The Farm Chicks

Dreaming Big

My friend Beth mentioned the other day about dreaming big for the new year.  And I'm a believer in that too.  I've never been one for resolutions but have always believed in a dream.  And why not?  If we don't start dreaming, how will we ever get to where we want to be?

A couple of years ago out of the blue, I decided I wanted to run a marathon.  I've been a runner ever since I met Colin, but had never put in the mileage required to prepare for a marathon.  But I was ready for the challenge.  I spent months training, running through the orchards of Greenbluff, and had a 17 mile course I grew to love.  I knew that if I could comfortably run 17 miles, I could make it through the 26.2 of the marathon on that one day.

But with most dreams, I had my doubts.  Would I really be able to finish?  I was nervous enough that I didn't tell anybody other than Colin and the boys about the marathon.  And when we made the trip to Portland, I didn't even tell our family because I didn't want them to come and watch.  What if I couldn't finish and they were just waiting and waiting at the finish?

The day of the marathon, I was filled with butterflies as Colin walked me to the start.  Earlier that morning, he had run me through his pre-race checklist, all of which went in one ear and out the other.  And he was sure I needed a watch to monitor my pace.  My pace, I thought?  I just want to finish.

We parted ways at the starting line so he and the boys could get situated on the course to cheer me on.  I can do this.  I can do this, I told myself.  And the race started out really well.  As I weaved my way through downtown Portland and out into the industrial area, I felt like I was flying and that all of my training had paid off.  5 miles.  11 miles.  15 miles.  And as I crossed the 17 mile mark, something that I never imagined would happen....did.  I began to cry and the cry became a sob.  I could hardly see.  But I didn't care.  I was now running farther than I had ever run.  17.1 miles.  20 miles.  25 miles.  And then I could see Colin and the boys cheering me on to the finish.

And just like that, I finished 26.2 and I was officially a marathon finisher.  And even though it was one of the toughest things I'd ever done, I couldn't give up on my dream.  And I was so proud of myself for making it come true.

I'm a dreamer.  Are you?  What are you dreaming about this year?  I know we can make our dreams come true.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Dear You....

Dear You,

Thank you for a wonderful year and for visiting with me here.  We've gotten to know each other better and you've made me smile.  In fact, you've become a good friend.  May your season be filled with love and laughter.  Merry Christmas.

Love,

me

 

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Christmas Star Cookie Wreath/Centerpiece

I love any decorations that involve cookies or give me an excuse to bake.  I've been dreaming of making a cookie wreath and was so happy to create such a fun project.

I decided to make the wreath and cookies out of gingerbread cookie dough so that it would smell especially Christmasey.  I used this recipe (minus the black pepper) for the dough.  And this recipe for the icing.  Here's how I made my wreath:

I cut out the shape of a wreath using a mixing bowl for the outer circle and a cereal bowl for the inner circle, using the rims as an easy guide for my knife.  I baked the wreath (as indicated in the recipe) until it was really hard, but not burned.  After it was completely cooled, I covered the wreath in green icing, and sprinkled it with Wilton light green sugar sprinkles.  At this point, the wreath needs to sit for several hours until the icing is completely hardened.

In the meantime, I baked my cookies (I chose two different sizes of stars) and prepared the icing.  I added a few Tablespoons of cold water to the icing to make it almost drizzley (just not runny to where it can't keep it's shape.  See images of icing below).  I divided the icing and colored each batch the colors I'd be using for this project.  I spooned the different icing colors into Wilton squeeze bottles, and a tiny squeeze bottle I found at Daiso.  (The tiny squeeze bottle wasn't necessary, but I love teeny things, so why not?)

To ice the cookies, I used a technique called "flooding" where you outline the area and then "flood" it with the icing.  It's such a fun technique that makes cookies look really impressive.

Step 1)  Outline cookie:

Step 2)  Flood the cookie, using the same icing.  You can use the tip of the squeeze bottle to help spread it around if necessary:

Step 3) Add dots by squeezing contrasting dots of icing onto the icing already on the cookie.  (The icing dots will sink in together and all be flush after a few minutes):

Step 4)  Allow cookies to dry completely (This will take several hours, but time really depends on how much icing is used).

Step 5)  Attach cookies to wreath using the icing as glue.  Let sit for 24 hours or until really hard.

I hung my wreath directly onto a nail, however, this will only work if the wreath is really hard.  The wreath can also be hung by attaching a colorful ribbon and hanging it from the ribbon, or simply display it on a shelf, ledge, or window sill. Better yet, if you're looking for a cheery holiday centerpiece, this is just the ticket!

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Reunited

This morning we awoke to our first snow of the season and I was reunited with the snowblower and my .50 cent church rummage sale winter boots.  These boots are so awesome I don't even need to wear socks. And I have to say, I think the snowblower is one of the greatest inventions ever. It makes life so easy.

When I was a little girl, snow meant life was going to be a challenge for a while. Our three mile long driveway cut a steady, steep path winding its way up the mountain to our little cabin at 4,000 feet. And as winter rolled in and the snow piled up, access to civilization became harder and harder.  For a while, my dad would park the truck at the bottom of the road and we'd make the trek from our cabin to the truck and then dad would drive us to school. He'd spend the day at the saw shop with his logging buddies and then return to school to pick us up at the end of the day. And we'd make the hike back home again. But the snow would eventually get so deep that my little legs couldn't make the walk and we'd become officially snowed in.

At first, we'd make the most of it - my siblings and me. We even tried to learn to ski, but the skis were wooden and had no straps and the rope we used to tie our boots to the skis just stopped us in our tracks. (This is me feeling 12 year old optimistic and my 16 year old brother knowing it was hopeless. Turns out, he was right).

So, we'd turn our attention to making igloos for snow bomb fights and make snow treats by drizzling maple syrup onto snow.  And then we'd head up the hill with our aluminum snow disks that we'd just heated up on the woodstove and covered in paraffin wax.  My sister would make the first run down the hill to designate the path, followed by my brother who would pack down the run and make it icy. My job, as the youngest, was the official guinea pig. And just after the above picture of my optimistic little self was taken, I sped down the hill on the "little sister test run" in my paraffin wax turbo blaster snow disk. And in a blur of speed, I nailed the jump they'd made, unbeknownst to me, and became airborne. I landed on my back and was knocked out cold.  And after my dad was summoned to carry me home, I spent the next several days laid out on the floor, unable to move.

Eventually, when the snow eased up, we'd dig out the crummy (our family suburban), chain up the tires and make the terrifying trip on our unplowed road into town where I'd be reunited with my classmates.

This morning, as I was snow blowing, I glanced over to the window where Mr. Blue Sky was doing a happy dance.  And when I was all done, and came back inside, he met me with a huge smile on his face and camera in hand. "You're amazing, mom!" he told me. "Thank you for taking care of the snow for us".  And then he told me to strike a pose. "Work it girl!" he said.  So I did.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Christmas Pantry

I cleaned out my pantry and while I was at it, added some Christmas cheer.

My shelves are covered in a fun gingham contac-type paper, which makes them completely wipeable, if need be.  Bulk items are kept in pretty glass jars.  I tucked in cute little Christmas trees here and there.

 

For holiday cheer, I added Christmasey paper to the shelves, by adhering it with double-stick tape.  I scalloped the edges of the paper on some of the shelves.  To easily make scalloped edges, simply trace the edge of a tiny glass and cut.

Sprinkles look cute in re-cycled tiny jam jars and placed in a bright pan for easy access and tote-ability for Christmas baking.

Special Christmas treats are colorful and are a happy surprise to find in the pantry.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas....

 
Gingham shelf paper and glass jars with red lids are from Daiso.

Holiday paper used for shelf edging is from Martha Stewart Crafts at Michaels.

The bright green cake pan is from William Sonoma.

Clear glass pantry jars are from Target.

Cupcake liners are from Bake it Pretty.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Christmas Collecting: Santa Mugs

 
I do love vintage Santa and what could be cuter than mugs?  Thrift stores are a great place to find them, and they're usually priced just right, at $1-$3 each.  I can't resist.  What do you love collecting for Christmas?

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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December 1st

Happy December 1st!  May the Christmas cheer begin!

 

I love this time of year with all the festivities, school programs and good will.  And I love collecting vintage decorations like this great old Santa original painting.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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