Hearts and Roses

Valentine's Day comes exactly at the right time of year for me. . .It scoots out the weeks of gray skies and damp, cold weather that always come after Christmas. . .and pops in with bright red hearts and ruby red roses. . .so that all is exciting and festive again. . .

But. . .what I like the most about the holiday is that it reminds us to pause for a moment and think about those whose hearts have touched ours. . .Those special someones who enrich our lives. . .and that sometimes we take for granted. . .I'll sound like an old woman now. . .but. . ."the older I get," the more I realize that life is truly fragile. . .Setting aside time to remember a LOVED ONE (or two) should be high on our list for at least one day, don't you think?

Rich Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with Mock Cherry Topping (Recipe Here)

It doesn't have to be a grand affair. . .Just a card will do. . .John knows that the way to my heart is Red Roses. . .but I know that the way to his is a Chocolate Cake. . .Yet, the gift is secondary. . .It's the thought behind it. . . that we stopped long enough to think of the other one. . .and doing what we know will make them smile. . .To tell them how much they are in our hearts. . .

Now I have to ask. . .Is there a better day for that celebration than a cold one in February, when it's rainy outside but warm with LOVE inside?

Yep. . .Valentine's Day comes at exactly the right time of the year. . .

Happy Valentine's Day. . .

from. . .

Something Old-Something New

Don't get excited. . .It's not a wedding. . .Just a little change in the bathroom that's fun. . .At first glance, can you tell what's real. . .and what's not?  I had John doing a double-take when I placed my thrift store find (the big painting/print) behind this grouping. . .The blue Ball canning jar looks even more real than it does here. . .If it weren't for the painted flowers, it might be very hard to tell. . .

It's also hard to tell that the bird isn't part of the print, isn't it?. . .Everything just comes together. . .the old water basin and pitcher. . .the new painting/print. . .the blue berries. . .and the blue bird. . .for a setting that teases the eyes. . .fitting right in with plain and simple style.

I do hope that posts like these will encourage you. . .and show how to decorate in style without spending a lot of money. . .I do prefer buying as many decorator pieces as possible from yard sales and thrift stores. . .because I don't feel I have to keep it forever as I would if I'd paid big bucks. . .I can store or donate those items without any feeling of guilt. . .It's a win-win all the way around. . .

Speaking of Spring. . .(I was, you know). . .I've seen a preview of the Spring 2020 Issue of Country Rustic Magazine and I'm telling you, it is WONDERFUL. . .DJ has been playing with new layouts. . .and working harder with each issue to make it better than the last one. . .You should be getting yours through the mail or see it on news stands soon. . .

Of course, Spring at The Country Farm Home is featured in it, too. . .

You know you can't miss that story!!!

It's the third in the series of four seasons at the farm.

I can hardly believe there's only one more. . .

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?