Campagne Maison Peanut Brittle

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

One of my favorite things about Fall is the cool weather that creates the perfect environment for making candy, one of which is Peanut Brittle. I actually have better results with Peanut Brittle than I do fudge and divinity, so I really enjoy making it (as well as eating it). As soon as the peanuts start showing up in grocery stores, I grab them up and start shelling them in preparation for cooking day.

CAMPAGNE MAISON PEANUT BRITTLE

2 Tbsp real BUTTER

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup white Karo syrup

1 cup raw peanuts

1 tsp baking soda

Combine the 1st four ingredients in an iron skillet. (Actually I use my Presto cooker pan). Cook on medium high heat until you can hear the peanuts pop AND the syrup begins to turn a wonderful caramel color. Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda. The mixture will start to foam and increase in volume. Stir quickly and pour immediately onto a LIGHTLY buttered or Pam sprayed cookie sheet.

Gently rotate and tap the cookie sheet against the counter top to spread the hot brittle around and into shape. Cool completely. Break into bite size pieces and enjoy!

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

Au revoir,

Don't Mess with my Tutu

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

It started out with a SIMPLE boring routine shopping trip to Walmart. But, as fate would have it, I found the cutest pumpkin onesie--perfect for Emma's first Halloween--while perusing the infant section. However, my creative itch kicked in and I HAD TO scratch it! It needed to be "kicked up a notch" with the addition of a black tutu.

As luck was in my corner that day, our local Walmart has started putting back FABRIC in their store and had a pretty decent selection of tulle. (WHY THE HECK did they take FABRICS out of Walmart in the 1st place??? ) In this area of East TN, the closest JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby are a 45 minute drive from the farmhouse.

After a quick Google search, I found this very informative video tutorial for making tutus from Jill at

http://www.oursevendwarfs.com/2011/07/my-first-tutu-tutorial.html.

Instead of using the suggested pre-cut spooled lengths--mainly because the only color available was white--I purchased yardage and cut my own strips. Knowing that it wasn't going to be a daunting project--NO SEWING--I picked out several colors so I could mix/match basic ones to accent alot of different colored onesies.

On my next SIMPLE boring routine shopping trip to Walmart, you can bet I will be choosing another colorful stash of tulle, as no well dressed young lady ever has "too many" tutus!

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

Au Revoir,

In Them Old Cotton Fields Back Home

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

etched somewhere along a turn-row off US Hwy 61 South, in Osceola, AR, you may find this...

KBW + ESW

.....sentiments from a big brother to a little sister....

enjoying an afternoon of fun family photos

making more memories with our Mamaw

who is tickled pink

to be walking in high cotton

where old times there are not forgotten

In them old cotton fields back home!

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

Au revoir,

100 years

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

TODAY would be my father's 100th Birthday...WOW

Voy Rivers Gillentine--(the cute little boy standing)

Daddy was the eldest son of eight children born to John and Hassie in Itawama County, MS on October 21, 1911. He led a colorful life and people were drawn to him by his magnetic personality.


By trade, Daddy was a mechanic. If it had a motor, my daddy could fix it. Some people wouldn't let anyone but him work on their automobiles. He also owned and operated a wrecker service and dabbled with used car sales.








Daddy loved to fish off the banks of the Mississippi River. One time he made news in the local paper for catching a 40 lb catfish on a 30 lb test line.

He loved to play Tonk and Dominoes and was very skilled at the games.

I've seen him counting money poured from a brown paper bag--winnings from the "skills" of his preferred art form, on--well, let's just say MORE than one occasion.

You couldn't make coffee too strong for him to drink and he chain-smoked unfiltered Camel cigarettes. He always gave us kids the pennies that came in the cigarette packages, which was always a real treat for us. He could be found sitting at the kitchen table EVERY morning at 4 a.m., drinking his coffee and smoking his cigarettes.

Daddy worked hard, played hard, and fought many demons during his lifetime. Somehow he always managed to survive them all.

He married my mom 1938 and they were married 43 years at the time of his death. Their union produced nine children, all of which are alive today. Each of us carry at least one of his traits and albeit, he was taken from us too soon, we are constantly reminded of him when we see those traits in each other's lives. Although Daddy didn't leave us wealthy upon his passing, he left us rich with memories of him enough to last our lifetime. And for that, we are wealthy beyond measure!

I love you Daddy. Happy Birthday.....I miss you so much!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit today. This is a milestone for me...my 200th post!

Au Revoir,