Almost year’s end…it’s been a time for giving thanks and preparing for a homespun holiday.

As the year winds down, each day is a gift. Some mornings we wake to find the days are unseasonably warm with clear, vibrant, deep azure skies; other days are gray with the sound of rustling leaves and the soft tapping of rain on the roof. And while the garden has long been put to bed for winter, now is also the time to plant garlic for the next year. The cycle continues as one season slowly moves toward another; each with its own beauty and rewards. However; no matter the weather, as we move closer to the end of the year, we can sense a change, and find many reasons to pause and give thanks. 

As always, this time of year brings a swirl of activity. We find ourselves planning menus, making lists, sorting, cleaning, shopping, and preparing for the weeks that lie ahead. We’ve made lists, lost lists, remade lists, and then started all over again!

Raised on a generations-old dairy farm, a dear friend is an old-fashioned soul like me, and so we’ve decided that this year we’ll slow down the pace just a bit, keeping things simple and more personal. We’ve chatted back and forth and have come up with a few ways that will work for us…all the while remembering that each family is different, with their own handed-down traditions to look forward to. So as the saying goes, “You do you!” Sparkle, shimmer, and swing dance through the days! However; on our two farms, we’ll be doing a lot less two-step, and more soft shoe!

For family dinners I think I’ll toss a homespun cloth on the table and pass on the “fancy” dishes, instead using simple pottery. I can dress it all up with greenery, orange bittersweet found growing along an old fence, green hedge apples from a neighbor’s field, and mini white pumpkins.

The old Yellowware bowls will get a sudzing and be paired with Redware plates. I dusted off a pair of McCoy stoneware bowls that should be just the right size for holding votive candles. I think I’ll even light the handed-down oil lamps for a little rustic glow. 

The table centerpiece will be a Mason jar oil lamp I made ages ago…so simple, if you’d like, you can make one in no time at all!

Supplies you’ll need:

Hammer & awl, or drill and small drill bit
Canning jar
Canning jar lid & ring
Glass or ceramic wick holder (available online or at craft stores)
Wick that fits the wick holder
Clear lamp oil
Optional: rosehips, pine cones, cinnamon sticks

1 – Use either the hammer and awl or drill and drill bit to make a hole in the center of the jar lid. Make the hole large enough to fit the wick insert. 

2 – Slip the wick through the glass or ceramic wick insert and place it, wick first, into the hole. The lip on the insert will keep it securely on top of the lid. Place the wick into the jar, trimming the length so it rests at the bottom of the jar.

3 – Arrange rosehips, pinecones, or cinnamon sticks inside the jar; fill to within 1/4-inch of the top with lamp oil 

4 – Secure the lid and ring. Trim the wick to 1/4-inch, trimming more if needed to keep the flame at a safe height. 

You’re done!  I’ll often set the jar inside a glass hurricane…it’s not only pretty, but is safer and keeps little fingers away from the flame.

Planning holiday meals is a big part of remembering the past. My friend and I talked about our handed-down, tried & true recipes and all of the happy meals shared together. And of course, how the aromas fill the house! Is there anything that says “home” quite like the comforting, almost nutty aroma of bread baking in the oven? Unless of course it’s the savory scent of a roasting turkey or brown sugar-glazed ham!

In late October I found myself with oodles of green cherry tomatoes still in the garden, and with a heavy frost in the forecast, I just knew the plants couldn’t survive. What’s a farmgirl to do except grab a basket and pick as many as possible! Luckily for me, I have an old family recipe for Dilly Green Tomatoes…now I have plenty to enjoy and share throughout the holidays.

It’s one of a handful of handwritten family recipes I have, each one recorded in blue ink on index cards that are at least 50 years old. And while each card is stained and fading, each one is treasured, bringing back tender memories. 

Here’s a must-have recipe that’s jotted down on one of those old index cards…Kingston Potatoes. No one knows where the name came from, and you know, it doesn’t really matter. We just know it wouldn’t be a holiday dinner without them! A family recipe that’s decades old, many of you may already make them. They’re so easy to prepare, so buttery good, and you can adjust the ingredients any way you’d like. They can also be made ahead to save time.

Kingston Potatoes

8 to 10 potatoes, peeled and diced
8-oz. pkg. cream cheese
3 T. butter
1 c. sour cream

Add potatoes to a stock pot; cover with water. Bring to a boil for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Drain water and place potatoes in a large bowl, then mash using a hand masher or potato ricer. While potatoes are hot, stir in cream cheese and butter. Once blended, stir in sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste. Either enjoy right away, or if making ahead, spoon into a lightly oiled 2-quart casserole dish; cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. 

When ready to serve, place the casserole dish into a 350-degree oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until heated through. Serves 6-8 (maybe, they go quickly!)

Another friend enjoys what she calls a “turkey trot” after family dinners. No, not the footrace that’s become traditional in some areas, but rather a “grab your boots or shoes, pull on a jacket, and come along for some fresh air” kind of trot. It could simply be wandering a path through the woods or strolling through your neighborhood. She says long gone are her days of feeling frenzied as the year wraps up…she’s gathering with family and friends to simply savor the days. She also says it’s a great way to work off some extra calories!

It’s a chilly afternoon where I am, so I’ve tossed some logs on a small fire in the kitchen fireplace. Another simple way to keep home cozy. I’ve always loved this old fireplace, and wonder at its history from times past – the meals prepared over it and the gatherings that must have surrounded it over the last 160 years. But you know what? No matter if a kitchen was built in 1864 or 2024, it always draws everyone in like a magnet…it’s truly the heart of the home. No fireplace? No worries! Light several small candles and group them together for that same warm, welcoming glow.

The days darken about 5:30 pm now, so a walk around the farm to tuck everyone in for the night is in order. Our dog is always by my side, supervising each step to make sure everything is done “just right” – goats get their treats and chickens have a little warm mash to chase off the evening chill. Once back inside, with tail wagging excitedly, she knows it’s time for a treat of her own. 

It’s these small details of daily living that give us the sweetest memories. I think long after the fire burns down and the leftovers are enjoyed, it will be a subtle fragrance or familiar sound that will bring back all of these moments.

As we’ve recently paused to give thanks, it seems like the perfect time for me to say a heartfelt “Thank you” for making me feel so welcome this year as your Rural Farmgirl.

Truly, a dream come true, it’s been a joy to read your comments as I share a little of what’s happening in my part of the world. It’s also been wonderful to read what you’re doing as well…we can encourage and inspire each other as we share the sweet & simple things happening no matter where we are!

My next post will be December 24…Christmas Eve!  

Until then Sisters, take care of yourselves and each other. Let’s focus on what makes us happy, instead of rushing about, stressing about the holidays, and having them turn out decidedly un-fun. 

We need to enjoy
every
single
moment.

No comparisons, no expectations, simply knowing that we are perfect just the way we are.