slow cooked lamb shanks... asparagus with Hollandaise sauce... white bean ragout... homemade fettuccine... warm rhubarb-Bourbon compote with vanilla ice cream
That is what I served for Fifi O'Neill and Mark Lohman (a friend and the wonderful photographer of this book), and our other guests that filled the long farmhouse table outdoors, at a farm to table style dinner late last spring. All those recipes are now in Fifi's new book, The Romantic Prairie Cookbook It was a pleasure having Fifi over for dinner again, and though there were some mishaps (like my oven breaking down) it all was meant to be that way. The recipes in the oven had to be changed quickly, and a quick trip to the garden inspired me, and from the reaction from our guests, they were more than happy with the results. I'm honored to have been in this book. Like Fifi's description of the book: "Field-fresh recipes and homespun settings"
here are a few shots from the rhubarb-bourbon compote...
this will be my 'go to' cookbook this 2012... there are some really great recipes and beautiful settings in here...
thank you so much Fifi for asking me to be in this cookbook it was such a pleasure preparing the food... and bringing it all to table xo+blessings,
Christina Strutt, of Cabbages and Roses is having a giveaway on her blog... go HERE... to have a chance to win Fifi's new book!!
You can read a little more about the book and Fifi in her interview (thank you so much ladies, for mentioning 'Anne Marie' and linking your post to me)
Christina wrote the forward in the book... I can't wait to get a copy... can you?? If you don't win the giveaway, you can purchase your copy for only $17.20 on Amazon right now go HERE to order your copy
How so very wonderful that the connections people share if you are genuine in spirit, the connections last and are real... ~have a beautiful Sunday~ xo+blessings,
This front room used to be the old front porch of this house (to read more about it's history — and some divine intervention — go here) Since Jill is doing a Porch Party every Monday, I thought I'd join in on the fun with pictures of my thrown together front room/porch/baby and I room...
only things that were bought was a dresser and the two glass lamps everything else was literally thrown together to make a comfortable and feminine room for me and the baby to cuddle... dream... and enjoy our first few months together
the couch is vintage (our first purchase as a married couple) my collection of mirrors I used in here as well as some of my favorite trim to add some texture and interest to some pretty boring lampshades...
my grandmother's antique egg cup adds a bit of color
this bed was a gift for my daughter a number of years ago... I really like the dark wood tones against the pink! This pink fabric was originally purchased for the Patisserie I designed... and never... NEVER thought it would be made into a coverlet for a bed I would sleep in... (didn't I tell you I was totally into pink lately?)
the fabric is taffeta... and feels like I am slipping into a ball gown when I get into bed...
bedside...
when I first started this room it was minimal bare... and I just couldn't help putting some of my favorite items in our home in that room there is no 'rhyme or reason'... golds... metal... dark wood... painted items... I let my gypsy soul go
a crocheted caplet my sweet grandmother made for me!
this is one of the items I purchased for the room... a $60 dresser bought locally — and all it needed was a scrubbing now it is perfect for a changing area
As the weather warms up... I'm looking forward to opening all of these wonderful casement windows and hearing the birds awaken in the morning and smell the flowers outdoors it has a terrifc view of the potager as well
Do you have an area of your home you want just for you? Just start bringing some of your favorite items into that space and you'll be surprised at how much you love it... xo+blessings,
To see what this room has looked like before go: HERE or HERE or HERE or what until you see Romantic Prairie Style (book by Fifi O'Neill)
Farmstyle can be romantic, and Polly Hood has shown us just that
she also joined us here at the farm when she participated in the event last October...
these were the coolest tags she made just for the saleshe brought some amazing architectural pieces... hand made items... even a light made out of an antique pinafore... all the while looking stunning in her Magnolia Pearl dress her husband Steve bought for her (what a great guy he is!) We are the ones Counting Our Blessings... because we are just so excited to have her back this May... with her Romantic Farmstyle here's some of the items she's planning on bringing...
I love the touch of gypsy love with the feathers...
(I also think she takes wonderful photographs)
She and her husband own and operate French Cupboard... an online shop featuring many wonderfully talented people (kind of like Etsy) AND In her spare time, she travels around the country searching out treasures to sell online, and now, for the farm here, all the while taking photographs and gathering some great information and compiles them into PORCH magazine:
Visit/shop French Cupboard HERE Follow along with Polly's romantic farmstyle HERE and order her PORCH magazine, go HERE If you missed meeting all the dealers joining me in the barn this May... or just want some great shopping... just scroll down my blog... I featured a dealer every day... The Farm Family is growing isn't it??? *no baby yet* but my midwife says any day My husband and I wish you all the best of weekends
I have to admit, that when Fifi contacted me, I thought it wouldn't go right... that she wouldn't like it... I was out in the garden, nails full of dirt, and hot and tired from working out in the garden when my husband called to me "Fifi's on the phone" I started laughing... it just didn't even sound right!... but it was for real... she started talking to me and her voice was so sweet... and she was so genuine... and she put me at ease immediately asking me questions about our farm I answered the best I could, but it all didn't sound worth it for being in a book... so I asked Fifi if I was going to be in the 'decorating no-no section' or the 'romantic faux pauxs' seriously but she laughed and said "i don't think so sweetheart" afterall, I knew the other women who were going to be featured in the book... and I knew that their talent and creativity and decorating skills far excel mine but here we are... she did like our home, and actually did put it in the book...
after a day of photography shoots in and out of the farmhouse, we gathered some elements from inside and actually brought them outside to our prairie we have in the back 3 acres, for a fantastic candlelit dinner shot ... it really was so romantic... so Romantic Prairie Style
we then enjoyed dinner on our deck with both Fifi and Mark... and the next day, our little 5 year old daughter asked when "Uncle Mark" was coming back (she missed him already... and seriously thought he was her uncle... so cute!) both Mark and Fifi are a part of our family now... part of our memories here on our prairie, and I hope when you see our home in Fifi's book, that you feel a part of our life here too... no amount of money could buy the gifts I have received by knowing this sweet lady...
SO WHAT'S THE GIVEAWAY???
A SIGNED COPY OF HER NEW BOOK! enter the giveaway by: * taking the giveaway button and placing it on your sidebar, and linking it back to this post * leave a comment here sharing with Fifi and I what you love (if you wish) Deadline is: February 11th, 2011... 12/midnight Winner announced: February 14th (Saint Valentines Day)
PLEASE NOTE: that the book will not be published until the end of April, and the winner of this giveaway will be mailed a signed copy shortly after the release date... and remember, that Fifi and Mark will both be here at the farm May 20th and 21st for the Farm Event! They will be selling and signing copies here both days... if you want to book your stay for the event, then go HERE ROOMS ARE GOING FAST! (limited rooms available) All the best... xo+blessings, Fifi and
AND BY THE WAY... I'm linking this post to my friend Jenn's fantastic party!! go HERE to join in on the fun!
