What a project that turned out to be! Life on a farm is like that, isn’t it? Anyway, you had a very special day with your grand-daughters, and one they will never forget! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

These are adorable snowmen. What a fantastic project and I love that you included your grand daughters. Merry Christmas, enjoyed!

Oh, these are definitely Pinterest-worthy. I love, love, love them!… If I were the girls, I’d be so excited to show “everyone” the project after it was finished!

Love this post! Even though you have discovered what I suspected when I first saw this project, I’d still like to make some. Yours most certainly ARE ‘Pinterest-worthy’!

Oh how darling and what fun!

super idea and good looking snowmans..
HUgs

Thanks for sharing this experience. What a clever idea concerning the wooden snowmen. Your granddaughters are beautiful young ladies. I enjoyed this post tremendously. Wishing you and yours a blessed and Merry Christmas.
Marilyn

They are adorable, and so are your grandgirls!

Dori, These are adorable! My pastor’s wife is a high school teacher who has a huge collection of snowmen. She decks out her house throughout with these little fellows right after Thanksgiving. She would love these. Merry Christmas!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! I so wanted to make some too but — well maybe next year. The girls snowmen are really spectacular!!! great job cutting a wowzer the painting is superb.
Merry Christmas and God bless.

Hi Dori,
Those adorable snow men most certainly are pinterest worthy! Love the story and your day with the girls!
You made some great memories that day!
Merry Christmas to you and yours my dear!
Big Hugs,
Deb

What a wonderful project, Dori!! I love the way these snowmen turn out and the little ones the Grandchildren made are just precious. It looks like it was all such an adventure! And yes, I do believe these snow friends are Pinterest worthy!!

Never heard of frost flowers! Lucky for you when your summer flowers die you can look forward to frost flowers!

Never heard of frost flowers but they are beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!

That is amazing Dori I’ve never seen any thing like that before!

Thank you so much for sharing these photos. I’ve never heard of frost flowers. God’s world is so incredible. Did you see the full moon last night? I just can’t seem to get enough of a look of our beautiful moon when it’s full.

THAT is sooooo cool. And I thought one inch ice on the water dishes was cool when the temperatures dipped. You definitely have a neat sign of winter is coming!!!!!
Nancy from Ontario.

Hi Dori,
I so enjoyed your photos and article about the frost flowers!
I’m 60+ and have never heard of these flowers.
Your writings are always very interesting!
Thank you!
Linda

I have never seen these tissue flowers but they are absolutely stunning! Wow, the close up photos are just incredible. What a beautiful gift to your farm from Mother Nature to someone who had been growing bundles of bright and lovely flowers only a few months before and was feeling a bit sad to see the season end!

I have never had the good fortune to see a frost flower but I will look for them from now on! Lovely photographs!

I hear people talk about hoarfrost, could that be what that is?

We have Frost Flowers in our Missouri woods. I was blown away the first time I saw them. Great photos!

WOW Dori, your pictures are spectacular and the information is so good to hear. When I was growing up on a farm in Nebraska 1940’s – 60’s – we had them but of course we didn’t have the internet to investigate. I love the name – we just called the ‘ice pods’, my Grandfather said they had been there all his life so they were a natural happening. Thanks so much for this great post – always something interesting to read. We did have a grateful Thanksgiving and hope you did too. What’s the quilt you are starting? Merry Christmas and God bless.

………………Just WOW!!!!! Lovely!

I love doing trips like this with my girlfriends. Sounds like you all had a great time. I loved the pumpkins that you made, but I didn’t see the pattern or how to make them. Can you please send this to me? I saw the dishcloths and that looks like another great, quick project for my train commute every day to the Big City of Manhattan! Have a great day!
Diane

I am an Administrative Assistant for a great Actuarial company here in midtown Manhattan. I work across the street from Madison Square Garden. OK – are you ready – my commute is 2.5 hours in the morning and the same at night (door to door). In the morning I usually sleep on the train and at night we have a group of ladies that either crochet, knit, cross stitch, beading, etc. We are all part of another group called Home Bureau and we love CRAFTS and to make things to give back to our community. If you can provide any more easy projects for the train – any would be welcome! Have a great day! Diane

It looks like a good time was had by all. Lovely exchange of gifts.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO LUANN,MICHELLE AND DORI
Marilyn

So happy you got to enjoy ‘my’ state – well it is where I live now. Love Estes – and the Peak is beautiful from my ‘ranch’ view – but going up there is not on my agenda – especially now that we have had 10″s of snow – BLOWING drifts to 6′ – so your pic’s are reminders of what was so recently. God Bless.

Dori

My mother and my aunt always ironed the sheets. It somehow makes them more comfortable and if they were washed and then hung on a line outside to dry and then ironed, the smell of them was heavenly, and the feel was crisp and clean when you crawled inside. Heavenly, just heavenly. I may start ironing my own now that I have been reminded of this special feeling. Thank you for bringing to mind wonderful memories.

Your guest bedroom is absolutely gorgeous! I am in love with your rug. I must admit that I fall into the category of younger people that hardly iron anything unless it’s absolutely necessary!! So I have never ironed sheets before. But, the way you girls explain how wonderful the sheets feel once they have been line dried and ironed sounds so inviting. I may just have to give this sheet ironing a shot. And in no way do I feel that you are crazy for doing it. Keep up your passion, its inspiring!

Your granddaughters are adorable and beautiful. They look so cute and contented snuggled in bed together.
Marilyn

You did great Dori with your first crochet efforts!! Your dishcloths turned out so pretty and bright. My first crocheted dishcloth pattern came from MaryJane’s Ideas book. Then, like you, I added some shell borders. Over at the Chatroom, I joined the monthly dishcloth swap for about two years. The, I got the idea from one of MJF magazines to have them made into an afghan. Last winter, I had someone, who can crochet way better than me, put them all together into an afghan. Now I have my Farmgirl dishcloth afghan to wrap around me any time I need a Farmgirl Hug. Crocheted or knitted dishcloths have so many uses!! I would love to toss my hat in the ring for the drawing of your dishcloths.

Dori,
thanks for the post. I too grew up never knowing how to crochet, my mom on several occasions tried to teach me, but the directions would never make me understand how to. I can do a basic stitch now by learning on my own and have tried a wash cloth pattern (which did not turn out like I like them). I plan on taking your directions and try again. They are so pretty in bright colors.
Thanks for sharing

I love these! I don’t have any crochet dish towels but would love to try them and I may try to learn how to make them too!!!! Thank you for sharing!

I love crocheted dishcloths. I’m so impressed that you taught yourself to crochet! Until she developed arthritis, my mother crocheted all sorts of wonderful items from sweaters to afghans. She was very talented. I enjoy all that she made but never picked up the needles myself. I might just try your pattern!

Dori: I think it so awesome that you taught yourself crochet. Those dish cloths are beautiful and so practical. They make really great gifts too. Congrats farmgirl!

Hi Dori – I love every thing you do! My grandma taught me to crochet when I was a little girl. I remember sitting with her and trying to crochet, and listening to her stories. Thank you for the memory. Wendy

Dori, I love the fact that you didn’t like the “plain old square” and added your own scalloped border. Lovely! I will be trying your pattern soon.
I have been making a really simple crocheted potholder for years that you might like to compliment your dishcloths. Here’s the link:

http://www.mielkesfiberarts.com/diagonal-hotpad

I usually use more than one color yarn to make it pop and I use Sugar ‘n Cream for them also. They wear like iron and wash up well. Hope you give them a try.

Bonnie

Thank you so much for sharing. Looks like you’ve learned to crochet beautifully.

I have not used them but I know a lot of people who do and love them. congrats on teaching yourself to crochet!! I used to a long time ago but haven’t not done so in years.

I’m anxious to see if I can learn to make these! I love these dishcloths…I try to find them every year at the bazaar’s in my hometown. By the end of the year, I’ve worn them out! Thanks for sharing the pattern. I enjoy your blog!

I learned to crochet the basic stitch when I was about twelve but that is all. I put down my needle and got about being a teenager. When my son was born, I was determined to make him a blanket. I was overwhelmed! So I decided that a little sweater would work better. I made one but the stitches were so tight that he couldn’t wear it. By accident, it got into the laundry basket. When I pulled it out of the dryer, it was the size of a Barbie sweater. My daughter who came next, played with that sweater for years with her dolls. I never did another stitch that didn’t end in disaster. I would love them! Thanks!

Oh, bless you, Dori! I am encouraged by this post! My favorite dishcloth is a crocheted one my aunt made, but I have been wanting to learn to crochet and make some dishcloths myself, plus other things! We have to remember that just because our mother or grandmother didn’t teach us these things, we CAN learn for ourselves, and it’s never too late to learn! Thank you!

This is for me, maybe. Since my philosophy is much like yours I tried learning to knit at a craft group that met at my local library. The first project was a cotton dishcloth. Well either there were too many enthusiasts there or I’m not very dexterous. It was an horrible experience.
I really want a couple of cotton dishcloths. The relative who used to keep me supplied is no longer available. You may feel I should have asked her to teach me when she was available, but at the time I wanted her to feel a vital part of my life.
So I promise to get back to learning. This time I’ll try crochet.

Hi, I just found your magazine within the last few months & joined your email. I enjoy reading your blog full of info. I’m an older lady & live in a fairly large city. I did start out living in the country. I crochet but not like I use to. My mother and I are left handed, so she taught me. It’s not fancy but nice. I think your dishcloths are pretty in design & color.

Hi Dori….I’m inspired that you are learning a new skill!! Maybe, just maybe, I can learn too!! As I come upon my retirement I’m looking for something new to try. I’m not a television watcher and I can only read so many books in a given week before my eyes glaze over :-). Keep inspiring me to get out of my comfort zone! Happy autumn!!

Those dishcloths are adorable. I would love to win them. Also, I am like you, even when I am relaxing I feel like I need to be doing something with my hands.

I have tried to knit and crochet several times. I am left-handed so I have a difficult time following patterns. You have inspired me to try again. You dish clothes look really pretty, so I am going to download your pattern and try again. Thanks.

I think these dish towels are so pretty. Thanks for the generous giveaway.
Marion

What a wonderful post, Dori. I have always wanted to learn how to crochet and your pattern looks great. I am going to try my hand at them…thank you.
My Aunt Helen used to make these for me and I really miss them as they were so useful. I can totally relate to Rosetta’s attraction to them. When my girls were young, they loved it when Aunt Helen gave me a new set and used to use them for doll blankets and tea parties. A few of mine were always in the toy box, too!

Hi Dori! I think I need to learn how to crochet these dishcloths, and since I knit only in squares and rectangles, they are right up my alley! I would love to win a dishcloth, but if I don’t I will learn how to make one! I love the colors you chose!

What lovely dish cloths!
I never was very good with a needle, but my bad wrists and hands have retired me from crocheting… Very pretty, though! (I will pass your beautiful pattern on to my niece). Thank you!

I love your crocheted dish cloths. Beautiful colors and I would love one or two of my own. I don’t crochet and miss having homemade ones like I’ve had in the past. All the best to you as you enjoy some down time.
Sherri

Dori, I really love your posts and I, too, am not a sitter, so I understand the need to make sitting time productive! I’m a recently retired teacher and one of my colleagues would buy yarn for her Mom, who has Alzheimer’s, and her Mom would knit dish clothes that were then donated to certain causes. This gave pleasure to many people as well as my friend and her Mom. Thank you for such constant inspiration and love of family!

Great job! Last fall, I took a class at a local church called ‘Arm Knitting’. Nope! I don’t knit OR crochet…I got so confused and mixed up, I think that my eyes were really crossed by the time I left! I came home and watched a YouTube video and started and stopped it MANY times. TaaaaDaaaa! I know know how to make an eternity scarf. I am now collecting simple projects involving crochet! Who knows?!? I might even try to make a dish cloth 🙂

Hi Dori, I am like you(were), I can’t crochet either. My sister is good at all that but I don’t seem to have that gift. I would love to win some of your dishcloths.
….an who knows…maybe I’ll check out YouTube and see if I can’t learn the craft too.
Just because I’m 60 doesn’t mean ALL the gray-matter is dead. Right?lol
Thanks for your encouragement Dori!

Love this post, those green fields of chilies are beautiful! We sometimes get them here, our supermarket roasts them on a big grill in the parking lot.

I would love a tasty, basic recipe for pork green chile that you eat with tortillas. A friend of mine used to make it and I forgot the recipe.

Oh Please….the recipe for Green Chile Enchiladas!!!!

I grew up eating Hatch green chiles before they were famous. Now they are everywhere. We eat the in everything. I find that the flavor gets hotter the longer you leave them in the freezer.

Dori, my husband and I returned recently from visiting New Mexico for the first time. Neither of us had ever been there, but we had seen photos of such amazing beauty. We spent the week going from one state/national park to another and enjoyed seeing so much diversity. What a beautiful and different landscape!! I think two of my favorite places were White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns. Amazing!! The green chili in lots of foods was new to me. It was way hotter than what I am used to. LOL!! But I am sure a person gets use to the heat and then looks forward to having it in recipes.

Ditto! About the only reason I miss Albuquerque is the food and the weather. If I miss NM at all it’s during the fall when the chiles are being roasted everywhere, and Christmas time when there are luminarias everywhere. We were there almost 8 years, and I learned to love green chile along with way too many other great New Mexican dishes, not to be confused with Mexican food for those who have never lived in NM. Even though we moved back to TN in 1995, we still tend to cook a lot of New Mexican cuisine. I find that interesting since I grew up in the south on beans, taters, and cornbread. I think including recipes in your posts is a wonderful idea! I vote YES!

It is so much fun. All the people rambling around. The excitement of the bidding. I don’t know where you live. In Texas there is always a big barbecue.

Thanks for the trip to the auction house. I could almost taste the hamburgers and smell the hay. You’re a great writer!

I enjoyed this story very much although I don’t know the first thing about cows. They sure are sweet looking. I cry when I sing the National anthem, too. Thanks for sharing your auction story.

Thanks for sharing this with us, Dori! I’ve never been to an auction, but fear I would want to bid on every animal (this is how I feel at the animal shelter, too). Those Herefords are smaller than I imagined (not a bad thing, I always imagine beef cattle to be giant for some reason). What beautiful animals! I love how you captured her sweet eye in the first photo. There aren’t many live animal auctions up here, but I’ll have to find one when I’m “outside” sometime–you’ve inspired me!

It is so much fun. All the people rambling around. The excitement of the bidding. I don’t know where you live. In Texas there is always a big barbecue.

Thanks for the trip to the auction house. I could almost taste the hamburgers and smell the hay. You’re a great writer!

I enjoyed this story very much although I don’t know the first thing about cows. They sure are sweet looking. I cry when I sing the National anthem, too. Thanks for sharing your auction story.

So fun, Dori! You sure do have a lot of green grass to mow… but what a neat thing that you can do it yourself! Farmgirl Alone Time… Ha!
Hugs,
Deb, the beach farmgirl

What a fun time you just gave me – ah yes we farm girls do a lot of problem solving on the mower. I don’t do riding mowers any more – moved to the burbs/small lot and actually where I live real grass is getting to be a thing of the past – the cost of watering is way high – so I have artificial turf – no mowing at all – so to do my problem solving I sit in my swing. Still have plenty of flower gardening to get into God’s earth and that does the ole farm girl good. Thanks for sharing and keep the tires on the ground. God bless.

I love your explanation about green grass and mowing! I have an Allis Chalmers mower and don’t mow as much as you do, but mowing day is the best. We have a 1 acre yard around the house and barn, with lots of things to mow around. Once that is done it’s my favorite place to be-out in the back 40 (really only 10), around the hay field, a picnic area right before the woods, around the pasture. By the time I am done everything is right in the world. Love your posts!!

Very nice mowing there, Dori. I like to mow too although my grass is on a small suburban block. It’s so calming just pushing and pulling with the sun on my face and the wind in my hair. I’d love a bigger yard, but will have to just enjoy what I have for the time being. Who knows what our Good Lord has for me in the future.

I took over my Dad’s cow/calf operation after his passing 7 years ago. Brush-hogging on the tractor was new to me, after a year or so of hiring some-one to do it I took it on. I had mowed my Dad’s rental properties for years, so to get over my phobia of power tools, I just called brush-hogging with the tractor; mowing. I probably cut the pasture too short that first year, but now have the hang of it. I too have lots of time to solve the world’s problems while circling the pasture!

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.