"HEARTHOUSE"

Feathering the Nest

by, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

Have you ever mindlessly performed a task?

 Your brain wonders what your body is doing! 

Your hands & feet fly as you clean & polish

 EVERYTHING!

 That’s me! 

My "Mama" says I started cleaning out closets 

when I was 3 years old. Isn't it kind of crazy,

 to have a passion to organize, clean, 

and fluff up every home, 

plus all the folks who live there? 

It drives some of my family nuts, 

but most of them say "come on sister,

 we need your gift of gussiness!"

 I believe God wants our dwelling places to reflect 

"the home within our heart."

 Making it comfortable, peaceful, and rest worthy.

 Bringing order to the inside and the outside,

 making it our favorite place to be.

 Our "Hearthouse."

 We within care for it, give it character, and a heart.

It says, "Hey folks, can't you tell, 

by looking at me, who I belong to?

 I"m Katies house!" Blessings fall on the neighbors, the town, the family who live there, and all who see it. The buzz begins; did you see that darling little cottage?

Buzz buzz buzz!

 Did you see what Susie has done with that 1960 stucco track home across town?

 Tweet tweet tweet.

 A spark begins, & before you know it,

 the sweetness spills out over the cup and into the saucer, (the world).

 Over 30 years ago, we lived in Germany. 

Non- military, we lived in a small flat. 

A friend informed my "Mother," it was cold and bleak, having seen it before we moved in,

 when she had also lived in Germany. 

Of course my mama was worried. 

She sent me a box of some of my favorite things, 

all the way from California.

In a week, the flat looked like a beautiful "Paris" apartment.  Full of homesick soldiers, who now,

 had a place to come "HOME" to, on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, indeed everyday. 

The village neighbors wanted to see it as well, 

helping the process of building friendships.

It brings to mind "Karen Blixen," 

taking her Limoge' china,  sterling silver, and crystal

 on the train from Denmark to Nairobi (Kenya),

 when she bought the "Coffee Plantation."

 In truth, we take our "nesting instinct," wherever we roam, 

leaving a lasting memory in the places we inhabit,

 and the people we meet.

  Bringing with us, the spark that truly is God-given.

One can do all this without spending a cent.

Use 

WHAT you already have.

Make 

WHERE you are now, "beautiful."

The instant 

WHEN you feel inspired, do it.

You are the 

WHO required to make it a "home."  

If you can't seem to put your heart into it, 

Barter with a friend who is gifted in Home Arts.

 Babysit her kids, while she rearranges  your family room for example. 

"Brighten the Corner Where You Are"

Guess who surprised me with "Royal Copenhagen,

" China for my 28th Birthday? 

Homesick soldiers! 

"Grandma's Cottage"
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

Grandma's Cottage
Front View

THE OKLAHOMA GIRL

She's lived in shacks and dug-outs,

But that's in day's gone by.

Now there's a healthy, roomy cottage,

that lifts it's gables to the sky.

All within is neat and tidy,

Ever cozy, even the squirrels,

At last upon the throne of her labors,

Sits the " Oklahoma Girl."

Written by,

"My Grandmother, Nancy Harwell"  

Gratitude

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance.

Chaos to order. 

Confusion to clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast.

A house into a home.

A stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past,

Brings peace for today,

and creates a vision  for tomorrow.  

By, Melody Beady

Apples

Apple Butter

I have been extremely blessed to experience a rare privilege.

In the early 1980's Randall was the "Pastor," of a church,

 in the coal mining town of  Rutland, Ohio.

 Like all churches it had a group of awesome women who had

 quilting bee's, bake sales, Bible studies, etc.

They had one yearly tradition every fall, that I haven't seen

 before or since. 

They made Apple Butter.

 Not in the way I have seen others do it, 
but in the way women of old made it

years ago, indeed, back hundreds of years.

We all met at the McGee's Farm, in the country,

 on a crisp fall morning.

The Apple Butter was done completely outdoors.

 A big table set with hand cranked apple peeler's, corer's,
 and boxes of a certain kind of apple.

Some peeled, some chopped, and some cooked.

They all knew what they were doing.

 And I couldn't wait to learn.

The focal point was the ancient giant copper pot,

 suspended on a tripod over the fire pit.

The pot would soon be bubbling with a little taste of heaven.

 Homemade by women, some who are in "Heaven," 
now as I write this.

 I want to thank them for giving me one of
 the best fall days of my life.

The hand grated cinnamon, the fresh cloves, all the spices, filling the mountain air

along with the apples, is a scent I will never forget.

By the time we filled the wide mouthed mason jars,

it was an all day affair.

I have tried many kinds of Apple Butter for years,

 but nothing knocks my nose or my tastebuds into the stratosphere like this one.

They certainly had no problem selling every single jar!

Apple Cake

Apple Pie

Caramel Apples

Apple Cider Ice Cream Float

Apple Dumplings

Candy Apples

"The Vintage Kitchen"

by Cheryl Harwell Bailey

                   

If you are crazy for kitchen utensils, we are like-minded. The guys in my scullery, like them as much as we chicks. I treasure the antique tools, and so does my husband. 

The ones that have been handed down many generations are most precious. Especially when I'm stirring soup, using the same wooden spoon, the great grandmother, I never  met used. My favorite tool goes back to the time of "Wilma Flintstone."  Well, it really does!  It's a "Sea Cockle" so long in the ocean its edges are smooth. Thick enough to have survived without being broken or chipped. I use it for scooping, as shown in the pictures. One of natures free gifts, picked up off the beach, seasoned by the sands of time.

An old mason jar with a lit candle will keep the painful "tears," away, when onion chopping!

My Grandma's  "Pots & Pans" just may survive anything! Even my modern stove top!

Mother & Child aprons. We still use them.

My Grandson is wearing the same "apron" his mom wore when she was his age. Passed down 3 generations!

Uncle Wally gave us $50.00 as a "Wedding" present. I bought a cutting board, a rolling pin, and a "cast iron" skillet, at the corner hardware store. Almost 42 years later, I use them on a daily basis. 

My Mama's almost indestructible cottage bake wear and bowls. They are full of character, age and beauty.

"Mama's" old seasoned wooden spoons.

Can't cook without the strainer.

Sharpening Stone 

&

Sharp knives

are the most important tools 

in the kitchen!

Happy Father's Day"

"Chuck Wagon"

Beef Burgers

Brats & Hot dogs

Chili

Potato Salad

Garlic Bread & Buns

Chips

Watermelon

Hot Pepper, Feta, & Blue Cheese

Fixing's

Salsa

Guacamole

Sweet Tea

Dessert

Homemade Ice Cream

Brownies

Fruit

I am so honored to have my husband, and our Dad's to cook for this "Father's Day." For the past 6 years, we have all lived on the same 5 acres, seeing each other on a daily basis. They are not only "Dad," but my best buds.

One is a "Car Encyclopedia," one is a "House Encyclopedia." Both are brilliant, walking, talking "Bible's!

Our oldest daughter, along with our son-in-law, and our 3 grandsons, live next to us as well, which we love, love, love! Even the grand-dog is a guy!

 There will 15, of us, all family, for "Father's Day." All guys, except 5 "Mama's"! Like "Grandma Harwell," I'm surrounded by a posse' of "buckaroo's."

 "Sea Shells"

by, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

A "Goodwill Store" chandelier is transformed, using  sea shells lei's, and various kinds of shells.

Sea shells were the first objects to be utilized as bowls. Did you know sea shells can be washed in the dishwasher? Making them perfect in our modern age, to use as kitchen gadget's, and unique serving pieces.

 My husband, couldn't believe his eyes, the first time he watched me put Abalone shells in the dishwasher, and use in so many ways. "Where did you learn to do that?" My mother taught me to collect shells, but I took it to next level. It was instinctive.

Abalone shells are awesome bowls, dishwasher safe, and beautiful.

 I have many sizes.

 Some from my mother's collection.

Assorted types of sea shells make pretty candle holders and oil lamps.

How about "A Bridal Bouquet?" 

Thick and sturdy shells are great scoops.

Sharp sea shell chopper.

With my handy glue gun, and sea shells, a yard sale mirror becomes a show piece, gracing our hallway.

Sea Shells have been handed down generation after generation in our family. Most of us have fun memories, of "listening" to the ocean, as we put one up to our ear, at grandma's house. I enjoy displaying them every summer. 

Use shells as planters.

This is one of my favorite shell idea's for summer events.

Simple and Elegant Sea Lamp

Sea shell summer garland in July, where the Christmas evergreen garland hangs in December.

Sea shell "wind chimes" have a distinct ring.

Every mermaid needs a "Crown."

Sea shells are loved by all, and wonderful free gifts of nature.

Happy Summer Sea Shell Hunting!