The Stockings Are Hung. . .

When I was a little girl, we never had big felt stockings or those knitted specifically for Santa to stuff. . .We chose one from Daddy's sock drawer. . .Always trying to get the largest and most stretched one he had. . .Then one Christmas, my Grandmother made us our first real stockings of felt with all kinds of embellishments on it. . .and of course. . our name. . .That year, Santa had to come up with more goodies to stuff them. . .

But I must say that after all the numerous stockings I've collected over the years. . .I still like socks out of the drawer the best. . .

I've had the plaque hanger for years and never found the right place for it. . .I think this year I have. . .Such a simple thing. . .but it brings to my mind the Christmases of my childhood. 

On our breezeway porch. . .I decided that I was tired of the traditional Christmas wreath. . .so when I saw the Santa and huge stocking at a dollar store, I knew exactly what I would do with them. . .I did fill the stocking with a little stuffing to make it stand out. . .The Santa was one I could not resist. . .The moment I spotted him, I knew he was a keeper. . .Together, they make a fun and festive entrance into the keeping room. . .

Decorating from the dollar stores has certainly been different from my usual decor. . .but I have enjoyed the challenge. . .And there's more to come. . .(grin). . .soon. . .

HOLIDAY BLESSINGS!

The Tree Is Trimmed. . . . . .

It's a gray, cold day outdoors. . .but indoors, the tree is trimmed. . .and the lights are on. . .giving the entire keeping room a soft glow. . .

This year's tree is a vintage one. . .It's been in our family for years. . .It's needles shed a little. . .and some places are a little bare. . .although you really can't see it once all the decorations are on. . .

I decided to trim it in plain and simple style green glass-like balls, "snowballs" and white glittery snowflakes. . .inspired by the green sled I fell in love with and purchased in Missouri. . .Did you notice I've stayed true to using black and white for drama with plaids, gingham checks, and flower-y wrapping paper?. .Underneath I have a few wrapped packages, but decided to make it more farmhouse with a basket and crocks. . .Most people would never think about putting crocks at the tree, but why not? . .Have a little fun.

I did challenge myself this year to decorate with items from the dollar stores. . .and allowed only fifty dollars to make my purchases. . .The rest had to be make-do with decorations I had. . .and some live greenery. . .You'll see most of the purchases later in the living room. . .but I did incorporate a few in the keeping room. . .just to bring a flow within the house from one room to the other. . .

Believe it or not, the sled was already decorated. . .except for the plaid mittens. . .It is small enough to tuck under the stockings and not overwhelm the tree. . .

One corner down. . .more to go. . .But, honestly. . .don't you love the challenge of it?

Christmas decor doesn't have to be expensive. . .Just use the imagination. . .

From the Dollar Stores: Victorian Stocking, Plaid Mittens, Check Snowflakes, Additional Green Balls, Wrapping Paper, "Falalala",  Ceramic Red Truck

More Of The Mini Log Cabin Collection From Country Rustic Magazine

The WINTER ISSUE OF COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE is on the stands. . .where. . .inside I have two articles! . .FAMILY STORIES INSPIRE A LOG CABIN COLLECTION. . .AND. . .DIY LOG CABIN ORNAMENT. . .

As always, I took so many more photos than were used. . .Ya just never know what will make the final cut. . .And, too, I love being able to share a few of the left-overs with you. . .Of course. . .to view some of the best shots (and the story), you'll have to get a copy of the magazine. . .but maybe these few will inspire you to include some collections in your Christmas decor. . .

Your collection doesn't have to be mini log cabins. . .nor does it have to specifically for the holidays. . .Anything that you treasure. . .and maybe brings good memories. . .could be displayed and enjoyed at Christmas more than any other time of the year. . .

Your collection display doesn't always have to be front and center either. . .For the most part, I like to tuck the really small log houses in among other decor. . .In fact, I want the smaller ones to be a part of a larger vignette. . .

 

It was these smallest log cabins that inspired me to design a log house ornament out of cinnamon sticks. . .

 Here is one of them below. . .partially finished. . .(instructions in Country Rustic Magazine)

But there are a few cabins in my collection that demand one's full attention. . .

Such as a log cabin doll house. . .

or a tenant cabin crafted after one of the past houses on our farm. . .

And. . .where else should the log cabin tins be than in the kitchen?

By placing pieces of your collection among the other holiday decor. . .it becomes more personalized. . .and hopefully will make you smile every time you see it. . .

You'll find more log cabins and vignettes in the WINTER ISSUE OF COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE of course. . .along with other great articles and photos. . .I think it's one of the best issues yet.

 I haven't forgotten my promise to return with some of this year's Farmhouse Holiday Decor. . .I won't even go into all the unplanned things that have gone on, keeping me from finishing the decorations. . .which is actually funny because I never feel it's ever complete. . .Maybe I should say I'm about to be satisfied with what has been done. . .(grin)

A Quick Peek At Our Christmas Decor

 Don't worry. . .There is a lot more to come! . .Christmas just isn't Christmas if I don't have something new to show you each year. . .

Well. . .This year the colors I chose are BLACK, WHITE AND GREEN for the kitchen-keeping room. . .and RED added to the living room and bath. . .Can hardly wait to show you. . .but there are still some finishing touches to be made. . .

And. . .I've done it all (just about) with items purchased from the dollar stores. . .and with make-do items from previous Christmases. . .Less than $50 total. . .That's been the fun part. . .

Will be back soon . . .Don't Miss It!

For The Thanksgiving Table, Part II

 

 I guess I'm just a farmhouse gal when you get right down to it. . .

It seems I always gravitate to the basic neutrals of THE COUNTRY FARM HOME. . .

 

I do love the new TURKEY PLATES I purchased for Thanksgiving. . .which we will pile high with turkey, dressing, and lots of veggies Thursday. . .but we have a tradition here started by my Mom for Friday. . .On that day I will put the turkey plates aside and in the center of the table I'll stack plenty of farmhouse white ironstone plates in all sizes, bowls, silverware, napkins, salt and pepper. . .anything one might need to help themselves to the left-overs from the day before. . .It's each man for himself after Thanksgiving. . .

Because. . .to start off the Christmas season. . .I will be busy bringing in the tree and decorations. . .There will be a big pot of spiced tea simmering on the stove all day while I begin to add more cheer to the farmhouse. . .If it's cool enough, we'll have the first fire in the open hearth fireplace, too. . .Nothing says holidays better than a good fire to warm hands and heart. . .

As I was gathering everything for Friday. . .I decided to set one place at the farmhouse table that might also have been used for our Thanksgiving dinner. . .The theme here has no turkey plates or bright colors but I have brought together hints of our country's first celebration. . .a Giving Thanks message. . .pewter and candles. . .a hornbook. . .dried corn. . and a soft, orange ceramic pumpkin. . .

Mother of Pearl and pewter knives. . .with cotton bolls to remind us to give thanks for the bumper harvest this year. . .

A little straw makes a nice nest for the white ironstone. . .On John's 18th century style clay pipe from Colonial Williamsburg. . .a little bird perches. . .with more reminders of the harvest. . .

The farm girl in me immediately felt  hugs from family, past and present. . .Honoring the first Thanksgiving. . .and Mom's day after traditions. . .Remembering our blessings with outward signs of Thanks. . .This says it all. . .And. . .it makes this Farmer's Daughter smile. . .

As an added note. . .I never celebrate a Thanksgiving or Christmas without thinking about Mom and her absolutely delicious, melt-in-your-mouth dressing. . .She saved and froze stale bread, biscuits and cornbread for months before as the basic ingredients for the much-loved compliment to the turkey. . .If you would like to read more, and get the  recipe for the dressing and giblet gravy. . . FOLLOW THIS LINK. . .

 

For The Thanksgiving Table, Part I

Paper plates for Thanksgiving? Not at the COUNTRY FARM HOME! At least not this year. . .

A Thanksgiving never goes by that I don't admire the Queen's English Transferware and think "Next year I'll buy one or two." Well, this is the year. . .and, I bought four dinner plates instead of two. . .

There's been so many changes to our lifestyle in 2020. . .cabin fever has certainly set in. . .Too many meals eaten in front of a TV or computer. . .and not at our favorite restaurant. . .Days spent in T-shirts or sweats. . .My clothes closet has rarely been visited. . .I told John last night, "We are in a rut." Time to get out of it and make the next two holidays something special. . .just for us. . .to get us out of our malaise. . .and because all in all, we still are so blessed and thankful. . .We need to show it. . .

So I'm ditching the paper plates. . .only our finest this Thanksgiving. . .

I have such a fondness for this particular pattern. . .The turkey is magnificent. . .and the rim reminds me of vintage transferware. . .In fact, on the back of the plate it reads: "Adapted from original copper engravings". . .I only bought  the dinner plates, because I wanted the turkeys to stand out and catch the eye. . .I decided my white dinnerware would make them "pop". . .and I certainly have plenty of white. . .

I was grouping together the pieces I wanted for our Thanksgiving table and thought it was a good time to maybe inspire you to ditch the paper plates and set a beautiful table for your family for Thanksgiving, too. . .(Don't forget candles.)

In truth, I have two ideas that I'm auditioning for the table. . .This is the first. . .I sort of like the pumpkin color bowl as accent to the colorful turkeys. . .but I also like the other choice. . .You'll have to wait a day or two before I reveal it. . .Stay tuned. . .

 

 

Fall DIY Projects

It's FALL and I know many of you have already decorated. . .but I thought you might want to add a little more to your FALL DECOR with some DIY's that I've posted in the past that never go out of style here at THE COUNTRY FARM HOME. . .

Although I don't have a DYI for the garden cart above, if you are handy with a saw and drill, you can fashion a cart that fits your needs. . .This one was a Christmas present from John many years ago. . .I still love it and use it all seasons of the year. . .The only materials used were wood and a metal wheel that we picked up at an antique mall. 

Here it is from a FALL a few years ago. . .

And then there's the SHABBY BIRD CONDO made from two ammo cases. . . 

This was a project both John and I enjoyed. . .Over the years, I have decorated with whatever whim I had at the time. . .I think the above decor for the Shabby Condo is a favorite. . .but if you are more traditional, here's a much more colorful one. . .

We have dressed and displayed our HER CROWS for many years, according to the seasons. . .They add so much to the dynamic of the farmstead. . .In this HOW TO DRESS A HER CROW  I share everything from start to finish. . .

I like dressing our HER CROWS as Christmas Angels, too. . .In fact, any of these projects can be carried over into you Christmas decor. . .

For more DIY projects from THE COUNTRY FARM HOME. . .scroll to the bottom of the page for more links. . .

Have a. . .

HAPPY FALL, YA'LL!

Finding Eight Years of Posts Easily and What's Going On With Blogger and This Site

UPDATE: Well, Thanks to the REAL TECH in the family (my brother), many of the problems I had with the blog have been fixed and I'm rebuilding some things that were lost. .  Thanks So Much, Bro! 

Scroll down and see what I'm doing with the eight years of posts. . .There are links that are listed in categories. . .More coming. . .Such as DIY, garden things, outside decor, seasonal things. . .This will be so much better. . .and easy access to all the posts. . .I will enjoy it, too. . .I had forgotten how many post I've done in eight years!  

HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT FALL. . .ONE NOT SO FULL OF CHAOS!