Warm and Cozy....

Dearest Readers,

Brrrr.....It is most assuredly winter here at Honey Hill Farm.  This morning Dearest already had both stoves blazing before he left for hockey out on the pond.  He and his brothers along with some dear friends played until noon.  He was awfully glad to come inside to a pot of freshly brewed coffee and the warmth of the parlour.

I stayed inside and began working on my HomeKeeping Binder for the new year.  It certainly helps me stay organized and on top of things throughout the upcoming months.  I wanted to personalize some blank templates that I came across here.  Would home management topics interest you, Dear Reader?  I will share my binder and recipe binder in future posts.

I have a little laundry in the washer and plan to sit down in the back parlour, put my feet up and read my old copies of Victorian Homes, Victoria, and Victorian Lifestyles.  Some of these "friends" are almost 15 years old. but I drag them out every once in awhile and soak up inspiration.

Not a very busy day to be sure, but sometimes a little quiet time is just the right thing.

UPDATE:  I have recently added my e-mail address to the right sidebar for those of you who cannot leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you!

Yours kindredly,

Shan

Settling In......

Dearest Readers,

With a new year upon me it is now time to settle in....a time to turn inward and set things back to that gentle pace and rhythm..... 

First, I need to take down and carefully re-pack all of the beloved Christmas decorations.  Of course, a thorough cleaning is needed, as dusting amongst the pine garlands doesn't work very well and there are quite a few dust bunnies to be shepherded to the dust bin.

Second, my pantry, fruit cellar pantry and freezer are in need of cleaning, straightening and most importantly, food.  I must get back to a wholesome meal plan...we have eaten far too much from the groaning board!  So the coming weeks will have me baking, freezing and cooking to my heart's delight.

Finally, I plan to organize all my drawers, cupboards and files. Not all at once, of course, but little by little, until the whole house feels tidy and calm. 

Come January, all three of my boys will be taking classes at college.  Our two Darling Boys at the University and Dearest at our local community college.  This means that I will have quite a bit of "alone" time and I plan to spend it in my craft/sewing room.  It will be a pleasure to finally finish some long neglected projects.

Speaking of crafts......here is one I would like to share......

Don't throw away those old calendars or cards, or even scraps of wrapping paper you have received throughout the year....make a scrap picture!  Oh, this is so much fun and your littles can share in this delightfully old-fashioned pursuit.  Find yourself a frame, cut out a large picture and then fill in around it with small cut-outs, layering as you go. It is a nice slow project, perfect for setting up in front of a lazy fire on a cold evening.

While I dearly love the holidays, I find it very rewarding to return my dear Honey Hill back to a normal routine.  Gentle Homekeeping suits me best!!

I hope you are finding yourself happily returning to "normal" after this long season of festivities Dear Reader.

Yours kindredly as always,

Shan 

A Happy New Year!

Dearest Readers,

May you have a blessed New Year!  I look forward to spending time in your company in 2009!

Yours kindredly,

Shan

Merry Christmas...A look Upstairs

Dearest Readers,

We had a lovely Christmas here at Honey Hill Farm.  Spending the day with our loved ones, sharing a meal and playing parlour games. What a blessed day!  We will be hosting my side of the family tomorrow so today is just for resting and relaxing.  I hope your Christmas was wonderfully splendid! I missed putting a Christmas greeting on my blog yesterday as I had intended....just know that you were in my thoughts.

As promised, a look upstairs......

Here, at the top of the stairs, you can find old photos and an antique baby swing

The bedrooms are afforded their Christmas cheer with evergreens and a few collectibles....

The Library is festive and cozy....

This is our Reading Tree...our favorite books are written on the tags

Christmas tea in the Library....

The upstairs Bath looks to be in a festive mood.....

Well Dear Reader, I hope that you have enjoyed today's tour....it is so nice to have you in for a visit. 

Have a gentle weekend....

Yours kindredly,

Shan

Holiday Home Tour.....the Back Parlour

Dearest Readers,

We have returned from our trip to Disneyland....it was such a blessing to spend time together in such an enchanted place.  The decorations were splendid, we laughed until our cheeks hurt and we rode rides until we were dizzy!

Now that we are once again tucked away here at Honey Hill Farm, I thought I would invite you to return and take a tour of our Back Parlour.  So won't you have a peek......

Here is our large "Family" tree.  We hang all of our collected treasures here.  Souvenirs from our travels, trinkets made long ago at school and lovely gifts from friends. Snow (cotton batting), tinsel and yards of ribbon bring out the Victorian charm.  (We designed this space for our tree before we even added on the room...a perfect fit.)

Of course, chickens abound and most assuredly partake in the Christmas spirit....

Some even sport jaunty hats....

Our Currier & Ives village rests contentedly on the stairwell ledge (Dearest designed it especially just for this village)....each house glowing with Christmas cheer.  Unfortunately, one family is "out" for the evening...at least that is what we are pretending (wouldn't you know, the bulb went out just as I finished sprinkling the last bit of snow)!

And most importantly, our Nativity..... it is a beautifully made Victorian set........

It has pride of place here in the Back Parlour....reminding us of the true meaning of this Blessed Season. 

All in all, the Back Parlour wraps our family in warmth.  It is the coziest room here at Honey Hill and where we spend many a long winter's night.  Quilts brought out of the steamer trunk, hot chocolate, popcorn and a board game or wonderful old movie....these are the most treasured of evenings, shared together.

Well Dear Reader, since you were so good to visit would you like to peek into our downstairs bath?  Jolly good! ......

This is our "Bathroom Tree".  What is that Dear Reader, you have never heard of a tree for the Bath?  This one sports tiny rolls of T.P. and little bath towels!  I made it years ago, and has become a family favorite. (You can imagine Dearest's surprise to come home from work one day to find me cutting T.P. into tiny strips and rolling them on little spools!)

An old soapbox looks ever so dapper draped in a pine bough.

Across the room, scrap pictures (collected from calendars and cards) decorate the walls and have found their Holiday spirit.....yes, Virginia, even a Bathroom can join in the celebration of Christmastide!

I so hope that you have found your Christmas spirit.  It is that lovely place that glows inside...gently loving all those around us, making the days brighter just by being kind and patient.  Do find it Dear Reader, for it is the best gift you can give, not only to others but to yourself.

Yours so very kindredly,

Shan

P.S. Next, I thought you might like to venture upstairs....I hope you will visit me soon!

Holiday Home Tour....the Kitchen

Dearest Readers,

Welcome back to Honey Hill Farm...won't you make yourself at home in our warm, cozy kitchen...where the scent of pine, orange and cloves fills the air and reminds us that Christmastide is here.

This coziest of places, beckons us to spend days baking and sipping hot cups of cocoa while the snowflakes fall....eventide is upon us and the candles are lit, casting a delightful glow.

Pine boughs are tucked into corners and slipped behind pictures, lending a holiday feel to everyday necessities...

It doesn't take much to make the kitchen the most festive room in the house....

As quick as a wink, your kitchen brims with gingerbread men, wonderful fudge, cookies and candy.....lovely gifts from the heart. 

 So Dear Reader, I hope you will take the time to enjoy your day, tucking yourself inside your kitchen, lingering over the aroma of fresh baked goodies.....sipping your coffee ever-so-slowly.  The best part of the Christmastide season is the everyday gentle living.

It is my most sincere desire that you have had a splendid time here at Honey Hill Farm.  I will be away for a few days, but I will extend an invitation to visit me next week.....we can spend some time in our back parlour. 

Yours so very kindredly,

Shan

Holiday Home Tour.....Peeking into the Parlour

Dearest Readers,

As Dearest and I have a busy day tomorrow, I have started our tour a little earlier than promised.  Here, let me take your wrap...now watch your step......

Won't you please follow me as we step into our front parlour.... 

The afternoon sun casts its glow gently through the windows, bidding all who enter to sit awhile....

Our Victorian tree has been trimmed with vintage (and not so vintage) ornaments, orange slices, candles and tinsel....

Old toys from childhood await to delight yet another generation on Christmas morning...

Our old pump organ is dressed in all the finery this season requires...

Postcards from the turn-of-the-century still share their message of cheer.....

Tinsel, a Victorian favorite, is draped with abandon....

Evergreens abound as they bring the scent of Christmastide into the room....

Small delights are tucked in here and there...

Won't you sit and have a cup of tea? We can sit here, cozy and warm as our woodstove blazes away.  I would love to hear how you will dress your home for the season.....

Well, I cannot believe that the afternoon light is waining, calling your name to leave.  Let me help you with your cloak and scarf, you'll want to stay warm on your journey homeward. I hope you have enjoyed your tour of our front parlour here at Honey Hill Farm, you have been a delightful guest and I hope you will join us again on Friday for the continuing tour..... 

Until then, I hope that this Christmastide finds you surrounded by those you love, content in the warmth and blessings that they offer with their laughter and smiles. There is such joy around each corner this time of year!

I remain, kindredly yours,

Shan