I'm Thinking Summer

Yes, I know it's only the middle of January. . .Yes, I know it's freezing cold outside. . .But. . .Need I shout it from the rooftops? . .I'm ready for SUMMER. . .

Actually. . .I've been writing about the Fourth of July for the last few days. . .Editing photos for the Fourth. . .Trying to wrap my head around that time of the year for the articles. . .and Setting up some extra photo shots. . .which makes my brain rather confused. . .I so engross myself in Summer images that I have to stop and think at times just what month this is. . .Well, I don't really have to think much. . .All I have to do is look outside at the gray or step out on the porch without a jacket.

I do know one thing, though. . .I'm leaving the house set up as if it IS summer. . .in hopes it quickly comes. . .Plus, I love the black and white straw-trimmed hat on my new blanket chest. . .I really don't want to change it. . .Such a simple setting. . .

I brought out the summer flower pillows for the bed, too. . .and the rug is always cheerful. . .

The thing is. . .I live each Winter for Spring and Summer and could totally do without the cold weather. . .whether writing or not. . .It's fun until Christmas is over, but then I'm ready for the sun to shine again. . .

Maybe I should consider moving FURTHER South?

I'm Keeping The Wreath. . .and. . .

Christmas is over for another year. . .The decorations are coming down. . .BUT. . .I'm keeping the wreath.

Everyone who knows me, knows that I absolutely, positively LOVE RED for pops of color. . .and I've loved this wreath from the first time I saw it. . .I've used it for Christmas a couple of years now. . .in various places around the house. . .and I often store it as the Winter season ends. . .Not this time. . .Nope. . .This time, it's staying on the living room wall. . .where I can enjoy it everyday. . .

(Note: My apologies for the photographs. They did not upload as they look in my folder. I used a new editing program. . .that I certainly won't used again! I will try to change them out soon!)

And below it, I put a press-on with some inspirational words directly on the wall. . .

Words I need to see everyday, too. .

I'm changing up the living room a little. . .I can't show you the entire result, yet, because I'm still working on it. . .Still adding and subtracting. . .

I did find this old crate in storage for a table. .a quick clean-up was all it needed. . .I may use it in front of the couch. . .

While I was at it, I brought in part of my crock collection from the back porch. . .putting them at the fireplace to dry after a good soak in the tub. . I think some of the larger ones might be nice in the living room, too. . .Crocks are great anywhere in a farmhouse. . .

My little helper. . .Mr. B J LaShay. . .has been there with me every step of the way. . .Getting into EVERYTHING. . .

But. . .He IS CUTE. . .isn't he. . .in his red Christmas bow tie?

I kind of like having him around. . .

So. . .although I haven't made any New Year's resolutions, yet. . .I HAVE made a New Year's decision. . .I have two "keepers". . .the WREATH. . .AND the CAT. . because. . .Both make me SMILE. . .

Mixing Burlap, Vintage, and Metal for A White Christmas in the Keeping Room

"Twas a week before Christmas. . .and all through the house". . .as my story was going. . .for all was turning out really well. . .and ahead of schedule. . .

The decorations were up and sparkling like snowflakes. . .The baking was done with lingering whiffs of gingerbread and fruit cake. . .

Mr. BJ LaShay was dressed up in his new red bow tie and collar. . .

 All I had left to do was light the fireplace and snap a few photos. . .

I was loving the metal Christmas trees. . .and the big log cabin stable. . .with the dove above. . .The greenery and candles. . .the tiny lights. . .Yes. . .All I needed to do was light a fire and snap a few photos. . .because the entire scene was envisioned with a big blazing fire in the background. . .

I was excited. . .I was ready. . .The batteries in my camera were fully charged. . .Let's do it. . .

I walked over to the exhaust fan. . .and turned it on. . .Our fireplace smokes without it. . .There was a whirring sound. . .but no fan blades turning. . ."Must be frozen" I thought. . .since we had had rain and the temperature was well below freezing. . .I waited an hour. . .Then another hour. . .Then another. . .Only a whirring sound. . .

My visions of a beautiful Christmas setting with a crackling fire in the background were dashed. . .

But not to worry. . .There will be other Christmases for crackling fires. . .

We are still warm and cozy and together. . .

Plenty of Food. . .Family. . .Friends. . .

All is well here at The Country Farm Home. . .

I have no complaints. . .

Only thankful for the many Blessings.

 

"I will honor Christmas in my Heart, 

And try to keep it

All the Year."

Christmas Blessings To You And Yours

This Holiday Season

Farmhouse Folk Angel Ornies Are For The Living Room, Too

Yes. . .Here they are again. . .as promised. . .The FARMHOUSE FOLK ANGELS are flying around in the living room. . .and landing on a tabletop tree. . .

Notice that they fit into any decor. . .

This time they are teamed with GINGERBREAD COOKIES in a VINTAGE CHEESE BOX. . .and in a BOWL with BALLS OF STRING. . .There are STONEWARE CROCKS. . .one filled with more cookies. . .a CORN SHUCK WREATH. . .a few COTTON BOLLS. . .

BABY'S BREATH sits among the bottle brush limbs. . .while TINY LIGHTS twinkle like fireflies. . .

I think SANTA BABY (my John) will be pleased. . .He does love gingerbread. . .and I think I'll name an angel for him, too. . .Won't he be surprised?

Antique Dough Box of Greens

When I say a "Dough Box" I mean one big one. . .I have wanted a large bread dough box for years. . .On an impromptu day out recently, there it was. . .Right before my eyes. . .

The only place I've seen one so large has been in living history museums. . .The next question was, "Could I afford it?" . .I held my breathe and grabbed the price tag. . .YES!!! . . .Now. . .I don't know who it belonged to but it was obvious they didn't put as much value in it as I did. . .What an opportunity for me. . .

I brought it home, filled it with cypress limbs, cut here on the farm. . .added Wooden Bowls and Gingerbread people. . .Berries. . .and Twigs. . .a couple of Wax Lambs. . .and that famous Pitcher I use each Christmas in one way or the other. . .

It's Fun. . .Natural. . .Make-do. . .Farmhouse Christmas Style. . .

and. . .There's more to come. . .

There's A Log Cabin Christmas Above The Cupboards!

Old Honest Abe brings a touch of whimsey. . .

Christmas decor at The Country Farm Home often means pulling out items collected over the years and teaming them up with some natural greenery and everyday household finds. . .

Collectable Putz Sheep are scattered among the cabins. . .

I already had the folk angels scattered around the house when I decided this was the Christmas to bring out all those log cabin miniatures I've had packed up. . .I honestly didn't remember how many I had. . .In fact, I'm still finding them. . .plus John's working on a large log cabin doll house. . .and I recently bought a two and a half foot primitive cabin to set at the fireplace. . .

A Miniature Tenant House. . .

I guess by now you've figured out that the theme this year is folksy but in a farmhouse style? . . .I have some modern elements to add to it all, too. . .Here's a hint. . .Our Christmas TREES are metal. . .I know you're thinking "Huh?'

Trust me. . .It will all come together soon. . .

Don't you just love Christmas?

DIY Farmhouse Folk Angels for the Christmas Table

You've seen my Folk Angels before. . .I know. . .but. . .did you know that you could make your own?. .Yep. . .There are two pages of DIY instructions in the Winter Issue of COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE

Space is limited in the magazine for inspirational photos. . .so I'm sharing a few more with you in these next two posts. . .and a few more ideas. . .

With the basic instructions from COUNTRY RUSTIC, you can make Angels to suit your style. . .Dress them in different fabric. . .It's not necessary that they wear wool like mine. . .The embellishments can be changed, too. . .

I made lots of them. . .and named them according to those Angels I have known. . .They are all around the house. . .obviously not all hanging from the branches of a Christmas Tree. . .(although I'll be showing you some that are). . .

Speaking of embellishments. . .just now as I looked at these photos, I had a different idea for the angel wings. . .Snowflakes would do the trick!  And for Halos. . .try a ring of those Stars. . .or maybe a Santa Angel. . .There are so many options. . .if you'll let your imagination soar. . .

For this Christmas table, I kept it simple. . .Angels. . .Snowflakes. . .Candles. . .Packages. . .Greenery. . .and a few Little Stars. . .It IS eclectic with its folk and tinsel style. . .but I think it suits a Farmhouse setting. . .

Somehow it all works. . .

And. . .yours will, too. . .I just know it. . .

The Family "Snoopy" Tree: A DIY Project

"Once upon a time, there was a little Norfolk pine tree that came to live at the farm. It was tall and spindly. Some branches were long and some were short. The Farmer's Daughter fondly called it her "Snoopy Tree" but somehow, the little pine didn't feel that was a compliment. He longed for something that would make him unique among   all the Norfolk pine trees--something that made him feel special. 

The Farmer's Daughter realized one day that the little pine tree's branches were drooping more than usual, and he didn't seem as bright in color as normal. She felt a little droopy, too. It was close to Christmas--a time that always meant family and loved ones to the Farmer's Daughter. Unfortunately, most of her family was away. Then she had an idea. Why not turn her "Snoopy Tree" into a Christmas tree, with tiny photos of all those she had loved over the years? Wouldn't that be fun? And, an amazing way to remember others.

So she disappeared into her office for hours. Christmas carols played in the background, while much activity could be heard behind closed doors. She snipped. She glued. She smiled a lot. She dreamed. She remembered. She shed a tear or two. By mid-day, her project was done. She headed straight for the Snoopy Tree and began to transform him into a lovely family Christmas tree. There were tiny framed photos of  Mom and Dad, Granny and Pop, Grandmother and Granddaddy, Aunt Mamie and Aunt Naoma, and many, many others.

Oh! That little pine tree felt so important! He was so honored to hug her family in his branches. He straightened up and began to glow again. When she added bright red ornaments and fluffy cotton bolls, he felt like he was the most important tree on the entire farm. He wasn't a Snoopy Tree anymore. He was a "Family Tree" in the truest sense. He was special! He belonged!

And, the Farmer's Daughter smiled, too. Her family was Home For Christmas once again."

Hello Everyone! I was looking back through my Christmas blog posts recently, looking for a specific one, when I ran across a story I wrote the very first year I blogged. I hadn't read it in so many years. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, the photos were lost from the post and it needed some updating as well.  

My first reaction was to delete it. . .Then I read the story. . .and remembered that Christmas. . .and thought how even though it was written eight years ago, the possibilities for a DIY Family Tree were still there. I dug up the old photos, updated the story, and re-published it, hoping it would inspire you to make your own family tree of photos.

It was quite simple. Choose the photos. Reduce and scan them. Or, if digital, resize. Make a frame from card stock. Place scanned photo inside. And, back with more card stock after sandwiching in a string loop for hanging. 

There were a few photos I printed directly on the card stock, cut them out, punched a hole, and added a string loop. 

That's all there is to it. Now you can surround yourself with family this Christmas. . .and make a Norfolk pine very happy. . .