Our New Friend

 Been Busy Busy here,but in good ways mostly.Look at this sweet visitor we have been seeing.He must have been someones pet as he is fairly tame..He gets along well with the animal mengerie and has made many friends....

 Got a funny story for you.Last week I got a case of food poisioning.(yep I knew there was a reason the restraunt menu was not in my phone book.LoL) So I was laying on the couch so I wouldn't disturb hubby much.He was sleeping in the bedroom.Well I hear this horrible racket from up in the loft.Banging then the cat chasing something.My first thought was to much old stuff drug up there must of bought a spook home.LoL..This was around 2 am.Thud Bang Thud Run. All of a sudden it came in the living room.Ahhhh it's a Bat!!!!! So I hit the floor and start screaming.Hubby comes in and see's me on the floor in his half sleep state and thinks I'm screaming because I'm sick.He doesn't even see the bat flying around in circles or realize I'm screaming BAT! Finally he looks up were I'm pointing and wakes up.He had to hit it down with a broom and throw a towel over it and throw it outside.It must have got in through one of the window screens.Uggh bats,snakes,spiders and stink bugs I can not stand....Got my bike basket planted....

 The plants will cascade down the front to the ground and are drought tolerant since I forget to water often..smile...

 My bucket garden is working out great..No weeding is going to be just wonderful!

 Already cutting lettuce and ready for the second planting of spring onions. Planted heirloom tomatoes one was called Abe Lincoln.Got 10 buckets total.Most planted from seed. Did a compact bush cucumber so it would grow better in the container.The only thing I'm not sure about is the zuchinni since it likes to trail but I'm thinking I can train it to grow up and along the fence.

Well the weekend was cold and windy but now the rest of the week is supposed to be 90's.Easing in to the lazy early weekdays and rush of the weekends (thurs-sun)..Been planning some day trips for the summer.I like campy little attractions and discovering small towns.We are lucky to be close to Gettysburg so plan on playing tourist alot.Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial day and hugged or thanked a military person for standing up for our country.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Pitter Patter and Swap signup reminder

Ok well as you know I've been trying so hard not to keep stuff from Picking.Also trying to live by the rule one thing in,one thing out.This week lots of great finds but they will all go to market except this beautiful picture.Sorry it's a little sideways the flash kept glaring straight on.It's a real painting on canvas.Hubby keeps trying to talk me into taking it out of the frame to see if it's signed and to "tighten" it a little.I'm afraid of damaging it,I'm not sure how to properly care for it. So just want to let it alone and feather dust it once in awhile.He keeps saying I could have that roadshow piece LoL..The paint does have some crazing from years but it only adds to the aged beauty of it..Gotta tell you a funny story about the sale I bought this at we got there early well I walked around a sec or two then got to were they had the pay table set up and saw this old man with a few things and a antique bucket,Oh my goodness just drool worthy.So he's telling her if she don't give him a deal he'll put it back.She's saying well that was my grannies.I'm thinking please,please put it back.He says I'll give you $3 for it.I'm thinking Oh my goodness say NO!!! I'll give you $30 for it.But patiently biting my tongue as it would be rude to interfere with someone Else's sale.In the meantime hubby is on the other side saying Amy repeatedly and come over here and wondering why I'm completely ignoring him with the dazed look..The lady say hmmm Ok $3 and the old man gets his bucket.Then I'm thinking offer the old man $20 but then that would interfere with me making a deal with the sellers if I find something.So my heart sank and I pouted about the bucket the next couple of stops..smile..I did get some wonderful stuff at the sale and she gave me good deal too.I know can't get it all but sometimes there is just that piece you've been searching for.LoL....My seeds in the bucket garden are coming along nicely might go for some plants tomorrow.Just need like 3 plants and some pretty flowers for my bicycle basket..Well mainly just wanted to stop in and remind everyone that I need your swap info by Sunday.I know a few girls were thinking about it and a few I haven't got your emails.So if you sent it and I didn't confirm resend as it didn't reach me..Link is on top of sidebar if you need info .Been beautiful weather the last few days.We've been driving alot so enjoy seeing all the farmhouses and gardens coming to life.Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!~Amy

Weekend Finds and Farmhouse Summer Swap Sign Up Reminder

 Brrrr Not sure were spring went.Friday it was near 80 now today back down in the 50's with frost advisory tonight.Well this was a bad week for picking.Thursday poured down rain,friday I drove a hour to a sale that promised 250 houses participating which ended up being like 15 and mostly baby stuff.Saturday the sale/fleamarket I planned on was cancelled.It was in the paper but when we got there it said cancelled.But amazingly I found some stuff to keep.I usually resell most of my finds but lucked out on a few goodies for me.Above is a antique pot scrubber has the patent date of 1893 and is great shape.I found two.One for me,One to sell.Below small carrier not sure if I'll keep or not....

 There was a sale on the road going to grandma's and I went early and saw this table.It came with 2 long benches and a buffet/hutch.Well it was a little higher priced than what I wanted to pay and I certainly had no room for the hutch so I left...I thought of it all day and told hubby I needed to go look again....I talked the girl into a great deal explaining she could sell the hutch for part of the discount.Soooo

 Home it came!! Best part was I sold my old Farm table right away at fleamarket and got half of what I paid back...The table is hand made locally and came from a high end prim shop the girl said she only used it a few months then decided she needed bigger,The top of the table and benches are old rough barnwood that has been waxed.I need to learn how to take proper care of it.I did order some orange oil from amazon to clean it with..I'm not using both benches because it sits to wide when you enter the kitchen so using two of my ladder backs...Love!!!! See that baby in the background,he doesn't go there he is supposed to be sold but he has been sitting there a couple of months.Maybe I secretly love him too..smile..

I also found a wonderful old Bee Smoker but I forgot to get a pic.Not sure if I'll keep it or not I do already have one but it's on my maybe list....We had delicious fresh seafood last night.Our friend went on a charter and bought back fresh rock fish and we got some live crabs so hubby made beer batter fish,steamed crabs and french fries.Yummm...Also wanted to remind everyone about sign ups for The Farmhouse Summer Swap.You can click on the pic on the top sidebar for rules and sign up info.Hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Farmhouse Summer Swap Sign Up

 Time for our Farmhouse Summer Swap.Normally  the swaps are closed to the circle of girls in the group but this one is semi open so if you've been thinking of joining in now is the time....Email me and I'll check your info and let you know if your approved....

 In order to sign up you must read the rules.We are a giving group so you must be willing to give as you'd like to receive.You must have a current active blog and have posted within the last 30 days.You must be a follower.This swap is for Primitive, Farmhouse and Country items so only sign up if you are into those styles..Some of the rules may sound strict but our group enjoys higher quality swaps and enjoys the safety that comes along with smaller groups...Golden Rule~ Give as you'd like to receive....

•  Theme is Farmhouse Summer..Think things like......
• Sunflowers
• Aprons
• Garden
• Americana
• Stars
• Herbal Soaps
• Cows
• Chickens
• Watermelon
• Burlap
• Ruffles
• Signs
• Sheep
• Chippy White
• Feed sacks

This swap will require a doll,bear or critter(sheep,bunny,bird, etc) as the main item.It must be at least 7 inches.It can be 7 inches long or 7 inches tall.It can be purchased or handmade by you but must be included in the swap. You must send at least 3 other items your choice.So a total of 4 items must be in the box.Yes you may send extra most do.

 I know some of the rules to some people may sound harsh but there are other general swap groups out there,the girls in our group are generous givers and I want them protected from the people that are out to get something for nothing.Swaps should be fun and worry free and I check up on all of the swaps as well.If you are a regular in the group you know the general rules and nothing has changed

 Swap Rules

• You must like to give gifts as well as receive only send things you would really enjoy getting
• I do keep a list of bad swappers and people I have been giving warnings about you know who you are so please do not sign up here
• USA and Canada only
• No dollar amount as I feel that hand dids can not be priced.Basically send a nice package you'd like to receive and please NO Dollar Store stuff (a few fillers like seeds,garden gloves,tools would be ok)
• You must contact your partner once you receive your email and say Hi!
• You must Thank your partner (they have given you a gift after all) and post your goodies we all like to see.

Sign ups open till May 19th You can post the link and pic to your blog if you want.Your package needs to be mailed no later than June 28th with delivery confirmation.I know some girls ship parcel post which is fine as long as you have a confirmation

To sign up email me at cottageprims@hotmail.com with the following info you are welcome to copy and paste.

• Email
• Blog URL
• Name and Address
• Your last 2 swap partners if you are a regular
• Are you willing to ship to canada it only cost a few dollars extra?
• If needed can you take a extra partner? I usually pick up the extra but occasionally I need someone to take someone to match properly

The following is optional but helps your partner get to know you better and helps with matching

• Any allergies?
• Favorite scents or scents that you do not like?
• Anything special you are looking for or collect like old childs dishes, wood bowls, cookie cutters, old photos?
• What is your decorating style? Primitive? Country? Farmhouse? Colonial? Mix?
• Do you like spice and grunged tattered or more traditional ?
• What types of things do you like or motifs throughout your house? examples pineapples,stars,crows,nest,bees, certain breed of dog, dolls, penny rugs...
• What colors do you decorate with?
• Favorite little indulgences like candy, tea, scented lotion?

I will always email you a confirmation saying I received your info so if you don't hear from me within 24 hours I did not receive your email....

The pictures throughout are suggestions of items the girls send.All pics are from Etsy sellers with their shop names included so you can find them to purchase if you see something you like.

I will get your swap partners info out to you by May 22nd..Any Questions I'm here to help.Let's have fun!~Amy

Gifts from Misi and Chit Chat

 Good Morning! Been awhile again...I'm feeling better with the pain about 75%  better,still pain but not letting it slow me down much.Spring has arrived and you know me gotta be out there picking and selling.We got to do a wonderful pick at a old farm about two weeks ago.The man was a retired picker himself and wanted to get rid of everything.We were lucky enough to be first to go through and let me tell you he had no attachment to any of it and gave me a great deal.I've already sold most of it and didn't think to get pictures.Amazingly I didn't keep anything..smile..Was tempted to keep the old mercantile scales but I do already have one...

 Got some of my bucket gardening in.So far I've got herbs,cutting lettuce,multi color carrots and spring onions sprouting from seed.Need to get some tomatoes,peppers,zucchini and cucumbers in yet.Will buy plants for those..This is my first year doing it this way and it's already easier than the regular gardening.Usually we have the big garden out grandmas but with hubby's back I didn't think we could keep up with it...

 Everything is green and lush here in PA .The last two weeks have been "real" spring.It's been beautiful weather for me to set up at fleamarket........Sweet Misi and I did a swap a few weeks back.She sent the most wonderful gifts in these pics The shoe,and box in the first pic, The chick and old basket, and the sweet kitty below,also some wonderful smell goods and a heart and bunny garden sitter....

She is always so giving and loves to spoil others.Such a talented and sweet friend..Well girls it's saturday 5:30 am while I'm writing this so I gotta get ready,I'm off to some sales.Always a adventure never know what you'll find..Yesterday hubby found a 1890's seeder wheelbarrow it's awesome but how he will get it to market is beyond me,It wasn't for sale but he spotted it hanging in the rafters and talked to the man and he was going to take it to a museum but agreed to sell it to hubby.I couldn't say no as it was truelly a piece of history..I'll try to get some pics.Last week I bought 2 huge red wing crocks I kept the 12 gallon and sold the other,I also found some Victorian cemetery iron gate post they were ornate and just wonderful,he had the gate too but wouldn't sell it.I did already sell the gate post as well.Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! A few of you are having troubles and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers!~Amy