My kids, my husband have had horses for 20+ years. I lived the dream through them. Two years ago, at 63 we bought back my daughters old show horse. She’s a mare and 22-and she can be a hand full. I had my doubts it would work at first, but we have bonded and most days its a good ride. My saying is “put on your big girl panties, you can do this.” We are lucky enough to have a place to ride on our property and have been on some trail rides. I know that feeling being out there, beauty, peaceful and everything good all at once. I have a coffee cup with the same John Wayne saying. Enjoy the ride!!

I enjoyed the ride with you….thru your wonderful words, it brought back the days of my youth when I rode my own horse….felt the wind, the sun and the clip clop of the horses hoofs flipping on the road….just a wonderful day of riding mes you feel alive! And I love North Carolina…. its my favorite state….that and West Virginia and Pennsylvania…all so lovely country side for riding a horse! Thanks for sharing your event at riding….it brought back wonderful memories of my youth….I miss the ride! Yes, grab it while you still camp it, because once your bones get too old and brittle, you dot dare ride a horse. Boy do I miss it…..sometimes when I drive down this one road, that bumpy road almost feels as if I am on a horse again, going up and down with the wave of the road……makes me feel as if I’m on a horse again….its why I drive/down that road when I can….because it gives me that same country road ride feeling as if I’m on a horse again….its one thing you never forget…thanks fir the ride! Its just as lovely to read about it. Boy do I miss my horse!

Dearest Rebekah,
I just knew you would be riding one day! I can’t wait to see the pictures when you are on your soul-horse, Merlin. Thank you for your wonderful posts! I enjoy them so much!
Your Farmgirl Friend,
Diane

You’re more than half way there. Fear, smear. BTW, Merlin is drop-dead gorgeous and he really does smile.

While I read your blog today, I held onto every word. As a young girl, I went horseback riding with my grandfather as much as I could and enjoyed every moment of it. Now that I’m in my fifties I would be just like you. I would love to have that opportunity to try but it would be scary. Living on a farm has always been a dream of mine.

Ok! Now you know the peace and joy of riding a horse who is well suited to you! This is the way it should ALWAYS feel. Every time. Every ride. Until you are a real bonafide professional trainer. THEN you ride Merlin. You will be happier this way, trust me! I know you love your MM but whoever sold him to you should have known they were doing you a greet disservice. Shame on them. ANDRE is the MAN! (Well, HORSE! ) I am so glad you got to experience horses the way it’s supposed to be!

Oh my !you should have been a writer! You missed your calling! That was soooo enjoyable and hilarious to read! Wow! You lucky girl! Oh what joy horses bring! I too am a farm girl at heart! My husband and Zi built a farmhouse in Boise Idaho last year on our 26 acres! We have the dogs! A cay we named Gypsey who came wondering through our hay field in kitten stage! Three darling Nubian goats named Oliver,Popye and Rueben! All that’s missing is my LIFELONG great of owning a horse! I want the wood barn too! Soon I hope! I rode when I was young and now at 57 I have brains and know I can get hurt! Ha! Scared like you and figured the same as you that if I didn’t ride I would just look at this magnificent creature and pet and feed him or her? Not sure yet! I want a paint! Well ! You have really inspired me to face my fears and go for it! God will help us! Right! Ha! Enjoying the beauty of nature! Animals! Friends family and let’s not fogey great farmyard decorating and food! Ha! Every day matters! Oh the blessings we have! Your new friend,Cindy , Write to me if you get a chance! Thanks for the terrific heartfelt story! Loved it!

My heart was pounding right along with yours Rebekah. I’m proud of you for taking the chance to ride again. I could feel the fresh cold air on my cheeks and hear the clip-clop along the trail. Your words took me through every horse memory I have right up from when I fell passionately in love with them when I was 9 till this very minute! I never had one of my own as a youngster and I was too busy being a career gal in my 20’s and 30’s to make it happen and doing other fun things instead. But when our daughter turned 10 ( I was 47 then, now 52) she and I signed up for riding lessons together. She was so brave and quite a natural little rider. No fear in that girl. I however was terrified and very fearful but I got on each week and did my best. My instructor was very patient and never pushed me beyond my limits or the horses for that matter. Eventually I over came my fear and began to feel more comfy in the saddle but it took me almost a year to get there! I thought I was close to finally being able to get my first horse back then but finances changed and we stopped lessons. Our daughter never really fell as hard for horses the way I had as a girl, but she has some great memories of her riding ( and a couple of shows she did ) and we will always have our memories of learning together. I love your message in this post. We all have things we are afraid of and it’s best we just get over it and get on with it if we are to have any REAL adventure in life! You go City Farmgirl! You got this! With more help and practice you’ll be on your way. BTW… the horse I eventually felt the most comfortable on was a huge 16 1/2 hands part draft horse and part Hanoverian. He was a bit stubborn and could be a bit skiddish too but over all he was a big love. I was crazy about him! Your Andre made me think of my Bandit! Hugs from the Beach, sister! xo Deb

Good for you! Fly, Fly, Fly women. You did it and it was so great. You have half the battle over. Do you know how many people can not trailer their horses? Many I can assure you. Some are problems with the horses, some with the person who is trying to trailer them.
I do not know if you noticed but your horse Merlin is very attentive of you. See the ear’s , one is toward you and one toward the camera person. All except the last pic and then one is toward the camera and one toward something going on next or behind the car. You really have nothing to fear unless both ears are pointed back and flat then best to get off quickly. I also noticed that your boots have your heal pointing toward the ground that is good. I am not a fan of the split rains and two hands holding the rains. All the horses I rode and trained went for neck raining very quickly and I felt more secure with one hand on the rains and one free to grab the horn should my horse get testy (spooked or just in a bad mood). I am a 72 year old cowgirl who, when young rode her friends horses, then later got her own. I had great friends that taught me to ride both a western saddle and bareback. Believe me when I say that if you get to a point of riding bareback there is nothing greater than feeling the horse in tune with you and you with him/her. Your horse will always be testy when he goes for periods of time not ridden. Then it is best to put a training lead on him and get him to go around and around until he seems to want to go the other direction. This will take the testyness out of him and he will come to you willingly. That is called Joining. It simply means to be one with you and you are the boss. Ask your trainer about it. It will also give you confidence.
Well, happy trails to you and don’t give up. Remember you are at least half way there and go out with a carrot or apple to Merlin and talk sweetly to him, watch his ears that tells you a lot. Horses just love being talked to that way.
Always a cowgirl now in my heart,
Kay

Yours was the first blog I’ve read and I have to thank you Rebekah. Pure enjoyment!

My husband and I trained horses and trail rode for many years. We would go camping with our horses for the most wonderful vacations. The key to enjoying your horse or horses is…..to keep on ridin’. Enjoy.

I was carried away to another place and time as I read your piece here about your “church” experience. All those years ago when I was 20, and lived in a small house on the side of a hill in West Virginia, I remember there were stone outcroppings farther up the hill. They would be warmed by the summer’s daylight rays. At night, in the complete dark, I’d climb up there and sit on the edge of one of those large, warm rocks and look out over the city lights and the river below with its lighted bridge that joined our city with the next. Complete quiet; complete peace (for a short while). Ahhhh, thanks for the memory jolt!

Hi Rebekah,
Snow makes things quiet. You are able to feel the presents of the holy. You can feel, and see all that is.
I have not been to a “church” for quit a while. I have been to God’s church which is all the out doors. The stars, moon, trees, snow or not, the quiet, the clean smell, and the presents of the Lord.
Sing it is a beautiful sound to our Lord. He does not judge on what our voices sound like, instead he rejoices in the sound of a pure heart singing praises. If any one judges your singing tell them that the most important one hears only beauty and rejoices.
I am so happy we have met. I really feel a soul mate in you even though you are young and I am getting old. I do not believe the soul ages, just our out side and the way we look at things.
I do appreciate your writing. I read a lot and your writings are like a wonderful short story that I look forward to. Keep it going I do not believe I am the only one who feels this way.
Until our paths cross again.
God be with you and yours this wonderful time of the year when we celebrate Christ’s Mass.
Farmgirl/Ranchgirl Hugs,
Kay (My friends call me Kay)

Wonderful! I believe that it is natural to appreciate any portion of God’s creations…I would have been out there trudging through the snow with you!
For Thanksgiving, my husband and I trekked over to the small town of Hot Springs, MT. As we were driving along, I noticed MULTIPLE rainbows surrounding us. I joked that the end of the rainbow must have be near our destination, the Symes Hotel, built in the 30’s. It is rough around the edges and folks are welcome to bring their dogs, kids, or whatever with them! Soaking in the hot spring water, viewing the vast sky and mountains is HEAVENLY… They have music on the weekends and adults and children get up and dance with abandon. The lovely woman singing got all of us smiling and moving, as two other ladies in the lobby played native American drums. We later witnessed a young man hula hooping on main street, shirtless! We giggled some more! What a great holiday and reason for enjoying life…

Now you have experienced the calling of God! He coaxed you out of your safe place (where we all like to be comfortable) and brought you to Him.To be silent , in silence,surrounded by nature so your heart could be open and hear His still soft voice!
And He gave you serenity, peacefullness to your heart. To know he is really present always, but sometimes we need the chaos to stop – to listen- thru the stillness, thru a whisper of wind- thru a smile on a face. God is good!
Thank you for sharing your experience, I was right there with you- it was amazing.
Thank you for taking the time to connect with us city girls who long to be beside you!!
Blessings be upon you and your family . Merry Christmas…Cynthia

i always look forward to your postings. i absolutely love the way you express yourself. your pictures are always beautiful. i have loved horses my whole life. you are my favorite farm girl!

i live in texas now but i grew up in pennsylvania. i remember the wonderful snowfalls and now miss them. snow truly does hush the earth.

thanks so very much for sharing your world with me!

Lovely post, Rebekah.

Bless you Rebekah for sharing your spiritual journey. I find my mind and heart at peace when I’m out in God’s beautiful and awesome creation. I can see Him everywhere…in the sky, trees, flowers and animals that I encounter in my travels. I am humbled by His creation. While I admit I’m not much of a winter person(sorry) I am in awe of it all!! May you and your family(both two and fout-footed) have a happy, healthy and blessed 2015

Rebekah, can I just say that I really love your blog posts? 🙂 And snakes? I just can’t figure out WHY we have to have them in our world. It just doesn’t seem right does it? Sending warm farmgirl hugs your way to protect you from those evil creatures! – Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –

oh my! I’m at a loss for what to do with your ornaments in the attic? strong plastic boxes with tight fitting lids for next year but for this year, wow! I liked Nan’s prayer for you and I hope it can continue to help you but I think you need to hire some men who aren’t afraid of snakes to take your boxes out of the attic and open them up OUTSIDE for you AND get all of your ornaments out of the boxes!! Good luck! p.s. I’m scared to death of snakes so I really do wish you the best of luck. 🙂

Well Ho Ho Ho! This post made me smile from head to toe! Thank you for sharing your lovely Christmas tree farm. The cold temperatures you may keep to yourself as well as the snakes. I’ve done a lot of snake dances of my own, I try, I really try to be patient and peaceful with all creatures but alas I fail on occasion. For whatever good it does I’ll send positive intentions your way and hopefully the ornaments will make their way down to safe ground. Best, Kim

Hello there! Wow!!! Loved reading your post. It’s my first of yours, and it was purely refreshing! Someone posted the link to it on my fan group page, and I did the right thing and clicked the link. So glad I did.

We LOVE Frasier Firs. It is THE only tree for us. We’ve been buying them from the same little local produce/garden market for many, many years. The owner orders his trees from somewhere out east, but not sure from whom. They are always fresh and lovely and rarely shed needles. He always buys Frasiers. Is there any other kind?

Your horse is beautiful, um GORGEOUS, actually. I would probably mostly be content to just spend time staring at him and petting his lovely velvet nose.

Now, the snake phobia. Ugh. I do understand phobias – to a tee. However, mine is/was to mice. I felt like you. Somehow I need to learn to co-exist with them because let’s face it, they do show up at times although always uninvited. I never leave food on the counter, live clean and tidy, and don’t do anything to encourage their entrance – except for live in Michigan, where in the fall it starts getting cold and these stupid little animals for some reason, feel entitled to find a warm hideout. Far be it from me to figure out why they choose to wriggle their way through some unsuspecting crack – somewhere – in our house and make themselves at home. Fortunately, this does not happen every year, but every few. And just recently, in fact. My hubby set traps up between the basement ceiling and the main level floor, and we caught three. That seems to be the end of them. I know – to you, a farm girl, it must seem UNHEARD OF that we wouldn’t have trapped them humanely then let them free outside. BUT…then they would have come back in!

I must tell you that I did undergo a sort of therapy session for my phobia when I watched a TV show about phobias, and I forced myself to watch this girl who had a rat/mouse phobia endure several sessions to overcome it. After watching that show, I would say I am 60% cured. I was able to reason with myself, go back to where the phobia began, and deal with it on a level I’d never wanted to confront before. It truly helped. But also…I prayed about it, and asked the Lord to help me. Truly, my phobia was pretty debilitating – to the point that if I saw even a photograph of one, it would put me in panic mode.

I believe God can help you with your snake phobia.

That said, the guys in your life HAVE to bring down the boxes of ornaments, carry them outside and open them, and go through ALL the ornaments before you so much as even think about decorating your tree. I mean, you didn’t watch the TV show with me, so you’re not 60% cured yet.

Sorry for the “book”, but I write them for a living, and, sadly, I can’t say anything in 20 words or less. Ha!

Have a blessed, joyous day, you sweet farm girl.

I am also scared silly of snakes!!!!! I had a neighbor that had a big black snake hanging around and she bought a snake repellent to scatter around her house. Actually in smelling it, it was nothing more than moth balls. Now I don’t know how that would work in your attic during the summer, might get too smelly, but for now, I would be throwing it like crazy up there. I agree with the other post to put your decorations in plastic sealed containers. At least if you can deter them from co-existing In your home, maybe they will move to the barns or sheds or somewhere else, like maybe a neighbor down the road. I know they have a purpose, but not in my world. Good luck, prayers coming your way!!!! Love your posts!!!!!

Now this really is a little bit discouraging, isn’t it? As it was mentioned previously, let someone else do the unpacking this year and I surely hope that they just find a skin that is shed and not the live ones. Does it get cold enought down there for them to hibernate in the winter? That would give you a little time to relax! 🙂 Moving on, I heard a tip from a friend and as I don’t have snake problems can’t give it a thumbs up but it might be worth a try. She said to spray around your foundations with clorox bleach and that should deter the little critters. I don’t know how often often you need to repeat the process but that might depend on rain washing it away. It might be worth a try. Positive thinking and prayer helped me overcome my fear of mice. Still don’t like them but am not terrified of them anymore. Freedom of worry is empowering! Bless you and Happy Thanksgiving.

I’m saying a prayer for you……I use plastic totes with snap lids for everything…Take Care….HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU

Phobias are awful things – I have a few myself do I know whetr you’re at with your snake one. I will definitely pray for freedom from this phobia. God bless you and keep smiling. Love your posts
Denise
Australia

Too fun! Enjoyed the post and comments tremendously. Prayer-done. My snake story: My 13 year old has been asking for a snake for a pet for YEARS. I continually say no because many years ago the boys caught a black snake and kept it over night OUTSIDE in a covered 10 gallon tank. In the morning IT WAS GONE!!! I have NEVER forgotten that. Those things can get out of anything! So I continue to say no because I don’t want to wake up next to a snake! Can you imagin??? (sorry if this is really freaking anyone out…). Anyway, my son has settled for a menagerie of small lizards and I think they are adorable (in their cages).
Enjoy the season and good luck with those ornaments!

Great blog. I surely enjoyed the pictures and your midnight run…lol.
take care and stay warm,
Becky aka Rebecca. (great name!)

Such beauty!!! I can’t wait to take he first bean out of my jar; after reading your post about the beans and August fog I have 18 beans waiting to be removed. I love living vicariously through your farm stories and anxiously await for the next one.

Wish I could hang every one of your pictures on my wall!
Fall is hanging around here in the Ozarks, with beautiful trees in full colors.
Since we get ice storms that snow us in, we have learned to prepare for winter all year long.
Every time I buy groceries, I buy several things to stick in our “ice storm cupboard” for emergencies. Even cans of soups, cans of chicken, extra coffee and teas, are a huge blessing when you are very busy keeping in the warmth and keeping out the cold building fires and staying warm and cannot run to town to the store.
Go thru every room of your house and make a list in the fall and start buying.
You will be so surprised and thankful that you put away for a rainy, snow, icy day!!
Hugs from Noel, Mo, diana

Everyone of your snow pictures were worthy of being framed and hung. Some of the pictures actually looked like paintings. Truly amazing! Isn’t God good!

AweSome Life You Have My Dear !!! Gettin a Tan down here n B| FL !!!
Thanks and Have a GreatDay / ThanksGiving !!! <3

MOLTING is good. I would love to and am working on it.
Hugs and happy molting.
Kay

Those are some healthy-looking chickadees. Congrats on being such a great chicken mom. And the MASH house? Hilarious. Snakes shed their skins also. Or do you avoid any knowledge about snakes:) I’m sure if I molted, I’d hide under plywood, too. BTW, hubby says he religiously reads and enjoys your blog posts. You have a guy fan out here in Idaho. Gives us something to talk about over morning coffee.

Molting and Gratitude. Two very good things 🙂

Lovely chickens you have there, they are so lucky you care so much. MOLTING – yes that is what I am going to try to do. Because I have no feathers to release, I am going do a MOLTING journal, what a great idea you had, thanks much. God bless.

Rebekah, I think I am absolutely GREEN with envy on those floors. OH. MY. WORD. Honestly, I can’t think of anything more beautiful. And that picture of your amazing old farmhouse is just incredible. I think I’m ready to come visit now! 🙂 – Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –

The floors are beautiful! I love wormy chestnut as well, and have a handful-made bowl from it. Cooler weather in N GA the past couple of days. A great improvement over the hot weather all summer. Can’t wait to see the completed kitchen!

X – QUE – SET!!!!! and if it looking greener west of you – that happens to be me!!!
Thanks for sharing.

Love your floors. I love all the character that comes with old and vintage things, and the stories that go with them. Loved your post :/)

BEEOOOTIFUL! Love those floors, and what a way to give life back to that wormy chestnut tree.

The flooring is AWESOME!!!! If I had the resources that you have there, I would have done the exact same thing. I like things that are NOT like everyone elses!

Let’s just say I’m really late catching up on my blog reading. But, the wood is gorgeous! When my parents built a house in the late 70s they used “blue cottonwood” planks from the Mississippi river for paneling in the den and for cabinetry in the kitchen. Huge cottonwood trees would fall into the river and stay submerged for as long as 100 years, eventually floating to the surface, then retrieved to be sawn into lumber. The color wasn’t so much blue, but a warm grey. Well, kind of bluish I guess. I remember the old sawmill man, probably haven’t thought about him since the 70s! I remember him bragging to my dad that he only picked out the best wood from his ‘special, largest, bluest tree’, lol.

Hi Rebekah! I’m getting caught up on your blog and I just read this about the floors. I have to tell you we have a woods that is full of ash trees. And those ash trees are being destroyed by the emerald ash borer. I talked to a local lumber company and in the spring we’re going to take those ash trees, cut them down, and take them to this lumber company to be planed for wooden floors for our house!I think it is going to be beautiful!
I love your kitchen floor! And yes I can believe the kitchen isn’t finished yet. I am going on my third winter in one room in the basement. One snow away from going cray-cray!

Cindy Bee

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I also look my best in fall color’s. I really like the way you put all the words together. Poetry is one of my fav’s.
Hugs
Kay

Rebekah,

If I had to choose one thing that is my favorite about Fall and cooler weather it would be cooking and eating soups! I LOVE soup! As a matter of fact, I still kind of cook soup periodically in the summer but it just doesn’t quite have the same feel to it! 🙂 – Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –

Enjoyed your post as I always do! Just the other day I enjoyed a salad with lettuce and cucumber from my own garden! Loved it, some how it tasted better! I have already made the first bean soup of the season, it a Michigan soup that is loved in my area, the farmers grow the northern beans around here, we even have a festival labor day weekend called the Michigan Bean Festival! To me that means fall is here, for the chlidren don’t start school till the day after Labor day. Also seeing the sugar beats trucks hauling the sugar beats,and corn is saved till the last to be harvested there can be light snow in the fields and they will then harvest it.
Also if you see lots of spiders in the house means and thicker webs means a early and cold winter!

I really like your Fall post. It is my favorite time of year too! Thanks for sharing that with us.

Love your photos and descriptions of the season. Who doesn’t love fall? I say that as I sneeze, yes, allergies, but I love this time of the year and we finally get to air out the house. My indoor cats are beside themselves, smelling the fresh air as they thunder through the house running from window to window.

I miss the call of the geese flying southward. The Sandhill cranes are my favorite with their beautiful wild trilogy call as they head to their southern winter grounds. Unfortunately we are not on the migrant flyways here in NE Tennessee, as we were back in central Texas so we miss a lot of the winged wildlife during migration.

Thanks for sharing! Yes, they all say that this winter is coming sooner than usual and it will be a tough one. Here in Illinois, typically, the Halloween beetles (ladybugs) come out later in October by the zillions….however….this year they came out at least a month earlier which I have NEVER ever seen before. Do they know…maybe? Enjoy this marvelous weather and season!

Guess what? … I look forward to your posts so much they are the first thing I read when I open my emails and see one down in the list of unopened mail. Thanks for all your time and photos.

I think if you start to move into the office, the snakes will vacate. They are actually scared of you, if you can believe that. And leave the door open for feral cat and he will probably de-snake the place for you! Love hearing your adventures.

I so look forward to your blogs!! Thank you !!
Go for the wash house/turned studio office….It will be LOVELY. The snakes will leave.

Absolutely love your wash house, I’m currently in the transition of moving to our 1st home/farm and I’m determined in taking the wash house that is here at my home place which will be sold within the next two years… very emotional yet exciting time. I just love the “old” feel of it and knowing that my grandparents and father hold a part in it’s history and being as they’re gone now it makes it even that much more special to me and gives me that much more determination as to finding a way in having it moved and becoming a part of the new chapter in my new life. So as to your dilemma about your S’s, I say just go for it! As long as you seal up all the cracks and crevices you’ll be fine 🙂

Rebekah, for some reason everytime I get a notice of your new post, when I go to it, it is the Suburban farm girl instead?? Just thought you might want to know. I actually went to the site and clicked on your logo to bring this up so I could send you a comment, this has happened the last 3 or 4 posts that you have posted.

Snakes fall out of trees?

We have several strays they always
know when to be here when the food
is out. Some cats we had to trap them to spayed them. They are happier after and some have become nicer. But some are still wild. It takes time.

The first item looks like a stoneboat.

I absolutely love your posts! So much fun, and though I have no answers to any of your mysteries, I’m thrilled to “visit” your paradise! Just love your kitties, and how clever of you to name them after the Beatles….for your hubby! I believe it’s working! A lot of people THINK they don’t like kitties, until they have an opportunity to get to know them! Kitties just have a different story to tell than dogs. Thank you!

I’m seeing a watermelon (long & striped green), a spaghetti squash (yellow-next pic) and maybe a couple of different kinds of pumpkins. The prickly guy looks like a horse chestnut (tree), to me. The pods dry out and pop open to the most beautiful seeds. I’m thinking you have an adult tree in your neighborhood…
So glad to see Mr. Feral wanting to join you!

the first picture looks like some sort of a grain sifter or grain sorting sifter that would separate seeds from grain. Its hard to tell from the angle of the picture. The first pic of fruit looks like squash, the second looks like watermelon, the third and fourth looks like butternut squash, the fifth one looks like wild wheat or some sort of wild grain. That last one that looks like a sort of prickly fruit is most like milk weed. Monarch butterfly’s love milk weed. So if you have a lot of caterpillars or Monarchs around those- its most likely mild weed. As for the tuxedo kitty who is shy and feral. Its common for kitties to make your farm it’s home- but not make you it’s owner. Keep feeding him and caring for him. he will always love your barn 😉

If those flowers are white and appear at night, I believe you have moon flowers. The prickly pods actually are seeds.

Looks like you have some squash, watermelon, and if the wood thing has screen, I think it is a sifter for grains; but for the life of me I cannot remember what to call it! Oh, I cannot think why in the world you don’t miss north Georgia! It has been so wonderfully(?) HOT this summer. Please send cool weather and rain to Kennesaw! Love reading your posts. I am a country girl at heart.

Hey City Farm Girl! How are ya? I think the reason you should not lay under a hammock (or is it lye…or lie…I’m awful in the lay/lie area) on a fall, breezy day is because those cute little ‘oaknuts’ will be fallin’ from the sky right onto your cute little pumpkin-head! And that one flower with the prickly little ball is what us Northern folk call Moon flower. The plant has a big white flower that opens up in the evening and it’s beautiful..looks like a trumpet….but guess what. In about a month that ball will turn brown, then split open and spill it’s 1000 little seeds all over the ground. The fall breeze will blow them around and next year, you’ll have about 1000 moon flowers. My advice, neuter! We had a mystery item hanging on our wall on our patio as decoration. It’s still hanging there, but not longer a mystery. It’s what they would put on the truck to load piggies. They would walk on it to get into the truck. Maybe I’ll do a blog post on it someday. And how come you never update your other blog? Gotta go for a walk….in my pj’s because who is gonna see me out here…and see if my baby deer are in the ex-bee yard that we now call the ……what do we call it?…..I forget. It has a pole barn where the bees once were…..starts with an “s”….Oh well…gotta run.

Cindy Bee

PS – BLEH! on the beans….we’ve had NOTHING but FOG!

Great post!!!! I’m pretty sure the item you found is a sifter, usually hung on an A-frame on the center hook, then someone would shovel in whatever was to be sifted, grain, seeds, soil that might have something fun (kids mostly did the soil) and a person would be at the handle end shaking it back n forth. I think your vegies are pretty well covered and Love that Mr. Mustache is warming up and yes I will guess you are getting pelted by acorns but one other problem with laying in the hammock on such a beautiful day – I would be taking a nap and not getting done all that I should. But which ever, thanks again for sharing. God bless.

I feel from the other ladies you have many of your questions answered as to your bountiful garden full of mysteries. The Queens Anne’s Lace flowers are just beautiful, and although I have seen them all my life I have just this summer learned their right name, and just last week I also learned that by tinting the vase water with food coloring of your choice will change their color, just a fun little tip. Love reading your posts, always puts a smile on my face. Also keep watch for your slithering farm animals, they seem to be out most in the early spring and fall I have found and like you I too have a huge phobia of them, and just whenever I have relaxed and let my guard down after having an encounter with one they seem to appear again and then the whole process starts all over! Your not alone when it comes to them and your stories let me know the same 🙂 Enjoy your fall days!

My husband, who is over 6 foot cleaned our outhouse to make it usable. He assured me all was okay. However, when 5 foot me went in, I could see the large mud dauber nest under the toiler paper roll. YIKES!

Love it! You need to buy an Old Framers Almanac. They come with a hole punched in them so they can be hung up inside the loo. Really, that’s what the hole is for.
Awesome outhouse.

Rebecca- That is TOTALLY awesome!!! I think that is just the cutest thing ever!!! Outhouses are becoming almost extinct and you have “preserved” or created a thing of the past, how absolutely wonderful!!! You are great!

Oh OH OH – Loo Outhouse!!!!!! what a beauty!!!! Great job woodworking and painting and the window is super – love the curtain. What a great idea to have on such a large property – we had one that we called ‘never fails’ – bet you get why it was called that. About the corn cobs, we had catalogs and cobs, we would rub the pages on the rough cobs to soften the paper, never used the cobs without the paper. And now about the snakes, we always had large, new rope all around inside, up and down and Snake a Way all around the outside – that is a product that is so wonderful, not harmful to animals but the snakes hate the smell. Also we would crush moth balls and lay around out and in – can you tell – ‘it’s me and my phobia’ talking. As I was typing I had to scroll back up just to take another look – another big smile for sure. Thanks for sharing. God bless.

Have to chuckle because those are the colors of my bathroom in the house. Teal and periwinkle. Beautiful combo.

Spot on perfect!!!

Just love the blog about your Outhuse aka Loo!! The colors and window give it a kick up on the Loo meter too!! Speaking of snakes my husband told me today that our resident snake is still in our backyard and he believes it is about two feet long. Gotta go and check out the snake!!

Your old friend, Wesley Walraven also built an out house in the rear of his property.
But it has a chandelier, marble floor, heater, I’m not sure if the wifi reaches from the house, but it probable does. Ask him for a picture.