I painted the round box in 1991 and filled it with potpourri. It still has a faint scent. The chair and pillows have been around our house many years, also.
Shiny Brite ornaments in the lamp, artist Judy Westegaard’s platter, and a Santa from our collection of over 100.
Yes, that’s right, we have over 100 Santas, collected over 30 years! We only know this because a niece counted them one Christmas long ago. Some of them are collectible, others are homemade, all of them humble examples of the “Jolly Old Elf”.
Atop the hearth room cabinet, a barn board sleigh and papier maché deer.
The “flatty” Rudolph is one of the old Christmas things we brought out this year. So many of the decorations in this post have fallen out of style favor. For us, each one holds memories that mean so much.
I am so happy Barb of The Everyday Home asked BPM to be a part of Farmhouse Christmas 2013. We’ve downsized Christmas the past few years, so this Christmas is a bit of a departure. It’s been fun going through storage and putting together Christmas at our house, this year.
Farmhouse style means different things to different people. Many of you have heard our farm story, but I want to add it to this post for new readers, because it fits the theme of this tour.
For us, farmhouse style reflects a lifetime of Missouri farming and farm living. J spent most of 58 years of his life living on the family farm and working there. After we were married, we lived in the back pasture of the farm for over 20 years, until the farm sold in 2003. J’s parents purchased the farm in 1944, J was born in 1945.
1.Bob Timberlake cardinal throw was a gift from us for J’s mother over 20 years ago. Ticking stripe pillow is Ralph Lauren from HomeGoods.
2. Merry Christmas pillow, Kijsa Houseman.
3. Sleigh Bells Ring pillow, Sutton Place Designs.
Work in progress…
Another oldie but goody, ceramic Santa and Mrs. Claus warming buns beside a wood stove while a Christmas pup naps.
Back Porch
Father Christmas
He’s about 25 years old.
I adapted a doll pattern for his body. His head is made from a pair of pantyhose legs. I sort of sculpted the features and used blush for his face. I made his coat from a tattered quilt found in a box of quilts bought at an auction. There was just enough salvageable quilt for the coat.
The head piece is a grapevine wreath embellished with flowers. His boots are felt. Doll spectacles and fleece beard and trim for his coat were added, plus a bag filled with a flag, twigs and small toys. He used to have a stand. I don’t know what happened to it along the way. He just fits this little chair in the breakfast room.
Father Christmas is one of the relics we brought out of storage for this Christmas. He used to make an appearance every Christmas at the farm and fits right in with A Farmhouse Christmas 2013.
We toured this beautifully restored 19th century cabin, last weekend as part of the local garden club home tour.
Walking through the door was like stepping back in time.
Trees in crocks on the front porch of the cabin.
The cabin is furnished with beautiful antiques and new handmade pieces using historic techniques.
Barn wood walls and barn beam mantels, as well as floors made from old barn wood, are features of the cabin.
This table was built by Missouri furniture maker, Jim Stubblefield. A table by Jim Stubblefield is on my wish list. The top for this table is one solid piece of wood.
The chairs were built by Missouri artisan Ralph Quick of the Windsor Chair Shop, Clarksville Missouri. We have two Windsor rockers built by Ralph Quick. They are treasures. You will see those chairs in J’s Christmas lodge soon.
The cabin was a dogtrot style cabin, originally. When the owners moved it to the present location, they widened the dogtrot to make room for the kitchen and a bathroom. The bedrooms are in the original structure.
A sleeping loft is above the kitchen and pantry. In the background of this photo you can see a doorway leading into a bedroom. A quilting frame including a quilt in progress, is seen just inside the door.
The cabin was and is a part of the family property.
Gas fireplace in the back sitting room. This room has windows all around and a beautiful view. The big Christmas tree is in the sitting room.
O Tannenbaum
Confessions of a Plate Addict
Stone Gable
Back Porch Musings
