Christmas Packages--Cotton Branches--White, Silver, Gold

The PACKAGES are wrapped. . .and ready. . .In WHITE and BLACK and SILVER and GOLD, they are as unconventional as the TABLETOP TREE of left-over Cotton limbs I made for the smaller gifts. . .

You could easily make a 'stick tree' yourself. . .Cotton stalks are not necessary. . .A LIMB from any tree would do. . .Gather the ones that are TALL and have SEVERAL BRANCHES on them. . .Stick them in a VASE. . .add ORNAMENTS. . .and you have a UNIQUE Christmas Tree!!!!

Here's a tip I learned making ours. . .Wire on ornaments when necessary. . .or if you have a cat. . .

I wrapped the packages in NEWSPAPER (without the print, of course). . .and tied with a mix of HEMP STRING and CURLY RIBBON. . .The MEDALLIONS were a banner that I cut apart. . .I also added some SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENTS for bows. . .No commercial bows for us! . .Remember. . .I'm decorating outside-the-box. . .I like this MIX OF FORMAL AND FARMHOUSE. . .

The little SANTA PILLOW goes back twenty years. . .I never tire of it, though. . .Reminds me of all the secrets I kept from Santa while growing up. . .and that makes me laugh. . .

 

Everything fits well together. . .don't you think?

Hopefully we'll have some sunshine today so I can photograph the rest of the house for you. . .

It's been cloudy for days. . .dark. . .and rain all day yesterday. . .

My old camera doesn't do well when it's dark outdoors. . .

I have the bath, the kitchen, and the keeping room to photograph and share. . .

Rooms that reflect the common theme I have going on for this Christmas. . .

PLAIN AND SIMPLE. . .GLISTENING . . .FARMHOUSE STYLE. . . .

A Reminder for Rag Ruggers

Just quickly popping in to remind you that

OUR OLD COUNTRY STORE

will be closing for the holidays on December 5th. . .

If you plan to order looms or gift bags, now is the time to do it. . .

The Elves will be busy for the next week or so, 

but will be taking time off time to enjoy the Holidays with family and friends. . .

Thanks for shopping with us!!!!

You Won't See This Christmas Tree in a Store

I'm anything but TRADITIONAL when it comes to CHRISTMAS TREES. . .For years Fred (the ficus) was decorated with lights and tiny baskets, red bows and small glass balls. . .I think Santa got a little confused for several years. . .not sure where to put the packages. . .but it all worked out. . .This year, in keeping with my unconventional sense of humor, I chose something fairly unorthodox. . .a COTTON TREE. . .

Most folks don't know that COTTON is actually a tree. . .If you leave it alone and don't harvest it, a Cotton stalk will continue to grow. . .That's what happened to this beauty. . .I spotted it in a ditch at my cousin's farm a couple of months ago. . .Evidently a stray seed landed there while planting in the Spring. . .Since it was in the ditch, it wasn't susceptible to the usual spraying and chemicals and harvesting. . .I watched it as it grew. . .and grew. . .and grew. . .

In fact. . .it grew so much that John returned for a chain saw after I had sent him down to cut it. . .Yes. . .This is all one tree. . .Yet another of my INSPIRATION for a Christmas tree that you sure won't find in a store. . .We LOVE it. . .

We'll Have a White-Silver-Gold Christmas

Not only am I DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS, I'm planning to add SILVER AND GOLD, too. . .This will be a UNIQUE Christmas for us. . .Gone are the Reds and Greens. . .mostly. . .(I will have live greenery). . .You know what I mean. . .Pops of color only this year. . .

It has finally turned chilly here in the SOUTH. . .not cold. . .no snow. . .but the mornings are crisp and the temps call for a sweater or light jacket. . .I'm beginning to get in the mood for the HOLIDAYS. . .and I've begun pulling out a few decorations. . .and piling them onto the counters. . .many that I have never used. . .

I think I have the makings of a FINE CHRISTMAS, so far. . .

There are a couple of things I know for sure. . .From now on our FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS DECOR will be all NATURAL where possible. . .SIMPLE AND UNCLUTTERED. . .MAKE-DO. . .Instead of keeping so much STUFF from year to year. . .I plan to look around the farm and decorate with what we have. . .AND I don't have to pack up all those boxes again. . .I'm giving away much of it to family and friends. . .and will certainly enjoy the extra space in our storage room. . .

Not to worry, though. . .I won't get rid of it ALL. . .

 

I'm looking forward to finding a day very soon to start seriously decorating for the HOLIDAYS. . .

Can't wait to show you our totally UNIQUE WHITE CHRISTMAS TREE. . .

Definitely different. . .and FUN. . .

One more Thought: There's a TUTORIAL for the CORN SHUCK LADY/ANGEL,
seen in the opening photo. . .

CLICK HERE

. . .UNTIL NEXT TIME. . .

Top 50 Farmhouse Blogs

What's this little guy singing out loud about? . .Well. . .He has just heard the news. . .THE COUNTRY FARM HOME has received the TOP 50 FARMHOUSE BLOG AWARD. . .Was I surprised? . .A giant YES. . .I hate to admit it, but I thought at first it was a scam because I knew I hadn't applied for the award. . .With a little Googling, I realized it must be true. . .So we all started singing. . .

The AWARD is from FEEDSPOT (a popular RSS  Feed Reader). . .and was based on:

• Google Reputation and Google Search Ranking

•  Influence and Popularity on Facebook, Twitter and Social Media Sites

• Quality and Consistency of Post

• Feedspot's Editorial Team and Expert Review

 

Want to see the other 49? Of course you do. . .

Here's the LINK

FEEDSPOT'S TOP 50 FARMHOUSE BLOGS

There are some really Amazing Blogs that were selected. . .

I spent most of the night reading them. . .and setting up FeedSpot to try for myself. . .

A warning, though. . .It will inspire you to change some of your farmhouse decor. . .

I have already begun. . .(wink)

Our Cutie: BOO and an Addison's Disease UpDate

On Halloween 2006 a little fuzzy ball of fur came home with me from the local shelter. . .

He instantly won my heart--and John's--and became a significant part of our family. 

He took over our hearts, as well as our HOME. . .Anyone with a cat understands this statement.

September 25th was his actual birthday. . .He was ten years old this year. . .

and nine of them he has lived with Addison's Disease. . .

A MIRACLE in itself.

Many of you who have followed my blog know BOO. . .and his illness. . .

Recently, I've had several inquiries, so I thought today would be a good time to let you know. . .

BOO IS STILL ALIVE AND STILL A WALKING MIRACLE

He continues to "work" with the PFIZER RESEARCH PROGRAM. . .

a project to find the cure for ADDISON'S DISEASE

in Animals and Humans.

They have made some startling discoveries 

and it appears they may have a better medicine for the disease soon.

BOO has outlived 4000+ Cats in the program. . .

The Halloween Card above was made from a photo five years ago.

He actually has a short coat of fur these days, due to his illness

and he lives at the Vet's Office most of the time now

because the Addison's flares up quickly and often.

He has someone with him 24/7. 

But. . .every now and then. . .our little Cutie will get a Pass to come home

for a day or two. . .If we're lucky, we'll get a week. . .

It's so SPECIAL when that happens because BOO and I have a very close bond. . .

John says we are velcro-ed together. 

It doesn't seem to matter if it's been one month or two since BOO was home,

he comes in and picks up with our LIFE where he left it.

We are so PROUD of him. . .

HE'S MY. . .

Loving FALL

FALL is my time of the year. . .There's something about a change in the seasons that invigorates me. . .Maybe it's because our Summers are so HOT and HUMID that any task outdoors is a struggle. . .Then the days get shorter. . .the mornings are crisp and cool. . .the wind gently blows. . .and most of all. . .the excitement of Harvest fills the air. . .

Maybe it just happens to a FARMER'S DAUGHTER. . .Maybe you have to be born with gumbo (blue clay) between your toes. . .All I know is. . .I LOVE IT!

If it could be FALL all year round, I would be happy. . .

We're having a very mild one. . .In fact, the temperatures are rather high. . .but the humidity is gone. . .and I'm spending just about every spare minute outdoors preparing for WINTER. . .knowing it will be coming soon. . .I try not to think about it. . .and enjoy every last ounce of Harvest Time that I can drink in.

LOVING FALL is easy. . .Don't you agree?

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

and. . .AT THE DUNCAN FARMSTEAD. . .

COTTON IN MY SACK

Thanksgiving, Candlelight, and the Open Hearth

The table is set for a CANDLELIGHT DINNER. . .

MENU

Rosemary Chicken with Wine

Candied Yams with Coconut, Raisins, and Pecans

Sauteed Spinach 

Homemade Bread

Honey Butter and Homemade Raspberry Jam

Every now and then John and I take off a day just for us. . .to do something we'll enjoy and treat ourselves. . .Often in the Fall and Winter we decide to stay at home and enjoy what other people come here to see. . .We have to separate ourselves from the work and take on a mindset of 'let's play'. . .That's just what we did one day recently. . .We chose a Candlelight dinner cooked in the Open Hearth fireplace. . .and lots of down time while we waited for the Rosemary Chicken to slowly roast in the Dutch Oven.. .

We'll be baking our Rosemary Chicken  OPEN HEARTH STYLE. . . .

but you can use your MODERN OVEN. . .Works either way. . .

(Check below for the Oven Method)

For us. . .it's FIRE COOKING. . .

 John and I never miss a chance to dress up and play either. . . It's optional. . .(grin)

 

We love our OPEN HEARTH FIREPLACE. . .for cooking. . .as well as to snuggle by. . .There are times when this fireplace is even more handy. . . .A couple of winters ago, it was survival. . . .We had a horrible ice storm and was without power for over ten days and no way to get out of the house. . . .Trees and power lines were down everywhere. . . .We stayed warm by the fire the entire time, feasting on Rosemary chicken, Brunswick stew, country ham and biscuits, roasted veggies of all kinds, gumbo and cornbread, apple cake, spiced cobbler, bread pudding with whiskey sauce. . .Want me to continue? Is your mouth watering? 

I've heard from several who were interested in how we do our open hearth cooking. . . .
so, we're beginning with a simple recipe that is almost fool proof. . . . 

Get your iron pots out and let's cook!

You'll need a large Dutch oven. . . .
If it doesn't have legs, set it on an iron trivet that is tall enough to place hot coals underneath--
or a couple of brick underneath will work, too, if you don't have a trivet.

Heat the Dutch Oven--slowly but evenly--close to the fire while preparing chicken.

Put an iron trivet in the bottom of the Dutch Oven.

Place the prepared chicken on the iron trivet. . .

This  keeps the bird from resting on the bottom of the pot.

Add water and a little wine,

no higher then the trivet. Cover with the lid.

Shovel enough coals underneath the pot to bring the liquid to a slow, steady boil,

Then let the liquid simmer. . .
This adds moisture to the Chicken and infuses the Rosemary throughout the meat.

Shovel more coals underneath as needed to maintain the simmer.

Add more water or wine as the liquid evaporates. . .Don't let the pot go dry. . .

Baste chicken as needed with the wine mix and/or Olive Oil. . .

Now comes the "hard" part. . . .

Grab a mug of hot cider, sit back and enjoy the fire. . . .

John has that perfected !!!!

Check the Chicken for tenderness with a long fork once it looks almost done.

The last 15-20 minutes, place coals on the lid top.

This will brown the chicken and ensure the meat is cooked through.

Wasn't that easy?

I wish you could smell this bird as it cooks. . . .

There's a wonderful aroma that fills the air. . . .

TO ROAST IN THE OVEN

If you'd like to try the recipe in the oven,

place the prepared chicken in a covered roaster, without a trivet.

Pour a little water and wine around it. . .and bake at 350 degrees until done.
Baste as needed.

Many have asked how we know when the Rosemary Chicken is done?

We usually surprise them with our answer.  .  .

It's done when Boo wakes from his nap and lays on the hearth in front of the Dutch Oven!!!

We have no idea how he knows. . . .but, it works every time!

If you don't have a Boo, it will be up to you to check the progress regularly. . .
The baking time will vary. . .depending on how fast you cook it. . .

Higher heat (boiling liquid) will cook fast. . .
Lower heat (slow simmer) will take longer. . .but the Chicken will be more tender and juicy. . .

While the  Rosemary Chicken was roasting and the aroma was making us hungry,
 we melted butter in a separate skillet. . .
Then added cooked yams, brown sugar,  raisins, and coconut. . .
Letting the sugars caramelize but not burn.

In the second skillet, fresh spinach was added to chopped onion sauteed in a little butter.

The large trivet allowed us to cook two dishes at one time,
shoveling coals underneath as needed.

Homemade Bread is for another post. . .but you do know how to make the Honey Butter?
It's simple. . .soften butter and mix in honey!!!!

Good Food. . .

"A little wine. . .A little candlelight. . .and Thee"

I bet you are asking what our day of play has to do with Thanksgiving. . .Well. . .Thanksgiving isn't that far off. . .so we're hoping that this might inspire you to celebrate in a little different way with your family and roast a Rosemary Chicken or Turkey Breast of your own. . .It is so GOOOOOOOD. . .whether roasted by fire or in the oven. . .We plan to roast a Turkey breast for Thanksgiving. . .so why don't you join us and try it?

FALL PHOTO SHOOT FOR A NEW PRIM MAGAZINE AT DUNCAN FARMSTEAD