Christmas Is Not A Day Nor Season

Christmas is not a Day or Season but

A Condition of the Heart and Mind.

I know it has been some time since I have posted.  Christmas is now upon us and our I hope all of your hearts are reflecting the essence of it.  Life has been moving rather quickly for me lately and it seems the more I have to do the faster it moves!  I'm sure alot of people feel that way.  We have slowed down this year and instead of the rush of Christmas we are focusing our minds on the condition of Christmas instead.....

My eyes have been opened this year to a Christmas of a different kind. 

With my father being ill and receiving treatments I will be grateful to see him on Christmas day like no other.  We are keeping prayers that he will be out of the hospital and well enough to see his family, that is his and all of our Christmas wish this year, that he will get well.

 I have seen another side of Christmas this year with my new job and the Christmas toy drive that they run each year.  All started by a grieving coworker who had to work through the holidays after loosing her son years ago.  Christmas for families, made by the generousity of others and hard work and dedication of those running it.  The amount of familes  that need help this year was eye opening, it brought out the true meaning of Christmas for alot of people. So many of them were just like me, anyone's situation could change in the blink of an eye.  I am so blessed to be a part of it.

It has made getting to the stores, rushing through the crowds at the mall, perfectly decorating the house so much less important.  Not that it ever really was the most important but it certainly set my priorities in order!  We have scaled back on everything.  What needs to get done will, simply put.  We need to focus only on what is truly important and that is FAMILY and LOVING and taking care of one another. It is not at all about presents that have been given out but about the love of Christmas that has been shown to me and I am so very grateful for the awakening, what a gift that is.

We have carried on with our Christmas Traditions of course.  Decorating the tree, sprucing up the house, wrapping gifts and baking of course.  Watching favorite Christmas movies and singing Carols. Only focusing on what should be done and narrowing down lists of what once was accomplished.  But this year, things have been scaled back.  Every single decoration did not have to go out, I chose only those that were important to me and that is what we used.  With all of that said, my Son still has the twinkle in his eye and excitement in his heart...he is so very excited by all of Christmas.

Inspite of all that is going on in my life right now, this is probably one Christmas that I will remember the best.   

Let me share a few things that we have prepared for this Christmas......

Pretty Papers

A new, antique, enamelware table. 

Set up as my wrapping center this year.
A large flower pail holds all the colorful wrapping paper next to it.

I keep everything within easy reach to wrap everything in a jif.  On Christmas day the paper will be put away table will be used to hold deserts.

Mixing and matching the wrapping paper, with plaids, polka dots and retro looking papers keeps it colorful!

  

A  Homemade Christmas

Homemade corncob potpourri to add to my holiday gift baskets.

Apple slices and cinnamon sticks grace the baked apple bags and orange peels and cloves are in the orange spice bags...mmmmmm they smell soooo good on the wrapping table while they await their recipients packages.

Homemade "snowballs" sit in an enamelware bowl all wrapped up to go in
other gift baskets with a candle. 

They make a cute centerpiece when placed around a candle

All Decked Out.....

The trees have been decorated,

and my great Aunt's nativity set out...I'll share more photos next post.

This is one of my most treasured holiday decorations.

 

This worn box has seen many Christmas'

A nice way to keep loved ones memories near at Christmastime. 

The ornaments have now all been hung.

The baking is still occuring...

I'm a messy, messy, baker....love baking with my kids.

I miss my girls being little with their little noses kissed with flour while they help in their Christmas aprons. 

My son occassionally strolls in and out to help, but he eats way more than he makes, lol. 

Rolled Sugar Cookies for my son's preschool class to decorate at their Christmas Party.

if you were a guest at my house this Christmas this is what I would serve you...some cute homemade Christmas tree and poinsettia pressed cookies fresh from the oven.

I hope you are all enjoying this Blessed Season, I miss you all!

This gal will be back in a few days to share a little more of

Christmas at the Farmhouse with you. 

 I will be back as soon as possible this week to share more of what has been going on at our house, thank you all for your emails and your prayers, they certainly have been helping!  

We are so grateful for your support.

There is still a Secret Giveaway going on....winner to be announced January 1st...New Years Day.

Take Care,

Dee

Christmas Signs....

A sneak peek at a few new signs added to the Mercantile and etsy.......

and you can take 10% off your total order until 11/28/10

(Discount not applied to shipping or insurance)

Take Care,

Dee

Thankful Be

We are most thankful.

RoAsT TuRKeY, sTUfFinG, SwEEt pOTatoes, gREen BeANs, mAShed PoTatOeS, pUMpKiN PiE, aPPle pIE

Cornucopia of Gratitude.....

There is so much in my life  to be THANKFUL for....the love of my family, our health, support when I need it, a roof over our heads, a husband who works hard at his job, loves and supports his FAMILY; a wonderful job with great coworkers, customers who purchase my work, living in a country where people are free and many choose to protect us, THANKFUL for all of those families out there that make sacrafices to make that possible.  Food on the table.  Blessed with a family of my own and Watching my children grow.  THANKFUL for the many friendships I have been blessed with. 

Our home has been dressed up in it's Fall Finery for sometime now....but after this weekend it will all be coming down to make way for Christmas!  One last peek?

I remind my FAMILY that with each HARVEST we will reap what we have sown.  In order to harvest a bounty of love and peacefulness we must first plant that all the year through.

A little pumpkin and apple pie candle.  Who knew something so very small and cute could tickle me? 

I love little things and decorating my childs stove is always fun for me!

Pumpkin or apple?  What's your favorite?

This time of the year I would choose pumpkin but all the rest of the year through it's apple all the way!

The hoosier sideboard.....once a dark green is now a distressed country white....I love reinventing my pieces, keeps me from getting too bored!  This is all ready to serve some seasonal goodies from.

I call this piece....."Dishes in waiting".....he,he....

Over the River and Through The Woods.......to Grandmother's House we Go......

It is the first time in 20 years that I will be spending Thanksgiving with my parents and brothers at my childhood home. My father requested that we all come home this year and we all happily abided.  Since I've met my husband we have celebrated the holiday with my inlaws. Because both of our familes are so extensive we divide up the holidays and spend it with each side. For the past 13 of those years we've held it at our house and we've cooked.

I am excited to go home and spend time with my family this year, seeing everyone together at the same time will be a real treat.  My father will be starting his chemo soon and this will be one last hoorah for all of us before he is too sick....I'm especially thankful we are all able to gather together around him.

 

On Friday or Saturday after a little holiday shopping, we will have another turkey dinner at home since that is what my children are used to.  We will have all the dishes they are used to but on a much smaller scale than I usually cook.

So how many of you are black Friday Shoppers out there?  I will be doing a little less of it this year but may venture out for a little while here and there.  I will also be offering a discount on a special sign in my etsy shop on Saturday so be sure to check back in if you are a customer. 

There is a giveaway going on....a mystery holiday giveaway.

I'm doing it a little differently this time around.

Be sure to check back in every now and again....you just might be the winner of the mystery sign without even knowing it!

That's right...you don't know the rules, don't know the date, don't know the giveaway!

But I think you might be pleaseed when you see just what it is.

 

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving Friends.

Take Good Care,

xo

Dee

Dusting off and Autumn Beauty

I want to thank all of you Sweet Friends. For understanding and being thoughtful, encouraging, and nurturing.  There is something reassuring about going through a tough time and knowing there's friends out there to share in your worry and offer up prayers, even if you haven't met them face to face.  If there's a way to feel a little better you have made me feel that, my family is awfully grateful for your thoughts and prayers more than I can express....Thank you.

 I have decided to dust off for the time being.....to hand the whole worry of the situation over and look forward.  I'm focusing only on a recovery for my father...positive thinking.  I will keep you all posted on the situation. 

So I am back to share a few good things that I have experienced this past season.  On a more positive note....

We decorated up the Farmhouse for Autumn in fall's festive colors.

I turned another year wiser and younger.  My sweet SIL made me the prettiest (and tastiest) chocoloate cake evah...

my favorite!

  We enjoyed a tasty fall Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast....

We also attended the annual Pinelands Jamboree that we love.

Local farmers brought their beautiful bounty.

Local BlueGrass bands entertained us with great music.

The sweet local family we purchase our produce from is there each year and we LOVE their truck that they deliver in. 

Personally I'm a Chevy girl, but this old Dodge was just
too pretty!

Our area has alot of Cranberry Farms.  Here is how we purchase them....by the pound from an old cranberry crate straight from the farmer.  Love that color!

Some of the old timers brought their laundry...hehe.  They had alot of working antique machinery on display.  Thought provoking for us homemakers!

My mother and I are going to try our hand at the craft shows, my father will be helping to make some new things between feeling well (we are hopeful).  We are excited and I think it might be a positive distraction for all of us.  It's something that we've talked about for a while now and it seems like a good time to try, the income will help.

  So we did some research when we headed out to some annual Craft Fairs this year.

We attended another favorite Country Craft Show...our local

Country Living Fair. 

Here's one of the beautiful handmade quilts that was hung on display to be auctioned off.  I wanted so badly to win this one....

I've posted about this location in the past.  It is one of my favorite historical places to visit and serves as a pretty backdrop for the fair with all of the barns and out buildings. 

This beauty was way out of my Budget but if I could have I certainly would have...

I love the colors and the history of this old sign!

There's also an antique car show we love to stroll through.  I loved the color of this one.

This reminds me of an old picture.  It could have fooled me in sepia.

Okay, I seriously want one of these for my front yard....
for decorative purposes! 

Corn shucking demonstrations...looked like fun!

Another Old Timey Entertainer from the front porch of the big house.

I loved this sellers items and their display.

Ahh love at first sight.....I would so drive this truck!  It reminded me of one of my dad's trucks when I was a young girl.

This country band played some great tunes as we were heading walking around.

I'll be posting a few more fall things as soon as I can.  Thanks for stopping by and more importantly for all your support and prayers. 
I am so thankful for all of you.

Take care,

xo

Dee