Carol from Just Let Me Quilt has done it again — created a delicious and beautiful blog hop to celebrate the season. And today is our day to shine!
In case you are just meeting us for the first time, Gray Barn Designs is owned by sisters Cindy and Sandy. Cindy lives in Ohio and I live in western NY. You can read more about us here. We’d love to have you follow us!
We’ve already had more than one heavy snowfall here in New York, so I decided it was time to jump right in to Christmas decorating. My almost 18-year-old son and I drove to Kent Farms in nearby Andover, NY on Sunday to pick out our tree. OMG — I love the smell of pine trees! And I love the story of how this entrepreneurial family reinvented their family farm into both a retail and entertainment destination.
First we perused the trees on the lot and then we walked into the barn/store/cafe to look at their displays — a barn full of free-standing antique doors covered in sparkly real pine wreaths (full disclosure, one of their designers is a dear friend of our family and she’s in this video!). I haven’t been to the farm in a long time — I had forgotten that it is so charming!
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As we weaved in and out of the lovely doors, I spotted him… the man of my dreams…
![IMG_5114[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_51141.jpg?resize=389%2C518&ssl=1)
I couldn’t resist him. He smelled like cookies and star dust. I swear that I don’t know anything about those 3-year-olds who claimed I elbowed them out of the way to get this picture,…..
Meanwhile, my son wasn’t having any of this (he wouldn’t even take on those little elfs who tried to stop me, just left his poor momma to fight her own battles<sigh>)…while I was having my picture taken, he hightailed it back outside to finish picking up our tree.
It was a great adventure, to be sure. Now the tree is up in the living room, the smell of pine has permeated the house. Real decorating begins tomorrow when mom comes over to help.
Meanwhile, I’ve got a bit of dusting to do so I can set the table with our new favorite pattern, Christmas in Ohio Table Runner, and a plate of Mom’s Molasses cookies. You can read more about this pattern here.
Christmas in Ohio Nov 2018 free pattern
These molasses cookies are delicious all the time, not just at Christmas. Cindy and I hope you enjoy them!
This is the first day of the virtual cookie exchange, so be sure to visit all of these wonderful blogs today:
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels and Eats
November 28
Adventurous Applique and Quilting
November 29
Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
Finally a recipe that will use up all the molasses in my pantry and make the house smell exactly like Christmas. Thanks so much.
I am sure our sons think we are nutzzz sometimes. Loved your post, enjoyed Santa. Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks for stopping by!
Yay a recipe that uses up all that molasses in my pantry…and will make the whole house smell like Xmas.
Sandy,
Beautiful pictures! Can you please explain a little bit about your technique for the gorgeous swirly feathers quilting on Ohio Star!? I would love to try it on mine too!
Thank you.
-Jean💟
Jean — we have to confess — Cindy’s favorite Ohio-based long arm expert put those beautiful swirly feathers in the quilt.
Thank you Sandy! They are beautiful as well as the quilt! Being originally from Ohio, I’ve got to try Ohio Star too!
-Jean
When I first looked at the photo of “the man of your dreams” I thought it was the guy on the right. LOL Blame it on morning eyes! The guy on the left is definitely a keeper! I love a good molasses cookie, so thanks for the recipe. Your Christmas in Ohio table runner is gorgeous! Thanks for hopping with us today! xo
LOL! Thanks, I needed that! You are an excellent blog hop host, Carol!
Haha!
Loved learning about your trip to Kent Farms and Santa. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe and the Ohio Star runner pattern!
You are welcome! Such a fun blog hop!
I have been watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since I was a kid. A few years ago, my sister arranged for me to stay in her friend’s apartment, which is on the street where the parade starts. On the day of the parade, I was right up front with the kids. When Santa’s float arrived, I went bonkers. The float stopped in front of us and Santa stood up and danced along with me…I mean, the children… It is a moment I will always cherish.
Chela– I’d dance in the street with you and Santa any time! What a fun memory!!!
See you at the parade, next year!
Thanks for the quilt pattern and for sharing your molasses cookie recipe. My hubby loves molasses. I will have to make him some of these!
Brenda — I hope you enjoy them. They are soft and chewy and taste like home.
Love the ‘unaccompained children’ sign and the big kid on Santa’s lap!
🙂
I have to say I’ve sworn off sitting directly on Santa’s lap. A few years ago, Santa got a little fresh with me 😉
Yikes – not a good thing at all.
🙁
Thank you for the laugh this morning, what a wonderful story.
You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Well, I hope you did something to appease the 3-year-olds after elbowing your way through! I had to chuckle at Carol’s comment, after I had gone back to look at the picture. Hahahaha. You are right, molasses cookies are always good, any time of the year! We haven’t gotten our tree yet, but soon!
I love how my quilting friends just get me! LOL
It looks like a fun place to get your tree. lol The runner is so pretty. It will make a beautiful table. The cookies sound delicious too.
Thanks for stopping by!
Well, I hate to say it, but my son would have done the exact same thing to his mama. Those boys! LOL!!! I do love molasses and those cookies sound delicious. Have a very Merry Christmas. You know those boys could get coal in their stockings…. LOL!!`
He used to be so much more fun! lOL
Hi Sandy! I hope you got final say over the tree. I mean if he’s going to desert you in your time of need, then he doesn’t get to just pick out the tree willy nilly. Molasses cookies!!!!! The bestest of the best. Oh the smell . . . mingled with pine tree smell . . . ~ ~ ~ wafting throughout the house. Is there anything better?!! I think not and I LOVE your Ohio Star runner. Perfect colors for the holiday or any time because who doesn’t LOVE red and white together?!! Thanks for sharing. ~smile~ Roseanne
I’m thinking I need to make these right now. Thank you for the fun post. Good reading and that farm looks like my kind of place. Love that man in red too. *wink
Molasses cookies were my Grandpa’s favorite. I love the simplicity of your Christmas in Ohio runner. Nice job! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Blessings.
Thanks for sharing your cookie recipe and the story of your Christmas tree adventure. Great shot of you and THE MAN.
I do miss that pine smell of the real Christmas tree but at least those molasses cookies will make the house smell like Christmas time. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Ha! You’re funny Sandy! I enjoyed reading this post and picturing you getting to the front of Santa’s line! Great photo of you two 😊🎅
Crinkle cookies sound delish and how cool they must look.
I blog with my sister too! We’re in Alberta and Connecticut. I love it!
And one of my favorite Christmas cookies is pumpkin molasses. Yum!
Blogging with sisters is awesome! Thanks for stopping by!
I am always in the market for a better molasses cookie since they are one of my favorites. I’ll be making these soon. Thanks for the recipe.
I hope you like them Karen! I like them best when they are soft, but a hard one dunked in tea is also good
I think everyone needs to sit on Santa’s lap and enjoy a bit of ‘child’. Oh, the smell of a fresh tree and molassas cookies – yum. I’m in NY (near Albany) as well and the early snow storms have been pleasant, but boy that cabin fever!
Sharon — I tried to tell my son the same thing, but, well, boys…..In Albany you get more snow than we do, for sure. I’m listening to the wind howl right now. More snow on the way to you!
Love your photo with Santa!! That is just too cute! Enjoy decorating for the holidays!
Thank you, Alycia! We hope your holidays are spectacular!
Thanks for joining the fun in this Hop. Have a sweet holiday.
Kathy
Thanks, Kathy! With all these cookie recipes, all of us are sure to have a sweet holiday!
I am a day late but OMG your post made me giggle. Thanks for sharing. Your Ohio star table runner is gorgeous.
Colette– You’re not late! We’d love to have you read us anytime!
Molasses cookies sound wonderful. Love your Ohio star runner.
Thanks, Theresa — We love that runner too!
Christmas tree farms, Ohio star quilt blocks, and cookies. You’ve got it all!
Thank you for stopping by! Have a great holiday!
What fun! And I’m sure that Santa will bring you something special when he visits on Christmas Eve. Happy Quilting!