The farm update
HighButtonShoe
December 3, 2008
.......I think perhaps we
start out in early December, somewhat with our wits about us, with our
plans and lists in order. Some dreading the thoughts of shopping ( I am
classified in that description), some with our cookbooks out, and lists of
what we need to buy for those cookies we only make once a year. Some
people even have detailed lists of things to do on each day of December
(Martha Stewart types) clearly detailed on their calendars (probably their
blackberry now.) I, of course, don't own a blackberry to keep track of
myself, as keeping track of myself is a full time chore, without the
complications of adding another technical device to add another fork in
the road to my already challenged brain functions. December and Christmas
only worsens my 'details' calendar. I can and am using my cell phone, much
to the surprise of Beulah and son Steve, and have taken to carrying it
with me (it sat in the phone drawer for a year or so...), but only about 6
people have my number..so I don't get many calls, and I have NO idea how
to retrieve phone/voice mails. No idea. There is simply no sense in
learning how to do that. You either get me or you don't. Simple.
But I did have a plan, of
sorts, of getting the farmhouse decorated for the season. My Plan A
quickly fast forwarded to Plan Q, as often is the case. I have the tree,
of course, and didn't get mauled or eaten by the bear. It stands out in
the pole barn. The tree that is, not the bear. It is my hope he is now
hibernating. Along with Fritz the Anaconda. In the meantime, last weekend,
I brought in the fresh boughs and started putting them around. My thoughts
of a more simple Christmas look this year, that the farmhouse itself
demands, was for the greens, the tree with only lights and honeysuckle on
it, several of my feather trees void of any decoration on them...just
there naked and bare, along with the antique lanterns and candlesticks,
with only a few of my cherished folk art pieces. The house will not take
my vast collection of Christmas folk art. Realizing that last year, as the
harvest table in the dining room was groaning under the many Santas,
trees, old chalkware pieces and such, and most of it was put back into the
boxes and stored again. This year, I have given much thought to what I
would use. Less, but still plans to use some.
I have mentioned probably on
more than one occasion, that the basement is seriously stacked to the
ceiling with packing boxes, the big Rubbermaid kind with lids. Careful to
mark my Christmas boxes, I knew where they were. Afterall, I had them all
out last year. Before....the installers in October came to put the new
water heater in and hook up the outside wood furnace to the fuel oil
furnace IN the basement where all my boxes were. WERE being the operative
word. They were moved.
In a relatively good mood
considering it is December, we have had SNOW for 18 days now (razzle-frazzle),
and decorating often is a negative effect to moods... I went to the
basement knowing that the boxes had been moved, but only to find out, that
as they are literally 3 boxes OUT from the wall, and 4 boxes high lining
the entire wall, my Christmas boxes are not there. How can this be?? So
while the boxes are marked, I am taking the lid off each box just in case
I may have put the collections in a box that had been marked before of
something else. Not.
I did find the box of
Christmas bulbs for the tree that I didn't intend to use this year. I
found the white tree lights, thankfully, and hopefully they will work. I
found one box of the things I didn't use last year. THE box that holds the
chalkware old pieces, the wood carvings, the papermache pieces... nope,
not a clue.
So my idea of decorating
simple has become more simple than I thought. I can either continue, like
a madwoman possessed to go thru boxes, or forget it as the box will
probably show up in the future. Like maybe June.
I particularly wanted to find
a vintage wreath that didn't get found last year...as it has become a
source of great amusement between Beulah and me. I love it, she loathes
it. Knowing full well, she would probably trash it, I probably will not
give it to her in her Christmas gift, but rather would put it up in my
front window for her to see each day. I had given some thought to hanging
it in HER front window when she came home from work, in the darkened skies
of early evening, as it would be quite prominently lit. But that will
undoubtedly be found in June too.
So, my simple has become
REALLY simple. Just greens and lanterns. It may be the best Christmas look
I ever had. Fresh greens and old tinware and treenware. Circumstances
often force us in directions we may not have taken...
Simply Primitives released
Monday, with new offerings. As well as our completely new offerings on
Lemon Poppy Seed. Our links are listed below. Also while there, check out
goodest friend Bittersweet Susan on SP. And Kentucky Primitives on LPS,
both in finished goods and patterns for KP.
We are concentrating more on
selling our antique smalls, than folk art, and will be showing more of it
in the winter months. We do have TWO items marked down on LPS (nice
discounts), and are showing the few pairs of small white mittens from the
last of Mrs Seeley's handmade mittens. I found them in a box a month ago!
They are in LIMITED supply! 2 pair for $8 PLUS $2 shipping.
Also I have listed FREE
shipping in the US48 of any purchase on the countrycraftshoponline until
the end of December. Note too, that while the coal scuttle is sold on SP,
I have another one that is in old black paint, but I don't know if I have
any more pinecones or not. Boxes, you know!
My days always start now with
shoveling the paths to the birdfeeders to give them breakfast, and
shoveling off the pavers to the house. The air is often filled with the
sounds of laughter as Beulah's kids use the farms slopes, now filled with
snow and icy conditions along with the old runner sleds that had been
housed in the barn for decades. Son Steve and wife Cheryl joined with them
Friday afternoon, and while I considered joining them in a trip down the
slippery slope, my better judgment prevailed as I doubt I would have been
able to walk for a week, had I joined them. Seeing kids on sleds again,
and listening to the laughter was enough to make my heart smile. I often
think this farm is magical....
Thanks for asking to be a part
of our farm and life. Should you not, merely reply with remove and it will
be kindly done.
In fond regard, Tilda
sparsely decorated this
season,
18 days or winter down
hair beyond control with
my daily ski cap,
thinking of old cookie
recipes...