tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38526069768293472642020-04-30T05:25:58.205-04:00the little farm diaryBlogging about life on this little farm- DIY'ing, cooking and homeschoolingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.comBlogger332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-67595123368664436022017-02-20T07:30:00.000-05:002017-02-20T07:30:03.271-05:00Gratitude And My Craigslist Obsession {Part Two}So seriously, have you ever read a 'Part Two', six months after the 'Part One' was published???? Well, welcome to my wild and wacky world. Better late than never I say! If you're totally confused or just a little rusty on the details of my long lost last post, then click <a href="http://www.thelittlefarmdiary.com/2016/08/gratitude-and-my-craigslist-obsession.html" target="_blank">here</a> to go back and catch up {I had to ๐}.<br /><br />We scrimped, we saved, we sold our pop-up, and finally, finally, this...........<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/16464905_777140005783119_2720266864620994560_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTQ0NDI1NTU3NTc3Njg1ODI5OQ%3D%3D.2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/16464905_777140005783119_2720266864620994560_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTQ0NDI1NTU3NTc3Njg1ODI5OQ%3D%3D.2" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Well, there she is, our 'new to us' RV. As I searched Craigslist, I all but gave up hope of ever finding an RV that had everything we needed AND was affordable, AND was nearby, all but given up I tell ya! Then, one magical morning in January, I checked on Craigslist and there she was, just listed 27 minutes prior. My heart started pounding as I read the description and I wasn't finding anything wrong. When you're searching for something on Craigslist, let me tell ya, there's always <i>something </i>wrong. She was a teensy bit higher in price than we had saved, but my husband said let's take a look anyways. If it's meant to be, God would work it out. She was located only 40 minutes from our house, so we contacted the owners and were relieved that they sounded 'normal', hey, Craigslist right??? We drove over, fell in love, and prayed that they'd come down on the price to meet our savings. We went home, prayed some more, and waited for the couple to decide. They texted the next morning and said that they would most definitely come down on the asking price because they were thrilled that a new family would be having their little traveling dreams come true. I literally started crying. A new chapter had begun.<br /><br />If you're a little dismayed that this post is a mere show and tell, I'll try not to dissappoint. As I said, I've changed oh so much since I was last here in August. God knew that I needed some very quiet time filled with a great deal of reflection to reveal some really large flaws in myself. I heard Him, I saw them, and I'm trying daily to change them. I hope you'll see the fruits of my efforts as I visit here. I hope you'll see that there is a better way to approach life, a simpler, slower, more intentional way of living. Maybe you are already living with balance, but me, I was way, way off. And still, I have such a looooong way to go. This camper has been a start though, and over the next little bit, I'll be sharing all the how's with you here on the blog, Stay tuned............... โค<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-29171323873193893672017-02-13T07:30:00.001-05:002017-02-13T07:30:00.161-05:00Home Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><style>video.instagram, img.instagram {width: 100% !important; height: auto !important;}</style> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/p640x640/15802557_1388751274520743_6344681111632740352_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTQxNjAzOTc5NTgxODE2MzIzNA%3D%3D.2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/p640x640/15802557_1388751274520743_6344681111632740352_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTQxNjAzOTc5NTgxODE2MzIzNA%3D%3D.2" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Well heloooooooooooo! I feel that I've been gone for absolute ever! Is this how the caterpillar feels, when one day, after what must feel like forEVER, he emerges as a butterfly???? Maybe. I don't think I'm so lovely as that, but, well, changed for sure. We all change, don't we? It's most noticeable by those that haven't seen us in quite awhile. Like family that lives so far away and Christmas rolls around, you all get together, and man, those nieces and nephews have sprouted inches it seems. I do feel sort of like that, like I've sprouted inches. I hope that you'll see it too....... and still want to come here and embark on this journey with me from time to time.<br /><br />You should know that I didn't even visit here myself while I was away. I only stopped by twice since my last post in August, just to change out my Pinterest board in the sidebar. Not even sure why I did that? Guess my desire to 'decorate' got the best of me ๐. Several times since the end of December, I started feeling these little itches to return back here to this familiar place. I'd set out to write but the bubbling twinges of excitement quickly diminished and I decided, nope, not yet. I'm thrilled to say that this time, the little twinges stayed long enough that the thoughts swirled out of my head and into this post. It feels so good to be home again.<br /><br />I'm ever so grateful to those of you that would check on me during my absence. Some through my e-mail, or my FB page, or Instagram. It meant the world to me, and it's because of you all that I'm finally here, yes, I'm ever so grateful. Since we haven't seen one another in sooooooo long, I have lots to share, so many changes to our little life over here and I'll bet, lots of changes in yours too. But mostly, I can't wait to reach out and share at least a virtual cup of coffee {or two ๐} with you. As women, we desperately need the company of one another. Being the introvert that I am, I forget this, ALOT. I become comfortable being alone. And then one day I realized how much I longed for the time that we spend together here. I desperately want this place to mean something not just to me, but to you too. I hope that I can live up to your expectations and be a friend that is inspiring and thought provoking.<br /><br />I've missed you so, and it's absolutely wonderful to be back.................. โค<br /><br />P.S If ever I'm away for too long from this little space, you can most likely find me on Instagram. I call it my 'lazy blogger's haven' because I can take pictures with my iPhone, say a couple of lines, and be done with it. IG satisfied my desire to reach out and be social on a much smaller scale. If you'd be interested in hanging out with me over there, just click on the IG pictures in the sidebar and it will magically transport you right over to my IG page. If you click "Follow" when you arrive, we'll be joined at the hip forever ๐Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-68873793161783720332016-08-15T08:00:00.000-04:002016-08-15T08:00:02.416-04:00Gratitude and My Craigslist Obsession<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-35w-r12E8/V60UN1UyR1I/AAAAAAAAHHE/rMH0ijRLqIsierOscdVyyjfn7muCuDBjACLcB/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-35w-r12E8/V60UN1UyR1I/AAAAAAAAHHE/rMH0ijRLqIsierOscdVyyjfn7muCuDBjACLcB/s640/b2.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Oh how I struggle y'all. Gratitude can be a tough one to hold on to, have you noticed? To pause each and every day and be grateful for every part of your life at that moment, whew, it's harder some days than others.<br /><br />Case in point, camping, I love me some camping, like lots, like too much. What's not to love? All that adventuring is beyond awesome! Last year, we purchased a little <a href="http://www.thelittlefarmdiary.com/2015/05/camper-reveal-part-one.html" target="_blank">pop-up camper</a> and it's been absolutely amazing and has allowed us to travel and experience life and learning in a whole new way. It's the greatest thing since sliced bread y'all. Seriously. But, and this is a biggie, as we begin to expand our traveling horizons and plan several really large trips, I've started looking, dreaming, dare I say coveting, larger campers. Yes, I really, really <i>want</i> a C Class RV folks and I've become totally, hopelessly, obsessed. They say the first step to recovery is to admit that you have a problem. I stand before you today to admit that I am beyond smitten with motor-homes, there, I've said it out-loud, now let the healing begin.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OhU1mgmvlLs/V60U0BRoL9I/AAAAAAAAHHI/IA1aCER-Sa8EHG7auif8o7HF92ZoSMoaQCLcB/s1600/b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OhU1mgmvlLs/V60U0BRoL9I/AAAAAAAAHHI/IA1aCER-Sa8EHG7auif8o7HF92ZoSMoaQCLcB/s640/b3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>There's nothing wrong with dreaming, but sometimes the dream can overshadow the here and now and suck the gratitude from <i>THIS</i> day that we've been given. I may or may not spend waaaaaaay too much time on Craigslist, like <i>EVERY</i> day y'all. I'm thinking of starting a 12-step program, as I'm pretty sure there may be others out there that suffer from my RV smitten disorder.<br /><br />Excuse me for getting a little personal here, but often what we want is not at all what we need. I've kinda learned that the hard way. I desperately <i>want</i> a motor-home, and I hope to have one in the not so distant future, but right now isn't the right time. Financially, we need to save more and we'd have to sell our pop-up before purchasing anything, but the biggest reason, and it's gargantuan, is that until I'm able to master gratitude for all the things God has provided our little family, including our pop-up, anything new would be tainted. Taking on debt would be a really bad move for us and even though every fiber of my being really wants to go out there and get what I want, when I want, I know in my heart it would be all wrong. Purchasing an RV not within God's timing would be a huge no no. That RV would be a shiny red apple on the outside with a nasty bitter taste on the inside. I've had that bitter apple before, I've put the proverbial cart before the horse and let me tell you, it's no way to live. I never want to live that way again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emRzELEffZg/V60UK21PJpI/AAAAAAAAHHA/MV4u7HC2g2EdRPkZaIDkLCR7AiK3WgLFwCEw/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emRzELEffZg/V60UK21PJpI/AAAAAAAAHHA/MV4u7HC2g2EdRPkZaIDkLCR7AiK3WgLFwCEw/s640/b1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So today, I'm focusing more on the<i> here and now, </i>and less on the future. I'm committed to an untiring pursuit of daily gratitude.............and, just by chance, if you happen to know of any good deals on a C Class, oh shoot, there I go again, prayers welcomed as I continue to pursue daily gratitude.............<br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-89059056297645393942016-07-25T09:04:00.001-04:002016-07-25T09:04:50.485-04:00Balance Lost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NNSD1QWvqOs/V5YJAQLXupI/AAAAAAAAHGs/SAbn1kSj78sjCbuhzXHxNVMbRjWniUefQCKgB/s1600/blogger-image-123508284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NNSD1QWvqOs/V5YJAQLXupI/AAAAAAAAHGs/SAbn1kSj78sjCbuhzXHxNVMbRjWniUefQCKgB/s640/blogger-image-123508284.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Balance is a skill that has eluded me most of my adult life. Since before I was a blogger, I've admired many a fellow blogger as she writes of some terrible tragedy in her life, or some life altering illness, and somehow she keeps right on blogging during her recovery process while at the same time juggling homemaking and three little kids. It baffles me how these women manage in what seems like a flawless dance where at the end of each day, they've managed to get it all done. I don't know how they do it. I'm not that woman. My life's not flawless, sometimes it's a bumpy, lumpy mess.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><br />I've been gone for a while from this little blog of mine. I've felt all the emotions that go along with that. Failure, guilt, I've felt lots of those. I found that I wasn't one of those other women, one that keeps on ticking {remember those old Timex commercials??}, nor was I the infamous energizer bunny. Nope, I was a mere mortal, that during tough times, I retreated into myself to heal and could barely get anything done. I've been in survival mode for months and I'm a little ragged looking around the edges. Our home has been in the care of our three littles for what seems like forever. Praise the Lord for children and husbands willing to not only help out in tough times, but literally take my place. I don't know what I'd do without them.<br /><br />No, I'm not dying, {whew!}, but figuring out what's wrong with me has been a months long battle. In hindsight, I guess I started feeling a little off last December, tired more than usual. It continued throughout the winter and then in March, I had that totally random pinched nerve thing, so crazy. I've not gotten back to my old self since that occurred. I've been completely exhausted for months and it's changed everything. A couple of months ago, more obvious symptoms began to quickly unfold and I was going from doctor to doctor and test to test searching for an answer. Then, a few weeks ago, it became extremely clear what was wrong with me, I was having my first Crohn's flair-up in thirty years.<br /><br />If any of you have <a href="http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/" target="_blank">Crohn's disease</a> or know someone that does, you'll know that not ever having a flair-up in thirty years is a miracle in itself. People with Crohn's are sick y'all, like messed up all the time. Believe me, I know how blessed my life has been. No doctors, no meds for thirty years, that's practically unheard of, which is why I've not even considered that I may be feeling ill because of my Crohn's, last thing on my list y'all. I'm still in the testing phase of this current issue trying to pinpoint exactly where my Crohn's has flared this time, and yes, the tests are not pleasant. It requires that I be put to sleep, over and over, and nobody likes that, but we do what we gotta do, right?<br /><br />I guess that the burden of not knowing what was wrong with me was laying so heavily upon me that I just stopped writing. I wasn't seeing very much beauty or joy around me and I felt that I had absolutely nothing to write about, the words all dried up. I've missed this place so much and y'all, I've missed y'all so much. I'm praying that I'm here to stay, back on this little blog, but if I go missing, please know that I'm healing.<br /><br />It hasn't been all doom and gloom over here. Since I've let the house go all to _____, {well, I'll let you fill in the blank!} we have done a bit of camping, and we have several more trips planned this year that I can't wait to tell you all about! I'm so excited, squeal! We've been camping in our little pop-up for a whole year now and it's waaaaay past time for me to write a little one year anniversary post. And just in case you're wondering, I'm still totally smitten by camping, totally!<br /><br />I've missed this little place and y'all so much, hopefully there's still someone out there that waited for me and didn't loose hope. Give me a shout out if you're still here, it would really make my day! Hugs sweet ones and thanks so much for sticking around!<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-8091642492354618782016-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:002016-05-16T08:00:20.893-04:00StretchedThis morning, I'm going to let you in on a little secret, I'm an INTROVERT, in all caps. Growing up, I mostly fought it, despised it, cursed it, but once I became an adult, out of school, not forced to embrace people all the time, I learned to be okay with who I really was, embrace it even. As an adult, I decided when and with whom, I wanted to socialize. It's been lovely all these years, completely lovely, <i>until now that is.</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPw2m9nATkg/VziUe6b7UyI/AAAAAAAAHGU/uQaDBAWUOc4Q7vDY-C7p1XUZalv0Z_v1wCLcB/s1600/084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPw2m9nATkg/VziUe6b7UyI/AAAAAAAAHGU/uQaDBAWUOc4Q7vDY-C7p1XUZalv0Z_v1wCLcB/s640/084.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>God has decided that I need to learn to embrace people more, so into the fire I've been thrown, <b>noooooo</b>. I've argued my case with Him, to no avail I should say, so in the fire I stay. The cause, I'm the mama of two teenage girls. All you mama's out there are going to recognize this dilemma I've unwittingly fallen into, it's called <i><b>teens like socializing</b></i>, and it's so uncomfortable for me, which gets us right back to why God has thrown me into the fire. I don't understand <i>the why part</i>, but He obviously didn't agree with me that I was just fine in my own little tiny corner of the universe??? I thought it was all kinds of awesome, He thinks differently, shoot.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWjl00UasMM/VziUdvIMTNI/AAAAAAAAHGM/4_9IvhsnDEI5HlBplnmZO5hwvmBacWlYACKgB/s1600/021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWjl00UasMM/VziUdvIMTNI/AAAAAAAAHGM/4_9IvhsnDEI5HlBplnmZO5hwvmBacWlYACKgB/s640/021.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So, here lately I've found myself, socializing at <b>multiple</b> proms, having too many sleepovers to count, hosting cookouts with no less than fifteen teens, have I lost my ever-lovin' mind?, chauffeuring around teens, mine and others, to various local events, many late nights with kids and their parents at local eateries celebrating this and that, <i>really Lord, are you kidding me</i>???? My daughters, <i>mercy how I love y'all</i>, but you're killing me!<br /><br />All you regular, sociable folks out there won't get this at all, but for the rest of you, <b>this is hard!</b> So hard, in fact that I shut down completely from the toll it takes on me mentally, which may explain why I disappear from this blog at times. Sound crazy? It feels crazy inside my head, and the struggle is real my friends, but for whatever reason, God wants me uncomfortable right now and if I could see the big picture like He can, I'm sure I'd totally get it, but right now, little ole me is treading water struggling to keep from drowning.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8nQHSmD7kA/VziUdzVaDSI/AAAAAAAAHGQ/97k1ST9C1CErqEFWBUxWVQ5lRNUUHtdEwCKgB/s1600/028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8nQHSmD7kA/VziUdzVaDSI/AAAAAAAAHGQ/97k1ST9C1CErqEFWBUxWVQ5lRNUUHtdEwCKgB/s640/028.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So back to the title, <b>stretched, </b>where are you right now? Is God giving you a makeover too, stretching and pulling you in all directions? It hurts doesn't it? Believe me honey, I know how it hurts. I have to remind myself daily how it's all for something good, and it will be revealed in His time, not mine, but doggone it's hard. If you're struggling with change today, I'm right there with you sista, you are not alone.<br />xo,<br />Amy {CEO Introverts Unite}<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-72774510179270825282016-05-09T08:00:00.000-04:002016-05-11T21:10:10.363-04:00A Porch Story {simple living inspired}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u80On_uJamY/Vy_996SRtUI/AAAAAAAAHFg/rOxRj_oAX_gO4vDOxQVo_xzJMAI-LGaQACLcB/s1600/143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u80On_uJamY/Vy_996SRtUI/AAAAAAAAHFg/rOxRj_oAX_gO4vDOxQVo_xzJMAI-LGaQACLcB/s640/143.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Well first, <b><i>hello</i></b> friends. I've taken an unexpected break from blogging, but I'm so very excited to be back! You should know that I struggle greatly with balancing a simple lifestyle and the duty of blogging. Sometimes I find myself wondering how the two, blogging and living the simple life, can ever possibly survive within one woman. I confuse myself at times and that's usually when I take a little rest from blogging.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBQt8bnGfJ4/Vy_90NsvxsI/AAAAAAAAHFk/yQ8tMeXwRRwZOmvd8VTxO3dZj-htb2S3gCKgB/s1600/096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBQt8bnGfJ4/Vy_90NsvxsI/AAAAAAAAHFk/yQ8tMeXwRRwZOmvd8VTxO3dZj-htb2S3gCKgB/s640/096.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Do you often feel that your life is way too overloaded and running at a pace that leaves you nearly breathless, but you worry that you'll let others down if you don't keep up with this harried pace? I used to feel that, that sense of obligation to others over myself and my family. Over the last few years, I've managed to whittle down my obligations and learn to not feel as guilty. Now, I very carefully consider what goes onto my calendar.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpfz4R08uF0/VzABXN85oaI/AAAAAAAAHF8/yIEKTZ1c_novVkZl5Q8r0VbBkq98LK6WgCLcB/s1600/145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpfz4R08uF0/VzABXN85oaI/AAAAAAAAHF8/yIEKTZ1c_novVkZl5Q8r0VbBkq98LK6WgCLcB/s640/145.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Living simply not only affects my time, it has spread into all parts of my life, all parts of <i>me. </i>My home looks different today than it did just six months ago, I've taken a much closer look at my decor and asked myself if a certain item is really working <i>for </i>us, or is it simply clutter. I've moved things around and some pieces have been purged completely. Our outside spaces get a whole lot of traffic in the warmer months and I really wanted them to be simple and functional.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFhNjLz9yOo/Vy_9z4JbylI/AAAAAAAAHFk/U4QwU_Awcsszyjzf-WdMQqjjigpZ2iYogCKgB/s1600/120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFhNjLz9yOo/Vy_9z4JbylI/AAAAAAAAHFk/U4QwU_Awcsszyjzf-WdMQqjjigpZ2iYogCKgB/s640/120.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>That gets me to the point of this post, sorry, my wandering brain, <b><i>our porch</i></b>. I started by completely emptying the whole porch, it drove me batty for it to be empty, but I felt like all the stuff on it cluttered my mind and I just couldn't think. I wanted it to be neutral and calm and uncluttered, I also wanted it to have a vintage vibe, <i>of course,</i> not too many plants, uh the upkeep when it gets really hot here in the summer months, so I looked for one outstanding basket and just a couple other little tidbits. I repainted my old metal chairs and our porch swing, added an old school desk for a coffee table, and I was done. Now it greets visitors in simplicity, but still maintains the vintage vibe that we have throughout the rest of our home. I've spent way too many mornings on it already and one cup of coffee quickly turns into two!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjP9kZoFzBw/Vy_92cZ7UJI/AAAAAAAAHFk/wpQCb_KzZowmuKd7EgyloNW8h8gnNK7MgCKgB/s1600/106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjP9kZoFzBw/Vy_92cZ7UJI/AAAAAAAAHFk/wpQCb_KzZowmuKd7EgyloNW8h8gnNK7MgCKgB/s640/106.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>While I've been away from the blog, I've been focusing a bit more as time allowed on my Instagram account. I tell ya, it's way simpler to come up with one liners than entire blog posts! If you're on Instagram, I'd sure appreciate the follow and leave me a comment to introduce yourself if you don't mind. You can click on my Instagram feed in the sidebar to hop right on over {click on the <i><b><u>word</u></b></i> 'Instagram'}.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mydy5DEIWGE/Vy__djL4mYI/AAAAAAAAHF0/QTV-u7-ONCQ603mBy0PUUCsyRIp60045gCKgB/s1600/092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mydy5DEIWGE/Vy__djL4mYI/AAAAAAAAHF0/QTV-u7-ONCQ603mBy0PUUCsyRIp60045gCKgB/s640/092.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Thanks so much for allowing me some space to disappear sometimes and still being here when I return. Y'all are the absolute greatest! I've missed y'all so much! Happy to be back this morning!<br />xo,<br />Amy<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sharing Here:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2016/05/tweak-it-tuesday-192.html#more" target="_blank">Cozy Little House</a> <a href="http://inthenewhouse.com/inspiration-thursday-38/" target="_blank">In The New House</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-45065923246324389622016-04-19T07:30:00.000-04:002016-05-11T21:10:42.828-04:00A Chicken Tractor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLLO56JDMZ8/VxV1sidH0bI/AAAAAAAAHE0/BEkzfp9o7Vs9A9xGjp8fIggiuLqN6wG-gCLcB/s1600/b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLLO56JDMZ8/VxV1sidH0bI/AAAAAAAAHE0/BEkzfp9o7Vs9A9xGjp8fIggiuLqN6wG-gCLcB/s640/b7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'm back with a little DIY inspiration today. It was time for Matthew's little chickens to move to a bigger home. We'd been trying to figure out what we wanted for them in this stage where they've outgrown their baby box but they're not yet big enough to be free rangers. My husband and I began researching and he found a really cool design for a chicken tractor on Youtube. Maybe you've heard of Joel Salatin? He has some really simple DIY designs for coops and tractors, believe me when I say we need simple, we really need simple. We are like the worst builders ever!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KR2DCQKppLI/VxV1WSQwaKI/AAAAAAAAHEk/H42YxvcHvUs7cSGVYce7WzBDmVOxAs7JwCKgB/s1600/b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KR2DCQKppLI/VxV1WSQwaKI/AAAAAAAAHEk/H42YxvcHvUs7cSGVYce7WzBDmVOxAs7JwCKgB/s640/b3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7IraE_FmC2s/VxV1avI9dhI/AAAAAAAAHEo/_d4YLO42oagLUGEhLW8lZBmwX_3Y7H-0QCKgB/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7IraE_FmC2s/VxV1avI9dhI/AAAAAAAAHEo/_d4YLO42oagLUGEhLW8lZBmwX_3Y7H-0QCKgB/s640/b1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Keh7kovyiQU/VxV1F7f3BGI/AAAAAAAAHE8/LsexKsrea3o724tuju9p_2tccpNg7Qk3QCKgB/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Keh7kovyiQU/VxV1F7f3BGI/AAAAAAAAHE8/LsexKsrea3o724tuju9p_2tccpNg7Qk3QCKgB/s640/b2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This little tractor is absolutely perfect for the chicks during their <i>tween</i> period. The tractor is 6'x8' with 1/2 enclosed and half wired. That gives them ample play space and a good amount of coverage for protection from weather or predators. The idea is to move the tractor daily so that the chicks are always on fresh ground, the best of both worlds, they are safely enclosed but free rangers at the same time. It's wonderful! Not to mention they are providing an excellent resource, free poop fertilizer!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k3ErjC_pzkQ/VxV1Q9V2pHI/AAAAAAAAHEg/Zyq0OHfNR5Yz_b42aNl6OlvlX3Plox5TQCKgB/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k3ErjC_pzkQ/VxV1Q9V2pHI/AAAAAAAAHEg/Zyq0OHfNR5Yz_b42aNl6OlvlX3Plox5TQCKgB/s640/b4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-guPBanToU24/VxV1rO_1m4I/AAAAAAAAHEw/sgjek8rrr-EZO9Ai7c4exhaQ1cwBKkC8ACKgB/s1600/b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-guPBanToU24/VxV1rO_1m4I/AAAAAAAAHEw/sgjek8rrr-EZO9Ai7c4exhaQ1cwBKkC8ACKgB/s640/b6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It took a day and a half to build, not all that bad, and the chicks are in little chickie heaven. We moved them in yesterday afternoon and they went wild, running, flying and chasing after bugs, too precious y'all. I'll put the link down below to the video we followed along with to build ours just in case you need an easy option for homing your chicks too.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8iMbKqkN7iE/VxV1uS3SEKI/AAAAAAAAHE4/wgUlhe04hZISPtWn0QzATzD2m_JKkuFiwCKgB/s1600/b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8iMbKqkN7iE/VxV1uS3SEKI/AAAAAAAAHE4/wgUlhe04hZISPtWn0QzATzD2m_JKkuFiwCKgB/s640/b8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Every time I couldn't find Matthew, he'd be <b><i>in</i></b> the tractor with the chickens, hilarious! They look at him like he's a little out of place, go figure. Hope I inspired you today!<br />xo,<br />Amy<br /><br />Chicken Tractor Video Link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8gvQJENicc" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8gvQJENicc</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sharing Here:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2016/05/tweak-it-tuesday-192.html#more" target="_blank">Cozy Little House</a> <a href="http://inthenewhouse.com/inspiration-thursday-38/" target="_blank">In The New House</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-14277790048136042242016-04-13T09:25:00.003-04:002016-05-09T22:06:44.444-04:00A Dining Room Change-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGJOVEdescI/Vw5CLJ5EH2I/AAAAAAAAHDs/J5hezUmQjxcWJGFp0rJ7ErN5JfKxYreeACLcB/s1600/b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGJOVEdescI/Vw5CLJ5EH2I/AAAAAAAAHDs/J5hezUmQjxcWJGFp0rJ7ErN5JfKxYreeACLcB/s640/b6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Happy Wednesday sweet friends! If you happen to follow me on instagram {what? you don't follow me on instagram??}, you may have seen a little sneak peek of our dining room. There have been a few changes over there.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6oj-zESMM3w/Vw5CLwyp1NI/AAAAAAAAHD0/OxVMuIrF92ImZcE4pCs8fXgzGQlksl3wA/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6oj-zESMM3w/Vw5CLwyp1NI/AAAAAAAAHD0/OxVMuIrF92ImZcE4pCs8fXgzGQlksl3wA/s640/b4.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Po1QZyrhp-M/Vw5CBgE4c3I/AAAAAAAAHDg/9ag7P4bUjx8oEDSVoT_kW1gHZiGSMM53A/s1600/b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Po1QZyrhp-M/Vw5CBgE4c3I/AAAAAAAAHDg/9ag7P4bUjx8oEDSVoT_kW1gHZiGSMM53A/s640/b3.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3KyvQHdvZdQ/Vw5CLtkIuQI/AAAAAAAAHDw/Lrjv4ded9msdw_qGkGGERB3D-f_aaINgA/s1600/b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3KyvQHdvZdQ/Vw5CLtkIuQI/AAAAAAAAHDw/Lrjv4ded9msdw_qGkGGERB3D-f_aaINgA/s640/b5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bF9ZMDYjekU/Vw5CBiMmA8I/AAAAAAAAHDo/vLVG-0cgDrUqbsW1ll0Ss1-GfzJIrce3A/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bF9ZMDYjekU/Vw5CBiMmA8I/AAAAAAAAHDo/vLVG-0cgDrUqbsW1ll0Ss1-GfzJIrce3A/s640/b2.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I really needed our house to work for us more efficiently and authentically. I wanted it to truly reflect us as a family. I wanted to embrace all the warm tones that this old house has, and I did all this while knowing that everyone else out there is white washing <i style="font-weight: bold;">everything in their homes. </i>It's okay to be different! I love different!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBLq9usYwXU/Vw5CBl54InI/AAAAAAAAHEA/G9qSYgCi1JAhVHOD19cR0TLUffBsM4BDw/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zBLq9usYwXU/Vw5CBl54InI/AAAAAAAAHEA/G9qSYgCi1JAhVHOD19cR0TLUffBsM4BDw/s640/b1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ww1_KsY0PQ/Vw5CRuF5DcI/AAAAAAAAHD4/WoegFGOouyECiwRORB0poRYhh3eCrvUfg/s1600/b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ww1_KsY0PQ/Vw5CRuF5DcI/AAAAAAAAHD4/WoegFGOouyECiwRORB0poRYhh3eCrvUfg/s640/b7.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkkAf5Luqu4/Vw5EavrtvnI/AAAAAAAAHEM/6XTdsI_HK9oyNk5IbxxY4Qq6IJHFLeHHACLcB/s1600/b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkkAf5Luqu4/Vw5EavrtvnI/AAAAAAAAHEM/6XTdsI_HK9oyNk5IbxxY4Qq6IJHFLeHHACLcB/s640/b8.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I moved some furniture around and shopped the basement as usual, emptied out some cabinets to fill the shelves and went back to all natural, thrifted, mismatched chairs. This works so much better for us. There's something so warm and welcoming about old wood, don't you think? And I want that, I want our home to be welcoming to others. Real life happens here, and this dining area is often filled with messy little hands, spilled watercolors, the occasional chicken {smile}, it's a real workhorse of an area. It's our gathering space, my favorite kind of space.<br />xo,<br />Amy<br /><br /><i>Sharing At: <a href="http://inthenewhouse.com/inspiration-thursday-34/" target="_blank">In The New House Designs</a> <a href="http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2016/04/tweak-it-tuesday-189.html" target="_blank">Cozy Little House</a> <a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=624206" target="_blank">A Stroll Thru Life</a></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-72215152853324587672016-04-11T09:11:00.002-04:002016-04-11T09:11:28.294-04:00The Chicken Whisperer Turns Nine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qafVzO1q64A/VwugDnOdljI/AAAAAAAAHDM/9q72m8LB4eMztEJ3mDqpdF4jazWTKZigA/s1600/b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qafVzO1q64A/VwugDnOdljI/AAAAAAAAHDM/9q72m8LB4eMztEJ3mDqpdF4jazWTKZigA/s640/b6.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>And just like that, our baby turned nine. He was a difficult pregnancy and birth and was born at only twenty nine weeks, so tiny, but you'd never know. He's one tough little cookie. He's my early riser, always has been. Try as I might, you just can't tire this one out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrhQWVZ-V_k/Vwuf59lra-I/AAAAAAAAHDA/whODXForU1UgCCqxdRtcOq_Nk2ORNLPEA/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrhQWVZ-V_k/Vwuf59lra-I/AAAAAAAAHDA/whODXForU1UgCCqxdRtcOq_Nk2ORNLPEA/s640/b2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tX8LMVkk8Bo/Vwuf5z8CAlI/AAAAAAAAHC8/7yEkFQ9qz4EnW9dQfCDY6S_iM1KG7jtiA/s1600/b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tX8LMVkk8Bo/Vwuf5z8CAlI/AAAAAAAAHC8/7yEkFQ9qz4EnW9dQfCDY6S_iM1KG7jtiA/s640/b3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's pretty interesting being mama to one boy that's grown and married and one that's just turned nine. That's a pretty wide spread. It seemed like a small undertaking at thirty nine, but now at almost fifty, whew it's hard to keep up sometimes. This wild child keeps me on my toes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USdn4iMBLuM/Vwuf-WfCE3I/AAAAAAAAHDQ/Y_Hr3AqTjqw__CboeQFhUmEV-zMwPBcqQ/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USdn4iMBLuM/Vwuf-WfCE3I/AAAAAAAAHDQ/Y_Hr3AqTjqw__CboeQFhUmEV-zMwPBcqQ/s640/b4.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>He's still young enough to find wonder in everything around him, and boy I love that. I try to see the world through his fresh eyes and let me tell you, it's such a wondrous view. What a blessing this last one has been. We gathered together to celebrate this little life. Matthew wanted a white cake and white icing, and that's exactly what he got, thank heavens he shared with the rest of us because boy, it was delicious!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vs_Z1TmHQ9M/Vwuf4_ye6GI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/Nz3Zgi-4S7QnvaJfhmi47Xg3dMqO5TOEQ/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vs_Z1TmHQ9M/Vwuf4_ye6GI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/Nz3Zgi-4S7QnvaJfhmi47Xg3dMqO5TOEQ/s640/b1.jpg" width="566" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>And my favorite part of birthdays, the gathering part. Nothing is ever better than the coming together of family around a table, sharing so much more than food. Such a lovely day.<br /><br />Hoping your week is a wondrous one! Happy Monday y'all!<br />xo,<br />AmyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-18505849433380508272016-04-08T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-08T08:00:07.558-04:00Chickens<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-23V1176airs/Vwbzc4CssFI/AAAAAAAAHCE/cNdmom2tf_sW7IRYaniBnQi1lYCKE0ZUQ/s1600/b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-23V1176airs/Vwbzc4CssFI/AAAAAAAAHCE/cNdmom2tf_sW7IRYaniBnQi1lYCKE0ZUQ/s640/b5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /></div>We spend an awful lot of time over here on chickens. Feeding them, coop cleaning duties, egg gathering, but mostly we watch them. They're hilarious! If you've ever been on the fence about whether to get chickens or not, I'm hoping that I can convince you today to jump right off that fence and find you some chickens. They are the best addition to this little family of ours and even though they're a truckload of work, I wouldn't trade it for anything.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbHXmg5Wcq0/VwbzW4JX46I/AAAAAAAAHCA/ojiQ2OA2AUYYOaiEDOIVXHHZY5nqQMdmg/s1600/b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LbHXmg5Wcq0/VwbzW4JX46I/AAAAAAAAHCA/ojiQ2OA2AUYYOaiEDOIVXHHZY5nqQMdmg/s640/b3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NUnuomdxIA/VwbzVQcqZFI/AAAAAAAAHB8/JLMabUmfUL4Spr3s9E5DjFT4GzXiuHhTQ/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NUnuomdxIA/VwbzVQcqZFI/AAAAAAAAHB8/JLMabUmfUL4Spr3s9E5DjFT4GzXiuHhTQ/s640/b2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N95i5ovG9js/Vwb2XblRZVI/AAAAAAAAHCk/lzUDANr0zkIEA8CYpIxIbkvlEGwWC7p-A/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N95i5ovG9js/Vwb2XblRZVI/AAAAAAAAHCk/lzUDANr0zkIEA8CYpIxIbkvlEGwWC7p-A/s640/b1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Limr5d1mH6w/Vwbzooa1ClI/AAAAAAAAHCU/Ji9KSobLrX88jslYGafPmgtsSKdsDW8rQ/s1600/b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Limr5d1mH6w/Vwbzooa1ClI/AAAAAAAAHCU/Ji9KSobLrX88jslYGafPmgtsSKdsDW8rQ/s640/b9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This year, we are starting to see a surplus of eggs and we've been selling them, no big profits mind you, but the chickens now pay for their own feed, ka-ching! And then there's Matthew. Who knew we'd have a chicken whisperer for a son? He loves these chickens to pieces. I've even read studies of how beneficial a pet they are for special needs children, especially ones with Asperger's. Crazy, right? Chickens are awesome.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vN369hxxlY/VwbzSVKpsDI/AAAAAAAAHCY/UjJHrCOphjQ2td74Ep0cS_kOtzZSfwg7A/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vN369hxxlY/VwbzSVKpsDI/AAAAAAAAHCY/UjJHrCOphjQ2td74Ep0cS_kOtzZSfwg7A/s640/b4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bgUN3dfjt0/VwbziY-x2mI/AAAAAAAAHCM/SxCcro2CpCY46x1YaQEycYirc9yd1PffQ/s1600/b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bgUN3dfjt0/VwbziY-x2mI/AAAAAAAAHCM/SxCcro2CpCY46x1YaQEycYirc9yd1PffQ/s640/b7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dg_DHeoAE6g/Vwbzm7cW4zI/AAAAAAAAHCQ/UaDZt8vFPZsT-Pmk-WuSuhAt0euybRYXw/s1600/b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dg_DHeoAE6g/Vwbzm7cW4zI/AAAAAAAAHCQ/UaDZt8vFPZsT-Pmk-WuSuhAt0euybRYXw/s640/b8.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>You don't have to live on a farm to be a chicken keeper either. A quarter acre's all you got? No problem. A few little egg layers in a coop with a small fenced in run area is just what you need. See? Chickens are for everyone {wink}! I'm just sayin', if you've ever thought about owning chickens, maybe this is your <i><b>year of the chicken</b></i>! Are you convinced? Are you on the way to the feed store right now? What's keepin' you? Get going!<br />xo,<br />AmyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-83788111060518396792016-04-06T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-06T08:00:20.082-04:00Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hjw6RCwf6zk/VwRhR7uV8rI/AAAAAAAAHBg/Fh_3Nj7qO-g5GUmviakvgY5Nsr7MGFQkg/s1600/b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hjw6RCwf6zk/VwRhR7uV8rI/AAAAAAAAHBg/Fh_3Nj7qO-g5GUmviakvgY5Nsr7MGFQkg/s640/b5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The other day, I pulled out my old cookbook that was handed down to me by my mama. She used that cookbook when I was growing up, and it still has some of the best recipes around. I know that the internet is full of recipes, but there's something about holding a book in your hands that your mama used to hold in her hands that just seems so right. I love that old book, I even have recipes clipped inside of it that were handwritten by my granny so very long ago. Nothing beats a good tried and true recipe.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TN62s-F282o/VwRhS2Wy13I/AAAAAAAAHBk/IGf89JwxC-gqwKyOKQ5AN2h5_y0iNzMmQ/s1600/b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TN62s-F282o/VwRhS2Wy13I/AAAAAAAAHBk/IGf89JwxC-gqwKyOKQ5AN2h5_y0iNzMmQ/s640/b6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I was in search of cookies and settled on an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie that was perfection. It's the same one my mama made for me, they were delicious then and just as wonderful today. Soft and chewy, completely divine! Sometimes, it's the absolute simplest things that are the best. Thought I'd share with you sweet friends today..........<br /><br /><b><i>Oatmeal Raisin Cookies</i></b><br /><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>1 cup unsalted butter softened</i></b><br /><b><i>1 1/2 cups brown sugar</i></b><br /><b><i>2 eggs</i></b><br /><b><i>1/2 cup buttermilk</i></b><br /><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour</i></b><br /><b><i>1 tsp. baking soda</i></b><br /><b><i>1 tsp. salt</i></b><br /><b><i>1 tsp. ground cinnamon</i></b><br /><b><i>1 tsp. ground nutmeg</i></b><br /><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal</i></b><br /><b><i>1 cup raisins</i></b><br /><b><i>1 tsp. vanilla</i></b><br /><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>Cream butter and sugar and eggs till light and fluffy. Stir in buttermilk. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl and add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats, raisins and vanilla. Drop from tablespoon onto parchment lined cookie sheet two inches apart. Bake at 400* for about 8 minutes. Cool slightly and remove from pan onto wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen.</i></b><br /><b><i><br /></i></b>Enjoy y'all!<br />xo,<br />AmyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-72728963150770698502016-04-04T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-04T08:00:10.324-04:00Reaping What We Sow {the joys of unschooling}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5LGSJbtvoE/VwHNdYaCw6I/AAAAAAAAHBQ/V63yhn3kH3oRuz24LO_kZjy3MkxC5KSVQ/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e5LGSJbtvoE/VwHNdYaCw6I/AAAAAAAAHBQ/V63yhn3kH3oRuz24LO_kZjy3MkxC5KSVQ/s640/b2.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Remember awhile back when I showed y'all our new-to-us piano? My sweet daughter has been playing away and it's literally music to my ears. She's taking lessons from a friend and fellow homeschooling mom in town and she's loving all the learning.<br /><br />I was planning on just sharing how much she loves playing the piano, but as I've been watching her on this journey of hers, I've really come to see what a beautiful testament to unschooling it is. So many of us moms, me included, spend a whole lot of our children's early years trying to figure out what they may enjoy doing. Placing them in various lessons, waiting to see if there's a spark. Why do we do that? I remember putting our oldest son in gymnastics classes, baseball, soccer, karate, and the list goes on and on. I thought that it was my duty to find his passion <b><i>for</i></b> him. Nothing could be further from the truth. Unschooling has taught me to have patience, tons of sometimes scary patience and wait and watch our children. I promise you, they will let you know what their passion is, they will find it all on their own. Isn't that such a beautiful thing?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qN41YlA9zYM/VwHNcr63PaI/AAAAAAAAHBI/M7agPjXVfawlsYq71A8bY0ux7BCFk1yPg/s1600/b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qN41YlA9zYM/VwHNcr63PaI/AAAAAAAAHBI/M7agPjXVfawlsYq71A8bY0ux7BCFk1yPg/s640/b3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sofia discovered a while back that she had a passion for the piano. We had a little keyboard and she taught herself to play a few songs. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, you'd hear her playing, I never had to prompt her or tell her to practice. When she felt drawn to the piano, off she'd go. She was so excited when we found this beautiful, old, upright piano, and couldn't wait to take lessons. I've not once told her that she should be practicing, but not a day goes by that I don't find her sitting there at the piano.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MKYPkIR79i0/VwHNco0kY2I/AAAAAAAAHBM/DagCAoZ3f6gKdZabsVyqtJyRG0qDUbIfw/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MKYPkIR79i0/VwHNco0kY2I/AAAAAAAAHBM/DagCAoZ3f6gKdZabsVyqtJyRG0qDUbIfw/s640/b4.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unschooling is still a pretty scary endeavor at times, but it's at these moments I realize that giving our children the space and freedom to listen to their own voices and hearts, is the best gift we could ever give them. It's worth a little fear on our parts, God's got this.<br /><br />xo,<br />Amy<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-20097350259643057892016-03-29T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-29T08:00:36.087-04:00A Bare Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fwGBRW0jPP8/VvnAHI9MoTI/AAAAAAAAHA0/zSFybHgUNtsLNqFHltJ_bnj9J9MLDyapQ/s1600/b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fwGBRW0jPP8/VvnAHI9MoTI/AAAAAAAAHA0/zSFybHgUNtsLNqFHltJ_bnj9J9MLDyapQ/s640/b5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This year, there were no colored eggs, candy filled baskets or maple glazed hams. This year,<b><i> we bloomed right where we were planted</i></b>. Mama's a little down at the moment, pinched nerve and all, so Easter became exactly what it should be, a gathering of those we love sans all the extras. An official <i>grateful for what we do have kind of a day. </i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S7l4WlZNUdg/Vvm__xtsLvI/AAAAAAAAHBA/Ht-xbCVNyWEUZeq6VA9mXf6rJ-bGjI02A/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S7l4WlZNUdg/Vvm__xtsLvI/AAAAAAAAHBA/Ht-xbCVNyWEUZeq6VA9mXf6rJ-bGjI02A/s640/b1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IpEh_2fga38/Vvm_yyZCitI/AAAAAAAAHA4/X0cJREdUsb46PiFBtR1gHkibYrk4RB0Zg/s1600/b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IpEh_2fga38/Vvm_yyZCitI/AAAAAAAAHA4/X0cJREdUsb46PiFBtR1gHkibYrk4RB0Zg/s640/b3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>We rose early and shuffled ourselves and the bare necessities into the car. We didn't stop till we found the mountains and a crystal clear stream perfect for fishing and picnicking.The afternoon was filled with moments of soft sunshine, laughter and all the wildness that I've come to expect from our three not-so-littles. With one child all grown up and no longer at home, I realize how precious these moments are that I have left with these three. Better not blink, they grow so fast.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrXNHCu6FG8/Vvm__2rrsZI/AAAAAAAAHBA/erNC7KcirOQeWJ7wQBJEI4q-Vjq4UBBxQ/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrXNHCu6FG8/Vvm__2rrsZI/AAAAAAAAHBA/erNC7KcirOQeWJ7wQBJEI4q-Vjq4UBBxQ/s640/b2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2tp8d7zsCo/VvnAAcXKp7I/AAAAAAAAHBA/ExTP8SCfrSocl2jjwFLJHxHYAQFmowhGw/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2tp8d7zsCo/VvnAAcXKp7I/AAAAAAAAHBA/ExTP8SCfrSocl2jjwFLJHxHYAQFmowhGw/s640/b4.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>At first, I was so sad not having an Easter filled with all the trimmings, but by days end I realized that this bare Easter was better than any chocolate bunny I'd ever had. We praised God under towering spruce and beside rolling waters, our hearts filled with <i style="font-weight: bold;">all</i> that Easter truly means. What could be better than that?<br />xo,<br />AmyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-83987649893997348612016-03-25T11:11:00.001-04:002016-03-25T11:11:06.515-04:00Good Friday, Oh Yes It Is<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PK2ft4Fa8rk/VvRl6o4e8OI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/EkIOvWonzygoWPAZTV4RPOUWUfV0PSlnw/s1600/PicMonkey%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PK2ft4Fa8rk/VvRl6o4e8OI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/EkIOvWonzygoWPAZTV4RPOUWUfV0PSlnw/s640/PicMonkey%2BCollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had to pop in today to wish y'all a glorious Easter weekend! This is a wonderful time of year to be especially grateful for all God's blessings. Our God is so generous. He gave His only son as a sacrifice for us all. At our house, we are reflecting on the enormity of that gift and the miraculous nature of it all.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><i>"He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again'"</i></b></blockquote><b><i> Luke 24: 6-7 </i></b><br /><br />xo,<br />Amy</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-5052045088358492802016-03-23T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-23T08:00:11.782-04:00Wait........ What Happened To My Laundry Room? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUkR_pkNJPU/VvHuMgscrzI/AAAAAAAAHAA/K869p6vz_VsVCqe1RBBFm59lef9HWWUUA/s1600/olivia%2BMatthew%2B015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUkR_pkNJPU/VvHuMgscrzI/AAAAAAAAHAA/K869p6vz_VsVCqe1RBBFm59lef9HWWUUA/s640/olivia%2BMatthew%2B015.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We had quite a tragedy here last December while we were out of town. All Matthew's beautiful silkies got eaten. It was tragic for my little guy and I've been waiting for spring to get a bit closer to start looking for Matthew a new flock. A couple weeks back, I turned to friends on Facebook and asked for their help finding Matthew some new chickens. They came through big time {thanks y'all!} and I was able to meet a new friend that raises her own chickens and goats not too far of a drive from our hometown!<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br /><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yUJpOtmrvI/VvHuoIzIHFI/AAAAAAAAHAI/htQ-uPMyosocJp26q7Gyr-OHrD8ibU0bQ/s1600/olivia%2BMatthew%2B017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yUJpOtmrvI/VvHuoIzIHFI/AAAAAAAAHAI/htQ-uPMyosocJp26q7Gyr-OHrD8ibU0bQ/s640/olivia%2BMatthew%2B017.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-At8U5X9lNus/VvHukAYHuyI/AAAAAAAAHAI/nuju_VxNAGkdgMbHTh9xbDNCiMGn9vL4g/s1600/olivia%2BMatthew%2B019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-At8U5X9lNus/VvHukAYHuyI/AAAAAAAAHAI/nuju_VxNAGkdgMbHTh9xbDNCiMGn9vL4g/s640/olivia%2BMatthew%2B019.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Her name is Janis and she is a hoot and didn't mind me asking her some pretty <i>dumb</i> farming questions about raising goats and all. I'm still pretty new to this country life and some things I still can't figure out, but she set me straight and didn't even crack a smile at this farm girl transplant! She had quite a few chicks, several silkies, easter eggers and a little black maran. I snatched the easter egger and black maran for me and the silkies for Matthew. She's expecting more silkies this week so I'm hoping to get him a few more. They are too doggone cute! We are hoping that one of them is a Frizzle. Ever heard of those? If not, Google it and be ahhhhhhmazed. They are, well, <i>unusual</i> would be a good word to describe them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4njgkVa_X2k/VvHuM5XbwkI/AAAAAAAAHAA/ic_1tNdOmH8h_bHaZTUyFmUSjbH9A4E8Q/s1600/olivia%2BMatthew%2B006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4njgkVa_X2k/VvHuM5XbwkI/AAAAAAAAHAA/ic_1tNdOmH8h_bHaZTUyFmUSjbH9A4E8Q/s640/olivia%2BMatthew%2B006.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kn9zz9CcdLg/VvHuM4sHWxI/AAAAAAAAHAA/GTecLMTlsyII1jUBpHlpzGs6hzL6FYtGg/s1600/olivia%2BMatthew%2B010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kn9zz9CcdLg/VvHuM4sHWxI/AAAAAAAAHAA/GTecLMTlsyII1jUBpHlpzGs6hzL6FYtGg/s640/olivia%2BMatthew%2B010.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>For now, my laundry room has been converted into a baby chickie nursery and I wouldn't have it any other way! I'm dying for a baby goat. Do you think the baby goatie would like the laundry room too??! What? You don't keep goats and chickens in you laundry room??<br />xo,<br />AmyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-84474762181261489952016-03-21T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-21T08:00:00.294-04:00The Dark Side Of Blogging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1CSL2wBsTHE/Vu88ty78HFI/AAAAAAAAG-8/_O18mQlVuV0KVFMpZfKSMEH8fA5UT7kNQ/s1600/b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1CSL2wBsTHE/Vu88ty78HFI/AAAAAAAAG-8/_O18mQlVuV0KVFMpZfKSMEH8fA5UT7kNQ/s640/b6.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br />You know those times that you get all inspired while visiting someone's awesome blog, and you're scrolling through all their pictures and you're getting all antsy and excited and the wheels in your brain are a turnin' and then you run into your living room to see what you can do to make that magic happen at your house and then.........FIZZLE. Yeah, that happens to me too. In order to make that picture in my head come to life, I need to buy <i>this</i> or <i>that</i> which leads to buying <i>this and</i> <i>that </i>which then leads to, I think you get the picture.<br /><br />Instead of feeling inspired, you feel like a failure. Instead of being motivated you feel defeated. Honestly it's weird blogging sometimes, being grateful that I have a community to share within but being almost embarrassed that I'm part of the big machine that drives people to want constant change and feel <i>less</i> if they can't afford <i>more</i>. <b>Oh gosh, I never want to be that person.</b> I feel pulled more often than not and wonder, <i>why do I blog? </i>Am I helping or hurting.<br /><br />Blogs push so much commerce whether intentionally or not. There have always been the <i>have's</i> and the <i>have not's</i> but blogging really puts them right out there in front of our faces. Is it just me? I'm rarely on Facebook, but the other day I was scrolling through and I have lots of other bloggers pages on my feed. Geesh, <i>I bought this</i>, <i>new sofa that,</i> <i>I hung new drapes here</i>, <i>I went antiquing and found this</i>, I declare, I closed the computer and felt all <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">green</span></i> inside.<br /><br />Last week when I mentioned the few blogs that I frequent, my loves have more to do with means than anything else. I choose my favorite blogs the same way I choose my friends. I want to be surrounded by folks closer to my socioeconomic circle than not. Am I the only one that fights that age old green eyed monster?<br /><br />I hope and pray that you never feel that way when you visit. When I say we are slooooooooow here, I really mean we are! Purchases take months sometimes years! We wait for sales, scour thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets. We've made it thanks to God's generous blessings and I'm forever grateful for such a hardworking husband.<br /><br /> I want you to know most of all that little unsightly finds can be magically transformed into treasures for nearly nothing, all you need is a vision. It is completely reasonable to expect that your home should make you smile, and that you have the power to make that happen with very little investment, it may take years, but that only sweetens the end result. It doesn't take lots of fancy, expensive purchases to make your house a home. You may see so many people living that way, but I promise, it's just not true. That's why I stay I guess. I have a message to share. <i>We can all live big on very little!</i><br /><br /><b><i>I love y'all visiting here and I never, ever want y'all to feel anything but goodness when you come by! Keep me on my toes, if I ever make you feel anything less than that feeling you get with that first cup of coffee on a cold winter's morning, well, you just better let me know! </i></b><b><i>Pinky swear?!</i></b><br />xo,<br />AmyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-47832008409708657572016-03-18T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-18T08:00:07.533-04:00Come On Over, It's Share Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QfB7fqIdok8/VusqD420YFI/AAAAAAAAG-k/K7bCjgnFdMAQI35XE4IyTcLQWLD-6sJkA/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QfB7fqIdok8/VusqD420YFI/AAAAAAAAG-k/K7bCjgnFdMAQI35XE4IyTcLQWLD-6sJkA/s640/b1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>First off, thank y'all sweet souls bunches for stopping by and wishing me a speedy recovery! Y'all really know how to make a girl smile! The good news is, I made a tiny bit of progress and have a little bit of relief pain wise, oh, the angels were singing, it was like a humongous weight was lifted off of me. I am going to write about my pinched nerve journey whenever I make it to the other side of this mess, because I've really been angry at the conflicting information on the subject and I'm going to have to through my hat into the ring on the subject. Well, that'll be something for y'all to look forward to, right???? {wink}.<br /><br />Now, on to <b><i>Share Day</i></b>............... I know there are a plethora of awesome blogs out there that I've never even heard of or had the time to visit, and there's only so much time I can spend on the computer, so with that said, I do have a few faves that I wanted to share with y'all today. Here's my unofficial list in no particular order:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="https://jerusalemgreer.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>Jerusalem Greer</i></b></a> </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8y75sfJSGo/VusnvHYj9vI/AAAAAAAAG-Q/TcdgN0ceO80SnrwLHN7HNSdRhHsLnSblQ/s1600/colorful-farm-kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8y75sfJSGo/VusnvHYj9vI/AAAAAAAAG-Q/TcdgN0ceO80SnrwLHN7HNSdRhHsLnSblQ/s640/colorful-farm-kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{wouldn't you luv to share a cup of coffee in her kitchen???}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>What can I say but, she's JERUSALEM GREER y'all. Visiting her blog is like putting on your favorite pajama pants and old tee and sitting down with a cup of coffee. She's homespun personified and that's that!<br /><br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://therosylife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>The Rosy Life </i></b></a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QM4E8mCQES8/VusnvUrkBjI/AAAAAAAAG-U/x4VcbzI0bdI66vpPmh53LRIqK4-3cUbCQ/s1600/rosy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QM4E8mCQES8/VusnvUrkBjI/AAAAAAAAG-U/x4VcbzI0bdI66vpPmh53LRIqK4-3cUbCQ/s640/rosy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{dreamy, huh???}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Run on by and meet Sara if you haven't found her already. She's one creative cookie, she lives on a farm, and I would be her in a minute if I could go back in time and realize who I really was meant to be a whole lot sooner, that is as long as I could keep my hubby and four sweeties! She's young, full of ideas, and a real treat. Such an inspiring young woman.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><a href="http://natalienoack.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>Natalie Creates</i></b></a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UF_glfZVjns/VusnvP7sm6I/AAAAAAAAG-M/0foIRLDSpLwuCXCXWxVw7HGJN_X9FmcZQ/s1600/natalie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UF_glfZVjns/VusnvP7sm6I/AAAAAAAAG-M/0foIRLDSpLwuCXCXWxVw7HGJN_X9FmcZQ/s640/natalie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{she takes awesome pictures like this full of beautiful yummies}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Again, a young woman who is following her heart, oh if I'd only been brave enough to follow mine sooner! I've not been following her for all that long, but she constantly amazes me with her energy AND, she lives on a farm, starting to see any similarities with my favorite blogs? Yep, you guessed it, chickens, cows and growing your own food rank pretty high on my list.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.flowerpatchfarmgirl.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>Flower Patch Farmgirl</i></b></a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWkOOOo2hsA/VusnvygVARI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/y9YeJF9cZbM0xtyNJUu97X6xPVNo00AIg/s1600/shannan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWkOOOo2hsA/VusnvygVARI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/y9YeJF9cZbM0xtyNJUu97X6xPVNo00AIg/s640/shannan.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{I could sit here in Shannan's living room and talk for a while, couldn't you?}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>And last but not least, Shannan. I've followed her the longest and my has she inspired me over the years and without a doubt had a whole lot to do with me embracing me however wonky {that's one of Shannan's words-ha} that may be. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now one day, in my dreams, I plan on somehow meeting these gals in real life. I think we'd all get along swimmingly! Now you share, do you know of a blog I might be missing out on? Share away in the comments! Big hugs to y'all!</div><div>xo,</div><div>Amy</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-13149389526783725832016-03-16T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-16T08:00:00.268-04:00Good Enough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30G04tImvZw/VuhAkshsgHI/AAAAAAAAG98/6rZdkQ1RM50L7u3XP2sy_VCBlmlY0cs0g/s1600/b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30G04tImvZw/VuhAkshsgHI/AAAAAAAAG98/6rZdkQ1RM50L7u3XP2sy_VCBlmlY0cs0g/s640/b8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>In the midst of hard times, we can either accept them and try to find the good or whine and moan about the trial we've found ourselves in. I will be the first to admit that I'm a whiner. As I'm dealing with the pain of a pinched nerve, and the realization that it may take quite a bit of time to heal, I've found myself looking around and trying to see what God would like me to see in this moment, in this place that is my <i style="font-weight: bold;">new </i>life.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I'm seeing one glaring problem, my desire to have everything perfect <i style="font-weight: bold;">all </i>the time. My family has taken over all duties required to run a home, but you know what, they don't clean like I do, just good enough, is, well, <i style="font-weight: bold;">good enough. </i>And so it should be. I should have a content and grateful heart for all the work that they've taken over but yet I still struggle with wanting everything my way. I'm having a really hard time accepting this new place of <b><i>good enough. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>I prayed not so long ago for God to help me be happy even when things around me weren't really as perfect as I wanted them to be. You know, I wanted better balance, I want to be okay with things clean and tidy, not perfect. Well, here I am. Ask and ye shall receive, right? I wasn't really expecting being flat on my back being the answer to my prayers though. Ha, God has such a sense of humor! Let me just say, <i>I'm not laughing God</i>. Mostly, I fight the urges to get up and fix things the way I like them, even though I know that the more I'm up, the slower I heal. </div><div><br /></div><div>Do you struggle with a perfection complex? It's time consuming, stressful and yes, it sucks the pleasure right out of life. I'm so worried about how my home presents itself to visitors that I'm seriously too tired and stressed to even enjoy their visit. Totally messed up I know. Anyone out there that can relate? It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful, unless of course you live inside my head. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, with all my free time, I'm praying that I can grasp the concept of just good enough being <i style="font-weight: bold;">good enough. </i>I say this as I'm staring into the kitchen from my bedroom fighting the urge to go and spray and wipe the counters, definitely a slooooooow learner here. </div><div><br /></div><div>And please leave some comments, I'm seriously bored out of my wits over here {wink}!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-83327177911246151842016-03-14T08:00:00.000-04:002016-03-14T08:00:05.389-04:00Down The Rabbit Hole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzpWTvUiGqw/VuXRRK3dIRI/AAAAAAAAG9s/BPpFfUScm3M_GVpIY5w4-TijH3U6GuHMw/s1600/a2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzpWTvUiGqw/VuXRRK3dIRI/AAAAAAAAG9s/BPpFfUScm3M_GVpIY5w4-TijH3U6GuHMw/s640/a2.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It seems that I've taken an unexpected, unplanned blogging break. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Life, </i>it's always full of surprises!<br /><br />As moms, we don't get sick days or time off. We are always on the job. Last Wednesday, life as I know it, ended. I went to sleep Tuesday night just fine, and woke up Wednesday morning with a pinched nerve. It was as if I fell down the rabbit hole. All the things that had filled my days, were now overshadowed by pain.<br /><br />I now have a huge respect for those of you out there that live with chronic pain, bless your hearts. On day number six, I waved the white flag and sought medical intervention, the pain was just too much to bear. It seems that there's not a clear cut treatment plan for a pinched nerve, only <b><i>many, many </i></b>different opinions. Choosing the right path has been extremely confusing, as I think I've figured out, there is no <i style="font-weight: bold;">right </i>path, just opinions, ughhhhhhhh. Now, if you notice that this post seems a little wonky and has lots of misspellings, hey, I can blame the meds {wink}!<br /><br />So with all my free time, I began thinking about y'all, especially y'all that have to deal with a chronic condition of any kind. How strong you must be. I began to realize that I take my health for granted every single day. What's that saying?, you never know what you've got till it's gone.<br /><br />I'm a firm believer that all things happen for a reason and that all things are for our good, whether it seems so or not. If there is a lesson I need to learn, I pray that I <i style="font-weight: bold;">get </i>it now, so that God doesn't have to bring it before me again, in an even mightier way. God, let me learn it <b style="font-style: italic;">now! </b>And sometimes, the lesson is not for me at all, but someone close to me needs to learn through my suffering. For the past thirteen days, I've proudly watched my family come together to take over my usual duties. I've watched my daughters take charge of cooking, baking, and cleaning. Maybe the only way for them to truly learn how to take charge of a household was if I was completely out of the way. With me always hovering, well, lets just say that I may be a bit of a control freak and I really have a hard time delegating. With me on the sidelines, my family has been able to soar without my interfering assistance.<br /><br />I found this little poem{hymn} as I was reading..........<br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3d; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Little Bird I Am</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3b3b3d; font-size: 15px;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A little bird I am,</span></div><span style="color: #3b3b3d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Shut from the fields of air;</span><br /><span style="color: #3b3b3d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">And in my cage I sit and sing</span><br /><span style="color: #3b3b3d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">To Him who placed me there;</span><br /><span style="color: #3b3b3d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Well pleased a prisoner to be</span><br /><span style="color: #3b3b3d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">Because, </span><i style="color: #3b3b3d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;">my God, it pleases Thee.</i><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nought have I else to do;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I sing the whole day long;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And He whom most I love to please,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Doth listen to my song;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He caught and bound my wandering wing,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But still he bends to hear me sing.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3d; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thou hast an ear to hear;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A heart to love and bless;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And, though my notes were eโer so rude,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thou wouldst not hear them less:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because Thou knowest, as they fall,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That LOVE, sweet LOVE, inspires them all.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3d; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My cage confines me round;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Abroad I cannot fly;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But though my wing is closely bound,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My heartโs at liberty.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My prison walls cannot control</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The flight, the freedom of the soul.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh! Itโs good to soar</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These bolts and bars above,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To Him whose purpose I adore,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whose providence I love;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And in Thy mighty will to find</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The joy, the freedom of the mind.</span></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3d; font-family: "open sans" , "sans serif"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; text-align: justify;"> -Jeanne Guyon</span><br /><br />For you all that may be suffering today, my prayers are with you.<br /><br />xo,<br />Amy<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-1341383010668848472016-03-02T08:00:00.000-05:002016-03-03T09:18:53.762-05:00Let's Go Camping!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf4zVObpCCQ/VtRgQtAiaxI/AAAAAAAAG8w/LVqvHUCnIEg/s1600/PicMonkey%2BCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf4zVObpCCQ/VtRgQtAiaxI/AAAAAAAAG8w/LVqvHUCnIEg/s640/PicMonkey%2BCollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's been a whole year since we purchased our <a href="http://www.thelittlefarmdiary.com/2015/05/camper-reveal-part-one.html" target="_blank">Little Pop Up Camper</a> . What adventures we have had! We're already planning trips for April and I'm just giddy! Do you and your family camp? I wanted to share with you a little about what I've learned this last year, but first a little sharing about me..........<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWiYG3ftgac/VtRgySsQ6HI/AAAAAAAAG84/2Oh2q11LOz0/s1600/c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWiYG3ftgac/VtRgySsQ6HI/AAAAAAAAG84/2Oh2q11LOz0/s640/c1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'm a girly girl. You know the ones, they don't like to get dirt under their nails, they powder their noses when out and about, they 'hold it' forever rather than go in a porta-potty, yeah, I'm one of those. So, needless to say, I'm not the roughing it type. Having to potty in the woods just isn't my thing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBtGzYwco0g/VtRgzXGJvnI/AAAAAAAAG9A/XbQBzESohxw/s1600/c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBtGzYwco0g/VtRgzXGJvnI/AAAAAAAAG9A/XbQBzESohxw/s640/c5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>We tried tent camping when the kids were little- hated it big time. Hearing little animals scurrying around my tent all night just wasn't my cup of tea. Shoot, I was <i>terrified </i>and didn't sleep a wink! Now, I have friends mind you {you two know who you are ;)}, that are camping aficionados! You should see these women camp. I promise you would be in awe of their campsite! Tents, screen rooms, organized totes filled with food and supplies, they literally put women like me to shame! It just wasn't for me or my husband, so we wrote camping off our list. We decided that it just wasn't for us. <b><i>Huge mistake!</i></b><br /><b><i><br /></i></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jS9RDWmSMQ/VtRg9Xe57iI/AAAAAAAAG9Q/opzZJ2il51c/s1600/o7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jS9RDWmSMQ/VtRg9Xe57iI/AAAAAAAAG9Q/opzZJ2il51c/s640/o7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div>It then took years and years of wasted time for me to consider camping again. I say wasted time because there's just something about our children, that they deserve to be raised out in nature, <i style="font-weight: bold;">unplugged </i>from this world we live in, <b><i>as often as possible</i></b>. Traveling and hotels is one thing, camping is totally different. Camping brings your family together in a way you'll never experience in a hotel.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VhY1vCkbumk/VtRg6-zdPJI/AAAAAAAAG9I/dJyWtGKjYEE/s1600/o12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VhY1vCkbumk/VtRg6-zdPJI/AAAAAAAAG9I/dJyWtGKjYEE/s640/o12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's so much easier to start your kiddos off early with this lifestyle, the camping lifestyle. It's much harder to convince teenagers that camping is awesome. Our girls have been real troopers and I've been so proud of them for their good attitudes. Sometimes they're a bit whiny, but I see the gains of our adventures and it's worth a little discomfort on their parts.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hzuXKUxRQoI/VtRg2v0mnyI/AAAAAAAAG9E/VVLgloqbgEE/s1600/c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hzuXKUxRQoI/VtRg2v0mnyI/AAAAAAAAG9E/VVLgloqbgEE/s640/c9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So why all this rambling on? Spring is upon us, and if you've ever wondered if camping might be right for you, <i style="font-weight: bold;">YES, </i>yes it is! I don't want you or your children to miss out on the benefits of camping. If someone as girly as me loves it this much, you may just love it too! Don't like sleeping on the ground? We planned and saved for a whole year for our pop up, so worth all the sacrifices.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5y8IfraKDM/VtRg8Z91KnI/AAAAAAAAG9M/ilEwYu9MCDg/s1600/o6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e5y8IfraKDM/VtRg8Z91KnI/AAAAAAAAG9M/ilEwYu9MCDg/s640/o6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>And the price? Camping is so inexpensive, especially if you tent camp, and you don't have to go far. A state park just down the road or in your own state is a perfect landing. The point is to be out there in nature, unplugged around a campfire, hiking, game playing or just talking, remember that?, <i>just talking</i> with one another. That's the whole point of the camping experience, <i style="font-weight: bold;">connections, </i>re-establishing connections, strengthening connections.<br /><br />This world that we live in pulls our families apart, camping brings our family back together. So, if you've never tried it, maybe this is your year! Are you already a camping family? Give me a shout out!<br />xo,<br />Amy<br /><br />Sharing Here: <a href="http://inthenewhouse.com/inspiration-thursday-28/#more-2874" target="_blank">In The New House Designs</a> <a href="http://www.mccallmanor.com/link-party/your-inspired-design-25/" target="_blank">McCall Manor</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-61709554465264193702016-02-29T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-29T08:00:04.448-05:00A Little Springy Inspiration <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_IRjvfrrR4/VSFco8D0mYI/AAAAAAAAFQA/P9lFqCgXr98/s1600/bd8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_IRjvfrrR4/VSFco8D0mYI/AAAAAAAAFQA/P9lFqCgXr98/s1600/bd8.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I've been scouring some of my favorite blogs and magazines for a little springtime inspiration. I found so much inspiration, and honestly, it can be overwhelming, you know what I mean? I want our home to have a fresh springy vibe, but I don't want to break the bank to make it happen. Today I'm going to share with you a few of my faves, prepare to be inspired!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4fcvk8Ad8Q/VSFPdEK1EwI/AAAAAAAAFO4/HDPEh-UrJfo/s1600/bd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4fcvk8Ad8Q/VSFPdEK1EwI/AAAAAAAAFO4/HDPEh-UrJfo/s1600/bd1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.simplydesigning.net/spring-moss-wreath/" target="_blank">Simply Designing</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I LOVE this wreath. The wreath form and moss can be be found at the dollar store and the flowers are an easy project with scrap fabric. Beautiful and frugal- perfect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqL4z87u6CI/VSFPd1E7B4I/AAAAAAAAFPA/Mm6HznDg_CI/s1600/bd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqL4z87u6CI/VSFPd1E7B4I/AAAAAAAAFPA/Mm6HznDg_CI/s1600/bd2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/seasonal/fall/decorating-with-natural-elements/?sssdmh=dm17.602087&esrc=nwdc061312&email=3860272688#page=12" target="_blank">Better Homes And Gardens</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a theme you're going to see lots here in my inspiration photos- bringing the outside in. Anytime I can grab a few branches and bring them in, instant springtime in the house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K3pOzu0x3r8/VSFQVrhsBjI/AAAAAAAAFPI/ty2xdW5HuwI/s1600/bd3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K3pOzu0x3r8/VSFQVrhsBjI/AAAAAAAAFPI/ty2xdW5HuwI/s1600/bd3.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/03/welcome-spring-weekend-inspiration-ideas.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20UnderTheTableAndDreaming%20%28Under%20The%20Table%20and%20Dreaming%29" target="_blank">SL by Stephanie Lynn</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Same here, bring the outside in, and how cute is this, a new use for some old galoshes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F-AM5Vy-Ing/VSFRSW5Rj7I/AAAAAAAAFPU/gnVQx1sDOy0/s1600/bd4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F-AM5Vy-Ing/VSFRSW5Rj7I/AAAAAAAAFPU/gnVQx1sDOy0/s1600/bd4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://designtraveller.blogspot.com/2010/10/styling-inspiration.html" target="_blank">Design Traveler</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love collecting old plates that I find at thrift stores and flea markets. How about gathering all the springy blossoming ones, and hang them all together. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ruHG9p_4nU/VSFSJ5W7xVI/AAAAAAAAFPc/K4FNBW2lUx8/s1600/bd5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ruHG9p_4nU/VSFSJ5W7xVI/AAAAAAAAFPc/K4FNBW2lUx8/s1600/bd5.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ellaclaireinspired.com/seasons-of-home-spring-edition-blooming/" target="_blank">Ella Claire</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the chalkboards I have in our home and I look forward to changing them seasonally. If you don't have a ready made board, a can of chalkboard spray paint will turn any old object into a beautiful chalkboard.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-__8AhAfNCP8/VSFSuFE4e6I/AAAAAAAAFPo/mB8qngsiyn4/s1600/bd6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-__8AhAfNCP8/VSFSuFE4e6I/AAAAAAAAFPo/mB8qngsiyn4/s1600/bd6.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vibekedesign.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/hstelig-rustikk.html" target="_blank">Vibeke Designs</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And again, bring the outside inside. Fresh, live greenery breathes new life into your home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0YNytgXu_5Q/VSFT0cvYGAI/AAAAAAAAFPw/djSnzc23gqk/s1600/bd7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0YNytgXu_5Q/VSFT0cvYGAI/AAAAAAAAFPw/djSnzc23gqk/s1600/bd7.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pallet-furniture.blogspot.com/2013/03/pallet-ideas-creative-use-of-wood.html" target="_blank">pallet-furniture</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">COLOR. How about adding the unexpected to freshen up your space? I collect these tissue paper balls at our local super-store for only $.99. They have them seasonally in different colors. Put them in a grouping for instant fun and color in any room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So what do you think? Hope I've inspired you to bring a little spring into your homes. I think I'm going to start right now by going outside and clipping a few sprouting branches and bringing them inside. So fresh and so simple. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">xo,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Amy </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-1413537204804390542016-02-26T08:00:00.000-05:002016-03-03T08:18:32.908-05:00Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue {hello spring}As I sit here all cozy and warm in front of the fire, my mind has drifted far, far away. Thoughts of warmer days and gardens are dancing in my head. We've had a few warm days here and there and that was all it took, all it took to shift my mind to thoughts of spring.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeY7yOpjUeY/VszaD9zylNI/AAAAAAAAG78/8ZOzRaMNAfY/s1600/b12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeY7yOpjUeY/VszaD9zylNI/AAAAAAAAG78/8ZOzRaMNAfY/s640/b12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Last weekend, my husband helped me with a little work in the flower gardens out front. This garden area has been an outright battle front for a couple of years now. It's us against the free ranging chickens, the verdict is still out y'all, but I think we're closing in on a successful plan of attack. Biggest problem, MULCH. The chickens scratch it, kick it and it flies too and fro. I've been doing lots of research and I'm determined that we can at least call a truce! I pulled back out my favorite book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1604692375?keywords=chicken%20garden&qid=1456263403&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Free Range Chicken Gardens</a>. Oh how I <b><i>love</i></b> this book! I get all giddy just thumbing through the pages. It's an excellent resource for all free range chicken owners.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYEa2p6ok3I/VszaHQhZc_I/AAAAAAAAG8A/FGAa-oS6OUU/s1600/b13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYEa2p6ok3I/VszaHQhZc_I/AAAAAAAAG8A/FGAa-oS6OUU/s640/b13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This morning I awoke really early and started looking for some lovely heirloom seeds to order online. I found the sweetest little <a href="http://www.groworganic.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and ordered several varieties from them. I've been dreaming of nasturtiums and sweet peas, they had them both and I was thrilled. So the plan is to start them indoors and then transfer them out when there's no longer a danger of frost. I can hardly wait!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NihE0tPlffU/VszbC2lww1I/AAAAAAAAG8M/0fVb5AagWkM/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NihE0tPlffU/VszbC2lww1I/AAAAAAAAG8M/0fVb5AagWkM/s640/b4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Also, on my to-do list, basement clean up. <i>Stuff </i>has taken over and no longer do I have any control down there. It's just an old, unfinished, cinder block basement, <b>now, </b>but thanks to this sweet lady and this <a href="http://www.flowerpatchfarmgirl.com/2016/02/it-doesnt-have-to-be-beautiful-to-be.html" target="_blank">post</a>, it's about to be so much <b>more! </b>She kicked my rear into gear, and mercy I needed that. She's done it on more than one occasion mind you! That's what I love so much about my little blogging community. Sometimes we girls need a push in the right direction, just a little motivation to get us going. I'm honored to be a part of such an awesome community of uber talented women, that so, so, often, get me moving!<br /><br />That's me at the moment, what's going on in your little neck of the woods? Do tell............<br />xo,<br />Amy<br /><br />Sharing At: <a href="http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2016/02/tweak-it-tuesday-182_29.html" target="_blank">Cozy Little House</a> <a href="http://inthenewhouse.com/inspiration-thursday-28/#more-2874" target="_blank">In The New House Designs</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-10459933605494189072016-02-25T08:00:00.000-05:002016-03-03T09:19:18.879-05:00The Best Biscuits EVER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdr4TQqXw1Q/VPctMdeGzSI/AAAAAAAAE_4/zC_hZbllg1w/s1600/b13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdr4TQqXw1Q/VPctMdeGzSI/AAAAAAAAE_4/zC_hZbllg1w/s1600/b13.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Since it's still a bit of winter time left, I thought I'd reshare one of my favorite comfort food recipes- <b>BISCUITS</b>! I love bread, and this is still my absolute favorite recipe! Enjoy y'all!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been working over here on perfecting my biscuit recipe and I've finally got it and I couldn't wait to share it with y'all today. There are so many different recipes for biscuits and if you can believe it, books devoted to nothing but biscuit making, it's serious stuff in the south y'all! All I can say is that down here, biscuit making is a big thing. No southern plate is complete without a light and flaky biscuit on the side. So, I've been working for a bit now, and I think I've finally mastered 'The Biscuit'.</span></span></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The How To:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Biscuits can be ornery little critters and biscuit bakers have their secrets for baking the best, most mouthwatering biscuits around. I'm going to share a few secrets with y'all that really will make a big difference in your end result.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Flour. Yes, it does make a difference what you use. I recommend White Lily All Purpose Flour.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chill the bowl and pastry cutter.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cut butter into really small pieces and they must be COLD.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Work dough with your hands and only until just blended- no over mixing here- that dough must stay cold.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">When cutting out your biscuits, never twist with the cutter. This closes off the sides and doesn't allow for a nice, big, fluffy biscuit.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">A hot oven is key.</span></li></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9CV4QLzkwM/VPctMlID2fI/AAAAAAAAE_8/6G79a8GmQBc/s1600/b11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9CV4QLzkwM/VPctMlID2fI/AAAAAAAAE_8/6G79a8GmQBc/s1600/b11.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups White Lilly All Purpose Flour plus a little for rolling out dough</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 Tbsp. Baking Powder</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp. fine salt</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4 Tbsp. cold butter {unsalted} cut into little pieces</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 to 1 cup buttermilk</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4vmGPstdwQQ/VPctMQn9hFI/AAAAAAAAFAA/dSsoM-19bfA/s1600/b12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4vmGPstdwQQ/VPctMQn9hFI/AAAAAAAAFAA/dSsoM-19bfA/s1600/b12.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Instructions:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pre-heat oven to 450*. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Using your pastry cutter, cut in the small pieces of butter until you have a coarse meal texture. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pour in the buttermilk and mix just until combined. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to a 1/2 inch thickness.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cut rounds of dough with a biscuit cutter or edge of a drinking glass, remembering to cut straight down- no twisting</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.</span></li></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AbeKmCBf7mU/VPctN37GikI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/y58AGTITV4Q/s1600/b14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AbeKmCBf7mU/VPctN37GikI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/y58AGTITV4Q/s1600/b14.jpg" width="504" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">And there you have it y'all. Practice makes perfect with biscuits, but it's so worth it! A hot biscuit right out of the oven smothered in butter, oh my goodness, all kinds of amazing. Thank y'all so much for spending some time with me today and enjoy those biscuits!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">xo, </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amy</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sharing At: <a href="http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2016/02/tweak-it-tuesday-182_29.html" target="_blank">Cozy Little House</a> <a href="http://inthenewhouse.com/inspiration-thursday-28/#more-2874" target="_blank">In The New House Designs</a> <a href="http://www.mccallmanor.com/link-party/your-inspired-design-25/" target="_blank">McCall Manor</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-64064814254655723522016-02-22T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-28T15:54:08.265-05:00Teen Girls' Room Reveal {a boho inspired makeover}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2Vm_rbuE2U/VsSgEnkUkTI/AAAAAAAAG7s/Jh7y3znL05w/s1600/g1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2Vm_rbuE2U/VsSgEnkUkTI/AAAAAAAAG7s/Jh7y3znL05w/s640/g1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hooooray y'all, the girls' room is done! Don't get me wrong, I do love the process of re-decorating a space, but I truly do LOVE when it's finished too! You may remember that I became a <i>bit</i> obsessed with the bohemian style about this time last year when we remodeled our pop up camper {if you missed that click <a href="http://www.thelittlefarmdiary.com/2015/05/camper-reveal-part-one.html" target="_blank">here</a>}. Well, the girls really loved that style too, and now that they're a bit older, they really wanted to take their room from it's <a href="http://www.thelittlefarmdiary.com/2014/08/the-girls-room-big-reveal.html" target="_blank">fun and color-filled</a> theme to something a bit more mature, so a little boho chic remodel was in order. This room change had quite a few stages mind you, nothing happens fast around here! If I were a more on the ball blogger, I would have been writing about and photographing the small steps, oh boy, blogger fail. But anywho, it started with a chalkboard wall that literally and immediately changed the vibe in the whole room. It was quite amazing, their room really got it's moody on!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiqYuPKrG_Y/VsSYUrRRkOI/AAAAAAAAG7I/1EwMNbXi-4Q/s1600/g7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiqYuPKrG_Y/VsSYUrRRkOI/AAAAAAAAG7I/1EwMNbXi-4Q/s640/g7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qh_FH2fqsU0/VsSdUCtipNI/AAAAAAAAG7g/cm2rqp2L7lI/s1600/g8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qh_FH2fqsU0/VsSdUCtipNI/AAAAAAAAG7g/cm2rqp2L7lI/s640/g8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Aaaaaand, there it sat for the longest while, a chalkboard wall. We all began scrimping and saving pennies, and searching sales at <i>Urban Outfitters</i>. Since last year, Olivia had been confiscating any and all change she found around the house and suddenly she developed a love of doing her Daddy's laundry, must of had something to do with the fact that he leaves change in his pockets and it comes out in the wash- ha! She filled jars with change and would take them to convert into <i>real money</i> for her room savings jar. Sofia would add money to the jar with her Christmas money and allowance, so you see, this room has been quite a collaboration!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8bV7ScgeQQ/VsSYJCZpYQI/AAAAAAAAG7I/LQHGbXk_fqY/s1600/g4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8bV7ScgeQQ/VsSYJCZpYQI/AAAAAAAAG7I/LQHGbXk_fqY/s640/g4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAjD65mH3hY/VsSYAR5Dn6I/AAAAAAAAG7I/wrEJJB6AEu4/s1600/g2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAjD65mH3hY/VsSYAR5Dn6I/AAAAAAAAG7I/wrEJJB6AEu4/s640/g2.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br />We began slowly collecting pieces for the room and putting them in a box. Finally after a few months we were ready to transform this room! One of the key elements for the girls room was a <a href="http://www.crosleyradio.com/Turntables" target="_blank">Crosley Record Player</a>. I scoured Ebay <i>forever,</i> and finally found a refurbished model that was within our budget. I was terrified that it would come and be a disappointment, but I was bowled over, it worked! My how I've missed the sound of a turntable! The girls started collecting records from thrift stores and not a day goes by that I don't hear the most wonderful music coming from their room.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AeXEEO51Nzg/VsSYODWR8iI/AAAAAAAAG7I/AEdqVw46zd4/s1600/g6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AeXEEO51Nzg/VsSYODWR8iI/AAAAAAAAG7I/AEdqVw46zd4/s640/g6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k84RPajcMYI/VsSYtCJketI/AAAAAAAAG7M/XxFc2Fqp1wI/s1600/g10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k84RPajcMYI/VsSYtCJketI/AAAAAAAAG7M/XxFc2Fqp1wI/s640/g10.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Another thing you may notice is the addition of plants. I love the plants and I'm sure we'll gradually add even more. They're key to the bohemian theme and they really do breathe life into any room. Love, love them!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSuGBoZwqJA/VsSYVhOalOI/AAAAAAAAG7I/P-RDM6pmtM8/s1600/g9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSuGBoZwqJA/VsSYVhOalOI/AAAAAAAAG7I/P-RDM6pmtM8/s640/g9.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>There's so much more we could have done, but this was what we could do and still stay within our budget, and we can always add more pieces as we save more money. Hey, there's always lots of Daddy's laundry to do!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Thanks for stopping by for the tour y'all! I've listed the sources below just in case you want to get your bohemian vibe on too!<br />xo,<br />Amy<br /><br /><i>Soure List:</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Plus Sign Rug <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=29060555&category=A_FURN_RUGS" target="_blank">Urban Outfitters</a></i><br /><i>Rug In Seating Nook {this particular one is no longer available but check here for similar: <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?id=A_FURN_RUGS&cm_sp=APARTMENT-_-L2-_-APARTMENT:A_FURN_RUGS#/" target="_blank">Urban Outfitters</a>}</i><br /><i>Bedding {check here for similar: <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?id=SALE-A-BED#/" target="_blank">Urban Outfitters</a>}</i><br /><i>Tapestry over seating nook <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=35918143&category=A_BED_TAPESTRIES" target="_blank">Urban Outfitters</a></i><br /><i>Bed Shams and Throw pillows <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?id=SALE_APT_DEC&cm_sp=APARTMENT-_-L3-_-SALE_APT:SALE_APT_DEC#/" target="_blank">Urban Outfitters</a></i><br /><i>Futon Sofa: <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70087108/" target="_blank">Ikea</a></i><br /><i>Sofa Pillows: <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80297667/" target="_blank">Ikea</a></i><br /><br />Sharing Here: <a href="http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2016/02/tweak-it-tuesday-181.html" target="_blank">Cozy Little House</a> <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/how-to-hang-curtains-or-sheers-on-a-screened-porch/" target="_blank">Between Naps On The Porch</a> <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2016/02/306th-inspire-me-tuesday.html" target="_blank">A Stroll Thru Life</a> <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2016/02/wow-us-wednesdays-262.html#more" target="_blank">Savvy Southern Style</a> <a href="http://inthenewhouse.com/inspiration-thursday-27/" target="_blank">In The New House</a> <a href="http://www.mccallmanor.com/link-party/5732/" target="_blank">McCall Manor</a> <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2016/02/link-party-palooza-and-25-amazon-gift-card-giveaway-2.html" target="_blank">Tatertots and Jello</a> <a href="http://www.thoughtsfromalice.com/2016/02/sundays-at-home-no-98.html#more" target="_blank">Thoughts From Alice</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3852606976829347264.post-43699160889240035762016-02-18T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-26T19:25:25.034-05:00Soup Beans And Cornbread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDTIkz4J-ts/VsR1ddH3NKI/AAAAAAAAG6A/4TSjDQdTYpQ/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDTIkz4J-ts/VsR1ddH3NKI/AAAAAAAAG6A/4TSjDQdTYpQ/s640/b2.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>You northerners might right about now be thinking, <i>what? </i>But if you're a southerner, <i>Soup beans and cornbread, </i>has probably graced your dinner table more than once. With lots of blustery winter days still left {ugggggggh!}, I thought I'd share this favorite easy meal of mine with y'all.<br /><br />It's a winner in my book for a couple of reasons, price is one. This is one budget friendly meal. It really can help to stretch your grocery money. And two, who doesn't love a big ole' bowl of warm soup on a cold winter's day??? It's a win-win kind of a meal. Here's the recipe I use...........<br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIVIyI1IDC4/VsR1dccQKrI/AAAAAAAAG6E/dxw9eHTvCYk/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIVIyI1IDC4/VsR1dccQKrI/AAAAAAAAG6E/dxw9eHTvCYk/s640/b1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Soup Beans Ingredients </b><br /><b><br /></b><i>1 lb. dry pinto beans</i><br /><i>1 tsp. chili powder {more if you're feeling fiery}</i><br /><i>salt to taste</i><br /><i>At least 6 cups water</i><br /><i>1 onion chopped</i><br /><i>1/2 pound ham {bone in} </i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><i>Wash dried pinto beans and place in crock pot . Cover with cold water. Allow to sit in crock pot {in OFF position} all night. The next morning, drain beans and add 6 cups water {or more. You want all ingredients covered well with water} to crock pot along with seasonings, onions and ham. Stir well. Set that crockpot on low for 8 hours, and go on about your day as usual cause that crockpot is getting dinner all ready for you. Serve with your favorite cornbread, because beans without cornbread, well that's just like peanut butter without jelly. And, for the love of all things southern, serve those beans with hot sauce y'all. I promise, this will warm you on the coldest of nights!</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBSr6f4R9wA/VsR1fw3jwmI/AAAAAAAAG6M/fUOy2DQVRMk/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBSr6f4R9wA/VsR1fw3jwmI/AAAAAAAAG6M/fUOy2DQVRMk/s640/b4.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>Now if you're a little wistful and dreaming of warmer days, you could choose to end your meal with <i>Peach Cobbler and Ice Cream </i>{my favorite recipe <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/peach-cobbler-recipe.html" target="_blank">here</a>}! I know it's only February, but a girl can dream, right?<br />xo,<br />Amy<br /><br /><i>Sharing Here: <a href="http://www.thoughtsfromalice.com/2016/02/sundays-at-home-no-97.html" target="_blank">Thoughts From Alice</a> <a href="http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2016/02/tweak-it-tuesday-181.html" target="_blank">Cozy Little House</a> <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2016/02/306th-inspire-me-tuesday.html" target="_blank">A Stroll Thru Life</a> <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2016/02/wow-us-wednesdays-262.html#more" target="_blank">Savvy Southern Style</a> <a href="http://inthenewhouse.com/inspiration-thursday-27/" target="_blank">In The New House</a> <a href="http://www.mccallmanor.com/link-party/5732/" target="_blank">McCall Manor</a> <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2016/02/link-party-palooza-and-25-amazon-gift-card-giveaway-2.html" target="_blank">Tatertots and Jello</a></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02904951944531580443noreply@blogger.com13