Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Sharing a Christmas Recipe from Thomas Jefferson



Everyone should know by now how much we love COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG. . .Visiting it and then working there are two of the HIGHLIGHTS of my life. . .It was there that John and I met. . .Actually, he was technically one of my bosses. . .He laughs now that the roles have been switched. . .

Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson: SOURCE

We made many lasting FRIENDSHIPS. . .one of which was Thomas Jefferson. . .So it was extra special that we would receive a Christmas card from him with his FAVORITE BREAD PUDDING enclosed. . .
And now. . .We are SHARING it with you. . .



The recipe is DELICIOUS. . .and RICH. . .
No wonder Jefferson loved it. . .
Hope you'll ENJOY it, too. . .If not during the HOLIDAYS,
then as a SPECIAL TREAT in the NEW YEAR.




From THOMAS JEFFERSON'S table. . .and OURS . . .



Friday, December 1, 2017

SEASONED SOUTHERN STYLE: Cranberry Pecan Salad/Relish



I simply can't explain how DELICIOUS this Cranberry Pecan Salad/Relish is. . .Mom made it for the Christmas Holidays for as long as I can remember. . .We all preferred it to regular cranberry sauce. . . I love it on my Southern Dressing. . .and I've seen my Dad spread it on his breakfast toast. . .He did have to catch Mom not looking, though. . . 

 

Mom called it a salad. . .I used it as a relish. . .Daddy ate it like jam. . .I've seen others add it to their dessert. . .One recipe. . .pleases everyone. . .


The ingredients couldn't be easier to find during the holiday season. . .Cranberries, Pecans (or similar nut), Celery, Oranges, and Sugar with Raspberry Gelatin as the base. . . It's sweeter than regular cranberry sauce but not over-powering to the rest of the meal. . .And if you like it less sweet, reduce the added sugar to your taste. . .


See how simple it is? Forget all the steps of boiling the berries with sugar and hoping the consistency will be right. . .This comes out perfect every time. . .
Hope you'll try it. . .but. . .be prepared to hear. . .'More, Please'. . .
Happens every time. . .

 

Monday, November 27, 2017

SEASONED SOUTHERN STYLE: Our Traditional Southern Dressing and Giblet Gravy Recipes



In our family, we called it Mom's Dressing Recipe, but it was actually passed down from my Grandmother. . .who got it from her Mom. . .Heaven only knows how far back through the generations it goes. . . The thing is, there was actually no recipe. . .Each daughter was taught how to make it by their Mom's instruction. . . I suppose I was the first in the family to write it down on paper. . .I stood beside Mom as she mixed together the ingredients, trying to estimate the measures. Grandmother and Mom went by the way it looked, the way it tasted. . .and all was based on how much bread they had on hand. . . . Bread was the essential item. . .left-over biscuits and cornbread. . .the ends off loaves. . .scraps and pieces saved and frozen from months before. . .Lots and lots of bread. . .too much to be mixed in a bowl. . .They didn't have a bowl large enough. . .so they made-do, utililizing the bottom of a huge, old roasting pan. . .It was the official Magers family pan for dressing. . .Grandmother passed the pan to Mom. . .and yes. . Mom left it for me. . .


Most Southern states have variations of our traditional dressing recipe. . .It wasn't exclusively my family's. . .It's no huge, closely kept secret. . .Many Southern women made a variation of it, as older recipes can attest to that fact. . .Passing recipes around was a common practice. . . I grew up in a small community where recipes were shared, to the point that the original creator often got lost in the shuffle. . .Which brings me to the dressing served at the church's annual Harvest Dinner. . .It was the same as Grandmother's. . .Whether it came from her recipe box or not, I have no idea. . .but she had been a Charter member of the church and of the Women's Society. . .way back in the early 20th century when those Harvest Dinners began. . .I'll never know for sure, but I like to think she had something to do with it. . .
In this community the dish was referred to as the  'Methodist Dressing'. . .Not as opposed to the 'Baptist Dressing'. . . Most Baptist made this dressing, too. . .It was simply in reference to the Harvest Dinners put on by the Methodist women every year as a money-making project. . . Dell women were known for their delicious food, so their dinners were always sold out. . .In fact, they had to sell tickets for different time slots in order to serve everyone. . .People came from near and far. . .literally. . .From all over Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. . .from Tennessee. . and Mississippi. . .There was one year that they had two nights of dinners. . .two-three shifts each night.
Mom was president of the WSCS (Women's Society of Christian Service) several times and organized these dinners. . .obviously, a massive effort. . .She began in September,  lining up donations from the grocery stores. . .ordering the turkeys. . .visiting the bakeries for left-over bread. . .obtaining green beans, corn, peas and other vegetables from the Bush Cannery. . .The Franklin Press donated the printing for tickets and posters. . .She began getting commitments from the ladies as to which dishes they were to make and how many. . .organizing kitchen crews, servers, and hostesses. . .appointing those who would decorate and set up the tables. . .No paper plates or plastic allowed. . .The fine 'Methodist' china, crystal and silver came out of the cabinets. . .The tables were spread with their white linen tablecloths. . .The food was buffet style with beautiful silver bowls and platters. . .crystal serving dishes. . .and every  year gorgeous floral centerpieces. . .It was quite a production. . .Festive. . .Ticket holders themselves considered the dinner a special occasion. . .attending in their Sunday best. . .Not only was it a money-making project, it also brought the community together during our Fall harvests of cotton, soybeans, and wheat. . .These ladies were celebrating in the way that Southern women do. . .It was a time of thanks and gathering families in. . .of sharing their LOVE through their food. . .
Those Harvest Dinners were often talked about for months later. . .It also took about that long for the ladies to recuperate. . .


NEEDS NO GRAVY

There is a difference in our Southern dressing compared to the more common cornbread dressing that most people know. . ..It does include cornbread, usually made with white corn meal, but the addition of white bread, eggs and much more stock results in a light, puffy moist perfect side dish for turkey or chicken. . .In fact, it is so moist and flavorful that John maintains. . .'It needs no gravy'. . .Don't think he doesn't use gravy on it, though. . .He's a true Southern boy. . .


One of the things I enjoy about this recipe is that it is so forgiving and versatile. . .Armed with my jotted down notes, I find myself rarely referring to the recipe much at all. . .Just like Mom, I adjust it based on the taste and quantity of bread on hand. . .I can make more or less. . .add extra eggs or not. . .I have the option of making it plain. . .or. . .making it a meal in one by adding left-over turkey or chicken to the mix.

Sadly though, the old roasting pan for mixing hasn't been used in years. . .Our family has scattered. . .and dwindled. . .Over the years, I've been able to cut down the recipe so that my largest mixing bowl is the right size. . .I no longer have big bags of biscuits or left-over breads. . .but I have found that the Italian breads, left out for a day to dry a little, works well. . .

THE RECIPE

GIBLET GRAVY

You thought I said this delicious dressing needed no gravy, didn't you?. . .Well, it doesn't. . .but Giblet Gravy is still a must to add flavor on top of flavor. . .for more richness. . .Serve it on the side, though. . .so each can ladle his own. . .I, myself, cover the slices of turkey, too. . .


So now you're set for a true Southern Turkey and Dressing dinner. . .Whether it is called Mom's Dressing or Methodist Dressing or Southern Dressing. . .it's still the best of any I've ever tasted. . .Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without it. . .Not in this family anyway. . .


To round out the meal, add your own side dishes. . .
or try a few of Mom's favorites. . .
(Some Recipes will be posted later.)

Sweet Potato Casserole with Coconut, Pecans, and Marshmallows
Green Bean Casserole
Collard Greens 
Fresh Creamed Corn with Pimento
Company Peas

and top off the meal with Southern sweetness:

Martha Ruddle's Fruit Cake
Pecan Pies
Grandmother's Buttermilk Pie
Mincemeat Cobbler 

Yum. . .Christmas can't come too soon. . .


 



Saturday, November 11, 2017

Telling Their Stories: A Tribute on Veteran's Day


It's Veteran's Day. . .a day to remember those who have kept our Nation free. . .those who sacrificed much in order to defend what we hold so dear. . .

On this day, I would like to honor the Veteran that I knew so well. . .and miss tremendously. . .My Dad. . .Curtis C. Duncan. . .who joined the U S Navy in 1942 and served in World War II as a Yeoman of the 8th Amphibious Command Headquarters in the Mediterranean Operation. He was also on board the flagship of Rear Admiral Frank J. Lowry. . .the USCGC Duane. . .for the Invasion of Southern France. . .one of the vast communications operation crew.  He always said he fought the War behind a typewriter. . .but I have found he did much more. . .

Daddy was always so good to write letters to me, wherever I was living.  Many of them were about the garden, his photography, Mom's cooking. . .So I had the idea to ask him to jot down some of his stories for me when he'd write. It didn't need to be long or formally written. . .Simply what he wanted to tell. . .He seemed thrilled and worked hard on the letters. Over a ten year period, he poured out his memories. . .little by little. . .never lengthy enough for details but he was able to remember the basics. . .There are two large notebooks full, but they don't begin to touch on the details of the life he lived. . .Yet, with much research, and reaching back into my memories of the stories I heard, I've begun to put his story together and have realized what an extraordinary man he was.



USSCGC DUANE CREW--Y2c/S1c C C DUNCAN 1st Row Left--DALE ROOKS PHOTO

"You have served in the greatest Navy in the world. No other Navy at any time has done so much. For your part in these achievements, you deserve to be proud as long as you live. The Nation which you serve at this time of crisis will remember you with gratitude. . ." James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy
 I noticed that a large group of landing craft was coming into the harbor at Naples, Italy. Since I was stationed on the USCGC Duane and Com 8th Amphibious operation ship, I did not think too much about it. The LST's, LCI's, destroyers and the landing craft were loaded with tanks, trucks, jeeps, plus the army personnel. We were gathering a landing force for Southern France. Two days before sailing, all liberties were canceled. I got up one morning and all you could see was ships--slow ships running at 5 to 15 knots. We were on our way. . .  from the C C Duncan Journal: The WWII Years by Dru Duncan 2017

Y/2C Curtis C. Duncan, Back Row Left

Daddy's story is not  a singular one. It's the story of thousands of others who served in World War II. They have been called "The Greatest Generation." For them, hard times were nothing new. They lived through both the Great Depression and World War II and survived to help build a new and prosperous America that has endured to this day. Through their stories, we can learn what it means to sacrifice for others. After the war, they came back home victorious but changed in many ways as they took on the task of rebuilding this nation. Their love for our country was obvious in everything they did. I consider it an honor to be the daughter of one of those great, but humble, men. . .and to tell his story. . .from the C C Duncan Journal: The WWII Years by Dru Duncan, 2017

 USCGC Duane decked out for the King in Naples Italy, July 1944. CC Duncan on board. DALE ROOKS PHOTO

Please do remember ALL VETERANS this day. . .for their SERVICE to our COUNTRY. . .
whether it was a time of war or peace. . .They each deserve our RECOGNITION.

    Shake a Veteran's hand and tell him
'THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE'
not just today. . .but each time you meet one. . .
Encourage them to tell their story. . .the story of their service to this Nation. . .
STORIES which never should be lost. . .




 And to my Dad. . .a SPECIAL THANKS from me. . .
for enriching my life with HIS STORY. . .



Thursday, November 9, 2017

SEASONED SOUTHERN STYLE: Simply Good Food



". . .It was a revelation to find, when I first went north, that what we ate was not what everybody else in the country eats, because southerners, no matter where they were on the social ladder, ate pretty much as we did. The ingredients were the same, although the preparation might differ with the level of affluence. . ." **

GRAPE NUTS TEA BREAD***  (RECIPE LINK BELOW)

As I've discovered in life that SIMPLE can be the best. . .and the healthiest. . .so have I found it to be true of the foods we eat. . .

After years of trying new recipes with a long list of ingredients, seeking healthy alternatives to gluten and dairy, trying to eliminate preservatives and pesticides, I have decided to return to the food of my childhood. . .simple foods made from scratch (mostly) and of the freshest ingredients I can find. . .I think today's term for this way of thinking is 'eating clean'. . .I call it common sense. . .

In this community, we have had numerous octogenarians and at least four that I can count right now who are still living in their 90s+. . . My own great Aunt Pearl lived to be 101 (or was it 103?) years old. . . How did they do it? What was their secret to longevity? . .I can think of several reasons. . .and most definitely I'm convinced their diet played a huge roll. . .They ate whole  foods. . .grew their own gardens. . .canned their own fruits and vegetables. . .used mostly basic and easy recipes. . .They ate meat from the chicken yard. . .the hog pen. . .the pasture. . .and the woods. . .There were no GMOs. . .Few chemical preservatives. . .No additives. . .Simply Good Food. . .
There is no doubt the ladies in our community were terrific cooks. . .It was an art. . .and one that is fast becoming lost. . .It's how I ate for at least 30 years. . .but then it became easier and it saved time to grab prepackaged items than baking my own cookies. . .than canning my own veggies. . .than spending time in the kitchen. . .Easier but not healthier. . .for I have become 'food sensitive' and/or 'food intolerant'. . .I know, I know. . .It sounds funny, but let me tell you, it is not. . .Ingesting just a smidgen of my trigger foods, I can get violently sick for days. . .and it can take weeks for me to completely get over it. . .In my search for a diet that would take out those foods and preservatives, I realized that family recipes and the old foodways. . .with a few changes. . .were exactly what I needed. . .and maybe what others might need, too. . .
Come with me on my journey to healthier eating through recipes from the 1920s to the present day . . .I'll share the original recipes and processes of cooking homemade. . .Where I've tweaked a recipe for myself, I'll share that with you also. . .This will be just good homemade food. . .I plan to share recipes for 'company dishes' such as my Mom's dressing in time for the holidays. . .and her candied sweet potatoes with lots of butter, pecans, and coconut. . .along with foods for everyday eating. . .and all Seasoned Southern Style. . .
To get you started, here are a few links to recipes I have shared in the past. . .
























Mouth watering, yet?
I'll be back soon with my Mom's Dressing Recipe. . .
a combination of white bread and cornbread and lots of flavor. . .
Get your taste buds ready. . .It's delicious. . .




**Passage from Born in the Delta by Margaret Jones Bolsterli, 1991


Thursday, October 12, 2017

Come Join The Barn Quilt Trail



Have you heard about the nationwide popularity of Barn Quilt Trails? It was in 2003 that I spotted my first Barn Quilt while traveling through Tennessee on my way back to Virginia. . .A quilt block painted on the side of a barn. . .I thought what a unique idea some crafty lady came up with. . .Then I saw the second. . .and the third. . .and I was hooked. . .I wanted to see more. . .I wanted my own. . .but at the time all I had was a townhouse in Williamsburg. . .No barn, outbuilding, garage, or shed to place one on. . .So I tucked away the Barn Quilt photos in my desk. . .but they were never forgotten. . .In fact, it seemed Barn Quilts were springing up all over the country.


The credit for Barn Quilt Trails appears to be a result of  Donna Sue Groves's desire to honor her mother's quilting expertise by painting an Ohio Star quilt block on their tobacco barn in Adams County, Ohio. There was so much interest that Donna realized what seemed to be a simple project had wide appeal and could benefit her community aesthetically and economically. In 2001, she worked with local people to create a 'clothesline of quilts' as many others joined in with their painted blocks. The first quilt trail was born. Now there are 43 states with quilt trails. It's become a movement that I think surprised many people, but then, who doesn't love the soft comfort of a handmade quilt and the memories they bring?
As in other parts of the United States, quilting has almost become a folk art of the past, but I did witness our Delta ladies piecing and quilting very early in my childhood. . .It began my lifelong love of quilts. In fact, I pieced my own first quilt when I was 3 years old.


Mr. and Mrs. Turner were a lovely couple who lived in a small, two bedroom shotgun house on my Grandmothers property. . .and only footsteps from our back door. . .I dearly loved them and visited almost everyday. . .She was an excellent quilter. . .Usually there was a quilt top in a frame above the kitchen table so she could work on it in odd times. . .Her husband also quilted. . .I had never seen that before. . .a man quilting. . .but I was young enough that I thought men were suppose help. . .and wondered why my own Dad didn't quilt, too. . .
Most days I found Mrs. Turner piecing the beautiful patterns found in newspapers or borrowed from other quilters. . .She was either cutting or hand-sewing the little pieces. . .One day I decided it was time that I tried my hand at piecing. . .I wanted to make my own quilt and I wanted fabric and scissors to do just that. . .She wouldn't allow me to use the scissors but she did pull out the Sears Roebuck catalog and showed me how to tear the pieces from that. . .Then she helped me paste them onto a sheet of paper. . .Unfortunately, I don't have that first quilt. . .and I wasn't as satisfied with it as much as I would had it been fabric. . .but at the same time, I knew I'd have quilts in my life from that day on. . .I have made my own quilts, but mostly I began collecting them. . .I've hung them on walls as art. . .I've displayed them on quilt racks. . .I've used them in an obvious place--the bed. . .I've given workshops on how to piece. . .I've given programs at various organizations. . .I've written a booklet about my Grandmother Duncan's quilts, of which I am now the proud owner. . .I have been published twice in quilt magazines with patterns of my own design. . .I participated in several national quilt shows. . .In other words, quilts have surrounded me. . .enveloped me. . .kept my interest. . .for most of my life. . .Barn Quilts were a natural next step. . .


By 2005, I no longer lived in a townhouse. . .I suddenly found myself to be the owner of two barns, three outbuildings (at that time--there are more now), a farm shop, an old country store building, and the manager's home. . .Although it took me three more years before I began painting Barn Quilts, I was gradually adding photos to my quilt stash as I traveled through many states. . .They seemed to be everywhere. . .and by 2008 I proudly displayed six Barn Quilts on our property. . . But time and weather took their toll within a couple of years. . .All but two were sent to the barn storage bins. The two remaining were displayed on our home, under the porch roof where they would be protected. In fact, one became our logo for the Widner-Magers Farm Historic District and Duncan Farmstead which has been photographed many times by people who happened upon it.


Our Cotton Boll Barn Quilt has been a hit with so many 
and continues to be pinned on Pinterest.



It was while adding POPS OF WHIMSEY at our two shotgun houses, I decided we should use the barn quilts again this year. . .We needed to bring color to the drab gray buildings. . .Once we finished the LITTLE CHAPEL IN THE FIELD, I pulled out two of our badly weathered Barn Quilts from 2008 and gathered the paint buckets. . .This time I made sure I used exterior paint to guard against the weather.


The term Barn Quilt implies that an entire quilt is painted on wood. . .but that's not the case most times. . .Normally, only one quilt block is selected. . . The size of the block is also left up to the creator.  I decided on 4' X 4' plywood squares for our outbuildings. . .A standard size for blocks displayed on a barn is 8' X 8'. . .The easiest quilt block patterns to paint are those comprised of simple geometric shapes, such as triangles, squares, and rectangles. Simple shapes and vibrant colors for these two updates assure that they are easily seen from far down the road.

AMISH CROSS


NINE PATCH

Once we displayed our quilts on the houses, I thought 'Wouldn't it be great if we had our own Barn Quilt Trail right here in Northeast Arkansas?' . .There are plenty opportunities. . .Barns, sheds, garages, outbuildings. . .Viewers would follow a map printed from the internet and read about each one as they drive through the countryside. . . It's happening throughout the United States with a wide variety of people creating the blocks. . .not only by individuals but quilt guilds, schools, churches, and 4-H clubs have participated across the country. . .Why not here? . .Quilts are a part of our heritage, too. . .


How do you join in? . .Simply by painting and displaying a Barn Quilt of your own. . .Then EMAIL us with a photo and where the Quilt is located if you would like to be placed on the Delta Quilt Trail map for all to see. 

We would also appreciate you sharing information with us that could be added. . .about your family. . .your memories. . .why you chose that particular block. . .anything you would like to add. . .This isn't required but would mean so much to everyone. . .
This PDF will get you started. . .
There are many other ways for painting and displaying these quilts, but the above link will give you the basics. . .You can see more techniques at my PINTEREST BOARD. . .You'll also find numerous barn quilts from across the country for inspiration there. . .And. . .if you have any other questions. . .EMAIL US. . .We'll be glad to answer your questions. . .



Soon I'll repaint the other four quilts and display them. . .adding to the Delta Barn Quilt Trail beginnings. . .Hope they inspire you to paint your own. . .It would be a way to give back to our community, just as Donna Sue Groves did for Ohio years ago. . .


Let's put our beautiful land and barns on the map. . .
our own DELTA QUILT TRAIL map. . .



Check out more Posts of the Delta Quilt Series at the bottom of the page.



Thursday, August 31, 2017

Little Chapel in the Field Reveal



We've done it . .The Little Chapel in the Field exterior is finished. . .Would you like to venture a guess of the final cost of this up-grade? . .$136.25. . .Had John and I not done the work ourselves, of course it would have been more. . .But, we enjoy a challenge. . .We had to take it slowly. . .and could only work when we had a spare hour or two. . .We also spent time searching the barns for make-do items we could incorporate. . .'It was a labor of love.'
I've had the idea for a while. . .since the year we purchased the up-right piano from a local country church. . .Crossroads Baptist Church was razed several years ago. . . The Blaylocks got in touch with us before the church was torn down. . . They ended up giving us so much more, including pews, a podium, songbooks and Bibles. . .I thought we might build a chapel for ourselves one day. . .Like we need more buildings . .(I think at last count we had twelve.)
Chapels or churches among the tenant houses and in local small communities are historically a big part of our Delta history. . .Country churches dotted the back roads. . .where almost every little settlement had it's own. . .Many were used for grades 1-8 schools in the early 20th century also. . .
So after a tornado damaged the roof and porch of our smallest example of a tenant house, I saw an opportunity to turn it into our own unique little chapel. . .As they say, 'The rest is history'. . .(pun intended).


The building we started with sure didn't look like much. . .just a small, grayed outbuilding. . .damaged by the winds and tornado. . .
Obviously. . .something needed to be done. . .We rolled up our sleeves and got to work. . .Nothing sketched out. . .We made it up as we went. . .The only rule was: We had to use as many repurposed supplies as we could. . .only purchasing items if we had absolutely nothing else.


 Our first task was to remove the porch. . .saving the decking that was usable. . .
Instead of side steps, we decided to place steps at the front.



We needed posts next. . .After combing the barn stalls with no luck, I remembered that I had seen the 1950s metal posts from my Grandmother's home in the loft of the big barn. . .Did I wait for a younger person to come along and climb up there? . . Of course not. .  .I've climbed all over that barn in my lifetime. . .I wasn't about to stop now. . .Sure enough, after upsetting Sissy and Fred (our barn owls) and digging through decades of junk, I spotted them. . .Perfect. . .
We did purchase the side railings. . .but the hand rails were recycled off the previous deck. . .They were given to us several years ago. . .




We decided to add the steeple before the porch roof. . .Can you guess what it is? . .A garden trellis. . .
It was black iron, so John simply painted it white. . .He made the aluminum cross from an old pair of crutches. . .We decided to leave the steeple open because we often have very strong winds and find ourselves in constant repair mode of our other buildings. . .This way the winds can blow right on through. . .


The building was spray painted white to look as if it were a little weather worn. . . the metal posts and rails were hand-painted with enamel. . .

First coat of paint. . .



Replacing the skirting with vintage corrugated tin. . .salvaged from other buildings over the years. . .was probably the hardest task of all. . .It wasn't the tin itself but the ground of 'concrete' (gumbo). . .If you live in this area, you know what gumbo is. . .and how it turns to 'concrete' in the Summer heat. . .Poor John had to get the pick axe out. . .for two days. . .


Once the skirting was in place, it was time to frame in the roof. . .and add new corrugated tin. . .leftover from re-roofing one of the shotgun houses earlier in the Spring. . .


We wanted a larger bell. . .and will be on the look-out for one. . .
but for now, the smaller bell will do. . .
To make the porch look more complete, we filled in the peak with more tin. . .





Our little chapel was done. . .We thought. . .but it was looking a little plain and lacking. . .We didn't want real windows for maintenance reasons. . .This had to be simple. . .


I was inspired by the country church birdhouse that John made for us a few years ago. . .Why not copy that idea on a much larger scale?. . .Had no idea what to use that wouldn't be costly. . .We searched the farm. . .without luck. . .One day while on a run to Lowes, I spotted fencing marked down to 98c per board. . .I guess you know we loaded them up. . .




Finally, the day came to begin adding accessories. . .and flowers. . .I planted white lilies in the concrete planters. . .It will be next year before they bloom. . .I also added day lilies to a big planter in back. . .Pulled out the wrought iron chairs and table, stored from my childhood home. . .Mulch. . .A bench on the porch. . .Simple things. . .
By the way, those stones around the flower pots are chunks of concrete salvaged from an old fireplace torn down a few years ago. . .That's the nice thing about having a big farm with lots of barns and buildings. . .STORAGE galore. . .


By next year, when the flowers and shrubs begin to take hold, our Little Chapel in the Field should look as if it has been there for decades. . .Isn't it amazing? . .One of my friends has dubbed it 'adorable'. . .It's almost hard for us to believe the before and after photos. . .

Before

After

Our Little Chapel in the Field turned out much better than we ever expected. . .Next Summer we'll work on the interior. . .adding the items from Crossroads Church and a few other articles we have found along the way. . .For now, I'm content to enjoy the outside. . .


Early Sunday is my favorite time to sit on the porch and gaze out at the cotton fields. . .enjoying the cool of the morning and the many Blessings we have here at the farm. . .It's very quiet, except for Faith (our dove) cooing at me. . .and sometimes a mockingbird fusses a little. . .No traffic or distractions. . .No tractors or machinery. . .Cool. . .Quiet. . .Calm. . .On days like that, my thoughts inevitably will go back to an old church hymn from my youth. . .

There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale (Dell),
No place is so dear to my childhood.
As the little brown (white) church in the vale. . .