Christmas in July Linky Party

It's Christmas in July! We're excited to join with a group of our blogging friends to co-host this month long party! It's never too early to begin thinking about Christmas and planning ahead for decor ideas, activities, recipes, gift ideas, and more. It’s one way to beat the holiday rush. We'd love to have you add your ideas to our Christmas in July Link Party!

Sentimental Photos

Have you noticed the date?  June has flown by just like all the other months.  Christmas will be here before we know it.  

Speaking of Christmas...  

Each year I give our children a copy of at least one photo that is special to our family.  It's been baby photos, family photos of us or older generations.





They love having these treasures passed down to them.  What should I choose this year?

After my husband's adopted parents passed away, their lovely farm was sold.  Just recently, the new owners dozed down the home.





Their barn is still standing even though no one is using it.  After asking for permission, I spent an evening there with our camera.  

Handsome Husband built the door on the right.

The horses and saddles are long gone.

Even though it is in disrepair, our children will recognize any photo of it.

They've spent many hours on this piece of earth.

Running and playing and laughing.

Maybe one of these photos will be cherished by our children?  I'll have to choose one or make a collage?  ;-)  Which photo is your favorite?

Will you please come back tomorrow and join our Christmas in July party?  It will run the entire month.  New and old posts are welcome as long as they are family friendly.

;-)  -Marci

Christmas in July Link Party - Week 4 - Interchangeable Wreaths

Week 4  {Heavy Sigh} 

 

This post feels somewhat bittersweet.  I've really enjoyed hosting our Christmas in July parties with these lovely bloggers!

 

   

2 Crochet Hooks
 

Across The Blvd.
 

SewCraftyCrochet
 

The Boondocks Blog
 

One Mama's Daily Drama
 

My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
 

Purple Hues and Me
 

Purfylle

 

 Please join us!





This week I'd like to talk about my Interchangeable Wreath.

Click HERE for the how - to on the basic form.

I've created several wreaths for just about every season, but here are the Christmas options!





Poinsettias





Stars and Snowflakes





Snuggly Sweaters


I can't wait see what you bring to the party this week!
 

HERE'S THE LINK UP!  ;-)

 



An InLinkz Link-up

Christmas in July Link Party - Week 3 - Stocking Stuffers For Furry Family and Friends

A lot of times, I wait until the very last second to get Christmas gifts ready.  Thanks to the peer pressure ;-) of these lovely bloggers

   

2 Crochet Hooks
 

Across The Blvd.
 

SewCraftyCrochet
 

The Boondocks Blog
 

One Mama's Daily Drama
 

My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
 

Purple Hues and Me
 

Purfylle

 

 I am getting organized for Christmas and actually have a few things accomplished already!  We will be hosting a Christmas in July Blog Hop each Wednesday in July.  Please join us!





If you visit my blog very often, you know we love our pets!  This week I'd like to talk about a stocking stuffer for the furry members of our family.  Here's a couple of recipes our kiddos LOVE to make and our pups LOVE to receive!

Stone Cottage Dog Biscuits

Dog Biscuits with Oats

All of our favorite neighbors have dogs, too.  These are a great little present for our fuzzy buddies over the fence.

 

Ivan can't wait to see all of your Christmas ideas!

 

 

 

HERE'S THE LINK UP!  ;-) 

 



An InLinkz Link-up

Christmas In July Link Party - Week 2 - More Herbs, Please!

These lovely bloggers are my co-hosts

   

2 Crochet Hooks
 

Across The Blvd.
 

SewCraftyCrochet
 

The Boondocks Blog
 

One Mama's Daily Drama
 

My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
 

Purple Hues and Me
 

Purfylle

 

Please join our Christmas in July Blog Hop each Wednesday for the entire month of July!




 

Today I am bringing you my "Go To" hostess gift.  Seriously, I use this one all year long! 

You may have noticed one page of my blog is dedicated to Herbs.  I actually speak at Garden Club meetings.  The title of my presentation is

Herbs and Edible Flowers:  A Place to Begin 

I give very simple tips and advice on ways to use herbs in your daily life.  If you're curious, please explore my Herbs Page.  ;-) 

Anyone new to herbs usually has the question of how to get herbs.  'Makes sense, right?  How to I get some herbs?  OK.  This question brings us back to the Christmas in July Hostess Gift.  Most herbs can be started with a cutting.  Just about every grocery store has fresh herbs available.  All you do is gently remove the lower leaves from the stem and, of course, use those in your favorite recipe. 

Next, just plunk that stem into a container of water.

Yep!  It's that easy!  Really, this works for LOTS of plants, not just herbs.  Place the cutting somewhere with lots of light, but not direct sun.  Here in the Central United States, a north facing window is perfect.  Fortunately, both my kitchen and dining room face the north.

Our windows frequently look like we are conducting some kind of science experiment!  ;-)  Oh, I want you to see the garden outside my dining room.  Lots of bird feeders and a small pond.

'See all those cuttings in the window?  Depending on temperature, it only takes a couple of weeks for roots to be visible.  They look like cream colored threads.

Can you see them?

When you can see quite a few, it's time to put them in a pot of soil.

 

Label and add something decorative.

 

Any hostess is THRILLED to receive a pot of herbs, especially if you tuck a recipe into the card!
 

 I can't wait to see all of your Christmas ideas! 

 

 

HERE'S THE LINK UP!  ;-) 

 



An InLinkz Link-up

 

 

Christmas in July Link Party - Week 1

 Am I the only one who procrastinates with Christmas gifts?  Yes?  Rats!  I was afraid of that!  ;-)  It seems like even when I have really good ideas, I can't quite get them done until December 24th! 

Well, not this year!  Thanks to the peer pressure ;-) of these lovely bloggers

   

2 Crochet Hooks
 

Across The Blvd.
 

SewCraftyCrochet
 

The Boondocks Blog
 

One Mama's Daily Drama
 

My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
 

Purple Hues and Me
 

Purfylle

 

 I will be hosting a Christmas in July Blog Hop each Wednesday in July.  My goal is to complete at least one gift per week!





This may be the year I  finish early?  OK, maybe not...

 

Our two children have grown up and moved away.  They have homes of their own.  A few years ago, I found baby photos of me, Handsome Husband and each of our children at about the same age.  These four photos were scanned, printed and framed.   It was a big hit!  Both our daughter and our son loved them!

This year I will be printing favorite family photos, tucking those pictures into a frame and placing them under the tree!

Here's the latest family photo of us, about four years ago,

And one of my all time faves! 

Unedited

 We were hiking at Hawksbill Crag.  For the picture, we are sitting on the very tip of the bluff.  Gosh, my babies are cute!  I love that you can see the pristine valley below the bluff.



After a quick edit, leaving the date.

Do you think our kids will enjoy having a copy?  You'll be glad to know, I've already sent this for printing!  One gift down for each of our children.  ;-)
 

 I can't wait to see all of your Christmas ideas! 

 

 

HERE'S THE LINK UP!  ;-) 

 



An InLinkz Link-up