Thanksgiving dinner made by Copper Kitchen

It has been a tradition in our family to cook our bird in our Copper kitchen. This amazing *oven* is known originally as *tin kitchen * or *reflector oven*. Many people think that during the time that food was made over an open fire everything was just perfect....well, it was not!
Many homes were caught on fire because the grease would spill over the fire and problems would occur.
I read online that it was around the late 1700's that someone built the first reflector ovenand it was made from tin . That was a great solution but again, the lead on the tin was not good.
I had my oven made from Copper and with a drip pan . The design is exactly the same as the original tin kitchen.It is also lead free.*grin*

I don't think I EVER ate a bird as delicious as the ones that I make in my CK. One is able to truly roast it. Last year we had a 26lbs and this year the largest Turkey we found was a little over 20lb.

Here you can see the bird and the low fire.

There is a window that allows one to see the cooking progress...below you can see my old clock showing the time I got started ....8:30am

My fireplace has a neat story. *smiles*.When we moved to this home the fireplace was electric and it had a very fancy wood with gold plate (ugh)! It took me almost 2 years to find one that I would be happy. One day , Mark and I were walking in town and I glimpse inside a small antique store ( the only one in town) .I immediately felt in love for this simple ,solid , old, mahogany wood- fireplace. As a matter of fact , it is known to be over 100 years old!I asked my husband -Can we have an old wood such is this so close to the fire and not be dangerous to be caught on fire?

We walked in and asked the lady if she knew anything about the fire place and to our surprise she told us that this was originally the fireplace found at the founder of our towns'home, actually the town next to ours. The neat thing is the the founders of this town, named Marshville , not only lived in our property but they were also buried here in our grave yarn ( I said *they* because it was 2 brothers and their last names were- Marsh! )Yes I have a real grave yard inside one of my pastures and it has the original tombstones that were handwritten their names and dates.

Ohh... someday I will write about the stories that once were told to us that happened here in our farm....*grin*

Back to the bird.....now in full glaze~*grin*

Three hours later we had the most delicious , juice turkey ever!

Our farm kitchen was full with loved one, family and friends. We had a wonderful fellowship time and now I am home with my loving husband as everyone are went to the $1 theatre to see a movie! I am ready for a nap!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Pottery making!

This time of year is usually the time that I spend at least couple week turning crockery for Christmas gifts. I enjoy going to my shop, load my small wood stove with some good dry hickory fire wood. set a pot with fresh water on top , for tea, turn on my old Christmas music and get ready to get my hands in the mud. I then have my visitors ( my children) that quickly notice my absence and come join me in pot making. Much of what I do is in secret so I can surprise them but sometimes I let them come and work their own little pots too.

I couldn't do much today because after coming home from church and having our supper, I had only couple hours before get ready for our evening bible study however, it was enough time to turn 6 pots. I have been requested to make soup bowls and because a while back I did some with my own drawings transferred to the bowls, I now had few friends ordering some from me . I will try my best to get it done but it is not a promise!*grin*

Here is my pottery shop.It faces my vegetable garden . I make my porcelain dolls and any clay work here in this red building. Mattie, my sheep dog, wanted to say *hello* to you!*grin*

Next to the building is a small trailer. That belongs to our theatre. We had to buy one to transport our theatre whenever we perform. When I first began the theatre I had no idea that I would need so much of space and *things*!!!!!!!!!!!

then the little small building is my doll's shop. There I have 3 tables. One only for sewing. On for cutting and one for all my other needs such as wig making, wings making ...etc... and all my supplies I storage there. It is a little messy but It is comfortable enough.. I even have a small fridge, air condition and a small heater there!

Here is a unfinished painting of what my shop looks like during summer time when my flowers are in full bloom.... I live in a beautiful place......*smiles