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« October 2008 | Main | December 2008 »
We're so excited about our new Santa pendants that we've decided to do a giveaway. So, now through Sunday, November 30th, leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered for a chance to win one of the new Santa pendants and any other one item of your choice from our website. The winner will be announced on Monday, December 1st. Good Luck!
One of the many things about the beautiful area where my sister lives is the accessibility to amazing wild greenery. One of the must-dos on the list during my last visit was to get a bunch of pepper berries and bay leaves for some projects Teri and I are working on. When my son, Lucas, asked me where my sister and I went on my recent visit, I told him, "where the wild pepper berries grow". "That's sounds just like Dr. Seuss!", he said. Now I'm the cool mom.
Carrie, one of the sisters we've talked about before, has been gracious enough to share her recipe for the soup from their lunch the other day. We've had a lot of requests for it!
2 1/2 pints chicken stock
1/2 fresh chili pepper, seeded
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 avocado, diced
4 green onions, finely sliced
1 14 ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
Salt & Pepper
Add chicken stock, chicken and chili pepper to a soup pot and heat to simmering. Simmer until chicken is cooked through - about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove chicken and cool until ready to shred. Pour stock into a food processor and blend until smooth. Reheat broth and all other ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with lemon and lime wedges, fresh cilantro, and chili pepper flakes on the side.
EllynAnne Geisel emailed to let us know that National Tie One On Day (a day celebrating aprons) is coming up on November 26th. Here's to aprons!
First of all, I have to say that Chris is one of my favorite artists of all time. Her paintings are just beautiful and oftentimes depict our local Spokane area. I just about died when I saw a piece she did on downtown Spokane from quite a few years ago - complete with lots of great cars in the parking lot. It's my favorite so far. But she is truly amazing at everything she does. And as you'll see, she loves quilting. Here are some shots from my visit yesterday. (And you can see one of her paintings in the background in the photo below).
A Collection of rescued quilts in an old crib and a stack of doll quilts in a doll crib on the right.
She's even used the doll quilts as placemats from time to time.
Oh my gosh - I love this.....It's hard to read, but what she does with the unfinished quilts she rescues and completes is that she signs each one (in stitch) as follows:
Ann Onymous - Pieced (get it?)
C.E. Druffel-Lynch - quilted (her name)
2008 (year of completion)
And as I've mentioned before, Chris and her sisters hold a couple of sales each year in Spokane. Tons of vintage, antique and homemade items. We'll be sure to let you know when the next one is and will share pictures of Carrie's house and the last sale we went to. Can you even stand it?!
It's been an overload of sisterly love for me lately. First, getting to spend a great weekend with my sister and then today, getting to spend the day with our friends, the sisters (I've mentioned before) and some other friends too. Teri was supposed to join us as well, but something else came up. Anyway, today started out as so busy - zipping here and there and a business meeting too. It was so nice to head to Chris's house for an amazing lunch and good conversation. I'll post more about our visit tomorrow, but I wanted to show you what we were treated to for lunch:
Fresh Fruit:
Southwestern Chicken and Avocado Soup, Creamed Asparagus Soup and Bread:
Fresh Tomato and Goat Cheese Salad:
Ginger Cake with Lemon Sauce:
Oh, and here's our hostess, Chris:
I can't even tell you how delicious everything was. And all homemade. Just like sisters do.
I'm off to San Francisco for a happy weekend with my big sis, Heather. Of course, no trip is ever set until I've gotten everything just right for Colin and the boys. I overdo it but I really do love it - making everything nice before I leave. Sometimes I wonder why.
I've washed all the slipcovers so they're perfectly clean.
I'm sure when I return, they'll be covered in chocolate or mud or both.
A crock-pot is softly simmering with lemon chicken for their dinner tonight, the freezer is full of homemade casseroles and pies, the fruit bowl is overflowing with tangerines, apples and grapefruit, and healthy snacks like peeled hard-boiled eggs, carrot and celery sticks that are all prepped and ready for them in the fridge should they get a little hungry.
But I'm sure they'll head to Egger's Meats and load up on sausage, bacon, ribs, and steaks and proceed to eat meat and only meat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The floor has been mopped with my favorite Mrs. Meyer's Lemon Verbena Cleaner. It's so clean they could eat off it.
I bet they do.
Every last little scrap of clothing has been washed, crisply folded, and neatly put away.
I bet they spend the weekend in their boxers and make ape noises the entire time. In fact, I bet all they speak all weekend is ape.
Good-bye my monkeys. I'll see you soon!
We've been working on some new projects for Country Living. A new section they're doing each month is Make Dos. Lots of little recycling, earth-friendly projects. Our first project is in the December issue:
Step 1.) Heavily starch and iron fabric. (If the fabric isn't starched, the pin will be floppy).
Step 2.) Cut four of the pattern (shown below) in varying sizes. This design will be used as the master pattern. Cut out at least two pieces of fabric in each of the four varying sizes. Fan out the flowers to show the different fabrics and textures as shown on the finished pin.
We love baking pies and especially enjoy making these darling mini apple pies, a tiny version of our Farmhouse Apple Pie.
2 1/2 pounds mixed apples, peeled, cored, and
chopped into 3/4-inch pieces
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup
sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground
nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Preheat the oven to 375° F. Roll out pie dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Lay mini pie pan on dough, top-side down. Trace around mini pie pans (about 1-2" inches wider than pans) with a knife and cut out. Drape mini pans with dough. Set aside and keep chilled. Roll the remaining dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Set aside on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and keep chilled. Toss the chopped apples, flour, 3/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice together and mix until combined. Pour apple mixture into the prepared mini pie pans and top with the remaining dough. Trim, leaving 1/2-inch overhang, fold under, crimp edges and poke holes in top with a fork. Sprinkle the top with the remaining tablespoon of sugar; chill for 10 minutes. Bake until fruit is bubbling and crust is golden brown — 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Yield: 3 mini pies
Image from our pie baking story. Photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy.
Finding a cute way to store your knives can be tricky. This is the perfect solution. We started out with a magnetic knife rack from Ikea and covered it in a cute calico fabric. Now, the rack is just as darling as the knives!
1.) Iron fabric, and lay out wrong side up.
2.) Place knife rack face down on fabric.
3.) Cut fabric all around rack, about 3/4 of an inch larger than rack, or wide enough to be able to pull fabric over the inside lip of the rack.
4.) Pull fabric over the inside lip of the rack, glueing into place as you go.
5.) Mount according to package instructions.
Materials needed:
Ikea (Asker) magnetic knife rack
Material of your choice
Hot glue gun
/ * / * / * / UPDATE \ * \ * \* \
The knives were purchased at William Sonoma and TJ Maxx
This deliciously tart, thick cream is traditionally used as a spread for scones, but is just as tasty in a tart or topped with fresh berries.
2 whole eggs
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice (fresh
is best)
Zest of one lemon
6 Tbsp. cold butter, cut in pieces
Whisk eggs, yolks, and sugar in a small saucepan until smooth. Add lemon juice, zest and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until butter melts, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, continue cooking and stirring until curd is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Curd should be thick. Pour through a strainer into a chilled bowl. Keeps up to a week in the refrigerator.
A classic and delicious pie.
5 cups peeled & sliced peaches
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out one pie dough disc on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Drape pie pan with dough. Set aside and keep chilled. Peel and slice peaches and place in mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and gently toss until all ingredients have been mixed in with the peaches. Pour filling into pie shell. Roll the remaining dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Drape over peach filling. Trim, leaving 1/2-inch overhang, fold under, crimp edges and poke holes in top with a fork. Bake until fruit is bubbling in the center and crust is golden brown - 45 - 50 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
This little dish is incredibly delicious. Packed with sweet potatoes and seasoned with nutmeg and cinnamon, it's almost like having pie with your Thanksgiving dinner!
1 29 ounce can sweet potatoes, drained and coarsely mashed
1/4 butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Pecan Topping:
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine topping ingredients together in a small mixing bowl until mixture is combined and crumbly. Set aside. In another bowl, combine filling ingredients and stir until well combined. Scoop into a small casserole pan and top with pecan topping. Bake for 30 minutes or until topping is browned and bubbly. Makes 12 servings.
Tip: You can always substitute fresh-cooked sweet potatoes for the canned. 4-5 sweet potatoes should be used.
You're going to see a bunch of recipes and projects added here in the next few days. And you might recognize some of it from our website, if you're a visitor there too. We're just doing a little cleaning up and getting content all together in one place. You'll see - it will all look better when we're done!
P.S. You can find the directions for our dust pan blackboard project (shown on the right) and several of our other blackboard projects here on Country Living's website. (Photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy)
Serena and I went junking one day last week and I found this sweet little wool granny square afghan at Value Village. It looked pretty sad, but I figured for $1.99 it was worth a try. After a day of soaking, an extra long cycle in the washing machine and a little bit of repair work...I think it was definitely worth it! Originally, it was lap blanket size, but It shrunk by quite a bit in my effort to get it completely clean. I don't mind since its more for looks than function. It's amazing how something so inexpensive can make me so happy!
We've really enjoyed reading all of the comments left on the Power to The People post and wanted to tell you about these ladies who shared their entrepreneurial stories:
Jennifer started her soap making business (Cedar House Soaps) in her home eight years ago, allowing her to express herself creatively while raising her children. She now creates soap full-time and runs a little shop of her own. She also sells her soap at our show every year.
Monica created her blog, The Homespun Heart, and is an expert on thriftiness. We've always been so impressed - reading how far she can stretch her budget, and how creative she is as well. And If you're ever looking for the best way to stretch a coupon, you should really visit her blog. She's soon to be starting a fun new "Open House" venture and you'll be able to read more about it on her blog sometime in the future.
Debi at Cowgurls Blessing creates aprons from vintage tablecloths and other materials and is just getting ready to open her Etsy Shop. Watch her blog for more information on her grand opening!
Katie has been creating beautiful pillows and aprons from vintage materials and carries them in her shop online. She also has a blog where she has show-and-tell posts of her projects and other sweet things like vintage aprons.
Designer Junk Finder, Shay, has a self-described "Rich Hillbilly Style" and is a passionate collector. She shares her inspiration on her blog and sells her cool jewelry on etsy.
Our friend, Jeanne, started her business, A Bushel and a Peck a year ago, specializing in the hand-crafted items that she loves. You can find her creations on her etsy site. We especially love her Olivia dresses.
Kim runs the darling Maxwell General shop in Maxwell, California and blogs about it at Camp Whimsy.
Jeanetta is a wife and mom of three and loves to create Splendid Things. You can find her creations on etsy and read about her daily life on her blog.
Angie runs a great blog, The Downtown Boutique, where she features wonderful items made by other "cottage industry style businesses". The blog is very visual and loaded with great items. She also runs two etsy shops of her own. You can find them here and here.
Beki started her blog, Artsy Crafty Babe three years ago to boost her creativity and make connections with others. She has since started her own business making patterns and handbags that she sells on etsy. You can find her etsy store here. And, she's been published in three (yes three!) books: Pretty Little Purses and Pouches, Pretty Little Potholders, and Pretty Little Patchwork.
Christina turned her passion for photography into a business three years ago. She specializes in children, family, maternity, and senior portraits. You can find her website here.
Kjersten, aka Travel Girl, is a stay-at-home mom who started her travel business a year ago. Her creative outlets are blogging, photography, teaching piano and voice. She hopes to segue into "making beautiful things" more often. You can find her blog, Travel Girl, here.
Carrie, of Sommer Designs fame, began her business ten years ago. Her business has evolved in that time and she now specializes in handbags, aprons and drawer liners. Her creations can be found on her website and you can follow her on her blog, behind the screen.
Deb is a Retail Visual Designer and consults with merchants, writes for trade publications, speaks at trade shows, and hosts videos on retail subjects. She's also a ball of energy, which we discovered first-hand when she was an antiques vendor at our show last year. While at our show, she filmed a bunch of video segments for the gift and home channel. You can find her video segments here: with The Farm Chicks, Deb, with Heather Bullard, with Bari J, with Tammy Gilley. You can also visit Deb on her blog: Deco Diva Deb.
Liz owns and operates the amazing Vintage General shop in Savannah Georgia, which Teri got to experience first-hand on a recent visit there. She is also a freelance producer and photo stylist for national magazines. You can visit her on her Vintage General blog, and her website.
Laura is following her dreams, as hard as it may be, in an area that isn't really receptive to hand-crafted goods. She hasn;t let that stop her. She opened her own etsy shop and is selling her creations there. You can visit her at her etsy shop: All About Pretty, as well as her blog.
Our friend, Kasey, operates the lovely Lola B Boutique, where you can find all things pretty all the time. Her displays are beautiful. She's in the process of moving to a new location and will be holding a open house at her home on Friday, December 5th. You can read more about it on her blog.
Jen is a mom, artist, local TV show host, and craft writer. You can read all about her at her Sanctuary Arts blog!
Teresa is a talented illustrator and avid antiquer and is also a vendor at our show. You can visit her on her blog where she offers recipes, craft tutorials, and more. You can also find her creations at her etsy shop. Her work has also been published in Romantic Homes Magazine.
Amy is a knitter extraordinaire, and I have to admit I fell in love with several of her pieces while visiting her etsy shop. I think my favorite is her red raspberry crocheted necklace! So Anthropologie-ish!
Pamela is the owner of Beehind Thyme, a little shop in Kentucky. She also has two blogs: Beehind Thyme, and French Rustic at Beehind Thyme. She designs, creates, and has been recognized in several magazines.
Our friend, Beth, has been crafting, junking, and creating almost her entire life. Eight years ago, she decided to make a major change in her life and switch careers, from a licensed social worker, to a small shop owner is Castle Rock, Colorado. You can read about her life on her blog. Her shop, along with 17 others, are housed inside a 100 year old barn. Lucky!!
Beth Quinn runs her jewelry making business out of her home. In one year's time, she's managed to have her jewelry carried in Sweden, Finland, and the U.S.! You can find her lovely jewelry on her blog.
Kim runs a website devoted to vintage fabric and textiles. (Be still my beating heart!) She also offers many items for sale at her etsy shop, and blogs about all of it here.
Jenessa is just getting started with her business, The Best Nesst, where she creates inspirational wall hangings and cards. You can read all about it on her blog!
Christa is the owner of Chloe Rose, specializing in "cottage style treasures and handcrafted goodies". She and a friend also host several shows a year called Kindred Roses. You can read all about it on her blog.
When Tricia isn't working at her day job, she's enjoying her life as the founder of Vintage Bliss, where she says she is "on the pursuit of pretty". and who doesn't like pretty things? You can read more about it on her blog and find her goodies on her etsy shop.
By day, Tami is a "red-pen slinging editor" and by weekend, a "flea-marketing junkie who makes crafty stuff". Her business is called Cupcake Studio and you can find her creations on her etsy shop and read all about her on her blog.
Darling Mindy started an antiques shop "from scratch" in a feed store in Poetry, Texas. Doesn't it just sound too good to be true?! You can read all about Mindy on her blog.
Gabreial is the editor of the online magazine, Vintage Indie, which is all about promoting and supporting independent businesses. The magazine features a cache of wonderful content and is well worth adding to your regular list of must-reads.
Eileen runs Forget Me Not Dreams, a website featuring an assortment of vintage, new, and handcrafted items. You can read all about Forget Me Not Dreams on her blog.
Vanessa is a mom of four with a husband who has been deployed overseas for almost a year. Vanessa started a little stitchery business about five years ago to supplement their income. Since that time, she has continued to add more items and dreams of continued growth for her business. she chronicles all of it on her blog.
In addition to running her own business (day job), Heidi paints and crafts in her spare time. You can find her creations all over the internet: here, here, and here.
And here's a little shout-out to Donna, Melissa, Amy, and PJ who left comments on the post, and haven't yet started a business, but have dreams to do so someday. We hope that reading about all of these wonderful women will inspire you in some way.
I want to re-package everything I buy. (Unless it's cutely packaged, of course!) And I do, which drives my family a little crazy. But I really love moving pasta from the bag to a jar. And rice. And nuts. And chocolate chips ... and ... and ... and... I enjoy opening up the pantry and seeing pretty things - not packages. So imagine my excitement when I found these darling little jam pots at the Sister's Sale. (We'll have more on them and their fun sale sometime in the future). Now, when I open the fridge, I'll see pretty things there too.
Today's a busy busy day, but I wanted to share the book love I'm having for my latest little find. Don't you just love it? I can't wait to get a minute and look through all of the fun contents!
About 150 miles into our 280 mile trip to Seattle, we realized that trick-or-treating right before a roadtrip is a really bad idea. Especially if too many Twix are consumed. And I do have to admit that for a split second, I did cry just a little on the inside when I had to sacrifice a Cath Kidston pillow to catch the vomit produced by the Twix overload. And then a second Cath Kidston pillow. And then a Farm Chicks tote. Poor Micah. Poor us. Poor car.
After a good night's sleep and recovery from the vomit incident, I got to thinking about Teri and her new collection of artwork. So, after a family baseball game at Green Lake, visits to Pike Place, the baseball card shop (where the boys have purchased so much that we're on a first-name basis), the comic book shop, and lunch at our favorite bagel shop, I went off in search of the first piece for my own collection. Here's what I discovered: (Well, we can't have the same collection, right?)
Welcome! You've found my web journal, where
I talk about my life as a stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur. When I'm not chasing my four boys around, I'm hard at work running my company,
The Farm Chicks, writing books, and working as a contributing editor for Country Living Magazine.
I consider myself the luckiest girl in the world, and
I'm happy to share my stories and ideas with you.
My name is Serena, and I'm so happy you're here.
P.S. I love hearing from you! Feel free to drop me a note anytime!
The Farm Chicks
P.O. Box 1328
Mead, WA 99021
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© 2008 The Farm Chicks
