The End of a Decade!

It's amazing to me how fast time flies! It seems like everyone was in a panic because we were facing the year 2000. Now look - we are ready to turn the decade to 2010!!! It is my prayer that this New Year will find each of us drawing closer to our Lord, spending more time with family and friends and finding more time to rest from our very busy lives. Life is too short and time goes too fast for us to just let it all pass us by. Let's really begin to live, love and laugh not just hang a sign on our wall!

The Farmer's Attic will be closed January 1, 2010. There are changes coming for the new year! I'll keep you "posted" :)

Another great giveaway!

Resolution giveaway at
Seasons of the Past
Drawing Jan. 8th.

This is only one item of three that Anne

is so generously giving away!

Time is running out!

The final days are here to sign-up for this fabulous giveaway at Irish Rose Creations. Click on the link below and make sure you follow her instructions: Irish Rose Creations

Don't forget to stop by her Etsy shop at Irish Rose Creations Etsy Shop and see some of her other beautiful creations. She is one talented artisan and her items are reasonably priced!

Etsy Treasury

What a nice surprise for me tonight to see that two different people snagged two different items of mine in Etsy Treasuries. Please take a minute and check out all the great items people have handcrafted.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=102691 (mine is the Prim Hearts and Love Letter) and
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=80940 (mine is the Heart of Roses Quilted Wallhanging)

If you are a member of Etsy, please click on each item and comment. By doing so, brings the Treasury to a higher position for others to see.

Thanks for looking!!!

Clearance

Now through December 31, 2009, selected items are 20% off in the CLEARANCE section at http://www.farmersattic.com/.

Very thankful...

...for some time off! Christmas Eve was wonderful. I love cooking and baking and entertaining. There's always too much food but we love leftovers!!! Had my family here for dinner and gift exchanging. My granddaughter is 4 1/2 and is a joy to be with. We gave her a play kitchen this year. My husband made a treasure map for her to "find" her gift. She is such a sport. The look on her face when she "found" her treasure was priceless. She immediately started cooking. Too funny though, after having cooked for a while, she told her daddy that he needed to do the dishes because she was tired from all her cooking :) My 6 mos old grandson had no idea what was going on and lazily fell asleep in his mommy's arms. Makes me think about Jesus as a baby sleeping in His mother's arms. Praise God that He chose to come to this earth as a baby in a manger in order to minister here as a man and then go to the cross as our Redeemer. O holy night!!!

I was busy Christmas Day "building snowmen" for orders that needed to be filled. Very relaxing. I love my needles and thread! I don't know what I would do if I couldn't create with my hands. If you would like more info on the Prim Snowman Angel, go to http://www.farmersattic.com/.

From our house to yours!

Merry Christmas!

May you experience the joy of celebrating the birth of our

Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

Love to you all,

John & Lucy

The History of Socks!

I must say that until I received a newsletter this morning, I never even considered socks :) But yet, I have a drawer full of them in varying lengths, colors, materials. I thought this was a little interesting read for today. Hope you enjoy!

The first knit socks were found in Egyptian tombs. As early as the 13th century, hand-knitted socks began replacing the woven, cut and sewn stockings found throughout Europe and the Middle East. In the beginning, socks were considered a luxury, worn only by the aristocracy. But, by the 16th century, this had changed and hand-knitted socks made from wool were available for all.


As people fled Europe to settle the American colonies, many transported hosiery-knitting machines out of England, which opened the door to a new industry in the New World. Socks were considered a valuable item and were often used for bartering.

In modern times, the American Red Cross often sent out requests for clothing to distribute to the U.S. Armed Forces during times of war. Many people hand-knitted and donated socks just for that purpose.

Eventually, knit socks were converted into crochet versions. With the many beautiful and interesting patterns and yarns available today, socks are now an integral part of our wardrobes and are often considered a fashion statement in their own right.


Socks can be knitted or crocheted, fun and funky, or plain and modest. Color palettes can range from soft, subdued shades to lush hues found in nature, or wild and wacky brights. In making socks, the styles, yarns and color choices are virtually endless, and you are limited only by your imagination!

If you want to try your hand at knitting a basic sock, please go to The Farmer's Attic at http://www.farmersattic.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=23 for complete instructions.

Take a moment...

...this year to thank God for the men and women who so faithfully serve our country. Remember, each and every one is a volunteer. Each and every one has signed on and signed up to help defend this nation of ours. We enjoy freedom that, unfortunately, we take for granted. Let's support their efforts to continue serving our nation, keeping us free, safe and secure.

The Old Farmer's Almanac Colonial Cookbook

The other day my mother and I were going through some old photos and such and came across this cookbook that I bought for her in 1976. It's very interesting to see some of the recipes that the American Colonists ate. The recipes included in this cookbook are from research and files of the Old Farmer's Almanac which was first published in 1792. The majority of the recipes, however, were adapted for prepartion in the modern American kitchen.

I wanted to share a recipe, however, which is included in the introduction. The recipe is Mrs. Leed's Cheese Cake which is a recipe from the Compleate Cook, published in 1662 in London and much followed by our earliest colonists.

"Take six quarts of milk an renn it [and rennit] pretty cold and when it is tender come, drain from it your whey bedropt from it, then presse it, change it into dry cloathes till it wet the cloth no longer, then beat it in a stone mortar till it be like butter, then strayne it through a thin straynor, mingle it with a pound and a half of butter with your hands, take one pound of almonds and heat them with rose water till they be like your curd, then mingle them with the yolks of twenty eggs and a quart of cream, two great nutmegs and one pound and a half of sugar. When your coffins are ready and going to set in the ovan, then mingle them together, let your oven be hot enough for a Pigeon pye and let a stone stand up till the scorching be passed, then set them in. Half an hour will bake them well. Your coffins must be made with Milk and Butter as stiff as for other paste, then you must set them into a pirty hot oven and fill them full of bran and when they are hardened take them out and with a wing, brush out the bran - they must be pricked."

I know that I will not be making this Cheese Cake any time soon! I found it to be very interesting though and thought you might too.

Prim Snowman Angel

Even though I wasn't feeling well today, I was able to accomplish this cute Snowman Angel. He is made from muslin which has been lightly primmed using a tea stain scented with chamomile and vanilla. His face and feathered tree are hand embroidered. His eyes are glass beads. The tree is sporting a fabric star. Take a close look and you might just see his wings fluttering behind him. His stocking cap is made from red and white ticking and has a rusty bell attached to the end. This big guy stands 10" tall and will look great either on your Christmas tree or among your winter decorations.

For more information, make sure you stop over at The Farmer's Attic.

It's that time of year...

Home today sick from work. Lots of sinus infections going around, strep throat, etc. Decided that it would be in my best interest and for everyone I work with to stay home today. Not feeling so bad though that I can't sit and work on a few projects. Will hopefully be able to upload a few photos of my recent finished projects. In the meantime...have a blessed day. Stay well!!!
Lucy

Cowboy Cookies

Just finishing up about 10 doz. Cowboy cookies and it's not even 6 a.m. I love the mornings!!! That is when I accomplish my best work. By 2 p.m. though I'm ready for a nap. I still think we should incorporate a mid-afternoon siesta each day into our busy lives. Hmmmm, I wonder how we can have a law passed??? I'd vote for it that's for sure!

Cowboy cookies sure don't sound like a traditional Christmas cookie. But...don't judge a book by it's cover! They are absolutely delish and are now my new favorite! I found the recipe on Martha Stewart's website. Here it is:

Ingredients:
Makes about 5 dozen
3/4 cup pecans (3 ounces)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (not instant or quick-cooking)
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch chunks
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Vegetable-oil cooking spray

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in oven, tossing occasionally, until darkened and fragrant, 10 to 13 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop. Into a bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder.
With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and both sugars until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture, beating until just incorporated. Beat in oats, chocolate, pecans, and coconut until just combined. (Dough can be covered with plastic and refrigerated up to 3 days.)
Coat baking sheets with cooking spray; line with parchment, and spray parchment. Using a 1 1/2-inch ice-cream scoop or a tablespoon, drop dough onto prepared sheets, about 3 inches apart.
Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges of cookies begin to brown, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks to cool 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks to cool completely. Cookies can be stored up to 3 days at room temperature in airtight containers

Who doesn't love cupcakes?

You're going to love these!!! Delish! These yummy pincushions look good enough to eat! There's plenty to go around. Something to suit everyone's taste!

"Flavors" to choose from:

Caramel Swirl

Pink Lemonade

Orange Creamsicle

Purple Passion

Lime Sherbet

Candyland

Blue Confetti

Rainbow Splash

Blueberry Buckle

Lemon Meringue

Raspberries & Cream

Cherry Cordial

There are two of each "flavor" to choose from. Each cupcake is filled with poly pellets and fiberfill, topped off with either a button or flower embellishment. Make sure you stop by The Farmer's Attic at http://www.farmersattic.com/ and pick up yours today!

Finally Finished!

I must say that I am pleased with how my banner finished. (Sorry for the flash in the TV!) I took a piece of osnaburg fabric and hand traced the words Sweet Land of Liberty which I then painted black. My husband hung it for me over our fireplace this past Saturday.

We not only hung the banner but my youngest daughter, who was home visiting from North Carolina to spend time with us for my birthday, helped decorate some of the house and the Christmas tree. So many of the ornaments are hand made from others and each one has a story of its own. Pictures never do things justice over seeing them in person. I love the way the lights twinkle through the (what I consider) old fashioned tinsel. The angel on the top was made by my oldest daughter (who is now 28) when she was in home economics in school. Just love to put her up every year!

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who participated in my first giveaway! I had a blast! Thank you to everyone who took the time to wish me a "Happy Birthday"! It sure was! Thank you for those who don't believe that I look 51! I hear that alot and I don't think I can hear it enough :) Thank you for everyone who had the nicest things to say about my website and my blog! Encouragement goes a long way!

I love you all!!!

Drumroll please!

Using the generator at random.org, the winner is basketsbyrose!!! Congratulations to a wonderfully gifted artisan. Stop by and visit her at http://basketsbyrosebasketsbyrose.blogspot.com/. I know she'd love to have you sit a spell!

On another note, Happy Birthday to me! It's hard to believe that I am 51. I don't feel like it and I've had loads of people tell me I look like I'm still in my 30's! My daughter drove up from North Carolina to spend a few days. We've enjoyed having her home so much!!! Very relaxing. Had a great lunch on Saturday with my two daughters, son-in-law and two grandkids. That's my idea of birthday. Spending time with those who are the closest to me. They are the best present I could ever receive!

Have a fabulous Monday and may God bless you all today!

It is better to give...

...than to receive. Enter my first giveaway now through December 6th. In order to be counted, please leave a comment on THIS post and follow my blog. Your name will be entered twice. If you are already following, please let me know in your comment. Don't forget to leave contact info so I know how to contact the winner! I would love it if you would also place this giveaway in your sidebar.

The drawing will be held on December 7th (which is my 51st birthday). Like I said, it is better to give than to receive and I would love to give away these beautiful prim hearts and love letter. Perfect for your holiday decorations or year round.

And the winner is...

...Jill from Northern Il.

Jill is the winner of this year's Old Farmhouse Gathering Gift Basket. You can visit Jill at http://www.backhomeagain-jill.blogspot.com/. Stop by and congratulation her on her win!