Digital Photograph - Barn Door

Barn Door

I can not believe how quickly this week

has gone by. I finally have two rooms completely
cleared of boxes. I have set

a time table to have everything out of

storage and in the house. I am frantically

clearing space and going through boxes to

make room for the last storage unit's

contents. It will feel good to have every

thing in one place after three years.

My studio space is under construction. I

have changed my mind three times about

the set up and use. I think this time

I have figured it out. I have an art

supply area, a wet area for painting and

dying, a sewing area, and my work table

finally set up. Then I have a workshop

with all my tools, dremels, saws, etc.

As always there is a darkroom area.

It is so much more space than I had

before. I have been overwhelmed by the

space. I am hoping to put a huge dent in

it all this weekend. I would like to

see an end to the boxes. I would even

like to actually do something creative

in the near future.

Enough moaning from me. I loved this

picture of the barn doors. It looks

like a very frustrated farmer got into

this barn. Either he hit it with his

tractor or he ripped the door trying

to get in or out? I am sure there is

a good story here. Hope everyone has a

good weekend. Are you putting up your

tree?

Quote #28 - Bold

Four Letter Words - Bold

Quote #27 - Bold

Tin Type Ancestors - Freebies

Sisters. They are sitting so still and straight. I love the younger one's plaid dress and necklace. They seem wise beyond their years in this photograph.

 

I love Mom's gloves and the little girls doll. Notice that the little girl is wearing gloves also. They must have been pretty well off.

 

These look like happy kids. Beautiful clothes. I wonder what they are reading?

 

The little girl looks just like her mother. Hopefully she will stay sweet. Mom looks a little stern or maybe she just bit into something rather bitter.

 

I wonder what Mom had to say to keep everyone so still for this picture.

Did everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend here in the states? I did. Lots of food and good company. I did not get to see all of my boys, but those I did share the holiday with we had lots of fun. My sister drove over from the Nashville area and spent a few nights. It was really nice.

It got me thinking about family an ancestors. This week I am sharing some tin types. These photographs are literally developed onto metal - tin. They were quite popular and most important affordable. I hope you enjoy them.

 

Digital Photograph - Burrs

It was a long weekend for some. I talked to several people the past day or so who said they had had too much togetherness. Things got a little prickly at times. I had to sort of chuckle because isn't that what family does. They sort of get in your face every once in awhile. Only family can turn you into that 5 or 6 year old again. Just when you think you have grown up - oops you are reminded what a kid you still are. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Greetings - Freebies

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought these cheery

Thanksgivings Greetings would be fun for this

weeks Freebies. I hope everyone has

a wonderful Thanksgiving and a

fun filled weekend!

Digital Photographs - Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Is everyone getting ready for the big
feast? Turkey, Ham, Lasagna [I have a good Italian friend and this is what her
family gives thanks with], Steaks,
Vegetarian fare? Whatever you are cooking
I hope it is wonderful.

Here at my house
we are going totally Traditional.
Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes,
cranberry sauce, broccoli, asparagus
with Hollandaise sauce, squash and wild
rice casserole, butternut squash and
apples, pies for dessert. Yum.
This of course means standing at
the kitchen sink doing endless dishes,
standing over a hot stove for hours
cooking, wonderful smells. I cannot
wait. The shopping is finished, I
only forgot one thing. So till after
it is all done and consumed...
enjoy the day!
  
 

Quote #26 - Giving

Digital Photograph - The Old Grey Barn

The Old Grey Barn

I have been in love with this barn for years. I first spotted this barn on a
trip with my boys in the mountains when
they were still playing Cowboy and Indians
or soldiers battling aliens. Through the years I have watched it grow older
and grey. Always holding on to its charm.
One day soon I will drive by and it
will be gone.

The state of North Carolina has now
bought it and plans to tear it down and
build some important building in its
place. Another thing from the past about
to become a memory. Holding on to
memories is important I have found the
older I get. The secret is holding on
to the good ones and being able to
make new ones.

I took a few minutes the last time
I was in town to stop and take
a few pictures. I figured it was time
to get up close and personal. I wish
I could salvalge a part of it. The
stories it could tell...

 

Four Letter Words - Give

Digital Photograph - Hinge

Hinge

There is just something about a rusty,
cracked paint object that fills my
heart with love. The patina of age
speaks loudly to me. This hinge
holding up a door spoke of all the
people an animals that have graced
it's threshold. Memories made.

Speaking of Trees - Digital Photograph

The Towering Oak

I love winter when all the trees have
shed their leaves. Seeing the "bare bones"
of the trees is so impressive. This is
one of my favorite trees along the
Blue Ridge Parkway. All year round it
provides shelter and shade. It always
makes me feel happy when I see it.

 

Digital Photograph - Christmas Tree farm

Christmas Tree Farm

While I was in the mountains last
weekend one of the things I noticed
was that they had started cutting the
Christmas trees. Pickup trucks and cargo
trucks were full to the brim. I was
amazed at how many I saw. They cut, bag,
and tag the trees. Then put them in a
smaller truck to get them to the
main shipping areas near a main road.
Here the trees are put in big trucks
to ship to stores, churches, tree lots,
etc. Most of them end of states away.

It is big business here in the mountains.
Our trees have often been picked to be a
National Christmas tree or a Rockefeller
Center tree. We grow them beautiful here.
This is a picture of one of the tree
farms I regularly pass on the way to see
a couple of my boys. I think it is so
pretty. Tree farms are hard work, but you
would never guess it by this photograph.
This year I am going to pick and cut
my tree for the first time in a long time.
I can not wait. I love the smell of a
fresh tree in the house. Yum. 

Some Thanksgiving Freebies for You

 

 

 

 

 

Every year I like to make place cards for the

table. I use old antique postcards that I have scanned, copied and written names on.

This year I will be having several vegetarians at my table so I thought I might use something that did not have Turkey all

over it.

 

I found these in my Thanksgiving collection.

Who knew there were so many corn postcards

celebrating Thanksgiving? They seemed perfect

for my guests. I thought I would share them

with you. If you are hunting for Turkey ones - last years freebies would probably do the trick. Now I just have to worry about getting my tables cleared off!

 

{if you click on the label at the end of this post it will take you to last years freebies}

Quote #25 - Having Enough

Four Letter Words - Have

Digital Photograph - The Blue Ridge Moutains

The Blue Ridge Moutains

Thank A Veteran!

Thank You for my Freedom!

In all honesty I have been dreading
today. I took a long drive through
the mountains, ate lunch with three
of my boys. Then a long drive through
the mountains home. On the way home I
pulled over to an overlook and there
were those purple mountains we sing
about in our National Anthem.
I found myself admittiing to myself
how much I am missing my favorite
Veteran - my Father. At the same
time so thankful that he shared his
stories with us. He made me realize
this thing called Freedom is a gift.

Daddy helped me see what it means to be
a Veteran. How much, so many people
and their loved ones sacrificed
for me and mine and you and yours.
So, on a beautiful Sunday I could look
out over the Blue Ridge Mountains,
drive in my own car filled with gas,
to eat a fabulous meal with loved
ones and then drive home on smooth
well kept roads. Only here in America.
Thank you so much all of you who
have served and are still serving
this wonderful country we live in.
I miss you Daddy.

Digital Photograph - The Tracks

The Tracks

Hope everyone is having a great
weekend. I am traveling this weekend,
taking pictures and visiting those I love.
It is gorgeous here in the Mountains.
I have been awed. The colors of the trees.
The colors of the mountains. The sun
streaming through the trees. It is
as if I am caught inside a jewel. I am
not sure I can catch all this beauty
with my camera. Enjoy the day!
 

Journal Book Giveaway on Susie's Blog

Journaling Book

Wonderful, positive, creative Susie LaFond
is giving away Jenny Doh's new Journaling
book on her Blog - My life one bit at a time. Along with the book she is including
a pack of journal goodies and one of her
own beautiful blank journals. Her blank journals are one of my favorites! Beautifully made and quite inspiring.
So hop over to Susie's blog and sign up for her wonderful giveaway. Her blog is quite special also.

Digital Phtotgraph - Brown Barn

 

Brown Barn

 

Spotted this barn in the valley

right before you get to

Tennessee in the Blue Ridge

Mountains. I love how it fits

right into the land.

Poster For Folkheart

Poster from Ohio

Yesterday Folkheart left me a
comment on my Suffragette photographs
that her grandmother was a
Sufferagette from Ohio. I
remembered I had this poster and
thought I should share in
honor of Folkheart's grandmother.
We often take for granted the
little things we have that
others fought so hard for. I do
hope you enjoy this poster.
Also, check out Folkheart's blog by
clicking on Folkheart. Another
girl enchanted by the Blue Ridge
Mountains.

Freebies - The Suffragettes

The March on Washington

 

This was a such a big deal.
Men were pretty upset by all of this.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony
They worked tirelessly to assure women
the vote. Thank you so much!

Alice Paul & Helen Gardener
Looks like a strategy meeting.

Alice Paul
Thank you for all you suffered.


I thought that this week I would
do Suffragettes as my freebies.
It seemed so appropriate as we are
selecting a new President this week,
or re-electing an old President for
a second term. Depending on who gets
out there and votes. It is a privilege
to be able to cast your ballot. Women
went to jail, were force fed, beaten,
ostracized, for wanting the vote.
Demanding the right to vote.
My father always told me that if
you did not vote, you did not have the
right to complain. So let your
voice be heard! Vote!!!

 

Quote #24 - Voting

Four Letter Words - Vote

Digital Photograph - Working Barn

A working barn

Last weekend while out enjoying the
local Art Safari I spotted this little
gem. I love how it is built into the
hillside. The foundation is made from
local stone. This is an oldie. I have
a lot of thoughts about this barn.
It conjures up stories.