Coming up on Father's Day this Sunday, June 17,

and the milestone of my dad's 80th birthday Saturday June 16!

I just want to thank my dad for being the best dad ever.

Patient, loving, kind, fun, funny, handsome~

these are just a few of the patches on his vest.

But the real truth is in the space between the words.

The stories of growing up at the bottom of Bunk Fosse Road,

up the long driveway, in the middle of twenty wooded acres. 

One of my best memories is of the four of us, lined up on the davanoe,

in front of our big picture window, waiting for dad to help us with our shoes and socks.

First he would roll up the sock and slip it over our foot,

running his hand along to make sure there weren't any wrinkles.

Then he opened the laces wide and slid our stockinged foot into the shoe. 

Starting at the bottom, pulling the laces tight until at the top,

he took the little bunny around the tree and tied the perfect bow.

"Is that too tight?"

"No, Daddy, just right!"

And teaching me to drive~

The clutch was an interesting aspect of that ordeal!

It's a wonder we didn't get permanent whiplash from the

jerking, starting, stopping, killing the motor,

but you were patient.

"Let out on the clutch, as you press on the gas... slowly... good..."

How many miles did we put on those country roads as I practiced my new skill?

Thanks to you, I'm a pretty good driver, I know all the backroads,

and my favorite vacation is still a road trip!

How about my high school date to a dance in Lake Hills?

The car broke down on the way home, I said, "I'll call my dad."

No cell phones back then, the other girl and I hiked to a pay phone.

I called and explained the circumstance , he said "I'll be right there."

It didn't even seem strange to me at the time that he found me somewhere in Redmond,

in the dark, on a Saturday night without any directions.

He was my Dad, of course he would find me!

Last summer the cousins from Norway were here and a family picnic was planned.

Dad didn't think he would go.

When I called to double check in the morning, he said,

"Ok, but I'll drive myself in case I don't want to stay too long."

I said, "I will drive, and we will leave when you are ready."

We had so much fun! Catching up with the cousins, sharing stories,

Dad was the go~to guy as we looked through the old family photos.

I think we were the last ones to leave!

So many good memories of times with my dad, and more to come!

Thanks, Dad!

Happy Birthday! Happy Father's Day!

Love you~

Lynda Raye



Sunsets in Snohomish ~ June 9, 2012

It's time for the first in our series of summer wine tasting & shopping events!

There are still a few 'early~bird' tickets available here at the

Speckled Hen

We are looking forward to hosting

Jim Garner
(no, not Rockford...)

 from

Icon Cellars

in our bright, new location on the

Sunny Side of the Street!

Just $5 for 5 sips

(bring your own glass)

See you Saturday!

Speckled Hen Country Store

922 First Street

Historic Downtown Snohomish

(360)568~9758

Regular Shop Hours:
Monday ~ Saturday 11am to 5pm
Sunday ~ Noon to 4pm

Welcome Spring!

Here we are, all nestled in to the new digs at

922 First Street!

It has been awhile since our last post, I know... 

no excuses, we've just been busy getting settled and feathering our new nest.

We are LOVING our new location on the sunny side of the street~

I thought I would share a few pictures in case you haven't had a chance to pop in...

 Our rug~hooking supplies fit so nice and cozy in the little red shed!

We had to sacrifice our 'by the yard' fabric to fit in over here,

but there is still a great selection of one~yard cuts and fat quarters.

Also, if you haven't seen the new Primitive Quilts magazine, you will want to pick up a copy.

It is such a fabulous publication, with a prim project for everyone

 Applique, Quilting, Rug Hooking, Doll Making...

It is a wonderful resource!

We have been scouring the countryside to add more 'old stuff'', too!

The farmhouse finds add such a great dimension to the shop and

really compliment the folk~art and primitive country accessories.

Doesn't it all look great? Thank you for taking time to peek,

... and here is our friend Christine, taking home her new chalk board!

Hope to see you soon!

Blessings and joy this spring and always~

Lynda & Sparky

Kaysie and Jen

Happy Birthday Mr. Lincoln

I never behold the stars, that I do not feel that I am

looking in the face of God.

I can see how it might be possible

for a man to look down upon the earth

and be an atheist,

but I cannot conceive

how he could look up into the heavens

and say there is no God.

*Abraham Lincoln

February 12, 1809 ~ April 15, 1865

We've Moved!!

Monday, January 9, Berthina handed off the key to 922 First Street...

We have a blank slate, so to speak!

I am so excited to be moving Speckled Hen to this wonderful, historic building. 

The floors are creaky and worn and lean a little to the left,

think of all the folks who have walked in this old storefront! 

I like to picture the shoes they wore... high~button shoes, leather boots, canvas tennies...

It is cliche I know, but "If these walls could talk, what stories they would tell!"

We took out a sink and counter left from the days as a tea room, which left the wall a big mess.
A little pine paneling covers a multitude of sins!

Doug, along with our friend Harry and brother~in~law Bryce framed in the wide opening to the storage room.  Now it is just the right size for our old screen door. 

Now it's time for a fresh coat of paint...

Rich and John mask the trim and the light fixtures in preparation of the job ahead.

Soon the ceiling will be 'Washed Canvas' and the walls will be 'Sofie's Quilt'.

In my next life, I want a job naming paint colors! Don't they sound wonderful?

We love antiques, don't you:)

 Saturday the 14th our son Russ and son~in~law Todd joined the fun.  Russ helped Bryce put up the Wash House sign and roof, while Todd cut in and framed a window in the odd little room. Now it all looks so cozy!

The window we chose came from my sister Jill's old house.Now she is a part of the hen house too!

So, here we are all charged up and ready to move in and Mother Nature decides to offer us her best winter splendor! It started snowing on Sunday and pretty much kept on all week.  Did that slow us down?  Not a bit!  Doug had to work early on Monday morning, so Harry picked me up about 8 am and we headed into town.  Once we parked in front of the new shop, Harry slipped on his orange vest and shoveled a little trail from 915 to 922, set up cones and we were ready to roll!

We wanted to get the big old counter and the red shed moved on Monday, then the plan was to move the rest of the big furniture on Tuesday.  By 10 am Doug was off work, Todd was back and my dear friend Kim came by and we just kept on truckin'...

By the end of the day, the new shop was full of furniture, bins and boxes and piles...

Dear friends Betty and Reidar peeked in after lunch to check our progress.  I told them, come back, we'll be open on Friday.  I think Betty thought I was a little nutty... could be the paint fumes I guess!

Oh, man...

By Thursday, the moving was over and it was just like putting a puzzle together.  My sister Gayle came everyday to help me figure out the pieces, along with Bryce and Doug.  It really was fun seeing it come together. 

My sister, Gayle and friend Sharon of TroyBeck Antiques.

I could never have accomplished this project without the help of my wonderful family and friends.

Bryce was there every day, up the ladder, under the shop, across the street, you name it, he did it!

Gayle painted, swept & decorated while we reminisced our childhood.

Harry~ above and beyond, good neighbor, wonderful friend.

Russ and Todd gave up a Saturday afternoon with their little ones to help ol' mom.

Sharon not only loaned me warm snow boots & and wool socks,

but brought home~made corn chowder for lunch! 

My mom and dad are in sunny Arizona, but they called everyday to check on me

and offer their love and moral support. 

Kim took a vacation day to help out, Priscilla baked cookies and lasagna

and her nice husband, Bryan drove her to town to deliver her gifts.

Doug's friend Greg from Costco stopped in, as did great friends Gwen & Joe.

 

Doug, Bryce, Harry, Russ, Todd, Gayle, Sharon, Kim, Priscilla, Bryan...

offered so much more than helping hands.  Love, laughs & encouragement...

and all during the biggest winter storm in years! 

Thank you all so much!

You are the best~

The finished project?  Better come in and see!

Blessings to you~

Lynda & Sparky