Grace.......

Have you really noticed grace? from a woman? or a galloping horse? or even from a man?

I could say "that flower graced the table"......... but that would be in a different context.....that would be a verb, not a noun........

no, I mean grace, as in the noun: elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action

and/or my favorite: the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.

The Blessed Virgin Mary, let's say......the Madonna.........she is usually crushing the head of satan, and is her face all scrunched up in triumph? anger? bitterness? revenge?

no.........

with grace..........

Her beauty from within is radiating out of her with such elegance

Even if you don't believe that Mary is truly the mother of God, you can still look upon her with example of such grace.......

I contemplated this while in church today, and when something touches me in a way I hadn't noticed before, that brings me out of any sort of irritation and into a calmness, it's like watching the sunrise by yourself

and looking out with peace from within........a beauty no one can equal...........or ever come close to becoming as graceful........even though we might try.........

within our homes.............that we make beautiful in our eyes

within our gardens..........that take much work to create something natural looking

and within our own hearts and souls.............but only by the grace of God can we do any of those things........

We all have GRACE within us, it's just up to us to let it shine.....

theological tidbit: the name Anne means "grace"........Mary's mother was called Ann

All photographs for this post were taken in and around Na-Da Farm except for the two Mary pictures - sources unknown forgive me-

through the lens of another.......

Oftentimes, my inspiration comes from surprising people. One photographer that inspires me creates a visual tension, within both food and people, that I admire. Not all of his photographs are that way, for he has done work for Starbucks and Samsung and the like.......but there are other photographs, of his interiors, and this one outside scene of a beautifully early summer day on a picnic that I cannot get sick of.

~Mikkel Vang~

That scene is practically what I grew up thinking my life would be like......all the time.......(I was a little girl who didn't know about anything but playing under my trees, and dreaming of a tea party like that, instead of the one I was having with my stuffed animals)

Mikkel Vang also was commissioned for Donna Hay (another admirer) and her newest book.

I hope you enjoy looking through his lens as much as I do.

cooking slow......

and I am not talking 'crock pot'.............

Okay..........so what do you do, when the owner of a green market encourages you to host cooking classes at your farm?

well, you guessed it......do it! This is no little project mind you - you have to get your kitchen certified and oh man - if there is any more phone calls and paperwork! It seriously has been taking over 1 year to get things going finally..........

it's all about eating fresh from the garden, enjoying your kitchen, and pretty much embracing life slowly - not rushing to the store, but eating seasonally........healthier.........from scratch.......

I will keep you updated on this progress.........but I'm so excited I can't keep it in anymore!!

Imagine! You coming to my house, and in my kitchen, to cook what we just gathered in my garden!

Oh how fun.........

If you are unfamiliar with this group: Slow Food USA, please take the time to read their mission statement, and if you don't become a life member like we are, then at least listen, open your mind up to how to slow down with your food

It's that glorious time of year! Planning the garden......thank God, because our freezer is pretty much exhausted from the garden - just a few packages of green beans.....I actually had to go to the grocery store yesterday for the first time in 3 months -

the pantry was empty

(the above picture was right after canning......only 4 jars left of apple jelly and 1 of applesauce- dang!and no, this isn't my pantry, this is)

the freezer had only soup bones left

and if you haven't done that before - I highly recommend eating all the contents of your pantry and freezer - don't let those things go to waste........

I could seriously bore you with all my organic talk.........how we need to cook our own food, stop rushing around and be more slow in general - what God intended for us -

but I'll spare you

It's not always easy to eat like that, but trust me, it'll make you change your perspective -

All pictures from my Potager (kitchen garden) and inside my modest Na-Da Farm Kitchen

B&W Sunday.....

Homemade pasta.....

and homemade soup.....to feed their little bellies.......

really BE what you BELIEVE.........

A little bit about us......

we are outside more than in

we take risks.....and are always searching new ways to enjoy our farm

we name all our pets, and they own this farm, not us.........
like Fred and Redfoot here (whom we miss terribly)

we climb our own mountains and rejoice when we get to the top.......

we take care of our animals like people, and show them off like fine china at a dinner party.......

we love each other........(even when your better half does some funky things with his beard)

we respect EVERY human life......no matter how small.......

we believe in God and all his miracles from within......

whether you can see them or not

stand tall and speak out - don't rely on others to do it -

are YOU brave enough to really be what you believe?

pictures in order:
~on our skating rink we made on our old barn foundation
~mushroom hunting in the Potager
~In memory of Fred our pekin duck and Redfoot our runner duck
~hay delivery with kids on top
~oldest son with Fred - when he won a blue ribbon and best in show
~me and my husband in Cali
~our eldest daughter holding her little brother 2 yrs. ago
~our youngest baby boy seconds after deliver - 2yrs. ago

na-da farm style romance......

I have stated before that I cannot decorate without color............even though the serene whites/grays appeal to my eye..........

When I cocoon myself in the evening with my leather bound journal, bedtime tea and candle lit (every night), I welcome the chance to dream........... (above picture taken from my bedroom side table - reflecting the majestic oak tree)

What I thought was an antique hemp/linen table covering was in fact a duvet coverlet.......

so what's a girl to do with an 1880's original French coverlet?

place it over my bed faster than you can say "awesome"

an understated beauty was instantly created.........and I always like blending old with new......

the wonderful swan oil was given to me by a friend/antique dealer from Illinois.........she was having a sale from her home, (that one by you Tracey) and I happened to mention I liked it (you know me and birds) - but didn't have the cash for it........

she set it aside for me, and gave it to me.........again......can you say "awesome"?

I didn't care for the frame........and so (yup - you guessed it) I popped the painting out of the frame and simply hung it on the wall...........p.s...........did you know that swans mate for life?

The 'fancy' shelf was being brought from room to room........but never did fit anywhere 'just right', so I made it into a mini canopy from which I draped my favorite blue/soft fabric from it........

instant "na-farm style romance"

little things make me happy......like a successfully dried blue delphinium from my mother's garden now in front of my first antique purchase ever......an old wooden banana box which holds my out of season clothes (I don't shop much) which is on top of my old bead boarded armoire.....my cylindrical shades were covered in old sheet music

(appropriate melodies evoking the feeling of romance I was after)

collected seashells..........dried roses.........all reflect my love for nature, preservation and beauty.....an old crocheted piece also has taken residence on the stuccoed wall - I'm bound to wear it someday.......and even more determined to crochet one myself........someday.........a work in progress, this na-da farm is......always changing.....always new to me......
and being one who doesn't have extra money to buy new things (sniff sniff) I have to make do with what I have.....nothing was purchased for this remodel, and it might not be what I envisioned, but it's peaceful to me.........

this is usually what it looks like........all cocooned and wrapped in ideas......

and always written down in my leather bound journal..........pencil on hand........
use what you have.......work from within......make it your romantic style

all photographs taken by me in the master bedroom

simple inward thoughts.......

there are no pictures to describe my sorrow for those in Haiti, (please don't forget them) and for anyone lost in their own poverty within their soul.........

please forgive me for not posting photographs in this post, I just couldn't do it........

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

taking my own words to heart........of perception..........

What I had thought, or perceived, was a past time, was now becoming a part time job -

which I really looked forward to...

The joy i have for sharing my life with my readers is quite fulfilling, but more importantly, is fun!

Let's back up a little........

My youngest child now being a fresh two year old, once lived on the first floor after he was born. There are many reasons behind that decision, none of them amounted to more than one significant reason - but ease of recovery and a nursing mother were prominent. When you have an early rising carpenter husband dedicated to the 6 am freshly ground coffee, well then, an active nursing baby and a "I need the light on" type of mama - those just don't mix.....

During this time, awake, brought me to find something creative to do with my free hand....and thus.....the blog.....

Shocked!! were my friends and family - when they found out I wasn't cursing with disgust over a blog......and actually writing one myself - that was a true shocker to them all.......and to me.......

To my great delight, however, what at once passed the time holding my dear baby, was now becoming a poetical photographed organically based preservation of thoughts, ideas and simplistic traditions that encompass who I am......where I live.......and how I see it all........

"Na-Da Farm Life with Anne Marie"
was born

My muse, my inner being, had finally been able to create somewhat of my life - virtually -

All of what I had accumulated through my years as a devoted wife, mother, and believer in Christ and His Church, while preserving God's green earth and eating well, and crafting, sewing, and all that, well, it has been fantastic to let it all out.........well......some of it........

What radiated my being, and all that surrounded Na-Da Farm was through displacement of selves through no T.V......no video games......etc........Instead, we have chosen to live life through experiences, mistakes, and learning from them......with our hands, heart and minds - together as a family.......

When the baby grew older, and didn't need his mama to hold and nurse him any longer, the urge to document my life didn't cease, but rather, shifted....

The "eye" or perception I started having with my life started to alter..........

"how things would look" started creeping in.........

this doesn't mean inspiration went in one eye and out to the trash, but rather, I didn't like being displaced.........from the farm............

things weren't coming through my lens just right..........or from my pen just so...........

it wasn't coming from my heart and soul..........

My faith hasn't faltered......truly.....it is always growing in understanding.
Was I starting to perceive life through my eyes still? or others? or was I looking at my surroundings for the next good post?

I certainly hope not........

Now, it might not sound profound......or life altering, for this girl out in corn country, living on the frozen tundra......to take away the computer..........but it did..........

A natural desire for true peace, rest and unity was hiding....and when all external influences have been stripped away, you are left with examining yourself......raw.......Everything about you is exposed - but only to you - and well - Him

The immediate reaction could be to ignore it............or throw something over it quickly to hide it......

So this could mean you don't find out about the tragedy in Haiti until the sermon at church (my friends and family obviously thought I knew about it already.........which brings up a question: why didn't they talk about it? - but let's not get off track here) while you are baking 12 loaves of bread, making pasta, teaching the children, sewing curtains, crocheting, reading, praying....all more than before..........

Imagine your life changing

coming from within

You making the change

There truly is only ONE other person besides yourself who truly knows you.......but you are the one to make that change - don't look for some miracle -

Simple inward thoughts on everyday habits

How??

Forcibly withdraw oneself from that to which nature is viciously inclined and earnestly labor for that good which one wants most.

Even after all the labor I endure on the farm (by choice) it is even greater of a task to resist vices and passions.........

Simple inward thoughts on everyday habits

hello.......

A very good evening to the external world! beyond the farm!

now that my head is out of the sand (and my computer is fixed)......I have a lot to say.........

for now, I will leave you with a reassurance that

1) I am not leaving blog land and

2) no data was lost

Thank you soooo much for all your 113 emails to me wishing me well - and all the comments you have left too - you are totally sweet!!

I have a lot of catching up to do! It's like I've been on vacation - seriously - I am renewed, fresh as a daisy - ready to post my little heart out..................

Strange...

This feels a little weird, like sacred ground or something but, this is Parisienne Farmgirl here popping in to Nada Farm Life as a favor for our dearest Anne Marie to tell you that her computer has (hopefully) temporarily bit the dust.

So, she will be taking a little breather from blogging and I imagine enjoying the extra free time to mother, create, think and pray.

Let's pray for her sake that she did not loose all the lovely photographs of her family that she has taken over the last couple years!

In the meantime, I am sure she would wish you peace and wellness and encourage you to take some breaths of clarity too.

I don't know about you, but I already miss her!

Warmly,

Angela

Parisienne Farmgirl and of course...

perception........

"It's all in your perception Anne Marie" my dear Hungarian Grandfather once told me.......

what do you see in these first pictures.................

sometimes we perceive things differently when we get the chance to open our eyes.....

sometimes they are rather obvious........

and other times, when you strip an image of it's natural beauty, all you see are the wrinkles that you can't tell if it's new or old..........

All the photographs taken were on the farm very early yesterday morning..........

with a heavy frosty haze that blanketed the ground........as it lifted itself away from the warming sun of only 5* below zero, it left behind the most spectacular light frost.......

like God Himself breathed His blessed spirit of purity onto the farm.......

~what you think you see, is not oftentimes what it really is~

the sands of time slip so very quickly, and are in constant motion, that if you don't take note of what you really see now, then you will miss that joy......

the pure joy of life