apron love...

I simply love aprons...

I don't know when this love affair started, or how it began,
but I really do love aprons. Here are some favorites...

this pretty  polka-dot is from the Farm Chicks...

 I love this floor-length pinafore apron with the flounce at the bottom. I bought it years and years ago from
Tasha Tudor & family...

 a couple of homespun ones found at a flea market...

a vintage apron with handkerchief pockets handed down
from my mom...

and this is one Santa brought...

So when I found this cute apron kit, I knew it
was coming home!

Love those chickens! I'm going to cut it out today stitch her up this week. I'm going through a must...have...chickens phase!
We looked at coops over the weekend and we'll be looking at those adorable little baby chicks today...I'll keep you posted!

Hope it's a happy Monday!

 PS...for a look at some really whimsical aprons, take a peek at this site...Jillie Willie  She has one really I love...the handcart apron, it has little pockets hidden under the flounce; how clever!

did the recent super full moon confuse Mother Nature?

Would you believe me if I told you about our weather
for Wednesday, March 23?

...morning:
warm, like a lovely spring day was ahead

...afternoon:
summerlike with tornado warnings and hail storms

...evening:
winter returns with snow and ice

Now, this gal's more than a bit confused, but then,
I think Mother Nature is too!

So....how's the weather where you are?!

is spring really here?

Early spring has arrived across the land, and after a long, icy winter, we welcome it gladly! More than ready to trade our boots and mittens for spades and sun hats, the anticipation of summer's first juicy, ripe tomato is almost more than we can stand. However, that tomato will have to wait...the joys of spring fever have us tightly in their grip!

Today is blue-skied and balmy. The grass is green and cheery yellow daffodils are about to bloom and fill a neighboring field. I've opened our windows to let the breeze in, only to hear the birds rejoicing...they too, are welcoming the warmth of sunshine. In fact, that balmy breeze is tempting me to wash quilts and hang them on the clothesline. The nights here are still quite cool, but oh how nice it will be to snuggle under quilts that have been
dried outside.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love flowers...and anything old. I'm especially drawn to old farmhouses. I remember many years ago coming upon one that had nothing left but a crumbling foundation. As I stood looking at it, I felt a bit sad thinking about the farmwife that must have stood on those same steps in years past. But as I began to leave, I soon noticed tulips and daffodils were just beginning to bloom. As they had multiplied and spread over the years, they now covered what must have been the home's front yard. And so, long after they had been planted, they continued to return and welcome each new spring. These days, the old farm is not so much on my daily path, but I like to think those flowers are still there, blooming as they were meant to.

A quick look at my watch and I see it's already past noon. The kids will be home in a few hours...hmmm, these merry winds are not only good for drying quilts, they're ideal for launching kites! The kid in me can't resist, and so my spirits soar as I head to the barn where we keep bikes, balls, and yes, kites! I'll dust them off, check the strings, and have each one ready for a little after-school fun. Launching kites and watching them ride the wind is a simple pleasure. And no, it's not only for the kids...I freely admit that I enjoy the sight of a kite taking to the wind! Some of my best memories are of us racing around the yard, kites spiraling and riding high in the sky. After tiring out, we'd stretch out in the grass on our backs, and just watch the kites sail above us.

Spring has sounds and fragrances all her own...the snap of sheets on a clothesline, the chatter of birds, and patter of gentle rains. And today, I want to add to that mix the laughter of children as we watch our kites soar.

happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sharing an old Irish blessing...

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

puddles, puddles everywhere...

 


















The rapid rain dancing on the windows, the puddles in the yard, mud everywhere...it's enough to make a country girl ramble this morning! Early last week we had flood warnings, and indeed rivers overflowed their banks washing out homes and fields.
Later the same week, we were warned of severe winter weather with several inches of snow expected. March is up to its  usual business...its weather cannot be trusted. The warm days coax the daffodils from their winter sleep, but the next day its snow covers them. What's a girl to do?

Well, it appears the best thing to do is make plans...March is a time of promise. This year, I want to plant berry bushes, fruit trees, and Concord grapes. Simple pleasures perhaps, but what joy will be found in fresh fruit and homemade jam to share with friends. Finding promise in the simple, everyday things is there for anyone willing to look for it. Yes, it's a muddy, rainy day,
but it's a good day for a pot of soup to simmer on the stove...
Moose Soup is one of Little Man's favorites. It's a good day for a crackling fire...probably one of the last ones we'll enjoy this season as the days turn warm. It's also a good day to settle in
and re-read a favorite book, write a letter to a friend
(a real, handwritten letter sent off by snail mail), or dig a bit into your family history. Old photos, letters, and stories are the ties that bind generations.

As for me, I'm waiting for roofers to come and repair a bit of damage left by the winds of Old Man Winter...but while I'm waiting, I think I'll whip up a batch of cookies. Another simple pleasure...warm cookies and cold milk, mmm.

What about you...
how are you spending this Lion-&-Lamb month?

By the way, here's our recipe for Moose Soup...
and no, there were no moose harmed in the making of this soup!

"Moose" Soup

4 T. butter
2 onions, diced
3 qts. chicken or vegetable broth
1 head cabbage, finely chopped
1 lb. potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced
2, 14.5-oz. cans stewed tomatoes, drained
3 c. baby spinach leaves
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste

Combine butter an onions in a skillet; cook until onions are tender. Set aside. Combine remaining ingredients in a large stock pot, add cooked onions. If necessary, add water or additional broth to cover vegetables. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer. Stir occasionally and continue to cook until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 2 hours.

simple joys for March...

...take a little spring walk (bring along your gardening shears)
and cut some bare branches for forcing. Crabapple or forsythia would be perfect! Cut the ends sharply at a slant, then place them in a large vase of room-temperature water. In no time at all, you'll have brought spring indoors!

...celebrate St. Patrick's Day next Thursday! Wear green, bake Irish Soda Bread, serve a traditional Irish dinner, dance a jig!

...spring clean! Yep...I'm serious! You'll be surprised how good you'll feel when papers and cupboards are organized and dust bunnies have been swept away!

...if you know someone who has a late-winter cold, whip up a Sniffles Basket for her. Tuck in a Mason jar of homemade chicken noodle soup, a box of tissues, some cross-word puzzles, and a hot water bottle...she'll love it!

...feeling crafty? If so, then this is a quick & easy clipboard that you'll have fun creating and sharing wiht a friend (slip one in the Sniffles Basket!).

1 - Pick up a clipboard at an office supply store, and paint the board with acrylic paint.

2 - Once the paint has completely dried , use a sponge brush and decoupage medium to "glue" any cut-outs to the board.
(You could also skip the painting all together, as I did on the smaller sample, and "glue" scrapbooking paper on instead.)

3 - Once the cut-outs or scrapbook paper are in place and dry,
use decoupage medium again to protect the paper or images.

4 - Use your imagination to dress-up your clipboard!
Hats off to my friend Kris who gifted me with the larger board...she's a gem, and oh-so clever! Her board is filled with whimsical words and pictures...goodies she felt best described me. My version has a mini notebook attached, along with a clothespin that keeps my pen right where I can find it!

Hope you'll be making one of your very own soon...happy Friday!

a heartfelt thanks...

...to Tina at The Serene Stamper for sharing the Stylish Blogger Award with me. I'm taken by surprise and so appreciate her kind words. Take a minute to visit her blog and take a peek at her clever creations.

From me, a sincere thank you to the many nice people who visit us. It's been one of the biggest pleasures while writing this blog...that sense of connection with other wonderful people we hear from. It's always such fun to read the comments of  friends, new and old, who stop by to see what we're doing in our little corner of the Midwest.

As many of you know, along with this award come some guidelines…..

1. Link back to the person who awarded you
2. Share 8 things about yourself
3. Send it along to 8 bloggers that you have recently discovered.
4. Drop a note to the bloggers and tell them about their award!

Hmmm, so here are 8 things about me that you may (or may not !) find interesting!

1.We have two children, Little Man is 7 and Sweet Girl is 10.
They provide endless entertainment, as well as endless opportunities to roll my eyes and say, "I told you so." They also constantly remind me of what's sweet in our daily lives.

2. My husband is witty, loves trains, and will read until the wee hours of the morning when he's in the middle of a great book. He has icy-blue eyes, a quick smile, and a memory that can't be beat...he's our human GPS and trivia champ.

3. I love anything old-fashioned...hand-stitched quilts, country clotheslines, aprons, porch swings, old farmhouses, auctions, gardening, county fairs, and farmers' markets. I'm always looking for simple pleasures found in the "everyday" days, and trying to bring the small town joys of  "Mayberry" to our own home.

4. Some of my favorite movies are old classics such as
North by Northwest, The Great Race, That Touch of Mink, Operation Petticoat, and Father Goose.

5. Per above...Cary Grant is definitely a favorite actor...what charm and charisma!

6. I spent 14 years as a Sr. Book Editor and Manager of Licensed Books. While it was great fun creating cookbook and lifestyle books, I definitely don't miss the deadlines and meetings!
These days you'll find me chasing kids, gardening, tinkering with spinning and weaving, making wreaths, or weaving baskets.
I usually have a camera in one hand, a cookbook in the other,
and wish-list for our next home renovation!

7. If I could sing, I'd love to be Elphaba in the musical Wicked. Now, that's if I could sing...which I can't. Enough said.

8. I'm still trying to master the ideal loaf of homemade bread...hats off to my family who have suffered and smiled through many a loaf that was less than, well, ideal.
(Now that's love.)

Enough about me...now to the fun part! It was hard to narrow down my list to just 8 blogs, but here are some terrific farmgirls I really think you'll enjoy meeting.

Just click on their blog names to pay them a visit!

1. Rural Revivial

2. Verde Farm

3. Lilac Lane Cottage 

4. Farmhouse Style

5. Front Porch Indiana

6. City Gal Moves to Oz Land

7. Flat Creek Farm

8. Farm Fresh Fun

simple country pleasures...

Today is a good day to stay indoors. There's a chilling blast of cold wind from the north and a prediction of 7 to 10 inches of snow. Early this morning we could see across the fields that the neighboring farms are without power...we are fortunate ours is still on. However; I did get a quick refresher lesson on how to run the generator if necessary! I've done my best to be prepared so we'll be comfortable, and really, lots of snow and cold don't bother me...they bring out my pioneer spirit!

This week I began re-reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's book,
The Long Winter. In this book she tells of her family's struggle
to survive a South Dakota winter in 1880...a winter so severe that it lasted 7 months. Hmmm, that makes our winter look pretty tame! We're all together, safe & warm, and that's what matters.

A day like this lets me attend to only small, needed chores, and the kids will be enjoying yet another snow day. It's a day for movies, board games, cookies, a crackling fire, roasting marshmallows, making s'mores, and catching up on some reading.

And speaking of cookies, here's today's simple pleasure...
it's oh-so easy. I've dressed up our cookie jar in no time at all
with only a little chalkboard paint!

This idea would also work well if you store powdered laundry soap, clothespins, or seed packets in pantry jars. The ideas are endless, and it helps keep things a bit more organized.
Which, at least around here, is needed!

Happy Friday!

cute overload!

My friend Diana is the Queen of Cute, the Princess of Parties,
and just an all around clever gal! She made these adorable cake pops for a church social...everyone was buzzing about them
(I know...bad joke, but really, they were!)

Take a peek at her blog, Closet Crafter, to see her pictures
(our family won the Junior Mint cupcakes at a cake auction...yay!)

Scroll through and you'll find lots of fun ideas to inspire you!
I ran into her his morning at a craft store...I'm anxious to see what's she's up to next!

simple country pleasures...

I would not,
could not,
cut a quilt or coverlet!

I would not,
could not...regardless of the condition it's in,
or how tattered it might be.

I would fold, and refold, then fold some more to put its best vintage face forward for the world to see. It's how I'm wired...
I just couldn't bare to cut one up.

Now if I come across pieces already cut, that's a different story. They are begging to be put to new uses. So today's simple pleasure is an angel made from a bit of vintage coverlet and hearts stitched from quilt pieces.

No pattern needed...just a cut here and a snip there, some batting, some muslin, a little more stitching and they're done! There's no "right" or "wrong"...she and the hearts will be uniquely yours.
Our angel sits high atop our Christmas tree, then after the holidays, she keeps watch over us from inside an old cupboard.

I'd love to hear how you're passing these February days...
sitting by the fire and creating something new is certainly a simple country pleasure.

Happy Friday to all!

P.S.
Be sure to drop in at Verde Farm for their Farm Friend Friday...it's a terrific way to meet bloggers who live & love the country life!

some things change, some don't...

Last week, as I bundled up the kids to take them to school,
the temperature was -11 degrees. Tomorrow has a forcast
of 60 degrees.

Last week we wore the warmest boots and heavy socks we could find to keep our toes toasty. Today we're wearing rain boots.

The ground is no longer frozen and covered with lovely, swirling snow. It's muddy, sloppy, and there are puddles everywhere.

And  yes, while the weather is willy-nilly these days, some things do not change, and it's those things that warm my heart.

...handmade Valentines with sweet cut-out hearts
...lots of hugs & kisses
...chocolates galore alongside fragrant hyacinths
...a lilac-scented candle
...holding hands while falling asleep
...everyone piled in bed reading together
   (with more stuffed animals than people!)
...wanting to sleep with Mama's or Daddy's shirt because
   "It has that special smell."
...forever friends

Among all these things we cherish, friendship is one of them.
We have dear friends who moved away a few years ago, and while we still miss them, we've been blessed to be able to visit together each year. It's the type of friendship that picks up right where it left off the last time we were together...without missing a beat.

I love that they always remember our kids, too. Over the years we've  received packages of Valentine goodies, shamrock-shaped straws, books, Christmas treats that help tide them over until Santa comes, and always a special birthday surprise. The kids love getting mail just for them! However; also tucked in Monday's Valentine package were a pair of pretty pink & brown John Deere hotpads, just for me!

I've said it before, in a "made overseas" world, someone who takes the time to share a handcrafted gift gives a part of themselves too. And truly, that's the best part of all.
Ah, Margaret...they're almost too pretty to use! But use them I will, and I'll think of you every time.

happy heart's day!

Wishing you a day of sweet surprises!

simple country pleasures...

I am a list-maker, note-taker, and, I admit,
"it might be important so I'd better save it" type of person.

The challenge...how to corral all that clutter  paperwork
on the fridge and whiteboard so that it looks a bit better?

A quick look around and soon I found buttons, extra game pieces,
and even a few pop bottle caps that were easily turned into magnets. A bit of hot glue will secure a heavy-duty magnet to the back of each.

I'm sure you'll think of lots of other ideas...
costume jewelry for a bit of sparkle, alphabet letters,
or even seed packets would all be sweet.

Oh-so simple and they're done in a jiffy!

Now all those recipe cards, notes, kids' artwork,
reminder cards, and school lists are a bit more tidy!

(If only I could organize our desk so easily...
that, my friends, is on next week's to-do list!)

Happy Friday!

February's simple joys...

...create handmade Valentines with oodles of ribbon, doilies, stickers, rubber stamps, snippets of fabric & vintage buttons.

...there's still time to begin forcing bulbs if January slipped by
too quickly!

...cookie cutters make the sweetest heart-shaped fudge, marshmallows, and brownies.

...curl up and watch classic movies. Some of our favorites are:
Casablanca, Father Goose, Operation Petticoat,
North by Northwest, The Great Race, and That Touch of Mink

...give packets of flower seeds to friends: forget-me-nots,
sweet peas, and daisies are oh-so pretty. Tuck the packets into little pots, or slip into envelopes and mail to far-away friends.

...use heart soap molds when soap making, then stamp each with conversation heart greetings

...stitch together a red ticking pincushion for someone who loves to sew

...wake up the family to heart-shaped pancakes, or use a cookie cutter to cut heart-shaped French toast

...write a note telling someone special all the things
you love about them!

simple country pleasures...

The snow has stopped, the sun is shining, and the kids went back to school today. They've had 3 snow days at home this week,
with a 2-hour delay this morning. It's not so much the snow as it is the ice making travel (and even walking to the barn!) more than a bit tricky. Oh well, it is winter after all...a very good time to settle in and get creative.

Today's quick & easy idea was such fun to make...we put together a calendar of some of our favorite things!

my vintage Cadillac bike that I bought for a song at an auction.



Little Man with the garden's first tomato.

It was fun to go back through our photos choosing favorites to drop in for each month. For Christmas gifts this year, I think I'll create a family calendar...kids smiling faces, our vacation,
school plays, and family & friends.

And lest you be too impressed, there are oodles of "drag & drop" sites on the web to make your very own calendar...and it's a snap!

goodbye to January...

While I was hoping for several inches of snow, it was not to be.
This is how our day began...

And now, at day's end, the ice is becoming thicker, the freezing rain has turned to sleet, and we're under a Winter Weather Warning that's set to last 2 days.

Oh well, we're snug and warm. We baked bread and stirred up a pot of Moose Soup (Little Man came up with the name...

and no, there were no moose harmed in the making of this soup!) It's simply a hearty vegetable soup, although how the name came to be is a bit fuzzy.

It was a snow day for the kids so we baked cookies, played games, and watched movies. And we've just heard school is cancelled for tomorrow...it'll be a late night here!



simple country pleasures...

This week I have found that a digital camera can only take so many accidental drops. I've cringed over the years as I've reached, as if in slow motion, to quickly catch it from crashing to the floor. Often I was successful, but many times it was simply out of reach and fell in the blink of an eye.

And so today's post is photoless...sad, but true.

I wanted to show you puffy marshmallows floating in a mug of chocolately cocoa.

I wanted to show you the cute cut-out marshmallows you can make using cookie cutters (hearts for Valentine's Day!)

Lastly, I wanted to show you that sweet chocolate "moustache" that magically appears on a child happily sipping away.

Alas, it was not to be. Some days are just better than others...
I think a cup of cocoa will make it all better. (That, and a visit to the camera store!)

So, with that long introduction, here you go...a Martha Stewart recipe I've used for years, and it's truly the best. They're so easy to make, and oh the taste...you'll never buy store-bought again!

Homemade Marshmallows

3 c. sugar
1-1/4 c. light corn syrup
1/4 t. salt
1-1/2 c. water, divided
4 env. unflavored gelatin
2 t. vanilla extract
1-1/2 c. powdered sugar

Lightly coat a 13"x9" baking pan with oil or non-stick cooking spray. Line it with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang along the edges. Coat parchment with oil; set aside. 

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 3/4 cup water. Over high heat, bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Continue to heat, without stirring, for 9 minutes, or until a candy thermometer measures 238 degrees.

Add  remaining water to the bowl of an electric mixer; sprinkle with gelatin. Let sit 5 minutes. Using whisk attachment, turn mixer to low and whisk hot syrup into gelatin mixture. Slowly increase speed to high and continue to whisk for 12 minutes, or until mixture is very stiff; beat in vanilla. Add mixture to prepared pan; smooth top. Set aside, uncovered, 3 hours, or until marshmallows are firm.

Dust one cup powdered sugar onto a work surface. Turn out marshmallow onto sugar; peel off  and discard parchment paper. Use a sharp knife or cookie cutters, coated with oil, to cut marshmallow into desired shapes. Toss cut-outs in remaining powdered sugar to coat. Store in an airtight container
for up to 3 days.

busy lives...

In a world that seems to spin faster each day, I've found it
helps me to slow down that pace a bit by enjoying some quiet, simple pleasures.

With winter's sub-zero nights (and even some days) here in the Midwest, I think about what country ladies who lived here long ago might have busied themselves doing this time of year.
They would have most certainly knitted, quilted, and mended during the long winters. A friend and I went to a yarn shop yesterday...she's teaching me to knit a shawl. Visiting the shop and seeing all the beautiful yarns inspired me to not only start (and finish!) my shawl, but to dust off my loom and complete a project that's been waiting on it for much too long.

When the kids come inside from snow-day fun, they warm up, then often settle in with board games, Go-Fish, or checkers. These games are a welcome break from the many electronic, and somewhat noisy, ones that seem to be everywhere.

Baking cookies or brownies, the aroma of a simmering stew,
or buttery homemade rolls are delicious ways to enjoy a wintry day. Handed-down recipes, handwritten on tattered index cards, hold special meaning, and it warms my heart to prepare them.

Hmmm, well my to-do list is still long, but I think for now I'll just sit a little closer to the fire and write some more. As I write,
the wind is whistling outside, but I'll pause now and then,
enjoy the warmth of the fire, and think about the country ladies who must have sat in this same spot over the last 147 years.

I'll also dream about how warm & cozy that new shawl is going to be...after all, anyone who's lived in an old house, knows that if the wind is whistling outside, some of it is sneaking inside!

a simple country pleasure...

These pretty clothespins would certainly make our laundry look nice blowing in the warm breezes. However; they were made to stay inside...anywhere I would need a paperclip.

to secure recipes...

or even as a bookmark.


They're so simple to make. Just remove the spring between each section of clothespin. Now paint the clothespins, and set aside to dry before putting the spring back in place.

You can also cut scrapbook paper to fit each clothespin. A light coat of decoupage medium or a glue dot runner on the wood will keep the paper secure. Once dry, you can seal the paint or paper with decoupage medium if you'd like.

Oh-so easy! I've used them as chip-clips, to secure notes to our calendar, and to hold photos in place on a chicken-wire frame. You can even glue a small magnet on the back to show off  kids' masterpieces on the refrigerator.

Now, when spring comes, we'll certainly see lines filled with billowing clothes, but for now, these clothespins will be working hard indoors.

does anyone enjoy taking down the tree?

"Do you still have your tree up?!"

Ah yes...I've been greeted with this question many times
over the last couple of weeks.  Well, yes, we do still have our Christmas tree up, thank you!

It's a lovely tree, up since December 1. Very few needles have fallen, and it's still soft to the touch. It's  a Con Color Fir and I can't recommend them enough if you cut your own tree each year. I actually feel bad taking it down...Valentine ornaments, anyone? Then perhaps Easter ones?!

Something that's so much fun to decorate, is, for me, sad to undo. We carefully wrap the sentimental ornaments...baby footprints,
a honeymoon sand dollar, baby's first Christmas booties,
and countless handcrafted treasures the kids have made.

Hmmm, how to make it a less melancholy time? Well, there's a Dutch oven of chili simmering away on the stove, and soon homemade cornbread will be baked in a cast iron skillet. As we undecorate, we'll talk about each ornament, laugh as we share memories, and lovingly tuck each one in boxes we store in
a trunk.

The calendar for the new year is clean and just waiting for us to fill it. The house will be back in order and we can ponder the days to come. How much laughter, how many sweet memories, personal growth, and changes we fill 2011 with is up to us.

Let's look to the future with excitement, hope, and determination. And, as Laura Ingalls Wilder said, let us strive to be
"just plain good."

a gift for sharing...

Last Sunday a sweet lady at church gifted me with this...

just because she was thinking of me.

She had taken the time to crochet a cotton washcloth...
just for me, wrapped it around a bar of soap, and topped her gift off with a bow. What a kind and thoughtful surprise.
Such a simple country pleasure...yes, a little pampering for me, but also a handmade gift from the heart.

In a world where most items are made overseas, it made me pause and be grateful for someone who took the time to create something with her hands. And whether a friend shares a jar of sweet homemade jam, a hand-crafted Advent calendar,
or hand-stitched tea towel, there's just something that touches my heart when we receive such gifts.

So the wheels began turning. Why not share some similar ideas here each week? Simple country pleasures...heartfelt gifts to give (or keep!)

Maybe, like this washcloth, it's something I've received, or like the Mason jar oil lamp from last Friday, it's something quick & easy to make.

My plans are that each Friday I'll share an idea I hope will inspire you to create your own simple country pleasures. And please...
feel free to share your ideas as well!

Happy Friday!

January's simple joys...

...fill your pantry with cocoa, marshmallows, brownie &
  cookie-baking supplies

...make snow angels, build a snowman or go sledding,
   then come inside for homemade tomato soup
   and grilled cheese sandwiches

...watch old movies and stay in your pajamas all day

...force hyacinths, daffodils, or tulips and enjoy
   their fragrance in winter

...build a fire in the fireplace and roast marshmallows

...make snow ice cream or snow cones

...let your kids snuggle in bed with you
   on a snowy morning

...fill bird feeders to overflowing

...make "real" hot cocoa and top it with whipped cream
   and chocolate shavings

...put an extra quilt on the bed, then settle in with a favorite book

...make memories

Mason jar oil lamps...

Some days, there's just the need to be creative.
Now, if I admit to you that even though it's only January and I've been spring cleaning this week, you'll think I've gone mad.

A friend recently said, "It just doesn't seem right to be spring cleaning when there's snow outside!" And while she's right, when March does come, there's just so much to do outside, I can't find enough time for spring cleaning inside! That's why I take advantage of the quiet months of January and February to
jump-start my to-do list.

However; back to that creative tug. I've put my cleaning supplies away for the day and made a little Mason jar oil lamp. While the frosty days are here, I love lighting candles in the evening...they just seem to make our home so warm & cozy, and this oil lamp couldn't be easier to make!

The supplies you'll need are simple:

hammer and awl
canning jar lid and ring
wick
glass wick insert (found on-line or with candle making supplies)
rosehips, pine cones, or cinnamon sticks.
glass canning jar
clear lamp oil (not kerosene)

Use a hammer to tap the awl in the center of the jar lid. Make a hole large enough to fit the wick insert. Slip the wick through the glass wick insert and place it, wick first, into the hole. The lip on the insert will keep it secure on top of the lid.

Arrange rosehips, pine cones, or cinnamon sticks inside the jar, then fill to within 1/4-inch of the top with lamp oil. Secure the lid and ring. Trim the wick to 1/4-inch, trimming more if needed to keep the flame at a safe height.

I'll often place the jar inside a glass hurricane...it's not only pretty, but keeps little fingers away from the flame.

I hope you'll try making one...it's an easy, simple country pleasure for these wintry days.

lauching a new year!

On New Year's Day it's our tradition to eat stuffed pork chops and sauerkraut...two foods said to bring good health and good fortune for the new year. And while some of us (who will remain nameless) can only bring themselves to eat a single strand or two of sauerkraut, the meal has most certainly become a family tradition. Rounded out with mixed vegetables, cranberry sauce, and buttery sour cream & cream cheese mashed potatoes,
it's a dinner we all look forward to.

And as we enjoy the day watching movies and playing games together, we'll also cast a thoughtful glance back at the past year, wondering what the new one will bring.

As for our thoughts today, we are sharply aware of how blessed our lives are...good health, surrounded by those we love, and in a warm and cozy home.

There's an old saying that goes, "As you begin the year, so shall you end it." May we all begin 2011 healthy and surrounded by family & friends.

Wishing you a very happy New Year filled with blessings!

and about that Christmas clean up...

"One of the most glorious messes in the world
is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. 

Don't clean it up too quickly." 

- Andy Rooney

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you the warmth and love of the Christmas season.
Now, more than ever, we're reminded that the finest gifts and sweetest joys come from the heart.

Enjoy every moment!

prime rib roast recipe...

As the kids say, "Oh my dears to chicken ears!"
Christmas is nearly here!

And with the last of the baking in the oven, the only thing left to do it decorate sugar cookies and gingerbread men for Santa. Whew!

With the baking wrapped up, it's time to think about Christmas dinner. After the flurry of cooking that happens at Thanksgiving, we keep Christmas dinner very simple. For as long as I can remember we're prepared a prime rib roast...it's so easy and
really delicious. Here's our can't-fail recipe.

Prime Rib Roast

1, 3 to 5 rib roast
all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste

Rub roast well with flour, salt and pepper. Arrange roast bone side down on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Place in a 500 degree oven and cook 15 minutes per rib. (for example: 3 ribs, 45 minutes; 4 ribs, 60 minutes.) The oven will smoke.

Turn off heat; however, do not open oven door for 2 more hours. This will give you a rare roast with a crusty outside. If you'd like a medium roast, add 15 minutes to the roasting time. Carve and serve. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

We also make a tangy sauce to serve alongside...just blend prepared horseradish and sour cream together until you get the flavor you like.

Served with a salad, baked potatoes, and veggies, this roast makes a wonderful Christmas dinner...one that keeps us out of the kitchen and enjoying the day.

Sending you Christmas wishes with this lovely poem...

Scent of Winter

I love the smells of winter:

The pans of gingerbread,

The smells of wood and ashes,

And old quilts on the bed,

The friendly smells  of boots and skates

And the fresh smell of new snow,

The wondrous smells of Christmas pines

And holly and mistletoe.

I love the smells of winter;

And even the flowers of spring

Can't quite compare with all the joys

The smells of winter bring.

-Beverly Trickett

Christmas cobb salad recipe...

It's cookie-baking time here and we're up to our elbows in flour, butter, and sugar! Once the counters are visible again, I'll share a few of our favorite cookie recipes.

However; as much as I love cookies, I'm also looking forward to Christmas dinner, so I thought I'd share this salad recipe. It's been a favorite for years and you really can't go wrong.

If blue cheese isn't a favorite, use feta, add grapes or cherry tomatoes instead of mandarin oranges, or sprinkle on croutons in place of almonds. It's really a simple salad using your favorite ingredients...it's the tangy flavor of the vinaigrette that we love.

Cobb Salad

6-oz. pkg. salad mix or baby spinach
2 c. roasted turkey, chicken or ham, cut into strips
6 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
15-oz. can mandarin oranges, drained
1 avocado, pitted and sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
4-oz. container blue cheese crumbles
3/4 c. butter toffee-glazed almond slices

Cranberry Vinaigrette
5 T. balsamic vinegar
4 T. olive oil
1 T. sugar
1 c. jellied cranberry sauce


Whisk together vinegar, oil, and sugar. Continue to whisk until sugar dissolves. Stir cranberry sauce well to break up; stir in vinegar mixture slowly until well blended.

Arrange salad mix or spinach in a large pasta bowl or on a platter; arrange ingredients across lettuce. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing. Serves 4 to 6.

keeping it simple...

The season's joys are as plentiful as an overstuffed Christmas stocking. We've had snow here in the Midwest for several  days now. It's the kind of snow that falls gently all day long and everything is covered with a delicate powder. The pine
needles are even tipped with a bit of an icy glaze, and look like prisms on a sparkling chandelier.

As we know, December is a month of intense activity. Sweet Girl's Christmas program at school was last night, Friday is our church Christmas social, Secret Santa shopping is Friday as well, with school parties and get-togethers with friends next week.

However, with all this activity, we have a tendency to want to slow down and enjoy this quiet time of rest from the endless to-do list of warm-weather projects. This past Sunday a friend and I were talking about Christmas decorations, and we both agreed we were keeping it simple so we could really enjoy the season.

For us that means fresh greenery on the mantels & swags on the doors, sweetly scented candles, a fragrant tree covered with treasured ornaments, and a crackling fire. I want the kids to come inside after building a snowman or snow fort and find a cozy kitchen where they can sample freshly-baked cookies and warm up with mugs of chocolatey cocoa. We look forward to camping out under the Christmas tree where we giggle and talk long into the night before falling asleep under it's twinkling lights.

handmade ornaments



a centerpiece of fruit & greenery in a favorite bowl



a hand-crafted Advent calendar made by a dear friend



It really is the simple things in life that matter...and that's what we'll be trying to focus on as we celebrate this special time of year.

On the agenda for next week...cooking baking! Yay!
We are a cookie-loving family, they disappear in no time.
And because of this, I plan carefully...if I do the baking too soon, the goose won't be the only one who gets fat!

Wishing you Christmas cheer!



'tis the season to believe...

A dusting of snow, briskly blowing wind, and delicate patterns of frost on the windowpanes. Deer are feeding in the fields close to our home...it's now December, and soon it will be Christmas.

Although there's a bit of sleet hitting the windows, we hardly notice it as we enjoy the warmth from a crackling fire and hear a kettle singing on the stove. It's a good day to stay indoors, retrieve presents from their hiding places and begin the fun of wrapping. With Christmas music in the background,
the scent of a fresh-cut balsam tree, and wrapping paper close at hand...we're all set.

Or so I think...
no cat alive can resist chasing ribbons, ruffling tissue paper, or sneaking inside gift bags. And soon the kittens, who were earlier settled in for a morning nap, are racing around the room in a flurry of activity. I remember one year our cat, Zoey, slipped inside a bag and then decided she wanted out. As I was trying to help, she was soon out of my grasp and ran around the house in circles trying desperately to get the bag off.

It was useless...she'd put her head through the bag's handle, and the faster she ran, the more noise the bag made...causing her to run even faster! After several minutes she stopped to catch her breath, giving us just enough time to set her free. I admit, it was a bit funny to watch, but I'm sure she didn't think so.

Oh well, as they say, 'tis the season for animals, too! And in that spirit, the kids will make birdseed ornaments to hang on outside trees, plan special meals for our animals, and leave carrots and water for the reindeer.

It's a time of readying for Christmas...shopping, planning,
baking, secrets & surprises. They're all a part of the joy of the holiday season.

Yes, Christmas is coming...peace and joy to one and all.