there wasn't a lot of sparkle here at the farmhouse this past December
the serious nature of life overshadowed that sparkle i accept this
i accept the serious nature i accept to truly love God, i must accept it... whererver you may be at this very moment reading this... know that you are a gift in itself
there is no need for the material there is no need no need to be sad... nor worry... nor fear... but accept open your heart this moment to His will seeing the poetry in life feeling the sense of the acceptance
breathing in His love
exhaling it to others...
(photographas taken of my dear little girl and her spirit is what inspires me upon this day)
photo courtesy of Un Coeur en Provence (click on to visit Laeriss's great blog) this above photograph stopped me in my tracks it is so completely opposite from what I decorate like, yet I really like it so free like... expressionistic... flea market treasures I have seen some amazing homes this Christmas here on the web... I'm so impressed with what you all do!! and that above picture is certainly not Christmas decor, however, it has given me some ideas I hope to implement tomorrow and share with you by the weekend (besides... this farmhouse needs a bit of rearranging and color I say) hope you are enjoying your moment in life,
The Master Bedroom Design Q(uestions) & A(nswers) was a BLAST! Wouldn't being a decorating reporter be so fun? I think so So many of you wonderful readers haven't asked me "why" I am re-decorating my bedroom with Jo and Lulu as design stylists... because it's obvious why! They both have great talent... What's my decorating motto for this bedroom: "un-decorate" Today's Q&A is with Jo, from the Secret Garden Cottage. Her and I have talked back and forth, because of the blogs, for quite some time, and as soon I saw her kitchen/dining area, even though it's a kitchen, it inspired me for my bedroom... and here's why:
All of Jo's Answers are in italicized print, and all pictures in this post are from Jo's beautifully inspiring blog. Here's the Q&A with one of the nicest women, Jo:
1) When you design your rooms, do you have a focal point? something that anchors the room? If so, it is usually art or architecture
A: Yes. I definitely always try to have a focal point in each of my rooms, usually architectural pieces. I don't use much art in my home, mostly because I have a hard time finding something I like 100%.
2) How do you achieve an understated feminine approach to your style? A: Well... I try to keep in mind that this is my husband's home, too, and wouldn't want to overwhelm him with too many floral prints, ruffles, or super feminine colors. I try to add a feminine touch to my decor with some of the furniture pieces I use, such as the table I recently bought and placed in my kitchen. It has some decorative scroll work and pretty, curvy legs. I also use flowers and herbs from the garden to add a little bit of romance to my home, as well as the slipcovered furniture and accessories, such as glass cloches, white ironstone pitchers, and candles.
3) what would you classify your style as? A: I think my style is very eclectic. I love French farmhouse, Scandinavian, and American country cottage styles, and I think I have a little bit of each style in my home.
4) how do you achieve an overall cohesive look to your home? A: Sometimes I fell like I struggle with this myself. I try to give my home an overall cohesive feeling by using the same color scheme throughout my home. I generally only use different shades of white in my decor, including my wall paint. I also try to purchase furniture pieces that work well together... have similar architectural lines and so forth.
5) If you were to design my bedroom, by knowing me personally, and seeing my style on my blog, while incorporating your style techniques, how would design my bedroom? what elements would you include in your design plan? A: Keeping in mind your personal style... I think that the one thing you like about mine and Lulu's style is the use of white in our decor, so I would give you an all white bedroom. I would use an architectural piece with white, chippy paint such as a vintage door(s) or fireplace mantle for your headboard. I've also noticed that you like warm wood tones in your home, so I would incorporate warm wood pieces of furniture, such as your night stands and maybe a vintage chest or bench (if room allows) at the foot of your bed. The bed linens you have would look beautiful in the room, but I would add a bed skirt to make it a bit more femine. I also noticed that you love vintage silver, which I think would look gorgeous in the bedroom in the use of accessories. I would dress the windows with sheer linen or cotton curtain panels that puddle on the floor just slightly and use tree branches for the curtain rods. Since your room is small, you would want to keep accessories to a minimum to give it a serene, peaceful feeling.
Anything else you would like to say?? I just want to thank you again for including me in your bedroom makeover, Anne Marie. I feel so honored that you would consider my ideas alongside Lulu's to inspire a room makeover in your beautiful home. You have such an amazingly beautiful style and creative mind, so I know this room will turn out to be the beautiful haven you desire, and I can't wait to see it when it's done!
Isn't she the sweetest?? I wish she lived closer to actually help me! How much fun we'd have... After I saw THIS POST she did, and she had quite a few of the same inspiration photos that I have in my design collection, I knew I would beg her to do this for me:) Tomorrow is my friend Lulu's Q&A with me... stay tuned! Hope you are all enjoying your week thus far!! peace and blessings,
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,
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'm sure you are familiar with Jennifer at the Painted Cottage... but she posted this today and I love! this picture!! how creative and fun (not to mention the rest of her house looks gorgeous)
She's got great style and always has unique DIY ideas... thanks for the inspiration Jennifer!!
I'm even going to post again today — a little later — our Christmas card we sent out... xo+Christmas 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...
decorating that is... or I should really say: rearranging lace is so amazing to me... hand done lace that is, not mass-produced items I love the thought of a woman sitting and creating her signature piece..and this is one of my favorites I don't care if lace is in or out: it's in here at farm
can you believe we got snow?? this picture is so much better looking now with snow!!!! so if you remember my post a few days ago, you remember the bird cages hanging? well, that's exactly what I did!! with a very unique piece of art by Dore, from Burlap Luxe she has some amazing pieces of art — and I especially like the stages she has created puppets, marionettes, finger plays, paper plays... I love it all thank you again Dore
I don't care if things don't match this is a bowl from my late grandmother and a shepherdess picture of a girl that reminds me of my young daughter... surround yourself with things you like!! forget about trying to fit in...
pears = organic & safe decorating:)
absolutely now the best place in the house — we were all here in this room last night decorating the tree, eating a treat or two and enjoying chai tea (the kids' favorite)
Christie Carter, from Carter's Cottage, generously gave me a hostess gift of some Annie Sloan paint, in a creamy white, and I am so tempted to paint this cabinet...
Christie has a very generous giveaway going on right now with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and accessories!! go here to enter! giveaway ends December 31st!!!
and from "some" of us here on the farm... have a jollyFULL day!
sale ends this next week in the shop!! order this weekend for you to get your package by Christmas!!!! thank you again to all of you who love Jason's spoons... they have gone to a chef, a mother of six, and gift wrapped for people all over the country...btw... we just added a few more yesterday!!here's the link to the shop: http://ndafarmlife.org/
that excited, happy, joyous, (more overjoyed really), filled with blessings, love, thankfulness... the whole nine yards (where did that saying come from — does anyone know?) it hit call it the sunshine streaming through our farmhouse windows or the love and support from friends and strangers from people viewing the ebook, but regardless, it hit I just ran to the kitchen to start some potpourri on the stove (I know that sounds corny, but if you haven't ever made homemade potpourri with orange skins/cloves/cinnamon — do it and then judge me) we are decorating more of the tree tonight — songs + cookies (which I haven't baked yet!) + more music and I'm sure a bit of chaos with lifting chubby four year old fingers up to the top of the tree to hang ornaments and a stray baby crawling on the floor to reach his stuffed candy canes... this small farmhouse is tight sometimes, but I wouldn't have any other way treasure this moment wherever you are, and if you haven't told someone you treasure them do it do it now... a priest once told me that if I think about my grandparent's then call them — that moment don't wait I just took pictures of the new downstairs living room (well, rearranged...) and will be back after some cookies are in the oven can I hear a 'hallelujah'?? we might not all be of the same religion, but one thing binds most of us all together at this time... and I don't know about you, but let's wipe that grumpy face off — even if you don't have a single dime to spend on Christmas gifts, you STILL have things to cherish... and life is one of them so go on out there the rest of the day and SMILE LAUGH!
BE MERRY!! AND BRIGHT!!!!!!!!!! Christ is shining through you! SHOW IT! with so much love and peace,
We know how hard it is to get to the store... or want to go to the store
let alone find something unique... hand crafted... USA made...
so starting now, Jason and I have decided to host a big sale in the shop!!!!
here's a peek at what you'll find on sale... as well as other items we still have available
If you would like your items shipped and arrived before Christmas... you have to order by Monday...
**click on images to see them in the shop **
journals the sacred prairie collection...
the cutest little vintage candy canes (limited quantity left!!)
the sweet life...
spoons (hand carved from start to finish)
the ebook: simply Christmas... with farm is able to be emailed to anywhere!! so make sure when you purchase the ebook, you ignore the shop's policy of only orders in USA... Fra in Italy has enjoyed it as much as my friend Julia in USA...
it is only $2.99... and makes a great virtual stocking stuffer!!!
available by clicking the cover here...
and again... and huge thank you to all of you emailing me and telling me you like the book... thank you so much!!! we are SO glad! and it was so much fun doing... that I am in the works on another...
on a decorating note... (fun fun) I totally redid the house today, no money spent — just lots of muscles!! am up late in so much excitement that Christmas is coming so soon... I can hardly wait! the kids and I have some really fun things to share with you...
(and I'm sure I'll pop back in here to journal some more thoughts... no doubt about that)
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:
my very good friend Traci Thorson, as you all know I'm sure by now, is not only an amazing photographer, but her home is so real/inspiring/cozy/and oh my good gravy that kitchen!
Jason was the carpenter back earlier this year for the kitchen remodel — it's a wonderful farmhouse kitchen!!
She is one of the most unpretentious and genuine persons I know... and her home shows these virtues
Traci's home is stop #17 on Jennifer Rizzo's Christmas House Walk... it's been a great walk... and I'm loving be on this other end this year... to see my home for lat year's walk, go here
to see Traci's wonderful home and all the others, go here or to Jennifer's blog here
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...
Holiday times brings out so much cheer!! Being that I am still up in the night with my little one does put a damper on the "cheer" factor some mornings, but today, I woke up, and all but the 14 yr. old (boy — still asleep) were outdoors playing in the fresh fallen snow... and this instantly cheered me up!
I love the seasons changing... and I have so many crafts/ideas going on inside our farmhouse that I can't wait to share with you!!!
Speaking of sharing: Jennifer Rizzo, designer/artist, contacted me to see if I wanted to share the inside of our farmhouse for Christmas decorating
gulp
a lot to do I must say... but I'm so excited to be in this line up...
starts Monday!! but I'm stop 9 (thank goodness)
do you need to feel more cheer right now?? then take a look at Jeanne's new look book at her blog — oh my goodness it is so amazing... completely so well put together and creative — her photography is so dang good I'm off to school the kids + have some coffee + and create!! (all three together;) peace + blessings,
this weekend I took down the bird pictures and crucifix, and moved some furniture around as well - (please click on images to be taken to their sources) and thoughts are turning towards Christmas... but first, before anything, there is Advent
As eager as I am to spend another winter here, there are some changes going on with my decorating (surprise surprise) some key elements I am focusing on: — Christ — simple — organic/natural — comfortable
and for the girls' room! color + vintage + farmhouse
us women are inundated with being a "self-sustaining organic only/entrepreneurial self sufficient/gourmet cooking genius/who should have their children in every activity possible/be an amazing photographer or blogger/totally fit with terrific hair/their own magnificent decorator who sews their own pillows,curtains and stencils galvanized buckets so she will have time for filling up the glass jars in the pantry lined perfectly and labeled with precision that she just about has to be perfect for this world or she feels worthless"
for real?
since when is is NOT okay to just be a mom?
do you ever hear your 13 year old daughter say: "I can't wait to be a Mom!"
well, if not, that could be because the amount of pressure that it takes to just be "totally amazing" according to what her mom might be pursuing could be the reason...
we, as mothers, should be a little less preoccupied with being perfect for this world, and instead think about being perfect for Him
that means, every single thing you do should be a decision of getting you to heaven
every. single. thing.
ask yourself before making any decision (and no, I don't mean should I wear the red sweater type of decision) "is this leading me towards being a saint?"
I think it's about time we get over ourselves
we aren't great
we aren't fantastic/amazing/magnificent
get over yourself
we are created in His image... but we sure muck it up with all the world don't we?
the only reason you are able to cook that amazing meal is because He gave you that gift — so thank Him
the only reason you are able to live in your house is because He gave you that gift — so thank Him
the only reason you are able to embrace your children is because He gave you those gifts — so thank Him
the only reason you are suffering inside, is because you are refusing to give Him thanks in good and bad, in gifts of both sacrifice and joy
which brings us back to being submissive... being humble... the word humility comes from the Latin word humilitas
humilitas is derived from the word humus... which means the earth
humility it truth... because it shows the truth about ourselves
is it hard to just be a mom? do you see other women/moms succeeding in their own business or even just succeeding in their decorating?? blogging???
not only is that jealousy, but it is surely not being humble
the depth of your faith = the depth of your humility
*oh boy*
that one made me stop in my tracks when that came to mind... how often I fall and how often I have to get back up
i am working from the ground up... from humus to heaven
i am cleaning out the house, rearranging furniture, helping a friend with her computer 'stuff', hosting a young man's get together and creating a simple pot of chili today
the sun rose beautiful, all your prayers are so welcomed for my dad
he's doing so much better...
thank you so so much
i was listening to someone speak about our connection with each other... how when Christ said 'love they neighbor' what did he mean besides smiling at them, helping them out when they need it, donating to a good cause, helping in a disaster... it went deeper than that
isn't it beautiful how when Christ was preaching he rarely 'said it like it is' but rather made us think... a deeper sense of neighbor for example
this speaker was explaining how our souls are connected to one another because of Him, and because of this, we have the ability to embrace them even after they pass from this world...
so last night, i laid in bed, read some soulful inspirations, closed my eyes and imagined something i have never imagined...
that God is here with me, my Dad, and all that I see... but it's like having it completely dark, and when someone turned on a strong light you'd see God... that the veil was lifted from this life... that heaven is not up in the clouds, but rather, all around us... we just aren't able to see it because our souls are not completely to Him...
well, mine isn't
i unfortunately hold myself back from completeness into 'that realm of heaven'... i love my kids, my husband, my farm, my life, and all these material possessions...
slowly, He is making me realize this and I am able to embrace this life in joys and sorrows while at the same time (trying to be) completely His
when the sun comes up so strong and brilliant and the day is filled with so much, i am completely thankful i can still help others and enjoy this life... and learn more each day or night about who i am... who He made me
