So today...I made this little candle lamp, out of an old mason jar. It is NOT a good canning jar, It has a chip in the top, therefore it will not seal. So, I found this project...and thought..." i can do that" I really like it...however, I need to get better ribbon and better greenery. But here is the first one....

I think they will make cute gifts. Handy too! :)

I also put together a small box for a dear friend and her family...in Ohio. Really, it isn't much...but I hope they all like what I am sending...I just want them all to know how dear they are to me.

Tomorrow I will be driving to my father in laws....in Ohio...and spending the night up there. My father in law asked me to be the one to cook the turkey, since his wife passed...and he wants me to make the pies...all home made from scratch, of course.One pumpkin and one apple. My husband has to work, but he will come up Sunday afternoon. Sunday morning I will get up and put the turkey in the oven. We are celebrating Thanksgiving with him and my husbands siblings. This will be our third Thanksgiving! We had one in Kentucky...one here in Indiana...and now one in Ohio! Christmas..we will be having HAM! I am just about over Turkey!
Since I will not be here Saturday night, or Sunday morning...I have had to make plans for the animal chores. Luckily I have great friends...one in particular, who will come over and do the milking for me. I am truely blessed with great friends.

Wow, Christmas is almost upon us....Where did this year go!? Christmas....Ahhh, fond memories of children waking up, squealing with delight...ripping the wrapping paper off , ribbons and bows so delicately put on each gift, lying in a pile on the floor. Yes, those memories are running through our minds..
Now, back to reality!
I need to run through my list of gifts bought, gifts needed, and..get to making more!
I saw the greatest idea for a home made oil lamp...I am going to try to make one, so I can post a picture of it on here. Basically you use a quart mason jar. Now, don't get all upset....only use the jars with chips on the top edges, you know, the ones you can not use for canning. Fill it with a variety of things....Pine cones, greenery...etc. Then fill the jar with smokeless lamp oil. Now, in the lid, you will need to go buy a wick holder...glass or plastic....they are fairly inexpensive. Also, get yourself some "forever wicks"  Use the mason lid and ring...( again, use the old lids, and older rings....the rusty ones, you can repaint.) Add a piece of ribbon, and there ya go! Instant gift...that keeps on giving.

I can see these going out the door this year, to family and friends this year. A gift made from home...something everyone will love.

Fall....winter....holidays.

Wow, has it really been 2 months since I last posted? I am going to try to get more serious here...and post more often....notice I said "try"  So, over the last few months...we have been busy getting this farm ready for a "long winters nap" Putting the gardens to bed...winterizing the animal shelters...canning...getting firewood.
Back in October, we had our second annual Farm Festival. Mother Nature decided to throw us a curve ball...the weather was cold, windy...and just a little bit miserable.

 We had a great turnout in spite of the weather...and everyone seemed to have a good time. The kids all played on the HUGH mounds of dirt we had brought in...200 tons...while the adults hovered around the BBQ for warmth. Maybe we should have just ran and played like the kids. They didn't seem to mind the cold one bit.
On the day of the Festival, we got a new "family member" Her name is Nikki. She is a Severe Macaw.

She is such a clown. She talks, sings, and hangs from her cage and swings and laughs! I just love this little bird.
I was able to get another load of free pumpkins this year. The animals love them, and it helps in the winter time with the poultry to stave off the winter blues..on days that they are cooped up.

The goats and pot belly pig..and the sheep all love them as well..and the seeds are a good natural dewormer!
I have my own pumpkins that grew voluntarily here this year... they are pie pumpkins. I can't wait to make  FRESH pumpkin pie for the holidays.
Today the weather is going to be keeping us inside for the most part of the day. Rain and cool....51 degrees this morning and that is going to be our high. The temps are going to steadily drop and by 3 pm they are saying 32 degrees. Brrr. I plan to work inside cleaning the laundry room and maybe starting on a few holiday crafts. Hope your fall is going as planned...