Merriment ~ Final Day

 On this final day of Merriment chain it's time for a content heart.The house is all clean and cozy..The baking will start over the next few days...

The true meaning of Christmas instilled in our hearts....

Our Christmas will be spent at Grandma's old farmhouse filled with memories in making and....

The ones that we love....

Remember it's not all about the gifts and the food but about the Joy..Love..and Thankfulness filling our hearts..Hug the ones you love and spread the true holiday spirit all through the year! Thank You to Misi and Robyn for bringing us all together to visit and share.Warmest Blessings to you and yours!~Amy

Merriment Day 24

Merriment~ All you very special friends who took the time to think of me this Holiday Season! Those little cards are such a special gift to recieve like little hugs in the mailbox...smile...

Gifts from Robin

 I've thought so many times of hitting the post button in the last few days but then didn't.I just have a cloud hanging over me this holiday and have been trying to get out of the funk and get some Holiday spirit.Alot of personal things and struggles going on but usually I'm a person who bounces back fast but for some reason this seems to be hanging with me.Hate to be in a Bah Humbug mood so trying to find the Joy.So many of you sweet girls have inspired me and shown the true meaning of the holidays and have really enjoyed seeing everyones postings.Today will be spent cleaning,baking and watching some christmas movies.Just trying to get my mind off of things especially things I can not change....Now a long over due Thank You to my sweet friend Robin The Primitive Hutch We recently did a swap you can click her blog to see what I sent her..Robin sent me some wonderful gifts and spoiled me....Black Prairie doll..Bird on old oiler..Stitched picture...

 Sweet Ginger Love...

 Had to giggle in the snowman tin I thought Robin had sent something Yummy like cookies..Nope inside was a bag of my favorite Dove caramels..She knows how to make me smile...

Such wonderful gifts from a dear friend! Well hoping all are enjoying your holiday activities and remembering the true meaning of the season.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain Day 18

 Just a few pics to show of decorating around the house.Hubby and I are going to Gettysburg for a little while this afternoon.Just out for a drive..Wasn't a great morning I bought hubby a coffee maker from amazon for christmas.He usually goes to Sheetz every morning and usually they get the flavors mixed up,scorch it,make it so it explodes all over you something every day and if you say something it's your fault.Well all he has been saying is he wants a coffee maker so he can make his own coffee and stay home and enjoy it.So I think perfect gift went out and bought a bag of Dunken Donuts coffee and have the coffee maker delivered.Well the packages were delivered and he goes out to get them and says umm honey maybe you better get the packages.Then so I don't feel bad he says I think maybe there is a swap box out there from one of your blog friends.Hmmmm go out and they mailed it in just the regular box that it comes in,no bubble wrap or extra packaging at all,So he knew what I got him.I told him he might as well just have it early since he knew what it is.Grrr I wanted to surprise him.Oh and they mailed the filter separate so he can't even use it till that arrives...Oh Well at least he knows he got what he wanted...

 Been so busy around here but things are starting to slow down.I'm going to sit down today and figure out some baked treats I can give as gifts..I usually do a special Black Russian Cake but the alcohol is expensive and it takes alot to make them so I'm looking for something new to try this year...This is one of my favorite's because everything in the pic is a gift from my blog friends....

Well hope everyone is enjoying the season.Joining in the Merriment chain.All are welcome to join in just click on the links on my sidebar to visit the hostesses Misi and Robyn.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain Day 15

Tomorrow I might not post,might not visit and won't be answering the phone or door.Why? Well it's gonna be a PJ day.Going to light some candles,close the blinds and start a christmas movie marathon.Starting with this.....

Surely will get me in the Christmas Spirit...This is hubbies favorite (shhhh mine too)..Yes this is what Christmas should be..I got a few of these type of gifts in my lifetime.You know the ones from the Auntie who just doesn't have a clue..(I tried very hard this year not to be "that" Auntie)...

Oh and really I can see why kids don't want to sit on Santa's lap.It can be scary....

Oh the nostalgia.....Of course I'll need this to snuggle in with.....

And a big bowl of .....

I like mine mixed with these...smile...

Yes it'll be the best day especially if I can talk hubby into making me dinner..smile..Tree lights twinkling,Yummy candle scents,warm blanket,and Sappy Christmas movies all day long sure Merriment! Join in the fun hosted by Misi and Robyn.Links are on my sidebar.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Days 9 ~ 13

 Well Playing catch up today on the Merriment Chain.To be honest it doesn't feel much like Christmas is here already.I've been so busy and the weather feels more like fall.But the temps are supposed to drop again tomorrow and we'll be piling the girls into the car for a night of hot cocoa and christmas lights.I'm also hoping to get a all day marathon of watching all those Lifetime and Children Classic movies,can't forget Christmas Story that should get me in the spirit..smile...Ok so 5 days to catch up on.Above is a wonderful birthday gift I recieved from my sweet friend Theresa Dulaney Woods Blog.She is also having a giveaway right now posted on my sidebar....Next up..Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Dove caramel chocolates,Well I found these....

Oh my goodness pure heavenly yuminess! And yes I do read the inside of every wrapper..smile..

Would not be Christmas unless we give of the heart.This year I'm trying to do more handmade by me.So busily making some gifts for friends and family....

 So a few weeks ago I found a huge box of vintage mecury and shiny brite bulbs.Growing up these are what we had on our tree and tons of silver tinsel (always a real tree too)..So even though I'm selling them it has been fun going through and seeing the ones we hung on my childhood tree.Yes I'll keep a few of the special ones...

 Sweet snowfolk dreaming of a white Christmas..

 And so many of you have ask and emailed about were I got the Santa picture....

I used to work for boyds but what most people don't know before they were famous for the bears, they started off in our rural town making antique reproductions and wood decoys by hand.When the company grew into the bear company they had another line that did country,primitive,victorian reproductions.Artist would submit samples and they would decide if they would mass produce the item.If you worked for the company they had employee sales and alot of the one of a kinds were sold.So since I've never seen another one of these and it was bought at a employee sale it is either a sample that never went into production or because of the size it may have been a store display. It's been so fun visiting everyone.Hope to get back to commenting more this week and just slowing down and getting into the Holiday spirit...So much inspiration and all are welcome to join in the fun hosted by Misi and Robyn just click on the links on my sidebar.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Sweet gifts from Lecia

 Oh my it's been a hectic week.Had to drive to the city twice for appointments.Got the usual lecture about not staring but it's hard.For one I'm a people watcher and two everything is so differnt from our small town.I do gotta say I would never want to live in the city and I feel sorry for so many of those people mainly the children.I did decide to lock the door when going down through the rougher area's.Don't have to go back till after christmas..Also had a million and one other things,plus all the normal holiday rush....My sweet friend Lecia farmhouse prims and I recently did a swap.She told me when she mailed it ,but it deceided to take a slight detour.So I was stalking the poor mailman like a kid waiting for santa.LoL.Well worth the wait...Beautiful prairie bonnet,I have many of these that I have purchased from her but this one is a differnt style...I adore black dolls this one has a special stitchery and flicker candle...

 I am addicted to yummy smelling liquid hand soap she sent Gingerbread and a yummy tart in gingerbread as well..I love gooseberry patch books and have been looking for this title for awhile.Did you know Lecia is published in several of the gooseberry patch books? Yep she's famous..smile...She also sent one of her wonderful snowman hats.Lecia was so thoughtful of what I would love and made our swap very special..

She was one of my first blogging friends and has become such a special caring person in my life.I'm so glad to know her.I'm jealous of my SIL because she lives around the corner and can visit with Lecia.LoL.I'm hopeful we can talk hubby into traveling down for the crawl this summer and then I can visit in person.Stop over Lecia's blog to see the goodies I sent her.Plan to catch up on the Merriment Chain today or tomorrow.I've been visiting everyone just not much time to comment.Hopefully this week will be slow and lots of time enjoying the fun things of the season.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain Day 8

Oh my that sweet little elf on the shelf.We've had the tradition since I can remember.Ours was always in red and still today that's the one that touches my heart.As soon as I set him on the shelf my smile appeared and still when I walk by and see him the smile comes back.Growing up he would usually appear on the corner of the living room door to watch us and report each eve back to Santa.You were warned you better behave or he was gonna tell santa and no presents for you.My baby brother would always cry as soon as he saw him appear.(usually everyday when he remembered or saw him) I guess he figured he was definately gonna be on the naughty list..smile...I'm joining in the fun of the merriment chain hosted by Misi and Robyn.Click on the links on my sidebar if you want to join in the fun.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Gingerbread Swap Mailing Reminder

Just stopping in to remind the girls in the Gingerbread swap that your goodies should have went out by today.If you are going to be late please email me or your partner.Can't wait to see your goodies.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain Days 5 6 and 7

 Well it's been a busy few days and this week is busy too.Loving the Merriment post so today I'm doing some extra pics to catch up.If you want to join in the fun just click the links on the sidebar to visit the hostesses Robyn and Misi.....My favorite little cupboard all decked out for the holidays..I just love the huge santa picture.He looks like he's keeping a eye on you..Some close ups...

Enjoy your week girls.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain Day 4

Joining in the fun with Misi and Robyn all are welcome to join in the fun..My merriment for today is Candy Cane Hot Chocolate.Nothing is better than coming in from the cold and warming your hands around a warm cup or curling up in your favorite chair and watching the lights twinkle on the tree.Here are two recipes.One to give as a gift or keep on hand and one to serve steaming fresh...
~Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Jar mix~
3 (4 1/2 inch) sticks hard peppermint candy
1 c. powdered non-dairy coffee creamer
1 c. sifted powdered sugar
1/4 c. cocoa powder
Place candy in a heavy duty zip top plastic bag. Crush with a mallet. Combine crushed candy and remaining ingredients. Store in an airtight container. To serve, combine 1/4 cup cocoa mix and 3/4 cup boiling water, stir well. Yield: 2 1/4 cups mix.


Yummy Rich and Creamy Candy Cane Cocoa
Ingredients
 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups milk
 1/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3 drops peppermint oil
 Sweetened whipped cream, for garnish Chocolate shavings, for garnish
Directions In a saucepan, combine the cream, milk, sugar, and salt and heat over medium-low heat. When the cream mixture just begins to steam, add the chopped chocolate, and stir, until melted. Stir in the peppermint oil. Divide the hot chocolate among mugs and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.Serves 4


Thank You to all the sweet girls who sent me Birthday wishes.Hubby took me to Red Lobster but I must say the food was really bad and then I was not feeling well all night.A little mad they ruined my birthday.Hubby also made me cake which was yummy.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain Day 2

Day 2 of the Merriment Festivities hosted by sweet  Misi and  Robyn   All are welcome to join in the fun...
Candles aglow...Flickering lights....Warm and cozy scents wafting through the air..Today is Caramel Pecan Pie MMmmmm....Sweet snowman from Marie OLM from the ornie swap she hosted to cute warming himself by the fire.. Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain

 The first snow! Nothing says christmas is coming more than those first flakes falling and swirling.Although it won't amount to much today,it's the first and has me dreaming....Sledding down a country hill..mittens..snowmen and snowball fights..Then some hot cocoa pilled high with marshmellows...

Oh the Christmases of  fun filled snow days! I'm joining in the fun of the Merriment Chain hosted by Misi and Robyn all are welcome to join in the fun! Warm Blessings!~Amy

It's Time

Yep it's time for the most wonderful time of the year! Nesting..Snow Days..Yummy Food..Cookies..Family..Friends..Hot Cocoa..Snuggling..Snowmen and Mittens..Cozy PJ Days..Cool crisp walks...Giggles..Warm soft blankets snuggled in with the nieces watching silly holiday movies with big bowls of popcorn..Silly Songs and Christmas Carols(yes we have Alvin and the chipmunks in the car)....Hugs and Eskimo kisses..Sunday dinners at grandma's farmhouse..Counting Blessings..Home..Santa's List..Remembering the reason for the seasons..Warm Apple Cider..Sleigh rides..Chilly dark early evening drives looking at the sparkling lights..Gifts to give..Love..Joy...Enough said it's time..smile..Feel free to leave a comment with your favorites as well...

Hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving! Now off to put the turkeys away.Warm today then a frigid cold weekend.Decorating for the holidays today.Looking forward to a lazy saturday plenty of leftovers so no cooking.Yay! ~Amy

Catching Up and Ornie Swap

 Well girls it's been a long week.I'll get to that at the end of the post.Wanted to let all the girls in the ornie swap know as of today all the packages are sent.So if you haven't recived yours it should be there by the weekend... I know we are all busy with Thanksgiving if you do not have time to email each girl at least do a blog post with a Thank You...Above are my wonderful new ornies.Top row: Santa from Holly ~ Holly's Hobbies and Darbee Days Blog, Snowman from Sandi The Primitive Skate...The gingerbread was a gift from my sweet friend Robin The primitive hutch...Second Row Santa Kitty from Cyndy Crafty Stitchers I just loved that she sent the ones featured on the sign up page..Santa head from Kendra The Stone House she also sent the candy cane as a gift to me and the wonderful black santa is a gift from Theresa Dulaney Woods blog (I just adore him,he will be going in a trencher as soon as I get my christmas up) Thank You lovely girls they are all so wonderful! So I've been doing my deep cleaning for the holidays and figured since the living room is pulled apart might as well.....

 Yep bring down the tree! Normally I wait till the day after Thanksgiving and yes the turkey's are still out,but I was excited to get the tree up....

 Nothing better than a clean,cozy house sitting in the eve looking at the tree..smile....

 Hubby's family is coming for Thanksgiving so it's nice that they'll get to see the tree as well...Hubby makes most of the main meal and I'll do desserts.I usually make pumpkin cheesecake but think this year I'm doing Pumpkin rolls..Thursday and friday are supposed to be nicer high 50's so a easy trip for his sister.Then friday will be nice for hubby to do the outside decorating.Then the weekend is supposed to be cold...

 The estate sale last week was horrible.They were a business from NY that does estate sales but this was for their family member.I think they thought they would be millioners afterwards.After making everyone sign a sheet and wait outside in the cold for a hour they started calling names.I was #36 only 15 got in first so another half hour in the cold.So when hubby and I get in I see a couple of neat things but the prices were higher than a antique shop.Most people left empty handed.I went through the whole house and could not afford one thing.Out in the garage hubby found a berry carrier and thermometer so after 3 hours wasted I was pretty disappointed..Oh well you can't win them all....The neighbor I was taking soup to last week passed away I was so surprised as the week before he was out putzing around the yard.We expected his wife was not well but not him.His son and dil came over and said how highly he thought of us.We will truly miss him.He always made me homemade fudge for the holidays and was outside everyday working the gardens in the summer.He always had a kind word to say.No it wasn't my soup that was delicious and I ate plenty too...Then the old man that always watches us passed away another surprise.He had said about a month ago the Dr keeps telling him nothing is wrong but he knew there was......My friend Debbie also passed away of cancer.She was good friends with my dad as well and they had said they were going to kick the cancer together.We have been friends for about 12 years..I know dad will miss her alot.I will miss her as well but know she was long suffering and is in a better place now,I think dad knows as well but it scares him a little that he made it and she didn't...

 On a better note I'm excited about the holidays..Plan to do it very simple this year and enjoy time with family.I think me and the girls will have a crafting day so they can make gifts for everyone.Usually I take them to the dollar store and let them pick out stuff but it'll be more meaningful and fun to have hot coco,watch movies and make some fun things.I also plan on doing alot of baking and helping grandma out with some of the christmas buffet....But I am still wondering were fall went? Seems yesterday was september...It's ok now we go into nesting time.Long cozy days and plenty of PJ days..smile..

Well girls a long post today.Hope this finds you all well.So much to be thankful for even when things seem hard you just have to look a little deeper.Hope you all have a wonderful Turkey Day!~Amy

Say Hello to some new bloggers

Good morning! I'm off to a estate sale this morning.I think I'll be dissapointed because it's being held by a service so the prices will probly be way to high..They have some wonderful things so I can at least go and daydream a little...smile...Wanted to stop in and and let you know about a sweet new blogger Three Small Fry Primitives http://threesmallfryprimitives.blogspot.com/2012/11/cant-believe-how-much-time-and-energy.html   If you get a chance stop over and welcome Tammy. Also wanted to remind you Juanita is having a giveaway as soon as she gets 50 followers.

She is just 18 away from her goal.Stop over and let her know Amy Bumble Bee Lane sent you.......We live in a neighborhood were most of our neighbors are old,They built their houses and have lived here their whole lives.The neighbors across the street the wife is not doing so well so today I think I'll make a big pot of homemade chicken noodle soup and take them some over.Also thinking of making some oatmeal cookies with cranberries and chocolate chunks to take out to my grandma.I love when I have time to enjoy being in the kitchen.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Hello

 Hello! Yep feel like my blogging is far and few lately.Hard to believe it's almost Thanksgiving and the holidays are fast approaching.I'm still wondering were Fall went? It's been so cold here.We are supposed to get 60's this weekend though so I 'm going to chance one last market.I haven't bought much lately so will just go with what's left and sell cheap...

 Looking forward to lazy weekends again.Spending more time with family and enjoying getting nested at home. No yardsaling and fleamarkets and constant running.Of course I'll do a occasional stroll through the antique mall and hit a auction or two.Really looking forward to Snow lots and lots hopefully.Hey no Boo's from the peanut gallery..smile...

 I got the blood test results back there were a few abnormalities but nothing in the cancer range so big relief there now we try to find a family dr.Hubby got insurance but even with his back injury I'm having trouble finding a dr that will accept new patient before Jan I did set one up but will continue to call and try to find one sooner.The insurance will accept his MRI now but we have to get a new referal from a dr that accepts his plan.There are alot but none want to see him before jan so frustrating.At this point he is feeling better but can not go back to contracting till he gets a MRI so he can be released otherwise if his back goes completely out again or he injures it worse the insurance will not cover it...Don't mean to throw gloom in just a few have asked so wanted to update you.Actually I'm happy and content in general..smile....

I recieved the last package on the ornie swap yesterday.I've been sending out a few packages each day when I do my shipping...There were about 30 girls so I plan to have them all mailed out by next thursday.My birthday is coming up so I'm going to try to schedule a giveaway soon.Well not much exciting happening here.Warm Blessings!~Amy