Old Red Barn Co.

Outtakes

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:30:00 +0000

Happy weekend.
-dana

Total Room Overhaul

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:43:00 +0000

My youngest daughter, Licious, turned ten in November. In our family, when you turn ten it means that you can redecorate your room. Licious had anxiously waited the chance but when the calendar page flipped and she was all officially ten-ed up, she didn't have a clear plan as to what she wanted. That was kind of nice on her part cause November leads to December and both of those months are jam packed with weekend events that leave little time for room redecorating. Strangely enough, however, December leads to January and the busy social calendar lightens up and leaves free weekends.

Plus, Razor got some groovy tools for Christmas and was itching to put them to use.

Our house was built in 1950 and Licious's room used to be the front porch of the house. Somewhere along the line before we bought the place, this porch was closed in and made into an additional room. It's long and narrowish and has these half brick walls on each end.

The brick walls weren't ugly and, in fact, sort of gave the room some character. But, they were never intended as an exterior/interior wall-i-o deal-i-o so they left the room warm in the summer and cold in the winter. Since Licious had now come up with a plan for her room redo, Razor used it as an opportunity to insulate and box in those half brick walls.

You can see below that her once raised loft style bed is now gone and the brick wall on that side of the room is insulated and boxed in as well.

Next up will be new insulated flooring. Then painting. Then a newly built bed with clothing storage underneath. But we are saving money for the flooring so it won't be anytime super quick.

And I'm lucky that she's so sweet and understanding of that.

-dana

Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:01:00 +0000

#45 belongs to Heather A

#80 belongs to Jezibels~sproutbaby

#381 belongs to Dolores

I'm going to send each of you some handmade goodies. Contact me at dana at oldredbarnco dot com to claim your prize.

Now to reveal whether the photographs were taken with an iPad or Canon.

iPad of course. It's actually a photo of my reflection in my kitchen window at night. I'm working on a new self portrait -- cause I really need to change my Facebook photo. I think the tongue sticking out thing has worn out it's welcome. Don't worry, this isn't it's replacement.

iPad. I finally cut into this lovely Tula Pink for FreeSpirit fabric called Parisville. Hopefully I'll share my progress on that quilt soon.

iPad. As soon as I push "publish" on this here post I'm going to go watch last night's episode of Downton Abbey. If you're not watching this series on PBS, then you are missing out. Big time. You can find season one on Netflix and I think all of season two is still available on PBS.com.

iPad. Thanks for the enamelware love. These are big pots and work perfectly for soap making.

iPad. This is the door that separates our mudroom from our kitchen.

Canon. Moab, Utah.

iPad. I was happy to hear that we aren't the only folks that love pumpkin pie year round.

I'd like to think that this was an exercise in iPad photography improvement. But, images with the iPad won't ever be much more than blurry snapshots of the right now.

But blurry snapshots of the the right now sure can be fun. And goodness knows I post my fair share of those on Twitter!

-dana

Final challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:35:00 +0000

Well, I still don't have my desktop computer back but Razor has promised to camp out in front of their store until they complete it. Today.

It's been two weeks.

Sheesh.

This is the final iPad or Canon challenge. I'll keep comments open until tomorrow, Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 5:00pm EST US. After then, I will tally everyones' correct answers, throw them all into a pot and pick a random winner or two. Or maybe three. We'll just see how I'm feeling about getting my desktop back or not. And if there are any glitches in getting it back up and running.

On a side note, I just want to say that it's been fun seeing all the guesses come in. And it's made the frustration over missing my computer more bearable. And, it gave my family and I something to look at and giggle over while we were in the waiting room at the oral surgeon at my oldest daughter's appointment yesterday.

I'll announce the winner(s) on Monday.

Thank you friends.

-dana

P.S. If you don't know what the challenge is, go here first.

Making pie

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:17:00 +0000

This photo depicts the making of pumpkin pie. More logical that this would have been done in November. In November I didn't have an iPad so it would have been impossible to take a photo with it. However, it's a bit odd to be making pumpkin pie in January, no?

Or is it?

iPad or Canon?

-dana

Two-fer

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:50:00 +0000

iPad or Canon?

::snicker:: ::giggle:: ::snort::

-dana

Still playing?

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:50:00 +0000

This is what my stove looks like any time I'm making soap. I usually make 32 pounds at a time.

iPad or Canon?

-dana

P.S. What is all this about? See here for details.

Guess this

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:25:00 +0000

I stumbled upon Downton Abbey on PBS a few Sundays ago. It is season two so today I'm watching season one online.

iPad or Canon?

Don't know what I'm talking about? Go here.

-dana

Did I mention I still have a laptop?

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:25:00 +0000

And that said laptop has lots of photos loaded on it from long before my desktop troubles?

Which is this? iPad or Canon?

-dana

Let's play a little game, shall we?

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:20:00 +0000

The countdown is on for when my beloved desktop computer is back from the repair shop but until then I thought it would be fun to play a little game. You and I.

Me and you.

I'm going to post pictures several times a day until my computer is back safe and sound and you have to tell me either "iPad" or "Canon." That's all you have to say in your comment. Write "iPad" if you think the photo was taken with my iPad or "Canon" if you suspect it was taken with my Canon camera.

Do that each time I post a new photo which, again, I plan on doing a couple of times each day. Just once per photo is sufficient.

Then, upon completion of the game, I will tally up the number of correct answers each of you individually have had over the course of the few days of the game and then throw all those into a pot to draw a winner at random. Said winner will then be sent a surprise package from me.

How does that sound?

On your marks.

Get set!

GO!

-dana

P.S. I recognize that this one is easy peasy lemony squeezy, what with the actual iPad appearing in the photo and all. But, I like you. And I want you to play along so I thought I would start off easy.

Grainy view

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:22:00 +0000

Still no desktop computer so it's a grainy view for here. And that statement has me thinking about the last couple of weeks.

A grainy view.

That's all I really provide here anyway. It's true that usually the actual photos themselves are clear and sharp. (well most of the time) But I get the powerful position of editing exactly what . . . and what does not . . . appear here.

And with that powerful editing capability comes the ability to make our lives, my children's lives, appear to be flawless. One perfectly beautiful dream after the next. Almost as if the hurried days of getting to and from school, spreading homework across the kitchen table, taking the dogs out yet again in the freezing cold cause they are barking like they gotta go, bickering over the fairness of who did what first and whether or not it's fair, having to pick up rooms, clean up toys, make beds or clear the table don't exist.

For those things do. And many others.

But here it is with gratitude that I take time to notice the beautiful. The dreamy-ness. The perfectness that is our life.

-dana

Ebb & Flow

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:03:00 +0000

Still no computer.

Which means my camera is filling up with photos.

We shall call this an ebb in blogging.

Hopefully to be soon followed by flow.

-dana

Feeling stitchy

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:12:00 +0000

I've been following Amanda's blog, hey porkchop!, for several years. And I may or may not have kinda, sorta acted like a complete geek when I got to meet her in person at Sewing Summit this past October. I arrived in Salt Lake City and strolled into the hotel lobby after 2 am and immediately spotted her sitting in a big comfy couch in front of a large fireplace. Luckily I had enough sense not to run up to her right that instant. I waited until the next day and may or may not have blubbered some incomprehensible hello, self introduction and lengthy declaration of admiration.

Anyway.

I totally enjoy reading about all her knitting, cross stitching, quilting, cooking, baking and canning adventures and her tweets are always some of my favorites. Lucky for me, she has been kind enough to answer all my questions about where to buy supplies online since there isn't a place to buy supplies anywhere even remotely close to where I live. And I snuck in just under the wire on her and Ashleigh's Dessert of the Month Club at The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. From now until January 10th, the sign up fee for all 12 months of pdfs (12 pdfs total- automatically delivered) is only $10. After the 10th the price will be $16.95 for the rest of the year.

I may be a total hey porkchop! groupie, but I know a good deal when I see one. And thought you might too.

-dana

Foiled again

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:24:00 +0000

So, we already know about the snow day on Tuesday.

Wednesday was a two hour delay to the start of school due to icy road conditions. And my car was in the shop. Thursday we had to take the desktop computer to the repair shop. It's still there. I do all my photo uploads and editing on said desktop. Hence the grainy photos in this post.

And today, my oldest is home sick.

I think I'm just going to pretend that 2012 starts next week. 'Kay?

And I'll be back then sharing happier news and lots of crafty projects.

Let's hope anyway.

-dana

Really? I can do better.

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:08:00 +0000

Yesterday was the last day. The girls had been home for over two weeks and we'd had a blast. As per our New Year's tradition, we ate homemade soup in homemade bread bowls.

Later I kissed them goodnight, worked on a quilt and started a list of all to accomplish the next day.

The phone rang and I answered the automated call from the school detailing the two hour delay for the school start due to icy roads.

::Hrmpf::

I scratched non-essentials off the next day's to-do list.

The alarm clock beeped early and Razor informed me that school was cancelled.

Snow day! squealed the girls.

Deep sigh breathed me.

And soon they were bundling up. Searching high and low. Digging through drawers. Searching for clothes. Hollering questions and excitement from one room to the other. One can't find her long underwear and asks for help. Which means I'm first in her room and then the other. Looking through dressers. Bristling at the chaos.

Yep. Bristling.

Her pajamas are shoved into the drawer. Crammed so full it can't be opened and then when it finally is freed, it won't close. And I yell. And carry on. And one thing leads to another. And the long underwear are finally found.

And I look at my girls half bundled and half not. Sitting in the middle of the room. Looking at me in all my bristle-y-ness.

Ouch!

I release the breath it seems I'd been holding. And relax my shoulders. And say, "Well, at least we found those." And they smile. And I hug them. And I apologize. And I feel foolish.

And I decide to be thankful for one more day of break.

Bathrooms can be cleaned tomorrow.

And will. I've already checked the weather forecast.

-dana

Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:05:00 +0000

Found eight boxes of vintage ornaments at a thrift shop the week before Christmas.

Made cinnamon rolls not once. But twice.

Ate more chocolate that one person should be allowed.

Sugar cookies are a must.

As are pizelles.

Cut into a stash of fabric that I'd been keeping for far too long.

Started binding this quilt. Can you see the owl quilting?

And got emotional more than once looking at all the handmade ornaments on the tree. And even giggled that so many of them contain gold noodles.

-dana

Creating the day

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:56:00 +0000

As I drop the kids off at school and talk with other parents, or make small talk with folks at the gym, or smile and exchange pleasantries with the grocery clerk, the talk always is something about being ready for the holidays. And what a busy time of year it is. You know what I'm talking about. I bet you have dozens of these same conversations everyday in December as well.

But, interestingly enough, though I participate in these conversations, the weight and urgency behind them hasn't settled on me this year. I don't feel pressured for time. I don't feel pushed to create a perfect holiday memory for my children. I don't feel compelled to bake more or make more or even to be sure that Christmas music is softly wafting through the house.

Rather, I'm walking through my days and truly enjoying them. Happy to take my girl on her field trip to see a stage play. Content to make goodies to send for class parties. Satisfied walking the dogs late in the afternoon with the kids. Binding a quilt on the kitchen floor. Anxiously waiting for family to hurry up and get here already.

Ever eat a push up popsicle?

You know. The kind of popsicle that isn't on a stick but rather encased in waxy paper where you rip off the top and push the popsicle up from the bottom as you eat it? And sometimes you try to suck every bit of juice out of the frozen concoction leaving it almost colorless. Then, and only then, do you bite it and slowly let the ice melt in your mouth?

That's kinda me this December.

And most Decembers actually as I look back on this similar post from last year.

So, as I enjoy the season . . . and suck every last bit of goodness out of it . . . I may be somewhat absent from this space. But in my best estimation, that's exactly the way it should be.

-dana

Something new

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:02:00 +0000

Started something new yesterday.

Pattern testing is kind of fun!

-dana

Handmade vs. Homemade

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:52:00 +0000

As I finish making a few Christmas gifts I find myself thinking.

Thinking about how cool I think handmade gifts are.

Thinking about how come many people don't.

I've always known this.

And managed to never let it bother me.

So, now I'm thinking . . . why is it bothering me this year?

-dana

Overheard at dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:27:00 +0000

A small snippet of last night's dinner conversation. That, by the way, almost made me laugh milk out my nose.

Boo: Daddy did you see my new shirt?

Razor: Um-hum.

Boo: I love this shirt. I think it's so cute. Peanut butter and jelly together forever.

Razor: Looks like "Per But and Elly" to me.

Boo: [in exasperated huff] Daaaaaaaddy!

Maybe you had to be there.

-dana

A December kick-off kind of weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:52:00 +0000

Both girls were in our hometown Christmas parade on Saturday. I'd spent a good portion of the week helping create the float so it was nice to see it win best in show. Afterward, we drove to a neighboring town to see it lit up with luminaries.

Sunday was spent putting the tree up. And come to find out . . . which I've really known all along but just shrug off and try to forget . . . I don't like the actual process of decorating for the holiday. I love it when it's done but the process? Not so much.

That being said, however, I love having Christmas music on the holiday satellite television station and guessing the singers. And getting a surprising amount of them right. All. Day. Long.

-dana

Questions I ask myself

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:09:00 +0000

Will my frozen pizza dough be thawed and have had time to rise before dinnertime?

And, what should I do with the above stack of fabric? I love the colors and want to make a show stopper of a quilt. Suggestions?

-dana

Today I'm . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:13:00 +0000

::excited:: to see the first snow of the season . . . in November no less.

::hopeful:: that it means we will have a snowy winter.

::smiling inside:: every time I see this blooming Christmas cactus plant.

::smiling a little less:: when I think about pulling all the Christmas decorations out of the attic.

::bundling up:: cause I'm going to work on the school Christmas parade float.

::smiling even more than before:: cause I've used the word Christmas four times now.

::tickled:: over these winnings from WoollyPetals!

::finger wrestling:: the girls to get to keep the owl and zippered pouch for my own.

::annoyed:: that my dogs chew up dog toys deemed to be "indestructible."

::incredulous:: more people haven't left a comment trying to win this quilt over on Art Nest.

::grateful:: that Mom sent me home with turkey and ham so that I can make sandwiches tonight after working on the parade float all day.

-dana

Holiday Shop Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The holiday season is upon us (yikes!) and Old Red Barn Co. would love to be your choice for holiday gift giving. These two offers are available for US orders only. And there is a limited supply of the three sugar scrub set. I'm only making these offers available to blog readers, Facebook folks and Twitter followers... so if you'd like to take advantage of either, send me an email at dana at oldredbarnco dot com and I will send you an invoice. Orders will begin shipping Monday, November 28, 2011 and must be purchased before midnight on December 15, 2011 in order to ensure delivery.

Happy Holidays!

-dana

Today she's ten

noreply@blogger.com (Dana) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:24:00 +0000

She's compassionate, kind, athletic, brave, hilarious and wise. She likes kicking up in handstands, running down hills, various and assorted competitions, and making us laugh. She likes to stay curled up under the blankets "just a few more minutes" but bounds through her day as soon as her feet hit the floor. She makes me feel purposeful, proud, humble and in love.

She can use her wit to outmaneuver my frustration. Like the other day when I asked her for the fifteen thousandth time in her ten years on Earth if she had opened her blinds and she looked me straight in the eye, batted her lashes, allowed her smile to be fully eclipsed by her dimples and said, "maaaaay-be."

This morning as she was opening a ridiculously expensive baby doll that she has wanted for months and months and I've always managed to talk her out of because I know that in a matter of weeks the doll will be forgotten and at the bottom of a pile of toys, she said thank you in a way that radiated throughout her whole being. I couldn't stop smiling. Her thrill, excitement and pure joy sent me to the moon and back.

At ten her doll playing days are numbered and I don't care how much the doll costs anymore.

And this morning I drove her to school knowing I'd come home and make her a cake. She spent the short ride singing almost every word to Do You Remember. And punctuating important phrases with fist pumps and booty shakes.

My youngest is ten today. I've come to realize that I strive to be just like her. She's unapologetically devoted to her choices and decisions. She's lives in the moment not worrying about what comes next. She's constantly and consistently ready for her next adventure. And makes sure to enjoy it to the fullest.

She finds humor in any situation and manages to use it to her advantage.

And I just can't help but to be drawn to her, wanting to bask in the warmth of her light.

Happy Birthday Licious.

Thanks for being mine.

Love,
Mom