Howdy Rebekah!
I just saw the first crocus sprouts rising out of the ground beneath a mound of snow yesterday! I have three large flower which I putter around in every year but my new thing for this year is to grow an herb garden in containers. I’ve had a book called Little Herb Gardens on my shelf for sometime and this is my year to get going. Some things I’ll plant from seed ( the book tells you which herbs do best started from seed or seedlings). It’s perfect for the novice Herb Gardner.( Me ) I have plans to add to the flower beds and my veggie garden is moving more towards the front of the house where it will get more sun and grow in raised beds! I did a little post about the Herb Gardening book this morning!

PS. I made your Red Velvet Cake for desert yesterday. It was a hit! Thanks for posting it on your other blog!

Happy Growing…and Beach Blessings,
Deb

Thank you! Every year I vow to start a garden in the Spring, every year I remember this vow in June. In the midwest, it is still too early to break ground but not to peruse seed catalogs. I think this year will finally be the year my garden will emerge! By the by, what other blog do you have….I’m always up for a new Red Velvet recipe!

Oh I am dying laughing at your joke! Recently in the fabric store I saw the PERFECT fabric for a small ROUND table. I had a "senior moment" as I stood before the YOUNG cutting lady. She said, "How much yardage?" I was mentally trying to calculate it quickly. I absently looked at her and said, "I’m trying to remember pi," and she said, "What does pie have to do with it?" …At that point I told her I’d be back later with measurements, and left.
YOU are "younger people", but it seems most younger people have no concept of basic math. That worries me.

Oh I am so sympathetic with the snake phobia. I actually moved my family to a new house because of that reason. Someone told me moth balls keeps them away, so if I ever see one again, I’m sure to try it, or other forms of snake repellent. Not about to give up digging in the earth. I’m ok with worms. If they’re not too big. 🙂

it is time to start planning that garden the seed catalogs are out like wish books for the garden and I love looking and planning even if most of the time I plant the same stuff. this year might be different there are alot of things that I never tried to grow that I would like to this year. and last year we had a pumkin carving party so this year I want to have a pumkin patch for the grandkids so they can plant and grow the pumkin they carve. I love the garden not only to help with the cost of food but when I put on my apron it makes me think of my grandmas and my 80 year old mother still helps me can. and there is nothing as nice as seeing your pantry filled with homecan goods. Thanks for what you wrote always makes me smile and most of the time it brings back memories.

There won’t be any garden this year since the plan is to move so that my DH can finish grad school elsewhere. It pains me to think of no garden.

We had put in raised beds because we live in town and the soil here is a terrible hard clay. (It’s so hard that they use it to make tiles to put on the space shuttles.)

I purposefully pared down my seed catalog consumption this year. Still ordered the Baker Creek Seed one though. Love the glossy prints, the wonderful varieties, and their safe seed pledge. New this year is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. With you living in Georgia it has plenty of varieties that would do well for you. http://www.southernexposure.com/

I hope you post lots of pictures so that I can live a little vicariously.

Hi Deb! Your garden plans sound great. I hope you’ll be showing it off on your blog. Glad you liked the Red Velvet Cake. Wish I had another piece right now, for breakfast!
Hi there, Meredith! Yours sounds great as well. I’m always so impressed with the ingenuity of Farmgirls! Awesome!
Hi Judith, Here’s the recipe (can’t do a hyperlink):
http://www.rebekahteal.com/2011/02/velebrate-valentines-with-velvet.html. Hope to hear more from you about how your garden does. Looking through all the catalogs and limiting myself is one of the hardest parts of gardening!
Hi Sherri! Now, your garden sounds amazing. I haven’t tried kohlrabi, but know someone who grows it–I’ll ask her more about it. Spring here too–69 yesterday!!

Hi Brenda! Love your words about your Grandma; it’s the same thing for me. Transports me. Listen, we planted pumpkins at our moutain farm one year and had so much fun with something. When the pumpkins were small, we each barely scraped our names in the side of them, can’t remember what we used to do that, but don’t break the skin. Then as the pumpkin grows, the name does. Totally cool.
Hi Kimberly! Marigolds are one of my favorite flowers, so I’ll surely plant them this year. I haven’t noticed that they help repel bunnies, but maybe if I plant more. I’ll try it! Will try the other ideas too for the deer. I’m hoping to put up a fence, but if it is expensive, I won’t be able to. We’ll see.
Hi all8garden! I can sympathize with the no garden thing. When I gardened on my deck, I used earthboxes. That’s the brand name. They did a fantastic job. I recommend them highly. I harvested a lot of veggies from a small space. Google it and see what you think. Thanks so much for the link to the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. I’m going to check it out!
Hi Anglea! Thank you so much. I love that picture of my grandparents. I had never seen it until recently. They look so happy. And peaceful–with 10 kids! The last few days here have been glorious. It does feel good to get out some. The warm weather will be to you soon!
Thanks everyone for such wonderful comment-versation!!!!! Love you all!

I love this site. My friend shared her magazine, so of course I had to come look you up! I have a small garden, My Granddaughter who is 4yr old, Anela, helped me plant every seed in it. She says it is her garden now. Hopefully my garden will be bigger next year. We have some chickens so I am trying to teach my grand children about the farm life! They are mesmerised with each thing I show them. Actually the Anela was in my baby chick pen this morning to play with the chicks that about 4wks old. She says they don’t have enough room. she was all in a ball I couldn’t help but laugh. Loved all the other comments, keep gardening!

Hi Rebekah!
I love this post! I am a hanger on to most, and a passer- on to others. We did a trip down memory lane sometime when our daughter was 10 too… I love that you reminisced together with reading allowed!
You and I share a love for many of the same books and I recently did a post on books as well.
I say the more BOOKS the merrier!!!
Here’s the link! http://www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.com/2010/01/book-ish-delights-sunflower-houses-give.html
Beach Blessings,
Deb

Hi Rebekah,
My alltime favorite childrens good is Secret Garden. My fifth grade teacher read it to us and I have watched all the movies. I have 3 or 5 different copies, one illustrated by Tasha Tudor, whose books I also like. As to throwing away a book, who would do a thing like that? I work in a public library and we accept donations of books in good condition. I also collect cookbooks, at time I had over 300. But alas, we moved into a mobile home and I had to get rid of some. Books have allways been my escape. Keep on writing about your farmgirl life, I enjoy it.
Margie

Gee, I forgot to include myself in that mix. I have a 36×36" bookcase in the kitchen with cookbooks which I love to read. A must for Tasha Tudor lovers is her cookbook. It’s beautifully illustrated. I also have a good collection of quilt books and magazines! ( I do quilt, but probably don’t cook as much as I should) We’re just a book loving family all the way around.

I am definitely a hanger on. When my three girls had grown out of their books we went through them together and they picked out their favorites to keep. I ended up keeping quite a few others that none of them wanted. We now have them to read to our grand children. One of my favorites was Ping the Duck. I also have kept the Childcraft books from my childrens youth and have them for the grandkids to look at. My books.. I do not to part with a few.

Wow, I just signed on to MaryJanes site and love the city girl post. Since I grew up near Chicago, never got to be a farmgirl till I got here. First article I read is about books – my favorite topic. I too am a "horder" of books, they are in every room of my apartment. Keep buying more bookcases to hold them. My niece also has this passion and her husband built her a wall to wall bookcase in the living room. When I go there it is like visiting a library. Mine need to be decluttered though. I have gone thru them so many times and cant part with them. I did do this once, it was when I moved from my little house to this apartment. I actually had two big boxes of books that I took to the library so that I could at least visit them 🙂 Now I want to rearrange the second bedroom to a guest/library room. At work we had a book exchange where we could just drop off our books and take another one. We tried this twice and someone always got rid of them. What a fit we threw, you just DONT throw away a book!! Unheard of. So we have complained again and we will see what happens. Lots of women readers at work.

One thing I wish I still had was all of my Golden Books. When I was a child, my mother would stop in at Walgreens where she waited for the bus home. On payday she would buy me a book – 25 cents back then. I had soooo many and when I moved away, they disappeared. I think some went to my niece, which is good, others who knows where but I miss them. 🙁

So I am soo glad to know there are others out there like me who love their books. I would still like to buy The Nook but never give up my Book.

My favorite to read to the kids (besides all of Dr. Suess) is The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. It is a book about a little house that gets swallowed up by the big city, Sorry Rebekah,no offense intended. It’s just a great book, with fantastic illiustrations. MY favorite however is Anne of Green Gables (the whole series, not just the first book). I reread them every year, around springtime. I can’t wait to share them with my daughter.

I am a hanger on to it person. Books that I love or magazines or crafts I just can’t seem to let go of.My son’s books as children I now have for my grandchildren to enjoy but I think I enjoy them more than they do. There are a few I read and pass on but most seems to find their way back to my house. And those 25 cent books are now over $2.00. I too love the feel of the book in my hand and spending time in a bookstore is one of my favorite things to do. I as for the bargin bin I hope the authors take it as a chance for some to read their book that maybe wouldn’t have at the regular price. I love reading your articles it is almost like reading a good book please don’t stop. And if you are writing a book good luck and let me know so I can get it.

I love this post. The only books I have ever given away were the Stephen King novels I used to read as a teen-ager. I have moved across the country (Canada) twice and both times at least half of what I brought with me were books…I got rid of all my furniture but could not part with a single box of books. We have many of the same treasures…my kids have all loved Blueberries for Sal and Stranger in the Woods and of course all Dr. Seuss…
We also LOVE Julia Donaldson: Room on the Broom, the Gruffalo, Squash and a Squeeze, etc. and I love reading the Little House on the Prairie series with my kids. I say you can never have too many books!

Recent reads have been Bill Bryson’s ‘The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid’ about growing up in the 50s (makes you laugh out loud while reading) and John Grisham’s ‘The Confession.’ My sis got me a book for Christmas that’s next – Homer’s Odyssey – about life with a blind feline. See? Already sis is sharing the reading love… 🙂

I love Rabbit Hill, Wind in the willows, the bang bang family, Harold and the purple crayon, goodnight moon, Mr. Poppers Penguins. Those are older books but my kids and my favorites. Happy reading. Bonnie

I agree, save those books for the grandchildren — that day will arrive sooner than you imagine! The arrival of grandchildren I mean. Most books I save, some I have had for 40 years. Those are the precious ones. Those that I am not attached to I swap on paperbackswap.com. Give it a try!

Yesterday I went to the library to pick up a requested cookbook about gluten free cooking. I walked out of there with a stack of 6 books. I am weak, just can’t turn down a book!

Sandy

Reading your blog brings back memories of books shared with my daughter. I had breast cancer when she was 6. We went through the Little House books when I didn’t have much energy from chemo to do anything. Then there are the boxcar children series and my favorite Anne of Green Gables, because you see once we got started with me reading aloud we couldn’t stop even after I was well. I know I read with her until she was in middle school. She and I both love books. I have my library in this house, she has hers.Hers will be the library for future grandchildren. And she and her husband are starting one for themselves. Half-Price bookstores are their favorites. They are very green.I am finding myself buying used books that I once bought and let go because now i miss them. Yes,I soooo know where you are coming from.

Ahhh, the lure to keep all those precious books. I have culled our collection more times than I can count, but the ones we continue to hang onto are the Little House Series, all books by Elsa Beskow (who was writing at the same time as Beatrix Potter), and our collection of Christmas stories added to through the years.

Has this post elicted the most comments ever? I am amazed and delighted that so many wonderful memories revolve around favorite children’s books. It’s been so much fun reading everyone’s comments! I was also suprised that there are at least 3 Bonnies responding to your posts. Not a name I run into very often. Anyway, Rebekah, it’s been a really enjoyable read! Thanks. Bonnie B

I can’t leave this post without one more comment. A great place to find books very inexpensively is at our "Friends of the Library" book sales. They have 2-3 days every month where their own store is open and 5 rooms of shelves are loaded for sale. Most books are $.50 – $1.00. There are some exceptions. They also have DVDs, CDs etc. Children to teen books are .$25 – .50. And there are also bagged "collections" that are free for the taking. Who knows what you might get. Such fun. Maybe some of you will want to see if your library has such a program. Warning – it can be addictive!

Gone Away Lake and Return to Gone Away. Hands down my all time favorite. Nothing better than curling up with an old favorite.

My friend is Charlie..he is a year older than me at 52. My mom got him for her 18th birthday, and I glommed onto him. He is an old stuffed droopy hound dog with a teardrop in his eye and a rubber? face….He used to have a squeaker in his ear and he was white with really soft curly fur. He is now very dirty gray, now has no fur, no squeaker, torn ears and barely any pad left on his paws….but he still has the teardrop…and I still love him dearly. We always say..just like the velveteen rabbit…any stuffed animal loved that much just has to be real. I loved your post…and it brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes too.

Rebekah, Thanks for the nice blog. My best friend was a 24 inche doll with curly blonde hair and rubber hands. Every single finger had a bandage where the stiffing was coming out. One day I left her outside in the sun and when I found her she had a permanent tan. Oh, how I loved her. I could sit down and ball just thinking about her. One day, my Mom threw her in the trash because she was so bad looking with the tan and all. I had a meltdown. I cried and cried and demanded we go to the dump to find her. We never did go. Sad times they were. I was mad at Mom for a long, long, long time. Isn’t it great that your Mom had Seddy and that you have him again. Knowing how important something is to someone is such a wonderful bond. Many happy returns. Thanks DIanne PS I also can cry when I hear or see JT!!!

Only a year ago my mother found, and returned to me, my favorite doll as a child . . . my Betsy Wetsy! She is probably about 52-55 years old by now, and I still love that little girl and her little pink dress made by my great grandmother – Ma Cook. How little we realize when we are young, how much these things will mean to us in our second childhood! Thanks so much! Becky G. in GA (FG Sis 1941)

When I was 7, my mama got me a pink puff a lump ( a 80’s toy) and from then on, we were the best of friends! It went with me everywhere, and every time we moved, it was right by my side. All through my teen years and early adult it was on my bed. It is packed up right now, we are in between homes right now. But that is the first thing I am going to get out when we unpack everything!

I find your words powerful and sweet. My friend was also a bear, light colored blue. His name is Jazz. I still have him and he is also missing some important parts. I replaced his eyes with buttons when I was 10 or so. They have long since fallen off too. Perhaps I should sew some more buttons on so he can see again. 🙂 I keep Jazz on a high boy in my guest bedroom. I know he is safe there.

I also have my childhood bear. He is not very big and has one of those rubber faces with a sad mouth and his eyes painted on closed. He is made by the Knickerbocker in this good ol’ USA and the tag also says he is washable but I am afraid to wash him because he might fall apart. His fuzzy hair is half missing and since I am 53 I would guess he is too. His name is Boo Boo, only reason I can think I named him this is because I loved the Yogi Bear cartoon when I was a child. This was a sweet post and I certainly will check out the cupcake recipe!

Rebekah, thanks for your post, I no longer feel silly for loving my "Blahs" to this day – 3 baby blankets my parents purchased before I was born. I swear, they have their own personalities, and nothing else can comfort me as much as their warmth on my feet at night (can you believe, they only reach to my knees but I once used them to play dress-up. Over the years they have lost their edging, have changed from white to a grey-ish color, and I think one is about to disintegrate, but when I get married, they will be coming with me under the guise of "for my future children" 🙂

Thank you….that was a wonderful post…I love the ‘randomness’ of it!

Aw, that’s delightful! Life is made up of the small moments, no?

And HELLO, you are GORGEOUS without makeup! Seriously, between you and MaryJane, I MUST know how y’all keep yourselves looking so young and glowing!

Nice post,
Gen

This is such a fun post. I know you didn’t ask, but my favorite photo is the birds on the fence. About 2010, I say good riddance!

Thanks Rebekah! I’ve been gone for a while. Somehow fell off your blog post. I forgot just how much I love your post. This is my first in a while and I feel like I’ve missed an old friend. Thanks for all the great thoughts and pics. I love the cow!!! Thanks also for celebrating your year with us. Looking forward to catching up with the older posts that I’ve been missed! Happy 2011!!!

Hey Rebekah!
Thanks for the peak at your 2010… We had our share of everything in 2010 but it ended on a high note and I am feeling very optimistic about 2011! Yep, you and Mary Jane DEFINITLEY have that farmgirl glow happening! LOVE IT!

See you here next time…
Love and Beach Blessings,
Deb

Great blog! I loved the way you presented your year in such an interesting and random way. The photo of you and MaryJane is beautiful. I feel blessed to have found this community of like-minded women. I appreciate what you do and always find inspiration in your posts. Have a great 2011 and keep us closely informed about your undertakings and adventures.

LOVED your post and the photos. Especially enjoyed you selections of out of the ordinary / non-typical pictures for various months. It gave me a new ways to look at the months. You are inspiring! My favorite was the one of your mother-in-law with your daughter…a very touching, poignant moment.
Thank you for sharing your gifts, Rebekah!

I have meant to write to tell you how delicious your Orzo recipe is! I took it to our church potluck and what a hit! How about sharing your Lentil Soup recipe? Loved this post! Keep up the good work. You stretch my mind! Happy Solstice!

Amen to you! And Merry Christmas too!

I am so moved by this post. I thank you for writing it.

OH my goodness! Am I dreaming? Do other women enjoy these activities? Many many years ago I got together with a small group of free-spirited female friends. We reserved the local indoor pool (after hours, with appropriate FEMALE lifeguard). We turned off most lights and put candles all around the pool. Most of us removed bathing suits upon entering the water. We celebrated changing of the season into Winter; we drank a little wine; we celebrated Rosa Parks and other brave women we admired; one lady brought a DRUM to poolside and gave a little rhythm to the songs we sang (in and out of harmony). When it was time to close, we prayed for each other and gave thanks for those who went before us so that our night of celebration was now possible.
This may not sound too interesting to all of you, but it is a night I will never forget.
Thanks for reviving a wonderful memory.

OK- so here in central Ohio- as usual there was no way to see the eclipse through the clouds. Although my understanding duaghter was MORE THAN ready to be awakened in case there was a chance. I love the idea of celebrating the seasons- it is yet another way to CELEBRATE the HOLYDAYS that are among us. Yes we are Catholic as well, I may be able to get the horses to hang with me out in the cold tonight- but will get some heavy eye-rolling from sighing from teh rest of the family. Proud of you for making it important.

Thank you for sharing hour winter solstice experiences with us – they were enjoyable. This is my favorite day of the year since from this day on I know the days will be getting longer each day!I love the slower pace of life that winter brings. It gives me the time to reflect, create and plan for the return of the sun in Spring. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and thank you for all of your wonderful blogs during the year – they are a joy!

I’m late in saying so, but wanted to say this post is wonderful. How very touching. Thank you.

Hi Rebekah,

Enjoyed your post. I used to go to Lenox mall when I was a child to ride the pink pig. That felt like Christmas then.

Now, my husband and I love to stay at our "farm" – our house in the country where I garden and he does his art – for the holidays. This year I’m finally putting up a greenhouse, so I’ll be spending long hours poring over my seed collection and getting some newbies started.

I love the long winter nights when I can read next year’s seed catalogs and dream of spring gardens.

We’ll put up a tree, bring some holly in from the yard, and open some jams and pickles we put up last summer. We’ll do presents and call family and friends, but probably our favorite tradition now is relishing the solitude and restoration we find in having a quiet Christmas at home.

Happy Holidays!
Laura

This was a wonderful article. I think often we have "christmas" pushed at us so hard by all the retail/commercial scenes, that we have to fight to not lose the meaning to Christmas.
By the time December gets here many are all ready done with all the decorations/music & pressure that have been thrown at them since September/October.
I intend to not stress & fret over Christmas this year. I will be thankful for fun times spent with the family.
Baking cookies and other treats to share with friends. Finding other family memories to create that don’t center around the latest gizmo or gadget that "we have to have" if we believe the all the commercials.

Less is the key this year for me…less family, less baking, less decorating, and that is fine with me. Been kind of fun doing more for others who’s needs outweigh mine. I know that isn’t a humble statement but it is the reason for the season.

Well, I know exactly what you mean. Our family is always in danger,this time of year, of missing the "good stuff", because of the pace that seems to come with Christmas. My favorite way to keep Christmas is to celebrate the Advent season. We get hot chocolate and read our Advent story and light our candles (sometimes there’s a blazing fire in the hearth) But, for 20 minutes, every night for a month, we are all together….really together. We also home school, so I work in time to make cookies and paper chains.
I’m in agreement, less is really best. Have a Merry Christmas!!

Loved this Rebekah! I think Christmas is what WE make it at home and what we open our hearts to seeing during the season. Not what is shoved at us from every possible angle months ahead of time. Maybe it takes getting a little older to realize it, I’m not really sure, but here it is December 7th… I haven’t purchased one gift ( I have a house full of loved ones to buy and bake for though )nor is my home decked out for the holidays… yet… This year I decided I’m having a SLOOOOOW and Creative Christmas…I baked my first ever ( from scratch ) pumpkin pie via Mary Jane’s Farm mag recipe and instructions last night by the light of a kerosene lantern as we wait for the last phase of our kitchen remodeling to be done …LIGHTING… ( that’s tomorrow)… anyway, the game was on in the living room, and I was alone in my almost finished kitchen baking and enjoying the smells and the quiet… it was lovely… and you know what? It FELT like Christmas to me! The tree is in the yard waiting to be brought in and decorated and I know right where my decorations are when I get ready to pull them out and get to it…For a different touch on our Christmas we’ll be adding some beachy shells to our traditional wreaths to celebrate the beautiful place we call home near Cape Cod…. and friends will be coming by for an early Christmas Brunch on the 19th….My hubby has dusted off the Christmas music ( that’s his thing ) which now rings through the house from now until the New Year arrives… I’d say we are all set!
Merry Christmas to you and thank you for all of your wonderful words through out the past year!
Look forward to more in 2011!
Beach Blessings~
Deb

ps. That post on Zen habits? WONDERFUL AND ON POINT!

Thank you for including it in yours…

Beach Blessings,
Deb

My husband and I have two barely grown children( early twenties) and two much younger children (ages 7 and 11). When our older two were little, my husband and I repeated a lot of what we had grown up with, which was commercialism and materialism. We did this without really thinking; it was just tradition. At some point, however, as our two youngest grew from babies into toddlers, we began to make changes in our thinking, and thus our traditions. ADDITION by SUBTRACTION became our goal. Last year, I knit something for just about everyone, not big things, but thoughtful things like neck cozies, berets, and organic cotton washcoths accompanied by a fragrant soap. I also had dates with my two oldest, eating lunch out with my daughter and getting her hair done at her favorite salon, and eating dinner out with my son and shopping with him for a cordoroy blazer. My husband picked out age appropriate wood working tools for our two youngest, since that was (and still is) a major interest for both of them, and then (this is the important part) he and they spent time together making items with those tools. This year so far, we have watched a gorgeous amaryllis grow from a plain brown bulb right before our very eyes. We also sketched it and sent the drawings to my grandmother in another state. We are reading Dickens’ Cricket on the Hearth, a little every day, which transports us back to a MUCH simpler time in terms of contentment. I have a decorated shoe box on the kitchen table which has the countdown to Christmas on the lid (I change the number every morning). When my little guys wake up, they check the box to see what I have put in there, which are activities that involve togetherness: 3 games of rummy, baking gingersnaps, hot chocolate for breakfast, etc. This gets the focus off getting "stuff" and on to time spent together enjoying the season. Once you adopt this mindset, it’s amazing how easily you detect the traps of commercialism and come up with an alternative plan pleasing to everyone in the family!
Merry Christmas!
Kathy

I can definitely identify with your mall stall, Rebekah! After working retail for 10 Christmases straight, I truly needed a "Christmas Break". The joyful season was no longer joyful for me. So for the past few years, I have been on a Christmas detox. Family presents are exchanged at Thanksgiving, I send Happy New Year cards instead of Christmas cards to a few friends I don’t see very often, decorations are minimal, my husband and I take our vacation the week of Dec. 25, and I DON’T GO TO THE MALL! Your message should be shouted from the rooftops: Less IS Best!! I loathe what the Christmas season has become for so many: a Thirst for Things! Every day of our lives, not just at Christmas, should be like our Saviour–meek and lowly, kind and compassionate, with a heart for others. So I applaud all you sweet Farmgirls who are slowing down the pace and spending your time making memories with family and friends with simply LOVE.

All one needs to do is spell Christmas to themselves and focus on the first six letters…and then the volume of the noise and busyness is shut out. Nothing is more "natural" or basic than focusing on the real meaning…CHRISTmas. Linger on that thought for as long as it takes to rekindle where all the joy began. The rest of holiday festivity is WONderful, it makes for a great contrast between celebration and a quiet peace…the kind of peace that drowns out the noise of the world and the hollowness you mention.

I love the holiday festivity…all of it, every corner, but if it were not for the birth of an infant King, there would be no Christmas. "White Christmas" would never have been made…Oh, now that would be awful! Stockings would never have been hung. No carols that make you feel at peace just by singing them, no Santa legend, no sparkling evergreen tree. Without Jesus, the "holiday" is just a shopping spree and the results offer no lasting or meaningful joy. I wrote more than I intended. I’m for all the wonders of the Christmas Season with THE central figure being, well, central. Merrrrrry Christmas everyone. Shery

Rebekah,
Thank you so much for all of your blogs through-out the year. I look forward to them all, but this one really struck a chord with me. I have been not feeling very Christmasy this year. In trying to have a simple Christmas, I kept decorations down to nothing and only sent out a few cards and very little shopping. Christmas was always very fun and exciting when my children were home. Even when I was a single mother with little money, it just seemed to be Christmas when my children were involved. It has been especially rough since my daughter Shannon moved to South Carolina with her Army Husband four years ago. We always enjoyed decorating and baking together. I did fly down to Columbia, SC on December 15th to go with my daughter to a very important doctor appointment. We finally got a referral to a specialist off of the army base for her chronic lyme disease. She was bit by a deer tick over 15 years ago and was never properly diagnosed until almost 2 1/2 years after. The best Christmas present ever was a doctor that finally knows what she is going through and did not tell us we are crazy! She has started IV anti-biotics and I am saying a little prayer that it helps her. We did get a little time to do some shopping and bake some cookies and decorate. I came home on the 20th feeling pretty Christmasy! I can always decorate next year! A very Merry Christmas and Hopeful New Year to you and yours!

Like you I fall for my husband and tomorrow is our 14th wedding anniversary. It is my second marriage, the first left me with three little girls to raise on my own. Then came along this awesome man that married me and moved into a house that included 3 preteen and teenage girls. We are now grandparents of 6 and I fall for those grands harder than anything. They make me smile more than I have ever smiled my whole life. I am enjoying their childhood more than I could enjoy my daughters childhood. I was a farm girl growing up, lived 30 years in the city and am now back to the country life and am settling in. I have a dozen chickens that are laying now and one has become a sweet pet. We are gardeners,were even in the city, and you are right it does take a lot of time to put those fruits of your labor up. But it is so worth it. Happy Fall!

This summer I made tomato sauce. It took about 45 pounds of tomatoes to make 6 pints. I kept thinking, how is this worth it. It isn’t simple or inexpensive at all! Last night my daughter called to tell me that they had eaten a jar of the spaghetti sauce that I had canned and that our 17 month old grandson Jack hadn’t spoken throughout the entire meal, he was too busy eating! This daughter (who was raised on Air Force Bases, not the farm) who will not eat the eggs from our chickens, talked about how fresh the sauce tasted. She loved it! My attitude about canning changed in a moment! I can’t wait till next summer to can some more!

I fall for my husband and kids every day I am blessed with their presence.I also fall for everything in the world around me, the beauty of the ocean I look out on everyday,my amazing garden that feeds my soul and my tummy,the little birds that come to the feeders everyday and so many other wonderous and simple things in this world.
I also fall for writing,beautiful words strung together to give you a small peak into someones soul.Thank you for sharing.

Rebekah, you can line a big flat box with newspaper and lay the green tomatoes in there and cover with another layer of newspaper. Check every day or two and you can get some of the tomatoes to ripen and turn red. Not as great as ripening on the vine, but better than having too many green ones. Thanks once again for the wonderful post.

Set them out in one layer in a cool dark room and you’ll have tasty ripe ones maybe even until christmas.

Im a 24 yr old & my husband 23,we got married as teenagers & for our fifth anniversary this august. We decided it was time to start trying for little ones. Im very excited to see what parent hood has to bring as a little scared to be a young mom. I hope the changes that you experience, grace me too. I love the farm girl movement and everything about it. I love vinegar on my hands, dirt under my fingernails and the feel of yarn in between my fingers. I can’t wait to start my family fresh with a new lifestyle. Im also doing my best to share it amongst my young friends & co-workers. I wish my world was organic.

Thank you for sharing with us !

Hey Rebekah! Your vampire soup looks de-lish… might be too pretty to eat! I love your tradition of creating home spun memories of your own with SOUP!I share your love of making soup for certain occasions. When ever we have a guest fly in from various points of the world, I always put on a big pot of homemade chicken soup, complete with honey cornbread and a salad…Our guests always enjoy a warm bowl of soup after a long day of traveling and it’s light on the tummy too! I put on a pot of Chili or we make meat ball subs on Halloween! I’m looking forward to seeing what your farmgirl readers dish up in the way of soup recipes!

Happy Halloween!
Deb

Rebekah, Thanks so much for sharing the harvest soup recipe. I bought a beautiful pumpkin tureen recently and I’ve been looking for just the right recipe to ‘make & take’ for our Thanksgiving get-together.

In regards to your request for soup recipe suggestions, many folks love potato soup and there are gobs of good recipes. The addition of yummy dumplings or ‘fat’ noodles takes potato soup from being a "comfort food" to much more interesting. I like the firm sort of dumpling…chewy, Spaetzle style. VERY easy to do too – eggs, flour, salt – then drop them in teaspoon size ‘glops’ in the hot soup for about 10 minutes before serving. My mother prefers the soft kind that are like floating raft of biscuits. You drop larger glops of biscuit dough into hot soup until you cannot see liquid. Cover the pot and let the biscuits cook for about 15 minutes – until the tops are dry and done looking. These are good with just about ANY soup or stew. You’ve got your bread and soup in the same pot. Serve it up with a large ladle and include a couple of biscuits in each bowl.

I look forward to checking back to see the other recipes that are sure to come. LOVE soup!
Shery

How about a pumpkin or butternut squash soup? There are many great recipes online. Allrecipes.com has some good ones. Enjoy your party!

I just made an amazing Potato Leek soup. Here’s the link:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/potato-and-leek-soup-recipe2/index.html.

It does have a little bacon which gives it a great smoky flavor, but I suppose you could omit that. Happy Halloween!

Sounds like a wonderful tradition! My little one is five, so I have the pleasure of being totally into halloween this year. I love your soup idea, and i make a mean chili that goes great with grilled cheese ‘sammiches’ so I think I will borrow your idea so there is a nice hot pot to come home to after all that walking and candy-getting.

Another idea for a soup is a brunswick stew. I am from Brunswick co., VA, and I KNOW how to make a mean stew. I even have a variation that doesn’t require i knife and fork to get through it. Just email me if you’d like the recipe. And thanks again for such a great tradion idea.

Happy Halloween!

Cream of Mushroom and cream of turkey with Wild Rice. yum.

The soup and recipe look great!
There’s one I enjoy making for a crowd that is so easy. Brown some smoked sausage (turkey should work fine) and add onion. Put in slower cooker with cans of broth (I use beef, but use what you like) and cans of drained Great Northern beans. Cook on high for one hour, then on low until you are ready to serve. Everyone loves that soup!
Happy Halloween!

I was about to suggest White Chili, but I agree with the Pumpkin Soup. Since the party is for Halloween, do the Pumpkin Soup and top it with toasted seeds from the pumpkin. Serve it in hollowed out little pumpkins. Have fun!

Minestrone! I have a family recipe that is out of this world. I’d share, but don’t have time to type it. Perhaps I can email it with an attachment? You’ll do it again and again.

Patty, I hope your soup turned out delicious! Those were the beet greens. I chopped them up and added them to the soup. Yum! And so good for you!

Delicious! I made the soup. So GOOD!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. When I was 41 I had my very first mammogram and that’s how it was found. So, get your mammogram!!!
I decided I wasn’t going to sit around and feel sorry for myself, so I started a Charity called Because There Is Hope "Faye’s House". We offer lodging to cancer patients that come to Spokane, WA for treatment. We currently have host homes where volunteers in the community have opened their homes to the patients. Our ultimate goal is to have a house "Faye’s House". We are currently raising the funding needed to have the home through, donations and fundraisers.
I never dreamed that I would have breast cancer. But, I did not let it stop me from helping others.

hi rebecca,loved the post…When I was recently at our Barn Yard Days event,they had scarecrows made up all in pink with spray painted pink pumkins for heads and pink pumkins all around,it was awsome,but my camera broke and I did,nt get any photos,it is a wonderful event here,and all of the companies have things you can purchase in pink.As for your daughter,some of us had mothers that tried and failed,mine tried,and I still had a wild streak.But,I diffinately think that you did the right thing with the instructor,I wrote a similar story on my blog about good grooming and the underpanties story.Women showing there underwear is a real pet peave of mine.So,I would feel the same about the instructor.There can never be enough information out there about breast cancer awareness,I just wish there was the same out pouring over men,since I lost a dear male friend to testicilar cancer.Take care of those girls,and that girl,good job,blessed be,carol branum

Such a great and timely post Rebekah! I’m so glad you took that responsibility to protect your daughter so seriously and took the time to follow through with your concerns. Even though my personality would be to let things go when my girls were young, I knew that if I didn’t stand up for them and protect them, there may be no one else that would. We have to set aside our insecurities to be the role model our children need in this changing world. They are great mothers today and are modeling those same attributes to their daughters and follow through with their concerns too. As far as breast cancer, I have not been personally touched by this disease in my family, buy some of my friends have been. Race for the Cure is a terrific organization of knowledgeable people and survivors coming together to support each other, and I try to support them too in all the ways that I can.

While I would normally have no trouble with that as "dance practice" attire (hopefully changed before out on the street), and have a tat myself, I am so with you that if the girls were required the teacher should be the example par excellence not the exception. I saw the same thing at each of my older sons’ 8th grade promotion parties. There was a dress code for the kids that the teachers didn’t live up to! Seriously! And sadly at my church there are girls with skirts way too short and I know their dads, who are *leaders* in our congregation! Not fair to the young men, like my sons, who are taught to be gentlemanly to girls who dress like they’re at the beach! (We live near one, but that’s no excuse for that kind of clothing choice at church of all places.)
I have 3 boys and just the one girl…she and I both wear skirts all the time with what we call "modesty shorts/pants" or leggings underneath…for her esp cus she likes climbing etc, for me cus I hate stockings, and for both cus they are just more comfortable as well as better coverage. I try to help her see/feel the diff of dressing modestly…besides being courteous and feeling feminine it’s also more comfortable than having skin showing everywhere…

Yesterday was my 4 year anniversary of my diagnosis with breast cancer. I was 57. Thank you for again stressing the importance of mammograms…it cannot be said enough. My breast cancer was found ONLY in a mammogram, so tiny it could not be felt by the radiologist when she was on top of it with ultrasound. The tiny 6mm was removed in a lumpectomy and I only needed radiation, no chemo, to give me a 98% chance it will not return. But the other way to take care of our bodies is to stay fit and healthy and at a weight appropriate for us. When I was diagnosed I had just lost 95 pounds with a healthy eating and exercise program. The radiologist told me that if I had still weighed 240 pounds, the chances of a mammogram detecting my breast cancer so early would have been slim to none. So along with your mammograms and self exams, really look at a lifelong committment to getting and staying healthy and active!

Breast cancer has had a big influence on me of late. My coworker and friend was diagnosed in April of this year. All summer she has been going through chemo and this Friday she will be going in for major surgery. She is the first person I’ve known and been close to that has gone through this. It’s almost surreal watching her struggle with the side affects of chemo. It’s like even though she’s told me she has cancer, even though I see her tired and sick, even though she’s lost her hair, I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that this person who sits right next to me almost every day has cancer. It’s been inspiring because I think that her positive attitude has lent some normalcy to the situation and this is why it seems so unreal that she has cancer in her. She goes about her daily business. She’s a mom and a woman and like all of us, she does what needs to be done. I’m very proud of her.

As for taking care of my girls, I don’t have any girls to take care of yet. I will say that I agree that is up to each of us to be a positive role model for the young girls around us, and not just our own daughters. However we can only do so much. I think you’re wrong in saying that we can’t let them mold themselves. They will be their own people and they will make their own decisions regardless of what we do. I would never want to raise a daughter who wasn’t independant enough to think for herself. All we can do is show them the good paths to go down. It is up to them to make the decision of what paths they will follow.

thanks so much for writing this piecs, rebekah. i am recovering from breast cancer and thought your piece was so timely and sensitive.
my hope and prayer is that one day we will be able to have targetted treatments and women will be able to keep their "girls". i miss mine,(and my eyebrows,too), but i feel so lucky to be alive and able to share this wonderful life.
thanks again for your words, rebekah, i have enjoyed reading your blog in the past, but just never left a comment.
love,
frannie in texas

My daughter who turned 40 this past summer has been a joy to me and I am sure our talks over the years were not always welcomed by her but she listened and sometimes agreed. We kept the line of communications open and she is doing the same with her daughter…..

Being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 at 58 was hard to hear. Lumpectomy, radiation, and medication have been the order of the days that followed. Today I work hard at
eating better and being active….oh, and yes one more talk with my daughter…get your mammogram.

I have tried to instill a strong sense of self worth in my daughter, teaching her she is valued because of the wonderful girl she is, not based on possessions, appearances, or boy friends. I think she got it, she has become a very confident loving person that I am so very proud of. No fears, she will be OK when she goes out into this old world.

What a wonderful post. I can’t say enough how thankful I am to read and know that others are willing to stand up for what’s right when it comes to our children. Yes, perhaps ballet attire might be a small thing to some, but often those small things can have a huge impact. My 10-year old daughter’s teacher recently hosted a campout for the kids in her class. It was also an overnight event at the school and I found so many moms curious about what was to take place, yet none of them would ask the teacher. I stepped forward and asked for an agenda. If someone is going to have my daughter for 17 hours, I want to know what they plan to do during that time. Who will chaperone (strangely enough, no parents were allowed), what are the sleeping arrangements, how are you securing the school, can she call home if she gets homesick? Sadly, the teacher was obviously not happy with my asking, and provided only a sketchy agenda. You’re so right…it IS up to us to take care of them. They count on us, they need us, they deserve the best we can give them.

Thank you Rebekah!! My daughter and I are committed to and participate in yearly breast cancer fundraising events . . those that require the commitment of lots of money and time and travel. You can read about our 2010 adventures on the Farmgirl Connection, under "ACROSS THE FENCE", titles "IN IT TO END IT . . .FARMGIRLS FOR THE FIGHT". And, there cannot be enough awareness or enough self-care and teaching for others!!!
THANKS FOR YOUR POST and the reminders!!!!
CJ

Had to chime in late to say "AMEN!"

Thank you for the post! Breast Cancer awareness is so important. This month I had my gymnastic girls wear pink leotards in honor of Breast Cancer awareness month.

I share your love of autumn! It’s always been my favorite season, a time to finally rest from the hustle and bustle of summer and harvest. We’re 2 weeks past our first normal frost date and no frost in site (although I have my floating row covers and extra sheets ready to go save tomatoes!). But our ash trees are turning colors (yay!) and my sunflowers are in full, glorious, autumn-yellow bloom! Combine that with a family of scarecrows, 2 sheafs of cornstraw and a little wooden wagon pulling pumpkins and squash in my front yard, and we’ll just enjoy these stolen days of summer and the extra tomatoes and green beans to boot! Kind of a "count your blessings" and "Be Thankful Always" attitude as befits autumn!! (smile)

Autumn?? Yesterday Los Angeles was 113!! Beverly Hills was 119!!!!

Nope. Haven’t found autumn yet–it’s 107 here in sunny California! However, with your excellent suggestions, I now have hope of finding it. Thanks so very much for such an inspiring blog today! Sure do have a hankerin’ for my Tennessee roots, though….

Autumn seems to be coming and going here in Maine. One day it’s 57 and the next it’s 85. I’ll be glad when I can pull out my wool sweaters for real.

Maybe you’d like to check out my autumn memories on the farm. This is a wonderful time of year, especially in areas of the country where we have a multitude of colorful foliage and frosty nights. http://farmgirlheritage.blogspot.com/2010/09/autumns-colored-leaves-memories-on-farm.html

Every day on my trip into work, I see how the trees have changed color. Yellows have been out for a while, a bit of orange and this week the deep reds have shown up.
On my Saturday visits to the local farmer’s market the variety of fruits and vegetable has slowly been changing to fall the fall: apples, pumpkins, corn stalks, winter squash, fresh cider to name a few. The hummingbirds have left for warmer climates, and the ducks and geese have starteed to gather for to begin their migration.
Yes, it is fall……and I hope it lasts for at least another month.

I love autumn too, but like your neck of the woods, it hasn’t arrived at my home either! Still warm and humid at nights. But, I changed my window boxes to the fall flowers, hung up the welcome signs with pumpkins, scarecrows, etc, and decorated the inside of the house too. Feels a little colder around here — but that’s in my head — it really isn’t. I made broccoli cheese soup and bread to herald the anticipated autumn, but alas, it was 85 and humid! Oh well, the soup was good, even if sweat was pouring off my face.

I tried for the first time last year the candy corn and peanuts…. YUMMMM!

Hello Everyone,

Don’t know if anyone else has tried your MIL’s Autumn snack mix, but I found at a local big box store(don’t know if I can say the name on here)but it is delicious…it not only has unsalted peanuts & candy corn, but also candy-coated dark chocolate pieces & yogurt-covered pretzel balls!!!!Talk about a great snack!!! And the candy is all Fall colors so it looks great in a candy dish…Happy Fall Ya’ll!!!

Oh yes! We’ve got it now in New England. My favorite time of year is here!

I’m going through and reading every one of your posts! BEAUTIFUL!