Something you might notice while visiting Europe are homes with their doorways marked with letters and numbers chalk. (You may see this in the U.S. as well, but it’s not as widely common as in Europe). This is an Epiphany tradition.
Each year on the Epiphany (January 6th), families gather to ask for God’s blessing on their home and those who live in or visit their home. For some, the blessing may take place with the family gathering, praying, and seeking God’s blessing, and for others, a Priest may visit, bringing incense and holy water and blesses the house. Afterwards, the doorways are marked with the year and the letters of the three kings: Caspar, Melchior & Balthazar.
This tradition is practiced by many Christian faiths. In the Catholic church, the closing prayer at the end of the house blessing is:
Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
IT'S ME, SERENA!
I bounced through the first years of my life in a hippie gypsy wagon, hand-built by my father, wandering the back roads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. My family eventually settled into a tiny cabin in the woods on property that was once inhabited by Native American Indians.
I spent my childhood days searching for arrowheads, teaching myself to sew on a treadle sewing machine and to bake in a wood-burning stove, with no running water, refrigeration, or electricity in our home. My family lived frugally and early on, inspired by my parent’s thriftiness and style, I gained a knack for thrifty creativity and turning ordinary objects into something useful. And I dreamed of the home I would create for my own family someday.
Now I’m married to my husband, Colin, and our children are all grown. After 24 years of producing The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair, I'm spending time visiting other markets around the world. You can watch episodes of Serena Goes to Market here.
I share more about my life story from time to time, here on my blog. You can also find me on Instagram, and Facebook.
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THE FARM CHICKS
P.O. BOX 9866
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COPYRIGHT 2026
THE FARM CHICKS
P.O. BOX 9866
SPOKANE, WA 99209