Thoughts While Gathering the Greens

The winter lays her fingers cold
On dark and lonely nights
But Christmas it will soon be here
To usher in the light

And when morning breaks and the bells ring out
It is such a joyous sound
To hear them echo in the trees
That are green the whole year 'round

I have begun foraging for evergreen, berries, holly and ivy. . .well, just about anything I can use to decorate the house for Christmas. . .and thinking of all my Christmases past. . .Lately I have been longing for the ones of my childhood. . .the simplicity of them. . .It was a different time. . .a different era. . .but it sure does bring back good memories. . .

Like those of the outings we took about this same time each year to scour the woods and river banks for our decorations. . .no artificial wreaths. . .or plastic Christmas trees back then. . .We created our own unique blend of nature and crafts. . .The days leading up to Christmas meant more to me than all the presents under the tree. . .We did everything as a family. . church, parties, caroling, pot luck dinners. . ..and there were so many secrets as each of us created gifts for the others. . .It was a time to truly share our love for family and friends. . .So very special. . .bringing a smile as my thoughts wander on. . .

Giving Thanks

Forgive me if I point out the obvious. . .Soon it will be the Christmas holidays, and we will all be busy, busy, busy. . .But, just so we won't forget. . .THANKS GIVING does comes first. . .

For a Farmer's Daughter, Harvest is such an important time of the year. . .We have spent months and months with our crops continually on the mind. . .Too much rain. . .Not enough rain. . .Hail. . .Pests. . .Counting the days before frost. . .We worry over our livelihood as if we were a Mother watching her children grow into maturity. . .And then Fall arrives. . .the time of Harvest. . .All the nurturing has been done. . .and we hold our breath until we have those crops harvested and sold, when we can rest easy that bills will be paid in the coming months. . .Each year is a gamble. . .but one that is so fulfilling that we can't wait until Spring planting is near. . .when we gladly start the cycle all over again. . .

Harvest and Thankfulness to this Farmer's Daughter is a web woven together. . .that cannot be--and should not be--broken. . .Another year is almost over, yet I am always so humbled at the bounty that has been provided. . .So. . .will you join me and take a few moments this week to count your blessings. . .one by one. . .for family and friends. . .health and well-being. . .provisions and bounty. . .Then let's offer THANKS for each and every one. . .

I also wish to THANK YOU for following along with us during the year. . .

We do treasure each and every one of you. . .

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS TO ALL. . .

A Little Bit of Christmas At The Old Company Store

OUR OLD COMPANY STORE as seen in COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE

"Ninety-seven. . .ninety-eight. . .ninety-nine. . .one dollar." I was thrilled! With the four dollars I managed to save from my allowance, I had enough money to buy the little plastic cowboys and Indians for my brother, the red suspenders and bow tie for my Dad, and the  sweet-smelling Lily of the Valley cologne for my Mom.  I gathered up the pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters and walked alone to the company store with excitement and anticipation in my every step. Even now as I transform that same mercantile into an enchanting Christmas past, it thrills the very depths of my soul. . ."

OUR OLD COMPANY STORE as seen in COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE

 

And so begins my latest article written for COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE. .which has just hit the stands!!!!   Watch for it. . .because. . .there are some fantastic articles and Christmas ideas for your own traditional Christmas plans. . .Check out these article titles as seen on the Winter Issue cover. . .

We have become a family at the magazine thanks to D J Williams, our editor, who works so very hard to ensure that each magazine issue feels like home to the reader. . .and the best way to do that is to encourage the writers to write more personable themselves. . .to open up and tell their story. . .It's been a wonderful experience. . .and the good news is. . .I'll be writing for them again in 2019!!! and. . .beginning with the Fall Issue 2019, the COUNTRY FARM HOME will be featured each season for a year. . .John and I are so excited about this and I look forward to working with D J once again. . .

So. . .That's the BIG NEWS. . .that and I noticed on the calendar that it's almost Christmas. . .Time for me to start baking. . .and wrapping gifts. . .Where DID this year go?

 

Another Plain and Simple Home

Simply put. . .We have a second home. . .and I have a new decorating challenge. . .but one I will totally enjoy.

It was back in April when John and I took a few days off to visit Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. . .a town steeped in history, dating back to the early 1700s. . .But, it wasn’t English history that we found. . .It was the history of the French and French Canadians who came to this land west of the Mississippi River to hunt, trap, and later to plant crops. . .The houses were different. . .The culture was different. . .New France was the other Colonial settlement. . .and we fell in love with the town, the countryside, and most of all the people. . .

In June we returned. . .When an opportunity came our way to actually buy one of the early 19^th century homes, right in the middle of the historic town, we did not hesitate. . .We signed the papers that day. . .It’s our place to get away and enjoy history again. . .to dress up and play if we want, as we did in Colonial Williamsburg. . .

So. . .I have another home to decorate. . .and to share along the way. . .somewhat different in style. . .but still Plain and Simple. . .

And. . .I have a new blog where you can follow our progress. . .and see a little of the town we’ve grown to love. . .Hope you’ll join me in this newest phase of our lives. . .

By-the-way. . .I have a new companion, too. . .You know how much I loved my Boo, whom I lost back in February. . .I didn’t think I wanted another animal. . .but then. . .this little guy showed up online. . .and I was hooked. . .He is the spitting image of Boo. . .but has his own personality. . .

His name is Mr. B. J. LaShae. . .and you can bet he’ll be a big part of our journey. . .

Hope you’ll join us. . .at  STE. GENEVIEVE JOURNAL

Of course. . .I will continue to share our life at THE COUNTRY FARM HOME. . .There will be plenty to write about there, too. . .We are so blessed to be able to have both places. . .Isn’t LIFE EXCITING?