The Virgin Dress Form

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

I've slipped into my vintage lace and satin

added my tiara and pearls

and left my groom at the altar, because

today  I'm attending the big extravaganza at:

 The Polka Dot Closets Dress Form Party

psst......I hope they let me in because I've not been altered. But, I am wearing Jacque's 45 year old wedding dress and it still fits...moi!

Gotta go. The carriage is awaiting and I still can't find one of my glass slippers!

Hope to see you there!

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

Au revoir,

One plus One equals One

 Bonjour from Campagne Maison

ONE rusty wrought iron bench/wine rack  +

ONE busted up wooden skid =

ONE new bench (or possible coffee table)

This was a "FREE is BETTER" REpurpose, REfinish, REcycle project. The bench was given to me by my sister and the skid was a roofers discard. I cut the boards at random widths and sealed them with Minwax Wood Finish Special Walnut # 224. I am trying to decide if I want to use it for seating on the deck or take it one step further by sealing off the oxidation on the wrought iron and using it inside as a coffee table. Only time will tell!

I am linking this post up with: http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

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

Au revoir,

Is she CRAZY??

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

A friend of my sister asked her if I'd be interested in having this 1930's era corner cabinet for the farmhouse.

In need of a good cleaning and some fresh white paint but none-the-less I SAW the beauty.

Who could resist the NATURAL cracklin' white and aqua paint?

There was no other way but to paint a fresh coat of the white BUT the aqua remained untouched.

With the addition of four HALF-shelves, I was able to double the storage space. It worked out perfect for the bottle height of all my craft paints!

Lace inserts for the door fronts and shelf edges....

Some stencils and Graphics Fairy decals

How NEAT is this?

Perfect Cabinet for a perfect corner in my perfect little farmhouse!

In a GOOD way, I'd say my sister's friend IS crazy. But I sure love to be on the receiving end when  "one person's trash is another person's treasure".  I also love it when I get to use my 3 R Rules !

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

Au revoir,

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,

Here's MY Sign

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

RE-purpose, RE-finish, RE-cycle and RE-think the possibilities! An old twin bed headboard went

from this:

to this:

A couple coats of left over Country White paint, vinyl lettering, and sealer made the total cost for this project $ 25.00. A tree was saved and a discarded object found new life!

I would like to say a special "THANK YOU" to Lorrie at http://fabricpaperthread.blogspot.com/ for her expertise with the French language. She is blessed with many talents and I am always inspired by her blog posts. If you haven't visited with her, please do--you won't be disappointed!

Linking back to Mary's "Boogieboard Cottage" at: http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/ , for Masterpiece Monday.

Joining in Linda's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at: http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Joining The Shabby Chic Cottage with Gina for Transformation Thursday at:

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2011/04/transformation-thursday-oh-how-far-weve.html

Joining Cindy for Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home, http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2011/04/show-and-tell-friday

Come join me and meet some amazingly talented people!

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

Au revoir,

Great Giveaways and a NEW Friend

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

I recently joined in on a craft swap and have met a new friend. Her name is Roxanne and she is a Miniature artist. I am not an artist and stand in awe at the talents that God has given others to create with their own hands.

Please take a few minutes to meet Roxanne and see some of her fabulous creations. Her miniature dolls--WELL, you just have to take a look at them. I have no words to describe how they speak to your heart!

http://bakinginminiature.blogspot.com/

I have two great giveaways to share with you today. You don't want to miss out on either of them, so hurry on over and enter for a chance to win!

http://laurieannas.blogspot.com/

AND

http://itsy-bits-and-pieces.blogspot.com/

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

Au revoir,

The Best of Both Worlds

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

courtesy: www.wikipedia.com

I finally got to watch IT and what a treat! If you haven't seen IT yet, I highly recommend IT to all you bloggers that love to cook.

Inspired by the movie, I got out my Julia Child & Company recipe book. After perusing all the pages, I will quickly tell you that I have NO inkling to challenge myself to preparing all the recipes it contains. However, not-so-much a fabulous cook, I do love making desserts and found a chocolate mousse dessert cake recipe, "La Gateau Victoire au Chocolat, Mousseline" that I have the ingredients on hand and am going to bake.

Since the movie subtly hinted at Julia's desire to have children, I found this postscript that I thought was worthy of sharing. She says ..."I am all for encouraging children to work productively with their hands. The small rituals, like the clean hands and clean apron before setting to work; the precision of gesture, like leveling off a cupful of flour; the charm of improvisation and making something new; the pride of mastery; and the gratification of offering something one has made--have such value to a child".

Even with adults, I think this still applies. I know I certainly love giving and receiving homemade food items.

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

Au revoir,

"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,

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

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,

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,

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,

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,

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,

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,

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,

Victorian Farmhouse Tutorial

Bonjour from Campagne Maison

I ran upon this gorgeous moth hiding under a bush during some yard work recently. It was

very large and colorful, I couldn't resist taking a picture!

If you ever wanted to cover a lampshade, you must check out this blog.

http://1893victorianfarmhouse.blogspot.com/

She shows some of the antique lampshades that she has covered and gives some very detailed information. Be sure to tell her that I sent you over!

Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse this morning. We love having company.

Au revoir,