New Name . . . New Look, and Here's Why

"So why do some of your photos say "Toodlefetties Restyled and Rusty" on them?"

That's a question I have been asked, as I have recently been in blog redesign mode.

When I started my blog a couple of years ago, Toodlefetties was a name that I made up, it didn't really have any special meaning to me, and I could never come up with an image that would work for me. As a former graphic designer, I had more than one hair pulling out, frustrating moment while I was trying to create an image for that name.

So, recently I decided to rename, re-brand and redesign everything from my blog, to my facebook page, to my Esty shop...I know crazy, right?

So where did the name Coonie and Bees come from you ask?

Coonie is the nickname my sweet grandma had when she was growing up, and it always caught my attention when I would hear her talk about it. Bees for some reason sounded good with Coonie, and reminded me of Aunt Bea from Mayberry. Do you remember that old t.v. show?

This would be my sweet grandma Coonie

 her name is actually Thelma Jean, she is in her 90's now, and in the advanced stages of Alzheimers.

She is as beautiful as ever....

this picture is Grandma Coonie with my dad and grandfather
taken in the early 1940's

There are some very interesting stories to be told about my Grandma Coonie and Grandpa Ray, so when deciding on a name change for my blog, I knew that I wanted it to become more than just sharing my latest junky finds, and fix-up projects. I have a very rich family history, (and by rich I don't mean monetarily), and since I have a knack for, and get the urge to tell stories I decided I wanted to incorporate family stories, current happenings, my penchant for making up stories, and all things home, family and faith into what I do each time I sit down and hammer away on my keyboard.

So with that said, the image that is slowly developing in my head is..."a back in the day wholesome family time", when life was simpler but harder all at the same time. A day before the technology of today, when family was the focus, and people worked hard for what they needed, and reused what they already had.

A day in time before society became so disposable.

The actual look of the blog will probably remain for the most part as you see it now, but I will be changing the header pictures out on occasion depending on my mood and posts. It's the graphic designer in me, I can't resist the urge to play with my photo editing program to create collages and other fun stuff,  it should keep things interesting.

My hope is to have a fun, and interesting blog that readers, and blogging friends will want to grab a cup of coffee or tea, sit down, scroll through, and spend a little time with me. I hope I will be able to share things of interest, (I will be doing lots of that rusty, junky, restyling stuff I promise), things that will make you laugh, and maybe even things that will bring a tear to your eye.

So as we venture into { 2 0 1 3...Happy New Year } and Welcome to

Coonie & Bees Tales and Tellings

Hangin' Out At Home

Today has been one of those rare days when the three of us just lazed around the house, mostly watching an NCIS marathon and playing on some sort of electronic gadget. Modern day family time...

With a couple of inches or more of snow on the ground and more coming down, it was just a good day to stay in by the fire.

I did manage to be somewhat productive, installing a heated water warmer in the chicken coop, then taking down the Christmas tree and packing away some of the other decorations. I guess sadly, that means Christmas is officially over.

I spent a good share of the day bouncing around the internet, looking in on blogs I like to follow, and checking out fun stuff on Pinterest.

So thought I would share a few goodies I found today...starting with this fun how-to from
 Treasures From The Heart an awesome blog with some fabulous stuff.

Rusty and Patina How To

Check out this how-to on rust dyeing fabric...one of these days I am going to do this.

A great article and instructions are here at hobbyfarms.com

 and then I couldn't resist a stop at Etsy after I saw these amazing earrings...

 I would love these from blackstar.etsy.com

 I don't know what my fascination is with rust, but sometimes I just can't get enough when it comes to decorating with it or searching for it at yard sales, so needless to say I have several treasures laying around.

There's these gorgeous weathered saw blades..most of which I inherited from my grandfather,
he used to do oil paintings on them.

or...this vintage egg scale

I dug this gem out of the dirt near an abandoned old house, it is one of my favorite finds.

And who wouldn't love the patina on this dustpan?
So what if it's missing it's handle.

I could go on and on, but I won't I will just leave you with a final photo of this lovely rusty cabinet I scored at a yard sale several years ago.

What kind of rusty treasures do you have laying around, please share as always I would love to hear about it.

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!

Happy 4th of July!

Just taking a moment to wish everyone a  
Happy 4th of July

God Bless America and Our Troops

Have a safe and fun filled day...Toodles!

It's Huckleberry Time!

When late summer rolls around it usually means Huckleberry Picking Time.

For as long as I have known my husband and his family, one of their traditions has been to trek to the nearby or sometimes not so nearby woods for a day of huckleberry picking.

What are Huckleberries you ask?

Well let me share with you about these fat, purple, juicy orb's of heavenly sweetness...

Huckleberries on the bush just begging to be picked.

A cousin, I believe to the blueberry, they are native to the forested areas near where we live, and they make lip smacking, scrumptious jams and jellies. They are delicious made into a pie, cobbler, or cake, and one of my family's favorite treats....

wait for it....

HUCKLEBERRY MILKSHAKES!

From this...

to this...

and finally to this icy, sweet goodness...

Cold, Frosty, and sure to be Brain Freezing!

Lovely purple stained hands after a day of picking.

(not to worry it doesn't last forever)

On this particular outing we were fortunate to pick about 6 gallons of huckleberries between us, and after much preparation they are now safely tucked away in the freezer waiting for their turn to be used in...

Pies

Cakes

Jams

Cereal

Pancakes

Waffles

 or whatever else I can think of!

What kind of sweet little treat do you enjoy...please share!

Have a great day!

Toodles

My New Pressure Canner Is Out Of The Box!

That's right...finally I had some time to use the shiny new pressure canner my hubby and daughter bought me for Christmas this past holiday season.

I have to admit I am no expert on canning, but thanks to my fabulous sister-in-law who is good at it, I am learning, and I see my pantry cupboards will be full of goodies this gardening season.

Last summer I scored big time at a yard sale when I bought ten large apple boxes full of canning jars for a whopping $10.00! Seriously that isn't a typo, I was only going to buy one or two boxes for that amount but she really wanted to get rid of them and asked me to take them all, well of course I couldn't say no and she really did take only ten bucks.

One thing about canning, is it takes time, patience and attention to detail. It ended up being a day well spent, not just learning how to can but a relaxing time of visiting and enjoying the company of my sister-in-law, my mother-in-law, and my niece with her 4 month old twin daughters. It was a good day of priceless family time, and...

Seven hours later, the payoff for all of our hard work....22 pints of canned elk meat headed for the pantry. That means many yummy meals of meat gravy over pasta or mashed taters and canned meat sandwiches for lunch, two very popular things in this family.

Have a favorite recipe from home canned goodies

that your family raves about?  Please share...

Have a great day!

~Teresa