Thursday, October 31, 2013

Have you ever picked cotton?


I love where I live and this time of year when the cotton is ready to pick and the fields are so white and pretty. The fields remind me of  the huge cotton field  next to my grandmother's house when I was a little girl. Wanting to teach us the value of hard work one time my grandmother decided we all should pick some cotton and earn some money. What I thought would be fun was back breaking hard work with ants and gnats everywhere. Wish I remembered how old I was when this happened.  I didn't earn enough money to buy an ice cream cone.

I also love the heirloom pumpkins. They have so much personality. The one in the center is a peanut or double ugly pumpkin. The blue gray one is called Jarrahdale. I believe the others are called cinderella pumpkins. I did a post featuring heirloom pumpkins back in 2011 here.

 My grandmother made this quilt and it came into my mind it would be fun to remember her with a fall table in a cotton field. She has been gone for many years now but she lived to be 98!
Another ride out in the country during a perfect fall day that was so memorable for me can be viewed here.
Isn't this a pretty field of cotton? Tell me about any experiences you have had picking cotton. Peanuts are grown in my area of south Alabama also. I've just given myself an idea for a blog post next peanut picking time. They have already been harvested this season.

Linking to: Oh, the Places I have been, Open House Party Thursday, Be Inspired this fall, Inspire Me Tuesday and Seasonal Sundays.

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27 comments:

  1. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeOctober 31, 2013 at 9:04 PM

    Oh my, I love the fields of cotton, how cool is that. I miss that. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeOctober 31, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    P.S. Sorry I for , but thanks so much for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  3. hidden art of homemakingNovember 1, 2013 at 8:27 AM

    Bonnie,
    I just had to come back and see your post again...and I see that the looooong comment I left last night is not here. hmmm from my Kindle..wonder if that is happening a lot....
    Anyway, this post brings back so many memories of my growing up in south Georgia.. I loved seeing the fields turn white like snow this time of year...and yes, I have picked a little cotton..the burrs and getting stuck when pulling out the cotton boll are vivid memories. This is one of my favorite you have ever done....Beautiful ...The quilt and the pumpkins make this exquisite....
    Love, Mona

    p.s. glad I came back to pin these pictures....

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  4. LynneNovember 1, 2013 at 12:39 PM

    Bonnie,
    I "did" pick cotton once. Way back in 1974. My husband and I lived in Ozark, Alabama, when he was in the service. We became friends with a couple our age. They would take us out to her mother's family farm. I insisted on picking some cotton to make an arrangement for the farm table in our little one bedroom apartment. They thought I was crazy because I was so insistant about picking, ( most likely a little over zealous ) ...and to think that I would want that ugly cotton on my table. My friend's parents loved my intrigue. I was always a welcome visitor. They even called me when the piggies were born! Thank you for bringing back that lovely memory from so long ago, and thank you for visiting 34th street! Your grandmother's quilt is exquisite, and your vignette is Autumn "parfait"!
    I am your newest follower!
    w/L

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  5. At Rivercrest CottageNovember 1, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    love the ugly pumpkin, warts and all. I've seen great wreaths made with cotton. You're lucky to have some available.

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  6. FABBY'S LIVINGNovember 1, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    Beautiful cotton field! No, I've never been in a cotton field, never mind pick it, lol! I love your vignette with the quilt, flowers, but I specially love the pumpkin with the warts...so cute, hehehe Thanks for your sweet visit dear Bonny. Enjoy your weekend.
    FABBY

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  7. DebbyNovember 1, 2013 at 3:23 PM

    I haven't picked cotton or even seen a field of it. Wish there was some place you could buy some. I love the look of it.

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  8. Carole M.November 2, 2013 at 6:26 PM

    thanks Bonnie for a lovely post; you set the photos up so elegantly and they're beautiful. The quilt and pumpkins in a cotton field make magazine material! I've seen the fields from a distance when travelling, but also the yellow-wrapped cylindrical bales ready for export, from Warren, inland N.S.W. Thanks also, for your comment my blog.

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  9. LuluNovember 3, 2013 at 12:53 AM

    Except for a few bolls, I've not picked cotton. I'm thinking my limited experience was enough! You are right though about it being beautiful to look at, and I like it even better when I'm weaving with it.

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  10. kitty@ Kitty's Kozy KitchenNovember 3, 2013 at 6:51 PM

    No, I've never picked cotton, Bonnie. I love your treasured quilt from your grandmother. What a lovely display it makes with the cotton in the background.

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  11. Pinky at Designs by PinkyNovember 3, 2013 at 9:51 PM

    Nope, have never picked cotton. And have only seen ONE cotton field in my life! I love how you have remembered your Grandmother with this post.

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  12. Yellow Rose ArborNovember 3, 2013 at 10:10 PM

    I LOVE the pictures taken in the cotton field! And the quilt makes it even more special! I'm originally from Huntsville, AL and yes, I picked cotton once with my grandmother. I was probably about 6 and I remember her putting a lot of the cotton she had picked into my long cotton bag so I would get more money! Sweet memories.

    Katherine

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  13. Mary {The World Is A Book}November 3, 2013 at 10:21 PM

    I have never been to a cotton field or picked cotton but have always wanted to do it. The quilt and the arrangement is just beautiful. I've never heard of a double ugly pumpkin either but can certainly see how it came to be. Lovely post.

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  14. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowNovember 4, 2013 at 3:55 AM

    A wonderful story and I love your grandmother's quilt...I quilt a little and I know it's alot of work ( or time, or patience :) It's alot of thread, anyway :)

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  15. AnonymousNovember 5, 2013 at 6:49 AM

    love this post! Never heard them called "double ugly" pumpkins. That's so funny! Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for visiting ~ Lynn

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  16. flowers on my tableNovember 6, 2013 at 2:52 PM

    Hello Bonnie, no I have never picked cotton, nor have I seen it growing but I just love your story, and your wonderful tribute to your grandmother. Did you really take everything out to a cotton field and photograph it





















    Hello Bonnie, no I have never picked cotton, nor have I seen it growing but I love your story and wonderful tribute to your grandmother. Did you really take everything out to a cotton field and photograph it? How fabulous to have a quilt that your grandmother made, I would be so proud of that. I have a white crocheted tea cosy with a teacup on it that my grandmother made, and I love to use it on special occasions.
    Thank you so much for your visit, yes the exploding flower idea was an experiment by Interflora, new this year. Much love to you, Linda x















































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  17. KellyNovember 6, 2013 at 7:27 PM

    I have never picked cotton but my inlaws have stories about it when they were younger. I hear it is VERY hard work! I'm impressed by that big field of cotton you showed! Do you know how many people would love to get their hands on all that fresh cotton??? I actually saw it for sale at Hobby Lobby the other day! It's getting so popular to decorate with. Those old fashioned pumpkins are pretty. Those are my favorite kind. I didn't buy any of them this year though.

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  18. Yvonne @ StoneGableNovember 7, 2013 at 5:21 AM

    Bonnie, I am already a friend! What a beautiful background! I have heard that picking cotton is back breaking work! What a pretty fall scene!

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  19. MarigeneNovember 7, 2013 at 4:29 PM

    Interesting pumpkins and cotton field! I have never lived in the south, but do remember seeing cotton fields in Arizona and gigantic bales when I lived there.
    Have a wonderful week, Bonnie...

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  20. thepaintedapron.comNovember 7, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    Hi Bonnie, cotton fields are so beautiful, we travel back and forth from Birmingham to Orange Beach and there is one particular cotton field near Flomaton that we watch grow every year and I am always yearning to stop and grab a few sprigs for decorating~it is mind blowing to think that all those little white puffs turn into yards and yards of fabric for our clothing! I too love all the pumpkin varieties and the double ugly peanut pumpkin especially! What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother, I'm sure she is smiling down on you with pride!
    Jenna

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  21. Judy BiggerstaffNovember 7, 2013 at 6:37 PM

    My mom and dad have told me stories of them picking cotton growing up. They would stop by cotton fields to make sure we would get the view of the fields. Thanks for sharing your images. The pumpkins are perfect on the beautiful quilt.

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  22. Tablescapes By DianeNovember 8, 2013 at 8:54 PM

    Hi lovely lady.
    I love your photo of the Cotton Fields so Beautiful you did a wonderful job taking the photos. I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments on my Halloween Tablescape!! I don't remember if I did thank you lest week it was a little nutty for us at home. I did post a new one this past Monday. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family.
    xxoo
    Diane

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  23. MaryNovember 9, 2013 at 5:37 AM

    Hi Bonnie, My grandparents lived in Mississippi and grew cotton, as the eyes could see. We never had to pick it though since we only visited in the summer. We picked and snapped beans and collected eggs from her the hen house though :) Your quilt is wonderful~ love the picturesque backdrop against the pumpkins and mums!

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  24. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasNovember 9, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    O MY!! What a beautiful post and I have never seen cotton fields before.... Thanks for sharing!

    Thanks also for your visit!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  25. Debra@CommonGroundNovember 13, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    what a beautiful setting, love that amazing quilt!!

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  26. SarahNovember 7, 2016 at 11:17 PM

    I grew up in south Texas. My uncle was a farmer and grew cotton. We would always want to pick cotton, but he wouldn't let us. Said he would pay us to stay out of his fields. Ha! Lovely setting!

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  27. EilisNovember 13, 2016 at 6:23 PM

    That cotton field makes such a stunning background behind your beautiful quilt. Thank you for sharing this lovely post at Monday Social. We hope you'll be back this week! http://www.myheartliveshere.com/2016/11/monday-social-10.html

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