yesterday was my birthday, and I awoke to my oldest son making pancakes, decorations my two daughters put up the night before... and the day only got better
my husband gave me a kiss goodbye for work, and when he returned, family came over to enjoy dinner at the farm... and lots of laughter...
my 9year old son crafted this wreath for me!! i love it!
and then came my 11 yr. old daughter's gift... a work of art...
all the details she put into it, all on her own, were so incredible... a treasure...
when my husband returned home from his long day, he blessed me with a strong hug and a tender kiss, and the most beautiful bouquet of white roses...
there was one pink one he said "for you are my one true love"
yup i lost it... i let the moment go and let me totally feel his love
where did my 9yr. old get this wreath idea? for Thanksgiving, I made a paper wreath for my sister-in-law as a hostess gift, and she hung it in her kitchen:
I hope she liked it! This post is part of White Wednesday, and for more white inspiration, go here. ~a very merry december to you all!~ xo+blessings,
another year with my beautiful daughter serving us the traditional Santa Lucia buns she made herself... my little saint
we all were told to get back into bed... we used the bed in the sunroom... and she served us in bed with fresh coffee... homemade apple jelly, butter, and the biggest heart...
she has the kindest heart to anyone I have ever met... I love her so very much words cannot describe the joy I feel when I am with her... like an angel on earth... she always takes care of others, and this tradition on this feast day of Saint Lucy (santa lucia) is a blessed way for any daughter to express their love towards their family
Whatever the fact to the legends surrounding Lucy, the truth is that her courage to stand up and be counted a Christian in spite of torture and death is the light that should lead us on our own journeys through life.
whether you believe in His Saints or not, one thing is for certain, we could all learn a valuable lesson from Santa Lucia: bear light against the darkness, as Lucia did find the strength within you this Advent Season to become the very best person you can possibly become peace and blessings,
if you are interested in seeing last year's Santa Lucia Day here at the farm, you can go HERE there's a paper doll you can print out for your little ones
THANK YOU FOR YOUR IQUIRIES: NO, I did't purchase the dress, but I made it for her a few years ago... but thank you for those who inquiried if it's a "Santa Lucia Dress"... you are all so nice... but it will be passed down to her little sister, who is anxiously waiting to wear it
no... not to a publisher... not to the next blogger you meet... not to any editor... but submit yourself to your calling as a mother as a wife as a woman
(one of my favorite depictions of the Blessed Mother when she is being told she is to have a Son) don't get caught up in the shopping... the hustle... the bustle... if I can do it with five kids and nearly seven months pregnant, I think you can too This blogging world is not a competition... it's not something to bring us down... but to lift us up! keep us inspired!! that doesn't mean you have to go out and purchase that cabinet just like you saw at "so and so's" blog and break the bank... or decorate your home just like "so and so" and waste your money on what truly isn't your style but someone else's... help support one another ladies! look around and see it's okay to not spend your money!! For so many of the women in my life that I LOVE, this is what I hear them saying: "Santa" + money + gifts + gas money + stress + anxiety + topping last year's gift + "so and so" + family + Jesus' birth = Christmas take money out of the equation what are you left with: Family + Jesus birth = Christmas sounds pretty good to me... but the best part is this is how it should be here's to a holy and happy holiday season for each of you this Christmas... truly from the bottom of my heart... peace and blessings,
life... it's a most super fantastic and amazing place to be even though temporary... life is so amazing it has it's ups and downs, but last time i checked (which i must admit, is daily) it is a blessing just to be alive with these six children around us enjoying the nature around us enjoying their souls united together it's our family... a most super fantastic amazing children don't get me wrong... there are plenty of days that are not so fantastic... and you know what: it's because of me they are the ones learning and growing every day but so am i as unworthy as i am, they are all under my care... every day... and that job is taken most seriously by me sometimes too serious all it takes is that hike along the bluffs with them all, where i always feel the most comfortable (walking in the woods), to understand life is super fantastic and amazing they are counting down the days until Christmas the focus within me is to make these last days of Advent super fantastic and amazing with much love and blessings,
Even though I am surrounded by color, life is still so nice to see when it's black and white ~at least on Sunday~ Hope you all had a wonderful weekend with family and friends!
Hi! I hope this Christmas house walk finds you all well!! come on in to our little farm house on the prairie...
more than half my day is spent in this little corner of the world... the kitchen my kitchen = my expression = my love for my family = and oh such good and tasty dishes... we ALL get involved in the kitchen! it's my favorite room of the house
these little candy canes are being bagged up for sale in the shop today! check back later!!!
collecting those little tins, I have made a lot of little treats for the kids cakes and tiny pies one of the things I really have enjoyed, is collecting small things like that — after all... I AM surrounded by six little sets of feet scampering about the farmhouse all day:) totally not complaining
thos candy canes are vintage wire ones and the coolest quick decorating thus far this year
this may not look like a Christmas kitchen... but simmering on the stove is some raw milk I'm heating up for baby Daniel, with my cup of tea steaping in the background, and the chalkboard proclaiming I need to slow down and enjoy these last few days of Advent
nature inspires this family of mine... this farmhouse... this soul
yes, that is the mini-conservatory Jason made for me to use in the potager... it's sitting next to and apple ladder... which is all resting peacefully on top of a table Jason also made using reclaimed barn wood
we've "freaked" out a few people with letting our Percheron horse Jordan roam the property free and eat the cool grass... and this picture simbolizes so much to me freedom
instead of taking all the pine trimmings and making thick swags, I am leaving them raw extending their life from outdoors right into our home unpolluted
a bunch of lavender grens as well as pine branches surround Mary especially since it's the feast day of the Immaculate Conception! Dear blessed Mother... so gentle and kind... may I always give my all to others through sacrificeMary... help me to be closer to your Son
the girl's room... all vintagey turquoise + red and simply so fun & cute!
this house most certainly is never 'totally tidy'... especially when you give your daughter the freedom to create in her 'vintage horse room'
back downstairs, in our once dining room (now turned living room) pinecones, dried oranges and an eskewed lamp;)... things are not perfect here
Daniel even got some new stuffed toys I hand stitched this holiday season... I couldn't resist letting him have them before Christmas day! he also loves playing with my yarn balls like a little kitty
he sure does love his sister... what a blessing a big family is!!
that's the end of the house tour for me... in case you missed stop #8, it is my very good personal friend, who literally lives just 30 minutes from the farm: Traci Thorson... she's our official photographer for the farm events and certain other publications... as well as stop #10: blondienc who has a great blog! --------------------------------- I'm so excited to present to you the very special project all of us here on the farm have been working on together... especially Jason and I
We've compiled some simple and traditional holiday recipes and easy to make gifts in this E-BOOK
AVAILABLE THIS FRIDAY!December 9th!! it is an online e-book!!! We are so very excited to share this with you! (more on the book tomorrow) We also have something else to share!!
the winter 2011 collection of hand carved spoons from NA.DA.FARM Jason has been hand carving spoons they are so beautiful and special each spoon is one of a kind made from his own two hands truly beautiful 100% made by hand from reclaimed timber from the farm and other local wood organic in nature... organically finish each piece is sealed with organic olive oil... the safest sealant for wood used in the kitchen
We are opening up shop once again for some very wonderful hand crafted items from both Jason and myself... tomorrow!!!
From all of us here at the farm... peace + blessings,
I received an email this morning that got me thinking about my Bohemia roots...
the rich colors of Hungarian needlework at a market... picture source unknown as 'family legend' has it: some of my ancestors were so poor that they had dirt floors and when someone would come to visit, a design was drawn into the freshly combed dirt floor with a special type of broom
My family isn't a big family on that Hungarian/Transylvania/Bohemia side, but I do know that some of them were in fact gypsies...
my Hungarian grandfather with his team of work horses he plowed the fields with
my Grandfather today... he just turned 94 on Easter Sunday... and still in the garden Bohemia style to me is a free expression of the wild and rugged countryside of Europe cuddled with gentle touches from exotic travelers that passed through that region
my Hungarian grandmother with flowers in her hair... both are more absolute FAVORITE pictures of them (of course, the family doesn't have any pictures of the gypsies... I wish!) I chose Bohemian Italy — which could be hard to figure out — for the event, because to me, both Italy and Bohemia are so rich with culture and surprise and texture and intrigue... and I do like a challenge... Blending Italy and Bohemian style has been so much fun!! Muted colors with blasts of color here and there I am so excited for the event, and to see all of you again who came before and meet new people too... and in the true gypsy style, ALL bloggers are welcome to come to the new BLOGGER TENT!!
image via tumblr (please forgive me for not knowing the source... if you know, let me know)... I love this image! It will be a special place just for all you bloggers... to meet... mingle... have some champagne... and have a great time meeting new BLOGGERS If you are coming, let me know and I'll add you to my sidebar of 'who's coming' for those of you not coming, I so wish you could... and as you can just imagine, but life is pretty much consumed with my sweet baby Daniel and this upcoming event... Have a great day!! xo+blessings,
an abundance to reflect on this past year of many feathers, cupcakes, spoons, and a new soul
sometimes being so far from home yet not leaving anywhere
learning trying finding
seeking a new life within me through untangling the brambles i have caught myself in
i cannot go back
i must follow the star
seeking my soul finding what He wants from me trying desperately to always please Him
learning my failings and the strength that comes from this knowledge
gathering memories and losing the moments in time to once again clear the way to seek the star
finding the laughter... (never too far to look)
my star
not of fame or fortune or greed or something of this world
my star
peace + new year blessings,
{1} sisters {2} together as a family is all we want {3} reflecting, admiring {4} hair by oldest daughter — that is so fun! {5} cinnamon rolls — enought to feed the county {6} Christmas morning table at the farm {7} brothers {8} "rabbit man" (a.k.a. our comedian son) {9} little "lumberdanny"
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...
I don't normally repost, but I miss my very dear niece and her family... and this cake I made, entirely from scratch just for her last birthday here before they moved, is something I wanted to share with all of you, and her (again)...
hope you enjoy... (the music I added and snowfall goes with the 'storybook cake')
She has lived through the bitter winter before, but this year, the temperatures were much colder, after a heavy snowfall, ice showered the countryside... it was one of the most unpleasant winters she could remember... and even though it was Christmas, there was no sign or even a whisper of His blessed name...
she was determined to tend to those who needed her most, for they had no one... no wood for their stoves... no food for their bellies... and she knew, if she didn't help them... that no one else would...
Of course, leaving your home, to visit others, was forbidden in this gloomy and bemired land...
The evil ruler did not want anyone in his path to one day overpower all of humanity, even the smallest of children, and thus, sent a decree throughout the land "keep to yourself, and help no one, you must do what I say, or death"... Balmala rules cruelly over the land... without mercy... without regard to others... the most selfish person to have lived thus far... and Balmala especially has no mercy upon those who call themselves "believers"...
putting all fear aside, and bundled in her woolen cape, Elisabeth did what she was taught by her dear Grammy... she sometimes can still hear Grammy's words on such a cold, still day such as this; "do His will, no matter what the obstacles, and always give glory to the Father, and the Son, and to the... " "what was that?" Elisabeth was startled by a scraping sort of noise, and then the earth below her shook...
sometimes, after such a thing would happen, Elisabeth would feel, as though someone much bigger than her was watching her every move... not always an uncomfortable feeling, but rather, like a warm whisper within the trees...
and felt eyes were upon her back... but she wasted no time... she had one last stop... or as she thought.
Elisabeth was almost there... to a home no one has ever lived in...
and legend says, that the only way out, is through the basement... for if one traveled around back, they would surely peril from the cliffs below... but knowing this, and with strength from all the faithfully departed surrounding her heart, Elisabeth was guided forward, to hopefully... finally... find what she has been searching for, for the last 17 years...
*end of story... thank you for reading *
this is the way the cake looked all lit up with her birthday candles...
one of our favorite dinners this time of year is what I shared in our e-book
inside the e-book you will find originnal farm recipes for: a slow cooked apple jelly ham + homemade cranberry sauce + yeast rolls + from the garden squash
some of the things I like about this meal are that {{ it is simple {{ slow cooked {{ all from scratch {{ in season I made the ebook step by step in order for you to take your laptop or iphone onto your kitchen counter (or look to your desktop) so that everything is perfectly simple easy and delicious I am actually "in charge of the ham" this Christmas for the big family get together at Jason's family... and there is a reason for that they too love that recipe Whatever you are cooking for the holidays, think about doing something slow cooked that will feed a crowd... ham is one of our favorites, because after an early supper, you can put the ham in the fridge and eat some delicious ham and cranberry sandwiches for a late snack! you can order your copy of our ebook: simply Christmas... with farm HERE it also makes a great virtual stocking stuffer!! especially for $2.99
Have a wonderful first day of your week!and another 'have fun' planning your Christmas dinner!!! peace + blessings,
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...
**new in the shop** are these beautifully hand carved buttons
made from ancient yew wood
when my mother gave me this hand crocheted shawl (shown here as an infinity scarf) Jason made me this beautiful button to make the perfect compliment for such a hand-made piece of clothing great stocking stuffer or special gift for that knitter or crocheter in your family
the more and more time I spend on this farm, the more I realize how we become who we are by simply just working with what we have, and listening to our surroundings... opening our eyes
that is the great thing about life it is constantly changing... with new ideas... and right now, with advent season upon me and the farm, a new perspective on quite a few things have entered into my life here and yes, even in my farm kitchen...
this cabinet was in my craft room... it's a small nook off the living room which I use to sew and create in but when Fifi was here, she made a comment that this white hutch, was out of place... that it didn't fit into the rest of the house except for the kitchen (where we have white cabinets)
I didn't get upset... not in the slightest!... but it got me thinking on that ever since she brought it to my attention I just thought it looked good where it was... but who am I? certainly no decorator!! so this past week, I moved that hutch into the kitchen, where the chippy paint/jelly cupboard was...
make sure you stop and smell the roses wherever you are... these are still from my birthday! within the hutch, I tucked a few treasures...
a few ornaments here and there...
it brightened up this space even more... in all areas of the kitchen
sometimes friends and family make fun of me moving furniture around like this, but call me silly, but doing so, changes the physical and mental atmosphere here... decorating therapy so to speak possibly *************** i know my little "Christmas Cowboy" is in this photo... he had a birthday this past week... and he looooves being a cowboy (i love it too)
thought 3: Challenge Challenging myself to face the truth... that tomorrow will come more quickly than I would like...
that no matter what others might say or I myself choose to think, I need to follow my dreams... my passions...
to challenge myself to be myself! imagine that... to actually just pursue what my heart leads me to do
this is a very... very... tough thing for me to do
within this little four-square farmhouse are 8 people — six of whom I am totally and completely responsible for
the oldest is only 14, and I tell you what, he needs just as much care as our son who is turning 4 today!
to challenge myself to not feel guilty I am working on something (for all of you)... because it is really what my passion lies... within our farmhouse... within our family... embracing God and His nature
I sit up straighter
my thoughts are positive
my heart is overwhelmed with excitement, joy, and love...
simple thoughts = simple joy
my thoughts today center on choosing the simplistic joy of Christmas... and going forth with a project I've been working really hard on... and so has my husband...
tomorrow we'll be sharing what Jason and I have been working on
I hope you all are able to come back tomorrow so that all of us here at the farm can share with you something very special...
tomorrow we will sharing images of the inside of our simplistic farmhouse here's a sneak peek:
how often we catch ourselves within the daily work routine... five weeks have gone by like a blur {{ our unexpected guests traveling from Colorado to Maine just left today {{ booties were crocheted + cloth diapers + and there is talk from the three year old he wants crocheted pants (how hilarious is that!) {{ pizza night and movie night and a card game that lasts 4 hours whatever we might be doing... there is always time to slow it down...
the kids move move move... and thus, so do I and Jason... but the more you slow down... the more you realize how much more you can live without from the world... and how the hand made items your friends made for you, or that diaper your baby is wearing that you sewed together is so worth those few hours of being in the quiet... embrace the time that God has given to you I see it all too often if you work or stay at home with the kids, there is always time to cuddle... laugh... be with your family step away from the television, take this time... and do what you know you should... be with them...
be goofy once and awhile... it does the soul good... and God knows we need to be goofy sometimes!! p.s. that's me being goofy... (i know... i have to work on it) peace + blessings,
the pressure is there to constantly "be in the moment" { to experience everything { to taste it { to feel it { smell it { hear it { to see... and touch it...
the wipers noisily squeaked right left... right left... the car eerily quiet though all but Jason was with me... no music — just the hum of the wheels upon the highway and the now annoyingly squeaking noise of the wipers... the wipers were turned on before the funeral... when the air was thick with dew and mist from the heat of the ground mingled with the complete chill in the air that seemed to creep through the marrow of my bones to reach the part of my soul that has been void parking almost 3 blocks from the entrance to the old brick cathedral for Mass... a Requiem Mass... a Mass for a woman... a Mass in honor of a woman... a Mass to connect heaven and earth... a place to connect me to God... to fill that void a valid word but an invalid feeling nothing black to mourn her loss than the boots that I have been trying to replace for the past two months and the circles under my eyes a crying child in the arms of a familiar face of a mother I knew before stops me as I gaze into the standing room of the Mass ive amount of people in the cathedral... thoughts of reassurance not this many people even know me crash through my head as I try to listen to her tell me "there is a few pews... in the very front" sending my 14 year old son to the front with instructions to look back at me with a slight nod to tell me to venture up to the front with five of his siblings... I can only think of praying to the good Lord to keep the baby quiet and my three old well behaved as I notice the pew open is right behind the pall bearers... a knot settles into my throat as I see Eileen covered in a black clothe hand embroidered by nuns and two foot candles lit and reaching towards the sky... not hearing any noises except that crying child from the familiar face in the back of the church now sounding like a mile away I know Mark is sitting on the left hand side... Mary's side of the church for us, but from God's perspective to the right... the right side of the church where sorrow lays still Gregorian chant fills the space and enters up with the incense to encompass that moment... that void starts to fill with more sights and sounds of the Mass... of knowing God is here... truly present... just like Eileen... present under the veil while she sees Him... her veil has lifted... her void is gone... all of her senses are useless... i realize so are mine and everyone else... how alike we all are... we search out our lives trying to find completeness... to "feel" complete... when in order to do so we must empty ourselves to be united with eachother... regardless of where I was Tuesday, you were somewhere else wherever I was in 1983, you were somewhere else you are somewhere else, and I am here here truly present wanting to join with others... the mass becoming the Mass
flocking together and not caring for things of this world... knowing we will be provided for
and that's more than okay
rest in peace knowing you are not alone rest in peace seeing... hearing... tasting the M ass being on the right side chanting like everyone else
it's okay no need to worry
peace + blessings to all... especially to Eileen's friends and family, our deepest sorrow...
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living within the seasons doesn't require anyone to celebrate a made up holiday surely you aren't surprised that we don't "celebrate" Halloween yes... the pressure is there from family... friends... loved ones to include the children in activities that are in essence... fun however
we'd rather gather together to celebrate all the people who gave their life for Someone... Something... more important than a bag full of candy... the day after is much more spiritually enhancing
it seems today's "holiday" has overshadowed the essence of this time of harvest + saints + souls even though racing around a neighborhood and getting all six of your children in and out of the car to run up to beg for candy from strangers while inundating them with sights and sounds of the demonic may sound like fun to some... it doesn't to us... however dressing up and enjoying the seasons does... as does raising our children to always think of what He wants from us... what we can do for Him... to be strong... to be faithful
raising four boys, we do so in the spirit of this idea, being open to their ideas and activities they want to do on the farm with their friends it is not uncommon to see at any given day an "army man" ducking down into his man-made foxhole (seriously... the oldest two boys dug a 3' deep x 12' foxhole in the back prairie) recently the two oldest boys had a few friends over (as did our oldest daughter last year at this time) to play be free be boys
a surprise meal of "mush" and a slice of bread for the soldiers (the mush was browned sausage with a homemade white sauce) the meal was served from a cast iron pot and an old ladle that was used to plop it onto the tin plates
it was hilarious... when I came out of the house and rang the bell... they all came running as I yelled "chow time!!" an order of "line up!" was issued as a plate and metal spoon was thrust into their chests the dish was plopped on and one kid just stood there... so I said "move along soldier!!" he looked at our son and said "what is this? " I responded "slop!... now move along... " the grin on my face told him I was not feeding him something rotten:) that boy's brother then said... "I don't care what it is... I'm starving" our kids... our boys are starving for their imaginations to be fed... they need the necessary food to help them grow in strength upon temptations... there is no denying that the world can influence your thinking and try to coerce you to do things you don't really want to do ("but everyone else is doing it") grow together as a family... starts by praying together as a family... and listening to their hopes and dreams whether you choose to celebrate this day or not: stay safe in both spirit and self peace + blessings,
when I recently switched the dining and living rooms, the 'new' dining room had been sorely forgotten with creating a space to reflect the season/farm/us
friends of ours were having a garage sale... a nearby farm... and this little $35 table was just what this room needed
she even gave the kids and me free pumpkins... thanks Mary! {{ a bit of country
{{ nests and gathered feathers from years on the farm
(here's a funny tidbit of a story involving the non-coincidence of our "campers": our friends John and Mary came by about a week ago to drop off the flyer of their garage sale they were having because Jason forgot to tell me the details — and that very day, the male "camper" that is here found out that he needed to get a new crankshaft... their engine is literally out of their truck... the whole thing... and John is a mechanist... he has a barn dedicated to this purpose... he fixes up vintage cars for a living... a shop to make any car lover drool... so their engine is now residing on another farm while they live in our barn in their camper — where it is warm and he can clean his tools and parts of the engine... basically... if John and Mary hadn't come over to give me that flyer, we might have totally forgot that he would be able to re-work the engine for the campers and order the necessary parts... isn't that just so amazing??)
truth be told... it's been a rough few weeks... (nothing to do with our new camper friends here)
gone are the warm sunny mornings with busy hands in the garden... I am running on this lonely habit of preparing... preparing meals and more food in the potager... putting up swags and hay couches
having the 'campers' here from Colorado for the past few weeks, with her being a spry 26 year old, I understand even more these miles and years that have separated me from my youth... oh good gravy... like I'm old or something? no, i know that i am not old... but i can't help but feel my bones more... the shape of my hands — the wrinkles on my face — the heart hurting from a recent blow of betrayal... all of these things have shaped the last two weeks since the sale and by gosh did i need to decorate and make things fresh
here's two of my pumpkins now...
changing up my surroundings makes me forget second guessing myself + my strength + my loves
family... friends... feathers... finds from the farm (that's a lot of 'f''s)
here's to a fabulous fall weekend... and enjoying that hot cup of coffee in the chilly mornings and another big thank you to all of you who have given me your sentiments about the farms through emails, letters in the mail and sharing your photographs... we had such a great time with you all here!!
