Farm Adventures

It has been a while since I've shared any ramblin's from the farm, so here's a little about today's adventures.

Jeff and I had scheduled a trip to the livestock market with a load of calves. We didn't talk too much about it, although we both made sure we got up early today. I ate breakfast then Jeff took the dogs outside (so they could do their morning business) as he fueled up the truck and made a few other preparations. Trixie absolutely, positively knew something was up and she was NOT staying home today. She never ask to go when I go to town or if I'm working.  Now if Jeff and I both dress up, she wants to go, although she understands when we tell her we are going grocery shopping and to the feed store and can't go with us. If we both look like its a farm work day, its on and she wants to go.

Trixie loves to go to the farm and knows its an extra special trip on sale barn days! She whined and whimpered as I got dressed, made tea, and grabbed some snacks and water. I put her Farmall "necklace" (collar) on and she was super excited! I told her to stay in the house while I hooked up the trailer, but no, she darted out the door and ran straight to the truck. She was making sure she was in the truck today and we were not telling her no! Punkie doesn't get as excited, but she loves to go as well. She likes to stretch out in the back seat, while Trixie sits on the console or Jeff's lap. If going less than 30 mph, she prefers the window open! 

We headed off the farm - nothing too exciting has been happening lately, just the routine work of feeding and checking on everybody and we haven't had any new babies for several months. I'm anticipating a few fall babies and finally last week, we had a new one! She was born during the Yamboree, so I've been calling her "Sweet Potato" (our county fair celebrates the yam!) Her mom has not wanted me anywhere near her new baby and would take off away from me, whenever I wanted to see or photograph the heifer calf. So I've waited to get her picture, till today! Of course she felt safer on the other side of the fence and didn't take off away from the truck today! 

We got our calves separated out calmly and loaded in the trailer, ready to head to market.

As a child, I always loved "sale barn day." My parents finally figured out that it was really the trip to the doughnut shop that I liked so much! Now, you must understand that growing up, we didn't eat breakfast out (and I still don't), unless we were on vacation or the occasional stop on sale barn days. I would get a bag of doughnut holes from the sweetest little lady at the doughnut shop in Pittsburg and was always confused about a baker's dozen! 

Fast forward to my adult years - we still don't eat out very often and we still look forward to sale barn days. Now, I appreciate being able to sell some of the calves we have raised plus there's a trip to Dairy Queen! And somehow, Trixie has figured out this little treat as well! She just knows that she will get some of Jeff's blizzard once we get our load of calves delivered! I do believe she knew early this morning, before we ever left home, that it was a Dairy Queen day!

We go through the drive through lane to order and get our food, then pull out back to park and eat. Trixie (who generally growls at strangers) was all sweet and making eyes at the girls in the drive through window, because she just knew what we were fixing to get!

Punkie loves ice cream too!

This just cracks me up! I let them lick the cup clean and her expression is like "ahhh, this is soooo good!"

Yummmm, we love Dairy Queen in Winnsboro!

Hey, share with me! 

Now, we are home and they are having a lazy afternoon on the couch after all their big adventures today! 

To Everything There is a Season...

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

As the Yamboree approaches this week and lots of fall shows are coming up, we wanted to let you know that we are not participating in any shows this season. It's a bittersweet thing, although we have had several local large events and weddings scheduled this fall, along with devoting our time to being more available for my local and online customers and creating new inventory for my shop, as well as our booth space with Angea at Uniques and Antiques in Mineola, Texas. We've simply  got a lot going on and as much as we try, we can't do everything.

The fall wedding season has been busy and lots of last minute wedding orders have been coming in for rustic wedding bouquets, so we are happy to be able to accommodate the request. 

Plus we are gearing up to release some fun Christmas items soon. To our customers who loved our flannels and repurposed clothing items - you can find them online and some in our booth.

We will miss getting to see and visit with everyone at the shows this season. Please know that if you need anything, I can be available to meet or deliver locally, plus I ship worldwide. We were quite honored the Vintage Market Days of East Texas and Junkin' Across Texas reached out and invited us to their fall shows, although the dates conflicted with another big event we are helping with.

Janice and Angea at last years Yamboree.

This year, our booth at Uniques and Antiques is open 5 days a week, all year long and Angea and I regularly update our space there. In fact, there will be a Christmas Open House on October 27 - 28, 2017. We will be in the store part of that time. The Mineola Iron Horse Days will be happening nearby, so come out and enjoy a beautiful fall weekend in historic Mineola and maybe we will run into you there!

So this season, we are concentrating on our online shop, our booth, and our local, loyal customers and friends (several have already placed Christmas orders for house/tree decorating and cemetery flowers.) Oh, and the farm critters need some attention too! I want to give the best service to everyone, without compromising care and quality. Of course, if you need something, please don't hesitate to email, message, or call me!

Our Uniques and Antiques booth  - it will be getting a Christmas makeover very soon! 

Please note, that if you comment on a blog post, I can't always email you directly back, due to your "no reply blogger" settings. On the side bar, there is a link to email me. (If you are on mobile page, click standard web page and you will see more ways to connect / contact me.)

I Hope You Feel Welcome

A few  years ago, I was ready for a completely new wardrobe. I was working full time in town, my etsy shop was really busy at night, and the cow market was at an all time high. I was working extremely long hours, my clothes were worn out, didn't fit good, and I was tired. My feet hurt something fierce and I only had one pair of scuffed up boots that I wore everywhere.

I wanted some new clothes and really wanted cute shoes, but they had to have support and allow my insoles to be worn as well. I decided that I had $500 extra and I was going shopping! Please know I've never done that before and if I spend $100 on clothes at a time, that's very unusual. So I went to this trendy boutique-style place in Longview, that everyone raved about. The store was obnoxiously loud and the sales girl looked at me like she couldn't believe I was in a place like that. Needless to say, she was rude and not very helpful and I walked out of that store without spending a dime. I've never returned to that store and I still remember, 4-5 years later, the way she made me feel. 

My feelings were hurt and I was frustrated. I really thought about calling the news stations and set up a test shopping experience where I went in stores in my current wardrobe and then get a makeover and go back and see how I was treated. 

This incident has been on my mind recently and it has me thinking - I want everyone that comes to Gypsy Farm Girl to feel welcome, to know that you matter, and I appreciate each and every one of you! I'm glad you come here and I'm thankful for you - maybe you just follow along and have an encouraging word, or like and share something on my pages, pin an item on Pinterest, or refer a friend, or maybe you spend a $1 in our booth or have a $3,000+ wedding. Y'all are part of my tribe and I hope you feel welcome and appreciated here. My hope is to provide some inspiration to you and help make your events, home, or wardrobe special along the way. I never want you to feel the way I did when I attempted to find a new wardrobe... 

An Extra Special Wedding Bouquet

 This was an extra special burlap and lace bridal bouquet to make! Watch the short video below for an explanation of what made this a sentimental keepsake for one bride to be.

Joy ordered this bouquet in coral and navy and ask if I could use lace from her late mother's wedding dress. Of course, I said yes! Instead of chopping up the dress, she sent me the veil and all the lace in the bouquet (except for the lace bouquet collar) is from the veil. She surprised her sister with this sentimental, keepsake bouquet! I love getting to add something that holds special meaning to arrangements.

By the way, Joy has already given the bouquet to her sister, said she loved it, and give me permission to share the story.

You're One of a Kind Girl

This fall, I've either had or have several events where I need to dress up, more than my usual boots, t shirt, and jeans. I've searched online and in a few local stores for something that fits my personality and style and it just ain't happening. I've thrown a few hissy fits as I try on clothes and throw them in the floor of my closet. For the most part, at these events I will be a guest, although I'll still be working. 

At the last wedding, I had my friends save me a seat, but then I was handing the girls their bouquets as they got ready to walk down the aisle, helped the bride with her train, and then I didn't want to wander through the chairs to find my seat after the bride walked down to her groom. Then we realized the candles needed lighting, before guest walked back into the reception hall, so we grabbed a lighter and missed the actual ceremony. I didn't set down till halfway through the reception, after being on location working, all day long. 

Why am I telling you this, when I started talking about clothing issues? 

I made a list of the things I wanted in a functional outfit:

• I prefer to wear my boots... no high heels or sandals, because of my feet. I will be on them working all day (10-16 hours) and I must be able to wear my insoles in my shoes. Kind of like the way they describe a horse "bad feet, bad horse" - my feet hurt = not a happy camper or productive worker or a pleasant guest.
• I prefer something rustic, vintage style, but dressy enough. 
• Maybe Boho Cowgirl is my style? I like part of those outfits I've been seeing online. 
• Absolutely no strapless, loud print, zebra, or chevron. 
• Bell sleeves get in the way of every-freakin-thing. I saw several sleeves hanging in the food at the serving line recently. Cute, yes. Practical, no. 
• Cold shoulders? ehhh, they are ok, although no part of me wants to be cold...
• Must cover all the private parts...nobody wants to see mine or your braise-ere and for me, going without, is not an option. 
• I'll always think longer dresses are prettier. Hello, I was bent over the tables setting up arrangements, candles, and fixing trains... no body wants to see your drawers or my super white knees! 
• Leggings are tolerable, occasionally, but I feel like twenty-two-ton-Tessie when wearing them and the claustrophobic feelings they induce leave me ready to have a major meltdown. I just don't get why everybody likes them???
• And pantyhose? The man who invented them should be hung with a pair. That would be a definite NO WAY, not every going there again. And please do not let them bury me in a pair... I will haunt you!
• BONUS POINTS to any outfit that has pockets for lip gloss and scissors! My boots usually hold my keys, lip gloss, and phone. My back pocket of my jeans has a pair of scissors in them most of the time. 

It's hard to find ANYTHING that fits my requirements and I wore a few of my favorite mix and match pieces for the last few outings. Was anyone else dressed like me? Nope. Sometimes I worry about it, then I remember what Granddaddy always told me 

"You're one of a kind girl, you are one of a kind."

Then I realize, why do we want to look like someone else or buy the same ol' clothes at the store that everyone else shops at? So here's a little pep talk for me and all of you struggling with what to wear, will I fit in, does this look ok, nobody else looks like me... Its ok! BE YOU! Rock it with confidence and be glad you aren't like everybody else.

I also came across a quote the other day and it said

"If you are an ordinary person, there are billions of you. But if you are creative, there is only one of you." 

-Wael El-Manzalawy

So, why be a normal, ordinary person and fit the cookie cutter mold? I prefer not too and that's why I like creating one of a kind fashion items. There are mostly casual shirts and jackets at the moment... maybe I should branch out and try some things that meet more of my personal requirements for dressing up. 

(By the way, I wore these pants, that look like a skirt, with a different top and boots. If anyone knows where I can find similar ones, PLEASE let me know! I found these at a garage sale and love 

them!) 

UPDATE! I found a dress I love! It's long, yet trendy, fitted, yet not too clingy, no need for leggings, I can wear my boots, plus it has pockets!

You can find it at my affiliate link on Amazon! It comes in several different colors as well. Only draw back is that I'm short, so I'll be cutting off a couple of inches. If I was the type to wear heels, it wouldn't be a problem. 

Kayla and Andy's Wedding

A girl dreams about her wedding, often before she ever has a serious boyfriend. It's just what we do! I've known Kayla for over 15 years and she's long said I would make the flowers for her wedding, when the big day finally arrived. She chose  "Timeless Elegance" as her wedding theme.

Kayla and Andy were married this weekend at El Cerrito Lodge and we were there to create the florals for their wedding! Casey Douglas Photography was wonderful to work with at this beautiful venue. I can't wait to see all the pictures their team took at the wedding. Here's a sneak peek she posted on Facebook this week!


El Cerrito is a rustic lodge on a hill top, surrounded by fields of hay, cattle, and deer.

Upon entering the lodge, there were several tables with pictures and we created a case with Kayla's favorite flowers - roses, daisies, and hydrangeas. 

This was the toss bouquet that was also used in the entryway.

 Their colors were burgundy, blush and white and Kayla loved the organic style that is so popular now, with an assortment of different types of greenery, berries, and foliage. This was her bridal bouquet.

This was one of the bridesmaid bouquets.

 Outside we designed an arch with the same types of flowers.

 Wine barrels flanked each side of the aisle, with a mound of flowers a top each barrel.

 This is the back side of the lodge, from where we were working on the arch.

 Back inside for the reception, each table had a centerpiece with assorted flowers in silver mirrored glass style vases.

 Fun tid bit - I met the Hays family through Jeff. Anna Jo (Kayla's mom) and Neil were married two months before Jeff and I. We borrowed their wooden spools, tablecloths, and some decor from their wedding for our own wedding! Their wedding cake was good and we hired "Betty Crocker" to make our cake, while we were at their reception (I honestly don't remember her name and that is what everybody was calling the lady, as she made her first cakes for our weddings!)

Speaking of cake - this beautiful one was made by Ladyfingers in Gilmer. On her Facebook page, she describes this as "Sicilian Wedding Cake with Orange Marmalade and Cream Cheese Buttercream."

We had not discussed a cake topper and right before the cake was delivered, Anna Jo ask if I could make a topper. I had just enough flowers left to create this piece for the top! I made the bridal bouquet to fit in the vase and it was displayed on the cake table throughout the reception. 

There was the most spectacular sunset as the families were taking wedding pictures and guest mingled about!

Congratulations Kayla and Andy! Wishing you many years of love and happiness together! Thank you for letting me help create your dream wedding!