Wednesday, December 18, 2013

By the Fireside

 
The stockings are hung. . . .The baking is done. . . .
The packages are wrapped. . . .The greeting cards are mailed.
 
It's time for us to sit back, relax, and enjoy the remainder of these Christmas Holidays.
 

Time for a little pampering. . . .Some hot apple cider and pumpkin bread will do the trick. . . .


"Mints" on the pillows. . . .hmmm. . . .Don't you love those hotels that leave the little chocolates?
 
 
We'll need a little candlelight. . . .of course. . . .
 
 
 
 
and a 'Snoopy Tree'. . . .Yes! . .  .Not so perfect. . . .but adorable anyway. . . .
  
 
 
 
 
 
All I need to do is add a little Christmas music and the stage is set for a relaxing evening by the fireside. . . .
 
 
So many blessings to be thankful for. . .So many memories to reflect upon. . . .So much love to share. . . .in so many ways. . . .
 
I hope you've enjoyed looking in on our life here at The Country Farm Home this year. . . .We've certainly enjoyed sharing it with you. . . .We've met so many truly wonderful people. . . .and have made new friends that I hope will last a lifetime. . . .
 
This is my last post for the year. . . .unless I just can't stay away (you know how that is). . . .We're taking off the rest of the year. . . .to be with family and friends. . . .for Christmas parties and caroling . . . .to prepare for the 'big day'. . . .But, I'll definitely be back after the Holidays, with lots of new things to share--new ideas for our Plain and Simple Style--and new stories to tell. . . .So, until then my friends. . . .Have an Absolutely Wonder-filled Holiday!
 


Monday, December 16, 2013

My Christmas Card to You: Pecan Pie Recipe from Colonial Williamsburg

I've spent many Christmases working at Colonial Williamsburg and loved every minute of it. . . .Getting caught up in the festivities, it made Christmas away from home more like a labor of Love.

And the food! Oh My! . . .It's an experience in itself. . . .One of the reasons I didn't mind working Christmas Day was the food. . . .Christmas Dinner was banquet tables--yes, tables--of culinary favorites from the Colonial Williamsburg chefs. . . .Recipes from the taverns, Colonial Williamsburg Inn and Lodge, and the bakery. . . .Makes my mouth water to think about it. . . .

Every Christmas I send my friends Christmas Card Recipes. . . .A small token I share for them to enjoy at Christmas or to tuck away until later. . . .
This year I chose the King's Arms Tavern Pecan Pie. . . .It's very easy. . . .and always delicious. . . .It includes a pastry crust recipe that is wonderful also. . . .although I admit that I often use the frozen pastry when in a hurry. . . .

Since you, my blogging friends, are so special to me, I thought I'd share a Card and Recipe with you!

 
A Southern Classic. . . .Hope you enjoy it. . . .
Oh! and Feel free to print out the recipe to share with your friends. . . .
 
 . . . from my farmhouse to yours. . .
 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Christmas Geraniums and Sweet Little Birdies

Geraniums for Christmas?. . . .Really?
Yes, Really. . . .

This Christmas you can call me a rebel--a nonconformist--a naturalist--a make-doer (is there such a word?)--plain--simple--'traveling to the beat of a different drum'--take your pick. . . .

I couldn't agree with you more. . . .


Yet, we're both loving it. . . .


But. . . .Geraniums when everyone else has Paper Whites, dried Hydrangeas, Roses, and Poinsettias? . . .Why not? . . . .They're the right color green with that 'pop' of red that I so love. . . .They look almost shocking pink in these photos, but they're truly a bright red. . . .


I've carried the bedroom theme of brown paper wrappings and sweet little birdies throughout the house. . . .It's almost as if someone left the door open and our feathered friends flew in. . . .finding homes among the evergreens. . . .bright and cheerful.
John swears he heard them chirping one morning!




I have four more Geraniums. . . .but only one is blooming, so far. . . .I'm coaxing the others to bloom for the Christmas table. . . .With a cotton sacking table runner, a few natural additions, and white dinnerware, they'll be just the right touch. . . .festive. . . .cheerful. . . .unexpected. . . .


Or, maybe not so unexpected. . . .
My friends have learned to expect the unexpected from me. . . and I do hate to disappoint them!

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .
 
 
Hi, You All!
Just wanted to let you know that I do treasure each
and every one of your comments.
They mean so much to me.
I'm having such a problem with Yahoo email.
It's hard to tell who I've emailed back and who I haven't.
Plus, just this morning, your comments began coming in
from Dec 10th! I was not happy.
I have a new computer now--an early
Christmas gift. Just as soon as I get everything set up on it,
I will probably be changing my email account.
 
I wanted to let you know that if I've missed responding to your comment,
I'm so sorry. Hopefully, I'll get it straightened out soon.
Christmas Blessings to All of You!
 
 
 


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Angel in My Kitchen!


 
 
 

 

 


 
 

 
I find pennies everywhere. . . .Bells ring this time of year an awful lot. . . .
And 'angelic' choirs fill the air with music no matter where you go. . . .
All reminders that Angels watch over us,
whether we see them or not. . . .
 
Decorating for Christmas has almost come to a stand-still here. . . .Ice, snow, and very cold temps have kept us indoors over the weekend and the farm roads are still very icy and slick. . . .Nothing much has melted with temps in the high twenties. . . .Our electricity never went off, but the internet did. . . .The winter storm was a minor glitch in our holidays compared to what others are dealing with around the country. . . .On the map it looks as if most of the US is under ice and snow!
 
The weather's been too bad to gather our Christmas tree or to venture to the storage building for more decorations. . . .Yet, I did managed to find enough greenery to decorate the baker's cabinet. . . .Faith came down from my sewing room. . . .I added a red petticoat to her clothing and let it peek out from underneath her skirt. . . . Also added some dried honeysuckle vine to her wings. . . .I think she must have been watching over us during the storm. . . .since we faired so well.
 
Faith is the last of our Angels. . . .You may remember her from the group of Delta Angels that I shared with you a while back. . . .John and I make them from parts and pieces found around the farm. . . .It's a labor of love. . . .We've sold all we had on hand, but I will never sell Faith. . . .Her clothes are made from a 1980s skirt and jacket that was my Moms. . . .She's special. . . .She brings blessings to us each Christmas and has become a tradition in our celebration of the season. . . .It wouldn't be Christmas without her!
 
 
 
We had a surprise last week! . . .We were featured in Delta Crossroads Magazine. . . .There's photos and an article about our Rag Rugs and our attempt to revive the almost lost Folk Art in the Delta area. . . .Revis also mentioned The Country Farm Home blog. . . .and a few other tidbits about our life here in the Delta. . . .
 
The magazine is found at various locations in Arkansas and Missouri, but if you'd like to see the photos and read the article, there's a free digital copy at: Delta Crossroads Magazine . . . .That's me on the Table of Contents page (pg. 15) . . . .'Rag Rug Renaissance'  begins on page 105. . . .You might want to look through the entire magazine. . . .It's the Christmas issue and full of inspiration. . . .We were so honored to be included. . . .
 
 
 
Guess that's about it for now. . . .I'm ready for all this frozen stuff to disappear, so I can continue to gather Christmas goodies. . . .Hope you're not snowed (or iced) in, too!. . . .although I have to admit, it does feel more like Christmas with the white stuff on the ground!
 
. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

 
 **********

Last day to order at Our Old Country Store
is December 18, 2013
We'll reopen in 2014.


 


Friday, December 6, 2013

The Memory Box. . .

 Did you have a Memory Box growing up?
A place to keep special memories?
I had one.
 
Long before Mom  went off to college to meet my Dad,
she had a Hope Chest--made of cedar--costing my Grandfather $32.
I know because the price is still marked inside the lid.
 
 
The story goes that another cedar chest was part of the deal. . .
a smaller version of the Hope Chest.

Mom filled the larger Hope Chest with treasures for her future home.
It was in college that she met her husband--my Dad--
and all her 'hopes' came true.
She received her 'M-R-S' degree when
they married in 1947.
 
Four years later, I came along. . . .
 I'm sure you've guessed the rest--
about the Memory Box, that is. . . .
 
 
It's been in my life ever since. . . 
has held everything from doll clothes to my college beanie. . . .
family mementoes and silly little things that I couldn't part with for some reason.
Things like a tiny plastic elephant (I have no idea why I kept it but it's cute),
an ink pin with a chick floating around in the clear plastic,
and a miniature harmonica (Again, I have no idea. . . .)
 
As I added memories over the years, I had to make decisions
many times on what to keep. . . .Sometimes it was painfully hard.

 
I have the little cedar chest to this day.
It now holds a permanent collection. . . .
memories of my Grandparents, Parents, Aunts and Uncles.
Among other things are
Mom's first glasses at age 3,
A patch from Daddy's Navy uniform,
Grandmother's lacy handkerchief that she always carried to church,
Granddaddy's tie clip--the one he wore with his three piece suit,
Granny's well-worn pincushion,
and a fishing lure from Pop's extensive collection. . .
nothing of real value. . . .except to me.
 
 
I bet you think this is my little cedar chest, don't you?
It's not. . . .
but, it IS a Memory Box--the dimensions and style copied from my own.
 
A lucky little girl will be receiving it this Christmas--
a gift from her Great Grandmother--
 to keep cherished memories throughout her growing years--
and as a reminder of how much she is loved.


With a few additions of her own, this loving Great Grandmother
is leaving a legacy. . .the same as Mom left for me.
 
Family--Memories
The circle of Love continues.
 
 
 Crafted and embellished as the
 'Great Grandmother' envisioned
by John and Dru

On a very different note, Old Man Winter has arrived.
We're right smack dab in the middle of the Winter Storm
 that's spreading across the country. . .freezing rain, sleet, and snow later. . . .
So far, our electricity is still on. . . .but more freezing rain is on its way.

We spent two days preparing for this storm and are in good shape.
My disappointment is that I may not be able to finish and publish
the two Christmas posts I'm working on. . . .
In fact, I had a different post planned for today
but no time to finish it in this little window of internet access.
(. . .sigh. . .)
A minor adjustment in the larger scheme of things.


Hopefully, you're not experiencing the same  weather where you live,
 but if Old Man Winter IS visiting you with this massive storm,
please stay indoors, warm and safe . . .It's nasty out there!

We'll be in touch soon. . . .I hope. . . .
 
 . . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .


 


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

A Little Bit of Christmas in the Bedroom

 
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Did you survive a weekend of holiday shopping? The big rush if on, isn't it? . . . .
 
We had visitors at the farm this past weekend. . . .I hadn't done a bit of decorating in the bedroom. . . .Quickly I threw together a little bit of Christmas to make the room more festive. . . .Bringing out a lot of white with pops of red and green. . . .I was so happy with the look that I plan to leave it for a time. . . .
 
There are so many Farmhouse touches. . . .
 

At first I planned to display only the collection of vintage farmhouse nightgowns for the background. . . .Then 'Farmer John' came in to see what I was up to. . . .He took one look and wanted to know where his 'John-Johns' were? . . .Said Santa would be wearing them this time of year. . . .I had to admit, he had a point. . . .I rather liked the pop of color once I hung them beside the whites. . . .
 
 
 


When I think red at Christmas, I naturally gravitate toward our feathered friends. . . .Decorating with birds--especially cardinals--was a tradition here at Christmastime in times past. . . .We have flocks of them every year right outside our windows. . . .Mom often decorated an evergreen tree, flocked in white, with nothing but red cardinals and tiny birds nests. . . .It was simply beautiful. . . .



 


Red 'John-Johns', vintage nightgowns, birds and nests, brown paper packages, a paint splattered apple basket. . . .evergreens. . . .a tin angel. . . .and stockings. . . .have to have stockings. . . .


A bit of whimsy never hurts either. . . .Love the stripped ones. . . .came straight from the sock drawer. . . .

Every time I look at the nightgowns and 'John-Johns' I think. . . ."And Ma in her kerchief and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap. . . ."


 

I would LOVE to settle down for a long winter's nap. . . .Sure won't happen this week. . . .Which reminds me, I have more gifts to finish and Cranberry Bread coming out of the oven. . . .

I LOVE Christmas!

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .
 
 
******************
There's Rag Rug Inspiration at
Our Old Country Store
 
 

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