Christmas at the Farm

Today I was making Date/Nut Rolls for my family for Christmas and it stirred up many memories. Mama used to make those after Ilease brought some for Christmas one year and the family loved them. Mine will not be as good as hers as I do not have the black walnuts that she used in her goodies and there is no substitute that works to have the flavor those walnuts gave. She used to sit by the fire in the evenings and pick out walnut goodies. I also recall in her later years she picked out and gave each of the ladies a quart jar of walnuts to use at Christmas. After she passed away Aunt Lila took on that task. I really miss having walnuts.

As we were coming home from Charlotte for the receiving of friends for Alice's mom, Jerry and I were recalling some Christmas memories at the home place. One of the highlights was the year we heard Santa's reindeer on the rooftop and then saw the colored lights of his sleigh going over the cornfield. This happened right after we got home from the Christmas Pageant at Marvin Church. To our delight, Santa had changed his route and came by the farm late on Christmas Eve so we did not have to wait until Christmas morning to see what he had brought us, however, it took a long time to get all the children settled down enough for bed that night as we were so excited.

I remember daddy taking us children down in the bottoms to find a cedar tree to be used for our Christmas tree. One year he took us up to Aunt Ida's farm where Anse and Ethel lived to pick out a tree. We took a long time looking at all the trees to find one shaped just right and the correct height. However when we got it home and in the living room it was usually too tall and daddy had to saw off some of the trunk. Then he nailed it to a board and that board was nailed to the floor, can you imagine that!! Later on we did get tree stands. We had some Christmas decorations that were saved from year to year and we would get to make some from colored construction paper made into chains to go on it. We saved the silver tinsel from year to year and put lots of that on the tree and it really shined in the glow of the kerosene lamps. Dorothy would take the left over branches and tie ribbons on them to make a wreath for the front double doors. I always thought those were so pretty. I also recall mama had several red tissue bells that opened up and we hung those at the windows.

I remember going shopping with daddy one year and he bought gifts for the ladies in the family; it was a pretty teapot and I recall seeing it in the homes of my sisters many years later. Another year it was a brown iron shaped set, I guess it was a sugar, salt and pepper set. One year he gave me a manger scene which I still have and get out every year at Christmas. The colors faded on it and a friend repainted it for me and it is still beautiful.

I remember mama and Vernie making the Applesauce cake with the Caramel Icing and the Blackberry Jam Cake with a white icing that had to be cooked just right. Those had to be made early so they could set and get moist. It sure was hard to walk by that China Cabinet in the dining room and see and smell those and yet not be able to have a slice. Later I remember mama and Teeny making them. I remember that daddy liked to have fried oysters on Christmas morning if you were able to get them. . The first year Larry and I were married he had Larry get some from Ray Link who ran the grocery store at Iron Station. He also liked Salt Fish and Larry got those for him from his Uncle Ray.

I remember daddy making his trips to Joe Mullen's and later to the Finger's store on the Maiden Road to get the candies for Christmas, the orange slices, the fatback pieces (coconut in colors of pink, brown and white)the coconut balls with icing of different colors and the hard candies. He also bought oranges, tangerines, apples and sometimes bananas and a variety of nuts. These items were stored and Locked in the spare bed room upstairs. Again, it was hard to walk by that room and smell that candy and fruit and not be able to have any until Christmas Eve. Daddy would fill Ken and Jerry's red milk wagon and pull it through the house and you could help yourself to the goodies. Sometimes we would have a large bunch of bananas hanging from the ceiling and that was a special treat. Daddy only asked that we ate what we took of the goodies and not waste them.

The whole family used to come home for Christmas when I was a child. We would sleep sideways in the beds because that would allow more people and on pallets on the floor. Actually I don't think there was much sleep going on as soon as everyone got quiet; someone would giggle(usually Allen) and then the whole group would join in. I can still hear the older folks saying "If you don't go to sleep, Santa will not come". I would try so hard but there was so much excitement in the air it was almost impossible.

Christmas Day was a joyous occasion, all the good food, all the toys to play with and the whole family there!!! What more could you ask for.

Renee has a special request to make of each of you. She would love for you to send or email pictures that you may have of Chirstmas at the farm or any Christmas picture you would like to have posted on our family blog. She would also like for you to add comments relating to Christmas.

Mama's Stickies

Larry and I had a quiet relaxing day on Thanksgiving as we wait until the Sunday following Thanksgiving to celebrate along with Larry's birthday. That gives Robby, Helen and Jessica an opportunity to celebrate with her family on Thanksgiving Day. Larry watched instant western movies most of the day and I watched a special about the Walton Family. That was one of our favorite programs some years ago. They had the characters that had played the different parts together except for Grandma and Grandpa who are now deceased. Also, John Boy could not be with them in person but they used modern technology so he could share his story. It brought back so many memories of the way things used to be and it was amazing how much they enjoyed being together and sharing how the set was produced. It also showed a special Thanksgiving program from the past that was so meaningful.

Today when I was preparing lunch I still had the program on my mind. I was making Chicken/Rice Tarts using flacky biscuits as my crust. I had some biscuits left over and I thought of the Stickies mama used to make.
I separated the biscuits into two peices and rolled them out very thin like mama used to do, of course, she made stickies from the dough left over from making her big pan of biscuits. I then sprinkled sugar over them, added little pats of butter, rolled it up and cut it into small peices. I placed those in an alumunium pie pan; sprinkled a cinnamon sugar mixture over them and added a few pats of butter. I then put them in the oven at 350% and baked them until brown; about 15 minutes. The cinnamon and sugar and butter made a glaze in the pan that stuck to the bottom, mmm.....delicious. I can just hear Renee now if I let it slip that I made them saying "Mama, you made stickies and did not call me!!!" While I was doing all this Rosie, our dog, was sitting at my feet watching every move I made and hoping I would drop something she could snatch up. That reminded me of all the times when I had three little ones standing behind me hoping to get to lick a bowl or a spoon. They would keep count as to whose turn it was to get to lick the bowl from making a cake or the pot from making fudge, etc. Now they just give me a "hard time" if they catch me doing something the simple way instead of "from scratch" like mama used to do. We really do need to come up with a way to capture some of the family recipes.

Thanksgiving at the Farm

Since Thanksgiving is approaching this week, I have been recalling Thanksgiving from my childhood. When I was in elementary school prior to Thanksgiving we always read many stories about the Pilgrims and Indians and the first Thanksgiving. We colored pictures of turkeys, large tables filled with food and other things. We learned how they were so thankful for what they had and the hard work it took to grow their food and to harvest it. I remember getting so excited and could hardly wait for Thanksgiving to arrive. There was a hint of sadness at times as other classmates shared stories of their Thanksgiving Turkey. In my early years we did not have turkey, instead we usually had chicken because mama would go to Rocky Ford Hatchery in Lincolnton and buy their culls, the smaller dibbies that did not pass their test for survival. She would bring them home, keep them warm and care for them until they were old enough to go outside. They survived and grew into frying chickens and later into hens for stewing to make dumplings and good white gravy for Sunday lunches. We usually had hens for Thanksgiving and I always wished we could have turkey so our table would look like the pictures we colored with the turkey being the centerpiece with all the delicious dishes surrounding it. Also, I remember the classmates talking about Pumpkin Pie..well we did not grow pumpkins on our farm so we had Sweet Potato Pie and it was delicious. Mama was a very good cook and anything she made with her hands of love turned out great! Some years later we did have TURKEY for Thanksgiving because my oldest brother, Anse, bought one and brought it to mama to prepare, someone also brought pumpkins and we had PUMPKIN PIE and I thought finally we were able to celebrate Thanksgiving in the same way my classmates did.

Thanksgiving morning mama would be up early to begin the preparations and then the family would start arriving. The gentlemen would get their hunting gear and the dogs ready and strike out for their hunting experience. The ladies would help with the preparation of the big meal. The children would hunt some adventure to go on like playing in the barn loft, sliding down the big red dirt hill and if you were not careful you could land in the creek. We could hardly wait for the hunters to return so we could enjoy the bountiful meal that had been prepared. We also knew there may be a game of softball or some horseback or buggy rides to enjoy afterwards. As a family we had so much to be thankful for, we may not have realized it then but looking back now brings many fond memories and tears of joy.

Another wish I had as a child came from the poem we always read during the Thanksgiving Season which started out as "Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go, the horse knows the way to lead the sleigh through the white and drifted snow". I would wish I could go to my grandmother's house. My mama's mother passed away several years before I was born and my dad's mom passed when I was only six years old so I really did not get to know her very well because she was sick a lot before passing. I remember how excited mama got when she saw her grandchildren arriving and the way she would greet them and always have something special for them; Lemon pies, hot biscuits filled with good things and her special cucumber pickles. Daddy was proud of his grandchildren and would show it by getting the little ones on his lap and pulling out his pocket watch for them to listen to and "doodling" them, a special song he sang as he "rocked" them. It blesses my heart now when our family gets together and the grandchildren recall their memories of going to "Grandma and Grandpa's house". God has blessed our family in special ways and I am thankful for that this Thanksgiving Season.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!

Hart's Square- Houser Family

Since I was "mom guilted" into attending the Hart's Square event yesterday, I was not expecting much, just thought another golden halo for me since I was able to take her. Picked mom up and contrary to normal, she did not fall asleep on the drive over, but chatted non-stop. Had to make a detour by the home place so she could spy on the renovations. She and Pop had made a test drive by the location on Friday so she trusted her memory rather than the written directions to get us to the event. Remarkably she correctly remembered every turn as most of them had some landmark from her past.

I have to say I am glad I went. We spent a little over 3 hours there and did not see everything. Almost every way you turned, you saw something of interest. A national champion whistler was in the Peace Chapel whistling hymns, bluegrass bands were playing and various craftsmen were displaying their skills.  For me, it is remarkable that one family had the vision and fortitude to invest themselves in our history. The attention to detail, honoring the craftsmanship and history of each home or building is a testament to the Hart family's commitment to this project.

Seeing that our family has a home on this site was an honor. While we were at the house, Dr. Hart arrived. He had no badge or fanfare to signify who he was, it appeared that he was just mingling with the crowd and checking on the locations. It is hard not to be in awe of someone that created such a remarkable landmark.

Janice and Jerry were at the Levi Houser home with Randy and Alice when we arrived. Mom remembered seeing her grandmother in the living room of this two story home. The house was built by Levi Houser who died in the civil war so that would have been Mom's great grandfather. He enlisted at the age of 38 and died at Gettysburg in 1863. His son, Anderson stayed in the home and raised 8 children. In 1948, the house with 100 acres of land was sold at public auction. In 2006 the home was donated to Hart's Square.

If you would like to make plans to attend this one day event next year, see below for the ticket information and order your tickets early.

Hart's Square is open to the public on the fourth Saturday of October each year. Tickets are $25 per person and are available through the Catawba County History Museum, starting the beginning of October. Proceeds are donated to the Hart's Square Foundation and the Catawba County Historical Association.






Jerry, Hazeline and Dr. Hart

To view more pictures of Hart's Square click here. Use the slideshow option to view larger pictures.

   

Fall At The Farm

When I see the leaves turning beautiful in the Fall it reminds me of life on the farm when I was a young teenager. The persimmons begin to fall and if I remember correctly, mama always said it had to frost on them before they could be used to make persimmon pudding. I recall there was a persimmon tree by the path down to the pond and we would watch for them to start falling so we could have some of that delicious persimmon pudding or in our words when we were young "simmon puddin". Later on sister Ilease began making it and kept up the tradition by bringing it to our family gatherings and everyone looked forward to that.

Another reminder of Fall was the Corn Shuckings that some of the neighbors had and I looked forward to those. A huge pile of corn would be stacked and neighbors would gather around to start shucking it. There would be talk and laughter and anticipation of who might find a "red ear" and would be the lucky one to either get or give a kiss, I can't remember the exact rules. When all the corn had been shucked there would be a big meal prepared for all the helpers. It was as much a social gathering as a work gathering, lots of stories and tall tales would be told, especially if someone happened to bring a "bottle" and shared it.

Then there was Halloween. We always hoped it would not rain that day; it would not be too cold and there would be a bright moon to light upthe sky at night. There were no fancy costumes in those years. You had to come up with your own costumes which was usually a stocking over your face, lips painted and wearing some of your mom or dad's clothes. We would go to the neighbor's homes to see if they could guess who we were. There was no "Trick or Treat" either. However, the Hendrick family always gave us parched peanuts and apples and we loved and looked forward to that. We just walked around and if it got real dark and scary someone might just hold your hand and that was a thrill, especially if it was a boy you liked. I remember one year we had "Sparklers" and when we got to Shuf and Lucy's house we lit those and walked around the outside windows waving them and making crazy noises and scared their little ones, I believe their names were Bunt and Bob. Of course, we were asked to leave and told that was not a very nice thing to do and we were not welcome there the next year.

As we got older, the tradition was to dress and go to town on Halloween night and just walk up and down the streets to see who all you could recognize. You also got to meet a lot of people who were friends of someone you knew and they just might ask you to sit with them when you went to the movie on Saturday night.

Fall, after the weather got really cold was Hog Killing time. Most of the family would come home to help with that. I remember coming home from school and every door knob in the house would seem greasy from grinding sausage and making lard. I did not like that part but I did love the liver that mama would fry and then make gravy. I loved the livermush until I heard mama telling someone what went into making that and then I could not eat it for a long time. The tenderloin she fried was also very good and that made especially good gravy. In fact, I would love to have some now over one of her biscuits!

Happy Birthday Hazeline

Today is Hazeline's birthday and I would like for you to help celebrate her life and accomplishments. It is extremely easy at times to be a member of her family. She takes care and watches over so many people that it seems like she is always in motion. She makes it appear easy to juggle so many commitments and always seems willing to take on another one. As her children have grown up, her role has changed and sometimes I am amazed at how funny she can be, that she is able to actually sit down and take the time to read a book or watch a movie. She is usually up for a spur of the moment trip that Dad would like to take- granted the departure time may be delayed. She has discovered lattes at McDonalds, how to navigate an iphone and contribute to this blog. If you have a medical issue or need information, she becomes an avid researcher, seeking information that may help you. Her hamburgers are the best I have ever eaten. She has bonded with her dog- Rosie so much that she thinks the dog understands all the conversations they have in the kitchen.  She still irons anything that comes out of the dryer. Saturday will always be clean the house day, it does not matter if it was cleaned the day before- that is the way she was raised. She cooks for all of us each Sunday, never knowing who will show up for lunch but wanting to be prepared

As our family as grown older, our roles have changed but she will always be the glue that holds us together.  Our family is lucky that we are able to celebrate this day with her and I just want her to know that I love and treasure her.

Happy Birthday Mom

Saturdays at the Homeplace

Saturday evenings were always special growing up. After spending the day helping mama clean house and making some preparations for the Sunday lunch, sweeping the yard with a brush broom to take care of where the chickens had been, scouring out the outhouse and other various chores we all looked forward to the evening hours. You never knew who may come to spend the night. This was very special because they always brought special food with them that we normally did not have on the farm. For example, when Allen and Carole came they brought the items to make spaghetti which we all loved. Someone else may bring oysters to make oyster stew or ground beef to make cheeseburgers. Some brought cheese and pimento to make pimento cheese and we toasted those sandwiches in the wood stove oven. They were delicious, the cheese was usually cheddar and when you took a bite it would string and you had to know the trick to handling that. Of course, mama usually made her "cake of cornbread" because that was what most of the visitors (family) looked forward to. I liked the cornbread as well except when the cows got into garlic and our milk had this strange taste.

After the evening meal we usually got to do something special. For me when I became a teenager it was going to the movies. My friend, Harrilene Allen's father, would take us to town to see the movie and then come back to pick us up. They were one of the few families that had a family car and they were so gracious to allow other neighborhood children to go places with them. It was amazing how many bodies could be packed into one car.

As I grew older, Saturday night became "date night" and that presented a problem for me. My brothers loved to hunt and they always had a lot of hunting dogs and when my date arrived they would all gather round his car and howl like you cannot imagine. I would beg my brothers to pen the dogs up in the wash house but they did not always agree to do that. My friends used to say that everyone better treat Hazeline with respect or she would "seek" her five brothers and her daddy plus all the dogs on him. Needless to say, I was treated with respect.

Since we played the game at our Houser Gathering recalling memories from the past I have been thinking of many precious happenings during my growing up days. I have much to be thankful for, I not only had my mama but had three sisters who were my second moms. They each helped me in different ways to make my life special and feel loved. I was also blessed to have three sister-in-laws, Ethel, Vernie and Faye to be second moms and Teeny and Janice to be like sisters or special friends because they were closer in age to me. My daddy, my five brothers and three brother-in-laws were also very special and they too, played an important part in shaping my life.

These are just a few of the memories of "the good ole days".

Big Foot- The Dog

I do not know what type of breed Big Foot was, but I do know that he is the only dog I remember from my childhood.  I have no clue where he got his name from as his paws seemed pretty normal to me. He was always following someone or lying on the back porch steps hoping that some kid would sneak him a biscuit. Grandmother's biscuits were huge and it is a miracle he did not die of lard poisoning. He seemed to know how you were feeling and if you were not having the greatest day, he always seemed to be around more than normal. His bark would welcome you when you drove up and I am sure it scared away critters that did not belong around the house. He would keep you company when you were picking or pulling something from the garden.  After the homeplace was empty  he would make the trip  back and forth from the homeplace to Anse and Ethel's house on the Buffalo Shoals road. Mom shared this story with me- Charles Campbell was in Lincolnton and decided to drive by the homeplace. No one was living there but to his surprise Big Foot greeted him when he drove up. He told mom that just like people, animals must just want to go home too.

Great memories of a wonderful dog.

Old School Entertainment

Rebecca and I were talking at the reunion and the conversation took a turn when I recalled the snakes that the men would hang in the big oak tree- for some reason I recall that doing so would cause it to rain. Rebecca said that for entertainment at night, they would watch an owl swoop in and eat the snake.  Some people (not going to mention names to protect the guilty) would tie bottle rockets to tree frogs to see if they could fly. Thank goodness there was no such organization as PETA back then.

The annual showing of the Wizard of Oz was big entertainment especially hen Jiffy Pop was invented.  You  hoped to the the kid that got to shake the pie pan with the long handle around the hot eye of the stove.

Going to the drive-in to watch all of the Herbie Love Bug movies with the snack stash that mom put together was always good fun.

But nothing compared to the rassling matches that my brothers and I would have. Every Saturday night we would watch  Wahoo McDaniel fight Johnny Valentine or Roddy Piper and then try to recreate the moves. Since it was the three of us, one was always in the ring for the duration while the other two could tab in and out. Where were our parents?? 

Houser Reunion

Thanks to everyone that made this reunion happen. The location was beautiful, the food great but for me it was the opportunity to listen to the stories, learn some new things about relatives and have a chance to catch up that was the highlight.  I totally forgot to take any pictures so if anyone did, send them over and I will post them.

As Cindy stated, we have lost so many but hope that they were looking down and sharing the day with us. Hazeline was able to incorporate so many memories that celebrated her family I thought I would post her family quiz questions for everyone to see.

How much did Grandpa Houser get paid per load of sand hauled from his bottom land to build Startown Hwy?
50 cent

What was Grandpa Houser’s favorite food for Christmas morning breakfast if they were able to afford it?

Fried Oysters

What was Allen’s favorite food prepared by Grandma Houser? 

Cornbread

What meat dish did Grandma Houser prepare most Sundays so she could feed the whole family?

Boiled Chicken with white gravy

How did Grandpa serve his Christmas Fruit? 

Loaded a child’s wagon with oranges, apples and bananas and pulled it around the room.

What did the friends of the family look forward to most when coming to visit? 

Going swimming.

What treats did Grandma Houser have for the children when they came home from school? 

Tea Cake Cookies, Baked sweet potatoes or parched peanuts.

During cotton picking time what was the task when it rained?

Picking off peanuts in the grainary loft.

During winter months what activity took place at night for enjoyment by the whole family?

Boys had their friends over to “pick and play” musical instruments.

In the summertime what radio programs did Grandpa listen to on Sunday afternoons?

Earl Armstrong minister and the Chuckwagon Gang.

What were some of the games played by the men and boys on Sunday afternoons? 

Softball, wrestling, riding horses.

What happened on the Fourth of July at Grandma’s house?

EVERYBODY had to help pick and can green beans.

What were the favorite treats during the summer on Sunday afternoons?

Watermelons or home made ice cream.

What did Grandpa make a trip to South Carolina to buy for Grandma to can in the summertime?

Peaches

What caused most of the grandchildren to have a scar on their chin? 

From the bench tipping when eating lunch?

What did Grandma do if you got a “giggling fit” when eating? 

Made you leave the table.

Who was most responsible for the “giggling fits? 

Allen Perkins, he would do something to get you tickled and then he would act innocent.

What did Grandma Houser do when bad storms came up and you were sleeping upstairs? 

She came to put the windows down and would sit on the bed with you until the storm passed.

Who was the “most petted child” of the nine Houser siblings? 

Jerry

When Grandma was away what did Charlie always make? 

Fudge

How was it possible that the whole family could spend Christmas eve at Grandma’s?  

Slept sideways in the beds and made pallets on the floor.

What was the tradition on Christmas eve for many years? 

Going to the Christmas Eve program at Marvin Church and sometimes Santa came while everyone was gone.

What different occupations did Grandpa Houser have during his lifetime

Farmed, mostly cotton and watermelons, worked in a cotton mill, owned a café and barber shop, owned a feed mill and was a carpenter of sorts.

What did Grandmother Houser like to do for everyone who came to visit?  

Prepare a meal.

Who came to visit each summer and brought his glove and baseball?

Charles Campbell

Hot Dog World in Hendersonville

It's a drive but will worth the trip to eat at Hog Dog World. This place is always so packed with hot dog lovers that the Weinermobile even stops by. While the food is great and cheap, the people that work here are the real reason I keep going back when I am in the area. They do not accept debit or credit cards and on two occasions I have seen people who ordered food and did not have the cash on hand to pay for it. Both times the cashier has let them have the food without paying. Another wonderful thing they do is to support a local church that provides food to children. It is called the Backpack Club (I think) and they have over 300 children in their community that may not eat from their school lunch on Friday to the following Monday morning. So in an effort to provide food for them but without any embarrassment they provide each child with a backpack that is crammed with food for the weekend. Each child returns the backpack on Monday and that gives the church an opportunity to repack them by Friday. While I was waiting in line, a older couple had just come from helping to pack the food and explained the program to me and others in line. There was a jar on the counter to make donations and after hearing the story every customer made a contribution to the backpack fund. Good food and great hearts make Hot Dog World a winner!

All Saints Church in Linville NC

 

 Mom and I visted this church in August and thought you may want to take a trip there. There is also a roadside stand on the way to the church that sells "TOE JAM" which mom loves to eat. You may want to pick her up a case of it should you happen to go to Lineville. Below is some history regarding why this church is so unique.

In the late 1880’s the town of Linville was created in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina as a resort. Several of the original buildings were designed by architect Henry Bacon, the designer of the Lincoln Memorial, and constructed of American chestnut in a simple style of natural, native materials. The last structure to be built of Bacon’s design was All Saints Episcopal Church.

Commissioned in 1910, the church was completed in 1913. It is basically a log structure laid out as a Roman cross. The roof beams of the open ceiling, the rood screen, and the altar rails are of unstripped logs and branches. The walls were covered inside and out with chestnut bark shingles. The style of All Saints Church and the other buildings by Henry Bacon became known as the "Linville Style" and is typical of the architecture in the area.

 At the time of the town’s construction, the American chestnut was one of the most important trees in the Appalachian Mountains. A large tree averaging five feet in diameter, it was well known for its quality timber, nutritious nuts, and creamy-white flowers. Beginning in 1904, a blight caused by an Asian born fungus began spreading through the chestnut forests. By 1950, the native American chestnut trees were gone. While new sprouts continue to grow in the mountains today, they quickly become infected and die. Attempts are now being made to breed the American chestnut with Asian chestnut trees – which are naturally resistant – in order to re-introduce them to our forests. If successful, these new trees would be a crossbreed of our own native original.

Reason to eat cookies

I was out of town the other week and asked one of the little boys in my neighborhood if he could water my plants. I told him that I would bring him back a present. I bought a 4lb barrel of animal crackers for him. We were talking the other night about his homework and if he was ready for his spelling test on Friday. I also asked how his cookies were holding up to which his reply was priceless- he said he thought they were making him smarter as he made a good score on his spelling test.

Rural Hall in Huntersville

I stumbed across a website for Rural Hall and thought it looked interesting. Have any of you ever been? They have a corn maze that is built on an historic site.  As a Link, I have a very poor sense of direction so finding my way out will be an adventure. Can I take a GPS with me?  Below is the website link if you would like to check out the site.

http://www.ruralhill.net/

Rural Hill

Today, Rural Hill is a restoration in progress. Enjoy 265 acres of magnificent rural vistas, a variety of farm animals, and walking trails throughout the site.  Eleven historic buildings and reconstructions provide a setting for cultural heritage events, preservation seminars and self-guided tours and games.

Join Rural Hill, Inc. Become a steward of Rural Hill and support The Center of Scottish Heritage for recognition of the contributions of the Scots and Ulster Scots (the Scots-Irish) to the American experiment.
 

The mission of Rural Hill, Inc. is to maintain, restore, preserve and promote the historic property of Rural Hill through the operation of living history programs and agriculture in order to provide events and education about the history, culture, heritage and contributions of the Davidson family and other Scots and Scots-Irish to Mecklenburg County and its surrounding areas.

Houser Gathering

I am looking forward to seeing all of the family at our gathering on Saturday. The weather report is for a sunny day with the high in the 70's. The menu looks great and will be even more so when you add your special side item or dessert.
Recall your times of being at the farm and all the family that shared the many happy experiences. Be ready to answer "history" questions so you may be the lucky one that gets to take the "Heirloom Prize" home to enjoy until our next gathering.

Invitation to Join the WC Houser Family BLog

As a means to better stay in touch and up to date with the relatives, I have created this blog so that you can add comments and photos of your choosing. All of our lives are busy and it is hard to stay in touch but this may be an easier means of letting each other know how we are doing.

Hazeline has been nominated to keep this up to date but each of you will have the ability to add anything that you would like to.  We are at risk of losing much of our family history and perhaps this can become a way to celebrate who we are and where we came from. So if you have a great memory or photo please post it for others to read.

Thank you

Renee