Souvenirs [Search results for crisp] 

this table was noticed by me the moment it came out of Amy's car for the barn sale here...

I have to admit, it's kind of nice having a flea market come right to the farm...

the natural wax she put on it prevents it from chipping anymore, and the French hand towel made from flax is what i am using like a little table runner

the "curtain" is just fabric I strung up on a birch branch... just temporarily, to keep the heat out
if it was up to me, I wouldn't have any curtains
ever

but our big windows face the south... the heat pours in... good in winter... not so good in summer

we don't have air conditioning by choice, so everything is oriented in the rooms now for best light/views/heat control

this nook is so nice and cool in the crisp mornings, and watching the sunsets at night...

here's a closeup of the fabric... a nubby linen with a faded turquoise stripe

i grew up sailing with my Dad, and those memories are treasured and seem to be creeping out more and more in my sort of red, white, blue decor
you might already know how much I like Ralph Lauren's style, and seeing he's producing more of his quality goods right her in the USA, makes me like him even more
if only more of the big names did that... think of the jobs!

one of our old corn crib doors fell off awhile ago, and I recently used it for some food styling I was hired for by Jo Packham for a new book she hired me for (more on that later)
after bringing that in for a few shots, i really enjoyed it inside, and it is now very happy being in our nook

I am adding that same stripe fabric in my living room... not done yet sewing those

shopping at JoAnn Fabrics, at a 50% home decor is not so easy finding USA made fabric, but you can still find made in USA fabric, such as Waverly

it is a classic rose pattern I have always liked... and am very happy to work with it finally in our farmhouse

there is nothing like classic pattern and texture

there is a road trip I have planned with a good friend this weekend... if you follow me on Pinterest, you can see what's inspiring me in my pinboard entitled "road trip"
I'll be helping decorate a new shop in Indiana, and doing a photoshoot... but more on that later too
xo+blessings,

{ beneath these crisp skies and wet from the mornng dew boots
{ hiddin under the dirt in my fingernails from the removal of frost bitten cucumber plants
{ a simple phone call to my 92 years of age grandmother to still get advice on baking
{ prayers for the healing of this country to slow down
{ waking at 3 am to warm a cup of milk to ease my tensions while oddly listening to geese flying over head

instinctively animals understand the ebb and flow of the world... we have seen first hand how the birds of the air don't worry, but yet, just do... do what they are supposed to do...

no worries

there is no need to worry

the Bible (the original version that is) says not to fear/not to worry over 365 times

I will take one for each day please... and in that give thanks...

mornings can be rough... this I know all too well... but catch yourself and remind yourself not to worry... not to fear

pax+blessings,

stopping in the garden to add fresh herbs

while the open fired chicken is still cooking, we raked the coals under the grill to be able to put the pan ontop of them while nice and hot

the chicken was still blazin' while the focaccia was cooking slow

when the chicken was nice and golden brown, we removed it from the fire and kept it warm indoors by just placing it in the oven... but next time, I will make sure I start the bread sooner

you can see from the above photograph that it is rising from the baking happening underneath
I knew if I added aluminum foil it would cook quicker on top, but I was avoiding using it for this dish

here the bread is cooked almost on the bottom — you can see the golden crust forming yum just make sure you keep turning it and move the logs near the bread in order to capture the most heat

Focaccia alla Farm Style
Mix 3 and 1/2 cups unbleached flour + 1 teaspoon instant yeast + 1 tablespoon salt in a large bowl add 3/4 warm (110 degrees F) water a bit at a time + 2 tablespoons of olive oil -mix thoroughly
Add enough warm water (about 1/2 cup) to make a soft dough that forms into a ball (use your muscles and a wooden spoon)
Turn out onto a floured surface and knead... If the dough is too dry, add a bit of warm water by the teaspoon If the dough is too sticky, add a bit of flour by the teaspoon
Knead for just about 4 minutes is all — just until it forms into a ball that is held together nicely, not smooth and elastic like most bread recipes
Place dough ball into an oiled bowl, place dry towel over the top of bowl and let rise at room temperature until doubled (about an hour) *you may also place this dough into the refrigerator overnight and return to room temperature before proceeding the next day*
After bread has risen, transfer it to an oiled 18" pizza stone or 2 — 9" round pans (may use pie pan if that is only thing you've got)
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil + 1 teaspoon sea salt + 3 tablespoons of room temperature water and pour mixture over the focaccia... spreading to the edges of the dough Dimple the dough with your fingers Let rise for 45 minutes
Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired, fresh rosemary and thyme
if using the open fire... Place pan(s) onto hot raked out coals for 30 minutes -making sure to rotate pan every 10 minutes-
Place pan(s) on its side of the campfire ring -rotating every 10 minutes until cooked on top-

if using the oven... Bake in a 425*F oven for 20 minutes or until golden on top

Don't be surprised if the bottom gets a bit crisp when cooking on the fire it's still delicious
and makes a great leftover bread to use for a breakfast idea I'll share another time...
as far as the spiritual activity... there is more time I am devoting to this and will most definitely share this with you soon but thank you for all your emails regarding this... I have not forgotten to share my heart and soul with you
xo+fired up blessings,

it's still only early morning on a sunday, but i'm already thinking of tomorrow

the kids have embraced their mother-teacher and i have embraced the routine and deep thinking and discussing time with my children

: : i think she loves the kitchen as much as i do: :
i have bits of canning to do this week, and all sorts of things to get ready for the upcoming barn sale, but this time of year makes me rearrange... look at things in a crisp view...
the mornings are cool enough to wear a sweater while the afternoon's warm sun sheds the sweater and fresh air fills the house with the faint scent of harvested corn and a nutty earth smell from fresh tilling
a glorious time

i'll be sharing bits and pieces of each of my days this week...

happy autumn!