Blissfully Content

An Apple Roll Kind of Day

2012-02-21T08:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I made these wonderfully delicious apple-filled rolls for breakfast and had them with a steamy cup of tea.

They remind me of apple dumplings and were gone in no time around here.

The recipe is also very similar to a Dutch pastry called Oliebollen...it is sooo good!

The original recipe, I found at Petticoat Junction, but I did change it up a bit:).

Becky has a lovely tutorial with beautiful pictures!

{Thank you Becky for the recipe!!}

Apple Rolls

1 beaten egg

1/4c melted butter

3/4c. milk

3/4c. boiling water

1/4c. honey

1 1/2tsp. salt

2 1/2 tsp. instant yeast

3 1/2 - 4 1/2c all purpose flour

Filling

You can use canned apple pie filling or frozen filling.

My recipe HERE.

You could also add raisins.

brown sugar

cinnamon

butter

cinnamon sugar for dusting

~~~~~~~~~~~

In a large bowl, add milk, butter, honey, salt, and boiling water.

Stir until honey and salt are dissolved.

Let cool for a minute, then add beaten egg.

Add flour, then yeast and mix well until a soft dough forms. Add more flour if too sticky.

You can do this by hand, but a mixer makes it a bit easier, as you do need to knead it for a couple of minutes

Place in a greased bowl and cover with a towel.

Let rise until doubled in size.

When dough is ready, punch down and preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

Divide dough into balls. This recipe makes 16-18 rolls.

Flatten onto a circle, then sprinkle with cinnamon, add about a teaspoon of brown sugar.

Top with a spoonful of pie mix.

Next, place about 1/2 tsp. butter on top.

Pull the edges up around the filling and pinch together to form a roll.

Place in greased 9x13 baking dish, or pie plate and sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar.

They don't need a second rising.

Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden.

They are perfect and fresh tasting!

Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.

My personal favorite right now is Tazo Rest...it has hints of rose:).

~Julia

In Our Backyard...

2012-02-19T22:33:00.000-08:00

Practically in our backyard...OK in the neighbor's field...we have been watching these two elk.

They have been hanging out in a hay barn.

And why not?

It's warm and there is a lot of feed!

There are quite a few elk in our area and the Dept. of Wildlife has feeding stations where you can get up close and personal with the local herds.

These guys just happen to be REALLY local:).

You get such a wonderful perspective of the gifts in nature when you can experience it this closely.

I am sure they will move on soon, but it has been fun seeing a part of our natural area attractions!

And on another note...

I am longing for my backyard look like this right now.

Is anyone else just ready for a new season?

One filled with warm wafts of intoxicating aromas?

I am pouring over seed catalogs and making plans because I know that the time to plant comes all too quickly.

God is so good to give us the seasons...seasons in life as well as the weather to look forward to!

Have a lovely day!

~Julia

Baby Calves...

2012-02-17T09:27:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, we woke up to this guy....meet baby Bob {as Jack calls him}!

Here he is all fresh and new.

He is Tim's first calf and boy is he excited.

Tim has two registered Red Angus and a neighbor was nice enough to bring his Charolais/Hereford bull over last May.

We kept "Bob" all summer in exchange for the breeding.

Baby Bob will be Tim's 4-H steer next year.

He is such a pretty strawberry color and very vigorous.

We thought Tim's second cow, Bessie, may drop her calf yesterday so we sat at a distance and quietly watched.

We've watched births before, but we never tire of the marvel of new life.

AND it is just plain exciting!

Bess looked so uncomfortable...oh, I can remember feeling that way at the end of my pregnancies!

Even the neighbor's cow was concerned:).

She went down and we thought this might be the moment.

Nope. False alarm!

We check on our cows through the night...just in case they might need help.

For me it brings back fond memories.

Darren worked on a farm through college and sometimes that was our date night...checking cows during calving season. Lovely memories and such a wonderful family that he worked for!

We still feel so close to them:).

This new life reminds me that Spring is just around the corner.
I am so ready for a warm breeze and the chance to get my hands in the soil to plant.
In the meantime, we will enjoy the babies.

~Julia

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2012-02-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all the most LOVEly day!

~Julia

Printed Paper Bags and a Lovely Valentine

2012-02-11T13:04:00.000-08:00

Did you know that you can run a flat paper bag through your printer?

It is so easy and what a FUN way to personalize gifts!

The process is similar to my tutorial on how to make gift tags on your printer.

I tried using a traditional paper lunch bag, but it was too bulky.

So make sure you are using a flat bag. You can use any size up to 9x11 inches.

First, decide on your design and create a Word document. Center the image where you want it on your bag.

Here are some fun freebies for Valentine's Day...

Just click on the picture to go to the source.

I always run a test print and then hold the bag up to ensure I have the image in the right place.

The first step is to fold a piece of plain computer paper in half lengthwise.

The fold is your center mark.

Place the bag face up in the center and use cellophane tape to attach all four corners and sides.

I press my fingers against the tape so it is not as sticky.
This way it comes off easily.

Place bag face down and top end first in your printer.

Print away...

That's it. So simple!

AND here is another fun and charming Valentine idea courtesy of my friend, Kimberlee and her girls!

Lily had fun making these with her friend, Millie, yesterday.
OK...I made one, too...I couldn't resist!

Aren't they darling?

You can staple or hot glue as many bags as you wish for a group of siblings or a family and insert little treasures in each one.

Lily personalized a bag for all of us.

I love that it folds out like a little book.

You can decorate the bags with anything you have on hand...paper, lace, stickers.

I even used one of my printed bags.
If you don't have the flat bags on hand, paper lunch bags work great, too!

Such a fun idea...thank you Andersons!

{They are also having a giveaway of some of their amazing goat milk products. Click HERE to enter!}

Hope you have an absolutely great weekend!

~Julia

Sewn Paper Heart Valentines

2012-02-09T22:12:00.000-08:00

These fun little heart filled packages were so fun to make...even Lily sewed one up!

Just cut 2 heart shapes from decorative paper and place together.

Mine are about 4 1/2 inches long by 4 1/2 inches wide.

I made a template and traced onto the paper.

Sew all the way around...leaving a small opening to fill your heart with goodies.

Back stitch to make sure nothing rips while filling the heart.

I learned the hard way:).

Fill with small treats, then sew the opening.

To add a little ribbon loop, just place between the two pieces in the center and sew.

Use what you have on hand!

I love brown craft paper and torn linen:).

These are so fun and such a sweet little Valentine.

They are easy for little hands to open and enjoy and VERY simple to make!

Happy Valentine's Day!

~Julia

Braided Almond Bread

2012-02-06T07:01:00.000-08:00

I think this is one of my new favorite recipes....so deliciously flaky, crisp, and soft in the middle.

It reminds me of some of the Dutch almond pastries I enjoyed as a child:).

The original recipe comes from A Bit of Sunshine and I have had it bookmarked for a while!

The directions and pictures on the blog are quite beautiful, but I thought I would add my own little twist as this pastry makes a charming Valentine's gift in the shape of a heart.

Click here to get the original recipe from A Little Bit of Sunshine.

{I followed the directions, except I used crushed almonds instead of walnuts, and made my own almond filling}.

Almond Filling

1 cup blanched almonds

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 TBS. butter at room temperature

1 tsp. almond extract

1 egg white, beaten

Put almonds, sugar, and butter into a food processor and pulse until almonds are finely ground.

Add almond extract and egg white and pulse until combined.

You can store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Bring to room temperature before using.

You will need to make the dough and then roll it out to about a 1/4 inch thick rectangle.

Spread the filling, then add a generous amount of brown sugar and cinnamon, and top it off with crushed walnuts or almonds.

Roll it up tight.

Now, you are ready to make the heart shape.

Simply fold the roll in half ...one end over the other...and pinch the seams together at the bottom.

Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Using a sharp knife, cut a slit all the way through, leaving about an inch intact at the bottom.

Take the two halves of the dough and flip to the outside to form a heart.

Bake according to the directions.

You can also use your favorite cinnamon roll recipe and create the same design!

I think a braid turns out lovely, too.

The Braided Almond Bread freezes really well, so it is a great make-ahead gift.

Enjoy!

~Julia

Valentine Paper Clip Bookmarks and a Fun Crayon Project

2012-02-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

Here is a great craft {or two} to do this weekend with your kids!

I love to create with my kids. It is so much fun to see their talents develop.

Usually, the house is in a disastrous state, but the state of their hearts are what is important.

So for us...doing things together = tying of the heart strings.

It is fun for me to slow down from my never ending to-do list and focus on fun with them, too.

Today, we made paper clip bookmarks...

You need:

large paper clips

decorative paper

scissors

glue stick

Just cut small strips of paper about the width of the paperclip.

I made a couple of snips at the fold to make it fit perfectly...

Place glue on one side, then fold into the paperclip and press.

Make sure that you place it correctly. You want the clip part at the bottom:).

You could cut heart shapes, too.

They look so cute holding your page.

Have a lot of crayons lying around that are less than perfect?

Why not melt them into new and improved crayons?

Thanks to Amanda at Homegrown and Beeyoutiful for the tutorial!

Just remove the paper from old crayons and keep like colors together.

Grease a muffin tin...mine is really old... and fill with the broken pieces.

Pop in the oven set at the lowest temperature for about 10-15 minutes.

Let them cool before removing. You can even pop them in the freezer to speed up the process, but it doesn't take long.

The kids love them and they are super fun to color with!

Have a great weekend!

~Julia

Cookie Cutter Pincushion

2012-01-31T23:45:00.000-08:00

Are these just the cutest things ever?

I think this little pincushion would make the most charming Valentine gift!

Country Living featured the idea in this month's issue...oh, I do love that magazine!

They have great directions, but I was lacking a couple ingredients...so, I had to blaze a new trail.

The outcome is still the same, though!!

My daughter, Lily, and her friend Millie and I spent part of the afternoon making the pincushions.

I totally think this is a project you can do with your older children.

The girls loved it!

To begin, you will need:

A cookie cutter

{We used heart shaped cutters for Valentine's Day}.

A thin piece of Styrofoam...Country Living recommends a produce tray from the grocery store.

{I used a thin piece of cardboard form the back of a pad of paper}.

Tacky glue

{I used Elmer's and a hot glue gun.}

Fiberfill stuffing

Rubber band

Your choice of fabric.

Lay your cookie cutter out on the cardboard or Styrofoam and trace the inside.

Cut it out.

Now, cut a heart shaped piece of fabric about a half inch bigger around the cardboard.

Using Tacky Glue {which is the best...you could use Elmer's in a pinch...just do so sparingly} spread it evenly across cardboard.

Attach the fabric to the cardboard heart and let dry for 30 minutes.

Country Living suggests using more Tacky Glue to secure the excess fabric....I used my glue gun.

Next, cut a square piece of fabric about 3 inches wider than your cookie cutter.

With fabric right side up, lay the sharp part of the cookie cutter in the center of your fabric.

Pick up the cutter and push the stuffing through to make the pin cushion.

This takes some adjusting to get everything looking right.

The fabric should protrude at least 3/4 inch past the cutter.

I think mine is about 1 1/2 inches.

To get the stuffing nice and even, just hold the cutter in your hand and use your thumb to push into place.

Here is where I venture from the original plan.

Country Living suggests using a running stitch to close the cushion.

This would give you a much flatter base.

I used a rubber band:).

Just gather the excess fabric and secure.

Then trim off the extra fabric with your scissors.

Whalaa!

You are ready to assemble your pincushion!

According to the directions, apply more Tacky Glue to the underside of the cushion, push the Styrofoam into the cutter so that it presses against the glue, and hold for three minutes.

It will need to dry another 30 minutes after that.

For some reason, I couldn't get my little cardboard base to cooperate... so here is what I did:).

I took out the cushion and attached the base with a little hot glue all around the inside edge of the cutter.

Here is the underside.

If you have a small crease... like I did...just pull tight from the other end.

Last, I placed a little more hot glue all over the inside of the base and pressed the cushion in place.

What a lovely little gift for someone special!

You could use any cookie cutter.

A little bunny or duckling for Easter would be fun, or even a clover for St. Patty's Day.

I even like the plain old biscuit cutters with the fluted edge...wouldn't that be darling?

The possibilities are endless and the cost so minimal for a charming gift like this:).

Pin It

Have a great day!

~Julia

PS: Head on over to Anderson Family Farm's blog to enter to win luxurious goat milk lotion and soap!

The giveaway end Sunday:).

Make Your Own Everyday Cloth Napkins

2012-01-28T17:08:00.000-08:00

In an effort to save a little, I decided it was high time we had everyday cloth napkins.

In my Grandma's day, it was all they used and I am not sure why I haven't made the switch before now!

They are sturdy, practical, money saving, and charming.
They would also make a lovely gift!

I bought a vintage sheet at Goodwill....the colors are so cheery and Spring like!

It was also made really well.
When looking for fabric for cloth napkins, you need to keep in mind that they will be heavily used.
Cotton fabrics are a great choice as they wash easily and are soft and absorbent.

My sheet was fairly thick and washed well.
I don't believe I will iron the napkins unless we have company:).

I cut 8 napkins to a generous 21" x21", so that the final result is 20"x20".

Make sure that you cut a perfect square.
I used my cutting mat and rotary cutter to measure perfectly.

I also made a few in a darker color for those meals that may possibly stain:).

The fabric is from my stash and I thought this was a perfect way to use up old material!

I found a great tutorial on mitered edges from Amy at Homestead Revival.
Hemming in this way gives your napkins a really finished look.

Use your iron to press the hem first...this really helps!

First, you will need to fold down the corners.
Measure 1.5 inches from the tip of the corner down each edge.
Fold down on these marks to make a triangle.
Press each corner down.

Snip off about a 1/2 inch of the triangle.

Press down each side about a half inch.

Fold over a second time...about a half inch...and press.

Repeat on all four sides. You may have to adjust things a bit to make everything fit perfectly.
The two hems should meet nicely in the middle like this...

Now, pin everything in place and stitch around the inside seam first.

This is what it will look like on the finished side.

I like to stitch a second seam along the outside edge to secure the corners down.
You could also make a small hem along the mitered seam instead.

And that's it!

Everyday napkins are so economical and a really fast project.

I am hoping to make a few just for special occasions, too.

To care for your napkins, just spray with a stain remover after a meal...if you have stains.

I just wash and dry mine, fold them, and place them in a nice wire basket that sits near the table.

Ironing is really optional if you use the right fabric.

Enjoy your day!

~Julia

Sharing here...

Make a Ruffled Dish Towel

2012-01-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we have been getting ready!

I love gifts that are a bit nontraditional, yet charming.

Why not give romantic, ruffly dish towels?

With pom poms, of course:).

For those of you who are just beginning to sew, I thought I would give a little tutorial:).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To make this dish towel, you will need:

1 yard pom-pom fringe

9" x 24" piece of material for ruffle {longer for a fuller ruffle}

18 1/2"x 28 1/2" piece of thick cotton material

First, cut out your material to the specified measurements.
Remember, if you want a fuller looking ruffle, just cut the piece of fabric longer.
You will need more pom pom fringe if your ruffle fabric is longer than 35 inches.
Hem the edges around the tea towel.
I allowed an inch and made a wider seam.
Next, you need to serge or use your zig zag to stitch one side of the length of your ruffle.
{The long side...not the width.}

Now, hem the the two ends of your piece of ruffle fabric, and then the bottom side.

I used about a half inch allowance.

Pressing your seams with an iron first is a great way to avoid using pins to secure it.

I love doing it this way!

After you have hemmed the ruffle, you will want to sew 2 loose running stitches along the top side.

This is the side that you zig zagged.

Your running stitches are what we will use to make the puckers in the the fabric.

Sewing two stitches close together at the top makes for a more even ruffle effect.

Remember to leave long ends of thread to pull the fabric into

Take the top two loose threads and pull!

You will have wonderful puckers...just make sure the ruffles look even.

Now, add the pom pom fringe.

Measure against the bottom hemmed edge and give your self about 1/2 inch extra on both sides.

Pin it in place, tucking the ends underneath.

I use my existing stitch as a guide and place the fringe along the top of the seam stitch.

Measure your ruffle against your dish towel and make sure it is the right length.

Place the ruffle on the right side of the dish towel {the finished side}.
Make sure it is facing right side to right side {of the dish towel} AND upside down...like so...

Pin in place and sew.

After sewing in place, just pull out your running stitches.

They come out quite easily.

Flip the ruffle over and iron...careful not to iron over pom poms.

You have a wonderfully simple gift for Valentine's Day, birthdays, or as a housewarming gift.

If you are not the sewing type ...this ruffled dish towel is available in my shop...The Field Barn.

Have a wonderful day!

~Julia

A big thank you to Kim at Today's Creative Blog for featuring me!

Kim...you are the sweetest!

{Also linked to A Bowl Full of Lemons.}

Mason Jar Love

2012-01-24T09:33:00.000-08:00

About a week ago, Sarah Fernandez from the TLC Network's blog, Parentables, contacted me.

I am so flattered to be included in her article about using Mason jars and wanted to share with all of you!

Sarah also has a wonderful blog, Chateau and Bungalow.

If you would like to read the article with some great ideas on how to use Mason jars, click HERE.

There are some really fun and unique ways to use them around the house!

To view the tutorial on how to make a Mason jar soap dispenser, click HERE.

Thank you Sarah for including me in your wonderful article!

~Julia

Sunday Snowgal

2012-01-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a Sunday filled with blessings abundant...and a little fun:).

~Julia

Make a Canning Jar Dispenser

2012-01-20T09:47:00.000-08:00

*I thought it would be fun to re-post this tutorial, as it is one of my most viewed posts!
This is a really fun weekend project and so easy to make:).
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
~Julia

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I fell in love with this idea the minute I saw it...

Canning jar soap dispensers are a fun and easy gift or useful item to make!
I have used our pump everyday for over a year now and it has held up beautifully.
That is saying a lot when you have four kids and a farmer husband.

I picked up the jar for 50 cents and a lid for $2 at a tag sale...so the whole project was really economical.

If you are interested in purchasing the antique zinc lids and blue Ball canning jars, Ebay or Craigslist are a great place to search.
I typed in "zinc canning jar lids" on Ebay and there were so many available for a reasonable price!
The same was true when I searched under "blue Ball canning jars."
I loved that there were so many different sized blue jars!
Tags sales are also a good avenue.

The pump is from a bottle of Suave lotion. It was the perfect zinc color.

You can also buy pumps from a craft supply store or online HERE.
I like to use what I have on hand, so the pump from the Suave lotion is perfect:).
To clean the pump out, just put it in a jar of warm soapy water and pump away until it is clean.

To make the soap/lotion dispenser:

Measure the width of the top portion of your pump... the part with the spring in it.
Mine measured 1.5cm wide.

Mark the center of your lid {on the top} with a small dot.

The inside of the lid has a ceramic underside. You will need to remove it.

To do this, place the lid right side up with the ceramic side down on a hard surface.
Using a nail, or thin screw driver, tap a hole through the top....right on your mark.
This way, the ceramic is face down and will not shatter in your face:).

After you make the hole, this is what the underside will look like...

To remove the ceramic cap, I try to just tap it really hard right side up.
Most of the time, it will just fall out. If it won't budge, use protective gloves and remove it manually.
Be careful! You are dealing with sharp objects:).

Next, you will want to make a mark on the underside to use as a guide for your hole to put the pump in.
I {roughly} measure 1.5 cm in an "X" pattern to give me my dimensions.

Using needle nose pliers, slowly start to peel back the zinc. It is a light metal and easily bendable.
Remember, you are not going for perfection....just a hole big enough to fit the pump in.
It doesn't need to be perfectly round!
It is better to be on the snug side, as a hole too big will make the pump tend to be a bit floppy.
So, err on the side of being too small, test your pump as you go.
It is so easy to make the hole a little bigger!

When the hole is sufficient to hold the pump, crimp the remaining tin back flat with your pliers so there are no sharp edges.

Now, insert the pump. It should be nice and snug and the top will cover the hole nicely.

Now to glue it in place.
I use my good old hot glue gun.
There are probably other great alternatives out there, but so far hot glue has held up wonderfully!
I tried Gorilla Glue once and it was a mistake for this project. So, if you are wanting to try something other than hot glue, just look for a waterproof product that dries quickly and doesn't expand.

Making sure the pump is firmly in place, first glue right along the base of the pump to the underside of the lid.

Next, add a little more glue to the pump... adhering a little more to the underside.
You want it to have a good base to hold it securely in place.

Let it dry thoroughly.
Lastly, you will need to trim off a small amount from the straw portion of the pump.
Insert it into the jar and estimate about how much needs to come off.
I like the bottom of the straw to be about 1/4 of an inch from the base of the jar.
Measure your straw and then measure the height of the jar to the rim.
This will help you determine where to cut.
I cut off about 1/2 inch of the Suave Lotion pump and had a quart sized jar.

Screw on the lid and whalaa!
You are finished....now wasn't that easy?

The dispensers are great gifts for birthdays, Christmas, hostess gifts, or just to use in your own home!

They pair really well with handmade dish towels:).

Any canning jar will do.

I personally have a clear jar as well as the antique blue version and both look beautiful!

Here is another example from Heather Bullard....

http://heatherbullard.typepad.com/heather_bullard_collectio/2010/02/diy-mason-jar-soap-dispenser.html

You can fill your jar with soap {or lotion}. I use mine in the bathroom and by the kitchen sink. I really like a clear soap. Costco's environmentally safe dish soap is wonderful and the scent is delicious!

The soap lasts forever and you have to fill it up so infrequently.
With four kids and a farm we do a lot of hand washing around here:).

Have a great day!

~Julia

The New and Improved Entryway

2012-01-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

Our entryway is fairly snug...about 4 1/2 by 4 1/2 feet.

This year I am focusing on making what we have work to the fullest!

So, I needed my cozy entryway area to function a little differently.

I had a small mirror with a few hooks on the wall, and it just wasn't enough space to hold all of the jackets, bags, and hats that accumulate there.

Not to mention gloves, scarves, and boots!

I had a wood crate and attached casters to the bottom to store all of our winter attire in.

You can read about it here.

Most of our muddy shoes and boots stay out on a shelf on the front porch.

This helps eliminate too much clutter and keeps some of the dirt outside:).

The little rolling crate stays tucked under a wood bench that is a great spot to sit and put shoes on.

I went to the local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store and bought molding and small strips of wood for the batten board look. After checking out good sized hooks at the hardware store, I decided that they were a little expensive. I wanted generous hooks that were able to hold a couple of coats, if need be.

At the Re-Store, I found these...

handrail brackets!

Who would have thought?

They were 75 cents a piece, and only about $1.30 new...so they are a cheaper alternative either way!

I painted the half-wall Dutch Boy's "Whirling Wind." It's perfect, and if you know our area, you know we are famous for the wind!

Total cost for the whole remodel... about $25. Can't beat that!

My little entryway is working so much better!

We have plenty of space for coats and other outerwear and even room to sit and get dressed.

The kids love it and I do too because coats are not slung on the floor as they come inside:).

How about you?
Are you working on any home improvement projects?

Have a lovely, warm, slow, and simple kind of day.

I am:).

~Julia

PS: Don't forget to pop on over and enter to win some fabulous natural goat milk lotions and soaps at Anderson Family Farm!! Their products are just amazing:)!

{Linked to A Bowl Full of Lemons}

A Rolling Wood Crate

2012-01-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

One of my goals this year is to make our little house more functional and practical.

I want to find ways to use our existing space in a way that provides more storage...which is an ongoing thing around here!

I bought a couple of old wood crates at an estate sale last summer for $2 a piece and they have been so handy.

Currently, they house gloves and mittens in our entryway/mudroom:).

I came across a pin on Pinterest from Christi at The Brown Shed and had an AH HA moment...

casters to make the little box roll around where ever you need it to be!

Just screw 4 casters to the bottom of your box...it's that simple.

The casters cost me $1.50 each at the hardware store, so I felt like it was a pretty cheap upgrade.

I know I will find so many ways to use this box.
I am already thinking about using it for books...like a mini rolling library:).

I am so happy with it!
Right now, it is underneath a bench in our entryway holding all of the hats and gloves.
I am almost finished with my little update of this area of our home and hope to show you this week:).

I love that the kids can just roll out the box to grab what they need...or put away:).

There are so many options for something so simple!

It would be fun to use for favors at parties, storage for towels in the bathroom, to fill it with magazines, quilts, or toys.

I love a simple solution that provides so much organization!

Hope you are all having a great weekend.

~Julia

Celebrating the Epiphany

2012-01-07T13:07:00.000-08:00

This year, I decided to add one more fun tradition and celebrate the Epiphany with a "king cake."

By this time, we are feeling a little void of all of the Christmas excitement.

The decorations are put away.

It feels a little empty, even though Jan. 6th is officially the end of the 12 days of Christmas.

This was a nice way to bring a beautiful season to a close.

The Epiphany is the celebration of the three wise men arriving to see Christ in the stable.

Epiphany, it means “the manifestation of God.”

What a beautiful thought...the Christ child lying in a manger...the one to set us free from our sins.

Three wise men, dressed in finery, silent and solemn looking at hope. Pure grace. With gifts of love.

That is what I want this year...a manifestation of how I look at Christ and His plan for me.

To receive His love gifts of grace with an open heart mind and to become more grace-filled.

So, we had a small celebration...

Some of the kids made king's crowns.

We read the passage from the Bible about Herod sending the three kings to find the new King...following a great star.

I gave each of the kids three small gifts to represent the frankincense, gold, and myrrh.

We ate and enjoyed the king cake, in which I hid a small hard bean.

The person who found it, was the winner of a small prize:).

According to Wikipedia,

"The "king cake" takes its name from the biblical three kings. Catholic tradition states that their journey to Bethlehem took five days (the Twelve Days of Christmas), and that they arrived to honor the Christ Child on Epiphany. The season for king cake extends from the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Twelfth Night and Epiphany Day), through to Mardi Gras day.

If you would like to make one, my recipe is from HERE.

There are many different recipes for the cake!

My friend Anne-Marie was planning on making a beautiful French version with a lovely puff pastry crust:).

Hope you all have a fantastic and restful weekend!

~Julia

PS: Don't forget to pop on over to Anderson Family Farm's Giveaway!!

There are some wonderful products to win for free:.

Click HERE.

Anderson Family Farm Giveaway!

2012-01-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Our dear friends are having a fantastic giveaway!

I know I have told you how much I love their goat milk products....the lotion, body butter, salt scrubs, and more.

Honestly, my skin feels more wonderful this winter than ever before!

This is your chance to try their absolutely superior products for free.

Just click HERE to enter....and while you are there, click on their home page and peruse through for some great recipes from Grace and other fun farm inspired ideas:).

Have a great Friday!

~Julia

A Fresh New Year and a Recipe for Contentment

2012-01-02T23:43:00.000-08:00

How was your Christmas?

I hope it was lovely and that you all had the perfect day.

Ours was so joy filled, so wonderful.

I felt more content this Christmas than I ever have, and not because there were gifts piled under a warmly lit tree.

Not because I had a ham cooking and Anne Marie's rolls rising in the oven, a feast of plenty.

No, this year I barely had a plan, we rolled with the punches, and I didn't sweat over the little things.

It was pure bliss and we spent the day playing with new toys, reading new books, taking a walk, doing a puzzle...and eating way too much.
Half way through the day, the air filled with millions of tiny white flakes and covered everything in a sheet of white.

My Mom came by and while we watched the Grinch, she couldn't part with the puzzle.

It consumed her and it wasn't until after 11pm and I was asleep on the couch that she thought this might be a slight addiction:).

I was thankful, so thankful for our year and all that had happened, the good and the bad.

More than the gifts under the tree, and the refrigerator full of delicious food, I was thankful for a faith, for an incredible God who has blessed us with more than I could ask for.

A home, precious children, a loving husband.

Little things like the silence of a Christmas morning waiting for all possibilities, a wide eyed little boy with hair strewn, the smell of homegrown bacon and eggs, a hot cup of Christmas tea.

{Can you tell I was in love with pom-poms this Christmas?}

And now a fresh new year!

A clean slate ready for us to fill each new day with good things.

I love the new year and making plans... and for some reason, I always start deep cleaning my house and bringing bags and bags to Goodwill.

Maybe it's the fact that we are in cozy quarters and cleaning out makes it feel spacious.

I also plan on cleaning out my life a little, too.

My biggest goal this year?

To be even more content with our lives, situation, and home.

It is truly the key to a life filled with joy.

I am still working on it...everyday...but it has become such a habit that I feel my life is more rewarding and joy filled than ever before.

Even when things are super crazy...most of the time...that joy that fills my heart is there.

Christ is able to provide the strength we need to be content. Philippians 4:13

It all starts with contentment.

Being OK with things... right here... right now.

Thankful in the deepest way for what you have.

Here is what author Elizabeth Elliot says...

"I know of no greater simplifier for all of life. Whatever happens is assigned. Does the intellect balk at that? Can we say that there are things that happen to us that do not belong to our lovingly assigned "portion." ("This belongs to it, that does not")? Are some things, then, out of the control of the Almighty? Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are canceled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter. A quiet heart is content with what God gives."

I just ordered the book, Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow and I am so excited to read it.

She has some great quotes...

"Contentment is accepting God's sovereign control over all of life's circumstances."

"You will never really enjoy other people, you will never have stable emotions, you will never lead a life of godly contentment, you will never conquer jealousy and love others as you should until you thank God for making you the way He did." -Reverend James Hufstetler

Maybe this is your year to live life to its fullest.

Just as everything is...in this moment.

Here is my personal recipe for contentment, a recipe that works for me and helps me get back on track when I slip.

I am not perfect, I falter sometimes and I have many things I still need to work on.

Stress....whew...that is a big one for me.

But I can honestly and truly tell you that if you strive for contentment, your life opens to even more of God's blessings!

The freedom you feel is irreplaceable.

Here is my recipe that I have concocted through my own experiences and search for contentment:

1. Start everyday thanking God for what you have. Continue throughout the day.

When you feel that surge of discontentment...STOP...choose thankfulness and calm your heart.

2. Don't allow yourself to wish things had gone differently in the past. They didn't happen for a reason, so get over it and live NOW.

3. Don't let negativity slip in. Instead, conscientiously CHOOSE to be positive.

No matter how bad things are, you can always find something good.

4. Try to not obsessively worry about the future. Pray, pray, pray and realize that God knows exactly what will happen. I am not saying that we need to sit and do nothing, but prepare in the best way possible, knowing that God is in control.

5. Don't compare yourself to others....their looks, what they have, their successes.

You have a special and prominent purpose in this life...unique and glorious.

6. It is OK to dream and let your creativity flow, but don't let those dreams make your reality seem less than desirable. I am not saying that you shouldn't pursue your ambitions in life...just that where you are right now is the PERFECT place to start! Be thankful that the Lord has blessed you with a creative mind!

7. Pray.

Be heart felt thankful for the blessings in your life.

Keep moving ahead!

Choose to be content and the joy and graces that follow are immense.

I believe it is the key to the fullest life:).

Happy New Year!

I wish you all the best in 2012:).

I am so thankful for all of my sweet friends out there.

~Julia

Christmas Baking...Three Great Recipes

2011-12-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

My house is clean, my kids are all outside in the delicious, warm sunshine playing together, and I am baking away!
I decided that Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls were perfect for the neighbors.

{Tags HERE}

Have you tried them yet?

Oh my...you are missing out if you haven't.
Recipe HERE.

I made Oreo Tuffles...WOW are they sweet and so simple to make!
Just crush 3 cups of Oreos in a plastic bag.
Pour into a bowl...

Add a package of cream cheese and mix well.

Melt 2 bars of chocolate in the microwave.

Then form small balls of the ooey gooey filling, dip in chocolate with a spoon until completely covered.
Set on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper to set.

Package them up and they are the perfect little gift!

Recipe HERE.

Lily also made this delicious Chocolate Chip Banana Bread...almost by herself!

Lily's Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
{adapted from Betty Crocker}

1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

~~~~~~~~

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease 2 loaf pans.

Mix sugar and butter in a bowl, stir in eggs until well blended.
Add bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla, and cinnamon.. Beat until smooth.
Add flour, baking soda, salt until just moistened. Don't over mix!
Fold in chocolate chips.
Pour into 2 8.5x 4.5x 2.5 pans.

Bake for 1 hour, or until toothpick comes out clean.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wishing you a lovely Thursday!

~Julia

Christmas Week

2011-12-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I can't believe that Christmas is here this week!

We will be bringing baked goods to neighbors, going to a cookie exchange, and wrapping up last minute gifts:).

And because I am a professional procrastinator, I thought I would share some of my last minute ideas.

Here are some things on my to do list...

I am going to try and make these...I just found the tutorial at Design Mom.

Don't they look like a fun gift for a friend or family member?

I LOVE the mugs from Anthropologie, so these would be so neat. You could use any font to customize each one.

Cranberry Bliss Bars are on my baking agenda.

They are divine! Recipe HERE.

I am also hoping to make these for the neighbors...Oreo Truffles!

I will also be whipping up Aunt Barbara's Popcorn Cake for some special people:).

It is such a fun treat to make with your kids...and it is Christmas, after all...so we don't hold back on the goodies.

{via Magnolia Manor}

For our friends with children..."Root Deer."

Too cute!

I am wishing I would have had time to do this for the neighbors.

Isn't it a neat idea?

Maybe next year:).

{via Roses and Rustics}

If time allows, I might sew up a couple of these cute teddy bear/dolly sleeping bags for Lily.

{via Flossie Teacakes}

{via Little Lovelies}

These might be added to my neighbor/friend gifts...they look like a fast and easy addition.

Wrapping is so fun to me...

Here are some great and frugal ideas!

Just click on the picture to go to the source.

I printed out these tags and they are just "make" the package. I love the design!

I know there is a bunny on that bag, but what a cute idea!

AND if we get snow...I am really hoping we have a white Christmas...the kids and I are totally doing this!

Wishing you a wonderful week of preparation!

~Julia

Simply Christmas

2011-12-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

I just HAD to share this book with you, written by my friend Anne-Marie and her husband Jason.

Oh my...I think it is the perfect little holiday surprise gift for someone you know!

Anne-Marie is so creative and anything she touches looks like something out of a magazine!

She is simple...yet elegant and her farmhouse is so lovely.

This e-book is no exception!

I loved it and devoured every page over a cup of tea!

There are Christmas decorating ideas, recipes, and crafts.

She also gives you a glimpse of how they celebrate Christmas on the farm.

The best part is that it is only $2.99!

Click on the picture to enjoy the book....click here to visit their shop filled with other beautiful handmade items:). They are having a huge sale!

Have a great day filled with warm surprises!

~Julia

Foggy Christmas Days

2011-12-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

We have been so looking forward to a good dose of snow, but so far we have been enamored with white fluffy fog.

The whole valley has been socked in, but today it is supposed to lift a bit and give us sunshine!

I love how the fog touches everything in its path and makes the ordinary...extraordinary.

Everything is covered in white....and almost in a much prettier way than a thick cover of snow...and it is so quiet.

I layered our front porch railing in greens and rose twigs. The rose hips add a touch of red.

Just look at the frosty display.

Our garden is decorated with garlands.

Gertie is looking oh so sweet and festive in her chicken wire skirt.

It looks soft and just like lace in the frozen fog.

I decorated so simple this year and made these little wreaths and the JOY banner.

To hang them in the windows, I tore strips of linen.
I think I will use linen strips on packages, too.

The kids have been playing outside...even in the thick cover of fog.

Tim took Clover out for a cold ride.

The days are short and darkness comes soon, so we cozy around the table and play lots of games.

Our tree is decorated {mostly by the kids} with torn linen garlands, little silver frames with family pictures {frames from the Dollar Store}, LOTS of plastic ornaments, and scripture verses on manila tags.

Jack loves to poke his smiley face when I am snapping photos!

Isn't he sweet?
I keep Christmas books to read {at any moment} in the tray and Christmas cards in the wire basket.
The kids love going through all of the lovely notes.

This season is so full of blessings!

Things don't need to be perfect or extravagant to find them:).

I hope and pray you are enjoying this year more than ever!

~Julia

Sinterklaas Day {St. Nicholas Day}

2011-12-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

My Mom was born in Amsterdam and we grew up celebrating this fun little holiday every December 6th.
It has been so fun passing this on to our children.

The night of December 5th, our kids set out their shoes...or boots... under the freshly decorated tree.

Somewhere along the line somebody had the bright idea that snow boots were the ultimate "shoe" to set out.

I think they were figuring it holds more:).

Over night, Sinterklaas comes to fill them with small goods.

I add a couple of things, too:).

The kids get up one by one in the morning, all messy-haired and in their pajama comfies and open their gifts.

When I was little, we would find Zoute Drop {Dutch salted licorice} and milk chocolate letters in our shoes. My Mom would usually add a small ornament for each of us. I'd love to start doing that...maybe next year:).

My sweet Aunt sends a St. Nick's Day package for everyone, too, as this is truly something we all celebrate in our family!
She sent this delicious Christmas tea...
which I promptly had with breakfast!

The kids look forward to this and it has become a sweet and memorable tradition.

I hope you are blessed this season with your own simple traditions.

They mean so much!

Have a great day!

~Julia

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas...

2011-12-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

Do you let your kids have little trees in their rooms for Christmas?

Lily and Jack started to decorate their tree, but I captured a few photos before the big ornaments came out.
I love the simple white pom pom garland.

We will be adding wreaths to the windows as soon as I can get get my hands on some greenery:).

Don't you love this time of year?

Have a great day!

~Julia