new line...

i "test fashion" with her....and she definitely helps me put it to the test....

running, jumping, you name it....

oftentimes, i create a piece of clothing to fit her size 

- it helps me determine if I like the look-

and I do.......

this skirt, part of the new Autumn/Winter clothing line at Na-Da Farm, was named "Bridgette"

the story has come to life within my soul....and within this farm....how could I not?

I will be selling them for us ladies at the upcoming sale

pure linen over-skirt, pure natural cotton underskirt

one of a kind 

created by me, without a pattern, just the inspiration from the prairie that surrounds me and the joy of my life on the farm....

Tomorrow............September 1st...........

you will finally be able to see the story behind the October Event!!!

~It will be available to view at 6:00 AM Central USA Time~

see you then! 

UPDATE!!!  thank you for such inquiries on these skirts via e-mails....many e-mails....so please bear with me so I can answer each of the questions

1) yes, they will be available in my Etsy shop, after October 11th, 

and yes, they will be for sale at the October event here on the farm

2) yes, they will be for adult women - it has a comfortable elastic waistband that fits many body types

3) there will be many different fabrics used for the outer-skirt

4) the underskirt is part of the skirt (it does not come separately)

5) the length will be varied, depending on how I feel that day! lol

6) and yes, they are all sewn by me on the farm

(even that cotton under-skirt is made from a local producer!) 

and thanks again for your inquiries!  you guys are so awesome!!

xo+ blessings,

we need a saddle, but for now, this smiling face doesn't seem to care....

the tibetan mastiff dog we lost a few years ago, seriously, ate all the saddles, like they were

beef jerky........

so now, they are decorations and fun for the kids at parties.....

my sweet little niece

we certainly didn't want to throw them out!!  Horses have always been a part of my life, and it's just killing me that I cannot ride Jordan right now....she's still working on an English bit and a western saddle (we finally figured it out!) and yes, I know some of you reading will tell me I can ride her while pregnant, but that's just a "no-no" in mostly every fiber of my being right now....just a bit risky, especially since Jordan's not super predictable. 

A reminder:

the short film, entitled "Bridgette" will be airing in two days at 6am

(it's the story behind the October event here at the farm)

The events website will be open then...sept.1st.

hope you are all enjoying your families tonight

xo+blessings,

my crave.......

mango........chicken.........avocado........wrap

seriously the best tasting:

grill chicken - cut into slices

peel a fresh mango - cut into slices

peel/slice avocado

take a wrap of your choice, put a little dollop of sour cream, and how much ever of the filling as you want - sprinkle grated cheese of your choice (I chose mozzarella) and enjoy!

I don't normally eat out of season, but this girl has a craving!!

yum!!

xo+blessings,

concern...

The response from most people when telling them I'm having our sixth child,

is always with a very genuine and sincere smile...from them...and from me

however.......

It's kind of funny really...because obviously the people who don't "agree" with us having more than what they think we should have, are going to be those individuals, who don't mean harm, but an inevitable frown appears upon their face, with a similar statement such as

"did you...uh...plan this?"

No harm done......they just are concerned! as am I!!  Almost everyone, unless they themselves have over the number of children I do (and trust me...I know A LOT of women who have had more than me!) 

or are in the same mind frame as I....and open to life....will ask me next:

"how do you do it?"

well, I'm here to clarify..........and answer this question...........as simply as I can:

(these are in no particular order)

~keeping a clean home~

(picture credit: Jennifer Rizzo)

~decorating + rearranging = happy mamma (without leaving the home!)~

(and really, that one could be tied in with "a clean home" because anytime I clean, I rearrange!!)

(photo credit: Jennifer Rizzo)

~Enjoy your kitchen!!!!~

and....staying as close to the kitchen as possible........someday....SOMEDAY...I will have a comfy couch in the kitchen - or a daybed - I'm really not that picky 

last but certainly never least...

~prayer~

both as a family and when it's just me in silent meditation of the mysteries of our faith

hope you are all having a great week! 

All my best to those parent's grieving their children going back to school 

(I know I certainly would miss mine!!) 

xo+blessings,

Bridgette...

 I couldn't wait to share at least a little bit of what I'm doing

to get ready for the event...

so I'm sharing a secret!

The story behind the upcoming October Barn Sale here at Na-Da Farm...

a short film by Anne Marie

(adapted from the historical fiction novel "Bridgette", written by Anne Marie)

Coming this September 1st

It will be revealed on the new Events Website on that day
(the events site is closed until Sept. 1st...)

Can't wait to show you!! 

xo+blessings,

bittersweet CSA...

not having the CSA this year has been bitter sweet.....it started out as a great spring, but the rains...lack of sunshine...and then the over 90* heatwave for a few weeks here has practically stopped most growing in the garden....

(what is a CSA? it stands for Community Supported Agriculture...where people purchase shares of your garden and you offer them whatever is growing in that season! Isn't it great??)

so the relief is huge!

but the bitter part is not sharing the garden.......

the CSA started out as a way for the very poor and elderly to be able to eat good healthy vegetables grown near them, at a reasonable price.....

however......my dreams are still to have a full CSA running here at the farm - with the help of the nearby college students fulfilling their student "ground time" for such degrees as in Environmental Science, Agriculture, and even Cooking!

It is so great to see others so involved in the 'eating good'......remember however, that it is a lot of work for us growers to produce organic foods......the pests are tremendous here in the midwest.....and it takes a lot of hands on time to 'get it under control'....

the farmer's market growers should be respected and admired I must say...for this little gardener has a lot to learn still in so many ways.....

I'm still working on the bread video - we just borrowed my bro-in-laws video camera, so hopefully it will be done soon.....and thank you all for inquiring about that.....all your emails are so encouraging to do more videos....

You are all the best! and I noticed some new followers - but you must be anonymous because I can't see your cute icons to click on and give you a hello!! and a welcome to the farm!

so here goes:

Welcome to Na-Da Farm! I truly hope you enjoy your stay......stay as a long as you would like....and I would love to hear from you!!

p.s. do you see those butterflies on the sedum? what does that say to you?

is says: Autumn is coming!!

hip! hip! hooray!!!

xo+blessings,

an old vinyl and a suit...

A bit of relaxing before heading to church.....

he's dressed in his pinstriped suit...too darn cute...and while listening to some vinyl before Church, I couldn't help myself to take a snap of this

and capture it forever

don't you love cameras? and black and white photographs??

hope you are all taking it easy....

xo+blessings,

handmade...

bits of old lace trim and some really great old pictures....

i used dried rose petals to make a flower for the front of one...

they are some cards I'm creating for the October Farm Event

I'll share the finished cards when I'm finished

I did finish the photo-shoot today for the October event...
it took some planning and coordination with my model and clothing/props, but we did it!

why?

for the story behind the sale
(I can't wait to show you the photos!!...it was so fun!!!!)

~have a terrific weekend~

xo+blessings,

Sunroom...

Before summer is over, I wanted to share my sunroom makeover I have done....these pictures were taken in June, and since then, I have added a few more things....which are more geared towards enjoying this room in the autumn months....

this antique gate was hung on the wall per my husband's idea....

and I'm so glad he thought of it!

it's a great place to savor the aroma of herbs, and treasured items

with the dappled sunlight, the ferns were thriving in here.....and next year I'm hoping to get a few orchids....

it would be a dream of mine to include some more conservatory plants in here as well.......

this room is simply the best for reading and sleeping....with all the casement windows the breezes and the sounds of the birds in the surrounding trees completely calm you....

we have brought many pieces of our found treasures in here........shells and nests.......skulls and flowers.....

~here's to a great rest of your week~

xo+blessings,