Happy 2009 to all my blog Viewers!

May the New Year bring you good health, peace & prosperity.

Needle Felting

I have always wanted to learn needle felting but had no idea where to start- I found this online tutorial that seems pretty good- adding a needle felted applique to a purchased felted item.
http://www.nicolehindes.com/2006/12/02/needle-felting-a-tutorial/

My Aunt Nellie- 1894

I received this picture from a cousin a few days ago.

It is my Grandma Temple's half sister Nellie

Nellie was born in 1894. After her mother died her father remarried my great grandmother Zilla Dow- they had two children Temple and Harry- thus the half sister status with Aunt Nellie. I do no think they thought of themselves as being half sisters as my grandma & Nellie were very close.

Note the long shaggy rug she is on- I did not know they had anything like that in those days!!

Hanging Kitchen Towel Tutorial

I was searching the web for some quick & easy craft ideas and found this link
http://corinnaquilts.blogspot.com/2008/10/kitchen-towel-tutorial.html
It says it can be made in 20 minutes- my kind of craft!
I think I will try to find a solid red pot holder & make the towel part out of red ticking for a more prim look.

Make a Cranberry/Peanut Garland

Maybe now that Christmas is over ( almost!) I will finally find the time to make one of these garlnds- I have wanted to for quite some time now. I think it would make a great primitive garland for a fire place mantle.
I could not find a picture of one but did find instructions:
Grab a bag of cranberries and a bag of peanuts (still in their shells).
. Next you will need a needle and some heavy cotton thread. Make a great garland of cranberries, by stringing them on a doubled length of thread. Make a delicious peanut garland by stringing whole peanuts on a doubled length of thread- just push the needle through the center of the peanuts. You can hang your creations on a branch- the birds will love it!
I plan on alternating the peanuts & cranberries.
If you happen to make one before I do- send a pic & I will post it here.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of my blog readers!

Peace on Earth, Good will toward men.

Pilgrims & Pioneers

The Birth Of Christ

7And she ( Mary) brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

BRRR! It's freezing here!

Old Man Winter has arrived with a vengeance! It was-6 here last night with 25 mile an hour winds- had some drifting! It only got to 0 degrees for the high.
Tonight it is going to get down to -13 degrees!
I made 3 rice cozies tonight! 2 are for gifts- the other one is for myself! Goig to take it to bed with me tonight!
If you do not know what a rice cozy is - it is a rectangular fabric filled bag filled with rice and then heated in the microwave for 45 seconds- make a great portable, moldable heating pad- put it on cold feet, a sore shoulder or knee- any where you need heat!

St Lucia Day

St. Lucia day marks the start of the Swedish Christmas" God Jul" celebration that lasts until the 13th oh January.

The eldest daughter in the house hold portrays the "Queen of Light" to help dispel the long dark winter days.

She is dressed in a white robe, with a wreath of leaves, berries and candles ( battery operated candles are now used) and she brings coffee & sweet treats to the other family mebers in bed.

Usually St. Lucia buns are one of the sweets. A yeast bun infused with Saffron and includes two raisins on the top of the bun.

Santa comes on December 24th in Sweden and the tree & decorations stay up until Jan.13th.

The Dala Horse- a Swedish Tradition

I have mainly posted about my English ancestors here- but my great grandparents are Swedish -coming in 1841 to America from Kristianstadt, Sweden.

In wanting to add to my genealogy items about them, I had asked a friend of mine that was going to Bishop Hill- A historic Swedish settlement- to see if she could find a Dala horse for me.

Today she came bearing a Chrtistmas gift- a Dala Horse!

This is the Dala Horse history:

A small horse, hand-carved from a scrap of wood during the winter evenings by the fire perhaps 300 years ago in Dalarna, in the Swedish parish of Mora,was the beginning.
The carving of Dala horses is thought to have started in the village of Bergkarlas, though the nearby "horse" villages of Risa, Vattnas and Nusnas were also centers of horse making. The villages were involved in the art of furniture and clock-making, and it is likely the leftover scraps of wood were at first whittled into toy horses for children as a winter pastime.
But the art of carving and painting the small horses quickly flourished in the 1800's, as economic hardship in the region inspired greater production of the little horses, and they became an important item of barter. Horse-making may have started as something to while away the hours during the long winter months but soon the Dala horses were traded in exhange for household goods and their carving and painting blossomed into a full-fledged cottage industry. The rural families depended on horse production to help keep food on the table, as the skills of horse carving and painting were passed from one generation to the next.
The decoration on the Dala horse (the first horses were not painted or were only one color) has its roots in furniture painting and was perfected over the years. Perhaps the most famous decorator was Mora artist Stika Erik Hansson from Risa, the first of the horse painters to paint with two colors on the brush at one time.

1796 Mince Meat Pie Recipe

Four pound boil’d beef, chopped fine, and salted; six pound of raw apple chopped also, one pound beef suet, one quart of Wine or rich sweet cyder, one ounce mace, and cinnamon, a nutmeg, two pounds raisins, bake in paste, three fourths of an hour.Observations : All meat pies require a hotter and brisker oven than fruit pies, in good cookeries, all raisins should be stoned.

Courtesy of www.pilgrimhall.org

The Yule Log Tradition of Long Ago

The Yule log was frequently associated with winter celebrations until Christianity became widespread. As Christianity grew, the yule log became more commonly associated with Christmas celebrations and Christianity adopted the Yule log tradition. For centuries, Christians cut their own yule logs at Christmas time or they would try to find a yule log to burn. During the 1700s and 1800s, it was a regular Christmas tradition for men to go an expedition to find a yule log. Many European countries had somewhat different traditions surrounding the Yule log, but a Yule log was burned either in the days preceding Christmas or possibly on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Help for Hope

As most of you know I am a big dog lover. I am so sensitive to abuse of animals that I try to steer clear of any mention of it.
But of course steering clear of it does not help the animals.
I first learned about this poor dog named Hope for my friend Patty's blog
http://tailsfromthedogpatch.blogspot.com -
Hope has been severely abused & neglected. She is in a foster home but has heartworm & money need to be raised for her treatment or she will die.
I am going to donate 10% of my sales on my website www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com for the next three weeks towards her care. Hopefully others will take up the cause & she will survive.
Donations for her treatment can be sent to:
APLMC, P.O. Box 663, Celina OH 45822. Please mark that is it for HOPE!!

More Vintage Santa's

Right cliick and save to your hard drive!

Free Vintage Santa Graphics

Right click & save to your hard drive. Enjoy!

The History of the Victorian Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree tradition began in the Victorian era, with the custom of a lighted evergreen (Tannenbaum) originating in Germany. German-born Prince Albert, Consort of Queen Victoria, brought the idea to England and by the mid-19th century, Christmas Trees at Windsor Castle were decorated with wax candles and laden with presents. As citizens copying the Royal tradition spread this custom, the Christmas Tree soon became a popular English tradition.
It was (and still is) considered bad luck to remove the Christmas Tree and other Christmas decorations before Twelfth Night (6th January). Superstition stated that it was also bad luck to put up a Christmas Tree before Christmas Eve, although other Christmas decorations might appear some time before Christmas.

No Christmas for the Pilgrims

At least not as we know it.Since I have been researching my Pilgrim heritage I have often wondered what Christmas was like at Plimoth Colony for my 10th Great grandfather- I found this article written by a minister's at http://garlandsgrace.wordpress.com/ I was surprised by what I learned.
Though they came ashore on Christmas Day, it’s a little odd to talk about the Pilgrims at Christmas, since they did not celebrate Christmas, and they would have frowned on us for doing so. They would have gone to church, though, for they never missed Sabbath worship for any reason. In fact, Sabbath worship is the whole reason for their coming—their worship was the most important part of their lives, and they valued it above their lives.
They would not have complained about a long sermon, or a long drive, since they would have happily walked several miles in the cold or rain. They would not rush off to Christmas dinner; instead, they would sit and savor the Word of God in their hands. They would give a hearty “amen” to the sermon. They would wonder at the books of hymns and they would beg to sing yet another one. They would rejoice that they had a church building where they could meet openly without threats of imprisonment and they would weep with happiness that their children would not have to live in poverty, that they could receive an education, and that they could worship in freedom.
On Christmas Eve, remember the Pilgrims and their first night ashore. It was a beginning for them and for us. Think of them when you go to church, somber with gratitude for what they suffered for us, hopeful and determined to carry on their vision.
But keep the truth in puriety and walk in all humility take heed of pride & contention for that will bring distruction Seeke love & peace & unity and preserve faith, & sanctitie and God will blesse you with his Grace and bring you to his resting place. William Bradford

Snowman Ornies & a Sale

These great snowman ornies are perfect for a tree, a garland or for small gifts!

We are also having the last sale of the season at my website http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com/ get 15% off of your total order before shipping- just enter code MC15 at checkout.

Also checkout our "Specials" page for great deals on our square mason jar candles.

A Typical Pioneer Christmas

Christmas Eve would generally find most families singing carols around the Christmas tree or fireplace. On Christmas Day, most would attend church, return home for the traditional Christmas meal, and spend the day visiting with friends and neighbors.
Many of the homemade gifts, including corn husk dolls, sachets, carved wooden toys, pillows, footstools and embroidered hankies, might have had the family members working on for months ahead of Christmas. Others knitted scarves, hats, mitts and socks. If the family had had a good year, the children might find candies, small gifts, cookies and fruit in their stockings.
For some, there might even be a Christmas tree, gaily decorated with bits of ribbon, yarn, berries, popcorn or paper strings, and homemade decorations. Some of these home made decorations were often figures or dolls made of straw or yarn. Cookie dough ornaments and gingerbread men were also popular. In other places, wood was simply to scarce to “waste” on a tree, if one could be found at all. Other pioneer homes were simply too small to make room for a tree.
At the very least, almost every home would make the holiday a time of feasting -- bringing out preserved fruits and vegetables, fresh game if possible, and for those that could afford it, maybe even beef or a ham. Many women began to bake for the holiday weeks ahead of time, leaving the plum pudding to age in the pot until Christmas dinner.
Though perhaps modest, these hardy pioneers made every attempt to decorate their homes for the holidays with whatever natural materials looked attractive at the bleakest time of year, such as evergreens, pinecones, holly, nuts, and berries.
Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote of the preparations for Christmas on the Kansas Prairie: "Ma was busy all day long, cooking good things for Christmas. She baked salt-rising bread and r'n'Injun bread, and Swedish crackers, and huge pan of baked beans, with salt pork and molasses. She baked vinegar pies and dried-apple pies, and filled a big jar with cookies, and she let Laura and Mary lick the cake spoon. “That very Christmas, Laura Ingalls was delighted to find a shiny new tin cup, a peppermint candy, a heart shaped cake, and a brand new penny in her stocking. For in those days, these four small gifts in her stocking were a wealth of gifts to the young girl.
Many I know have gone back to a simpler time much like the pioneers by decorating with natural materials, making cookie dough ornamnets & gingerbread men, and buying or making hand made gifts.... and this my firends is a good thing!

The Winner Is...

Sharon of Primthyme is the first place winner
Judy of The Princess Ponders won 2nd place
Karen of Farmgirl'In Ga. Style won 3rd place
Congrats to all of you. I will contact you for your mailing address.

I have to admit when I took the bowl to hubby to draw the names my feet were heavy as I knew there could be just three winners and I would love to have given everyone something.
But since I am saving the names to add to my monthly website drawing you never know when I may be needing your email address too!
Thanks so much to all of you that enetered!

A Sad Situation That Opened My Eyes

Today as I was leaving the Market where I sell my candles and craft items, and feeling disappointed because sales had not been what I hoped for, another vendor stopped me and asked if I knew where the homeless shelter was in town. I saw that she was talking to a young man in his 20's that was clean & dressesd as well as the rest of us.I assumed that he wanted to volunteer or make a donation to the shelter. I started asking him if he knew where some businesses were in town so that I could help him find the shelter. He did not know where any of them were so my husband stepped in and gave him directions.
We went out the door and was almost to our truck when my vending neighbor came up to me & asked us to give him the directions to the shelter- he said" we have to get this young man something to eat".
I stood there and looked at him for a minute before reality set in. I said is that young man that wanted the directions homeless? The answer was yes- someone had told him we had been serving breakfast that day and he had come in looking for food.

I have just emailed the vendor to see if he did indeed get this young man to the homeless shelter.
I have not been able to stop thinking about him.
Several times over the past 10 years since my husband's illness I have many times wondered how I was going to pay for necessity items but somehow have always managed to do so. Many times I have been sad & sometimes bitter about this.
Today as I have thought about this young man having no home, or food to eat I have realized how fortunate I really am even though I do not have a lot of expensive fancy things.
When I sit down to eat my supper tonight and go to sleep in my nice, warm bed I will pray that the young man did indeed get some help & thank God for what I do have.

Giveaway Update

There has been such a great response to this giveaway- and since it is the Chritmas season I have decided to have a 2nd & 3rd place drawing for some tarts.
Also since I have a monthly drawing on my website I will add all non winning names to that list.

200 Post! Giveaway!

I finally have made 200 posts so I am having a giveaway!

The winner will recieve a Praire Prim Bar tart in Harvest Spice and 6 unscented Prairie Prim soap balls. The bar tart lets you melt as much as you want a little or a lot!

The prim soap balls are a primitive dark brown( darker than shown) and look great in a small wooden or enamel ware bowl setting next to your kitchen or bathroom sink.

To enter just leave a comment telling me what your favorite candle scent is ( mine or otherwise).

Mention the giveaway on your blog & be entered again- place an order on my website and be entered again!

Winner will be drawn on Sunday December 7th at 7:00 pm.

If you do not have a blog make sure you leave your email address!

Plimoth Document 1637

2 May 1637 : "It was ordered by this Court, that a jury should be empanelled to set forth the heigh wayes about Plymouth, Ducksborrow, and the Eele Riuer... "It is agreed, that the heigh wayes, both for horse, cart, and foote, shalbe as followeth ... we allow a heigh way from the cutt betweene Willm Bassets & Francis Sprage, to goe to Ducksborrow towne; the heigh way to be continued from Willm Bassets garden or orchard, through John Washburnes ground, to Willm Palmers gate, as it now hs, and so along through Peeter Browne ground, by the outeside of which we allow a way to the marsh, and vp to the woods; the way still to passe by Henry Howlands house, leauing it on the east side, so keepeing the old way through the march to Mr Aldens house, and from thence through a valley wch leadeth to the corner of Phillip Delanoys feild, so to passe to Edward Bumpas house, and fourty foote to be allowed above his house straight to Rowland Leyhornes house, & so passinge aboue the house to Greenes Harbor path."Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 58-59.

Happy Thanksgiving!

May everyone have a blessed & happy holiday! From Pilgrims& Pioneers!

Who Is this Pilgrim at Plimoth?

This photo shows a Pilgrim man dressed in authentic perod clothing of the time. The photo was taken at today's Plimoth Plantation- it does not say who the person is being portrayed- could it be Capt. Miles Standish? Isaac Allerton? Eduoad Bompasse?. Let your imagination be your guide!

There are many more names to choose from:

John Cooke

William Brewster

John Adams

Stephen Hopkins

Richard Warren

William Bradford

and many more

Do you see a realtive here?

For a great interactive link about the first Thanksgiving scroll down to the Plimoth in the fall post!

Photo courtesy of Yankee magazine.

Give Thanks 20% off sale!!!

In Honor of our Thanksgiving Holiday Brandyanne's Candles is having a sale! You can get 20 % off of any order until 11:59 pm Friday November 28th

A great way to save on Holiday shopping.Just enter code GT20 at checkout.

http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com/

Plimoth Plantataion in the Fall

What a lovely simple Fall scene. The plantation residents dressed in their cold weather clothing going about their daily chores
The view of the ocean is a stunning backdrop to the starkness of the village.
To know that my 10th great grandfather would have viewed this scene on a daily basis is still awe inspiring to me.
I would love to be able to visit the Plantation- especially at Thanksgiving time. I know of some lucky women who are actually going there Thanksgiving day!
I am so envious!
Their menu for that day will be:
Vegetable soup
Garden Salad
Roast Native Turkey with Giblet Gravy
Carved Roast Sirloin of Beef
Cornbread Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Butternut Squash
Creamed Onions
Cape Cod Cranberry Sauce
Hot Crusty Rolls
Wood Pressed Apple Cider
Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Coffee & Tea
Adult: $64.95Child (under 12) $42.95
Adult Member: $45.95 Child Member: $30.95
Prices include museum admission and tax.
Museum admission includes: the Wampanoag Homesite, 1627 English Village, Mayflower II, Crafts Center, and Nye Barn.
This is a pretty hefty price tag but the History is well worth it & one I would gladly pay if I could only go!
Photo courtesy of Yankee Magazine.com
For an interactive view of the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving follow this link
http://www.plimoth.org/education/olc/intro.html

The Grandpa House

Kalona , Iowa is located 17 miles north of Iowa City, Iowa and is a big Amish community. While browsing their website for information I found this photo of the Grandpa House. It is a house that was created for the elderly in the family. Old order Amish families live together through out their lifetime- when a son gets married the original family house gets an addtion for the new family added to it. Apparently when the grandparents become elderly & need closer supervision an addition is built fo this also.

Note the traditional sparse furnishings.

Fresh Sage- Just In Time for Thanksgiving

Our fresh sage is still availalble in time for your Thanksgiving cooking!
It will come picked fresh at the time of your order and is 5 stems 6-8 inches in length.
To place your order go to www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com and click on the Herbs link.

200th post is coming!

I just realized I am approaching 200 posts! Time goes by so quickly!
I am considering having a giveaway so stay tuned!!

I am so excited! I won a GIVEAWAY!

I had a long day at work today. When I came home I got a pleasant surprise in my email! I won 24 grubbied salt dough ornies in snowmen & snowflake shapes. They are scented in Cinnamon and I am going to love them! I entered the contest at http://primfriendsnetwork.blogspot.com/
It is a wonderful blog- you should go visit!
I think I have the perfect vessel to display these!
I am doing the happy dance!

I have gotten an award!

The "Marie Antoinette: A Real Person, A Real Award" blog award from Terri at http://clayhillfarm.blogspot.com/
Here are the rules that accompany this award:1. Please put the logo on your blog 2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award 3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs 4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog 5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.

My nominees are

http://isidenanashead.blogspot.com/

http://penniwigs.blogspot.com/

http://tailsfromthedogpatch/blogspot.com

http://stoneyhillcabin.blogspot.com/

http://plainandsimplykaren.blogspot.com/

http://fortheloveofprims.blogspot.com/

http://simple-needs.blogspot.com/

Stretching Your Dollars for a Good Cause & a Giveaway

From now until November 23, every order over 40.00 ( before shipping) will receive a free 9 oz square mason candle or a six pack of tarts in the scent of your choice ( subject to scents in stock). There is no code to use- just type your scent choice in the comment section and indicate which product you want- candle or tarts. http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com/
I am offering this because a young man( in his early 30's) I know needs help.
A while back this young man's right leg started going numb off & on- he was working but did not have any medical insurance so he did not seek any medical care- until a few weeks ago when the numbness would not go away. He then went to the emergency room and they discovered he has a herniated disc in his lower back which is causing the numbness in his leg. They referred him to a specialist and told him they would call him to set up an appointment. In the meantime he was laid off from his job because of the failing economy.
When the specialists office called him they found out that he did not have any insurance so told him he could not be seen.
So here he is without any money and a serious medical condition left untreated.
I am so saddend by this I have vowed to do what I can to help.
20 % of all the sales this offer generates will be put in a fund and given to this young man.
Please consider doing some shopping for Christmas with me to get your free product and help someone in desperate need.
For everyone that posts the sale on their blog( & let's me know they have posted it) they will be entered into a drawing for a six pack of tarts in the scent of their choice. Drawing willl be held November 24. The tarts make great small gifts! My friend Nancy is also doing a giveaway for a free tote bag for any one that spends 25.00 at http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com/ for more info go to her blog http://insidenanashead.blogspot.com/

Colonial Wreath & More Colonial Williamsburg

This is another example of the Colonial Williamsburg Christmas decorations using natural materials- plain & simple materials- no glitter- no lights- but beautiful !

Colonial Christmas In Williamsburg

I found these photos at http://www.history.org/

Colonial people used fruits and other natural materials to decorate at Christmas time I think they are so pretty. Note the pineapples at the top. The traditional Colonial symbol of Welcome.

The other photo shows what seems to be lighting torches outside the homes- what a flame he has going there!

Snowman Candle Mat

This wonderful wool felt candle mat was made by a very good friend of mine. It is made from navy wool felt with olive green & burgundy stars.
It is just waiting to decorate your home with your favorite candle sitting on it.
To buy this mat got to http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com
in the seasonal category- hurry there is only one of these in wool felt.

Look at this Great Free Graphic!

This wonderful snowman graphic is free! Can you believe that!

You can get your own at http://penniwigs.blogspot.com

Give a big thanks to Holly while you are there!

Give Thanks 20% off sale!!!

Thanksgiving will soon be here. It is one of my favorite Holidays! Families get together to share a meal not too different than our Pilgrim forefathers did.

The earth is starting to slow down for the winter and another season has begun.

That means that Christmas is not far behind.

Join us at our 20% off sale. It is a great way to buy homemade if you have taken that pledge and save some money.

It is good for any of our products- candles, melters, dipped bears,prairie bonets- whatever your need or wishes.

Simply enter code PP20 at checkout.

Another great giveaway!!!

Melissa at http://thistledewfarm.blogspot.com is having a wonderful giveaway- hurry go take a peek!

Sweet Potato Garland- Tutorial

Gather your ingredients:
Sweet potatoes - cut up into halves or quarters
1 Cup boiling water 4 tablespoons of Instant coffee - ginger (optional) ,cinnamon,
nutmeg ,sewing needle ,cotton string or cord - as long as you intend your garland to be.
* You can use ordinary potatoes if in a jam.
1)First you need to make your dye: Mix the coffee and boiling water. 2)Meanwhile, cut up your potatoes into halves and quarters. 3)Next, sprinkle your spices on a plate.
4)Soak your cotton thread in the coffee dye mixture. 5)Dip or drop your potatoes in the dye mixture to stain them. 6)Roll your colored potatoes in the sweet and pungent spice mixture. 7)Attach the potatoe pieces snugly, one against another, on the colored string. 8)let air dry.
You will have created a sweet scent sensation!

Prairie Prim Soap Again

Tonight I am finally trying my hand at making more Prairie Prim soap again.

If all goes well I will be making the leftover soap into soap balls ( or soap stones as professional soap makers call them!) and posting them as a blog giveaway soon!

Stay tuned!

Winner, Winner, Winner!

The winner of the blog giveaway at http://clayhillfarm.blogspot.com
and http://thistledewfarm.blogspot.com is Angela of http://makethyselfahome.blogspot.com
She won one of my full size soy candles and 3 soy Prairie Prim melters!
Congrats Angela!

Giveaway Ends Tomorrow!

Just a reminder that the giveaway for one of my full size candles & PrairiePrim Melters ends tomorrow- if you have not signed up go leave a comment at http://clayhillfarm.blogspot.com
or http://thistledewfarm.blogspot.com - hurry it ends at 7pm tomorrow Nov. 1st!

The New Furnace is Being Installed!

The furnace men are installing our new furnace today. I will be glad to see the old one go!
We have been using space heaters for 4 weeks now- it will be good to have a central heat system!!!
Right now my house is full of soot & sooty foot prints!
I know what I will be doing all evening!

Bed Warmers

A bed warmer was a common household item in cold countries, especially Northern Europe. It consisted of a metal container, usually fitted with a handle and shaped somewhat like a modern frying pan, with a solid or finely perforated lid. The pan would be filled with hot coals and placed under the covers of a bed, to warm it up and/or dry it out before use.
After the invention of rubber, the classical bed warmer was largely supplanted by the hot water bottle, which is still widely used. In the late 20th century, electric blankets and then the electric bed warmer were invented to fulfill the same need.

If I am not mistaken bedwarmers like the ones pictured were also used durin the Pilgrim & Pioneer Eras also.

Join Me in this Pledge...

to buy my Christmas gifts all hand mades this year. Hand made is so much better quality than mass produced! and it helps support our economy!

My friends Terri http://clayhillfarm.blogspot.com/ and her sister Melissa http://thistledewfarm.blogspot.com/ have pleged to do this also.

Be sure to visit their blogs and enter their contest- their prize is one of my soy candles and some soy Prim Prairie Melters! You won't want to miss this!!

The Olde Summer Kitchen

What is a summer kitchen you ask? Well...It was a small building back of the house, one room, with wide open windows, and a sturdy screen door.The purpose to a summer kitchen was to save the house from overheating and mess. It also helped prevent the danger of fire in the main house.

The summer kitchen could also be used as a laundry room including an old type wringer washer. Water would be carried in , poured into big copper canners (boilers) and heated, sounds like work doesn't it? Rainwater was saved in a cistern and was ideal for a good washing. Can you imagine washing 7-8 batches of dirty laundry in the same water and one medium bar of home made soap? No fabric softener but one cup of vinegar worked well, still does!

Even in the modern days it would be nice to have an olde summer kitchen- a place to get away form the hussle& bussle of today's busy life.

My Great, Great Aunt & Uncle McKenzie

Oliver McKenzie married my gggrandfather's( Benjamin Franknlin Dow) sister Emily Dow. They are pictured here with their children Ray & Eliza.

I think the photo must be from the late 1800's

I have only seen two photos of Benjamin but Emily does resemble him.

How serious & somber they all look.

Maybe they were not so happy about getting all gussied up in thier Sunday best!

It's Another Great Giveaway!!!

My friends Terri & Melissa are having a giveaway! You can have a chance to win one of my candles and three of my tarts- a chance to try 4 different scents if you wish or choose all the same scent if you have a favorite! Hop on over to http://clayhillfarm.blogspot.com/ or http://thistledewfarm.blogspot.com/ to get the details!
Good luck!!!

True Friendship

I found this on another blog- I could not have said this better- truer words were never spoken!
WHEN GOOD FRIENDS WALK BESIDE US ON THE TRAILS THAT WE MUST KEEP, OUR BURDENS SEEM LESS HEAVY, AND THE HILLS ARE NOT SO STEEP, THE WEARY MILES PASS SWIFTLY, TAKEN IN A JOYOUS STRIDE, AND ALL THE WORLD SEEMS BRIGHTER, WHEN FRIENDS WALK BY OUR SIDE..~*~ unkown

Pioneer Progress!

I found this photo of a pioneer woman doing laundry. Since she is using a wringer washer the first thing that came to mind was how things had changed for her. No more dragging her laundry down to the creek bed!

I am sure she was greatful not to have to wring out her laundry by hand and that her clothes dried quicker!

Baked Apple Slices

8 cups sliced apples
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1.4 cup butter
Arrange apples in a 9x13x2 baking dish
Combine sugar , cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Sprinkle sugar mixture over apples.
Dot wih butter.
Bake covered for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Oh the Exasperation!

I am so frustrated today. My ISP is changing their email program and my email is currently not working at all! I have grown so accustomed to it I am totally lost!
If you would like to contact me or wish to place an order you can email me at primdolly2000@yahoo.com
Looking forward to getting email!

Confedreate Tee Pees

This is the Confederate tee pees & tents at the Civil War re- enactment about 6 weeks ago.

I had not realized that US trrops would have used tee pees but given the time period it does make sense- learn something new everyday!

Great Fall Vintage Graphic

I just love this great vintage Fall Graphic!

and best of all it is free! You can get one for yourself at http://skullblossom.blogspot.com

She is one great gal!

Just a Reminder....

The Octoberfest 20% off sale ends at Midnight tonight.

Order any product in Applejack & Peel, Grandma's Cinnamon Rolls, or Cloves and get 20% off of your order.
Use code OCT20
http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com/

My Basset Hound Molly

I had a request for a picture of my Basset Hound Molly. This was taken when she was a year old- she is now 3 years old. She does not hold still enough for pics very often!

Even though she frequently gets in trouble - all is forgiven when she snuggles up next to me for her belly rub!

American Gothic- A Classic

I am sure most of you are familiar with this painting- it was used in commercials years ago. It has always been one of my favorites- simple living for sure!

It was painted by Grant Wood in 1930. Grant Wood was born in 1891 and died in 1942.

This should make you Smile!

At least it sure made me smile. I am a Basset Hound owner so maybe I am partial but who can resist these sweet faces!

If you need Sweet Annie...

I still have some left. I am selling it for 6.50 per bundle with 5.20 priority shipping.You can order this by email prairieprim@comcast.net

Ships to U.S.only.

The House That Grandpa Built

Well not my grandpa but my husband's. It was built in the 1930's so it is 70+ years old.

It is unique in some ways being built out of stone dredged from the Elkhorn Creek which is not far from where the house is.

It has two arched doorways that I truly enjoy. It does have a fireplace that several years ago was converted to gas- unfortunately the gas co. says it is not safe to use- so no rosy glow for me!

This picture was taken two winters ago

Pumpkin Table Runner

I rarely have time to sew between working my day job & pouring candles & tarts for my website http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com/ at night but did make time to do a pumpkin table runner this year. It was made from a heavy black & white homespun large rectangular napkin and appliqued with prim pupmkins. The center pumpkin has a little mini pumpkins print