Souvenirs [Search results for spoons] 

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,

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,

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,

Jason is now on what he has deemed as a "spoon quest"
a bit comical, but not so far off the way it has been around here lately
and now he is ultimately seeking even more unique designs with a finer detailing in the carving you see, I had given him a new knife as his present from me for Christmas, from this craftsman, and so now, on a daily basis, I have had to sweep his carving's shavings from the wooden floorboards...
so now this "spoon quest" has taken shape within his workshop out in the barn — heated now with a wood burning furnace so graciously given to us from another 'farm friend' (thank you John)
his quest is a sweet smell of cherry and pine — an earthy manly smell that is quite delightful but more astounding is his craftsmanship... they are so beautiful (here are a few)

the easy scoop

the spreader II

saute and serve

and one of my favorites:

the crooked scoop

-thank you to all who have purchased his spoons... the first listings all sold within days, going to a chef, one to a mother to feed her large family, and so many others traveling all across the continent- so truly, the spoons themselves are on a quest!
the "spoon quest" man and our children are hiking today in the woods as I make tea and do a bit of writing, knitting, and maybe even bake this

peaceful blessings,

I needed some color in the dining room, so this corner hutch was brought into the dining room to hold my favorite collection of antique Mexican pottery...

i love the bird motif — each one hand painted -

the smaller dessert plates are corralled into a lined basket — along with a plate we unearthed when digging in the ground here at the farm... it has a large chunk taken out of the bottom... so that's why it's in the back

these old blue mason jars are great for a quick flower arrangement or to hold some silver ice cream spoons and knives...

this bowl was my grandmother's when she was alive... it's English... and so delicate...

i dream of making pottery someday... i love how Mexican pottery is hand done... rustic... personal... and hand crafted...

on the bottom shelf I am displaying some of my collection of antique French linens...

overall... it's doing the trick... for now at least... and I love having the little pillow Maria gave me as a gift, sitting on my son's high chair... it really is the best smelling lavender pillow...
(I might be tiring of the red fabric I slip covered on my dining room chairs though... if this baby doesn't come soon... maybe I should just re-do them no?)

have a wonderful day!
xo+blessings,

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"

the Christmas season is truly ending tomorrow evening...

until then, I am relishing in
{the warmth of the unseasonably warm sun
{my husband home and making coffee and letting me sleep in (well, just sleep)
{knitting needles Jason gave me with thoughts of sweaters, socks and scarves
{a plan to make 'the three wise men cake' tomorrow
{new reading by our seven year old and her writing to great grandmother
{watching 'miss potter' and loving everything about that story
{plans for the future garden (bigger... bigger...)
{the sounds of Jason carving spoons
{shouts from the children they are heading outdoors to run with Bella (the dog)
{holding my Daniel... these days are the closest I will be to him in this life
{sleep (did I mention that already? — worth noting again)
{the scratch of newly sharpened pencils for which I am doodling lately
{flipping through new cookbooks from the library and a gift from Jason

peaceful new year blessings,

decorating that is... or I should really say: rearranging
lace is so amazing to me... hand done lace that is, not mass-produced items I love the thought of a woman sitting and creating her signature piece..and this is one of my favorites
I don't care if lace is in or out: it's in here at farm

can you believe we got snow?? this picture is so much better looking now with snow!!!!
so if you remember my post a few days ago, you remember the bird cages hanging? well, that's exactly what I did!! with a very unique piece of art by Dore, from Burlap Luxe she has some amazing pieces of art — and I especially like the stages she has created puppets, marionettes, finger plays, paper plays... I love it all thank you again Dore

I don't care if things don't match this is a bowl from my late grandmother and a shepherdess picture of a girl that reminds me of my young daughter... surround yourself with things you like!! forget about trying to fit in...

pears = organic & safe decorating:)

absolutely now the best place in the house — we were all here in this room last night decorating the tree, eating a treat or two and enjoying chai tea (the kids' favorite)

Christie Carter, from Carter's Cottage, generously gave me a hostess gift of some Annie Sloan paint, in a creamy white, and I am so tempted to paint this cabinet...

Christie has a very generous giveaway going on right now with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and accessories!! go here to enter! giveaway ends December 31st!!!

and from "some" of us here on the farm...
have a jollyFULL day!

sale ends this next week in the shop!! order this weekend for you to get your package by Christmas!!!!
thank you again to all of you who love Jason's spoons... they have gone to a chef, a mother of six, and gift wrapped for people all over the country... btw... we just added a few more yesterday!! here's the link to the shop: http://ndafarmlife.org/

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,

over the weekend, we opened up our shop farm life and
we have been busy ever since filling orders!!

sometimes life sweeps into your life like a tidel wave — or since it's so cold, like a giant snowball

without warning

I was on the phone with a very supportive friend today, and for the first time, I unloaded on her

she didn't know what hit her I think
like a giant snowball that builds momentum I talked and talked

needless to say, I had phone remorse

do you ever get off the phone with someone and say "oh good gravy that was not what I should have said"

well, that happened to me today
amongst the simmering soup I was preparing and sending out our new e-book, the snowball hit me

making sure the soup was okay, and the baby was happy with his older sister, I came over here to convey to you thought 4...
(all Advent I have been sharing thoughts)
thought 4... charity in a small world I heard this from a young woman at church on Sunday it is the sort of thing that keeps in your mind throughout the day
wanting for this snowball to melt, it took a moment to make me remember that I need not worry about what happens that charity means startring at home — giving time to take notice and comment on your four year old dressed up with his red cape on and holding a wooden sword that his older brother made by hand for his fourth birthday from Papa's wood carving set. Knowing that instead of going hungry we have a 1/4 of a steer coming to the farm and that even though the car broke down on the way to town with everyone in the car, what a blessing to have met that the couple who helped us get back home, since we were "all pioneer" and didn't bring our cell phones, and ironically enuogh, the woman has a brother in the same town that Jason and I used to live in and said brother and Jason knew eachother from being on the fire department in that small town.
small world
that everything you do comes back around to you this is a worldwide belief — whatever you may call it, "doing unto others as they would do unto you" is pretty solid teaching — regardless of faith
keeping it simple, the snowball has melted from the fire of love I have for life, and the wonderful support you all have shown us in our new shop...
Jen's party (go HERE to see some amazing homes decorating!!) is just what I needed to be a part of...
if you scroll down to the previous posts here on my blog, you can see how we are decorating...

simply

it's a minimal approach to the season... care into what is being put out... clean/simple/natural/farmstyle 

boquet was a gift from sponsor — Maple Valley Off-grid Farm
it's not much, but here's a little something for all of you, that should go really well with the recipes in the e-book

I made it myself with a bunch of snowflakes I got from the graphics fairy... thanks graphics fairy!!
(click on image to get a bigger picture + right click + copy + save)

that little four year old is cute as a button right now with his new sword, and was very tempted to want to cut his cake with it!! maybe his Papa will hand carve a serving piece for cake soon eh?

and yes, those are mini marshmallows on top... it's a quick and easy way to decorate a little four year old's birthday cake!!

all the love and support for our new products in the shop has been amazing
thank you so much!! we appreciate that more than you know
our new e-book is only $2.99
click on image to go take a peek at what's it is all about:

there is so much we are adding into the shop everyday — especially these spoons that my husband Jason has been creating from hand 100% hand carved!! I love them!!

there are also some sweet life products in the shop (hand embroidered sweet towels and aprons) sorry but we are not shipping internationally at this time
MERRY CHRISTMAS! peace + blessings,

you have heard me say this before, but a nice comfy vintage sofa in my kitchen would be perfect, if only i had the room...

thermos's at the ready (the small new one from Jen Rippenger's booth at Past & Present Shops)

a vintage clay mug from the Open Air Market... it's holding all of Jason's newly carved spoons, knives and honey dipper we'll be selling in the shop online soon

there's always room in my kitchen for Her

I also bought this little dust broom at Open Air Market hosted by Cheryl Hunt in Sycamore

a little treasure by a bird that once resided in my grandmother's home and a shelf from someplace along the flea market path from years ago... it is the simplest room of the house... and has to be... it's where all the baking happens... the baking nook i like to say

peace + blessings,