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)
farm... we work it, enjoy it, live it, learn from it, and be it our farm is just for us... the eight of us here every day, but share it with so many others
food... from all the work we put into the farm, we are then able to put it on our table... through the food we create daily for each other & the local farms around us, and also for those who come to our table to experience a taste of farm food... farm food
fashion... we love to sew, have a devotion to slowing things down and using the needle and thread in our hands at times, appreciate the history behind the traditions of this practice, and are practical with what we put on, and how we put it together... all of us...
all three of these elements... farm... food... fashion
a new article in the pages of Where Women Cook Magazine
all photographed by my very good friend Traci Thorson
it's nothing fancy, or hard to create, be, cook or wear
it's farm, food & fashion written by me, Anne Marie
the debut article is 'The Slow Rhythm of Oatmeal & Cozy Knits"...
I'm honored to work with Jo Packham on this project, and be included in her magazine for the current issue that just debuted this month, and for the year of 2013
you will be able to have some farm, food & fashion each issue
the sweet Zaira posted this today, and I had to share it with you too... (she has such a beautiful blog too!!)
I'm a huge fan of Loretta's work because of Zaira, (and a blog follower as well), and this photo shoot has my mind into a whole other world right now... everything about this photograph styling is conjuring up a great story...
click on picture to see more of Loretta's photography: this is my favorite one... I have spent many a morning with my babushka on making pastry of some kind (not this beautiful to look at, but I "feel" this picture)
AND I HAD TO SHARE WITH YOU A VERY GOOD FRIEND IN ITALY: FRA AND HER ABSOLUTELY WARMING LIVING ROOM!! (click on image to visit her fireside!)
isn't it lovely??? she's expecting in Febuary, and I would love nothing more than to be by the fire with her and drink our hot cocoa together!!!
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,
The whole concept behind my master bedroom is to "un-decorate"...
like I told Lulu over the phone ******* (which was so hilarious, because she literally took me out to a healthy breakfast, a ride across part of California all while taking care of her precious son while on the phone... I loved it Lu!) ******* that my great admiration for so many beautiful fabrics tempts me so often to buy these sumptuous fabrics, but I do NOT desire to have a bedroom that is 'decorated', but nicely put together with good design elements in mind.
Which is why I also thought of Lulu, from Dusty Lu Interiors her and her husband have their own design business, but beyond that, I have seen what Lulu does on the inside of her own home (as you will see in the pictures in this post... they are all of her home) *her answers are also in italics* 1) When you design your rooms, do you have a focal point? Yes, I look for a focal point every room, or I make one, with a large piece of furniture, architecture like a fireplace mantel, artwork, etc. and center it.
2) How do you achieve an understated feminine approach to your style? Easy, simplicity with detail.
3) what would you classify your style as? I really don't like to nail down one specific style I like, because my taste evolves all the time. One thing I know is certain I love and try to incorporate white into my designs.
4) how do you achieve an overall cohesive look to your home? I buy what I love, and when you do that it all comes together and you can never go wrong.
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? First, I would like to say I enjoyed our conversation very much the other day on the phone. It gave me a chance to get to know you better, you are very genuine and so nice. When I spoke to you we suggested using a silver or silver blue paint color, I recently used both colors in two homes I helped design and decorate. When I design spaces I try to make it both masculine and feminine. When designing a bedroom, I believe it is a very personal space, and you need to consider both parties. I suggested keeping your gorgeous dark walnut sleigh bed to add that masculine touch and adding pretty fabrics for a feminine touch. The paint colors can go both ways, and when you accessories you can bring in natural elements to anchor the room and that can add both a feminine and masculine feel.
6)what elements would you include in your design plan? I love the use of symmetry especially in a bedroom, it gives an overall calming affect.
Lulu and I are digging a little deeper into the design now and actually picking out paint colors and furniture placement... and this could not be more fun! If you haven't visited Lulu's online journal, then you may not know some really cool things about her! Like her constant zeal for learning — she's always taking these awesome classes that she shares with her readers (the last one being photography which was so interesting to me)... her home has been featured in magazines and on the Internet why is there a picture of Rachel here?
because Lulu has also has been Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture photographer for many projects... the great things about having a job like that, is that it keeps her at home (where she wants to be) with her son. She's expecting her second baby and I couldn't be more thrilled (and somewhat disappointed she won't be making the trip here to Illinois in May — lol) Her schedule sounds so busy, seriously, and for her to take the time to help me like this, is just so amazing to me... thank you Lulu... it really means a lot... xo+blessings,
I received a package from Jo Packham, the woman behind putting together Where Women Cook Magazine, and she sent me 2 copies of Where Women Cook...
one for me and one for YOU!!
this magazine is so well put together... and I don't know about you, but I read a cookbook like a book... and this one has a lot of great articles, fantastic photography, and delicious recipes!!!!
If you would like a free copy of Where Women Cook, the current issue, then you get one chance, with one comment if you are anonymous, then leave me your email address in the comment
INCLUDED IN THIS GIVEAWAY: :: The current issue of Where Women Cook (Cannelle et Vanille is on the cover!)
ONLY SHIPPING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES... no over seas entries will be considered...
GIVEAWAY ENDS TONIGHT, December 5th... at 12 midnight
God speed! (because there is no such thing as luck)
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,
I am constantly impressed with the inspiration out there for this farm girl stuck on the frozen tundra (but lovin' it), and able to access so many people from all across the world for Christmas decorating ideas is just like a Christmas present to me!!!
All of you guys are awesome... these are just some of the women who impressed me with staying true to their style this holiday season... Enjoy! (most pictures here are labeled on the photographs by the blog they are from)
o
a fantastic idea with leftover fabrics for the perfect gift bag...
office type
manon21
paige at simple thoughts By the way... I opened up a new journal, called Farm Kitchen... for some recipes and farm goodness:) click on the image to visit...
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)
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
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,
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
comes at a time when you are least expecting it... like conceiving a baby or falling love (preferably falling in love first)
so many of us are removed from our heritage — well, i am -
i don't live in Hungary or Ireland, and cannot step outdoors and run my hands against the ancient stones that were laid upon the church's walls hundreds of years ago
photograph taken on our travels to Idaho here where I live, on our little farmette... if felt as though there was more of a history when the barn was still standing... we do have a corn crib that is quite old... which i am certainly not complaining about to have instead all of that is physical history... things you can touch and feel... what i am talking about is finding my culture within
within who i am... all of me
it's kind of exhilarating thinking of that... the foods that i both create and crave... the clothes i both make and wear... the faith i both live and breathe i could dedicate a whole book written on finding my culture within... i do think so many of us who like to journal our lives onto the net for anyone to read should not be scared... we shouldn't hold back ourselves...
there is strength within all of us to just embrace who we are and the culture we have made for ourselves why? because it's exposing ourselves why also? because we are able to look at whatever images we wish and read whatever we'd like to form this culture
it's not our ethnicity, that will never change... that's in our blood
it's our own personal workings in our daily lives that makes up our culture and it's intellectual activities
preserving the last of the herbs... photo taken by daughteri would like to say
i have a lot
there is so much
both spiritually and materially that i am changing... doing... being
my days have been consumed with this life/vocation/existence but still i change
my mind starts to wander and think... of me...
never... ever... is this a good idea
it's like i put this self made cross (which is quite heavy) upon myself and absolutely refuse to have help in carrying it
that's not a cross from Him, but of my own design...
my father has been in the hospital now for 21 days... his cross is real... and he is letting others help him carry it... he doesn't have the strength to carry it himself...
this all has happened not only for my father, but for all involved in his life...
isn't it always the case... where you are more than willing to help others carry their cross, but when you start to feel the weight, you bear it yourself, because you think you can do it
i don't know about others, but, i can't do it alone
so so much i am working on... trying to listen and be obedient... giving in to the circumstances of life
so much on my mind that i can't even journal it all... my journal has been neglected bedside for weeks
the trivial things of worry and concern are nothing compared to what my mother has been going through seeing her husband... my dad... go through such a trying time...
this all has happened not only for my father, but for all involved in his life...
those socks still need mending, the meals done, the last of the herbs harvested, math lessons completed, prayers of thanks to be earnestly said
the worry and the mind wander and the thoughts can 'hang out' for awhile in my mind, but ultimately it is not necessary or needed...
the best way to put my thoughts coherently is by none other than C.S. Lewis... “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
(I will be discussing this all through this week...)
After you have harvested your herbs -dry them in a very dark place — hang them or put them in a paper bag — top open — until brittle
grab your most cheerful child at that moment...
crumple crumple crumple
(just sit back with your fresh cup of tea and take your cheerful child's photograph... encouraging them along the way with tales of adventure)
we have so much sage that we use large plastic bags to preserve them
the more delicate (and not as abundant here on the farm) herbs get to reside over winter in beautiful blue mason jars... respectively...
To confess: autumn is my absolute favorite in the garden... we are organically growing our vegetables, so at this time of year I can gloriously pull off a slug here and there on the pepper plants and throw them to the chickens since we have had a frost already, there aren't any other bugs (hallelujah) but it's now time for cleanup and more garlic to plant I'm hoping to find some time today to sew a pair of booties for Daniel and even my own cloth diapers (from an old sweater:) peace + blessings,
when I recently switched the dining and living rooms, the 'new' dining room had been sorely forgotten with creating a space to reflect the season/farm/us
friends of ours were having a garage sale... a nearby farm... and this little $35 table was just what this room needed
she even gave the kids and me free pumpkins... thanks Mary! {{ a bit of country
{{ nests and gathered feathers from years on the farm
(here's a funny tidbit of a story involving the non-coincidence of our "campers": our friends John and Mary came by about a week ago to drop off the flyer of their garage sale they were having because Jason forgot to tell me the details — and that very day, the male "camper" that is here found out that he needed to get a new crankshaft... their engine is literally out of their truck... the whole thing... and John is a mechanist... he has a barn dedicated to this purpose... he fixes up vintage cars for a living... a shop to make any car lover drool... so their engine is now residing on another farm while they live in our barn in their camper — where it is warm and he can clean his tools and parts of the engine... basically... if John and Mary hadn't come over to give me that flyer, we might have totally forgot that he would be able to re-work the engine for the campers and order the necessary parts... isn't that just so amazing??)
truth be told... it's been a rough few weeks... (nothing to do with our new camper friends here)
gone are the warm sunny mornings with busy hands in the garden... I am running on this lonely habit of preparing... preparing meals and more food in the potager... putting up swags and hay couches
having the 'campers' here from Colorado for the past few weeks, with her being a spry 26 year old, I understand even more these miles and years that have separated me from my youth... oh good gravy... like I'm old or something? no, i know that i am not old... but i can't help but feel my bones more... the shape of my hands — the wrinkles on my face — the heart hurting from a recent blow of betrayal... all of these things have shaped the last two weeks since the sale and by gosh did i need to decorate and make things fresh
here's two of my pumpkins now...
changing up my surroundings makes me forget second guessing myself + my strength + my loves
family... friends... feathers... finds from the farm (that's a lot of 'f''s)
here's to a fabulous fall weekend... and enjoying that hot cup of coffee in the chilly mornings and another big thank you to all of you who have given me your sentiments about the farms through emails, letters in the mail and sharing your photographs... we had such a great time with you all here!!
but just from other people:) so many of you came and took photographs... and I would so love to see them... If you have photographs to share of this past weekend, and would like to share, leave a comment here with the link to your post if you would like, and I'll be right over...
