Jerusalem Greer

The Theology of Place, Liturgical Shenanigans, Farm Living

jolly goode giveaway-day 3 – red, white and plaid all over

By 33 Comments

When I was a freshman in college I had seven best friends whom I ate almost every meal with. Also, I was in-love with someone other than Sweet Man (only because I hadn’t met him yet!) who lived back in my hometown of Juneau, Alaska. In those days I dreamed of having a Christmas eve wedding, with all of my bridesmaids wearing plaid taffeta dresses, in snowy Juneau.
Instead I married an Arkansas boy, in the spring, and my bridesmaids wore yellow crepe (with Jeanetta being the only one from that group of seven to be an official bridesmaid.) I definitely married the right man, but if I had the wedding to do over now, I might have the chutzpah (and the patience to wait for winter) to go with the plaid. I still love it so. There is just something so classic about a red plaid, don’t you think?
Which brings us to today’s giveaway- this beautiful Classic wreath from P. Allen Smith’s collection 

 

And this original JOY poster by yours truly.

 

The P. Allen Smith Holiday Collection is returning to stores just in time for the holidays. This year’s collection includes three new designs and three favorites from 2011. Once again Allen has  partnered with the Berry Family of Nurseries to supply the freshest, sustainably harvested Noble Fir boughs from the Cascade Mountains in western Oregon. Attention to detail, from hand-selecting the limbs to hand-tying the greenery and ornaments, ensures a lush, high-quality product that will last throughout the season.
 
I personally love this wreath because it reminds me of those wedding dresses, and because I just have a weakness for plaid. I don’t know if it is because I came of age in the era of Grunge or if it is my Scottish heritage coming through, but my love for plaid is well documented all over Pinterest. I think this wreath would look stunning on our red door.
 

 

Recently Allen brought our family some of his heritage New Hampshire Red hens to keep. These birds are the perfect addition to our newly improved coop and run because they are a hearty breed, great layers and will do well in an urban cottage farm set-up.  While I can’t give any of these birds away (I don’t think they would fit well in a flate-rate box) I am excited to be able to give away one of his beautiful wreathes just in time for Christmas!

I feel a particular kin-ship with Mr. Smith, because like our little family, he loves history- especially American history- and that is reflected in almost all of his work – from his Holiday Collection to his Heritage Poultry Conservancy.

We could not be more excited about our hens and I cannot wait to share about this special day a little later on.

I am also giving away a copy of this printed poster  because to me, this year especially, JOY is something I am working on embracing and celebrating. I have so much to be thankful for, and to be happy about, but my joy does not – and should not- come from my circumstances. All too often I forget that as I stare at my navel and moan woe is me all for all to hear.
My joy – true joy- should come, does come,  from believing that I am loved and from spreading that love and mercy as far and as wide as possible. True grace and mercy knows no end or bounds or limits and neither does true joy.
For today’s Giver spotlight I could think of no better project than The Field. The Field is an urban farm established to benefit Central Arkansas’s homeless and/or impoverished neighbors. In addition to providing fresh produce to those in need, The Field will provide homeless individuals with the opportunity to earn a day’s wages by participating in the business of the farm. The Field is a joint venture between The One, Inc. and The People Tree, Inc. It is their desire that The Field will become a social gathering place for people from all walks of life who are committed to serving others. 
 
In addition to the garden, Aaron and his crew are also building a chicken coop that will provide eggs to eat and sell, as well as helping produce great fertilizer for the garden. 
 
I could think of no better non-profit to pair with today’s giveaway than this.
 
OK, so now for your part. How can you help and How you can enter today’s giveaway to win the wreath and the poster (remember you can always have these items sent to a loved one as a gift it you prefer.)
 
To enter to win these two lovely holiday items (to keep or give as a gift) all you have to do is leave a comment  on this post telling me something about chickens or plaid or gardening or whatever you feel like, really. I just like your company. Also make sure to leave me your email address somehow!
 
For  a second entry please go “like” The Field on Facebook. (make sure to let me know you did!)
 
And if you feel up to a little more work, go on and “Like” my new Facebook Page or follow me on Twitter, Pinterest orInstagram and make sure to let me know you did. This will also help you stay connected to all the Jolly Goode Giveaways and Givers this week!
 
And don’t forget – you can still enter Giveaway 1: MyMemories Digital Creative Software
and Giveaway 2: It Is Well painting and Give Thanks necklace
 
All Giveaway entries will be closed at 12 AM December 2.
I will be announcing all the winners for all the Giveways on December 4. 
 
Happy Wednesday friends!
 
 
 
 

 

Comments

  1. I soooo remember that dream wedding of yours! How fabulous you haven't lost that appreciation for all things plaid. 🙂 LOVE the wreath! Love the way you are adding in the non-profits during the give-away!

    Reply

  4. I'm a plaid fiend and I blame my Scottish genes! Plaid ribbons at Christmas, plaid wool scarves and memories of my plaid wool uniform jumper that I wore to school every day for 8 years. I just love all of it!

    Reply

  9. We bought a house with a beautiful coop attached to the garage. We dreamed of chickens for a year and then ordered chicks. Before we picked up our chicks, we learned that our area had been re-zoned and we were no longer allowed chickens. My two daughters and I were heart broken. We've talked about getting a variance, but have yet to do it. Seeing your chickens and hearing about your urban farming plans, inspires me to consider it again.

    By the way, you've handled life's ups and downs this year with true class.

    Reply

  13. Somehow I don't think the plaid dresses we wound have worn would have looked like those in the picture. Maybe I'm daydreaming but puff sleeves are coming to mind.

    Reply

  14. Chickens? I could easily write a book on that subject. We have two (grown up) girls. The younger one raised chickens and sold the egss. The older one had a boyfriend. Fast forward 15 years. The younger one lives in a skyrise in a big city, the older one raises chickens to use the eggs for her family (on a 20 acres place!). Back in the day I always had fresh eggs. Now I have to beg for them…..unless I decide to raise them myself!
    😉 Heidi

    Reply

  15. If I could go back I'd also have a red and white Christmas wedding, but set in the snowy grounds of the Awhanee hotel in Yosemite. That was my girlhood dream wedding and it still is! My husband is rather smitten with the idea too and we plan on renewing our vows, probably for the 20th anniversary, there.
    Who knows, maybe sooner..

    Reply

  19. My mom's second wedding was a winter wedding. It was FREEZING! That's what you get in Iowa. 😉 I love plaid, too! And that print of yours, ADORABLE! Thank you for the giveaway!

    Reply

  20. I got married on New Year's Even with all the Christmas decorations still up in the church. Lots of red and gold. It was so beautiful and I love having the memory of being getting married at this time of year!

    Reply

  24. J–I love your blog because I feel that you and I are kindred spirits. I live in Sonoma County and dream of having a farmhouse with some land to keep chickens and bees and to have a big garden and a field of pumpkins and do a little homesteading. For now, I live in a surburban rental. But someday….

    -Amy

    bibanon1@gmail.com

    Reply

  26. I also dreamt of a winter wedding with plaid and velvet, and bridesmaids with white fluffy muffs, with ivy dripping from them – instead got married in August!! But it has been going strong for 33 years!

    Reply

  29. who isn't 'mad for plaid'? love the wreath and your daling print! thank you for the chance…

    i'm a follower of you in all of your many formats (blog, pinterest, instagram, etc.)

    xo
    molly

    Reply

  32. Oh, that wreath is stunning!! And your poster would be such a good reminder to have around all year long.

    Let's see, I'm always down with talking chickens. 🙂 I have a flock of 7 currently: 6 hens (5 Golden Sex Links and 1 Rhode Island Red) and 1 rooster (a Silver Dorking) named Jack Donaghy. Jack adds some lovely color to the group, but otherwise the flock is a bit homogenous, so I'd like to add some barred chickens next year.

    Also chicken related and something you might like is this ridiculously clever egg holder called the Egg Skelter. think I may have to ask Santa for it: http://pinterest.com/pin/84442561734724915/

    Much joy to you this holiday season!
    Erin
    Carolina Country Living

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Next
Close
Test Caption
Test Description goes like this