Top 10 things to love about Winter - - - -

Well I've been reading all these Facebook posts lately regarding the "Winter Blues", how cold it is, how everyone cannot wait until spring. Well I've decided we all need a more optomistic outlook for Winter and enjoy this wonderful season. Here is my Top 10 List in regards to Winter (and yes it is 12 degrees here today)

#10 Wood Fires!! Nothing says cozy like a fire in the woodstove or fireplace. I love the smell, the feel and the warmth. So grab your favorite book and take a timeout in front of the fireplace

#9 Rejuvenation & Relaxation!! We all complain about how busy we are and there isn't enough time - Winter is a great time to rejuvenate - it's dark by 5:00, it's cold outside - so take time to get those extra jobs done inside, to make lists (I LOVE LISTS), to read that book thats been collecting dust, and PLAN for spring!!

#8 Winter's Beauty - If you've been complaining about the snow and cold. Take a moment to stop and look around you at the bare trees dressed in white, the snowy beauty that surrounds you - stop and smell the roses (well maybe not there's nothing to smell) but put out a birdfeeder and enjoy winter wildlife while helping feed them!!

#7 Be a KID again - quit complaining about the cold and take a cue from your children - dress warm and go lob a snowball at someone - play til you can't feel your toes and your face is red!!! You'll love it and get some great exercise.

#6 Cuddle Time - lacking a little cuddle time - winter is perfect for snuggling up to that special someone - no better excuse to get close (just watch out for cold feet under the covers - hubby just doesn't understand why I have to warm mine on him!!)

#5 To Do or Honey Do Lists - What a great time get those "to do lists" done (as long as they don't require warm tempatures). You'll feel great if you enter spring with chores, deep cleaning, painting, building or whatever may be on your list finished.

#4 Watch Wildlife - Winter is the perfect time to put out corn ears for the squirrels, make pinecone feeders with the kids or add a nice feeder to your yard. You can even feed the deer - then sit inside near that warm fire and watch God's wonderful creatures scurry and flutter here and there or fight over a piece of corn. They will delight you for hours!!

#3 Game Season - and no I'm not talking about the Super Bowl (though I enjoy the Super Bowl as well) I'm talking about sitting down and blowing the dust off that board game and playing it - pop some popcorn and then may the best man or woman win!!!

#2 Soul Food - yes tis the season for foods that warm the soul and the belly - who doesn't love Chili, Potato Soup, Beef Stew, Casseroles and Homemade bread - -hmmm I'm having some yummy warm chili with cheese and sour cream as I type with beer bread (the food helps me think better!!) The options are endless and we have time to cook and enjoy with family - then comes spring and summer and we get to work off all these delightful dishes!!

#1 And reason #1 - if your from the south than you are totally missing out on the feeling of having snow dropped down the front of your shirt - the sensation of something in the 20 degree range melting against your warm skin -

BUT ahhhhhhhhhhh I wouldn't trade these winter delights or memories for 365 days of spring - we all need a little winter!!!

Winter Wonderland

I love the trees in their Winter Splendor - covered in frost and snow!!! What a delight for my eyes to behold!

New Shelf Sitters

BAH HUMBUG to you - - I love the Christmas Carol and this is such a FUN shelf sitter - not that I'm a scrooge but I think this sign brings a smile. Available in either Burgandy (shown) or Hunter Green with Cream letters.

COMFORT and JOY - - A great Christmas Carol and a great shelf sitter!!!! Wishing everyone a little Comfort and Joy this holiday season. This shelf is also available in Hunter Green (shown) and Burgandy.

You can find them to order on our website http://www.collyottfarms.com/ along with other great Holiday decor!!!

Happy Holidays

The Holiday Season is upon us - Christmas is one of my favorite holidays of the year. I go all out decorating, baking and just enjoying the time with my family. Once a week I am going to post various Christmas JOYS - things you can do to make the season a little brighter for yourself or someone else - I hope you enjoy.!!

Christmas Joys 1 - Fun Things to Do with KIDS!!!!

1. Make paper snowflakes with your children and hang from their ceilings.

2. Take wrapping paper and transform their bedroom door into one big package (my son LOVES to do this)

3. Have a Christmas Movie Night - Enjoy a marathon of everyone's favorite Christmas movie while snacking on yummy homemade goodies!!

4. The LOLLIPOP TREE - these are fun to do with younger kids who always want to know "How Many more Days til Christmas" - - Cut a white piece of posterboard or piece of cardboard into a large Christmas Tree and mount on their bedroom door or someplace in their room decorate the cardboard tree- colored tape makes a great border - buy lollipops for ease in making rows( will look like ornaments) Cut a paper cup in have and decorate with tin foil and attach to the base of the tree for the bottom. Then make lollipop rows across your tree like garland - take one lollipop off each day until Christmas. - Yummy and FUN!!!

5. Having a baking day - let the kids help. They can even package some to take to nursing homes or hospitals - a great lesson in giving for children.

**Spend some time with your children this Christmas season doing these and other fun activities periodically and watch their faces light up brighter than the lights on the tree - the best part will be the memories of a lifetime you make!!!

www.collyottfarms.com

Vinegar Barrel

We have just added this Antique Vinegar Barrel to our shop & website. Is this not a cool piece or what??!!!! I think it is such FUN to decorate and a real conversation piece. Wood barrel with metal rings in a rustic red. Check it out at http://www.collyottfarms.com/ in our Antique section.

YUMMY Pear Muffins

Do you have a Pear Tree?? Here is a YUMMY recipe to use up some of the surplus - use ripe pears. I tried this recipe yesterday to make use of our many pears - very yummy the kids enjoyed them for breakfast this morning. It makes almost 2 dozen - part of the reason for a smaller yield could be that I found the batter VERY YUMMY!!!! I did use 1/2 wheat flour in place of all-purpose and next time I might play with applesauce in place of the oil to make it a bit healthier - but yummy all the same!!

Pecan Pear Muffins

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups chopped peeled ripe pears (about 6 medium pears)

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl combine the eggs, oil and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the pears and pecans. Fill paper muffin cups 2/3rds full.

Bake at 350 degres for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

ENJOY!!!!

FALL - - Everything is on SALE!!!

Check out our website www.collyottfarms.com all of our FALL DECOR is on sale thru October 8, 2010!! Don't miss out!! Shown here is Mulled Cider Sign, Pumpkin Mat and Candy Corn Fixins - much more online !!