the Red Front Door

Well after living in this old farmhouse for twelve years, we've finally made our way to sprucing up the exterior.  Our first renovating job was the bathroom, followed by the living room, the dining room, the nursery, the kitchen and pantry, the second child's bedroom, the upstairs hall and now we should redo the bathroom again.  The only room that's been left untouched is the master bedroom.  Although the plaster is peeling and the closet is atrocious, the walls are painted ivory and liveable.  It is, of course, on The List, but it can wait.

This Spring I felt compelled to do some work on the exterior.  Sided in aluminum sometime in the late 1950s, we've sort of put residing/painting on hold.  It's such a huge project to tackle.  We'd like to add a wide, wrap-around porch and, well, that only adds to the cost.  However, when Hank cut down a dead pine tree that was smack dab in the middle of the front yard, suddenly the front of the house was clearly visible to all passers-by.  Our neglected front door needed a bit of attention.

God Made a Farmer

How badly do we miss Paul Harvey? 

And how proud are all the homesteads across the country this morning?

God Bless the Farmers.

The Infamous Leg Lamp

Yes, it's true.  The infamous Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story has come to reside in our living room.  Of course, we all laugh at the movie, but when Hank and I stopped laughing and he looked at me with a glimmer in his eye, I knew what was coming.

Let's examine the facts:  (1) Our farmhouse is decorated with mostly 1940s furniture.  (2) The picture window faces the road.  And to top it all off (3) I have this perfect Eastlake table from Grandma...there was really no question as to what to do. 

Now if you know anything about us, you know that we rarely go buy exactly what we want; we have to make it ourselves.  So Hank bought a leg off ebay, shopped for heels at Goodwill, made the wooden base, wired the electrics, and glued fringe on the shade.  My contribution was the stocking which leaves me with one orphan in my drawer, but then I never wore fishnets very often. 

And with a little bit of embroidery floss, Hank added the extra touch of a back seam.  I don't think this is per the official movie version, but then that 's the fun of making it yourself!

If this lamp was in any other house, it would look like a gag, a bad joke, I would even venture to say trashy.  But somehow, perhaps because of the wooden base, the fringed shade, it works all too well in our living room.  And I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it.  So we'll leave the lamp for the duration of Winter, and probably put it away when I freshen up the house in Spring.  That is if the neighbors don't complain sooner.

Peaches by the Numbers

65 Big Smile peaches ~ peeled, pitted and squished into

13 quarts ~ processed on my stove top using

3 pots ~ of boiling steaminess 

~ raising the temperature in the house by 9 degrees 

~ the scraps from which resulted in

2 happy piggies ~ and

1 christened apron ~ and

1 sweaty, satisfied housewife.

Saving Grace Salvage Company

Open for the season! Housed in an old flour mill built in 1866, Saving Grace is a feast for the eyes.  An eclectic mix of salvaged architectural pieces, antiques and up-cycled decor, you should allow at least an hour to wander the three floors.  I suggest making several passes from different directions just to be sure you've seen it all.

The ten foot tall, yellow front door has been open for four years now, but only from May thru October, and only on Fridays and Saturdays.  But to anyone renovating, decorating or scrounging for their old house, it's definitely worth juggling your schedule. 

The front yard is loaded with garden and barnyard primitives - enamel, stainless washtubs, terracotta - not to mention this rack of vintage bicycles.

But one step thru that yellow door, and your senses reel.

I'll just stop talking now, and let you take it all in.

The kitchen area is probably my favorite.

But this is my daughter's favorite view.

 

Found the shifter knob for my Ford Shoebox on one of these shelves.

Somewhere in this photo are five sewing machines.

And I didn't take any photos of the basement.  Truly, if you are in the area, this is a must-see.  Or visit their facebook page to see more photos of the awesome-ness that is Saving Grace. 

Apron Challenge: January

Having finished all my Christmas sewing, I was finally able to think about my January apron.  The only problem was that my eggnog-laden brain totally lacked any creative ideas.  And my Spritz cookie sore fingers lacked motivation.  

So one day over vacation while my daughter and I sloshed through the pile of dirty dishes, I asked her what to do.  "Oh, just use white and purple and blue like snowflakes," she said.  Ah, sheer genius!

So I took her quite literally at her word and created this simple cotton apron.

 
I found two cool shades in my box of solids (because some day I'll get to that Amish quilt, after all).  Such a treat to be sewing a sensible cotton after that Scottie dog taffeta!  Then I used Heat 'n Bond to apply the snowflakes (same method I used on my spooky eyes).

Although it's not very flashy,  this is my style.  All those childhood years of watching "Little House on the Prairie" really stuck with me.  Of course, I do like to toss on the chiffon crinoline more often now. 

And just in case you weren't able to get a good look at the fabulous 1947 Frigidaire behind me, here she is!

Best rummage sale find EVER!  Saved from certain fate as a beer fridge, this little baby is a highlight in my kitchen.  Truly, I'm starting to think that I have an unhealthy love affair with vintage appliances, what with all the Sunbeams I have stashed in the pantry.  But look at that badge, "Made Only by General Motors."  My heart sings!



So back to the topic at hand . . .I'd love to see your Apron Challenge creations.  Don't forget to post photos and links in our photo album.

Pork Roast on the Wood Stove

We've been using the wood stove for a while now, mostly to take the chill out of the night.  But it seems that winter may be here in earnest now. That means, after the kids are on the bus and I feed all the animals, I go directly to the stove and do not pass Go.  Once she comes up to temp, I can put something in the oven.

Wood stove + fire = hot, sleepy cats

The stove has a flat griddle on the top, and I use this for cooking as often as I can.  It's perfect for heating up a saucepan of veggies for supper or simmering chili all day.  But I also have a small tin box oven, approximately 14 inches square, that I can sit directly on top.

It has two removable grates inside (similar to a conventional oven), an open floor and an oh-so-accurate temp gauge in the front door, reading  "Low Medium High."  A 9inch square or two loaf pans fit perfectly.  So tonight I decided to put in a pork roast.  Typically I allow an extra 30-60 minutes cook time when using this oven.

As long as I keep the fire stoked and get the temp gauge up the "D" in "Medium," it does a great job! 

Here's my Cranberry Pork Roast recipe:

2 1/2 - 3 lb pork loin roast

salt & pepper

1 can (16 ozs) whole cranberry sauce

1/4 c honey

1 T orange peel

1/4 t cloves

1/4 t nutmeg

Sprinkle roast with salt and pepper to taste.  Combine remaining ingredients and pour over roast.  Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until meat thermometer reads 160degress.  Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. 

Interesting little side note about the wood stove...we put it in our dining room, and it heats the whole house.  We were able to pipe it directly into the original brick chimney.  In renovating the dining room, we tore off the ceiling and found a grate directly above the stove.  This grate is open to the master bedroom above and is the only source of heat for that room.  Mister put a small exhaust fan in that opening to blow the warm air from below into the bedroom.  Cool air from the second floor of the house then sinks down the stairs and is warmed.  It's a perfect set up!  Of course the back bedroom doesn't factor into this loop very well, but that's part of the old farmhouse charm!

Christmas Lights

Here are a few photos I snapped of our Christmas lights. 

 My husband decided to damn the electric bill and run lights on our fence line, stretching from the garage, along our driveway to the road.

Bumper and Rusty are inside that pasture (keeping company with the ewes), and they seem to enjoy the atmosphere.

And a view of the front window . . .

. . . where our tree stands.

If you haven't done it yet, make sure you toss the kids in the car after supper and drive the neighborhood to enjoy everyone's creativity.  We did that last week and were amazed at the extensive displays that folks set up!  Such a treat!

Tree in the Window

So this year my husband wanted to put the Christmas tree in the front window.  It seems each year we shuffle furniture and toss around ideas and try to come up with a location that 1) doesn't block the tv, 2) isn't too close to the wood stove, or 3) doesn't interrupt the general flow of traffic.  I think we hit on a winner!

Off our dining room, facing the front of the house is a small alcove separated by columns on either side.  This front window faces the road and seemed like a perfect place for the tree.  Now we get to enjoy it while we eat!

On the table is a runner I made a couple of years back.  It's mainly cotton with wool applique and some free motion quilting in the center ivory space.  And, yes, that is a candle ring of 1950s plastic holly.  I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I've been strangely attracted to plastic flowers these passed months. Can't explain why, but I'm not trying to fight it. 

A few of our ornaments...must have a sheep, of course...

...the lucky German pickle...

...little red pick-up truck...

... my son's acorn and my daughter's heart ...

...and a peacock with real feather tail.  (I have a peacock-inspired sewing project in the works!  Can't wait to show you!)

Well, I must be off to finish my last batch of cookies.  I hope your holidays are filled with lights and happiness, and if you're lucky, you may find yourself under plastic mistletoe!  :)