Christmas Cards

After shooting everyone else's Christmas photos in November, I did manage to get our own little shoot done in a timely manner...even managed to order my cards with time to mail them out.

But alas, I ran out of time to address them all until today and then realized I was 10 short.

So I ask you...Am I brave (crazy) enough to run into Walmart to pickup those last 10 cards on the last Saturday before Christmas with my 5yr old in tow? or do I make hubby do it and risk him being confused when they make him sign those pesky copyright forms lol

Blessings Kelsie

Cow Sitting and other farmish stuff.

Christmas is finally over at our house, so I guess it is time for a farming related update.

This is Buddy the Bully Calf, he lives around the corner and I have been looking after him while his ppl family went camping for a couple of days...It really was no trouble, just make him a bucket of milk twice a day...He thinks he is a big puppy and is very sweet...Very good practice for when we branch out in this direction of meat raising...I tried to get more photos to share but he would not take his head out of the milk bucket.

Sadly Sally Chicken whom we have been Doctorin' since the 5th of Dec took a turn for the worst on the 28th and yesterday morning I knew she was not going to make it when I took her cat carrier outside and opened the door and she just sat there and looked at me...By 10am she was gone...We gave it our best shot and how many Chickens get to sleep inside for the last 24days of their life.

Happy chicken news...all three of my remaining Easter Eggers are now laying...It really is nice to look out the window and see so many happy hens and Bravo roaming around scratching in the dirt all day.

Goats are looking super fat again...We have had a couple of cold nights so I gave them extra bedding which they promptly ate by the time the sun came up...Silly goats.

The fall garden is looking good, the broccoli had tiny heads starting on it...Hope it continues to do well...The various lettuce and cabbages are showing signs of growth, I need to go and spread around some more cow pooh I think.

Not really farm related but still outside, my sweet inlaws brought us a load of rocks for Christmas...Actually Flagstones to do the path in front of the house...I just know it is going to look gorgeous.

Blessings Kelsie

Sharing today for:

Farm Girl Friday @

http://www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/

Homestead Barn Hop @ http://www.theprairiehomestead.com

Christmas 2.0

The Day after Christmas when everyone else was taking down their tree I was putting one up...Why you ask?

Hubby brought me home the new tree I have been wanted for the last couple of yrs...YAY hubby... Courtesy of the 50% after Christmas Sale on all Christmas Decor at Walmart...He also got me more outdoor lights but I did refrain from putting those out this yr.

The Tree is 6.5 ft, 600 tips and pre-strung with 400 white lights...arrrrr bliss...it also looks much more natural than the old tree...and I know ppl are thinking if I want it to look natural, why not go natural...one word ALLERGIES...

And yes I honestly did put this baby up on Dec 26th and with the help of Lil Sara decorated it just so (though I do need to fluff the branches a little more)...Why such madness?? because tonight my MIL and FIL arrive and tomorrow my BIL and his wife and we will be celebrating Christmas 2.0.

So on that note I need to go clean my house and wrap the rest of the Christmas presents lol.

Blessings Kelsie

The big reveal....

In a previous post I hinted at a surprise I was getting for husband that involve 2 women and a truck...I of course could not tell you what it was then because he might read about it here and the surprise would be over.

So this is what happened...After he went to work Saturday morning, I called my friend and she meet me at Walmart...Since hubby also works at Walmart I had to be super stealthy as to not be seen by him or anyone else from the TLE (Tire Lube Express)....While I waiting for the associates to find the bike I wanted I kept an eye open so not to be found out.

As it turned out, they were sold out of the bike I was going to get, so I had to make a decision without being able to read any reviews or anything else about it...So what is a girl to do??...Pick the prettiest one with the closest price to the original choice *grin*

We got the bike back to our house, careful to not drive up to the old trailer where I intended to hide it for the night, because with the lack of rain tire marks show up in the grass and YES hubby does notice new tire marks over there....I even took the time to carry the bike thru the woods so not to leave tell-tale signs in the dirt track also. (what a lot of work)

Christmas morning I set the alarm for super early and snuck out in the dark with a flashlight to retrieve the bike from it's hiding place and placed it under the tree...then waited for the children to wake up and announce Christmas...

My mission was a success because hubby had no idea I had got the bike for him.

Seems Santa was really listening this yr...Big Daughter got her longer for My lil Pony Rarity from lil Sara and a Kindle Fire from us.

Lil Sara got her much asked for Pink Princess Keyboard, new clothes for Alex, a stroller, tea-set, play dough cupcake set (From Big Sister) and other bits to go with existing toys.

 I was spoilt with 3 new dollies...My first LaLaloopsy (how cute is he??) and a Monster High Frankie from Big Daughter and Hubby also got me the 2011 Holiday Barbie designed my Robert Best (My Fave Barbie designer)...

After the unwrapping was over, we headed out to test out the new wheels...

Oh the blessings of country living...no traffic for miles.

Look at those happy faces...I think they enjoyed their new toys.

Blessings Kelsie

Christmas Decor 2011

 Lil Sara is tucked up in bed asleep and look!! Santa has been to our house already...Alex patiently waits in the chair next to the tree for morning, because the big guy in red tells me there are a few things for a good little dolly under the tree as well.

View from the dining area....Please excuse the bear rug on the floor...Oops that would be my lazy old dog.

 Touches of Christmas as you enter thru the front door.

The breakfast bar area and looking into the kitchen.

I love how the small Christmas tree looks behind this lovely chunky vintage frame.

 On the bar my red Transfer-ware tea cups sets and miniature glass balls add a lovely touch to Christmas don't you think?

And one last look at the bookshelf (mantle)...I am so delighted with how this looks...I almost dread Christmas being over because I don't want to take it down.

Blessings to you and your family

Merry Christmas From me and mine.

Kelsie

Tis' the day before Christmas....

This is it, last chance to shop, bake and wrap...Tomorrow is C-DAY.

This morning I have a plan...it involves 2 women and a truck and hopefully tomorrow morning a very surprised husband...Can we pull it off??

I also promised to bake cookies for Santa with lil Sara...Because baking cookies for the neighbors with her help worked out soooooo well...I seriously must be crazy lol.

Finish cleaning the house and just maybe get some photos to give you all a little tour this yr...3yr old permitting...whom btw is already pushing the limits and it is but 8.45am.

I just might get some lights up outside...yer I know leaving it a little late huh...but how will Santa find us out here in the middle of nowhere unless we light the way.

And lastly, but most importantly, I ask you all to pray for all those families that will not be having a Merry Christmas tomorrow...and will just be happy to get a meal...and all those children that are in the Foster Care system that will not get to see their parents tomorrow...I pray they will find love and joy with their foster families.

Blessings Kelsie

A little Aussie for Christmas

 I got a lovely surprise in my mail box this week, my dear sweet cousin who is currently traveling around Western Australia with her husband sent me a little reminder of home...

I wanted to really enjoy them so instead of hanging them on the tree I put hung them with the Christmas Cards...Which just happen to be hanging in front of the Navigation Chart of my hometown waters Albany Western Australia...Kinda fitting really.

 Two lovely hand crafted metal truly Australian Christmas ornaments...How cute is this ROO (yes ppl this is what we Australians call a roo lol) in his Christmas hat.

The Boab Tree is my favorite, so truly unique to Western Australia. (Click Here to learn more about this Iconic tree)..My Cousin tells me you will not find this one in any shops outside of Kununurra (where they are currently staying) because the Christmas Boabs are made especially for a local business there.

I was so touched that she thought of me and sent me such a lovely gift for Christmas.

Blessings Kelsie

Sharing for

Thursday Favorite Things @ http://katherinescorner.com/

Potpourri Friday @ http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com
Show and Tell Friday @ http://romantichome.blogspot.com

Christmas in the China Cabinet

I was not going to do it...I was going to do no more to the China Cabinet than add Granny's vintage glass ball and the ceramic pieces from my childhood...

But then today I was in the storage closet in my studio getting out something else, before I knew it 5 dolls had escaped and invaded the china cabinet for Christmas.

Actually it all started with these 3 trouble makers from the Barbie and the Nutcracker Collectors Editions.

Left to Right.
Barbie as The Sugar Plum Fairy
Barbie as Flower Ballerina (my favorite)
Barbie as Marzipan

Middle shelf was left Barbie free, but has Family Treasures such as my Grandmothers Cats, More of Granny's antique glass balls, a ceramic train my mother made me when I was a child.

and an English/Dutch copy of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens printed in 1931 that belonged to my father when he was a wee little lad at school.

And lastly we have the only 2 Holiday Barbies I own...Why?...Because I am a design snob and hate most of the Holiday Barbies gowns...But these 2 I love and were both gifts from Farmer Brown...Hope I get this yrs doll also since it is stunning and Designed by none other than the Fabulous Robert Best (Subtle Hint or what)

Good thing I can close the door on these treasures because I an not sure Lil Sara could be trusted around mummy's Barbies.

Blessings Kelsie

Sharing For

WOW Us Wednesday @ http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com

A little Christmas Miracle ...

I have been meaning to do a Christmas tour of my house to share, but well, we got a little tired up with other things.

 In the living room are boxes that were supposed to be returned to the attic a week ago...The "Santa Chair" next to the tree is buried under clean laundry...I am nursing a sick chicken, oh and I just booked my first paying job doing a Family Portrait photoshoot this weekend...

I thought I better practice getting some pretty Christmas light photos...and as you can see, my model was so happy to help me...

She did perk up a little bit when I told her I would pay her for her work with a lolly-pop.

I am so excited to have this work come my way after many prayers about finding some work to help out, and will still leave me available for my kids and of course the day to day chores on our little farm...God truly does listen and answers us...Praise the Lord.

Blessings Kelsie


Sharing for Show and Tell Friday @ http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Lil Sara the Performer...

Lil Sara testing the set for yesterday afternoons Photoshoot...She is such a goofball.

"I am ready for my close-up now Ma" Says Sara

And of course her performance at Church on Sunday

Silent Night on the Bells

Singing Go Tell it on the Mountain

Blessings Kelsie

Special little visitors @ Our Country Home

This little man stopped by this morning to have his photo taken...

It is very hard work being this adorable, so he fell asleep on the job...Which made my job that much easier hehe.

I have 2 more kiddies (and this guy) coming back at 4pm to get the family Christmas Card photos taken care of...and 2 other Children from a different family on Sunday afternoon.

So sweet of my friends to allow me to borrow their kids to practice on :)

Blessings Kelsie

Crafting Time

Getting a few small craft projects taken care of this week.

 I made a few cute bookmarks to give for gifts this year...Sadly I ran out of velvet ribbon so need to get some more to fill my gift list.

Started shredding sheets to make a Rag Rug for Sara's bedroom floor...You can find the tutorial HERE.

Once Sara takes a nap I need to dig thru my fabrics and make her a hair bow to match her dress for tomorrows Bells' performance, and get the cam-cord formatted and ready to go.

Tonight we also have the local Christmas light parade ending with the Lighting of the Christmas tree...Excited!!! as this will be the first yr Sara is old enough to know what is going on and Daddy has the evening off.

Hope yall are having a wonderfully Blessed weekend

Kelsie

Some sparkle and a tree

We dragged down the boxes of Christmas stuff from the attic yesterday...So now my living room is an explosion of boxes and yet to be placed decorations...

BUT...I added a little sparkle to the faux mantel..

AND we got the the tree up...
Which is completely finished except for the 2 new ornaments that we will give the girls on Christmas eve, as is our tradition...

Bless her heart Lil Sara jumped out of bed this morning to check for presents...alas she was disappointed...Time to make her an Advent calendar me thinks.

Not sure if we will do the outside of the house beside the wreaths this year...I have so much cleaning in the garden to get done and just don't know I will have the motivation or time to get to it all.

Sara has her last Bells rehearsal this evening and will perform next Sunday morning (Dec 4th)...I still need to find the battery changer for the cam-cord and make a bow/flower to match her dress...Plus I am working on the set for the older children's Choir who will be performing the same day.

I also only have 3 weeks to finish my Christmas shopping (and making the handmade gifts) since after that Lil Sara will have no Headstart until the New Year.

So today I officially welcome the "Silly Season" that leads us up to Christmas.

Blessings Kelsie

Christmas Mantel

Despite the fact we have not brought the boxes of decorations or tree down from the attic yet this year...

Or the fact we don't actually have a fireplace or mantel...

I have begun decorating the top of the book shelves as though it was a mantel.

I still need to de-clutter Lil Sara's portion of the shelves

I hope when the boxes do come down from the attic, I will find some more sparkle to add to the over all look.

Blessings Kelsie

Sharing for

Potpourri Friday @ http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com

My Secret Garden....

I am very blessed to have a dear friend who happens to be an amazing photographer...For Christmas she surprised me with such a wonderful gift...

She gave me a wonderful wrought iron frame for 3 photos that matches my decor perfectly...but she did not stop there...She handed me a large box containing 6 of her stock photo albums and told me to choose three photos to fill the frames...

But again she did not stop there...Knowing that looking through so many photographs with a toddler around would be a less than fun task, she packed little Sara into her car and took her shopping with her for the next 2 hours...

So this is was my final selection...I called it "My Secret Garden"

To me a secret garden is a place to nurture and grow everything your heart desires. The keys not only unlock the garden gate, but the inner most desire to create. The secrets of the garden are something beautiful from within your heart, brought forth like flowers blooming in the early spring. And even though the garden is surrounded and protected by a wall, the birds of the air can still visit, bringing with them just a little reminder of the inspiration from the outside world...So for this reason this lovely set of photographs are hanging above my desk as a reminder to unlock my inner artist and let her stroll through the garden once more.

Blessings Kelsie

If you would like to see more of Lois' gorgeous photographs please visit her website www.fletcherfotos.com or her blog http://fletcherfotos.blogspot.com/

A Happy Post...

I wanted share a happy post today...I wanted to show off what a sweet gift hubby got for me this year, and what better time than Show and Tell Friday...


For the longest time I have been wanting a red purse, I love they way they add just a pop of color to a dark winter outfit without being to over the top....So I had been eyeballing the red ones at BEALLS for ages, but with money tight could not justify buying myself one when I have a perfectly lovely white purse my mother got me this summer..But I was still dreaming of a red "winter" purse.

Well now I dream no more, hubby surprised me with this lovely for Christmas....He even made sure it had nice soft comfortable straps....I *heart* my new purse.

Don't forget to visit

Merry Christmas One and All

Though Santa's helper (me) had not slept in 4 days,
I managed to remember to take a photo of the presents under the tree at 1am this morning.

Sara opening her first present Christmas 2010

I hope your were blessed with lots of love, friendship and all that other good stuff like hope, joy and peace this Christmas.

Blessings Kelsie

Last minute Christmas gifts...

Can you believe it is Wednesday already and just 3 more sleeps till Santa...

Are you excited?

Are you ready?

Here is Sara making a last minute Christmas gift on Saturday for her favorite neighbors...


We cut 2 pieces of card stock (cereal box cardboard would work and possibly be better as it is a little thicker) into the shape of a Christmas trees. Slit one tree from top to middle and the other middle to base so they could slot together...Sara then spent the next hour gluing small pieces of recycled Christmas wrapping paper all over both sides of the card stock.

Here she is going to deliver the tree and a card she "wrote" in all by herself, I also slipped one of the photos of her taken during the family portrait section into the card....Sorry you can't see more of the finished tree, she was in a hurry to go see her "Wucil, JNR and Ant" (Lucile, Jr and Aunt Audry) and thought I was trying to take the tree while I was trying to take a photo of it lol.

This week nothing really has run to plan which is why no Tea Tuesday post this week *sad face* I even baked cookies and forbid the family to eat them until AFTER my photoshoot, but alas I just could not find the time to do the photoshoot, so I guess I should just let the family eat the gingerbread cookies...

This cold then warm weather is taking it's toll on Sara's allergies and asthma, I ended up spending most of yesterday, last night and this morning giving breathing treatments and trying to bring down her temp which rose to 102 degrees by late yesterday afternoon...We will be back at the Dr's as soon as they open this morning...I took her yesterday morning to make sure the wheezing had not spreed to her lungs...I hate how quickly these episodes come on.

I still have a couple of last minute gifts to buy and should have gotten all the Christmas cards with the family portraits in the mail by now but I guess they will be late this year...Though in my defense I did not receive the prints until Monday night.

Hope everyone else's count down to Christmas week is running smoothly and your home is filled with love, laughter and joyful anticipation of Saturday..

Kelsie