Saturday my hubby asked me if I could help him stain his shed… it sounds like it should go fast, with two of us working, it’d be a snap right? He’s always just used Thompson’s Water Seal on it, but after 15 years it was starting to look pretty weathered. He decided we’d stain it this year… a Redwood color. First it had to be brushed off with a stiff brush to get the black spots and grime off it. We didn’t want to wash it because then it would have to dry.
If you click on any pictures they will enlarge.
Once we got going on the east side, it went pretty quickly, but the front was a pain…all the extra pieces of wood to make it “decorative” really got in the way and slowed us down. The side took over an hour BUT the front took almost 3 and 1/2 hours. I know… I know… and my shoulder knows too! We stopped after the front, as it was getting dark…Hallelujah!
Remember when my hubby trimmed our Mulberry tree and I was sure he pruned it back too far? This was it on April 19th, and here it is today! He does know what he’s doing… It grows back every year… just like he says it will!
We can’t get over how pretty the color is… it changed dramatically in looks!
SO… Sunday morning he woke up with another idea…however it didn’t involve work… it was a fun day. After church we left and went back to Cape Girardeau, MO, to the SEMO Fair. (South East Missouri) He had gotten a brochure somewhere and there was supposed to be chickens and rabbits dressed up in costumes and he thought I’d like to see them. Well, we raced as fast as we could, (obeying the speed limits, mind you…) and made it to the fairgrounds, only to discover you had to walk a REALLY LONG way around to the 4-H tent… I spotted a shuttle bus and saw other people walking toward it, so I called to my hubby, “Hurry and we can catch a ride down to the grounds.” My hubby can’t walk quite as fast as I can, so I beat him to the bus…Just as I was about there, the doors shut, but I was standing there at the door and the guy opened them up. I climbed aboard, and the guy goes…”Yeeessss?” I said, “Isn’t this a shuttle bus taking people to the fairgrounds?” Everyone on board laughed… He said it was a federal bus… We don’t know exactly what it was, or who was on it, but we’re guessing it was a “correctional” facility with workers on board…maybe they had to pick up trash at the fairgrounds…we’ll never know. My face may have been red as I backed off the bus, but my hubby’s was probably redder as he gathered his wife off the bus. He kidded me all day long and all the way home…
We huffed and puffed and made it to the tent just in time to see the winner announced… It turns out it was just for the kids in 4-H, and there weren’t that many participants. The chicken winner was a cowboy “get up” and the rabbit just had a hat and a a blanket on… Maybe it was a sombrero.. I’m not sure. Anyway, here were the winners…
There was also a winner announced called “Chicken Noodle Soup.” It wasn’t exactly a dressed up chicken.. but a little boy with a chefs hat on and 2 banty hens in a pot with some veggies on top… The little boy must have only been 4 or 5 and was standing on a milk crate…
They had a rooster crowing contest and a corn shucking contest and next door were a few animals… I took just a few shots… I thought this was a beautiful rooster and the rabbit caught George’s eye…
We went to the Arena and looked at the 4-H competition and saw the ribbons they won…
This quilt won Best of Show and Grand Champion (I think).
The things the kids made were displayed on a wall, sort of mixed up like… I’ve never seen a fair done quite like this…
This sweet little cake reminded me of one I did…
(You can see that post HERE.)
…and look at all the red and blue ribbons on the canned goods!
My hubby kind of snickered and said, “I think someone’s mom helped with this one…”
The 4-H judges were still working on the entries for the sewing and needle crafts and it was going to be another hour before they were done, so we decided we’d have to move on.
As we were walking around, the smell was unbelievable… there were more vendors selling things here than I had EVER seen before at ANY fair… It was like this, row after row after row for as far down as you could see… We didn’t get a thing! :o)
Next we came to the tractors.. and my hubby was intrigued with the vintage ones…Have you ever seen so many red tractors in a row?
My hubby was trying to find the one they had on the farm when he was growing up…
In the middle of all the vintage tractors, they had a “People’s Choice” contest for the best riding mower! Seriously? I have no idea how many there were…. but LOTS!
He could hardly believe it, but he found the tractor like they used to have… and he had to tell me ALL about it.. how they hooked a belt up to that big thing on the side and used it for grinding hay and for a saw…(I think…my stomach was growling and my mind was thinking of food…)
It was getting pretty hot walking around, so we decided to leave the fairgrounds and see what else we could see… There is a neat Antique store downtown called Annie Laurie’s and we started there…We just looked but didn’t buy anything.
We went to a few places downtown and looked around…YEP…that’s my hubby…he found the “tool section” in this store…
I wandered around and saw some vintage wedding dresses…hanging up high…
…and I found a booth with lots of old catalogs and magazines and a few paper dolls, so Betsy and I visited for a while!
It was getting later in the evening and I finally said, “I’m ready to eat…” so we found a nice place and had a quiet dinner, and then headed home. My hubby said he just wanted to “extend” our time from the other day when we came… I was glad he suggested it. We had a wonderful day…
It wasn’t about sewing or dolls, but I hope you enjoyed it…Monday morning we are going to try and get those 2 other sides of the shed whipped… Oh Boy!!!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Even though this wasn’t about sewing, I thoroughly enjoyed “going along” to the fair with you and George, Jeanne! Goodness, so much of everything to see! At least the weather is just lovely for something like that, and you had a little time away.
I love the new color of the shed! it looks brand new, but how are you going to paint it with that mulberry tree right there?
What a funny story about the federal bus, whatever that is! I’d be kidding you too!
I loved the 4-H display, since I was also a 4-H member, and then did the judging at our local fair. I still have my “judge” badge!!
You really got me more and more interested to go to Cape for Homecoming next month. It’s my 50th class reunion this year, so we might make a go of it. Can’t believe I’m THAT old!
I could go on and on about your post, but had better leave room for someone else!
Guess we are the same age as my 50th was this year too. 🙂
Joy and Linda,
Two of my “golden oldies…” or is that too crass?
Love you both,
Blessings, Jeanne
I think Charlotte and I can take it, Jeanne!
Joy, no, I am the older one! I should have graduated in 64, but taught school 3 years before graduating. Yes, we could do that back then!
HI Linda,
Thanks for enjoying the post… my sewing time has been squeezed out the last few weeks…not very typical for me…
The shed is ALL done… and it does look brand new. I’m so glad he chose this color. I like it very much! My hubby trimmed the back side of the mulberry tree, next to the shed and we wiggled our way in there to get it painted. It wasn’t too hard…
Oh, I didn’t know you were a judge too… I know Charlotte is, but I didn’t know you were… or if I did, I forgot.
Oh, you should definitely go to your 50th reunion… You’ll be the talk of the reunion, as you are so pretty! I mean that!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
The shed looks great!!!
Your impromptu trip looks like it was a lot of fun. The fair had a real old time feel about it. Glad you were able to have such a productive and fun weekend. I always enjoy hearing about your adventures.
Have a good day.
Take care.
HI Charlotte,
Thanks for liking our “new” and improved shed. It really is a big improvement!
The trip was a lot of fun and it brought back memories of my 4-H days too. I always enjoyed the competition in the sewing department. It’s not quite as much as when I was in 4-H… We has cases and cases of clothing on display.
Thanks for enjoying my day as much as I did…
Blessings, Jeanne
The shed looks beautiful and new. If you can figure out how to paint behind those beautiful plants, think how beautiful the green will look in front of the redwood stained shed. You’ll enjoy it forever.
I loved the tractors. The kids with their animals were very cute. Your duck cake was cuter, but it is fun to see someone else’s interpretation of the same thing. That quilt is a beauty. Her colors are lovely. I’d love to have seen the quilting.
You really have antique stores there. You’d never have to buy a new thing again.
Every year Senator Al Franken goes to the State Fair. He lets his email list choose something for him to eat at the fair. Fortunately for him, his list members likes him and choose something that sounds good. This year it was a blueberry and fresh corn eclair. If you are going to the fair, you should definitely explore the food area, just to see what’s there. It’s probably just as well not to eat most of it, but you might find some interesting ideas.
HI Marilyn,
The shed does look new… and I think better in color than when we bought it 15 years ago.
My hubby trimmed the back side of the mulberry tree and I did most of the painting on that side. He was cleaning off the back side and painting up high on the side I was painting.
I should have taken a closer picture of the stitches on the quilt… then we could have seen how stitches per inch she did! I’m glad you enjoyed the things I took pictures of.
The food looked and smelled good, and there was everything from fried twinkies to turkey legs, but the prices made us lose our appetite… $12 for a turkey leg? I don’t think so! $9 for a corn dog? Not on your life!
Oh well, we had a nice dinner and made up for all the wonderful smells we were subjected to!
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
What fun for you and George, Jeanne. I enjoyed trailing behind you and George as you went about your day.
I can understand George’s interest in the tractor he had on the farm growing up. I can remember the same things he spoke about in how it was used for it was the same here on the farm when I was growing up. Times have changed alot. It was nice to walk down memory lane in a variety of ways with you in your narrative.
Is it mostly at antique stores that you find your beautiful laces for your creations?
Thanks again for taking us along with you. May your shed take less time today, but I assume with those plants to work around, well, it could take time, but you will be so pleased with the outcome. The redwood really lets the hardware and “lamp” stand out. It’s all very becoming.
Blessings.
HI Becky,
I thought someone was “following” behind me all day! It was YOU! :o)
I’m glad you enjoyed the day with us…even the tractors! Yes, most of the lace I find comes from antique stores or yard sales where they don’t know what they have… My hubby can’t understand how he can pick up a packet of lace and I’ll go “polyester.” I told him it’s the same way he can look at a car and go, “Ford, Chevy, ’52 Pontiac, etc.”
Well, the shed took up 4 and 1/2 hours to finish up… but it was sort of breezy out today and we started before it go too hot and humid… other than a sore shoulder, it wasn’t bad.
Thanks Becky,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh the shed looks like new- the stain color is perfect. It’s an attractive barn.
What a fun day too. That was funny about the ” shuttle bus” – who would have known though?
I have a question though about he Betsy McCall paper dolls. Who is Betsy’s friend? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this friend. I’ve seen Betsy’s cousins, Sandy and Linda but not his girl. I can’t quite make out her name.
The town you visited looks like there is a little bit for every one. Glad you had a nice day together.
I Googled Betsy goes to the circus and could view the paper dolls clearly. It’s Barbara McCall. Linda’s older sister.
HI Paula,
George told me today the shed looks like a little barn now instead of a shed. He was happy!
Silly me, to get on that bus and find out the “hard way!” Oh well, it made for a good story!
I see Joy answered your question about Betsy’s friend…I’m glad she did, because I didn’t!
Cape Girardeau is a really quaint little town and we go there quite often. It was nice to go downtown and discover a few new antique shops that we didn’t know about! That means another trip sometime! yay!
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Pretty funny about you trying to get on the convict bus! Had a good laugh over that one.
I believe the mixed up fair entries are going on everywhere. At our fair, it is quite impossible to figure out the entries anymore or winners for that matter. There are no ribbons. Just a tiny little stamp. Ribbons are picked up by the winners when they gather their entries to take home.
George would love my cousins ranch. They have vintage tractors as well as military vehicles lining the road to the house.
Guess what? Your shed looks exactly like our deck. Redwood color. We redid it last year, so it will be good for at least another year hopefully. Horizontal surfaces need redoing much more often that vertical so you should be good for some time.
That white/red hooser cabinet looks pretty interesting in the junk store. Were the prices good?
Still cleaning husband’s parents old home. I think the worst was under the kitchen sink yesterday. Temp was 100 here. Not fun.
HI Joy,
I’m glad the bus people couldn’t hear us talking on the way “away” from the bus… we were mostly laughing at my goof up!
The 4-H fairs used to be so organized when I was younger. There was lots more sewing and crafting than what we saw yesterday. A big group of things was in the “photography” category. Not too much baking… and no knitting or smocking that I saw at all… Oh wait, I did see a knitted or crocheted caterpillar…
Our redwood stain is supposed to be good for 5 years. Maybe stain is different than paint, but I sure hope we don’t have to do this for another 5 years. He said if it does, he’s going to investigate a sprayer for the stain.
Maybe you’ll be finished with your in laws house soon… :o)
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks for taking us along to the Fair! It was wonderful to see all the interesting things and the little children. The tractors were great. So much fun to find his own family’s tractor. Love the Ducky cake you made. I couldn’t have passed up at least one item from the calorie trail. So much to see!
Just give that Mulberry tree a good trim in back and you’re in business since it grows back so well every year. Great job on the barn. Rest up and sew and sew!
HI Susette,
I’m glad you enjoyed the trip to the fair. It was a fun day and we enjoyed seeing what we saw! Finding his family tractor was probably the highlight of the day for him. He really enjoyed looking this one over and telling me all about it.
I knew dinner, wherever we picked, would be better than a corny dog or a fried pickle or a funnel cake, so we waited. Not to say that I wasn’t tempted! :o/
A trim is just what the mulberry tree got… in the back…
Yes, rest up and sew… I’m hoping to find some sewing time tonight… I had to go to my mom’s and help her with some things, so I’m already behind on the day as it is…
Oh well, I can only do what I can…
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
I’m sure staining the shed was more work than you bargained for, but it does look nice with the nice redwood stain on it. I’m happy you got a “recreation ” day to visit the 4-H fair; it looks like there was pretty much something for everyone! I had to laugh about you trying to get on the wrong bus. Now I’m also wondering if there are rabbits in your future as well as chickens. The antique stores look like fun too. It’s good to have an occasional day away from home with no schedule or responsibilities, isn’t it?
I have been too busy to comment the past few weeks as we are still dealing with hurricane Harvey and the aftermath. I have guests staying in my home since their home was flooded. I am one of the lucky ones without too much extensive damage, but many others will be suffering the bad effects for some time. I am praying for the residents of Florida who will most likely be dealing with the same things.
HI Carolyn,
The shed was work but it was so worth it…now the chicken coop is screaming out for a paint job too!
There will be NO rabbits in our future. George’s brother, Larry and his wife raised rabbits but my hubby never really go into rabbits. I’m glad… hens are enough for me.
It was fun to explore some new antique shops that we had no idea were there. We liked them very much and will visit them again when we go back to Cape.
Oh, how kind of you to help out your friends who were flooded out… that must be so horrible for those affected. I can’t even imagine….
Yes, now the FL people are being hit with all the water and flooding too…what a mess everywhere. They do need our prayers…
Thanks Carolyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
I enjoyed your post today–and a view of “another” fair/4-H display.
In response to George’s comment about a mom helping the kid with a project, rest assured, if that happened, generally speaking the kid will start telling you all about it while you are talking to him/her!! And, in that case, you judge only the parts that the child did! So, if someone got a “best of show” award, she Earned it! We don’t take giving out rosettes (as the higher awards are called) lightly!
I really enjoyed the pictures from your travels, too, and particularly the Betsy McCall paper dolls! I loved those, but we couldn’t afford the magazine, so sometimes our neighbor or one of my great-aunts would save the paper dolls for me when I was little. I don’t think I saved any of the ones I had as a child, but the one you featured in that photo looked very familiar! Thanks for the memory!!
Also like how that shed is turning out–that’s almost a “Swedish Red” you used!! 😉
Thanks Charlotte,
I enjoyed your perspective on the judging…it’s good to hear how you do the judging to find things out. I suppose I thought you just guessed if they did it all themselves.
I wish my picture had been clearer…that would have been better for my blog.
There was a 1922 catalog that had the most adorable lacy dresses that I would love to have copied, but there are no AG dolls in that time period, so I passed. The catalog was $30, but the booth had a 30% sale going on…the catalog was in great condition…now I’m regretting that I didn’t get it…
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne