Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Irish Lucky Pig


During the late 19th and early 20th century
the image of the white pig was used as a
lucky charm in Ireland.
 
"A pig in clover" signifies well being
and financial prosperity.
This whole notion arose from a simple
agricultural fact.  The pig can live on
pasture, scraps, left over crops and they
breed in abundance.
Selling off the piglets was a good source of
income for the small Irish farmer and
his family never lacked for meat.
In Irish folklore the pig had magical powers.
They could see the wind, predict the weather
and hear the grass grow.
An Irish folk cure for a child with the mumps
was to rub the child's head on a white pig's back in
 hopes the illness would transfer into the pig.
May your pockets be heavy
and your heart be light.
May good luck pursue you
each morning and night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy New Year!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Christmas At The Cabin 2012

This poor wreath is so old most of the
color is worn off the balls, I think
it would be considered vintage now!
Just like the one that hangs on
my neighbors outhouse!
This quote always make me smile.  It
reminds me of my favorite
Christmas story. 
Miss Lucy in her antique
doll dress. 
(I really am going to make
her some clothing soon!)
Such fun to shake!
Our wee dining room.
 
Merry
Christmas!
 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Log Cabin Christmas Jar


Since there will be no little ones here
this year, we decided not to put up the
tree.  We have lots of other decorations
to make it festive but, I wanted to 
display one of my favorite ornaments. 
I have an inexpensive jar, some
brush bottle trees, Santa Claus snow
(looks like mica flakes), regular snow
and some quilt batting.
I had all this stuff in my craft
stash.
I love this cabin ornament.
I left the hanger in place. I might
want to hang it on the tree again.
I brushed the trees with glue and
sprinkled with the mica flakes.  A
little bit on the roof of my
cabin ornament too.
I used the quilt batting for some
landscaping.
Sprinkled my snow.
Stuck in the trees and a little fawn.
I spray painted the lid a
gunmetal gray.
Done.
Simple and easy!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Making A Gingerbread House-Finished!

 Just a few things to do and the
 gingerbread display will be finished.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FYI It takes about 14 egg whites,
1 & 1/2 large bags of powdered
sugar, 1 & 1/2 small containers
 of cream of tartar to make one
of my gingerbread houses.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I need a gap in a section of my
candy cane fence where the front
walk will be.  I cut the tops off
of 2 large candy canes.
I want my front path to end right
about here.
I squiggled a big log to set the
chocolate rocks in.
The same for the back walkway, it's
also ready for a tree.
I set the big tree and lamp post
in the front yard.
I am ready to put the ribbon
around the edge of the base.
My ribbon isn't wide enough so
I will use 2 kinds.  I pinned the
lower ribbon the the back.
I did the same to the upper ribbon.
I got my candy cane humps ready.
I started on the side
 
and made a big squiggly line.

I stuck the candy canes in.  Same
thing all the way around.
(Wonky is just fine!)
I used the last of the frosting to make
snow drifts everywhere.
Finally finished!
Sadie, our daughter's
Irish Jack Russell.
I saw a doe and her fawn
in the yard several times this
past spring and summer.
The glow of the tea light makes our
 Santa look like he's standing in
 front of a fireplace.
It was fun to make, but I missed
having little helpers.
Certainly not perfect,
but to us
it's confection perfection!

To the lovely ladies who so faithfully
 come to my blog and leave the sweetest,
kindest comments, from my little house
to yours...........
I wish you a very
Merry Christmas!