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. . .

 

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

It's been almost ten years since I wrote my first post on this blog. . .I had no idea what I was doing. . .What I did know was that I wanted to share with you our very unique cotton farm as we brought Granddaddy's dream back to life. . .We had pretty much renovated most of the farm buildings and were already giving tours of the farm by appointment. . .School children enjoyed living history on their visits. . .Older groups reminisced. . .Donations were coming in by the dozens. . .All that had to be finished was our Country Farm Home. . .As with the cobblers children's shoes, we had saved our own needs for last. . .John and I decided it would be fun to document our progress with the Country Farm Home blog. . .and so. . .here we are ten years later. . .Our 1930s farm manager's home has been finished for several years. . .We have been so surprised at the response and interest in it. . .It has been featured in magazines, on Arkansas PBS, and other media. . .

But our home wasn't the only thing we shared with you. . .There were stories of my amazing cat Boo, who fought Addison's disease for many years and was on a special research project to find a cure. . .There were the rag rug looms that suddenly became a cottage industry--we sold them all over the world. . .There were holidays and lazy days and special days featured. . .Open hearth cooking. . .Numerous family recipes shared. . .We dressed in about every era costume from the 18th to the 20th centuries. . .We even had a wedding or two here. . .One blog became three. . .It just went on and on. . .Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think any of this would happen. . .My only wish from the beginning was to share our life on this Delta farm. . .I wanted you to come in and sit a while through my photos and writings. .  .to feel the warmth. . .the love. . .the history. . .family. . .maybe even inspiring you a little along the way. . .'from my farmhouse to yours. . .'

As with so many things in life, blessings mostly come unexpectedly. . .One such blessing that has meant the world to both of us, was in a surprise comment written in February on the GONE TO THE FARM post. . .I almost missed it and so glad I didn't. . .It brought tears. . .

 

Winnie, I hope you don't mind me sharing your heart-felt blessing to us. . .

Dru, I have been following your blogs for years but never really comment. I am also a subscriber to Country Rustic Magazine and have been loving all of the articles you provide! I want to thank-you for the many wonderful ideas, thoughts, recipes, bits of history and the details of what it is like to be the Farmer;s daughter of the Delta. I would be remiss if I also don't mention that your story of kitty, Boo, was near and dear to my heart, and when you lost him, I had recently loss my kitty Bump. Your story and memorial that you did on Boo was the dearest and most beautifully said tribute. I cried at every word that someone else knew how it felt to lose a special Kitty and you were able to put in words what my broken heart only felt and knew. Today, I rush to hear more about M. LaShay and his reign of your homes. He is a blessing to me because I get to hear about what moving on looks like and the joy that comes when a new furry friend takes over. So, thank-you again for your sharing of Kitties in your many articles posted on your blogs. This new post really tugged at my heartstrings because of it's simplicity. I am a lover of the American story from Jamestown(I was born and raised in Charlottesville, VA.) in 1607 through the next 400 years. Of particular interest lately has been from 1900-1970 since my parents were born 1902 and 1914. Their lives included huge changes in technology and difficulty. Both parents were raised on farms and carried forth those values of hard work, simple living, and just enough income to stay afloat. Your recounts of life on your Delta cotton farm rings bells in my head of life spent in summers on my Grandparent's Indiana farm. The lifestyle that was sometimes firmly back in the 1920s with what sort of technology was available, mixed with proximity to more modern machines and amenities that made life easier. Each decade saw newer and newer ways to farm, travel, and manage everyday homes. The fact that you had the chance to experience the transitions with your grandparents and parents , and then own the property is a story that is both wonderful and culturally important. You and your talented John have saved and created this slice of history for generations now and to come. All of your hard work is a testimony to the preservation of history and all of it's lessons and stories that deserve to be kept alive for future generations. Yes, who ever knows when the smallest and most unexpected thing will lead to a true blessing? Enjoy the safety of your farm as the nation works to end the pandemic. Soon, the time will come that green shoots will push upward and an entire new cycle of the year will unfold. I am thinking your farm must be quite beautiful when that change gets going!

Friends. . .that's why we do this. . .It's because of people like Winnie. . of people like you who have been so devoted to us all these years. . .From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you Winnie. . .and all of you. . .for boosting our spirits and sending so much love yourselves these last ten years. . .Let's see where the next ten take us. . .

 

I don't know if any of you noticed, but recently this blog has been down. . .labeled a 'high risk site' and not secure. . .Even I couldn't get into it! . . not until I found a backdoor. . .I am no tech, so it took me a while to figure it all out and get back up and safe. . .But we're cleared now as being secure and thank goodness, we can continue. . .although it may not be as often, since I spend most of the summer months in Missouri. . .John remains at the farm to mow and do repairs. . .I told him he could continue my writings and photos, but he passed. . .(grin). . .I will be back and forth some and will be sharing posts then. . .After all, I am really a Farmgirl at Heart. . .and I treasure the moments spent there. . .and with you. . .

Spring Chickens And Daffodils II

Have you ever seen white daffodils? For over 17 years, these beauties have bloomed as a sign that winter is finally over and it is time to get out of the house for the pleasant weather and sunshine days. . .

I have numerous daffodils planted all over the farmstead, but these are my favorites because until this year the "cup" was yellow and the petals white. . .What a surprise when March came and they were ALL white! . . .Of course, they fit in well with the farmhouse decor. . .but what happened to the yellow? . .Does anyone know? . .Something missing in the soil, maybe? . .I need some info! 

 Actually, I do like them a lot. . .It's a change. . .

These were saved from the unusual freeze we had a couple of weeks ago. . .I wasn't home at the time but John knew how much I loved them, so he cut a canning jar full. . .I was certainly thrilled to see them. . .

You are probably wondering what all this has to do with chickens? . .Well. . .I posted a story several years ago that is as true today as then. . .About spring bringing not only daffodils but boxes of tiny chicks to my Grandmother's door. . .I knew when those little fluff balls arrived and the daffodils were blooming outside that spring had arrived. . .

SPRING CHICKENS AND DAFFODILS

I think of it every year. . .and hope you'll enjoy the story again. . .

Eggless Chocolate Pecan Raisin Tomato Bread

Tomatoes in a sweet quick bread? Well...it is actually tomato soup. . .I have to be honest with you. . .When I originally found the recipe in one of my 1930s cookbooks, I wasn't quite sure of it. . .No eggs and tomato soup? What a combination!. . .As they say, though, "Don't knock it until you have tried it.". . .If you like spiced quick breads, you'll love this. . .

I was inspired to pull out the recipe and bake several yesterday when I was purging almost out-of-date canned goods that had gotten pushed to the back of the cabinet. . .Lately I have been doing a lot of clean-outs all over the house. . .It's been spring cleaning on steroids. . .When I found four cans of tomato soup, I decided to make bread. . .I know that it freezes well and will be a great treat for John during the summer. . .

 

EGGLESS CHOCOLATE PECAN RAISIN TOMATO BREAD

1 can tomato soup

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 cup sugar

2 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves 

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

1/4-1/2 package raisins

 1 level teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water

1/2 cup chopped pecans

 Mix by hand the tomato soup, oil, and sugar until sugar is dissolved.

In a separate bowl, sift all dry ingredients together and add raisins.

Combine the tomato soup mixture with the dry ingredients.

 Stir in baking soda and water mixture. Do not over mix.

Pour into a greased loaf pan.

Sprinkle with chopped pecans, pushing them slightly into the batter.

Bake at 325 degrees until done.

Top with glaze while still warm.

GLAZE

1 cup confectioner's sugar

3 tablespoons lemon juice

SPOILER ALERT: 

This bread is so moist and delicious that you can't eat just one slice. . .(smile)

ENJOY!