Souvenirs:
game

Let's bring in the New Year with some laughs!! Brian Regan is hilarious... (and clean)

Tonight... there's sparkling (non-alcoholic) wine, snacks, cookies, and lots and lots of games and music with the kids... just us... just the way we want it this year...
Happy New Year!! Cheers to a GREAT 2011!!!!!

When you think of celebrating the birth of your own child, preperations are sometimes extensive...
invitations sent out...
fun and games planned...
and of course, the cake
SO I ASKED MYSELF THIS:
"what if I was to prepare a birthday party for Jesus... God's only son"
first off the pressure would be insurmountable... but knowing only He is perfect sure helps me... I had this whole photo shoot set out in my mind to have a white cake in the barn... with the animals around... and sort of "re-create" the manger idea
but then I awoke this morning to this:

It was as if God Himself whispered His sweetness on the farm
a dense fog surrounded our property, and beyond the woods you couldn't see...
beyond the prairie was mystery
beyond anything any one of us could ever do
I quickly baked the cake, but had an idea to put it in the winter-storybook-like woods
with silver... crystals... white... and the cake
for Him
How did I set about doing this? I thought for a moment... and came up with this:
Jesus is filled with awe and wonder (like the woods that surrounded this)...
He is masculine and bold (like the heavy metal table and strong branches)
He is sweet (like the cake)
and pure (as the snow that inspired this photo shoot)

Happy Birthday Sweet Jesus
and
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!!!
xo+Christmas Blessings,

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,

Hand Crocheted Organic Cotton Neck Cowl with vintage buttons... $20

I only have made 3 so far with this yellow USA grown, organic cotton, but I am working on soft white ones with some really cool vintage buttons as well, and will be listing those later this week...
A bit of time went into these, but baby Daniel seems to really enjoy the comfy flannel and soft cotton (now to only make about 2 dozen more and we're good) we've named them: "na.da.farm bunz"

in the garden we pulled out a few sweet potatoes... "Anne Marie's pointers": — make sure you do not feed your children candy before harvest — if you treat harvest like a game, getting the 'biggest one yet!!' is more fun than anything!!

just beware of the sweet potato snatcher!

here's to a beautiful week...
peace + blessings,

it's not enough to know you
never enough songs to sing together or music to put our ears to
when you look into that mirror, you are proud of what you don't see
you never take it for granted

you give me more than life has in store

no walls built around you
no games played

i have some records to put on
put your hands in your pockets and sing
sing that song within
make it new

it's not enough to know you
you give me more than life has in store

the heat makes us pick super early in the morning and late at night
as soon as they come in, they get washed and kept in the cellar, while we wash and prepare the jars and lids

the next morning, it's time to dice/slice and start the brine

we went a bit "overboard" with planting cucumbers we enjoyed them so much while gazing out at the frozen tundra during the harsh winter

since we went overboard, we are able to share so much with friends and family... and I'm so glad
the garden is doing quite well considering the heat and due to planting so close together in most places, I am able to not weed so much (imagine that)
so I did some more sewing using a striped sheet and appliqued a sailboat on it for our daughter

I didn't perfectly line the stripes up... without a care I made this skirt...
she doesn't mind and neither do I
we had lost power from a terribly windy storm... the weather up here is quite peculiar lately and I almost caved and got an air conditioner almost
but once again, we chose not to it's almost a game now... letting it cool off inside the house and run around and closing the windows at just the right time... funny really... but with heavy drapes and quick feet, we are able to keep this old farmhouse cool enough... but we aren't using the oven, instead the grill and the side burner outdoors which I am hysterically calling my 'outdoor kitchen'... someday... someday!
I am however, taking a break from pickles, and am blending and juicing them galore quite versatile
anyone know of uses for cucumbers? I would love to hear how you use them in and out of the kitchen

xo+pickled blessings,

= fans working overtime to cool down our brows
= kids in and out of swimsuits more than the ice cubes in the freezer making their way to the glass of suntea
= trips back and forth to the potager get better every time
= no "in the kitchen" meals, just fresh from the garden and grill
= little hands coming inside with green tomatoes to slice up and add to salad

summer means no worries... no schedule...

this summer is a busy place full of memories...

spending the late afternoon on our farm with 4 Seminarians = go kart rides = swinging from the tree swings = chasing after chickens = walking the prairie = ping pong games = TONS of laughter = lots of hungry appetites!!
~menu~ — Blue cheese filled burgers (served with a homemade roasted red-pepper sauce + sauteed mushrooms w/onions) -grilled zucchini (drizzled with olive oil and rosemary+thyme) -grilled sliced potatoes w/red onions and cheese drizzled with olive oil (wrapped tightly in recycled foil) -and my (almost) famous chocolate cake

These amazingly joyful group of men filled our hearts and souls with more joy in the Lord, but also made us ache with laughter...

Here's some games that suit a wide range of kids for a fun summer day...

THE SUITCASE GAME... — we used baskets — variety of grandpa's clothes (hat, tie, t-shirt, button shirt, socks, boots) — divide kids in two teams — half of the team on each end of the "playing field" — kids have to dress into everything (don't have to button or tie the tie) and then run to the other side where their team mates are waiting... they undress... put it back into the basket... their team mate dresses... runs to the other side... etc etc... the firs team to finish first wins!!

the suitcase winners:)

THE CLASSIC THREE BUCKET GAME — We used 3 pots, and 3 stuffed animals... they were timed by my son's stop watch... — you have to first throw it into the small pot, then the middle one, then the larger one — have one of the kids stand by the pots to throw it back to the player — the fastest player to get all three is the winner!!

There were no prizes given, just shouts of laughter and having fun!

Hope you are enjoying the summer!!!

The weight of life is not set upon a child's fragile shoulders — their burdens are noticed by the all of a sudden long legs, crooked smiles and voice changes...

They may not be ready for marriage, but they are ready for life, and it will be upon them in a few long steps — their bodies are almost completely ready, but their minds are wondering, learning... being a teenager
I was surprised to see these young adults engage in Camp of the Setting Sun...

I wasn't going to be upset or convince (at least my son) them to go if they didn't want to...

yet — they participated in all the games I came up with, wore the silly t-shirts I made, and were a part of the group of 13 children that were in camp...
The history of this camp started when the oldest cousin was 5... I happened to be at "grammy's" when she was watching him for an overnight stay... he was with a play bow and arrow walking around outdoors... and a talk from his "Aunt Anne" explained how Native Americans used to hunt for food upon this land near the 'great river' (etc etc)
We talked all about being outdoors — the moment is captured forever in my mind

I ran indoors, grabbed a few hot dogs, wrapped them in aluminum foil tightly, placed them in the tall grass prairie and the little hunter of 5 years old went into the wild of the land and the wild imagination of his creative mind, and hunted for his food... he found them all, unwrapped them and relished in his mighty victory

He asked us if this was camp... "yes... it sure is"

He now sits behind a desk in the Navy studying to be on a nuclear submarine — still holding protection — and learning... a gentleman at 20

Seeing the eyes of his ten month old brother, in his mother's arms, this week brought back memories of those carefree days of no children — just dating Jason — and so many memories of camp

I relayed this story of Camp of the Setting Sun, to another brother of his, 5 years old, to his delight, while his eyes opened wide and listened to this true tale -

I don't know this little 5 year old brother well — since they live in South Carolina and were only visiting for two weeks... plans for camp emerged... per Grammy's request... it was time again... after a 5 year break for this camp leader,Aunt Anne, it was almost a necessity

=games
=laughter
=togetherness
=memories
=gone for the day hiking
=a jaunt to the park
=tents and sleepy children the next morning
=hot dogs

3 teenage boys were dubbed camp counselors this year... instead of holding hand held games they embraced life and left the nearby steps to manhood behind and captured their childhood one last time

tears upon this journal

one day I will be able to talk to the teenage boy of mine... not today... tears prevent my clarity of speech

did I help them upon their journey? to embrace their connection with eachother... embrace the love that out pours from their Grammy?? heaven only knows how much she loves them
no amount of smores could express this... but the sweetness of camp was anything but boring

"the alumni"

these young women are now officially out of camp, but hiked down to 'the great river' with all the kids =the perfect ending= (p.s... thanks girls)

the word boring never came up
like Grammy says... "only boring people are bored"

the fancy pomp and aire isn't "us"


picture courtesy of the boys... and Jason's vintage G.I. Joe collection from childhood I have tried wearing silky type clothes, but end up wearing the cotton and linen... the more handmade the better... and I generally do not wear purple with black combat boots

Looking back at this post, I'm so glad I had the lace hanging by hemp twine (now I can take it down with no problems)

heck, I didn't even want a diamond ring for our wedding... just a simple turquoise on silver...
my husband's wedding band was something I had a artisan jeweler create with silver and white gold blended to create a one of a kind artistic sentiment of my love (which fell off his blessed finger while skiing the Illinois river... so if anyone ever finds it, let me know)... I would have settled with him tying a piece of hemp twine around my finger...

~Those "things" just aren't important to us~

we don't get caught up or over anxious about being self-sustainable... but strive to be (it is HARD work)... what is more important right now is that we focus on raising our children with us... not separate... they are an intregal part of who we are (there is a saying that 'you are who your kids are')

Our marriage is sometimes rough, but mostly smooth... and I truly attest that to Jason's patience... and though I chose an understated white gold band with a tiny diamond (it wasn't about the money) for my wedding ring (a vintage 1927 Vintage ring we both found the week before the wedding), we are pretty simplistic people.

no tv... we have one to watch the occasional movie... the kids (and there are 6 of them) only watch a movie maybe once a week if that...

no video games... which includes hand held objects of complete wastes of time

we work... we work alot... but to us, work is prayer

We are entering into our 16th year of marriage and only just beginning to get to know each other...

but we both have always been nature lovers... outdoors hiking and mountain biking (Jason used to race mountain bikes — but that is a whole other story in itself)... I used to repel and introduced him to the sport as well... (going to college for a degree in Environmental Science back when only two schools even offered it helped finding the best outdoor spots)

Our love has grown from nature... with nature... and now we raise our children that way... a seasonal way of raising our children...

Our meals are based on the seasons for the most part... Our lives are definitely shaped by the seasons with chores changing monthly by the change in climates here in the midwest (and they sure do change here in the midwest)

unplug yourself... just for a day

There are no princesses here... or princes for that matter...

no pomp... no aires... just a bit of dirt, sunshine, rain and always a breeze
Life is dirty... but the bright light of faith shines upon us every day regardless if it's hidden behind an obstacle... there even are tears somedays but they cleanse us and keep us honest... and the breeze seems to always blow something else into our lives here on the farm

Our two girls' are precious to us, just as much as the boys are... but there is no way we are raising them to believe that they aren't going to be getting their hands dirty in life... that work is the way to grace... that working hard at whatever you want to achieve in life is THE only way you reach your goals

Sewing dresses and skirt with them... even embroidering details upon their clothing... this is my opportunity to comfort them with something I have worked at just for them... from my hands to them...

It's the same with cooking... we comfort those around us by preparing a good healthy meal that will help support them through the day... as is for anything we do with our children...
life is messy, and we certainly aren't raising any princesses here

all the love and support for this day, xo+blessings,

no... not from that puffed oven pancake, or the homemade sugar cookies and cupcakes we're testing for the sale (had no clue what 'flooding' was until recently — but my oh my is that fun)

an overwhelming sense of being full hit me tonight when at church

my mind literally screamed at me to shut up

all these ideas, pictures, styling, sewing, baking, planning, etc on top of all other 'normal' aspects of my life builds and builds until I felt almost pregnant... and on my last few weeks (no I'm not expecting... as far as I know)

If I'm not creating or doing I'm reading... I just don't sit still

that doesn't mean I'm super organized and can accomplish a whole bunch, but it does mean I've got my interests scattered... for crying out loud I got inspired while shopping the ethnic isle at Woodman's...
that is the super great thing about our human ability to absorb every ounce of our surroundings

every ounce of it

some might not want to, and stick with the routine, take their daily to dos get them done, and package everything neatly

others might not have any schedule and totally flow with life like floating on a raft with a beer in one hand (that doesn't sound so bad really...)

but I find myself in between those two... and I'm sure a lot of you can relate to that

What an awesome feeling to know that we are ever expanding in our minds... that the possibilities are endless and absolutely God's doing

I can see a deeper need and desire for each of us to slow down and enjoy the simplicity in life more, especially with all the iphones/ipads/computer games/x-box's/TV/movies...

how?
{{connecting with nature
{{meditating on the glorious nature of our very existence
{{sitting quietly still in the presence of Our Lord for at least an hour a week
{{reading
{{writing
{{hugging your spouse... at least an hour a week

and so many more ideas that would be beautifully captured in your life

capturing that fullness in your life is simply stopping quietly to hear Him

... what is He saying to you

eat a cupcake... that is what He's saying to me right now... how about you?

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