My Website Has Moved
My website has mooo-ved. You can visit my new site by clicking here.
Ifong Chen
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My website has mooo-ved. You can visit my new site by clicking here.
Ifong Chen
Remember Big Boy? Well, he was traveling around and had just returned from Idaho. In fact, let me show you. He was with Jamie (of PattyCake Baby) and her neighbor Alisa (of The Attic) in Idaho and had a great time.
Doing some farming:
Went for a walk in Dalton Gardens and came upon one of the many local garden stands:
Picking pumpkins with the fam:
Enjoying the beach at the Coeur d'Alene Resort:
A day with new friends at Totten's Pond in Dalton Gardens:
But shortly after he returned home, he went missing. It didn't help that we were in the middle of a big project at World Headquarters...
We're on the hunt for Big Boy and hope he'll turn up soon. We'll let you know as soon as he does.
I'm really looking forward to Thanksgiving and having a full house. There's such a warmth in gathering together, isn't there?
Here are a few of my favorites for Thanksgiving:
Serena's No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
You can find more of my posts about Thanksgiving here.
It began snowing in Spokane last week and my Christmas spirit began to soar. I love the first snowfall of the season. Please don't melt. Please don't melt.
Today is a special day for me because I get to announce my sweet friend Heather Bullard's Souvenir Magazine has been released today. The HOLIDAY ISSUE.
I love so much about this magazine - that it's produced by women, a true labor of love, and most importantly... it's beautiful and inspiring. It makes me want to create, decorate, and cherish the season even more. That's what happens when I'm inspired.
And, it serves as the platform for the debut food story of my dear and talented friend, Sylvia Fountaine. Her recipes are always a treat and I love how what she puts out thoughtfully walks the reader through the steps. I know you're going to love her feature! BEEE-U-T-FULLL! :)
I also got to join in this time with a story about a day in my life. I hope you enjoy it. (Special thanks to Samantha Cabrera for shooting my story. I adore you.)
Grab some cocoa and come join us. You can purchase and download your issue here!
........................................
P.S. I've been away for quite some time. My family has needed me. But now I'm back, feeling joy, and ready to catch up with you. Thank you for being so lovely while I've been away.
xo
Today I'm reaching out to those of you who are suffering, whether it's sadness, sickness, or recovering from the storm.
It can be such a lonely place.
But please know that you are not alone. Today I wish for you serenity, courage, and peace of mind and heart. Today I send you love.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Big Boy made it to Florida just in time for Hurricane Irene. Yipes!
He was there visiting Jackie and had quite a time, despite the scary weather conditions.
He took in a football game just before the storm hit, then it was pretty scary from there. Shuttered homes, flooding, and some worry about what would develop. Luckily, Jackie was a wonderful hostess and made him microwave potato chips when they ran out of snacks.
Big Boy loved Florida, despite the scary weather and now he's enjoying some time in Idaho.
You can findout more about his upcoming travel schedule and back story here.
Happy trails!
Meet Big Boy. He's just returned from a little trip to California.
You see, it all started when Lisa sent Heather a box containing some items from The Farm Chicks Show. Unbeknownst to her, Big Boy was in there too. So Heather, being the California ambassador that she is, took him around to see some everyday sights and have some fun, California style. Juice cleanse anyone?
Now Big Boy has come to live with me and my family. But turns out, he'd really like to travel all over the world. Would you like him to come and visit you?
We'll be sending him to any state in the U.S. and any country in the world, if you'd like to host him. He's already been to Washington (his home) and to California. Where will he go next? It's up to you!
Here are all the details:
At the end of his journeys, I will let the readers vote on which trip they liked reading about the best and that person will receive a brand new Instax Instant Camera from me! Hooray!
Big Boy will then make a final appearance at The Farm Chicks Show in June where he'll showcase where he's been in a special display.
Where in the world will Big Boy be next? What will he see?
It's up to you. :)
Log of hosts:
The weekend is here! Here are the events I've found happening this weekend via My Favorite Find:
The Grassroots Wedding Fair - Vancouver, BC - April 21st Mini spring 'pop-up' wedding fair. Vintage inspired, eco-friendly and handmade wedding fair in Vancouver. All businesses has a commitment to sustainability.
Custer's Antique & Collector's Sale - Spokane, WA - April 20th - 22nd Over 200 dealers from all over the west coast selling thousands of antiques and collectibles including.
Mes Amis Vintage Antiques Show - Roseville, CA - April 21st 40 vendors/vintage designers with vintage furnishings, inspired art, and jewelry, live music and food.
Girls Night Out at Wigget's Antique Marketplace - Coeur d'Alene, ID - April 20th Two hours of storewide sales, prize drawings every 10 minutes, and hors d'oeuvres in the antiques marketplace.
Monticello Home & Garden Show - Portland, OR - Ongoing Vintage Home & Garden Show set inside a 5,000 square feet garden room featuring 16 vendors offering home, garden and outdoor living finds.
Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to show-and-tell your finds on My Favorite Find!
Whenever I receive a great business card I think about how I wish everyone could see it. And this week when I received another that was just so great, I thought to myself that I just had to do something about it. To tell the world.
So I decided I'd hold a little contest. A business card contest.
Do you have a great business card that you'd love for the world to see? I'd love to take a look and possibly show it to everyone! It's really simple: Just mail me your business card and if it's chosen, I'll share it on my blog, along with a link to your website! And don't worry, I plan on sharing lots of cards, because I really love spreading the word on other small businesses.
To enter, mail your business card to me here:
The Farm Chicks
P.O. Box 1328
Mead, WA 99021
It can come from anywhere in the world, just please have it postmarked by Friday, February 3rd. (Cards will not be returned).
And then, stay tuned! I'll be sharing these great business cards really soon!
I thought I'd share this little sketch I received from an old friend of The Farm Chicks. Cute, no?
My friend, Heather, reminded me of this clip that anyone who leads a creative life should read - by my favorite radio host, Ira Glass, of This American Life.
Happy new year!
Our family is settling in for our first Christmas in our new home.
Every day the anticipation almost takes over me. Anticipation for the day.
The day where the light pours into our happy home and its brightness fills me with cheer. I feel like there's so much that I can do. So much in the day.
When evening rolls around, I love the coziness that snuggles in around us inside our home. That feeling you get when the lights glow so sweetly and illuminate the house.
. . . . . . . . .
Sometimes I like to slip outside and soak in the glow. A glowing house is one of my favorite things in the world.
Like the farmhouse down the road, with its Christmas tree twinkling merrily through the front window. All is well there, in that twinkly home.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When bedtime rolls around, I don't want to go. And I think about that good 'ol Johnny Cash song:
I was totin' my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
It reminds me of where I've been, and just like the song, I've been everywhere, man. I've been everywhere.
. . . . . . . .
And now, I'm home.
. . . . . . . .
Hang the mistletoe by the fire’s glow, put the angel on the tree.
Light a candle in the window, just for me.
Images by John Granen.
Coming home for Christmas lyrics by Jim Brickman.
Yesterday, the focus group I assembled for my new venture, My Favorite Find, gathered in Spokane.
It was important for me to get their input on what I'm doing.
Wherever you are in the world, My Favorite Find is coming to you soon. And I'm pretty excited about it.
Soon, I'll be inviting some of you, my readers, to join me, and I'll be asking for your input too. Hooray!
In the meantime, don't forget to follow My Favorite Find on facebook!
Special thanks to my team at North by Northwest, and focus group members Jennifer, Luke, Nancy, Alison, Hollie, Marianne, Katelyn, Chelsea, and Virgina.
Winter blew in this weekend and left me happy.
I've never been so happy to see snow. It seems like everything at home just feels right.
I stop and think about how my heart feels full several times a day. You know how you feel when you've been feeling so bad for so long and then you get better and everything just feels so happy and wonderful? I get teary just thinking about it.
I can't believe Thanksgiving is almost here. I love that day.
And the soundtrack of my life keeps playing in my mind. Today, it's my Winter Song. :)
I often talk about my antiques show and the vendors who participate. We gather once a year, but stay connected throughout. I've watched their children grow, their dreams unfold, and been there throughout the ups and downs. Like family.
I remember getting to know Ann when she began participating in the show, back when we'd just moved it to Fairfield. I can still see her antiques spaces in my mind, and remember each one and why she'd moved from one to another. I admired her candor and witty personality and loved that her husband Andy was always by her side - one of the many couples I've grown to love over the years.
And I remember when I learned of Ann's battle with cancer and the wave of emotion that I felt that day. I didn't - and still don't - handle these struggles well.
This week I found myself struggling with the loss of Ann. What could I do?
And I was left with the only answer I know. To live my life and be the best I can be. To be thankful for the life and the family that's been given to me.
When I think about Ann, I can see her smile in my mind. The way she wrinkled up her nose and squinted her eyes when she smiled. And when I remember that, it makes me smile too.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A Funeral Mass will be held in Ann's honor on November 18, at 11am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 3720 East Colbert Road Colbert, WA 99005, with a reception at the church immediately following the service.
Hi there,
Just a quick note that I'll be chatting live on Facebook, this Friday, November 4th, at 9am PST. I'd love to visit with you!
Love,
me
P.S. Remember when you asked for a tour of my new kitchen? A whole series of posts from my kitchen are coming up!
Hi! Today feels like a new beginning for me. I'm happy to report that I'm slowly beginning to feel like myself again and I'm really thankful for that. Turns out recovering from surgery can be quite a bugger. Honestly, I'm ready to put the whole experience in the rearview mirror.
Today is 11/1/11. Doesn't that feel like a clean slate number? I sure think so. And with this date, I feel a renewed sense of energy and excitement for what's to come.
Health.
The holidays in our new home.
The best is yet to come.
Let me tell you that I love visiting a cute little store, especially in the fall, when decorating is as darling as ever. Here are some cute shots from little shops here and there.
Grandiflora Home & Garden (Lynden, Washington):
Good Look, Inc. (Princeton, Texas)
Twin Elm Farm (Peterborough, New Hampshire):
Oh So Lovely (Winnepeg, Manitoba)
Ruffles and Rust Square (Snohomish, Washington):
Have you seen a shop decorated sweetly for fall? I'd love to hear about it!
And hey, let's support these little shops, shall we?
The weekend is upon us and I'm too busy to post, so I thought I'd share some Autumn cheer. Living in the middle of a pumpkin patch is the best! Happy harvest weekend to you.
You know how people talk about what's "trending" on the internet? You know what's trending in Farm Chicks World? Chickens.
I just discovered there's a chicken out there with my name on it...
Meet Serena.... the chicken. She belongs to Sandi.
She loves long walks, eating, and hugs. Just like me. hee hee
And my friend, Heather, has put the Belgian coop I recently found for her to good use.
Isn't it lovely?
What's trending in your world?
Join me here for Strawberry Week starting on Monday. Recipes, tips, and ideas all around this sweet little berry.
And you can join in on the fun. Leave me a comment with a link to your favorite strawberry recipe, post it on The Farm Chicks Facebook Wall, or tweet it to #strawberryweek
I can't wait!
Grab some strawberries and meet me here all next week for STRAWBERRY WEEK! It's going to be strawberry-licious!
My website has moved. You can visit me here.
My website has moved. You can visit me here.
