchen counter, which played continuously of lovely birds chirping and singing....I found it to be quite relaxing.  

Here is a picture of the bedroom wall, which had old windows hung on it with hand painted birds on them. They were painted by a local artist which sold his Art at the flea market in town.

Notice the same barn door theme in here also.

Next is the bathroom, which had a huge Jacuzzi tub (with tons of candles displayed throughout for those romantic evenings **wink,wink**hehe ), shower and dressing area.  The bathroom not only had tons of towels but even well stocked with full size luxury body wash and shampoo! Now how often do you see this when staying on vacation? Usually have those teeny tiny little bars of soap and tiny bottles of shampoo! See I told you everything was impeccable here!

Last of the pictures include the fire pit and a wonderful flower vignette located on the side of the main house
and a large built in pool and Jacuzzi for guests to use anytime. A wonderful screened in porch was also attached to the side of the house by the pool for those days when the bugs became bothersome and you did not want to sit outside.

This ends our little tour of the McKenzie House friends. As you can see everything while staying here has been so exceptional and it has been added to my book of wonderful memories. Bruce and Sheri has a saying when entering their lovely home.......and it goes like this
"Come As Guest, Leave As Friends"
This saying is so true by far, I can't begin to thank them enough for making our wonderful visit to Indiana such a special and awesome experience! Thank you Bruce & Sheri for making us feel right at home!!

The Inn Keeper's Sheri and Bruce
Well friends I hope I haven't bored you to tears....and that you enjoyed your little visit with me and all my pictures of the McKenzie House. In my next post I will have a few pictures to share of the Amish.
Until next time friends...
Big Hugs,
Mary