New product line!

Recently one of my retail buyers ask me to present some towel options for her shop.  What an opportunity!
And you know that I dove right in!  I used the opportunity to add napkins and table runners!  Here's just a glimpse of my new products.


Decorated Linen kitchen towels:

decoration close-up

Autumn Table Runner:

Reversible!

Matching napkins

Whatca think?  Watch for some 

more new offerings coming soon!

Haiku Challenge Day 28

Abigail's Attic,

a place to come and visit

the thoughts from my loft.

Any writing exercise,

 is what you will experience,

Since I love to try and

See what I will get!

A story may emerge,

You  never know,

so stayed tuned,

 a delight is sure to show!

Written for The Haiku Challenge 2012 - Day 28 – February 28th – Theme or Word: YOUR BLOG NAME FORM: Haiku + Form of your Wish

What next, Sasha?

"You want me to adopt her?! Mom, you've lost it! You know that I'm already way too busy ALL THE TIME! My family, the shop, home schooling, the farm, watching after you!" Suzanne practically shouted at her mom, which was surprising. "But, Suz, you . . . . " Abby tried to say. "No, mom, I don't want to hear it!" she shouted, as she rose from her chair, put her cup in the sink and went for the back door! "Well, Sasha, that went well!" The cat meowed back, as if understanding just what was said. Wiping off the table and adding her cup to the sink, Abby headed for the wing chair in the living room with Sasha right behind her. "I didn't see that coming!" She picked up her embroidery, did a couple of stitches, and sat it down again. Rising from the chair, she paced across the Persian rug a couple of times then headed for the phone. She dialed the number and waited for an answer. "Ms. Cathy Griffith, please." After leaving a message for Ms Griffith, since she was not available, Abby went back to pacing. She sure hoped Suz wouldn't stay angry with her. She just wanted the best for Patricia and for her own family! Suzanne would never have a little girl of her own. There were no girls in the Hamilton family, hadn't been in generations. Always boys. Suzanne was resigned to it. "She loves her boys and I do too, Sasha. But I just wish she could have a girl. Sasha, maybe I have overstepped my bounds."

Thoughts Delivered

(Abby's story part 18) Since the morning sun was no longer streaming in the front window, it was a little cooler to sit at the dining room table as they talked. "Suz, you saw my pros and cons list. But I want you to know that I, also have looked at all the things that have happened in my life over the last several years as to how they relate to important decisions. I think it has helped me see more clearly." "You sound like you have really been thinking about this, mom" said Suz as she tilted the lovely porcelain clad kettle that was always ready on the stove and filled her china tea cup with hot water. "So, what do you mean?" she asked, while dipping her tea bag up and down in the water and taking her chair at the oak table.

teapot available from REtroGalore on Etsy

"Well, I mean that I have thought about your dad's death and where that has left me--both emotionally and financially. I thought about my heart attack and fitness level--or lack thereof! I though about the purpose of this family farm--emphasis on 'family'--that we are all in this together for a favorable and profitable outcome. I thought about adoption as a long term commitment and my age. And I think that I have decided that adopting Patrica is not for me, as much as I want it. I was thinking that I wanted her to have a stable home, and she got along so well with Paddy and Owen. I could see her here in this house, filling it with laughter and chaos. My heart is full of love for her and, I know, all the other children who need love. But I think that my stamina is not the greatest and my years on this earth may be more limited that I would really like to admit. So, I have come to this conclusion: I have decided that adopting Patrica is not for me, as much as I want . . . " "Oh mom," Suzanne interrupted, "I know that this was hard for you, but I really do think it is for the best. Little Patty will go to a good home, I know it! You needn't worry." "Suz, you didn't let me finish! I am no longer worrying. I want you and Terry to adopt her!"

Moles and Decisions

(Abby's Story - Part 17) Ronda was a short little lady with a round face and dark hair to match her dark eyes. The smile she wore was all over her face and twinkled out her eyes. One could readily tell that she was happy and friendly! After speaking with her for a few minutes, Abby decided to excuse herself and head for the office in the back of the shop. Suz, probably already having decided that she wanted to hire her, entertained Ronda for a few minutes, enlisting her help folding some linens on a shelf.

Towels available from pruitthandcrafts on Etsy

Abby took the time to look over the application lying on the desk. She was wondering if Ronda had been a punctual employee at her last job, or if she had skipped around from job to job. BLAM! The back door slammed, as Owen ran up to the desk! "Owen, you know you are not supposed to run in the shop! What is up with you?" "Grandma, we found a mole hole in the garden. And a few of our baby carrots are missing! I came to tell mom!" "Your mom is busy right now, and mole stories can wait. Why didn't you go get your dad? He's better equipped to help you with a little mole" instructed Abby. "But, grandma, he's way out at the shed in the back 40!" Owen protested. "Well, I'll let your mom know and you head back to the garden. As soon as you see your dad, let him know. We can't have a little mole ruining our harvest!--And don't slam the door this time!" Owen scampered out the back door again, this time closing it carefully, as Abby headed to the front of the shop. Suz and Ronda had finished rearranging the linen cupboard and were standing at the cash register. "Everything looks fine, I would agree with your decision, Suzanne, and I hope that Ronda can join us for some of the morning hours around here. Also, Owen will have some news for you when you go home, and I need your help with that decision, soon."

Reading the List

(Part 15 of Abby's Story--You can start at the beginning here.) Suzanne set her lemonade glass down on the little crocheted coaster, saving the beautiful finish of the old oak tabletop, while she read the list. Pros: 1) I love kids! 2) I have the finances to support a child 3) I love little Patricia Cons: 1) My stamina is not very good. 2) Health concerns/life expectancy, I'm nearly 65! 3) Limits on my freedom-I already raised ten kids! 4) Total changes to my everyday routine

Lemonade dress by CappysCloset

Questions:

1) Schooling? Where? How? 2) Her family's involvement? If any? 3) Will it prevent me from helping other kids? "Mom, these are all good questions. I see that you have been seriously thinking about what to do."

"I have, Suz. Even though I have all of you, I still have time to give to someone else."

"Well, I think that you should make another list. This one should be about you're daily routine, as it is now and how it would be if you had a child living with you. Can you do that?" asked Suzanne.

"I believe I can, I have be thinking about it.''

"OK then, we'll talk again, once you have completed the list. Let me know. Now, I saw the vegetable order ready on the porch table, I'll have to be going to get to Clark's in time. By the way, I liked that gal, Ronda, that came for the interview. I would like you to meet her, and see what you think. She's coming back tomorrow around two. Can you come over to the shop at that time?"

Tea and Flowers

(This is part 10 of Abby's Story.)

Today, Abby was to have a guest. She spread the new patchwork tablecloth on the kitchen table, the dining room table was just too big for two people; she rinsed the dust from the china cabinet off the tea pot and cups and left them on the drainboard to dry. She made fudge last night and now she set about making some little finger sandwiches, arranging them with strawberries and kiwi slices on a three tiered plate with some of the fudge on the top plate. She made some lemonade, putting it in the refrigerator to cool, just in case her guest was not a "tea person" and then there was the coffee too. She always had a hot pot thermos of coffee ready for anyone who stopped by. "I think I could use some flowers for the table. They are always so charming and calming. Besides, I sell them in town, and everyone else gets to enjoy the benefit from all our hard work in the garden, so my guest and I should enjoy them too!" She walked out the back door, thru the porch screen door and around the corner of the house, to the side yard, past the vegetable garden and on to the flower garden. "We've planted cosmos, daisies, zinnias, echinacea, day lilies, rudbeckia, and sweet peas to name a few." She said it to seemingly no one. The plot was edged with rose bushes dividing the flower garden from the lawn. She found Suz and Paddy pulling a few weeds between the rows. "Good morning, no studies this morning?"

"Yes, we're going over our botany lesson, while we work. What are you doing?" said Paddy.

"The new director of Thomas House is coming for tea and I need some flowers for my table. I'm excited to meet her. I told her come all the way out Beavercreek Road until she saw . . . "the most beautiful flower garden around" and that would be my house! Since it's the first thing that you see as you drive in the driveway. hmmmm . . . . I think I'll choose some cosmos for today's table."

"What does she want, grandma?"

"Owen, I really don't know. The people at Thomas House called me and made the appointment . . . ."

Life Spark?

(Part 9 of Abby' Story)

"Life does seem like it's full of meals and crafting and . . . I . . . I need some more purpose in life, Sasha, now that hubby is gone. I know, I have the kids and grandkids, but I need a spark somewhere. Oh well, I won't dwell on it. Maybe I will return this call from the folks at Thomas House and and see what they want."

(Phone available from zanylainee on Etsy) She walked over and sat down at the antique school desk that now doubled as a phone desk and picked up the handset. Dialing the number and waiting for an answer, she glanced around the room at her treasures. Treasure of framed photographs, mostly, but interspersed with trinkets of meaning. Most of them given her by the family on different occasions. There were the Willow Tree angel figurines, one holding a puppy on her shoulder, one kneeling in prayer, and the other posing holding a bouquet of flowers behind her back. All gifts from friends and colleagues of the past. On the bookcase were the forties style little boy and girl figurine that had belonged to hubby's mom. So sentimental, they were, when she gazed at them remembering . . . . . "Oh! Yes . . . hello there! I was returning your call . . . Well, yes, I would be willing to meet with her . . . ."

Cookies, Spelling and Work

(Part 8 of Abby's Story - originally published in my other blog and, now, continued here) Paddy and Owen scrambled up the back steps and slammed the screen door behind them. "Grandma, we're gonna work in the fields today, are ya coming? Mom wants to know." Putting the last dish in the cupboard and hanging up the new tea towel, Abby responded, "Well, how are you boys today, did you get your studies done for the morning?" "Yep! and we're all ready to plant those new shrubs you bought. Dad got out early this morning and dug all the holes in the new rows, now we have to set them in! Grandma, did you make some more snickerdoodles? It smells like snickerdoodles. Can we have some?" "I made them this morning, just for you! Help yourself, you know where the cookie jar is. I hope you ate your lunch, but I guess you probably did, since you are ready to work! Owen, can you spell 'cookie', for grandma? I know you've been working on your spelling words. And Padraic, you can spell 'snickerdoodle'. " C-O-O-K-I-E recipe: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/snickerdoodles/7ffc92a9-d847-4869-9ecb-99de3b751b14 "Enjoy! I used to always make these for your mom and her siblings when they were growing up, and now I make them for you. When your grandpa and I were young and broke, I would use all shortening and not butter (or which ever I had), 'cuz all the ingredients were pretty basic and still in our cupboards. We grew to love them!!!!" P.S. Can you tell which child is younger?

Craft Room - (part 6, Abby's Story)

(Abby's Story - part 6) After all the fun at Thomas House and the errands, Abby settled into the craft room to work on her latest creation. "I almost forgot to pick up our new stock order at the nursery, today Sasha!Terry and Suz will take care of the new shrubs, until all of us can get out there to plant. I'm so glad to have family work days together. Dreams are not very good, unless you can share the progress with someone!" The craft room was at the back of the house and had huge windows that looked out at the blueberry acreage. The sun was getting low on the horizon and shined directly into the room, providing plenty of late afternoon light to work on her project. The sewing machine was there, the cutting table, a recliner and side table, beautiful quilts on the walls for decor and plenty of storage for her fabrics. Returning to a pile of cut fabric, she began sorting the colors into patterns. "These are lovely prints, they remind me of my great-grandmother's dress prints. She always wore sort of non-descript loose fitting dresses with a small print fabric, but, I guess they were comfortable" as she looked up at the framed pictures placed carefully everywhere among the neat stacks of fabric on the shelves. There was one particular large gilded frame set predominately on the side table. While still reminiscing about the old pictures of grandma and great-grandmother's family standing in front of the old home place, Abby continued to sort the fabric pieces, rearranging as needed for the design. She had already made a patchwork tablecloth for her patio table, but Suz wanted one for her home. Sasha brushed up against her feet under the table, letting her presence be known. "Oh, Sasha, it's getting late and I forgot your dinner, didn't I?"

(Abby's Story - part 5) Stroking Sasha's fur and grabbing her travel cup, Abby dashed out the door and headed for the truck. No sporty sedan for her, she needed a work vehicle. Some of her errands today were to pick up some replacement stock at the nursery and deliver a batch of daffodilsto the rural market stand. Then, on to Thomas House to deliver fresh peas and lettuce that Suz picked and prepared for delivery. "I had better stop at the market first, and drop off these flowers while they are still fresh. Wouldn't want them to wilt! I always spend too much time at TH! The kids there are just so cute and need an extra smiling face! Maybe I could work on puzzles with a few of them today. Thomas House is such a worthy charity." She further mused on the work and services they provided there thinking about the wording on their brochure, Immediate haven that meets the urgent and long-term needs of homeless women and their children. Activities conducted by skilled professional staff, maintaining a 5 to 1 client to staff ratio. "That's pretty good! I just don't know how they do that on their budget!" thought Abby to herself. Their. . . Transitional Service spans the range from workforce related learning and career centers and an educational children's center to life skills such as budgeting and cooking needed to be self-sufficient, along with parenting classes. There's career planning, opportunities to acquire a high school diploma, learn computer, vocational and employment skills. Their Continuation Service includes moving assistance, ongoing life skills instruction, and neighborhood orientation to make the transition to independent living. The Children's Center is a state licensed center providing early childhood education, or homeschooling for a younger children until they are ready to enter the school system. Comprehensive. "How could we not help?" This was Abby's charity; she volunteered whenever possible; the family farm operation provided TH with fresh vegetables thru the summer season, and of course, monetary donations. (Are you like Abby? There are charitable possibilities everywhere in your city to offer your time or your contributions. Local shelters, rescue missions always need coffee; mentoring services for children, court appointed volunteers for foster children; Red Cross volunteers for overnight warming shelters; agencies that provide homemade blankets for seriously ill children and hospice patients, etc. Do you have a favorite charity that you contribute to? Tell me about it. Leave a comment.)

Morning Coffee

(Abby's Story part 4) "Rooster's crowing, it must be almost dawn. I better get up, so much to do today!" As Abby's feet hit the rag rug on the floor, Sasha only squirmed and repositioned herself on the bed. "Come on, Sasha, Let's go down and get your breakfast--busy day ahead." Downstairs Abby crossed the living room and entered the big country kitchen, going straight to the pantry for expresso beans and cat food. After preparing Sasha's breakfast and setting it on the floor for her, Abby set about to make the world's best (at least, Abby's best) latte to start her day! Reaching for the recipe card she said, "Now for my 'simulated' breakfast. Sasha, I really learned a ton, from Shirley, since she became a barista! Let's see now, proper grind, lighter to the finger touch than sugar grains, seven grams worth; cold whole milk for me, I need the protein; and of course, sugar free syrups, which I should always add first to prevent curdling. But not today, though. My breakfast is a Cinnamon Roll Latte. And I don't have any sugar-free Cinnamon Syrup!" Cinnamon Roll Latte Pour 1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup in your cup Add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, stir Add your expresso Fill with foamed and steamed milk Top with whipped cream Dust with powered cinnamon Enjoy! Quick facts about our Coffee culture:* 1. Gourmet coffee became a social beverage in the 90s because the ten year total of teetotaloers was up by 28%. We started drinking mochas, not martinis. 2. Seattle is the expresso capital of the world with gourmet coffee sales reaching 40% of the total coffee market share. National average is about 30%. 3. Why do we say "coffee beans" when coffee comes from berries? Because each berry has two beans. *Facts from Espresso, Quick Reference Guide by Phillip Janssen (you know, an old fashioned BOOK :)

After Dinner Project

(Abby's Story - part 3)

After dinner, Abby lit a fire in the huge stone fireplace in the sitting room. She settled into her favorite fireside wing chair with her planner and some embroidery work. Obviously no room for Sasha in her lap, the cat settled herself in the matching wing back just opposite Abby. Opening her planner, Abigail thought about tomorrows activities. Besides bringing some fresh produce to the children of Thomas House, she should stop at the co-op office to see about the projected price of blueberries.

"We need a better price, this season." she said looking at Sasha. Sasha only twitched one ear and continued lying curled up in the seat warming herself before the fire.

"I also need to sign up for some extra laborers. It's getting harder and harder for Suz and the family to do the work since we added that extra acreage year before last. Those bushes are maturing and add to the work at harvest. Well, tomorrow will hold enough work of it's own, right now, I need to finish this hoop." After jotting down a couple of more items on her list, she put the planner on the end table and picked up the sewing basket. Two projects were in the basket, the redwork hoop and one that would be for Aunt Ramona in Missouri, a gift for her birthday. Cute little tea towels with a rooster calling out the morning light. "Better finish this quickly, as tomorrow morning's light will be here all too soon."

Dinner Time!

(Abby's Story part 2) Reading finished, the kitchen garden called. Weeding always needed to be done and of course, the watering. "Chicken wire fencing kept the chickens out, but not the moles!"Abby said to herself as she crept around on her hands and knees pulling weeds. She thought about all the work a few years ago preparing the raised beds. Raised beds were the only answer to the moles and the clay soil pervasive in the area. It helped the family keep the soil aerated and lighter, especially for the carrots that needed to grow deeper into loose soil. The wire mesh installed in the bottom of the beds provided protection from the varmints! A little tired after weeding and watering, her afternoon nerly over, Abby picked a few lettuce springs for her evening salad. It was dinner preparation time. Opening the wood-framed screen door and stepping up onto the enclosed porch, Sasha jumped from the wicker chair pad where she'd had her afternoon nap and began to purr while brushing the side of Abby's leg. Abby set the lettuce on the sideboard and sat for a moment to rest. Sasha jumped immediately to the newly formed lap and curled up, still purring. Looking over at the little wicker table beside her chair, Abby noticed a foil covered package shaped like a loaf. It was still warm. Remembering that Suzanne promised to bring over some cornbread, she looked up to watch her daughter returning to her house, across the acre between their homes. She waved as she entered her back door. While stroking Sasha's back, Abby thought about dinner: Hamburger pie, fresh salad and, now, homemade--from scratch--Sweet Corn Bread!

Abby's Story

I will be continuing my Abby story here in this new blog. It's about Abigail, called Abby for short. I originally started writing about her last year, but didn't finish. To give an opportunity for everyone to catch up, I will be re-printing the first few posts here.

When I first thought of Abigail, I saw her sitting at a small round patio table covered with a romantic patchwork and lace table cloth. Abby sat there with the table set with a vase of flowers, one lone tea cup, it's saucer and a book. The book was romance, but a mystery, where hours could be wiled away in the pursuit of an answer. A huge oak tree branched out over the patio's grape arbor providing shade and coolness for the afternoon. A few short steps away, was Abby's kitchen garden, waiting for attention after the reading is over.

And the story begins . . .

My Best Friends

I have two best friends. One on my left and the other on my right. They are not flesh and blood, just paper and ink. In them they contain a world of possibilities! A world where I can explore and dream. A world that could be . . . and is---in my mind.

As I reflect in my attic, I invite them both to enter. They help me clear away the cobwebs and the shadows and bring precision to my thoughts. I love to be in the attic with them. There names are Webster and Roget. I can't be without them for flavor, inspiration and appropriate articulation.

It's a world I invite you to explore with us, here in this blog. I hope you will want to become a follower. It will be a great journey together!

Blessings!

Abby