I AM WORKING ON SOMETHING NEW.....WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I just thought I would take a quick minute and share a new project with you.  It is a work in progress....put on hold for me to do my Christmas baking this week.  But I still wanted to share what I am doing.....Here is a pic:

The tree is sitting inside a large paper mache container that I painted red over black and distressed.  The Santa ornies are a cute pattern from Old Homestead Barn.  Some red berries stuck in here and there along with some small red balls and there you have it...my Santa tree.  I still need ot put together several santas as the back of the tree is bare.  Looking forward to getting back to it.

The tree sets on an old crock in my diningroom.  Next year that area will be designated for Santas only...ha!

On a different note, I wanted to share an adorable snowman that I was blessed to win from Vicky of PAINTSPOTS AND SPLINTERS.  I am a diehard collector of snowmen and this one is just sooooo special!  He will be a "forever" favorite.   Vicky is such a dear, sweet gal and a very talented artist and offers some wonderful wood and fabric whimsical items in her etsy.  If you would like to peruse her shop and check out her handmade goods just click HERE.

I want to wish each and every one of you a very safe and Merry Christmas.  It is my hope that your holiday season is filled with family and love.

warmest holiday hugs,

Carol

TIME FOR SHARING....A LITTLE OF THIS AND A LITTLE OF THAT....

Good evening ladies.  Have you all been as busy as I have getting ready for Christmas...making those handmades for family and friends?  So much fun and satisfaction giving the handmade gift.  What a wonderful way to say "love."

I am popping in tonight to share some wonderful gifts I have received this week from some of our blogging friends who offered some great holiday giveaways.  It has been so much fun getting these prezzies in the mail and having some new, awesome prim decorations to display this season. 

We all know and love Brenda of THE RUSTY THIMBLE and here is a darling snowman that I received from one of her giveaways.  Brenda is generous to a fault and always doing something sweet for others.  This little guy is just amazing.

I also received this beautiful little tree skirt made by the very talented Becky of PRIMITIVES N STITCHIN.  She made it from an old cutter quilt and I feel very blessed to receive it.  It was perfect for a small 2' tree that I added to our decorations this year here on the farm.  The skirt has that wonderful handstitched look and feel.

Yesterday the mailman brought me a package that contained a wonderful  breadboard handpainted by Willa of THE OLD CUPBOARD DOOR.  If you have not had the pleasure of seeing some of Willa's work you are really missing out.  I am an avid collector of snowmen and this board is perfect.

And last, I joined in on a giveaway sponsored by BLESSING HILL PRIMITIVES on her facebook page and was blessed to win a wonderful prim Santa made by the talented Beth Thompson.  The Santa is the large one on the shelf with the white jacket holding the cutest holiday tree. 

I thank you so very much ladies!  I feel so blessed to own a piece of your beautiful handiwork.

  I hope if you have time during the busy holiday season you will stop by these very talented ladies blogs and check them out.

On another note, here is a pic of what I have been up to for several weeks.... working on some Christmas stockings for my new son-in-law and granddaughters.  It has become a family tradition and now all of our children and grandchildren have stockings of their own.

And last, here is a sneak peek at what I am working on now.  I am making these for my daughter, sister and daughter-in-laws for Christmas.  I have a few more to go before I will be finished.

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out the going-ons here at the farm.  I would love to hear what you have been up to and what family traditions you share.

warmest holiday hugs!
Carol

STOP IN FOR A NICE VISIT AND HAVE SOME COOKIES AND MILK

I have never shared my cooking, recipes, or for that matter, anything having to do with  domestication in the kitchen.  My reason for avoiding this area of my life....I am an average cook....no better, no worse and it has never been something that I really cared much for.  THAT IS...until this week when my daughter brought over her Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer and let me use it to mix my cinnamon dough ornaments.  Well, it didn't take long and I was hooked and wanting one of my own.  Here is my new mixer which is an EARLY Christmas present from hubby (Mr. Wonderful)......I mean how can it sit in the box till Christmas when I have soooooo much baking to do...lol

Anywho.....now I would like to share a GREAT cookie recipe that I found the other day on facebook.  I am not an avid fan of peanut butter but hubby is so I decided to make some Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies.  These cookes are absolutely awesome and I love them; not too peanut buttery and oh so soft.  And yes, they probably taste better cause I used my new mixer to prepare them......ha!  Wish you were here so I could share one cause I know you would be hooked.  They are AMAZINGLY SOFT AND YUMMY!!!!!

So here is the recipe for any of you that have never tried these.  They are well worth the effort.

3 C. Flour
1 tsp. Baking powder
1/2 tsp. Baking soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
3/4 C. butter - room temperature
1/4 C. shortening
1 C. Brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 C. Reeses Pieces

Peanut Butter Mixture:
1 C. creamy peanut butter
1/4 C. butter - room temperature
1/4 C. honey

1 - Preheat oven to 350.  Mix ingredients for peanut butter mixture in small bowl.

2.  In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, bking soda and salt.  Set aside.  In large bowl cream butter, shortening, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs - beat after each addition.  Add vanilla and peanut butter mixture.  Mix well.

3.  Add flour mixture - one cup at a time.  Beat at low speed until mixed.  Mix in Reeses Pieces.

4.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.  Drop dough about 2 inches apart.  Bake 11 minutes.  Remove from oven.  They won't look done but this will keep them soft.  Leave on baking sheet 1 minute then move to cooling rack.

That's it!!!  Now enjoy with a tall glass of  ice cold milk.

This recipe and others can be found at JULIES EATS AND TREATS.  Stop by and check out her other yummy goodies.

warm holiday hugs!
Carol