Souvenirs [Search results for Christmas] 

the feeling of Christmas has started early here...

it started as soon as that wonderful smell of gingerbread was baking in my oven

what is it about these little guys that makes me chuckle? they are funny to me... little gingerbread people

i adapted an old recipe i had and am super happy with the way they came out... fluffy/thick/delicious!

i will be selling them all bagged up and ready for you at Christmas in the Alley this weekend in Sycamore

If you haven't been to Sherrie's store, A Ruffled Nest, it is completely all decked out for Christmas... as I have been over there helping her get things ready... all I can say is it is SO fun in there and having other dealers participate next door amongst the twinkly lights and live sounds of Christmas... going in and out of the old brick buildings while meandering through all the Christmas decorations... well... it's going to be so much fun I cannot wait!

My daughter has made the most delicious homemade hot cocoa mixes she has nestled inside vintage mugs that will be there for sale at Christmas in the Alley...

each mug with 2 generous helpings of cocoa for those chilly evenings (with mini marshmallows and a candy cane:) are $10 each

she has also made some snow globes from vintage mason jars! (I'll be sharing that tomorrow)

Jason has also been working on some terrific handmade/ hand carved gifts...

there are knives, baby spoons, honey dippers, serving spoons, buttons, lunch boards, cutting boards, rolling pins... We are so very excited to share these with you!!

more information on all of Jason's hand carved items and the other items, will be all up this week...

everyone is feeling creative... and getting back to crocheting and knitting in the early mornings before we start school...

there is always a hearty breakfast... and to see the kids work together like this every morning warms my heart more than any cup of coffee...

on a personal note, a new fitness regime has started... and it's due to how baby Daniel isn't snuggling up to his Mama to nurse any longer... it's always such a sad time for me... I already miss him warm in my arms... his independence is surfacing... as is his personality!! He has this laugh that is hilarious... like a sneaky laugh "hah hah"... if I can catch him, I'll record it, because it cracks me up...

he'll sit there in my bedroom and hide from me... I'll say "where's Daniel... I don't see him anywhere??" and I hear in the closet a slight "hah hah"...

I don't know what is going to be more time consuming for me this week;
preparing for Advent
or baking for Christmas in the Alley

I have been changing up the decorating around here too... it's been a lot of fun putting up new curtains... moving furniture... totally changing up my bedroom too...

sharing all of it in good time...

hope you all had wonderful Thanksgiving weekend... we all needed that break around here!!!!

xo+ a bit of Christmas blessings,

one of our favorite dinners this time of year is what I shared in our e-book

inside the e-book you will find originnal farm recipes for:
a slow cooked apple jelly ham + homemade cranberry sauce + yeast rolls + from the garden squash

some of the things I like about this meal are that {{ it is simple {{ slow cooked {{ all from scratch {{ in season
I made the ebook step by step in order for you to take your laptop or iphone onto your kitchen counter (or look to your desktop) so that everything is perfectly simple
easy
and delicious
I am actually "in charge of the ham" this Christmas for the big family get together at Jason's family... and there is a reason for that
they too love that recipe
Whatever you are cooking for the holidays, think about doing something slow cooked that will feed a crowd... ham is one of our favorites, because after an early supper, you can put the ham in the fridge and eat some delicious ham and cranberry sandwiches for a late snack!
you can order your copy of our ebook: simply Christmas... with farm HERE
it also makes a great virtual stocking stuffer!! especially for $2.99

Have a wonderful first day of your week! and another 'have fun' planning your Christmas dinner!!!
peace + blessings,

Hello!! I hope you all had a very blessed day with your family and friends

A special thank you for everyone who takes the time to stop here and say hello, leave comments, and read... thank you

We were unexpectedly blessed with having our Christmas here at the farm... alone... so peaceful and quiet

it was wonderful

here's an inside look all around the house... and a bit outdoors too

the mudroom...

the kitchen...

the three oldest when they were little in front of our old barn as "the nativity" scene... a treasure for us

can you tell I love the shelves Jason made for that wall?

my little snowman that our 11 yr. old son hand carved and made for me... i love him so so much! he even made the little mittens out of felt!
the tree...

the living room...

I set up a little wine bar on the bookshelves in the living room

we added shutters in the bathroom, and i hung a jar my younger sister made with some lavender and spruce

upstairs in the kids rooms...

the boys' tree and decorations (they love to do it themselves)

and the girls' room... much different than the boys:)

and in the master...

a very special birthday gift from some good friends:)

my dresser was temporarily a wrapping station

made in Germany... these little angels lull me to sleep with their beauty

a view out the master... the first snow...

little Daniel's blue woolen coat hanging in his room

going back indoors, we are baking and feasting and loving this wonderful life...

Hope you are all celebrating all 12 days of Christmas...

with love and blessings,

Jason, Anne Marie, and all of the children

all the innocent lives lost... unexpected...

it makes me quite aware of how my children's lives are so very fragile... as is my own...

no, this is not very 'cheery' topic with Christmas coming... but it is still coming... Christmas is not here yet

no matter what the stores tell you... how many parties you have been to... it is all of this world... not of God's realm... and it is a kingdom remember?

quite frankly, I do not care if others think I am doing this and that wrong... I am doing the best I can to the best of my abilities to lead all my children to God, in heaven, to be saints

we might not race them here and there to practice of this or that, or encourage them to be the very best at sports that they do get involved in at times... but that is all irrelevant in the heart of God

as most of us are aware, we do not know the hour when we will pass from this world into the next

that is a very sobering thought for this mother of six

to always be prepared... all of us... and I'm in charge of their knowledge of God...

for me to show them with love and understanding is awfully difficult at times when the young ones are fighting, and the shadows of the day is long, dinner is not made and my knitting is calling me instead of making that supper or helping the children with their studies

most appropriately, the Golden Nights are upon us
a time to make sure we are prepared for The King's coming
these Golden Nights bring wisdom and praise and peace

I am filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord

my time to rejoice is on Christmas day and forty days after... for now... it is a time of sobering thoughts and preparation for my King

xo+blessings,

Latin translation of chant: Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!

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 sacrifice Mary... 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,

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)

peace + blessings,

it is simply Christmas and Jason, I and the children want to thank you all so very much for helping support our endeavors throughout the years

last year, we put together an e-book entitled simply Christmas... with Farm

and it is still available... it's only $2.99

able to view right there on your computer... online only that is...

we'll be leaving this up for some time, and if you are wanting to relax and see into our home, gather some simple recipes that are delicious and easy as well as some nature inspired gifts and decorations, we'd love to share last years e-book with you

here's a look inside...

you can purchase it here

xo + simple blessings,

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,

click on the above image to go see what I'm dreaming for our Farm Christmas...

it's my newest board: real Christmas

a bit of primitive and a lot of farmhouse!

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...

peace and blessings, xo

let me show you around!!!!

one of my biggest material treasures... a French postal bag... love the texture! I have it hanging on an old apple ladder — I thought the postal idea would fit right into the 'scene' of giving!

decorations via my ebook: simply Christmas!

I am really liking this new corner of my world...

(thank you so much Kalah and Dave... you truly have no idea how much the tree means to us)
peace and blessings! more tomorrow:)

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,

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

but i'm ready

are you?

xo + new year blessings,

I'm sure you are familiar with Jennifer at the Painted Cottage...
but she posted this today and I love! this picture!! how creative and fun (not to mention the rest of her house looks gorgeous)

She's got great style and always has unique DIY ideas... thanks for the inspiration Jennifer!!

I'm even going to post again today — a little later — our Christmas card we sent out...
xo+Christmas Blessings,

on all purchases made from now until this Friday, on anything in our online SHOP...

all items are hand carved by Jason from reclaimed wood in and around the farm... bring some Farm home this holiday season... or give a piece of Farm to that special someone...

everything marked down with free shipping...

we hope you all have a very blessed Christmas!

{please note... there is no guarantee it will arrive to you by Christmas day}

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)

have a wonderful weekend!
xo+blessings,

I don't know about you... but I have been looking forward to this!! I cannot wait to head over there Thursday... for Mary's grand opening...

Mary has been here and sold her wares... which were so great... I have bought a few things from her in the past... she has a great eye, a wonderful simplicity and a chic style

Here I thought it was only Friday and Saturday... silly me...

So my "plan" is to go to Mary's shop Thursday to shop for Christmas... Sherrie's on Friday night for Christmas in the Alley to shop and sell

All this local shopping is so great!!

xo + grand opening blessings,

our daughter has gathered some adorable items, like tiny porcelain vintage deer and little vintage porcelain elves and tiny evergreen bottle brush trees in the local thrift stores & antiques shops, to make these adorable snow globes... some are tiny glass jars, and others are vintage blue mason jars

they will be available at A Ruffled Nest's Christmas show tomorrow, Friday, November 30th from 5-8pm as well as Saturday December 1st 10-3pm

116 South California Street, Sycamore, IL.

Many other local artisans + vintage sellers will be next door too! Along with some dealers selling re-purposed and painted items...

Me? I'll be there helping out, selling some gingerbread men and other organic cookies + cupcakes (chocolate with peppermint frosting!) while enjoying the complimentary wine and candy bar:)

Hope to see you there! This show will be a great way to buy local/supporting these women while buying Christmas gifts!!

xo + snow globe and gingerbread blessings,

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,

seeking

finding

trying

learning

gathering

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"