First Called Decoration Day

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.  It was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers where place on the graves of the Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.  New York was the first state to recognize this holiday, with the rest of the Northern States following.  It was not until World War ! the the Southern states, stated to recognize this holiday.  In 1922 VFW post started selling red poppies. 1950 soldiers started placing flag on the gravies of soldiers.  Starting in 1998 on the Saturday before Memorial Day, Boy Scouts, started placing the flags on the graves.  In 2000 we have been asked to stop for a moment at 3:00  to remember what this day is about, because to many have forgotten, so sad, that many still have no idea.. Please stop and remember those who have given their lives for our freedom, then those who have worn or are wearing the uniform, so we may keep our freedom.  Please remember those who have given it all for our freedom.

Farmington Farm Market - May 28

Farmington Farm Market, located in Farmington, Michigan will be open on Saturday May 28 from 9 till 2.  Mark Retengal will be the musician performing during the day.  Heidi Cook will have a class on container Gardening at 9:30, and at 11:00 Chef Rand Hall from Destiny Catering will be doing cooking demo.  You will find plants for your garden, fresh produce, bread, eggs, baskets, soap, and much much more.  All made in Michigan!  Come out and meet the growers and artisan.  The weather for Saturday is going to be sunny and mid 70's so after all the rain we had this week, come out and enjoy the sun and have some fun.  See you on Saturday!

Auburn Hills Farm Market - Cancelled today

The Auburn Hills Farm Market is cancelled today because of weather.  See everyone on Saturday in Farmington and next week in Auburn Hills.  Have a wonderful and safe day!

Dirt Road Team Contest

The Dirt Road Team is having a contest.  Follow the link below and vote for your favorite item, and enter to win this wonderful prize from Robin of Dixie Dreams.  We sent each other materials and then had to make something from it.  This has been a lot of fun and the talent on this team is amazing.  Have some fun!

http://www.dirtroadart.com/contest.html

Dirtroad Team - Coffee House Suds & Cottontail Quilts

Welcome friends! May is coming to a close and summer actives will be the normal way of life. Please say a quick prayer for those who have been hit with some of storms that have marched across our great country this last month. Then take a few minutes to visit two more wonderful shops from the Dirtroad Team on Etsy. The first shop is Coffee House Suds. Starting in 2001 making soap and sell at local shows, she is now gone global with the internet. If you are in Mobile, AL you will find her at the Mobile Market most weekends. All soap is made with the cold process method, using essential oils. Having sensitive skin if the soap irritates her skin she will not sell it. You will also find laundry soap and lip balm in her shop.



The next shop is Cottontail Quilts. Cindi learned the art of quilting from her Grandmother over 30 years ago. Cindi's quilts are works of art, each being hand quilted. All made to last a life time and to be pasted on to the next generation. Living in a log cabin with her studio over looking the woods, her ever changing view with Michigan four season must be wonderful to work in. Besides quilts for your bed, you will find mini quilts, bags, kids wear, fiber art and many more items to look at. It is a real treat to visit Cindi's shop and her wonderful art!





Enjoy your visit and come back next week for two more amazing shops from the Dirtroad Team. Are you in artist living in a small town, come and check out this amazing team on Etsy.

Michigan Shops - Bead Bug and The Hickory Tree

Welcome friends, summer is almost here in Michigan.  Before you run outside to play in the warm weather stop by the two great shops from Michigan I found for you today.  The first shop in Bead Bug, where Judy makes jewelry from large to very tiny beads.  You will find earrings, necklaces, made from beads and polymer clay.  Check out the small basket filled with autumn finds made from tiny beads.  The work and time that goes into her work is amazing.  Judy also sit across from me at The Sunday Artist Market in Ann Arbor, Michigan.




The next shop is The Hickory Tree. This amazing artist makes buttons, tags, all from tree branches. If you need some unique buttons for a sweater or jacket check out this shop. The cedar tags would be wonderful to hang in your closet this fall to keep bug at bay during the winter. No trees are harmed in the making of the buttons or tags all are recycled from fallen branches. Love it!



Enjoy your visit and come back next week for more amazing shops all from the state of Michigan!

Farmington Farm Market - May 21

Farmington Farm Market will be open tomorrow May 21 from 9AM till 2PM.  Asparagus and rhubarb are in season, along with fresh bread, honey, baked goods, and meat.  Music will be by Gia Warner.  This weekend the weather is going to be wonderful.  Great time to be outside getting some plants, food, or something wonderful for your home.  See you all on Saturday!

Dirtroad Team - Cherylz Miller Art and Candy Quotient Jewelry

Welcome friends!  I have found two more great shop for you to visit from the Dirtroad Team.  The first shop is Cheryl'z Miller Art.  This New Hampshire artist work in oils, but also has interest in other media.  Her amazing shop is filled with fabric collage, note cards, mini art quilts, to her oil paintings.  From landscapes to flower she has it all.  Great shop to spend sometime in.




The next shop is Candy Quotient Jewelry. This artist has found the art of lampwork bead making, and combines her lampwork with vintage bead for some wonderful jewelry pieces. Love the bead fan pull, great idea for those of us who are to short to reach the pull.



Enjoy your visit and come back next week.

Michigan Shops - Benn Boo Creations and The Violinlist

Welcome friends. We are getting more rain here in S.E.Michigan again. The weather was hot and humid on Friday then back to being cold. The good news is I have found two more great shops from Michigan for you to check out. The first is Benn Boo Creations, this amazing shop is filled with all things paper. You will find tags, cards and albums. Plus handmade flowers and ribbons to use in your scrap booking projects or for crafting. Then check out the vintage items she has to offer. Great shop to add to your favorites.




The next shop is The Violinlist. This retired grandmother teaches violin and piano her her home, plus makes some wonderful machine embroidery designs for you to use. You can add these to your sewing project or put a collection together in a quilt. She does a have a quilted wall hanging for sale, showing deer in each of Michigan four seasons. Machine embroidery is something she dissolved a few year ago. In reading her profile her and I have both stitch our embroidery and hoops to our clothes. Happy to find out I'm not the only one who did this! Show some love to this undiscovered shop from Michigan, and enjoy her beautiful work!

Michigan Shops - Intenional Glass and All That Scrap

Welcome friends,  We are having some wonderful spring weather for a change, and the trees and flowers look amazing after a long winter. Today I have found two more great shops from Michigan for you to check out.  The first shop in Intenional Glass, where you will find kiln and lamp work glass.  Great finds for your home.  From soap dishes, candle holders, coaster and more you will be happy that you stop by this shop.





The next shop is All That Scrap, where this busy stay at home mom likes to make altered art. From whimsical picture frames, altered pampered chef tool caddy's, mini albums, clocks and more.

Opening Day for Farmington Farm Market

Farmington Farm Market

Saturday May 7 at 9:00 AM the market will open for the season.  John Crowley & Sons with Chef Zach Peterlin will be doing cooking demo, and music will be by The Potter's Field.  Located on Grand River between Farmington Rd, and Power Road.  Come out for some flowers to plant, give to mom or doing some shopping with the many artist that will be out.  Fun will be had by all.  Remember to come out each Saturday for local grown food, and art.  Support made or grown in Michigan!

Dirtroad Team - Bella Cosa Art & Big Fat Art Barn

Welcome friends and to spring. We are finely starting to get some wonderful spring weather and enjoying being outside. Please take a few minutes and visit the two wonderful shop I have for you today. Both artist are self taught amazing artists. The first is Bella Cosa Art, found in Big Sky Country. Deana is a busy mom of three who keeps her shops filled with original fine art, recycled goods, cards, jewelry and more. From hand painted spoons to abstract painting she has it all.





The next shop is from Northeast Georgia, called Big Fat Art Barn. Sherry is also a self taught artist. Beside painting she does mosaics, and children's portraits. What a wonderful gift for a mom anytime of the year. When she is not painting she is running a small farm. Sadly her farm was hit by a tornado a few weeks ago. Please stop by her shop and show some love to her and her art. She was blessed that no one was hurt, but having your home and farm moved around by mother nature can be a bit much!



Enjoy your visit with both shops and come back next week and visit with two more shops from the Dirt Road Team. Are you an artist living in a small town, come and join us. Lot's of fun can be found on the dirt roads!

Michigan Shops - Willow Street Gifts and Relic Soap Company

Welcome friends!  I have two more wonderful shop from the great state of Michigan.  The first shop is Willow Street Gifts, where Maria makes jewelry.  Some of the wonderful items she makes are from vintage finds, necklaces from copper, and more.  Maria loves to work with glass, crystals, leather, polymer clay, and more.  Beside makes jewelry she loves to cook, garden, and working with altered art.







The next shop is Relic Soap Company.  Karen makes natural artisan soap, that smells wonderful.  If you are not washing with them, they do scent a room nicely.  My favorite is the lavender mint, but her bug soap is great to wash with in the summer time to help keep the bugs away from you.  No need to use bug spray and the smell is not bad!  I sell with Karen and her husband at the Farmington Farm Market, that is opening this Saturday.  If you are around Farmington stop by and visit and get to smell first hand her soaps.  If not stop by her Etsy shop, and check out all the wonderful and pretty soaps she has to offer.  You will be happy you did!