Farm Chicks: The story of the "Car Couch".

If there is one question I received the most since last years Farm Chicks show it is "where did you come up with the car couch idea?".  So I thought I would share with you the adventure behind getting it.

I live on my family farm that includes a "car cemetery" here and there through the back 40. My great uncles would dispose of an old car by dragging it out in the woods and parking it.  There are a few VERY old cars still back there.  Growing up this was especially fun for my sisters and I.  We would investigate them, find treasures in them, pretend to drive them and so on.  For me though I always stretched my scope of imagination and would try to figure out how to turn anything into a fort or habitat.  Hang curtains, tear out a seat to fit a small table, find a place to make a cooking area...virtually turn it into a playhouse. 

As years have gone by my walks in the woods have been a bit more nature driven, I am seeking the trees and the scenery.  I pass the old cars with only a nod to that young girl of yesterday and smile thinking of the antics she was up to.

But, on a May day last year I revisited that imaginary abandon I felt as a kid when I came upon this beauty while hunting morel mushrooms.

  I decided to crawl in...just for a second.  and just sit.  As I did a wave of excitement came over me.  I envisioned the wallpaper on the ceiling, the cushions on the seat and the lights across the roof.  I saw myself with a glass of wine and a book sitting in this next to the garden.  I giggled at myself and the absurdity of the whole thing, dusted off my pants and got up. 

I went to leave and just couldn't do it.  I walked around and around the old 1936 (thank you Pancho!)Chevy until I smiled with the thought of "why not?".

So, I went and got the guys, Kyle my cousin was visiting and loves a good adventure!

Everyone likes to stretch their scope of imagination in their own way!

So we went to work.

Turned out it was going to be easier than I thought!  The bottom was rotted out so all we had to do was cut it in half from the top!  We were able to drag it out of the woods easy enough since it was hollow.

  The rest was up to me. I hammered in a wooden seat to replace the old metal one that was rusting away.   I went to the department store and picked out some fun cushions, with the help of my friend Stacia I wallpapered the ceiling with some vintage peony paper I had.  Added some push-on lights to the roof and made my dream come to life.

Here I am with my old high school friend Ginger.

A side view.

Lucky for me, it did not sell.  I could not bare the idea of parting with something I had poured so much heart into.  So, it came home with me to it's rightful place next to my rose garden.  It is a nice place to sit during a rain storm, or just to visit with a friend.

Stacia and I enjoy an August evening by the garden...please pay no attention to the collection of beer bottles.  :)

I have been working hard on this years show items, but I think this Car Couch will forever remain a perennial favorite.  Thanks for visiting!  Love, Jennifer

A quilt of Mothers

I am a very lucky girl, I was raised in a world where I had Many forms of Mother's.  My Mom of course was and still is a hands on mom.  She is the first to throw a party for any occasion, she came to all my softball games she could make.  Growing up she was always making play dough on rainy days, holding me when the world was a bit scary, cheering me on when I did not think I could keep going, and loving me unconditionally.  She is the reason I do everything I do, she inspires me to keep going, to dream big and know that anything is possible.

My Grandmother Was also my mom, she covered all the bases that grandmothers cover but went a step further, she taught me how to sew, to throw a baseball and how to live off the land.  She gave me love that I carry with me today and lessons to last a lifetime.

Then there is my Aunt Ginny, she had me in the summertime on Flathead lake.  She was and still is a pillar in my upbringing.  I baked my first batch of cookies solo in her kitchen, we still refer to that summer as "snicker doodle summer" because I had to continue to perfect the recipe.  She taught me the art of housekeeping, how to make a bed properly and an appreciation of having a made bed every evening.  She is an interior designer by trade and I owe my sense of decorating to a passion she instilled in me.  She taught me how to read a map on one of our many road trips,  For graduation she gave me a suitcase, knowing that independence and a sense of adventure were key to my growing up.

Carol Camp is one of my moms.  The summer my parents divorced my mom needed to work in Alaska for the summer and my father was working, so I went to stay with the camps.  I was 12 and a bit of a handful, but Carol had 4 girls at home already and didn't think twice of taking me under her wing.  She guided me in the few months I was there.  She held me when I was confused and angry at the cards I had been dealt that year.  Carol taught me the strength that can be found in faith.  And as the years have gone by she has never stopped being a mom to me,   Always willing to give advice and love. 

Penny is my step mom, she has always been my source of all things practical, she will give me a straight answer to many a problem which has been such a blessing.  She has lived an organic life and has been considerate of her place on earth and how we live in a circle, what you give is what comes back to you.  She has been a lifesaver time and again to Nathan and I.  She has a sense of adventure, always ready to try new things and always believing in me every time I am ready to take my next adventure!

Moms come in every form, there have been times my sisters have been my moms.  Shelly was always guiding me with advice when I was in high school and when I was first married.  She was the first person I called when I felt like motherhood was overwhelming as I had rocked my screaming baby for 3 hours straight.  She calmed me down and guided me through. Errin has taken care of me when I am sick, even as a grown adult.  She is one of the most generous people I know, she helps me with all the hair brained ideas I come up with and when I have too much on my plate she is at my door with open arms and helping hands.
I met a gal the other day who had lost her mother at a very young age.  She had been raised by her dad.  He would sew every costume for every Halloween, bake cupcakes for her birthday.  Even went to work with finger nail polish on his pinkie a time or two. 

I have taken a bit from  all of these "moms" and added them to how I raise my son, I look at all of them as pieces of a quilt I am making...to keep my him warm.

 Happy Mother's Day, and Thank you to all the Mom's out there.  Love, Jennifer

Thread image http://www.123rf.com/photo_8208466_close-up-of-thread-spools-needle-and-thimble-with-a-tape-measure-in-the-background.html

Quilt image http://cynthia-stcharles.blogspot.com/2010/05/scrap-quilt-wedding-gift.html

Mother's Day Corner

As you may know from past posts we have a "Holiday Corner", I decorate for our birthdays and different holidays at the far end of our dining room.  I decided that Mother's Day qualifies for dedication for a couple weeks of May!  I went with a kitchen theme for the simple fact that in My family the Kitchen is the heart of the home and Mother, the heart of the family. 

Tin Kitchen given to me from Cynthia from the Antiquarian.

Pink kitchen set found at a thrift store in Spokane WA.

My Grandmother, Florence.

First Tulip of the Season from my husband.

I have always loved this picture...

Currently Glenn's favorite book.

Glenn brought these up from the woods for me.

Some Mother's Day greetings from my dear Friend Hollie.

My favorite, Glenn gathered daffodils in his hat and carefully gave them to me.

My Mom and Grandma.

Celebrate those who gave you life and kept it beautiful and safe.  Celebrate our Mother's.  Love, Jennifer

A Thank You to Funky Junk Hollie

As I said to Hollie the other day when she made the decision to step down from Funky Junk;

 It is with a heavy heart and a flood of memories That I say Goodbye to my business partner of 11 seasons as she turns the page to her next chapter in life.  I just wanted to say to my dear friend...Thank you...From the bottom of my heart.  I enjoyed this adventure with you.  So much laughter will forever ring through the many building we have filled with friends, music, children and of course...junk!  We made memories to last a lifetime.  I learned from you so much joy to be found in little things.  I have watched with such admiration how you raise your boys, with so much creativity and dedication.  You are a wonderful Daughter and business Partner to your mom and the biggest fan and friend to your dear and talented sisters.  I will miss the many things we have shared together, but I will cherish all you have given to Funky Junk and this "Family" we have created together.  I wish you all the happiness in the world on this next chapter of your life.  As I said before, It was a pleasure of a lifetime.  I love you dearly and will see you at the next stop.  -Jennifer

Love. Fun. Junk.