The First Snow of the Season at LL Farm

The first snow of the season has come and gone.

It was beautiful!

The cold (single digits) and wind delayed school for a couple days.

I knew this round of snow would not last for long, so I snapped some pictures.

I hope you find them mesmerizing!

Have a Blessed Christmas Friends!

Christmas Mantel 2016

Better late than never...

Our Christmas mantel has been done for some time now but oops, I have not shared it here on the blog yet.

I am loving the simplicity of it this year.

Some faux greenery, a red berry garland, a couple votive holders, and some sticks that I painted.

I didn't use any glue or wire on this wreath.

The picks are just strategically placed into the wreath.
Check out some other wreaths that I've made.

Instead of a bow, I used this burlap poinsettia that has a little bit of glitter.

It is a pick, as are the berries.

I bought these at Hobby Lobby...on sale of course.

The wreath hangs on the mirror above the mantel.

I gathered these sticks from the yard last year and spray painted them with some glitter paint.

I stored them with my Christmas decor, and think they held up nicely.

The votive holders were a gift.

Because they are so close to the greenery and berries, I chose to use battery operated candles.

Cold outside and toasty warm inside...one of my favorite times.

I think it's fun to look at this year's mantel compared to previous years.

Seeing how my scrapbooks are gathering dust ;-(  I'm glad to have this blog as a remembrance.

Christmas mantel 2015

Christmas mantel 2014

DIY Christmas Wreaths

Weather you consider yourself crafty or not, I guarantee this is one project anyone can do.

With a little creativity you can make your own wreath!

And for a fraction of what a store bought decorated wreath costs.

I have been making Christmas wreaths for years.
Some for myself.
Some as gifts.

If you haven't made one yet, I hope you will soon...

Using Milk Glass With Christmas Decor

Milk glass, oh how I love you!

I only have a few pieces, mostly given to me by my mother.

They're so pretty.

A bit nostalgic.

Crisp white.

I like to decorate with milk glass all year round,
 and I also like to use my milk glass pieces.

Here are few ways that I am using milk glass this holiday season.

Vibrant red bulbs nestled in the crisp white milk glass makes the living room feel so festive...
Like it's ready for a party!

Fresh cedar branches tucked in a milk glass vase can be used all winter long.

The girl's bathroom is getting a bit of a makeover (post coming soon).

Blue Christmas bulbs adds a little cheer to the space as they are getting ready for their day.

Homemade pimento cheese served in milk glass makes a Christmas party feel a little more fancy, compared to a plain bowl.  Click HERE for the easy recipe.

Pine cones and dried oranges tucked in a milk glass dish makes a simple yet stunning statement.
And can be used all winter long.  Click HERE to see how to dry oranges in the oven.

So dust off your milk glass and let them shine this Christmas and winter season!

This House and Thank You

This house.

Four years ago today we moved into our home.

After a few years of cleaning up the land and dreaming up our house and homestead plans, we began our journey.

With help from friends and family, we built our home.

With dreams and determination, we are building our farm.

There's been some sweat and tears along the way, and there is always a to do list, but this place...

...there truly is no place like home.

I have shared bits and pieces here on the blog throughout the last couple years.
Through blogging, I have met some amazing people and developed some special friendships.

I want to take this opportunity to say Thank You!
Thank you for your encouragement!
Thank Your for your support!
Thank You for following along on our journey.

A Home Grown Turkey For Christmas

Community Chickens recently ran my article again about our journey of raising a turkey for Christmas dinner.  A journey indeed...I thought I would share it here too.

It's hard to believe that it's been one year since we finished that long (and exhausting) journey...

My nostalgic reasoning of wanting to raise turkeys.

The excitement of Handy Hubby not being the only boy on the farm anymore. ;-)

The death of our pre-ordered turkeys.

The drive to get the last two turkeys available.

(I may have had a little fun photographing them when they were little.)

The DIY coop and fencing.

The expensive cost of feeding them.

Mrs. Turkey died.

Mr. Turkey went crazy.

A unique friend that helped Mr. Turkey.
They met by the fence many times to talk.

My fear of Mr. Turkey.

The processing.

The 26 pound turkey that was Christmas 2015 dinner.

For my faithful and new readers, click HERE if you want to read all about it.

And, for the record...the coop and fenced area remain empty one year later...

We really need to put something in there...

...maybe meat chickens next year.?.?.?

Mint Chocolate Cookies

If you are lucky enough to live near an Olive Garden restaurant you know all about the mints...

...the ones you get at the end of your meal.

The mint green surrounded by chocolate.

Mmm Mmm!

Did you know that you can by these Andes mint baking chips?

Oh yes you can!  They make the most wonderful tasting cookies.

Here is the recipe:

Mint Chocolate Cookies

(makes 4 dozen)

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

10 oz. pack of Andes Creme de Menthe Baking Chips

2 2/3 cups flour

Beat butter, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, and eggs until mixed.

Stir in Andes baking chips, then flour.

Chill for one hour in the refrigerator.

Using a tablespoon, drop dough two inches apart onto non stick baking pans.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.

Living On The Edge With A Christmas Stocking

In my last post, I left you with a cliff hanger...

...I hope you didn't loose any sleep over it. ;-)

I pointed out to you that I didn't use a wreath on the front door...

The reason?

Well...

Yep, I've decided to live on the edge...

I am using using a Christmas stocking on the front door instead of wreath!

I know, I know.

Risk-ayy.

If you want to join me on this rebellious journey, I welcome you.

Stuff a stocking with some grocery bags to fill it out a bit.

Place some greenery inside.

If you're really feeling edgy, go ahead and add some ornaments or pine cones or berries.

Then hang it on the door.

Oh yea, living on the edge.

;-)

Our Farmhouse Christmas Porch

Thanks for going along with me on my walk through the woods the other day.

Wasn't it invigorating?

As I mentioned, visions were dancing in my head to decorate the front porch with the beautiful pieces that I gathered.
Sometimes I don't sleep very well when this happens ;-)


The design assistant (observing from the window) has given her approval for me to show you our farmhouse Christmas porch.

I tucked some fresh juniper branches in the urns that flank the front door, then gave them a little water.
Click HERE to see how I did it.

It seems as though many of our animals have a design opinion this year.

This beautiful, old, rusty milk can got some fresh cedar branches and some beautiful red berries, along with a little water to keep them fresh.

Next to another antique milk can, I used some pine cones that I have gathered over the years along with a lantern.

I used some faux greenery and berries on the top.
Then added some silver ornaments and a red candle.

I like how the stacked firewood is both useful and handsome.

Handy Hubby hung some icicle lights.

He also hung some wreaths on the dormers.

(Our faithful farm dog wasn't so much in the design mood like the cats were...
she just wanted her 'very worn' dog bed put back in place.)

Have you noticed that I didn't use a wreath on the door?

...more on that later.

Gatherings From The Woods

It was a beautiful brisk day to take a walk in the woods.

Carrying scissors in my gloved hands, I was on an adventure...

Visions danced in my head for decorating the front porch for Christmas.

Won't you come along?

Let's search for evergreen branches and vibrant red berries, shall we.

Ready to turn my visions into reality...

I'll share the front porch soon.