The Farm Chicks

Building Our New Home in the City

We've been working on the design of our new home in the city of Spokane. Our street is lined with old homes, each unique in its own way and it was important for us to create something that fit our style as well as blend into the neighborhood. I knew all along that it would be a French-inspired exterior with interior elements that are both classic and chic. For me, designing a home begins with the location and working forward from there, to what feels natural for the setting. I completely had my heart set on a white brick exterior (which actually isn't very French at all) but came upon a bunch of obstacles with that plan. It turns out that white brick isn't readily available any longer in our area because there is no more natural material available to produce it, and it's not widely available anywhere really. For half a second we talked about going with a classic brick (like red) and painting it white, but were worried that it would require a lot of upkeep and repainting over the years. We spoke with several bricklayers and a supplier about the durability of painted brick and in the end, it was just too risky to us. So, we changed our plan to natural colored stone, which we are really happy about and actually like it even more.

My favorite feature on the front exterior is the oval window - something I had to go around and around on to get it just right, but I'm really glad I persisted.

The foundation is in place and we're waiting for spring to begin the build. As we move forward, I'll be sharing my design choices, visits to suppliers, the progress, and the journey towards our new home here.

 

 

My Pastry Chef Dream

The day after The Farm Chicks Fair last June, I was sitting through orientation for culinary school, about to embark on a longheld dream of mine to become a pastry chef that began taking shape when I was a little girl.

In many ways, the timing wasn't great while we were selling our home, designing the new one, and moving. And yet, in some ways it was good too, pushing me to dig deep and work harder than I imagined when I enrolled. I'd start every day at 5am, leaving for my gym's 6am workout and then rushing to school right after. I'd arrive back home by 1:30, go straight to work on Farm Chicks for a couple of hours, then dinner prep ~ oftentimes interspersed with house showings and meetings with the architect.

We eventually sold our home and were scheduled for the closing on a Friday after I got out of school for the day and while I was rushing to my car after class, I received a call from Colin. The buyers had backed out. It was such a crushing time because of how much we'd juggled, the house was packed, and movers were coming the next day. Colin and I took the weekend to unpack a bit, talk ourselves through it, take a deep breath, and I headed back to school on Monday. A couple of weeks later, we closed on the sale of our home with new buyers, re-packed, and moved into the city. In many ways, school was a good distraction because it's so busy and challenging that I couldn't help but lose track of everything else while I attacked my assignments. There were many times that I was so focused on my work that when I looked up and saw my classmates and their work, I'd remember: Oh yeah! There's other people here.

And my goodness, I loved my tablemates so much. Melinda, Brittin, and Sydnee (shown left to right above) were everything I could have hoped for. Dear, kind, and supportive and I'm so thankful we were brought together here. They came from Montana, Idaho, and nearby Walla Walla. I can't wait to see them pursue their pastry dreams. You can follow along with Brittin on Instagram here and Sydnee on Instagram here. (I'll make sure to share if Melinda creates a social media site too!)

I finished school today and Colin is taking me out to dinner to celebrate. Then we're headed out for a long weekend to celebrate some more and take in one of my favorite things on the planet: CHRISTMAS MARKETS!!!

Why did I go to school? There's a lot of reasons why. A childhood dream, adjusting to life with the boys all growing up and leaving home, and a thirst for knowledge. There's so much to learn about the things we love. Moving forward, I look forward to creating more books and using my new skills for creating projects that are meaningful to me.

In the meantime, I'm working on other dear projects like my original love, The Farm Chicks Fair, and the building of our new home, which I'll be posting more about next week. Hooray!

Notes:

I attended the Inland Northwest Culinary Academy's baking program which is housed inside Spokane Community College.

There's a wonderful bakery connected to the Culinary Academy's kitchen which is supplied with all of the breads, pastries, and cakes created by the culinary students AND it's open to the public. Prices are very reasonable and the offerings are delicious. It's kind of a best kept Spokane secret.

An Update on Our Move

After we made the decision to move into the city, we put our house on the market. It was the weekend before The Farm Chicks Fair. After a couple of months, we accepted an offer and we began going through the long process of waiting for the buyer’s paperwork and financing to make its way through the system which meant that our house was off the market while the process unfolded. It took about two months and during that time, our house was off the market, pending the sale.

We began making our plans, finding a rental house to move into while our new home is being built, and packed every bit of our belongings. On the day of the closing, we found out our buyers had backed out just a couple of hours before closing. We had been scheduled to move out the next day at 8am. It was a jarring experience that we made our way through, then postponed our move, put the house back on the market, unpacked the very least amount of household items and clothing as possible, and staged the house with the minimum amount of objects I thought was acceptable. And then, as quickly as it had gone back on the market, we received two great offers. And for reasons that were personal to us, we agonized a bit over which offer to accept. And after we made that decision, the deal went through really quickly because of the new buyer’s terms.

We’ve now moved into Spokane, in a temporary house near the building site of our new home. The foundation went in last week and construction will begin early in the spring. In the meantime, I’ve been posting stories to my Instagram page with updates on the progress and will be continuing with that, along with lots of blog posts about the design/finish choices as we move forward.

Colin has spent the last couple of days trying to figure out some good lighting choices to brighten up the temporary house as we head into winter and I’ve been slowly getting situated, figuring out which grocery store will be mine, and little things like that.

One of the questions I’ve been getting a lot is What’s the style of the new house? The design is classic, French-inspired and chic, which is fitting for our city location, whereas a farmhouse wouldn’t feel right in the setting. I’ll be going with some unique finishes on the interior that will bring the chic feel I’m looking for to life.

Colin and I are really enjoying the design and building process and I’m looking forward to sharing the journey with you.

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Between posts on my website, and all year long, I'm preparing for The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair. You can read alI about it here. I also document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Vintage Holiday Shopping

It began snowing again on Saturday morning, so I decided to head into Spokane for a little vintage shopping. You've heard me say before that one of my favorite times to visit the local vintage shops is around any holiday season because there are a lot of unique seasonal finds to be had. It can be kind of tricky timing around the Christmas season though because a lot of shops will wait to really stock their full holiday collections until their annual in-store open house holiday party. This is becoming a lot more common in our city, and maybe throughout the U.S.?

What the shopkeeper will usually do is close their store for a full day to bring in all of their holiday vintage pieces and get the store looking really Christmasey. Then that evening, they'll open up for a big holiday open house to start the Christmas shopping season. It's worth calling around to your local shops to find out if they do this so you can make sure to take part!

All of the shops I visited were still in full Autumn mode, which was nice because I'm trying really hard to hold on to Thanksgiving before my heart settles into the Christmas season. (It's so hard to not start filling my house with Christmas when the snow is coming down so hard!)

I found the sweetest, most simple Sunday paintings at my first stop, Rare and Retro. They ranged in price from FREE to $2:

I also picked up this great plaid trunk that I'll use on my porch at Christmastime:

And this jolly red basket from Paint in my Hair that I'll use during the holidays too:

The shops I visited were Rare and Retro, Paint in my Hair, Tossed and Found, Boulevard Mercantile, Lucky Vintage & Pretty Things, and Chosen Vintage.

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Between posts on my website, and all year long, I'm preparing for The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair. You can read alI about it here. I also document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Peach Picking

Scenes from the Bluff, peach picking at Yaryan's Orchard.

I'm so lucky to call Green Bluff home and love introducing you to my farmer friends and neighbors. You can meet some of them here.

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Between posts on my website, and all year long, I'm preparing for The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair. You can read alI about it here. I also document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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My Travel Go-Tos

We've just returned from a visit to Luke's college which is far from home. With as much traveling as we do and even more on the horizon as our boys are moving away to school and to pursue their dreams, I've learned to pack some things that make flights and time in the destination we're visiting a little more comfortable. These are my solid go-tos that I like to pack:

1.) A comfy sweater or scarf, regardless of the season. If it's hot, I'm usually dressed in a little cooler clothing but the airplane can sometimes be FREEZING cold. A sweater (especially a tie-waist style like this one from Banana Republic) or a big blanket scarf is so nice to have.

2.) Noise canceling headphones are wonderful and can make flying feel very calm and peaceful to me.

3.) Trail mix of some sort, if hunger strikes it's nice to have something quick and easy to grab.

4.) Blister guards are miracle workers if I happen to get a blister. I can put one on the blister and forget that I had one at all. Love these!

5.) I like to keep my hands free when we're navigating around a city, and can't stand having to hold a purse if we're walking miles and miles. A crossbody bag is a must! To make sure I got a big enough bag, but to keep it as small as possible, I made a note of the size of our passports and found a bag that would accommodate a stack of five (so that I can keep all of our family's passports in one place), a pocket for a bit of cash, a space for few credit cards, and a place for a hotel key and a lipstick. I've had this one from Kate Spade for many years now and have traveled all over the world with it.

6. and 7.) I try to pack as light as humanly possible when we travel. When I'm packing at my very lightest, I'll bring two pairs of shoes. One that I'm wearing on the plane, (which is usually a pair of tennies), and a pair of flats so that I can dress up any outfit and so that I can alternate shoes to keep from getting blisters. I pack my shoes in a bag to keep any possible residue off of my clothing. My favorite flats that function as cute and comfortable are any from Sam Edelman. This line of shoes has a cushioned liner that is so incredibly nice.

8.) Tea bags are always so nice to have. I can simply ask for a cup of hot water during beverage service and enjoy a nice, relaxing bit of  tea.

9.) A book! I'm currently reading The Price of Illusion.

Do you have any favorite items you always pack when traveling? I'd love to hear about them! 

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Between posts on my website, and all year long, I'm preparing for The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair. You can read alI about it here. I also document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Health, Diet, and Why I'm Talking About It

New year. New you.

That's what I was thinking a few years ago when I wasn't feeling well. Due to some complications after a major surgery, it turned out I'd need yet another, which took care of one problem, but also left me feeling really sick on a daily basis. My lifelong stomach irritation was worse than ever. After watching the Forks Over Knives documentary one evening, I was inspired to start eating differently - a plant based dietary approach. I was feeling excited but also sort of terrified.

One of my biggest joys in life has always been being in the kitchen and baking delicious things. I collected cookbooks as a child and read them daily. My identity was that of a little baker girl. And that stayed with me as I became a wife and mom. I knew this new way of eating was going to be tough for me because baked goods laden with butter and sugar would no longer be something I'd be having. I also decided this was something I was doing, not Colin and not our boys, and I'd continue to cook for them as I always had. (I didn't think it'd be fair to suddenly and radically change the diet of my children that they'd known all their lives).

A plant-based diet is centered on whole, unrefined, or minimally refined plants. It’s a diet based on fruits, vegetables, tubers, whole grains, and legumes; and it excludes or minimizes meat (including chicken and fish), dairy products, and eggs, as well as highly refined foods like bleached flour, refined sugar, and oil.

Oh boy.

The first month was extremely difficult for me. All those years of baking had given me one of the world's biggest sweet tooths and I missed sweets most of all. I missed them BAD. But I stayed strong and one month led to two, then to a year, then another, and another. It was good for my health, but took away my creativity. It was so hard to keep cooking one way for my family, while teaching myself a whole new repertoire of meals for myself.

But one thing wasn't changing. My stomach was still a mess and after seeking answers, I found out that gluten was my problem.

I want to tell you I'm not a person who sits around talking about what I eat or how I eat and through it all, my new way of eating wasn't something I wanted to talk about. (It's taken me more than three years to write this post). I think we've all been around a person who has dietary restrictions who was sort of obnoxious about it, or even kind of snooty. I never wanted to seem that way, so I kept it a secret and learned ways to blend in at a barbecue (just take the hamburger bun, load it with veggies, and it looks like you're eating a burger along with everyone else). A handful of times, as a guest in someone's home, I'd simply eat what they were serving, because I didn't want to be any trouble. And it worked out alright. Until the whole gluten thing. Now, it's no longer choosing to eat a certain way because it's healthier for me. Now it's something I have to do, so I'm not violently sick any more.

Now I'm learning the ropes again, without gluten this time, and it's getting easier every day. I've learned how to make meals that are healthy for my family, while incorporating meat for them a few days a week, and occasional treats they love. Why am I talking about this now, after explaining I've been avoiding the topic for these last few years? I'm ready to start writing actively here again and this is who I am. So occasionally, you're going to see some healthy recipes from me. But mostly, you're just going to be seeing more of me here again.

This week, I'll be sharing a favorite go-to meal, new year beauty finds, and some easy ways to freshen up your home.

Happy new year!

The Sunflower the Giver

The last of the sunflowers sit in the field after another summer of being true givers.

For the pollen that feeds the bees

that make the honey.

For the deer who nibble their petals... hee hee

And for me:

Thank you, sunflowers. I love you so.

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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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How A Country Living Magazine Story Comes To Life

Each month, the pages of Country Living magazine tell us stories about crafts, collectibles, homes and homeowners, and country style. But how do these stories come to life? Oftentimes, it starts with an editor's idea, like this story about ice cream, in the June 2014 issue:

So, the editor has an idea about ice cream. A meeting is planned with a few editors and the stylist who will be working on the shoot for the story. The purpose of the meeting is to hash out the ideas and to come up with a clear plan for how the story will look. As the ideas are finalized, rough sketches are drawn, to help guide the shoot on location.

As the story is being sketched, visual inspiration is helpful. In this case, a few sketched images that had inspired the team were a part of the planning process. Once the plan is in place, the recipes will be developed and tested, a shoot is scheduled with a location designated and a photographer assigned. The stylist who helped plan the story will be on location, styling each shot.

The original inspiration for this shot was the sketch of popsicles all laid out, as seen on the left. The plan for popsicles evolved into scoops of ice cream. Same concept, with slight variation (as seen on the right).

Once the shoot has concluded, the photographer will submit the images to Country Living. The Country Living editorial team then takes the images and begins to lay them out as they will appear on the pages of the magazine. A writer is assigned, the story is written, and the recipes added in.

First layout (left) Final layout (right). During the shoot, other shots will be taken that can be used for pages where copy (text) is inserted, like this introduction page for the story. The shot was simply of ice cream, and the copy was laid down on top of that image. When the story is being laid out, the design and copy will change. The version on the left was the original layout, which evolved into the final layout on the right.

From beginning to end, there are many many hands that have touched a story, from concept to shooting, to layout, to writing. And hopefully, when it's done, it's a story the readers will enjoy.

And of course, there are always shots that don't make the page. Like this after-shot of the perfectly frozen scoops seen above.

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

 

Country Living Magazine - A New Location & A New Editor-In-Chief

I first began working as a contributing editor with Country Living Magazine in 2004, shortly after the Editor-In-Chief at the time, Nancy Soriano, visited my Farm Chicks Antiques Show. It was a really exciting time, and such an honor for me. The first story was all about how to bake a pie. In the ten years I've been working with the magazine, the headquarters moved its offices within New York City to the Hearst Tower, Nancy Soriano left the magazine to pursue other ventures, a new Editor-In-Chief, Sara Gray Miller, was at the helm for a few years, and then last fall, some new changes were announced. The magazine was moving to a new location in Birmingham, Alabama, and a new Editor-In-Chief, Rachel Hardage Barrett, had been appointed. Earlier this summer, I visited the new editorial headquarters in Birmingham to meet Rachel and the new editorial staff. The offices are located in an area known as Pepper Place. Formerly the Dr. Pepper Syrup Plant and Bottling Company, the Pepper Place Complex is a group of seven extensively renovated buildings, including the old Martin Biscuit Building, spearheaded by Cathy Sloss Jones - a descendant of the nearby Sloss Furnaces Factory family. In addition to Country Living, there are restaurants, antiques shops, a garden market, and a weekly farmer's market located here. Rachel has a long background in the editorial world including Glamour, Real Simple, and most recently, Southern Living Magazine. When I asked her about the decision for the magazine's move to Alabama, she explained that Hearst was looking to find a location more fitting to the Country Living brand. The September issue of Country Living will be the first issue with all of the content compiled under the direction of Rachel, and will also be the issue in which she is first introduced to the readers, via the Editor's Journal in the magazine.

Editor-In-Chief Rachel Hardage Barrett (far left) and editorial staff .

The space is just beginning to take shape as office furniture arrives. Most of the editorial staff's desks are located in the center of the building, with the executive offices along the front wall, a conference room on the left, and project work stations on the right. On the day I was visiting, they were unpacking boxes of paint for an upcoming story.

The entrance to the offices. The Country Living logo will be placed here soon.

As a teenage reader of Country Living, I always looked forward to the Real Estate Sampler and the monthly recipes. Now, I love seeing the homes that are featured and reading about other women in creative businesses. Are you a subscriber to Country Living Magazine? What have your favorite features or stories been in the past? Do you have a favorite column? I'd love to hear!

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Next up, I'll be sharing one of the many ways a story in the magazine comes to life.

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

The Farm Chicks Birdhouse Installation

One of my very favorite parts of The Farm Chicks Show each year is coming up with a theme and then carrying it through every aspect of the show all leading up to the installation at the main entrance. It is SO FUN for me. This year's theme was birds.

I decided to make a backdrop for my installation, so that it could really stand out. I took an enormous roll of paper and water-colored a sky and birds in flight. Each bird spelled out "The Farm Chicks" over and over again.

I created the bird houses one by one out of ordinary paper bags - hundreds of them.

Each bag was individually painted, and dried.

After the bags were dried, I used a circle cutter to cut holes in each birdhouse. To cut only the front of the bags, I inserted a piece of cardboard into each one before cutting.

After the holes were cut, the bags were opened and the tops folded down and hot glued into place.

In the days leading up to the show, I prepared a wire grid with hundreds of strings tied to it, to hang the birdhouses from. On setup day, we hung the wire grid from the hang wires in the ceiling above the entrance and the roll of paper as well.

My friend, Jill, spent the day opening each birdhouse, folding down the top, glueing them into place, and then attaching each one to the strings that were already in place. It was extremely time consuming!

The next day, my son, Cody, glued each birdhouse into place.

And at long last, the installation was complete!

I loved getting to see so many shoppers stopping at the installation, taking group photos, using it as a meeting place, and enjoying the show. Did you visit the show and get your picture with the birdhouses? Please leave a comment below and tell me about it! Tomorrow I'll be sharing pictures of the show and shoppers. I can't wait!

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The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is held once a year (always the first full weekend in June) in Spokane, Washington. You can read all about it here.

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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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Dandelion Tea

Another great use of dandelions is to brew them into as a simple tea. It’s really easy to make. Simply steep a handful of fresh leaves and blossoms in hot water for 5-10 minutes.

The tea is quite mild and reminds me of spring, which seems appropriate for the plant that truly is one of the earliest signs of the season.

 

Notes:

More about Dandelion Tea:

• Cool after brewing and serve as an iced tea, sweetened with honey.
• Dry the blossoms and leaves and store in an airtight container for a dried tea mixture that can be used throughout the year.

Add blossoms to iced tea before serving for a pretty presentation. Not in the mood for dandelion iced tea? Simply add dandelion blossoms to icy lemonade for a sweet touch. You should NEVER harvest dandelions for consumption from any area that has been fertilized or treated with chemicals, such as most suburban lawns or parks. They should be gathered from wild areas, free of pesticides and chemicals.

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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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Curating Your Wardrobe

Tuesday I was talking about curating in general and how you can use that practice to really make a difference in your home. But curating applies to other areas of your life, like your wardrobe for example. Around the end of February, I start dreaming about cute outfits that don't involve heavy sweaters or boots. Spring and summer are on my mind and I begin to think about the one color that will be my inspiration for the season. This year, I'm into yellow. Well, I can DREAM of all these cute things, right? (Sources listed at the bottom of this post). So when I start thinking about my season's color, I start noticing it all around and taking little mental notes of what I love. My plan is to buy a handful of new things in that color to mix in with what I already have. Usually a new top, maybe a couple of tanks, some sandals,  a piece of jewelry, and if I can find a steal, a cute new clutch or tote. By doing this wardrobe curation, I'm bringing together a collection that will work and make sense - the old with the new, giving me lots of mix and match options. To get started, I recommend going through your closet and dresser drawers. Move your fall and winter pieces aside and place your spring and summer pieces in the most prominent space. Do you have flowery tops and need a new pair of stripe or solid shorts or capris to balance them out? Would you wear yellow stripes with that navy blouse? Yes! What does that pink skirt need? How about a buttery yellow tank? Yes! And so on... I think you'll find in the process that you can also do some thinning of what you have on hand, and that's good too. Because too much is too much. That leather purse you've been saving because it's a name brand? Take it to a consignment shop, list it on ebay, or trade with a friend. Curation is all about letting go of what doesn't work for you any more and putting together what does. Tips: Want to find lots of choices in your color? Go to your favorite websites and search for it, like I did here on Bodenusa.com with the search: yellow

Do you have a hard time putting colors together? Click around on your favorite websites or leaf through your favorite catalogs. You know all those cute shots? They were all carefully put together by great stylists and can be very inspiring.

Cute new pieces don't need to be "new". Check out your local vintage clothing and thrift shops for one-of-a-kind finds. Estate sales are also really great for vintage jewelry, dresses, and blouses. Just remember, only buy what works for your collection, not items that you're only buying because they're a great deal. I promise, you'll never wear it.

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Tomorrow I'm going to be talking about the one and only Farm Chicks Antiques Show and the curation that takes place there. Yippeeeeee!!

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Sources:

1.) Flowery top by Boden. 2.) Sunglasses from Nordstrom. 3.) Lemon slice earrings from Forever 21. 4.) Bangles from Forever 21. 5.) Keds sneakers. 6.) Ciate polish. 7.) Kate Spade coin purse. 8.) Daisy Eau So Fresh fragrance. 9.) Bike from Target.

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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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Image by Heather Bullard

Curating

This week I'm going to be talking about curating, what it means, and how it affects our lives. Who knew, right? I think when most people hear the word, curator, they think of a museum and the people who bring together a museum's collections. But curating is actually intertwined into our everyday lives more than we think. Take your home, for example. What you've created, the collections you've accumulated, and the furnishings you've gathered are works of your curation.

But let's be honest. Over time, many of us accumulate more than we need, our taste and style evolves, and oftentimes, we're left with clutter. That clutter can actually affect us in negative ways, becoming much like a constant noise, interruption, or a chaotic element in our lives. And all of that curation has pretty much gone out the window. But the great thing is, we can start anew, and it can be life changing. What if this spring, rather than just spring cleaning, you curate your home? From holiday collections to linens, to that broken side table you were going to fix up but never got around to? What is your style? What do you love? What can you eliminate? No matter what you have, or what you don't, you can create a curated home. Tips: If you get overwhelmed by the thought of curating your possessions, take it one room at a time. Start on one side of the room, and work your way across. Pull unwanted items out of the room and place them outside the door, to stay focused and to see the results of your work as you go. Once you're finished with that room, take the unwanted items to their new destination. To the garbage can or recycling bin for unusable items, the car for donated items, and a designated area in your home where you can process things to be sold at a yard sale or on websites such as ebay or craigslist. To avoid burnout, give yourself  little breaks in between rooms. Have a sandwich, take a walk to the mailbox, or enjoy a few minutes leafing through your favorite magazine. Moving forward, avoid buying things only because they're on sale. Make a list of items that you really want for your home and keep it in your purse. When you're out and about you can reference your list to help you stay focused on what it is that you really want in your newly curated home.

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Tomorrow I'll be talking about personal style, fashion, and pulling together and curating a wardrobe for the season.

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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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The Making of The Farm Chicks 2014 Poster

Each year when gearing up for The Farm Chicks Antiques Show, I put a great deal of thought into what the theme for the year will be and what I'm hoping to express. This year, I was wanting to do something with birds and was feeling inspired by a large collection of prints I've been gathering for a gallery wall over the years. Then, one day on a trip to H&M, I spotted some darling jeans, covered with birds that had a sort of watercolor painting look which got me to thinking about birds once again. So, I set out on a Pinterest search for bird art, hoping to find the perfect artist. After a great deal of searching, I happened upon Danielle Kroll.

What really caught my eye was this page from one of Danielle's journals:

After discussing my project with Danielle, I commissioned her for this year's show campaign. Danielle and I discussed the concept I had in mind and she came up with some initial sketches. I chose a sketch she presented depicting birds in flight and she got to work on bringing that sketch to life and created these three options with variations on colors, text placement, borders, etc.

After a small change to the text and a slightly different border, this year's poster was born:

The "Will You Go With Me?" theme this year is a play on the notes passed around school between boys and girls in my younger days, young love, and love birds. Now, this love note is from me to you. Will you go with me to The Farm Chicks Show? I hope to see you there!

Notes:

The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is held the first full weekend of June each year in Spokane, Washington. You can read more about the show here.

You can RSVP for the show on Facebook here.

Danielle Kroll is a Brooklyn based artist and designer who creates beautiful works. You can learn more about her here.

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

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Growing Sprouts

In the winter, I really miss my garden and all of the fresh veggies. Growing sprouts is like having a little winter garden.

So many beans, seeds, and grains can be sprouted and are really healthy too. Here, I've sprouted quinoa (left) and a mixture of garbanzos (chickpeas) dried peas, and lentils (right).

To make the sprouts, I add about 1/2 cup beans, seeds, or grains to a large wide-mouth canning jar and fill it with cool water. I have a special sprouting lid that I like (seen above and below), which screws right on the wide-mouth canning jars, but cheesecloth, attached with a rubber band would work well too. I let the mixture soak overnight and then drain and rinse the next day. I repeat this for 2-4 days, depending on what I'm sprouting, making sure to rinse twice a day, with cool water, and keeping out of direct sunlight, as I don't want the mixture to cook.

It takes me about two days to get good sprouted quinoa and about four days to get sprouted beans and peas. Once sprouted, I drain and rinse one last time and use the sprouts right away or refrigerate and use within two days.

Uses:

I enjoy adding sprouts into salads and wraps, or atop stir-fries or peanut-buttery Asian noodles, just before serving. They add a great texture and are incredibly nutritious.

Tips:

Many grocery stores no longer sell sprouts as they are highly susceptible to e-coli when not grown or stored properly. Sprouts should never have a foul odor, rather, they should smell fresh and seed-like. If I ever have any question as to whether the sprouts are okay or not, I toss them.

Sources:

I got my sprouting lids here. They also have a big sprouting seeds selection if you like to shop online. And here is their sprouting method, which varies slightly from mine.

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

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The Farm Chicks Poster Release Party Re-Cap 2014

We celebrated the release of the 2014 Farm Chicks Antiques Show poster last week and had such a fun time.

Masses of festive balloons filled The Bartlett.

Mini posters topped the cupcakes.

We had fun taking pictures with Photoboxx.

And postcards were shared with all!

The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is held the first full weekend of June each year in Spokane, Washington. To find out more about this happiest antiques show on earth, click here.

I'll be posting more about the poster and the artist that was commissioned to create it, later this week!

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

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Winter Field Run

I went on a run in my big warm boots through the fields today. Past the sunflower patch, the pumpkin field, pea field, and corn field. Lots of others had been there before me.

The clouds were rolling along at such a fast clip, leaving the sun to flicker in and out as they passed through. Even though we had so much snow, it's beginning to melt, as the temperature is 50 degrees warmer today than it was last week! I'm so glad that cold snap is gone.

I'm always surprised at what catches my eye when I'm in the fields. I made a note to come back to this tree for a picnic sometime this summer.

I love coming back up the little hill and seeing the house sitting there like an old friend.

Soon, the snow will all be gone and the fields will be sprouting once again.

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

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Valentine Hot Cocoa Party

The chilly days of February call for cozy celebrations, and nothing could be more cozy than a cup of hot cocoa. How about a hot cocoa party for Valentine's Day?

Gather up your favorite sweets, like cupcakes, strawberries and sweet marshmallows for floating in your cocoa.

Whip up a batch of your favorite cocoa and add it into a pretty little teapot for easy pouring. Add special touches like little heart sprinkles on a cakestand or serving tray.

Don't forget the whipped cream!

Offer strawberry milk or keifer for a special sweet and refreshing option.

Make the party festive by hanging paper lanterns.

Create a happy party table in an instant by sprinkling sweet little heart candies all about.

Place settings are as simple as heart-shaped plates, inexpensive ikea dish towels as napkins, and little boxes of chocolates.

What a treat!

Sources:

Hanging paper lanterns: I stock up on paper lanterns whenever I visit Chinatown in San Francisco. You can find them online at a number of retailers by searching for chinese paper lanterns.

White cakestands and teapot: Martha Stewart for Macy's.

Pink bowl holding strawberries: Fish's Eddy.

Heart Sprinkles: Carolyn's. (You can place orders by phone).

Heart Plates: Target

Dish Towels (used as napkins): Ikea

Small milk bottles: I found a huge collection of single serving vintage milk bottles at my local Value Village and purchased the entire lot. They are perfect for parties and grab-and-go moments. You can find a similar new version here.

The paper heart straws are from Target.

The whipped cream crock is vintage, found at Pink in Spokane.

The heart-shaped marshmallows are by Campfire and are called CupidMallows. I found them at Wal Mart.

The heart-shaped candies on the table are Everlasting Gobstopper Heartbreakers by Wonka. I found them at Target.

The little heart-shaped candy boxes are from Martha Stewart for Michael's. I purchased a bunch of them a few years ago. I filled them with chocolates. If you have a hard time finding the Martha Stewart boxes, a great substitute are little boxes of Whitman Chocolates that are available for only $1 each at Target and Wal-Mart. I recommend removing the brown plastic holder, leaving the simple white box, as shown above.

Strawberry Milk: Nestle Nesquik

Notes:

A great dairy free hot cocoa option is chocolate soy milk. Simply heat and serve.

A yummy, healthy substitute for strawberry milk is Nancy's Strawberry Keiffer, available at some health food markets or large supermarkets with a health food section.

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

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Brown Paper Packages

I do love a simple paper package. Just so humble and festive at the same time.

But what if I'm feeling like adding another simple little something? Well, I'd look all around the house, for little household things.

Like doily bits. I'd affix them with a little glue or double-stick tape.

Or confetti, because nothing says fun like a sprinkle of shimmer. Gluestick smudge, sprinkle sprinkle. Gluestick smudge, sprinkle sprinkle. And if I didn't have any confetti on hand (gasp!) I'd make my own by chopping little bits of metallic ribbon or by using my hole puncher on some festive paper.

Perhaps a simple little toothpick flag that says, "I'm happy and I want you to be too!" I'd make that little flag with a toothpick and some colorful paper.

Or maybe just some simple rosemary, attached with hot glue.

That's what I'd do.

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

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A Weekend Drive

We took a drive to Walla Walla. The sun was shining and the sky so blue I wanted to bottle it up.

We took the long way, just because we could. Everyone should have the luxury of time once in a while.

The open road is like a dream to me...

 

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

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My Autumn

I love this time of year when the air turns cool and the leaves are bright and cheerful. I feel lucky to have four seasons. Here are some scenes from my autumn. Happy day to you.

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

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The Library in the Woods

We wound our way through the tamarack, maple, birch, cedar and pine of North Idaho, where the fog filtered the light of the morning, creating a dream-like drive. Cool, crisp and misty. The road turned to dirt and the trees softly opened up to a clearing where a tiny cabin snuggled up to the edge of the trees and a campfire was burning.

We gathered around the fire and listened to him describe his life's passion: His library in the woods, hand-built from mostly salvaged materials, in what he described as his installation, a living work of art, and he, the artist. Each book added to his library likened to that of a painter, adding brush strokes to a painting. One by one.

The library sits above the meadow, facing the swimming pond below,

the tiny cabin (living quarters),

and wildlife pond, where the spring-fed water runs so deep and cold year-round you don't dare take a dip.

Entering the library, the rest of the world is left at the door. No need for phones, computers or time. This is a place to lose and regain oneself.

Where one cozy room tumbles into the next, and so on, and so on, and so on.

What is it about an artist that inspires? Can the world be better because of one's creations? What if we treated and lived our lives as if our days were our life's work? I think we lose sight of that sometimes.

Library (left) and cabin living quarters (right).

Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary, if you falter, and give up, you will lose the power of keeping any resolution, and will regret it all your life. ~Abraham Lincoln

Curated Farm Finds for a Good Cause

I spent the day in Otello, Washington yesterday, digging through the McLean family farm. If there's one thing I love about what I do (and I'm sure you already know this) it's getting invited to dig through farms and barns. But this time was a little different and it has me happier than ever...

The purpose of this dig wasn't for me to find things for myself, instead, it was to pull everything I loved from this farm together to raise money for the Air National Guard's 242 Booster Association. A farm finds collection, curated by me and all for a good cause.

Now let me tell you, digging through these old buildings is not for the faint of heart. They're typically packed to the rafters, dirty, and a little sketchy, structure wise.

I learned a great deal about these old places from my dad who always taught me to look up. Lots of great finds in the rafters and this day was no exception.

Yep, I even dug out a sweet old motorcycle.

Good old junk, as far as the eye can see...

What did I find? What did I love? My curated collection of farm finds is available now, for a limited time, at Paint in My Hair in Spokane, Washington.

Mike and Stan, with the 242 Booster Association and me, after a long day of digging at the McLean Farm.

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Special thanks to the McLean family for donating all their good old farm finds.

Thanks to Paint in My Hair for selling this curated collection to benefit the Booster Association. **Paint in My Hair is having a fun "Girls Day Out" event at their store this Saturday. Click here for more details!

And biggest thanks to everyone who serves in our armed forces, and their families who sacrifice so much for the good of our country.

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True Love - The Story of Floyd & Margaret

Today I made the drive out to Floyd and Margaret's, two unlikely friends I made while on a drive one afternoon about ten years ago with my parents. Over the years and after many visits to their farm, I grew to love and admire them and their endless love for one another. I'm heartbroken to say their lives ended last night when they were involved in a car accident while running an errand. But I don't want that to be their story. Their story is that of love, deep and true.

If you've read my first book, you may remember reading about Floyd and Margaret. Today, I'm sharing their story once again. We first met Floyd when we stopped by his farm to inquire about his enormous junkyard on the back side of his property. He was walking up the dirt road to his house from the lower pasture where he'd been tending to his cattle. His old flannel shirt was worn and dotted with scrap patches that had been meticulously hand-stitched into place. His face was deeply creased, almost scowl-like, and his eyes were dark and full of wisdom. His voice was gruff when he spoke, contradicting the small bouquet of wildflowers he was carrying, which he had just picked for his wife, Margaret. Margaret stood with eyes twinkling and beamed as Floyd handed her the flowers. In seeing her reaction, Floyd's face erupted in an ear-to-ear grin, erasing the years of hard work reflected in his face. He told us that he always picked flowers for Margaret and said he felt like they were married just yesterday. He grinned boastfully and asked, "How old do you think she is? Isn't she beautiful?" Floyd bragged that he felt like he was 18 years old and attributed that to 80-something years of "no booze, one woman, and the love of God". Needless to say, we've learned a lot from Floyd and Margaret, a lot in part just by watching the two of them interact. We've purchased truckloads of old goods and salvage from their property over the years, and on every occasion, Floyd is as ornery as ever. He doesn't like to part with anything that could be of future use on the farm and likes to know what we'll do with each of the items we buy. One of his favorites is the necklaces we've made from his vintage wallpaper. On one occasion, we found a pile of license plates, and Teri was interested in one that was from our neighboring state of Idaho. He set a high price, explaining that the license plates were useful and that he could do something with them someday. He gruffly asked her what she wanted it for. She told him it bore the year of her birth, and that she'd hang it on the wall in her house. He looked at her, smiled, and the price went down. Recently, Floyd has found it difficult to mow the lawn on his own. In true-love fashion, he and Margaret now push the lawnmower together. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After the book was published, I surprised Floyd and Margaret with a copy of their own and wrote about it here. I'm re-posting it now: March 16, 2009

I went to visit Floyd & Margaret today.  When I called, I said, "Hi Floyd!, it's Serena". "How's business?", he asked. "It's good", I said, "but that's not why I'm calling.  I have a surprise.  Are you going to be home for a little while?" "Maybe we will, maybe we won't", he replied, in his standard matter-of-fact style that we've grown so accustomed to. "Well, I'll take my chances", I said. When I pulled up to their house, no-one was around.  When I got out of the car, I heard Margaret calling out, "YOOOO-HOOOOO!"  WE"RE DOWN HERE." The wind in the fields was whipping so hard it took my breath away.  By the time I reached them, I was shaking like a leaf.  But not them.  They were hard at work, feeding the cows.  Margaret stopped what she was doing and turned to me with a warm smile on her face. I was really excited to show them the book and the story we included about them.  And after seeing their feature in the book, Floyd said with a grin, "I don't look a day older, and I sure don't feel like it either.  Did you know the Doctor says I have the blood of a 20 year-old?  And look at Margaret!  She's never dyed her hair, even once.  Still the same beautiful hair she's always had!", he said, pointing to the wisp of hair peeking out of her scarf. I couldn't help but smile.  And shiver.  It was really cold. And after a nice visit, Floyd finally said that it was time to get back to work.  Next stop, the neighbor's hundred acre parcel down the road, where there were more cattle to feed.  And as he and Margaret jointly lifted another bale of hay onto the four-wheeler, he turned and said, "God is good, Serena.  God is good." And as I drove the long way home, my mind wandered, thinking about my family, my love for Colin and the boys, and hopes and dreams.  I can only hope that everyone of us can be as happy and blessed as Floyd and Margaret. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

The Fall of the Year

Hello there. How was your weekend? Ours was as beautiful as ever. Here's what life looked like at the Thompson's.

A Fall Song

Golden and red trees Nod to the soft breeze, As it whispers, “Winter is near;” And the brown nuts fall At the wind’s loud call, For this is the Fall of the year.

Goodbye, sweet flowers! Through bright Summer hours You have filled our hearts with cheer We shall miss you so, And yet you must go, For this is the Fall of the year.

Now the days grow cold, As the year grows old, And the meadows are brown and sere; Brave robin redbreast Has gone from his nest, For this is the Fall of the year.

I do softly pray At the close of day, That the little children, so dear, May as purely grow As the fleecy snow That follows the Fall of the year.

~Ellen Robena Field

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

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Decorating the Porch for Fall

I've always enjoyed making the most out of what I have in my surroundings for decorating around our home. This is especially true when the seasons change and I'm looking to make the front porch warm and welcoming. This year my sunflower patch brought me so much joy that I wanted to make sure to use lots of the dried up flowers.

I've also really loved the decorative corn that Byron planted and decided to gather up a bunch of the beautiful cobs. I cut off a bunch of the plant tops too.

When I'm decorating for the season, I like to treat the elements just as I do for a photo shoot where I'd have a prop table or two, full of props. In this instance, I just lined up the elements. It's a really nice way to go about it because then I can clearly see exactly what I have to work with and keeps things nice and organized. This year, I really wanted to keep it simple, and not use many elements. Just sunflowers, corn, and a few pumpkins or squash.

I took some simple twine and tied a bunch of the sunflowers together, then pulled them into a circle and tied it off, making a wreath, which I hung on the front door. I love how cheery it is and the fact that it was free!

I placed the bit of corn tops and the largest sunflower heads in a bushel basket and placed them on a little farm table next to the front door, along with a squash.

Next, I filled an old galvanized tub with the corn. Isn't that corn the most beautiful thing ever?

And that's it. Later in the month, the boys will carve pumpkins and place them on the porch wherever they'd like.

The weekend starts early for us this week, as there's no school tomorrow for the boys, so today is our Friday, which is my FAVORITE day of the week! I'll see you again here on Monday. xoxo

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

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Living With Autism & Aspergers Syndrome

Our son's diagnosis with Autism, specifically Asperger's Syndrome, was a big piece to a very unexpected puzzle our lives had become. I've not written about it since last December because honestly, I'm fiercely protective of our son's privacy. How can I balance protecting his privacy with sharing information I think can be helpful to others? This is my attempt. Asperger's Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder considered by many to be the mildest and highest functioning. Because of this, many children go undetected for quite some time or undiagnosed. Once social interaction and life demands increase, symptoms begin to show much more and specific characteristics can vary. For example, some children have difficulty making eye contact when speaking, lack social and conversational skills, and fixate on specific subjects. (Of those three examples, only the last applies to our son). Studies suggest boys are four times more likely than girls to have Asperger's Syndrome. When our boy was about seven, I wondered if he may have Asperger's Syndrome. My curiosity was brought on by his disdain for being touched or hugged, which I found to be unusual considering we didn't experience this with our three other boys. After searching around about "the signs" there were things that didn't match, like the fact that he was very social and had lots of friends, so I dismissed my hunch entirely. Had I spent more time really investigating autism, his life and our lives would have been much easier. I can't stress enough how important having a diagnosis and understanding what's affecting your child is. Yes, it's very helpful for the family, but even more so for the child. For our son, his struggles really became an internal affliction - feeling different, seeing the world in a different way, and processing life differently than others. He slowly became deeply depressed, yet he nor any of us understood why. We visited doctor after doctor who couldn't see beyond the fact that he was depressed. We needed to get beyond that. Yes, he was depressed, but why?! One year after his diagnosis we now understand that many children with Asperger's suffer from depression, brought on by their differences from the mainstream world. For our boy, getting the diagnosis changed everything for him. He was able to understand that yes, he sees the world differently, but he's not crazy, and that's what he'd been thinking all along. I'm different, so I'm crazy. I'm crazy = there's no hope for me. A few of the outward signs in our son: As a child, he was very sensitive to loud noise. Doesn't like to be touched. Fixation on a specific subject: When he first began to walk he began fixating on basketball. He'd climb out of his crib at night and shoot baskets into his little Fisher Price hoop. Over and over and over and over.... saying "Shoot a hoop". "Shoot a hoop". "Shoot a hoop". Put him in his crib, he'd climb back out. Repeat Repeat Repeat. Night after night. When he began to read, the fixation turned to baseball. He'd read the baseball encyclopedia of stats and memorize each player's stats, from the beginning of baseball to current day. He'd listen to old recordings of the World Series, talk incessantly about anything baseball, and collected baseball memorabilia. On the playground, he'd create baseball teams and became manager of players, complete with contracts that he'd write at home and have his friends sign. Highly intelligent and very well read. It's normal for him to check out 20 biographies at a time at the library and read each one. (Of course, each book pertaining to his favorite subject). I want to tell you that life after the diagnosis has been easy but it hasn't. The reality is that learning to live with and manage this is hard work and we take it seriously. Sometimes for half a second, Colin and I wish that we could just take the easy path and not sweat grades, rules, and parenting quite so much. It'd be easier in the short term, that's for sure. But that's not what we signed up for when we made the choice to have these boys of ours. We're obligated to the boys and this world to create fine men, show them the way, and be loving in the process. And I'm not telling you this so that you'll praise us for our parenting. I'm telling you this because it leads me to the last part of what I want to say today about families living with autism. Although this isn't our experience, there are many families with children whose Aspergian meltdowns occur in public. At the store, school, the pool, parties, and family gatherings. I'm not saying any or all occurances you see of what the world would describe as "poorly behaved children" are related to autism. I just ask that when you see this happening, that you show kindness, refrain from judgement and hold these families in your heart. They're doing the best they can, whatever their story may be.

The Last Stand of the Season

It rained today. A real settle into your bones sort of chill, along with dark skies that turn day into night.

The sunflowers are making their last stand. I've really loved them so. Good for the honey bees and good for my spirit. Flowers are the most simple form of cheer.

The cornstalks will be gone soon, having provided their bounty long ago. One beautiful summer night, my friends and I celebrated our friend Joelle's birthday there in the field. We strung twinkly lights on the cornstalks, feasted, and had one of the best dance parties maybe ever. Just us.

Byron is harvesting potatoes now. I bet you'd find it hard to believe a potato harvest is beautiful. Well, it is.

The pumpkins will be next. Their leaves have slowly started to fade away, giving in to the cold air sweeping through.

Sometimes, when I need a moment, I steal away to the fields, breathing in the simplicity of it all. I'm thankful for my quiet little life. For the beauty that surrounds me. For fall, small accomplishments, simple joys, and for learning bits and pieces every day.

 

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

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The Coast

After leaving Marin, we headed up the California coast with no plan whatsoever. We zigged and zagged along Highway 1 (aka the Pacific Coast Highway), enjoying the gorgeous ocean view as we went along and stopping at little bakeries and cafes along the way. Somewhere near Leggett, California, Highway 1 ends and Highway 101 begins. I loved seeing the mouth of the Klamath River, which is the river I spent many a summer day as a kid, tubing, swimming, and enjoying everything about summer.

The coast was so mesmerizing that we decided to keep on that route all the way back to Washington State. At some point along the way, Highway 101 breaks away from the coast and we were soon ensconced in the Redwoods, which was such a treat. Driving along this highway, you can't help but see life in a different way - like there's more than the rush and crush that can take over our lives sometimes.

All in all, the boys and I logged more than 2,000 miles on this trip and grew closer in the process. Taking the slow way home was a good choice.

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Some favorites along the way:

We veered off Highway 1 from time to time to see the California countryside, just off the coast. It was worth it.

Mendocino, California and Manzanita, Oregon were my very favorite towns along the way.

The countryside outside of Tillamook, Oregon is storybook beautiful.

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Marin

We spent some time in Marin with my sister and family, which is where she settled after moving away from home and finishing college. Marin County is a special place to me as we spent a good deal of time here when we were younger. Shortly after my sister returned to Marin, she met a girl her same age and they began talking about this and that. At some point in the conversation, they realized who each other was - a best friend from Kindergarten. (My sister attended school in Marin for a period of time while our family took a break from the road and lived out of the Gypsy Wagon here). They're friends to this day. We started the day at Two Birds for breakfast:

The boys were treated to a bit of George Lucas while we we visited the area. Recently, George Lucas had a park built, (Imagination Park), which is a pretty little park in the middle of  San Anselmo (one of many towns located within Marin County), complete with a tribute to Indiana Jones and Yoda. Later, we headed out to Naboo, (aka the forest near my sister's home), which is a planet in the Star Wars universe. The Ewok fight scene was shot here.

My niece, Kylie, named after our brother, Ky.

Later, we stopped by Toby's Barn in Point Reyes, and meandered about town. I love that my sister's yoga's classes are in a barn. This place always makes me happy - a modern day feed and farm store.

It was a beautiful day in Marin!

Now we're making our way home to Spokane. Where will we stop along the way? Stay tuned!

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

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On The Road

After my visit home, we set out on the road for an adventure of our own. First stop: Berkeley and then to visit my sister, Heather, in Marin. We'll be road tripping our whole way home. (I can't help it, I do love the open road!) I'll be writing about my stops along the way as we make our way home. Happy Trails ~ Summer 2013!

Berkeley, California -- July, 2013 -- Claremont Hotel

 

Saying Good-Bye

I went home one last time to say good-bye to my childhood home, where we settled after leaving Croy Gulch. My parents have moved into town because they're getting older and can no longer live their primitive lifestyle. My sister and I can't believe it finally happened. We never thought we'd see the day when they'd leave this place, let alone give up the life they've always known.

The Gypsy Wagon, slowly being surrounded by the elements.

My mom can't help but water the garden that she loved and cared for all these years.

My dad's beloved boom truck that raised many a log.He won't let the boom truck go, it means too much to him.

I had mixed emotions about going back and it's hard to explain, really. This remote home was a piece of me, mostly a friend, but sort of an enemy. Honestly, it was a really hard place to live and an incredibly lonely place, for me. Inside of me, I was terribly terribly lonely and feeling cut off from the world that I wanted to be a part of, so the land became my friend. I'd hunt for arrowheads, make little villages for imaginary gnomes and fairies out of bark and twigs, and create little play places of my own, where I'd sit and dream of my future life for hours on end. The land was good to me, but I was terrified of never getting away, being stuck in this place that for me was very confining. No phone, no electricity, no running water, no contact with the outside world.

My little playhouse, complete with a door, built against an old log. Inside was a little shelf where I'd place my tiny tin dishes and old prescription bottles, pretending it was the kitchen.

The snag that I'd climb in, sit inside of and dream.

Rock House. I used to take my transistor radio up here and live in my house for the day.

I wondered if, when going back this last time, that I'd be overcome with emotion. But I was okay. I understand my parents choice to have lived the life they did and am thankful for the person I've become because of it.

My dad and me.

My parents live in town now and in a place that in the past they'd never have considered for half a second. It's incredibly amusing to hear them gasp every time they flip a switch to turn on a light or marvel at air conditioning and running water. And every time before they go to the store, they describe that it will take them 10 minutes, there and back, instead of 40 minutes each way. Every time.

Things are still "far-out!", "groovy", "copasetic", and "a real trip". Some things will never change. And that's okay.

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

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Leoda's Kitchen & Pie Shop

When my family and I went to Hawaii for spring break, a friend recommended that we pay a visit to Leoda's.

I loved the elements they brought in to make it feel homey, like you'd hope a pie shop to be.

There's something sweet and nostalgic about a pie case.

Love the old cow sign!

Slat board backing, filled Mason jars and cake stands add warmth to an otherwise utilitarian piece.

And your order? It comes in a pie tin, of course!

Leoda's Kitchen & Pie Shop is located in Lahaina, Hawaii on the island of Maui. You can find out more about Leoda's here.

Float House Sleepover

This spring I had a sleepover with Nancy and Sally at Nancy's float house.

The stunning scenery gets me every time.

Nancy's eclectic style makes everything feel cozy and happy.

And I love how every surface that someone may EVER sit on, has a cushion. Like this teeny tiny stool near the fireplace:

We played games like Tile Rummy

and watched the ducks floating by.

And it was perfect.

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Love Nancy's float house? You can see another post about it here.

 

Holiday

I love it when people say they're on holiday. It sounds sweeter than taking a break or vacation. I've been on a holiday of sorts since The Farm Chicks Show - doing things like picking berries, weeding, and working on my sunflower patch.

I've been anxious to share details about the show and will be doing that later next week. In the meantime, between my posts here, you can find me on Instagram, where I post images from my quiet little world, daily. xoxo

 

Little Cabin in the Woods

Every time I see this little cabin in the woods, I wish I could go inside and soak in all its sweetness. I don't think she receives many visitors these days.

Hello front porch, have you seen anyone in a while?

Hello, back door. I love the treasures you're keeping safe from the elements.

And you, best little kitchen cooling window I've ever seen, I wish I could bake a bunch of pies and place them on your shelves, for old-times sake.

How long since you've been opened?

How long since someone's looked at you for your authority?

How long since someone's danced around you as you baked?

 

Even though you're cold right now, I can feel your warmth, little cabin.

And I will admire you, if only from outside, for all the days of my life.

Because you're beautiful. Yes you are.

 

Tulip Trip

We took a trip to the tulips, on the other side of our beautiful Washington State. The Washington Bulb Company fields were bursting with happiness.

Would you like to come along with me through the fields? You'll see the ground is wet and muddy - there's a lot of rainfall here.

Rubber boots are a must.

Let's go!

There's field after field of daffodils too!

And the gardens at Roozengaarde are unbelievably stunning.

Now that's some spring happiness isn't it?!

The Washington Bulb Company and Roozengaarde are located in Washington State's Skagit Valley, which is about one hour north of Seattle.

Tips for visiting the fields:

Arrive early. The fields get really busy, but if you arrive right at opening, you'll avoid the lines and much of the crowds.

Bring a warm coat with a hood! The fields can be really breezy and rain is likely.

Wear rubber boots and pack a garbage bag and extra shoes. When you're ready to leave, you can put your muddy boots into the garbage bag and change into your clean shoes.

Set time aside to drive the backroads in the area. The farms and farmhouses are dreamy.

Snow Goose Produce is such a lovely happy sweet little stop. Make sure you do! (Thank you to everyone on Facebook who recommended it to me!)

Springing Up Your Everyday Way

Spring has sprung! Here are some favorites of mine to add some happy spring color and sweetness to your everyday way.

Dress: Target

Bag: Forever 21

Paris Mini Postcard Set: 7321 Design

Flowery Flats: Madewell

Polish: Essie

 

As Far as the Eye Can See

Colin and I went for a hike up Palm Canyon. It's a beauty to behold. Groves of palms and a stream, shockingly appear out of the desert.

Then just as suddenly as they appear, they're gone again, giving way to magnificent rock formations that are a beauty all their own.

 
 
 

As we make our way up and out of the canyon, the desert unfolds as far as the eye can see.

A warm breeze blows through and we stop to catch our breath and take it all in. There's a happiness that comes with seeing new things with the one I love.

We retrace our steps, several miles worth, until the canyon appears once again. The view that was at our backs as we climbed is now revealed as we descend.

And back to the canyon are we.

 
 
 

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~Mark Twain

 

The Printshop - Hearn Brothers

I've been working with Dale at Hearn Brothers Printing in Spokane for many years. His printshop has printed much of the materials for The Farm Chicks Antiques Show. This year, the printshop has been busy printing the show posters and postcard flyers. I thought you might enjoy seeing how they are made.

Before we begin the process, I always meet with Dale to go over paper options for my project. For these posters, I had one sort of paper in mind, but after consulting with Dale, I was convinced I needed to head in a different direction to make sure we ended up with the best possible poster. Once the paper is selected, the process of my materials being printed begins.

It all starts with the art file. The file is opened up and analyzed. Here is the postcard art shown on the left and then super-magnified on the right for color analysis.

Once the file is ready to go, it's sent to this piece of equipment to make the film.

Once the film is produced, it's analyzed to check that everything looks correct. The film is then placed on the machine that produces the printing plates, secured via notches in the film.

A plastic cover is placed over the film,

and the machine cover is closed. The platemaking process begins.

Four plates are made, as there are four colors in the posters and postcards. The plates are then taken to the printing area and placed into the printing machine. Since the posters and postcards have only four colors, only four of the six printing chambers are used.

Scrap paper from previous print jobs is taken from the shelf and placed into the feeder on the print machine for a test run.

Standing on the platform of the print machine, and looking down into the chambers, you can see the posters run through black:

Yellow (seen below), Magenta, and Cyan.

And out they come, on the other end.

The test posters are then very carefully analyzed to make sure the colors are exactly correct.

This magnifier is used to check the colors.

This is what it looks like through the magnification lens:

Million of dots, completely unseen to the naked eye. These little dots are what make up the image that you see. Amazing, isn't it?

Tiny adjustments are made and testers are run through a couple of more times until it's just right. Then, they're ready to print the posters. Fresh paper is brought out and taken to the cutting machine to cut down to the correct size for this project.

  

Then it's back to the feeder with the fresh-cut paper and the process is started once again, this time with the final version.

And here they are:

Next, the posters are taken back to the cutter and are trimmed to size. Then the process starts all over for the postcards.

Hearn Brothers Printing is located in Spokane, Washington. You can reach them by phone at 509-327-6308. 

P.S. I'm having a little Pop Up Poster Release Party in Spokane this Friday. I'd love for you to pop in for some flyers and I'll treat you to a cupcake! You can find all the details here.

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Designing a Poster

The Farm Chicks Show poster holds a special place in my heart. A tradition started on the very first little sale in my friend, Meegan's barn, across the prairie from my house, more than a decade ago. The first two flyers were made by my sister and printed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheets of paper.

My love for beautiful signage and advertising began long ago, when my parent's incorporated it into pretty much every area of our life. You can say I was born this way. Old signs adorned the outside of our gypsy wagon home.

Inside, the walls were covered in more signage and advertising, and my dad made a part-time living as a sign painter, painting signs and cars as a way to supplement his income. It was his true passion, honed by all the years he spent interning with Tommy the Greek in his hometown of Oakland, California.

The posters and signage created for the show are more than just promotions for the show. They are artful creations steeped in a rich history that pays homage to my roots.

As the years have gone by, the posters have evolved and become more poster-sized. And for the last few years, I've begun to tie the theme of each year's show into the poster - a fun foreshadowing of what's to come. This year, I commissioned artist Isabel Reyes Feeney to create both the poster and postcard flyer.

I chose Isabel because there was a certain look I was going for, which I thought she could capture, and I love her soft vintage, yet current color palate that she works in. We discussed different ideas and elements that I wanted to make sure and include. And then Isabel began to sketch and eventually came to this which we were both really happy with:

 

And then, Isabel brought the sketch to life:

Which resulted in this, the poster:

Now you know, when you're looking at a poster for The Farm Chicks Show, you're looking at a little piece of my heart.

P.S. I'm hosting a Pop Up Poster Release party this Friday, in Spokane. Pop in for some flyers to pass out to friends, family and customers and I'll treat you to a cupcake! You can find out more about it here.

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Tomorrow I'm going to take you on a little trip to the printer to watch how my posters get made.

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The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is held just once a year in my hometown, Spokane, Washington, the first weekend of June.  This year, the show falls on June 1st & 2nd. You can find out more about the show here.

The images of Isabel Reyes Feeney and her work are courtesy of Isabel Reyes Feeney.

You can find more of Isabel's work and products for purchase in her Little Atae Etsy Store.

You can read more about my childhood history here.

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Jimmies

It's fun to find new ways to serve up treats. What can you do when you have tipsy little treats that wobble about when placed on a serving tray? Why, fill a favorite vessel with Jimmies, of course!

Then, place your little treats...

Oops, now that's better with ice cream. Just place your little treats, and serve! No more wobbly treats.

Sources:

Jimmies can be found in most supermarkets.

Ceramic Berry Basket: Crate and Barrel

Mini Ice Cream Cones: Walmart

Tablecloth: Pottery Barn

Sprinkle Shakes

Shakes are delicious and tasty. But in February, I like to give them a special spark. Take this ordinary vanilla shake, for example. Ho. Hum.

Add some sprinkles...

And stir.

 

It's like a tasty fireworks shake. Shake! Shake! Shake! Shake it up!

Note:

To make the "fireworks, you'll need to make sure to use the teeny tiny dot sprinkles available at most supermarkets.

And that's how you brighten up a gray, February day.

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Sprinkles

This time of year I begin craving color, light, and happy things. What can you find around the house that can add a little cheer?

How about sprinkles? This week, I'm going to show you some happy little things you can do with these sweethearts of the pantry.

Sprinkles make pretty confetti. Sprinkle them all about the table.

It's like an instant party. Just because.

And that makes me happy.

Sources:

Star sprinkles can be found in most supermarkets.

Jar: Walmart

Tablecloth: Pottery Barn

Pink Dotty Paper Cup: Bake it Pretty

Letter Candies: Hope and Greenwood

Pink Square Plate: Martha Stewart, Macy's

White Square Plate: Target

Button Candies on plate: Jean Philippe

Miniature Plastic Fork: Target

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The Mountains

We went away to the mountains. How lucky are the cousins who can putter around and be pals?

Sunny days covered in snow. We soak in what mother nature sends our way.

A walk in the woods, where winter is slowly giving way to spring.

And then like magic, a winter playland appears. She seems to say, Come play on my ice! So we do.

A hockey game...

A twirl, a swirl.

And then we're off to explore. Wild strawberries are found.

A forest playground.

Making The Most Out Of Pinterest

You're probably one of the many millions of people using Pinterest. And probably using it for a way to keep ideas cataloged or just to find inspiration. But it actually has another really great use for you if you run a creative business, blog, or website.

Just as with all social media, you can use these platforms to better what you're doing and better connect with your audience. Wouldn't it be great to know what content you put out really resonates with your readers? Pinterest is a great way to gauge that and here's how:

In your web browser, simply type in http://pinterest.com/source/yourwebaddresshere  For example, to see what's being pinned from my blog, here is what I'd type in: http://pinterest.com/source/thefarmchicks.typepad.com

Today, this is what comes up. I can scroll and scroll to see what is being pinned from my site:

One day, I was surprised to see my How to Make a Cloud project pinned a huge number of times and proceeded to have more than 10,000 visitors to the blog in a few hours. Other days I can see that readers are enjoying what I posted that day. The more interesting to my readers, the more pins I see.

Of course, I'm always going to post about what interests me, but it's helpful to know what my audience enjoys as well.

 

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This Week

We've been plugging along in freezy Spokane. Finals week ends today. Hooray!

This morning I told the boys, three times, that the walkway was icy. Next thing I knew, one of them was flat on his back. Sometimes I wonder if my words are heard like the adults in Charlie Brown. Just saying.

Cody set out on his his band's first tour. His smile makes me cheery.

Last night my friends and I celebrated a dear friend's birthday. It was a sweet and happy night. Friends are like sunshine, aren't they?

And Colin's birthday is just a few days away. We're looking forward to a fun weekend celebrating, with the boys.

Next week, I'm getting ready for Valentine's Day. I think I'm going to sprinkle the house with hearts. We'll see...

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Meeting Ken and Seeing the Light

I was on a flight heading out of New York City. Just before takeoff, a gentleman boarded and sat down in the middle seat next to me. He began making small talk with the man sitting in the aisle seat beside him. He was returning home to Wisconsin after a visit to the Middle East. The man who he was visiting with was a middle school teacher. You're a teacher? I'd like to send you some books for your students, he said. Instead of asking him about the books, the teacher changed the subject. He clearly wasn't interested. Friendly, but not interested.

As they chatted, I closed my eyes to take a nap, partly to rest and partly to avoid conversation. I drifted off to sleep having made the assumption that my seatmate was a minister who was interested in sharing his beliefs, and that the books he was offering must be related to his religion. And honestly, that thought made me uncomfortable. Who knew what his beliefs were?

At some point, I was awakened by sunlight beaming in through the window. My seatmate was sitting forward in his seat, staring straight ahead to avoid the blinding light. The teacher next to him was fast asleep. I pulled down the window shade and apologized that he'd been having to sit uncomfortably for all that time. He just smiled and said that it was no problem. We began to chat. He'd barely caught our flight, which was the connecting final leg for him on a long trip home from the Middle East. He'd been traveling for something like 24 hours at that point and was looking forward to seeing his wife.

He asked me if I worked outside the home and I tried to explain what I do. He asked if I had children and we talked about his own. And then he told me that he'd love to send me a book for my children. Oh dear, I thought to myself. Here it comes, he's going to preach to me. About something crazy. What is the name of the book? I ask.  A Gathering of Eagles, he replies. Oh no, oh no, oh no, I'm thinking. What's it about? I ask. He describes it as a book of stories and advice from 117 Medal of Honor recipients. I was taken aback and feeling bad that I had made an assumption about him and what he was trying to convey.

I learn that he's retired. What is your connection to the book? I ask. I'm a Medal of Honor recipient he replies. I'm Ken. Ken Stumpf.

You know how you feel when you realize you've been judgemental, and even worse, wrongfully so? I of all people should know this and speak of it often. You never really know someone's story. 

Ken and I go on to have a lovely conversation, much of it with me wishing I could magically teleport my father-in-law Pete into my seat so that he and Ken can talk. They both served in Vietnam and I know they share a brotherhood that civilians like myself can't possibly understand.

After we land and stand to deplane, Ken and I say our goodbyes and I thank him for his service to our country. The teacher looks on quizzically and I feel sad that he slept through learning he was sitting next to an American hero, a man he could have talked about with his students on Monday. I could have missed it too, but fortunately, I saw the light.

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The After Story:

I'm happy to report that my boys now proudly own their own copy of A Gathering of Eagles, a gift sent personally from Ken. And my wish came true: Pete and Ken are now in touch with one another.

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There are 79 living recipients of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is bestowed to any member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.

Ken Stumpf is a retired United States Army soldier and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Stumpf joined the Army from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and by April 25, 1967 was serving as a Specialist Four in Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. On that day, near Duc Pho in the Republic of Vietnam, Stumpf rescued three wounded comrades despite heavy fire and single-handedly disabled an enemy bunker. He was subsequently promoted to Staff Sergeant and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Stumpf reached the rank of Sergeant Major before retiring from the Army.

Staff Sergeant Stumpf's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. SSG Stumpf distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader of the 3d Platoon, Company C, on a search and destroy mission. As SSG Stumpf's company approached a village, it encountered a North Vietnamese rifle company occupying a well fortified bunker complex. During the initial contact, 3 men from his squad fell wounded in front of a hostile machine gun emplacement. The enemy's heavy volume of fire prevented the unit from moving to the aid of the injured men, but SSG Stumpf left his secure position in a deep trench and ran through the barrage of incoming rounds to reach his wounded comrades. He picked up 1 of the men and carried him back to the safety of the trench. Twice more SSG Stumpf dashed forward while the enemy turned automatic weapons and machine guns upon him, yet he managed to rescue the remaining 2 wounded squad members. He then organized his squad and led an assault against several enemy bunkers from which continuously heavy fire was being received. He and his squad successfully eliminated 2 of the bunker positions, but one to the front of the advancing platoon remained a serious threat. Arming himself with extra hand grenades, SSG Stumpf ran over open ground, through a volley of fire directed at him by a determined enemy, toward the machine gun position. As he reached the bunker, he threw a hand grenade through the aperture. It was immediately returned by the occupants, forcing SSG Stumpf to take cover. Undaunted, he pulled the pins on 2 more grenades, held them for a few seconds after activation, then hurled them into the position, this time successfully destroying the emplacement. With the elimination of this key position, his unit was able to assault and overrun the enemy. SSG Stumpf's relentless spirit of aggressiveness, intrepidity, and ultimate concern for the lives of his men, are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

Staff Sergeant Kenneth E. Stumpf receiving the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Image: Scott Stumpf, via mishalove.

Glamorous Glamorous

I was feeling glamorous so I decided to do a little nail shop, just for me.

I gathered all the essentials. Cuticle pusher, cuticle clippers, files, nail buffer and polish.

Since I was feeling glamorous, I decided to add a little sparkle. Nail stickers!

Just stick, press, and file down tips.

 

G - L - A - M - O - R - 0 - U - S .  Glamorous Glamorous.

Sources: Nail supplies, Loreal nail polish and Loreal Nail Stickers from Target.

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