Styling with Gray

 

Gray. . . .Is it new? . . .Actually, no--it isn't. . . .Though it's new to my way of thinking 'farmhouse'. . . .I've used gray before in my décor as in galvanized buckets and gray woods. . . .but, that just happened. . . .I never intentionally went for gray.

 

When I open many magazines these days. . . .and gather decorating ideas at Pinterest. . . .

I like how people are styling with it in. . . .

from: HVITURLAKKR

kitchens. . . .

 

from: Pinterest

dining rooms. . . .

 

from: THISTLEWOOD FARM

bathrooms. . . .

 

from: SALLY BUTCHER 

In living rooms. . . .

 

from: MICHELLE GRINDEL MEDSKER

bedrooms. . . .

 

from: THE PAPER MULBERRY

and accessories. . . .

 

Have you also noticed that many are venturing out
from purely 'white' décor and adding the softness of gray to the palette?
 I'm thinking it might be my new neutral?

 

Goes to show Me once again to never say 'never'. . . .

 

from: JO GARNER

 

Several years ago, I visited the new home in progress of a friend. . . .It was the first home he'd built for himself. . . .He was so proud of it. . . .A beautiful house---with a master suite that covered one whole side---walk in closets--top-of-the-line kitchen---whole wall of windows in the living room spanning from top to bottom---You get the idea, don't you?

A DREAM HOME. . . .

except for one thing. . . .

 

from: MY RUSTIC FARMHOUSE

He had painted the walls GRAY!!! Yuk!!

I thought to myself, 'I would never ever choose GRAY!'

What could you do with gray? Dull and plain. . . .but I never said a word to him. . . .

I figured he was a man and wanted a manly look to his new home. . . .(sigh). . . .

 

from: ZACINAJA

 

So here I am. . . .finding out that at least three rooms of our house will be in need of renovation soon (more about that later), and I'm looking at gray to 'up-date' my vintage look. . . .Isn't that fickle of me? . . . .I almost feel like I should apologize to my friend! . . . .Because now I see the merits of using gray.

 

Sometimes too much white can seem stark and uninviting. . . .From photos I see on Pinterest, gray softens that whiteness. . . .I'm beginning to really like what I see. . . .What do you think?

 

from: THE PAPER MULBERRY

 

Walls would probably stay white. . . .or not. . . .with the idea of using gray as an accent. . . .Maybe a gray couch or a few pieces of furniture painted gray--not a lot--just a few accents. . . .might turn out to be pleasing to the eye. . . .and much easier to keep clean.

 

Live a little. . . .Learn a little. . . .Who would have thought?

Obviously, not me. . . .til now. . . .



I'm so glad I didn't say anything to my friend. . . .

or I'd be too embarrassed to ask for another tour of his home one day soon. . . .

hmmm. . . .The joke's on me this time, isn't it?

 

 

There's more gray inspiration on my Pinterest board. . . .

almost 100 pins of gray and white. . .

If you'd like to see, follow the link and click on the 'GRAY' board.

PINTEREST

(You don't have to be a member of Pinterest to go there, if you follow the above link.)

 

 

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

 

 



Gardening with Bell Jars and Cold Frames

I think we're all looking forward to Spring, aren't we?
I know it's a few months off, but Winter has turned so dreary and COLD. . . .I live in the South and we're just not used to these below freezing temperatures. . . .Thinking about Spring gardens takes my mind off the weather outdoors. . . .and  because of a recent visit to the past, I now have the bug to build cold frames so we'll have fresh veggies the year round.

 

 

Welcome to the Colonial Garden!

Sunny and warm. . . .a Spring day? . . .NOT. . . .It's a cold and windy Winter day in December.

Doesn't look it, does it?

 

 

And such beautiful veggies!

We spent a bit of time with the gardener at Colonial Williamsburg that day. . . .Since we eat a lot of vegetables, I had been doing research on cold frames--to hurry up Spring planting. . . .Mind you, I wasn't born with a green thumb. . . .but, a person can always learn. . . .Right? . . . I'm not so sure John was as enthusiastic as I. . . .He knew what was coming. . . .He'd have to build those cold frames. . . .but I assured him I would help. . . .(????)

 

 I remember my Grandmother using cold frames to start her seedlings toward the end of Winter. . . .What I don't remember is her ever using an insulation material around the frame. . . .Loved the concept! . . .It would be so simple to utilize here at the farm.

 

 

 

  

At the CW nursery, the upper part of the cold frames were constructed from wood and painted white. . . . Not only does the white paint look more appealing, it also helps reflect sunlight onto the plantings when skies are gray.

The boxes were then placed on stacked brick to lift the wood off the ground and away from any wood loving insects. . .Inside some, the gardener dug a trench in the ground for additional protection. . . .depending on how tender the plants.

The next step was to weave a wattle fence a little distance from the cold frame, then fill the space in between with a thick layer of hay. . . .The plants are protected from the cold Winter weather like a blanket. . . .With a couple of discarded glass windows on top, the sun will warm the cold frame during the day and provide light for the seedlings to grow. . . .(that sounds odd, doesn't it? a warm cold frame?) . . . .These nursery plants were thriving and will produce throughout the Winter and into Spring. . . .How I wish my garden looked like this!

 

 

Besides being functional, the colonial cold frames add so much to the garden. . . .I'm thinking about placing them inside the fenced garden spot we have at the back door. . . .where I can tend to them quickly and have the fresh vegetables close at hand. 

When Spring gets a little closer, I'd like to try my hand with bell jars, too . . . .also known as cloches.
They are so lovely in a garden. . . .and very vintage looking.

 

 

Beautiful and functional, too. . . .

Notice how the straw is used here-- to keep the moisture in the ground
until the seeds sprout--and maybe for a little insulation, too.
 

How many bell jars did I buy? . . . Only one. . . .We didn't have room in the car for more with all our other purchases. . . .I'll try looking for them closer to home. . . .They can be a bit pricey. . . .so, I'm thinking about alternatives. . . .Any suggestions?

 

 One of the reasons I love about visiting historic sites such Colonial Williamsburg is the knowledge we can obtain from the past. . . .Their ways are usually simpler. . . .and easy to incorporated into our everyday living here on the farm. . . .Plus the visit to the nursery sparked my interest in gardening again. . . . making-do with the materials we have on hand and creating beauty at the same time.

I'm more than ready to get started. . . .one day soon. . . .when it's a little warmer.

. . .from our farmhouse to yours. . .

 

 

It's Another Year, Isn't It?

I made a confession over at Our Old Country Store this morning. . . .

We took off two weeks and vacationed in Virginia!

No work. . . .No computers. . . .No phones. . . .for the entire Christmas Holiday.

I bet several of you had guessed as much, hadn't you?

After all, I haven't spoken with you since last year. . . .lol

 

Such a fun and relaxing trip. . . .I have so much to show and tell you. . . .once I get my new Dell computer working properly. . . .Santa slipped it under the tree, and I do love it. . . .but as with all new tech devices, there's also a few bugs to work out. . . .For one, the Windows 8.1 won't recognize my digital camera. . . .so, I can't download all the wonderful photographs I took while away. . . .And, are any of you having problems with Blogger?. . .or is that a Windows 8.1 issue, too?

 

 

It's also true that it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks. . . .I'm the old dog. . . .not a tech person at all. . . .I understand paper and pencil much better than Windows 8.1. . . .hmmmm. . . .Maybe I need to go back to school? . . . .I understand they don't teach pencil and paper in school anymore. . . .mostly tech now. . . .

 

Well, whatever the case, I have my work cut out for me in the next few days. . . .There's also loads of emails to answer (sorry if I haven't gotten to yours, yet). . . .A new Smart Phone to set up (remember, I'm not much of a tech). . . .Orders to send off. . . .Lots of catch-up and to-do lists.

 

Was it worth it?

You bet!

We spent a full week at Colonial Williamsburg and then rambled around the back roads of the Shenandoah Valley, my ancestral roots. . . .We wined and dined, visited with friends,  and just relaxed. . . .Yes, it was worth it. . . .I have hundreds of photos and will be sharing a few with you later. . . .the ones I think you'd be the most interested in. . . .such as the 1930s farm kitchen at Bassett Hall. . . .winter gardening with bell jars and cold frames. . . .bee skeps for your bees--or decorating the farmhouse. . . . and a few other goodies. . . .

If you're interested in weaving, I've already posted a few photos from Colonial Williamsburg

at Our Old Country Store. . . .Follow the link here or below.

Just wanted to let you know I'm not lying in bed doing nothing during this time away. . . .sigh. . . .How I wish. . . .The next few days I'll be diligently working toward a quick course in Windows 8.1, recovering our photos, learning the Smart phone, answering emails. . . .oh!. . . .I have one more job on my list. . . .nursing John back to health. . . .He injured his leg on our trip and it is not healing correctly. . . .Nurse Dru is having a hard time keeping him off it. . . .but in the end, I will win out there, too!

 

Sure hope your New Year is going well!

I'll keep smiling if you will. . . .It makes people wonder what we're up to!

 

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

 

 

 **********************

 

Weaving at Colonial Williamsburg. . .Our Old Country Store is Open!

 

 



By the Fireside

 

The stockings are hung. . . .The baking is done. . . .

The packages are wrapped. . . .The greeting cards are mailed.

 

It's time for us to sit back, relax, and enjoy the remainder of these Christmas Holidays.

 

Time for a little pampering. . . .Some hot apple cider and pumpkin bread will do the trick. . . .

"Mints" on the pillows. . . .hmmm. . . .Don't you love those hotels that leave the little chocolates?

 

 

We'll need a little candlelight. . . .of course. . . .

 

 

 

 

and a 'Snoopy Tree'. . . .Yes! . .  .Not so perfect. . . .but adorable anyway. . . .

  

 

 

 

 

 

All I need to do is add a little Christmas music and the stage is set for a relaxing evening by the fireside. . . .

 

 

So many blessings to be thankful for. . .So many memories to reflect upon. . . .So much love to share. . . .in so many ways. . . .

 

I hope you've enjoyed looking in on our life here at The Country Farm Home this year. . . .We've certainly enjoyed sharing it with you. . . .We've met so many truly wonderful people. . . .and have made new friends that I hope will last a lifetime. . . .

 

This is my last post for the year. . . .unless I just can't stay away (you know how that is). . . .We're taking off the rest of the year. . . .to be with family and friends. . . .for Christmas parties and caroling . . . .to prepare for the 'big day'. . . .But, I'll definitely be back after the Holidays, with lots of new things to share--new ideas for our Plain and Simple Style--and new stories to tell. . . .So, until then my friends. . . .Have an Absolutely Wonder-filled Holiday!

 



My Christmas Card to You: Pecan Pie Recipe from Colonial Williamsburg

I've spent many Christmases working at Colonial Williamsburg and loved every minute of it. . . .Getting caught up in the festivities, it made Christmas away from home more like a labor of Love.

And the food! Oh My! . . .It's an experience in itself. . . .One of the reasons I didn't mind working Christmas Day was the food. . . .Christmas Dinner was banquet tables--yes, tables--of culinary favorites from the Colonial Williamsburg chefs. . . .Recipes from the taverns, Colonial Williamsburg Inn and Lodge, and the bakery. . . .Makes my mouth water to think about it. . . .

Every Christmas I send my friends Christmas Card Recipes. . . .A small token I share for them to enjoy at Christmas or to tuck away until later. . . .
This year I chose the King's Arms Tavern Pecan Pie. . . .It's very easy. . . .and always delicious. . . .It includes a pastry crust recipe that is wonderful also. . . .although I admit that I often use the frozen pastry when in a hurry. . . .

Since you, my blogging friends, are so special to me, I thought I'd share a Card and Recipe with you!

 

A Southern Classic. . . .Hope you enjoy it. . . .

Oh! and Feel free to print out the recipe to share with your friends. . . .

 

 . . . from my farmhouse to yours. . .

 

Christmas Geraniums and Sweet Little Birdies

Geraniums for Christmas?. . . .Really?
Yes, Really. . . .

This Christmas you can call me a rebel--a nonconformist--a naturalist--a make-doer (is there such a word?)--plain--simple--'traveling to the beat of a different drum'--take your pick. . . .

I couldn't agree with you more. . . .

Yet, we're both loving it. . . .

But. . . .Geraniums when everyone else has Paper Whites, dried Hydrangeas, Roses, and Poinsettias? . . .Why not? . . . .They're the right color green with that 'pop' of red that I so love. . . .They look almost shocking pink in these photos, but they're truly a bright red. . . .

I've carried the bedroom theme of brown paper wrappings and sweet little birdies throughout the house. . . .It's almost as if someone left the door open and our feathered friends flew in. . . .finding homes among the evergreens. . . .bright and cheerful.
John swears he heard them chirping one morning!

I have four more Geraniums. . . .but only one is blooming, so far. . . .I'm coaxing the others to bloom for the Christmas table. . . .With a cotton sacking table runner, a few natural additions, and white dinnerware, they'll be just the right touch. . . .festive. . . .cheerful. . . .unexpected. . . .

Or, maybe not so unexpected. . . .
My friends have learned to expect the unexpected from me. . . and I do hate to disappoint them!

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

 

 

Hi, You All!

Just wanted to let you know that I do treasure each

and every one of your comments.

They mean so much to me.

I'm having such a problem with Yahoo email.

It's hard to tell who I've emailed back and who I haven't.

Plus, just this morning, your comments began coming in

from Dec 10th! I was not happy.

I have a new computer now--an early

Christmas gift. Just as soon as I get everything set up on it,

I will probably be changing my email account.

 

I wanted to let you know that if I've missed responding to your comment,

I'm so sorry. Hopefully, I'll get it straightened out soon.

Christmas Blessings to All of You!