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My guess is you've been curious about where I've been? Well, just about the time I was following up on marrying colonial decor to my farmhouse style at our small weekend home in Ste. Genevieve, I caught the big C! Well, that was no fun and it took me what seemed forever to get over it. . . 

THE COUNTRY FARM HOME KEEPING ROOM

Then in late August, the opportunity came to buy the dream home of my life in Ste. Genevieve, MO and I went for it. . .Totally unexpected. . .but happy that I found myself moving up the hill in yet another historic home. . .That's where I've been. . .and have not made it back to the Country Farm Home yet. . .Poor John has had to take care of the farm all alone. . .while I met with painters. . .carpenters. . .and all that goes with moving into a new home. . .

THE COUNTRY FARM HOME LIVING ROOM

But. . .never fear. . .I will be back at the farm very soon. . .Yet. . .I have no idea how much time I'll have to keep you posted for a while. . .

THE COUNTRY FARM HOME BEDROOM

In the meantime, enjoy all the older posts. . .many of which will never grow dated. . .and will always be in true farmhouse Plain and Simple style. . .Scroll down to the bottom of the page for numerous links and subjects. . .and I will return as soon as possible. . .

THE COUNTRY FARM HOME BATH

Thanks for following!!!

Denim Make-Do Chair: A Sneak Peek

You know how much I love MAKE-DO projects. . .as well as DENIM. . .so why not combine the two? . .I had a lot of fun covering this chair that John made for me as a Christmas gift. . .It took all day to cover because I had to figure out what to do in each step. . .The next one won't take half the time. . . I was really pleased with the result. . .So much so that I put together a DIY. . .It will be in the Winter Issue of COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE. . .

This is just a sneak peek. . .

FARMHOUSE. . .PRIM. . .TRADITIONAL. . .MODERN. . .Take your pick. . .This chair would fit in with any decor. . .

BJ and Favorite Toy "Al" (the Owl)

It's Mr. B J LaShay approved. . .and that's very important around our farmhouse.

If you would like to see this chair in a more tradition setting, see. . .

DENIM IN A COLONIAL SETTING? WHY NOT?

Design Board For Ste. Genevieve Home

 Well. . .only a few days after I promised to post more often, I lost wi-fi for almost a month! . .I think it is up and running now, so we'll get on with the Ste. Genevieve home make-over. . .I did a design board with the style and basic colors. . .but there is a lot of room to make different decisions as I go. . .I don't know about you, but when I decorate I stay open to additional ideas. . .or a total change. . .The result is always a surprise even to me. . .

I sort of grouped together an example of where I think I am going with this. . .but as you can see. . .there is plenty of neutral backgrounds for a different look. . .Just have to move the furniture and accessories. . .I do love this neutral decor, though, so I won't be wandering off too far. . .I'm already considering several options for the floor. . .Paint or Checkerboard or leave as is? 

This is going to be FUN!!!!!

Renovating A Small Colonial Cottage With My Farmhouse Style

I know I have teased you about renovating our second home in Ste. Genevieve, Mo. before. . .but hopefully this will be the year. . .Let's face it, nothing has been normal for the last two plus years. . .and it is only now that I am getting caught up on a LOT of projects. . .But this summer of 2022, I WILL be making changes to our little hideaway. . .and I will be posting it here at The Country Farm Home. . .because. . .

I have decided to update the entire house in my farmhouse style. . .using the same palette based on our cotton fields. . .the neutrals of whites, grays, tans, and black. . .Maybe a check floor here and there. . .Touches of color. . .There will be primitives and colonial pieces, since the house dates back to 1865. . .but done in the style I love the most. . .

I have tried the traditional colonial decor. . .added and subtracted for several years. . .but none excite me as this new idea of mine. . .to marry farmhouse style with traditional touches. . .Even this couch will be getting a makeover using old cotton sacking. . .

I'm bringing in the white ironstone. . .old crocks. . .lots of wooden boxes. . .neutral area rugs. . .galvanized items. . .wooden barrels. . .and more. . .as I create a relaxed style for our second home. . .

There's a living room, kitchen, pantry, bath and two bedrooms. . .What fun this will be! . .And I'm sure you won't want to miss it. . .

 If you would like to see more about our cottage in Ste. Genevieve, I hope you'll follow this link to:

HEIL HOUSE 1865

Bedroom Story In Black And White

A bedroom story? I bet I got your attention! Well. . .since February is the month for Valentines. . .I thought I would share a little story about the black and white framed picture from several years ago that John found at a thrift store for a couple of dollars. . .It was a gift for me. . .and I couldn't have been more touched. . .As I pulled the wrapping off, his only words were, "It's you and me at the Greenhow!" Sometimes he can be such a romantic. . .for it WAS a shuttered window just like the one at the Greenhow Store where we often stood and talked. . .Of course we were adults. . .and in 18th century costumes. . .but in those days of forming a lasting love and friendship, we felt young and free and full of wonder. . . 

What a precious and treasured gift it was. . .I ran across it while doing my winter cleaning. . .I have a confession. . .I have quit spring cleaning. . .instead I clean during the cold days of winter so I can enjoy the warm weather when it comes along. . .I take it room by room. . .removing everything. . .dusting and scrubbing. . .even vacuuming the walls. . .washing drapes. . . linens. . .nothing is left untouched. . .Along the way, I find decorating possibilities. . .I never know what might pop up. . .but once I found this treasured framed picture, I knew the room decor had to compliment it. . .done quite simply. . .black and white. . .vintage. . .family. . .

It all came together pretty quickly. . .with a less is more attitude. . .

The ladies are keeping warm in simple white. . .

The dresser is minimally done. . .

And a sign hung on the wrought iron from an old screen door says it all. 

WISHING A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL. . .

REMEMBER THOSE YOU LOVE AND HOW PRECIOUS THEY ARE!!!!

Time To Plan A 2022 Summer Garden

 

I know. . .I know. . .Only a month ago I was dreaming of a White Christmas. . .But now my head is filled with dreams of fried green tomatoes. . .

field peas. . .green tomato relish. . .fried squash, sweet potatoes and onions. . .all free for the picking from my own farmhouse garden. . .Except for the cost of seeds and a little fertilizer, I ate fresh and healthy foods all summer long last year. . .and had enough to do some canning, too. . .

With the high cost of food these days. . .and stores experiencing food shortages. . .2022 is shaping up to be the year for growing some of your own food for the family table. . .And now is the time to begin planning your garden. . .

It doesn't have to be huge. . .just a small flower bed size will grow an abundance of fresh vegetables and salad greens. . .

I am the first to admit I have no green thumb when it comes to growing things. . .nothing like my Dad or Grandmother. . .but I have been able to grow enough for our needs and have found there is nothing like cooking and feasting on the fresh produce. . .

Now is the time to make a list and order your seeds. . .non-GMO, of course. . .I have not found any seed packs for sale locally so far, so I selected one of the sets available on Amazon. . .I like to start tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and others indoors to plant early. . .so I wanted to be certain I had plenty on hand.

I will also order heirloom, non-GMO organic seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed in Mansfield, Missouri. . .I just received the 2022 catalogue and can see hours of pouring over it in the coming days. . .making my choices. . .

Be sure to check out the WHAT'S COOKING recipes and SEASONED SOUTHERN STYLE at the DUNCAN FARMSTEAD. . .In fact, you might want to bookmark the site. . .This summer I plan to share more delicious country meals, as well as my easy recipes for canning the excess vegetables. . .It will be informative. . .fun. . .and delish. . .

But first. . .you HAVE to get that garden planned. . . .

Christmas Is. . .

 

CHRISTMAS CHEER AND GLAD TIDINGS!

This has been some year, hasn't it? And who knows where the next one will take us? But sitting here on my newly arranged and decorated breezeway porch, I celebrate again the blessings that John and I do have in life and how we so treasure the family and friends we have had throughout the years. . .

When you have chalked up many years of life experiences, it is wonderful to look back and remember those who so richly touched our lives, as well as the traditions that have gone on over my lifetime. . .

. . .thoughts that inspired John and me to recently venture to the San Souci landing on the Mississippi River, where we spent a wonderful afternoon collecting driftwood, grapevine, and other naturals for holiday decorating. . . 

During my childhood, an annual visit to the river was a big part of our family's Christmas tradition. Sometime right after Thanksgiving, we put on our boots and heavy coats, piled into the old Chevy station wagon, and headed for Barfield landing. In those days, it was mostly wooded and filled with all kinds of useable finds for our Christmas decor. 

On the dirt roads that wound along the Mississippi, we gathered the possibilities. Evergreens for wreaths and indoor arrangements. Mistletoe to hang from the door facings. Osage oranges for spraying silver and gold. Walnuts to fill bowls and make ornaments. Grapevines and wild grasses. Holly and red berries. Odd-shaped branches. Nothing was overlooked. It was a grand time and fills my memories every year.

As I gaze out over the farmstead today, I realize those times have mostly come and gone. Christmas has changed much over the years for so many of us. . .and yet. . .it hasn't. . . .The hopes, dreams, and "reason for the season" can still be found in each and every one of our hearts. . .if we will just stop and take the time to embrace it. . .pause and count the blessings. . .

"DECK THE HALLS AND GIVE A CHEER. . .FOR ALL THE THINGS THAT CHRISTMAS IS THIS YEAR. . ."

John and I hope that you and your family will be filled with the true Spirit of Christmas this year and will find joy and hope and peace in your heart. . .just as it was that first Holy Night. . .

"CHRISTMAS. . .MERRY CHRISTMAS. . .MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE. . ."

Snowmen and Hot Chocolate Cookies

Christmas decorations and holiday cheer don't need to be expensive. . .It can be something as humble as dollar snowmen mugs. . .and a simple cookie and pudding recipe that adds up to WINTER FUN that brings smiles to the faces of young and old. . .I know because it sure brought a smile and a laugh from John. . .and he is well past his childhood. . .(grin)

It was because of these cute snowman mugs that I began noticing more SNOWMEN for decorating purposes this year. . .collecting a few at antique malls and thrift stores. . .They are easily found for a little pocket change these days. . .

Then I happened upon this SNOWMAN painted on a big pieces of corrugated rusty tin from someone's old barn roof at WHITE HOUSE CREATIONS. . .Now what could be more appropriate for our COUNTRY FARM HOME. . .especially since he favored those favorite mugs of ours. . .

I knew exactly where he would go, too. . .on the whitewashed barn wood door that hides our modern refrigerator from view. . .and I was right! . . .It fit perfectly. . .

I added the handmade broom, purchased years ago, thinking every snowman needed one. . .(For you DIYers, he would be easy to paint.)

Seeing him proudly displayed in our kitchen, my thoughts returned to earlier years, when I absolutely loved playing in the snow. . .including snowball fights with the next door cousins. . .Building several snowmen in our yards usually started the fight. . .It was all in fun. . .

I might be freezing. . .and unable to feel my toes or stop my teeth from chattering. . .but I never gave up and only went inside when Mom insisted. . .She often bribed me with the promise of HOT CHOCOLATE and COOKIES once I got all the cold wet clothes off and changed into something warm. . .Sitting in the big living room window, sipping the chocolate, I admired our snowmen creations and the white landscape all around them. . .secretly wanting to return outdoors because I knew here in the South, the snow wouldn't last long at all. . .

Unfortunately, I can no longer drink hot chocolate. . .or eat anything sweet or gluten. . .but John can and I have a tendency to spoil him with a dessert at every meal. . .He has such a sweet tooth. . .

The catch is. . .he often has to endure my endless stories like the winter experiences. . .(grin again). . .

It wasn't a big leap from gathering the snowman mugs and placing them on the baker's cabinet beside the painted snowman. . .to thinking about HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES and chocolate fudge pudding to go with it. . .The recipe I based them on is below, straight from the Jet-Puffed Marshmallow website. . .but I changed it a little for my cookies. . .I had no milk chocolate chips but I did find half a bag of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, which could symbolize the lumps of coal on the snowmen faces. . .Of course the marshmallows were "snowballs". . .I added a few more than the recipe called for. . .They toasted well and the resulting cookie also reminds us of S'mores. . .

They were a hit and totally enjoyed with the chocolate fudge pudding. . .The cookie jar is full and should keep John out of the fruitcake that isn't to be eaten until Christmas. . .A little diversion always helps. . .

It is hard to believe Christmas is so close. . .This holiday season is flying by fast. . .I hope you are enjoying every minute of it. . .Such a special time of the year. . .