Good Bye 2010

the last day of 2010...what a year it has been. the loss of Buddy....and the gift of Teddy. looking forward to a peaceful new year... i have met so many wonderful new friends here this year..all because of this little space called a blog... i treasure each one of you and send you all warm New Year's greetings. Happy New Year, my friends. Sending love, Kary and Teddy

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, my friends. Sending love, Kary and Teddy

Sleep In Heavenly Peace Little Buddy

I miss you my sweet Buddy. Merry Christmas. Love, Mama

Santa Chimney Cake

I wish I could take credit for this darling cake...but I can't. I got it at our local market today. I just couldn't pass it up. It is Santa on the chimney. It got kinda smashed in the box on the way home so I added the baby marshmallows to cover the smushed icing. She said it was vanilla. I got some beautiful raspberries so we will have the cake tonight with some vanilla ice cream. Tonight is FONDUE NIGHT by the fire.We feel just like Christmas mice inside Farmhouse. All warm and cozy....eating cake and raspberries. And I got my wish. It is 80 degrees no more, my friends. It is POURING rain out here in California. And we love it. Our rowboat is docked by the back kitchen door...just in case. We're getting so close to Christmas..... Farmhouse is ready, are you?

I'm Melting and Dreaming of a White Christmas

See that. That's ME !!! I took that picture less than a minute ago. Here. In California. On Sunday, December 12th !!! And it felt good on my feet cause it's so HOT out here...You see...it is 80 degrees today. And NO. I am NOT HAPPY about it. Not one little bit. It's CHRISTMAS. Teddy and I are sitting here with all the doors and windows WIDE OPEN. I am looking at my Vermont Castings woodstove and oak wood piled by the door with tears in my eyes. I think I'll go and turn down my Andy Williams Christmas music...it just dosen't seem right.How sad is this?The Christmas tree even looks sad baking in the hot sun. I wait all year for Christmas. And now this. Did you notice in my profile info that I am "pretending" that I live in Vermont. What a stretch that is. Not even close. But I will not complain anymore, my friends. I will carry on and be grateful for all that I do have. I am going to the market to get the dried fruit to make my Panettone....I make it every year...80 degrees or not. All I can do is hope that it breaks soon. I know I have zero chance of snow...but rain would be nice. Stay cozy....wherever you are.

Sending december love,

Kary and Teddy

Teddy Picks A Winner !!!

Teddy put his paw in the hat and he picked : The Wild Magnolia as the winner in our Christmas Teacup Giveaway. CONGRATULATIONS!!! The little teacup will be on it's way. Thank you for all your comments and kind words. You're all THE BEST !!!! Sending love to you today my sweet friends,
Kary and Teddy

A Christmas Teacup Giveaway

i can't believe it but i have reached my 300th post. and in honor of it i want to have a christmas teacup giveaway. this is from my collection of old sprigware that i have collected for years. i started collecting it because it looks so christmas-ey. the pattern is red and green and the cups are very old. all of the sprigware that i have came from new england. all of you have become such dear friends to me...and i thank you for your friendship as we enter into this most wonderful christmastime of year. just leave a comment and your name will be dropped into the hat. teddy will pick a winner with his paw on friday, december 3rd.

The Eve of Thanksgiving Eve at Farmhouse

laying in a warm bed this morning with Teddy ,Whiskey and Dande listening to a light rain and the long lonely distant whistle of a train. smelling the woodsmoke still smoldering from last nights fire.

tip toeing downstairs in stocking feet to light another fire and make tea. toasting little circles of bread and spreading them with Maine blueberry jam...a gift from a friend...making my list for Thanksgiving shopping. soaking beans for soup. listening to Gregorian Chant for Christmas.

adding another log to the fire and pouring another cup of tea. thinking of you. and wishing you all a blessed THANKSGIVING...

A Surprise From Octoberfarm

See what I got? I have to tell you that when I started this blog back in July of 2009 I had NO IDEA what was in store.The numerous friendships that I would make.Bloggers who have become special friends to me. It's a journey I could have never imagined.I saw in a magazine somewhere where a non-blogger asked a blogger why she blogged. She said she just smiled and thought...it's too bad you don't. I thought that really sums it up. This SPECIAL DELIVERY box came in the mail yesterday. What a SURPRISE. It was from Octoberfarm.A BLOGGING BUDDY who has become a dear friend. These are all things that she collected on her trip this Fall. All the things that I love.What a kind and thoughtful thing to do.Thinking about us and sending that SPECIAL package all the way to the west coast. THANK YOU, my friend. Your thoughtfulness is so appreciated. We LOVE it !!! And our friendship....with you.

Thanksgiving Menu at Farmhouse 2010

Pilgrim Cocktails

Assorted Olives
Celery Sticks with Cream Cheese
Cashews

Roast Turkey with Rosemary's Sausage and Spinach Stuffing
Giblet Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Acorn Squash Roasted with Butternut Farm Maple Syrup and Cinnamon
Buttered Baby Lima Beans From Windrose Farm
Cranberry Sauce with Nutmeg
Fresh Cranberry Salad with English Walnuts ,Pineapple, Miniature Marshmallows and Limbertwig Apples From Gopher Glen Apple Farm

Parker House Rolls From Carlock's Bakery

Apple Pie with Winesap Apples from Gopher Glen Apple Farm
Cinnamon Ice Cream

Bien Nacido Vineyard Cadre Pinot Noir
Hirsch Vineyards Lulu Canlis Pinot Noir
Littorai Thieriot Vineyard Chardonnay

Apple Cider from Gopher Glen

Dinner is Served at 5 p.m.

All are Welcome

Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Cookies

got out one of my favorite Christmas decorations yesterday and set it out in my kitchen. isn't he cute?

decided to make some cranberry walnut shortbread cookies late sunday afternoon....

dande has kitty radar when it comes to butter....

oh yummy mama....is that butter with sugar in it? look at that face....

i am really into vanilla lately...always on the lookout for the good stuff. got these 2 bottles the other day...they smell so good i had to dab some on my wrists....see the turkey there on the farm table in the background? that's him !!!

you can make these cookies in a bowl with just a wooden spoon....no mixer needed...

there are only a few ingredients...so everything has to be the best.... i used organic flour from Bob's RED MILL....

after everything is mixed you just roll it into a log in some wax paper...and chill

slice ....

and bake...

i have to tell you...these are REALLY good....

forgot to show you these yesterday...got 'em on my Cost Plus run...a nesting set of teeny tiny silicone bowls...how could i pass these by? they are just too cute in my cupboard...

and how about these for old fashioned? little peppermint puffs from Hammonds Candy Co.

it's 80 degrees here today. how sad is that? kind of makes it hard to bake Christmas cookies and play my Lionel Richie Christmas album. but they say RAIN for friday. i can only hope.


Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Cookies

Makes about 4 dozen

1 cup ( 2 sticks ) unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup confectioner's sugar, sifted ( i didn't)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla....the BEST you can get

2 cups all purpose flour, sifted ( didn't..again)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1. Beat butter, confectioner's sugar and vanilla with a wooden spoon until smooth. Add flour and salt, stir till just combined. Stir in dried cranberries and walnuts. Divide dough into quarters.

2. On parchment or waxed paper, shape each portion into a log and wrap. Chill 30 minutes or up to 1 day.

3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. With a sharp knife slice dough into 1/4 inch slices.

4. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake 20 to 22 minutes. Let cookies cool on sheets and transfer to wire racks. Store in an airtight cookie tin.

Gathering

i went out yesterday looking for bird seed for my gold finches and some Christmas bulbs...

i got a giant amaryllis bulb called RED LION.....

i stuck it in this old cast iron urn...all i have to do now is fill it up with more gravel and water....

i got a sack of paperwhites...it just wouldn't be Christmas without these in the house...

i stopped by the GOODWILL store to see if the had anything vintage for Christmas...and came home with these cordial glasses...for a dollar.

found this cute cookie cutter at Cost Plus...

came home and got my Thanksgiving plate off the wall... i will use this as a serving dish...

got into the box of my old Christmas aprons and tablecloths..this is an apron..complete with red bells on it...

an old tablecloth...

another old tablecloth....looks like i might be doing some ironing....

and a jar of Stonewall Kitchen Sugar Plum Jam...sitting on my windowsill...waiting for buttered toast and tea....

A November Saturday Morning

the turkey from my childhood...it was ALWAYS on our Thanksgiving table...i don't have any idea how i have kept it for so long...move after move...house after house...it escaped packing boxes being thrown out by accident, it escaped being smashed, ripped to pieces or just plain old lost...grammy and grandpie had Thanksgiving every year at their house...and ALWAYS with the turkey in the middle of the table. and now it is on my table....it has survived 54 years...and i am grateful to have it....

somebody got a new bag of chewies yesterday...and this morning was like Christmas morning for Teddy...to tell you the truth..he had more fun with the bag..than the chewies...we let him have his way...he ripped into the bag and scattered them everywhere...but the green shopping bag was his MOST favorite..not the chewies. we don't care...just as long as Teddy is HAPPY.

a flat of red and white pansies to be planted by the kitchen door this afternoon.....

my old vintage Thanksgiving candle...and a few battered paper mache ones....they have seen a few bumps along the way....

last night as the sun sank, i played Christmas music and got out my collection of Steiff woodland animals and arranged them on the piano...with a few olive branches from my tree...more of this to come....

teddy waiting for mama this morning....

and waiting....my sweet little boy...

i got out my Garnet Hill grandma moses "going to grandma's house for thanksgiving" sheets yesterday.....so cozy and snuggly...

there is where Teddy sleeps...right in the middle....

wishing you all a wonderful November weekend...and sending love.