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. . .

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. . .

KRAUT SALAD

 

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 

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. . .

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Yes. . .The title is a little bit corn-y. . .but here's another. . ."You could have knocked me over with a feather" when I saw a full page photo in the FALL ISSUE OF COUNTRY RURUSTIC MAGAZINE of my wreath making at the Felix Valle House historic State Park in Ste. Genevieve, MO. . .

In the article, I not only shared DIY instructions for making your own herbal wreath, I also share a little history about the French "jardin potager" or kitchen garden. . .which is a mix of vegetables and flowers often planted in geometric shapes. . .I can remember seeing these types of gardens when, as a child, my family visited Canada one summer. . .Coming from the Delta with Scot-Irish and English background, their gardens were fascinating. . .But. . .more about that later. . .I hope to elaborated on that subject on my STE. GENEVIEVE JOURNAL blog soon. . .and maybe share the planting of my own Jardin Potager. . . 

Another subject I touched upon was the language of herbs. . .and chose the cuttings for the wreath according to the messages I wanted to fill my kitchen with for the fall and winter. . .We didn't have room to publish the chart I made. . .All the better for you. . .because. . .now I can share it with you here!

You'll find there are various charts with different meanings for each herb, but I tried to pick the most common ones.

I had loads of fun that memorable day spent dressed in 18th century and making wreaths, just as others have done for thousands of years. . .Hope you enjoy it, too, with your copy of COUNTRY RUSTIC. . .(Links below)

Also see:

MAKING KITCHEN HERBAL WREATHS AT THE FELIX VALLE STATE PARK

PLANT NOW FOR FALL HERBAL KITCHEN WREATHS 

COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE 

STE. GENEVIEVE JOURNAL

Christmas Ornaments in July?

I know it is sweltering heat outside. . .I also know few people think "Christmas" and snow in July. . .But I had to share with you the LOG CABIN ORNAMENTS I've been making. . .Some of them will appear in the Winter Issue of COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE. . .which is why I can't show you too much of the end result. . .but you'll be able to see them and get the instructions when the magazine comes out. . .

The ones above are still in the embellishing stage. . .

I promise you they are the simplest ornaments I have ever made

although they look so impressive that everyone who sees them

thinks I've worked for days on them. . .

I like projects like that. . .

I was inspired to design these pioneer style pieces of folk architecture by my miniature log cabin collection that I pull out each year and which will appear in that same Winter Issue. . .and also by a real log house that is being reassembled in Ste. Genevieve, MO. . .

Your can read about this miracle story at: 

THERE'S A 19TH CENTURY LOG HOUSE GOING UP IN TOWN

As for the ornaments. . .I must admit, I am pretty surprised at how cute they are turning out to be. . .

If the temperature continues with a heat index of 110 degrees each day. . .

I just might end up with a whole Christmas village. . .

as long as the cinnamon sticks last. . .because. . .

Have you ever tried finding quantities of cinnamon sticks in July?

 

Black And White Tuxedo Colors for Summer

Our living room has changed into so many different looks throughout the years. . .From shabby chic ten years ago. . .to dressing it in tuxedo colors for the summer. . .rustic and a little elegant and farmhouse all the way is how I see it. . .

You've seen a few pf these photos of the living room, but I couldn't share more until the summer issue of COUNTRY RUSTIC magazine hit the stands. . .Well, it didn't actually hit the stands. . .It was published online, where you can get a free download of the entire magazine. . .Just follow the link on the side bar. . .

My goal was to coordinate each room of OUR COUNTRY FARM HOME for the magazine (and for us) so that there is a flow from room to room. . .Our house is small. . .large rooms but not many of them. . .Of course the living room and kitchen are the two rooms that are most often seen. . .

Note how the wooden crates and boxes bring in a little rustic touch to relax the more formal black and white. . .Stacking the wooden boxes is what most people do but it's not limited that. . .John made this little table above that I just love. . .You can't see it here, but along one side, the box is open for placing books, magazines, etc. .almost a hide y-hole. .  .He simply made a black base and voila. . .

Of course the Vess box wagon was not as simple. . .I did in fact buy this one. . .but if you scour antique malls and Goodwill, you'll often see small wheels for sale. . .You've seen me use it several times over the years, but always with a different theme. . .

The kitchen-keeping room follows right along with the theme. . .The ironstone pitcher collection takes center stage. . .The rooster sports a bow tie. . .

I also brought in white farm chairs for the summer. . .no two are alike, but it doesn't matter. . .Painting them all the same color ties them together. . .

The bedroom is also dressed in tuxedo colors. . .
In January, I posted this bedroom, so hop over there to see more. . .

THE COUNTRY FARM HOME SUMMER GUEST ROOM 

And, the bathroom completed last fall for a photo shoot. . .

THE COUNTRY FARM HOME BATH

 

Scrolling through these photos, I hope you get a sense of the consistent flow throughout the house. . .You may not like the black and white. . .nor like pops of red and denim. . .but sticking to a basic set of colors for all the rooms. . .and then adding their own personality. . .makes a huge difference in how others see you home. . . 

Corn Crib "Gazebo" For The Fourth

I couldn't wait any longer. . .I just had to share our 4th of July corn crib with you that was featured in the Summer issue of COUNTRY RUSTIC magazine. . .Unfortunately, this issue hasn't been printed for the news stand but it is online (and it's free to download). . .There wasn't room enough in the magazine to show all the photos. . .

So. . .I thought I'd share them with here. . .

For years, I've tried to get the "right" summer style for our little sitting area that looks out over the historic district and farm. . .I think I finally "got it". . .From the patriotic bunting, the American flags, the mega-birdhouse to the Texaco gas pump, Pepsi and Coke bottles and a little boy carrying a flag. . .it's a haven in which to relax on a hot summer's day.

And. . .I used items I already had around the house. . .

To view more photos and see the tranformation of our Corn Crib Gazebo, follow these links: 

THE CORN CRIB GAZEBO: BEFORE AND AFTER

COUNTRY SUNDAYS IN THE CORN CRIB 

FALL INSPIRATION INSIDE THE GAZEBO 

For a free download of COUNTRY RUSTIC SUMMER ISSUE,

CLICK THE LINK ON THE SIDEBAR AND ENJOY!