Vintage Inspired Fashion at The Farmhouse

Yoo-hoo, Calling all ladies...
Farmhouse Country Style has paired up with an adorable clothing boutique,  Shabby Apple, for a GIVEAWAY!

This dress is called the Boogie Woogie....

Ummm, so how cute is that?

A classic little black dress that would be so pretty for a special 

Valentine's Day Dinner...

(hint, hint, hubby) or any special occasion really.  
You could win this Amazing Dress for yourself!






How stinkin' sweet is this polka dot dress from their 1965 Collection? 

Shabby Apple carries Women's Dresses in  
classic and vintage inspired styles that you can't find in the average department store.  They also have style tools on their website, one which determines the best styles for your body type.


One more super impressive thing about this company..
Shabby Apple donates 5% of it's net dress sales to help women worldwide.
(They have a blog too).

Their adorable little Girls dresses and the aprons are too sweet and any 
homemaker that I know would love to doll themselves up in one of these.

How to qualify for this giveaway you ask?

In order to qualify first you must be a Farmhouse Country Style Follower

To enter the Giveaway to win 
The Boogie Woogie Dress:

1. Please leave a comment below about your Dream Valentine Date and which Shabby Apple outfit you would like to wear! 
Lets have fun with this!

2. If you are on Facebook, visit the Shabby Apple Page at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/shabby-apple/56291792791

and LIKE them for another entry  
 (just let me know you have did so in an separate comment below for another entry).

And, while you're at it...Stop on over to the Farmhouse Country Style Facebook page too, lol.

3. To earn yet another entry, post a link to this Giveaway on your Blog, then come back and leave one more comment below (with a link) for yet another entry.

NOTE
***Giveaway is for the above Boogie Woogie dress only*** 
Okay, so you can enter up to three times if you meet the above requirements and comment for each entry.  You have until midnight on February 26th to enter.  
Winner will be chosen by random number generator.


***LASTLY***

Here is a Bonus something extra for FHCS followers..... 
I'm so excited to share this with you all....

In addition to the Giveaway,
Shabby Apple is graciously extending a 
10% off coupon to Farmhouse Country Style Followers
use coupon code Farmhousecountrystyle10off
Offer Expires on February 27th, 2012


 Oh, and don't forget to check out their new Mad Hatter Collection too...
okay I'm finished now, lol.

   

I can't wait to read your comments!  Thank you for all of your comments in the last post...I haven't given up hope on the holiday photos yet...I'm still trying to find out if I can retrieve them, so thanks for the encouragement!  
Thanks for stopping by!

Take care,
Dee

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!

 Let me waste no more time in announcing the winner of the two

GOOSEBERRY PATCH

Cookbook Giveaways

Quick and Easy Christmas

won by

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes

The second giveaway from the
Farmhouse Country Style Facebook Page

101 Easy Everyday Recipes

won by

Lori Peterson

Let me know where to send your books....you can send me a message on Facebook and I'll get them out to you.

If any of you would like to purchase either of these wonderful cookbooks you can do so here.

Okay...I won't go into the details of the overdue...Quick and Easy giveaway....cause I really like all of you and it's boring and repetitive.  I will politely say that we had some more technical difficulties this week....and now I'm fed up!

Now, a new computer purchase is being plotted....yes, this 'puter will be getting the boot sometime soon...it's days are officially numbered!!  Muwahahahahah! 

I'll be back soon folks!

Take Care,  Dee

A May Day Winner

Hello Dear Ladies,

Happy May Day!  Spring has arrived and the trees are unfolding, the flowers a bloomin' and green color is sprouting up everywhere!  I just love the fresh start of spring, when everything is new and reborn.  I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!  I have some photos to share now that I have my computer back, I'll post them in a few days, (better late then never right?). 

I was searching online for a few simple ideas to celebrate May Day and came across these pretty and easy door knob bouquets from Martha Stewart.com and thought I would share....  Click this link if you're interested in making them. 

Thank you to all of you who took the time to comment and enter this giveaway, and especially those of you who posted about it on your blogs!  My computer has been sick for the past two weeks so I've been working from my lil' notebook.  They are small and compact and get the job done...but I nearly go blind trying to read from those tiny lil' puters, lol. 

Last night, I mosied on over to Random.org to find out who would be the winner of the Quick and Easy Autumn Cookbook giveaway and so I am told the winner was comment number 90. 

Geesh, it sure would be so much easier if we could automatically number our comments wouldn't it?  If there already is a way to do this, please fill me in folks.  It is a little time consuming to count out 90 comments and then recount to make sure you are absolutely correct!  After doing this twice it finally occurred to me (in all my chaos) that it would be quicker to count backwards from 105 to 90, ummm, hello~lightbulb~! 

Well I want to congratulate Joy on winning, I am sure she will be so pleased with this cookbook!    Thank you for commenting and posting about the giveaway on your blog Joy.  Stop on by Joy's blog, Books and Life , and say hello. 

For those of you who entered here and love GPB.....don't get discouraged!  I just received two more cookbooks for review from Gooseberry Patch the other day.  So I will be posting two more giveaways for brand spankin' new cookbooks not yet released!  So stop back in a few days, you are really going to love them.   

I'm so happy so many of  you liked the FHCS Facebook page.  I plan on having some fun with that in the near future (surprise)!  It will be so much easier to keep in touch between blog posts and see what a lot of you are up to in the meantime! 

I'll be back in a few days, we have some catchin' up to do! But before I go...tell me....what spring plans do you have?  A vegetable garden, a new flower bed, maybe building a potting shed, or finishing up a your spring cleaning?  Anything interesting?  Leave a comment and please share!  Happy Spring!

Take care gals,

Dee

GBP Cookbook Review and Giveaway

.

You can just imagine how excited I am to be a part of Gooseberry Patch's Early Bird Reviews.  The opportunity to review recipes from one of my Favorite companies before the book hits the market and give away a free copy to one of my followers....I'm thrilled!  I have always loved their cookbooks and have been collecting them for years.  My family has eaten many meals cooked from the recipes on their pages and they are always a hit.


Well here is my first review...
Quick and Easy Autumn by Gooseberry Patch.  Autumn...my FAVORITE season of all.  I know it is almost spring, but once you see these recipes in this book it really doesn't matter all that much, yes they are that good girls!  Asking their customers to review their books is brave and brilliant, how many companies do you know that chooses to go right to the source for an honest opion?  It could only be the ones that stand confidently behind their products, right? I so love that about them. I also love the whole concept behind Gooseberry Patch-they are so wholesome, sharing great family recipes with each other like women in communities have done for generations.  

How neat is it that they also understand the quick and easy part of todays wives and mothers?  So many of us are juggling families, homekeeping, jobs, businesses and extra curricular activites that we sometimes fall short on time.  Well I know that I don't want to compromise the food I prepare for my family in spite of all that and this book has so many recipes in it that make it possible to prepare great meals that are quick, easy and taste great!   

As far as my family goes, on the days that I work, it's a challenge to find the time to prepare and put a decent dinner on the table let alone add a homemade desert to it.  So for my first review from their brand new cookbook, I have chosen a cobbler prepared on one of those very busy nights.  Now, I don't want to sound like I have to pitch their book for them, because I don't, they do well all on their own, I'm only here for a review. All of the GPB fans out there already know what I'm talkin' about, but I want it on the record, that I am honored to have been asked to do these reviews! 

Let's get down to business now..... shall we?

Quick & Easy Autumn 

Cherry Cobbler

by Carol Van Rooy

This recipe was sooo easy and quick.  Exactly like the title says.  I am a busy momma these days and it was so nice to find a delicious recipe that took no time at all to make and one that my family really enjoyed. 

 

Lets make it together now.  First, you should go put on a cute lil' apron, it makes it more fun cookin' and makes ya good lookin'!  

Here's the list of ingredients......

~ 21 oz. can of Cherry pie filling, ~ 1T. lemon juice,  ~ 1T. cinnamon,  ~ 1/2 C. melted butter,  ~ 1 1/4 C. flour,  ~  1/2 C. sugar,  ~ 2T. baking powder,  ~ 1 C. milk ~ 

Mmhhm, Seriously that is all you need.

~You probably already have these ingredients in your pantry like I did!~

In a bowl combine the flour, sugar and baking soda.

Add the milk and melted butter to the flour mixture and combine.  It will be the consistency of pancake batter when mixed. 

Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 glass baking dish.  Spread out evenly.

In another bowl, mix the cherry pie filling with

the ground cinnamon.  {I LOVE McCormick's Grinders.  If you haven't tried them yet, do so.  The flavor of the freshly ground cinnamon is

sooo much better, all you do is twist the top}

Add the lemon juice to the cherry mixture and mix well.

Pour the cherry mixture as evenly as possible over top of the batter mixture.

Now, put the pan into a preheated 325 degree oven bake for 25 minutes.  Yes, stand there lookin' pretty, patiently waiting while your homemade cobbler bakes...     

{or not}

now, turn the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 10 mintues or until golden and batter has risen over the top of the pie filling.

Now, go enjoy it with your loved ones!

Serves 8-10

We served our Cherry Cobbler with a scoop of good vanilla bean ice cream while it was still warm. The ice cream starts to melt and Oh My Word is this sooooo yummy!  Now run over to your pantry and gather these ingredients because your missin' out darlin! 

There are so many great recipes in this cookbook, I can't wait to review more recipes like... 

Peachy~Keen Sweet Taters

Applie Spice Country Ribs

Sticky Bun Toast Toppers

Gingersnap Baked Beans

Janet's Farmer's Pie

Rosemary Pork Loin

Grandma's Apple Nut Dessert

Autumn Cranberry Chicken

and lots more

My family and I discussed some of the recipes over dinner oohhhhing and ahhhing over the titles.  So you will be hearing a few more reviews on this cookbook for sure. 

Now, if you liked this recipe and want to try to win a copy of your own Quick and Easy Autumn of your very own then here's the criteria to enter:

FHCS Gooseberry Patch

Quick and Easy Autumn Cookbook Giveaway:

**Anyone who enters must be a FHCS follower.**

You do not have to have a blog to enter but please leave an email contact in your comment.

*1 Entry:  If you leave a comment for this post

**2nd Entry: If you blog about this on your blog and link it up to mine (be sure to link it up to this post)

***3rd Entry:  If you link to this giveaway on your sidebar

****4th Entry:  If you LIKE the new FHCS Facebook Fan Page

Leave the same comment for each entry adding to each one which you qualify for.  The winner will be chosen by random number generator on April 30th.  Announced The first week of May.  This giveaway is open to US residents and Canada only.


If you absolutely cannot wait for the giveaway to end you can pre-purchase your very own copy HERE.  It won't be available until May but you can pre-order on Amazon now.

Good luck to you all, I will post another recipe from this book very soon.  Happy Spring Gals!

Take good care

xo,

Dee

Kindred Spirits GIVEAWAY

Sorry for the wait, I hope you all are well.

I had a giveaway planned for a week now.  All ready to post, all ready to go.  Until I changed my mind, changed my post and changed my giveaway...read on please.

***

It all started with an ordinary day. I awoke with the sun, made my morning coffee and awaited for my babies to rise.  I sat in the quiet of the morning drinking my coffee and listening to the birds in the backyard. 

***

The children awoke and we set out to getting on with our day.

Mid-way through the morning the door bell rang but I wasn't expecting anyone. 

***

I walked to the door to greet my visitor but no one was there except a box from my postal carrier who was now getting back to carrying on with her route. 

***

Curious, I gave a wave and picked up the box.  I hadn't ordered anything so I wondered just what it could be.  Once inside I opened the box and here is what I found.....

Surprise!  A beaut-i-fully wrapped present, with my name on it! 

Ohhhh, I was so delighted and now very curious as to who sent me such a thing. 

Upon closer inspection, underneath of the bow I spotted this tag and with a familiar name upon it!

Addressed to me by a sweet customer of mine who sends me the most delighful letters along with her orders.  All so beautifully hand written, not your ordinary letter, you could certainly tell that this person takes great care with her writing and intends to send something very special to it's recipent.  I plan on sharing more of them very soon.

Over the past year this sweet friend, Donna, has ordered numerous times from Farmhouse Mercantile and each and every time she has sent me these  pretty letters to accompany her orders. 

It truly is a treat for me each time.

Under the beautiful cherry wrapping paper (which I hated opening because it was so pretty) were two smaller packages each wrapped in this cheery yellow tissue paper adorned with a green paper flower....

Oh, the details!

Inside the first package I found this cookbook.  Where Hearts Gather

by Susan West Cannon.

And just when this gift couldn't get any sweeter, I opened the book to reveal that it has been

signed by the author!

My sweet friend revealed that the author was a relative of hers and put sticky notes inside several of the pages detailing where some of the recipes came from like the one from her mother in the side picture.  Girls, I have to admit that I got a little teary eyed that Donna was so thoughtful and generous to have shared these stories with me and send this very special gift my way.  I was very touched to say the least.

Just when I was getting it together, I realized there was a second package in the box to be opened....

and inside that package I found

When Friends Gather

also signed by Susan.

Inside this book Donna revealed a recipe that was her grandmothers.  She told me all about the flood of memories this pound cake recipe brings back to her when baking it....

Oh, the sweetest things! 

(Donna, I have to tell you that I will always leave these little notes in this book!)

This is just one page of how sweet this cookbook is.  I love reading the heartwarming stories that are with each recipe too.

On the back cover is a picture of her young mother and aunt.....and the author.

.

Inside Donna's beautiful letter to me she told me that the FHCS blog brings her joy and that is the reason for this gift.  I was so touched!!  I am so pleased that this blog of mine can do that for you!  Because of this blog, you certainly are someone I have been blessed to know that I otherwise may never have made a connection to since we live on opposite sides of this big country! 

How fortunate for me!

Not only have you blessed me with your sweet comments but you have also with friendship!

Thank you Donna from the bottom of my heart!  I love this special gift very much, I have already read through the cookbooks and tried one of the recipes...

HOMEMADE MACARONI & CHEESE

My family said that this was the best Mac-n-Cheese recipe I have ever made....I have to agree with them, it was really delicious!

Of course I will be making more of the recipes and I will share with my blogging friends very soon!  Click here to order your copy today!

Now I have a giveaway of my own to share.....

A (large) Kindred Spirit Sign

I have had some friends for many years, I have made new friends too.  Some throughout different stages of my life and some have been there for ever.  Some I speak to daily and some I catch up with several times a year.  But I have to say that the most facinating friendships I have formed have been with those I have never even met before! 

Several sweet ladies have formed a kinship with me through this blog and what a blessing you all have been to me.  Some of you have been customers, some of you have been commentors, some I communicate with through email every now and then, many of you all of those things!  

Alot of you have been inspiring, uplifting, encouraging, supportive and all of you a blessing to me in one way or another.   All the things women need of friends in their lives.  Some of you I have found through your blogs, message boards and some of you have found me. 

Although most of us have never  met personally, I certainly feel a kinship with several readers in one way or another.  Be it through the way we like to mother our children, take care of our homes, issues that are important to one another, projects we share, recipes we make, crafts and simply when we need to lift one another up....all without ever having met one another.  I'm so facinated by the way these relationships are formed without ever having seen the face of the recipent or really sitting at each others kitchen table for a cup of coffee!

This sign reminds me of one of my all time favorite childhood book...

Anne of Green Gables

by L.M. Montgomery

" Miss Barry was a kindred spirit, after all," Anne confided in Marilla. " You wouldn't think so to look at her, but she is. You don't find it right out at first, as in Mathew's case, but after a while you come to see it. Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world."

If you would like to sign up for the Kindred Spirts Sign giveaway, please leave a comment on how your life was touched by someone you have never physically met before.  I would love to hear some of your stories!  If you don't have anything to share yet then be certain to leave a comment anyway! 

As stated in my last post, the recipient will be chosen by random number generator.  Extra entries if you post this giveaway on your blog, have a FHCS button on your blog, and are a customer. You must be a FHCS follower to enter.  The giveaway closes Midnight August 14th winner to be announced Sunday the 16th.

Take Care,

Dee