Play it again......Liberty Hall Candle Light Christmas Tour

Good Morning everyone!
Man... time is just flying by to fast!
I have been busy for the last 2 weeks decorating and cleaning. I have seriously downsized my Christmas decor....I have taken 4 big totes to the consignment shop.
My taste is much simpler now. I gotta get some pictures taken and give you a tour.
Joey and I have been married 22 years today!It is hard to believe it has been that long. He is a wonderful husband, Father and provider and I am so thankful for him. We always go Christmas shopping and treat ourselves to a dinner out.....so I am looking forward to a day out on the town!
Last year we toured a colonial home here in Eastern NC and of course I blogged about it.....but I know so many more of you now that I thought it would be a good idea to publish it again....so I hope you enjoy!


Liberty Hall Tour


On Saturday night we went to Kenansville (about 25 mins. away) for the candle light Christmas Tour at Historic Liberty Hall.It was built in the early 1800's, restored in 1964 and has been open for public tours since 1968.
I loved it...so many goodies to see, I snapped alot of pictures but some of my first ones were to dark...but still a lot to see.
It was cold and rainy....The Confederate Soldiers are guarding the Kenan House.
We first entered the music room....every Kean child was expected to play at least one musical instrument.
We sang along as a lady in period costume played the piano.We next saw the The ladies parlor which was pink...this is where the ladies would come after dinner to have tea and cookies and gossip I am sure!This is one of the Keanan girls wedding gown.Lot of greens were used in Christmas decorating....they were easy to get, freshen the house and most important ...the fresh greens were believed to keep out evil spirits.A child's high chair.Ribbon was hard to come by...so the more fruit and ribbon you displayed....you showed your wealth. This was a working plantation, so there was lots of food and during the holiday season...plenty was prepared for the guest.
Above is a warming closet made into the side of the chimney to keep food warm.
They also had these to put the ladies wraps and hats in so when they left to go home they were nice and warm to wrap up in.The main house was very nice...but I loved Martha's house. Martha was the family cook...and they say she could make a biscuit that would melt in your mouth. Martha came as a slave but was later given her freedom but stayed with the Kenan family. Because she loved them and they loved her. I love her little house...this is the inside. It was rainning so I did not get one of the outside >The well...The soliers gather by the fireDo you have some holly leaves....dry one and throw it into a roaring fire. It is said that all your troubles will wash away and your sins of the last year. This is what our tour guide told us as we stood round the fire and he passed the basket of holly leaves around for everyone to get a leave. I had only one thing to say "bring that basket back to me ...I need more leaves!!"

Showing Off

Just a little bit!
I finished this big guy last night and I was so happy with him I just had to show you.

He is a Tennessee Ridge pattern but I had to make him my own. I wanted him to hold something, but I couldn't decide what. Mary-Kate suggested a bag ....so this is what I came up with.
I also felted his hair and beard with wool....I really love it.

This is Colonial Clara and her baby....

I love to just cut fabric and see what comes out......so she is a true one of a kind....
I just added them both to my etsy shop .....so check them out if you like!
MY ETSY
I need to stop messing around with dolls and climb in the attic....put up my Fall containers and drag down my Christmas. I am gonna have a very simple, natural look this year. We have so much going on here....we will not be doing any entertaining....in fact we plan to start tearing that wall on real soon (say a little prayer...we have never done anything like this)!
Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

Back by Popular Demand

My Etsy store has been on vacation mode since the end of February right before we moved. Well last week I got a email asking me about my room sprays....when I told her I would make her some this is what she said....

"That's awesome. Let me know, I would like to purchase 5 bottles. I think your room spray's are the best on Etsy. And I have tried a number of different ones. Thanks for your quick answer"

So today I came out of "vacation mode"! All the old favorites are there plus I added some new ones like "Amish Harvest" and "Sage & Citrus". I have also been feeling that old creative feeling lately......
this is Charlie Snow. He is available along with some other Christmas goodies. So if you have a minute go check it out. Click Here
I wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Fireplace Tranformation!

This is what that fireplace looked like the first time we saw it (that is the former owner)



And this was making do over the Summer....


And this is the mantle I got for 20$ at the "Rag Bag"


I really loved it but.....it was not wide enough to go around our wood burning insert.
So Joey and I took it apart, added a longer piece of wood... and a few new details (aged to look as old as the rest of the piece). I decided to paint it the same color as my kitchen cabinets, in fact I am in the process of repainting the trim in the kitchen and this area this same color. I was so inspired by the home of Linda Harris in Country Sampler and on the blog Behind my Red Door. And now it looks like this....




I am sure I will continue to tweak it....after seeing these pictures...
I need to use some steel wool to even out the black paint on the insert.
I repainted it with heat resistant paint.
But I am so happy with the results and I am loving the color...it really warms up the whole area. That is one more project to check off out list.....soon we will be tearing down some walls! That is exciting and kinda scary.
In the end the kitchen, the den area (with the fire place, the dining room, and the front living room will be one open living space with columns, wood floors and the simple, primitive colonial look I long for! Ooooooh I get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about!
Have a great week!