i give you the world...

suffocating on constant noise in the world, I physically removed myself from it this week in adoration
me alone in silence with Him
I set up the day and time.....brought my notebook and pen....
it was the best thing I could have done for myself, my family, and my healing from a personal issue
the very same day, we had to travel 45 minutes in the car, with baby Daniel at a constant cry - no matter what his dear siblings did for him to try to make him quiet

in both situations it literally took me over 15 minutes to detox myself from the clamoring in my head

all I know is that when I silenced myself that is when I could acutally let the Lord speak to me....not the world

today's thought:  the world is given to us from the silence within



yes, the living room got rearranged again (surprise surprise)...from top to bottom: 1)vintage suitcases hold family photographs and picnic on the go ideas....2)one of the coolest toys for children of all ages.....3)the rearrange....4)globe collection courtesy of the children's grammy + one from a flea market jaunt with Jason, for which they are all money banks except the big ones, so hopefully it will promote more savings....5)chest of drawers with baby clothes & toys + blankets.......6)my chalkboard from when I was 5 and I "played school" - things really aren't any different



make it better...

you take basic ingredients and  work them together

sometimes overworking the dough makes it tough....but you can still enjoy it....

but you won't enjoy it if you don't let the mistakes you made "go"

others who eat it might think it's the best blackberry scone ever....because to them, they don't know the mistakes you made......and there is no need for them to know........let them enjoy it

I will always try to make it better for them

for me

while keeping a humble heart knowing that I didn't make it perfect....but good enough

and that's okay

a day...



coffee in hand, it's my favorite summer chore



a safely caped popsicle explorer



our new grape vines for na-da farm wine




an angel in my potager





a sip here and a saute there



shitake (pronounced "shit - AH - key")

yum

hope you are enjoying the summer......

~et cum spiritu tuo~

this looks just about perfect....



via

 it's just missing me and a vintage turquoise typewriter.........and oh........a sleeping baby............

addictive

 

Bad breath:  The avocado is one of the best natural mouth wash and a remedy for bad breath...WHO KNEW!?

 

Cholesterol: An avocado contains oleic and linoleic acids that are effective in lowering the LDL cholesterol and increasing the healthy HDL cholesterol.

Immune system: Regular consumption of avocados strengthens the body's immune system.

Muscle and nerve: The high potassium content helps balance our body's electrolytes, aids muscle activity, nerve function and energy metabolism.

Caution: People who are sensitive to latex should avoid touching or eating avocados as it contains an enzyme called chitinase that can cause an allergic reaction.

For more info....http://www.juicing-for-health.com/avocado.html

here's a "not-so-local" na-da farm avocado smoothie recipe:

(serves my crew of 7 in juice glasses)

Get out the vita-mixer your great uncle gave you....peel/core one whole avocado and put into blender with 1 cup ice & 1 cup milk & 2 teaspoons of agave nectar (use yogurt instead of milk if you want)

blend on high

yum

B&W Sunday...

recipe Monday

raising our girls like a princess...

the fancy pomp and aire isn't "us"


picture courtesy of the boys...and Jason's vintage G.I. Joe collection from childhood

 I have tried wearing silky type clothes, but end up wearing the cotton and linen........the more handmade the better........and I generally do not wear purple with black combat boots

Looking back at this post, I'm so glad I had the lace hanging by hemp twine (now I can take it down with no problems)

heck, I didn't even want a diamond ring for our wedding.......just a simple turquoise on silver........
my husband's wedding band was something I had a artisan jeweler create with silver and white gold blended to create a one of a kind artistic sentiment of my love (which fell off his blessed finger while skiing the Illinois river.......so if anyone ever finds it, let me know)....I would have settled with him tying a piece of hemp twine around my finger........

~Those "things" just aren't important to us~ 

we don't get caught up or over anxious about being self-sustainable....but strive to be (it is HARD work)....what is more important right now is that we focus on raising our children with us....not separate.....they are an intregal part of who we are (there is a saying that 'you are who your kids are')

Our marriage is sometimes rough, but mostly smooth............and I truly attest that to Jason's patience........and though I chose an understated white gold band with a tiny diamond (it wasn't about the money) for my wedding ring (a vintage 1927 Vintage ring we both found the week before the wedding), we are pretty simplistic people.

no tv.......we have one to watch the occasional movie.........the kids (and there are 6 of them) only watch a movie maybe once a week if that.......

no video games......which includes hand held objects of complete wastes of time

we work.........we work alot........but to us, work is prayer

We are entering into our 16th year of marriage and only just beginning to get to know each other.........

but we both have always been nature lovers......outdoors hiking and mountain biking (Jason used to race mountain bikes - but that is a whole other story in itself)..........I used to repel and introduced him to the sport as well..........(going to college for a degree in Environmental Science back when only two schools even offered it helped finding the best outdoor spots)

Our love has grown from nature.......with  nature.........and now we raise our children that way.........a seasonal way of raising our children..........

Our meals are based on the seasons for the most part............Our lives are definitely shaped by the seasons with chores changing monthly by the change in climates here in the midwest (and they sure do change here in the midwest)

unplug yourself...........just for a day

There are no princesses here...........or princes for that matter..........

no pomp.........no aires...........just a bit of dirt, sunshine, rain and always a breeze

Life is dirty............but the bright light of faith shines upon us every day regardless if it's hidden behind an obstacle.............there even are tears somedays but they cleanse us and keep us honest...........and the breeze seems to always blow something else into our lives here on the farm

Our two girls' are precious to us, just as much as the boys are.........but there is no way we are raising them to believe that they aren't going to be getting their hands dirty in life.......that work is the way to grace........that working hard at whatever you want to achieve in life is THE only way you reach your goals

Sewing dresses and skirt with them...........even embroidering details upon their clothing.........this is my opportunity to comfort them with something I have worked at just for them.........from my hands to them.........

It's the same with cooking.........we comfort those around us by preparing a good healthy meal that will help support them through the day..........as is for anything we do with our children.............

life is messy, and we certainly aren't raising any princesses here

all the love and support for this day,

xo+blessings,

play...

Being able to homeschool our children has been one of the hardest yet rewarding things

in our lives

If you homeschool, then you understand

If you don't homeschool, but have children, then you still understand how every life experience is a learning one....or at least it should be....

The family has been cut up this week, with two of our oldest away helping doing outdoor chores for their grandparents

which has given us an opportunity to just be with the smallest ones

Lots of playtime the past few days!!  Which quite frankly, I had forgotten about with all the nursing and writing I have been doing

Jason and the younger ones were outdoors yesterday, as per typical of a hot afternoon on the prairie, I chose to sit inside by the fan to cool myself off while nursing......and then it started to rain........

The children had their swimsuits on already from playing in the cowboy tub, so they stayed outdoors to play 

so I swept up Daniel to play......

lovin the mohawk

how fun it is to play!!! 

xo+farm blessings,

"finding yourself"

it seems to be such a 'catchphrase' lately........one thing I realized this weekend, around all the testosterone, is that the men in my life don't contemplate this

why is that?

As they talked about politics.....digging ponds......and even how they parent........they don't complain

I think it's about time us women stopped complaining

Here's what I see of my husband's world:
- a constant state of the unknown
- living paycheck to paycheck because he owns his own business
- responsible for 6 children and their moral upbringing
- staying in the state of grace because he could die at any moment
- enjoying life while enduring such aches and pains that it dibilitates him at times due to his rigorous working hands both at work and at the farm
- always taking time to have carefree time

it's quite a balance that frankly, I admire the most in him, and other men like that

they don't sit around and complain about their wives - ever - they are just being

Us women have this constant need from some unforseen reason to keep ourselves on top of things...organized...beautiful...clean...

all of these obligations could easily dissapear if we look upon ourselves with humility

Who can honestly tell themselves "you are perfect"  "you are awesome"........if you do: then you seriously have some issues

There is nothing wrong with us reminding ourselves that we have self-worth.....all of us are worthy of life

but are we living?

or are we constantly trying to become someone we are not?

this constant seeking for something we aren't results in confusion and unhappiness.....and we, as women, are very comfortable with saying it is because of "this or that".....when really, it's because we aren't being happy with what we have now both spiritually, mentally, physically

I am constantly striving to be better, and will be the first one to admit that the more I sit, the more I ponder, the more I write

I thank the Lord that he has physically forced me to slow down..........to sit and nurse Daniel.........

so many of you are wives.........and I know a lot of you are mothers too.............you can relate.........

especially when I say we need to be happy with what we have........

if you aren't happy........or are confused............then think of the biggest thing that is shaping your life and ask yourself this:   I am putting_____________________  before God.  
                                                  (fill in the blank)

Whatever _____________ was, work on getting that after God...........a new focus will develop........guaranteed

If you ever have questions for me, or need help.........I would love to help you..........

xo,