Prairie Homeplace

2012-02-23T09:22:00.000-08:00

Bunnies going to their new homes.

Have a great day!

Little Chick Giveaway

2012-02-13T14:10:00.001-08:00

I have to pick my winner a day early.

I'd like to thank the new followers for stopping by.

The winner of the little chick is Nancy from Hollarwood blogspot. Send me your address Nancy and I'll
send your goodies right away to you in time to decorate.

Thanks for the ideas for my garden. I certainly will be trying all of them.

2012-02-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

As I look through all my seed catalogues trying to decide what I want to plant this year I am always
looking for new containers to plant them in....I found these ideas on pinterest. Now I don't think these
are all my style but I thought they were cute.

I love this!!!

Might have to paint my dad's old bicycle a different color!

Looking for an old ladder!

People have been planting their feet for years...

Perhaps I'll order melon seeds...my husband said bras are natural melon containers...wonder what he

meant by that???

Now it's time for my spring giveaway like I promised. I'm always looking for varieties of flowers
or vegetables to try in my new garden beds and containers. Send me your ideas or suggestions for
a chance to win this sweet little chick in a cracked eggshell. You must be a follower and leave a comment.
New followers are always welcome. I'll pick the winner on Valentine's Day!

If you have a chance stop by my http://www.picturetrail.com/prairiehomeplace I've just updated
it with more spring goods.

Have a nice Superbowl Sunday!

2012-02-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

HAVE A NICE DAY!!!!!

Have you ever been told off in a public place for no apparent reason...

I've always thought of myself as a courteous person when I go shopping, especially
to shops that I frequent often. I was checking out at Joanne Fabrics yesterday all loaded
up with my paper coupons and apps when I saw something a blogger friend might
like. I snapped a picture and went to check out.

In front of me was a nasty customer arguing about a 20 cents difference on a price posted
per yard of fabric. As the calm and very nice employee tried to settle her problem the more
unreasonable she got. As she walked away mad that they did not offer her a 50 percent off
coupon (that you can get yourself in the paper) my phone chirped.

As I looked down at it I must have had a big smile on my face knowing that my friend
was going to give me a great idea about the picture I sent her......Next thing I know the customer
is yelling at me about laughing at her...Take that smile off your face...price is price.

Now I DO NOT LIKE DRAMA but I was so shocked and nervous that I actually yelled something
back at her. I don't even know what I said to her...But she was not going to embarrass me at a shop
that I frequent very very often and like all the employees.

I was so brave that I only hid in the store for 5 minutes until she drove away...I was so proud of myself...
LOL!!! and immediately called my husband and laughed hysterically about what happened.

So I hope everyone has a nice day!!! And to my blogger friend ...you know who you are!!!

2012-01-29T09:46:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy week sewing up orders for spring goods. Finally got in the swing of things.

Here's a sneak peak of bunnies I will be offering.....maybe even another giveaway coming
up soon....keep checking....spring will be here before you know it.

Have a great Sunday!

2012-01-23T18:55:00.000-08:00

I have such a hard time getting motivated when the days are so gloomy. We had 6 inches of snow one day

and the next day a thunderstorm. We are still having crazy weather here.

I have been working on orders for spring bunnies, chicks, vegetables. It's hard to think spring with snow on

the ground. With my garden beds covered in a blanket of snow I can only stitch up some

spring vegetables and imagine what I am going to plant there this coming spring.

With January coming and going so fast I completely forgot to stitch up a couple of hearts for

Valentine's Day. So instead I made these sweet simple dolls with their garlands.

If you are interested each pair is $18.95 plus shipping.

2012-01-17T07:01:00.000-08:00

There is nothing better on a cold day than a fresh loaf of homemade baked bread and a cup of
soup. I bought a bread machine two years ago and thought I would use it occasionally.

My mother would make enough dough for 15 pizzas like her mother showed her. All my life
we would never make anything less than that. We have never been able to alter the recipe
to just two pizzas or loaves of bread. So I bought a bread machine and now I can have
what I grew up with. (almost as good as my mom's).

Today I am making one of my favorite breads. I finally found the recipe on Pinterest. I can't wait
to try it today.

find the recipe here: http://theshiksa.com/2011/11/02/pretzel-challah/

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, shredded
1 pound cooked, cubed chicken breast
4 cups chicken broth
1 (16 ounce) package mini potato gnocchi
1 (6 ounce) bag baby spinach leaves
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
2 tablespoons cold water (optional)
2 cups half-and-half cream
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion, celery, garlic, and carrots in the hot oil until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in cubed chicken and chicken broth; bring to a simmer.
Stir gnocchi into the simmering soup and cook until they begin to float, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in spinach; cook until wilted, about 3 additional minutes.
Whisk cornstarch into cold water until smooth. Stir cornstarch mixture and half-and-half into simmering soup. Cook until soup thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Stay warm....it's COLD outside!

Spring Offerings

2012-01-10T08:59:00.000-08:00

Since we are still having spring like weather here in Chicago I thought I would offer some
spring goods early. Here are just a few of the goods that I have finished so far.
If you have time head on over to my picturetrail to see more. I am busy making more rabbits,
dolls, bears, stitcheries......More to come in the following weeks.

Cute little bunny carrying his own backpack. $18.95 plus shipping

Sweet little Fresh Eggs Chick with rusty nail legs and stained paper label. $18.95 plus shipping

The cutest chick in a cracked eggshell. $22.95 plus shipping.

Enjoy another spring like day!

Mary

Pride and Prejudice

2012-01-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

Sunday was such a lazy day. I don't know what it is with me since the holidays have been over but
I just can not get motivated to finish anything I start. As if I don't have enough unfinished projects
lying around the house.

Since my husband was down with the flu like so many other people I decided to take in my favorite
DVD marathon. I am a fanatic for anything British. Colin Firth, Hugh Laurie, English gardens,
British version of the Office, English castles, the monarchy, Prince William, Gordon Ramsey..Bleep Bleep.,
Jane Austen.

Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy and Pride and Prejudice is my favorite 18th century romance movie. (Of which I
can't get enough of ) .

So to my delight today on the http://atthehoneysuckletree.blogspot.com/ I found Jane Austen cross stitch patterns

If you are a fan as much as I am and would like a Mr. Darcy Pillow I am taking orders. They are
22.95 plus shipping. Or you can have fun and stitch it yourself. You can find the pattern at
http://www.thesamplergirl.com.

Sock Doll

2011-12-27T09:56:00.000-08:00

I haven't made a sock doll in a very long time. So for my listing on Earlyworkmercantile I decided

it was time to get one done. I loved her so much I made one for me.

There is a wonderful little book by Sweet Liberty Homestead that shows the history and some

patterns of old and early dolls. I made this broom sock doll from her book.

I will be making bottle dolls and sock kitties next. I'm on the hunt for old wool socks.

I finally found a doll that I could use my grandmother's doilies on. If anyone has a primitive idea using

old doilies and would like to share it let me know. I have tons of them.

Have a great day!

2011-12-26T09:31:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas with their loved ones. My husband and I spent
Friday night with his extended family. Terry has six brothers and sisters and 14 nieces and nephews and 15 great nieces and nephews. Holidays are quite loud at the Harris household
to say the least. Stand back when the presents are passed out and the wrapping
paper is thrown about.

My brother in law roasted the best prime rib roast that I have ever tasted. Double baked potatoes, corn on the cob, appetizers, cookies, my brother in laws birthday cake.......
I couldn't eat another thing until.....the next day.

Christmas Eve is always with my family....Italian tradition. My mother is 80 years old.
She just got out of the hospital and still insists on making homemade ravioli. We grew up
on the feast of the seven fishes but now we just have calamari. I love fish...but not this one.
My mother is the best italian cook in the family. I hope this has rubbed off on me.

My father is 84 and loves word games. My nieces and nephews can play scrabble with him
for hours. So for christmas I bought him a new word game. Big Boggle. Our new obsession is now boggle.

Back to work today. I am painting our bedroom. Wish me luck. I HATE to paint.

If you are interested I am offering 20% off of my christmas goods on my
http://picturetrail.com/prairiehomeplace. If you are making a purchase let me know
that you saw the discount on my blog.

Have a great day!

Christmas Preparations

2011-12-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

Every year I try to make something different for family parties. One family party is just

appetizers. So I thought I would share some of the recipes that I found on Pinterest that I

am going to try. If you have a recipe you would like to share I would love to hear

from you.

http://homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com/2010/03/spicy-chicken-tortilla-roll-ups.html#comment-form

http://cookingwithchopin.blogspot.com/2011/05/bacon-spinach-pinwheels.html

My parents love Reuben sandwiches! I am not a fan. So I thought I would make this for them.

http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/03/reuben-dip.html

I hope you give them a try!

Have a great Day!

Silent Auction Spread the Word

2011-12-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

As many of you already know Traci at http://yorkmountainprimitives.blogspot.com/ is having a silent

auction for a fellow blogger in need. Many wonderful handmades to bid on. Stop by for details.

Silent auction ends Dec. 20th.

Santa Giveaway

2011-12-17T06:55:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to visit. I appreciate all your kind comments.
I had no idea about blogging before. I would read blogs but never leave comments. Never join them.
But now I am so GLAD that I have started to join in on all the fun. So many of you wonderful people
to meet and share ideas with.....Next project....PINTEREST!

Well enough of that..I apologize for being late with the winner of the santa giveaway..Busy taking care of my
elderly parents.

I had my hubby pick the winner the old fashioned way. He wanted me to do the random generator. But I was too tired for him to show me how to do it. There's always next giveaway.

Congratulations Tammy at The Primitive Place. Email me with your address and I'll send
your santa out in the next day or two. I hope you like him as much as I did making him.

If you get a chance stop by and visit http://www.earlyworkmercantile.com/ We updated our
goods for the 15th of the month.

Have a great weekend!

2011-12-12T05:28:00.000-08:00

Free shipping extended until Wednesday the 14th .

Free Shipping Today!

2011-12-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

In order to get your goods by Christmas I am offering free shipping today!

http://picturetrail.com/prairiehomeplace

Have a great Sunday! Thank you to all my new followers for your wonderful comments! I truly appreciate it.

Santa or Snowman?

2011-12-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

For Christmas do you prefer to decorate with a santa or a snowman?

This year I've enjoyed making these simple paper image santas.

Simple stump santa

Simple snowfolk

If you are interested these simple santas and snowfolk are available

on my picturetrail.

Prairie Homeplace Giveaway

2011-12-05T10:39:00.000-08:00

Prairie Homeplace Giveaway

One of my original design OOAK santas

To enter the giveaway

You must become a follower of my blog

AND

You must comment on this post

you can advertise this giveaway on your blog sidebar

For an extra chance in the drawing -you can register a purchase on my picturetrail.com/prairiehomeplace

When you make your purchase make a note in the payment for a second entry in the giveaway

The drawing will be held Dec. 16th.

2011-12-05T10:07:00.000-08:00

I finally found some time to decorate outside...Since I am allergic to the fresh pines I love to use them everywhere outdoors.

I'm just waiting for my fruit to be carried away across my driveway by some little critter.

I decided to use all drieds this year in my decorating..gourds, apples, oranges, okra

I have a passion for old chairs..something my neighbors probably wish I didn't

Fresh pine wreath I attached drieds to.

The world's craziest dog...

Welcome to Prairie Homeplace

2011-11-27T17:18:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Prairie Homeplace

Well, I can't believe I'm going to try my hand at blogging...I am not very computer savvy so I hope you are patient with me as I try to figure all this out. I have met so many wonderful new friends on here that I would like to start joining in on all the fun.

First I'd like to introduce myself...My name is Mary Harris and I am the proud owner of Prairie Homeplace. I am a self taught primitive artist with the love of everything old and worn..

I hope to share with you my love of primitives, needlework, gardening and cooking.

I will also use this blog as my selling blog.

So with that...Welcome to Prairie Homeplace!

Since it is Cyber Monday I would like to offer you free shipping on my christmas goods. To qualify I would love if you would become a follower and leave me a comment.

Add caption

22" original design santa with plush felt coat holding a simple doll...$55.95

13" plush felt snowfolk...using a Missouri Dry Goods pattern...$18.95

Please stop by http://picturetrail.com/prairiehomeplace. Many christmas goods offered. Free shipping available until Thursday at 10:00 PM.