"Angel Unawares"

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

(photo by Ana, "A Petite Cottage")

I was pleasantly surprised when I read Ana's post this morning! I have been muddling over the JOY issue for the past couple of weeks and even wondered out loud "what has happened to MY joy"?. (That is one of the issues that inspired my previous post about being "too busy")

Are you like me and find yourself so tied up with family issues and multiple other outside events that you forget to take that precious, much-needed time for yourself and REfuel your spirit with JOY? Every day is holy! We needn't be sorrowful, for the JOY of the Lord is our strength (Neh 8:10). Today I am making a conscious effort to REfuel, REplenish, and REfresh my spirit with JOY. If you will all join with me today, there will be JOY unspeakable...

Ana also had a surprise for me in her post! Be sure to go over and take a look at what she has been up to! http://apetitecottage.blogspot.com/

Today, Ana has been my "Angel Unawares" (Heb 13"2)...thank you, Ana.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

How BUSY are you?

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Right now, I am busier than.....

A beaver in a tsunami...

A 3 legged dog...

A cat coverin' it up...

A one legged man in a butt kickin' contest...

Grand Central Station...

A hound dog with fleas...

A one arm man hangin' wallpaper...

2 bees in a 12 bee flower garden...

A button on an outhouse door...

A one tooth man in a Corn-on-the-Cob eating contest...

An Elf at the North Pole...

...heck--but I wouldn't change a thing!!

If you are "busier than" any of these, I would love to know what it is......

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

My Home Town

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

(photo credit: Voy Gillentine)

We spent Thanksgiving holiday visiting with our family and friends in our hometown, Osceola, AR-- a small town in the Mississippi Delta flat lands of NE AR that many celebrities call "home". This is a tribute to one the most recent, the 1st Nashville Star, Buddy Jewell.

Buddy was introduced to the music of Marty Robbins and Johnny Horton by his father and taught to play the guitar by his Uncle Clyde, perfecting his skills to the tunes of the great Johnny Cash. (Johnny Cash's hometown, Dyess, AR is a stone's throw from Osceola).

In 1991, he won a talent contest sponsored by ALABAMA and opened for them, alongside Mark Chestnutt and Ricky Van Shelton. Competing on TV's Star Search, Buddy won several episodes. A record deal was secured with Columbia, with Clint Black producing his first album, when Buddy was the winner of the 1st Nashville Star in 2002.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Arzello Jefferson Wyrick

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Arzello Jefferson Wyrick b: 5-22-1881 d: 5-23-1967

Alice Mae Galyon Wyrick b: 1-31-1883 d: 11-20-1956

Virgil Eli Wyrick b: 4-2-1906 d: 7-13-1961

Victor Lee Wyrick b: 12-27-1914 d: 6-18-1994

Arzello was the son of Amanda Jane Mohon Wyrick. He and Alice were married on November 3, 1903. They owned the property from 1931-1940, but Amanda lived in the farmhouse. Amanda lived here from age 79 until she passed away at age 86.

Virgil Eli Wyrick married Ollie Mae Kyle and are the parents of Donald Ray, whose wife, Georgia, has graciously allowed me to use their family photos for my blog.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

"Great is Thy Faithfulness"

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

painting by Jennie Brownscombe

hanging at Pilgrim Hall Museum

Plymouth, MA

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To thy great Faithfulness, mercy and love

All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Happy Thanksgiving to all...

Ain't She Sweet?

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

I've been sitting on pins and needles ever since I got the phone call! Many of you may recall my post about Amanda Jane and my quest to find her. (For those of you that are not familiar with the story, you can find it in my blog archives). As luck would have it, or as I would rather like to think "providence" had it, the first phone call that I made at random from the area telephone directory put me speaking to Georgia, the wife to Ray Wyrick, great-grandson of Amanda Jane. Within the hour, both of them were sitting in the farmhouse living room and we were looking at records that Georgia had obtained thru her extensive research via Ancestory.com.

A couple days later, Georgia called to tell me that she had located photos of Amanda Jane. I think my screams may have awakened Amanda her from her resting place, which is less than a mile down the road. I think that if they did, she was as excited as me!

Ms. Amanda was the lady of the farm house during the early 1930's, having acquired the property thru her son, Arzello Jefferson Wyrick. She passed away in 1936 and the property was deeded to her daughter, Minnie Ethel and husband, William Gaines Cox. It was upon their death that the farmhouse and property was inherited by Robert Cassady, from whence the locals grew to know it as the "Old Cassady Place".... Long story...I know.

Due to conflicts in our schedules, it has been a long wait to get to see the pictures. I spent a couple of hours today looking thru scrapbooks that Georgia has painstakingly assembled for their children and grandchildren. I was also fortunate to get to see pictures of Amanda's other children, their spouses, and some of their children. I will be posting more pictures later.

I left the Wyrick's home with a feeling of nostalgia, of great satisfaction, and of a feeling that it was meant to be! I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Georgia for helping me with my quest to find out more about the people who lived and loved at Campagne Maison. I commend her for her diligence in researching, not only Ray's family history, but her own as well. It is my belief that if it was important in biblical times to keep birth and census records, then it is just as important today.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit. We love having company.

Au revoir,

He's Here!

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

He's here and he's precious!

"....Children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. HAPPY is the man that hath his quiver full of them. ." Psalm 127 3-5

Jayci's new brother, Cody Kenneth Baxter, was born November 11, 2009. He weighed 6 lb 13 oz.

Please go over to http://baxtersrus.blogspot.com/2009/11/our-little-guy.html to see more pics of him and read all about his arrival. He is soooooooooooooo precious!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

The Ziploc Omelet

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

I received this recipe from my friend, Vanessa. She and I were co-workers for several years for Dr. Reggie Cullom in Osceola, AR. I had never seen this recipe before and thought it was noteworthy of sharing. I hope that you all will agree. It sounds like a perfect breakfast idea to try when my family gets together during the Thanksgiving holiday.

This is so cool!! How do people come up with all these clever ideas??

Have guests write their name on a quart-size Ziploc freezer bag with a permanent marker. Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the bag (do not use more than 2). Shake the bag to combine them. Have a variety of ingredients--cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc. already prepared and set aside.

Let each guest add their choice of the additional prepared ingredients to their bag and shake. Make sure to remove all of the air out of the bag and zip it up. Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 15 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water. Remove the bags from the water and place onto a serving plate.

Carefully cut open the bag and the omelet will roll out easily.

Be prepared for everyone to be amazed!!

Serve these with fresh fruit and coffee cake for a complete meal.

Imagine getting these ready the night before and putting the bag in boiling water while you get dressed for work in the morning. In 15 minutes, you've got a quick delicious omelet for breakfast!

This is great to serve when the family gets together, and the best part is that no one has to wait for their own special omelet!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir

My Neck of the Woods

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

I just love this building! It houses a business office on the bottom floor and an apartment on the top level. The wrought iron balcony and railings stand out against the stark white paint and black shutters of the facade. The hanging ferns and billowing impatients were so pretty this year. It reminds me of those you find on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

It is located in Sweetwater, TN a few blocks away from the hospital downtown. Since I make multiple trips there monthly, I always make a special point to drive by just to admire the beautiful flowers.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Grandma Yellow Hair

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Chocolate Lover's Giveaway

"Just Between Me and You", I've been visiting in Texas this morning! AND, I've found a new friend. Her name is Maggie but some people know her as Grandma Yellow Hair and some people know her as Mrs. Pearl. She shares some of the most hilarious moments of her daily adventures in law enforcement and some of the funniest cartoons you've ever seen. You must go visit her--like the rest of us, she wears many hats!!

Being the very nice person and fellow chocoholic that I am, I feel compelled to share with you that she is having a very generous giveaway over at her place. Saddle up your horses and ride on over, but don't let Mrs. Pearl's handcuffs intimidate you--she lets Maggie out to play on occasion!

http://grandmayellowhair.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company!

Au revoir,

My Acceptance Speech

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

I have been graciously awarded two awards from Maggie, at:

http://normandylife.blogspot.com/

Today I will address this one, the Kreativ Blogger award. I am suppose to reveal seven things about myself that a lot of people do not know. Heck, I could write a book on things that a lot of people don't know about me, but like Maggie says.... some things are better kept secret !!!!

1. My "Make a Wish" ultimate dream come true would be for Debbie Travis and her crew to pull up in my driveway and crash my house from top to bottom and perform a complete home makeover. Debbie is by far, my #1 favorite designer of all times! Anything she did at my house would suit me to a "T". (OPRAH, your favorite saying is "Don't give up on your dreams"...so, if you are reading this, do you think you could help make MY DREAM come true ???)

2. I was given an Angelic vision confirming my healing from cancer. In the vision there were 5 Angels whose demeanor took on various forms at different points in the vision. It is something that is very difficult to describe and explain. I often think about John when he was on the island of Patmos and how he described his visions as recorded in The Revelation. There are just some things that cannot be translated by the human tongue. I always try to give God the glory for my healing and to be a witness of His great gift to me.

3. I prefer to sew STANDING up rather than sitting down. Don't ask me why, 'cause I don't know!

4. I always wanted to be a Wedding Planner and own a full service Bridal Shop. I love everything about weddings--from engagement to honeymoon and all points in-between!

5. Somehow I managed to live thru the 60's without smoking pot. I have never been drunk or used mind altering street drugs. My guess is that it had A LOT to do with me getting married at age 16 to an older man who had no desire to expose me to those sorts of things.

6. I am HOWEVER addicted to coffee. I get up out of bed at 4:30 a.m. a lot of mornings, just to have my coffee.

7. I have so much fun watching "Dog the Bounty Hunter"!!!! Am I crazy or what??

I started blogging as a journal of sorts, to record some of the remodeling adventures here at the farmhouse and it turned into so much fun that I often use it as an outlet to "vent". It has been a life long desire of mine to be able to move into a house that had a history and somehow restore some of the previous owners sweat, blood, and tears back into the home with respect to their previous efforts. The longer I am here, the more I listen to the house and yes, these Walls do Talk!!

I have met so many wonderful blogging friends and learned so much about different crafts, collectibles, history and customs. I spend a lot of my quiet time each morning visiting with bloggers from all over the world and I try to meet a new friend everyday!

I hope that my blog inspires others to RE-purpose, RE-finish, and RE-cycle whenever possible. By doing so, we can all do our part to help keep OUR planet GREEN!

A special "Thank You" to Maggie for nominating me for these awards. I do hope that I can spread the love and shall start with the next 7 nominations--and they are:

1. Marla at http://alwaysnesting.blogspot.com/

2. Charlsey at http://decoratingyourworld.blogspot.com/

3. Deb at http://1893victorianfarmhouse.blogspot.com/

4. Doris at http://crochetingingeorgia.blogspot.com/

5. Julie at http://workingonadream-julie.blogspot.com/

6. Judy at http://brocanteandetc.blogspot.com/

7. Vera at http://intouchwith-pumpkinrolls.blogspot.com/

These are exceptional ladies, each with their own unique creative gifts along with the gift of gab (just like the rest of us blogging gals!!). Please take time to visit each of them and see for yourself what they have going on in their neck of the woods. I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised! Be sure to tell them that I sent you!

Ladies, the rules in acceptance of this award say: You are to thank the person that nominated you and put a link to their blog on your post. Copy the award logo and post it on your blog. Name 7 things about yourself that most people do not know. Nominate 7 other bloggers for the award and post their blog address along side their names. Leave a comment to each of them on their blog. S0rta like: Lather, Rinse, and repeat....

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Recipe for MOI

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

take a dash of Chippy bold red

add a pinch of Jade, drizzle on a glaze of Opalescent pearl

throw in a tinch of jungle print for the "secret ingredient"

mix them all together, serve them up generously, and you will get a little taste of my personality, perhaps a spicy little bite of Moulin Rouge, here at the farmhouse.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Silence is Golden

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

but my eyes still see....

I am so loving the season change! Every crook and turn in the road that leads to the farmhouse explodes with colorful vistas that only God could create. This tree has lost over half its golden foliage but still beacons out....Look at me!!

Great news to share....Sea Witch is about to celebrate her 100th post with a very generous giveaway! Swim on over to her blog

http://musingsofaseawitch.blogspot.com/2009/11/100th-post-give-away-sneak-peak.html

to see what it's all about. You will be glad that you did!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Haiven Loves Miley

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

My granddaughter Haiven Brooke, celebrated her 10th Birthday with a super surprise to see her idol, Miley Cyrus a.k.a. Hannah Montana, in concert at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN.

Haiven loves music and was singing the words to Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" before she was three years old. For years I was certain that she would be a country music fanatic but as she has gotten older she has added to her music genres .

In the past years, I have teased her about being my Victoria's Secret model. She is great at "striking a pose"!

I am sure that this night with all its wonderful surprises will always remain her favorite birthday memory. Happy Birthday Haiven!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Lorrie's Birthday Celebration

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

French Vanilla with Strawberry filling and Strawberry Meringue Icing

I would like to wish my blog friend, Lorrie, a very happy birthday!

Lorrie is celebrating her very own birthday by GIVING AWAY a couple of handmade items from her ETSY shop. Lorrie's hands stay busy creating. Just a few of her artistic talents include, sewing, cooking, writing, and creating beautiful tablescapes.

If you want a real TREAT this week and have a few minutes to join in the celebration, go over to her blog at:

http://fabricpaperthread.blogspot.com/

Be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Spreading the Word

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

If you haven't visited Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, you don't know what you've been missing. She has her home all decorated now for Halloween. Take a few minutes to head on over to her house and be prepared to sit down for a spell...(a Southern expression--no Halloween pun intended).

I've stolen/borrowed/been inspired by several of her decorating ideas. Her home is full of so much eye candy, you can't help but be inspired and wait 'til you see her PORCH--a Southern girls dream!! Thanks Susan for sharing your home with us.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Let there be light

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

I now have 4 of my stained glass windows framed and hung in my laundry room/office windows. I love the serenity they bring into the house every morning as the sunrise filters thru them and the colors surround the room in kaleidoscope fashion. It brings joy to my soul and life into the farmhouse.

Great news to share!! I've had the pleasure of meeting Donald Ray Wyrick and his wife Georgia this week. Ray is the great-grandson of Amanda Jane. As luck would have it, the very first name that I chose from the telephone directory was a lucky draw. They made a special trip out to the farmhouse and brought with them some genealogy information that may help me answer some of my curiosities.

My quest is to find a picture of Amanda Jane and/or pictures of the farmhouse during her occupancy. Would that be asking too much?? Wish me luck as I'm off today on another quest to continue my search.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Hyde Park

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Hyde Park

(viewed from left side--falls lower at foot of bed to accommodate wall script at head of bed)

“Hyde Park, home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, stands as a living memorial to one of America’s most influential people. For wherever FDR traveled-as New York state senator, governor, and four-term president—the home remained the place where he could rest and regain his strength. In January, 1882, Sallie Roosevelt gave birth to Franklin in the “blue room” or “birth room”. The bed’s filet crochet coverlet with saw tooth border was made by Anna McGowan, a family housekeeper. Years later, FDR chose this stately room, as his own”. (Excerpt BHG, Aug 1982)

The pattern for the bedspread was published in Better Homes and Gardens, August 1982. It was lovingly made and gifted to me by a sweet lady that I first met when I was a young teenager. Years later, she and her family began attending the church where I was a member. Over the next couple of decades I had the privilege of teaching their daughter, Jennifer, in Sunday school and in the Junior Choir.

Shortly after she completed crocheting the bedspread, she telephoned me to say that she wanted to “thank me” for being a positive influence on her daughter, as well as the other youth in the church. She said that she wanted to express it verbally, as well as with a gift. She told me that she was sending a gift to me that she had made and then made me promise that I would use it and not pack it away in a closet. So, I promised! When Jennifer presented the package to me and I opened it, I was totally in awe! I could not imagine the many hours that it took to complete the crochet project. Included with the bedspread was a copy of the BHG magazine page with it pictured on FDR’s bed.

(Close up view of detailed filet crochet)

Over the years, I have used it as a bedspread, a throw at the end of the bed, and displayed on a quilt rack. When we moved to the farmhouse, I knew that I wanted to continue to keep my promise to use it, and now it is being used a canopy over my bed.

Shortly before we moved from AR to East TN, Jennifer’s mom went home to Heaven. Although I never felt worthy of any accolades or deserving of such a wonderful gift, I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to have known such a wonderful woman and her family. Jennifer is currently employed at my hometown newspaper office and is married to a police officer. Although she is all grown up now, I shall forever remember her performance as Raggety Ann in Two Nights Before Christmas, one of our best Jr Choir contatas!

In memory of Carolyn F. Bolick, (8-24-1946--11-11-2007)

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

ADDENDUM: I received a sweet Thank You email from Jennifer after she read this post. I am so happy to add that she and her husband, Steve, are expecting their first child in January--a son, and his name will be Daniel James. God gives good gifts to his children!

Guilty Pleasures

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Praline Pecan Cheesecake

Confession time: I am a cheater--actually a double cheater. (Well, O.K. actually more!) After four agonizing weeks of "healthy eating" and modest exercise (LOL) I fell off the wagon yesterday and made this fabulously delicious Praline Pecan Cheesecake. It is a Jell-O No Bake store bought mix, so that made it even an easier cheat. It has been YEARS since I made a boxed mix cheesecake. WOW, the improvement in the taste is amazing! Maybe my homemade ones aren't "the bomb" after all....

I made my husband promise that he would eat it for breakfast, lunch, and supper tonight. I sure hope he sticks to his promise! I have only eaten one @ 350 calorie piece. My body is willing but my spirit is weak!!

My blog friend, "In Touch With" Vera clued me in on a generous giveaway over at:

http://pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com/

For all you quilters or any other bloggers interested in entering, please hurry on over there to see what a great giveaway she is having and to get all the information for the drawing. Don't forget to tell her that I sent you.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Amanda Jane

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Amanda Jane Wyrick

Born: February 4, 1852 Died: June 30, 1936

I dusted off my remodeling britches, put on my history buff hat, and hit the road "investigating" as I declared "Administrative Leave" this weekend! Everyone that knows me knows that I L-O-V-E history, old houses, and graveyards. Ever since we started this remodeling adventure at the farmhouse, I've often wondered about the people that have lived in this house. I can't stand the thought of having a puzzle to put together and not having all the pieces. Well, the itch got so bad that I just had to scratch it! Sometimes, a woman has to do what a woman has to do..

Are there any of you like me???...those unanswered questions, the not knowing about things, the wondering about the who's, the what's, the where's---that drives me up the walls sometimes. I spent almost 4 hours Friday, digging thru deed records and court house minute books until my husband finally declared it a full day. Those of you that know my husband, knows that he shares absolutely NONE of my passions, is usually a party pooper, and is best left at home with the remote control. (Note to self: Leave him there next time)

My mission is not complete but I have tracked the property ownership back to 1921 and have lots of names to research. YEAH....The most interesting information that I have been able to piece together pertains to Amanda Jane Wyrick. Don't you just love the sound of her name...Amanda Jane...!!

Amanda was living in the farmhouse at the time of her death in 1936. She was married to John V. Wyrick who passed away on my birthdate, January 2, in 1912. They were the parents of twelve children. At different points in time, three of her children held deed to the property. So far, it appears the "final kinship" ownership exchange took place in 1970. However, I may find that not to be true when I dig a little deeper into that family tree.

Fortunately for me, Amanda and her husband and some of their children and their spouses are buried in a graveyard less than one mile from the farmhouse. It is comforting to know that Amanda is resting so close to what was once her home.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Always Nesting in Oregon

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

I have just been visiting up in Oregon at Marla's home this morning. She has a great blog with a current tutorial for a bench seat make-over AND a giveaway! If you would like to enter for a chance to win a $ 25.00 TJ Maxx gift card, hurry on over to her house because the drawing for the lucky winner will be announced on Tuesday, October 20th!

http://alwaysnesting.blogspot.com

Be sure to tell her that I sent you!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Rue's Kitchen Reveal

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Heather is celebrating the finish of her kitchen REmodel with a fabulous giveaway. To see all the great things that she and her husband have done to transform their kitchen AND to enter in her giveaway, hurry on over to :

http://ruespeanutbutterandjellylife.blogspot.com/

If you are like me, I am sure you will find some very interesting inspiration to kindle up the REmodels in your future.


Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.


Au revoir,

Hyacinths for the Soul--Part II

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Sarah is posting her Pay If Forward gift Part II, on her Pink Saturday post today. Please hurry on over there http://hyancinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/ to see what she has posted and please comment for a chance to participate! It is so much fun and I know you will be happy that you did!

I've always heard that you never get too old to learn. I spend alot of my "quiet time" each morning, reading and learning new things just by reading blogs. Many people who do not blog think it is a waste of time. I totally disagree!! I have learned something from EVERY ONE of my blog friends.

Until I met Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul, I knew NOTHING about Quimper pottery, French faience roosters, or Haiku poetry. Reading her blog has opened up an avenue of knowledge about those things to me, something that I am sure I would never have had the opportunity to be exposed to before. I have enjoyed what I have learned about them from her sharing those things that she loves and holds dear, with me AND with her many other blog followers. Sarah is a retired educator but her gift of teaching continues on thru her blogging.

Thank you Sarah for sharing your Pay It Forward gifts with us BUT more importantly, thank you for sharing your gift of teaching as well.

Thank you for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Gizzy

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

How CUTE is he??

I'd like to introduce you to Gizzy. He belongs to blog friend, Doris. She loves to crochet and teaches it at a local college.

Doris is hosting a Pet Costume contest over at her blog, http://crochetingingeorgia.blogspot.com

If you would like to see more pics of Gizzy in his bumble bee costume and enter your pet in the contest, please visit Doris to get all the rules. I am sure it will be loads of fun!

Wishing everyone a happy productive weekend!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Hyacinth for the Soul

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Sarah, one of my sweet Pay if Forward recipients, always participates in Tablescape Thursday. She has so many beautiful and unusual pieces to display and the creativity to put them together, making every dining experience a delight. She knows how to appeal to the eye...the first thing to stimulate the appetite.

Please hurry on over to http://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/ to view the gorgeous tablescape that she created today using the table runner that she received from me in Pay if Forward as her inspiration. I know you will be amazed at her talents! Be sure to tell her that I sent you.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Pay it Foward has gone International

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

I am so happy to announce that Maggie, who resides in Normandy, France, has received her Pay if Forward package from me. More than that, I am happy that she liked what I chose to make for her. Creating something for someone that you do not know personally is truly a rewarding challenge.

Please skoot on over to Maggie's blog http://normandylife.blogspot.com/ , read about her and her fabulous life journey AND see what she received AND be sure to make a comment!! Let's see how far around the world Pay if Forward will go!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Tsali Notch Vineyards

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Tsali Notch Vineyards

On our way home from a local favorite flea market of ours, the DH and I drove out to the Tsali Notch Vineyards located 1.5 miles off HWY 68 at Madisonville. I wasn't prepared for what my eyes were about to see!

Thirty (30) acres, twenty-one (21) miles, 5450 vines of five (5) varieties of muscadine grapes. Row after row after row. The sky was clear blue, the temperature was in the high 60's, and the wind was blowing right into my face as I snapped pictures. The fragrance of all that ripening fruit still lingers in my mind and I remain at a loss to truly describe the smell.

Was I really in Tennessee? I thought things like THIS http://tsalinotch.com only existed in Italy and France. (NOTE TO SELF: YOU really do have to get out more!!) Their website offers more pictures and information about the vineyard. In addition to supplying to commerical wineries, they offer "pick your own" to indiviuals.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Campagne Maison's Coconut Bonbons

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

Campagne Maison's Coconut Bonbons

2 boxes confectioners sugar

1 can condensed milk

1 14 oz bag coconut

3 cups chopped pecans

3 sticks melted butter

Combine all ingredients and chill thoroughly. Form into walnut sized balls, place on waxed paper covered cookie sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and place in freezer until firm but NOT frozen. Remove and continue with chocolate coating process.

Chocolate Coating

1 stick candy paraffin

1 16 oz bag semi sweet chocolate chips

Melt paraffin in double boiler, add chips and mix until well blended. Insert a wooden skewer into a candy piece and dip into the chocolate mixture with a rotating motion of the wrist. Gently tap off excess chocolate and place onto waxed paper, continuing until all the bonbons are coated. This must be done quickly. Once the hot chocolate coating hits the cold bonbon it will harden.

Store in tightly covered containers in cool temperature or in the refrigerator. They freeze indefinitely.

Personal note: I am not a huge fan of semi-sweet chocolate, so I mix milk chocolate chips with semi sweet. Doing this makes a sweeter bonbon, so you will need to take that into consideration if you make these. I've never had any problems with these melting once they were coated probably because they never lasted long enough. But to be on the safe side, I would recommend keeping them refrigerated.

I have never made these without thinking about Lucy and Ethel and their job stint at the candy factory. Although I have never stuffed any down my bra or hid them under my chef's hat, I have had several of them in my mouth.....LOL

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Bon Appetit and Au revoir,

It's A Wrap

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

It brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart to see how simple, inexpensive things can still make for fun times with the kids in this age of electronic games. Our children have no shortage of them and can usually be found caught in their hypnotic grip. Thank goodness they all have active imaginations, great social skills, and plenty of energy to still be normal kids.

A few cans of Silly String, a Slip-n-slide, some tattoos and enough water to keep squirt guns filled up for imminent battle, kept our kids occupied for hours. Jayci covered herself in dirt. I really do not know how her mother got it all out of her hair. Madison pushed a doll stroller up and down the hills. Hayden locked Mya and Haiven together with a pair of play handcuffs and they all chased each other across the bridge playing tag and hide and seek.

They even had fun having their pictures taken while holding the Corn Toss trophy!

Kaleb, Conner, Parker, and Hayden

Haiven, Mya, Evan, Conner, Parker, and Hayden

Maggie playing hide n' seek

Jayci--without dirt

Madison with her pool toys

Twins Parker and Conner Kung-Fu play fighting

Maggie...learning at a young age that it's tough being a woman in a man's world!

This is my niece, Sylvia. She is Rick's daughter.

This is my sister Patricia. She is married to Larry.

This is my brother-in-law, Wayne. He is married to J. Karen.

Our Family Reunion would not be complete without mentioning our father, Voy Rivers, who passed away on March 1, 1981. His tombstone reads "Taken too soon" and he was.

Last year we started a new family tradition to have our reunions here at the farm, in memory of our deceased brother-in-law, Carlos. His love for this farm was contagious. Without fail, at least one of us would accompany him out here, when we came to TN for a visit. It didn't take long for us to fall in love with the slower paced lifestyle and serene atmosphere of country living.

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit. We love having company.

Au revoir,

Corn Toss Championship Part II

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

It was a long hot day, the competition was fierce, but in the end we had a happy winner! Chris won 1st place and is shown here with the official, much coveted, Corn Toss trophy.

I am sure that we will all agree that there are lots of things that can be done with a cob of corn. But, whose brilliant mind was it to shellac it, drill a hole in it, screw it on a fancy cherry wood base, attach a gold name plaque for engraving, and declare it a TROPHY and make lots of $$$$ with it ?? I think that would fall under the "foolish things confounding the wise" category...LOL

Brandon was second place winner

Moving right along....

In an attempt to make sure that everyone gets their "minute of fame" I am trying to include pictures of all who attended our second annual 4th of July Family Reunion. As before, I will put a name to a face and what nut they are on our family tree.

This is my husband Sammy. Our children are Sam II and Jeremey. Kaleb and Haiven are our grandchildren.

This is my sister Jenny and moi. I don't recall what we were talking about but I sure was in deep concentration!

This is my son, Jeremey, Kaleb's father, Ian, and my other son, Sam II, who is Haiven's father. My children and grandchildren live in Arkansas.

This is my niece, Michelle with Jace. She is Rick's daughter and Jace's mother. She is also Mya's mother. (We are so excited for them. They are closing on their first home tomorrow! I can't wait to see pictures. They live in Michigan.)

This is my niece Leslie. She is the daughter of Jenny, mother to Chad and Michelle B, mother-in-law to Jenni, grandmother to Jayci, Boston, Madison, and Grayson. They live in Utah.






This is Michelle B. She is the granddaughter to Jenny, daughter of Leslie, sister to Chad, mother to Boston, Madison, and Grayson.





This is Chad and Jayci. He is Jenny's grandson, Leslie's son, Jenni's husband and Jayci's dad.




This is Jenni. She is married to Chad and is the mother of Jayci. The family tree continues on, as she is expecting their second child November 15th. You can read Jenni's blog at: http://baxtersrus.blogspot.com/

to be continued......

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,