Sweaters & Granny Boots

Hello Friends!
I have a secret to share with you.
I'm not all that into the most current styles.

Yes, it is true.
Maybe that is why I like Thrift Stores...
nothing is in or out of style at the thrift store.

It is all there for the taking depending on how daring you are!

I'm not all that daring, but in my closet at one time was a vintage 50's coat with faux fur collar! That one was beautiful blueberry blue. I passed it on when we lived in Mississippi. Now I have a jaunty red number that I wear with a black scarf and gloves! Lindsey gave me a sparkly monogramed J pin that looks quite cute on the lapel.
~*~
Seriously though,
I love wearing denim skirts with tights and boots.
I picked up on this style back in the 90's in the Victoria magazine.
Those girls always wore classic, beautiful clothing.
That is what I love, classic sweaters, classic shoes, classic handbags & jewelry.

In the winter, I want cozy Fair Isle Sweaters.
Sweaters that remind me of going on woodland walks, ski lodges & hot chocolate.
Sweaters that smell faintly of woodsmoke.

These are so easy to find at the thrift stores.
Seems like nobody else is interested in these traditional winter garmets.
This gray/green one is classic Eddie Bauer
Lucky for ME!


Sweaters with a little bit of wool in them are fun.
Yes, they can be a bit itchy but you wear them over turtle necks.
This cute little sweater was a thrift store find from last year.


I researched the label and it is from New York and sold for about $175.

Now to wear these with a denim skirt, you need the right type of tights. You want the thick, warm tights. The ones I bought this year are chocolate brown, and black. The boots are a bit harder to find especially for a good price. I did a search on Etsy and found a lot of them. Some were a bit pricey though. My favorites though are the ones with...

Buttons!

I have worn my granny boots with...
long denim dresses,
short denim dresses,
denim prairie skirts,
and just plain denim skirts.
Denim skirts are a dime a dozen at the thrift stores.
But to me they are always in style...Victoria magazine says so!
~*~
So my friends let's enjoy winter!
Wear cozy sweaters, and
warm, woolen mittens,
and
Granny Boots!

************************
~ Jill ~

French Country Cupboard

Dear Friends,
After the taking down the holiday decorations, I decided I would spend a little more time putting things back in their normal place. I dusted, washed dishes, baskets and bunnies. It took me awhile, but I finally found an arrangment I liked with all my found "goodies".

I've had this little conservatory for awhile, it was a thrift store find.
The design idea is from a Nell Hill's book, the tea cups an antique store find for $3 each.


I have a couple of friends that see transferware and think of me.
This one is from my friend, India.

On my last thrift shopping trip in Colorado, I spotted this little silver teapot lamp. It wasn't a bargain, it was in the "display case". But I had to have it, and it is a wonderful reminder of fun times.


The beautiful transerware teacup set, was a great Salvation Army find. I found a set of 4, they were $3 each. I was certainly doing the happy dance that afternoon! The dark transferware plate in the back came from a friend who was stationed at the time in Germany. Thank you, Trisha it is such a treasure!

Aren't they beautiful!
I use them when I have my morning coffee.

The pair of chicken pictures was another Thrifty find.

I may paint the frame black, still deciding.


Cute finial birdies and floral hat box.
I love how the white, red and apple green go together



This hooked rug is one of my favorite possessions.
It came from my friend Peggy's garage sale.
Oh, Peg it is as you would say, "to die for"!

This little basket sits in the open space at the bottom of the cupboard.
I found the Julia & Jacque cookbook at a garage sale for $2.
After I watch the movie, Julie & Julia I pulled it off the bookcase and sat it here.
I ran across this book on Amazon and it sells for over $120 now. I think it was a gift when you donated to the PBS show!

Even though temperatures are slowly rising, it still is very cold outside!
The Kansas City weatherman said it was 7 degrees in our area this morning.
Brrrrr.
I am enjoying wearing all my sweaters though!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Burpee garden catalog came in the mail a couple of weeks ago.
I have picked out some strawberry and blueberry plants I want to order.
We bought some picket fence at an auction last month, and I am so excited to begin planning and building my cutting flower and herb garden. It is going to be beside the little chicken house, complete with an arched arbor and an antique garden gate!
~~~~~~~~~~
Hope everyone is staying warm because I know it is chilly everywhere!
Jill

Soup makes me Happy

Dear Friends,

I love soup!

I look forward to fall and winter so I can make heart warming pots full of soup.

My family loves soup too, especially Tyler. I get so tickled at him when he starts to smell the soup simmering on the stove. Yum he says, is it ready yet?
This soup is a new recipe I tried, Cheeseburger Soup. Oh creamy and delicious. I was so glad that I had dried some herbs this summer. I sprinkled in my own dried basil right before I served it. And now is a perfect time to use my snowman dishes!

I have had this set of dishes for about 14 years. This little snowman never fails to melt my heart. When Tyler was just 2, I would make homemade French toast for him every winter morning, served on a little snowman plate. What a wonderful memory.
What goes wonderfully with homemade soup?
Why, homemade bread of course!

I adore dilly bread and whipped up batch and baked it in my flowerpot baker!
Fresh and hot from the oven with a little butter...

Oh be still my heart!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*Cheeseburger Soup *~
1/2 lb. ground beef, 3/4 C. chopped onion, 3/4 C. shredded carrots, 3/4 C. diced celery, 1 tsp. basil, 1 tsp. parsley, 4 Tbs. butter, divided, 3 C. chicken broth, 4 C. peeled & diced potatoes, 1/4 C. flour, 8 oz. Velvetta, 1 1/2 C. milk, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 C. sour cream
***
In a large saucepan, brown hamburger; drain and set aside. In the same saucepan, saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 Tbs. butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 min. Add broth, potatoes and beef; bring to boil. Reduce heat;cover and simmer until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a small skillet melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup; bring to boil. Cook and stir for 2 min. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt and if you wish pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat; blend in sour cream. Yields 8 servings.


~*Easy Dilly Bread *~
3 C. all-purpose flour, 1 pkg. active dry yeast, 1 1/4 C. milk, 2 Tbs. sugar, 2 Tbs. butter or margarine, 2 tsp. dried dill seed or dill weed, 2 tsp. instant minced onion, 1 egg
***
In a small mixer combine, 1 1/2 C. of the flour and the yeast. In saucepan heat milk, sugar, butter, dill, onion and 1 tsp. salt just until warm, stirring constantly to melt butter. Add to dry mixture and add egg. Beat at low speed with electric mixer for 1/2 minutes, scraping bowl. Beat for 3 minutes at high speed. By hand, stir in remianing flour. Cover and let rise until double (30-45 min.). Stir down. Spread evenly in a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan ( or flower pot baker). Let rise until nearly double (about 30 min.). Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if bread browns too quickly. Remove from pan and let cool. Makes 1 loaf.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~
It is very wintery here at Hickory Hollow and it is very cold!
It snowed almost all day yesterday. Made for a very cozy day tucked inside.
I have been doing a little thrift store shopping and have found some lovely cozy sweaters. Every day when I snuggle into one, I remember years ago when my Grandma told me I was a sweater girl. Yes, Grandma B. I am a sweater girl. I am glad there are so many to choose from at my favorite stores!

~*~
I have also had a challenge trying type, my little Socks cat climbs on my lap and kneeds my arms, she is doing it right now with her kitty purr motor on! Oh my, we just Eskimo kissed, her little nose and mine! She also likes to prance on the computer desk, and I can't see a thing! I'd rather she stay on my lap all warm and fuzzy! I do love my pets.

~*~
Hope you are tucked in safe and sound wherever you may be!

Love,

Jill

*Ho Ho Hello!*

Dear Friends

I sat down this morning and just decided to stop in here at Hickory Hollow. I am so touched that many of you have left me notes saying that you miss me! Oh ya'll that means so much! I'm still here!

~*~

Still behind in the scrapbooking department, but my New Year's resolution is to work on getting caught back up. We have a nice scrapbook store that does monthly all day crops so I am planning on going EACH month! Something I have recently accomplished is adding a cute red and cream checked wallpaper to the back of my garage sale hutch!

I found the cutest snowman lamp at the flea market...


We have decorated the outside of the house with icicle lights! Doug even put lights on the little chicken house. Tyler bought two Bantams at an Amish auction last week... a little bitty rooster and hen! He cockadoodle doo's every morning, she looks like a little pheasant! I''ve named them Fred and Ethel.

~*~
I have found a new hobby I LOVE! Dollhouses! Long story, but what you need to know is that I am building a Victorian cottage from a kit and having a ball. I have been collecting little shabby chic furnishings and wallpapers. My mom and dad bought Lindsey an older dollhouse that I am renovating. So far I have finished the nursery...I even sewed a little bitty quilt and made precious tab top curtains!

The pink in the background is the walls of the house. Here are little windows I sanded, and painted and sanded and painted again! The little rose cut out is going to be a picture for the wall. Do you see that adorable Victorian door!

Cute cottage wallpapers most are really truly doll house wallpaper that I purchased in Kansas City at a doll house shop.

Here is the nursery I renovated in Lindsey's vintage dollhouse. It has new carpet and wallpaper. Here are the little tab top curtains I made and the little bitty crib quilt.

~*~

Thank you everyone for checking in on me! I will try to get back in the swing here and at last blog once a week...how's that for another New Year's resolution!

~*~

Hope everyone enjoys a warm & cozy
Christmas Season!
~Jill~

Taking a bit of a break...

I had considered deleting my blog.
But then I would get inspired with a wallpaper sample and think what a neat background that would make...

and then I would find something and think, I can't wait to blog about this!
~*~
But I really need to organize the basement.

Two moves in six months...
Well, let's just say I need to downsize and organize a bit.

I also have some scrapbooking that I desperately need to catch up on

and I can't concentrate on that until some of this "stuff" is outa here! I bought a Cricut Create with birthday money and I so WANT to do some SCRAPBOOKING!!!
~*~
So I am havin' a garage sale and I'm doing my fall cleaning.
So I will be gone for a little while.

But don't worry blogging buddies.
I will get to visit you more now on my coffee breaks!
~Jill~

Fabulous Finds!

I thought I would join in the fun and participate in Rhoda's Thrifty Treasures.
I have been a follower of Southern Hospitality for over a year. This lady is just fantastic. I don't know where she finds the energy to do so much. I love her decorating ideas and the step by step instructions she gives us to help duplicate a great look!

~*~
Doug and I were up in the Lee's Summit area this past Saturday and I found a new thrift store to haunt. Now this thrift store is about 60 miles away from home, so I won't get to go that often, which might be a good thing!

~*~
I love books.
I am not sure if I ever will have enough books, probably not. So anytime I am in the Thrift Store or the Flea Market I always check out the book section.

Creative Room Styles,
Soft back $.60
It was published way back in 1998, but you know what, there are some absolutely gorgeous room ideas in here. I am finding that true style never goes out of style. There are always great ideas you can use as inspiration

Here is a page from the book. Toile and checks...doesn't this look like something out of one of today's designer magazines! I almost bought a 1970's French Provincial dining room set when were getting ready to build the house. It was on Craig's List for $125. Everyone poo poo'd me, said it would be tacky. Huh uh...with toile fabric, it would have been wonderful!
~*~
Outdoor Living and Gardens by House Beautiful
Hardback $1.60

Gardening books are always in style.
Wicker, Rattan, Iron and Stone... I want them all in my garden!

We are planning on adding a covered porch over the patio next summer. So I am gathering ideas for what I would like to do. Oh some of you are going to cringe at this but, I think I am going to grow vines on the house. Yes, I know they will tear up mortar and they can be destructive, but this girl has got to have a more cottage feel!

Isn't this picture from the book dreamy?
Love the french door out to the lawn
~*~
Simple Flower Arranging
Hardback $.60

You all know how I love floral design.
Some floral design books are not practical.
But this little gem sure is!
I have already found dozens of ideas of what flowers to grow next year in the garden for fresh floral arrangments.

There are several pages like this, that gives you the basic design steps.
What a great book! I'm glad it got to come home with me.

~*~
Music Finds!
I seldom listen to the radio. They just don't play my kind of music.
I like elevator music, soft jazz, big band, 1940's, Broadway show tunes.
I have been keeping my eye out for some nice c.d.'s to keep in the car.
I was tickled to find these...

Michael Buble & Tony Bennet
$.60 each

~*~
As were standing in the check out line, I spotted this wonderful, fantastic, heart stopping candle chandelier. I figured someone else must have found it, and had set it up at the front while they continued their shopping. I asked anyway to see if it was still available.
Whoppee It WAS!
What was even super great was that the price was $16.91, but today everything in the store was 60% off! That is why my books and music were such deals. But boy howdy was this ever a steal! It was $7.00

I definitely have plans for using it on the back porch next year summer. For right now, I have hung it under the umbrella!

~*~
It is so fun finding great things at great prices!
I have lots of posts in the archives about my Fabulous Finds
if you would like to see more!
~Jill~

A hungry dog, chickens and a Shot Gun...Updated Again!

***UPDATED A SECOND TIME ***

On Saturday morning Doug and I took "Snorfus" up to Liberty MO. The man that operates Cowboy's Animal Rescue knew of a home for him. He is going to be a companion to an Amish lady who became a parapalegic when 2 years ago the buggy her and her husband was riding in was hit by a car load of drunk teenagers. Her husband and the horse were killed. She is okay with a big dog, she had a husky who just recently died. God works wonders...this is why Snorfus turned up at my house, why he hadn't already been shot by a neighbor. This big ole 150 pound lug has mission in life. Big ole Snorfus I forgive you for playing with my chickens and trying to eat them (maybe). Doug and I are glad we were able to help you find a home! Gosh this ole heart is a softy.

I had planned on a second post about my visit to Nell Hill's but instead this happened to me....

This morning, I was downstairs on the computer typing up a post about Nell Hill's when I spotted a dog walking by the downstairs escape window. I ran upstairs and he was on the patio. It was a great big German Shepherd. I hollered at him to GO. But he just looked at me. That is when he spotted my Girls. He took off like a flash after my GIRLS!!!
~*~

In my nightgown, I grabbed my metal egg basket and my old plastic green watering can. I am running barefoot through the backyard to the chicken house. YELLING...SCREAMING....GO AWAY. He went straight for the girls. A few were able to get into the house. He started chasing the others around our utility trailer and the barn.
~*~

He grabs one around the neck...I am SCREAMING....banging my egg basket and watering can together...he is oblivious. The chicken is sqawking. He is running around the chicken house, chasing them, he goes in the chicken yard. I try to trap him in the yard to save the chickens that are still out, he sneak out past me. I hurriedly lock the few girls that made it, into the chicken house.
~*~

He spies one under the trailer, he grabs her, I am running and SCREAMING. He drops her and I rush her over to their pen and drop her in. He finds another one... I am SCREAMING and BANGING running around the barn, he runs the other way. He drops her, I grab her up and run her to the pen. One more is left... of course...he goes for her. I manage to get her after banging on the dog and more SCREAMING!!!
~*~

Finally it is quiet, he meanders off from the chicken house. I still haven 't done a count to see if I have saved them all. Off he goes sniffing. I go inside the pen. Honestly I felt as though my chest was going to explode, my little heart was beating so fast. I also thought I was going to throw up. Those chickens are our pets. We love each and every one, and the thought of him killing one....was unthinkable.
~*~

When I felt that maybe I got all of them in, I ran inside and called Doug at school. I quickly told the secretary what happened. She paged Doug. When he got on the phone...he told me to go get the shotgun. I did.
~*~

I went out into the backyard and he told me how to take the safety off, how to load the chamber, and fire. I aimed up into the air and shot! The dog wasn't too fazed by it. So I loaded the chamber and I fired again. YOU are NOT going to KILL my CHICKENS!!! He went and laid down under the utility trailer. I went over and sat on my wrought iron furniture in front of the chicken house, in my jammies with my gun. I was waiting for Doug to come home.
~*~

I turned to look and saw Doug coming down the road. The tears now have started to come. I try not to cry. I'm a big girl, I'm tough, I shot a gun. Doug goes in and gets his rifle. As he is walking around the house toward me, he sees a little girl hiding in the grass. She starts running toward the chicken house. I jump up SCREAMING that he is going to get her, but Doug shows me the rifle. The dog stays under the trailer.
~*~
We do a chicken head count. 4 missing. Doug puts the dog in the barn and we start looking for the girls. I am pretty sure that I saw the dog before he saw my girls. Hopefully they are just hiding. One by one we find them all. Thank you LORD!
~*~

We didn't shoot the dog. That is what people do in the country though. I called the Sheriff's dept and that is pretty much what they told us to do. The dog is very friendly, he is STARVING...he was dumped with another dog in our neighborhood. I called my dad he came out and also our neighbor came down to help. The dog has been up at their house for the past two days.
~*~

NOW DON"T STOP READING
YOU WON'T BELIEVE
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT...
~*~

As I type this, I am waiting to hear back from the sheriff's dept. The dog had a collar of sorts and a rabies tag. I called the vet's number and gave them the tag i.d. number. Well Tike belongs to a lady that lives about 5 miles from us in a trailer court. The vet gave me the three phone numbers that they had. I called all three, not in service.
~*~

I call the sheriff's dept. back and tell them that I know the name and address of the lady that dumped the dogs and that Doug and I were going to put Tike in the truck and pay her a visit if she still lived there. The deputy told me to call him back.
~*~

Get this...we drive into this TERRIBLE trailer Court. I am sure there is probably half a dozen meth labs just in this one area. We spot trailer 18, we are looking for trailer 19. Doug gets out and asks this lady that is in her yard if she knows Donna Johnson. She shakes her head and says no. Doug says the Donna Johnson that is your neighbor in trailer 19. She turns and points to this lady who is walking through the knee tall grass towards us and says, " Oh yeah, her".
~*~
Well come to find out, Donna does have a German Shepherd named Tike but he is in the house and much smaller than the one that is in the back of our truck. How STUPID does she think we are, probably about as stupid as she is, dumping a dog with tags. We get back in the truck and leave.
~*~

Pulling over a couple yards down the road, I call the deputy back and told Donna was home and the whole not my dog story. He is going to pay her a visit this afternoon.
~*~

So right now...Tike is in the barn, we have fed and watered him. The girls are all accounted for and locked up in their house. I am worn slick, sitting here telling you my story. The deputy is supposed to call me back after he visits with Donna. The shelters are all full and not taking any more animals. What are we going to do? Right now the plan is to take Tike home this afternoon whether "Donna" likes it our not. You know what is a shame? He seems like a good dog. He was just literally starving to death.

The saga continues....

I need a stiff drink...

~Jill~

If you never leave a comment....now would be a good time.
I'm a little stressed, well I was now I am just exhausted, my head and throat hurts from yelling.

More to the story ....

The deputy called me...get THIS story she told him...
Donna lived in another town a few years back, the house was broken into and a lock box was stolen. Inside the lock box was dog rabies tags and vet paperwork. She told my deputy to call the other town she could prove her story. Well he called the other town and was told the same story. So this really isn't her dog she claims. She took the deputy inside and showed him a Sheperd Mix that she said was named Tike. Okay....so probably the dog I have isn't Tike, but I think it still is her dog. I also think she dumped a female Rottweiler too!

~*~
So are YOU telling me, that these tags were stolen in 2005 in a town about 30 miles away. And it just so happens that they go put it on this dog who was then dumped on my highway just 5 miles from where "Donna" now lives!

~*~

BULL..

I called the vet back telling her about the "stolen tag" story. She absolutely doesn't believe. She says the dog is definitely Donna's.
~*~

So what to do with this dog.
He loved his ride in the truck, licked Doug's had when he putting his dog tag back on, and he didn't growl at me even once, when I was beating him off the chickens.

~*~

The deputy remembered a man who had called their office several months ago...he was opening a shelter for abused animals. He wanted to let the county know about his shelter. The deputy called the man and he said he will take the dog. So I guess tomorrow, Doug and I and the kids will be driving about an hour north to take this dog to a no-kill shelter. I am not going to dump him again.
I am not sure I am cut out for this rural stuff!
I just want to go to Archiver's and scrapbook!
~Jill~

I promise next post will have pictures. Although mom wanted me to reinact the whole jammies and gun thing so we could really share with you the whole impact of the situation buy I kindly declined! I hadn't done my hair yet ;o)