MerryHeartCrafts.comMountain Momma… Country Living

I am a keeper of old things.    This canister set belonged to my mom.   It is the only set I can remember her owning.  I love them.  When I open the lid to get flour, sugar, or whatever I am getting, it gives me much pleasure  to know she used it before me.  I have my mom’s cast iron skillet, my grandmother’s bread bowl and many more things that have been handed down.  They don’t have to have belonged in the family.  I just like old things.  I am always on the lookout at thrift stores or yard sales for things with character (older). 

Today has been windy and fairly chilly here in Floyd.  Without the wind, it would have been kinda nice.  We have sunshine and that is always good.  We did school as usual.  I did two loads of laundry.  One is drying on the front porch.  I don’t like to hang clothes on the line when we have a fire.  It always makes the clothes smell like smoke.  The other load I will put on the drying rack tonight and it will be dry in the morning.  I really enjoy using it. 

Time for me to get busy cooking supper.  We are trying a new recipe tonight.  I’ll let you all know if it is a keeper.  Enjoy your day and God bless.

Hello ladies, I’m sorry I haven’t posted in a while.  For some reason, things have been busy around here and it’s been difficult for me to make a post.  Grace is feeling better and I thank you all for your prayers for her.  So far, we have been blessed that no one else has gotten sick.

We are on Thanksgiving break from school.  The girls are very happy.  Today is planned out as just a fun day.  We will watch a movie, The Prince of Egypt, also play a few games, and listen to Christmas music.   I will also be busy baking today.  We are doing Thanksgiving at Jessica’s.  Everyone is bringing something.  I am to bring the rolls and the ingredients for punch.  The punch we all love is called Angel Punch.  Jessica’s grandmother, Marie would always make this punch at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We really like it.

My bread machine just beeped so it is time to start shaping the rolls.  I better get busy.  I pray you all have a safe and happy thanksgiving.  God bless.

These beautiful yellow birds are one of my favorites.  For years, I tried to get them to come into my feeders with no success.  I bought the expensive thistle seeds that they are supposed to love.  They were not interested.  Then David’s grandmother, Doris, told me to buy the black oil sunflower seeds.  Not to buy the wild bird mix, just the sunflower seeds.  That was several years ago and she was absolutely right.  We get all kinds of birds at our feeders and all I ever use is the sunflower seeds.  Today was the first spotting of the goldfinch.  Isn’t he breathtaking?  I love the cheerful yellow of his feathers and of course their song is so pretty.  We have had several male and females at the feeders all day.  If you look closely you can see the sunflower seed in his mouth. 

Grace is feeling some better and so far she is the only one sick.  Thank you all for your prayers.  Today our thermometer says 70 degrees!!!!  I am so happy!  After school, we plan on cleaning the inside of the car before taters start growing in there.  Just kidding, its not that bad but it does need a good cleaning. 

Enjoy your day and God bless.

Today was spent running errands.  The girls had dentists appointments this morning.  We left home at 9:00 as it takes about an hour to get to Roanoke from here.    After their appointments, we spent some time in Lifeway.  I picked out several studies I think the ladies will enjoy doing.  Then we went to Toys R Us.  The girls wanted to look around.

  When the girls were younger, we always called Roanoke “big big town, Christiansburg was “big town” and Floyd (our town) was called “little town” .  So we came back, went to “little town” and picked up the wheat I had ordered.  It is called Prairie Gold.  It is a hard white spring wheat.  It can be used in all baking, from bread to cookies.  The price was $25.00 for a 50 lb. bag.  Pretty good price.  Tomorrow I hope to make cinnamon rolls to share with a friend on Thursday.  If I’m really industrious, maybe a loaf of bread too.  Our snow is melting more each day.  Temperature today was about 60 degrees.  I went out on my back porch and sat on my porch swing.  I love porch swings.  When I was a little girl, my grandmother had a porch swing and I have loved them ever since.  To me, nothing says relaxing more than a swing, so I have 1 porch swing and 2 yard swings.  All made for me by my loving Hubby.  The girls have had 2 tree swings since they were very small and still enjoy them.  I guess we’re just “a swingin” bunch.   Take care and God bless.

Today has been a foggy, cool day in Floyd, so I thought we would all enjoy some summer flowers.  I love fall but I do dread to see the flowers disappear.  My grandmother loved flowers and I like to think my love of flowers comes from her.  One of my fondest memories of her involves her holding my hand, taking me through her yard and telling me the names of all her flowers.  So not only do they remind me of summer but also of her.  Today was one of those homeschooling days when you just know it’s all worth it.  School went by steady without interruption.  The girls were focused and so was I.  A good day.  Sometimes as a homeschooling Mom,  I wonder “Am I really doing this right?”  Thank God for days like today.  It’s almost like God wants me to know every now and then that I am doing exactly what He wants me to be doing.  Tomorrow I will be seeing an old friend.   We don’t get to see each other very often as we now live far apart.  I can’t wait to see her and get caught up on things.  True friendship is hard to find and I value her greatly as a friend and also as a Christian Sister.  I now have dinner to cook.  Tonights menu is baked pork tenderloin, potatoes, (fresh dug from the garden) and canned green beans (also from our garden).  I also baked fresh gingerbread to go with it.  What do you all think?  Cornbread or biscuits with this feast?  God Bless.

Here’s a picture of our new cabinets.  Hubby designed and made them.  I love them!   The side pantry and the bottom cabinet has been made for a while.  The top one we just put in today.   I can’t wait to fill them up.  Old Farmhouses never have enough cabinets or closets.  The counter space will be used for a coffee area.

The Blue Willow Sugar Bowl belonged to my grandmother.  I just love old things.  They have so much character.  I think I need to grind some coffee and enjoy a cup.  God Bless.