Christmas Is In The Air

Our yearly tradition; takes us to our usual Christmas tree farm to find the perfect Balsam Fir . Oh, I just love the smell of the Balsam Fir, it's like a citrus scent of sorts, yet, Christmas~ie...

Here you see hubby (with chain saw in hand) and Grand D following behind, I'm last in line and the one taking the pictures.

Last Sunday, the temperature was almost 40* F it was raining and snowing all in one. We walked, and walked, and walked, we searched all over, crossing the road in several places, even got back in the truck and drove down the road. This year all the trees seemed to have a brownish color to them, and they appeared to be shaggy, rather than trimmed.

It ended up, that we were not satisfied with any of the trees, figured we'd get in the truck and head for town; surely there'd be a few lots with pre-cut trees. Right? Right?

Wrong, what is going on, Not a single one, this is surreal... Discouraged, we stopped at Denny's to grab a bite to eat, and to talk over what our next option is. Will we find a Christmas tree this year, "a real one" that we can sit back and enjoy the scents. I mentioned to hubby, that a few weeks back (right after Thanksgiving) a huge tractor trailer truck had delivered trees to one of the veggie stand places. Not even sure, if he would have any left, we decided this would be our last shot at getting a real Christmas tree this year.

As luck would have it, they had 2 left, we bought one and the owner of the lot dragged the last in for his family, then shut off his outside lights.

Oh, Glory be... we are so fortunate and tickled...

In the spirit now, I drive back to town the following day to pick up a few more decorations at Wally~ Marts; the Good Will Store is right on the way so I thought I'd just take a peek.

Wowser, a lucky streak, I found this snowman, for a really decent price; can you believe, only $2.00. I also purchased a 9' strand of garland (brand new, and wrapper still around it, from Wally~Mart) for only $.75

Now that's luck!

He looks so comfy right here in the front window.


Looking through my Country Sampler magazine what do I see; spotted something I knew I could do right here in my own house (I have everything that it requires) and would like to share it with you all.

1st you will need a basket, like the one you see here, or any medium sized basket would do.

The next step, is to place something white in the bottom of your basket (I just so happen to have a roll of cotton left over from my horse's first aid kits.)

For the third step, you'll need to gather some trim pieces either from a tree outside or (if your like me, you'll have some in your Christmas stash that you didn't even know you had.)

Go find an ornament of your choice (I'm a real snowman fan) could be a Santa, or reindeer, whatever you want it to be. Then start poking in a few branches around your ornament.

Like so...

Toss in some pine cones; and wha ~la you now are the proud crafter of a new Christmas center piece for your tabletop.

Your basket is complete.

I made the runner out of some old material I have been hanging onto for years, and then I placed a candle on a saucer with a ring of berries to finish it off.

There will be more decorating pictures to share, I'm still puttering around trying to cozy up the house for the Holidays.

Country Sampler is an inspirational magazine for a crafter at heart.

Jesus Loves Me ~ This I know

As a young child, I followed my mother to many different churches , before our family settled in the country and made our home just up the road from my maternal grandparents and the little white church.

"The Little White Church known as the "Keeneyville Methodist Church" (I warned all of you that I grew up in the boonies, I wasn't kiddin') sat next to our local grocery store, right on the main road going in and out of our little burg. If you stood in Grandma's and Grandpa's front window you could not only see the church, you could see the people coming and going as well (I spent a great deal of time at my grandparents.) I remember; Grandma getting us all cleaned and dressed to attend church & Sunday school. As a child you don't really understand the powers of Our Lord, or what "faith" is all about. I'm not sure, even after all these years if I have a good understanding of it all, all I know, and realize, is "there is a God" and I want to do everything in my power to be his follower. (Pray for me)

To make a looonng story short, my childhood was a difficult one, like so many others. I made a huge mistake, fell for a guy, and seemed to have fallen back into a trap much like the one of my childhood, and figured out right quick that was not what I wanted or expected out of life. I moved on with my life... filed for the "D" word and put all that behind me.

Then, we found each other 28 almost 29 years ago, it was "love" at first sight, and somehow we both had the very same butterfly feelings in our stomach's. He was Catholic and I was Methodist, but we didn't really attend church until we had children of our own. Then, as we traveled around the world with the military, we started attending Church again, one week we may go to a Methodist Church, then the next a Catholic Church, whatever; until after many years later, I discovered, how at ease I was at mass, I just had a strong feeling of belonging.

A few years back, I mulled over the idea of converting, so that I could share the faith as a Catholic. However, when you have been married previously, there is a lot to this, many different steps to take to prepare for the occasion.

We have taken those steps, it has been two long years, and we finally have set the date to marry in the Catholic Church.

"I'm Going To Be A Catholic, I'm really, really, blessed! "

A Christmas gift we can charish, forever...

A veiw from our front windows

Winter weather~ With winds gusting at 50 plus MPH, schools & businesses closing for the day, bracing for the 3 feet of snow thought to hit our area. We are so lucky in that we missed most of the snow (either that or the wind just blew it all away) it's it really bitter cold out, but we are not complaining.

Date did not reset after charging the batteries for the camera actual date is 12/11/09.

Just an example of what we were looking at (east side of our house) this is a white out. When I wake up to this, I pretty much know, today will be an inside day of activities.

This is Grand D making sugar cookies, she literally spent all day baking and frosting. Definately has more of an attention span than her granny. LOL

Thanks sweetie, these are the bestest sugar cookies I've ever eaten.

Now, last week we as a family drove to town and finished up a batch of wine we had brewing. A bottle will go into gift baskets for Christmas.

Thanks to the owner and his sons for giving us the class. They were very helpful, and have a great little set up there.

Sorry, this is going to be a short post Kohl's has a good sale going today (however, only until 1pm) we are going shopping. I'd better get my farm duties finished up.

God Bless You ALL,

Mel

JuSt AnOtHeR DaY On ThE FaRm

An early morning for this farm goddess...

Up at 4:20 AM with a dog that would not stop whimpering at my bedside. Must crawl out of bed grab a hoody and feel my way down the stairs, in the dark (thinking it must be somewhere around six-ish.) After five minutes or so, I go back to the door and call for the dog to come in, "no dog" (now thinking, he has noticed he isn't in his shock collar and has slipped through the fenceline.) Go to the back room, grab my barn coat and head out the backdoor to go find him. However, once I reached the woodshed door I can hear him bark, call him; once more, but he thinks it's time to romp in the snow, turns away and darts off. He must have felt the anger building because as I turn to head in, he comes running up and darts in the door ahead of me.

Now, maybe, I can get another hour of sleep before the other family members alarm clocks start going off; NOT after tossing under the covers, not able to get warm enough for sleep...

Grand D's at my bedside; "Grammy, something is wrong with the hot water it's ice cold." So, out of bed, down the stairs to the utility room this time. Drag over the cooler, (to stand on, in order to reach the knob on hotwater tank) turn it up, back in the shower she goes.

It is now 6:20AM

Must have coffee... I do not function, "well" without my first cup of coffee, and now, I'm really dragging, in need of a set of crowbars to hold my eyes open.

Grand D's off to school, hubby is up now (I hear the floor creaking) getting ready for work, I think; I'll make him his favorite on the run breakfast sandwich. Hubby really likes an egg with a slice of swiss cheese and either; bacon, ham, or sausage beteew two pieces of toast. He'll be off to a great start.

Now that I'm home alone, it's time to feed the dogs, and cats then let them out; before I head out to the chores in the barn. Climbed in the hay loft threw down a bale of hay, rather lazy now; I decide to use the 4 wheeler to carry the hay to the pasture for me. Darn thing, won't start; have to remove the seat and a rubber hose that leads to the carberator and squirt some starter fluid in the carberator to get her to run. Out we go , Brrr RR rr a chilly morning here... cut the twine off the hay only to discover this is a bad bale (must have gotten wet) it is moldy. Horses cannot tolerate mold, or dust as they have sensitive stomaches and colic easily. Back tot he loft another bale of hay is placed on the 4 wheeler and divided equally between the three horses.

With a storm brewing in the SW and headed our way, I thought; I'd clean the chicken coop as part of my morning chores.

The chicken maid is paid in eggs... One brooder box has 6 eggs in it, another; has 2, and the last 4. The first six, I placed in my pocket and head for the house with them. Return back to coop with shovel, pitchfork, and coal shovel (coal shovels, work great for the harder to clean spots, that cling to the floor) to continue my cleaning efforts. Just after a few scoops, I feel that spot in my back that if I'm not careful and pick up to much, or turn the wrong way my back goes out. Sure enough... not so bad, that I cannot continue, so that I did. Once the cart was filled with chicken do-do; I trudge in the snow to my dumping spot (with eggs in my coat pocket) pick up the back end of the cart, to give it a boost and what do I hear; c r u n c h!
It is at this moment, I realize what I have just done, now one eggs short of a dozen... LOL

The time has come that I have to clean my own coop

Happy Farming girls,
Mel

Simple Blessings

Can you believe this; this sign was made just for us... "Bless This Barn" not many people live in converted barns as we do. I found it at TSC on one of my trips to the big city, well, not really a big city, but growing.

Here at the farm, we are blessed with some of the most beautiful sunsets, like on this awesome evening.

A drive through post last evening (when I finally remembered to bring my camera) reminded me of the long seperations from my hubby while he was called to duty. Unless, you are a military spouse, it is impossible for you to know how difficult this job really is (for those who are sent, and for those left behind) the responsibilites are "huge". This photo is of a fence surrounding our airfield, the family members of returning soldiers create these with plastic cups, and I believe, in some cases; plastic bags to welcome back our troops ( their husbands, wives, sons, daughters, etc. etc.)

God Bless Our Troops & Their Families