And The Winner Is........

This morning, all names went into the hat and Mr. Pumpkinhead (actually, my daughter Jenn) picked the winner.

Karen, KKJD1 you are the lucky winner! Please email me with your address and I will get this Hall0ween surprise to you ASAP.

(Click here to send me an email)

Green Gifting

I have been thinking for some time now about an alternative to paper wrappings for gifts. With Christmas around the corner, I have been experimenting with some ideas for alternatives.

I have scads of fabric samples and remnants that need a purpose, so I picked one off the pile and went to work.

Here is what I came up with. I think I will make more of these. They only cost me pennies to make...as all of the supplies are things that I already have on hand. I searched for fabric gift bags on the internet and only found plain fabric bags....nothing fancy, nothing gussied-up!

This bag is made from a sample of designer silk. I printed a vintage postcard onto fabric, appliqued it, and added embellishments. A ribbon drawstring keeps it peek-proof. This bag is large enough for a large piece of clothing (or two).

Change of Address

For months now, I have been thinking about change of address cards. Now that we live at the farm, we will have to send out address change notices to friends and colleagues. Today I played around with some vintage pictures and this is what I came up with. I think it is perfect for us!

Altered Art

Here is a quick craft idea....altered art Halloween cards. I started with two vintage photos, added some collage elements, rubber stamps....and presto.....Halloween greetings. Bwahahahah! Bewitchingly easy!!

(If only they had known!)

Note to self: destroy all pictures of self before you die....so that no one can do this to you in the future!!

Sneak Peak....October Blog Giveaway

A rainy day gave me the opportunity to sew this little fabric Halloween goodie bag. It is trimmed with vintage ball fringe and a vintage Halloween postcard applique. Today it is empty, but it is not going to stay empty for long. It will be filled with a special Halloween treat for one of my blog visitors. If you are interested in being included in this drawing, please leave me a comment to this post. Anyone who posts a comment will be placed in this bag and Mr. Pumpkin Head will pick a name on the last day of September....that is Wednesday the 30th. I am having this drawing early so that the winner has time to enjoy this special treat.

You do not have to be a blogger to enter....just follow the directions for leaving a comment by name. (Of course you can always email me!)

Anticipating Autumn

The last few nights have been chilly. The days are getting shorter. And, the leaves have begun to change. Another autumn is right around the corner. I look forward to this time of year with much anticipation. It is the season for warm, hearty soups with fresh baked bread, apple desserts from our own orchard, mulled cider, bonfires, long walks thru crunchy leaves, and wrapping myself in warm, cozy sweaters. Before long, a roaring fire in our wood stove and fireplace will warm the house and the smell of freshly baked apple and pumpkin pies will hang in the air.

The anticipation of autumn inspired me to begin decorating the house inside and out for the coming season. Pumpkins and mums grace the decks and doorways around the house, and I have begun to set out the fall garlands and gourds.

After decorating the mantle of our fireplace and our dining room table, I decided to make a couple of dish towels for Halloween.

I printed vintage Halloween greeting cards on fabric and appliqued them on striped dishtowels. A fancy machine stitch holds the applique in place.

Fast and easy....this would make a great treat for your favorite Halloween friend.

More Decorating

This past Saturday, Hubbs and I took a few hours, left the farm, and headed to the quaint town of Lewisburg, PA (home of Bucknell University). Our destination: Rollermills Antique center...a wonderful and huge antique mall with over 400 dealers. Our mission: to find a few pieces that would help complete the decorating of our loft library and guest room. This place is spectacular! You can find just about anything vintage that your heart desires here. I could have spent a week and not have seen everything! Our trip was a success. We found this adorable twig planter to use in the loft library. I am striving for a sort of "Lewis and Clark" feel to the rooms in the loft.

For the guest bedroom, I found these old Woolrich hunter's pants and cap (straight off of Elmer Fudd) and a wonderful wool covered canteen. These items quickly found a home...completing the rugged outdoorsy feel of this room.

This old dresser was another item that I had found last year at a local auction....and bought it for a song. It has a piece of veneer missing on the bottom drawer...but that adds to the rustic feel.
My grandfather's oak desk that I have had since childhood (did all of my homework at this desk) sits on one wall with an antique inkwell and quill pen. The log cabin looks so much like our 200+ year old cabin on our property. This one is a night light and was a gift from my sweet sister-in-law.


The perfect book for the nightstand....
This room serves as a masculine alternative to the Victorian guest room on the first floor.

Shhhh, It's a Secret!!

When it came time to wrap up a package for a blogland friend, I realized that I had nothing but a small Christmas gift box. So, I got out the scrapbooking papers and stickers and proceeded to redecorate the box. A vintage picture became a gift card. I wonder what is inside the box! Sorry, but it is a secret. I sure hope the recipient likes the contents as well as the box.

Devil's Food Recipe

I had a request for the recipe for Devil's Food Cake from scratch. This is the recipe I used to make the oreo cookie cake (which by the way, was quite yummy!) The pans were a splurge from Williams Sonoma. They come in a set of two....and look exactly like an oreo cookie!

1 1/2 C. flour

1 1/4 C. sugar

1/2 C. cocoa

1 1/4 tsp. soda

1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. salt

2/3 C. butter (of course!!)

1 C. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

Mix dry ingredients in mixing bowl. Add butter and 3/4 C milk. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Add 1/4 C. milk, vanilla and eggs. Beat 2 more minutes. Pour into 2 greased cake pans and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.

I made a butter cream/cream cheese frosting...just like grandma...without a recipe....so it is hard to write one down (I don't measure). I use 1 stick butter, 1/2 of an 8 oz. cream cheese (softned) vanilla, a dash of salt, a splash of milk and confectioner's sugar....adding until it is the right consistency.

Bon Apetit!!

Weekend Baking

After a fun day of antiquing with Hubbs, I busied myself by doing a little baking for weekend guests. I could not wait to try out my new "Cookie" cake pans. This is a scratch Devil's food cake with cream cheese frosting between the layers. It looks just like a giant Oreo cookie.

A pan of scones for tomorrow's breakfast....

And a coconut pie.....
That should be enough to last the weekend!!!

Farm Breakfast

I ordered these pancake molds several months ago. How perfect to use at Bee Haven Acres! I thought they would make a special breakfast when we have guests. However, this morning Hubbs got to stay home a little later than usual....so I made him a special breakfast. Omelets and beehive pancakes. Aren't these just the cutest pancakes??