A Bit of Paint, Fabric, and Wood

Good morning from Applejack Lane. Today, we are joining Barb at Treasures From the Heart in her 3 projects in 3 weeks challenge and Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for Three or More Tuesday. I had a few loose ends and one big project that nagged at me for some time so this was an opportunity to do something about them.



Number 1...
I had an old marriage certificate of my great-grandparents from 1874 that needed some attention.

The before...
The after...

A little spray paint, archival glass, and backing...

Number 2...
My pumpkin angel is a little faded out and his veggies don't look so hot either...

The before...the after...

a few new duds and some paint to freshen his harvest...

Number 3...
I needed a place to piddle so we took an unused section of the lawn shed that the dogs used to occupy and made a little piddling potting shed...

The before...
and the after...
Thanks for dropping by Applejack Lane. Visit Barb at Treasures From the Heart and Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for more project updates.

A Place To Piddle

Welcome to Applejack Lane.

piddle-verb-to do anything in a trifling or an ineffective way

I wanted a place to piddle. Our beagles have been gone for about five years now so we took the doggy section of our outbuilding and turned it into a place where I can practice piddling. That pretty much describes the kind of gardener I am-piddling. The transformation from dog house to garden shed is a work in progress so I can piddle at my leisure. We didn't want to tear all signs of a dog house away in case some little fellow tugged at our heartstrings and we would need a place for him or her. Besides, Kahlo, Burt and Timmy may need to spend some time in the pen when they come in for a visit.

These are the pictures before clean-up and a little renovation took place...
Now for the after...
We kept the dividing fence, but hubby added a few shelves for me...a little pegboard (my son's contribution) to hang tools and collectibles...my dad's old seed jar he used on the farm and sunflower seeds I collected from my 2009 harvest...some dried sunflowers...
and hydrangeas...
a little fall decor over the window...

frogs and watering can...
a view from the outside...
and a warm welcome...
a bell from my mother-in-law's home that we have had for over 15 years ...
a fall wreath made of maple leaves that can be seen from the house and driveway...
and a bronze mum in my witch's kettle.
At least the basement and garage are free of garden paraphernalia. I have all winter to dream and decorate. Again, thanks to hubby for some demolition and carpentry!

Check out more Metamorphosis Monday participants hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.

Aaahhhh! A Family Reunion

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.-Author unknown

On Tuesday night, we had an impromptu family reunion at Applejack Lane. Here we all are minus me. Dave was also present for dinner, but had to leave to take care of Burt and Timmy.
We have Hal, brother Jim, Sandra, Gilmore, Virginia Ann, Shirley, and Guy. Can you tell who is sweet? Who are the nuts?
The ladies were engaged in deep conversation hoping that I would not take a picture. Don't you just love the bottle of Joy in the foreground? I really set the stage when I snap photos.
Shirley, Jim, and Hal are equally enthused about having pictures taken. It must be one of those family traits.
Guy is pretending that he has just cleaned up the kitchen.
Virginia Ann congratulates Guy in pulling one over on the rest of us.
Gilmore spent the evening circulating among the crowd snapping pictures, but he just got caught at his own game.
Virginia Ann had many new stories about recent events to relate to us all. She is such a wit!

If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.- George Bernard Shaw

Good to see everyone. Have a safe trip back to Tuscon, Arizona.

Other things may change us, but we start and end with family.

Hebron's Historic Cemetery Tour

It's time for another Outdoor Wednesday,Metamorphosis Monday and Mosaic Monday here at Applejack Lane. I am so glad you are visiting with me today. For the past two weekends, our church experienced a metamorphosis by going back in time. First, we went back to our lawn party days and held an ice cream social followed by an historic cemetery tour. With a history that goes back to 1746, some members buried here had some interesting stories to tell. Many of their families built some beautiful historic homes that have been on the Garden Club tour circuit in years past.



Hebron Presbyterian Church -originally known as Brown's Meeting House and founded in 1746...

Col. William Smith Hanger Baylor-Civil War hero...
John Crawford-early valley settler...
Rev. Archibald Scott-Revolutionary War soldier...

Can you see the tents on his tombstone?
Robert Christian-large landowner and respected citizen...Major Samuel Bell-a Revolutionary War soldier and cattle entrepreneur...
Florence Burford Wright-faithful church member...Major Robert Porterfield Brown-family patriarch who gave two acres of land for Brown's Meeting House (Hebron Church) and fought the impending railroad destined to divide his farm in half...
Elizabeth Waddell Calhoun-wife of Rev. Alexander Calhoun who told her side of the story to many conflicts involving her husband and the congregation...Rachel and Mollie Hyde-spinster Sunday school and public school teachers...
Wreath that marked the northeast corner of the cemetery where slaves in unmarked graves were buried...The cast and Cemetery Tour Committee...
Lots of history...lots of work...lots of fun... and great cooperation from the weatherman!

Visit A Southern Daydreamer, Little Red House for more Mosaic Monday and Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more Monday fun.