Dana Marie's Country Living Blog

Back in November of 2020, my family had an unusual Thanksgiving. Here's what I wrote: "Well, Thanksgiving got canceled at my house today. I am so sad, but it is in the best interest for all of us. My mom is 75, and we need to do what is best for her health with the risk of covid this year. She and I will be together on Thanksgiving, but the rest of our family won't be coming. This holiday season is going to be so different for many of us. Either way, I will make a great Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. I am not going to let covid ruin my fun day of baking and cooking. What I have decided to do is make some extra dishes and desserts to deliver to my family. Nothing brings me more joy than to cook for family and friends! One disappointing thing is that I bought a set of vintage china and some beautiful glasses from Italy for the Thanksgiving table. I was so excited to be able to use them. I still am, but it is not as much fun without everyone there. I will enjoy the...

This is my deer. We named her Chardonnay because she was found, only a day old, in the Chardonnay Vineyards of Fetzer Wines which was a couple of miles from our home. Her mother was unfortunately killed by some dogs. My husband at the time brought her home and we raised her up. My dog Esther became her mother and did everything for her that a good mother should. We bottle fed her goat's milk for four months then moved her onto some grain and hay. She thrived!! She was our constant sidekick. She went on walks with us and the dogs, kicking and squealing the whole way. We lived in the woods so no need for leashes. When we ate outside in the summer she would lie down beside the table with us. When we had company and campfires outside she was with us. And, yes, she did come in the house to say hi all the time. She was potty trained and never ever went in the house. She was just the bestest friend you could ever ask for. So sweet and loving. She did survive the 2012 forest fire, which wa...

I found this quote and love it so much!  "You are not too old And it is not too late." R.M. Rilke I don't share many personal things but I think I am meant to share some inspiration today. I am about to turn 59 in July and have been through so much the last 14 years. Sometimes I didn't know if I was going to be able to come back from everything that happened.  In 2012 there was a forest fire that took my country home, land and everything in it plus several of my animals. Soon after came a divorce. There were a couple years after this where there was much soul searching but not with much luck. I was pretty depressed. Next came a big move back to my home state of Washington. Then a few jobs where I worked endless hours and hated every second of it with long hours stuck in traffic.  The only thing left for me to enjoy was my page on FaceBook® that I created and my gifts of cooking, baking and my art. Those are the things that have kept me going, plus my children of cours...