Peaceful on the Prairie

Twelve hours later from yesterday's post I woke up to a foggy morning. As ridiculous as this may sound, I didn't want to waste any time by getting dressed.

 So I went out in the early morning with no one around, still dressed in my old blue flannel nightgown, black tights, "gardening shoes", and camera in hand. Try not to dwell on what that might look like.....it is not a pretty sight!

I wanted to share the view with you. I live on a hill top, surrounded with other hills. But, this morning all I could see was my hill.....my space.

After such a scorching summer, it feels so good have moisture again in the air. Dew drops were hanging everywhere.

Even a few spider webs with dew drops are clinging to the almost bare branches of the apple tree.

 Here are a few pumpkins from October still holding their shapes. The metal tub of water is for the thirsty birds. I imagine they are waiting for the pumpkins to break open and release their tasty seeds.

Two rocking chairs on the prairie cottage porch, just waiting for you to sit down with your cup of morning tea or coffee, while I go inside the farmhouse and start the apple pancakes.  It's your chance to take in the view.

The Christmas lights have today and tomorrow to burn....then be put away until next Christmas.

Just for fun....a broken wind chime I couldn't bare to throw away.

If I'm not at home, well, read the sign. Most likely, I will be there.

The often used back entrance is still decorated 2 more days with Christmas.

Open the gate and this is what you will see. Come on in....and let's visit for a while.


Meggie Mac

Take a Break

It's the day after Christmas....too many lists, too many desserts, too many activities.
So, for today..."Just Be".


Look for a new sewing project tomorrow.
Meggie Mac

Merry Christmas from the Farm!

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  Luke 2:12

Meggie Mac

Christmas Pottery

My feet are up for a while...

The tetrazzini dinner went well last night, breakfast was full of good conversation, and now my son and wife have left for other relatives to visit.

Bringing out the Christmas dishes by Waechtersbach always puts a smile on my face. These dishes were given as a gift from a family member. The label, moulded in the pottery, is stamped W. Germany. Of course, the newer pieces, you buy today, have the word Germany printed on them.

                                         If you look closely, you can see the word W. Germany.

Would you like to join me in a cup of tea and some of the leftover goodies? Let's not weigh ourselves until after the New Year.

Meggie Mac

What I did not do today

Are you asking yourself why would I feature my vacuum cleaner three days before Christmas. It's to show you what I did not do today. Yes, it was on the list. And I had good intentions when I pulled it out this morning.

Do you have days you get side-tracked? This morning it seemed like a good idea to work with the carpenter on my sewing nook.

And nook it is! There were no original closets in this old farmhouse. So, on one end of a 12' x 12' bedroom, I have a space enclosed to serve as a closet/ sewing nook.

I was a little hesitant to show you my fabric collection. But, I'm thinking if you sew or craft, you probably understand this need to be surrounded with fabric. Especially fabric that was found at a bargain price.

The chair can be moved before rolling (it's on wheels) the table in front of the window.

 If you are working on a project most of the day, it is nice to be able to look out the window.

If you decide to watch a favorite TV show, then you can face the nook and leave your sewing machine in place.

It is a tight space. But, at the end of the day, I simply turn off the light and close the bi-fold doors.

Now I'm ready for the New Year and all the projects I will be sharing with you.

I can always run the vacuum cleaner tomorrow!

Meggie Mac

Christmas Is Coming

As I'm looking over the list again this morning, I think it is best to put away some of the Christmas projects that didn't get finished.

Did you run out of time with some of your projects? I guess we all do. And so, again, I promise myself to start earlier next year.

Remember to take a little time for yourself today.

Meggie Mac

Five Days and Counting

The day is starting off with my usual cup of green tea, bowl of oatmeal...and today, The List. It is 5 short days before Christmas and the list is being revised again this morning.

It must be busy at your house too! It seems no matter how much ahead we plan, the last few days are hectic.

My goal today is to prepare Chicken Tetrazzini for 25 and freeze it for my Friday night dinner plans.  I have been using this recipe at Christmastime for more years than I care to remember.  It comes from vol. 10 of my 1966 Woman's Day Encyclopedia of Cookery. I remember the 12 volumes were offered at the grocery store, one volume each week for 12 weeks. I'm sure the cost was less than $2.00 a book, but as you can see by looking at this, it is now $75.00 for the set.

Try to take a little advice from Lionel with a rest during your busy day.

Now, to finish my tea before I get this show on the road!

Meggie Mac

Decorating A Little Late

Is your stocking hung by the chimney with care? It need not be a chimney, a door knob will do!

Since my rooms are so small, I decided to put a tree in an old speckled blue cooking pot. My decorations are usually the same each year.... angels, stars, bows, icicles, hearts and strands of cranberries.

 I always add a red bird or two because all trees should have birds in them. Right?

Just to emphasize the size of my rooms here is a view from the Keeping Room, looking through the library into the parlor.

The Santa is hand painted by the writer of this blog. The two ornaments were made a couple of years ago by my sweet daughter in law and my grand-daughters.

If you read my post from yesterday, you know I injured my eye while working outside. I'm still recuperating by not using my eyes with any strenuous crafting projects.

My reference to myself as Meggie One-Eye, came from a story I've read in Scottish History of the Clan MacDonald and the Clan MacLeod. If you are interested in the history of Scotland, read this story and it will tell you how it all came about. Not exactly a story to go with my Christmas decorations, but I couldn't pass this opportunity to tell you about it.

Sometime in January, I will start writing about my Clan Macpherson history.

Meggie Mac