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Artist: John Sloan

Welcome Sugar Pie! It’s Christmastime at The Farmh0use! But first we need some music! Once again my music source is no longer available (boo hoo!) So darlin’ put on your own favorite Christmas carols, light a candle, and get something yummy to drink! If you were to walk into my home I would want to greet all 5 senses of adorable you! The scent of fresh evergreen, cookies baking, twinkling lights, Bing Crosby crooning “White Christmas”, a cozy fire and a warm hug! Ya gotta make life fun! So are ya ready? Come on in, let’s ring those jingle bells and celebrate the reason for the season!

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“A Barnyard Christmas” seems fitting since Jesus, the Savior of the World, was born in a lowly stable (Read Luke 2). Because of His lavish love for us, Jesus left the splendor of Heaven to come to this earth for the purpose of rescuing our souls! He knew He had to give His life to save ours, and yet He came…all because He loved us so much that couldn’t bear the thought of living without you and me throughout eternity. There is no greater love than this!

“The cattle are lowing, The poor Baby wakes,

But little Lord Jesus, No crying He makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus; Look down from the sky,

And stay by my cradle,Till morning is nigh.” ~Away in the Manger

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Years ago when we built our home, we planted several fir trees because they’re pretty, especially in winter, but also, so that I could cut fresh evergreens from my yard to decorate with! Here they are mixed with glowing twig lights…

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The Turn-of-the-19th-Century style lamp was given to me over 20 years ago. It used to be shiny brass…don’t be shocked but yes, I painted it white…I couldn’t help it…you know how I love white!!!  It’s looks more farm-housey that way. Anyhoo, that’s how I like it!

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Mr. Cow print was purchased last summer at The Vintage Marketplace in Rainbow, California. For fall, Mr. Cow  hung over the fireplace mantel, and now he’s here in my entry to greet everyone with a “Moo-ry Christmas!”  :D

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On my mantle I have two $6 dollar tinsel trees I bought a few years ago from Hobby Lobby on sale. I decorated each with pom-pom trim and placed them in vintage buckets tied with muslin scraps. So easy and so cheap!! I just keep using what I already have in different places in my home. Sometimes my hubby says “is that new?” and I say “nope, it’s just in a new place!”.

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The pom-pom trim looks like a garland of marshmallows! Now I’m hungry!

“It’s a marshmallow world in the winter
When the snow comes to cover the ground
It’s the time for play, it’s a whipped cream day
I wait for it the whole year round!” ~ Carl Sigman

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I have about 8 white pitchers that I keep moving around my house too! You can usually find them very inexpensively at T.J. Max. They look great in all seasons…empty or filled with flowers!

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More frosty white!

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Did you know you can bleach your own Bottle-brush trees? Oh yes you can! It’s so easy too! My adorable friend Maryjane from The Beehive Cottage shows you how, click here! After they are bleached and dried, take a foam paint brush and dab on globs of Mod Podge , then roll them in glitter. You can hot glue jewels, beads and balls to gussie them up even more. You can make them look real fancy by tucking them into a china tea cup, or silver cream and sugar servers. The candle is fake but looks real in person! (QVC!)

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What do snowmen eat for breakfast? FROSTED SNOWFLAKES!

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Although I enjoy changing things up for a fresh new look I also find great comfort in decorating for tradition sake…like my little snowy village…farmhouses…a little white church…and a barn with twirling square-dancers. This happy little town brings happy memories of Christmas past.

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A chalkboard is a delightful way to proclaim goodness to all who read it!

A simple heart-hugging message can bring hope, love and joy!

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This is why my heart sparkles with joy!! It’s Jesus…He is everything WoNderFuL! I LOVE HIM!

To know Him is life changing. I’m so thankful God sent His Son!

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“A little child…a shining star…a stable rude…the door ajar.

Yet in that place, so crude, forlorn, The hope of all the world was born.”

~Author Unknown

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Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

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Come on into my kitchen!

Someone said “The kitchen is the heart of the home”…I agree! Especially at Christmastime! It’s the place where all the warm aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, apple pie, spicy clove and orange pomanders, sugar cookies and supper cookin’ swirl throughout the house making each heart swoon and eyes sparkle. It smells like love. The kitchen seems to be the happiest room in the house.

auntruthies“There’s no place like home.” ~Dorothy


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I love creating little vignettes…little scenes that tell a cozy story.

What’s yummier than hot cocoa on a frosty winter day?

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If you were here I’d make ya some!

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Each season I like to write a new word on my twin-head-board-turned-chalkboard (with blackboard paint from Home Depot). Did you know that the word NOEL means CHRISTMAS? I just found that out. Seriously. After all these years. I knew it was a pretty french word but never knew what it meant. Huh! I’m still learnin’ stuff!

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The First Noel (Christmas!! ;D), the Angels did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

(Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas ;D)

Born is the King of Israel!

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I found out too that if you wet the chalkboard or dip your regular white chalk in water before you write on it,

the lettering will come out sharper and brighter after it dries.

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I dolled up my baking center with red gingham, roosters and candy canes…

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Red gingham…because it’s so cheerful, farmy and makes me happy…

milk-glass roosters ‘cuz I’m a farmgirl at heart…

and candy canes ‘cuz they are so Christmasy festive!

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I got my red gingham platters at my friend’s wonderfully, adorable shop called The Farmer’s Wife in Temecula, California.

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Here’s my favorite new thing!! I’ve been wanting a vintage chicken feeder for a loooooong time! I’ve seen so many cute things you can do with them! Well, on my last junkin’ trip to Boliver, Missouri, with my darlin’ sister-in-law Linda, we found one at Pappy’s Antiques and Cakery! She bought it for me ‘cuz it was my birthday! I took it home and scrubbed it clean with bleach, soap and water and stacked it with my little collection of vintage ironstone platters. I also tucked in a few itty-bitty milk bottles and added candy canes. Miss hen is patiently standing by waitin’ fer feedin’ time!

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Recently I decided to paint the top of my table white (what-do-ya-know!!). I love the new simple, clean, fresh look. Plus when I use  my place-mats they just look pretter! I’ve been busy simplifying my house. I’ve given away lots and lots of stuff, including a wagon-load of Christmas decorations…only keeping my favorite things that make my house feel like home. It’s a good feeling.

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“The Yule log is big and sturdy, a last gracious gift from a big old maple. The family is all here, the house buldges. The smell of pine and buttered popcorn, of mince pies and bayberry candles is all through the house, and most pleasant.” ~ Gladys Tabor

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My fall decor included this strand of white lights for a “Barn Dance” feel…now they remind me of the lights strung overhead at a Christmas tree lot. It brings back so many memories of taking our kids to go pick out a tree. I have lots of home movies of them running through the “Forrest” chasing each other. We would get a pizza on the way home, make hot cocoa and eat Christmas cookies and listen to Christmas music while we decorated the tree. My kids faces glowed as bright as the fireplace as they unwrapped treasured ornaments to hang on the tree.

family-photos-042Ahh! The good old days!

family-photos-071Why do kids have to grow up so fast?!! My three older ones are married now and my baby Summer Rose is 14! I guess they grow up so that I can have more kids to love…my daughters and son-in-love, Kimmy, Tiffany and Glen…AND…my wonderful grand-babies Johnny & Kade and two more on the way!! I’m thankful for my family!

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“The cheery warmth of the blazing fireplace sets the tone, and the evergreen smell of the decorated Christmas tree fills the air along with the music. We can almost hear the angels singing!” ~ Emilie Barnes

I would show you my Christmas tree, but I don’t have it yet! If the good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise we will get it this weekend!

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Well, a barnyard would not be complete without a little piggy! Here’s Penelope, all dressed up for Christmas!

I had this garland of red jingle bells and simply hung it across the cupboard.

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Last year I made these “snowballs” out of Styrofoam dipped in diluted glue, then rolled in clear, frosty glitter. It was a fun project with my daughter Summer Rose.

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Well darlin’ , lastly I’d like to leave you with this thought…the best thing to decorate your home with is love! With love as your centerpiece, your home will sparkle with joy!

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For more Vintage Inspiration head over to Common Ground and enjoy Deb’s linky party to view tons of adorable ideas from her darlin’ friends! Click Here!

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I also joined another fabulous linky party over at Craftberry Bush! Come check it out here! And Here at….

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The Lettered Cottage! Head over there for tons of inspiration and joy!

I sure hope you enjoyed your little visit with me! I would so love to hear from you! May your heart be filled this Christmas season with the love, hope and joy of the Lord!

“You have to look for the joy.

Look for the light of God that is hitting your life,

and you will find sparkles

you didn’t know were there.

“~ Barbara Johnson

God Bless your darlin’ heart!

Aunt Ruthie

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