Sunday, December 19, 2021

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. . ."




Sunday, December 12, 2021

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. . . 


Wednesday, December 8, 2021

DIY Christmas Family Tree

You've heard of family trees, I'm sure. . .but have you seen a Christmas family tree? . .There are a few around the blogs. . .but certainly not many. . .And I don't know why. .They are such an easy, fun project that always puts a personal touch on any tree. . .

I recently bought this small silver tinsel tree, reminiscent of the 1960s, at an antique store for $1. . .and thought and thought what decorations to use in keeping with the vintage style. . .Our living room this year is all about grays and whites with a little color thrown in here and there. . .I wanted to stick with neutrals for the tree. . .While bringing out decorations for other rooms, inside Grandmother's old Christmas tin I found small glass ball embellishments. I believe they were once used for corsages years and years ago. . .Perfect for the tree. . .

But it wasn't enough. . .


I thought for another day or two. . .You know how sentimental I am about family. . .Grandmother's glass ornaments teased my memories. . .


Then one morning it dawned on me. . .I had decorated a Christmas tree many years ago with tiny framed photos of the family. . .and me. . .and John. . .Took a few days to find and dust them off. . .The perfect size for our silver tree. . .What a JOY it has been, too. . .So personal and fitting for our Country Farm Home. . .


Of course, a family Christmas tree doesn't require images of the past. . .There are no rules. . .Just as there are no rules on how to frame or hang them. . .But I thought I would share my secrets with you to maybe get you on your way. . .


First I had to choose the photos. . .I reduced my choices to tiny images, as well as changing the color photos to black and white. . .Then I pasted them onto one page using Publisher software and printed them onto  a sheet of plain printer paper because I knew I would be framing them. . .If not framing, a heavier paper will be necessary. . You might consider textured paper as well. . .


After cutting out each image, I decided to use my Dad's old stash of color slide frames, sandwiching the photo with the slide matt and plain backing. . .then slipping it into the tiny frame. . .I'm not sure if you can still buy these, but it would be simple to make your own. . .cutting a matt, backing with cardboard, and framing around the square with silver craft tape.

A ribbon loop attached to the back finishes the ornament for hanging. . .

For variety, I simply placed the oblong prints into a small plastic bag, folded the excess over the back, and secured it with tape. . .adding a ribbon loop on one end. . .

Of course, for a super easy project, simply print out the photos any size you wish. . .punch a hole at the top. . .add a ribbon loop. . .and hang! There is really no end to the possibilities for crafting a family tree in your own style. . .

I hope I have encouraged you to add some personal touches to your tree this year. . .It has certainly filled our living room with the Joy of sharing Christmas with our family. . .past and present. . .

Saturday, December 4, 2021

A Little Whimsey For The Christmas Bath

I have no idea how many years I've had these whimsical little fellas. . .They never fail to delight me. . .I've displayed them all over the various homes I've lived in. . .Not every Christmas do I bring them out. . .although I do visit with them as I go through the boxes of decorations each year. . .

They are 'vintage' decorations that never seem dated. . .especially when hung in new settings. . .such as this one in our bath. . .It's the 'view from the tub'. . .

As always, I like to keep things simple. . .borrowing a child's Santa suit from the Country Store. . .a towel from the kitchen. . .a reminder to sip hot chocolate while soaking in bubbles. . .and poinsettias gifted from a dear cousin who never forgets me at Christmas. . .Nothing else is needed. . .

except maybe a little Christmas music. . .a smile. . .



and a soft, warm flannel Mrs. Clause gown to jump into afterward. . .(grin)






Thursday, December 2, 2021

What A Prim And Proper Christmas Kitchen

 
Truly a prim and proper Christmas kitchen. . .and just the way so many Delta farmer's kitchen looked in the days of numerous tenant and farm houses up and down the gravel road that fronted our DUNCAN FARMSTEAD. . .If I ever buy another farmhouse to renovate and decorate, the kitchen will look much like this one. . .I'll hide all the modern conveniences and enjoy life during the early twentieth century. . .In fact, I have already sketched the plans. . . 


Isn't it simply charming?


Out of dozens and dozens of photographs of the White House Creations store in Bernie, Missouri, I chose the ones of Dottie's kitchen to share the last post for this year about her shop. . .for it is probably my favorite area to visit. . .It is so on target for the several houses I visited years ago where some of our farm workers lived. . .

Notice the long counter with cotton sacking curtains below. . .


Make-do shelves. . .sometimes made from wooden crates that the local groceries threw away. . .


Another long counter for the make-do sink area. . .








Water was drawn from an outside well. . .but sometimes lucky housewives had a pump hooked up in the kitchen, too. . .


More often than not, clean dishes sat drying beside the sink for the next meal. . .


And. . .always canned goods composed the main source of vegetables and fruit for the winter. . .

I love the added touches of Christmas. . .sprinkled around by Dottie and her loyal "elf" helpers (several local ladies who love to decorate). . .It is so festive with the greenery. . .the old-fashioned lanterns. . .gingerbread and such. . .I could easily enjoy sitting down at the table for a country Christmas dinner in this setting from the past. . .


Come to think of it, I don't have to buy another farmhouse to get a prim Delta kitchen. . .I just remembered we have two shotgun farmhouses that have not been finished on the interior and are open canvases for creating some farmhouse style rooms. . .I may get busy and put together another country kitchen in one of them such as this. . .One that I could actually use for special occasions. . .Wouldn't that be fun? . .I would also have the opportunity to buy more of Dottie's wonderful handmade furniture. . .Hmmmm. . ."Oh. . .John Dear. . .I have an idea. . ." (grin)

As always, I am obviously inspired by White House Creations. . .I hope you are, too. . .


If you didn't see and read the post at DUNCAN FARMSTEAD about her Christmas log cabin, don't wait another minute to go there! You can't miss this porch and the story behind it. . .


Find the details of where to visit White House Creations at: THE CHRISTMAS GATHERING

We wish Dottie and all her elves a very HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON. . .AND BLESSINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR. . .and MANY THANKS for her WONDERFUL SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . .as we venture on next to our own COUNTRY FARM HOME CHRISTMAS. . .and some current farm style decor. . .See you there. . .in a day or two!




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