Little Family in the Big Woods

A spring brunch on a beautiful day is one of the feel goods of life.  This one included a bacon/egg casserole, fruit, hash brown casserole, and a very special featured treat.  Can you spot the special treat? My daughter had given me a box of pastry’s from   Ballerina Farms   for my birthday.  They were absolutely delicious.  The ones on the top are plain, and the ones on the bottom are chocolate filled. My little treat for my guests was their own mini take out  box of fruit.  Something fun on such a special day. 

The Long Table Party is quickly becoming our favorite way to entertain in the Big Woods.   My Lynchburg Sister and I set up this party to entertain a favorite group of ladies from our church called the Hope Circle.   We chose a nice spot in the field beside our barn to set up the tables. It is important to try to find a place that is level so the tables will be balanced.   It was my Lynchburg Sister who was the creative brains behind this adventure. She planned for several days to come up with a lovely fall theme.   The colorful napkins are from the Pioneer Woman line and tied with jute.     The awesome lanterns came from the Spotted Cow store in our local town. My sister picked up the white plates from different thrift stores around town.   The church ladies seemed to really enjoy sitting around the table and visiting.   My favorite part of the night was the program presented by our leade...

Our Christmas Celebration began with a gathering of my husband's family to recreate the Christmas Eve's that were spent at their Maw's and Paw Paw's house many years ago.  It was a great time. The Christmas tree in the photo is a similar one to the cedar tree that was always in their home.  It was very simple with lights and tinsel. I love this tree. The tree is a great reminder of a simpler time and place filled with a lot of love.   This beautiful nativity set was hand knitted by my Sewing Sister.  She can sew or knit just about anything. I think it is awesome. Her grand daughters will love playing with it.   This is a picture taken at my Lynchburg sister's home. We spent Christmas Eve at her house.   She recently purchased and added this beautiful cabinet to her home. I love her decorations. My daughter and I made these Christmas tea cakes for our final celebration on Christmas day. ...

The weather in the Big Woods last weekend was perfect for hosting a Barn Party. We had some friends over to shoot skeet and eat with us.  My husband named the evening Skeets and Eats. It was a great opportunity once again to set up the long table. I love this shot with the big tree at the end. This is my favorite tree down by the barn. We grilled hot dogs, ate chili, sausage balls, and pecan pie.

  It's fall in the Big Woods.   That means, it is time for the dogwood trees to show out with their beautiful red berries. The leaves on the soybeans are beginning to turn yellow. And, the persimmon trees are loaded, and the persimmons are beginning to ripen. Winter is not far behind.

Thank you Trisha Yearwood, the Pioneer Woman, and my husband for my early Christmas present. A candy thermometer, a cake icing spatula, and a very nice set of measuring cups that I desperately needed.  A special thank you to my husband who was listening as I was wishfully thinking out loud while watching my favorite shows last Saturday morning.  Thanks also to my daughter for hinting about the measuring cups, and to my son for making the trip with my husband to the Williams-Sonoma store.  I can't wait to get started on the Christmas baking!!!

Our favorite place in the Big Woods has become a place that is not in the Big Woods at all... It is actually in front of the Big Woods. It is in fact an area that we have created between the woods and the wheat field. It is a place that was started by hanging a swing from the branch of a beautiful oak tree. And now it has grown to be a place for family and friends to gather and visit. It is a place where my husband and I try to spend a few minutes every day.   Chairs have been added...flowers have been added..citronella candles have been added...   The peace and quiet were all there to start with...we just had to find this place and become a part of it.   The view from this spot under the tree is always changing. The wheat is now gone and soybeans have just been planted.   A cornfield is now visible from this very spot.   The scenery changes with the time of year and with the time of day.   B...