Sunset at Na-Da Farm....

* picture taken just a few weeks ago from the farm*

As the sun sets here at Na-Da Farm, the computer is turned off for the night into the next day....

Have a blessed day!

Hope you aren't left out!.....and a computer warning!

Just in case you haven't seen what I'm cookin' up- scan down my blog here to read the post titled "Somethin's Cookin"!

http://nadafarmlife.blogspot.com/2009/03/somethings-cookin.html

I would hate for you to be left out!!

ALSO: my sister who is a computer tech with a very well known company had brought this seriuos warning to my attention: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/24/conficker.computer.worm/

I know I've posted today....the hubby stepped out to sharpen his pool "skills" but my jaw seriously dropped when I saw what this little lady has done-
http://parisiennefarmgirl.blogspot.com/

A surprise for the SURPRISE!!!.....

Blessings!!

Tied up.....

please note: this is not related to my surprise :) I'm icing the cake as we speak!

Quite honestly, I admire so many of you and your creativity, and I aspire to be as talented!

I have come across a fellow gal' who is a merchandise stylist for a store: Tracy at http://tiedupmemories.blogspot.com/ and she is hosting a table setting tour on the web here.

Not having done a tour before, I thought: why not?! so I am joining in on the fun!! I am hard at work deciding what to do for this Friday's tour....

Here's a little inspiration of my own:

My dear Grandparents were visiting before Thanksgiving, I knew I wouldn't see them for the holiday, so I made a mini-Thanksgiving.....so this picture was taken in the later part of Autumn:

~There's a fresh lavender sprig on the folded napkins
~The platter awaits the organically free-range turkey surrounded by fresh sage from the garden
~My mother's silver goblets from her wedding that she gave me grace either side of my grandmother's silver platter that are filled with autumn joy sedum
~and if you look closely, you can see I placed locally grown apples on top of silver "cups" (they were originally made for holding complimentary after dinner tobacco)

With simple white plates, I am able to add any color without overkill.

Won't you join us for the tour?? just hop on over to see Tracy to grab your 'table tour' button :)

Have a great day!!

A clue!!.....

Can U figure it out??

Something's cookin'........

Something's cookin' here at Na-Da Farm....and it's not in the kitchen!
What I can tell you is that lots of details have to be smoothed out....

and like icing on a cake, to get it just right, that will take a little more time....

But I'll give you peeks here and there!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Easter Sewing....

Holidays make me sew....BUT...this year, the dresses still fit the girls (yeah)....( notice the wrinkles from the 2 hour car ride :)

I only started sewing because of my disgust with the options available...the slinky material....the awful designs....and I wasn't afraid to try it.....

These weren't my firs dresses mind you...I have been sewing dresses ever since I had my first daughter (over 10 years now!)

Don't be afraid to alter the pattern...I always do...it's like cooking with me....I don't stick by with what it exactly says....there's always a longer length here....an extra bow there....even sometimes an overlay fabric.....

Here's some of my sewing I've done for the girls....

This one is from my own design...she looked so French to me....

The one on the right I call "apron style"...it's made out of linen and has an apron style front of an antique embroidery
runner I cut in half.....

I took a vintage pillowcase and made it a dress....

There are some fabulous dress makers out there trying to make ends meet....if you need a dress for your daughter, niece, or you see your neighbor can't afford a new dress for her daughter, then what better way to hail spring than a new dress! I know I would love it!

Try looking on Etsy...or google it if you don't want to sew.

It's time...

I'm sure all of you can agree that "times are tough" right now....

I know....it sounds all doom and gloom doesn't it??

Times are tougher now than I have ever seen them. Could it be because my parents sheltered me from any financial adversity? That I now only see it because my husband is responsible for 5 children and a wife at home? and this land...and these animals we have to care for....??

We do not live beyond our means. And when I say that...sure...I could live in a bungalow in the city with chickens in my backyard- but someones got to tend to this great land...and well...that's my husband and me!

Comparing myself to some I would be living a meager lifestyle, and yet to another classified group I would be very well off. I guess that puts me in middle class.

What I'm trying to get at here, is that by living out here in the country, we are definitely capable of getting by with much less than we already do...HECK! We ALL can! Farm or city life...it takes a certain lifestyle...which I like to call Na-Da Farm Life (lol)....it's about coming together as a family....helping your community in any means possible....by using the barter system....

Those aren't things that just us "country folks" can do...whether you live in the city or the country, I highly recommend starting a garden (or can the veggies from the market!)....re purpose your things....rearrange your furniture....maybe everything just needs a good cleaning.....do things that do not cost a penny in order to 1) keep busy and 2) help your environment...

And when I say environment, I'm not just talking about the trees and bushes...I mean your home....your family! Each other in your community....

I urge you to watch this movie with your children or just yourself....

It was great- and just reassured me on the power and intellect that our parents and grandparents had just not too long ago...and how it is in US to keep that freedom alive....when you reach out to others, not only do you receive help in return, but also a better appreciation for humanity...even to those who do not have a voice.

Get rid of the things that cloud your mind....

It's time to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and our finances! Didn't we do this to ourselves?

yup

It's time to stop watching TV...it's time to get to work...it's time to have fun! while you are doing it! Values aren't given....you have to earn it! The grace has been given to you, now open your hand and give it to someone else who has forgotten they have it too.

Monday Morning Fashion....

For the life of me, I am unable to tell you who this designer is....I didn't write it down...but aren't they great?

I would wear either one of these...minus the visor ;)

My favortie place for coffee!....

GOOD MORNING!

What's my favorite place for coffee?

Starbucks? nope

Caribou Coffee? wrong again...

Right here in Na-Da Farm's Kitchen is my ABSOLUTE favorite place for my cup of java!!

Yes, I absolutely love coffee.....primarily we purchase shade grown organic whole beans from Columbia. It's a ritual in the morning to grind the beans....STRONG!

The nook's opening is curved-

We added the wooden ceiling, paint, cabinets, new windows, wainscoting, and the decor ;)

The chandelier has been with us from our previous home....our first antique purchase!

Which cup do you think I use?

I use them all, but today's choice is:

We call it the nook, but really, it's my baking center....it has double ovens, all my baking necessities....and oh the views!

Give me a strong cup of coffee with cream from the raw milk, a good magazine and I'm good to go for the day.

The view of the beloved barn used to be through that window here.

These chairs were nothing special, but I painted them white, and covered them, and wanted an extra padding on the seat after I had made the covers....SO.....I made a few button holes on either side of them, and then the ties get threaded through the holes and WALA- a quick fix.

I hope you are enjoying your favorite cup of coffee too....

Blessings!

Inspirational Sale....

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Thank you for visiting me today!

and another big THANKS for all your comments and taking time out to visit me. Whether you have become a Na-Da Farm Chick or you just pop by to read my Na-Da Blog...THANKS!!

I have been meeting some super talented ladies lately....

As you know, I am planning on having another sale here at the farm, and inspiration was running a wee bit low on the type of sale I was envisioning....UNTIL I found this:

I know right? I don't have this awesome of a building (I wish!) but I do have the fresh air, creative spirit and determination to make it that unique......

That kind of a sale takes lots of planning, and that is exactly what I'm doing.

Besides having some really great pictures of this fabulous sale, CutePinkStuff

she also has a fabulous blog......hope you pop by! I know I was inspired!! (and she has the best chairs she bought at that sale!)

After seeing that sale, this is rather pathetic looking, but this is one of the pictures I took of my sale.....after the barn tragically burned.......THE SALE HAD TO GO ON!

Blessings!

The "Prairie"....

Don't FREAK OUT now ladies and gent

(yes, I only have one man reader----- God bless him)...

The fire you see is on purpose...done on Sunday in our 3 acre "prairie"...... you see, you are supposed to burn down the yucky grass (that's technical you know) and plant the good stuff (that's not Latin).... we've cut down all the ragweed, we've trimmed up the trees in there, and still nada (I know...it IS Na-Da Farm)

*Either that, or it's just a really good excuse for my husband to burn stuff and my oldest son here to practice his training for special forces*
Why did I add those ""'s around the word prairie....well....it's because we have been burning and throwing natural prairie seeds down on that 3 acres (we call it our back 40) for the past almost 8 years now...and we have gotten some yellow flowers...but none of the Big blue stem....prairie drop seed....compass plant....and oh so much more......

My husband's mother HAS been successful with the prairie thing...and we are lucky enough to be able to collect seeds, literally by the pillowcase and throw them down.

If I can estimate correctly, we have thrown over 15 lbs. of seeds,

and still only a few yellow flowers....

WELL....this year...

my Willa Cather novel is coming to life, because I'm looking at that 'back 40' and we're tillin' it up.....throwing the seeds....planting some pumpkins for the CSA....and gosh darn it- IF I HAVE TO PLANT THE ACTUAL PLANT I'M GONNA! (insert frustration here)......

Here's my inspiration....my seed bank so to speak.... (I know right? mighty big shoes to fill :)

Come to think of it...I would really like to show you all her gardens...let me put something together on a rainy day and show ya'all! She's an antiques dealer and man oh man does she have some wonderful things in and around her garden...NOT to forget her home inside! wow!

Have a great day...and remember what Smoky the Bear says:

"only YOU can prevent forest fires"

*what a cute bear*

Peace and blessings,

Morning on the farm....

I awoke this morning to an ever changing song of birds....Even those that are traveling through to warmer climates have arrived for a short stay at the farm....the farm is bubbling over with song......

Our farm is situated so that the first thing you hear when you awake are the sounds of birds...and I don't mean chickens or roosters (Sir Charles sleeps in thank goodness)....

Right now, it's 6:43 and I can hear Robins, a meadowlark, morning doves, a cardinal, and I believe what sounds like many different sparrows, but even possibly a finch? could it be already?

As I was sitting right before my surgery (it was minor), and they were taking my blood pressure, it spiked...why? because I saw a Cedar Waxwing outside his window! seriously....Besides being able to see the sun rise over the fields...beyond our prairie....and the sun set in the distant west beyond the corn fields...we are also in the path of the migration pattern for so many birds, dragonflies, and butterflies....

We all are in their migration pattern actually, but when there aren't any homes to block the views, our farm becomes the only brief resting spot (our nearest neighbor is a 1/2 mile).

Birds are so wonderful aren't they? All different kinds.....and whenever I am able to be close to a bird...whether it's a finch eating my sunflower seeds or one of my chickens having a treat from the bread drawer...they are so neat! (I know what you're thinking: Anne Marie the bird lady-yikes!)

So we might have chickens...

And a few ducks and my beloved goose....this is her as a baby.......SO cute!

You'll know what I'm talking about if you are able to raise them yourself...and they certainly aren't as stupid as they are made out to be.
~After all, God gave these special creatures the same necessity for travel as His angels~

CRAFT PROJECT....please try it!

Here's a simple thing to do to spruce up your local birds' nest...they will greatly appreciate it!

On a line outside, loosely tie up some pretty little ribbons....the birds eagerly snatch up their favorites and you will see them fly away with them! After they have quickly settled and made their home within your tree....and they have safely all left....you can collect these nests and they are simply wonderful to have!....or leave for the "empty nester" :)

Shortly after our dear dog Sammy passed away, we found a little nest with his (allergen free) hair entwined within it's branches....it's a treasure of mine now.

************

WAIT! I just heard Sir Charles crow....it must be time for my coffee :).......I'll be right back.............

ahhhhhh.....much better!!

(freshly ground with the cream skimmed off the top of the raw milk- now I'm waking up......)

************

I even dedicated my bathroom to the "bird theme", but I'm sure you don't want to see my bathroom do you??

Between the Potager and one of the barns, is an ancient white pine, which the birds love to stop at...the branches reach out in so many directions.....and I had to share this with you that I took last year....if you listen carefully, you'll hear our Percheron Jordan saying good morning as well!

*you'll have to turn my playlist off to hear it....it's at the bottom of this page*

Oh...this one has become an "outdoor wednesday" post courtesy of: http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Have a great day!