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)
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
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,
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,
Throughout Advent, I will be sharing some deep thinking and soul searching... keeping in mind that Advent is really a "little lent" — a time for me to get ready to celebrate... to better understand myself and the direction I am consciously choosing to go...
thought 1: soul
Within all of us are souls... spirits... which have encompassed our bodies since the moment our parents joined in an act of love...
Our bodies are from the Earth... out of one of the most organic substances, for which all things grow: the soil...
We think, feel and will with our souls — our bodies are just the animation of this our souls are not composite if there is a life after death, then surely the cause of our animation has an existence all it's own even the most common uses of ourselves with our imaginations and memory abstract us from our bodily existence this fact alone suggests an existence of something else... but enclosed with it, yet free from it — independently
this means that the centre to all our interests and desires are in our spiritual side of our nature... that our salvation from this world (or loss of it) is the biggest issue of our pure existence when we let go of our current responsibilities/pressures/etc that surround this holiday season, we can then better let our spirit... our soul... guide our hands/feet/minds/heart
it is not complicated... rather it is clear... letting our soul work through us
you take a strong carpenter in mind/body/soul and pair that with a vintage loving textile reader/writer and what do you have
yes... you are right... I don't have a clue either
My Mom suggested I try "Penny's" to find some curtains... so I spent the afternoon yesterday going here and there and everywhere up in town and came away with nothing from the "new stores"
I just can't do it
I tried Mom... I really did!
now... this is just my opinion... because that's all I have, but those products don't have a soul (as someone recently told me) — yes, you Bryanne! — perfectly stated
so I exhausted my goodwill, salvation army, thrift stores (na-da) pun intended
here's what I'm trying to marry:
+
I definitely found some treasures out yesterday Cracker Jax is still my shop of choice there is always something there that speaks to me isn't that so important? I think so
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"
what kind of conversations are you guys having with your spouses about this past Christmas? is it every any wonder why we keep trying to make this life more simple? more in tune with the natural progression of the year?
this time of year, the new year, we seem to want to make new resolutions/etc... and doing so during the Christmas season... as might be a good idea, it is quite possible that instead of making resolutions on this day, a deeper sense of the reality of who you are and where you are should be determined
meaning
what if instead of putting that pressure upon ourselves, just because others are doing so, we accepted who we are, how we look, and where we live with honor, respect, love and thanksgiving
don't get me wrong... I am the first one to set a goal, do it, and then go on to the next one (especially when it comes to cleaning... like my forgotten pantry which took over four hours the other day)
how about the peace of self
not only will this give you the confidence to go out into the world and be who you want to be, but the pressure is off
i tend to like pressure a bit... sometimes i need it to help me along
but there are times, when all i need to do is step back, and see the situation and just accept it... honor the people involved in it... respect myself... love whatever and whomever is involved... and give thanks for the joy it is bringing me
i don't know about you all, but i'm ready to work at this more and more each... to create an environment that is peaceful and joyful for those near and dear to me
but it will take work
maybe a few tools too... and a lot of patience, fortitude and faith
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...
as a mother, I know what it is like to prepare for a baby
the ultimate joy increases as that feeling of knowing the birth will happen at any moment
it is hard work and uncomfortable at first, adjusting yourself with physical surroundings
taking care of your body with nutrition to the best of your ability
preparing yourself spiritually, mentally, and physically the entire nine months... and when that joyous day comes, when the time finally arrives for you to hold your baby, the pain all goes away
the sorrow is replaced with joy and peace
a deep thanksgiving for that life and that strength God gave you to get through it
such is life and this very day...
Jesus's Mother Mary is quite honestly not honored enough... to think what She had to go through for those nine months... well let's say, it is more than any one single woman has gone through... She completely gave herself to God in order to have Him work through Her...
meditating on this simple fact that Mary, is the Mother of God, still to this day, is important for all of us
to imitate Her grace (she is full of grace)
to imitate Her charity (while heavily expecting she stayed to administer to her cousin Elizabeth)
to imitate Her in love ( she loved all of us so very much in order to help... to aid... in our salvation... if is wasn't for her, none of us who believe in Christ would believe and be saved by Her Son)
when you know a woman who is just about to give birth to a baby, what do you do? some of you may pray for that woman in order for God to give her more strength, a healthy baby, no complications so to speak...
when you know a woman who just gave birth to a baby, what do you do then? hopefully you pray still for the baby and the mother...
my point is... it's not just the baby you pray for
if Mary didn't have the baby, there would be no Scripture, no Bible, no Church
the blood of Mary runs through the veins of Our Lord and Saviour... it was, and never will be separated
how can you separate the light from the sun? you cannot
how can you separate the Mother from the Son then?
let us honor then the Place of the King, and think upon the quiet awaiting of The Baby...
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)
