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Country Living Christmas

Two years ago, when one of Emma's favorite farm cats was killed, my uncle's first words to her were, "Emma, life on the farm is tough." This summer when one of our guineas"disappeared", again his words to her, "Emma, life in the country is tough."

And so this afternoon when I looked out from the upstairs window and saw a large red-tailed hawk sitting in the juvenile oak tree in our backyard, staring at my five clueless guineas scratching in the flowerbeds below him, those words started playing on a loop in the back of my head.

But, I didn't let it stop my attempts to save my poor guineas from a traumatic attack or even death. I called for the dog and flew down the steps and out the door, ripping the scarf from around my neck, flinging it over my head and making all kinds of growly, intimidating shooo-you-big-mean-red-tailed-hawk kinds of noises as I came busting out the front door.

And then he jumped…in a downward swoop towards my guineas. It was like slow-motion. And if it hadn't been for my trusty dog, who was 20 feet ahead of me, heading out towards the field, I think we would have lost one.

Life on the farm is tough. But you better believe I'm going to do everything in my power to keep my little outdoor brood from harm. Phew.

Now if they'd just stay off the road, I might be able to relax a little more. I've come to get used to a car passing by the house, hearing it slow down, honk it's horn and then carry on. And peeking out the window I see the guineas and the rooster casually walking from the roadside, business as usual.

Moving on to less traumatic thoughts, I'm really excited about having our first Christmas here in the Thomas Run house. I haven't decorated a house for Christmas since we were living in Wisconsin three years ago. And even more exciting is that this house is so much more, "me", closer to my true style, not the Victorian, "closest thing I could find to east coast charm in Wisconsin" house that we used to live in.

My favorite way to decorate, especially on a budget, is with lots of natural materials–greens, dried flowers and seed pods, holly berries. Baskets, fabric, candles in the windows…oh, don't get me started.

Here are few pages from this month's issue of Country Living that I clipped (tore wildly) from the magazine, full of inspiration:

bed.jpgbedroom.jpgdining room table door.jpggifts in baskets.jpg

Two years ago, when one of Emma's favorite farm cats was killed, my uncle's first words to her were, "Emma, life on the farm is tough." This summer when one of our guineas"disappeared", again his words to her, "Emma, life in the country is tough."

And so this afternoon when I looked out from the upstairs window and saw a large red-tailed hawk sitting in the juvenile oak tree in our backyard, staring at my five clueless guineas scratching in the flowerbeds below him, those words started playing on a loop in the back of my head.

But, I didn't let it stop my attempts to save my poor guineas from a traumatic attack or even death. I called for the dog and flew down the steps and out the door, ripping the scarf from around my neck, flinging it over my head and making all kinds of growly, intimidating shooo-you-big-mean-red-tailed-hawk kinds of noises as I came busting out the front door.

And then he jumped…in a downward swoop towards my guineas. It was like slow-motion. And if it hadn't been for my trusty dog, who was 20 feet ahead of me, heading out towards the field, I think we would have lost one.

Life on the farm is tough. But you better believe I'm going to do everything in my power to keep my little outdoor brood from harm. Phew.

Now if they'd just stay off the road, I might be able to relax a little more. I've come to get used to a car passing by the house, hearing it slow down, honk it's horn and then carry on. And peeking out the window I see the guineas and the rooster casually walking from the roadside, business as usual.

Moving on to less traumatic thoughts, I'm really excited about having our first Christmas here in the Thomas Run house. I haven't decorated a house for Christmas since we were living in Wisconsin three years ago. And even more exciting is that this house is so much more, "me", closer to my true style, not the Victorian, "closest thing I could find to east coast charm in Wisconsin" house that we used to live in.

My favorite way to decorate, especially on a budget, is with lots of natural materials–greens, dried flowers and seed pods, holly berries. Baskets, fabric, candles in the windows…oh, don't get me started.

Here are few pages from this month's issue of Country Living that I clipped (tore wildly) from the magazine, full of inspiration:

bed.jpgbedroom.jpgdining room table door.jpggifts in baskets.jpg

14 comments on “Country Living Christmas”

  1. Those poor giuineas… You are so brave, though! Your stories are so entertaining.

    Love these photos. Doesn’t it seem impossible that it can all get done before background for a beautiful holiday. Your inspiration photos are perfect!

  2. I really love the bottom one. I mean, I already said what I needed to say on the flickr photo. But I really, really like it. And I wish I could get me some east coast charm out west here. but no, no such thing. 😉

  3. ack!! spoilers! i just bought this magazine today. ;^)

    are you going to stretch a chicken-wire roof over those guineas, or what?! my friend was working as a policeman in alaska and got a call from a lady in an RV who had watched a bald eagle carry off her wee lap dog — oop!! she wanted to know if they could get him back for her. er…

  4. When I was growing up I wanted to find a sign that showed guineas crossing just like a deer sign. As they never stayed home. Unfortunatly we lost ours over a period of time to a nighttime precitor when they were most vunerable. I always loved their quirky peronalities.

  5. this cracked me up. when i first read it quickly, i thought, “wow! what an amazing house!” and then i read more closely. not that your house isn’t cool. houses in the midwest can have charm, you know!:)

  6. Could I just go live in that house? I am having fun decorating my house this year also. This is our first home, so it is fun to do things and know that I will be in the same place next year to do it again!!!Poor guineas! Good Mama Bear protecting your brood. Life on the farm is hard, that is true. But it doesn’t mean we don’t try our hardest to make it easier 🙂

  7. Those Guineas are just like the pheasant here, they seem to wait for cars to come then saunter out across the road taking their time with not a care in the world!

    I love the Christmas issue of Country Living here in the UK I always get lots of ideas for making things every year – this year the kids and hubby are getting a selection of their favourite sweets in Bonne Maman jars tied up with red & white ribbon as per Country Living.

  8. Could you find or make a “caution: guineas crossing” sign? There’s a crafty idea for a January day…

    I love how enthusiastically you tore the pages of the magazine! Now I need to go read my copy I bought yesterday (hopefully the subscription will be an Xmas present).

  9. I’m trying to get a “share your holiday decor” link going at my blog for the next few Fridays..hope you’ll join in.I hope you can keep your guineas away from the Red Tail Hawk too..oh my!

  10. When I was first absentmindedly glancing over this post with a two year old pulling on my sleeve trying to get me to don a backpack so I could be a ‘horsey’ and a six year old asking me to find a flashlight so she could look for spiders in her pockets, I thought these pictures were of your house! I thought ‘HOW DOES SHE KEEP IT SO TIDY AND PICTURESQUE?!’ ….I have to selfishly say that I am glad that I am wrong…I was feeling grossly inadequate. ;)P.S. Love your blog.

  11. Had to laugh while I was reading how you chased that nasty hawk because I have done the exact same thing in my little yard and garden. When a hawk comes flying into my yard I know he is hungry and will be flying away with my little birdies, chipmunks, or squirrels…I have even been told he could grab my kitty…I don’t know if that is true but there is no way this mommy tiger is going to take that chance.

    I was just sitting in my comfy chair reading this Christmas issue of Country Living and I really like this farmhouse too. Enjoy your Christmas decorating.

  12. i don’t know if i could handle life on the farm. i’d be a nervous wreck. and i want to come over and see your house all decorated. we need a date.

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