My Country Life!

Snake or Vinca Vine?

2012-02-06T16:51:00.001-06:00

I HATE snakes!

I have nightmares about them.

and isn't this winter? I thought snakes were cold-blooded and had to

stay dormant or something during the cold weather months.

So WHY was this little fella crawling around in the dirt and leaves

where I was planting Vinca Vines on the embankment in front of my new

house that is being built?

Just to scare the hoo-ha out of me that's why.

Apparently he never got the memo on the do and don'ts of

Snake-isms. He was obviously out of line.

But , I was determined to get my Vinca planted. After all I have over 1500 plugs

to get in the ground. So....after I caught my breath and picked up my stomach, I moved to another part of the embankment and continued on.

I will let my husband do that section --He isn't afraid of snakes.

Oh..by the way, this is NOT a Coral Snake but a Milk Snake. So my life was not in danger.

Azaleas--The Southern Princess

2012-01-29T17:47:00.000-06:00

I almost missed something great yesterday. How? Well for the past few weeks our life has soooo hectic. We are having to move from one lease house to another (this weekend) because the one we have been leasing, while we build

is being sold...and the heat doesn't work.

Needless to say with everything going on and everyday life I have been STRESSED OUT. Well in the middle of trying to fit everything in, I had meeting that lasted extra long, a Father-in-Law that I caught just in time before he had the framers change the front facade of my house (he likes to BUTT in a lot)and I missed my post date for a shipment because of the meeting I was really aggravated and I still had to go home to start moving. I wanted to cry...but instead I took a deep breath slowed the car down and enjoyed the country road and sunshine.

Then it happened.

I was going slow enough to see the first Azaleas emerging.

For those who have never seen the delicate and beautiful Azalea, I encourage you to plan an early Spring vacation down south. St. Francisville has large collections of Azaleas and Camellias.

Afton Villa Gardens is one of my places to bring the children in the Spring.

A Few Back Ground Words

2012-01-26T09:08:00.003-06:00

Long ago when I started this Blog, I am sure I must have made some mention about how wonderful my husband is and how different we are and how much bull we take from each other.

I am sure I wrote something about that.....but I am not going to go and search for it because I don't have time. I am the mom of four and wife of one. So lets just start fresh.

The dynamics in our house are very interesting.

I think we may cover the full spectrum. My husband is a Nuclear Chemist with a MBA who has come out of the Lab to work in Management. He went to college on a full athletic scholarship and was not only a decathlete but played football as a receiver...(very gifted)

By the way he stands 6'1"--220lb to my 5'3" 110lb (mutt and jeff)

I, on the other hand,am a Couturier. I have spent the last 20+ years designing and making wedding dresses and formals for women. My clients came all the way from Hawaii to Germany and California to New York. It was rewarding and fun. I was an A student in school. I did very well for someone who only cared about the Art and History classes. I was top notch during my apprenticeship because that is where I wanted to be. I work with Antique and Vintage Textiles now because they are my real passion. I grew up under the tutelage of my mother, Alice. She her self was a RN and very well educated. She grew up on a farm and had a very unique perspective on life.

She taught me how to sew, cook, knit, crochet, embroidery, quilt, garden, we did 4-H, she taught me how to compost, how to re-cycle, the list goes on.

She gave me my love for travel and adventure and I think she might have passed her sass onto me also.

My husband seems to think so.

So....see my kids really got some mix didn't they?

Oh by the way...I hate football and my Father in Law coached for 42 years.

So here is the CREAM!

I utterly adore my husband and he adores me.

My friends and his are always so shocked when they find out the kinda of stuff he does.

He is the fella who gets up in the middle of the night and changes the baby and then brings the little bundle to me to nurse so I wouldn't have to get out of bed. He is the guy who will sleep on the floor next to our sick kids bed because he doesn't want me to clean vomit up. He is the guy that hasn't let me clean a bathroom since we met (he does it with special stuff --remember he is a science guy) because he doesn't want me and now the kids anywhere near it. He does laundry and dishes and helps clean. He is Super Man.

He is the guy who will send me and a friend to town to eat and shop while watches the kids. He has even cooked for me and a friend who needed to come over for girl chat. He cooked and did the kids while we visited and then he came and joined us . It was nice. He indulges my flower and bulb addiction. He buys me lots and lots of very pretty things to wear.

So where is the Bull I mentioned and what am I doing for him right? Well he really should be the one answering the second part of the question. Our marriage is a partnership. We take care of each other. The house stuff we do together (except for the bathrooms). We are both great at different things. It has taken a while to figure that out. I am the one who faces things head on and digs deeper. He likes to avoid things as long as possible and hopefully it will just work itself out (except dirty bathrooms)

I read people better and over the years he has come to trust that. I have not been wrong yet.

My husband is diabetic. One of my close friends is his Dr. and she an I work together to keep his stubborn bum on track (he is a bad patient). Chris (husband) in case you have not figured it out yet is very very HIGH energy. He is like the Energizer Bunny on crack. I am his calming pill that he doesn't always want to take even though he knows he needs too. He was so upset when we got the news that he too was diabetic (family trait on his side). He is scare of needles--he passes out. So testing everyday and insulin was going to be a big deal. And it was. So we made a plan. We restructured diet, exercise, etc. and within two months he had weaned off insulin and he in now just taking pills to control his levels and it is working.

A lot of prayer when into to this too. Everyday.

Not his car he just wants it. I don't think so!

Ok, this is Chris and Suzanne ----Chris was just a tad too heavy right before he found out he was diabetic.

Chris, My solid rough and rugged Irish man! I love him so!

The Holland House Begins

2012-01-25T21:38:00.000-06:00

For two years now I have been in a Funk I think. Trapped in a kinda of House Building Limbo.

My husband and I made the decision, after searching long and hard for the perfect place to build a home for
our four children and our Maine Coon Cat, Gussy to build at beautiful Lake Rosemound.

The property was perfect. Just the right size for the farm house we had plans drawn up for, a garden (flower and veggie, chickens, etc. The kids would have a place to run and play in the fresh air and it wasn't to far from my husbands work.

So, we leased a house near the property so we could settle the kids and be near the construction----and two days before closing on the property we find out that the owner had "misrepresented" the property and we would have to start our search all over.
So we did. The new property is still here at Lake Rosemound and you know what? Now that it is cleared it is actually a better piece than the first one. This whole process has taken believe it or not 2 years.

We closed on the property in July but it needed a great amount of work. My husband has seen me watch bulb planting season pass by year after year during this process, so this year I think he was relieved to see me and my little girls planting over 1000 bulbs in the front part of the property.

So today it officially begins. I picked up our building permit this morning and my Father in Law brought his guys over to shoot
the grade. They will be back bright and early tomorrow morning to start the forms.

And yes my front yard is full of bright yellow happy daffodils and I will be planting the rest of my 1200 vinca vine plugs tomorrow and transplanting items that I received from friends that need a new home.

I will began posting pictures of the progress so stay tuned. Be sure to check out the different pages because I will be adding there too.

Too Busy To Write It Down!

2010-12-05T21:18:00.000-06:00

Wow--- I just realized (when several people in my town mentioned it) that I have been too busy with life to write anything down. Between baking, sewing, Hubby and four kids---I don't think I have sat for months.

I will try to remedy that.

I am collecting pictures for Christmas in St. Francisville to share.

My oldest son (artist in Res.) won a calender contest at my husbands work. He had a lovely drawing that he submitted. It will be out for the first of the year. I will of course post pics.

I wish everyone a MERRY Christmas!

An Artist In The House

2010-08-19T00:06:00.000-05:00

My oldest turned 15 today!

As he was at school, I walked through the house looking at all of the Art Work he has created. Some pieces are from age one, and some that I haven't framed yet were created this summer.

These photos below are from the ages 5 through age 14.

I am so proud of him and his talent,
He started High School this week and is so excited to finally be able to take electives. As you might guess, he signed up for Art. He is also in the Gifted and Talented program for his artistic talent.

Sharing Our Childhood with Our Kids

2010-05-31T09:41:00.002-05:00

I snagged this photo from online because I didn't have my camera with me last night. I will replace it with my own soon though.

My husband and I were so excited last night when we where driving the kids home from a LOOONG day of being in town. Church, dance recital practice, then a much needed grocery store run, adds up to a

very tired family.

Growing up (both of us were somewhat in rural areas) we remember seeing Lighting Bugs every Summer. What fun it was to try and catch them in a jar. One of my most favorite books, that I still read to my children (Miss Susie) is about a Squirrel who uses Lighting Bugs to light her house.

Well last night, while driving down the beautiful, long, tree lined roads and lanes to our home at Lake Rosemound, the air absolutely came alive with light. It was magical!

I haven't seen a Lighting Bug since I was a child. My husband either.

Our children were so thrilled as we made our way down the winding roads, seeing the night sky light up like little tiny diamonds.

It was a wonderful childhood memory for my husband and I to share together with our four kids.

Further Out To The Country!

2010-05-29T13:22:00.001-05:00

For almost two years, my husband and I looked for just the right piece of land to build our family home on. Casually at first. We really could not decide if we wanted to stay closer to town or get really brave and move further out into the country.Although we had already decided on the beautiful quaint town of St. Francisville which is very small and we would be giving our children a "country life" with lots of Extras, the right piece of land never presented itself.

Then it happened, just as it should. A wonderful piece of land just waiting for a family.

We will begin building soon and in the mean time the children are enjoying a Summer at the Lake because we are leasing a home right up the lane from where we will be building.

So......Further out we have gone. A trip to the store is a well thought out thing now. Chickens and what to plant in our garden are what the kids talk about the most. My kids seem to like funny looking chickens that make LOTS of eggs. Fishing is their favorite pass time, along with helping me in the kitchen.

Just Like Spring....I am Late

2010-04-06T19:13:00.004-05:00

Diane
Is
Winner!!!!!
Lily picked her number from the Cozy Bowl!
Diane Please Email me through my Etsy Shop so I can send your
Cozy Bowl to you!
Thank you all for your Lovely comments.
and for being patient while my family and I moved this past week-end further out to the country. I will have some wonderful new post coming over the next few weeks and months about our new stomping ground and the house we are building.

April Give Away!!!

I just LOVE "Lily of Valley" and when I came across this yummy textile I just had to have it

A wonderful Navy Blue Heavy Cotton with Creamy Colored "Lily of the Valley" bouquets embroidered all over. This "Cozy Bowl" is perfect for Spring.

I have the "Cozy Bowl" sitting on an antique Mangle Press that sits
in our front yard c.late 1800's

Leave a comment and at the end of the month, I will have my Lily draw a number from the "Cozy Bowl".
Good Luck!!! and Happy Spring!!!!

PINK FOR FEELING SILLY at not giving this info.
Mangle Cloths were used through-out Europe to protect fine Linens and Lace while running them through the Mangle Press. The Fine Linens and Lace were Sandwiched between two Mangle Clothes or one folded in half and then cranked through the rollers. OUCH! Mangles were also used as table clothes.
Very Multi-Purpose.

Spring Blog Give Aways!!!!

2010-03-29T15:36:00.000-05:00

I havebeen so Busy that I completely forgot to start my give aways back up in Feb.
So I will begin again in April.
I have something really nice I can't wait to share.

So please keep stopping in. I will have the pics up in the next day or so.

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!

2010-03-17T18:12:00.000-05:00

Shamrocks have been symbolic of many things over the years. According to legend, the shamrock was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad, and three was a mystical number in the Celtic religion, as in many others. St. Patrick used the shamrock in the 5th century to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as he introduced Christianity to Ireland. Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

"Wearin' o' the green"

The shamrock became symbolic in other ways as time went on. In the 19th century it became a symbol of rebellion, and anyone wearing it risked death by hanging. It was this period that spawned the phrase "the wearin' o' the green". Today, the shamrock is the most recognized symbol of the Irish, especially on St. Patrick's Day, when all over the world, everyone is Irish for a day!

The original Irish shamrock (traditionally spelled seamróg, which means "summer plant") is said by many authorities to be none other than white clover (Trifolium repens), a common lawn weed originally native to Ireland. It is a vigorous, rhizomatous, stem-rooting perennial with trifoliate leaves. Occasionally, a fourth leaflet will appear, making a "four-leaf clover," said to bring good luck to the person who discovers it.

The above is an interesting excerpt I found on another site.

My husband and I have enjoyed helping our children, who are very interested in our Irish heritage, research where our ancestors came from.
The Irish family name that I bring to table comes from County Donegal. Both of my husbands parents have an Irish Family back ground. One coming from County Antrim and one from County Cavan. All three are in the Province of Ulster and Counties Antrim and Donegal are part of Northern Ireland and are both on the Northern Irish Coast.

Spring Is Trying So Hard To Make Its Entrance

2010-03-07T09:03:00.000-06:00

These are Snow Drops in my side yard, welcoming Spring. They are a little late this year because we have record cold weather and (2) snow falls. I guess that Global Warming thing needs to be re-thought?

I see my Daffodils just waiting to burst open. A few more days of sunshine should do it.

I will post pictures as soon as they bloom.

St. Francisville is buzzing with activity getting ready for the Spring Pilgrimage.

The Garden Club has been all over town perking up shop flower boxes with Spring Flower in Blue and White to represent the colors that flew when St. Francisville was part of the Florida Republic back in the 1800's.

I of course have been busy with not only with my store but getting my children ready for the Pilgrimage.

Alice, as I mentioned in another post is old enough to be a Sweet Maid this year, so she has been practicing every week. Lily, being the baby sister ad not wanting to left out just NEEDS and beautiful matching dress.

My boys ....Andrew, who is 14, has been invited to serve as one of the guides for the Live History Cemetery Tour and Grace Church. This is a really neat concept. Very interesting historical figures are laid to rest there. Town people dress in costume and as the tourist are guided through the cemetery from head stone to head stone, each "Historical Figure" relays their history.

My youngest son, Aidan who is 8 , will be helping at the Rural Home Stead. This is a great place to take children. While there you can see Black Smith working and take home play sword with your initials burned into the side or maybe a hand made whistle. My favorite is the fresh ground corn meal that I watch them grind and then take home and make corn bread and chili with.

All in All it is going to be a fun week end. My children costumes are almost finished. I just can not wait to see them all dressed up.

"Audubon Spring Pilgrimage"

2010-02-15T00:16:00.000-06:00

Well I have to say, there is nothing sweeter than watching littler girls dressed in 1820's frocks complete with pantalettes and ballet slippers dancing around the May Pole. The girls start in first grade as a Sweet Maid and work their way up to the May Pole Dance as they get older.

Alice (who is in the first grade) starts her Pilgrimage Tradition this year. She is so excited. Lily wants so much for it to be her turn too. We have had a lovely time collecting vintage laces and fabrics for their dresses. Yes, I said dresses. I will make Lily a dress to wear around town to see her sister dance. She will fit right in.

I look forward to the beautiful flowers that the Spring weather brings. I am looking forward most of all to seeing my girls beaming faces, as they are all dressed up in their old fashioned clothes.

Learn more about the "Audubon Spring Pilgrimage" at the link below.

http://www.audubonpilgrimage.com/

St FRANCISVILLE Happenings

2010-02-14T23:36:00.001-06:00

I belong to the Womens Service League in St. Francisville.

The Gala is our largest fund raising event of the year.

The funds raised at the Gala go to the following:

Community Philanthropies Supported by Women’s Service League

Jane C. Butterworth Park
Relay for Life
Young Life
West Feliciana Parish Food Bank
Christmas in the Country Community Parade
Christmas in the Country Breakfast with St. Nick
The Audubon Pilgrimage
Habitat for Humanity
FINA (Families in Need of Assistance)
West Feliciana High School
West Feliciana Middle School
Bains Lower Elementary
Bains Elementary
Graduating Senior Scholarships
Project Graduation
West Feliciana Parish Drug Awareness Program
Shoebox Relief Program
Donations to Families in Need

THE CUTE CRITTERS MUST LEAVE!

2010-01-12T20:36:00.000-06:00

Aren't these just the cutest little critters?

Chipmunks---think Alvin

and

Squirrels

Well one of these cute little guys decided that my new vehicle was THE perfect place to set up house.

YES that is what I said .....HOUSE.

Right in the middle of record cold weather down here in the South, my new '10 Sienna's Check Engine light came on and started shaking. So.......My husband took off work and drove into the city to the Toyota dealer where we purchased it to see what was going on. You will never guess how surprised we were to find out that our engine housing had been chewed into, wires were almost striped in half and ACORNS were stuffed everywhere.

All cute Critters are being relocated this weekend by an angry husband!

Victoria Magazine

2009-12-26T18:21:00.003-06:00

My family and closest friends know that

I am over the moon

to be in Victoria Magazine

for their Jan./Feb. edition.

If you have read the article,

I hope you enjoyed it.

If you have not read the article,

I hope you get a chance. I think

they did a wonderful job writing

about all of us ladies they selected

for their special section on entrepreneurs.

http://www.victoriamag.com/

DECEMBER BLOG GIVE AWAY!

2009-12-02T19:38:00.002-06:00

Parisienne Farmgirl

is the

WINNER!!!!!

Congratulations and Happy New Year!

Lily picked your number out of the Cozy Bowl.

When you get a chance, send me your info. through my Etsy shop.

November Blog Give Away Winner!

2009-12-01T20:38:00.000-06:00

Jessica is the winner!

Andrew picked your name from one of my new

COZY BOWLS!

Be sure to email me at my Etsy shop so I can get your info. for mailing.

Thank you everyone for commenting. Please check back December 3rd.

I will have a set of the same Mangle Cloth Sandwich Bags featured in

Food and Wine Magazine as the Blog Give away for December!

Food And Wine Magazine

2009-11-15T22:45:00.003-06:00

I AM SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT FOOD AND WINE MAGAZINE HAS INCLUDED ME IN THEIR HOLIDAY EDITION. THEY FEATURED MY WONDERFUL UPCYCLED MANGLE CLOTH SANDWICH BAGS.

MANGLE CLOTH IS SO BEAUTIFUL. EACH ONE UNIQUE.

This is the link to Food and Wine Magazine online.
http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/napa-casual-gifts/7

Fresh Baked Scones with Lemon Curd and Clotted Cream

2009-11-14T21:11:00.001-06:00

Scones are so delightful. My children just love them with a cup of hot tea. This morning was the perfect Saturday for them to start learning how to make them.

I just love these times. My children, boys and girls alike, love to cook. We have fun in the kitchen. They each helped measure out the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Lily and Alice learned how to cut the Irish butter into small cubes without letting it warm up. The boys were left with the job of mixing with the pastry knive. I must say with a mother's pride, "They did wonderfully"

The scones came out just perfect. Tender and sweet.

I have the recipe below. We eat ours with clotted cream and lemon curd and of course a cup of tea.

Holland Family Scones

3cups bread flour 3/4 cup butter (I use either organic or Irish butter)

1/2 cup white sugar 1 egg, beaten

5 tsp baking powder 1 cup cream

1/2 tsp salt (I use Celtic Sea Salt)

1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lighty grease a baking sheet.

2.In a large bowl, combine, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter. Mix the egg and cream in a small bowl, and stir into flour mixture until moistened.

3.Turn dough out onto a slightly floured surface, and knead briefly. Roll dough out to 1/2" thick.

*I use a French pastry rolling-pin with adjustable thickness bands.

Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out the scones. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake 15 min. in the preheated oven, or until lightly golden.

These are so yummy with English Clotted Cream (Devonshire Cream) and Lemon Curd.

Enjoy!

Alice's Pumpkin Biscuits---The Perfection of a Fall Breakfast!

2009-11-10T20:29:00.004-06:00

My mother (Alice--Pictured with me on my swing set to the left) LOVED to bake. She even won a contest for one of her bread recipes. She was always baking bread. One of the things I remember her baking, that I just really love to eat come Fall, are her Pumpkin Biscuits. I made them with my daughters, Alice and Lily this past week end.
It was so wonderful to watch them learn how to cut the butter into the flour mix and then pat the biscuit dough out. We also made yeast rolls for the Post Office Ladies who are always so helpful with my shipments.
If you get the chance, do try this yummy recipe. I use KerryGold Irish Butter in my recipes unless I am going 100% Organic and then I use Organic Valley Butter. Both can be purchased at Whole Foods.
Enjoy!!!!

Alice's Pumpkin Biscuits

2.5 cups All Purpose Flour (I usually use Bread Flour)

3 tbsp. packed light brown sugar

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt (I use Celtic Sea Salt)

1/4 tsp.grated nutmeg

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into thin slices

1 15oz. can unsweetened solid-packed pumpkin

1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet or you can line it with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, stir the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices together until well blended. using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture looks like corn meal. Stir in the pumpkin, and mix until a soft dough forms.

3. On a well-floured surface, with well-floured hands, pat out the dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Using a floured biscuit cutter, cut out the shapes you like. Place them on the cookie sheet, and put it on the middle rack of your oven. Bake the biscuits for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot or at room temp.

We love ours hot from the oven with a big pat of Irish butter and a cup of tea!

Me, out for a gallop!

Before the oven.

Alice's Pumpkin Biscuits-----YUMMY!

My sweet Alice and Lily helping me bake. We always have such fun!

NOVEMBER GIVE AWAY!

2009-11-05T18:16:00.002-06:00

I Love Fall. the beginning of the Holiday Season. Watching our kids get excited is probably more fun for my husband and I than anything else. Yummy Vintage Textiles play into all of this Holiday excitement for me. My give away this month features two wonderfully delicious textiles that I hope will bring smiles to your faces.

The first ---Vintage Mangle Cloth is usually Oatmeal with Red Stripes. This Mangle Cloth is a Rare Find indeed. Oatmeal with Spice Brown and Sage Stripes. The second---A wonderful vintage Linen Tea Towel with a Cream Window Pane Star pattern and Pumpkin Orange Stripes. Both Vintage pieces are from Germany. I have included several sizes and all pieces are lined with a food safe nylon liner. Four pieces in all. What a great way to store Holiday Treats in Organic Style.

So, Now just leave a comment about these items or items I have in my shop.

Andrew will be pulling the number out of the Cozy Bowl this month.

GOOD LUCK!

I look forward to reading your comments!

Yellow Leaf Follow-Up and Oct. Give Away!

2009-11-03T01:52:00.001-06:00

"Yellow Leaf" was a BIG Success! and so much fun. I met such lovely people. The weather in our small town was PERFECT! People were out in mass to enjoy.
I mentioned before that I live right in the heart of town so it is a very short ride up the street to Parker Park to set up my booth. My oldest son rode his bike and then it was a family affair as usual.
I had the perfect spot. I was perched right next to the town gazebo where I could see and hear everything.
Everything, included all the music entertainment for the weekend and my kids making pottery, playing tag football, and climbing in those beautiful old oaks whose branches touch the ground so you can just set on them. Yes it is that kind of park. Very Lovely Indeed. It was a perfect weekend.

As too the October Give Away----I have one coming...I take pictures tomorrow and will have it posted by days end. Hopefully......

OCTOBER WINNER of the SWEET FRENCH BEES!

2009-11-01T12:44:00.009-06:00

Aidan was so excited to draw the number for the October Winner.

Stubborn Dog

is the Winner!

Be sure to contact me with your information so I can post your Sweet French Bee Lavender Sachet to you.

Once again, thank you all for your comments and keep following, because I will have another give away posted in just a few days.

A Note From Deanna

2009-10-31T10:37:00.005-05:00

I am always so thrilled to get notes from the winners of my monthly give aways. I love finding out if you love my creations and how you were able to incorporate them into your daily life. The note below is from Deanna (the Sept. Winner). Thank you Deanna!

Hi Suzanne,

I was so thrilled to find out I was the lucky winner of your September giveaway featuring your cozy bowl and washcloths! I've been drooling over so many of your items for months! I just received my giveaway goodies on Saturday, October 17th and have to tell you that they are even more lovely in person! I snapped a few photos for you!

Thank you so much for your great blog giveaways! I have a feeling I'll be shopping at your Etsy store very soon!

Have a blessed day,

Deanna

The beautiful soaps that Deanna used in her pictures are from another wonderful Etsy shop. Natures Edge Farm

http://www.etsy.com/shop/naturesedgefarm

Guest Curator: Wide Open Spaces

2009-10-16T23:51:00.005-05:00

I am always so honored when people take time to include me in something really special. Today I received an email from Emily Paben, the author of the lifestyle blog Wide Open Spaces. letting me know that she had been the Guest Curator on Wednesday and she had included my shop in her favorites list.

Both her Guest Curator Article and her Blog are lovely and worth the time lingering over. Thank you Emily for including me in your special day.

My sweet BLUE BIRD LUNCH SACK is INSIDE!

2009-10-15T02:14:00.001-05:00

The Yellow Leaf is Near

2009-10-10T09:01:00.004-05:00

Fall is trying so hard to make an entrance here in the South.

The rain comes almost everyday, to usher in the cool air, but

something always keeps it from coming. I long for the cold.

I have never been a hot weather girl. Give me snow up to my

tush any day. I rather scrape ice off my windshield than sweat.

But enough about that......this is to announce to everyone who

might be in the area, the THE YELLOW LEAF ARTS FESTIVAL

is upon us. Oct. 24 and 25, right here in St. Francisville.

I will be there with all of my designs and there will be many other

talented artist too.

Follow the links by clicking the picture and the name.

I hope to see you there!

French Country Apartment Therapy!

2009-10-08T20:29:00.005-05:00

Apartment Therapy included one of my Vintage Linen

Sandwich/Storage Sacks in their Favorite Picks for French
Country Style.
I must admit.....They have GREAT TASTE!
Thank You Apartment Therapy!

Keep Saving the World....One Room at a Time!
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/roundup/roundup-french-country-style-under-50-096250

October Give Away! Sweet French Bees

2009-10-03T11:56:00.007-05:00

I just love these Lavender Sachets. When I was in the
Provence, I remember the air being heavy with
the scent of fresh lavender. It was growing everywhere,
it seems. I just fell in love with it. Now my house smells
that way.
When we moved to our current house, my husband
kept complaining about it not smelling right. One day
he came home from work, after I had unpacked the
lavender and "Dream Pillows" and Sachets, etc. and then
he said....."OK now it smells like home"
The fabric on the front of this sachet is a Antique Cotton
from France. The back is an Antique Hand Woven Linen
and the Sachet is stuffed full with French Lavender
from Provence.

You can see the listing in my shop at:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31970738

I look forward to reading your comments this month and Aidan
is looking forward to being the one to draw a number for the winner.

Good Luck!

FINALLY......THE WINNER IS!

2009-10-03T10:56:00.005-05:00

And mamagiglio is the WINNER!

One of the only draw backs, that I have found

living in a very small town with lots of very old

Oak Trees and Millions of Squirrels..... sometimes,

like yesterday evening when I was getting ready

to load pictures, a branch fell on a line and the

electricity went out for several hours.

A small price to pay, I think, to live in such a

beautiful place.

Congratulations mamagiglio ! Be sure to email me

with your info. and your choice of wash cloths.

Thank you to everyone who left comments. I will be

offering a Lavender Sachet from my Tuttie-Lou Shop

this month.

Be sure to take a tour of my town on:

http://www.stfrancisville.net/town_new/index.html

Go to the Gallery and look around. Most of those pictures

were taken of houses and buildings within a few blocks

of my house.

Should Cats Ever Meet Dogs?

2009-09-25T17:36:00.007-05:00

Maybe......

I guess I would be considered a Cat person. I married a Dog person who came from a

Big Dog family. We don't have a Dog. We have a VERY LARGE Cat. A Maine Coon

named Gussy whom I often write about. That said, if I were to introduce my kitty

to a Pup it would have to be to the Handsome fellow above.

Wyatt is his name and I think being the coolest canine in the world is his game.

He is posing with his custom doggie snack bag I made him. Thanks Wyatt. You are the

most Handsome model I have ever seen. Too bad cats and dogs have a tendency to "FIGHT

LIKE CATS and DOGS" or we could get you and Gussy to pose together.

DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT ON THE "COZY UP" POST

2009-09-23T08:06:00.002-05:00

That COZY BOWL just might be going to your house!

The Signs Of A Southern Fall

2009-09-19T21:39:00.004-05:00

Spider Lily

If you live in the South, you know that the changing of the Seasons is never
very dramatic. You have to look for the signs.

I depend on flowers. The trees are a BIG disappointment in the Fall especially
if you have ever lived in New England. When we moved to St. Francisville, I had
been working on a really nice collection of bulbs for several years. My sweet husband
helped me dig them up, label them, and then carefully move them to their new home.
All 550 of them. My collection included everything from several varieties of daffodils
and perennial tulips to the Fall announcing Spider Lily.

I am by no means a "green thumb". I am a "Flower Lover, learn as you go" kind of gal.
Who can't stop buying bulbs. My husband loves them too, so that helps feed my addiction.
I also grow and cook with fresh herbs and my kids will eat edible flowers.

The Quest To Be The Best!

2009-09-08T14:00:00.002-05:00

My Oldest Son, Andrew spent his summer drawing detail plans of things he wanted to invent and then went about inventing them out of whatever he could find discarded (or not) around our house. He has a binder, much like DiVinci did. His drawings are very, very detailed and well thought out. Most of his inventions work. Some don't. Yet, he keeps on trying.

He has always been very artistic, creative and tenacious.

His biggest complaint has been that he never wins anything. So, this year....going back to school, he was determined to changed all that. So far, so good. In Science----He created a contraption that kept his egg from breaking and it cost the least amount---so he won.

Now....you may ask "What is with the Giant Hamburger"?

Another Challenge Won!

Yes Indeed!

My 14 year old ate an entire (1pound) burger with all the fixings AND a 24 oz. milk shake in one sitting on a dare. His Photo now hangs with honor on the Chee Burger Chee Burger Restaurant "Wall of Fame" He is the youngest person ever to accomplish this in their establishment.

Congratulations Andrew!!!!!

COZY COZY COZY UP!

2009-09-01T20:23:00.004-05:00

The Winner will be announced Tomorrow!

My Sweet Alice is going to pick the winner this month

and she is fast asleep---We had an EXTRA BUSY day today!

Her biggest brother had to get stitches

and her baby sister had Open House

and Pot Luck Supper at Pre-School Tonight!

So get ready....One of you Lovely People will be chosen tomorrow to receive

The Cozy Bowl Pictured above and a Set of Three (your choice)

of my Organic Washcloths.

Thank you for all of the wonderful comments.

Be sure to sign up to follow my BLOG.

I do a give aways every month!

Alice's Messenger Bag

2009-08-25T22:26:00.006-05:00

One of the best things about being a Mom, for me, is that my kids share in my love for textiles and art. My girls are really getting into design already at ages 3 and 6. They draw out what they want, pick out the fabrics and we set out drafting patterns together.

Alice, my 6 year old, wanted a cool messenger bag this year for school. She wanted to use vintage grain sack fabric mixed with modern cotton prints. She also asked that I line it with the same liner as her sandwich bag----so it is easy to clean out. She wanted magnetic snap closures and swivel hooked straps. Last but not least an extra pocket for take home to mommy notes. The pictures show her with her messenger bag on the way to school.

It has worked out great!

and Alice LOVES it and that is all that matters!

...And Twin Babies Makes Six

2009-08-25T22:10:00.003-05:00

If you have been reading my Blog, then you know that my family and I are privileged enough

to have a family of deer comfortable with eating everyday in our back yard. We suspected that the female may be expecting because she came several times a day to eat.

We were correct. After several days away, yesterday she brought her TWO new babies to the yard to eat. They are so beautiful! They still wobble around a little. Yet, they are graceful with those long legs.

Lily saw them first. "Mommy, I see little deer with white polka dots all over their backs, come see".

Now the family has grow from four to six.

This really is just the most wonderful place for my kids.

FLEUR de LIS for "WHITE LINEN NIGHT"

2009-08-05T10:25:00.007-05:00

CHRISSY

is the

WINNER!

I will contact you by email.

(Winner was chosen by random "Lily" method----comments in a Cozy Bowl and ONE chosen at random by Lily)

Here in St. Francisville we are celebrating, on Aug. 22nd "White Linen Night". I have been very busy getting ready for this event, in addition to getting my kids ready for back to school which occurs on August 13th.

SO to celebrate "White Linen Night" my Give Away this month will be a set of Napkins made from Vintage Linen from France that I have hand Ink Stamped with a beautiful "Fleur de Lis" which is a traditional symbol for both France and Louisiana.

The napkins measure 13.5" x 13.5"

They are completely washable. I hang dry mine to conserve energy and save ironing time.

Congradulations!!!!!!!

For Sept. I will be offering one of my Cozy Bowls.

So be sure to Sign Up!!!!!!!

GUSSY'S NEW SNACK BAG!

2009-07-29T20:23:00.004-05:00

Gussy is our Maine Coon Kitten, who at 7 months weighs in at just under 9 pounds. I know.....she is going to be a BIG girl.
Well Gussy loves treats and she loves to carry her treats around with her and wrestle with the bag. (We went through lots of torn up paper treat bags from the store). My son Aidan suggested making her this Organic Linen Treat Bag (since I do make these for us and everybody else....he is so smart.)
It is of course made out of Organic Linen and lined with Food Safe Water Proof Nylon---that keeps Gussy's treats fresh longer. It closes with hook and loop tape and the Kitty-Kat applique on the front is made out of vintage quilting cotton.
Gussy has been giving it a run for its money for several days now and just loves it. She doesn't like the fact that she can't get it open, but we love that she likes it enough to carry it everywhere with her.

The View From My Window!

2009-07-24T14:29:00.005-05:00

My sewing machine is situated in an alcove with a window facing to our back yard, so I can watch our four children play. We live in historic St. Francisville, right in town, but it is still very rural. As you can see, St. Francisville is a friendly place to live. Our back yard has two Fig trees and a Pear tree that this family of four really likes. They visit quite often and my kids and I stop everything we are doing just to watch.

The pictures don't do them justice. They are truly beautiful.

What a view I have from my sewing machine!

ORGANIC KEY LIME PIE RECIPE

2009-07-20T09:28:00.005-05:00

This is my husbands favorite pie. He and the children FIGHT over it. It is an ugly scene every time I make it. I would make two, but this pie it is just too rich and yummy for one person to sit down and eat one whole pie by themselves.
July forth, I entered it in the St. Francisville pie contest and it won third place! So I thought I would share it with you.
If you don't want to scout out the organic ingredients, then use what you can find at your local market. It will still be super yummy.

ORGANIC KEY LIME PIE

with MACADAMIA NUT CRUST

1 1/4 cups organic graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup organic chopped dry roasted macadamia nuts
2 tblsp organic granulated sugar
4 tblsp organic butter, melted

2(14-ounce)cans organic sweetened condensed milk
1 1/4 cups Key Lime juice
4 large organic eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup organic sour cream
2 tblsp organic powdered sugar
1 small container organic heavy whipping cream

Preheat oven to 325. Mix graham cracker crumbs, Macadamia nuts, sugar,and butter by hand and press firmly into a 10 inch pie plate. Bake at 325 for 15 min. or until lightly browned. Remove and let stand for 15 min.
Whisk together condensed milk, lime juice, and eggs until well blended, Pour into crust and bake at 325 for 18 to 20 min. or until set. Chill at least 4 hours.
Combine sour cream and powdered sugar. Spread evenly over pie. Garnish with whipped cream and lime slices.

YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!!!!!!

"BLUE BIRD, BIRD BLUE CALLING OUT TO ME"

2009-07-04T15:01:00.004-05:00

Wow, I had a hard time getting my Lily to pull a name out of the bag for this one.

Only after I gave in and gave her, hers for school early, did she help.

Congratulations cararowntree!

Be sure to send me your info.

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful comments.

I will continue every month to do giveaways, so please keep visiting.

Monday, August 3, 2009 I will have a new post up with my new give away.

Be sure to join my BLOG and follow me. I add recipes and little tid-bits all the time too!

LETS MAKE SOME LEMONADE!!

2009-06-07T22:43:00.008-05:00

PAPER PUMPKIN

IS THE

WINNER!!!!!!

THANK YOU, TO EVERYONE FOR PARTICIPATING. WHAT LOVELY COMMENTS. I ENJOYED READING THEM ALL. THE DECISION WAS SO TOUGH

I HAD TO PUT THE COMMENTS (FOLDED UP) IN THE LUNCH BAG

AND LET MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, LILY PICK ONE.

CONGRATULATIONS!

PAPER PUMPKIN!

BE SURE TO EMAIL ME THROUGH MY ETSY SHOP WITH YOUR CONTACT INFO.

Busy Busy Hollands

2009-05-21T20:20:00.005-05:00

My children all have their own interest and talents. This is the last week of school and it has been very busy.

We have had "Fun Day" at school and dance recital dress rehearsal, "Pajama Day" at school and the last game of the season for baseball. Along with a wonderful art show that my oldest son was in (I will have pics of that in my next blog).

For now.....we have Aidan in his baseball glory. Their team did so well this year, winning every game, except the very last one. Go ahead Dash!!! Dash is his nick name. My husband is the athlete in the family and I just cheer for the cute kid. I love that Aidan is so "full speed ahead" about everything he does. He enjoys everything and is willing to try things.

Alice ....we can't take photos or video at the actual recital, so all the moms come ready for pics the day of dress rehearsal. This is Alice's second year of dance and so she will do two dances. She loves dance and has been so dedicated to practise every week.

The review is held at the River Center Theater for performing Arts and is a BIG deal. I am nervous for days before, during and after. But, not Alice. She thrives on getting on stage in front of hundreds and hundreds of people and doing her thing. She gets that from her dad. He was a decathlete and loved strutting around the arena in spandex in front of thousands of people. (he would have done naked if allowed).

Treasury By IlluminatedPerfume

2009-05-14T17:20:00.004-05:00

I was lucking enough to be included in a treasury created by
IlluminatedPerfume who not only has a beautiful Esty store
but has wonderful taste too!

Her Etsy Store is a wonderful collection of hand crafted PURE botanical perfumes utilizing ancient techniques of alchemy with modern technology.

Be sure and pop over to her shop and browse through the delightful selection.

Mother's Day at Afton Villa Gardens

2009-05-11T16:29:00.007-05:00

My husband had to work on Mother's Day.

He has never had to do that before and we were very sad.

The day came though and we got dressed for church and

after a lovely service I treated my kids to "fast food".

I am one of those moms who never buy fast food, so it

was a real treat and off we went to Afton Villa Gardens

for a beautiful picnic.

The original mansion burned down ages ago, but the

gardens have been restored to their original glory.

The oaks heavy ladened with Spanish moss and the

ever faithful azalea, gladdens my southern heart. My

children ran through the labyrinth with glee while I

admired the mass of day lilies that graced the outer borders.

We had our picnic in front of the most beautiful old barn

I have ever seen. All in all it was a wonderful day. But

we missed Daddy!

The "Scoop" on Baking!

2009-05-08T17:31:00.008-05:00

I Love to bake and I have my ingredients stored in lovely glass containers that are both easy to get to and beautiful. The one thing that has been missing though has been the "perfect" SCOOP for my flour and sugar containers.

I finally found them. A great artisan named Jake at the ETSY shop Quite right, slick

makes beautiful hand made wooden scoops. He is very talented. I have just bought my second and third and I can't wait to get them.

MY NEW FAVORITE PURSE!

2009-05-05T08:09:00.002-05:00

Every season I find a textile that I just LOVE and I make a purse. It becomes the purse I use . I don't think I have bought a purse from a store in ----forever. I just love the natural, antique and vintage textiles. I am addicted to them. This season, I have found this wonderful vintage printed Hessian. I make two, but I have started out with I small purse that I can take back and forth to the shop with me. I have added it to my tuttitlou.etsy.com site.

BIG FAT GINGER BREAD COOKIES

2009-05-04T20:03:00.004-05:00

The Perfect Batch of Ginger Bread Dough!

Lily is my three year old who helps me everyday!

Yummy, Yummy!!!!!!!!!!

I really did catch my husband with this cookie. In fact, he has requested a batch for work this week, so I am off to the kitchen after this post.

1 cup sugar
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup butter softened
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 cup unsulfered molasses
3/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp lemon extract
4-6 cups flour

note: The original recipe I received, I found was too soft to work with and I
had to keep adding flour. I use bread flour and this might be the difference. Just work with it.
I roll these out with a French rolling pin with 3/8" bands so they are nice and FAT. I cook them at 350 degrees until firm, about 10-12 min. My husband and children love these because they are chewy and yummy! I even let them eat them for breakfast.

Basic Yeast Dough------YUMMY ROLLS

2009-05-04T19:10:00.004-05:00

This is my basic yeast dough. I use it to make just about everything. I start with it to make rolls that my children eat until they fall out on the floor stuffed to the gills. I use it as the base for my King Cakes and my Sweet Rolls and Cinnamon Rolls. It is the best basic recipe in the world.

4- 4.5 cups of flour (bread flour)
1/4 cup sugar
2 packages Active Dry or Rapid Rise Yeast
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup warm milk * combine
1/2 cup warm water * combine
1/3 cup butter * combine
2 eggs

Combine 1.5 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, salt. Add warm milk, water, butter mixture to dry ingredients. Beat 2 min. at med. speed of mixer. Add 1 egg and a 1/2 cup of flour. Beat for 2 min. Add last egg and mix til blended. With spoon stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough.

Grease top. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2-24 hours.

Remove from refrigerator. Punch down. Remove dough to a lightly floured surface. Shape as desired. Place rolls about 2" apart on a greased baking sheet. Cover, let rise in a warm, draft free place until doubled in size. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20mins. or until lightly golden.

Enjoy!

Gussy Up!

2009-05-03T21:53:00.001-05:00

Gussy-----Augusta Maine Holland ----is our children's first pet. She is a "Maine Coon" kitten who is 4months old and is already weighing in at 4lbs. Maine Coons are the largest domestic cats .

Gussy is a lovable, sweet, yet sassy kitty. We all adore her, except when she ponces us at 2am, then she gets the boot.

She tolerates a lot. She allows my children to wrap her up like a baby in a baby blanket and hold her (sometimes for hours) like an infant. She will take naps like that.

I think my favorite features about Gussy, is that she (like most Maine Coons) likes to drink water from her paw and I really dig that Grand paw hair coming out of her ears.

She is a beautiful long hair kitty!

Cookies Cookies Cookies

2009-05-01T18:25:00.000-05:00

Baking for my kids is something I really LOVE! My mom taught me how to bake and it helps me stay connected to her. My second oldest child (Aidan) had a Literacy "Tea" at his school. He recited poems and helped act out stories. All the kids had such fun. Then the kids sat down in proper fashion and the parents and teachers served them "tea" (really kool-aid) --but it was in the cutest little tea set. Some of the parents, myself included, made cookies to serve.

I make sugar cookies that my kids really go ya ya over. It doesn't matter how I cut them or decorate them. .....and I do them lots of different ways. They always taste great. This is how I did them for the "Tea". If you would like the recipe just email me and I will add it to the post.

They are yummy!

My Hubby Surprised Us With A Get Away To Natchez!

2009-04-24T10:33:00.002-05:00

Original Family Loom c. 1800's

Hello from the

Indian Village

12ft Hand carved Windows

at Long Wood

Yes, We have four blue eyed Blondie's!

The fish really were jumping out of the water for the bread!

Hand Carved Wood! Not Plaster

Is this beautiful or what?

My sweetie and the two princesses!

Natchez

We so enjoyed our surprise get away to Natchez. My sweet husband, who is never ever able to break away, surprised the kids and I with a quick get away to a B and B in Historic Natchez. We stayed at Cedar Grove in the Old School House Miss Lou.

The kids were in heaven. A BIG country breakfast every morning and then straight down to the pond to feed the fish. Wonderful nature trails. Rolling hills and beautiful scenery everywhere. We visited an old Indian Site which I have added pictures of . We also visited Long Wood, the worlds largest octagonal house. Built in the 1800's. Only the bottom floor was finished because of the war. I couldn't take pictures of the finished areas, but they let me take pictures of the unfinished floors. The architecture is stunning.

Country Life!

2009-04-24T10:04:00.001-05:00

My husband and I have decided that country life is the best for us and our four rambunctious children. The small town, the fresh air and friendly faces are great for the kids. We live in the heart of the historic part of town, so it very easy for our oldest son to ride his bike to art lessons every week. Ball practice for the second oldest is a two minute car ride to the park.

There are always family friendly things to do. The kids enjoy playing in our yard that is filled with huge 100 year old Oak trees, and Magnolias.

My husband is a Bio-Chemist/ Nuclear-Chemist (wow) and I am a Designer/Couturier --Our childeren are an interesting combination to watch.

I started making the cute little sandwich bags per my husband's request to break to kids wasteful ziplock habit. So......I came up with something that made everyone happy. Looks and function for the kids. Fiber content my husband and I agreed on.

Now, on to the next request. Chris wants water proof, food safe bags with oraganic outer shells for camping.

Coming soon..........