If I entitled this post "happy birthday" you would think I had the baby! rest assured no baby however... it IS my (beyond awesome) husband's birthday today,
I only baked him this cake... (his favorite... chocolate and peanut butter)
it's made with a deep and rich homemade chocolate cake(I used yogurt instead of sour cream)... organic homemade peanut butter frosting... and a mouth watering chocolate ganache topping
he said I could just give him a baby instead of "something else" he also said he would have openened it earlier... but we'll both be surprised now
I love my husband so much words seriously cannot come close — he loves nature... God... us... and is such a talented carpenter as well... you can see some of his carpentry skills at: Jennifer Rizzo's (he was the carpenter for her new kitchen) and he also constructed Tracey's cabinet... and he's pretty much the reason why our farm is featured in Fifi's book... if it wasn't for him, our farm would be in shambles... ~i love you Jason~
and I'm so happy to tell you that he will be joining me on this blog about homesteading! yeah!! We are thoroughly engulfed in permaculture and agriforestry studies right now, and we have so much to share with you... and hopefully help you If you want to know a little 'secret'... I've been contracting pretty heavily... yeah again!!! xo+blessings,
p.s. you can find the recipe for the cake at Smitten Kitchen
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,
there is nothing better than a bright sunny day and a clean kitchen to get me baking my special organic chocolate filled cupcakes coming right up! (have to practice before I sell them at the sale right??) I had a fantastic time with my two daughters and the baby at Kane County Flea Market Saturday... it was so great to see the dealers who were invited to sell here at the farm. It's so important to Jason and I to make personal contact with them... besides, a day out shopping is just what I wanted/needed. Meeting up with two friends I haven't seen since before the baby was born was great too! I don't know about you, but spring is awesome isn't it?? I LOVE the feeling of spring!! A HUGE thanks to all you other super duper dealers at Kane setting out our fliers... I love all the support you give one another... and we appreciate you spreading the word of our sale (yes... I said super duper) I saw some awesome booth setups and great stuff to buy there — but didn't buy anything this time — my hands were kind of full:) can you believe he's a month old??
& a very special thank you to Lauren for such a sweet girft!
When you stop worrying about other people's thoughts of how you are living, a deeper appreciation for the gifts you are given starts to emerge...
Take for example the degree I studied in college: Environmental Science
At that time, there were only two universities that offered a degree in that area of study... that was just over 10 years ago even... University of Montana, and a minor only at Southern Illinois University.
Being that I was absolutely in love with my best friend, I still pursued that degree... Contrary to what SIU even wanted, I pursued that dream... I actually had to talk the Administration Office at SIU into letting me study for Environmental Science as a major... with projection charts and an essay! My focus was not on engineering, but the social science behind the human relationship and their perceptions of the environment and how I could change the world!!! Currently, almost every University provides a degree in Environmental Science... it's one of the fastest growing areas of education.
My "plan" was to become a guide for Sierra Club in the mountains — sharing my passion for nature while inspiring others to embrace their passions... their dreams... no matter what other people are telling you.
Dreams are essential to a happy life...
I'm not telling you to go and forget your obligations... believe me when I tell you that my first priority is my vocation as wife... then mother.
but that doesn't make me stop dreaming
who doesn't like that exhilarating feeling of a new idea!! or reading something and saying almost out loud "yes!! I want to do that!!!"
being a dreamer doesn't mean you have your head in the clouds with your rose colored glasses on...
No one can escape the hardships of life... no one
but why do you see some people succeed? and you don't?? why is it that you work so hard and then your efforts don't get noticed???
First of all know this... every single thing you do effects others
If you have to lock yourself in your room with that bar of sea-salted chocolate and warm cup of milk at night so you can read your new Joel Salatin book to escape the stress of the day... you are effecting others
When you pick your elderly neighbors apples and share your making of homemade jelly and delicious pie... you are effecting others
As you sit here are read this and wonder what you can do to help others while pursuing your dreams... you are effecting others
Here's a start:
Get a piece of paper (or print out what I have below)
Write down one dream you have always wanted to do
Look at what you wrote
Study what you wrote
Say what you wrote out loud
Start telling other people your dream
Stop any negativity that comes into your thoughts in doubt pursuing that dream
Every action you perform is working toward that dream.
The people who achieve their dreams do not talk negatively or sarcastic, and ruin everyone else's lives in the process... think of what your priorities are, make sure you are fulfilling those... but do not forget your dream.
I may not be an Environmental Scientist like I thought or am a Sierra Club guide in the mountains, but my dream of changing the world is happening... with every word... every thought... every action I do.
here's something for you to print out and use in your pursuit of your dream:
Instead of guiding others in the mountains, I guide at least six others daily to acheive their dreams too and as far as my husband??. .he still has dreams... big dreams actually but together, we are helping persue one another's dreams peace + blessings,
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
= fans working overtime to cool down our brows = kids in and out of swimsuits more than the ice cubes in the freezer making their way to the glass of suntea = trips back and forth to the potager get better every time = no "in the kitchen" meals, just fresh from the garden and grill = little hands coming inside with green tomatoes to slice up and add to salad
summer means no worries... no schedule...
this summer is a busy place full of memories...
spending the late afternoon on our farm with 4 Seminarians = go kart rides = swinging from the tree swings = chasing after chickens = walking the prairie = ping pong games = TONS of laughter = lots of hungry appetites!! ~menu~ — Blue cheese filled burgers (served with a homemade roasted red-pepper sauce + sauteed mushrooms w/onions) -grilled zucchini (drizzled with olive oil and rosemary+thyme) -grilled sliced potatoes w/red onions and cheese drizzled with olive oil (wrapped tightly in recycled foil) -and my (almost) famous chocolate cake
These amazingly joyful group of men filled our hearts and souls with more joy in the Lord, but also made us ache with laughter...
within the rhythm of this hectic life, a walk in the woods for me is always a magical place...
divinely beautiful, rugged with rocks, soft and flowing like the water... foreshadowing life's enlightenment with it's dappled shade as my soul walks off the beaten path...
the branches are reaching for enlightenment... just as I am...
there is a whole world we have never seen come to light when we embrace our time outdoors...
chocolate cake, champagne, vintage crochet and pom poms... fun by itself, but enjoyed more with friends
"meet me in the woods" all photography by Traci Thorson
here's some of the shots I want to share with you...
appliqued banners
vintage pom pom garland
crocheted afghans
beautiful champagne flutes
funky paper straws
dessert plates from Germany and England
vintage pyrex
hand cross-stitched napkins
a new produc line available only at the Farm Barn Sale in 3 days!
there are so many more pictures!! I'll share all of that with you guys later...
It’s already 9:10 – been up since 5am or was it 3am?? No clue – the bags under my eyes tell me it was most likely around 3 A mini chocolate cake for breakfast with sprinkles on top for good measure – made by daughter of the most blessed kind (sorry: there is no way I’m sharing that coveted recipe) Two coffee cups stand at attention – one used and abused from this morning’s bedroom soiree with baby – the other hot and ready with cake
When baby Daniel sees our dog Bella, she doesn't know that Bella won't talk back to him this struck me (as does every single thing I encounter in my life) and it really made me think He was sitting on my lap, tummy down on my chubby thighs (yes, I did say MY chubby thighs) and was talking to the dog... cooing away... inflections here and there trying to get her attention! she was looking at him, which he giggles at, and their communication was complete he doesn't know the dog doesn't talk it doesn't matter to him Baby Daniel accepts the dog the way she is... non talking and all
random picture of what I did Saturday morning... came up with 2 new yummy cupcakes!! = lemon cupcake with fresh blueberry butter cream frosting = chocolate and lavender cupcake with blueberry butter cream frosting both will be available at the farm this October with the blueberries the family picked so graciously for me and for you... as well as the lavender from my garden... organically grown The Homesteading Series here at NA.DA.FARM will be up and running soon! Jason and I can't wait to share some more NA.DA.FARM with you
some are sweet and some are savory when we meet other people for the first time, and there is that "connection" you pretty much know you are going to be friends soon along this new friendship, there comes a choice: to talk of frivolity or discuss the deep If you have been reading my journal here for any length of time, you might have noticed I am not one to talk much on "the fluffy outside"
any way you look at it, life is so full of flavor... texture... variety... sweetness... goodness... even evil
instead of me complaining of all the evil... all the hardships... all that goes on in life, I choose to look at it with both a little fluff and a little sweet — but always from scratch with things thrown together and presented to you in the way I see it
during Lent (starts today) I am not giving up pie or chocolate, but instead giving more more to you like a taste of my life... though virtual... it is real on my end and though I cannot satisfy everyone, I do hope these 40 days to be full of deeper thinking with the occasional taste of "fluff" peaceful lenten 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!!
I have something so sweet to share with you today!! My good friend Koralee, from Bluebird Notes is here on my blog! Even though she has just moved and is pulled in other directions professionally, she wanted to help contribute to some time off for me... isn't she so sweet?! enjoy!
What Really Matters? Last week we moved into a new home on a lovely street filled with beautiful homes. We were all excited to meet our new neighbours... I had dreams of meeting a new "best friend".
Someone I could take walks with... borrow a cup of sugar from... drop in to have tea with... a sort of kindred spirit that lived next door! How wonderful would that be! My daughter's best friend made this comment when she first came to view our new home... "I just know one of your new neighbours will be dropping off a meal for you... it is just that kind of neighbourhood"
Now that made me excited... I was sure my new "best friend" would be ringing my doorbell with a "welcome to the neighbourhood casserole" in hand.
I went about my business of unpacking my boxes and waiting for that casserole to come. Hmmmmmmm... it was over a week and still no casserole... no best friend. I was feeling sorry for myself until my daughter brought in a box of cherries that needed to be dealt with. These cherries gave me an idea... instead of we waiting for someone to knock on my door why don't I go knock on my neighbour's doors with a sweet treat. After dipping oodles of these cherries in chocolate and covering them with pistachios off I went. What a great response I got... everyone was so happy to meet us. Those cherries where just want was need to celebrate our new neighbours. "Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into happiness that you are able to give" ~Eleanor Roosevelt~ So what really matters? Kindness Don't wait for others to show you kindness..you be the light! Kindness can and does change the world! {just a note... I have not found a "bosom buddy" in the neighbourhood yet but I have lots of neighbours that love us} Thank you sweet Anne Marie for letting my grace your beautiful blog today. You have always been "the light" to me and so many others.
