Souvenirs [Search results for Barn Sale] 

After the event/sale is over... yes, I'm tired, no doubt about that, but during this down time it gives me a chance to think, be calm, and dream
during this whole process, I was surrounded by amazingly talented women that came from New Jersey, Arizona, Colorado, and local towns in Illinois... I am truly inspired!!
What was inspiring??
Their focus
organization
and passion for what they do
their confidence in that fact
I dabble in just about everything from covering candles in burlap and sewing linen dresses to hand embroidering tea towels and setting up this whole event
I can already see my focus changing... defining... and it is all because of those men and women that took the time to come to our farm and be a part here's just a few of the pictures that I took... (if you came to the event and are posting pictures, let me know... I'd love to see them!! and I'll post your link on my sidebar) 

checkout counter... with a linen dress/jacket combo I made and one of Jill Harris' bags that rock my world 



again... 'the rock my world' bag that sold before I could get it, and an original art piece by Jeanne Oliver


a barn wood bench with a metal base that Jason made for the event, and items from both Jennifer Rizzo and Polly Hood


My daughter's and I new line "The Sweet Life"... it was a success for her!! I'm so happy for my sweet daughter!!!!


'the peasant dress' from Jeanne Oliver and hand made crochet tops from Jill Harris — just gorgeously made things
I'm hoping to see more pictures from a few friends that came... I didn't get to take many photographs...
Midwest Living Magazine came out to the event, wrote a story on it, took some fantastic pictures of both the sale and the Art on the Farm with Jeanne Oliver that was taking place in the horse barn... they were so nice and Jason & I are honored they came to our farm...

I took some video with our new video camera during the event... but am having difficulty getting it uploaded — as soon as that is smoothed out I can't wait to share it with you who weren't able to come...
I was asked by a SUPER sweetie named Lauren (hi girl!) what my favorite part of this whole process of the event/barn sale was...

truly it was the togetherness that is felt in the barn

it is the common interests and desires all of us have

how we are all connected

(insert kumbyah here)

so I asked myself when everyone was asleep after braving (and photographing) tornado clouds while sipping red wine and eating a chocolate... okay... so maybe 3 chocolates...
"what can I do to help others be inspired??"

continue my journey in life with my heart

my passion

my faith

so many of you came up to me and said "thank you for doing this"... and honestly... I don't know how to respond to that...

'thank you' would be obvious — and I did say that — but this is just my life, my way of thinking and doing... and you all have no idea how very very special it is for all of us at the event that you came and met us and was a part of this togetherness...

we really are here to help support one another

to encourage

to grow in happiness and holiness

not to be favored, but accepted for who we are, and striving to always be better people

okay, so I got caught up in theology of "Anne's mind on the farm" and all, but it is from my heart that I tell you

it was a wonderful experience having you come here
either in person, or via blog

with much love and blessings,

I recently had some girl friends over... I encourage them to bring a friend... and I'm so glad some of them did... it's so nice to meet new people...

the night of Cupcakes & Cocktails was so nice...

I got to showcase some new recipes for some cupcakes I want to sell in October here at the event...
= lemon and lavendar with a white chocolate/buttercream frosting
= apple pie cupcake with buttercream frosting
= gluten free chocolate cupcake with whipped cream mint frosting (the total favorite with the ladies)
= carrot cupcake with classic cream cheese frosting
= my classic (favorite) chocolate cupcake with white buttercream frosting (the other favorite)

i made these simple flags and inserted them into the cupcakes to let the ladies know what was what

I rearranged the rooms (more on this new look later this week) which was so fun to decorate for the get together

the table Jason made is perfect in the corner of the room for a buffet...

and of course... the cocktail...

when I have the 'hub' in the kitchen, I put my large cutting board on top of my stove, and use it for extra counter space... it works out great...
here's the cocktail I made up (yumoramma... but after 4 o'clock only:) -for one drink — 2 oz. gin 2 T. na.da.farm pure prairie honey 4 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice 4 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
-put all together in your cocktail shaker and shake it up good... serve over ice-

A hit with old and new friends alike!
I would like to thank Midwest Living Magazine for such a nice article on me and the event/barn sale my husband and I do twice a year... thank you!! (there was a 'typo'... we are 80 miles WEST of Chicago, not East:)

The article is in the Out and About Section...


there really was no need for my picture!! 
for more information on the upcoming events, you can follow our homestead website: na.da.farm
What to expect this October here? -ART on the Farm is back again... so very excited about the diversity we are presenting to you — BARN SALE... theme this October?? Prairie Holiday Jason and I are presenting a new area to the event... I'm working hard in the kitchen to offer my very best cupcakes and baked items for sale...
enjoy the day!
xo+blessings,

burdened with life's cares cripples not only your mind but your soul

I'm sure you have seen pictures of and art (especially recently) of birds being released from a cage, or your hands cupping something sacred or fragile

that is because life is so very fragile

the more I "Get Back into Life" the more fragile it seems...
more special...
more sacred...
more beautiful...

beneath the piles of "to-do's" there is a joy... I don't always have the best way of showing that towards others the way I perceive it would be shown

I have this pre-conceived idea of frolicking in the field while jumping... the sun's rays streaming through and hitting and capturing the moment as I am suspended in time of complete and utter joy with no thoughts of anything bad

yes, fairy tale like... or I should say, heaven like

I think this is why so many of us can relate to the current trend of creativity being shown by so many creative women across the world... with their linens hooped tight in their wooden embroidery circle as the needle punches through and makes that satisfying "pop" to their centuries old embellishment technique or modern day free form applique...

relating to the artist with her music of Adele playing just loud enough to hear the kids if need be, her coffee steaming in her favorite mug on that rustic art table she picked up at the flea as her desk is strewn with mixed media... creating

finding the relationship between the beautiful blossoms of the pear grove near their home and capturing a surreal and pretty moment in time by styling a pretty picnic to share with others by publishing a post on their blog...

even if we don't possess these qualities of creativity, we appreciate them

even when we don't have a lick of talent except how to order a 'cafe mocha' and peruse the flea with friends, we appreciate them

appreciating others talents and seeing that brief moment of spark and exclaiming to ourselves or the good friend we're with "oh! I love that!"

that's why

we "love that" because it resonates with something we all share... beauty...

instead of letting this become heavy upon our shoulders that we don't have that person's talent, we snatch their creativity up, and enjoy setting in our home or give it as a gift

this is absolutely the reason why I love doing what I am doing at present...

I may not possess much talent, but I have this ability here on our farm to allow others to bring their beauty to you

this all sounds like a big info-mercial now, and go ahead and take it that way if you are cynical or jealous

but I love this sale and bringing joy to you through inspiration and beauty

I am so very pleased to tell you all that over 20 different people will be here at the sale in May selling their beauty and creativity...

what started as something out of my garage with one neighbor and a few family members the week after the barn burned, to a talked about event from coast to coast in magazines and on the net is a living testimony of the power of positivity, creativity, and the overall community support for local art and products

Wherever you live, visit a local barn sale or flea market... grab that friend or sister or loved one and enjoy the inspiration, beauty and love for amazing local talent.

*part of the proceeds benefits a local charity*

xo+ blessings,

Here's the line up for this October 7th and 8th Barn Sale/Event! Ada Lilly Aprons Carter's Cottage Counting Your Blessings
Gypsy Brocante * Jeanne Oliver Designs * Jennifer Rizzo * Lucid Dream Team Maggie Jane's Vintage nadafarm
RoomsRoomsRooms Simple but Different Tattered Tiques
and musical guest Friday, October 7th 5-8pm by: Greg Wheaton
— in case you live around Chicago, Greg's next performance is Oct. 6th at Hard Rock Cafe -
both Friday and Saturday are also ART on the farm classes with *Jeanne, *Jen, and *Jill as the instructors THIS IS THE LAST DAY to sign up for the fun+fantastic giveaway, so go here!! (2 seats to all art classes+a free night's stay at the hotel+yummy goodies from me:)
Jason and I didn't want to forget to tell you more about a few special additions:
~ the prairie lounge ~ (where you can warm up to not only Greg's music but a homemade cup of soup and enjoy a sweet treat & coffee)
three hours passed me like the swiftness of a cloud's shadow when I did this... peace + blessings,

If you came to this past May's Barn Sale/Event, you would have noticed that Laura, from Verbena Nested Treasures wasn't here selling her items... 

pewter sacred heart, by Laura
why?
the night she was to depart from Florida to up here in Illinois for the sale, her mom had a sudden heart attack
her mom is doing okay now (but prayers would still be lovely to say)
Laura is one of the nicest women... and it shows in her creations she does...
to think that she wanted to be a part of this sale... to be a part of the farm experience with Fifi and all the other ladies! All the way from sunny Florida!!!! 

a whole set of beautiful victorian undergarments... love this!
but divine intervention stepped in... if she wasn't dropping her children off with her Mom that night to get on the airplane, she wouldn't have been there for her Mom so quickly!!! God sure works in mysterious ways
Her special items are all for sale up on her Etsy shop as well as in her store in Florida... if you are able to visit her
We missed you sweet Laura at the event... and we hope your Mom gets completely well soon


a Verbena Nested Treasure for sure you can shop for Laura's items here or visit her blog here

xo+ farm blessings,

• LOCALLY RAISED ALL BEEF HOT DOGS & BRATWURST (Chi-town style)
• ANTIQUES
• VINTAGE ITEMS
• PAINTED FURNITURE
• HAND SEWN BAGS
• CUPCAKES & SWEET TREATS
• PICNIC IDEAS + ITEMS
• HAND PAINTED SILHOUETTES
• ART JOURNALS
• HATS
• SHABBY-CHIC STYLE HOME DECOR
• COLORFUL VINTAGE ITEMS
• CAKE PEDESTALS
• FARMHOUSE DECOR
• CLOTHING — prairie style
• and so much more

~safe travels~

xo+barn sale blessings,
Jason &

and family...

I'm over at Stacey's blog today!! Her style is always inspiring me...
She's kicking off a great home tour with my house... I shared some new pics. of my (in progress) studio space
Stacey and I have known eachother for awhile, both online & in person. She is sweeter and cuter in person than her oh so cute blog!! She even set up a tent here in October for the sale to much success...
I was joking with her that good thing I have these sales so we can get together!! She's teaming up with Mary from Urban Farmgirl and the wonderful ladies at Tattered Tiques at the Barn Sale here in May... yeah!! Their space will be amazing!! (**sale dates: May 18th and 19th**)
have a great time at Stacey's!
in my blog...

xo+blessings,

I put this together so that if you are coming to the sale, you'll know where everyone is:)

(Feel free to print it out)

Farm Barn Sale Vendor Map

Oct.19th 5-8pm & Oct.20th 9-noon

INDOOR VENDOR MAP



Farm Indoor Vendor Map
Friday, October 19th 5-8pm... Saturday, October 20th 9-noon

Anne Marie (of Farm) is in the Bakery (by the musician “J”)
A –Eclectique Boutique (Amy Haines)
B – A Sort of Fairy Tale
C – Red Bird Vintage
D – A Ruffled Nest
E – Rachel Polly
F – Carter’s Cottage
G – Cracker Jax
H – Counting Your Blessings
I – Whimsy

J – Greg Wheaton – musician

K – Francie Skoflanc
L – Lis Dunn Desings
M – Nikki (cake pedestals)
N – Fine Line Antiques
O – Gray Graniteware Farmhouse

P – Penelli Belle, Inc.

OUTDOOR VENDOR MAP

Farm Outdoor Vendor Map
Friday, October 19th 5-8pm... Saturday, October 20th 9-noon
$5 entry fee (part of proceeds benefits local charity)
1 – A Beautiful Party
2 – Rick Hundt
4 – Lis Daun – Lemon Grass Designs

8 – Bags by Margaret
9 – Vintage Farmhouse

10 & 11 –All My Musings
12 – Crazy Acres
13 – Peg Feltes

My parents recently took a trip to Italy...
they "forgot" to bring me
but they did take lots of pictures, which aren't digital, so I can't share them, but let's just say my Mom's photography skills are rather close to a professional..and some of what she has shown me were almost hard to believe! Visiting Tuscany... Venice... having a coffee on the balcony overlooking Venice
like I said... they "forgot" to bring me... and the children... and even my husband

the above picture is not my Mom's painting, however, she paints rather well and I don't know the source of that painting above, but it did spark the idea behind the sale's theme


source unknown
the rich colors of Italy's flowers and buildings are so amazing! who said you can't mix orange and blue?? nature sure didn't say you can't... and Italy screams it at you in such an iconic way

As soon as Mom and Dad returned and showed me their 1,465 photos on a warm summer day on the deck, the inspiration ignited like those colors I have always admired in rich Italian oil paintings (as you know, I collect colorful oil paintings)
Being that I have a historically traveling family heritage, there sure isn't an ounce of Italian in me, but I'm sure my gypsy aunts and uncles stopped by the roadside grotto and had a cuppa on their travels

when Jenn and I were shopping at a local vintage clothing shop right after the October sale, I saw the coolest boho-dress (which I really hope fits me still) and I said I was going to buy it for the May ball, and our two heads combined to come up with the Boho-Ball!
It's all about creativity... color... inspiration...
and not caring what the styles are but being yourself... HAVING FUN!!
That's what this May event is all about... HAVING FUN... and enjoying buying local... shopping... eating... while enjoying the fresh air
kind of what I suppose my Mom and Dad experienced when they shopped the Italian markets without me

Half of the space that my husband Jason and I have designated the sale area of the barn, is what we like to call the "Market" 

a dream market... photo by Finn Lyngensen
in the market you will find these AWESOME dealers... and just like the gypsies they are, they are traveling from all over!!
~ Traci and Mark (from Morris, IL and Geneva, IL)
~ Denise and Janice (from Geneva, IL)
~ Jeanine Burkhardt... CHippY ShaBbY!! (from Wisconsin)
~ Laura... Verbena Tested Treasures (from Florida)
These dealers will be selling their wares in the "Market" area of the barn and will be separate from the other space designated as "the Shop" (but that's for another post... soon!)

ever since last October, I have been planning this "Market"... with flowers, herbs, & baked goods made by me... and we'll be serving lunch as well for a nominal fee...
and no, I won't be selling my cured hams from the barn rafters... not this year at least...

market in san lorenzo
if the weather is nice, there will be blankets available for you to borrow and take out to the prairie for a picnic... anywhere you want in the prairie... to soak up the sunshine... time with friends and enjoy your afternoon out at the farm... (sir Charles the rooster won't mind a bit if you share your crackers with him and his gal)...

My Mom is out here today and she has the best ideas... and we are going out to the "Market" and "the Shop" so she can help me feel left out she went to Italy with my Dad and "forgot" to bring me

and to help decorate

Hope you can make it to the "Market" to see the amazing finds they are bringing!! Jason and I won't buy all of the awesomeness
we'll save some for you:)
enjoy the day!
xo+farm blessings,

Out of the generosity of their hearts... for the love of creating... the passion for teaching... and because you all deserve a little time away...
Jeanne, Jen and Jill are giving away a package worth $500!!!

This is in conjuction with the October 7th and 8th Barn Sale/Event (45 min. West of Geneva, IL)

Can you believe it???

To make it a little more special, Jason and I are giving the winner VIP parking up by all the fun + some homemade goodness... we're putting extra care into your winnings!
(a little hint: it'll be so sweet...)

The winner will receive 2 SPOTS FOR EACH OF THE 2 DAYS OF ART classes... AND You will also get a FREE HOTEL ROOM courtesy of the three of them at the 4 star hotel: Holiday Inn Express! To enter the giveaway all you have to do is:
1. Blog about the Art on the Farm classes at the NaDa Farm Sale and the Girls Weekend Giveaway. Once you have blogged about it come here to my blog and let us know.
or
2. Talk about the art classes and giveaway on Twitter for a second entry! Once you have talked about it let us know here on my blog.
or
3. Talk about the art classes and giveaway on Facebook for a third entry. Once you have talked about it on Facebook come back and let us know here on my blog. or
4. Pin it to Pinterest! Once you have pinned it, come back and let us know here on my blog.

All entries to be entered here (on Anne Marie's blog) only make sure you leave a comment for each entry you do
DRAWING WILL END THIS FRIDAY! (Sept 23rd... at midnight)

Classes are filling up quickly as the NaDa Farm Sale date is getting closer.

If you want to sign up for the art of business, vintage journal or vintage mixed media class you can email Jeanne at Jeanneoli@hotmail.com to register.

If you want to sign up for Jennifer Rizzo's Reflections of the Prairie class you can email her at thecraftyhome@comcast.net.

To sign up for Jill Harris' Salvaged Treasures class you go can directly HERE to sign up.

***GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY!

Can't wait to see who wins!! peace+blessings,

the great thing about this May Barn Sale is that I am doing all these things 'solo'
well, my daughter (who's now 13) is crafting/sewing/throwing ideas along with me

but how fun it has been gathering vintage fabrics/sheets/linens and re-purposing them
I made the sign above for over my bakery
I am giving myself the whole section where the feathers are drawn
— lots and lots of space -
— lots and lots of delicious cupcakes/pies/pie pops/cakes/cookies -
tested and tried on friends and family, these sweet treats are yum yum

so are these pom poms! and the garland I made with them

I am doing what I please with this sale
my sister and good friend will be helping me in the bakery too... I couldn't be more excited
really excited
I'm heading out there now (to the barn) to measure up something and get things ready
it's all so relaxed this time... what a blessing that has been...
I'm working on a post, that will show a list of all the dealers — nearly 20 people selling here this time -
20

speaking of items... I went into Hobby Lobby yesterday with my oldest son — he looking for modeling brushes, and me looking for a certain frosting tip that has mysteriously disappeared
all I have to say is that yes, you can purchase a $12 pillow that is all cute... but made in China — massed produced — not original
in this day and age with so much of that everywhere... it's easy to just plunk down your debit card and purchase that pillow — it even will be cute on your sofa — but what about supporting our country supporting our women and men who are trying to be at home with their kids what about the amount of petroleum spent on hauling that mass produced stuff here?
it seems awfully strange that anyone would purchase that stuff still
would you rather have a burger that is locally grown meat with a homemade fresh bun? or would you like a frozen pattie made with 'pink slime' slapped on a mushy bun with unripened tomatoes and ketchup with artificial dyes, that was all imported from another country
I say the first option sounds not only tastier, but more fulfilling
don't you agree??
don't we want to help others locally?? don't we want to show our children quality items? that helping others is one of this great nation's qualities?
yes we do
{and beware of those who have sales with neat looking stuff} {{reproductions are really hard to spot these days}} what looks like something from France may not be
and unfortunately, I do think some people are pulling the wool over your eyes ... they have pulled it up over mine too... (and did you know it is perfectly acceptable to ask the seller "is this made in China")
anyone with a tax id can purchase wholesale from many different companies who sell neat looking stuff but that is all it is "neat looking"
meanwhile, you have that mom down the street from you who wants to be home with her kids, is super creative, but her items are not selling because you already bought something similar from China because it was a bit cheaper (do you know why it was cheaper? because the men and women making those items are getting paid practically nothing)
why?
why are people still doing this??
Jason and I have requested to all dealers not to sell things like that here what is the creativeness in that? how is that art? how is that unique?
I don't have a problem with some items made in China, but if you can get the same thing from someone local then it is a no brainer to me
don't you agree???

God bless Hobby Lobby for staying a Christian company, and showing that they are thank you for that (I appreciate it so much, and that is exactly why I shopped there yesterday)

thought I was going to write about how ranunculas are one of my favorite flowers...

however... the girl's and their horses are capturing my complete attention this morning

I'm also researching herb gardens planted on or in concrete and am very intrigued by this idea... because as you know we have the old barn foundation...

my oldest daughter took this above photo of Gilberta, and I haven't ever looked at it from this angle
I have been wanting to plant in the cracks or do something with this foundation ever since the fire, but there are so many other important things to do here, it would be frivolity to do it now... but... that would be such a good use of the heat from the concrete... so we will see...
By the way... Gilberta is laying so many eggs, I might even put a few out for sale at the barn sale! Isn't she so pretty??
xo+ blessings,

recently moved up from North Carolina, his hands have been busy all his life outdoors...

he lived in a one bedroom cabin in the mountains of Colorado for almost 10 years

he was a river rafter guide down the Colorado river

he was a chef

he hiked the Colorado trail... the whole thing

he is close to the Earth

he is close to God

I know!! doesn't he sound like the coolest guy?? we think so... we love him...

I only had sisters growing up, so having a brother is awesome... he is my brother by marriage... such an amazing person... he teaches me a lot about life (I've told him many times I can't wait to read the book he will write about his life... hee)

brothers
he's done so much in his life... & that character comes out in his hand carved spoons he's been doing with Jason

they sit out there in the barn and carve, talk, and mold a log into a utilitarian beautiful creation

he made this baby spoon...

I cannot tell you how excited I was to see he had done that!! If you have a baby that is starting to eat solids, or a toddler using a utensil for the first time, you understand how it just doesn't seem right to use plastic!!
I have been using silver spoons — which I like — but they are hard... metal... so this soft yet hard wooden spoon is perfect... in every way
If you are coming to the barn sale, not only is he going to be grilling some local meats for your supper or lunch, he'll be selling a few of his spoons too
he also hand carved this amazing spoon... "the serving scoop" scoop anything you like... ice cream... risotto... fresh cobbler...

it's so interesting to see the different shapes and finishes the spoons get turned into... it really does mimic their personalities... just like any artistic endeavor

whenever you create something by hand, the character comes out

hope you are all enjoying this beautiful spring day... I have more planting to do, and I can't wait to share with you all the improvements to my kitchen garden...

xo+blessings,

Everyone is welcome!
If you are bringing a stroller, you will have room to push it through, but please note that there is a gravel drive and 1/2 of the barn is gravel flooring as well.

If there is someone you are bringing that is handicap, just come to the gates, tell the 'gate keepers' and they'll let you in.

We are all setting up and getting ready... I cannot wait to show you all the talent of these amazing men and women...

2423 South Woodlawn Road,
Esmond, IL. 60129
(watch for signs for Barn Sale!)

tonight 5-8pm
Saturday 9-2pm

peace + blessings!

Kara... a kindred soul to be sure... a friend of mine... has opened up her brick farmhouse for a unique event and if I could, I would be there in a heart beat!!!


click on image to see more about Kara's event! helping support one another is vital to life... and Kara is one of those women who inspires me with her love for God, and her amazing talents and style

Kara almost gathered her uniqueness to the farm to be a part of my sale, but with little ones, it was just too hard to leave them... and I most heartily agree how difficult that would be! so she decided to host an event on her own... and I am so very proud of her for doing so... and so wish I could be there... (make sure you click on the image to see more about her event!!)

Vendors are securing their places here at the farm... they will be lining our gravel drive to the sale barn... where more dealers will be amongst the stillness of the prairie and the sights and sounds of the farm.

For those of you attending the art classes here (limited spaces! reserve your place today!!!) the entrance fee is waived of course to come and shop:) Make sure you bring a cozy sweater to enjoy that morning cup of coffee at Jen's art under glass class — what an awesome class this is! don't miss it!! Jill Harris is packing up her amazing pieces of found objects to create with you some unique jewelry and Jeanne will be here on the farm that weekend to teach once again... she so enjoyed her time here on the farm with you gals at the class this past May, and didn't want to miss this opportunity to enjoy the autumn prairie and create with you again.

To sign up for Jen's class email her at: thecraftyhome@comcast.net
To sign up for Jill's class email her at: gypsyfleamarket@gmail.com
To sign up for Jeanne's class(es) email her at: jeanneoli@hotmail.com

The weather is PERFECT today... and can't wait to get out to the barn after our studies are done!!

If you have any questions about coming to the event, I would be more than happy to answer them for you. Just email me at: ndfmama@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE!! IF YOU ARE COMING TO THE FARM AND PLAN ON STAYING OVERNIGHT... THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS WILL BE EXPIRING THE DISCOUNT IF YOU DO NOT RESERVE YOUR ROOM BY SEPTEMBER 23RD... so reserve your room today!!!

be back soon with pictures of the barn
xo+blessings,

that is our hope for all of you at the upcoming show we are hosting for all of these fabulous people

HERE'S A LIST OF OUR INSPIRING VENDORS that will be joining us for October 2012 Barn Sale/Flea Market in no particular order...
ANTIQUES, VINTAGE, RE PURPOSED, RUSTY AND COOL... Cracker Jax Counting your Blessings Eclectique Boutique A Sort of Fairytale A Beautiful Party Gray Graniteware Farmhouse Lis Dunn Designs Simple but Different Lemon Grass Designs Whimsical Perspective Red Bird Vintage Rachel Polly 'bags by Margaret' Carter's Cottage Nikki Sisk and Nancy Bratcher A Ruffled Nest Fabbychic All My Musings Fine Line Antiques Francie Skoflanc Peg Feltes
FOOD LIST:

Steve from Farm Food
(serving locally raised all beef hot dogs)

Anne Marie from Farm
(serving coffee, hot cider, gluten free cupcakes, regular cupcakes, cakes, pies, pie pops, etc)

Christina from Simple but Different
(working along side Anne Marie... because she's my sister and we love her baking!!)

there will also be warm apple cider and coffee

I'll be sharing pictures here and on this blog for the next 2 weeks

Greg Wheaton is gracing us with his soulful music for both days this October!!
you can check him out here
(his CD's will be for sale... but they do sell out quickly)

we hope to see you here...

practicing for the upcoming May Barn Sale, my family is thoroughly enjoying these extra large salad plate size cinnamon rolls... smothered with a powdered sugar glaze... oh my hips!

I am always amazed when working with dough... the yeast just blows my mind... so fun to work with

one takes up a whole salad plate!!

the inside, even though enormous in size, were perfectly flaky... a must!!!

as you can see... our family of eight... all of us... and some of us eager participants liked them twice! imagine?! not I..no... no... this girly figure is perfectly womanly enough thank you very much
(but one was like 2 regular so what the heck)

seriously cannot believe it's Friday already! this morning I am securing all the dealers for the sale... they are all picking out which space they'd like, and reserving them... it's quite chaotic I must say for about 3 hours...
there is so much to share with all of you lately... and I'd like to do that next week...

if you are new to reading my blog, hello! and if you are a "seasoned" reader, thank you... all of everyone's feedback with my questionnaire about content was so fantastic... and I took it all to heart, prayed on it, and am now acting upon all of the ideas/thoughts/pondering...

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!!

peace + blessings,

a sense of disorientation as the first morning approached... a million different birds were chirping at the park we camped in the first night

albeit, the tents were set up at 12midnight and a scurry of sleeping bags and pj's flying everywhere

an owl called in the tree above us at to say "ssshhh" — a wonderful distraction for the four year old excited with loud voice (per usual) as I sat there and held onto his shoulders while nursing Daniel and said "listen to mother owl... she's talking... shhh"

as the sun rose and the birds chatter started, we too started chattering and making that beloved hot cocoa and coffee and took a walk amongst the tall trees and the chattering birds... down at the water there were fish bones and shells and a stillness to the water

being still sounded appealing to me instead of packing up the gear and into the "unknown wilderness"

i felt on this trip like 1/2 pioneer and 1/2 gypsy...

i wouldn't change the views we had for anything... but neither would i have changed the experience...

the trip wasn't perfect... such as life... it was like God knew what I needed... what Jason needed... what all the kids needed...

all eight of us had a different experience but interconnected from living outdoors... working together with meal preparation, camp setups, calming the young ones in the car, listening to stories...

a very real experience that was so life changing it's quite difficult for me to even share it the way I would like...
besides, all the photographs I took would constitute a large coffee table book that you could literally use as a table due to the thickness it would be

i felt like the 'nature paparazzi' — and at times, 'mother moose' got her fair share of the limelight

so much is still sinking in

and as much as I would like to just write and sit and contemplate, I have school books neatly arranged on the dining room table and am very anxiously awaiting the school bell to ring "officially" (though, I would say the children learned more from our spelunking guide in the caverns then they possibly did the last two years of studying rock/natural formations in science with me)

with the barn sale fast approaching (one month away) that is a whole other set of distractions from the camping experience/journey

the early rise in the mountains will hopefully stick with me for some time... as will the giving of my whole self to my children and husband, even when 8,564 feet above sea level while kayaking on the lake in the Big Horn Mountains...

peace + early rise blessings,

I'm so thrilled to tell you that I am expanding on this conceptual journey of 'beauty'

putting together a room, with all it's rearranging of furniture and the play of light on a certain chair, or the way the bookcase it now highlighted by your side lamp all invokes a story of how you visual your space

yes, I am rearranging again

this room is awesome with the archway... and I keep trying to incorporate that space into the living room space (as you see, it's the living room again:) however, the coziness keeps telling me to embrace that beauty of coziness!!

it's high time that the blue floral couch from 1940 gets moved out... it just doesn't fit my decor anymore

and the hutch... it has housed crafts, silver, everyday dishes, bowls, and now is in the living room waiting...
poor thing

baby Daniel is thoroughly confused and delighted to have a plethora of crawling space (notice the 'moving men' under the couch)
my current (material) desires are to achieve an earthy easy elegance into this farmhouse with softness

here's some of my inspiration:

I've always been a great 'lover' of things black and white, and would love to add some more of that into the house... 

designtoinspire.net 

this photo has it (almost) all of what I'm thinking: natural wood, black, white, texture, a bit of industrial, clean + simple (what it is lacking is more color) 

skema this entry has the red I really like, the antique piece, the natural wood around doorway, the pops of color... and though paisley might be "out" I still think this looks great 

Canadian house to home

as soon as I saw this, I instantly wanted to put up some more of my oil paintings... good thing I didn't put them out to sell them at the barn sale!

country living
the open shelving idea is really striking a chord with me, there's talk of using remaining wood from the sunroom remodel (douglas fir) for the shelves 

countryliving

beautifullife


~have a great rest of the day~
peace + blessings,