Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 85

Welcome back to your favorite hop of the week! Time to kick off your boots, grab something hot to drink and catch up with all of the amazing farmgirl/farmboy entries! We had a great turn out last week even though it was a holiday weekend! Thanks to all for your continued participation!

  Your Farmgirl Friday Hostesses are:
Heidi of My Simple Country Living
Dolly of Hibiscus House and me of course!

Temps have dropped considerably this week here in New England. We've woken up to frost on the ground the last few days. I feel like a mother hen watching my raised flower beds fast asleep outside while I dream up next years planting list... The garden is sleeping, but the gardener is NOT! I had such great success with my cut and come again zinnias last year, that I've decided to branch out and grow several varieties of zinnias as well as more herbs and shrubs for fillers next season. I'll be sure to share them all with you once my list is more definite!

 Why the sad looking farmgirl? Last weeks top viewed entry was Doomsday Preppers by Betty of Little Farm in the Big City Blog. She wrote about her view on the DP TV show. How about you?
Are you a doomsday prepper or a happy homesteader preparing for the worst while planning for the best? I like to think I'm part of the second group but I'd love to hear what you all think!

 Kathy of Granny's Vital Vittles wrote a touching and funny tribute about Granny's of days gone by   titled, "Contentment and the Zen of Granny".

   "They had zen-like contentment at least in part because they practiced gratitude and acceptance, they kept their life and work as simple as they could, they had good clean fun and took good care of themselves.

Diana of Chickadee Garden blog shared her whimsical chicken coop reveal! I think her " ladies"  will be kick'n and scratch'n  around the clock in this hen house no matter what the weather is outside!
Great job Diana!
 

Now, it's your turn to link up for your weekly dose of farmgirl soul food!

 Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/guy Blog Hop!

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals,  quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the  Linky tools space to your  Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!
4.) Enter up to three entries per hop! 

 DON'T BE SHY~  

Be sure to leave a note if you're new to the hop!

We want to get to know you better! 
Have a great week and I'll see you on the hop! 
 Thanks to all who participate and welcome new linker- uppers!

 If you haven't clicked that follow button yet, please join us and be sure to stop by our FACEBOOK page and like us there too!  If this is your first visit, come on back and join the hop!

There's still time to enter my Gardener's Giveaway! A hand carved garden dibble!

Have a great weekend folks! 
Love,
Deb   

A Gardener's GIVEAWAY~ Hand-carved Garden Dibble

Dear friends,

I love everything about Christmas! From decking the halls to decorating the tree, baking, visiting with loved ones and finding quiet time to reflect on the magic of the season. I especially love finding that just right gift for those I love.

Got Gardeners in your group of family and friends?  I'm pleased to introduce you to a new blog friend and fellow FarmMade shop keeper, Rob of Bebas Garden Blog!

" I am a backyard farmer, ( farmboy at heart ) architectural designer and furniture maker. Growing my own organic food is important to me as is working in my garden with proper and well built tools. That's why I started designing and making my own hand crafted tools and garden accessories out of reclaimed lumber. My philosophy is based on old world craftsmanship, I believe tools should be well built, functional and aesthetically pleasing. My pieces are built one at a time and built using only hand tools whenever possible. I also design and create plans for garden projects such as greenhouses and sheds. "


Rob shared his hand carved garden dibble's a few posts back on  the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop and I just knew I had to come back and share them again when it came time for Christmas shopping and my next giveaway! That's right! Rob is offering one lucky DANDELION HOUSE reader the chance to win one of his hand crafted dibbles.
 Each one is a work of art!

 What is a dibble?

The pointed body dibbles work well for planting seeds and making small furrows in the soil and comes in three sizes:

Large (1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 8") - for planting larger seeds and all round use.

Medium (1-1/8" x 1-1/8" x 6") - for use in the greenhouse or garden for transplanting seedlings.

Small (3/4" x 3/4" x 4") - for making small holes in soil blocks or seedling trays for starting seeds.

I had never seen or heard of a dibble before reading Rob's post. I'm all for any garden tool that is hand made, re- purposed and sturdy enough to last a life time ( or two ) of gardening seasons. As a greenhouse grower myself I can hardly wait to order mine for the coming planting season. No more pencils, thumbs or pinkies for making holes in my seeds trays or direct sowing!

 I'm going with the dibble from now on!

 To Enter this GREEN GIVEAWAY

Pop over and say hello to Rob and follow his blog!
 Please join DANDELION HOUSE if your a new visitor! 

  For a chance to win one of his fine crafted dibbles either for yourself or a garden friend leave a comment at the end of this post! 

We'll announce the lucky winner next Tuesday.

 The winner will be able to choose which size they would prefer. 
Sharing with the Homestead Barn Hop

English Cottage Style Kitchen and a Spot of PEACE Tea

English Cottage Kitchen Style ( from my pinterest)

Happy Monday friends! I've got the kettle on to boil, sit down and take a load off... Don't worry, you'll get all of your shopping done in time for Christmas, I promise! Besides, it's important to make time for friends during the busiest season of the year...It'll keep your moral up and remind you of what the season is truly about... Sharing, giving, and spreading PEACE... Do you' take tea' at your house? If so, do you prefer the quick American way of heating your water in the microwave and dropping in your favorite tea bag or do you lean towards the traditional English way of having tea? I'm not talking so much about how to pour and sip, or sugar lumps and tea cakes ( although, no English Tea Time is complete without them) . I think every homemaker should have a few pretty English china tea cups and saucers she can call her own for those times when you want your tea time to be special whether you're stealing a quiet moment or having a few close friends over for some good old fashioned girl talk. I've been having tea every day with my mother in law during her recent stay and I'm hooked! Today, I'm serving Mountain Rose Herbs Peace Tea... 

 " A gentle and calming blend of herbs commonly used to soothe the nerves, including organic Chamomile flowers, organic Spearmint leaf, organic Lavender flowers, organic Cinnamon bark, organic Passionflower, and organic Rose petals. A wonderful beverage for meditation and quiet moments." 
I've set up a coffee and tea station on my buffer under my newly hung corbels! I've got all sorts of teas in the jar, pumpkin spice coffee, cinnamon, raw sugar and Peace Tea at the ready...

Now that you've got your tea, I have something fun to show you! We've been finishing up some of our odds and ends projects in our own English Style Cottage Kitchen!

My corbels are finally painted and hung beneath my FREE yard sale cabinet which I painted black.

I love, love, love English Style decorating because it's eclectic and fun! It marries the old with the new and embraces collections galore. English style decorating allows a house to become a home over long stretches of time, ultimately creating a welcoming, casual, and comfortable, yet very personal atmosphere. Isn't that what homemaking is all about?

In this photo alone I've staged items from yard sales, antique stores, southern living, an art studio, gifts from friends and family,Walmart and TJ. Maxx to create a beverage center in my kitchen.
 Don't be afraid to mix and match styles, time periods and re-purpose when ever you can! If you like it, it goes!

 Happy Homemaking! 

Love,
 Deb

Sharing with these fine blog hops!
 Monday Homestead Barn Hop 
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Inspire Me Monday
Knick of Time Tuesday
Country Homemaker Hop 
Wow Us Wednesday
Tilly's Nest Down Home Blog Hop 
Brambleberry Cottage Time Travel Thursday

Saturday Scenes with Boz

 " THE BRIDGE"

 SATURDAY SCENES at DANDELION HOUSE  is our day to share images from the Boz Scenes photo library.  Please join us in this weekly tradition of taking pause to appreciate the beauty of nature.If you feel inspired to share a Saturday Scene of your own, please do and link back to this original SATURDAY SCENES post. Be sure to leave a comment so we can visit your scene too!
 
 As always, thanks for looking have a beautiful weekend!
 Deb and Boz  

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 84

 Howdy friends! You didn't think I'd forget you did you? Welcome back to your favorite Friday hop! Your go to place to catch up with your backyard farm friends far and wide. The talents of this group run deep. Whether it's cooking and canning, sewing and growing, or backyard farming you're sure to find inspiration for your next homemaking project alongside warm friendship that goes along with being amongst kindred souls.
The Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop is in it's 84th week and growing strong!

 Your Farmgirl Friday Hostesses are:
Heidi of My Simple Country Living
Dolly of Hibiscus House and me of course!

If this is your first visit, come on back and join the hop! Here's hoping our American friends are enjoying  the long holiday weekend and filling up on Thanksgiving leftovers!
Last week I wrote about setting a festive and frugal table for Thanksgiving.
 Here's a peak the table set before guests arrived!

Here are your top three from last weeks hop! Anne of Life on the Funny Farm shared her first experience of taking her " meaties" to slaughter... Oh, that word sounds so awful doesn't it? Anne does a great job of showing the hard truth about raising your own small flock to put meat on your table. Anne, if you're reading this... I'm proud of you!

 Melissa of Tilly's Nest is hosting a fabulous giveaway this week! She's been working with one of her sponsors in an effort to release the latest and greatest way to store your farm fresh eggs. Ever heard of an Egg Skelter? It's a brilliant way to store your eggs either on your kitchen counter or in your frig. Only one lucky person will win the giveaway. The Egg Skelter is reasonably priced at 24.95 each  at Manapro. A must for backyard chicken keepers!

Faye of The Blessed Hearth took us on a delightful ramble and roll last week. She shared a FULL day of homesteading chores topped off with  a loaf of homemade bread fresh out of the oven!

Now, it's your turn to link up for your weekly dose of farmgirl soul food!

 Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/guy Blog Hop!

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals,  quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the  Linky tools space to your  Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!
4.) Enter up to three entries per hop! 

 DON'T BE SHY~  

Be sure to leave a note if you're new to the hop!

We want to get to know you better! 
Have a great week and I'll see you on the hop! 
 Thanks to all who participate and welcome new linker- uppers!

 If you haven't clicked that follow button yet, please join us and be sure to stop by our FACEBOOK page and like us there too! 

Have a great weekend folks! 
Love,
Deb   


 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS

 Dear friends,

Whew, it's been a busy day of shopping, cooking and cleaning here at Dandelion House and I know many of you are doing the same thing in preparation for Thanksgiving Day. I just wanted to pop in and say how very grateful I am for each and every one of you! Thank you for your visits and sweet notes and for sharing life's ups and downs, laughter, tears and your clever creations. 

Our lives are all the more richer because of you...

OUR THANKSGIVING

All the name tags have been placed,

The candles have been lit.

They all came with food and wine,

They knew just where to sit.

Some traveled such a long way,

Some just around the block.

They laughed, they joked, they nibbled…

Dinner’s set for six o’clock.

The game is on the T.V.,

Introductions have been made,

The children have been hugged and kissed,

All compliments were paid.

This day, so very special,

The planning took some time.

Our hearts are light and filled with love,

This family…yours and mine.

Great happiness and cheers to all,

On this day of counting blessings;

We’ll kiss the cook

And have some pie

And fill up on the dressing!

Thanksgiving Day

November 25, 2010

Karen J. Dixon 

Dandelion Wishes for a wonderful day with your loved ones. 

 Much love,

Deb, Boz ( the teens and Max )

PS.
Come on by the MJF Beach Farmgirl Blog for some candied sweet potatoes!

Frugal Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas

Dear Friends,

It seems like we were just clearing out the garden beds yesterday and here we are just a few days away from Thanksgiving! I'm very excited to be hosting dinner this year for our family and some of of our dear friends. It's so easy to get caught up in pre- holiday spending when it comes to decorating for fall and your Thanksgiving table what with all the beautiful dinner ware, linens, and faux harvest decor items for sale in your favorite discount department store's. Before you know it, your convinced you need to buy entire sets of dishes, glassware, silver ware and serving trays just for one day of the year. It happens to the best of us! To me there's nothing better or more FUN than rummaging around in my own china cabinet to see what I can create out of things I already have then ADD to it at minimal cost or FREE if I can get away with it!

 Here are a few FUN and FRUGAL table setting ideas sure to add the festive feeling you're after for little or no cost.

I love finding finding sale items that will make my holiday table special but that can be re-used the rest of the year as well. We are having 15 guests this year and I don't have 15 of anything the same!  So, I'm going to mix and match plates, napkins, and silverware. I'm borrowing some beautiful VINTAGE amber glass goblets from my mom to unify the table settings. She actually has 15 of them!

source

   Instead of spending money on fancy napkin rings I'm making my own out of jute twine and cuttings from the garden.

Floral Napkins from Home Goods

Simply tied with a sprig of dried seed pods tucked in they make a natural, but elegant statement for FREE!  ( I already had the twine on hand )

TABLE DECORATIONS

The centerpieces will be small dried flower arrangements cut from the garden tied with the same jute around the mouth of each jar. I'm using small ball mason jars, but recycled food jars would work great too! I'm using folded burlap purchased from my feed store for a table runner. I can re-use it in the garden next season, or make pillows, chair covers or pillows with it when I'm done!

PLACE MARKERS

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS ( and my pinterest )

I just love these personalized pumpkins by Better Homes and Gardens. I think it ties in to my natural garden Thanksgiving table scape perfectly!

I hope you're inspired to keep more of your money in your pocket and create a personal table scape that reflects your personality and creativity! Your family, friends and guests will feel all the more cherished because of it!

Sharing with the Clever Chic Blog Hop , Tilly's Nest Down Home Blog Hop

Saturday Scenes With Boz

"  Decadent Dahlias "

 SATURDAY SCENES at DANDELION HOUSE  is our day to share images from the Boz Scenes photo library.  Please join us in this weekly tradition of taking pause to appreciate the beauty of nature.If you feel inspired to share a Saturday Scene of your own, please do and link back to this original SATURDAY SCENES post. Be sure to leave a comment so we can visit your scene too!
 
 As always, thanks for looking have a beautiful weekend!
 Deb and Boz 

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 83

 

Welcome to the #83rd  Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop!

Your place to rub elbows with friends old and new! 

Whether it be in the kitchen, craft room, farmyard or over the garden gate! 

 Hosted by: Heidi of My Simple Country Living 

Dolly of Hibiscus House and me!

As for this farmgirl, it's time to dig and store the dahlia tubers for winter.

 I can't complain... I cut the last bouquet of them in late October!

 I'm loving all the wonderful holiday recipes and projects you have all been sharing! 

  The" GIRLS " have it for this weeks top three! 

 

Dancing Aspen Farms shared a fun post about RE-USING pumpkins! What backyard chicken doesn't love pumpkin treats?

Backyard Chicken Keeping shares an informative post on how to get started keeping a small flock of your own. Isn't she a pretty girl?

Ranch Wife Chronicles shares some lovely images of her pretty ladies. I think she captured these " old hens ruling the roost " just perfectly don't you?

THREE CHEERS for BACK YARD CHICKENS!
Now, it's time to do it all over again!  
 Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/guy Blog Hop!

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals,  quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the  Linky tools space to your  Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!
4.) Enter up to three entries per hop! 

 DON'T BE SHY~  

Be sure to leave a note if you're new to the hop!

We want to get to know you better! 
Have a great week and I'll see you on the hop!
Thanks to all who participate and welcome new linker- uppers!

I'll see you on the hop! 
Love,
Deb

Cozy Colors For Your Nest

Stevie the Rebel Chick in full Molt

Is anyone still in serious nesting mode? Stevie has taken the concept " feather your nest " quite literally this year. I was worried if she kept loosing her feathers, I might not have to buy shavings for the hen hen house at all!  She was nearly bald when I took this shot of her a couple of weeks ago. I'm happy to report she's grown new feathers, just in time for cooler weather ahead! Remember when I declared October National Painting Month? ( It's alright if you forgot... I won't hold it against ya). Like Stevie, I have taken my own nesting pretty serious here at Dandelion House too!  I've been chipping away at left over painting projects this fall. I've rolled over a new color leaf! I swapped out my deep apricot colored walls in the living room for a warm, cozy, creamy, off- white. I loved the rich, sunset glow of my previous color but we were all ready for a lighter look and something we could rely on to keep our spirits high while the sun is low over the winter months.
 My favorite part about painting is going from room to room  ( as the paint dries ) gathering pieces of furniture to trade out with.  It's as good as a trip to my local consignment shop only better because it's FREE!

This little gem of a suitcase was a gift from my sweet mother in law. Those are her initials  monogrammed above the handle. I love the earthy brown and the bright tan worn spots from years of banging around this earth. It's fun to think of her possibly as a young bride going off on her honeymoon with this suitcase packed with all the essentials of the day!

It looks right at home nestled underneath one of our Boz Scenes .

It sits on a stand similar to a luggage wrack with a strap for support. A wooden tray usually sits on top of it, but I'm using that in a new place now. Vintage and Antiques add warm patina and soul to a home, especially if you don't have the good fortune to live in an old farmhouse or antique home.

Best of all, I didn't get rid of my apricot all together. I love fall colors! They are my favorite to decorate with. I added new tangerine and paprika pillows to our ten year old sage green sofa and a new leaf patterned accent pillow to " my "  English wing chair covered in deep brick red velvet like fabric.  Orange and golden berries in an old Ball jar cinch my autumn nesting makover...
Now, I can start thinking about Thanksgiving!

How about you? What are your favorite cozy colors for fall decorating? 

Sharing with Tilly's Nest Down Home Blog Hop,  and Heidi's Simple Country Homemaker Hop!