Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Harvest & Sign Making.

 Tomatoes, Tomatoes. . .
Tomatoes,
 And More Tomatoes :)


I have been toying with the idea of putting up a little vegetable stand.

I love making signs . . .
so it was the first thing that I thought about doing.

A cute little stand by the road . . .

It might be fun :) 


So I made two signs.

 After all traffic comes from both directions.


Then I decided that our garden 
wasn't planted to start a vegetable stand,
 but to feed Steve and I and to share  
with family, friends and neighbors
 

So, I decided to hang one 
of these two signs in my kitchen :)


I'll put the other one aside and save it
for a craft sale some day :)


Come on over and I'll fill up a basket
of tomatoes for you.
We have plenty!
Or if you would rather have a bouquet of zinnias,
I can do that too!

Better yet. . .take both :)
 ~~~~~*****~~~~~
 Keep Smiling!
 ~~~~~*****~~~~~

Your blogging sister,
Connie :) 

Sharing with:
Jo, Jann & Carol . . . Share Your Cup
http://artandsand.blogspot.com/2016/09/welcome-to-syc-215.html
 
P.S.  Don't you just love this time of the year?   
Cool nights, warm days, sunshine, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Our neighbors just mowed their hay again . . .
so, we even have the sweet smell of fresh hay.
LIFE IS GOOD!
 





59 comments:

  1. LOVE your signs! You have the talent for making them. Have you thought about making them to sell?? Fall is my Favorite season!! I Love all that is brings!
    warmly,
    deb

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    Replies
    1. I have thought about making them to sell . . . I just need to find an outlet :)
      I have so much fun making them.

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  2. All those tomatoes look so good. We didn't get very many off our plants this year. I'll take some tomatoes and flowers. :) Your signs look great

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    1. Dear Sweet Ann, if you lived closer I would fill a box for you.
      I'm happy that you like my sign.

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  3. If I was closer I'd take you up on that offer! Love the signs!

    Grace & Peace,
    Pam

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    1. Thank you . . . I love getting feedback on my signs, because I would like to start making some with the thought of selling them. If you lived closer I would fill up a box of tomatoes for you. I stood in one spot and picked all of those in the basket, so you can imagine how many extra I have with four rows of them, LOL.

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  4. Aw, you are such a good neighbor Connie. You did a great job on both of your signs!

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    1. Thank you . . . I love making signs. It surprises me how much fun they are to design and paint. I want to try painting a barn quilt.

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  5. Your signs are fabulous! And your tomatoes look luscious. I would take some of those and a bouquet of zinnia's, one of my favorite flowers. I have big plans to plant some next year...zinnia's that is. No luck with tomatoes...I have tried!

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    1. I love zinnias, too. As long as they have sunshine and water they thrive just about anywhere and they make such pretty summer bouquets. I plant them next to my vegetable garden because they bring in the bees and help the plants, you might try doing that, if you ever decide to give tomatoes another try. Thanks for your sweet words about my signs, I appreciate it so much :)

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  6. LOve your signs!! Wished I lived near you as I would purchase your signs. lol Have you thought about selling on etsy.com?

    Best of luck, Janie

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    1. I really don't want to get into the internet selling market, but would love to try a craft fair. I'll thinking about getting a few signs made and stacked up, just in case the opportunity to do a show arises :) I'm glad to hear that you like them that much, I wasn't sure if there really would be a market for them.

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  7. Nice job on the signs. I had a feeling we would see it hanging inside your house. : )
    Wonderful photos.
    We didn't get any tomatoes this year. They all turned black on the bottom and rotted.

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    1. I think that is from too much rain or from watering them over head with sprinklers. I dig ditches and run a hose down them to get water only to the roots. Then again, I'm a beginner garden, but I read everything I can on the subject. I'm so happy that you like my signs, thank you :)

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  8. This made me laugh! You did a great job on the signs, even if you changed your mind at the last minute. Looks great in your kitchen. I have a plan for a sign myself. Did you print the letters off from the computer? I've been thinking I'll transfer the letters with a piece of carbon paper and then paint freehand. Looks like you might be spending your spare time canning tomatoes!
    Wendy

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    1. Hi Wendy, that is what I do too . . . I printed the letters on the computer, two to a page because they were so big. Then I taped the pages together to get them spaced correctly and put carbon paper under them and traced an outline. Next I painted them in with a small paint brush and added shadow. It's time consuming, but I enjoy the process. When I'm finished I beat them up with hammer, chains, screwdrivers, rocks and sandpaper . . . whatever ages them and gives them a bit of wear and tear :) I like the look of oldness . . . I better, I see it every time I look in the mirror, LOL.

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    2. Thanks so much Connie! I making a sign for my son's room with the name of the lake he worked at this summer "Canoe Lake". You're a funny gal :D

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  9. You are really something!! I've never seen such pretty tomatoes or such pretty zinnias! I'm sure hoping to grow pretty tomatoes next summer. You sure could open up a vegetable/flower stand, but it's so nice of you to give some away. I LOVE the signs!

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    1. Thank you! You are always so kind with your comments. I lived thirty three years with a shady backyard and not able to grow a garden, so I remember how pleased I was when I was gifted with fresh produce. It's wonderful to be able to be on the giving end of gardening . . . just one of the many joys of summer :)

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  10. Your tomato signs are very well done as usual. Tomatoes and flowers are so pretty too. In our new house the craft area will have to be in the master bedroom. I want to have an 8 ft. counter for sewing. There is a small area on another wall I want a small counter for making cards and bookmarks, etc. I like the idea you have for your rubber stamps and would like something like that. I can't remember if that was something you bought from the thrift store or if you made them? I hope I have my energy back by then!! Nancy

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    1. Nancy, I know that you will have fun organizing and putting together your new crafting space. Your old home was beautiful and you will make your new home beautiful too. My rubber stamp shelves were a surprise gift from my niece's husband. She rubber stamps too and he built her some shelves and while he was doing that he decided to build some for me, too. What a sweetie pie, right :)

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  11. Oh my Connie, your signs are gorgeous! Wish I lived close, I would buy the other one from you. The one you kept looks awesome on your island. Perfection indeed! My tomatoes have not done that well this year. I am needing to make salsa and wish I had an abundant crop like yours. Your Zinnias are gorgeous as well. You have a green thumb my friend. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Hi Jann, I am so happy that you like my signs. I am thinking about making more and stacking them up until an opportunity to sell them comes up. It's wonderful to know that people would be interested in them. I would love to ask a favor of you . . . go to SYC and click on my thumbnail photo and see what comes up. What did I do wrong? After I was done, the screen said that everything went through, but apparently not. I'm not internet savvy . . . just an old dog learning new tricks :)

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  12. You are one talented lady! I love your signs!

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  13. I love this time of the year too. I've been giving tomatoes to anyone that drops by. I didn't think to include Zinnias but those did very well this year as well. Your signs are really cute. I've never tried making one but I do have a sign hanging outside that says "Fresh Vegetables". It came from a garage sale years ago.

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    1. I have a thing for signs . . . i've thought about making a set of the old Burma Shave signs and putting them along our property. Then again people have enough distractions with cell phones, LOL.

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  14. I love your signs...they are very original and capture the homespun feel of folks selling by roadsides. Can you give us some tips on making our own? ;-D

    Jane

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    1. Hello sweet friend, I am delighted that you like them. Watch your email I send details on how I made them.

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  15. Impressive looking tomatoes, I have a little tomato envy mine have not done well at all this year. The signs are stunning and I am sure would sell easily. Take care.

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    1. Thank you and I am happy to hear that you think my signs would sell. I have made a few very unique ones that I also have hanging in the kitchen and one in the potting shed that I think I will use as samples to make a few more. I would love to try selling them.

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  16. Your tomatoes are magnificent! I'm sure some of your neighbors would like to buy some. But how nice of you to give them away instead. I wish I lived close enough to come by. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. I wish you did, too. I'm sure we would have a ball chatting about everything from camping to gardening :)
      Happy weekend!

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  17. Oh Connie I have so missed your lovely posts and I thank you so much for your recent messages wondering where I am. I'm absolutely fine and looking forward to blogging again....soon X

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    1. Patricia, seeing your photo next to your comment was like seeing an old friend again. My heart actually beat a little faster and I got excited. I miss you :) I am delighted to hear that you are blogging again. This is very special news . . . you are one of my first mutual followers and I feel a kinship toward you. Thanks for stopping by to visit and welcome back to blog-land :)

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  18. Those signs are prettier than the ones I see in country shops! I love how the one sign looks in your kitchen - just perfect in there. I would love to be your neighbor and be one of the lucky recipients of your tomatoes and zinnias. :-)

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    1. It would be a pleasure to pick a basket of tomatoes for you, along with a fruit jars filled with Zinnias. The other day I gave four buckets of tomatoes away to friends and neighbors and today Steve and I canned our first salsa. I am enjoying learning to garden and can . . . I have always dreamed of living this way and feel blessed with our new country life.

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  19. Beautiful Zinnia's, Yummy tomatoes and your signs turned out great.

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    1. Thank you, thank you and thank you again . . . you are a sweetie pie:)

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  20. Oh....I wish I was one of your neighbors....I would love some tomatoes....by the time my tomatoes get to a pink stage....some chipmunk, squirrel or rabbit gets them first. UGE!! I want to do something with tomatoes this year but there's not enough to work with. Love the signs....I bet you will get lots of customers!!!

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    1. The only critters that we have had a problem with are birds. So, really not much of a problem at all. I wish you lived closer I would love to bring you a box of tomatoes. We keep saying that we planted too many this year, but it's fun to have surplus to give away :)

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  21. You did a terrific job on those signs, love the shading you did on it too, great distressing to make them look old. Such a great batch of tomatoes and lovely flowers you have shared.

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    1. Thank you . . . I am loving this new country living, wish I could have started many years earlier, but then maybe I would not have appreciated as much as I do. I do not believe a day has past since moving here that we haven't expressed our gratitude for our little farm (we call it that even if we don't have animals). This new way of life is a true blessing in our retirement years.

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  22. I just love this time of year.
    Your tomatoes look so tasty and I like your signs too.

    Autumn flowers can be so colourful as your photo's show .. and fresh mown hay! Wow!

    Enjoy these remaining weeks of September - this month is passing by too quickly!

    All the best Jan

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    1. Hi Jan, September is moving right along . . . the air is getting crisper and the air conditioner is turned off and the windows are open letting in the sweet autumn breeze. Life is good!

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  23. Love seeing that basket with tomatoes ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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  24. I absolutely love the signs Connie, and oh boy, do I wish I could come get some of those luscious looking tomatoes! As always, lovely post. Happy Autumn!
    Have a blessed, creative day blogging sister.
    D~~~~

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    1. Hello Donna, I would be delighted if you lived close enough to come pick a bucket of tomatoes. It is a blessing having a surplus and being able to give them away. Today Steve and I canned our first salsa . . . it is exciting learning to put things from the garden up for winter :)

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  25. Hi Connie... this is my first visit to your blog and I love it... you sound so much like me and the life I love. When I saw your tomatoes, it reminded me of the abundance that we have also... just from 5 small plants! I made salsa too.. freezer salsa but sure was alot of work. I'll be visiting more of your posts. How wonderful to live on an acre.... I've lived on acreage most of my life, except for growing up in "town" in Portland, Oregon (well, it was the suburbs)... but I always dreamed of living in the country. I've done the country life several times, with cows, pigs, chickens, horses and even alpacas! right now.. our new (old) fixer upper is right in town on a lot.. so hard to get used to.. but trying to make my own little oasis in our back yard. I'm off to read more of your posts! Oh.. and love those signs... and love how you put it in your kitchen. At one home I lived at in Washington about 25 years ago, we had 9 acres and 3 HUGE gardens... and I always dreamed of having my own little produce stand at the top of our driveway.. never did happen though but was a nice dream. Take care.. Marilyn

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    1. Hi Marilyn, I am so excited to have you visit. I also think that we have much in common and it sounds like I can learn a lot from you, as far as country living. We bought our little fixer upper two and a half years ago. It was built in 1905 and moved on to this property from a town 40 miles away back in the 1960's. The man who moved it here was a bricklayer and mason, he updated a few things in the 60, like the stone fireplace, and put that dark brown paneling in half the rooms. It took two coats of primer and three coats of paint to cover them, but painting them truly gave them a country feel. After he past away it sold and became a rental . . . the poor old house needed a lot of love when bought it. A bit of a money pit, but we love it and have never regretted our decision to buy it. We feel so blessed with our old home and all this room for gardening. I don't like sitting around and need things to do that keep me going. I like rocking chairs, but I'm not ready to spend my days in one, LOL.

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    2. Yes we do! I love hearing about your old home! Sounds very charming and like it has lots of personality! Ours was built in the 70's and is your standard 70's house... reminds me more of a 50's house though as most everything in it is that style. I'm going to have fun looking back on your blog and seeing your house updates and decorating. You are so fortunate to have a full acre of land! Oh.... I commented on several of your blog posts and hope you got them. I got some "delivery status notifications" this morning showing that the email "conniehomecottage@gmail.com" is a permanent failure. Perhaps your email has changed? I went to your blog profile and looked but the email link, when I clicked on it, would not open up! Anyway.. just a heads up and hope you got all my other comments! I'm off to read more on your blog. Have a wonderful Sunday! Marilyn

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    3. I've received many comments on different posts. So, I think that I'm getting everything. I don't know why that message would come up. I see that you live in Madras; what a pretty town. Our daughter lived in Bend for about 10 years so I would drive through there on my way to visit her. I wish we would have met then . . . I could have stopped and met you somewhere for coffee or ice cream :) It's always fun to meet a blogging sister. If you really want to see our home in April 3, 6, and 11 of 2015 I posted three before and after posts. We are still making improvements but most to out buildings and landscaping. It is an on going project. I am sure you understand that . . . it's part of home ownership, right, LOL.

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    4. Yes I think you've gotten all my posts! I did go and look at your before and afters and read most of your posts about your bungalow.. the first day you got the keys and your ongoing progress. I'm amazed at all you've done! We've been here a year now and about all we've done is fix up the yards, plant flowers and veggies, and painted most of the inside. So much to be done yet! Oh.. we did paint one whole side of our house last Fall, as it is the south side and got the most sun and was starting to buckle under that hot sun! I painted one other small side.. I'm not a painter and don't really like painting, so took all of our willpower to "get it done". It was only temporary as we want a different color for the entire house. We have to wait for things as our budget allows (and our energy)! We have a nice brick fireplace, but is non-working unfortunately. I bet yours works and you are looking forward to crackling fires in the winter. We would like an insert someday, but not sure when that will happen. Oh.. and I LOVE your white mantle! (another plan we have for ours as ours right now is very narrow and brown). :-)

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    5. Sorry to disappoint, but your fireplace although it does work, we blocked it off and inserted one of those new electric log inserts. It gives off a little heat and it looks like flaming logs. I didn't want the mess of cleaning ashes in the living-room, but still wanted the feel :)

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    6. That's funny! That's what we did... we had a large black electric fireplace, so we took out the insert and shoved it into our brick fireplace (with insulation behind it, etc.) and put some beadboard around the edges. With a push of the remote, we have instant flames and it looks so real, you'd think it was a real fire. That is our MAIN heat in our living room and dining room and works really good.. we put a fan by it to blow the heat into the room.. and we have a small wall heater in the kitchen that heats that. It worked good here down to zero.. now if we get to 20 below or so, not sure it'll keep us warm! But sure love the ambience of it.

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  26. Hey cutie, featuring you and your darling signs at SYC later today.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. You are so kind, thank you. That makes me feel very special. I've had the blues all day, but I can't pinpoint why. I just need to snap out of it! This was a sweet surprise, you're the best :)

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  27. Your cottage kitchen rocks! And the sign is so perfect there, you did a great job making it. Yes I'd like some tomatoes, lots of tomatoes, and lots of zinnias too :) Congrats on your feature at Share Your Cup. I'm going to start following your blog, love what I'm seeing.

    Mary

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    1. Hello Mary, it is so nice having you stop to visit and I would love to have you following along on my journey. I was transplanted into this country life two and a half years ago when we purchased this old (1905) country bungalow on an area of land. Since then I have learned about growing a garden and now I'm learning how to can food for winter. I'm a late bloomer, but enjoying everything about my new life. Thank you again for stopping by. My welcome mat is always out and I love making new blogging friends :)

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