Christmas on the Lane....

the halls are finally decked and I got a few minutes today to take some pics to share with all of you!

Please keep in mind that I am not a photographer.....

that these photos were simply snapped with my iPhone....

with no editing!

Enjoy!

www.picturetrail.com/yellowdoglane

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Almost ready.....

and it's almost time for

"Christmas at the Farm"

This week....

Friday November 20 ~ 10am-4pm & Saturday November 21 10am-2pm

We have the Barn filled with lots of great greens....faux and fresh.

Wreaths, Santa's, antiques, ornaments.....

and so much more that we're sure you're going to love!

Cindy is busy baking her famous molasses cookies and the coffee will be on!

Make plans to join us!

From the Farm....

and the Lane,

Sharon

email us at saltboxfarm@yahoo.com with questions

Happy November.....

where oh where has this year disappeared?

It seems like just a few weeks ago we were preparing for the move to the Lane and here we are, here nearly six months already!

Update on the "Snowy Gatherings" candle mat class here at YLD....

We have two daytime classes filled and have a night time one scheduled for December 1 at 6pm with two spots left.  Please let me know if you'd like to join us for this evening of fun!

I have been diligently working on getting the Barn at SBF in order for our

"Christmas at the Farm" 

November 20 & 21

Still lots to do but things are taking shape.  I had no idea what I might have hanging out in my inventory of trees but I've ordered some new ones and I've been busy making some great little feather trees in antique containers.  Stitching up some wool items, lots of handmade ornaments and plans next week to start putting fresh greens, berries and rose hips together....oh, and I found some awesome witch hazel that I'm hoping to cut and mix in as well!  

Coverlet stockings and cross stitched cupboards hangers are also on the list.  

I do mean "the list" literally.....as if I didn't make "the list", my ADD would take over my OCD and it's no telling what you might be greeted with on the 20th!

I have two wonderful wing chairs, custom made from Country Manor Furniture that I ordered and purchased for the new house.  Well, I had forgotten how large this style of wing chair is...and although it lent itself well to the Farmhouse...not so much here in the little Lane house.  

I have tried them everywhere and they just don't work here in the Gathering room....or the bedroom, believe me I've tried. 

So, I am offering these very, very gently used chairs at my cost to anyone who might be interested.  

They are top grade fabric in a muted mustard solid coverlet pattern with antique stained wood legs.

They are wonderful but this house cries for something much smaller.

If you think you might be interested let me know.  The fabric is a bit more mustard than it shows here but still very neutral.  I love this fabric!  I wanted to let all of you know before I post them elsewhere.

I would be happy to send along more pics and you are also welcome to set up a time to come see them.  

saltboxfarm@yahoo.com

yellowdoglane@gmail.com

231.629.1385

Wishing you all a fabulous week....looks like some great weather coming our way and I am hoping to wrap of the task of decking that Barn out!

Soon....

From the Farm and the Lane,

Sharon

STITCHERS.....

there has been quite a bit of interest in an evening class as well as a one time day class, so....

I have decided to try and put one or both together in the month of November.  

Each class will be limited to 8, days and times can be flexible for the most part.

This is the project I've chosen....

It is an 11.5 x 11.5 candle mat of beautiful wools and homespun backing.  Designed by Lisa Bongean. Great for the holidays and all through the winter months.  Simple to stitch, great for beginners or the seasoned stitcher.

Class will be $30 and will include all supplies needed for the mat, refreshments and a light snack!

Please let me know asap if you might be interested in the class and also if you would prefer day or evening.  

Class is held here at YellowDog Lane in the Cellar Studio!

yellowdoglane@gmail.com

Ph 231.629.1385

From the Farm.....

and the Lane.....

Sharon

Busy, busy.....

or so it certainly seems these days.

Wayne has been on a 7 days a week work schedule now for over a month with many of those nights being spent out of town.  That does makes things busy for Sophie and I here on the Lane and with lots less help as we prepare for our

"Christmas at the Farm"!

Our holiday event is scheduled for 

Friday November 20 ~ 10am-4pm & Saturday November 21 ~ 10am-2pm

Jot these dates down and makes plans to join us.

A reminder to all, we have no regular hours in the Barn at Saltbox Farm and haven't since the Goodwill Sale of the business in April of 2014.  We have no plans to schedule any regular hours in the future at the Barn, but promise to keep you abreast of any special days open as plans are made.

We're excited about our Christmas opening.....

lots of great handmade Santa's, trees, ornaments, antiques, uniques and much more!

As usual we will try to have all your favorite Farm Staples and lots of one of a kind holiday pieces to give your home that special touch.  

If there is anything you'd like to see in the Barn for our November sale please don't hesitate to let us know.  

Hope you're all getting a chance to enjoy this beautiful fall weather we're having if you're here in Michigan....and if not, that you're being blessed with the same wherever you might be.  

Now....

off to harvest rose hips and grapevine!!

From the Farm....

and the Lane,

Sharon

Follow us on FB at YellowDog Lane

October.....

I think quite possible my favorite month of the year here in Michigan.

Fall is my most liked of the seasons for sure....

love the colors of the season and they're so fun to decorate with.  

I have the house graced with it's fall apparel and for the first time in awhile I am able to sit back and enjoy it a bit!

I took some photos and have them up in an album at

www.picturetrail.com/yellowdoglane

if you'd like to visit.

I've decided on a bit of an impromptu sale in the Barn at SBF....

having some fall florals, pumpkins, pillows etc that I would rather see have a new home than to be housed in a tub.  Not to mention the fact that now that the Barn really isn't my Barn any longer....I just don't have the room to store it all!  And.....we have decided, after being gently urged by many of you to have a Christmas Opening!  That gives us even more reason to clear things out.  

Come help us....

Friday October 9, 10am - 2pm

Everything will be sale priced, even antiques and everyday at 10% off!

Fall will be 20 - 50% off

Final chance for Fall from the Barn!

From the Lane....

and the Farm,

Sharon

The truck is filled......

and ready to make the trek to Blanchard for Saturday's 

FALL ANTIQUE MARKET

at Best Friends Antiques and we're so excited to be a part of it all!

The show is scheduled for 10am - 4pm and the weather is promising to be beautiful.

Nancy and I will be womaning (unlike manning) our booth

"Mother Mae's"

a name we use in honor of our Mom's

Juanita Mae and Virginia Mae.

We have a mix of antique smalls (and a couple of "mediums"), some great handmades,

wonderful candles, sunflower heads, a new batch of bundled Sweet Annie and much more.

Lots of other great vendors will be joining in the fun as well.....

one of my Bestest, Tilda will be there with some great primitives.  Antiques on the Side with Anne....and I don't have the list in front of me so can't list any more right now.

Diane, shopkeeper at Best Friends will also have her shop filled with lots of wonderful as always as well as offering of cider and cookies.

Come join us all for a day of fall fun at

Best Friends!

From the Farm...

and the Lane,

Sharon

Almost ready....

for some Fall at the Farm!

Been working steady all week getting things ready....

we have pumpkins, mums, Sweet Annie, sunflower heads, fall florals, wreaths, antiques, handmades, home decor, candles and more!!

Friday and Saturday

10am-2pm both days

Make plans to stop in and say "hey" and see all we're offering!

From the Farm.....

and the Lane!

Sharon

Sad Days.....

very sad ones in my life. 

A best friend for over 40 years was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma a few months ago.  She fought a courageous battle, although very short and we said goodbye to her last week.  

She was at home, surrounded by those she loved and who loved her.  

Many of you who have visited the Farm over the years will know Mary.  She helped me often in the shop in the early years and always worked the Garden Shed at all of our Markets.  

You're sure to remember her big beautiful smile and ever willingness to help and assist.

It's hard for me to imagine my life without her....she was like another Mom to me, one of the infamous Friday Girls and the one who brought Wayne and I together.  We made so many wonderful  memories over the years and I am so thankful to have those.  My heart breaks for the loss but I am comforted to know she is pain free after many years of suffering and is now dancing with Angels. 

A friend like Mary comes along very seldom, how lucky am I to have been the one gifted with her friendship.  She loved me for who I am, never judged or tried to change me, was loyal to a fault and a barrel of fun to boot.  

Missing you everyday Mary but will move forward as you told us all to do....knowing you're right here with us and smiling down.

It's been a struggle to motivate myself but I know that's what Mary would want so I have busied myself these past few days trying to get things in order for the 

Fall on the Farm sale this Friday and Saturday.

Lots to do yet but I'll forge ahead and it will all be ready for all of you come Friday!

We'll have some antiques, lots of handmades, great fall florals and wreaths...

pumpkins, gourds and beautiful mums.....mums were Mary's favorite, as was fall.  

Come out and help us celebrate Mary and all the beauty she added to the world while she was here.

From the Farm.....

and the Lane,

Sharon

The Tomato Pin Keep......

a well used old tomato pin keep was added to my collection of pin keeps a few weeks ago.

I have searched over the years for one like this but the ones found were always too new and rather chachi or they were sad, beat up and somewhat dirty.

After being gifted with this little gem I brought it home and prepared to add it to my collection of keeps....this one would have a special place, but before deciding just where I would display it I thought I should pull a few pins from it that appeared to be buried in the top, so.....

I first pulled three or four straight pins, all the while being poked with others from within the keep.  I then proceeded to squish and squeeze the keep ever so gently so as not to damage it so I could find the hidden treasures within.  I never imagined all I would find!

After several episodes of rolling and squeezing and pushing and pulling.....

the grand total of treasures came to seven straight pins and EIGHTY....yes 80 needles!!!

Not one of the needles was visible but they were easily felt....who would imagine that this little pin keep would be a hiding place for all those needles!!

The keep is special to me as it belonged to my Mother in law who passed away in May.  It was gifted to me by my Sister in law Barb along with one of Mom's thimbles.  

I know that each time I look at them I will think of her.....and of many times of the past 45 years.

I have some regrets that I wasn't always the best daughter in law and there were some times we didn't see eye to eye on things.  I am thankful though, that as I matured I realized that she would always be the Mom of my then husband....and as a Mom and Mom in law myself, I understood.

It's sad that some never reach that point of understanding....I thank God that I did and that I was able to appreciate her thoughts and feelings....as I think she did mine.

She was a Mom to me for many years, she taught me many things that I didn't learn from my own Mom.....I am grateful for all of that and more.

She also loved me like a daughter and I loved her like a Mother......

and we both knew that in the end.

Thank you Mom Crystal for all you taught me through the years, for your love and understanding....and for a never ending supply of needles.  I miss you every day.

I make no excuses.....

not because I don't have about a gazillion of them but I will not bore you with all of them.  

I will just say that most days over the past year or so it seems like I have been meeting myself coming and going.  I've been thinking about not staying in touch.....sending along my stories of life to you.

No more excuses.  I love to write and I have so many things to share, so.....

if I get on a roll here, you might get sick of me.  If that be the case, you always have the option of unsubscribing, but imagine what you just might miss!!

Seems as the summer here as gone by so quickly but I'm holding out hope for a beautiful fall and an Indian Summer to boot.  

We do have some happenings this fall at the Farm....well, actually only one scheduled right now and possibly a second one a bit later.  

Fall on the Farm will be September 18 & 19, 10am-2pm both days.

Lots of new fall handmades, great candle scents, antiques, uniques and all your

favorite country staples.  

Tomorrow the Saltbox Gals will be gathering here on the Lane for lunch and lots of catching up.

I am so excited for that and I'm thinking it could bring a story or two your way in the near future.

Hoping you're all enjoying the summer and looking forward towards a great fall!

From the Lane,

Sharon