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

Down a Country Road

I take the back roads whenever possible. 

I try to avoid the busiest roads, even if it takes longer to get there. 

I will find my way around it.

Oh no...we don't own a GPS...I don't want one,

I actually like the adventure of getting lost on the backroads.

Tis true....

I open the windows and let the breeze blow my hair in every direction.  Down the road we go, singing all the way as loud as we can over the sound of the wind rushing in. 

Sometimes we just hop into the car, get on the road, and see where it takes us.  No destination in mind.  One back road after another, passing fields and farms we have ventured upon some interesting places we would have never found otherwise.

How's about you....do you take the back roads

whenever you can?

Perhaps you live in a place where

all roads are back roads?

Well we are off for another country drive....have a great weekend folks!

Take Care,

Dee

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

to all the wonderful dads out there!

In this lifetime I have been blessed with a great father

and a wonderful husband who is also an awesome dad. 

~Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope. ~Bill Cosby

I have had the gift of knowing fathers who love their children unconditionally, without bounds, would do anything they can for their babies.  Love without measure. 

Protectors, Nuturers, Providers, Healers, Supporters, Biggest Fans, and Encouragers 

They have enriched our lives beyond expectations.

To my Dad......

You were one of the coolest dads I have ever known,
and you still are.
You were a loving family man by
which I set my standards to.

You have taught me valuable lessons,
always by your example.

 You taught me to value a hard days work
and that idleness and laziness
is never satifying, there is always something to do. 

 You taught me that if I do not know how to do

something, figure it out. 

Try and try again, and then try even harder.

You are strong, kind and confident.

Your compassion and kindness to others always shined.

You taught me to be strong, and to carry on

when I had to.

You taught me the importance of character,

honesty, and helping others.

You never felt sorry for yourself,

even when things were hard for you.

Your family loves you because of the way you loved us.

Love plants seeds of love afterall.

~Dad, you're someone to look up to no matter how tall I've grown. ~Author Unknown

You have been and continue to be a great Dad to me,

and pop-pop to your grandchildren.

We all love you so much Dad!!

  

 To my husband......

You are a kind soul.

You see the good in people first. 

You are a loyal family man.

You have sacraficed your wants for your family

many, many, many times, you're probably

the most unselfish person I know.

You are always offering up your best advice

and preaching life lessons to prepare our children.

You have taught humility and compassion toward others.

You teach that second chances are alright.....

forgiveness makes you a better person.

You are so funny, never afraid to be silly

and give us a good laugh.

You have worked hard to provide

your family with a good life always wanting the best for us.

You teach us appreciation for what we have and appreciation for what we don't have.

Furthermore, you are the kind of father who....

will re-bait a fishing pole over and over when your son casts repeatedly and looses it,

just so you can fish with him and......

The kind of Dad who celebrates (to the likes of which I have never before seen) when said son finally catches that fish or your daughter makes a homerun or a goal....and...... 

the kind of Dad who will hold his sleeping toddler on the lawn mover 

while he finishes cutting the grass because he wanted a ride

and then fell asleep....

Yup, true story....and...

Also, the kind of Dad who is never afraid to get down on the floor with his kids and be plain old silly....

and the kind of Dad who stops what he is doing to catch up with his kids and find out about their day.

I love you...so very much. 

Thank you for being such a good Dad!

We appreciate you and hope you have

a wonderful Father's Day!

 ~Be kind to thy father, for when thou were young, who loved these so fondly as he?

He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue and joined in thy innocent glee.~

Margaret Courtney

 To all of you celebrating the love of your Father...or fatherly figure.....

Shower them with all the love and appreciation you have in your heart,

let them know they are one of  the greatest gifts.

Take care,

Dee

Over the Rainbow...

The rainbow after the storm.....We had a few days of rain last week and I was just so annoyed the whole time thinking of all of the projects I had started and would have to reschedule finishing.  Things like painting the deck, power washing, and gardening.  Such things that one cannot accomplish in the rain.  

Instead, I spent some much needed down time with my kiddos having some indoor fun.  I am so happy mother nature made me change my plans now.  It was time so well spent.

Well after those rainy days passed it all ended with a rainbow, and what a pleasant surprise it was. 

It is funny how we have so little control over those schedules afterall and sometimes things that we cannot control simply turn out just the way they should.

I have alot to share and should be back later this week with a catch-up post in between class trips, end of the year class parties, school dances, graduations and more.

Busy, busy, busy and looking forward to 

the lazy days of summer!

Thanks for stopping by and take care,

Dee

Fresh as a Daisy

Springtime is here and along with it comes the task of

spring cleaning

and sprucin' up the Farmhouse. 

There are windows to clean, linens to wash, and rooms to freshen up.

This Farmhouse will be as

fresh as a

when this good old Fashioned
spring cleaning
is through.

Now I have to make claim that I am in no way a cleaning fanatic. I like it clean, I don't always like to do it though, lol! I could find a hundred different ways I would rather spend my time being creative.  Don't get me wrong I love being a homemaker, cooking, sewing, decorating, laundry and deep cleaning are at the bottom of my list though.  But a gal has got to do what a gal has got to do!  So when I have to do it, I try to find fun ways to do it and try to get excited about it.

I start by picking out a cute vintage apron from my collection hanging in the laundry room.  That will help get the tasks at hand completed, lol.  Now who doesn't want to clean once they've put their cute apron on, right? 
Don't they put you in a homemaker kinda mood?

So lets turn up the cleaning music
and go through the motions!  What do you listen to when cleaning...
do you have a preference?

The down comforters will be washed and stored away safely in my linen cabinet,

with lavender sachets to keep them smelling fresh all summer long.

Baseboards and door moldings are are wiped down, it is unbelieveable all the grime that they accumulate with little hands in the house.  The little handprints are awfully cute though, I have a hard time washing those away and leave a few for good measure here and there...just keepin' it real.

Windows and windowsills are washed inside and out. 

I have a front loader washer (aka..my girl) that can get a little musty smelling after a while since they are air tight, a couple times a year I run a load with my cleaning cloths through it and I put baking soda sprinkled inside and peroxide into the dispenser. 
It freshens her up and makes her smell better.  She is eco friendly and uses less water, but I miss my Kenmore top loader, she was with us a long time and these new washers just don't compare...IMHO. 
Shhhhh....though, I don't want to upset my girl, I do still need her!

Glass light fixtures are taken apart and put into the sudsy sink for a bath.

Baseboards, doorknobs and Lightswitches are wiped down.

The flannel sheets are packed away and cotton sheets are washed and dried in the sunshine before covering the beds with them.  Who doesn't love the Fresh Smell
of Line Dried bed sheets?

Quilts are aired and put at the foot of each bed to keep everyone warm and cozy on those chilly spring evenings. 

Curtains are exchanged out for lighter, airier lace to let in more light.

Let in the sunshine! 
A brighter,

fresh smellin' home

makes us all feel refreshed and
ready for the warmer months ahead.

I have an enamel bucket that I keep all my grab n go cleaning products in.  It makes it easier to have them all in one place when I'm ready to clean.  They transport easily inside and out during spring cleaning.

I don't like to use commercial cleansers and I opt more along the lines of natural products whenever I can.

Some natural cleaning products I always keep on hand are:

Baking Soda:

I keep a shaker jar by the kitchen sink and one in each bathroom cabinet.

It is a natural, non-abrasive cleaner, perfect for wiping down sinks, and removing dried on food from most surfaces.  I like it because it is natural, inexpensive, available everywhere,
and non-toxic.

  

It is also great to use in the bathrooms to remove grime and soap build up.  Works great on sinks and showers.  I spray my showers down with a spray bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide in the evening before bed and it rinses away with morning showers, then I take a sponge and sprinkle baking soda on it and begin the process of scrubbing the shower down....
not my favorite chore though, hehe!

There is still something to be said about the cleaning power of 
Good Ol' Fashioned

 ELBOW GREASE!
We have a plethora of cleaning agents available nowadays that make cleanup and removal "faster", "cleans deeper" and "less scrubbing".  Have you looked at some of the chemicals in those bottles though?  I  have and I wonder just how quickly they get to us as well as the surfaces they clean.  Don't get me wrong occassionaly there is a need for something strong, but on average I'll take the good ol' fashioned scrubbing road instead.  Thank you anyway.

I think we are starting to see a return to safer products on the market though, some of the older companies seem  to be coming out with their own lines of "Green" Cleaning products lately.  Speaking of new age cleaning, Magic Erasers are in my cleaning bucket too, I have found they work well on refrigerator door handles, switch plates, glass oven doors, fingerprints on walls, and microwaves.

I keep a few cloth baby diapers in the bucket for dusting and a squeegee for windows and mirrors.  Nothing beats these, and they don't leave behind any lint.

To clean the microwave, I put a 4 cup measuring cup of water inside and power it up for 5 minutes or until it boils.  You can add a small lemon wedge to it for a fresh clean scent.  Turn it off and let it sit for about 10 minutes, then open it up and wipe it down.  The steam from the boiling water will loosen any hardened food particles and they simply wipe away.  I also disninfect my sponges in the microwave by placing in a safe bowl with a tiny bit of water and then I let it run on high for about 2 minutes. 

Hydrogen Peroxide:

I also keep a misting spray bottle handy to fill with small amounts of H.P.
at a time to disinfect counters.

Use about 1/2 cup in your dishwasher to sanitize dishes. 
It does the same thing as some of those "anywhere sprays" at a fraction of the cost.

It removes soapy residue and makes surfaces shine bright. 

Now for my favorite of all the cleaning tools.....(yes, I have a favorite.)
I purchased a steam mop about a year ago and I so love it!  They are a little pricey initially but in the long run they work out to be less than the disposable mops.  I still keep those on hand for quick wipe ups but thats about it (3 kiddos in a house require frequent quick wipe ups).  The steam mop only requires water, no chemicals and it sanitizes your floors.  It is especially great when you have a toddler who doesn't think twice about dropping something on the floor and poppin' it right into his mouth (ewww!).  Yes they do go by the 5 second rule around here....then they kiss it up to God!

A few years before I bought a hand held steamer for general cleaning.  It is wonderful for cleaning seasonally.  The fact that it cleans and disinfects all in one is a great time and money saver.  Use one of those on those little crevis' that you can't normally get to and you won't believe what your regular cleaning can miss.  They are also good to pull out when you have a flu bug flying through your house.  It disinfects doorknobs, faucets, toothbrush holders, you name it. 

I cannot say enough about the great properties of cleaning with steam! 

 Some of the natural cleaners I like to use are Mrs Meyers Clean Day Products.  There is a whole line of all natural dish soap, counter spray, dishwasher soap, laundry products and all purpose cleaners.  You can purchase them unscented or in scents like geranium, basil, lemon verbena, snap pea and lavender. Don't ya just love the names?  I will tell you that when you put those dishwasher soaps into the dishwasher your
whole kitchen smells awesome too! 

They make wonderful house warming and bridal shower gifts all tucked into a vintage or new enamel bucket.   Throw in some krinkled brown craft paper into the bottom and a few of these on top wrap it all up in clear celophane with a gingham bow and how cute. 

Everytime I give one of those baskets the company gets a new customer
because they love the products lol. 

What newly appointed (or even experienced) domestic diva wouldn't appreciate that! 
Natural and cute ways to clean your home makes that task ahead more fun.


I will be at it for another week or so I'm sure.  I haven't set any timelines though so we will see.
So friends, have you finished your spring cleaning yet?  If so, what is your routine like?  When do you start, what do you do?  Any good tips or products that you love?  I'm curious to hear, so be sure to share!  I love to learn something new and updated ways of getting these
seasonal tasks completed! 
Well, Happy Spring Cleaning gals!

Take care now!
Dee

Wise Words

Wise Words of Advice.....

My sweet husband sent this to me and I wanted to share. I highlighted a few that I especially liked. It is long but worth the time to read it......

___________________________________________________

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends & parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. Then lean on him anyway.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't mess up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special

occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone for everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. Rejoice!

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

_______________________________________________

Do you have any in particular that you just love?

I hit some garage sales last weekend and picked up some the goodies you see here in my photos....a chicken feeder missing the top repurposed into a flower vase....there's those daisies again!

I will be switching them out for sunflowers for the fall!

I also found this old flour sifter....only cost a $1. Some black eyed susans from my garden popped into a small mason jar that fits perfectly inside, another flower holder.

I guess I just have a thing for flowers...I will share the other goodies I found in another post. You all have a great Thursday, I'm off to make some of the goodies for my merchantile I was supposed to post about on Tuesday!

Take Care,

Dee