you take a strong carpenter in mind/body/soul and pair that with a vintage loving textile reader/writer and what do you have
yes... you are right... I don't have a clue either
My Mom suggested I try "Penny's" to find some curtains... so I spent the afternoon yesterday going here and there and everywhere up in town and came away with nothing from the "new stores"
I just can't do it
I tried Mom... I really did!
now... this is just my opinion... because that's all I have, but those products don't have a soul (as someone recently told me) — yes, you Bryanne! — perfectly stated
so I exhausted my goodwill, salvation army, thrift stores (na-da) pun intended
here's what I'm trying to marry:
+
I definitely found some treasures out yesterday Cracker Jax is still my shop of choice there is always something there that speaks to me isn't that so important? I think so
Hello!! I hope you all had a very blessed day with your family and friends
A special thank you for everyone who takes the time to stop here and say hello, leave comments, and read... thank you
We were unexpectedly blessed with having our Christmas here at the farm... alone... so peaceful and quiet
it was wonderful
here's an inside look all around the house... and a bit outdoors too
the mudroom...
the kitchen...
the three oldest when they were little in front of our old barn as "the nativity" scene... a treasure for us
can you tell I love the shelves Jason made for that wall?
my little snowman that our 11 yr. old son hand carved and made for me... i love him so so much! he even made the little mittens out of felt! the tree...
the living room...
I set up a little wine bar on the bookshelves in the living room
we added shutters in the bathroom, and i hung a jar my younger sister made with some lavender and spruce
upstairs in the kids rooms...
the boys' tree and decorations (they love to do it themselves)
and the girls' room... much different than the boys:)
and in the master...
a very special birthday gift from some good friends:)
my dresser was temporarily a wrapping station
made in Germany... these little angels lull me to sleep with their beauty
a view out the master... the first snow...
little Daniel's blue woolen coat hanging in his room
going back indoors, we are baking and feasting and loving this wonderful life...
Hope you are all celebrating all 12 days of Christmas...
the sounds of farm life here are now of a 'new to us' tractor... Jason cannot work the farm by hand like he used to... he knows this... and we don't know the first thing about having Jordan (the horse) pull any implement, and so happy to say, this little blue beauty is now hard (and I mean hard) at work here...
dare I tell you in advance that the size of garden we are putting in is most likely going to cause me to have many more hours than i even imagine planting, weeding (oh the weeding), but able to bring more to the local restaurants, our family, and in storage... eating all the organic vegetables we want... (and there is a slight possibility that this excitement is also because the corn crib is going to be my potting shed/studio... just a slight possibility...)
the girls and i tried our hands at making 'Carnitas' and then the next day using that pork, 'Tamales'
enough to feed this hungry army... and pretty much the whole town nearby...
as the night falls, the three candles are lit and this little farmhouse is glowing
i even found time to knit and cuddle and listen to tales of old...
I stood up there in disbelief — "oh man" I said as I looked at all the wonderful decorations
thoughts of taking all three totes downstairs and putting it all out for decorations... after all... I am on a Christmas house walk!...
but as I stood there with the children to find their little trees to put in their rooms, to decorate all their own, I stopped... took a deep breath... and left it all up there
This year, just like every other year, it's so easy to get caught up in the hub-bub of what this country of ours (God bless the USA) has made it into... commercial... "santa"... lights/action... competition
to us, a lot of the commercialism is rather like "noise"... polluting this holiday with things other than what this season is truly meaning should be evaluated...
this does not mean not celebrating the season with decorating!! like I would do that! good gravy no... what I am saying is that taking that deep breath up in the attic wasn't as hard as I thought — and there are certain things I will bring down this year for decorating... but a lot of it comes from the seasonal changes outdoors here on the prairie... the grasses are still tall... there are pine cones fallen from the trees... and taking those natural elements and leaving them how God made them in their natural beauty, instead of glittering them this year... gathering cranberries and stringing them for our tree...
instead of... the lights are staying boxed up = candles instead buying new ornaments = using pine cones from our trees hanging silvery tinsel = pheasant feathers
running to the store for that last minute gift = purchasing handmade items
getting caught up = slowing down and embracing nature
I hope you get inspired to take walks with your kids and gather what you have out your back door... look around your house and re-purpose items that you wouldn't normally use...
Today is the FIRST DAY for Jennifer Rizzo's House Walk!! there is a lot of inspiration today over there!! Today I will again be working on a very special project... very special to all of us here at the farm...
as the family grows and day flows, I can't help but wonder what is to come
upon the horizon beyond the clouds what's the plan for dinner
looking down at these big brown eyes...
summer is so easy going care free with a quick meal from the garden the kind that makes you feel good am I going to run tomorrow morning? how about those weeds along the path? I have to order the meat birds... moments are strung together like those beans I cannot seem to reach on the trellis
life is so hot sometimes it's like I'm stamping my feet crazily upon this burning fire of opportunity... smoldering it out... I don't want to see it's blaze, feel it's heat
there isn't a day that passes that I don't notice how interconnected we are to this landscape
sheltering
shading
feeding
sharing beauty
providing song
that's why I feel it's so providential that creating the October Event around the ebb and flow of the prairie life... living with the prairie, living with the seasons
enjoying the diverse landscape that is ever moving, changing
~in a world full of confusion, remember that you are worthy, connected, and lovely~
not puffed up or theatrical na.da.farm... our home... our place on this earth...
(if you would like to take a drive out to our farm, October 7th & 8th we would love to see you and share some time here with you for a Prairie Holiday barn sale/event)
sinking deeply into the summer's cool foggy evening
noticing that life is very much like a summer's eve... that the stars would not be so brilliant if set against a bright sun... that contrast is needed for our eyes to see the beauty that is oftentimes hidden from our sight
to think of going through life at a steadfast pace with no ups and downs, no hardships or delights would be so dull and uninteresting... to think of the birds all brown with the same song...
diversity is supposed to be seen within nature in order for their uniqueness to distinguish 'it' against 'the others' — such as each of us... such as life...
within the tasks of our daily lives — the laundry and cooking, the weeding the prayers, there is a beauty in the contemplation of those tasks... that we cannot shirk our duties but embrace the work all the while to meditate upon the beauty, stained beets' hands and all
the diamond on my finger is a rock, such as my faith the encircles my life every waking moment in undying devotion to my husband and the bond we share like no other, that lasts through many moons and under many starry skies, sunny days and stormy ones there was once a time when I had a severe stomach ache and cramping that lasted for many days... many days... and I did think the child within me was coming to the end of his life, for it most certainly felt like the end of mine... and after I recovered, someone near to my heart that can only talk severely candidly with me said "at least you have a stomach"... and as absurd as it may sound, he was right, and he always ceases not to complain, even amongst pain which makes him not be able to walk... never... not a single word of complain... a most courageous man those pains are long gone and almost forgotten — especially when I am able to hold his chubby 1 year old hands as he falls asleep upon my shoulder... how often times we cannot see past the pain and sorrow how many moments in life that are as dull as a gravel drive leading to nowhere but we must get it through our heads that the pain is passing by us like a fog... that will soon loose it's dampness and disappear... and as long as we equip ourselves with the right spiritual preparation and fuel, that gravel road will eventually lead us somewhere we are supposed to be... and if you feel as though you are running out of fuel, stop... take a deep breathe... and listen to your heart and soul... and if nothing comes back to you, then stay where you are and call for help for now, I am putting my hands up and allowing Someone else to drive, while I put my head out the window and feel the cool breeze as I gaze up to the never ending sparkling stars in the sky
a good friend and a kindrid spirit, she blends the simplicity of life with God's love and spills that beauty into everything she does... whether it's in her home or through a summer fete that graced her guests on her front lawn in collaboration with Kara and her beautiful idea, I am also doing a dinner — albeit a bit later — but looking forward to sharing that with you all soon my dinner was supposed to happen on our anniversary (the same day of Kara's) but because I was unexpectedly a 'fishing widdow' that has been moved to another time... (her most lovely home was recently featured on Stacey's site here) — and yes, I swooned over her blue velvet chair! xo+fete blessings,
no, i did not put those flowers in her hair a spontaneously loving older brother three years her senior, picked them for her and then adorned his little sister in "nature's finest" though he avoids the camera like the plague, she was quite happy to have me take a few photographs of her smelling the peony blooms which rest in the shade and bloom later in the season due to this
don't get me wrong, this doesn't happen often, with an older brother placing flowers in her hair... but his kindness is evident in this family... a caring nature...
my life is full full of life and love and kids there is always some 'mucking' I'm doing, but truthfully, this "mucking" around is always my own fault... my life is most definitely a 'bed of roses'... there's thorns amongst the roses and I seem to get caught in those roses from time to time perfectly normal if any of you may be going through a 'rough patch' or are "mucking" through something perfectly normal there is nothing on this Earth that has not been suffered or dealt with ask yourself this: are you complaining about it?
stop let that thorn pierce you through and penetrate a feeling deep within that stings for a bit... you are learning each day we might just step in the "muck" to smell the roses and get pierced by the thorns as we do
just like her older brother taking the time to pick each flower and place it in her long braid... just because... may we all learn from an 11 year old boy's philosophy in life shying away from any recognition while creating beauty around us and making someone feel special, not ourself
as we go about our day as a mother, and the possible crying baby for mama as the four year old is reminding his mother every 20 minutes he's hungry, and the 15 year old wants a trip back to the library while shooting off a firecracker, and the 11 year old younger brother decides to make a bazooka for his older brother's firecrackers to launch from pvc piping he found in the barn, and the 13 year old daughter wants to make brownies and plant gladiolas with her mama all the while the mother really just wants to make those curtains out of the fabric that has been hanging on the rod just draped over for nearly 2 weeks now with an actually hot cup of coffee... let us make sure we take time to make their life beautiful put flowers in their hair make them some brownies put that band aid on the skinned knee of your little boy sew those curtains for your home embrace the day whichever way it comes... muck, thorns and all
it's perfectly normal no complaints today... accept it all... muck & thorns
me preparing a dynamic new pesto: sage blossom pesto (recipe shared later this week) herbs are hanging from my antique spice rack above the stove now... it is a great space to do this at, because the direct sunlight doesn't hit the herbs, and they dry so nicely (besides me liking them hanging there) now is your time to harvest any blooms on your herbs, in order to make a prolific herb harvest soon
peonies dry beautifully, as does chamomile (for my organic chamomile teas i make)
Jason bought me this enormous antique wire whisk from Josie's antiques for mother's day... i cannot wait to use it
i do have to say, the kitchen has been stripped, minimal crept back in... and i now have a very different looking kitchen since i snapped these photos whenever i give a completely thorough cleaning, things get rearranged (hence why my house is always turning around... i like love to clean)
see the extraordinary in your ordinary day see the beauty in utilitarian objects see the beauty in work see the beauty in bloom xo+blessings,
Leaving yourself open and free to feel in the moment... that is what will cause your self to grow I'm not saying abandon your morals and beliefs... on the contrary... you need those to keep yourself standing upright and better society and those around you
I'm talking about being in the moment not judging others seeing the beauty around you it will change your life!! This past weekend's sale/event confirmed that with not only me but my kids and my husband Not everyone who came here is the same religion Not everyone who shopped here had the same income Not everyone who came here had the same background But everyone who did come here chose to take the time to come here and be a part of the farm, for just a few hours up to a few days!!
If you are reading this, and the last post, and saying to your computer screen under your breathe (or even out loud to others or yourself) "Pah! What the heck is she talking about?? It was just a sale! buying stuff!!" Well you are free to think what you want, but you aren't letting yourself "get it" Why don't you get it?? Because you aren't listening to me and the other women and men who came here and feel the same why I do... When you surround yourself with other people that are positive thinkers... who want to be a part of something good and happy... when you are outdoors looking at all the creativity and inspiration... watching people meet for the first time... being able to meet and tell people how much you read their blogs... now THAT is inspiring and is humbling to say the least to see that happen on our little ol' farm If you have a blog, and in that blog you write about your life... your feelings... then you know what I mean Blogging has really made a connection between people who wouldn't normally be able to connect... and considering I am the way I am, I attest what I have experienced ONLY by the grace of God. ("oh man... now anne marie is bringing God into this... oh brother") Oh Brother is right!! There is no way I could experience what I am going through right now without the God's intervention... and I thank Him daily for allowing Jason and I to be able to have this opportunity and ability to share that with others...
this pretty picnic was set up on a glorious day within a pear grove... just a short bike ride away from the farm
inspired by a beautiful lace dress I found at Cracker Jax in DeKalb and by the delicate blooms of the pear tree, I invited a few close friends, got my picnic basket down from the eaves, and started filling it with special pretty touches...
it was such a pretty afternoon
listening to our bees humming within the blossoms... slicing into the white cake with buttercream frosting... drinking a cold glass of farm fresh milk... we put blossoms in our hair and soaked up the time together and the beauty around us
after i returned from our pretty picnic under the pear grove, i put together a whole line of products they will all be available at the sale here at the farm (in just less than two weeks...) — postcards to invite your friends for a pretty picnic — lace bunting to hang under your trees or between branches at a nearby park for your pretty picnic — soft yellow paper straws — little vintage napkins — sweet patterned little cake plates — my organic white cake mix — lace tablecloth to lay down for your friends... your pretty picnic
all available at the sale... in the Farm area of the barn (when you first walk in to your left) these beautiful photographs were all taken by my good friend and beautiful photographer, Traci Thorson. (these above images are just a few of them) ~thank you so much for coming~
burdened with life's cares cripples not only your mind but your soul
I'm sure you have seen pictures of and art (especially recently) of birds being released from a cage, or your hands cupping something sacred or fragile
that is because life is so very fragile
the more I "Get Back into Life" the more fragile it seems... more special... more sacred... more beautiful...
beneath the piles of "to-do's" there is a joy... I don't always have the best way of showing that towards others the way I perceive it would be shown
I have this pre-conceived idea of frolicking in the field while jumping... the sun's rays streaming through and hitting and capturing the moment as I am suspended in time of complete and utter joy with no thoughts of anything bad
yes, fairy tale like... or I should say, heaven like
I think this is why so many of us can relate to the current trend of creativity being shown by so many creative women across the world... with their linens hooped tight in their wooden embroidery circle as the needle punches through and makes that satisfying "pop" to their centuries old embellishment technique or modern day free form applique...
relating to the artist with her music of Adele playing just loud enough to hear the kids if need be, her coffee steaming in her favorite mug on that rustic art table she picked up at the flea as her desk is strewn with mixed media... creating
finding the relationship between the beautiful blossoms of the pear grove near their home and capturing a surreal and pretty moment in time by styling a pretty picnic to share with others by publishing a post on their blog...
even if we don't possess these qualities of creativity, we appreciate them
even when we don't have a lick of talent except how to order a 'cafe mocha' and peruse the flea with friends, we appreciate them
appreciating others talents and seeing that brief moment of spark and exclaiming to ourselves or the good friend we're with "oh! I love that!"
that's why
we "love that" because it resonates with something we all share... beauty...
instead of letting this become heavy upon our shoulders that we don't have that person's talent, we snatch their creativity up, and enjoy setting in our home or give it as a gift
this is absolutely the reason why I love doing what I am doing at present...
I may not possess much talent, but I have this ability here on our farm to allow others to bring their beauty to you
this all sounds like a big info-mercial now, and go ahead and take it that way if you are cynical or jealous
but I love this sale and bringing joy to you through inspiration and beauty
I am so very pleased to tell you all that over 20 different people will be here at the sale in May selling their beauty and creativity...
what started as something out of my garage with one neighbor and a few family members the week after the barn burned, to a talked about event from coast to coast in magazines and on the net is a living testimony of the power of positivity, creativity, and the overall community support for local art and products
Wherever you live, visit a local barn sale or flea market... grab that friend or sister or loved one and enjoy the inspiration, beauty and love for amazing local talent.
just weeded three big beds in the potager, started on the perennial beds for the 4th time in the same spot... why these chickens that follow me around don't pick up the shovel is beyond me... I mean, what the heck? can't they see that I need help pulling out violets??? (and may I ask why that is our state flower here in Illinois... seriously... it's cute, but absolutely penance on Earth)
do you see? do you see her just 'high tailing' (pun intended) it out of here! she even has her bestie with her on the right making the escape route...
back inside, I am preparing dinner drinking a glass of wine and getting inspiration like this:
that was a perfectly level concrete slab — with a jackhammer made cracks and planted (click on image to see more)
then there's this great flat in New Zealand...
(click on image for source)
there is no way on God's green earth I could ever have the money to do this, or the energy to keep it up, but such beauty...
(click on picture for source) Needless to say, I bought fox gloves, rosemary, and onion sets today not for the concrete area, but man alive aren't ideas the best? especially on this absolutely perfect weather day life is so beautiful isn't it? i love it
(tomorrow I'll share the dinner... "Donna's Chicken"... if that chicken doesn't pick up that shovel, then guess who's on the plate this Saturday... no... I'm totally joking...) xo + beautiful blessings,
One of THE biggest influences for this upcoming May Event here at our organic farm has been TRACY PORTER
she sent me these collages she made just for us to see!! A mother of four A successful entreprenuer A midwestern girl at heart, but lives sea-side now A true love for life... family... gardening... nature... and following her instincts
If you are saying "who's Tracy Porter" then go HERE and think Macy's... Bloomingdales... HGTV... Better Homes and Gardens... E! and countelss other places this girl doesn't mess around... she's 100% pure "her" not conforming to anyone's standards, but rather setting her own
I had the priviledge to interview my new friend... it seriously has got to be the one of the coolest things that has happened to me this year... getting inspired by Tracy her answers are in turquoise: 1) When you moved to S.Barbara, did you bring everything? Or did you edit your items to suit your new home? a. Our move to Santa Barbara was one filled with many choices, and huge emotion…including a major crazy edit. So crazy that we hired an auction company to sell a lot of our stuff…I am the original magpie. I throw away nothing. Sick, and wonderful. I did not go to the auction, it went on once we moved, I would have been a wreck to watch it….to weird…..I had to really separate, and it was just stuff…..plus we brought what we needed and it was a good edit, and most importantly I was moving across the country with what I treasure more than anything in my world…my family. 2) Where is your favorite place to shop? a. I love old things so I get pretty amped in vintage shops, flea markets, thrift stores, goodwill anything second hand is good to me….I fill my pockets with sour patch kids, put on a backpack and off I go…I need to be free to touch and smell everything, and the candy helps me just not get too wound up …I am a really excited person when I get around old stuff. Well…I am really excited most of the time anyway.
3) Do you gather the most inspiration from? Nature? Visiting other countries? a. I gather from anything and everything. I look at stuff non-stop….I am a very curious bird, always wanting to explore. I adore travel…so much. I find it to be really freeing…but I am a girl that can sit on my bed with a glass of wine late at night and a stack of books or magazines and I will write down a notebook full of thoughts in an hour. I don’t have to go across the pond to get inspired I can find it quickly and I think that helps me in my process. I work very quickly, and I move onto to new things fast, which is good based on the range of stuff we get our fingers into.
4) How often do you rearrange your furniture? And when you do this…do you clear out the whole room and start from scratch? Or just ‘edit’? a. I tend not to do major overhauls, I am more of a vignetter….life gets so busy with kids and our company…but I find it really inspiring and relaxing to move stuff around. Once a week ( maybe twice) for sure I am moving things….in little ways here and there…If I repaint ( which I want to soon) then I really go all out and move stuff. Always after holidays. .big changes too….oddly.
5) What advice can you give, on how to decorate using your passion? a. I get that decorating can be really intimidating. I always encourage following your gut on choices. Make a list of what you love, what makes you giddy…knuckle biters…why do you love them… tear magazines apart, look through books, or websites and look at what you’ve gathered. You really do know what you love, and what you are passionate about. Find a way to inspire yourself…movies, songs, scents, imagery, something must stir you deep inside…ask yourself questions and you are on your way…little steps, a vignette a powder room…always start small.
6) Do you have a place of your very own in your home that you like to snuggle up to with a good book and a glass of wine? a. My bed. Always.
7) Your clothing style and your home décor items blend so well together, and I can tell it’s from your heart and soul (that’s one of the reason I like your style)…timeless really…but do you ever feel like going with the trends? a. I look at everything that’s going on of course in stores, magazines, online, sometimes I am sucked in. Mostly not….I just do what I do….and that’s what feels right to our company, and I am pretty sure to our customers. I want everything to feel really special, very soulful, layered…I want what we create to feel timeless and unique, feel good stuff. I am grateful that we have had the good fortune of people buying our things for nearly 20 years, ….we have done our fair share of learning along the way…skinned knees, etc. You try things, and you look back and cringe, but you have to try things….I mostly look at what we have created with a full heart..that we are still here…. working harder than ever…and for sure more humbled than ever. Being in business can really be superb for perspective….it’s an endurance game…I always compare it to running cross-country back in high school.
8) What’s next for ‘Tracy Porter’…another book perhaps? A TV show?? a. YES!!! Working towards so many things….in this day you really have to keep a lot of irons in the fire, so we do. We don’t take anything for granted, we just keep moving along, moving forward, making new plans, setting new goals…..we are happy to be able to do what we do every day. We will always evolve and try new things, and re-try things…..that’s the interesting piece in all of this..you really have to put yourself out there. So we do!
9) What’s your favorite kind of food? And do you cook? a. Food is huge in our home. My husband is an amazing cook, and I love to cook as well. We love everything…ethnic especially. ( but we don’t cook a lot of ethnic, that’s more like date-night!) We eat a lot of fresh fish, love Sunday roasts, all veggies…yes, yes…homemade pasta….we like preparing food…we eat late (8pm-ish) which our kids are fine with. The kitchen and dinner table are so important to us and to the way we are raising our four boys. We want them to appreciate how to grow, shop for, make and appreciate good food. I want the smell of food from our home to sit deep in their souls….I am a big believer that the kitchen table is a very healing, healthy and nurturing place for families.
10) What advice do you have for those who have children and that are trying to open up a business? Whether online or brick and mortar? a. If you are able to work from home, then try it. You may find it easier with children. We used to go into our studio, but since we moved we are trying a work from home situation, and for our family it works really well. Flexibility is key, because owning and running a business never stops. Even though we make it a point to not “talk shop” at night…it can sit on my brain….and I work so hard to be in the moment with my family. Online is great as you may have more options with kids and their oddball schedules. Sometimes you need to try things one way then change them, don’t get too rigid about following a perfectly created plan, as you need to know business is about change and being able to change with it. I have heard far too many people straight out of business school with brand new business’ tell me all about their plan and how it is all going to work as they have it all thought through and then they flip when something didn’t go as perfectly planned. Business is a lot like life, planning, goal setting….but more than anything flexibility will get you through anything.
11) What kind of music do you listen to? a. I have Pandora on all the time and my mix is all over the board….from Feist, to Bread, to Cat Stevens, Brazilian music, Melody Gardot, Beth Orton, Bebel Gilberto, Seals and Croft…..I am a child of the 70’s so it’s deep inside of me but my French Grand’Mere lived with us…so Edith Piaf was always playing, Billie holiday was as well, Nina Simone …..I still love it all. I have an awful voice ( totally tone deaf, and never remember any words) but I love to sing….so I really crank it in the car and just go for it!
she's goregous inside and out Thank you so much for your lovely thoughtful questions. Oceans full of kisses to you all!!! xxx Tracy
SHOP Tracy Porter HERE
Read Tracy's SO fun blog HERE She has made numerous videos on everything from decorating advice... fashion... to beauty tips I literally spent an entire evening in awe... what an inspiration she is to me and to anyone! to be true to yourself and follow your heart If she only lived back in Wisconsin... then she'd be able to attend the events here! ~and come over for a glass of wine and a homemade dinner~ Tracy and I have a HUGE surprise for you soon HUGE xo+blessings,
(yes, now I have 3 Tracy's as friends... one with and "i"... one with a "ey" and one that is just "y") hilarious
Kurt has been around for a little while now Sir Charles died this winter from natural causes... and well... I miss him I never thought I'd miss a rooster now, don't you go thinking I'm making chicken diapers and letting them sleep indoors (seriously) but I do miss my Sir Charles... he was so nice and treated 'the girls' nice too... dare I even say "respectable" Kurt came to us last summer as a chick... Sir Charles raised him like a son... taught him what to do, how to care for the girls and the ins and outs of the farmlife here some of you might think I'm exaggerating... but truthfully... he really did teach Kurt those things — they do that
is that a smile I see??
he sure is a handsome beauty he is very protective... and brave his crow is regal and loud... but I still miss Sir Charles as long as Kurt keeps the girls out of my mulch in the perennial beds, he'll quickly become my favorite xo+blessings,
giving more... like I promised, myself I would do, has been harder than I anticipated which makes me realize that was the right choice this season of Lent it's like having a child who hates broccoli say he's giving up broccoli... it's not much of a sacrifice is it when we sacrfice... now that is something when knowledge is gained when we starve ourselves from something we crave... that is when the lessons are learned
what do you we own here on Earth that is really deeply worthy? the gift of ourselves the best thing about this gift of self is that we are thinking of them, not us we can give them a custom gift of exactly what they need... a shoulder to lean on... a strong hand to pull them up... a whole belly chuckle
— there is this couple... whom Jason and I have had the privilege to meet back a few sales ago now... Harold and his beautiful wife Cathleen... we were standing there shootin' the breeze in the horse barn about farm life, family, faith, kids, antiques, marriage, hogs... and sitting right next to Harold and I was a gorgeous mint condition typewriter... I had been wanting one for quite some time... and it was actually my mother in laws (she owns an antiques store in Geneva... this was not a family heirloom)... and Harold looks over at that typewriter and says "well looky there... that is a beauty... I'll take that" oh man I thought — how lucky he was! — why didn't I set it aside when I had the chance?? I almost begrudgedly closed the case it was in, with original paperwork mind you, in all it's beautiful splendor up to the checkout counter for him... Harold then went on to explain how he is a writer (which kind of helped me a bit to know it was going to somewhere it would be respected) if my memory serves me right, there was something about the initials on the case that was even significant (forgive me if I'm wrong you two)
that was not a sacrifice on my part... it wasn't mine... it was the one that got away...
time passed, and seasons changed... and when Harold and I would see eachother at the flea market we'd tease eachother about it... jokingly of course...
then this past October came
busy with selling cupcakes and greeting visitors I looked up and saw them coming to the sale... eager to say hello through the crowds, I went right up to them... they were holding the typewriter in the box with a big ol' bow on the top
for me...
Harold explained how he couldn't type on it... how it just never felt right... not in the right home through my tears of such a sweetness for their act of kindness and generosity I tried to tell them thank you... it didn't seem enough... just saying thank you that has to be one of the nicest and most generous things anyone has ever done for me he knew I liked it, he knows I like to write but it was an unexpected act... expecting nothing in return that was most profound a sacrifice for him became a gift for me, more than just something material
When I was proposed to by Jason (that's a whole other story) and we went looking for rings, I didn't want any diamond... I just wanted that union... that bond... and a simple turquoise vintage ring was what I thought I would get
His mother owns an antiques store in Geneva, IL (it is rated the #1 antiques store in the Fox Valley area) — it really is quite a nice store! (I even do the window displays) — and Karen — Jason's mom — has a beautiful selection of turquoise... nothing was quite what I was thinking... and while shopping with her and Jason, she said "Oh Anne Marie... just look at a diamond... just for fun... "
so I did
through a special eyeglass (forgot the name)...
I was blown away at this rock... so amazingly beautiful... from the 1920's and in perfect condition... set in white gold — almost like silver...
She went on to explain to me how diamonds of this beauty are so rare and... well... she said a lot and I'm sorry to say that I don't remember everything she said... my heart was swelling inside thinking of why this ring was in the store... why someone brought it in and sold it... or was it found... was it someones grandmother's and they needed the money... a family heirloom... was it a ring that was given back to a man who loved that woman and was rejected by her love and she thrust the ring back at him never to speak to him again... the inscription says 1920 and has the couple's initials...
of course, I envisioned her with her cloche hate and smart skirt suit on and him dapper with a fedora and trench coat and pinstripe suit... they were out to dinner and he proposed — she threw her arms around him and... well, you get the idea... this ring was more to me than a diamond — it is like making a new life to this rock... giving it that sparkle that was lost sitting there in the store...
we are so much like a diamond... we start out in life so raw and rugged... and with the constant pressures to do good to ourselves and others we are crushed on all sides... sometimes so stressed we just want to hide away with a lemon meringue pie and a pot of coffee (hypothetically speaking of course;)
let those pressures crush us — it will make us spectacular in the eyes of others and God...
to me, there is nothing in this life more important than being beautiful in the eyes of God
but immediately, we show our beauty to others by our acts towards them...
when things don't go smoothly, on whatever project you are working on, know that is just part of this life process of crushing you further and further until that pressure makes you beautiful in the eyes of God, to others, and yourself...
it's all part of this process... just have patience... we all go through pressure...
many of you have emailed me about diamonds since I posted this... and I wanted to share with you more on how a diamond is made... you can go here.
peaceful Lenten blessings,
btw: you can find an amazingly clear diamond for a fraction of the cost in antique stores!!
I'm so thrilled to tell you that I am expanding on this conceptual journey of 'beauty'
putting together a room, with all it's rearranging of furniture and the play of light on a certain chair, or the way the bookcase it now highlighted by your side lamp all invokes a story of how you visual your space
yes, I am rearranging again
this room is awesome with the archway... and I keep trying to incorporate that space into the living room space (as you see, it's the living room again:) however, the coziness keeps telling me to embrace that beauty of coziness!!
it's high time that the blue floral couch from 1940 gets moved out... it just doesn't fit my decor anymore
and the hutch... it has housed crafts, silver, everyday dishes, bowls, and now is in the living room waiting... poor thing
baby Daniel is thoroughly confused and delighted to have a plethora of crawling space (notice the 'moving men' under the couch) my current (material) desires are to achieve an earthy easy elegance into this farmhouse with softness
here's some of my inspiration:
I've always been a great 'lover' of things black and white, and would love to add some more of that into the house...
designtoinspire.net
this photo has it (almost) all of what I'm thinking: natural wood, black, white, texture, a bit of industrial, clean + simple (what it is lacking is more color)
skema this entry has the red I really like, the antique piece, the natural wood around doorway, the pops of color... and though paisley might be "out" I still think this looks great
Canadian house to home as soon as I saw this, I instantly wanted to put up some more of my oil paintings... good thing I didn't put them out to sell them at the barn sale!
country living the open shelving idea is really striking a chord with me, there's talk of using remaining wood from the sunroom remodel (douglas fir) for the shelves
countryliving
beautifullife
~have a great rest of the day~ peace + blessings,
to take something you created and call it a thing of beauty... is it an object you created? or a thing of beauty? does it have the essence of your soul? or is it disposable?
we surround ourselves with objects which can be thrown away or discarded... I often create things of beauty and then either eat them up or discard them this year of 2012 is the year for all of us to embrace beauty in the true essence always remembering the traditions of art and the connection with our human person to the divine **beauty** something I will be contemplating on more this year than ever before
now a young lady with so much warmth and humility and Godly virtues the light that she shines upon others always warms my heart... and it does seem that light is shown down upon her as well... casting a soft glow within her for others to see and admire her love for horses, and all the work involved in that could take a lot out of a young lady... but not this one she is full of strength, determination, obedience and extraordinary faith
during this past Christmas season, she realized... we all realized her on our farm... that the bales of hay looked slim... and the cost of the hay at this time of year, and due to the high drought we had, makes it around $8 a bale... our Percheron/Thoroughbred horse eats more than our pony, but together it adds up we let her know we had to find a way to buy more hay... to keep our beloved horses... she worked tirelessly making cute little snow globes using some of baby Daniel's food jars and vintage mementos we had picked up along the way... sold them at various shops she made homemade dog treats and sold them she put together some of her earnings to purchase vintage mugs at the thrift store and nestled cocoa mixes she made inside and sold them she even hand stitched a few bunnies and cats for some very dear women all proceeds benefited the purchase of hay there are no worries now... her Jordan and Lady never were going anywhere, but her love for them showed through all her products... her lovely way about her what a lovely young lady the Lord has given to us...
the decoration for her birthday celebration (which was just us in our dining room) were homemade eclairs on a large ironstone platter with a single candle... and a few of her treasured horse figurines came into the scene, by me, to create a snow globe tribute to her
her birthday stars from when she turned one, still able to hold in my arms she has shown me how important it is to keep nurturing a girls values within the gifts of life that you cannot see it is a unique time in her life growing into a young lady... and though it was hard at times to be her mama and teacher to not only her but to the others as well... there is still so much more to grow within her soul so here's to seeing the beauty of life! xo + blessings,
