Display Chain #10 ~Share~

This week's Theme is Share..Share christmas ideas,decorating,gifts,recipes that have inspired you.As alot of you know I've been trying to Simplify and enjoy the little things of the season more so I decided to share some simple things that are easy but give you joy......

Above cards displayed in vintage metal flower frogs.I use the old frogs to hold photos and on my desk to hold my addresses for shipping... Citrus Pomanders as long as you are using citrus fruit these are super easy as citrus has natural preservatives and these last for years.Use oranges,lemons,limes.Use a heavy needle or skewer and poke holes or pattern.Insert whole cloves in the holes.Turn every couple days to insure even drying.Should take about 2 weeks to dry (You'll know because they will be hard).....

Ok I needed pics for the following recipe so I got up this morning and made these quick so I'd have pictures.See how special you are? (smile)....Super easy gift that people will think is so thoughtful.Gourmet shops charge a fortune for these but if you make them it's cheap so you can afford to be extra giving to all those little people you would like to gift but normally couldn't afford..

Macaroons I normally double this recipe Preheat oven to 350

Mix 1 1/3 Cups Flaked sweetened coconut(kind in the bag) and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1/3Cup sweetened condensed milk....Drop about a tablespoon size ball onto well greased cookie sheet (I use parchment paper if I have it instead) Bake about 12 minutes or until lightly brown.Remove from cookie sheet as soon as taken from oven...Package in a cute container will stay fresh about 2 weeks.I like to drizzle mine with a little melted dark chocolate.....

Plain and simple but soooo yummy!!!!

Drizzled in dark chocolate..Of course I had to eat one too tempting.

And finally a few simple decorating ideas using natural elements.....

How simple are those ideas! But makes a lovely impact with little fuss.Enjoy!

Now stop over at Misi's (our gracious weekly host)
http://1890gablehousemusings.blogspot.com/ and visit the other blogs participating this week or join in it's so much fun.Tomorrow I'll anounce my Christmas Giveaway so be sure to stop by for details.Warm Wishes!~Amy

Christmas Decor #3

Good morning! Another sleepless night for me well actually about 2 hours so excuse typos..Normally I can function well on my normal 5 hours but this morning my brain is not wanting to defog.I've had a few things bothering me lately but need to just let it go.The holidays seem to bring it out a little more but don't get me wrong I am excited about the holidays and seem to be looking forward to this christmas more than I have for quit a few years.I am blessed and I do know that.One of the main things is I miss my grandpa and this will be my second christmas without my best friend of over 20 years.She passed away almost 2 years ago on valentines eve.We were close her mom passed when she was 15 and I became her sister and family I had her every holiday with us and everyday we talked or visited.This year is better but I still think when I see a red car coming down the street she's coming over,or when I see that dish piece that went with her mothers set I should get it for her and mostly I still think I'm going to go call her when things are bothering me then I realize she's not there.And I think of her son alot he'll be 8 this year..Ok see I'm rambling..No sleep and yes I had some coffee at around 5 but it didn't work.Well hubby left to do some christmas shopping so I figured I'd share some more christmas pics.If I can get motivated I'll be doing the outside this afternoon.Maybe I'll just sit on the porch with a cup of tea and direct hubby....Below is the kitchen table.... My miniature cupboard love the giant candy cane it's made of antique quilt scraps....

Little chalkboard changes with the seasons...

Old world santa.I hunted everywere around our area for realistic garland and greens this was the only one I found.Hubby thought I was nuts for paying the price but it was the only one I found I liked and they only had one...

I love this santa painting, it's a huge canvas painting...

Super prim gingerboys I recently bought from Sandy she has some listed on Lemon Poppy Seeds under Missouri Dry Goods..

On top of the antique store display cupboard this changes for the seasons too.My house is not huge and I don't like it looking cluttered so I put alot of things away and switch out through the seasons.

Old world belsnickle santas and bottle brush trees..The snow angel is holding a battery candle.
Below is a wide view of that wall...

On top of the fridge...

On top of the TV...

Simple little beeswax santa stands at the door.I poured him using a antique mold but can't seem to find it to pour more for this year...

You can always click on pics to enlarge for details...

Hooked rug mitten stocking.It is much nicer in person I couldn't get a good pic.It's really big..

And everyone needs this to report back to santa.We always had a elf like this growing up and I love the nostalgia of it...

Last year I gave me nieces vintage baby elves and one day my step dad was knocking on the door he never just drops by so it was a surprise apparantly their dog ate Brianna's elf and she was crying non stop that her elf was dead and santa was gonna be so mad she didn't take care of the elf .Luckily I had a extra (I bought a box at fleamarket) My step dad told her he took the elf to santas magic hospitol.She is much more careful now.Little Hannah Honeybunch reminds me throughout the year she takes good care of hers and feeds him sugar so he can grow up and be santas watcher like mine.Well tomorrow is my Birthday....Me and Hannah were playing go fish and I ask her what she was getting me for my birthday(a pretty picture) Than she says how old are you? I said 29 she said oh so you'll be 30? I said no once you turn 29 you stop getting older for 10 years.Then came the Maaaaaammmaw Amy said...Mom told her It was not true and I was only joking but boy do I wish it were true.I'll be in my mid thirties get closer to the 40 end.LoL some days I feel like a old soul and others I feel 18 again.Hope you enjoyed the pics.Sorry to ramble I'll try to get some sleep tonite.Remember to celebrate each day and when negative things come count your blessings they'll outweigh the bad.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Only 10 more needed Hurry!

http://primitivequiltsandprojects.blogspot.com/2010/11/great-holiday-music-for-young-and-not.html

Primitive Quilts and Projects is a new magazine for crafters.On their blog they are having a giveaway as soon as they hit 60 followers to recive this wonderful prim calendar.They are at 50 now so sign up fast! They're going to draw 6 followers as soon as they hit 60.Just click on the link above.Fingers crossed I really love the primitive pics in it.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Christmas decorating #2

Oh my I took alot of pics! So I think the christmas decorating pics will have to go in to four blog entries.The final one will be the outside decorating which I'll be doing sunday.There are alot of pics so go grab a cuppa something warm and enjoy..... My sister in law Jean made the tall snowman,we traded for a antique ironing board.It was so funny I was carrying it down from upstairs and forgot the log chunk on the bottom comes off and it flew down the stairs like a boulder and rolled into the middle of the kitchen floor.Hubby and the dogs came running it sounded like the house was collasping.LoL... Lucky it didn't break anything in it's path..

The frame was a artist prototype/sample not sure if it ever went into production and of course my adorable neices....

On top the TV Belsnickle Santa with feather tree....

The wonderful santa lorna made me for our swap....

Bowl fillers...The stars were part of my prize from Joleen http://theprimitivebucket.blogspot.com/ She also sent along some snowmen heads.

Of course Gus sugarbaby had to get in on the pics..Not sure were the dogs were hmmm..too quite.

And this is not prim but not to be forgotten..Mine doesn't have a permanent place as I let the children play with it so they can get the true meaning of christmas...

I have a ton more pics I'll try to get them on later or tomorrow.Hope you all enjoy your weekend.I loved taking some time yesterday by myself and just looking at the tree and relaxing.I didn't do the Black friday thing,I don't like crowds and don't think anything is worth fighting for.We did go to a antique mall but they were even a little crowded.We ran into my husbands Aunt and cousin and had a nice chat though. I didn't find anything except a magazine,but I know hubby picked up a gift or two for me while we were there.I'm about done my shopping I need to get my hubby a pair of suede moccasion slippers yet,Mom and step dad a gift certificate and am including a sleep over with the girls in with it so they can enjoy themselves,grandma some handmade soap and some new towels and my niece brianna wants me to buy her a real turtle so I'm waiting till close to christmas for that so I don't have to take care of it.She originally wanted a guinea pig but mom said if I buy her one it would not be a nice christmas for me.LoL..We had them when we were kids and they are noisy,at least a turtle don't need much.Hope everyone takes a little time to themselves this weekend and reflects on their blessings.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Oh Christmas Tree

Hope everyone had a lovely Turkey Day filled with good food,loved ones and thankful hearts! Hubby made dinner with all the trimmings and we visited with some friends.I was tired of all the rush,rush of the last few weeks and decided it was time to settle in and enjoy the season.So when we were done dinner,I decided to go up to the loft and bring down my christmas stuff and decorate the inside of the house.... I had alot more stuff than I remembered and a not so big house so some things got packed back up a few things I'm going to give to my cousin Heidi since she is just starting out and doesn't have alot.(me and hubby let heidi live with us on and off when she was young).I took lots of pics so I figured I'd break it down into two blog entries so it didn't get overwhelming.So this one is just the christmas tree.. I have a primitive what I would call a pencil or twig tree..

I place it on one of hubbies antique german sleds and this year I bought this huge firkin to set it in, before I used a large wood bucket.You can see the firkin is big compared to the ones in the corner.The stablizer base is big so you need something big to cover that...Below lighted I couldn't get a real good pic in the dark....

I have a rusty metal cone topper and added the snow angel..

Some ornies are handmade and some are gifts from friends...Love the icesicles they are glittery the cam doesn't pic up the sparkle well,they were a gift from my friend Donna....

Simple white lights,I wanted the silicone but they were so pricey so I'll either buy or make them next year....

You can click on pics to enlarge...

I'll be putting presents under it this weekend...

I'm going to try to really enjoy the season this year.The main thing with me is I need to slow down and enjoy the little things instead of being Martha Stewart,Paula Deen and Ms. Perfect...It's the family,love and jesus that makes the season what it is.And of course gifts and yummy cookies.LoL..I'll post the rest of my decorating pics hopefully tomorrow.I also want to welcome my new followers.Woo Hoo I'm at 100! I'm also planning a small giveaway in the next few days no special reason just a little something to say Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful blog friends.When I started blogging I just wanted to meet a few people interested in primitives but what I got was so much more! I got special friends you girls are the best! Thanks for being there and sharing the ups and downs! Warm Blessings!~Amy

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Be Ye Thankful...Wishing everyone a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day with loved ones and plenty of good food.Remember all the little joys and be light hearted.My Warmest Blessings!~Amy

Tuesday Display Chain #9 Hats and Bonnets

This weeks display chain theme was choosen by Pamela at Civil Folks.I'm no expert on the hat and bonnets but do know they are a prim staple for our prim decorating.I only have one prairie bonnet in my collection but hope to buy a few more soon.... Hats and bonnets were a staple in times gone by.Wether for modesty,warmth,to keep the sun out of ones eyes,fashion,mourning or maybe just to hide unwashed hair LoL...Here are a few pics for todays theme..Sweet antique trade card babes in bonnets....

Of course Santa since his victorian time images were posted had his red and white velvet hat...

Prairie bonnets in differnt styles..All simple and plain but perfectly prim.....

Fancy bonnets for sunday church meetings,socials and wealthier victorian ladies...

Mourning bonnets were always in black a custom of victorian times.Worn to show grief and mourning as a sign of respect for the dead..Could be plain like mine.(this one is listed in my etsy shop)....

Or fancy and elaborate as shown by this old advertisement....

Thanks Misi for hosting and Pamela at Civil Folks for this weeks theme.I wasn't sure were to go with this one so hope you enjoyed it.Stop by Misi's blog to check out who participated.I can't wait to visit everyones each week always so amazing what everyone comes up with.. Warm Blessings!~Amy