AmLo Farms

Handmade Holidays

2011-11-21T10:14:00.000-06:00

Another holiday season is upon us...the years are flying by!! My needles are clickety clacking and the sewing machine will soon be whirring away as I get the girls handmade gifts ready. Sweaters, new mittens, hats, clothes, art supplies and fun homemade wood toys will hopefully fill their Christmas morning with cheer! We rarely buy a holiday gift for them, preferring homemade. The girls make gifts for each other and for whoever they want to give to. This year we are also making cookies to share with the neighbors and I made Kahlua to share with the grown-ups!

The girls' big gift this year is our sweet Kona of course. She seems to be settling in now. We took her to my brother's house yesterday to meet their sweet dog, Roo. They got along well! The kids had a blast playing with their cousins and I had a great visit with my bro and sister-in-law. Now it's back to Mama's Workshop as we dive in with the crafting! Wish me luck!

What are you working on this year? Peace!

Meet Our Newest Family Member

2011-11-19T15:29:00.000-06:00

We have aquired a new little girl to our household. We are pleased to introduce you to our little beauty - Kona! She is a 4 and a half month old lab/husky/german shepherd mix and the sweetest thing on the planet! She has super intense eyes with one a pale blue and the other a bright amber/gold! She moved in on Thursday night and is quietly getting acclimated to her new home. She absolutely adores the girls, especially Xi. Neither of the girls knew this was happening. We have always told them no dogs, even up to a couple nights before she arrived. We wanted to surprise them with the best holiday gift we've ever given them, and man oh man were they surprised!

Enjoy the pics!

Peace!

Lakeway Resort and Spa Events - Gingerbread Nights

2011-11-19T15:03:00.001-06:00

Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing / Ring ting tingle-ing too...

Yes, the holidays are here and I have been asked to share an event you won't want to miss! Lakeway Resort and Spa's "Gingerbread Nights" on Friday and Saturday nights - December 1 - December 17th.

Executive Chef Jeff Axline is creating a gingerbread village which will be on display in the main lobby everyday beginning December 1. Along with this amazing display, between 6pm-8pm there will be kid's activities. Fun things to do such as ornament decorating on Friday nights and gingerbread cookie decorating on Saturday nights.

Additionally, various groups and artists from the community, including Lake Travis High School harpist Whitney Souery, will be singing and caroling many of your Christmas favorites.

And so the adults are not left out, there will be a full bar available at the back porch (near the lobby) as well as hot chocolate for the kids.

This is free and open to the public. Hope to see you all there!!! Peace and Happy Holiday!

Lakeway Resort and Spa Events - Thanksgiving

2011-11-19T14:53:00.002-06:00

Hey there everyone living in Austin and surrounding areas! The Lakeway Resort and Spa is having some exciting holiday events and they asked me to share with you their invite for Thanksgiving. This all looks like it will be alot of fun!

SPEND THANKSGIVING IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

Lakeway Resort and Spa hosts a gourmet Thanksgiving brunch with activities for the whole family

WHO: Lakeway Resort and Spa, nestled on the shores of Lake Travis, combines the grandeur of a world-class destination with the charm of the Texas Hill Country.

Lakeway Resort and Spa will host Thanksgiving featuring Chef Axline¹s brunch, panoramic views of Lake Travis, a family-friendly petting zoo and live entertainment by internationally acclaimed jazz pianist and singer Louie Carrington. Thanksgiving brunch will be held in the Travis Dining Room overlooking the lake, making it the perfect setting for Thanksgiving.

WHAT: Chef Axline¹s special Thanksgiving brunch will include an assortment of cold dishes such as spinach salad withcandied pecans and champagne vinaigrette, Southwest Caesar salad, tropical sliced fruit with lemon and thyme infused yogurt, cold smoked salmon, poached shrimp cocktail, white bean salad with smoked duck and a cheese board with imported and domestic cheese, dried fruits and baguette. Breakfast choices for the brunch will also include an omelet station with assorted condiments, oven roasted breakfast potatoes, house made cheddar bacon biscuits with gravy, apple smoked bacon and sausage links and banana bread French toast. Hot and savory choices will include traditional roast turkey, house made meatballs, braised short ribs, pan roasted salmon, roasted pork loin, carved to order Prime rib and carved to order bone in Virginia ham. Chef Axline will also create an assortment of desserts including apple cobbler, New York style cheesecake, carrot cake withcream cheese icing, red velvet cupcakes, orange infused cannolis andpecan pies. Their will also be a Bloody Mary bar for an additional $5.

Thanksgiving brunch will be $49.95 per adult, $16.50 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children under 3. For reservations please call 512-261-7379 or you can makereservations online at http://lakewayresortandspa.com/Dining.aspx. Package rates including guest room and Thanksgiving Brunch for two persons start at $235 per room per night. To book a room call 800-525-3929 or log onto www.lakewayresortandspa.com.

WHEN: Thursday, November 24th

10:30 a.m.‹ 3 p.m.

WHERE: Lakeway Resort and Spa

101 Lakeway Drive

Austin, TX 78734

MEDIA CONTACT: Claudia Blanchette / 512.382.9017 / claudia@giantnoise.com

Hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving! Peace!

And They Just Keep On Growing...

2011-10-25T16:44:00.000-05:00

Here are the girls, looking less and less like little kids!

Lola's soccer picture for this season:

And Xiola's school picture:

Where did my babies go?!

Peace!

Time....

2011-10-18T11:36:00.000-05:00

I promised 2 months ago I'd start updating more and apparently I was telling tales! I apologize for that. Life has been so busy around here and the time is slipping past too quickly. I've taken a step back in order to focus on other things but am ready to jump back in with both feet. I think summer temps drag me down to be honest and de-motivate me. However, we are experiencing some beautiful Fall weather and it's time to dust off the cobwebs of this place and get back to business!

The first order of the day, updating on the girls. They are doing fabulous! They both love school and are changing and growing everyday. Saturday's are devoted to soccer with the Farm Girl playing double headers sometimes. She is advancing quickly with it all, as are all the girls on her team. They are finally playing the way soccer should be played and I see their full hearts in it every game. I'm so proud of these girls! Xi is also playing again this year and is our scorer! She has a determination in that little body that would make a grown man shake in his boots. She doesn't take gruff from anyone and has one clear focus, get the ball to the net. Haha! She absolutely adores the game and it's so much fun to watch her confidence building as quickly as it is between that and school. Proud parents on the farm!

I am finally feeling more motivated as I stated above, and so have been crafting more lately again. I've picked up the knitting needles, dusted off the sewing machine and am plotting the holiday gift making. I'm a bit behind, but that's okay! It always comes together in the end and that's what is important. I love that the girls have homemade gifts waiting for them on Christmas morning. Things I notice that they treasure more. Makes me proud to see them wanting to make things for each other too. Lola just finished knitting a baby washcloth for her teacher as well, who is due with her first baby in about 4 weeks. I knit some baby hats and made a pocket doll to go with the basket of goodies the class will giving her next week. I am very proud of Lola...she did a great job!

I am determined to get some long over due reviews up this week, so please look for those! Thank you so much for not abandoning me in my absence as well. Sometimes it's good to step away and gain some perspective again.

For now, here are some photos of the last few weeks and things we've made and been doing. Hope you enjoy!

New doll I made for Xi's birthday...

Pocket doll. I LOVE making these and am going to put some up in my Etsy shop soon!

Harry Potter and Dorothy joined us for the Great Goblin Glow this year!

Harry practicing a spell on a nervous Dorothy!

A very serious Harry Potter

And a very sweet Dorothy.

The Great Goblin Glow!

Some reusable bags for shopping the bulk bins. I made these from an old sheet. More to be made and embroidered....

Peace!

Where Did The Summer Go?

2011-08-24T09:12:00.000-05:00

I swear I was going to be good and keep up with everything here, but the Summer flew by! School has started and the girls were both very excited. Xiola was also nervous, but ready. I can't believe my babies are both in school now. They have both come home excited to tell me about their days and what new things they are doing. Xiola is making new friends and loves her teacher. I am relieved and also a bit melancholy to see them grow up so fast. Both are in public school, and while we'd love to have them in a Waldorf setting, we simply cannot afford it. Fortunately the school here is amazing and does alot of alternative type lessons with their curriculum, so we are happy.

The weather here has been brutal! 100+ degrees for almost 60 days straight. The veggie bed is toast, we can't even be outside alot of the time because it's just too hot. I am keeping the front gardens going, but will most likely lose a few things. We do water the oaks and elm on our property though as we do NOT want to lose trees. No rain whatsoever for weeks now. Even the chickens have gone on strike. I hope it ends soon. Everything is withered and the lake is super low. Scary....

I have several reviews to catch up on, including some exciting books I was sent so look for these in the next couple weeks. I am also going to open my Etsy store finally. Working on getting things made to stock it with. I will have surprises, giveaways and a specials running so please stay tuned and don't count me out yet!!

Hope your summer is coming to a happy close and the next phase of the year brings nothing but joy! Peace!

Busy Busy Busy!

2011-06-28T12:04:00.000-05:00

I apologize for neglecting all! It's been a busy beginning to summer. The children I take care of who were in school all year are back full time, so adjusting to new routines and 6 children at once is taking a bit of time. All is well though! I have exchange gifts to finish and send that are already a week behind...eek! Plus projects to do around here to get ready for a big gathering we are having on July 17th here at the house. Not to mention the children! LOL We are having fun trying to find out groove though....I will be back this week with new pictures of projects, kids and gardens. I promise!!

Until then...Peace!

{This Moment} Lake Fun

2011-06-10T09:42:00.000-05:00

While girls were visiting grandparents, J and I got some time on the lake with friends. That is not me on the skis but my beautiful friend Claire who had decided to water ski again after many years. She did great! (That is J in the back of the boat).

A single photo - no words (okay, sometimes a couple words) - capturing a single moment in the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. And to see where this all started, visit Soulemama.

Swim Lessons!

2011-06-07T15:59:00.000-05:00

The girls are spending the week with Grandma and Papa who were so wonderfully kind to get them swim lessons! It's become an annual event for Lola and this year Xi got to go too. So good for them to spread their wings, try new things and realize that it's okay to be away from Mommy and Daddy sometimes. Haha! My mother-in-law sent these pictures of today's first lessons. Being in the pool is perfect for them right now, it's hot here!

What are you doing to keep cool? Peace!

And Then There Were Two....

2011-05-30T13:03:00.000-05:00

Hope you are having a relaxing Memorial Day! Peace!

The Chair

2011-05-27T16:39:00.000-05:00

I love Ana White and her designs. I love that she makes the plans easy for a novice like myself to create something functional and beautiful. I love that this project cost me a total of $8.00 for all the supplies, including fabric which was a thrift store score. I love that my Xi loves it. I love that Farm Girl wants one for herself in green. This was a fun project.

What are you creating these days? Peace!

A Budding Artist

2011-05-26T17:40:00.000-05:00

Xi was being creative yesterday with her sister's guitar. This is a song she wrote for her baby cousins, twins Riley and Dylan. Enjoy!

Peace!

Busy Times!

2011-05-17T10:21:00.002-05:00

We have been busy around here for sure! Our nephew is visiting while his parents are in Cannes....yes, Cannes. They are at the film festival no less! My brother in law is a film editor and his movie, The Big Fix, is to be specially screened tonight. It is about the Gulf oil spill and the lies the media and government told us. (Josh Tickell, the director, is also the man behind the movie, Fuel which documents the need for bio-fuel use in our country as well as globally.) It is an exciting time for them to be sure!

Director Josh Tickell and his wife Rebecca Harrell in still from The Big Fix

My sister is having a fabulous time and we are having a great time as well with her son. He and Xi are the same age and he's such a wonderful, full of energy and light little boy! The kids are all getting along great. I am so excited we have this time with him and so proud of my brother in law for his hard work and my sister for being so supportive of him when he was gone for days at a time working. Go Keenans!

H made vampire teeth out of paper. LOL!

The garden is coming along as well. Everything is growing and changing and blossoming. I am in-love with it all! We had our first tomato from the garden yesterday...yum! Many more to come from looking at the plants! Cucumbers are starting to get ready and we are picking beans like mad everyday. I actually want to plant more. We have had some raccoon trouble again though. Not only did they destroy one of the raised beds, but we are down to 7 chickens..:( They are coming before dark now, so if the chickens coop isn't closed up by about 7PM, it's curtains for one of them. I need to restock the flock for sure! We have plans to gate off another huge section for the goats and chickens to roam in, which will make cooping them easier as well as super reinforce the raccoon problem. The creatures won't go around the goats, and with the goats in the same "yard" as the chickens, I think they will be good watchdogs. We will still coop the chooks for sure and double reinforce all entrances. Life on the farm is never dull!!

I also had a wonderful gift sent to me from my dear friend Michelle...a new-to-me camera! My old digi is about 10 years on now, we got it before Farm Girl arrived! Michelle gifted herself with a newer model and sent me her old one, that is fantastic!!!! I'm in heaven and trying to learn all the many features. I'd love to take a class to be honest, but time constraints kind of prevent that. Maybe something online? Hmmmm.... Anyway, I am so happy with the performance and ease of this new toy. Thank you so much my dear!

Hope everyone is having a great Spring. Summer is approaching fast and I'm looking forward to having Farm Girl here all day when school is out. It's nice having them both around!

See you all soon! Peace!

Still Lifes

2011-05-03T13:08:00.000-05:00

Just a few photos of some fun times the last couple weeks! Peace!

Green

2011-04-25T14:47:00.000-05:00

As in green tomatoes! They are popping up all over my plants now and I can't be more excited. I have visions of yummy homemade grilled pizza with fresh basil, tomatoes, goat cheese and pesto...my favorite homegrown tomato treat actually! My favorite salad of all time right now is a simple tomato (homegrown of course and several varieties), cukes from the garden, red onions, dash of pepper all topped with a drizzle of fresh oil and vinegar. Yum! We will eat this with dinner all summer until the tomatoes stop producing. Can't wait! I spied with my little eye baby cukes on the plants too, so won't be too long.

What are you most excited about in your garden? Hope you had a fantastic holiday weekend! Peace!

Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T10:25:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone is enjoying today and remembering to think about our good Mother Earth. We are getting ready for a visit from family which we are very excited about as well as a fun filled weekend!

What are you doing to celebrate this weekend? Peace!

(I was trying to add some pics of our baby tomatoes, but Blogger is not cooperating. Have a great day anyway!)

{This Moment} Card Shark

2011-04-15T13:55:00.000-05:00

Playing cards with Aunty LeAnn in Portland, Oregon. She is on her first big trip away from home (without big sis or us) with Grandma and got to stay with J's sister while there! Photo courtesy of LeAnn Locher.

Mouth Watering

2011-04-07T11:39:00.001-05:00

Three of the tomato plants are already producing! Noticed several teeny toms yesterday while out in the front beds. I can hardly wait. I never liked tomatoes until I started growing my own. Now I crave them when the season is over. Funny how homegrown, organic goodness can turn the taste buds around....

I also am almost finished with the bamboo trellis' for the pole beans and cukes. They are growing rapidly. I got all the structure done and about half the twine up, am about to head out and work on it some more.

My ornamentals are filling in beautifully! First year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap! This saying is proving true for my perennials out front. The plants that are on their third year are really taking off nicely! It seems that there are huge amounts of growth everyday right now. I am loving just hanging out in the garden.

The back flower bed definitely needs work. Those rascally chooks of our's ate the new seedlings, so it's just the established plants right now. I am seriously considering a small iron or picket fence. Whichever I can find that will fit the budget. I don't like fencing off beds like that, but if it means that the plants have a chance and I don't have to leave the chickens cooped, then it may be worth it. Suggestions are always appreciated!

How does your garden grow? Hope it's all green and fun! Peace!

The Veggie Beds

2011-04-05T14:20:00.000-05:00

The veggie beds are beginning to grow rapidly. It is so exciting to watch everything reaching for the sun and growing noticeably everyday. Right now we have 3 raised beds, plus potted veggies in the front along with a couple tomato plants mixed amongst the herbs in the front herb bed. The more they grow, the more excited I get about harvest season!

In the ground and pots we are growing 4 types of peppers (Jalapeno, Habanero, Serrano and Banana), 8 varieties of tomatoes (a plant for each at the moment - Celebrity, Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, Better Boy, Cherry, Yellow Pear, Early Girl and Arkansas Traveler), cucmbers (I was so afraid these were not going to come up, now I can't believe how many are going crazy - all are Straight 8's as I have found these are great all around cukes for both slicing and canning), pole beans, several different lettuce strains (spicy, butter crunches and romaines but different strains of all), potatoes (red and yellow), onions (red and yellow as well), Tatume Squash and Watermelon. We are going to put in pumpkins and a couple more tomatoes before the end of the month along with staking out another bed. We have 2 types of pears (Shinto and La Conte) and 2 types of apples (Mollie's Delicious and Granny Smith) which are new to us this year as well. I feel like I am starting to get a handle on growing veggies better. I'm pretty confident with the ornamentals and herbs, but veggies I have my specialties and then my not so successful attempts. I can grow cucumbers, pole beans and usually tomatoes with over abundance, but other veggies were alluding me. I did alot of studying this year though, combing blogs and books alike. So now I am ready to grow with gusto! We'll see how it turns out...

What is growing in your garden? Hope it's as exciting for you as it is for me! Peace!!

Tiki Hut

2011-04-04T15:13:00.000-05:00

This weekend we worked on a project that has been on our minds for a couple years now. Had to wait for the right opportunity and the free palm fronds given to us on Saturday night were it. We turned the girls' playset into a tiki hut by constructing a palm frond roof. So much work but so much fun! The girls are thrilled and so are we. Fun for both generations I'd say! We have plans for some shelves and lights in it too. Lola is looking forward to "camping out" in it one day. Haha!

A great family project and another step closer in the backyard redo! Hope your weekend was fun and productive! Peace!

{This Moment} Keeping Up With Big Sister!

2011-04-01T10:35:00.000-05:00

(Xi just learned to ride a bike and can already keep up with the Farm Girl!)

A single photo (or 4 in this case) - no words (okay, sometimes a couple words) - capturing a single moment in the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. And to see where this all started, visit Soulemama.

A Garden and New Adventures

2011-03-25T12:46:00.000-05:00

Springtime! It's finally here and my garden is rejoicing. Everything is coming back green and strong. I spent all week mulching and weeding, tending to new growth and planting some brand new companions for the beds. The veggies are in and starting to grow bigger as well. I just love this time of year...

These are just a few views of the front...the back is in the works, but all the raised beds have veggies flourishing back there!

New adventures are coming to our youngest little lady. Thursday of this week marked a big day for her...we got her registered for Kindergarten! She was thrilled to have Lola show her around the school after we submitted all her paperwork. She was also relieved she still has a few months before actually starting...haha! But all in all, she'll do great!

Hope you all are enjoying your Spring wherever you may call home! Peace!

Such A Happy Day

2011-03-24T10:40:00.001-05:00

Eight years ago today, one of my dreams came true...FarmGirl arrived fast and furious! I can't believe she is 8 today! She is everything we could possibly have asked for and more. I actually had a dream once a couple years before she was born that we had a little girl. This little girl was about 8 in my dream and I can honestly say she was Lola with her dark hair and dark eyes and firey personality. There are times I still want to pinch myself, she is such an amazing light in our world. I love the way her mind works and the love she brings us each and everyday. Not one to shy away from speaking her mind, I can only hope we can continue to guide her to be confident, strong and always curious. Happy birthday my beautiful Lola....we love you more than life itself!

Peace!!

Attention Local Families!

2011-03-15T19:11:00.000-05:00

Spring Break! I was just asked to get the word out about this. Sounds like fun for the whole family!

"Lakeway Resort and Spa will host a week of live music and family friendly activities for guests of the hotel during Spring Break this year. Spend the week on the lake listening to live music by the pool, enjoying San Saba Spa, or getting in a round of golf on a nearby course.

Lakeway will be offering a Guest Camper program for children ages 4-10 involving traditional camp activities and customized schedules throughout the week. Live music will begin on Thursday, March 17 with Graham Weber from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. by the pool and Cory Branan from 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at Josey’s Grill and Bar. Josey’s will also be featuring Irish food and drink specials on Thursday for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The live music continues throughout the weekend with Liz Singer from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. by the pool and Brett Cline from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. at Josey’s on Friday, March 18. Saturday will wrap up the weekend with Eric Kent from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. by the pool and Murphy’s In Laws at Josey’s Grill and Bar from 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. Lakeway will also be offering two hour Legacy Yacht cruises on Friday and Saturday nights for $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Other amenities and services at Lakeway Resort and Spa include poolside cabana rentals, water-sport rentals from the Lakeway Marina and Texas Sailing, as well as hiking and running trails and shopping at the nearby Hill Country Galleria.

Guests who book their stay between March 1 and May 31 can save up to 20 percent per night with Lakeway's Escape to the Lake package. This package includes deluxe accommodations, breakfast for two at the Travis Restaurant, free breakfast for children under 12 and a welcome surprise gift.

Lakeway Resort and Spa is located at 101 Lakeway Drive, Austin, Texas, 78734. For more information on Spring Break 2011 rates and packages please visit their website here."

We live just a few miles from the Resort and I can say that it is gorgeous out there. Would be a fun week for the whole family!

Looks like they are offering everything from music to cooking classes, movies for the kids and even a climbing wall. The music is Friday and Saturday, with both days packed. If you go, please let us know! We would love to hear about your experience. Have a great week!

Peace!