Pages

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Putting my money where my mind is.

Happy Birthday to Me!  Happy Birthday to Me!  Every year I buy myself a birthday present.  What this actually means is that I purchase something that I cannot justify spending money on under ordinary circumstances under the guise of a birthday present.  It is usually something modest - like pre-owned DVDs of a Murder She Wrote season that I don't yet have.  This year was a little different.  I received some birthday money and decided not to spend all of it on hay.  Yes, I know - e-i-e-i-OMG she's such a narcissist!

I have been contemplating what to get for a couple of months.  And I have finally chosen it.  And I know you are all waiting with bated breath to know what it is.


It is the Pioneer Clothes Drying Rack, handmade by the folks at Forgotten Way Farms!  This is a family for whom I have nothing but admiration.  They have chosen to live completely off-grid, are raising a lovely, hardworking family, and are making their living by their own hands.  I have been lusting mightily after these drying racks ever since I ran across their website here.  I have been wrestling with my cheap, flimsy rack for years, and have never been able to quite afford the Amish made models I've come across.  But these racks are amazing AND affordable - plus I happened to buy one when they were on sale!  How fortuitous!  I can hardly wait until it arrives -- no more wet laundry draped over pillar and post!

I am so happy to be able to spend my money on a useful, American-made product, handmade by people who are living a sustainable life, and hand-crafted with a great deal of care, talent and forethought.  For what more could I ask?  Happy birthday to me!


21 comments:

Erin said...

It's beautiful! Happy Birthday!

Sue said...

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday--to you
Happy Birthday, dear Susan
Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!
Your so lucky you can't hear me sing
That would strip the finish off that fancy rack--even though it's not there-yet!
We are one weird bunch, ya know??? Drying racks thrill us. Enjoy.
And don't leave it out on the porch. Erin might take it. Yep. Erin. Not Sue. Erin.

Sue said...

Or Mama Pea. Yea. She's sneaky like that too.
Not Sue though. Nope.

Sue said...

Um-where did you say you lived?

Carolyn said...

Happy Birthday! And what a great present!

Oh, hold on, somebody want's to say something.....

Meow, owww, meeerrroww....pftttth.

Susan said...

Oh, honestly, you guys! What would I do without you???? Yes, Black Susan -- pfftth (that is catese for chocolate...)

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

Well Happy Birthday!!!! I guess this rack makes up for the fact you have to have a gluten free cake ;) I must admit I have been drooling over those racks for sometime. I love handmade products. So make sure when you do get it that you let us see it in action. I have been wondering if you can hang queen sized comforters on there. That is the thing I never have room for.

Susan said...

Jane - Sigh. I forgot about the cake. I think their largest model - the Homestead rack - can dry king sized sheets. They will ship in 4-6 weeks and I will definitely give y'all a review.

Tombstone Livestock said...

Happy Birthday Susan, enjoy your present.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful rack! Um, clothes rack that is lol! You are so sensible and even king sheets? I will go there an see. Now go roll in yer hay and have a happy birthday!!!

Candy C. said...

Happy, happy birthday to you! What a cool present to get for yourself! Sue is right, we are kinda weird, huh?!? LOL!!

Mama Pea said...

Don't let that Old Cranky Pants Sue put evil ideas about me in your head! I don't wanna brag (bragbragbrag) but I already have the ultimate folding clothes drying rack. It is huge and I love it and I got it at a farm auction back in Illinois (farm country) a hundred and four years ago. I paid $7 for it and at the time I wondered if it was worth it. It was! And I wouldn't trade it fer nuthin'. I know you are going to LOVE yours.

P.S. Hey! Your birthday isn't for three more days. Are you going to milk this for all it's worth?? Like, make us give you birthday wishes every day until then? (Smart girl.)

Susan said...

TL - Thank you! I suppose I shouldn't save up my laundry until it arrives - 4-6 weeks from now...

Nancy - You know, I actually do go and sit on the hay bales in the barn and contemplate things.

Candy - We are weird in a very good way!

Mama Pea - Caught! Yes, I figure I would stretch the suffering out for as long as possible. Well, you are such a smarty-pants lucky woman! THOSE are the things I dream about! Forget winning the lottery - a real-deal farm country giant folding clothe rack for seven bucks? Holey Moley!

hoosier girl said...

Happy Birthday!!! And thanks for the link, they are new to me!

Judy T said...

Happy, Happy Birthday- even if it's early since Mama Pea spilled the beans. What a fabulous looking drying rack. You definitely deserve it.
Judy

LindaCO said...

Happy Birthday! Hope it was fabulous. Thanks for all of your thoughtful comments on my blog.

Ngo Family Farm said...

Happy, happy birthday to you!

Jody said...

Happy belated birthday. The rack is perfect. I gave Belle a 50 foot laundry line on pulleys that she can use from our back deck. We're so looking forward to air dried fresh smelling lines and clothes.

Dirt Lover said...

Hey, Happy Birthday! Nice rack you've got, there. Looks like it'll be perfect. I really like your idea of giving yourself birthday presents, especially when you think ahead of time and wonder what it will be this year. Now you can enjoy this year's birthday for many years to come. Great idea! Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.
~~Lori

Jenyfer Matthews said...

LOL - I have been waiting (im)patiently for nearly a year to have my two wonderful metal folding clothes racks delivered. I did not have a drier when we lived abroad and I can't say I missed it much. I looked at the crunchy towels as an exfoliating experience :)

Leigh said...

Belated Happy Birthday and what a great idea! I have a little Christmas money and don't want to waste it; ideas welcome!