CHRISTMAS DECORATING FOR 2025

 At the Thanksgiving table someone asked me if I plan

to put up a tree this year.  Often, when people get older

they "drop out of the decorating phase" in life and I do

understand.  As long as I am able, I do plan to keep finding

joy in holiday and seasonal decorations.

I took an existing tablecloth and cut a strip off the

longer sides.  Then I added a deeper ruffle in a different

toile fabric.  I am pleased with the way it turned out.

I have had this tea cosy for a long time.  It is

made with a tea towel piece on the front by

an artist who was big in the 90's.  You might remember Sandy

Clough who illustrated so many of Emelie Barnes 

earliest books.

My other Christmas tea cosy is from

a long time back too.  I love this older Anne

of Green Gables fabric.  I rarely can find this

fabric from the 90's.

I love angels that were designed by Nicol Sayre.

Mine are all from years ago including this

sweet Nativity:

And one last collage:

On Monday we got a little snow....not much but we love it!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

 

SECOND ROUND OF 18th CENTURY COLONIAL FRUITCAKE

 Today I decided to bake a second round of the 18th

Century Colonial Fruitcakes that I have made for

years.  This recipe made 8 mini foil tins when I made a 

batch Monday and again today today the recipe made a

 larger size

 Bundt, a medium tube pan and also 2 mini

foil ones.  They are still in the oven right now.

This photo above is from last year so you

get the idea of the mini foil pans.  The next photo

is some of the ones from last week which I am

brushing each day with rum.  I had 8 but already 

gave one to neighbors and we have consumed 2.

If you think Fruitcake is awful - please try this recipe

which will change your mind.  I don't suggest eliminating

any the assortment of candied fruits and nuts because that is

what really makes it:  red and green cherries,  golden

raisins, walnuts, almonds, citron, lemon peel and

watermelon rind pickles.  Yes, this is a bit costly 

to make.

We are bringing some deserts to share at a

Thanksgiving meal near St Louis so I will take the

larger bundt for that with some other items.

Here is a peak inside the oven today:

And here is the RECIPE!

And just outside the window here I see

the robins are eating the juniper berries off

the tree:

And the bittersweet has popped open:

AND NOW COOLING ON THE

KITCHEN TABLE:

NOVEMBER THANKSGIVING TABLESETTING

 I am sharing my Windsor Ware Harvest Fruit dishes by Johnson Brothers.  I started out years ago with some plates and

have added to my collection when I have seen them at a

decent price.  

Speaking of prices, I recently found a real bargain at

a local resale shop.  Last year Victoria Magazine featured

the most gorgeous cake dome and stand in the Christmas

issue.  I just looked and the replacement business that

everyone talks about had one for over $400.00 but I got

mine for $40.00.  I was so excited.

As you can see to the right, I do have a dome which

had no stand that  I purchased last year so now I have 

2 of those.  I also found some more of the

crystal etched glasses which I mix and match on my

table.  This one is called "June Night" and is beloved.

I broke at least 2 of these over the year so having

extras is a good plan - especially when I see

them at a good price.  They are from the 1930's-40's.  

And I say "oops" to that vacuum

 cleaner wand to the right!

I have been enjoying Instagram so much

and would encourage everyone to look

at it for "whatever" interests you.

The punch bowl above was purchased at the

Salvation Army resale store in Old Colorado City

many years ago.

I make the same comments every year:  I wish we celebrated Thanksgiving earlier so we had more time before Christmas.

CLARK, AMISH COUNTRY AND APPLE PIE

 About 30 miles from where we live is an Amish

community called Clark.  It is a great

place to purchase seasonal fruits and vegetables

and plants.

I really enjoyed the peaches we got here a while

back and now of course, we went to buy some apples.

If I can just get ambitious, I would make some

pies to put in the freezer or I will at least make

a couple.

The Amish homes are certainly large, similar

and very neat and tidy.

I am sure you know they do not have electricity

so firewood is used to heat and cook.  The Clark Amish community

is made up of over 200 families with 5 to 9 members

in each family.

There were numerous logging businesses.

Beside the houses were their buggies and horses.  We

passed quite a few on the roads too.  They are friendly

and always wave but no photos please!

I have never been to their auction house but hear that

is where you can really get the bargains.

I purchased some vegetables, fruits and canned

pickles and beets at a few of the stores.

I was excited to make some Apple Pies and I always

like the recipe where you put a carton of Aspen

Mulling Spice in the pie.  My Victoria magazine came

today so maybe that would go lovely with a slice

of pie.