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Monday 3 December 2012

Simple Country Christmas

I feel a real connection to all the women who have lived in this old farmhouse for the last 200 years.  Some I know about and some I just imagine.  I'm taking the house back to it's roots for this holiday season.  Much of my decor will be done as it was before Pottery Barn and dollar stores.

I started wondering what the lady of the house did in the height of the Depression when money was scarce enough for necessities and non existent for frills.

I imagined her turning to what was at hand to make the house cheery.  Of course she'd have to use what nature offered. ~


The boys are gone to school and she settles in to work some craft magic.  She clips some twigs from the bush by the chicken coop and wires together little bunches of  cheery red. ~


The old cat doesn't much like being evicted from his napping spot on the potato sack burlap but she needs some fabric for her door garland. ~


She clips branches from the fir trees and starts to wire it all together with bits of bailing wire.  ~


Crop prices are so low that the farm can't support them and John has had to go to the city for work.  They all miss him terribly, but the boys have stepped up to the plate and are shouldering much of the farm work.  Her eldest boy did himself proud by getting a pheasant and she's saved the feathers for some pretty touches.

The bows have been carefully saved from Christmases before and are taken from their tissue wrappings to give a very merry air to the garland.  She nips the bells off the old cutter harness and adds them to the arrangement.  They haven't had a horse in many years, but oh how she's misses those winter sleigh rides of her youth! ~

   
The tail feathers from the pheasant look grand in the bucket of greenery. ~


The boys haven't had time to cut a tree for Christmas, so this will have to do.

John is coming home for the holidays tonight and the boys will meet him at the train station.  There's a chicken roasting in the oven and an apple pie cooling on the windowsill.  Just a few more touches and the decorating will be done. ~



The porch light is on to welcome all the family home.  There they are now; her fine husband and sons!  They were so late she was starting to worry.  Ahhh, look, they're proudly hauling a Christmas tree home to her!

And, that is how I amused myself while I worked on the door that has been decorated by so many ladies before me. ~


I'm off to see Farm Girl tomorrow and I'll draw the winner for a set of these hand knit Christmas trees from

   


I'll have Amish Girl do the drawing.  I know you all trust her.  See, she's lost her first tooth and was very brave about it! ~

Good luck everyone!


I'm thrilled my door was featured on Christmas Decorating Party On A Budget at Creative Cain Cabin!









32 comments:

  1. Cute story...pretty decorations...sweet grandchild. I am assuming that is your grandchild :)

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  2. Oh I was lost in that beautiful story, you weave quite the tale. As usual I'm in love with your porch decor and just your home in general, the feathers n the greenery are my favorite. Now sadly as I turn away from the computer, I have to deal with my boys who rather than doing their chores tonight, "cleaned" their room by throwing all the clean laundry out to be rewashed. I think her and her family had a wonderful time in spite of the depression.

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  3. Such a beautiful story Maureen! Family's been through tough times so I know what you mean. It's very touching.
    Love your door too and hope you have a great time with little Amish girl :)

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  4. Love your sweet country Christmas story and decorating. You should share it at my Old Time Party at the farmhouse.
    Farmhouse hugs,
    Cindy

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  5. Love the wreath. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, more beautiful at Christmas than nature itself. Nice story and please pop my name into the hat for the draw. I love the little trees. Hugs, Deb

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  6. Oh man! That was one great story! I got all wrapped up in it too! You weave a fine tail ma'am! You also make a great garland! I have yet to make one from scratch! Your red twigs remind me of the red ochre dogwoods in Montana. It's all so beautiful, just like your story! I'm hoping for more! (and a slice of that apple pie!)

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  7. Stunning Maureen. I absolutely love the addition of those feathers....gorgeous. Your door looks fantastic. I think natural decorations are my favourite every time.

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  8. I loved that imagined memory, Maureen, which may be closer to the truth than you really know. I hope you have a wonderful time today and get lots done- blessings to you- xo Diana

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  9. Loved your imagined story! It must have made the crafting and decorating all that much more special, because it probably was so close to the truth for so many people then and, unfortunately, now.

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  10. Maureen, this is so lovely, both the wreath and the story. We are kindred souls, I always wonder about the lives of those who lived in my old house in bygone years, or who owned my old pieces before they came into my hands. Especially everyday items that were used for practical purposes, like my rolling pin collection.

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  11. Maureen,
    Wonderful story... I love that front door.
    Pat

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  12. What a wonderful story you shared. The decor looks beautiful. Great touches.

    Cynthia

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  13. Delightful Maureen! Enjoy your visit.

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  14. I love the front door, and your story. Aw, Amish Girl is adorable.

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  15. What a nice story, I am a visual person so I am right there, I really enjoyed it.
    I love the decorating and the door looks amazing.

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  16. I loved your story and I too like to wonder what the women did in my house. Your door looks so pretty, Jean

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  17. The best post ever! I appreciate the time you put into the story, I felt like I was there, and your thoughtfulness in what they would have used before the dollar store and how beautiful it can be by just using nature and what you have on hand.. Great job!

    Carol

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  18. I SO enjoyed reading this :)

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  19. What a wonderful post! I think I'm the 4th woman of 822 and all I talk about is Betty living here when I'm gone. What a wonderful feeling to be a part. I just love when I find rocks in the yard that I know were brought from some far away trip. I save each and every one!

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  20. Now why didn't I think of that.... walking outside and clipping little bundles of dog wood branches? OK, so I'm doing it tomorrow, thanks for the idea.

    Bliss

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  21. Love your imagination and your front door! :)

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  22. Great story and oh, that door is beautiful! Visiting from Creative Cain Cabin!

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  23. Your door is beautiful, but I loved the story that went with it even more.

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  24. I think I would like to be you Maureen, because you make your home look beautiful, and you tell a very pretty tale.

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  25. Sure enjoyed reading your post, it was just lovely. You did such a wonderful job on the garland and on a budget for sure. Thanks for linking up at the Cabin, hope to see you again next Monday:)

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  26. Beautiful pictures! You make me miss my Michigan snowy Christmases. Thanks for visiting me and commenting at OneCreativeMommy. I would love it if you shared some of your great ideas at OneCreativeMommy.com. The party is open Fri-Wed each week. Hope to see you there!

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  27. You took me back in time for an old-fahsioned peek into another century. Thank you Maureen! Your decor is just perfect; as was the tale!

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  28. Great post, and fun read! Came over from Thrifty Things Friday.

    Jan @ The Pink Geranium

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  29. What a wonderful story Maureen. I love your decorations and that grandchild is so darling with her missing tooth. I know she couldn't wait for that Tooth fairy. Thanks so much for sharing at Transformed Tuesday. Hugs Peggy

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  30. Well, I just love this post! I am glad to know that I am not the only one who thinks like this! Thank you so much for sharing this fun "look back" post with us at TTF last week. Have a wonderful day!

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  31. what great ideas with the cinnamon, i bet you get a nice whiff when you walk past. and such a cute kitty!

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