A Little Whimsey For The Christmas Bath

I have no idea how many years I've had these whimsical little fellas. . .They never fail to delight me. . .I've displayed them all over the various homes I've lived in. . .Not every Christmas do I bring them out. . .although I do visit with them as I go through the boxes of decorations each year. . .

They are 'vintage' decorations that never seem dated. . .especially when hung in new settings. . .such as this one in our bath. . .It's the 'view from the tub'. . .

As always, I like to keep things simple. . .borrowing a child's Santa suit from the Country Store. . .a towel from the kitchen. . .a reminder to sip hot chocolate while soaking in bubbles. . .and poinsettias gifted from a dear cousin who never forgets me at Christmas. . .Nothing else is needed. . .

except maybe a little Christmas music. . .a smile. . .

and a soft, warm flannel Mrs. Clause gown to jump into afterward. . .(grin)

What A Prim And Proper Christmas Kitchen

 

Truly a prim and proper Christmas kitchen. . .and just the way so many Delta farmer's kitchen looked in the days of numerous tenant and farm houses up and down the gravel road that fronted our DUNCAN FARMSTEAD. . .If I ever buy another farmhouse to renovate and decorate, the kitchen will look much like this one. . .I'll hide all the modern conveniences and enjoy life during the early twentieth century. . .In fact, I have already sketched the plans. . . 

Isn't it simply charming?

Out of dozens and dozens of photographs of the White House Creations store in Bernie, Missouri, I chose the ones of Dottie's kitchen to share the last post for this year about her shop. . .for it is probably my favorite area to visit. . .It is so on target for the several houses I visited years ago where some of our farm workers lived. . .

Notice the long counter with cotton sacking curtains below. . .

Make-do shelves. . .sometimes made from wooden crates that the local groceries threw away. . .

Another long counter for the make-do sink area. . .

Water was drawn from an outside well. . .but sometimes lucky housewives had a pump hooked up in the kitchen, too. . .

More often than not, clean dishes sat drying beside the sink for the next meal. . .

And. . .always canned goods composed the main source of vegetables and fruit for the winter. . .

I love the added touches of Christmas. . .sprinkled around by Dottie and her loyal "elf" helpers (several local ladies who love to decorate). . .It is so festive with the greenery. . .the old-fashioned lanterns. . .gingerbread and such. . .I could easily enjoy sitting down at the table for a country Christmas dinner in this setting from the past. . .

Come to think of it, I don't have to buy another farmhouse to get a prim Delta kitchen. . .I just remembered we have two shotgun farmhouses that have not been finished on the interior and are open canvases for creating some farmhouse style rooms. . .I may get busy and put together another country kitchen in one of them such as this. . .One that I could actually use for special occasions. . .Wouldn't that be fun? . .I would also have the opportunity to buy more of Dottie's wonderful handmade furniture. . .Hmmmm. . ."Oh. . .John Dear. . .I have an idea. . ." (grin)

As always, I am obviously inspired by White House Creations. . .I hope you are, too. . .

If you didn't see and read the post at DUNCAN FARMSTEAD about her Christmas log cabin, don't wait another minute to go there! You can't miss this porch and the story behind it. . .

CHRISTMAS COMES TO A DELTA LOG CABIN

Find the details of where to visit White House Creations at: THE CHRISTMAS GATHERING

We wish Dottie and all her elves a very HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON. . .AND BLESSINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR. . .and MANY THANKS for her WONDERFUL SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . .as we venture on next to our own COUNTRY FARM HOME CHRISTMAS. . .and some current farm style decor. . .See you there. . .in a day or two!

Plain and Simple Christmas Stocking Inspiration

Sometimes 'simple' makes a bigger statement than any other. . .

I'm back with more photos from White House Creations in Bernie, Missouri, looking for more inspiration. . .I am never disappointed. . .and have become very aware that even for our Farmhouse Style, the simplicity of everyday red stockings captures the Spirit of Santa better than any of my choices in the past. . .

Now. . .Why didn't I think of this? . .Totally traditional. . .definitely bringing thoughts of past Christmases on the farm. . .

For many years we never had anything else but stockings from the sock drawer for Santa to fill. . .To be truthful, they usually were Daddy's biggest socks and definitely not red. . .It wasn't until I was maybe six or so that my Grandmother Duncan gifted us with felt stockings, shiny and glittery with embellishments. . .They were big and deep. . .making us very happy since Santa had to fill them with many more goodies than normal. . .

But. . .now in my adulthood. . .memories of those everyday stockings, carefully hung Christmas Eve night where Santa would be sure to find them, bring a smile. . .

Their contents on Christmas morning would appall most these days. . .but we were thrilled to find apples, oranges, nuts and candy. . .In fact, Christmas was about the only time during the year that we had real oranges. . .We found them sweet and delicious and a Christmas treat. . .

You can just imagine how bumpy those knit stockings looked, hanging plump and full. . .

Everywhere I looked, Dottie inspired my stocking revelation more. . .even in her log cabin, 'simple' made a statement that was undeniable. . .

This was Christmas as I have always seen it in my memories. . .and will be easily incorporated into the farmhouse style. . .without taking away any of the more contemporary look. . .After all. . .less is more even now!

Don't you agree?

With. . .

THE GATHERING: Christmas At Dottie's This Weekend

It is no secret where my absolutely favorite place to shop is found. . .especially at Christmas. . .WHITE HOUSE CREATIONS in a little town called Bernie. . .That's in the Missouri Bootheel for those of you who are not familiar with the area. . .on Highway 25 South of Dexter. . .

And this Saturday, Dottie will be hosting her annual Christmas Open House!

She calls it "The Gathering". . .and it certainly is. . .People come from Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia and many, many other states each year, pulling trailers to load up with her beautiful creations. . .This year guests will be treated with at least seven other vendors on the grounds. . .and there will be hamburgers and hot dogs cooked right there so that you can continue shopping after a quick lunch. . .

As always, Dottie will be offering 20% discount on everything. . .And just look at a few photos I snapped yesterday as they continued to move in more and more goodies. . .

Between now and Christmas, I will be highlighting more photos of the various vignettes everywhere you look. . .to share her Christmas cheer with you. . .Believe me. . .It will make you smile. . .and remind you of Christmases past but crafted for the present. . .

"Scheduled for November 13 the 9:00 to 4:00. Everything store wide will be 20%off excluding special orders or items needing to be shipped.There will be outside vendors also which some will not be set up to take credit or debit cards so be prepared to bring cash or checks. And of course will be having hamburgers and hotdogs cooked by Steve , Kelley and Ryan! Please join us for this yearly celebration!" CLICK HERE FOR WHC FACEBOOK

My suggestion?

Get in you car, truck, van.

Head to Bernie, MO very early with your coffee cup in hand.

Visit with the crowd of fellow shoppers, waiting for the opening.

Experience a unique Christmas experience that you will never forget!!!

And here's another tip:

If you see something you like, grab it. . .

Don't wait. . 

Don't hesitate. . .

Or that treasure may be missing when you return!!!

SEE YOU THERE!

A Prim, Rustic, or Farmhouse Setting

It is turning colder. . .definite signs of fall with winter on its tails. . .As soon as there's a chill in the air, I bring out some chosen miniature log cabins to add to the autumn settings. . .I think you can see why this one is my favorite. . .

No. . .this isn't The Country Farm Home. . .Well. . .maybe you could call it The Country Farm Home II. . .It is our weekend home in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. . .where I have recently decided to redecorate using the basic color palette of our farmhouse. . .the "cotton palette" I call it. . .whites. . .neutrals. . .grays. . .blacks. . .I haven't had the time. . .so far. . .to do much. . .except set up a few vignettes for a test run. . .Thought I'd share this one with you. . .because. . .I really like it. . .and can see my plans will give drama and simplicity to our get-away. . .

It seems that as much as I try new ideas and styles. . .I always come back to what I know and love. . .And each time it gives me the sense of coming home. . .

So I guess I'll stick to the same basic plan. . .but with more prim and rustic with a little farmhouse thrown in. . .It will be next summer's project. . .Seems like a long way off. . .but it will be here in no time. . .Besides. . .looking on the bright side. . .I have a whole winter to plan and gather and dream!

Inside The Linen Cabinet

The title is a little misleading, I know. . .You were expecting a modern day linen cabinet of fluffy, thick bath towels and crisp, white sheets perfectly folded. . .Right? . .Well, this one is different. . .This make-do cabinet in our living room is full of vintage linens and cotton sacking. . .of fabrics from the 1930s. . .of old lace and cotton string. . .I've shown you this cabinet before. . .It has been around for several years. . .

But. . .that's not the story. . .

It all began when I gazed up at it over my morning coffee. . .A disaster. . .an absolute disaster. . .The piles of linen were no longer piles. . .the string and hemp rolls were a tangled mess. . .the extras were stuffed everywhere. . .So. . .once the coffee cup was empty, I couldn't stand it any longer. . .I set out to organize the shelves once more. . .

But. . .that's not the story either. . .

The story is. . .something many of you already know. . .I surround myself in memories. . .in family history. . .in my history. . .Not that I don't live in the present, making memories for the future. . .I do. . .But my joy in life is living with ALL of my life. . .past and present and future hopes and dreams. . .Nothing proves this more than this simple little vignette. . .inside the linen cabinet. . .

An old cardboard suitcase, all stained and rusty. . .that once held homemade clothes for my favorite doll "Princess". . .A roll of age-spotted white bias tape. . .from my Grandmother Duncan's sewing room where she created gorgeous evening wear during the 1950s and 60s for her loyal customers. . .Folds of drapery pleating tape. . .found in Mother's sewing supplies from the 1980s when she made her own drapes to save money. . .and last but not least, the penned quill John made for me to use at the Greenhow Store in Colonial Williamsburg, where we worked twenty years ago. . .

 

Not a single one is worth anything to anyone else. . .only myself. . .and the fact that it makes a great photo op. . .But I have spent the entire morning being surrounded by the LOVE that it represents. . .

Maybe I am too sentimental. . .but it sure does make the day go better to be wrapped in HUGS from my past. . .If only for a few moments. . .

I hope you will stop for a few moments and do the same. . .Think of those who have made loving differences in your life. . .and let them hug you. . .The rewards will most certainly make for a great day ahead. . .

Queen Anne's Lace For The Farmhouse

 

It's time to get on your walking shoes. . .grab a pair of hand clippers and a bucket of water. . .and find the nearest place to home for gathering Queen Anne's Lace wildflowers. . .Depending on your part of the country, this is the time of the year when it seems vacant fields and ditch banks are filled with an abundance of the dainty, fragile-looking flowers that can add so much to your farmhouse decor. . .And if you dry them, you can enjoy their beauty for many more months. . .

Some of the simplest farmhouse settings include the make-do items such as old soda bottles found around the farm. . .and the free wild flowers of Queen Anne's Lace. .

It's true. . .I have written about these flowers before. . .and shown you how to preserve their beauty. . .but it's been several years. . . and I thought it might be time for a refresher course. . .

Whether you plan to use the Queen Anne's Lace fresh or bring some home for drying, carrying a big jar or bucket of water is a must for immediately placing the stems after cutting. . .If you don't. . .by the time you get back to the farmhouse they will have drawn into a ball, and you'll never get them flattened out. . .I often allow a few to dry that way, though, for a little extra interest.

My technique for drying is very simple. . . .I use canning jars and newspaper!!! . . .I have found that empty pint canning jars are just heavy enough to keep the head from curling but not so heavy that they mash the bloom too flat. . .

Spread newspaper on a table in a warm place. . . .Then place a flower head upside down on the newspaper. . . .Add another head beside it, sharing a canning jar between them. . . .Support the stems between the jars. . .Allow to dry. . .Here in our hot, hot summer, it only takes a day or so. . .

Remove the jars. . .For added protection, you can spray the heads with hair spray or other clear spray. . .but not so close that you blow the tiny blooms away!

Now. . .wasn't that simple?

If you are interested in dying some Queen Anne's Lace, I have those links on Pinterest or try the Search box on the right hand column. . .