Crusty and Rusty

FALL HAS ARRIVED

2011-09-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

MY OH MY, FALL HAS ARRIVED

Please check out vendor #60 at the Old Central Antique Mall in Port Orchard. You'll recognize my
goods. Just restocked and got rid of the old and brought in NEW GOODIES!!

REMINDER: Girlfriends Holiday Market is approaching. Check out the blog spot under the same name. Show is November 11th 4-8 and November 12th 9-4. Food, friends and shopping fun!!

Today's Country Store has some new vendors, so come check out the new gals along with some fall shoppin!!

Wow, it's gotten cold and the sun went byebye!! Miss you sunshine!!

WINTER WHITE SALE!!!!

2011-01-26T08:57:00.000-08:00

Hello all you junkers:

A couple of things happening;

The Winter White Sale at TODAY'S COUNTRY STORE in Sumner, WA is January 27th from 5 to 8.
Drinks, yummy's to munch on and a beautiful store to wonder in. The girls have out done themselvs and the Christmas decor. is gone and it looks like a WINTER WONDER LAND!!!! Come shop and say HI!!!!

Second is the SALE at Sandy Hammer's on Friday, Jan. 28th. It's a benefit for her so she can get some of those medical bills taken care of. Please if you can go, do so. It's in Puyallup off of Pioneer. Want more info. just email me at primbirdhs@aol.com.

Christmas Open House

2010-12-09T11:45:00.000-08:00

Merry Merry,

It's Open House time at Today's Country Store in Sumner. Tonight from 5 till 8. Yummy's to eat and drink and beautiful, fun and frolicky items to see. So, come and shop and say HI to us. We'll see you there!!

Today's Country Store moves to Blogspot

2010-11-18T02:14:00.000-08:00

Hey Ya'll

Today's Country Store is moving to Blogspot. So it's Today's Country Store.blogspot.com.
Come visit the site. Lot's of beautiful pics and fun things to look at. Christmas is well under way at the store and our OPEN HOUSE is Dec. 9th from 5 to 8.

AUTUMN LEAVES ARE A FALLING

2010-11-05T22:14:00.000-07:00

Holy Moly,

I've got Maple Leaves knee deep in the front yard. Mowed yesterday and the rain today has brought them all down. They smell really good. Let's make a big pile and jump in.

REMINDER THAT I'LL BE AT 2ND SATURDAY NEXT SATURDAY (Nov. 13th) SO IF YOUR GOIN NORTH COME BY. IF YOUR GOIN SOUTH, HIT THE GIRLFRIENDS AT HERITAGE HALL. IF YOUR
STAYING IN THE MIDDLE HIT "Today's Country Store in Sumner" It's the Holiday open house. The Store is decked out, as usual!!!

2010-06-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S COUNTRY STORE
TAG SALE
SATURDAY, JUNE 26TH
OPEN EARLY AT 9AM

Don't miss this sale. It's the best
of the year. Ton's of new stuff. Pile's
of good deals.

Can't wait to see ya!!!

Wendy

Garden Party at Today's Country Store

2010-04-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

Please join us for a big ol' GARDEN PARTY. Vintage goods planted and ready to go into your garden. Fun stuff to add to your home and garden. APRIL 30th, MAY lst and 2nd. Today's Country Store in SUMNER, WA

2010-03-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

Spring "Picking":

No, this isn't about a rite of spring - the picking of spring flowers.

And it isn't about the fun new show on the History Channel - "American Pickers" (which if you haven't seen it - look for it; it's about two guys driving around middle America buying stuff to resell).

It's about our 17 year old son and a banjo. He is an "old soul" who appreciates things made with care and that have patina (which makes his mother, Wendy, very proud). He first taught himself to play the guitar; and has now taught himself the banjo. He recently acquired his third banjo, by trading the first electric guitar he ever owned for it. This banjo is almost 40 years old and was perfect (according to him) for a DIY project he had in mind. So Dad and he tackled the removing of the first seven frets and replacing those with a piece of solid brass - which will allow him to create tones on the banjo almost like a "slide" guitar. You know you are in a house of collectors when we came to the realization that we had all the parts necessary for this project, with the exception of a 55 cent tuning peg we had to purchase and rework to replace one which was cracked. We even had the needed piece of brass stuck away (a cover plate for a particular door knob never installed). The payoff of this project was two fold - the acknowledgement from this great young man that "this turned out pretty good, and we didn't even get mad at each other"; and the look of joy on his soon to be 98 year old great grandma's face today when he played that banjo for her.

Here's hoping you will have the opportunity to "pick" some special spring moments soon.

Wendy's Husband

2010-03-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

These birdhouses are all made by me. You can order something similar by emailing me at primbirdhs@aol.com This one goes for $35.00

2010-03-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

This guy has a spot to throw some seed at the bottom

2010-03-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

Red church

2010-03-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

Pink, White and the long 3 hole blue one. So cute!!

2010-03-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

I made this little green birdie house yesterday. Let me know if your interested in these. I'm selling them at very reasonable prices!!!

2010-03-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

A little bit of SPRING poppin out of the clay pot

2010-03-16T14:21:00.001-07:00

2010-03-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

One of my birdie houses just waitin for Mr & Mrs. Birdie

2010-03-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

Just a combo of cute stuff on and old ironing board. Love it!!!

Come to me SPRING

2010-03-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Warmth is all I ask!! I'm totally sick of the cold. Don't mind the rain so much if it's a little warmer out. I spent yesterday afternoon in my workshed building birdhouses. The dog (Cosmo) was with me digging holes and getting that spring dirt smell all over him. Can't wait for more sunshine.

Here's some garden pics.

Enjoy!!!

The Farm - New Foals

2010-03-12T18:47:00.001-08:00

This time of year reminds me of "foaling time" - when spring arrived and the mares would begin to give birth. My Dad was always concerned that "his girls" might have trouble with the birth of their foals (foal is the generic term for either boys or girls). So, for some years, he would sleep out with the mares when they were close to foaling; and I would get to join him sometimes out in the barn - sleeping in the stall with the mare. It's a wonderful thing to see a newborn foal try to stand for the first time, wobbling while trying to find where to nurse. My Dad would always place his hand over the foal's muzzle as quickly as possible, so that it would relate his smell to it's mother's - and then be easier to train when older. The first awkward attempts to run and kick - while still not having full control of their long legs - was a sight to see. Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth - and our childhood memories can enhance that feeling each year. Hope you can take the time to feel some of that "renewal" soon. Wendy's husband.

The Farm - Winter Breakfast

2010-03-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

Hi - I'm Wendy's husband (that's how I identify myself when meeting people she knows) - because it's just easier. She's the more outgoing partner in our marriage.

I grew up on an 80 acre horse farm in Spokane, Washington and it was such a wonderful experience - full of so many "stories" - that I asked her if I could share some on her blog.

We had a little bit of snow today here in Gig Harbor; and it reminded me of winters on the farm, and a particular breakfast my Mom made me.

My Mom was an old fashion cook. Full farm breakfast, clean up those dishes and then immediately start on lunch. After lunch dishes, on to dinner preparation. And we are talking multiple offerings of dishes at each meal. And my Mom was, and is an outstanding cook.

But this one morning, I remember it was a more simple breakfast.

It was cold and had snowed; and Mom had baked homemade bread the previous day. She offered to make hot cocoa for me and I immediately agreed. Because this wasn't the out of the box cocoa mix that you added water. This was from the Hershey's Cocoa tin, with milk - heated and blended in a saucepan over the stove. And this was during a time that we still would buy raw milk from the farmers (remember the huge glass gallon jars with the white tin lids - we would seal ours tight with wax paper). So, as it would heat - a "skin" of milk would rise to the top that she would remove before pouring it to drink.

I cut a big slice of homemade bread (probably bigger than I should have because I had trouble
getting it in the toaster) and once toasted - slathered margarine over it. Yes, not butter - because I grew up thinking margarine was butter. And to this day, there are certain dishes that I prefer the taste of margarine over butter - because my memories of that dish associate with the margarine flavor.

Then, I began to dip the bread in the hot cocoa and eat it that way. I had obviously put too much margarine on the bread, because I looked down and saw that I had a bit pad of butter floating on the top of my cocoa. And I would like to think that added to the flavor of the hot cocoa. But what a breakfast; and what a memory! The sounds, smells and flavors of childhood trigger such wonderful memories - and this is one of the most memorable breakfasts I can remember.

Thanks for allowing me to share this memory, and I hope to offer a few more stories as time goes on.

Wendy's husband

2010-03-07T20:35:00.000-08:00

2010-03-07T20:29:00.000-08:00

This black suitcase has the most beautiful deep green inside. The black tin cash boxes are always fun to collect and the two pics are the raised kind. Really cool in flower patterns. That's an old blanket in there too!!

2010-03-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

Beautiful old platter, blueish sap can, a couple of perfume bottles and a pin cushion, how sweet!!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

2010-03-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

SPRING HAS SPRUNG and I'm digging like a mad women in my flower garden. All kinds of flowers are sprouting including my many clematis. Daffodils are blooming and the tulips are poking their heads out of the soil. I got so excited I worked for a whole day straight and couldn't stand up straight the next day. Oh well.

I took some pics of my booth at TODAY'S COUNTRY STORE. Lot's of fun and beautiful things for sale.

Take a look and HAPPY DIGGING!!!!!!

SANTA COMES TO SUMNER

2009-11-29T18:35:00.000-08:00

Wow, Santa came to see me at Today's Country Store. What a guy!!! Thanks Santa

Join us at the store on Friday, Dec. 4th for late night shoppin at the store.

A BIG THANKS

2009-11-16T09:33:00.001-08:00

Thanks to all of you who attended our 4th annual GIRLFRIENDS MARKET at Heritage Hall
We had a wondeful group of shoppers both Friday night and Saturday. Thank you all for attending.

Thanks to all of our special vendors who came, got set up in record time and had some of the most beautiful display's we've ever had.

See ya soon girlfriends!!!!!

COLD FRONT A COMMIN!!!! BRRRRRR!!!

2009-11-08T17:20:00.000-08:00

Get out the skates, it's time for GIRLFRIENDS MARKET

NOV. 13th & 14th

See details below.

ANTIQUES & VINTAGE WARE
FOOD AND FUN FOR EVERYONE!!!!!

Right around the corner

2009-11-03T22:55:00.001-08:00

Out with the orange and in with the red and green, or pink and french blue

Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter sauce

2009-10-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness

Pick up the ravioli at Costco and make the sauce shown on the back of the package.
It is so darn wonderful.

Yum!!!!

COMO IS DRIVING ME CRAZY CRAZY

2009-10-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm trying to catch up on the Girlfriendsmarket blog and this one too. Hurry, hurry so I can get back to painting the kitchen cabinets. Of course no prep work.
Just drag out the can that looks like the same color I used 2 years ago (but to realize it's not, oh well) Kind of a creamy white. Slapping it on over the finger marks around the green glass knobs (THAT I DIDN'T TAKE OFF).

But, the dog "COSMO" is barking at me like a mad dog. It probably means he needs to go out or wants to play or needs some sort of spoiled dog attention. I have to say,
it's driving me nuts. So out we go and I immediately run into the Girlfriendsmarket
signs that also need another coat of paint.

Theres nothing like the smell of new paint!!!

Cosmo, Hush

rain rain rain

2009-10-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

So glad to see the rain. I'm tired of hauling the hose about. Such a great day
to eat Mac & Cheese.

rainy garden pick

2009-10-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

GIRLFRIENDS MARKET FLYER

2009-10-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

GIRLFRIENDS MARKET NOV. 13 & 14

2009-10-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

The GIRLFRIENDS MARKET IS COMING ALONG REALLY WELL. WE ARE GETTING SOME INCREDIBLE VENDORS THIS YEAR. BOTH RETURN VENDORS FROM YEARS PAST AND SOME GREAT NEWBEE'S.

PLEASE JOIN US NOV. 13 & 14
THURSTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS IN LACEY, WA

VISIT: GIRLFRIENDSMARKET.BLOGSPOT.COM

Autumn Evening in Sumner

2009-09-22T10:50:00.001-07:00

Don't forget to come to Sumner for Autumn Eve.
Check out the info. on Today's Country Store link

getting ready for GIRLFRIENDS HOLIDAY MARKET

2009-09-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

SHARON, SHELLY AND I MET YESTERDAY AT SHARONS HOME. IT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND WE ARE MOVING ALONG ON THE GIRLFRIENDS SHOW.

NOVEMBER 13 IS THE PREVIEW 4PM - 8PM
NOVEMBER 14 ALL DAY 9AM - 4PM

ANTIQUES,
VINTAGE HOLIDAY
PRIMITIVES
FOOD AND GIRLFRIEND FUN

PUT US ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING SCHEDULE

THE OLD LOG BUILDING AT; HERITAGE HALL
THURSTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
OLYMPIA/LACEY

2009-09-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

OK, THE NEW "KITCHEN QUEEN SHOW" IS NOW "GIRLFRIENDS MARKET"
WE JUST DECIDED THAT THE QUEENS WAS TO "OUT THERE"

SOOOOO, IT"S "GIRLFRIENDS MARKET" NOV. 13th and 14th. PREVIEW IS
FRIDAY NIGHT WITH ADMISSION $5. SATURDAY IS $3

WE HAVE SOME WONDERFUL VENDORS SIGNED UP TO ADD TO THIS FUN SHOPPING EVENT.

AS ALWAY, TWINKLE LIGHTS, YUMMY FOOD, AND GIRLFRIENDS GALORE.

COME JOIN US AT THE HERITAGE HALL AT THE THURSTON COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS IN OLYMPIA, WA.

CLEANED HOUSE

2009-08-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

Do you know how much stuff can be accumulated by a JUNKER in a couple of weeks? Of course you do. I have been hording and not moving stuff to the store and finally decided today to clean up a bit. Gar's Mom is coming next week so I have a really good excuse.

KITCHEN QUEEN SHOW is coming in November. Sharon, Shelly and I are once again heading over to the beautiful log house at the Thurston County Fair Grounds on the 13th and 14th to put on a cute little show. SOOOOO, if your interested, let us know.

Don't forget to check out Wendy's space at Today's County Store in Sumner. Always a fun place to shop, shop, shop.

THE KITCHEN QUEENS SHOW COMING IN NOVEMBER

2009-08-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

Holiday Gathering has a new name: Kitchen Queens (Sharon, Shelly & Wendy) are once again doin a show this year with a BRAND NEW NAME.

Rushing to rust

2009-07-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blog! My Name is Wendy Rushing and I Have been an antiques/Junque dealer for many years now. I am going to join the 21st century and try my hand at blogging, so please put me on your list of places to check out. I will be getting tutorials from my friend Amy and learn how to post some pics soon!

Here is a picture of one of my bucket pumps. I make these out of old rusty buckets, fawcetts, etc and I sell them at The fabulous "Today's Country Store" in Sumner Washington