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

Forgot.....

to tell you all something important!

If you are coming to the Barn Sale and plan to take the usual route off of Federal and east on Almy, that intersection is CLOSED.  Just follow the well marked detour route and it will bring you out onto Almy.  You'll then head east and to the Farm.  Any questions let me know, call if you have a problem

231.629.1385

Sorry if it seems I'm flooding your inbox but wanted all to be aware of this little glitch!

Hope to see you this week!

From the Farm and the Lane,

Sharon

Almost ready.....

for the big Barn Sale this week!

Lots of stuff, to say the least!

Still cleaning, tagging, sorting, displaying and the like....but, we're almost there.

Sale hours are

Thursday July 23 & Friday July 24 ~ 10am-4pm

Saturday July 25 ~ 10am-2pm

We will be accepting cash and check only and all sales will be final.

A great assortment of antiques & primitives with a mix of handmades and other country sundries.

Hope you will join us!

From the Farm via the Lane,

Sharon

It's time for the.....

BARN SALE!!!!

Slowing but surely I'm getting it all gathered up and ready....

July 23 & 24 ~ 10am-4pm

July 25 ~ 10am-2pm

The sale will be held in the Barn at Saltbox Farm....just like the old days :)

We have so many great offerings and we can't wait for you to see it all.

I've actually been asking myself these past few months as I've sorted, packed, moved etc if I might be a borderline hoarder!  I told my plumbing and heating guys that today and they said, "no, all of your things are organized, in tubs and labeled".  My response was "well then, I'm and organized hoarder"!!

Many antiques offerings, including crocks, jugs, wooden bowls, buckets, linens and more....along with some great candles, country sundries and well, just lots of stuff!!

Will also be offering a class shortly after the sale.  We'll be doing a needle case with the English paper piecing technique using cottons and wools.  I have one class offered on July 29th but that is full and we are working on a second class now.  Day and time are flexible as of now.  If you might have an interest let me know, would love to get a second group under way!

Will post a few pics later in the week of some of the Barn Sale items.

Make plans to join us next week!

From the Lane,

Sharon

The House.....

on the Lane!

I look at this picture and am still amazed at the green grass we have!!  I know that probably sounds silly but we had so much sand and I really thought I'd fight that sand well into the fall.  

Thanks to our great landscape guy, Randy Heckman of Heckman and Son Landscaping and Lawn Care.....we have GRASS...green, green, GRASS!  Lots of rain and watering was a help as well and I am thankful for all.

Now that the building, moving etc is behind us, for the most part, I am in hopes of getting back to business and definitely staying in touch more with all of you.  

Lots of fun things in the planning for the coming months....

from the Lane and the Farm!

Take good care,

Sharon

Oh dear me....

here I am again finding myself apologizing for my lack of posting news and updates!

My excuses are much the same as the most recent ones.....building, moving, family, moving, unpacking, moving!!  I think I can finally say, that for the most part....we are moved!

My goodness what a process, so glad we didn't wait until we were any older!!

I do continue to unpack and get things in place with lots of decisions yet on where to put what etc.  I will get there though!

I am also spending time working on getting things together for our July sale at the Farm.  We have so many great antique smalls, primitives, new shipments of candles, tobacco curtains, hand forged lighting, florals.....and more!!  I will share pics and give updates as we make progress with getting it all together!

We held our first stitchers class here on the Lane today and what a great time we had.  I have our next projects in the works with a block of the month project coming in the new year.  We are looking at adding at least one more class a month as interest is growing.  Please let us know if you might be interested, we would love to have you join in the fun!

I will be off on Friday to work my good friend Tilda's Estate Sale....a sale not to be missed!

Visit www.picturetrail.com/highbuttonshoe for all info and pictures

I am off now to see if I can get my album together of some of the pictures of our journey to the Lanehouse and some sharing of the inside as well.  As soon as it's ready I will remove the password...hopefully in just a bit.

www.picturetrail.com/yellowdoglane

I promise....you will hear from me soon!

Don't hesitate to give a shout out to me at anytime either :)

From the Lane,

Sharon

And the move begins......

with the approvals of all inspections including the occupancy yesterday, we are on the move!

Still lots of activity at the work site but outside for the most part.  

The irrigation is going in today and the walks and patio as well.  Plants and shrubs next but that will be my department and I'm looking forward to getting my hands in the dirt!

Internet Provider will also be here this morning to see if we're going to be able to pick up a signal, keeping my fingers crossed on that as we don't have a lot of options out here!  

Anyway, lots of happening and lots of boxes and small stuff on the move.  The big items will move on Saturday with the help of the boys, Chaddy, Addy, Scott, Mike and of course Wayne.  Trevor would love to be here but he's working in TX right now.  

Anyway enough of the move....I will have updates when it's done with some pics to share!

I wanted to tell you all about a really good "Garage Sale" coming up next week....

Yes, I said garage sale, but believe me, it's not just any old garage sale because it's at.....

HighButton Shoe ~ Patricia Byers!

For all the info visit her site at

www.picturetrail.com/highbuttonshoe

I can't wait to get there to see all she has!  

See you there :)

From the Farm.....

and moving down the Lane!

Sharon

A front door welcome.......

from the newest home here on the Farm!

We're almost there, lots of little jobs to take care of but in hopes of final inspections next week with the move happening on Saturday!

Once moved in I promise lots of pics so you can all see how things are turning out.....I know I have been promising pictures, and I do have many taken but just not organized and in an album yet.  I have spent countless hours at the Lane and it has left little time for anything other than the the things I have to do.  Like the hairstyling, school board, cooking, laundry...and I can't say cleaning with a straight face, if you could only see the Farmhouse, oh my goodness!!

We did get the first complete construction clean done at the Lane last weekend.  With the help of some great friends, Nancy, Terri, Elsa and Julie and of course my niece BillieJo, we were able to clean top to bottom with time for some fun to boot.  

Nancy came bearing a full course lunch, Terri with the music to clean by and Elsa and Julie with cleaning supplies....and all with smiles and energy! 

Billie came on Thursday and stayed through Tuesday and was such a huge help.

Nancy has helped more days than I can count....

Counting my blessings that I have such wonderful people in my life!

Also wanted to let you know that you'll most likely receive an update from the Lane as well.  I know I said I would be eliminating this site but there have been some changes so for the time being I will be continuing to post from the Farm as well as the Lane.  Some of the posts will be duplicates and some will not.  If you choose not to receive both or any you can do so by unsubscribing from this mailing.  Hoping you'll stay with us to see what's coming up!

Several sales/events in the planning for 2015.  The first one in July if we can be ready for it and the other dates aren't set yet.  We will have lots of great goods to share with you though....

that you can count on.  

Look for Fall from the Farm and Christmas too.....peaked your curiosity?

Stay tuned.....

From the Farm.....

and the Lane on the Farm :)

Sharon

p.s. Both of our emails are also good to use

saltboxfarm@yahoo.com or yellowdoglane@gmail.com

Ph # is 231-629-1385

Spring Break.....

and after looking at the date of my last post, I'm betting many of you thought I went off on break, never to return!

In my defense, I have been in "construction mode" for most of that time.  I have mastered (well, maybe I should say "learned") the skills of tiling and grouting.  I have also stained 1000 sq ft of wide plank pine, followed by three coats of poly....eleven doors, with stain and poly, pine cabinets painted, distressed and ready for stain.  Nanc helped me with the last two and Wayne was the muscle behind some of my grouting and both offered constant moral support as did my constant companion through it all, Sophie!

Seems I have dragged myself home every night the past month or more, wondering if I would make it to the shower and head to pillow on my own.  So far so good and the end of this mode is nearing.

Appliances will be delivered next Friday and lots of finishing will take place before then.

I have a PT album in the works with many pics to share of the construction adventure.  Will share the link with you when it's ready enough to show!

Speaking of "Spring Break".....I did have one....today!  Yes, just a day....a day away form the paint, stain, poly, drywall dust and all that goes along with it.  A day filled with chatter, laughter, antiques, good food, more chatter and lots more laughter....and the best part Friends!

Nancy and I were off early this morning to "Best Friends Antiques" in Blanchard, where it's always a joy to meet up with shopkeeper Diane and to view all of her wonderful wares.  Today was extra special as it was like old home week.  Everyone that walked through the door we knew or knew of.

Claudia & Sharon, Mary & Amy, Anne, Jo and Shelly....and of course my bestest Tilda and Myra.

Off soon to the restaurant with the latter two for that good food and a good dose of the chatter and laughter.  It was a most perfect day....didn't really notice the cold winds and rain mixed with snow on this dreary day of April.....  I was on spring break, finding treasures and warming my heart with good friends.  That was well enough to push the bad weather right away.

I will have to say though my thoughts went many times to my sweet friend Kay, who was supposed to accompany us but was feeling under the weather.....she was missed and hope this finds her feeling much better.

Who needs a Spring Break where it's warm and sunny with white beaches and blue waters when you can have a day like I had today?  I choose today!

And a little teaser before I bid you ado.....

Are you ready for a sale.....at the Farm.....Saltbox Farm?

Coming soon....stay tuned!!

From the Farm....heading for the Lane,

Sharon

A little Spring update......

Thursday March 5 ~ 7pm

www.picturetrail.com/yellowdoglane

Some handmades and a few other simple items to brighten your days into Spring!

This sweet little wool pillow will be amongst the offerings.....

hand stitched from a pattern by Primitive Gatherings!

Just a note to let you all know that I am working on getting all of you who requested to remain on our mailing list into a format so that I will be able to send from my email as well as from here on the site.  

I will let you know when I'm ready to start that and you will be given the opportunity to opt out of receiving either or both!  I know some of you might be receiving two of the same emails now as I also still send this from the Saltbox site.  I am in hope that by the next update I will have it all into one and it will all come from YellowDog.....possibly even the Lane!

We're getting closer ")

Check in and see what we have to offer tomorrow night @ 7pm

www.picturetrail.com/yellowdoglane

Almost from the Lane.....

Sharon