Lehman’s Country Life

We come across cotton everyday in our homes, at the stores and even at work. Our lives are intertwined with this fiber and most of us never think twice about it. What most people don’t know is that there are many different kinds of cotton. Cotton is grown all over the world and is a part of everyday life.

Scientists exploring in Mexico first found bits of cotton bolls and cotton cloth, in Mexican caves, that were aged at least 7,000 years old. The cotton itself was found to be much like the cotton that is grown in America today. Cotton was being grown, spun, and woven into cloth in Pakistan in 3,000 years BC. Around this time natives of the Nile valley in Egypt were making and wearing cotton clothing. In about 800 AD, Arab merchants brought cotton cloth to Europe. Columbus found cotton growing in the Bahamas Islands when he traveled to the Americas.
Read the rest of this post »

Bookmark it:

Hide Sites

The family farm has been a vital image in the American consciousness for centuries. The thought of a rural barn raising creates a picture of community spirit. Many American farm families can look at their barns as links to the past. A barn raising shows the strength of a community in more than riches. These old barns are community landmarks and make the past, the present.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, barns were essential structures for the farm. They stored the hay and housed the horses and cattle, which were an inseparable part of farming. The barn was usually the first structure to be built when a family moved to a new area and it was also the largest and most expensive. The community would get together and help build the barn so that the family could start their farm and the community could prosper.
Read the rest of this post »

Bookmark it:

Hide Sites

Fall is on its way and school is back in session. Keeping school papers and other household paper work organized is a challenge.  I myself have already misplaced papers that my daughter needed for school. There are many options out there to help keep us organized but many just look boring or utilitarian (and some cost a small fortune). A simple paper box that you design and create yourself can be an excellent way to store important papers in one place and show your personality at the same time.

Gather all of your supplies together before you begin. You will need: heavyweight drawing paper, cut into one 10 5/8-inch square and one 11-inch square; scissors; Crayons or markers; glitter glue, stickers or stamps; Paints and brushes.
Read the rest of this post »

Bookmark it:

Hide Sites

As fall is beginning to move in, afternoons are focused on the famous after-school snack.  Afternoon snacks are important to school age children because many have eaten lunch in late morning and their systems are ready to crash.  To children of the preschool age, daily snacks are even more important and can be a challenge.  Many preschoolers get as much as one-third of their total daily calories from snacks.  It is almost impossible for kids to get all the nutrients they need in just three meals.   Some easy tips, recipes
Read the rest of this post »

Bookmark it:

Hide Sites

As the days of summer are drawing to an end, many of us will still be wondering what we are going to do with all those shells that followed us home from the beach.  One great craft to do with them, especially if you have kids, is to make shell spoons.  These handcrafted spoons can become a memorable keepsake or add some whimsical fun to mealtime.

Your materials for this project are quite simple.  Begin by choosing shells that are “spoon-shaped”, have bright colors, and interesting designs.  Wash your shells thoroughly to remove all sand and beach grime. 
Read the rest of this post »

Bookmark it:

Hide Sites

Along with summer come days spent working outside, lounging by the pool, and enjoying picnics and barbeques.It also begins an ancient battle between human and yellow jacket.We know these brightly colored warriors by sight but what do we really know about them?Let us find out because they say that knowing is half the battle.
Read the rest of this post »

Bookmark it:

Hide Sites

If April showers bring May flowers, then what do May flowers bring? Weddings!Every little girl dreams of a storybook summer wedding with beautiful flowers and “The” dress. As we get older, some of us realize that to make our dream a reality we have to downsize. Flowers and bouquets can be one of the most expensive things in a wedding. Cut the price and add some of your own individuality by making your own bouquets.

Roses are associated with romance, and therefore they are always associated with weddings. Many brides have begun to steer away from the “traditional” rose bouquet for more modern or unusual looking flowers, but a simple rose bouquet can still fit into many themes and styles. The introduction of hybrid roses has made it possible to have roses available year round and in many, many different colors. To make this simple bouquet you will need: long stemmed roses, snips, string, water, vase, wide ribbon, and green foliage.
Read the rest of this post »

Bookmark it:

Hide Sites

We see the commercials on TV all the time for flea and tick repellant and killer for our pets, but do you really know what a flea is? They are the acrobats of the parasite world. Try to catch one and you will see the speed and agility that makes them perfect for their job. Knowing your enemy is essential to battle so let’s get to know our enemy.
Read the rest of this post »

Bookmark it:

Hide Sites

Have you ever looked at a simple plastic fast food straw and seen a weaving loom? Well, most of us probably haven’t and we’ve been missing out on a wonderful craft project. This project is weaving on a straw loom. I am not the most talented person when it comes to crafts involving sewing, knitting, or crochet but this project was easy and fun. Simple household items like plastic straws, yarn, and tape can create a one-of-a-kind woven bracelet.

Use fast food or packaged straws and wash any used straws so that they are clean and unsticky. Cut the straws into two 5″ sections. Make sure that the ends are even and tape them together at one side. Right now I bet you are thinking that this is insane or trying to figure out how this is going to work but trust me. This will be a project that you will repeat over and over.
Read the rest of this post »

Bookmark it:

Hide Sites

Do you love doing crafts but your friends and family all run, or hide them again, when you break out the glue gun or sewing machine? If this is you, and I feel your pain, I have a project that that will calm your friends and family and let your creative juices flow. A simple knotted fleece pillow requires no sewing, produces a very functional item and is easy enough for children to do.

Start simple. For your first pillow it is easier to stick with square or rectangle shapes. As time goes on, you can move on to circles, ovals, and even hearts.

Gather your supplies into one area and get ready to begin. The size of your pillow will depend on the size of your form or, if you are using fluff, how much fluff you have. Polar fleece is the best to use for this project because it doesn’t fray and can be purchased in just about any fabric department. Or, you can cut shapes from existing fleece clothing you may have – a great way to repurpose that old jacket you don’t wear anymore.
Read the rest of this post »

Bookmark it:

Hide Sites