Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Two Must-See Farmhouse Decor Touches

I've been holding onto these photos for almost a year. . .You see. . .John and I are looking for THE COUNTRY FARM HOME II and I definitely would like to incorporate these two into the newest house. . .I found these in one of the houses we toured. . .Love the staircase in the upper photo, as well as the space-saving barn door on a track. . .In fact, most of the home's first floor has these barn doors. . .It was a small house, so any room space available was counted a big help. . .

And this DIY lighting fixture is a MUST. . .Don't you love it?

It doesn't roll on the track but stays in one place. . .It took me a while to figure that out. . .We have all kinds of cast-offs in the barn that we could use to make a similar fixture. . .Maybe I could put one up in THE COUNTRY FARM HOME I. . .Hmmmmmm. . .


Tuesday, September 22, 2020

FALL CANNING AT THE FARMHOUSE

 It's FALL! In fact, it's the first day of Fall. . .

The FARMHOUSE is smelling wonderful these days with boiling pots of JAMS and PUMPKIN BUTTER. . .Wish you could be here to enjoy it!

I am doing my canning a little different this year. . .Because I have been away from the FARMHOUSE most of the summer and because so many chemicals from crop dusters have dropped on and stunted our fruit trees, I wasn't able to do any canning as the produce came in from OTHER sources. . .FRIENDS and FAMILY. . .an AMISH MARKET. . .

All summer long, John has been such a dear and gathered up all that could be prepared and frozen so that when I returned home this FALL I could do our canning. . .We do have left-over PUMPKIN PUREE from last year in the freezer, too. . .and no telling what else I'll be able to find as I work through everything. . .

Over the years I have shared with you most of my recipes that I am using. . .but that was years ago. . .So I thought it would be simpler to link them here for you than you having to search them out. . .I have also added a link at the bottom of the page for even more canning recipes. . .

PLUM JAM AND PLUM SYRUP

Our plums this year didn't produce. . .but I had some frozen . . .Making this jam always reminds me of my Grandmother. . .because it was my favorite growing up. . .so she canned plenty for the winter. . .Sometimes she would let me "help". . .You can imagine how much help a five year old was. . .but it gave me wonderful memories of her. . .

GREEN TOMATOES

Seems that every FALL, there is an abundance of GREEN TOMATOES in everyone's garden. . .Choosing  enough for several days of FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, I still had a half bushel or more left on our doorstep by some unknown source. . .(If that's you. . .THANKS SO MUCH)

So. . .I decided to can the rest of them. . .simply in salt and water. . .to make GREEN TOMATO MINCEMEAT and GREEN TOMATO CHOW CHOW later. . .I also like a few in the soups I make during the winter. . .They add a taste that most people like but can't figure out. . .

EASY KRAUT IN A JAR 

What a hit this is. . .with everyone. . .It's a bit milder than what we buy in the store. . .and much more flavorable. . .You can adjust the vinegar to your taste, though.

Here's a delicious recipe for using the Easy Kraut that can be eaten alone. . .or on sandwiches. . .

 


PUMPKIN BUTTER on right

My tried and true recipe. . .Each fall we cut up any left-over pumpkins and cook them down into a puree. . .for John's peanut butter and pumpkin butter sandwiches. . .Yes. . .That's how he likes it. . .Good on toast and biscuits, too. . .

I also can or freeze some of the puree for PUMPKIN PIES. . .So much better than the bought. . .

PICKLED PEACHES in the middle. . .

I use a recipe from the Ball Canning Book. . .One day I'll share this one. . .

AMISH PEACH JAM on the left to spread on BREAKFAST BREAD PUDDING

This is very delicious. . .It's made with Jello!. . But, there is one disclaimer. . .Since Jello has animal protein in it, I do suggest processing it in a water bath or canner. . .and to eat it within a year or less. . .We have never had any problem with it. . .but it raised concern with others. . .

 

These are the first in a long line of canning. . .Certainly there is more to come. . .one of which is FIG JAM made the old fashioned way with sugar and NO Sure Jell. . .It will be the first time I've made it. . .Want me to share?

FOR MORE FARMHOUSE RECIPES, VISIT DUNCAN FARMSTEAD   THEN SCROLL DOWN TO SEASONED SOUTHERN STYLE AND WHAT'S COOKING AT THE BOTTOM OF THAT PAGE 

Monday, September 14, 2020

White Ironstone-Stoneware-Plans for Fall

In our FARMHOUSE, white IRONSTONE and STONEWARE reigns. . .I am a lover of any dinnerware. . .and have collected many patterns over the years. . .but when I want simple farmhouse. . .it's the shades of white that I go to. . .More and more I decorate THE COUNTRY FARM HOME with lots of wood and naturals in the background and tons of farmhouse whites. . .This wasn't a quick decision. . .It has evolved through the last nine years I've blogged. . .

And. . .so. . .I am looking forward to FALL and decorating again with this neutral palette. . .I feel like I've missed most of Summer and am more than ready to get busy again at the FARMHOUSE. . .


This SUMMER has been different from any other. . .I have spent most of it away from the farm. . .not due to COVID-19. . .although it brought its own set of changes. . .but due to crop dusters spraying pesticides and herbicides. . .I have violent reactions to them. . .Our farm is sprayed on the ground when it needs it. . .and I tolerate that quite well. . .It's the planes that get me. . .We have asked the pilots not to fly over our farmstead. . .but they do. . .leaving a path of ruin. . .
 
They say a picture is worth a THOUSAND WORDS. . .
 

Remember our beautiful CREPE MYRTLE?
It was almost 100 YEARS OLD. . .


Here it is NOW. . .

 
Our GARDENS. . .SHRUBS. . .FRUIT TREES. . .pretty much look the same throughout the farmstead. . .
 


 
If it does this to plants. . .you can imagine what the spray does to a person's lungs. . .and immune system. . .John has bravely stayed at the farm and maintained it all Summer. . .but he now has health issues, too. . .Don't get me wrong. . .We are farmers. . .and we know bugs and weeds have to be killed. . .We have only asked that the crop dusters not fly over us. . .Unfortunately, there are laws for ruined crops due to aerial spray. . .not for people's lives. . .
 

Be that as it may. . .You all know how much I love OUR FARM and COUNTRY FARMHOUSE. . .Soon the crops will be harvested. . .the crop dusters will cease flying. . .and I'll be able to return to my BELOVED farm and do some FALL DECORATING indoors. . .with IRONSTONE. . .STONEWARE. . .ans PUMPKINS. . .It promises to be 'SIMPLY FARMHOUSE'. . .
 
 
I CAN HARDLY WAIT. . .


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