My Fresh Eggs sign hanging in my kitchen is still my very favorite.
.
I’m in love with vintage wooden signs. The problem is that the ones I’ve seen that I really, really want I can’t afford. There is a very large wooden sign that hangs in a cafe on the square of our little local town and I’ve eyed it for years. One day I thought, “Why can’t I just make one”? So I did. Since then, I’ve made numerous signs, a few for myself and a few for gifts.
My Fresh Eggs sign hanging in my kitchen is still my very favorite.
.
I’m in love with vintage wooden signs. The problem is that the ones I’ve seen that I really, really want I can’t afford. There is a very large wooden sign that hangs in a cafe on the square of our little local town and I’ve eyed it for years. One day I thought, “Why can’t I just make one”? So I did. Since then, I’ve made numerous signs, a few for myself and a few for gifts.
ann says: I LOVE this! Hopefully I will make the time to make one or two for myself!
Dori Troutman says: Ann,
Please do make a sign or two! I know the tutorial looked hard but seriously they are so easy!
Send me a picture!
– Dori –
Jodie says: Dori!!! This is fabulous!!! Thank you, kindly!! I’m gonna make me a sign! I’m with you…red speaks to me. Your open air shed is adorable. I hope you do post again on how you spruce it up. Thanks again.
Dori Troutman says: Jodie,
I can’t wait for you to make your own! And send me a picture please!
– Dori –
Dori Troutman says: Denise,
Please do!!! And don’t forget to send me a picture!
– Dori –
Joan says: Love your signs!!! great tips too and such a beautiful setting to display them. And, to me, your hands are superb, showing love and caring – like most all farmgirls we all have a few wrinkles. God bless.
Dori Troutman says: Dear Joan,
Thank you. I looked at those pictures and thought, “when did my hands start looking like my mother’s”? And then I realized I AM my mother! Both redheads, both Ranchgirls, both hard working outdoor women. And plus I love my mother’s hands! 🙂
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
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
Dori Troutman says: Hello Colleen,
I researched SO many different quilt patterns and found one I loved and was all set to make it for the side of our house. And somehow I just never could manage to get it to come out the way I wanted. Here in Tennessee there are wooden quilts on barns all over the place and you can actually register yours in a map with the name of the pattern etc. They even have guidelines on the correct wood to use, size, etc. Anyway, someday maybe I’ll give it a try again. If you make one, send me pictures please!
– Dori –
Hi love your signs. I also like signs and am always look for new sayings to put on my signs. Thanks for all the helpful hints! Thanks for sharing. Ellen
Dori Troutman says: Ellen,
Do you make signs? I’d love to hear if you have any better ways of doing things. I’m definitely learning.
Thanks for writing. (And email me some pictures of yours.)
– Dori –
Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says: 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
Dori Troutman says: Hi Kay,
I didn’t know you were a red-head too! That is so awesome!
Our hands certainly do tell how we spend our days don’t they? Mine have NOT been pampered. 🙁
I bet you are getting excited to be back in a house and get things just how you like them. How are things going for you these days?
I love my little red step stool. It is the place where anyone that visits my kitchen sits! Regardless of age, they sit there and visit while I cook. I love it.
Hugs,
– Dori –
Pat says: What a great tutorial and a terrific idea.
We have a Farm Girl group here and I’m going to propose this as a project.
I don’t live on a farm (more’s the pity!!) but both sets of grandparents did and I had a taste of that wonderful life as I was growing up. I sure never got home sick for the city when I was on the farm!!
Hmmmmm, I think I could make little signs for our little city yard and dress the place up. : )
These signs sure do bring back memories of my times on the farm.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Dori Troutman says: Pat,
This would be a great project to do with others!
Oh you could make some fun signs for your city yard! Send pictures! 🙂
– Dori –
susana says: Nice signs. Great job and lesson
Dori Troutman says: Susana,
Thank you! Hope you’re doing well.
– Dori –
susana says: I’m managing one day at a time, and feel the loneliness , especially around meal times and the things we used to do together. I pray a lot too, because I have to do a lot of things alone, thise things my better half did. Even the dog feels depressed. But I find I love the quietness, but not all the time because even that becomes fearful. But listening to music brings me down. Even the good songs. Its quite eery. But staying busy and eating out help a lot. But sleep is elusive. Prayer seems to be the only thing consistent in my life lately.
Cindi says: That’s a wonderful tutorial! I’m always seeing signs and rustic pictures that I would love to have, but they are expensive. Even when they are affordable, well, I want more than one you know! Oh, but I can do that, I tell myself – it’s simple. Ha. Not a clue where to start. Now you’ve done it… created a sign fanatic. I love it!
Dori Troutman says: Cindi,
I hope you’ll try making some signs and I really hope you’ll email me some pictures! 🙂
Happy sign making!
– Dori –
Noreen Pelchat says: Thank you so much. You did a great job! I cant wait to try it. this may be the project to get our Vermont Farm girls together.
Noreen
Dori Troutman says: Noreen,
It would be a great Farmgirl project! Please be sure to share pictures if you do!
– Dori –
Love. Love. LOVE your signs… I’m crazy for red too..I’m making a sign for my booth at the farmers market and your tutorial is just what I needed!
Thanks for sharing it! Big hugs! Deb ( Beach Farmgirl)
Dori Troutman says: Hi Deb,
Red just screams country farmgirl don’t you think?! 🙂
Did you make your farmers market sign? I’m so excited to see pictures of your booth set up. I know it will be amazing!
– Dori –
Vivian Monroe says: Dori, thanks so much for the tutorial on sign making. I cant wait to get started on one. Your signs all look Great! Be Blessed Neta
Dori Troutman says: Vivian,
I hope you’ll try one! And let me know!
– Dori –
I love your post. I too make my own signs. I did an Eggs one to make my hen house a bit more like Debs. I did a New England sign, Potting Shed and a few more. I use very similar process as yours. I use the dritz carbon paper too. I loved seeing your sign. The Farm Fresh is one I love as I do your cart. Happy gardening!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Donna,
I spent a little time perusing your blog after Deb wrote about you! I did notice your Eggs sign and I wondered if you had made it.
I enjoyed your blog!
– Dori –
Nicole Christensen says: OH MY GOODNESS DORI! I think we are twins separated at birth! Another something we have in common. Gosh if we were neighbors we’d get in so much fun trouble together! I ADORE signs. I love them all – old, new, wood, metal. My dad made me a couple back years ago when he could still do things like that, out of wood. He made the sign to the ranch that hangs over the gate in Texas. My friends know how much I love signs, too. Just this afternoon, a dear friend gave me a new one for my kitchen for watching her chickens while she was on vacation. It’s metal with a little chick on it in red and yellow. BUT I HAVE NEVER MADE ONE! You are an inspiration! Awesome post. And I love your farm. It’s beautiful. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl)
Dori Troutman says: Hi Nicole!!!!
We do tend to think alike, I totally agree with that! 🙂
When I read your post last time on you Dad making the Coca Cola signs I meant to ask you if you have one? They would be worth a mint now for sure. And a really special memoir to own one!
There have been times in my life when I’ve had so many signs around my husband has said, NO MORE!!! So I’ve tried to only keep the ones that really are special to me. I’m going to get started on attempting the barn wooden quilt sign again. I just wasn’t happy with the direction it was going before. I think I’m more confident now. The trouble is that they are huge. Like 8 feet x 8 feet. It’s a lot of work.
Please make a sign!!!! 🙂
– Dori –
Winnie Nielsen says: Wow, Dori, thanks for this great tutorial for sign making! Like you, I love all of those old vintage signs but they do cost so much money. Now with your great How-To guide, I could try my hand at making a few myself. I love your Farm Fresh roadside stand and now new work station. They both look so perfect on your beautiful farm!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Winnie!
Those vintage signs just speak to us don’t they? 🙂
Please try making one! And let me know!
– Dori –
Corri says: Love this! Can’t wait to try it out! 🙂
Dori Troutman says: Hi Corri,
Please let me know if you try it – and send a picture! 🙂
– Dori –
Trish @ QUILTeakes says: Oh yes! I’ve been making signs for awhile now. If you get in a pinch and your printer is out of ink (or a cheapo like me!) you can very gently trace your letters on paper from your computer screen, I stress very gently! I also have decoupaged great scrapbooking paper on wood then transferred my letters as you’ve shown. HOWEVER I use regular carbon paper and would have a hard time seeing dark on dark BUT NOW you have me needing to go get dressmakers copy paper because of the lighter transfer lines!!!! Thank you, thank you!!!!!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Trish,
I also used regular carbon paper and had a terrible time seeing it. Then I heard you could rub chalk on the back of the letters, then trace that. I tried that also but my lines were not very clear. The dressmakers paper seems to work the best for me. Plus you can use it over and over again!
I would love to see some of your signs! Email me some pictures of your favorites!
– Dori –
Dori Troutman says: Nancy,
Reclaimed wood is the very best. I made a Farmers Market sign recently on reclaimed wood, using a template that I bought from Funky Junk Interiors. The template was expense but WOW did it make a fun sign. And looked really awesome on reclaimed wood. I’d love to see pictures of the signs you make.
– Dori –
I have always wanted to try making some signs.
I love it!!
Thank you for sharing the tutorial 🙂
Dori Troutman says: Hi Sandra,
I hope you will try one! And please let me know how it goes!
– Dori –
.
The continual thought in the back of mind for some time now has been, Simplify. I have this painted door in my guest bedroom with that word on it, and the thought has become more and more important to me.
Continue reading
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!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Denise,
The town nearest to us is Fayetteville. We have the greatest town square. Numerous Antique stores. If you visit, be sure to go to His and Hers… it’s my favorite store! Right off the square, you can’t miss it. It is small but they have the greatest selection and prices. I never leave there without something!
Where in Middle Tennessee do you live?
– Dori –
thank you for the information I’ll have to go there and check them out some Saturday. I live in the Smyrna area north of Murfreesboro. Have you been to Woodbury, TN? they have a nice selection of antique stores too. I just found them a couple of months ago and want to go back later on. also, if you ever get to Dickson, TN they have some good ones too and one more to tell you about is in Clarksville, TN called Miss Lucille’s. thanks again!
Dori Troutman says: I’ve never been to Woodbury, but the funny thing is that someone else mentioned it to me recently. So I think it is worth a trip! 🙂 I had actually looked it up on my GPS to see how far it was. So someday I will do that! Our square in Fayetteville is so nice because it is really an active, happening place. Great places to eat and lots of shops. You can easily spend a day.
Nicole Christensen says: Oh Dori, love this post! I was giggling the whole way through, thinking “me too”, “me too”…LOVE THE KITCHEN!
And you and ‘your girls’? Beautiful…those are your sisters, right? Three beauties! And the precious grandbabies? You are so blessed.
If we lived closer…can you imagine the trouble we could stir up? Crafting, sewing…
Someday we all have to meet up! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Dori Troutman says: Nicole,
What a sweet compliment – my sisters! 🙂 Love those girls of mine.
Oh, wouldn’t we have fun? I’m working (in my mind anyway) on a way to have a meet-up!
– Dori –
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
Dori Troutman says: Thank you Colleen. I miss you!
– Dori –
Meredith Williams says: Beautiful baby calf! We raise Herefords too! Always enjoy your posts and your photos- I especially loved your kitchen.
Dori Troutman says: Meridith,
Yes, I pretty much love my kitchen. It’s a toss up between the kitchen and my craft room on where I spend the most time! 🙂 Likely the kitchen.
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says: 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
Dori Troutman says: Hello Kay, Good to hear from you!
I love all those things too. And I got a sudden feeling of “homesickness” when you mentioned the red rock of Bryce Canyon. Where we lived in Utah was only 20 or so miles (as the crow flies, not on any roads!) from Bryce Canyon. You could see some of the red hoodoos not far from our house. Sometimes I miss it. Mostly I’m happy to be away from the hot, dry climate… but sometimes I DO miss it.
Happy Fourth to you and your sweet Sophie!
Hugs, dear friend.
– Dori –
Joan says: Oh my what a fun time I had today – you tweaked my thinking of ‘Simplifying’ – I have tried twice now in the last 10 years, once when I moved from my home of 42 years and just last month in my home of 10 years. I LOVE crafting, antique-ing well just all that you wrote about and I too have to stop because there are so many other wonderful things that God has provided me. Thanks for bringing on the thinking. There is a new group of ‘country girl crafters’ starting to get together so maybe a new Mary Jane’s country girl group – oh so fun to LIVE!!! the country life. God bless
Dori Troutman says: Dear Joan,
Thank for your sweet comment. Simplifying is so difficult to do. I’ve noticed how much easier it makes life when I keep the clutter down! But every now and then I have to go through my “stuff” again and de-clutter!
A country girl crafters group would be so much fun. There are so many neat things to do together.
Thanks again,
– Dori –
Kate Manning says: 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
Dori Troutman says: Dear Kate,
Your comment really meant a lot to me.
Life can give us some really tough things to deal with and losing your mother so quickly and so tragically would be very shattering. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.
Thank you for reading my posts and I’m so thankful they make you feel like you’ve got a good friend – I’m thankful continually for the friends I’ve met here.
Make a sign for your “studio-in-the-plans”!!! And then email me a picture!
Tight hugs,
– Dori –
Marilyn says: Amen.
.
The continual thought in the back of mind for some time now has been, Simplify. I have this painted door in my guest bedroom with that word on it, and the thought has become more and more important to me.
Continue reading
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!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Denise,
The town nearest to us is Fayetteville. We have the greatest town square. Numerous Antique stores. If you visit, be sure to go to His and Hers… it’s my favorite store! Right off the square, you can’t miss it. It is small but they have the greatest selection and prices. I never leave there without something!
Where in Middle Tennessee do you live?
– Dori –
thank you for the information I’ll have to go there and check them out some Saturday. I live in the Smyrna area north of Murfreesboro. Have you been to Woodbury, TN? they have a nice selection of antique stores too. I just found them a couple of months ago and want to go back later on. also, if you ever get to Dickson, TN they have some good ones too and one more to tell you about is in Clarksville, TN called Miss Lucille’s. thanks again!
Dori Troutman says: I’ve never been to Woodbury, but the funny thing is that someone else mentioned it to me recently. So I think it is worth a trip! 🙂 I had actually looked it up on my GPS to see how far it was. So someday I will do that! Our square in Fayetteville is so nice because it is really an active, happening place. Great places to eat and lots of shops. You can easily spend a day.
Nicole Christensen says: Oh Dori, love this post! I was giggling the whole way through, thinking “me too”, “me too”…LOVE THE KITCHEN!
And you and ‘your girls’? Beautiful…those are your sisters, right? Three beauties! And the precious grandbabies? You are so blessed.
If we lived closer…can you imagine the trouble we could stir up? Crafting, sewing…
Someday we all have to meet up! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Dori Troutman says: Nicole,
What a sweet compliment – my sisters! 🙂 Love those girls of mine.
Oh, wouldn’t we have fun? I’m working (in my mind anyway) on a way to have a meet-up!
– Dori –
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
Dori Troutman says: Thank you Colleen. I miss you!
– Dori –
Meredith Williams says: Beautiful baby calf! We raise Herefords too! Always enjoy your posts and your photos- I especially loved your kitchen.
Dori Troutman says: Meridith,
Yes, I pretty much love my kitchen. It’s a toss up between the kitchen and my craft room on where I spend the most time! 🙂 Likely the kitchen.
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says: 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
Dori Troutman says: Hello Kay, Good to hear from you!
I love all those things too. And I got a sudden feeling of “homesickness” when you mentioned the red rock of Bryce Canyon. Where we lived in Utah was only 20 or so miles (as the crow flies, not on any roads!) from Bryce Canyon. You could see some of the red hoodoos not far from our house. Sometimes I miss it. Mostly I’m happy to be away from the hot, dry climate… but sometimes I DO miss it.
Happy Fourth to you and your sweet Sophie!
Hugs, dear friend.
– Dori –
Joan says: Oh my what a fun time I had today – you tweaked my thinking of ‘Simplifying’ – I have tried twice now in the last 10 years, once when I moved from my home of 42 years and just last month in my home of 10 years. I LOVE crafting, antique-ing well just all that you wrote about and I too have to stop because there are so many other wonderful things that God has provided me. Thanks for bringing on the thinking. There is a new group of ‘country girl crafters’ starting to get together so maybe a new Mary Jane’s country girl group – oh so fun to LIVE!!! the country life. God bless
Dori Troutman says: Dear Joan,
Thank for your sweet comment. Simplifying is so difficult to do. I’ve noticed how much easier it makes life when I keep the clutter down! But every now and then I have to go through my “stuff” again and de-clutter!
A country girl crafters group would be so much fun. There are so many neat things to do together.
Thanks again,
– Dori –
Kate Manning says: 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
Dori Troutman says: Dear Kate,
Your comment really meant a lot to me.
Life can give us some really tough things to deal with and losing your mother so quickly and so tragically would be very shattering. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.
Thank you for reading my posts and I’m so thankful they make you feel like you’ve got a good friend – I’m thankful continually for the friends I’ve met here.
Make a sign for your “studio-in-the-plans”!!! And then email me a picture!
Tight hugs,
– Dori –
Marilyn says: Amen.
Cyndie Gray says: 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!
Dori Troutman says: Cyndie,
I ask myself that all the time… “Why do I do this to myself”?! 🙂 I wrote this blog post and then was tested at the flower garden again last night when we had zinnia after blooming zinnia with blooms that were not formed correctly, so it resulted in flowers that could not be used (pretty sure it is a result of the bugs that were eating the plants, had obviously managed to get inside the blooms and eat there too). I wanted to cry as we were cutting blooms and handing them to the little girls to dispose of. Then I saw them playing Flower Girl with all the blooms and decided it wasn’t so bad after all! 🙂
Happy Summer, Cyndie!
– Dori –
Emily says: Dori, what a beautiful post! Love seeing the flowers growing in your garden and knowing you and your family are enjoying sharing them with others. In sharing, you all are receiving many gifts in return.
Take care.
Dori Troutman says: Emily, thank you. You said it perfectly. Sharing really does bring back so much in return.
– Dori –
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 Troutman says: Hi Deb,
I can always count on you to lift my spirits! 🙂 I just wish you’d been with me in the garden last night when I almost had another meltdown. I don’t think this is going to be a good Zinnia summer. 🙁
And YES, daughters are the very best. I can’t imagine my life without mine. She is pretty much everything to me.
Hugs to you, friend.
– Dori –
Dori- I can so identify! We always manage to go on vacation in July, leaving a nicely weeded garden. And then come home to a weed infested garden! We have to learn to step back and see the big picture! I hope my daughters grow up to be just like Andrea – such a sweetheart!
Dori Troutman says: Hello Angela,
We are looking forward to Monday!
That was the sweetest compliment you could’ve ever paid. I’ll share it will Andrea!
Hugs,
– Dori –
Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says: 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
Dori Troutman says: Hello Kay!
I love that saying. I’m going to write that down and tape it right to my computer monitor! 🙂
I’m so happy that you have your roses keeping you happy, even amongst the construction and the weeds! And they smell beautiful no matter what, don’t they? There’s a lesson in that too!
Hugs back… and thank you so much for always commenting and encouraging!
– Dori –
Esther says: Dori – Yes, it’s so discouraging to come home to a weed infested garden, but I’m sure it will survive and bloom beautifully! Aren’t daughters and grand daughters just the best for lifting our spirits? I’m noticing this even more as I get older. I’ll bet it won’t be long until you have a Flourishing Flower Farm!!
Dori Troutman says: Hello Esther,
I am so very thankful every single day for my daughter, my grand-daughters and also my daughter-in-law. I would be so lost without them. And yes, I think we need them more and more every year. And yours are especially wonderful!
– Dori –
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!
Dori Troutman says: Wayve,
I would LOVE to have you come visit! 🙂 Maybe you can give me some advice on the bugs that are wiping out our Zinnia blooms. Maybe what we need are some Marten bird houses like you have in your strawberry fields? Do you think that would help? We are in a bad way.
I’ll be in touch and we’ll set us a date. Early morning or early evening is probably best… this heat is crazy!
– Dori –
Kathryn Daniels says: Dori, I just read your post. I wanted put out the effort ( & that is what I’m doing) because it made me lol. The part where you said u “sat down and cried” over some type of flower. I can relate. It may not be anything as beautiful as the flowers that you and your daughter grow but after the past 8 months of being laid low I have sat down & cried over a bug eaten anything & everything that represented at one time held a sign of life only to show up dead. It just struck me funny and gave me the one & only lol moment of my cherished day. It means a lot & THANK YOU for posting that comment. Have a great day!
Dori Troutman says: Kathryn,
Thank you so much for writing to me! You can’t know how much I appreciated it! And I’m so happy that I could make you have a good “laughing out loud moment”! After my good cry in the garden, I’ve had a few more close calls (ha ha!) and then forced myself to laugh and move on! Oh is it ever hard!
Thank you again… keep writing!
– Dori –
P.S. And if you could see our bug eaten flower garden tonight you would probably struggle to see anything beautiful in it, just like we did. Hoping it will look a little prettier tomorrow morning! 🙂
susana says: 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.
Dori Troutman says: Susana,
Zinnias are so amazing aren’t they? The more you cut and use them, the more they bloom! They are the miracle flower!
Happy Summer to you!
– Dori –
Dori,
KEEP ON planting and taking care of that gorgeous flower garden! I loved seeing all your pictures and look forward to seeing the flowers! Have a great summer!
Colleen
Dori Troutman says: Hi Colleen,
Oh have I EVER been thinking of you all in Utah this month! 🙂 And wishing I was there for about 4 days… or more!
Big hugs,
– Dori –
Maxine says: 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 Troutman says: Hi Maxine,
Thank you. It’s been a frustrating season for sure. We try to only post the positive!!! Ha ha! 🙂 Kind of like the hours at the farmers market yesterday and only sold 8 bouquets… came home and put the other 9 on the flower cart and they were gone this morning! We said, “Now WHY did we go to the farmers market”? 🙂 We are going to give it a month and see if it improves. Mainly it is a good way to get our name out there for more events, which is what we really love to do. Thanks for your encouragement!
– Dori –
Marilyn says: Dori, I, too, am a worrier and am finding it hard to be patient. At 67 and newly retired from teaching, I find I want changes now. After all, I’m 67. Doing for fun has never been a part of my thinking. I’m learning. Thank you so much for your beautiful blogs and being there for all of us.
Dori Troutman says: Marilyn,
Doing for fun is one of the hardest things to do sometimes isn’t it? I think part of my problem is that I genuinely love to be busy working… I think I would rather clean house than go anywhere. So it is hard to just let myself jump in and go do something for fun. I’m really working on that!
I appreciate you writing and your sweet words to me. It made my day.
– Dori –
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
Dori Troutman says: Juanita,
I love Cosmos. We do use them in our bouquets for a touch of filler. Have you grown the Double Click? They are a gorgeous pink. And yes, they are the most welcoming flower! Our Zinnias are FINALLY growing normal beautiful blooms, but what a struggle! Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
Sara says: Dori, thank you so much for sharing your daring flower venture idea! Thanks especially for showing that one doesn’t need to have a business plan, a website, a storefront, a financial justification(!) for doing something like this! How refreshing! You have given me a completely new perspective on sharing my farm bounty with others–if they like it, they’ll happily receive it, if they don’t, at least I enjoyed growing, harvesting, arranging and offering it! And with a supportive family member! A double blessing! I hope some day to have a lovely daughter-in-law who wants to dream by my side, doing similar farmgirl things with me! Bright harvests to you!
Dori Troutman says: Sara,
Thank you so much for writing and for your sweet words. I think winging it is so hard sometimes… but then there are some things that just can’t be learned except by doing! 🙂 And wow, we are learning! I do so love doing this little venture with my daughter. There is nothing like it in the world. Every day I feel a heart full of thankfulness for our relationship. I too hope you have a daughter (in-law) to share your farmgirl dreams with.
I’ll keep you updated on our flower farming venture!
– Dori –
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Having lived my entire life “out West” where hay was something you drove a long ways to buy (and paid a premium price for) it is still a novelty to me to live here in the South where we have our very own hay field! We’ve had a lot of hot and humid days already this summer and the hay has been growing right before our eyes!
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
Dori Troutman says: Hi Deb,
Thank you! Yes… I guess that is it. A things FARM!!! 🙂
Hugs,
– Dori –
Bonnie Ellis says: Fascinating! Thanks for getting up close and personal with the process. Your grand girls are having a blast. It brings back memories. My uncle used per herons for far work. Just think of how much easier he would have it today.
Dori Troutman says: Bonnie,
Can you just imagine the amount of work that went into baling hay back in our parents and grand-parents day? It is mind boggling to even understand it.
Thank you for following along and commenting!
– Dori –
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
Dori Troutman says: Hi Kim,
I think that seeing something done on your own farm just makes it all the more interesting! 🙂
Jumping those bales is very fun. A little itchy, but fun!
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
Joan says: Crazy like all farmgirls!! I’m not on a farm any more but your pictures bring back the joy, smell of haying time – although in my day the bales were way smaller and we had to pick them up by hand and stack them by hand – ahhh isn’t progress wonderful. I have seen the used hay rack tines used as art – hung on the side of a out building and painted like a sun, looked very nice. I love and miss your area, so thanks for sharing a bit of it today. God bless.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Joan,
Yes, they’ve really got the big heavy bales now. You can’t even push them, they are so heavy.
Oh, those tines would make an awesome sun!!! I love that.
Thanks for reading and for commenting!
– Dori –
krista says: 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)!!
Dori Troutman says: Krista,
What an awesome way to get your hay equipment… one piece at a time. We are in that decision making dilemma on whether we should purchase our own, or stick with the arrangement we have now.
And have you seriously painted them turquoise and grey? Email me pictures! redfeedsack@gmail.com
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
Nicole Christensen says: Dori,
Love it! Fun! I love the action shot of your sweet grandgirls and pup. I don’t know about you, but there’s just something beautiful to me about seeing a hay bale in a field. Maybe it’s my country girl roots. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl)
Dori Troutman says: Hi Nicole,
Thank you! Yes those little grand girls and pup are pretty sweet! 🙂
– Dori –
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!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Susabelle,
When we lived “out west” we purchased hay for our horse, and it was the small rectangular bales. The hay was trucked in from a good distance away so I never had the opportunity to see how it was done. But, I can certainly see how it could be done in a day as dry as it is. With the humidity here in Tennessee it can take a day for it to dry. We don’t typically get five cuttings but sometimes we get four. But then, I do think possibly the grass is different here and is cut when it is much taller. I guess I need to ask about that! 🙂 Thanks for writing!
-Dori –
Lorrie MacKenzie says: Wow! Thanks for sharing this. I always wondered how that worked.
Dori Troutman says: Lorrie,
Thank you for reading and commenting!
– Dori –
Denise Ross says: 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. 🙂
Dori Troutman says: Denise,
I got lucky on those mid-flight photos! 🙂 They are fun though! Thanks for reading along.
– Dori –
Maxine says: I love watching the hay process (especially the baler) in the fields next to our place. Last year was a great year, I think they got 5 cuttings. This year–well, we’re having too much rain to do that well–at least so far! I remember a few times when I was still fairly young getting to drive the tractor while my dad picked up bales! (the smaller rectangle ones–and by hand!)
Dori Troutman says: Hi Max,
Wow, the rain has been incredible hasn’t it? We had about 3 weeks of NO rain and now it’s not stopping. We went to Florida for a week and believe it or not, we only had a couple afternoons of rain.
Can you believe I’ve never really driven a tractor? I mean, I have, but only to move it down the road for Eldon. As a little girl I sat on my Grand-dad’s lap a lot while he was driving but that is it.
Thanks for writing!
Hugs – Dori –
Pat says: 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)
Dori Troutman says: Pat,
Oh yes. The smell of freshly cut hay. Isn’t it heavenly? I can’t believe I left that out! 🙂
As for my name. I was named “Michelle”. My parents brought me home from the hospital and never could call me Michelle; Mom said it just didn’t fit. In the mean time my Aunt Doris was coming over every day to see me and started calling me “Little Dori” and it stuck. When I was a few months old my parents legally changed my name to Dori! My Aunt Doris (I call her Aunt Doitie) and I have always been very close. The name definitely fits (have you seen the movie Finding Nemo with the forgetful fish named Dori?!) and I can’t imagine my name being Michelle.
– Dori –
Vivian Monroe says: Hey Dori, we don’t do any haying ourselves, but while living here in NC, we noticed all the farms around us do their haying Memorial day weekend. Usually I notice they have cut it during the week prior, and then by Mem day weekend, it is baled up and we see it moving down the road sometimes. 🙂 Love it, and love the pics of your dog and grandgirls playing on the bales. at home I had farmers for neighbors that would supply me with bales, square and round whichever I needed for my seasonal decor out by the road., Christmas tree made out of stacking bales, and decorated, easter basket made out of stacking bales, then grapevines weaved and made into large handle, with giant eggs sticking out of bales., one Christmas, huge manger scene made, and thanksgiving large turkey made with an old pallet cut up and boards painted bright colors for tail feather. :)I had the best neighbors in La.
Dori Troutman says: Vivian,
Some people are so creative with the hay bales. I would love to see pictures of your Holiday hay bale decorations! I’ve done a Fall display from the small rectangular straw bales, but that is it. I’ve seen folks do some amazing things with the big round bales. In front of our John Deere dealer they make a tractor out of large round bales, painting green and black. It was amazing. Maybe it’s time for me to get my creative thinking cap on! 🙂
– Dori –
Esther George says: 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!
Dori Troutman says: Esther,
Right now we carefully stack our hay bales and store in the shelter of the woods. BUT! The good news is that Eldon will be building a hay barn this Fall! Yay! 🙂
– Dori –
Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says: Hi my favorite friend,
I love looking at my swag on the window so beautiful.
My Father wrote down some of his memories from when he and his older Brother worked the Summers for the Grandfather on his ranch and also their Father’s. One of the things they did at that time was loose hay on huge wagons drawn by horses. He said they had to carry a pistol as in one day they would kill anywhere from 50 to 100 rattle snakes a day besides and that is besides raking and throwing the cut hay on to the moving wagon. Things are so much easier now. I worked a Summer on a ranch during the haying time when they had 15 men that went from ranch to ranch doing the haying and bailing. I worked in the house helping to cook (learning) and setting the table for each meal. We got up at 2 am to serve breakfast at 4:30 am. So the men could get out to the fields before it got to hot. We would no sooner finish with breakfast than we had to get lunch ready. We even put up lunch’s to be taken out to those that did not or could not stop to come in. I learned a lot. I was so greatfull for the opportunity.
Hugs to you and yours,
Kay
Dori Troutman says: Hello Kay!
I’m so happy the bunting works in your window of your temporary new place! Hope you’re settled in and doing well?
Those rattlesnake stories just make me so sick because on the Ranch that my mother was raised on in the boot hill of New Mexico (and the Ranch that she and my Dad now own) and the place we grew up working and playing… there were rattlesnakes everywhere. I can still hear my grandmother say whenever we stepped foot out the door “Honey, wear your boots and watch for snakes”. It is amazing that none of us ever got snake-bit. They are still a terrible problem there and my Mom has some real horror stories she tells of the size of some of them. Okay, time to change the subject!!!! 🙂
Hugs back to you and thanks for writing! I’m always so happy to hear from you!
– Dori –
Cindy says: 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
Dori Troutman says: Cindy,
I can’t even begin to imagine putting up hay the way did in days gone by. They sure knew how to work.
Let me know how many bales you get off your first cut! It is so very exciting.
Thanks for writing.
– Dori –
Cindy says: Oops! Spelled farm wrong! Ha!
Dori Troutman says: 🙂
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Good morning friends! I’m so happy to introduce you to Dennison’s Family Farm and my new friend Wayve (don’t you love that name?) Dennison. Guess how I met Wayve? Through this Farmgirl blog of MaryJanes! She was reading along one day wondering what part of Tennessee I lived in, then after realizing it looked close to home, she emailed me and asked where I live… and here I am. On a tour of their family strawberry farm!
Continue reading
Karen says: 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!!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Karen!
Message my daughter and I on our Farm Fresh Facebook sometime this summer when you are headed over to buy flowers and I’ll meet you at our flower cart so we can meet in person! Hopefully the end of June we’ll have flowers out there! 🙂
Yes, Dennison’s strawberries are THE BEST!!
– Dori –
Karen says: Yes ma’am I will! I would love to meet you!
We seem to have a lot in common!!!
Awesome post – thank you for sharing this lovely family farm. I do hope you go back in September and share the trip with us readers. Best, Kim
Dori Troutman says: Kim,
Thank you for writing. It truly was such a fun time on the farm!
– Dori –
Kristy says: I hope this is the start of a beautiful friendship and we’ll see Wayve when the strawberries are not in season.
Dori Troutman says: Kristy,
I’m thinking that all they do at their farm is something we will all enjoy many more times in the future! Aren’t new friends the best?! 🙂
– Dori –
Adrienne says: Here in San Francisco, we’re blessed to be surrounded by organic farms and farmers markets every day but Monday. Nothing beats fresh produce and knowing the grower makes your meals even more special. My friend bought me a Vitamix so I like to freeze some of the strawberries, pour them into the container and in 45 seconds, have fresh strawberry sherbet (I’m lactose intolerant). Even with the drought, we’ve had some amazing berries and I’m always grateful to our growers for their hard work.
Dori Troutman says: Adrienne,
Thank you so much for writing – I think it is so wonderful that there are farmers markets, even in the middle of big cities, and that there are farmers willing to provide us with such first class produce. And oh, your strawberry sherbet sounds so yummy.
– Dori –
Well this makes all the work worth it! Thanks so much for the tribute to local food, Dori. You are welcome, always.
Thank you for including our family in your post. As you can see, farming is not just womans’ work! Frank grows and manages everything, while Daddy hauls it in from the field and keeps all the weeds and grass cut. He won’t be 90 until September! He is happiest when being useful, as are we all.
Dori Troutman says: Wayve,
It was such an honor to be there and the more I think about it, the more in awe I am of all you all do. It was a huge highlight for me for sure.
– Dori –
Dori Troutman says: Wayve,
I’m still soaking up the fun day!
– Dori –
I want to live closer to that farm. It’s an inspiration to go buy some strawberry plants for my tiny patio garden. Thanks!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Jaimey,
I am so thankful to live here in Tennessee where I get to be close to farms like this one. It makes me seriously happy!
– Dori –
Jennifer says: Thanks for posting about this! Our farm share has provided us with some strawberries, but these are just beautiful. Road trip to Tennessee??
Dori Troutman says: Hi Jennifer,
Yes… road trip to Tennessee! But make it soon. I bet the strawberries don’t go for too much longer. 🙁
– Dori –
Ann says: What a wonderful post! Very enlightening and makes me want to go to my nearest strawberry farm in my area to pick and/or buy some right away. Thanks for sharing.
Ann
Dori Troutman says: Hi Ann,
Yes for sure… if you have a strawberry farm nearby then GO! 🙂 Oh, there is nothing like it is there?
– Dori –
Marcia says: Living in Florida, well we are partial to Plant City Strawberries…but those berries really looked wonderful! May even have to put Dennison’s on my list of places to visit when I retire(ha,ha). My best friend lives in Plant City so may have to get her up there also!
Marcia
Dori Troutman says: Hi Marcia,
I imagine strawberries from different soils, climates, etc. would taste different. These are so incredible that we have been eating them like candy! And none of us are tired of them! Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
bonnie ellis says: Wow! that’s quite an operation. Here in Minnesota we can harvest the strawberries in June. They are varieties that can take the extreme cold we have. We grow some in our garden and they are extra special. Thanks to the Dennison’s for sharing this great story and to you for telling it to us.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Bonnie,
It is interesting the different varieties, isn’t it? That is the next thing I’d like to learn from the Dennison’s. They have numerous varieties planted and she told me the names, but I knew I couldn’t do it justice. Another blog post sometime?! 🙂
– Dori –
Marvene says: Dori is my husband’s niece. We are so proud and awed at her gentle spirit in sharing so many wonderful ideas. My mouth watered up at all the pictures of those strawberries. My mother, born in AZ in 1909 tried all her life to grow strawberries, never had good luck — could it be, too hot and not much water in this dry desert?
Great article, Dori. Ms
Dori Troutman says: Dear Aunt Marvene,
Thank you for writing here. I miss you.
Mom used to have a nice strawberry patch in New Mexico when we were kids… but I remember watering continually and getting only enough berries to hoard for homemade ice-cream on Sunday! And Arizona would be WAY dryer.
Hope you and Uncle Wayne get to come see us this year. Love and hugs –
– Dori –
Marvene says: We are working on heading to KY and to your farm too, Lord willing. Keep on keeping on. . .
xoxo Ms
Karen says: I’ve known Wayve for many years and applaud her for going back home (after her amazing kids were raised) to help her family to keep farming! I’ve enjoyed those amazing Strawberries myself and they are by far the best I’ve ever eaten. Thank you for paying such a nice tribute to this hard working and loving family!
Dori Troutman says: Karen,
I would so love to meet Wayve’s kids – I heard such fun things about them. Thank you for writing to me, it made my day.
– Dori –
Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says: 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
Dori Troutman says: Hi Kay,
I was thinking about you today and wondering if you are settled in your rental. Hope it’s going well.
I have not heard of those food labels here in the South. But I’m going to make a point of looking!
I’ve made jars and jars of jam in my life and this year I did not make strawberry jam. We just are not really jam and jelly eaters… I do make blackberry jam and jelly from the wild blackberries on our farm though! 🙂 Anyway, I put quite a few pints of strawberries in the freezer for winter time. Strawberry shortcake in the middle of winter tastes so good!
Hugs to you… – Dori –
Dori, Is there anything better than a visit to a real working farm? It’s magic I tell ya… and you captured it in this post. Thank you! Hugs!Deb, the Beach Farmgirl.
PS.Maybe folks will visit your flower farm and feel the same way you did after leaving. No matter what people grow it’s a labor of love. Including flowers. You and I know that first hand!
Dori Troutman says: Deb, thank you! I’ve been weeding in my flower garden 2 hours every evening for days and days and days now and I keep thinking, would anyone EVER want to visit this weed filled mess??? 🙂 But, I did see some buds on the Dahlias and some Sunflowers getting ready to bloom, so once things start blooming maybe the weeds won’t seem so ugly! Wish YOU could come visit.
Hugs,
– Dori –
Suzi Henry says: 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!
Dori, Thank you again for this wonderful article; we never looked better! If I ever get to be as good or as useful as you make me sound, I’ll be proud. Believe it or not, we will be picking strawberries again tomorrow, June 15! That is way later than last year. My daughter, Nettie Grace and our friend, Asher, who is visiting from the U.K., visited this week. We were happy to still have strawberries, as that was his one request. He must be at least 6’6″ tall, and not used to our hot weather, but he and Nettie picked one whole row. It’s a long way down to the strawberries from that height, but he was a trooper. He and Nettie prepared several meals while they were here, and Daddy and I just sat back and enjoyed the luxury. Asher made a dessert called Eton (“a posh school”) Mess, which is traditionally made of strawberries and meringues mixed up with whipped cream. Since meringues are not as available in Elora as in Eton, he made it with wedding cookie (“biscuit”) pieces, broken to bits. The “bits and bobs” of pecans from the biscuits added another layer of flavor. He and Nettie renamed it Elora Mess! So there’s a truly international recipe for our farmgirl friends. And it was wonderful! It is great to read comments from friends, new and old, and those I haven’t met, yet. Isn’t it amazing to be farmgirls (and guys) in a small world?
Dori Troutman says: Wayve,
I just cut up a half gallon of your amazing strawberries for supper tonight. I tell you, I have NEVER enjoyed strawberries as much as I have this season… maybe because the season has been longer?! 🙂 I have loved every single bite of every strawberry. And I have a much deeper appreciation for them now!
I would love to meet your daughter someday. She sounds simply delightful, as well as Asher. I want to meet him too!
Our flowers are getting so close to being ready for bouquets… I’ll run one over to you when they are blooming big!
Hugs to you,
– Dori –
Pam says: I love the Dennison Farm. I have bought berries from them for about 20 years. I used to call the veggie line when grandma used to put the word out during the season. I would listen to her tell about the produce and then tell which grand child was graduating or other news about the farm. I miss her sweet voice. The Dennisons are one VERY special family!
Thank you for your service to our community!
.
.
Good morning friends! I’m so happy to introduce you to Dennison’s Family Farm and my new friend Wayve (don’t you love that name?) Dennison. Guess how I met Wayve? Through this Farmgirl blog of MaryJanes! She was reading along one day wondering what part of Tennessee I lived in, then after realizing it looked close to home, she emailed me and asked where I live… and here I am. On a tour of their family strawberry farm!
Continue reading
Karen says: 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!!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Karen!
Message my daughter and I on our Farm Fresh Facebook sometime this summer when you are headed over to buy flowers and I’ll meet you at our flower cart so we can meet in person! Hopefully the end of June we’ll have flowers out there! 🙂
Yes, Dennison’s strawberries are THE BEST!!
– Dori –
Karen says: Yes ma’am I will! I would love to meet you!
We seem to have a lot in common!!!
Awesome post – thank you for sharing this lovely family farm. I do hope you go back in September and share the trip with us readers. Best, Kim
Dori Troutman says: Kim,
Thank you for writing. It truly was such a fun time on the farm!
– Dori –
Kristy says: I hope this is the start of a beautiful friendship and we’ll see Wayve when the strawberries are not in season.
Dori Troutman says: Kristy,
I’m thinking that all they do at their farm is something we will all enjoy many more times in the future! Aren’t new friends the best?! 🙂
– Dori –
Adrienne says: Here in San Francisco, we’re blessed to be surrounded by organic farms and farmers markets every day but Monday. Nothing beats fresh produce and knowing the grower makes your meals even more special. My friend bought me a Vitamix so I like to freeze some of the strawberries, pour them into the container and in 45 seconds, have fresh strawberry sherbet (I’m lactose intolerant). Even with the drought, we’ve had some amazing berries and I’m always grateful to our growers for their hard work.
Dori Troutman says: Adrienne,
Thank you so much for writing – I think it is so wonderful that there are farmers markets, even in the middle of big cities, and that there are farmers willing to provide us with such first class produce. And oh, your strawberry sherbet sounds so yummy.
– Dori –
Well this makes all the work worth it! Thanks so much for the tribute to local food, Dori. You are welcome, always.
Thank you for including our family in your post. As you can see, farming is not just womans’ work! Frank grows and manages everything, while Daddy hauls it in from the field and keeps all the weeds and grass cut. He won’t be 90 until September! He is happiest when being useful, as are we all.
Dori Troutman says: Wayve,
It was such an honor to be there and the more I think about it, the more in awe I am of all you all do. It was a huge highlight for me for sure.
– Dori –
Dori Troutman says: Wayve,
I’m still soaking up the fun day!
– Dori –
I want to live closer to that farm. It’s an inspiration to go buy some strawberry plants for my tiny patio garden. Thanks!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Jaimey,
I am so thankful to live here in Tennessee where I get to be close to farms like this one. It makes me seriously happy!
– Dori –
Jennifer says: Thanks for posting about this! Our farm share has provided us with some strawberries, but these are just beautiful. Road trip to Tennessee??
Dori Troutman says: Hi Jennifer,
Yes… road trip to Tennessee! But make it soon. I bet the strawberries don’t go for too much longer. 🙁
– Dori –
Ann says: What a wonderful post! Very enlightening and makes me want to go to my nearest strawberry farm in my area to pick and/or buy some right away. Thanks for sharing.
Ann
Dori Troutman says: Hi Ann,
Yes for sure… if you have a strawberry farm nearby then GO! 🙂 Oh, there is nothing like it is there?
– Dori –
Marcia says: Living in Florida, well we are partial to Plant City Strawberries…but those berries really looked wonderful! May even have to put Dennison’s on my list of places to visit when I retire(ha,ha). My best friend lives in Plant City so may have to get her up there also!
Marcia
Dori Troutman says: Hi Marcia,
I imagine strawberries from different soils, climates, etc. would taste different. These are so incredible that we have been eating them like candy! And none of us are tired of them! Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
bonnie ellis says: Wow! that’s quite an operation. Here in Minnesota we can harvest the strawberries in June. They are varieties that can take the extreme cold we have. We grow some in our garden and they are extra special. Thanks to the Dennison’s for sharing this great story and to you for telling it to us.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Bonnie,
It is interesting the different varieties, isn’t it? That is the next thing I’d like to learn from the Dennison’s. They have numerous varieties planted and she told me the names, but I knew I couldn’t do it justice. Another blog post sometime?! 🙂
– Dori –
Marvene says: Dori is my husband’s niece. We are so proud and awed at her gentle spirit in sharing so many wonderful ideas. My mouth watered up at all the pictures of those strawberries. My mother, born in AZ in 1909 tried all her life to grow strawberries, never had good luck — could it be, too hot and not much water in this dry desert?
Great article, Dori. Ms
Dori Troutman says: Dear Aunt Marvene,
Thank you for writing here. I miss you.
Mom used to have a nice strawberry patch in New Mexico when we were kids… but I remember watering continually and getting only enough berries to hoard for homemade ice-cream on Sunday! And Arizona would be WAY dryer.
Hope you and Uncle Wayne get to come see us this year. Love and hugs –
– Dori –
Marvene says: We are working on heading to KY and to your farm too, Lord willing. Keep on keeping on. . .
xoxo Ms
Karen says: I’ve known Wayve for many years and applaud her for going back home (after her amazing kids were raised) to help her family to keep farming! I’ve enjoyed those amazing Strawberries myself and they are by far the best I’ve ever eaten. Thank you for paying such a nice tribute to this hard working and loving family!
Dori Troutman says: Karen,
I would so love to meet Wayve’s kids – I heard such fun things about them. Thank you for writing to me, it made my day.
– Dori –
Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says: 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
Dori Troutman says: Hi Kay,
I was thinking about you today and wondering if you are settled in your rental. Hope it’s going well.
I have not heard of those food labels here in the South. But I’m going to make a point of looking!
I’ve made jars and jars of jam in my life and this year I did not make strawberry jam. We just are not really jam and jelly eaters… I do make blackberry jam and jelly from the wild blackberries on our farm though! 🙂 Anyway, I put quite a few pints of strawberries in the freezer for winter time. Strawberry shortcake in the middle of winter tastes so good!
Hugs to you… – Dori –
Dori, Is there anything better than a visit to a real working farm? It’s magic I tell ya… and you captured it in this post. Thank you! Hugs!Deb, the Beach Farmgirl.
PS.Maybe folks will visit your flower farm and feel the same way you did after leaving. No matter what people grow it’s a labor of love. Including flowers. You and I know that first hand!
Dori Troutman says: Deb, thank you! I’ve been weeding in my flower garden 2 hours every evening for days and days and days now and I keep thinking, would anyone EVER want to visit this weed filled mess??? 🙂 But, I did see some buds on the Dahlias and some Sunflowers getting ready to bloom, so once things start blooming maybe the weeds won’t seem so ugly! Wish YOU could come visit.
Hugs,
– Dori –
Suzi Henry says: 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!
Dori, Thank you again for this wonderful article; we never looked better! If I ever get to be as good or as useful as you make me sound, I’ll be proud. Believe it or not, we will be picking strawberries again tomorrow, June 15! That is way later than last year. My daughter, Nettie Grace and our friend, Asher, who is visiting from the U.K., visited this week. We were happy to still have strawberries, as that was his one request. He must be at least 6’6″ tall, and not used to our hot weather, but he and Nettie picked one whole row. It’s a long way down to the strawberries from that height, but he was a trooper. He and Nettie prepared several meals while they were here, and Daddy and I just sat back and enjoyed the luxury. Asher made a dessert called Eton (“a posh school”) Mess, which is traditionally made of strawberries and meringues mixed up with whipped cream. Since meringues are not as available in Elora as in Eton, he made it with wedding cookie (“biscuit”) pieces, broken to bits. The “bits and bobs” of pecans from the biscuits added another layer of flavor. He and Nettie renamed it Elora Mess! So there’s a truly international recipe for our farmgirl friends. And it was wonderful! It is great to read comments from friends, new and old, and those I haven’t met, yet. Isn’t it amazing to be farmgirls (and guys) in a small world?
Dori Troutman says: Wayve,
I just cut up a half gallon of your amazing strawberries for supper tonight. I tell you, I have NEVER enjoyed strawberries as much as I have this season… maybe because the season has been longer?! 🙂 I have loved every single bite of every strawberry. And I have a much deeper appreciation for them now!
I would love to meet your daughter someday. She sounds simply delightful, as well as Asher. I want to meet him too!
Our flowers are getting so close to being ready for bouquets… I’ll run one over to you when they are blooming big!
Hugs to you,
– Dori –
Pam says: I love the Dennison Farm. I have bought berries from them for about 20 years. I used to call the veggie line when grandma used to put the word out during the season. I would listen to her tell about the produce and then tell which grand child was graduating or other news about the farm. I miss her sweet voice. The Dennisons are one VERY special family!
Thank you for your service to our community!
.
.
Did you know that Pyrex Glassware is 100 years old this year? I don’t know about you, but I love my vintage Pyrex. I’ve been enjoying doing a little reading about the history of Pyrex and this comes directly from their website:
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“The idea for Pyrex Glassware came from the industrious wife of a Corning Glass Works scientist who was frustrated with her unreliable casserole dish. Knowing the strength of the railroad signal lantern glass her husband worked with, she begged him to bring home something she could use in the kitchen. Voilà, the Pyrex baking dish was born. Two years later, Boston department store Jordan Marsh placed the first order for Pyrex Glassware. The rest, as they say, is history.”
I don’t have any vintage pyrex but I have been slowly replacing all plastic containers after I realize plastic containers hold not only smells but mold. Pyrex is all I use on a regular basis.
I wish I kept my mothers as she had quite a few pyrex. I loved the contemporary variety and sizes. I just love the custard dishes for puddings. I wish we had a pyrex outlet store near me. The only place I can find pyrex is at Walmart. They had a black friday sale at Christmas time and I bought quite a few
sets. Gave them as gifts too, as I want my kids to be healthier and not use plastic. I love pyrex! I been sold on it fir sometime. If only people would realize the danger f using plastic, they’d stop using it.
I learned that mold and mildew grow in plastic and it also gets ingrained into the plastic so its never really clean. The fungus and mold survives in minuscule amounts. I first notice it in a water container. It appeared as a crack at first’ then it grew. You could literarily see the verbs of the fungus on the container. It was then I vowed I would get rid of all plastic cobtainers as they are unhealthy vessels for microbes to grow as it eats into the plastic. No more plastic for me! Only pyrex!
Dori Troutman says: Hello Susana,
I just loving using my Pyrex for food storage – more for the reason that I love being able to just stick it straight in the oven!
Thanks for writing.
– Dori –
Debbie from Texas says: I enjoy your blog so much. Just had to let you know the Pyrex is awesome, my mom and grand mom have shared all the pieces you pictured and I use them everyday!!! Thanks for all the things you share with us.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Debbie,
Thank you for reading! I’m happy that you love your Pyrex too. Don’t you think they are the most functional glassware ever?
– Dori –
Raymie says: i had the colored nesting bowls-unfortunately my red one broke….do you know of a good source for replacements?!
Thank you,
Raymie
Dori Troutman says: Hi Raymie,
Ebay is a great source for replacing your red bowl. Unfortunately, they are not cheap. You can bid on one but they do tend to go high. I did a quick search and found one on a “buy it now” deal with a price of $29.99, which is probably a pretty good price. But then you have shipping on top of that. If you live near any antique stores that is a pretty good bet also. I’m lucky that I live near numerous antique stores. I’ll keep an eye out for you and let you know if I ever see one for cheap!
– Dori –
Bonnie ellis says: Since I am vintage, I have lots of vintage Pyrex too. But when we were married 53 years ago I had a Pyrex cook pan. I was boiling water in the pan and it broke in two. Luckily I wasn’t standing next to it. That is the only time I have heard of pyrex breaking. I have some of my mothers pyrex too and that is used.
Thanks for that information.
Dori Troutman says: Bonnie,
When I read your comment I remembered my daughter breaking a Pyrex casserole dish that she accidentally set on a hot burner on her stove and it literally shattered. Which is funny since it is oven safe. But maybe not burner safe. Or maybe it was defective. I don’t know. But it was pretty dangerous the way that it shattered.
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
Dori Troutman says: Bonnie, I was wrong on the Pyrex that my daughter broke. It was in the oven and she was baking a loaf of bread in it and it shattered everywhere. So, evidently there are times when Pyrex does break. And maybe it was defective in some way. – Dori –
Susan says: Does old Corningware count? my favorite piece is the old (60s? 70? I don’t know) coffee cups. I love my current dishes, but I still wish that shaped cup was available in open stock.
Dori Troutman says: Susan,
Old Corningware definitely counts!!!! 🙂 I love some of the old Corningware.
– Dori –
Betty J. says: I have that same set of nesting Pyrex bowls. The color has been ruined by washing in the dishwasher. They will be used for a long, long time. However, I didn’t get them for the $2.46 mentioned in the year 1946. Thanks for sharing the information about Pyrex. I had no idea they were connected with the Corning Glass Works.
Dori Troutman says: Betty,
Yeah mine weren’t $2.46 either!!! 🙂 It is nice that even though the color is faded from the dishwasher, your Pyrex are as functional as ever! Pyrex has a very interesting history, doesn’t it?
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
Rebecca Thomason says: Love your vintage pyrex! I recently purchased a small round container with a lid. It definitely reminded me of the 70s, and now I know it is the Friendship pattern. How fun! Your kitchen looks so cute with your pyrex.
Dori Troutman says: Rebecca,
Don’t you love that Friendship pattern??? And the ones that have the lids are awesome. That is what I had that got lost in the move somehow. (Isn’t that weird how that happens?!)
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
Luanne Erickson says: What a fun read! I love the nesting bowl ad. That set is my favorite also! I use it everyday. I would like a few more refrigerator dishes and I saw a picture of some ruffle edged cereal bowls that I would love to have. Vintage all the way for me! 🙂
Dori Troutman says: Hi Lu!
I would love to have that Pyrex Ad! I’d hang it right in my kitchen! 🙂 I saw those ruffled edged cereal bowls too. I also saw them in pie plates and they were so beautiful I almost started hyperventilating! 🙂 But I haven’t been able to find them for sale on ebay, etsy, or anywhere.
Love you terribly dear friend and miss you really terribly!!!
– Dori –
Rhonda says: Am I the only one who teared up at the picture of the big yellow bowl with rising dough? That photo yanked me back in time to a weekly scene in our house. My mom baked 6 loaves twice a week. She did all the work – we had the tough job of “testing” the bread, warm from the oven, when we came home from school. Thanks for the stroll down Memory Lane. Oh yeah, I still have the bowls! And, like you, use them every day.
Dori Troutman says: Rhonda,
I think possibly that is why I love my bread dough rising in the yellow bowl because it brings back the best memories ever. Isn’t warm bread out of the oven the best memory? And my Mom always made a few doughnuts from her dough each week. It was our sweet treat once a week!
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
Patty Deatherage says: I enjoy seeing the older Pyrex also.. I look at it longingly at the thrift or antique stores, alas only so much room in my kitchen.. The small blue bowl of the nesting set was the tune fish bowl at our house when I was growing up! I look at it and remember tuna fish sandwiches with potato chips and chocolate milk!!!
Dori Troutman says: Patty,
Yes… at some point we must say no to adding more things to our kitchen! 🙂 That is sort of my dilemma too. When we built our house I really downsized in my kitchen junk and clutter and so I’m hesitant to buy more Pyrex, even though I want it!!!
Oh that is so funny about the blue bowl being the tuna fish bowl in your house when you were growing up because that is exactly what I use it for!!! It is just the perfect size for that!
– Dori –
Maxine Jelinek says: The nesting bowls are totally my favorite, & on my wish list. My grandmother had a set that now my mom uses. So many memories of grandma’s kitchen! I love glass too rather than plastic.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Max,
You need to put Rod and Lu on the look out for you at the auctions they go to!!! They can find you a set I bet! Of course they are really expensive right now; I think they gained in popularity and the price is really up.
And yes, I love the memories attached to them too.
Hugs,
– Dori –
Luanne Erickson says: I wasn’t going to admit I have 2 sets of nesting bowls.. I plan on selling one . Guess I should give my sis first bids. It is shocking how high these can go at auction. We watched a set sell for 95.00 recently. Ouch!
Dori Troutman says: Oh that is absolutely hilarious!!!! I was going to call and alert you of her comment and say, “When does Max have a birthday”?!! 🙂 I saw a set at an antique store recently for over $100, of course it WAS Franklin, TN so you can’t totally count that. Ha Ha!
Did I say how much I miss you???
Jeannette says: I have the nesting bowl in the earth colors, brown and beige. I use mine for making Irish Soda Bread every St Patricks Day. In the summer I use them for salads at picnics. Thanks for the article. I will be on the lookout for the anniversary specials.
Dori Troutman says: Jeannette,
They are great for picnics and potlucks. People act surprised when I use mine outside on the picnic table – but I don’t worry about them breaking. I just want to use them and enjoy them! I’ve seen the ones in the earth tones and they are beautiful too.
– Dori –
I love this post and all this vintage Pyrex! I super love the white and blue that your daughter has! And the fridge pieces!!! If you saw my fridge, you would not want to be friends anymore.
If I used vintage things, I would break them in no time. Probably even Pyrex.
Love the history!!
Love the post!
Love vintage Pyrex!
Love your kitchen!
Love YOU!!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Val,
I don’t think you would break your Pyrex. It’s got to be a pretty good fall on tile or something. Believe you me, if it was easy to break they would be broken in my house because I’m the biggest klutz of all time! 🙂
Love you back!
– Dori –
Esther George says: My grandparents gave me the pink and white set of bowls for a high school graduation gift and I used them for many years! The large one was perfect for whipping up an angel food cake, that was the first dessert I made for my hubby when we were married 55 years ago. Thankfully I still have my husband and wish I had the bowls too!
You always have the most inspiring posts!!
Dori Troutman says: Hello Esther,
What a neat graduation present… I bet you really do wish you still had those dishes! I’m glad you have your husband though! 🙂
Thanks for writing!!!
– Dori –
bonnie b says: Hi Dori, I have a cute story to tell you about our experience with the nesting bowls in our family. My mother-in-law had the bowls and used them for years. when she passed away, my daughter wanted tthem in the worst way, so she has them. Unfortunately her cat jumped up and knocked the green one off the counter on day and it broke. I searched antiques stores in our area, ebay, etsy to find a replacement. Like you said some online places were pricy and none were found locally. By Christmas 2013 I finally found a set at an antiques store here. I had to buy the whole set. But the price was great – $38.00! So daughter got the green bowl for Christmas, and I kept the rest and began using them. About 2 weeks ago we were at an estate sale and they had TWO green bowls for sale – $12.00 per bowl. Not a bad price. So now I have a complete set too! (smile)
Love also some refrigerator pieces that i inherited from an aunt.
So enjoy your posts – like a good friend stopping by with some interesting news.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Bonnie,
I love that story!!! 🙂 So glad you found replacement bowls! And now you have a set too! And $38 for a full set? WOW!!! I’ve been seeing them at antique stores for well over $100. It’s crazy. I think maybe it has gained in popularity so the price really went up.
And I think it is so awesome how badly your daughter wanted those bowls. I think now that I’m older I have a greater love and appreciation for older things like vintage Pyrex, but honestly I didn’t feel that way when I was young. I’m thankful that my daughter and my daughter in law do. It is special when our daughters recognize the value of things from the past, isn’t it?
Thank you so much for writing… I always feel like the readers that comment are like good friends stopping by to visit too! You said it very well.
– Dori –
Kathleen Musselman says: Beautiful collection, thank you for sharing. I have a pyrex collection displayed on shelves in my kitchen. May I send you a photo? The large yellow nesting bowl, in my family is called the potato salad bowl. Want to know how much potato salad to make? Fill the bowl, always served in that special bowl. I found a second yellow bowl a few years back at a flea market $10.00 I was thrilled to have a spare.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Kathleen,
Please do send me a picture! I would love that. You can email me here: redfeedsack@gmail.com. I’ll watch for it!
That yellow bowl is absolutely perfect for potato salad – I make mine in it too!!! 🙂 The best size for so many things.
I keep my eye out for replacement bowls just in case and I haven’t been lucky enough to find any at a good price. They sure can get pricey can’t they? And garage sales and thrift stores are awesome, but I don’t frequent them enough to find the pyrex I guess!
Thanks for writing and I’ll be excited to see your picture!
– Dori –
Sharon D Green says: I can’t believe I found someone that loves Pyrex as much as I do!! Wonderful to find a fellow Pyrex friend! I also hunt garage sales for them and do find pieces that way! I also HATE plastic and like you, have a few pieces stuck way in the back of my pantry! Can’t stand them! Gives me the “ughs”!! Ha! My husband was an auctioneer and had a few “estate” boxes left over that he had taken home. Many years later when we married, he came across one of the boxes. Inside were the nesting, colored bowls!! I nearly fainted and screamed with delight!! I had been wanting these for years and never found them! Now I have my own set!!
I want to say how much I enjoy your website and ideas. We think so much alike. Keep the writings going, we all enjoy them so much.
Dori Troutman says: Sharon,
What a find – I would’ve screamed and nearly fainted too!!! 🙂 Don’t you wonder sometimes if plastic will go out of style and everyone will go back to glassware again?
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. And for writing me!
– Dori –
Judy says: Hi Dori,
I live in Corning,NY where Pyrex was developed. My husband was born and raised here and worked in “pressware” many years ago. We have the beautiful world famous Corning Museum of Glass right here in our own backyard. Thanks for your walk down memory lane. So glad you are still using your pieces as we are although your collection is more extensive and in much better shape!! 🙂 Judy
Dori Troutman says: Judy,
I looked at the Corning Museum of Glass online and oh my goodness. I want to visit! I see they have a Pyrex exhibit right now and that would be so much fun to see. It looks like a fantastic museum. It is as awesome in person? What a neat piece of history to live close to!
I’m going to put this on my list of things I want to see!
– Dori –
Kerrie Hershey says: Hi Dori– Love your news and that you don’t own a microwave EITHER !! Kindred spirits indeed. I’m still using my Pyrex baking dish with the vegies from 1972. A wedding present. I have several pieces, green refridgerator dish, yellow bowls and somewhere is a white bowl with the yellow dots. Must find. Too fun ! I also have a “Fire King” large bowl with the too cute Tulips. A favorite. Does Fire King count? I wish I had not sold my sunflower oval baking dish at a yard sale…………what was I thinking? I love to open your emails, thanks for being our ranch sister.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Kerrie,
Yes Fire King counts! And that Fire King bowl with the tulips I think is pretty valuable right? I’ve seen the sets and they are expensive – like really expensive. I like the bowls, what a neat shape they are!
I know it; I kick myself for things I gave away! 🙂
Thanks so much for writing to me!
– Dori –
Oh, Pyrex… It is nothing but a love affair!
I have the pink and white nested bowls from the late 50’s/early 60’s. My mother received a set as a wedding gift (1959) and about 15 years ago I found the exact same set at a thrift store in the country for EIGHT DOLLARS. My mother and father are divorced, and my mother did not get to take her bowls with her (long story) and when she saw mine, she said, “how did you get those away from your dad?” I had to tell her I had bought my own. Whenever I’m at my dad’s, I look to see if they are still there, and they are. I may ask my stepmom if I can have them at some point. I remember them from when I was very young, so they have some sentimental value for me as well.
I also have several refrigerator dishes with the turquoise chicken motif, they have followed me for many years. I have a yellow mixing bowl with a lip, I got it at a garage sale for a quarter. 😉 I have several Pyrex loaf pans.
But the greatest thing I have? I found the 8-cup Pyrex handled measuring cup. It is ancient, I can tell by the thickness of the glass and the way the measurements are crafted. I have wanted one FOREVER and found it at a Restore thrift store in the next town over. It was $8, and I waffled a bit on it, but bought it anyway.
I, too, don’t like plastics but since I tote my lunch to work, as do my kids and my husband, I’m afraid the glass would get dropped/broken, or worse yet, lost. 🙁
Dori Troutman says: Susabelle,
You have some great finds at amazing prices!!! That just makes them all the more exciting doesn’t it? 🙂 I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the original 8-cup measuring cup. That is an amazing find. Glad you bought it!
Yes, you should ask you stepmom someday about the bowls – the sentimental value is worth a lot. I think it is nice that your Dad kept them.
Plastics do work great for lunches on the go. They certainly do have their place at times, don’t they?
-Dori-
Vivian Monroe says: Dori, I love pyrex as well, and have just started collecting pieces from Estate sales. The best place to purchase and find old ones at great prices. ALso, have been picking up some pieces of Fire King. Gotta be on the look out now for those colorful nesting bowls, I do have some tan nesting bowls but not as old and not as cool. 🙂 Be BLessed and I too want to order some of the anniversary pieces that one day I will pass down to my boys (who are both great cooks and love being in the kitchen). Neta
Dori Troutman says: Vivian,
Here in this area where we live they don’t tend to have estate sales, they have auctions and the prices of everything goes sky high. I love Fire King and I have a few pieces of that also. I have a salt and pepper shaker set that I love.
Passing the Anniversary pieces down to your sons is a great idea. I love that you have boys that are great cooks and enjoy it. That is very special.
– Dori –
noreen giambrone says: i also do not have a microwave—-and plastic is not used for food storage at all—–my pyrex bowls i found at a house sale by a cemetary on a weekday–not even an organized sale–just look inthe cupboards and give a price———–so for the 4 bowl set in very good condition and 2 refrigerator glass boxes —–i paid around 3 dollars!!!!! i also have some blue and white corningware pieces and 2 round covered pyrex baking sets which i love!!!!!!!!!noreen
Dori Troutman says: Noreen,
Wow was that an exciting day!!! I would love to happen on to a sale like that one! 🙂
– Dori –
Hi Dori, You and I had this conversation last week, lol. Like I mentioned, I have purchased some of the “dots” because I love them. I myself am not a collector, though know so many who do. I have other vintage bowls, but I do appreciate them… love the colors and they bring back memories of my mom using hers.
I do wish I could find some of the refrigerator bowls! I have been searching for some time now! Great post!
Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl)
Dori Troutman says: Hi Nicole! Continuation of our email conversation…. (thanks for that, by the way!).
The best place to find the refrigerator dishes is probably ebay. I notice them in our antique stores occasionally, but not too often. They are a hot item I think! 🙂 One time years ago I bought a “lot” off of ebay that had bits and pieces so having those along with the other two full sets I have is really nice.
Have a good week!
Hugs – Dori –
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I’m not very competitive by nature and when it comes to a competitive sport I’m usually quite happy to be the cheerleader on the side lines. But back in the Fall before this long, cold winter my daughter in law challenged me to run a half marathon. She and my son have run numerous marathons together and they recognize the power in the motivation behind it!
Karen says: Congratulations!!!! What a great encouragement you are to me!
My husband and I finished right behind you all!
I was just happy to finish. I didn’t train as well as I should have for this race but hoping to run another one in October in Winchester!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Karen!
Congratulations to you and your husband too! I agree – I was just thrilled to finish it! 🙂 I saw the one in October in Winchester and thought about it. Decided to stick to one a year for now! However, April and October would be the perfect time in between!
Thanks for reading and writing!
– Dori –
Bonnie ellis says: I am sure all of us farmgirl’s are VERY proud of you too. Congratulations! Well done. My dil runs too and we are her biggest fans. Keep up the good work.
Dori Troutman says: Dear Bonnie,
Honestly, I think more than anything my thoughts on the marathon were this: we can do anything we set our hearts to. Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
Adrienne says: Congratulations! That’s quite an accomplishment. My latest is teaching a semi-monthly chair yoga class to the folks in my senior apartment building. On Saturday the 25th, I will be the keynote speaker at the Relay for Life (my 8th) and leading the Survivors Lap before staffing the survivors tent. The Relay begins at 2 on Saturday and ends at 2 on Sunday. Teams take turns on the track for the 24-hour event to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. And this year, I will be a two-time cancer survivor (liposarcoma and breast cancer). It will be such fun and I’m so very happy to help.
Dori Troutman says: Dear Adrienne,
First off, congrats on being a TWO-TIME cancer survivor. Wow. I am a breast cancer survivor also! Ten years it has been for me now. I have participated in the Relay for Life and I loved it. I think the Survivors Lap was incredible. I don’t know about you, but I bawled the whole time around with everyone cheering and clapping. I wish I could come attend YOUR Relay for Life.
And that is awesome teaching chair yoga to the folks in the senior building. When we attend our grand-daughters’ dance/gymnastics recital every year, one of my favorite classes that perform are the senior citizens from their chairs. They are awesome and it is always inspiring.
Keep it up!!! And keep me posted. – Dori –
Missy Smedley says: I love your post. I am the teacher that advises the students at the water stop 12. I was looking a little green that day. 🙂 They always enjoy working the water stop but adding the theme this year made them enjoy it even more. They’re constantly told they can accomplish anything and it is great for them to witness people accomplishing goals as well as cheer them on for the last leg! I can’t wait to share this with the students!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Missy! Thank you for reading and commenting! All the water stops were fantastic, but that one was the motivation we needed to really “pick it up and finish”! 🙂 Your students were fantastic and yes… I do remember seeing someone that was rather “green”!!! Good job! We are looking forward to next year! – Dori –
P.S. Did you guys win the water stop competition? Seems like I saw that on Facebook. Congrats if so!
Jennifer says: Dori, that’s incredible! Such an achievement! Good for you!
Dori Troutman says: Jennifer,
Thanks for writing. It was a good lesson for me – we can do anything we set our hearts to!
– Dori –
I’ve been working for eleven months to get us through permitting our structures and to be able to build the house we wanted to build since we bought this place ten years ago. It feels like a marathon. A constant effort every day toward a goal.
I just pulled the septic permit and the other septic is finished off. Now in the next few days we will pick up the house permit. Yeah !
It’s probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Since my husband is a disabled Vietnam Vet. I’ve had to do all of it myself. The funny thing is that since my husband and I build a large farm on this property everyone loved it and it’s really helped get all the other details worked out.
Now just have to finish the permitting on an existing cabin that we remodeled… This will be a few more months.
Great story, love that you could do it with your husband. Go girl !
Dori Troutman says: Dear Katie,
I think there are things in life that are SO MUCH more than a marathon. And definitely what you are going through is WAY more! I can sort of relate as we built our house ourselves from the ground up, doing every single bit just the two of us. It took 2 years, working 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. The best feeling ever, but by far the hardest thing I’d ever done. So I can sort of imagine what you’re going through… except for the part of doing it all by yourself. Wow. Keep me posted on your house building.
– Dori –
Meredith Williams says: Tomorrow is my very first 5K, Dori! Thank you so much for your blog and encouragement- I am 48 years old and this is the first athletic activity I have trained for other than riding ( dressage horses)- fingers crossed I don’t get trampled! LOL!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Meredith,
Good luck tomorrow!!! Let me know how it goes, but I bet you love it and you’ll be so excited to do another one! I’ll be thinking of you.
– Dori –
Dorothy says: Dori – Congratulations! I have had medical problems and am just trying to get up to 10,000 steps a day again. Thanks for you blog and encouragement. I can do this!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Dorothy,
Congratulations to YOU for working back up to 10,000 steps a day. You most definitely can do it. One step at a time. Isn’t that what life is all about? Sometimes it’s just little baby steps, but they all add up.
Hugs,
– Dori –
DARA Shelton says: My husband and myself were near the 6 mile Mark standing beside the road cheering ya’ll on. I had a sign made for a family friend, Janice. Our Chickens were cheering yo on as our chicken house is near the Lois Ridge Rd. We cheer the runners and walkers on every year. Congrqts on your finish time.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Dara! I know exactly the place!!! 🙂 We talked about your chickens cheering us on. What a neat place to live and how fun that you can do that every year. I loved how many homes we went by where the owners were out cheering us on! Thank you! – Dori –
marylou says: Felicidades, look very easy, but they are stronger. This is my dream run the half m.
Dori Troutman says: Marylou!
Follow your dream and run that half marathon! You’ll be so glad you did.
– Dori –
I have never done an official marathon, but have run-walk many K5`s, but have walked many a mikes and many times further. As a teenage I have walked from Niagara Falls, Ontario to St Catherine’s , Ontario..,.quite a walk and then swam at a Prudhomes swimming resort.I miss those days…had MORE energy in my younger years.
Haven’t run in a while as my running mate is no longer able to walk let alone run.hate doing anything alone.
As long as you can do the walking-running, do it! But don’t wear brand new sneakers the day of the/race.
Your sneakers look neat. What brand are they? They look comfortable. Congratulations on your time! Its about my time for a 13.5 walk….. I did that the last time I walked to Walmart. Now I just have to drive, they moved the store….its further away and I’m not walking another hour just to go to Walmart! But IRS a good incentive…. to walk. Keep up the good work….and I know what you mean about rolling hills. They give you a work out.,..used to go…cross country skiing, now that’s a great leg workout! If people walked more, we wouldn’t have so many obese people in America.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Susana,
I’m convinced that walking is good not only for the body but the mind too! My husband and I used to call it our “marriage counseling” as we’d talk out every issue and problem while we walked! 🙂 Good for you on all your walking.
My shoes are Saucony. I bought them when we first started training – so I walked and ran in them most every day for about 3 months prior to the marathon. And not a blister or sore spot anywhere on my feet.
– Dori –
Nicole Christensen says: Dori!
I am so proud of you, farmsister! Oh my goodness…running is not my forte! I am impressed. Very inspiring blog, and I love your happy smiles! I could walk a marathon (may…beee…) but I am not sure I could do what you just did. Congratulations!
Tennessee looks so beautiful (and warm! Shorts at Easter? I can only dream…)
Well done, dear farmsister!
Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl)
Dori Troutman says: Hi Nicole,
Thank you! Running is certainly not my forte either! I have to admit that I kind of enjoyed it though – I also think the challenge was good for me. We’re going to try to make it yearly goal. If nothing else, it was fun to get out and enjoy the day with all the other folks.
Hope you’re finally getting some spring weather? 🙂
– Dori –
Deb Bosworth says: Woot! Woot! Great job, Dori! I’m so proud of you and your husband. We ( my hubs and I ) are not runners but we love walking. Our weather is finally cooperating for more outside time… I need to grab my handsome Yankee and get going! Thanks for the inspiration! Deb ( Beach Farmgirl )
Dori Troutman says: Hi Deb,
Welllll, I kind of think anybody could do it, but thanks! 🙂 We really aren’t runners either, but it sure was fun trying. We’re going to make it a yearly goal.
I’m glad you’re finally getting some warm weather! Planting time for you soon!!!!!
– Dori –
is a certified farmgirl at heart. She’s happily married to her beach bum Yankee husband of 20 years. She went from career gal to being a creative homeschooling mom for two of her biggest blessings and hasn’t looked back since. Debbie left her lifelong home in the high desert of Northern Nevada 10 years ago and washed up on the shore of America’s hometown, Plymouth, MA, where she and her family are now firmly planted. They spend part of each summer in a tiny, off–grid beach cottage named “The Sea Horse.”
“I found a piece of my farmgirl heart when I discovered MaryJanesFarm. Suddenly, everything I loved just made more sense! I enjoy unwinding at the beach, writing, gardening, and turning yard-sale furniture into ‘Painted Ladies’ I’m passionate about living a creative life and encouraging others to ‘make each day their masterpiece.’”
is a “MaryJane Farmgirl” who lives in a large metropolitan area. She is a lawyer who has worked in both criminal defense and prosecution. She has been a judge, a business woman and a stay-at-home mom. In addition to her law degree, she has a Masters of Theological Studies.
“Mustering up the courage to do the things you dream about,” she says, “is the essence of being a MaryJane Farmgirl.” Learning to live more organically and closer to nature is Rebekah’s current pursuit. She finds strength and encouragement through MaryJane’s writings, life, and products. And MaryJane’s Farmgirl Connection provides her a wealth of knowledge from true-blue farmgirls.
an old-fashioned farmgirl with a pioneer spirit, lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. As a “lifelong learner” in the “Live-Free-or-Die” state, she fiercely values self-reliance, independence, freedom, and fresh mountain air. Married to her childhood sweetheart of 40+ years (a few of them “uphill climbs”), she’s had plenty of time to reinvent herself. From museum curator, restaurant owner, homeschool mom/conference speaker, to post-and-beam house builder and entrepreneur, she’s also a multi-media artist, with an obsession for off-grid living and alternative housing. Cathi owns and operates a 32-room mountain lodge. Her specialty has evolved to include “hermit hospitality” at her rustic cabin in the mountains, where she offers weekend workshops of special interest to women.
“Mountains speak to my soul, and farming is an important part of my heritage. I want to pass on my love of these things to others through my writing. Living in the mountains has its own particular challenges, but I delight in turning them into opportunities from which we can all learn and grow.”
Dori Troutman is the daughter of second generation cattle ranchers in New Mexico. She grew up working and playing on the ranch that her grandparents homesteaded in 1928. That ranch, with the old adobe home, is still in the family today. Dori and her husband always yearned for a ranch of their own. That dream came true when they retired to the beautiful green rolling hills of Tennessee. Truly a cattleman’s paradise!
Dori loves all things farmgirl and actually has known no other life but that. She loves to cook, craft, garden, and help with any and all things on their cattle farm.
describes herself as a goat charmer, chicken whisperer, bee maven, and farmers’ market baker renovating an 1864 farmhouse on an Ohio farm. With a degree in Design, Mary says small-town auctions and country road barn sales "always make my heart skip a beat thinking about what I could create or design out of what I’ve seen.”
Rooted in the countryside, she likes simple things and old ways … gardening, preserving the harvest, cooking, baking, and all things home. While you might find her selling baked goods from the farm’s milkhouse, teaching herself to play the fiddle, or sprucing up a vintage camper named Maizy, you will always find her in an apron!
Mary says, “I’m happiest with the simple country pleasures … an old farmhouse, too many animals, a crackling fire, books to read, and the sound of laughter … these make life just perfect.”
is a budding rural farmgirl living in Palmer, the agricultural seat of Alaska. Alex is a graduate student at Alaska Pacific University pursuing an M.S. in Outdoor and Environmental Education. She lives and works on the university’s 700 acre environmental education center, Spring Creek Farm. When Alex has time outside of school, she loves to rock climb, repurpose found objects, cross-country ski on the hay fields, travel, practice yoga, and cook with new-fangled ingredients.
Alex grew up near the Twin Cities and went to college in Madison, Wisconsin—both places where perfectly painted barns and rolling green farmland are just a short drive away. After college, she taught at a rural middle school in South Korea where she biked past verdant rice paddies and old women selling home-grown produce from sidewalk stoops. She was introduced to MaryJanesFarm after returning, and found in it what she’d been searching for—a group of incredible women living their lives in ways that benefit their families, their communities, and the greater environment. What an amazing group of farmgirls to be a part of!
Suburban Farmgirl Nicole Christensen calls herself a “vintage enthusiast”. Born and raised in Texas, she has lived most of her life in the picturesque New England suburbs of Connecticut, just a stone’s throw from New York State. An Advanced Master Gardener, she has gardened since childhood, in several states and across numerous planting zones. In addition, she teaches knitting classes, loves to preserve, and raises backyard chickens.
Married over thirty years to her Danish-born sweetheart, Nicole has worked in various fields, been a world-traveler, an entrepreneur and a homemaker, but considers being mom to her now-adult daughter her greatest accomplishment. Loving all things creative, Nicole considers her life’s motto to be “Bloom where you are planted”.
I LOVE this! Hopefully I will make the time to make one or two for myself!
Ann,
Please do make a sign or two! I know the tutorial looked hard but seriously they are so easy!
Send me a picture!
– Dori –
Dori!!! This is fabulous!!! Thank you, kindly!! I’m gonna make me a sign! I’m with you…red speaks to me. Your open air shed is adorable. I hope you do post again on how you spruce it up. Thanks again.
Jodie,
I can’t wait for you to make your own! And send me a picture please!
– Dori –
enjoyed the tutorial on sign painting! I may have to give this a try now.
Denise,
Please do!!! And don’t forget to send me a picture!
– Dori –
Love your signs!!! great tips too and such a beautiful setting to display them. And, to me, your hands are superb, showing love and caring – like most all farmgirls we all have a few wrinkles. God bless.
Dear Joan,
Thank you. I looked at those pictures and thought, “when did my hands start looking like my mother’s”? And then I realized I AM my mother! Both redheads, both Ranchgirls, both hard working outdoor women. And plus I love my mother’s hands! 🙂
Thanks for writing!
– Dori –
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
Hello Colleen,
I researched SO many different quilt patterns and found one I loved and was all set to make it for the side of our house. And somehow I just never could manage to get it to come out the way I wanted. Here in Tennessee there are wooden quilts on barns all over the place and you can actually register yours in a map with the name of the pattern etc. They even have guidelines on the correct wood to use, size, etc. Anyway, someday maybe I’ll give it a try again. If you make one, send me pictures please!
– Dori –
Hi love your signs. I also like signs and am always look for new sayings to put on my signs. Thanks for all the helpful hints! Thanks for sharing. Ellen
Ellen,
Do you make signs? I’d love to hear if you have any better ways of doing things. I’m definitely learning.
Thanks for writing. (And email me some pictures of yours.)
– Dori –
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
Hi Kay,
I didn’t know you were a red-head too! That is so awesome!
Our hands certainly do tell how we spend our days don’t they? Mine have NOT been pampered. 🙁
I bet you are getting excited to be back in a house and get things just how you like them. How are things going for you these days?
I love my little red step stool. It is the place where anyone that visits my kitchen sits! Regardless of age, they sit there and visit while I cook. I love it.
Hugs,
– Dori –
What a great tutorial and a terrific idea.
We have a Farm Girl group here and I’m going to propose this as a project.
I don’t live on a farm (more’s the pity!!) but both sets of grandparents did and I had a taste of that wonderful life as I was growing up. I sure never got home sick for the city when I was on the farm!!
Hmmmmm, I think I could make little signs for our little city yard and dress the place up. : )
These signs sure do bring back memories of my times on the farm.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Pat,
This would be a great project to do with others!
Oh you could make some fun signs for your city yard! Send pictures! 🙂
– Dori –
Nice signs. Great job and lesson
Susana,
Thank you! Hope you’re doing well.
– Dori –
I’m managing one day at a time, and feel the loneliness , especially around meal times and the things we used to do together. I pray a lot too, because I have to do a lot of things alone, thise things my better half did. Even the dog feels depressed. But I find I love the quietness, but not all the time because even that becomes fearful. But listening to music brings me down. Even the good songs. Its quite eery. But staying busy and eating out help a lot. But sleep is elusive. Prayer seems to be the only thing consistent in my life lately.
That’s a wonderful tutorial! I’m always seeing signs and rustic pictures that I would love to have, but they are expensive. Even when they are affordable, well, I want more than one you know! Oh, but I can do that, I tell myself – it’s simple. Ha. Not a clue where to start. Now you’ve done it… created a sign fanatic. I love it!
Cindi,
I hope you’ll try making some signs and I really hope you’ll email me some pictures! 🙂
Happy sign making!
– Dori –
Thank you so much. You did a great job! I cant wait to try it. this may be the project to get our Vermont Farm girls together.
Noreen
Noreen,
It would be a great Farmgirl project! Please be sure to share pictures if you do!
– Dori –
Love. Love. LOVE your signs… I’m crazy for red too..I’m making a sign for my booth at the farmers market and your tutorial is just what I needed!
Thanks for sharing it! Big hugs! Deb ( Beach Farmgirl)
Hi Deb,
Red just screams country farmgirl don’t you think?! 🙂
Did you make your farmers market sign? I’m so excited to see pictures of your booth set up. I know it will be amazing!
– Dori –
Dori, thanks so much for the tutorial on sign making. I cant wait to get started on one. Your signs all look Great! Be Blessed Neta
Vivian,
I hope you’ll try one! And let me know!
– Dori –
I love your post. I too make my own signs. I did an Eggs one to make my hen house a bit more like Debs. I did a New England sign, Potting Shed and a few more. I use very similar process as yours. I use the dritz carbon paper too. I loved seeing your sign. The Farm Fresh is one I love as I do your cart. Happy gardening!
Hi Donna,
I spent a little time perusing your blog after Deb wrote about you! I did notice your Eggs sign and I wondered if you had made it.
I enjoyed your blog!
– Dori –
OH MY GOODNESS DORI! I think we are twins separated at birth! Another something we have in common. Gosh if we were neighbors we’d get in so much fun trouble together! I ADORE signs. I love them all – old, new, wood, metal. My dad made me a couple back years ago when he could still do things like that, out of wood. He made the sign to the ranch that hangs over the gate in Texas. My friends know how much I love signs, too. Just this afternoon, a dear friend gave me a new one for my kitchen for watching her chickens while she was on vacation. It’s metal with a little chick on it in red and yellow. BUT I HAVE NEVER MADE ONE! You are an inspiration! Awesome post. And I love your farm. It’s beautiful. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl)
Hi Nicole!!!!
We do tend to think alike, I totally agree with that! 🙂
When I read your post last time on you Dad making the Coca Cola signs I meant to ask you if you have one? They would be worth a mint now for sure. And a really special memoir to own one!
There have been times in my life when I’ve had so many signs around my husband has said, NO MORE!!! So I’ve tried to only keep the ones that really are special to me. I’m going to get started on attempting the barn wooden quilt sign again. I just wasn’t happy with the direction it was going before. I think I’m more confident now. The trouble is that they are huge. Like 8 feet x 8 feet. It’s a lot of work.
Please make a sign!!!! 🙂
– Dori –
Wow, Dori, thanks for this great tutorial for sign making! Like you, I love all of those old vintage signs but they do cost so much money. Now with your great How-To guide, I could try my hand at making a few myself. I love your Farm Fresh roadside stand and now new work station. They both look so perfect on your beautiful farm!
Hi Winnie!
Those vintage signs just speak to us don’t they? 🙂
Please try making one! And let me know!
– Dori –
Love this! Can’t wait to try it out! 🙂
Hi Corri,
Please let me know if you try it – and send a picture! 🙂
– Dori –
Oh yes! I’ve been making signs for awhile now. If you get in a pinch and your printer is out of ink (or a cheapo like me!) you can very gently trace your letters on paper from your computer screen, I stress very gently! I also have decoupaged great scrapbooking paper on wood then transferred my letters as you’ve shown. HOWEVER I use regular carbon paper and would have a hard time seeing dark on dark BUT NOW you have me needing to go get dressmakers copy paper because of the lighter transfer lines!!!! Thank you, thank you!!!!!
Hi Trish,
I also used regular carbon paper and had a terrible time seeing it. Then I heard you could rub chalk on the back of the letters, then trace that. I tried that also but my lines were not very clear. The dressmakers paper seems to work the best for me. Plus you can use it over and over again!
I would love to see some of your signs! Email me some pictures of your favorites!
– Dori –
I like signs too. I get reclaimed wood from neighbors and recycle. So much fun!
Nancy,
Reclaimed wood is the very best. I made a Farmers Market sign recently on reclaimed wood, using a template that I bought from Funky Junk Interiors. The template was expense but WOW did it make a fun sign. And looked really awesome on reclaimed wood. I’d love to see pictures of the signs you make.
– Dori –
I have always wanted to try making some signs.
I love it!!
Thank you for sharing the tutorial 🙂
Hi Sandra,
I hope you will try one! And please let me know how it goes!
– Dori –