Oliver turns one

Last Saturday the whole family got together to walk for babies in the March of Dimes Walk.  Brandi had formed a team called Team Huckababy since our last name is Huckaby.  Oliver seemed to enjoy the day, him and his cousin Jonah enjoyed being pulled along the trail in a wagon.  It was a great turn out over 375,000 dollars had been raised for the event.

Here I am at the finish line with Oliver and my hubby Steve and oldest son Justin, he is holding Brandis sister baby, Jonah, he actually turns 9 months old today, Oliver and Jonah are exactly 3 months apart. It was a great walk that day, 3.5 miles, but it was cloudy and a little cool that morning.

 Here Oliver is with his parents and his uncle Justin and Jonah, he seemed to be interested in something else.

Ok he seems to interested in the balloons, and there is the wagon they both rode in that morning, looking forward to next year, it is really a good cause,  having gone through everything with Oliver since he came 3 months early.  And speaking of Oliver, today marks his first birthday, yes one year ago today we got an early surprise Oliver came early.  Not knowing when we arrived at the hospital that night that a blessing would be coming to us that night.  So tonight at 7:49 Oliver will be 1 year old, and like I do when my kids turn another age I call them at the time they were born to tell them they have arrived.  Chris, Oliver's dad, seems to get a kick out of me calling, Justin, just says gee mom thanks for reminding me I am getting older.  I just tell them its a mom thing, just go with it.  So every year from now on little Oliver with get a call from his nana telling him he has just been born.  What a blessing children are.  Hugs to all, Vicky

It's Me

 I know I keep falling off blog land, thought I better let everyone know I am alright, several had sent me concerned emails.  I can't believe I haven't blogged since the first of February, were does time go.  Well my migraines started up about that time again, been losing about two days a week to them, yes I can tell you when it is going to rain, no its not helpful, its a curse, LOL, well been living will them for over 30 years now, but never have gotten use to them, I have lost years out of my life because of being down with a migraine.  I have also been dealing with my cleaning business, just lost a couple of my offices after 18 years of service to this vision place.  Not any problem with my cleaning, they decided they wanted all 4 of their offices done by one cleaning company, so I went to bid against two big cleaning companies in town, needless to say I cannot compete with them, I offer a personal service at a fair price, so I lost out, well it happens.  On a brighter note,  just love the bunny here in the picture, I finally finished her, started her last spring, and then Oliver came early, so she was put up.  This spring I finished her to display in my house, she is a Smiling Goat pattern, just prim perfect.  My sister and I did get out handmades out for spring open houses and got to attend a couple of them, they were really great, got a few items, have to show you later.

 Yes the big furniture moved happened in my house this past winter, along with a few smaller items moved around.  Moved this blue bowl rack to the kitchen counter, I think it added a bit of color in my kitchen.  Love the little black bunny I picked up at Nanbrook Farm this spring.  The old soap box I have hanging on the wall is a really great find I found on my last trip to Charleston, just love old boxes, they are getting harder to find. 

 Ok I always wanted a buttery area in my kitchen, still working on it, but this is what I have for the time being.  The old green bench I picked up a while back at The Rusty Relic, just added the old apple crate someone had made into a small shelf on top.  The old orange spice box was another antique find from Charleston and the little wood measure of some kind was a recent purchase on a trip to Hendersonville, N.C.  I just love the string winder I purchased from Traci at YorkMountain Primitives, she has so much neat stuff, I am always finding something on her website.  Speaking of websites, my friend Bonnie of Kingsport, Tn has a new picturetrail, Primitive Gathering Shop, you can find it on my sidebar under my favorite shops.  Also Debbie has opened her shop back up Four Meadows Cabin, use to be Back Shed Primitives, I have not been, but just wanted to let everyone know.  I also wanted to let you know about a new website I have found, Old Farmhouse Antiques, I have just ordered 2 blue bowls from Hannah.  She has updates from time to time and she is going to have another one soon.  Hannah is such a sweet person, been enjoying emailing back and forth with her, nice to have a new primitive friend.  I will list these websites on my blog side bar.

 The yellow ware bowl was a gift from my father, a very special keepsake, and I love the old basket on top.

 March is a kind of hard month for me since my father died.  My parents anniversary was on March 8th, I use to have a family dinner and always had a cake for them.  Also my dad's birthday is on March 23rd, so every year since he died 5 years ago I go on the hunt for old things to reconnect with my father.  This year was no different, I loaded up Oliver and we went to the local antique shop were I use to have my booth.  I found this cabinet which I thought would look great with the jars I have been collecting.  The little space beneath the shelf was a perfect fit for one of my bowls.

 This is the wall at the end of my kitchen, actually it is the only big wall I have.  So I took down the hanging cupboard, moved it to the living room and also the bucket bench and brought back from the sewing room this green punch tin pie safe, my favorite.  I think I finally got it the way I like it, at least for now, you just never know with me, always tweaking something.

 Of course I had to share a picture of my big boy now, just turned 11 months old, were has time gone.  He is riding in a wagon with his cousin at his other grandmothers house.

This picture was just taken on their trip to Savannah, looks likes he is trying to get those shoes untied.  He did really well Chris said with being on the trip, seems like Oliver's favorite thing was the water at the beach.  Well just wanted to let everyone know I am alright, will try to keep up with my blog better, and reading other blogs, I really enjoy seeing what my primitive friends are doing.  Hope everyone has a great holiday with their family.  Hugs Vicky

New Primitive Goodies and handmades

 Thought I would share this area in my bedroom I have been working on for sometime now, collecting different items that would have been used in everyday life.  The old peg rack, just love it, had gotten it on one of my trips to Kingsport.  I wanted to use blues, browns and a touch of red in my bedroom.  I have a red quilt I use in the wintertime and I just ordered a country blue looking one this week, thought it would be good for the spring and the summer.  The brown dress I found at Settler's Crossin, just added the two bonnets from my trip to Gibson Mill.  I love the makedo pinkeep, love the coverlet it was made out of, pinkeeps are one of my favorite things to collect now.  The bag hanging on the dress was a gift from Traci at York Mountain Primitives, just love it Traci, she has a really neat website, I have some dolls and rag balls I had ordered from her, still trying to find the perfect place for them.  I had found this old basket years ago, I added the little pinkeep and a couple of black darners, the darners came from my Aunt Dottie.  Speaking of Aunt Dottie, our little luncheon turned out really well, of course Oliver was the hit of the party.  He was having a good time with everyone, did I take pictures, well I thought about it last night, didn't even occur to me to take picutres during the event.

 Had to share this special little pillow Traci had sent me also, just love it, something I will always treasure with being a first time grandma.

 One of my handmades, just love the pattern, a Veenas Mercantile, very easy to make, love how she turned out, very primitive. More pinkeeps I have collected, this area is in my bedroom, love the reproduction lamp, they add so much to the primitive look.  The little red shoes are just part of  an ongoing collection of shoes I have.

 The seed bag dolls I just love making, very easy, primitive looking, another Drakestone pattern, just love her patterns.

 Another onof the seed bag dolls and the angel doll were special orders for the upcoming Friendship Tea.  The Rusty Relic will be hosting it next saturday, Feb. 11th, if you are in the neighborhood stop by, really great primitive shop.

 Well we are in the middle of rabbit season here, this rabbit is a hand painted one my sister had stitched up, can't remember the name of the pattern, this one has already been sold.

This rabbit is a creation of my sister, she is very talented, somehow my brain just does not go there, hopefully one day I will be able to create like she does.  This one is made from clay and sits on an old jar.  Just love the colors she used.  The little umbrella and on her back is a basket with eggs, just perfect for spring, she has already been sold, she is currently working on some smaller rabbits.  We hope to start offering some handmades for spring here on the blog sometime in March after we get the spring handmades finished for the spring open houses.  Just wanted to share a few things with you, hope everyone has a great weekend.  Rainy here today, perfect day for the great furniture move I am working on if I can get hubby to stay home long enough. LOL.  Will share some of that great move soon.  Hugs Vicky

Bathroom Going Primitive

 Well I haven't fallen off the planet, its been a month since I posted, were does time go.  Hubby did give me his cold and it turned into a sinus infection, I am just getting back to feeling normal again.  I have been keeping Oliver and I am currently in the middle of rabbit season, the girls in N.C. will be having their spring open houses starting as early as March 3 rd, so my sister and I have been really busy creating, will show somethings we have been up to later.  We are even thinking of doing a little selling of our handmades here on the blog, will let you know more on that later.  The other thing I have been doing is taking my postage size bath, yes its that little, good thing I didn't have girls, we only have the one.  LOL  The last year I have really been going more primitive in my house, so the bathroom is in need of an update, so I thought I would do more primitve items in here.  It is just a start, we are redoing the bathroom floor, I am looking for a new light fixture, the shiny one has to go.  When I redid the bathroom 15 years ago I was into vintage, yes I didn't know what a primitve was, I saw alot in magazines, but none around here. So I am currently trying to decide what I need to do with the white mirror and the cabinet and other items in the room.  Here in this picture I added a pegrack for our towels and the little shelf I found at Nanbrook Farm a while back I dedided to hang here, not alot of wall space in here.  I hung samplers beside of it, they are actually behind the door when it is open, so I had to have something flat here.

 This area is on the opposite wall above the toilet area.  I just love the sign, it is actually what got the bathroom idea going.  The bottle's I collected from Nanbrook Farm, Amy had done a batch of them and I think I bought everyone she had, just love their vintage look.  And of course had to add one of my many pinkeeps I collect.  The little bottle I have had since I was young, I use to collect bottles going up in my father's antique shop.  The cabinet they are sitting on I think I am just going to add a little stain to it to darken it.

 This is a 4 ft. shelf about the toilet and sink area, more of the vintage bottles from Nanbrook.  The bottles in the old tool caddy, it actually has dry red paint on it, they are from my childhood collection, as are the other two smaller bottles sitting on the shelf.  Bird pinkeep is one of my favorites, sits on and old wood box.

 This is the other end, just added another vintage bottle, the little shelf with drawer I have had for years, love the old shampoo brush sitting on it and the scott tissue sampler on it.  More to come later on this bathroom redo.

 I can't believe Oliver will be 9 months old in a couple of days.  He was just full of himself that night at the supper table.  All my kids come for supper on thursday night, it is a nice family time to be together.

 What was going on that night was about Oliver loving his baby yogurt.  He just kept opening that mouth for more and bouncing up and down, he was just carried away.  Well finally there was no more, and he still had that mouth open, so Brandi just handed him the empty cup and then he decided he would just stick his tongue in it and try to get the last drop out.  Kids can be so funny.  A little update on Oliver, he now weighs 15 lbs. 1 oz. and is doing really well, they keep a close watch on him, he goes to the eye doctor in the morning for a check up.  Starting Thursday I will be taking him to therpy for his left arm, no major concern here, he uses it, but he doesn't seem to be using it like he should, doesn't usually reach for things with it, so they decided to start therpy to help him use it better, will keep you posted on that.

Thought I would share my bunny I had just gotten from Gatherings, yes can't stay off of  Wanda's blog, she has such a great shop.  I just love her, I love the primitive look, the twigs in her hand, her shawl wrapped aroung her shoulders and how her ears are bent, just perfect for my kitchen, where I spend so much time, LOL.  I am getting more in the mood for spring lately, going to be 70 the next three days, my plants are very confused, some of them already half way out of the ground.  So I am going to be piddling in the house, I am in the process of starting the great 3 room furniture shift, yes my hubby is so excited, LOL.  I was telling Brandi what my plans were one night and my oldest son Justin was listening and I was getting the look, of what are you doing and how does this involve me, just love him, always ready to help, but usually I get the question, didn't we just move that?  Well need to get a few things done before I go to work after lunch, getting ready for my aunt and sister and mom coming to lunch on fridays.  Since my father died, my Aunt Dottie comes most every friday for lunch at my moms, its been nice getting to know her better, she has always been my favorite aunt.  This week we decided to have it at my house, so trying to get rid of the dust bunnines, wished my handmade bunnies produced like my dust bunnies do, and get my house back in order, seems to get out of hand when I am sewing.  Everyone take care, will have some pictures of things I just gotten, little dolls, bonnets, pinkeeps and new lighting soon.  Hugs Vicky

The Many Blessings of 2011

 2011 brought many changes to our house, Chris and Brandi had gotten married in October of 2010, my little family was growing.  I had also started a blog about that same time, Green Creek Primitives was born in honor of my father who had given me my love of old.  The kids had also decided to go ahead and start their little family we were expecting our first grandchild in late July.  But life has its many changes, Oliver decided he needed to come 3 months early. 

 Life has its scarey side to, weighing in at only 1 lb. 14 ozs. our little Oliver was here.  Not knowing the outcome then, all they knew is that he was a little fighter, he was determined to survive.  About that time is when I realized I had another blessing, my blog.  After the first of the year I decided to make my blog more personal, little did I realize what lay ahead.  When Oliver was born and I had put it on my blog, well blogging friends are the best, I had gotten emails and gifts offering prayers and support, some telling me about their premies and how everything would turn out alright.  I had never experienced such warm, caring thoughtfulness in my life from people I had never met.  Blessings come from places you least expect it sometime.

 The first time I had gotten to hold that small bundle of joy, you just don't realize how small he was until you have held him.  He has come so far since then.

 Oliver finally came home after three months in the hospital, this is one of my favorite pictures of Chris and Oliver together.

And of course one of my blessings of the year, Oliver, looks like he is really concentrating on the butterfly, trying to decide how to get his hands on it.  I am so blessed to be able to keep him some each week, just watching this little miracle grow, looking forward to the many things he will learn and things he will achieve in the coming year, being there to see it, priceless.  I wanted to say thank you to each one of you that has ever left me a comment, joined my blog, sent me emails, cards and gifts, it touch me in a way you will never know, blogging friends are the best, looking forward to this coming year of sharing things that are going on in my life, but also dropping by your blogs to keep up with all of you as we go through this life's journey.  Blessings to you all, Hugs Vicky

Winter Decorating

 Well ladies get yourself a cup of coffee lots of decorating going on in this post.  This area is one of my favorite to decorate.  This is on top of a old pie safe in my bedroom.  I happen to find a snowman that looks a little more primitive to go in this grouping.

 Sorry turned out a little blurry, this little blue cabinet I picked up several years ago at a country gathering show.  I love the little angel and one of many little pairs of old high top shoes I collect.

 This reproduction cabinet picked up at Primitive Gatherings Shop also hangs in my bedroom, which I have done in reds, blues and browns.  Love the blue covered books and a little doll tucked in.  Decided to add one of my many mice I collect.

 This is in my hallway, very narrow, just could not leave this area bare, can't have not empty spaces.  LOL  I love this snow lady I found a few years ago, thought she would look good sitting on my favorite piece, the old grain bin.  The cabinet I found at Settler's Crossin.

 I have fallen in love with pinkeeps, well here is my favorite, just got it from Rabbit Hill Primitives, he is going to be hanging out year round.  It is made so you can remove the candy cane and little silver ball.  The little rabbint on top of the snowball is just adorable.  Decided to pair it with the little white shoes and an old family picture of my mom's mother, she is on the left and my greatgrandmother, in the middle and her sister.

 Just got this large guy from Gatherings, yes Wanda is always shipping me something, she has a fantastic shop, good thing I don't live it would all be at my house.  Just put a few frozen branches and berries in an old advertising box.

 This snow girl has got to be one of my favorites, she is just wanting to go skating or sleding.  Thought she would look nice in my makedo chair were you can see her as you come in the door in my den.

 My favorite stepback cabinet that I change with the seasons.  Love the Arnett snowman found at Nanbrook Farm this year.

 I just love this mouse I picked up at Settler's Crossin, wished I had gotten some other ones she had.  This one is on her skis caring her baby on her back, she sits in the bottom of that stepback.

 On the other end of the space sits an old pair of brown shoes with the sweetest pair of old brown mittens, just one of  the neatest things I have found at Settler's Crossin.

 This reproduction dough box I found at Primitive Souls at Gibson Mill is used this season on my kitchen island.  Just added an old crock, one of my many rolling pins and an old bowl.

 This narrow ledge is above my sink area, very hard to decorate, but I thought it turned out nice with my advertising sign, rolling pin and of course had to have a gingerbread man for this time of the year.  My sister had made him.

 Area above my kitchen cabinets, which I hope to get painted next year in a weatherbroad color.  Love this old basket, which I change out things in it for the seasons.  Another gingerbread man, which I wish  had gotten more of or had the time to make some this year.  Little old crock and of course a mouse, just love him.

 This doll which is sitting in a very old childs chair was made for me by my sister several years ago.  She wanted to make me a seasonal doll, I love the details she did, the berries for her hair and the little snowflakes she hand done on her dress.  A very special treasure.

 This is another area I usually do up for the seasons, this cabinet sits in my hallway outside my bathroom,  I am redoing some of the bathroom will have to share pictures with you later.  Love the light, I had gotten two different one day when I was up visiting Teresa at her shop The Rusty Relic.  This is another one of my favorite snowmen, he is holding carrots and the tag reads, Noses for Sale.  Another mouse, this one is skating, handmades just add so much to a house.

 Back in the kitchen, I decided to add this little snowboy to my kitchen counter this year, he fits in with all my primitives used in my kitchen.

 I don't know if you can tell whats in the little green box, I have filled it with little tiny white bells.  They remind me of my childhood when my father had his shop, on the back of the old door coming into the shop was a bell that would ring everytime someone would come in.  Its amazing what we remember, but everytime I see a bell I think of that old bell in his shop, it now hangs on mother's back door.

 I love this old advertising chocolate baking box I picked up on one of my many trips to Charleston.  I decided to put one of my favorite gifts that was given to me by my aunt when she was selling her house after my uncle had died.  I just love all the cookie cutters she had collected, since then I have added a few I have come across.

 The daddy mouse pulling the sled with the little mouse on it is one of my favorites.  It reminds me of my father when I was young.  Back when I was probably 5 or 6  and my sister was just a toddler, my father had this old very large round tin coca cola sign that we would get in and he would pull us in it when it snowed.  I often think of that old sign used as a sled everytime it snows, wondering what ever happened to it, a very special memory of my dad.

 This is one of my favorite boxes I use to put other items I just love.  I picked up this primitive gingerbread man this year, really liked how they used the paper on him tied with string.  Picked up this old cookie cutter on my last trip to Charleston in a new antique shop I found.  Another one of my cookie molds also I collect, which they are hard to find.

 Fell in love with the dried oranges this year, they smell so good.  Thought I would add the little mouse with his stocking cap to the drying rack.

 This area is in the corner of my kitchen, not much wall space in my kitchen, love the old bowl and corner candle rack.

 OK Jack had to get in the picture when I was taking pictures of the kitchen.  Well  as it turned out we had to change Jack's name to Jackie after she had kittens.

Thought I would share a couple of pictures of Oliver's room which is still in the decorating process, yes still tweaking his room, will share finished results with you soon.  This picture took dark, just too cloudy today.  I am doing his room in blues, reds, tans, and a touch of mustard. 

 I thought this wagon was just adorable made out of an old pepsi box.  Found it and the old wood blocks on my last trip to Charleston.  The bear with the red stocking cap is one of my favorites.

 I had gotten a large snowman head from Marie, OLM, so I decided to make a snowman out of it for my porch this time.  Thought he turned out really cute, had to tie him in so my cats would not knock him over.

 I had gotten this old blue wagon from Splinter and Rags a couple of years ago.  I have decided to use it for my seasonal outdoor decorating.  I had found the cement snowman when I had gone to Settler's Cross Christmas open house, just added a sign sleigh rides.  Notice my Iris's already coming up behind the wagon, just been to warm here.

 I just love this twig container, decided to use this snowman, done by a local artist, also added an old shovel, love collecting gardening tools, and brought out the little mouse with his ear muffs on.

 Oliver just hanging out watching a little tv with his Uncle Justin, I think these two are going to be big buddies.

 OK, after hanging out a while with Uncle Justin, Oliver decided it was time to take a nap on Nana.

Oliver all dressed up in his candy cane tie, just been to have his picture taken with old St. Nick.  Oliver and I would like to send you all warm blessings and hugs, thanking all of you that have joined me on my first year blogging adventure and leaving me all those very nice comments, all of which I read and treasure, you all are the best.  Hugs. Vicky and Oliver