Souvenirs:
freedom

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 sacrifice Mary... 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!
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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,

being aware of the truth

embracing the truth the truth of why i am here

i am not here to rally for one candidate or endorse his agendas

i am not here to stick up those signs and bite my nails in anticipation

i have never been that involved in politics... which doesn't mean i don't care

i care deeply for six little ones and the lives they will have ahead

i care for those unborn in their mother's womb who don't have a voice
i care for the ability for me to worship the way i want

being aware of my freedom couldn't be more evident than today

my hope does not come from a man

though i could go on and on... all of it is basically complaints at this point for those who were not aware of the truth, who decidedly kept themselves blinded to the truth, and who continue to deny the truth

only Jesus said He was the truth

Pontius Pilate asked the question to Jesus: “what is truth” it turned out that Pontius was staring The Truth right in the face and didn’t even know it

i am not in the corner being attacked, but am standing up with both feet firmly on the ground

ready

i am aware of the dangers

i am aware of the battle
my hope does not come from a man, but from Him alone...

in this life... there is no room for minimalism
what we thought we could do... we can do even more
giving yourself completely in this existence creates this awareness in the world's reality
how often do you really take the time to listen to your spouse/lover/friend (or all three;)
do you think just because you are "together" you can just give what you have given and keep on that way
the truth about love is that is takes a balance between the extremism of being a doormat to your mate and beckonining to their every will, and the other side of that extreme of complete narcissism
there are no two ways about it... a fine balance
sometimes it might take the other person to dive head first into the problem or situation and come up and explain how much he/she has learned from that mistake
other times it could be that you both get blind sided and have to deal with a situation together
are only giving minimal love to someone?
it's a rude awakening to realize that you are... or might be...
ask yourself this: "what is the most I can do"

love does not destroy freedom... it makes you realize how fragile you are... how to look with childlike fascination upon the newness of life bonded with another human being... where is the minimalism in that?

within this life there is no room for minimalism
within this life is the fullness of faith of devotion of love

peace and blessings,

after shopping for moccasins when i returned home and plans to erect a tepee in the prairie are emerging, it is no wonder to me

nothing shocking

it's like a natural progression for someone who just lived inside (basically a tepee) tent for nearly 3 weeks in the wild amongst bears

and that is not an exaggeration

funny thing about telling people about my journey across America

they want to know things like "how was it with all those kids?" "didn't you go insane?" "were you afraid of bears?" "I bet you were glad you got home"

the bear 'thing' did scare me a bit... i would be lying if i said it didn't...

when you pull up to a campsite, hike your gear into the woods to erect your tent near streams and a lake with no one else around and signs on the outhouse and entrance to that area saying "bear sightings are frequent" and it states you can't even have water or lip balm in your possession you bet the tingles up and down my spine are jittery

when you survive the first night there without being malled and you arise to see no one else in your family has been attacked, you get this inner strength from God saying "fear not" and then like an native American healer the overwhelming sense of the woods surrounding you speaking in tree and stream whispering "i come in peace"

peace was found in those woods... and if more people would take the time to listen to themselves they would realize they could learn a thing or two about nature's God's calling saying "i come in peace"

and this amazing journey it could not have been so profound if it wasn't for jason

our love grew on this journey

together

he drove and i listened to every bit of what was around me, in me, out of me and surrounded me

this trip across America was like that great paul simon vinyl record i have

if you know me, or take the time to know me, you will already know i have a passion and respect for native american history and music... and hearing one of my favorites, first aid kit, sing America is super special and deeply sentimental of jason and my time together journeying ourselves across this amazing country

all of us are looking for our america... our freedom... our peace...

enjoy the journey to find your america

peace + blessings,

a special and most sincere thank you to bryanne

=Twenty-two children =no whining =no "major" injuries (unless you ask the 3yr. old directly... he needs surgery according to him) =we've knicknamed the baby "wide awake Daniel" =giving up coffee is NOT an option =nursing while sewing is actually more easy than I thought =nursing while trying to braid my hair into this is not such a good idea =having people out to the farm and entertaining on our new pergola covered deck was even better when I threw some tarps over the top to block the sun (and now have the want to put a roof on it which Jason will be so excited to hear I'm sure) =still knowing the little touches you do for people are appreciated... even 'big bad Bill' =finding out also that listening to Bach concertos played on the violin by a semi-professional violin player (aka our cousin) helps soothe your ability to slam the volleyball to your opponents and releases even more stress =relishing in the following day after 3 days of partying and the children are still sleeping which is glorious in itself

I stitched the adults names onto seam binding and tacked them onto these crochet drink holders

the little kids spot

here's to our independence and freedom of speech, religion, and all the liberties we receive each day from God to live and care for those around us and the land we love

in downtown Sycamore... a small historic and quaint town...

picture of downtown Sycamore, IL.
a very good friend of mine, Sherrie Larkins, has been an inspiration to me to live life to it's fullest through faith and positivity... that energy carried her through her battle with a rare form of cancer... through her husband being in Afghanistan fighting for our freedom... (both happened at the same time)

we've known each other a number of years now, so when she told me she was thinking of opening up a shop in an old brick studio/garage just minutes from our farm, well, I was not surprised, but super happy for her to embrace her passion for opening up her creativity and talents in this very cool space...

I am seriously not even joking when I tell you that this is an old brick and mortar garage... huge windows, down the alley... it is so super cool I can't even believe it!!
this Thursday (TOMORROW!!) she has decided to have a 'soft opening'... downtown Sycamore is hosting a Ladies night out benefiting cancer

all the shops downtown are open later... there is even a fantastic local winery directly in front of Sherrie's new shop: Prairie State Winery

we celebrated there the other night and it was a really nice place and excellent local wines... I highly recommend the Moscato for white and the Red Oak for red:) Sherrie recommends the Bubbling white:) )

sip a bit of wine... enter a silent auction... enjoy the downtown shops...

if you or anyone you know has suffered through cancer, you understand how important events like this are to help fund the extensive research, medical needs, and support for all those women with breast cancer...

a blessing to embrace life... fun... and excitement, Sherrie's enthusiasm for life is evident in her shop:

I will be helping Sherrie that night... we would love to see you there!
you guys are going to love her shop
i do

here's the map: View Larger Map

see you there tomorrow, Thursday, June 7th
yeah!!! xo + ruffled blessings,

"praying for our freedom"

A rest already. Step 1 took a lot out of me, and I now must rest. I warned myself in advance that I would be resting along the way. There is only a tad over 7 days left until Easter... the end of Lent...

To partly battle with this rest, I have started walking and running. Doing my workouts in the basement has stopped because of the warmer weather...
so has laundry... it's now outside as well...

If you don't exercise: start... trust me on this... Getting outdoors to exercise not only refreshes your body but also your mind. Walk down the block — start there — and if you can't do this alone because you have little ones; so be it; just get out there and start. Think of it as a spiritual helper, not a weight loss! I am not about weight loss... I am about being healthy within... that is more important than your appearance... no matter what you see on the television or magazines... (I better stop now, or I'd do a whole post on exercising)

resting is essential to a healthy soul
A tired soul makes a tired body... it usually is not the other way around.
True rest comes not from ceasing to work, but from the freedom from anxieties. Just as in music, the rhythm of life must have silence as well as sound.
Just as in step 1, knowing when to go quiet is linked with this rest... all steps to a 'better me'

True rest... the world cannot give it or take it away. It is an inward state of being, within your heart.

Find a place you can dwell alone.
In Rest.
In Quiet.
Start with 5 minutes today... tomorrow... the next day... and on Monday increase your time to 10 minutes... next Wednesay make it 15 minutes. Taking just 15 minutes out of your day to reconnect with yourself. (kind of sounds like a soul workout doesn't it... it is)
You have to balance your spiritual life with your material life... this bodily life we live taking care of the children, working at our jobs... don't let one over power the other.
Keep your exercise time separated from your Rest... If possible, start your day with those 5 minutes of Rest.
Rest + Exercise = Quietness of mind, soul, and body

xo+ rested blessings,

Starting Monday...
I will be posting another Lenten series entitled "3 steps... to a better me"

These posts entitled "3 steps... to a better me" are written with a particular purpose, a special meaning, and a deliberate spirit to help enhance who I am.

These posts will not, by any means, create a "someone" I want to be. Why? Because I don't want to be first lady, or some famous writer, or a tv show host. Who I want to become is a better version of who I already am. There are so many faults I have. So many failings. So very many...
so who do I want to be? just plain ol' me
embracing who I am and using the gifts God gave me

I have made extremely bad choices... and that is exactly what they were... choices... and what they still are
There is this thing that I absolutely love about life: freedom.

This freedom is within each and every one of us. This is how even Christ Himself was able to be enslaved in this flesh and blood while living here upon this Earth. He knew He had to suffer as He did... and this time during Lent I am always reminded of this... and I fight it...

I fight this flesh and blood... sometimes I don't want it... I want to soar bodiless with Him in heaven... in only spirit

and then I realize I can do that now... that all I have to do is let myself go of this world and soar

Feeling a bit ill this week, and only wanting solitude because of it, I was very much grounded right where I am... all I want to do is sew that ottoman I made, but there was this totally cute, severely needed to nurse all day for some reason baby in my arms... I just wanted to be in that studio and sew and listen to the birds, and make my tea, and just well: be me. Truthfully, it was a 'fake me' that I wanted. Seriously... can you hear the whining?

The purpose of these posts is to bring solace, healing and hope to hearts... enlightenment to minds... strength to wills.

Yes, it will be focused on me, not individuals who read these posts... I cannot address anyone else... that's the person I know the most;)

So what will be in these posts?? This '3 steps... to a better me'? ??

• First we will discover how to reclaim that self respect.
• Second, we will learn how to accept what is given to us... and call it a blessing.
• Thirdly, we will understand what our calling is and learn how to fulfill that purpose.

I have a lot at stake making this place we call "Farm" a place to treasure
like a tabernacle I want to empty myself and fill only Him with His love and accept
accept me
accept all the blessings both in sacrifice and joy
but first... the sacrifice
like the quickly passing days upon this Earth, I only have a short amount of time to live life to the fullest I could easily fill myself with "me" but that would be selfish
so I'm going to fill myself with Him, through sacrificing myself completely see you Monday...
(well, maybe Sunday too... with a b/w photo:) xo+spiritual blessings,

do you guys understand the seriousness of this??

we

we as women (sorry guys)
we have this incredible job! this is not something we should be taking lightly...
give it your all

I mean your all!!! even the sunrise does it's best to lighten up the day...

you only have one chance to do this life... who is with me??? to grab this freedom and the hems of our skirts and proclaim that we are women
women who love who care who pray
who do the chores who teach who feed the ones we love who keep traditions and sing louder than any Adele (at least in the car with the radio blasting) who keep the faith and share it through pies and tears and fears and joy

what I give to you today is all that I am... and though I feel completely overwhelmed and utterly exhausted right now, knowing that you are alive like me in this world as a woman spurs me on to make me a better person...

we are truly blessed to be women!!

God bless you all so very much for taking the time to be here with me... these past four years have been such amazing years and I can't wait to see what the next four will be like...
xo + blessings,

a choice

a blessing

a star-spangled flag...

lately when I think of freedom my arms want to burst from the sides of my apron as I look out my kitchen window to almost claim that moment's right upon me for freedom

even in the most oppressed nations, you can still feel the freedom inside you, but your arms are tied behind your backs to proclaim it... the country's leaders forbid such independence

when I used to work behind a desk, in a cubicle (that job only lasted a short time... my sense of self was being squashed between those stuffy desks and intensely stressful vibes surging through my veins to complete 'the job') I could not wait until that noon lunch time hit — to the second, I would grab my car keys and b-line to my tiny little car... hit the sunroof open, pretty much peel out of the parking lot and head to a local forest preserve...
I would sit in the sun, even in dead of winter...
it was freedom from everything

freedom for me is that direct connection between the land and myself

that is why so many people are claiming this word "farm" into everything they are doing... from style inside their homes... to their blog titles... their names...

The word 'farm' and 'freedom' harmonize...

people don't go into the city to feel freedom (well, at least no one I know)... but the country...

the farm

the wide open spaces...

like my arms out wide exclaiming my freedom... the sky that we gaze at and the wide horizons I dream of and that inspire me so much...

you don't have to be living on the farm to throw your arms up and proclaim your freedom...

you don't have to be a mom of six children to let others know how much you value life...

you don't have to wear the flag and carry a gun...

freedom comes from within...

you can see freedom grow by planting a garden... being able to plant those seeds you saved, and nourished and weeded and harvested and preserved... watching that little seed flourish...

that seed is planted in us

that seed is planted from our forefathers who loved God first and that is exactly why they came to this great country... to plant freedom here... to plant freedom to reseed itself and flourish...

to throw their arms out and breathe in that sense of awe and wonder

let go of all the complications and burst your arms into the air wherever you are and proclaim your freedom

peace + blessings,

our home is not a home without the freedom for the children to self-discover their pathway in life... I know each of them will do different things... have different lives from each other...

we have a basement... as well as an attic... but most of the activity happens in the living room... I guess that's why it's called the 'living room' eh? the forts are becoming quite elaborate... with many mazes and tunnels...

finding their path through all the colors is so fun for them...

the oldest daughter is now making dolls... so super cute!!

even me

I have my ways of having respite... and it oftentimes involves coffee and the kitchen...

but there are those times when I am able to get out of the house... (imagine!)

and this weekend is one of them... my friend Sherrie has her studio doors open this weekend -
Friday 5-8pm and Saturday 10-2pm... for more info, go to her facebook page: a ruffled nest... the studio

in case you haven't been there before, she sells everything from painted furniture to architectural salvage

xo + looking forward to the weekend already blessings,

Freedom isn't the ability to do what you want
Freedom is the ability to do, what you ought to do

and this year, don't get bogged down with worries and anxieties... enjoy your life! have fun!
but do the right things morally... what's best for your family...
leave yourself behind and follow Him with abandonment... He knows the way...
life can be SO HARD sometiems, but let it go...
xo + happy blessings,