Dori,
This is a very “epic”* idea! We live near a copy store and I think I’ll take a couple there and have them enlarged. This is one of the more unique ideas I’ve seen. I love your posts and hopefully the hubby gave you a big hug for his gift.
Living-in-the city-but-my-heart-is-in-the-country,
Farmgirl-at-heart,
Pat

(*The first word that popped into my mind was “cooool” but I realize that is pretty old, lol)

Get out! Dori, these projects are farm-tastic! I adore each one… I’ve always loved vintage botanical illustrations( surprise). I’m going on a hunt, right this second…
Thank you for the inspiration!
Deb

Super great job on the patent printing – I do some on greeting and gift cards, don’t have any on hand right now to do a picture but sure like your ideas. Thanks for sharing.
God bless.

My dear Dori, I share your love for children’s books. My favorite children’s book would be “How Fletcher Was Hatched” by Wende & Harry Devlin. When ours four were little ones reading was a favorite pastime. When they were young I spent many years as the local “story hour lady” at our library! They are all in their thirties and all still avid readers. Most of my grands are delighted with the world of books also. This look like a delightful book that my youngest grabs would thoroughly enjoy!!

To begin my day reading about children and books is beyond delightful! Growing up with books as constant companions, as well as a seemingly endless number of adults who enjoyed reading to me until I could read by myself, are focal points in my life that I would never change. Grandma’s house was a treasure trove of old books with exquisite illustrations that stimulated my imagination and took me places I could only dream about.

My boys’ favorite book was Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown. The boys are 23 and 26, yet I still have the book memorized, having read it to them so many times. (Sometimes when they come home to visit, we still snuggle and read it.) The illustrations are lovely and the soft, lilting rhythm of the prose is a nice way to learn about a day on the farm with many animals, then end on a sleepy note. A great tuck-in book!

My personal favorite is Charlotte’s Web. I loved reading about all the animals on the farm and their adventures.

The Dick and Jane books, great starter books. But would love to get Mary Jane’s book and add it to the collection.

My favorite book is Black Beauty. I had the book I read as a kid in my classroom. When I packed it to move classrooms (again) my old Betsy McCall naper doll. I dragged that book and paper doll all over.

My favorite stories are those in the Bible that show God’s love to us.
But they are not stories they are real for God’s love surpasses all love ❤️

I used to read “I’ll Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch to my son during a very difficult time in my life. I was going through a divorce. I didn’t realize how much the book impacted him until I received a Mother’s Day card a few years ago and on the inside of the card he quoted some lines from the book…I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living, My baby you’ll be. Needless to say I was a mushy mess after that 🙂 I still have the book and I put the card inside it. I’ll keep it forever.

That is a darling book! Mary Jane sent one to April and I had a chance to read it. I love it too. But we know what talent comes from Mary Jane and Meg!

Wow, that’s a tough call as there are so many wonderful children’s books. However, Dr. Suess is great with his twisty, fun rhymes and quirky illustrations. His ABC book is my personal favorite and I read it frequently to my 5 yr. old granddaughter.

My favorite children’s book is “The Bobbsey Twins Series. It is for obvious reasons. I am a twin too. Therefore I could relate to the stories concernig the sets of twins!
Marion

Hi Dori, this is a great post! I, too, kept my girl’s books and my grandchildren have enjoyed reading them. There are 2 shelves in our bookcase with just their books, now available for any child who comes to visit. My husband was an English teacher, retiring with 30 years, so books have always been an important part of our life.
My personal favorite children’s books are the Little House series by Laura Ingles Wilder. I grew up reading them; we would read a chapter before bedtime when my girls were young and the grandkids have read them also. I recently purchased the annotated autobiography, Pioneer Girl, by Laura Ingles Wilder, for my winter project!

The Velveteen Rabbit was a favorite but, would read everything, even the cereal box.

My favorite children’s book was (and is) Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. I was first introduced to it in fifth grade and in turn introduced my own children and my special education students. I look forward to introducing MOO-N Over Main Street Metropolis if I win your copy. Thank for this opportunity to share one of my favorite childhood memories.

Your grand girls are gorgeous, Dori. I was brought up to love books too. I’m working on bringing that. Love to my kids too. Beautiful way to live :). Have a fabulous weekend Dori.

What a sweet post! Your grand-girls are adorable. There is no substitute for learning to read and enjoying the pleasures of books – a lifelong gift. A women’s service organization to which I belong just gave away over 500 books to children at the community picnic hosted by our local homeless shelter. The looks of joy on the children’s and the adult faces were indescribable. Thank you for sharing this wonderful “book” story and reminding us of the gifts associated with reading and sharing.

MaryJane’s new children’s book is just the cutest ever! I wish I had some little ones to share it with as well. Your grandkids on the porch bed remind me of long ago when my girls would pile in the bed at night, especially in the summer months, when we read the Misty of Chincoteague series together. We read lots of chapter books in the summer months when there was plenty of unrushed reading time. They loved animals and I know they would have loved MaryJane’s book.

Hi Dori –
First of all how adorable are those 2 girls! My favorite book (which there are 2 as I could not decide on just one) is Little House on the Prairie or Little Women. Both great books! As for my daughter who is now 14 we just loved reading the “Pigeon” series when she was little, and our favorite was “Don’t let the Pigeon Stay Up Late” by Mo Williams. A great before bed book with all the great sounds to recreate as you a reading! Very funny and made us smile before we went to bed! Thanks for this article!
Diane

We had so many favorites when my three girls were growing up but my favorite to read was the Narnia series. My youngest daughter home schooled her two daughters for three years and their home was like walking into a library. Unfortunately my daughter has had to start to work outside of the home and the grands have to go back to public school. But books are still so special to them and I am sure they would love this book along with their two little brothers.

Dori, I enjoy reading your posts and seeing photos of your farm and family. I am going to date myself but my favorite story when I was a young girl was Heidi by Johanna Spyri. A story about a young girl in the care of her grandfather and takes place in the Swiss Alps. My great-grandmother read this book to my sisters and me when we were young and I loved the story as deeply as I loved my great-grandmother. Whenever I think of one I recall the other.

caroline and her kettle named Maude…

My favorite books were The Bobbsey Twins and Nancy Drew. I loved reading to my children when they were growing up and now I love reading to the grandchildren. My greatest joy is seeing my grandkids walking around with a book in their face. Just like some on my children. I still don’t leave the house without something to read, just in case I have a minute or two to read.

My favorite books as a child were Laura Ingalls Wilder series “little house in the big woods my fav.

Pretend Your A Cat is a great read for toddlers. They can act out each animal as you read to them. The Jolly Postman…little letters, notes are tucked in envelopes. I have many more, but these just popped into my mind because they are a little bit different. Love your posts. Jann

My daughters love Laura Ingalls Wilders’ Little House on the Prairie series. They enjoy reading about a different time in history. We’ve read them over and over!

Dori, you are so inspiring! I can’t stand the heat, so this gives me a better way of canning. Outside the heat doesn’t collect in the house as you mentioned. I do a bit of dehydrating, and fortunately once it is set up all I have to do is rotate the shelves periodically. No heat :0)
Our Master Sgt., Marine Corps daughter doesn’t have the time yet to do any canning, but she does a lot of dehydrating. She will be able to retire with 20 years in, next yr. and will only be 37. She looks forward to having the time to do some preserving at that time.

Thank you so so much for this tremendous idea! I am in a wheelchair now and canning my garden haul has been almost impossible. With a few adjustments, this idea is going to be perfect for me. Thank you for the huge impact to my life. I just read this to my husband and he is already working the set up out for me!

Not to mention that the outdoor “canning” (I’m from VA) keeps from heating up your house, and that is more eco-friendly as well. I did my fair share of indoor canning in younger kids-at-home days and now miss the good, home canned veggies and knowing that they were more healthy. Maybe the back porch canning is a take-off of olden days when they had “summer kitchens”, although I think that was as much to prevent burning down the entire house if you had an “accident”! The “good old days”? Love your blogs.

Great idea. My husband set up our canning kitchen on our screened in porch. Wouldn’t want to do it anywhere else. We’e done this the last couple of years.

Ok, Dori, this just may get me back into canning. I too do not like be confined inside. I love being on the back porch, so hmmmmm, think I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing a great idea and wonderful post. Be Blessed. (we say puttin up as well back home in La.) Neta

You have a wonderful setup. I would love a back porch to do that type of work. I have a small porch and would probably do. I do can inside and make jelly and it does get hot but I love canning. I also dehydrate a lot and I use my garage to do it especially onions that really stink up the house. I can’t wait till I retire in a few years and I want to can more for sure. Great idea about those camp burners. I have to try that. Also the beautiful enamel ware is awesome. I love vintage items. Thanks again!!

I love canning on my porch also. I have a three burner stove and use it for more than just canning in the summer. I cook on my wood cook stove in the winter inside and on the porch on my camp stove in the summer. There is 12 of us, so lots of canning and cooking.
Sharon

Dori; My husband and I recently moved into our new home in outside of Union, West Virginia and it is situated on 3.9 acres. The previous owner planted a huge garden and we get to reap the rewards. I am new to gardening and canning so all I know I have learned from reading. I just canned my first tomatoes and made juice out of them. I have a camp stove like yours except it is a three burner and I bought it through Sportsman’s Guide catalogue. I read in the canning book not to use it because of the high BTU’s, but I think I will try it on a lower setting like you said. Also I have a covered breezeway that I think will make a great canning area once I get everything out of it from the move. Do you have any suggestions for “putting up” zucchini squash. I have more than I know what to do with. I hope to have my “summer kitchen” ready for next year. Thanks

I LOVE this! Hopefully I will make the time to make one or two for myself!

enjoyed the tutorial on sign painting! I may have to give this a try now.

Good morning!
Thanks for the sign tutorial…I have always wanted to try a quilt for the side of our garage…I may just attempt it now. 🙂 I have heard and seen so much about Annie Sloan paint and wax. I really should try it. Honestly, I don’t really enjoy painting…but I don’t enjoy the prices on already made things either…so I need to just DO IT!!! 🙂
(I just read about the virtuous woman again this morning…it speaks a lot about her hands. The thought I got from reading it again was this; to be busy in a good way, is gain.)
Have a great weekend!
Colleen

Hi Dori,
I can not believe just how much alike we are. You know in the past I have told you now much I like your kitchen. For years I have been collecting red and white things to put in my white kitchen. Right down to having an old fashioned red and white step-stool just like yours. I have also been planning on putting the darker brown floor in there.
The house I moved into when I married had a lot of yellow-gold colored wood paneling in it. Every room. The kitchen has darker wood in it. I am so glad I will be moveing to my own place where I will do the walls white in the kitchen and red accents.
I am a redhead also. It use to be bright cooper color now it is getting the color of yours. My hands use to be like yours now they are crepe, wrinkle, and covered with freckles. They also have a few age spots. Testament to being an outside women.
Lots of hugs to you,
Love the flowers,
Kay

Nice signs. Great job and lesson

I LOVE this! Hopefully I will make the time to make one or two for myself!

enjoyed the tutorial on sign painting! I may have to give this a try now.

Good morning!
Thanks for the sign tutorial…I have always wanted to try a quilt for the side of our garage…I may just attempt it now. 🙂 I have heard and seen so much about Annie Sloan paint and wax. I really should try it. Honestly, I don’t really enjoy painting…but I don’t enjoy the prices on already made things either…so I need to just DO IT!!! 🙂
(I just read about the virtuous woman again this morning…it speaks a lot about her hands. The thought I got from reading it again was this; to be busy in a good way, is gain.)
Have a great weekend!
Colleen

Hi Dori,
I can not believe just how much alike we are. You know in the past I have told you now much I like your kitchen. For years I have been collecting red and white things to put in my white kitchen. Right down to having an old fashioned red and white step-stool just like yours. I have also been planning on putting the darker brown floor in there.
The house I moved into when I married had a lot of yellow-gold colored wood paneling in it. Every room. The kitchen has darker wood in it. I am so glad I will be moveing to my own place where I will do the walls white in the kitchen and red accents.
I am a redhead also. It use to be bright cooper color now it is getting the color of yours. My hands use to be like yours now they are crepe, wrinkle, and covered with freckles. They also have a few age spots. Testament to being an outside women.
Lots of hugs to you,
Love the flowers,
Kay

Nice signs. Great job and lesson

enjoyed your simpler joys in life! I’m always looking for new antique places to visit in TN, what area were you referring to for your home town, if you don’t mind me asking. I’m in the middle TN area. thanks!

Hi Dori,
Not much to say but a heartfelt echo of all you just shared. Your posts make me smile every time.
Happy summer!
Colleen

Hi Dori,
My fav’s are: Sunrise over a hay or wheat field in the Summer, Sunsets at the Ocean and New Mexico, the red rock in Bryce cannon. The smell of new mown hay or grass, homemade bread just out of the oven, books that not only hold my attention but also make me laugh out loud, fresh juicy Tomato, peony’s in bloom, roses that still smell wonderful, my dog Sophie giving me her “I love you” soft eyes, the smell of puppies, the smell of horses that have been running free and come in for grain, and friends like you.
Hugs and blessings
Karen

Thanks for the email today! I used to paint furniture and fun signs like yours, but in 12/13 I was with my 91 year old Mom….she was very active …she tripped on a curb and fractured her skull and died 12 days later. I suddenly had three extra homes plus 4 more vehicles and a lot of responsibilities . I was overwhelmed…,put away my knitting and my art toys and gave myself to shock, grief and responsibility . The first year was hell and I missed my craft, but the inspirations were gone. Now after a year and a half, I am starting to “come back’….,life is hectic, but we are in a new home, a new lifestyle ( living in the country and growing grapes for wineries) and still trying to part with several houses’ worth of treasures ( you will not see me on hoarders).
I have been reading your blogs and it is as if I am hanging out with a good friend. The signs and your favorite things today…I feel as if I have turned a corner and creativity was awaken. Now making plans for a studio !!!
Thank you for inspiring me.
I’m baaaaack
Love to you
Kate

enjoyed your simpler joys in life! I’m always looking for new antique places to visit in TN, what area were you referring to for your home town, if you don’t mind me asking. I’m in the middle TN area. thanks!

Hi Dori,
Not much to say but a heartfelt echo of all you just shared. Your posts make me smile every time.
Happy summer!
Colleen

Hi Dori,
My fav’s are: Sunrise over a hay or wheat field in the Summer, Sunsets at the Ocean and New Mexico, the red rock in Bryce cannon. The smell of new mown hay or grass, homemade bread just out of the oven, books that not only hold my attention but also make me laugh out loud, fresh juicy Tomato, peony’s in bloom, roses that still smell wonderful, my dog Sophie giving me her “I love you” soft eyes, the smell of puppies, the smell of horses that have been running free and come in for grain, and friends like you.
Hugs and blessings
Karen

Thanks for the email today! I used to paint furniture and fun signs like yours, but in 12/13 I was with my 91 year old Mom….she was very active …she tripped on a curb and fractured her skull and died 12 days later. I suddenly had three extra homes plus 4 more vehicles and a lot of responsibilities . I was overwhelmed…,put away my knitting and my art toys and gave myself to shock, grief and responsibility . The first year was hell and I missed my craft, but the inspirations were gone. Now after a year and a half, I am starting to “come back’….,life is hectic, but we are in a new home, a new lifestyle ( living in the country and growing grapes for wineries) and still trying to part with several houses’ worth of treasures ( you will not see me on hoarders).
I have been reading your blogs and it is as if I am hanging out with a good friend. The signs and your favorite things today…I feel as if I have turned a corner and creativity was awaken. Now making plans for a studio !!!
Thank you for inspiring me.
I’m baaaaack
Love to you
Kate

My dear “sister” 😉 you are a delightful gal and so very much like me it is crazy!! Why do we do this to ourselves? So thankful for wise words out of the mouths of babes and your dear daughter. What a fun flower-filled summer you will have! 🙂 so wish I was close enough to stop by your stand!

My dear Dori,
I so loved this post! You ARE a flower farmer! With all it’s ups and downs and worries too, you and your flower farm will continue to bloom. Aren’t daughters just the best?
They always know how to bring us back to center when we start spinning, Don’t they?
Love and hugs!
Fom your flower farming and farmgirl blogging sister,
Deb

Dori,
I once read a saying that “out of the worst of situations a rose grows and blooms”.
Think of the Dust Bowl tragedy, the beetles, Hurricanes, floods, drenching rain that tears up the soil and all that is planted there.
You see dear Dori life can be so unexpected that we need to enjoy it while we can and not worry about all the things that befall those who choose to toil in the soil.
I love roses and I have planted many (now even through all the trackters and all the machinery- they are still blooming even with the tall weeds). But I was worned not to plant them because of all the things that go wrong. Well, even through some rust, bad bugs and all, they bloomed and smell so good. I just did not worry about it and they knew and responded for me. You see ? Just go with what ever is given you and you will be rewarded even though sometime it may be so hard to do.
Love and Hugs,
Kay

I love this post, but if your little cart goes missing, don’t come looking at my farm, as I will have it well hidden! Of course you cried; Nature can be a beast! If you didn’t understand that, you wouldn’t be a real farmer. But, as these things go, you will also have flowers. I’d love to see this patch of Wonderful, and I may come visit some day soon, if you’ll have me. The most beautiful flowers in your garden are your family!

Sorry to hear of your bad luck….the first time I grew zinnias they were plentiful, but then the next season they got root ROT and I got nil. I find its best to wait til after fathers day or plant the seeds at the top of a hill for the firstnplanting. Saves. And have better luck, as the hill will melt , if we get too much rain but the seedlings wont drown. Hopefully your next week plantings will come up. Its one good thing about zinnias, you can plant them every week. And cut them and more grow up.

I love seeing & hearing about your flowers. It’s always hard to have something we put alot of effort into not turn out just right tho, isn’t it! Even if it’s “just flowers” (which are not “just” at all) You have put so much time and effort into your business, and brought so much happiness to others, I can see. Even those of us who can only view them on-line. Everything takes time to learn & work out the quirks, and in nature, so much is out of our control even then! Happy farming!

Dori I too love zinnias. I live in Virginia on the Eastern Shore. I have grown zinnias and they grow well here sometimes. I have the most luck with cosmos, but they aren’t good for cut flowers. But when I look at the little barn, when I am coming up our lane It Is pretty and this is a welcoming sight for visitors to see. these cosmos come back every year and reseed. they are orange and yellow. A good ray of sunshine to see. Love your cart and you always have a great blog. Hugs Juanita

Great post, Dori! Your as normal as any other farmgirl who loves hay and is curious about all things FARM! Great shot of your grand girls ‘ jumping the bales” and I have to agree… the hay rake looks like a beautiful piece of sculpture. Thanks for sharing your fun farmgirl life with us from the ranch!
Hugs,
Deb

Very interesting I love learning how it is accomplished, even though I see it here in our neck of the woods all the time; Ive never understood the entire process. Thanks for sharing. Oh and the grandkids jumping the bales, looks like fun! Best, Kim

I started growing hay on a small 5 acre borrowed piece of land here in California three years ago. I love everything about the process. On the good years, I sell extra bales I don’t need for the year and use the money to buy my own haying equipment. I am now up to 4 implements that I bought from farm auctions and local farmers that have upgraded to newer pieces. I love learning how to fix them up and paint them in my signature colors of turquoise and grey. (Thats the farm girly side of me)!!

Maybe it would interest you that here “out west,” I get to watch the haying process too, and it is done MUCH more quickly than the midwest. I live in a somewhat rural town just east of the Rockies in northern Colorado (40 miles from Denver). They cut, toss, push into rows, and scoop up for bailing oftentimes all in one day! It is so dry here generally (although not this year) that they can do it this fast. It is rare that you see a field that has been cut and tossed and left for days to dry. They can cut the same field four or five times in a season if there is enough heat. We mostly see the rectangular hay bales being done here, although some do the round ones as well!

Thanks so much for sharing the pics, explanations and video of making hay. I’ve never known how it’s all done before, i find it all very interesting. The photos of your grand girls playing in the bales with mid flight photos are fantastic. Thanks so much. 🙂

Ah, that is truly wonderful and I’m so glad you can live your dream. But in all the posts I was looking for someone to say something about: the fragrance of newly mown hay.
When I was in high school we lived near a farm that would cut its hay and then put it into the rectangle-bales. As soon as I got off the school bus to walk home (yes, we were not deposited at our door! lol) I could breathe in the wonderful, sweet, sweet aroma of that newly mown hay. There is nothing like it…
And how wonderful you can have your grand babies there to share this.
My own grandparents were “poor dirt farmers” on both sides and I will never forget going to their farms and loving it! : ) I never wanted to back to town!! They didn’t have hay but the farms around them did. I can remember walking to a friend’s house and being surrounded by that utter lovely fragrance.

My beloved aunt’s name was Dori… ( full name was Deloria)

When I see a field of baled hay it makes me want to stop and take a picture, I can’t think of anything more “country”! I’m wondering, where do you store your hay bales during the winter? Your grand girls are having so much fun and Belle is loving it too!

Great post! Loving the farm life too! Can’t imagine how hard the old time farmers had to work! Soo country! Love the large bales! Your granddaughters look like their having a ball ! And your dog too! We have a alfalfa damn too! In Idaho! This will be our very first cut next month! We are so excited! Take care,Cindy

I love Dennison’s strawberries!!!!!!!! We live close to them too!!!
I really enjoy your post in the Farmgirl blog and can’t wait to visit your little wagon for Fresh Flowers this summer. I planted Zinnia’s this year too in our garden!!

Hi Dori,
I finally have the time to read your blog again. I have finally moved in to the rental. I worked for 15 years in the office of NORPAC FOODS in Stayton Oregon. Right about now they are getting ready for our strawberries season also. I do not know if you ever saw it in the market but their frozen foods are under the Flavor-Foods label and the canned foods are under the Santiam label. When I buy Strawberries I go to the little stands like you. For a lot of years I made freezer jam with them. Even in winter you would get a taste of the strawberries out in the fields. You are making my mouth water. For the past 2 1/2 weeks it has been raining or cold. Not good strawberry growing or picking weather.
Hugs Kay

I have been communicating with Wayve Dennison by email for several years now, starting when she inquired about real estate in my western North Carolina area. Her beautiful daughter, Nettie Grace, spends as much time as she can at our local John C. Campbell Folk School, and Wayve would dearly love to purchase a getaway cabin nearby–not that she has much spare time, as you found out! Last year I finally got to meet her in person, and she brought me some of her fresh strawberries. With a doubt, they are the best that I have ever tasted, and Wayve is just an amazing person!