Christmas Gift Idea

I just used an old window frame.

I am going to put up some of my past Christmas presents, just for idea's, if you need a gift. I took windows that had 6 panes. I measured each pane and cut the scrapbook paper to fit the window. Be sure to measure each one. I found that they did not all have the same size pane. I used colors that each family had in their home. A favorite thing I like to do when I am scrapbooking is to use my sewing machine! I just can't help but sew somewhere on a page. I tried to use some heirloom embellishments that had meaning to our family. I used old lace and buttons. I then told them stories behind each little item. I like to use Picnik to put messages on the pictures. I used lots of scripture, sweet love notes, their names and sayings. I also like using little tags that get hidden behind pictures or journaling pages.

All because two people fell in love.

This page had a prayer for the boys. I love leaving them words from my heart, so that they will always know what they truly mean to me. I like to take a paint brush and kind of make fun little swipes on the pages.

All through the year I take pictures of the kids. Whenever they come for Grammie and Poppa Camp I have tons of opportunities to get wonderful pictures that their parents never see.

Using themes of interest for each family really personalizes the gift.

My grandsons were all looking at Peace Creek not very far from our farm. It was such a wonderful picture for this verse. I put the verse right on the picture.

1. Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

3. He is like a tree planted by streams of water... Psalm 1 1-3

How I pray that my grandsons will hide this in their hearts and live it. I want strong trees that will not be tossed to and fro.

Making envelopes is another favorite for me. Inside my Phil and I wrote a blessing letter to their family. It will always be there for them and they will never forget how much they are loved by us.

Another frame I did for one of our son's family.

All because two people fell in love.

Our son has always called his son "little man". Putting words of endearment makes

the gift very personal.

When I shot the picture here the little stars on the top left must of fallen off. I didn't notice. Oops!

Daddy and daughter picture. Momma and daughter picture.

Another Peace Creek picture.

Another blessings letter.

Hope you enjoyed this scrapbook idea. I had told one of my blogger friends

what I had done and they said I needed to post about it. So here it is!!!!!

Blessings,

Linda

Week 4 at Stutzman's Greenhouse

This fountain was right in the center of the greenhouse when you walk in. It was so beautiful all lit up. They spray painted it white. Then they sprayed adhesive on it and sprinkled glitter all over it. It was amazingly beautiful in the evening with all the lights.

Just imagine this at night with, only Christmas lights. It was so pretty. I would like to make some stars like this for my farm. I think I need to talk to my Mr. Phil. I'm "thinkin" he can help me. smile!!

Cute snowflakes. I really like this look. Hmmmm. I need to do this also.

I took a picture of this wreath in the evening and it didn't turn out. A lot of the pictures I took in the evening didn't turn out. Made me very sad. I am so sorry, but just know that it was beautiful. They had Christmas songs all evening with live musicians. Very pretty.

Here we are on Sat. morning at Stutzman's Greenhouse.

Larry said to start with a long evergreen garland. Lay it on top of the mantel. From here you are going to build your design. It was really fun to watch what he did in about 5 minutes time. He took large evergreen/pinecone picks and started on the left hand side. If you look at the picture below you can see how he would slip them in the existing garland. Some picks went up and others were bent along the front.

On the right hand side he put an old phonograph. It really looked neat on the mantel. He said

find anything old. He sprayed smaller evergreen picks with gold spray paint and used those through out the design. Lots of red clusters of berries and gold bells were used. Larry kept telling us to continue to just layer the items you put in the evergreen garland. It looked very pretty when he was finished.

Here is another mantel that was done in browns and really neat corrugated stars. The box to the side was to be used with a framed picture of your family inside or whatever you would like.

Staircase class

Use a long evergreen garland. Start at the top of the staircase and work on down the top of the rail.
Continue to bring the garland down the top side of the rail, using the evergreen sprigs and twist like a bread tie to the rail. Very simple.

Go down the side and then bundle the garland at the bottom in a little pile. It is amazing what he will do with this.

After the garland is attached to the staircase, he started by adding a flower spray at the end. He just builds all along the top of the evergreen garland going backwards.

He started putting large evergreen picks all along the top.

Larry took real long single strands of ribbon. Start at the top of the rail and go all the way down the top. Use the evergreen sprigs to tuck around the ribbon.

Very pretty.

Take a very large bow and attach it at the beginning of the rail.

He then took another flower spray and tucked it into the bottom pile of the evergreen garland. It topped the design off beautifully. I would never of thought of it, but it was so pretty.

This little white bird was my favorite ornament at Stutzman's. I bought 3 and will find a special little spot for them. Not sure what I am doing yet. Any ideas? They just look like little doves to me. Peace is what I think.

I enjoy going with my daughters. I know that one day all these classes will be put to use. I enjoy my girls so much, they are my sweet treasures.

Our time with the people at Stutzman is always so much fun. I wish you could all hop on a jet, and come with me next Friday night for the Grand Finale. It starts at 5:00. Please come!

I found out this last week that my little sister is coming to see me and our momma. I will be ready for her. Can't wait! We will do some mean sewing I am sure!!!!!!!

All afternoon I started working on my front porch. It is almost done. Hoping that some of my lessons are going to help me out. I will keep you posted as to what is going on. I am so excited for Christmas. How about you? I am asking the Lord to use me to bless some people that I don't know. I am also asking that when He does,He is will impress on me who they are! Does that make any sense? I know that there are so many that are hurting and without jobs. If each one of us could just be sensitive to their needs, we all could make a huge difference!

Blessings sweet friends,

Linda

THANKSGIVING 2009 RECIPES

  

I have a box that I keep all my decorations in. I enjoy taking out this little Thanksgiving set every year. It has been used ever since the boys were little. So many wonderful memories of explaining the Thanksgiving story to the boys, our daughters and now the grandchildren. I know there will be a day that I won't have the dinner at my farm, but as long as I still have it I am going to use this little set and will keep telling the story.

Our son's just can't have any holiday meal with out orange jello/tangerine salad.

One of our grandson's came prepared to put little decorations on our plates. We always have the 5 kernels of corn to remind us of the sacrifices that was made for all of us Americans. We also go around the table before we eat and tell 5 things we are thankful for. It is a precious time. The little card said:

The Legend of Five Kernels

The first winter the Pilgrims spent in their new home food was very scarce.

Some days there was only enough for five kernels of corn, From then on,

every Thanksgiving the Pilgrims put five kernels of corn on each plate to

remind themselves of their blessings. Let us also remember!

The first kernel reminds us of the Autumn beauty around us.

The second kernel reminds us of our love for each other,

The third kernel reminds us to be grateful for all we have (I would put for all the

Lord has given us).

The fourth kernel reminds us of our friends.

The fifth kernel reminds us of that we live in a free Country.

Since I only have one oven, this year I put the turkey in frozen the night before on at 200 degrees. A friend of mine who also has a large family said that by noon it is ready and would fall off the bone. She was right, it was the best turkey we have ever had. Very moist.This is a must recipe at our table. Mr. Phil's momma, Grandma Jo made this every Thanksgiving and Christmas. When she died I was the one that kept the family "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner going. I felt so inadequate that first year, but with Grandma gone, life was devastating to all of us. Grandpa was so lonely and we were just trying to hang in there with our older sons and walking the grief with them. Anyway I had a list that Grandma had left in her cookbook of all the times that each pie had to go in, the stuffing and so on. We live in Grandpa and Grandma's house now. Yesterday I worked with my daughters side by side in Grandma Jo's kitchen. Teaching them, so that one day they can carry on the same traditions.

Grandma Jo's Cranberry Salad

1 large box of Cherry Jello

1 package of cranberries (12 0z.)

1 1/2 cup hot water

2 jonathan apples with peels

3 oz orange concentrate

4 oz. walnuts

3/4 - 1 cup sugar.

Using a food processor, process the cranberries set in a bowl with the sugar and let the sugar dissolve. Process the apples and walnuts add to the cranberries. Pour cherry jello into a

bowl with the hot water. Make sure that the jello is all dissolved. Add the orange concentrate to the cranberries and the jello mixture. Pour in a decorative bowl, place plastic wrap on the top and set in the refrigerator. I like to make this the night before. It is soooo good!

The girls text each of their brothers to see what they wanted for a pie.

They already know what pie the boys want, it is just another way to let them know they are loved!!! This is a picture of the Coconut Cream Pie

This is the pie crust recipe that we use, because it makes 5 single pie crusts. We have to make so many crusts, so this recipe is fantastic.

Never Fail Pie Crust

3/4 c. flour

3/4 c. cold water

3 tsp, salt

4 c. flour

2 c. shortening

Mix 3/4 cup flour, cold water and salt well and set aside. Blend 4 cups flour and shortening. Add above mixture to this. Keeps 3 weeks in refrigerator in wax paper. Makes 5 single crusts. Bake. 425 degree for 10 minutes.

Coconut Cream Pie Filling

1/3 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar

1/8 tsp, salt

2 c. scalded milk

3 eggs yolks.....(3 egg whites used for Meringue) 

1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup coconut 

2 T. butter

Combine the flour, sugar and salt. Stir in milk. Cook in double boiler until thick. Add coconut. Stir in egg yolks and cook a few minutes longer. Add vanilla and butter. Cool and put in cooked pie shell. Cover with meringue and sprinkle some coconut over the top before you cook.

Meringue for Pie

3 egg whites

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

6 T. sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Beat in sugar, 1 T. at a time,

continue beating until stiff an glossy. Do not under beat. Fold in vanilla.

Peanut Butter Pie

1/3 c. peanut butter

3/4 c. powdered sugar

Blend peanut butter and powdered sugar in a food processor.

Sprinkle 2/3 of this mixture over the bottom of a baked 9" pie shell.

For the filling use the same custard pie filling from the Coconut Cream Pie

above. Spread filling on top of the peanut butter mixture.

Cover with meringue. Use the meringue recipe from above and bake. Sprinkle the remainder of the peanut butter and powdered sugar on the top of the meringue.

Grandma's Pecan Pie

1 unbaked 9" pastry shell

3 eggs

1 c. Karo dark corn syrup

1 c. sugar

4 T. butter, melted

1 tea. vanilla

1/8 tea. salt

1 cup pecans

Beat eggs slightly. Mix in Karo syrup, sugar, butter, vanilla and salt, then nuts. Pour into unbaked shell. Bake in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. Set oven temperature control at 350 degrees and continue baking 30 to 35 minutes. Filling should be slightly less set in center than around edge. Grandma said to put pie on next to the bottom rack. So that is what I did. It turned out perfect.

These are absolutely the best rolls. Very airy because of the cottage chesse, but you don't taste the cottage cheese.

Cottage Cheese Rolls

2 pkgs. yeast

1/2 c. lukewarm water

2 c. cottage cheese (small curds)

1/4 cup honey or brown sugar

1/2 tea. salt

1/2 tsp. soda

2 eggs

4 1/2 c. flour

I like to use a large tupperware bowl with a lid. Sprinkle yeast in lukewarm water. Let sit till dissolved. Heat cottage cheese in microwave until lukewarm. Combine cheese, honey or brown sugar, salt, soda, eggs, yeast/water and 1 cup of flour with a spoon until batter is smooth. Gradually add enough flour to make a soft dough that leaves sides of bowl. Place dough in greased bowl and let rise for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Turn dough onto lightly-floured surface. Cut dough into 24 equal parts. I just use my kitchen scissors and cut pieces off the main dough. Place in 2 greased 9"x 9 pans. Let rise until double in size (45 minutes). Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Use small bread pans to make mini -loaves for submarine sandwiches. They are real pretty for parties. Arrange leafy lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, black olives and green peppers on a large platter. Place little bowls of mayonnaise, and mustard in the center.

A KANSAS SUNSET SO BEAUTIFUL.

Here is a picture looking west of our house. I can not believe it is the close of another Thanksgiving. What memories we have all tucked in our hearts. All the grand-children but one were able to spend the night last night. It was like the "Walton's" going to bed on steroids. Children all over the house!!!!! Giggle, giggle, giggle!! They had so much fun. Today we have some special things in store. First thing this morning the boys went out to my little studio barn and got their plastic boxes. I gave them each a 99 cent box and filled it with their own scissors, glue, crayons ....... and such). This helps me so that they have their own "stuff". We even take the boxes on trips when we all go together. They keep all their treasures in them. They cut out snowflakes and snowflakes and snowflakes......... need I say more? Little teeny tiny cut papers alllllll over my floor. How I thank the Lord for vacuums......... and grandchildren!!!!!

Tonight at Stutzmans will be a "preview". I will take lots of pictures. Can't wait!

Now I have to get serious about making gifts and decorating for Christmas. My favorite time of year!!!!!!! I love the story of the birth of my Savior. I will never get tired of hearing it. Let the SEASON begin! I can't wait to come to all of your blogs and see what is going on. Tell me if you have anything special going on your blog. Pleeeeeeease! I love decorating. I will have some tutorials of things I will be making for my grandchildren.

Blessings,
Linda

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND MAY THE LORD BLESS!

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to

Him and praise His name"! Psalm 100:4

Dear Ladies,

I trust that tomorrow will be one of joy for you. I do know that there will be some that will have a hard day. We here at Prairie Flower Farm care and want you to know you are being prayed for. We are asking the Lord to make Himself real to you and that He will supply all your needs. Thank you very much everyone that makes my blogging such a joy. I truly love it and I am so thankful that You are all in my life!!!

As we sit around our Thanksgiving tables, please don't forget the military families, that have given up so much for our protection and ask the Lord to continue to protect them.

Blessings,

Linda

Farm Girl Sharing

Turnips!

My" farm friend" Gail and her son who live on a farm about 3 miles from our farm came and brought me some turnips this morning. I like them raw and my dad likes them cooked in soup. So today is Soup Day! I will do up some bread and he will be so happy. I think that turnips

are just so beautiful!!!!!!

Trusting that all are enjoying getting ready for Thanksgiving. Just know that I am so blessed and thankful for everyone of you!

Don't forget that if you have not signed up for the drawing for the Tea Cozy please do so.

Blessings,

Linda

Fun at Stutzman's, Week Three

I feel like I have one foot into decorating for Thanksgiving and the other in Christmas! Anyone relate?

Larry will show you step by step how to make this wreath with a little picture frame. I had an idea to take a family picture and put it in a frame. Just an idea!

Gather all the supplies that you want to use, even if you might not use them all.

Take the picture with the hanger and tuck the hanger in the top front of the grapevine wreath. Bend the hanger into the grapevine and secure.

This is what it will look like.

Start poking in the picks. Evergreens and lots of berries.

"Cutie Kim" and Larry attaching a bow, they work so well together! They really do! hehehe

I really like these kind of stars.

Larry said again, "think out of the box". Use different things like wagons, milk cans wheelbarrows. This could be used at the entrance of your house or even in a corner in your house.

They have every color of these bells. Really like them!!

Take a ready made wreath and just start adding more picks.

This is a silly snowman in an old bath tub.

They will be decorating a lot this week for their "Sneak Preview of Evening Aglow on Nov 27th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you live in the area you need to come. You will not be disappointed!!!!

Blessings,

Linda