OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS - STRINGING POPCORN

It's 'Old Fashioned Christmas' day tomorrow over at Jann Olson's blog, Have a Daily Cup.  I thought what is more old fashioned at Christmas than stringing popcorn as a garland for the Christmas tree.

Here is our tree this year with its popcorn garland.

Those of you that have read my blog over the last few years have heard about our tradition of the red balls and the popcorn garland.  For those of you who haven't heard -----

In Christmas 1958, we had been married three months, were still teenagers and poor college students.  We managed to scrape enough money together to buy a tiny tree and one red ball.  We painted the year on the ball, and strung some popcorn for a garland.  Here is a picture of that glorious tree from 57 years ago.

Every year since, we have bought a red ball and painted the year on it and added a popcorn garland.  That's 58 red balls now and a lot of popcorn.  When our kids were growing up, it was a family activity to string the popcorn.  After they left home and before the grand kids were old enough, Bob and I (mostly Bob) continued to string the popcorn.  The grand kids then strung a lot of popcorn with us, but are now teenagers and not around as much.

On the home tour last weekend, one of the most asked questions was about the popcorn.

Here are our secrets -- 

In order to keep the popcorn from crumbling,  string using a very fine (quilting) needle and strong quilting thread.  Keep your thread at about 20 inches long threading in short units, then tying the ends together to make longer garlands.  Try to stick your needle through the puffiest part of the popcorn kernel.  

But, here is our biggest secret of all that we figured out when kid labor was no longer available ----

The garland freezes wonderfully.  I have a big Tupperware container that we twirl the garland in, then stick it in the freezer until next year.  Every few years, it's necessary to replace some or all of it, but that is so much easier than doing the whole thing over each year.  And now you know!

 And ---Try not to eat too much popcorn as you string along.

I'm joining the following:
Common Ground for Christmas Open House Dec. 9th
Have a Daily Cup for Old Fashioned Christmas Dec. 10th
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday (stretching it with my Uncle Sam ornament!!)

I VOTE FOR CHRISTMAS!

I knew that when we scored this treasure for a few dollars at an auction several months ago that it would be great to decorate for Christmas.  It is an old ballot box from our county previously used for elections.  Of course, it didn't look like this when we got it.  The main reason we did bid on it was because the glass part was still intact.  Bob then did his magic to restore the wooden parts.

I love this brass band that separates the two glass parts enabling access to the inside.

To decorate for Christmas, I first poured in a layer of Epsom Salts, then added some of our collection of vintage ornaments.

The huge green ball is from Belgium, measures 6" in diameter, and belonged to my mother.  The glass beads and most of the other ornaments also were inherited from my parents.

This big gold tree topper is a beauty from our vintage tree topper collection.

The wooden box under the table came in pieces with the glass ballot box.  Bob reassembled it and the whole thing fits together perfectly for storage.

Our local home tour is Sunday -- I think we are ready -- more pictures next week.

I'm joining the following:
Tea Time with Trina for Silver and Gold Christmas Blog Tour on Mon. Dec. 7th
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Common Ground for Christmas Open House on Dec. 9th

IF IT DOESN'T MOVE, DECORATE IT!!!

As I have mentioned before, our home is to be on a holiday house tour on December 6th to benefit our local Community Concert Association.  Their advertisement states that "The event is a tour through distinctive and historical area homes beautifully decorated for the holidays."   

Oh my --- I certainly hope our home lives up to the hype!

Consequently, we have been in the Christmas mode for two weeks now.  Plus, we have cleaned, and then cleaned some more.

Anything that doesn't move has been decorated -- even in the mud room where this chicken resides in her coop year round.

Several years ago I admired this hen on the blog, 
Rue Mouffetard; and the next thing I knew, the generous Sue had sent me her sister hen.  Read about Matilda's arrival here. 

This year, I opened the door and invited Matilda to the Christmas party.

Stay tuned -- I'll be posting some of the more dignified decorations later.  For now, I must get back to the tasks at hand!

I'm joining the following:
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Christmas Open House on Dec. 9
Art and Sand for Sweet and Simple Christmas on Dec. 11 

PUMPKIN MUFFIN BITES

I've been busy, busy getting ready for our home to be on a holiday house tour on December 6th to benefit the local concert association.  But, Thanksgiving needs my attention, also; plus I had two occasions last week that required some goodies to share.  The easy recipe below fits the bill as they freeze well, and made enough to serve at both coffee occasions plus enough for Thanksgiving breakfast.

Pumpkin Muffin Bites

Combine the following in large bowl:

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Combine in large mixer bowl:

3 cups granulated sugar

1 can (15 oz.) pure pumpkin

4 large eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup orange juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; line mini-muffin cups with paper liners.  Beat pumpkin mixture until just blended.  Add flour mixture, and stir until moistened.  Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.  

Sprinkle batter tops with granola.  I like Quaker honey, oats, and almond granola.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Makes 96 little muffins.  

Since my son is allergic to tree nuts, I sprinkled his share with cinnamon and sugar.

I'm joining the following:
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday

NOT ALL SERVICE MEN ARE WARRIORS

I'm late in posting a Veteran's Day post with just a few thoughts --

  I certainly appreciate the dedication of those who serve in the military and have sacrificed.  However, my family has been on a different road of service.  They have always been farmers and ranchers and were needed for agriculture deferments. 

Grandfather's registration in 1918 indicating agriculture deferment during WWI

Father's registration in 1945 indicating completion of service of an agriculture deferment during WWII

Last week, my grandson was doing a report for school on his family veterans.  He had to go back to 1812 to find a grandparent on the paternal side of my family who actively served in a war.  Wyatt's research found that the great-grandfather of my grandfather was killed during the War of 1812.  My grandfather and this ancestor were both from the tiny town of Parkman, Maine, but were on different paths of service to their country.

This got me to thinking further about my family's involvement in wars, and I realized that not all service men were warriors.   With deferments, the farmers and ranchers were not without obligations to the war effort.  They were involved considerably in supporting the troops, and the families who remained at home, with food and supplies.

In some of our family ephemera, we even have a shipping receipt that an ancestor supplied the U.S. Army with thousands of horses during World War One shipping them to Europe.

My grandfather was awarded The Skelly Award for Superior Achievement in Agriculture for "contributing generously and importantly to the war effort of the United States and our Allies" dated June 19, 1943.  This was a national award and I remember it as a big deal for our family.  

Here is a picture of my family on the day in 1943 he was honored for the award -- my grandparents in the middle and his two sons who worked with him on the farm and the ranch and their families.  A third son was not granted an agriculture deferment, and was serving in Africa at the time of the picture.

My grandfather was fortunate to be honored for his service.  But how many were denied the opportunity to serve their country in the military because they were farmers; then toiled at home doing their part, and were never recognized?
I thought this quote was interesting on the bottom of the award -- "Food will win the war -- food will write the peace."

Maybe we should have a "Thank a Farmer/Rancher Day" to honor their contribution in securing the freedoms we enjoy.

PRE-HOLIDAY RANDOMNESS ---

We're gearing up for the November and December holidays around the Salmagundi household.

1.  The last rose of summer -- there is something so vibrant about the last roses of the season.  Evidently, this buggy-leaf-thing thought so, also.  We've finally had a hard freeze; rather late for this part of the country.

2.  The house is a mess.  Bob is doing some long over-due maintenance painting.  We have a long hall with many doors and woodwork to be done.  In the process, we're starting to clean and clear out stuff to make room for the Christmas explosion.

3.  We have two family birthdays before Thanksgiving and one between Thanksgiving and Christmas to add to the festivities.

Our daughter's birthday is this week.  She is in her 10th year of being free from Stage 4 brain cancer -- a real miracle!  She has struggled with the results of the surgery, the effects of all of the radiation and chemo; so she endures a lot but continues on with such a cheerful attitude.  Each birthday is a special gift.

Happy Birthday, Jenni!

IN PURSUIT OF PLAID

Alison at The Polohouse  is hosting a Tartan Parade on November 2nd.  I've always been in love with plaid, so didn't want to miss this opportunity to show my plaid addiction.  Check out her blog for more inspiration from other Tartan addicts.

Every little girl growing up in the 1940s had a plaid dress -- I was no exception!

And every teenager in the 1950s had a plaid shirt and a plaid picnic blanket -- then lived in a college dorm with plaid curtains and dreamed in her plaid pajamas of that special boy that was at another college hoping to share a home with him someday.

And, now, sure enough --

a home together (for 57 years) with plaid pillows on every chair and bed!

More pillows ---

And more pillows ---

Plaid on the walls ---

Stacks of tartan throws ---

And, at Christmas -- that is when the plaid really comes out to play.


Maybe I should have forewarned Bob all those years ago about all of the plaid he was going to have to live with.  About 35 years ago, there was a slight, little,  problem -- on a SUPER BOWL SUNDAY, we hung PLAID wallpaper together during the game.  I should have known better than trying that!

In addition to The Polohouse I'm joining the following:
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

COZYING UP THE PORCH

When Fall is here and the weather turns chilly, we usually clean the porch cushions and pack them away for the Winter.

But this year since our home will be on a local charity home tour in December, I decided to cozy up the porch a little for this Winter.

I made some new pillow covers out of a beige, black, and red plaid flannel.  Thought they would look good with a rustic Santa and a wonky tree we have planned to place on the porch table.

I kept them simple. The flannel from Jo-Ann's is a nice quality, washed well and was on sale for $5 a yard (plus I had a 20% off entire purchase coupon).  Not bad for two pillows and a cushion cover for under $10.00.

I'm also using the plaid to recover the cushion (not shown) on the big wicker chair.  It's not done, yet, as I had to go out of town (100 miles round trip) to get a 28" zipper.

That's all right as it gave us an excuse to have lunch at The Olive Garden ($)
and for me to go to the quilt stores ($$$).  

We won't count the expense of the trip to buy a $2.50 zipper into the cost of cozying up the porch!

Edited to add:
Finished the cushion cover!

I'm joining with:

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

IT'S COMING DOWN!

Back in 2010, after much discussion, Wyatt and his Papa built a tree house.  See that original post here.  Now, again after much discussion, the tree house is coming down.  Bob has determined that the elements have taken their toll, and it really isn't that safe any more.  We've checked with the grandkids about the option of repairing or tearing down, and apparently teenagers do not need a pirate ship, a castle, a quiet place to read, a place away from adults to pout, etc.  

It appears that I'm the only one that is sad that it has served its purpose, and is no longer needed or wanted.

I'm in mourning.

I decided that what I'm really sad about is that my grandkids' childhoods have been fleeting, passing so quickly.

When did this little boy, who was so excited about his tree house ---

turn into this tall teenager?

Bob and the teenager will get the rest of the tree house down; then, next Spring, we will re-landscape.

I'm joining the following:

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Smiling Sally for Blue Monday

Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

SLOW AND LAZY AUTUMN

Not too much going on in the Salmagundi household.

 I've been working on a project that isn't even worthy of pictures.  When I made the cushions for our dining room chairs a couple of years ago, I used straps with velcro to fasten them to the chairs.  Over the long haul with the wear the chairs receive, the velcro just wasn't working anymore.  I'm replacing the straps with
 ties -- slow, boring work!

The sun is setting in the west much earlier these days; but Autumn is lazy like I am, I guess.  We haven't even had a freeze yet, so the flowers still are looking good.

With the cooler nights, however, the vegetable garden is ready to be put to bed.  As he always does, Bob brought the pumpkin crop around to the front of the house in the old red wagon.  The wagon was brand new and shiny when our 47-year-old son was a toddler.  It's hauled a lot of stuff and kids over the years.  I just noticed it was a "Radio Astronaut" model.  Astronauts were the heroes of the day in the late 1960s -- true, real-life super heroes!

I should get out there and do something creative with those pumpkins on the front porch. 

If only I wasn't having such a lazy, enjoyable autumn!!!

I'm joining the following:
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
A Southern Day Dreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

WATER BABY HAS A BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to our granddaughter, Caitlin, who is turning 19 this weekend.  From the very beginning, she was a 'water baby'!

It's been no surprise that for the last three summers she has worked in the office of Raft Masters of Canon City.  One of the perks of the job is rafting the Arkansas River of Colorado.  Since she weighs a little bit of nothing, she has to sit in the rear of the raft -- that's her in the back top with her brother, Wyatt, in front of her.

I think this was where they got dumped into the river.

On another trip, that is her in the back, right side -- bit of nothing, skinny arms and all -- playing with the big boys.

She would love to train as a raft guide, but she lacks the weight and strength needed.  So, for now, she plans to keep working in the office plus study business and marketing in college.  Watch out big, burly boys; someday she may own the place!

She has certainly graduated to a BIG pool of water.  This Grammy tries not to think about the dangers of that.

Cait, you are a very capable gal -- don't forget you can overcome any rough waters encountered in life.