Treasured Memories at The Old Parsonage

I love to decorate the tree (aside from putting on the lights). Pulling out each ornament and recalling the special memories attached is wonderful.


This sweet ornament was made by Adam when he was in second grade (the one who won't be hanging his stocking here this Christmas).


A glittered pine cone made by Bryan when he was in Kindergarten still shines bright.




A few ornaments from grandparents who loved to celebrate this time of year.


Who knew a paint stick could have so much meaning?


Or, Popsicle sticks for that matter? The memories are wonderful and I love making new ones as the years go by.


I hope that you are enjoying this wonderful season and making memories of your own!

Decorating at The Old Parsonage

I always start my Christmas decorating in the foyer. I love the look of the white poinsettias going up the stairs. When I shot this photo the tree was bare naked. It took me 4+ hours to get the lights and all of our treasured ornaments on it today.

My Jade stopped by this afternoon to pick up Adam's ornaments. We've been buying him 1 per year since his 1st Christmas. They all have a special meaning, depending on what he liked that year or a major accomplishment, etc. It seems to have worked out perfectly as they got their first tree this weekend and only had a few ornaments to put on it. I also gave him his stocking - that was a little harder for me - knowing that it won't hang with the rest of ours this year.

Have a wonderful night!

Sending Christmas Love from The Old Parsonage

I cannot believe a giveaway to celebrate 100 followers brought me 100 new friends. Thanks so much to all of you for such sweet comments this past month. I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family and friends, celebrating all that we are thankful for.

We had over 700 entries including points for being a follower, posting a link to the giveaway etc., and commenting. I used random.org to choose a number and the lucky number 292 belongs to Chari from Happy to Design.

We went for our Christmas tree yesterday - boy was it cold and windy. No snow, but at least it didn't rain. We bought a 7.5 foot Frasier fir - the house smells wonderful. I'll be in decorating heaven the next few days, but hope to share things with you as I go along.

Chari, I'll be popping by at some point this weekend to let you know. Just e-mail me your address and I'll get your Christmas love in the mail!

Kindess from others at The Old Parsonage

Just found a wonderful new blog - At Home with Elaine. She's Gwen's (A Charming Home) Mum and guess what she's a generous as Gwen. I guess the apple doesn't fall from the tree.

Elaine is having a vintage image giveaway, so hurry on over to enter to win! Good Luck!

Pink Crafting Supplies at The Old Parsonage

I was having a bit of a hard time thinking of something to photograph for this week's Pink Saturday. And there everything was staring me right in the face. This is my new portable storage for my craft supplies, I can just stow, grab and go!

I keep my handy dandy fiskars multi-tool in one of the side pockets. It's a blade, tweezers, embossing tool and glue all in one.

Moving along, we have the organizer that I've covered in pink scrapbook papers for a little feminine charm.

And of course there's my pink crop-o-dile that my DH insists could pull a tooth if needed:)

Last but not least is my array of pink ribbons. I have so many ribbons that my DH made a holder for me out of a piece of gutter. It works out perfectly.


Thanks to Beverly at How Sweet The Sound for hosting Pink Saturday. Beverly is the sweetest person to continue to organize and host this wonderful event every Saturday. Thanks Beverly!!

And great big thank you to all of you for stopping by. Don't forget that our drawing for the giveaway is next Friday. Become a follower and post the giveaway on your blog for additional entries! Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Vintage finds at The Old Parsonage

I always have a list of things that I 'm looking for tucked deep within my brain. And I've been looking for these wreaths for a few years. Then, one Sunday while junking at Renninger's Market in Adamstown, PA, I finally found them!

They are in perfect condition and I just love the little greens that are attached - they are so life-like. I try not to get too excited when I find "the one," but I almost squealed when I saw these babies!

You all know how much I love Christmas, but I never really decorate until Black Friday. That's not to say that there isn't some Christmas love here and there throughout the year, but the real decorating starts next Friday.

After a hearty early morning breakfast, we will drive to a local tree farm. There, we ride by a horse drawn wagon in the vast forest of evergreens in search of the perfect tree. Of course they are all perfect! We usually buy a frazier fir. I like the wonderful smell and the dense green needles. Then we ride back to the barn where they serve hot cider (made from the apples that they grow) and hot chocolate - mmm. The barn is filled with ornaments and other decorations, as well as wreaths and roping for sale. And, if we're lucky it may snow - just a little for effect. It's done this once or twice, but then again it has also been warm enough to wear a short sleeve tee shirt too. I'm hoping for Susie Snowflake:)

Please visit Cindy at My Romantic Home to see what she and others are Showing and Telling this Friday! Better yet, join in the fun!

It's a Party at Loveleigh Treasures

A great big thanks to Sares at Loveleigh Tresaures who is the hostess with the most-ess for the wonderful event.

Why The Old Parsonage you might ask?

Well our home was once the parsonage for a local church. We are the 2nd owners since the church sold it over 25years ago. The church ordered our house from a Sears Catalog in 1916. It was delivered by horse and wagon and there are photos of the delivery. I love the history of our home and thought it was the perfect name to change my blog to. Not sure if many of you visited when it was called "Some would even say it Glows." Originally I had blogs dedicated to seasons/holidays and this one was for Christmas. That soon became overwhelming and I decided to condense everything into one blog - The Old Parsonage.

So there you have it my friends. Don't forget to visit Sares to see what she and others are sharing.

A Cornucopia at The Old Parsonage

Several years ago, I'm probably talking 20 years (seems like yesterday), a cousin of mine asked me if I wanted to do ceramics. Wanting a little time out of the house (I was a stay at home Mum at the time), I agreed.

This cornucopia was one of the first things that I made. Each year I try to do something new with the contents.

Last year I filled it with Clementines, and created an edible centerpiece.

This year I went natural with bittersweet and dried hydrangeas from the yard, pheasant feathers from DH's recent hunting trip, and some Chinese lanterns. I really like the look.

As I look out my window, our backyard in the mornings seems like a scene from Cinderella - where all of the wildlife is scurrying to help Cinderella get ready for the ball. We have tons of birds at our feeders, chipmunks and squirrels are scurrying everywhere and it seems the deer have been visiting (their footprints are everywhere) too!

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Great Giveaway

Did you know that Blue Creek Home is having a giveaway? Be sure to pop over and enter!

Thanksgiving prep at The Old Parsonage

Jade's family is coming in from TX for Thanksgiving, so we'll have between 17-20 people for dinner. I've ordered a 25lb bird and I'll be cooking a ham too. Plus, all of the sides and desserts! Mmm... can't wait to get cooking!

About 5 years ago while watching the Food Network, Alton Brown (as a matter of fact), Brande a turkey. He explained that osmosis takes place when you brine (the water in the bird gets drawn out and is replaced with the flavorful brine).I found a great recipe from Martha Stewart and have used it ever since. I make the brine Tuesday am, let it cool then submerge the bird Tuesday night.

• 3 cups Kosher Salt
• 5 cups Sugar
• 2 medium onions chopped
• 2 carrots chopped
• 2 celery stalks
• Wrap in cheese cloth:
  2 bay leaves
  3 sprigs thyme
  3 sprigs parsley
  2 tsp peppercorns
• Additional water or vegetable broth to cover
  

Boil 'til the sugar and salt are dissolved. Cool completely.

I use a 5gallon bucket lined with a new trash bag to hold the turkey and the brine. Add additional water or vegetable broth to cover. We have an extra fridge in the basement where I store the bird until Thanksgiving morning. However you can use a cooler if you add ice packs to keep the turkey cold. Rinse thoroughly, and stuff with your favorite stuffing and bake as usual. It is so moist and flavorful, it's unbelievable.

Today is the last day of my four day vacation, so I must run (so much to do, so little time), but I'm hoping to pop back in at some point today and do a little visiting.

Do you brine your turkey?

Someone's a little confused

We all know how much I love Christmas and I'm ready for it to come, but my Christmas cactus is a bit ahead of schedule. And speaking of Christmas blooms... it's time to start your amaryllis if you have one. I know that Wal-mart, K-mart, and Home Depot have the amaryllis kits for sale now. As Mike - E says "try it, you'll like it!.

Art Exchange at The Old Parsonage Chain Letter

Cami from Creating My Self invited me to take part in an Art Exchange.
It's similar to a recipe exchange or chain letter, but better.
You just have to create one piece of art and send it to one person.

But you need to get 6 people to agree to do the same thing. In the end,
you should end up with 36 fun little packages full of creativity and love!

I whipped out this little GIVE Bingo card and embellished it with Christmas elements.

It was so fun to create, I may have to go back to Inspired Treasures and
buy some more of the cards.

One other thing, J Nichelle Holiday is having a wonderful giveaway. Stop by her wonderful blog and enter to win.


Wishing you all a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by!

The Grumpy Fairy at The Old Parsonage

Have you ever visited to Karla's Cottage? Her blog exudes so much creative energy it's amazing. I love to visit and catch up on the adventures of Sugarwings her beautiful granddaughter and her dogs. Karla is an amazingly talented artist. So when her book The Grumpy Fairy was published, I just had to have one.

The illustrations are so detailed and full of the most amazing colors. The covers are all hand-glittered by Karla.

The story itself is so sweet, perfect for a little someone on your list. Or, just for yourself, as mine is (until I have grandchildren some day).

Karla packaged it perfectly. The book came wrapped in pages from a vintage book and tied with a pretty pink velvet ribbon with the cutest card tucked in.

If you're looking for some vintage inspired holidays then you have to check out J. Nichelle Holiday. I found her last week and am truly inspired.



I'd also like to thank Beverly at How Sweet The Sound for hosting Pink Saturday. Beverly is the sweetest person to continue to organize and host this wonderful event every Saturday. Thanks Beverly!! And great big thank you to you all for stopping by.

Babies at The Old Parsonage

Who doesn't love an old, well-loved doll baby? My DH and sons, that's who!

They see ugly and scary. I see something a cherished friend.

Can you see the tape on the smaller baby? It says Edward. Funny when I look at this sweetie I think that Edward looks like an Edwina.

Please visit Cindy at My Romantic Home to see what she and others are Showing and Telling this Friday! Better yet, join in the fun!

We're also having a giveaway, so visit the homepage for details. Thanks for stopping by!

'Tis the Season for Parties and Giveaways

Well it seems that everyone and their sister is having a giveaway to celebrate one thing or another!



Sares at Loveleigh Treasures is hosting a "What's in a Name" Party (click on the link for details), sounds like a blast.



Sares at Loveleigh Treasures is also having a giveaway. Enter to win one of these three movies. They are all classics in my book!



Stefanie at Rose Petals and Rust is having a birthday and is giving away a present to celebrate! Hmm...something doesn't seem right about that. Happy Birthday my Friend!




Heidi from Fairy Footprints in the Sand is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100th post. You go girl!


And, a great milestone giveaway for Kristen at Scrappin' My Bliss - it's her 4 Year Blogoversary. She's like the energizer bunny!



Gwen from A Charming Home is also having a Christmas themed giveaway so be sure to pop over and comment to win this beautiful Christmas Journal!

Congratulations to these wonderful women and good luck to all. And, don't forget our giveaway. (see above for details).

What's more fun than a shopping trip?

An all day shopping extravaganza with the women in your family!



We've got about 8-10 Aunts, Cousins, Mothers and Daughters all set to do a full day of shopping in Lancaster County next Saturday.




Why the photo's you ask? Just some random fall love:) Enjoy your day!