Still Woods Farmhouse

Yesterday my little sister turned 50!  Shocking, but true.  Like many siblings, we would fight over insignificant matters.  Who gets the odd Ravioli from a can we were splitting?  This was decided diplomatically. . . if you were the dividing the Ravioli, you got the odd one.  Why does my chore list seem harder than hers?  Why does she always cross the imaginary line down the back seat of the car as we traveled?  Why did she get to shave her legs years before I did?  Please keep in mind that this was a total insult to me.  I had dark hair and she had blonde!  Those of you with dark hair know why I was insulted by the fact that she had permission  to shave her "no color" hair while I had to have dark, hairy legs!  I could go on and on, but instead, will tell you that we are best of friends, even though we still argue on family trips! Each year, we celebrate her birthday by having a "A Christmas Story" birthday party.  W...

Last year, I wrote a blog post about vintage Christmas ads... Vintage Christmas Shopping   I love the color and detail in vintage ads.  I saved a few from last year to share with you this year.  Let's have a Girls' Night Out and do a little vintage shopping! This has to be one of my favorites.  Any soldier coming home for Christmas is a special gift.  The ad from Greyhound Bus Lines captures the excitement of the moment.  Vintage Coke ads always feature a jolly St. Nick with rosy cheeks. This ad caught my eye.  My husband is an avid train collector. Plymouth's 1950's ad looks just like a Norman Rockwell painting!  He must have been a Plymouth fan!  We had a Plymouth when I was in junior high.  It was the size of a boat!  Mom, this ad is for you!  For years, I gave my mother Evening in Paris.  I loved the beautiful color of the bottles.  My mother would wear it proudly.  I found out many years later th...

It's the time of year again when Dillards, Southern Living, and the McDonalds team up to create a lovely cookbook to support Ronald McDonald Houses.   I have often stated that McDonald's does three things really well...coffee...french fries...and most importantly, their development and support of Ronald McDonald Houses around the world.  Ronald McDonald House charities offer families a home away from home while the family is dealing with a sick child.  RMH believes that families should not worry about where they will lay their heads at night or where their next meal will come from while taking care of a sick child, often far from home.  They have helped families with ill children for the past 38 years.  What a blessing for families dealing with a child's medical crisis. Our youngest child was born two months premature and was in a hospital about an hours drive from our home.  We were offered the assistance of the Ronald McDonald House for th...

There is an old English proverb based on Matthew 6:22 which states the "eyes are the window to the soul".  I think it can also be said that the front door of a home is the window to the soul of the home.  The front door and surrounding outer entryway is the first impression for our guests.  Fall entryway decor can be a fabulous way to make that first impression a lasting one.  With the abundance of mums, pumpkins, gourds, and other fall flowers available this time of year, you too can welcome your Thanksgiving guests with a festive atmosphere.   I thought I would put together a few fantastic examples for you to peruse, maybe with a cup of hot cider by your side. This lovely entryway is compliments of the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina.  I love the corn stalks attached to the posts.  The scarecrows can be stored away until next October and this entry would be a delightful way to welcome guests for Thanksgiving dinner. Notice the carved street number ...

For me, Halloween brings to mind chili dogs, bags of candy, and caramel apples. We always had chili dogs before heading out to a church fall festival or trick or treating in the neighborhood.   It was a quick meal and one of our favorites as kids. Of course later in the evening, we ended up with a bag full of candy and one special treat made by a sweet neighbor.  She always made caramel apples for the children she knew the best.  It was better than any candy in our bags! My first real memory of caramel apples brings me back to an excursion with my parents and little sister to Apple Valley in California.  The tree branches were heavily laden with crisp, luscious apples.  Various vendors dotted the roadside selling their baked good ranging from apple pies, breads, dried apples, caramel apples, and my favorite candy apples!  As our day ended and we drove back home, my sister and I sat in the back seat happily eating our apple treats. Caramel apples are per...

It's the perfect time of year for a scarecrow story! Pour a cup of warm apple cider, sit back, and enjoy a Still Woods Scarecrow Story.  It's not scary, I promise! The first Sunday morning after we moved into our home, we left for church only to return to find that our riding lawn mower has been stolen.  Naturally, we were upset and quite worried.  My husband called the county sheriff's office and reported the theft.  A deputy was dispatched and after visiting with us for awhile, the deputy said that they would do routine patrols of our property.  I must remind you that there is only one way in and one way out of our property.  A gravel road meanders happily through the woods to our home and loops back out again.  Beginning that very night, our family soon became familiar with the sounds of a sheriff's car patrolling our home and land.  We were thankful and appreciated their efforts to make us feel safe and secure.  I am a light sleeper...

Mrs. Alice stopped by our district office a few weeks ago and dropped off delicious apple muffins.  I admit that I didn't know Mrs. Alice prior to indulging in her famous muffins, but I am now a fan!  I discovered that  Mrs. Alice is not only a fabulous cook, but she is also the mother of one of our principals.  When I think of fall, I think of the many scrumptious recipes using apples, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins.  This recipe has become a new addition to my fall favorites. Visit this link for another fall muffin favorite: Mississippi Spice Muffins . So let's put on a pretty apron and get started!  These are my favorite red aprons.  The striped one was made by my grandmother and my mom made the red with white lace apron.  I just love aprons!  If they could talk, what tales would they tell? Here is what you will need . . . The Starting Line-Up : 1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Four          ...