Merry Christmas...

...from our house, to yours!

 ~Our Boys, Circa 1994~

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."~Burton Hills~

 May the Spirit of joy fill your hearts and homes as you celebrate this most wondrous of seasons. Wishing you peace, prosperity and health in 2012.

Until next year...

Rhonda

Joyeux Noe'l !

 

I know that we are all busy with preparations for our Christmas celebrations, but I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to each one of you that has followed my blog this year. As 2010 comes to a close I am reflecting on all the wonderful people I have "met" through blogging and the blessing of friendship you have extended to me. I appreciate your kind comments and emails more than you know...and I appreciate that you take time from your busy lives to read along, encourage, and inspire me.

I also want to take this opportunity to say that I am so very grateful to all my customers for your patronage over the past year. I love to hear how much you love the things you have purchased and the ways in which you display and use them. It warms my heart to know that you find such pleasure in the things I make with my own hands. So, thank you for that. I have some lovely things planned for you in the coming year...including a giveaway in January, that I'm sure you'll love.

I began this blog because of an "epiphany". I believe this is the path I was meant to follow, and doing so has brought so many good things into my life. I want to encourage each of you to follow your path...whatever that may be. I hope that you will continue to "walk along" with me as we begin the new year together. Here's to adventure!

Until next year time...

Wishing you a Joyful Christmas Season, and a healthy, and prosperous 2011!

~Tuesday Display Chain~Winter Whites~

Each Tuesday Misi, of Gable House Musings, chooses a theme and invites bloggers to play along with her "Tuesday Display Chain" by featuring items from their collections. The theme this week is Winter Whites.

This theme was a challenge for me as my decorating style tends to be a bit on the dark and somber side. I've tried, really I have...to go with a more neutral pallet, but the truth is I just can't resist mixing in splashes of reds and blues. These are the things my eye (and heart) are drawn to.

Still, I was able to find a few little of puddles of light...

When my boys were small we made an entire village using chipboard, glue and instructions from Martha Stewart LIVING magazine. I cut all the pieces, they painted and glittered. The little white church is  always at the center of our display.

I found two pairs of these cotton lace stockings at an estate sale. Just look at the beautiful workmanship. Click on the photo for a better view of the lace patterns. I can't imagine wearing these, can you?

This lone baby sock, from the same time period, was found in a box of "junque" I brought home.

I love the textures of the linen, cotton lace and the old glass next to each other.

A simple ironstone bowl perched high on a shelf of the buttery.

Turn of the century stockings, and mercury glass beads, hang in the back hall.

A precious little bell from my Grandma Beulah's tree.

A closer view of that beautiful cotton lace.

A snowman, desperately in need of a makeover. He used to be an angel...but tells me he would prefer a top hat & something festive to hold in his icy little hands.

Old glass against a child's calico dress.

And for those of us who are not fans of the white stuff (I'm speaking of snow here), this plate of orange pomanders, studded with cloves, adds a bit of winter sunshine to a corner of the buttery.

See the other Tuesday Display Chain participants at: http://1890gablehousemusings.blogspot.com/

Until next time...

It's beginning...

...to look a lot like Christmas all around blogland. It's been so much fun to see the different ways that everyone incorporates their family and vintage pieces to make their homes cozy and inviting for the holidays. You've all been so generous in sharing photos of your beautiful homes that I thought I'd join in. Slowly but surely I have been decorating. I am going for a much simpler, natural look this year. Of course some of the old favorites must make an appearance.

This jointed Santa was a very special gift from a dear friend. It is one of a set. These were hand carved and painted by her father. I love unwrapping them each year because they remind me of my friend who was called away to ministry. This time of year California seems especially far away. I'm sure some of you know what I mean...

This is a photo of the buttery...just a few holiday additions with the smaller of our two trees in the background. This tree will be decorated with beeswax hearts and old children's dishes and kitchen ware. I warned you...I'm decorating slowly.

~A wool star, orange pomanders, and a favorite Christmas portrait of our boys decorate the buttery shelves~

~Bottle brush trees, old lead deer and a handmade village dot the buttery landscape~

A dry sink in the kitchen entry, decorated with pottery, bowls, granite ware and a small potted fir.

~Simplicity~

And because I know you were hoping I'd show him...here's the other Santa.

Well, I'd better get busy. Those trees won't decorate themselves you know!

Until next time...

~Star Rug Company Giveaway~

Just in time for Christmas! How many opportunities do you get to win a fabulous hooked rug like this beauty from The Star Rug Company? Well, here's your chance! Just follow the link to Maria's page and enter to win. Good luck!

Tuesday Display Chain~ Homemade Granola by Kattywhompus

Each Tuesday Misi, of Gable House Musings, chooses a theme and invites bloggers to play along with her "Tuesday Display Chain" by featuring items from their collections. Since many of us are browsing through magazines and looking online for holiday ideas such as gifts, decorating ideas & recipes, Let us give a little of ourselves here through blogland. This week's theme is "To Share".

I'd like to share my recipe for homemade granola...a huge hit at out house. My husband & sons think this is a real treat for breakfast served with fruit and yogurt. It also makes a great healthy snack. I make up a big batch at Christmas for gift giving. It looks great in a cello bag tied with a piece of homespun and a handmade tag. I've made it for fund raisers and bazaars and it is always the first thing that sells out. I hope it will become a favorite at your house too.

Homemade Granola by Kattywhompus

In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients except raisins until well blended.

2 1/2 Cups Old Fashion Oats

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Sunflower Meats

1/2 Cup Sliced Almonds

1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans

1/4 Cup Wheat Germ

1/2 Cup Flaked Coconut

1 Tsp. Cinnamon

* 1/2 Cup Golden Raisins & 1/2 Cup Dark Raisins

Of course the above ingredients can be adjusted to your taste...try a variety of nuts and dried fruit for lots of different flavors!

Melt butter and honey together and then add vanilla. Pour over dry granola mixture and toss until well coated.

1/3 Cup Butter

1/3 Cup Honey

1 tsp. vanilla

Spread granola in a thin layer on two lightly greased cookie sheets (pans with sides work best).

 

Forgive my "well seasoned" baking pan...the best kind. :)

 Bake at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes. Stir frequently while baking. Pay special attention to granola around the edges of the pan. When granola turns a golden brown, remove from oven & spread on wax paper or foil to cool. Stir in raisins, and store in an airtight container. Enjoy! 

See the other Tuesday Display Chain participants at: http://1890gablehousemusings.blogspot.com/

Until next time...

Blustery Black Friday

As I sit here typing I can hear the fierce wind whipping across the Indiana prairie, the creaking of the house, and the voices of our eldest son and Mr. Kattywhompus deep in conversation. We are staying cozy inside, awaiting company this evening. How wonderful it is to be restful and relax with family gathered round! With leftovers in the fridge and dogs at my feet I feel blessed beyond measure.

In between checking the turkey and serving up pie, I was able to get a few things listed in my Etsy shops. I am working on a series of cut paper silhouettes, some of which are already available here, and some of which will be available on Simply Primitives on December 1st. I am thrilled to be included among their newest artisans, and hope you will visit me on my page there. Look for me in the Artisan Directory after December 1st. I have also added a couple of things to my vintage Etsy shop, including this Artisans Sampler, perfect for Christmas crafting!

I've been putting these together from my stash of vintage lovelies...things that are wonderful, but don't necessarily fit with our primitive style home. It's been fun to see how much the people who purchase these kits appreciate and enjoy them. I have several more in the works that should be listed in a day or two.

Here are some of my colonial style silhouettes. The designs were adapted from early portraits and are hand cut from paper.

I'm going to decorate a short wall in the living room, next to my desk, with similar pieces. I'm still looking for some little oval frames to mount some of the smaller cuttings.

These are available in limited numbers, so please...if you see one you must have, don't hesitate.  I'd hate for you to be disappointed.

 

I think they are really special...and hope you will feel the same.

I can't believe I forgot to show you the lovely little gift I received from Michelle Palmer. Out of sight, out of (my) mind... 

I was one of SEVEN winners in her generous fall giveaway...

Michell is such a talented lady...I  just adore her little drawings on fabric. Wouldn't this look fabulous on a fall themed sewing roll?

Michelle chose this drawing especially for me. Does she know me, or what? It's perfect! She also included one of her magnetic Christmas sets in my package and as always, a sweet note.

I encourage you to visit her lovely blog, and afterward her Etsy shop. You'll be glad you did!

Until next time...

Simply Good Weekend

I'm one of the lucky ones. I'll be attending the Simple Goods primitive show this weekend with two of my dearest friends. I hope you'll stop by the Mercantile Gatherings Magazine table to say "Hello"...or just tug on my sleeve in the crowd and introduce yourself. See you there!

Until next time...

Giveaway Winners Anounced!

Thank you ever so much to all who entered my drawing, and most especially for reading along, both here and in the magazine. Your kind and supportive comments and emails have been very heartwarming indeed.

In the name of fairness, I've conducted the giveaway in the most scientific way possible. Each name was printed on a slip of paper, folded, and dropped into a favorite little bowl.

 My helpers quarreled about who would choose the winning name...and so I have agreed that each of them might draw a name from the entrants.

Murray insisted on going first, as usual.

 

He chose...Doris, of I Play Outside The Box . 

Then it was Edith's turn to sneak in for her pick.

She chose...Nan, of Atticbabys.

Congratulations Ladies! You've both won a copy of the magazine! 

 Please email me at kattywhompusprimitives@gmail.com with your mailing address ASAP so you can claim your prize.
 

Thanks again to all who participated! Until next time...