Fishing for Clouds

March 16, 2022

If you catch the sunset at the right moment beside the lake at the farm, you can’t tell where the water starts and the sky begins. Afternoons of waiting on fish to bite, turn into catching clouds on water. The water turns shades of pink and mimics the sky around it. The water mirrors the outlines of the forest around it. Awaiting the sunset is as exciting as the fishing, some days. These moments come and go quietly, painting the serenity of the farm from the air and land onto the water canvas.

Christmas Pig Pickin’ at the farmhouse

December 24, 2021

The smell of smoked wood wafts through the farm before the sun rises on the day of the pig pickin’. At and the boys get up around four o’ clock to start the fire and put the pig on the pit. It is one of those days here where you could have stepped out of bed and back in time. A long held southern tradition being recreated for another generation.

The pig cooks slow on the pit the whole day, while family gathers to swap stories and history. The smell of the barbeque and smoke linger keeping everyone excited about the next step. The men keep the fire hot and add coals throughout the day. Everyone enjoys appetizers and gathering around the pit and fire. Around four o’ clock, they turn the pig, and everyone gathers. The kids get excited asking questions and peering forward to see the whole hog, while the adults have flash backs of years of others gathering around to turn the hog. After its seasoned well again, and sauces are poured over, everyone gathers to taste. It is a distinct taste that is much more succulent than barbeque you would order at any restaurant. The mouth watering vinegar and pepper spices mixed with the slow cooked pig over wood is culinary perfection for a crowd who has waited all day for a taste. Everyone grabs ribs and tender pieces of meat picked from wherever they choose. One of the kids grabs the tail, and all of the kids laugh about who would dare eat it.

After the pig pickin’ from the pit, the family fixes plates to sit down for dinner to savor the barbeque and sides. The pig pickin’ every year isn’t just about the savory barbeque, it is a tradition passed down to connect us to our roots and to remind us to embrace the distinct beauty created through this southern tradition.

Magnolia Wreath

December 16, 2021

The green glossy leaves of the magnolia are perfect for a wreath. I love decorating with fresh magnolia. I used a wire frame and weaved the magnolias on it with floral wire. I hung it on the chimney because I love the contrast of the textures old bricks with the shiny leaves,

A Tobacco Stick Christmas Tree

December 15, 2021

On one of our trips to Eleuthera in the Bahamas, I saw this perfect driftwood Christmas tree in the villa at La Bougainvillea. I kept bringing it up trying to figure out how we could make it work on the farm. At figured out old tobacco sticks would be the perfect fit.

He decided to use a a disc blade for the base. He used over 60 tobacco sticks to create the design. It is the perfect combination of the tree at La Bougainvillea adapted for the farm house. A treasure for generations! I was so excited about it. It is on perfect display beside the fireplace in the dining room.

A Magnolia Swag for Christmas

December 14, 2021

Few things symbolize the south better than the Southern Magnolia (Magnolia Grandiflora). It can grow up to 90 feet tall with a trunk diameter of over three feet. It’s huge waxy leaves and large creamy blossoms make it a favorite of every southerner. The name magnolia honors French botanist Pierre Magnol. The great Mark Catesby called it the Carolina Laurel. Today the jeweled mountains ordain the forests and their large evergreen leaves make great ornamental decorations.

The magnolia swag is a popular southern decoration. It boasts a full spectacle of foliage from the magnolia. The large glossy leaves cascade elegantly across any doorway.

For this project, I cut leaves from a grand magnolia from the farm. I simply wire them together wrapping the wire around each one and then lacing back through the one before it. I repeat this until I get it the length I need it. The heavier gauge floral wire is better. These are really heavy to hang.

Christmas Charcuterie

December 6, 2021

Everybody loves to graze at the farm, and there is no better way to graze than a festive charcuterie board. This one was easy. I really like grabbing an old wooden barbecue tray. They are worn and make anything look original. I mixed together sugar cookies, gingerbread men, cup cakes, prosciutto, genoa salami, gouda cheese, raspberry goat cheese, wennsleydale with cranberries, and crackers. I just have fun arranging them. Perfect for a pretty holiday board to snack on while the farmhouse gets decorated.

Pretty After Holiday Appetizer

November 30, 2021

Thanksgiving flew by and it is time to bring out the fresh greenery to decorate the farm. I like to decorate with fresh real items. I usually start and add through December so it stays fresh. We will be sharing that soon. This appetizer is good for holidays and between the holidays. It looks festive and fresh for that holiday feeling anytime.

Cranberry Baked Brie

1 small bag of fresh cranberries

1 tablespoon of butter

1 teaspoon orange zest

1 tablespoon brown sugar

A wheel of brie cheese

1 egg beaten

Crescent Rolls or Puff Pastry

Steps:

Cook the cranberries, butter, orange zest, and brown sugar in a sauce pan.

Heat oven to 400. Wrap the brie in crescent rolls leaving the top open. Brush with egg. Cook 30 minutes.

Place cranberry mixture on top and place in oven 5 more minutes.

Serve with crackers.

Table Ideas

November 17, 2021

The edge of the pond is full of colorful foliage this time of year. Cutting the natural grasses is the easiest way to add some natural fall colors to any arrangements. These arrangements always show best on an antique farm table. These tables have their own stories and don’t need much to make them stand out for the holidays.

As for “tablescaping,” I like the idea of a combination of pumpkins and fall flowers, mixed with something antique or original. For this table topper idea, I got a simple bouquet of fall flowers. I cut some fall grasses from the edge of the pond. I cut a hole in the top of a pumpkin and put a glass inside. I just arranged the flowers and placed them in the pumpkin. I topped an antique Demijohn with some grasses. Then I scattered some different textured pumpkins around. On the next table, I placed the flower arrangement with some antique duck decoys.

Pecan Wreath for the Farmhouse

November 13, 2021

Most southerners love the buttery sweet taste of a pecan. That would be pronounced PEE-can around these parts. It is believed that these trees came to South Carolina with the colonists in the 1600s. These trees are native to North America and are native to Louisiana, Missouri, Illnois, Indiana, Ohio, and parts of Wisconsin. They have been a favorite treat in the south for hundreds of years.

Here at the farm we have a small orchard of pecan trees. I wanted to make a wreath out of some of the harvest. I used a straw wreath for the base and a hot glue gun. I really like how simple this is and it makes for a great simple addition to fall decor.

Thanksgiving Porch

November 13, 2021

The combination of the crisp air and the cotton harvesting always inspire new creations on the farm. I gather the corn stalks from the field after they go through the combine. It strips the husks very pretty. I take them and use hot glue and a straw wreath to put them in place. I love to find great containers for the porch. I like old containers and pots. The ones I used for the mums are old with a seal on them. I scattered pumpkins and mums down the porch. The lumpier and more miscolored the pumpkin is the better. We grew pumpkins this year. However, I bought these pumpkins. Our two dogs thought our pumpkins in the fields were giant balls and they took most of the harvest while we were working :)

McIntosh Cotton

November 11, 2021

I wake up to snow covered fields this time of year. The mornings are cold and crisp. The sun creeps up and casts a orange pink glow across the puffy fields of white. By afternoon, the air is dry and it’s the perfect time for harvesting cotton. Large modules form like giant square clouds covered in cloth by the time the sunsets. It feels like a dream outside watching the gathering of tiny pieces of fiber that go on to make our Homegrown Cotton Shirts and other fabrics around the world. I always gather baskets full of cotton to use for wreaths and projects. But mostly, I like to hold on to its beauty just a little longer than the season.