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christmas in the country 2015



We have four dogs -- four -- which is roughly three more than I ever planned on having. Chris takes two of them with him to the dairy. Two stay at the house with me. But when we're gone, and they're all at home, all four love to eat packages left by the UPS man, the FedEx guy and the mailman. 

Like the time Blackjack ate through a box and then took a bite out of a cutting board meant to be an engagement gift. 

Or chewed up some pictures. 

Or Winchester and Colt ripped up a dish towel. 

Or Wally gnawed up a box and carried around the coffee cup inside it. 

It's really kind of a pandemic. 



So when a Christmas in the Country 2015 package ended up in our garage -- hidden but in one piece -- it was nothing short of a Christmas miracle. 

Christmas in the Country is the brain child of four bloggers who encouraged women involved in agriculture or farming to sign up, swap gifts and make friends with other women in the same field. 


I received the loveliest package from Darcy in Idaho. She's expecting her own little one! And knows all there is to know about cows! And takes gorgeous pictures of her life on the farm! And puts together the sweetest box of goodies! 

All the exclamation points. 

She included a beautiful Christmas FiestaWare tablecloth (which I have already put to use during Advent and the 12 days of Christmas . . . with our FiestaWare, no less), a Christmas print made by a local gal (which promptly found its place on our piano) and a gift card complete with book recommendations. 


On top of that, she added peppermint bark (which tastes pretty darn amazing frozen, just FYI) and delicious smelling vanilla candles and the kindest note from a fellow sister in Christ. 

Her care and thoughtfulness were a true treat . . . and not just because the dogs didn't demolish them first. Farming can sometimes seem like lonely business -- especially when your Great Pyrenees tries to eat coffee cups -- but thanks to Christmas in the Country and a new friend gained,  the agricultural world just got a little smaller . . . and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

You can head on over to the blogs of the four ladies who hosted the event -- Jamie, Lara, Laurie and Kirby -- to learn more about the ladies who were involved in the swap. I put together a little vintage-esque package for Kelly at Old Blue Silo, another blog you should probably just go ahead and bookmark right about NOW.

And Darcy, again, thank you! 




13 comments:

  1. So glad this package was able to make it to you in one piece, and survived the dogs! Maybe your mailman has learned and that's why he hid it so well, lol! Looks like another perfect package and great match-up - sometimes you guys make this so easy on us, what a blessing :) Enjoy your gifts and good luck with the new little one, can't wait to see pictures soon!

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    1. You all did a great job matching people up, and I loved being part of the swap . . . especially meeting you! Also, can we start a support group with Darcy and Lisa Reeck from Minnesota for new farming moms? I'm probbbbbbably going to need advice from all of you. :)

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    2. Yes, let's do it! FB group for CITC new farm mama's... maybe we should add some of the experienced ones (I'm looking at you Laurie) to tell us how to do things, lol!

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  2. I'd love to hear her book recommendations, too. I'm always looking for book ideas. Pleased to "meet" you through Christmas in the Country!

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    1. I'm thinking of doing some book reviews on the blog in case that would be helpful. Do you post yours anywhere?

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  3. What a lovely gift from Darcy! I do hope you and her will continue to stay in touch, especially with the new little one arriving very soon for you and her too. Thank you for joining us this year in the exchange! Best of luck and please, we want to see pictures of your little bundle of joy.
    Laurie - Country Link

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    1. We definitely will stay in touch. With all these new mamas and their babies, I feel like we'll need our own little support group! :) Many thanks for making this swap happen. It was such a treat!

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  4. Darcy is awesome! What a fun collection of gifts she gave you. Congrats on the new little one!

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    1. She IS awesome. I kind of want to be her when I grow up! :) And many thanks!

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  5. Adriane,
    I've been "friends across the miles" with Darcy for a few years and enjoy her blog. I would love to meet her in real life.

    Glad to hear your dogs didn't get to the package Darcy sent you. Looks like she included some neat stuff.

    I am a regular blog follower of Kelly. We "meet" the first year of Christmas in the Country when she sent me a gift. You did a great job with your package to her.

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    1. Hi, Robyn. It's nice to meet you . . . and to hear that Darcy and Kelly are just as kind and gracious as they sound. I love all these connections. It's the perfect way to start 2016! Let's keep in touch.

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  6. What wonderful gifts! I am partial to the Fiestware tablecloth, myself, as I collect Fiestaware too! So beautiful! Thank you so much for participating this year - and I am certainly glad your box made it one piece! :) I look forward to following your blog in 2016 and beyond!

    Lara
    My Other More Exciting Self

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    1. You have excellent taste in dishes. If I could fist bump you across the Internet, I would. :) And consider yourself followed in return. What a joy to start the new year meeting new people and making new friends!

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