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today's motto

"We are going to have a good time!"
(lol Jill)

BARN SALE/EVENT:

OCTOBER 7th 5-8pm

OCTOBER 8th 10-2pm

ART classes too!!!

CLASSES BY JEANNE OLIVER...REGISTER HERE

JEWELRY CLASS...REGISTER HERE

I just got off the phone with Jill Harris and I'm so amazed at the dedication and hard work not only she has been doing to prepare for this event, but Jeanne, Jen, Polly, Stacey, Susan, Christina, Sherrie, Laura, Traci, Jason, and so many more people making this event so special for all of you coming!!!

I can't wait to have you here!!!!

ONLY 9 DAYS TO THE SHOW!!!!!!!!

There are only a few seats left in the art classes..........SIGN UP TODAY to get your spot!

xo+blessings,

on guard...

Being completely able to load, hold, aim and shoot accurately at anything in life takes discipline

and the willingness to not be afraid of trying new things

but always being on guard, from not only evil, but allowing yourself to stop caring...of even the little things...

what I'm guarding....
= my individuality (making sure I'm not becoming too familiar with myself)
= my children
= the last of the tomatoes from the chickens (who btw, are still not laying eggs)
= baby Daniel from getting any bigger (at six months of age, there is seriously nothing cuter than his chubby thighs and little giggles)
= my sanity (due to the impounding ideas surging through my brain for the upcoming event...I have to keep calm!! - emphasizing even more of the need to relax due to the double exclamation marks)
= my oldest son's desires
= my oldest daughter's modesty
= my sewing needles (my oldest son is sewing patches onto his clothing - and in which, has sewn his arm closed twice, and knotted the thread so tightly we could zip line from it)
= my sugar (the bees need to fed some of my coveted raw sugar...they have been bred with another queen....it's a long story....but let's say, there was a mighty battle and the queen is dead!


don't become too familiar with yourself....but be on guard it's for His glory, not your own

Good morning! Winner!!!

Congratulations Amy!!!  you won the ART on the Farm Giveaway!!

here's Amy's comment:

{Amy} said...

This sounds like the coolest thing ever, what a generous give-away. And I am in Illinois...I could actually do this. This is just what my creative soul is looking for right about now!

blogged:: http://amyluckynumber13.blogspot.com/2011/09/hello-there-fall.html



-visit Amy's totally cute blog by clicking on the above picture-

(I love meeting new people!)



Here's what you'll be getting..........

~ 2 seats (so bring a friend!) to all the art classes here on the farm + a ~ FREE night's stay in the 4star Holiday Inn Express just minutes from the farm!!  (and you'll get some little goodies from me too)

~Greg Wheaton (palying here Friday night at 5-8pm) wanted to participate in this giveaway as well, and he is giving you one of his CD's Amy!!!  This man is playing at the Hard Rock Cafe this next week in Chicago...he's no ordinary guitar player - he's extraordinary  -

This was so much fun hosting this giveaway - and it was all from the generosity of Jeanne, Jill, and Jennifer

there are a few seats available still in all classes (at least, last time I checked!) so please make sure you sign up today if you are thinking of coming......

and OH!  good news!! The hotel is allowing the special pricing of $97.75 still apply up until next Friday! 

What's so amazing about these art classes, is that you are amongst nature when you are here

it's so peaceful, and it allows your creative side to flourish under the direction of your teacher

All three of those women teaching are amazing artists!

and are so willing to open up this opportunity for you to come and create/shop/listen/eat :)

If you are 'on the fence' for coming to take a class, just remember how important it is to allow God's gifts to you come through...and sometimes that might just mean learning a new technique...it might just be exactly what you need to get you going in a new artistic direction,

or

You could be like me, and pick up a paintbrush and draw giant feathers on the wall, to which I don't paint, don't draw, just sketch garden plans and hog houses or a simple skirt or dress on paper...but it was the most unexplainable time being in "that mode"

Jill is making that weekend even MORE special! take a look:



click on image to sign up for one of Jill's classes



we all have a busy life, let's take some time out of that life to enjoy it

peace + blessings,

I so wish I could give you all a giveaway like this...thanks to everyone who entered...

The Barn Sale/Event Lineup...and a feather

Here's the line up for this October 7th and 8th Barn Sale/Event!

Ada Lilly Aprons

Carter's Cottage

Counting Your Blessings
Gypsy Brocante*

Jeanne Oliver Designs*

Jennifer Rizzo *

Lucid Dream Team

Maggie Jane's Vintage

nadafarm 
RoomsRoomsRooms

Simple but Different

Tattered Tiques

and musical guest Friday, October 7th 5-8pm by:

Greg Wheaton
- in case you live around Chicago, Greg's next performance is Oct. 6th at Hard Rock Cafe -

both Friday and Saturday are also ART on the farm classes

with *Jeanne, *Jen, and *Jill as the instructors

THIS IS THE LAST DAY to sign up for the fun+fantastic giveaway, so go here!!

(2 seats to all art classes+a free night's stay at the hotel+yummy goodies from me :)

Jason and I didn't want to forget to tell you more about a few special additions:

 ~ the prairie lounge ~

 (where you can warm up to not only Greg's music but a homemade cup

of soup and enjoy a sweet treat & coffee)  

three hours passed me like the swiftness of a cloud's shadow when I did this...

peace + blessings,

{ beneath these crisp skies and wet from the mornng dew boots
{ hiddin under the dirt in my fingernails from the removal of frost bitten cucumber plants
{ a simple phone call to my 92 years of age grandmother to still get advice on baking
{ prayers for the healing of this country to slow down
{ waking at 3 am to warm a cup of milk to ease my tensions while oddly listening to geese flying over head

instinctively animals understand the ebb and flow of the world.....we have seen first hand how the birds of the air don't worry, but yet, just do...do what they are supposed to do...

no worries

there is no need to worry

the Bible (the original version that is) says not to fear/not to worry over 365 times

I will take one for each day please...and in that give thanks....

mornings can be rough....this I know all too well...but catch yourself and remind yourself not to worry....not to fear

pax+blessings,

along with the echo of the prairie...

will be this thoughtful soul-filled sound...

:: Greg Wheaton ::

Jason and I are so happy to provide live music

as you shop the farm, enjoy a cupcake and a cup of coffee

(Jason said it'll be a great place to chill while the wives do the shopping...lol)

we're setting up a prairie lounge so you all can sit back and relax and enjoy Greg's music

you will not be dissapointed:

October 7th, 5-8pm

In case you can't make it to the farm, you can still enjoy his music by connecting with him:

~ facebook ~

~ youtube ~

to purchase his album on CD, you can go here

 

pax + blessings,

girl's weekend art + shop + stay GIVEAWAY!!!

Out of the generosity of their hearts...for the love of creating....the passion for teaching...and because you all deserve a little time away...

Jeanne, Jen and Jill are giving away a package worth $500!!!

This is in conjuction with the October 7th and 8th Barn Sale/Event

(45 min. West of Geneva, IL)

Can you believe it???

To make it a little more special, Jason and I are giving the winner VIP parking up by all the fun + some homemade goodness......we're putting extra care into your winnings!
(a little hint: it'll be so sweet...)

The winner will receive 2 SPOTS FOR EACH OF THE 2 DAYS OF ART classes.......AND

You will also get a FREE HOTEL ROOM courtesy of the three of them at the 4 star hotel: Holiday Inn Express!

To enter the giveaway all you have to do is:

1. Blog about the Art on the Farm classes at the NaDa Farm Sale and the Girls Weekend Giveaway . Once you have blogged about it come here to my blog and let us know.
or
2. Talk about the art classes and giveaway on Twitter for a second entry! Once you have talked about it let us know here on my blog.
or
3. Talk about the art classes and giveaway on Facebook for a third entry. Once you have talked about it on Facebook come back and let us know here on my blog.

or
4.  Pin it to Pinterest!  Once you have pinned it, come back and let us know here on my blog.

All entries to be entered here (on Anne Marie's blog) only

make sure you leave a comment for each entry you do

DRAWING WILL END THIS FRIDAY!

(Sept 23rd...at midnight)

Classes are filling up quickly as the NaDa Farm Sale date is getting closer.


If you want to sign up for the art of business, vintage journal or vintage mixed media class you can email Jeanne at Jeanneoli@hotmail.com  to register.

If you want to sign up for Jennifer Rizzo's Reflections of the Prairie class you can email her at thecraftyhome@comcast.net .

To sign up for Jill Harris' Salvaged Treasures class you go can directly HERE to sign up.

***GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY!

Can't wait to see who wins!!

peace+blessings,

my own self-worth.....

I would guess that 89% of you have never met me in person..........you don't know if my life is the way it is.........or if I love walking in the prairie for real.......or bake my own bread.........or sew my own skirts..........

yes, I do all of those things

but now, after being a "blogger" for awhile, sometimes it is coming back into my face with not smiles but disbelief

even those women that truly know me have said things like "you can say all you want Anne Marie....life isn't like that"

 no apologizes from me...life IS like that....for me.....and it most certainly can be for YOU

I'm not about to say  'sorry, but...'

I'm not about to tell you  'oh...I didn't mean to make you feel _________'

never apologize for the way you are living to anyone......if you are going through some hard times, that is for you to get through....for you to become closer to your creator...not away...
                                
                          step            
            single
every

every
            single
                              step

up and down we choose.....what is more important to you vs. what can take the back seat

this could be all you have ever known: the ups and downs, but it still is your choice......and you may just like climbing up or descending down........and that's okay.........no apologizes

no matter what you might be experiencing, there is a way to get pass that wall.....you put the wall there...the one you just can't seem to not only see through, but get through, get around

God doesn't make you put that wall up.....you built it with all your negativity....excess energy...wasted energy

every day

every
           single
                         day
I go down into my soul to lift it back up again.......offering all that I am in communion with Him to enjoy the day, to enjoy my life, to grow in union with my husband and our family

I choose the misery presented to me............I choose the way a song makes me feel........I choose the color of denim skirt I lift up to my hips that bore all six of my children.........I choose

like my dad says "it's all in your head".....

it's my life....no apologizes indeed....
= how my boys cooked breakfast for us or how the sunrises out here lately with the cool morning makes the most unbelievable sunrises in the prairie
= how the chickens we have aren't laying eggs and would rather eat the tomatoes instead of the crickets and worms
= how I absolutely love embracing my domesticity - plain and simple - through my faith...through the Church

One thing is constant with me, and that is my constant enhancement for those around me...I like to consider me dying to self in order to give it to others......

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Not too long ago, the woman who chose to be home with her children could cook, bake, sew, tend the garden, can, teach her children, entertain, and still have time to pray

there is still that same amount of ticks and tocks on the clock

women....men....it is time you made yourself worthy of your time here......

pray/meditate/garden/live/hug someone/smile/give back/work

work your hands to the bone in prayer and that wall will fall and crumple to dust   

create yourself worthy

peace + blessings,

seats are filling up!!! and a peek...

                           

Classes are filling up quickly!!  Only a few left!!!!!!!

OCTOBER 7th & 8th

JEWELRY CLASS BY JILL HARRIS: (Friday night)

To sign up for Jill's class email her at: gypsyfleamarket@gmail.com

HOW TO CREATE AN ARTFUL BUSINESS (Friday night)

 & HER ART UNDER GLASS CLASS (Saturday morning): 

To sign up for Jen's class email her at: thecraftyhome@comcast.net  

VINTAGE ART JOURNAL

  & VINTAGE MIXED MEDIA ART (both on Saturday afternoon)

To sign up for Jeanne's class(es) email her at: jeanneoli@hotmail.com  

peace + blessings,

travel...shop...enjoy a cupcake and an art class

Kara...a kindred soul to be sure...a friend of mine...has opened up her brick farmhouse for a unique event and if I could, I would be there in a heart beat!!!


click on image to see more about Kara's event!

 helping support one another is vital to life...and Kara is one of those women who inspires me with her love for God, and her amazing talents and style

Kara almost gathered her uniqueness to the farm to be a part of my sale, but with little ones, it was just too hard to leave them...and I most heartily agree how difficult that would be!  so she decided to host an event on her own...and I am so very proud of her for doing so...and so wish I could be there...(make sure you click on the image to see more about her event!!)

Vendors are securing their places here at the farm...they will be lining our gravel drive to the sale barn...where more dealers will be amongst the stillness of the prairie and the sights and sounds of the farm.

For those of you attending the art classes here (limited spaces! reserve your place today!!!) the entrance fee is waived of course to come and shop :)   Make sure you bring a cozy sweater to enjoy that morning cup of coffee at Jen's art under glass class - what an awesome class this is! don't miss it!!  Jill Harris is packing up her amazing pieces of found objects to create with you some unique jewelry and Jeanne will be here on the farm that weekend to teach once again...she so enjoyed her time here on the farm with you gals at the class this past May, and didn't want to miss this opportunity to enjoy the autumn prairie and create with you again.

To sign up for Jen's class email her at: thecraftyhome@comcast.net
To sign up for Jill's class email her at: gypsyfleamarket@gmail.com
To sign up for Jeanne's class(es) email her at: jeanneoli@hotmail.com 

The weather is PERFECT today.....and can't wait to get out to the barn after our studies are done!!

If you have any questions about coming to the event, I would be more than happy to answer them for you.  Just email me at: ndfmama@gmail.com 

PLEASE NOTE!!  IF YOU ARE COMING TO THE FARM AND PLAN ON STAYING OVERNIGHT...THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS WILL BE EXPIRING THE DISCOUNT IF YOU DO NOT RESERVE YOUR ROOM BY SEPTEMBER 23RD.....so reserve your room today!!!


be back soon with pictures of the barn
xo+blessings,

"think about the children's social skills
but they are so good in sports...that they are missing out
aren't you afraid they won't make friends
you don't have a degree in teaching"


after the first week of school has come and gone, and all 100%'s on all their new studies...when I came home from a short errand........

Sale Information (and a cutie)

The event this year is coming together so nicely...meant to be on so many levels....

totally random photo......he's just too cute not to post today.....

There is so much more I wanted to include in the flyer, but there simply wasn't enough room!!

the entry fee on Friday night is waived when you bring your ticket (handed to you Friday night) back Saturday (if you plan on attending the event both days)

part of the proceeds both days benefit a local charity - Hope Haven -

there are more and more homeless individuals...but not enough room at their building...but we can help them
(to make a more substantial donation, visit their website here)

Making a difference in other people's lives is so important on so many levels...and community needs to stick together

that's the primary reason why Jason and I host this event on our farm

to help support many different local artists, antique dealers, musicians, etc.

My focus for the sale is baking from scratch and selling those yummies in my little 'farm bakery' in the barn...

ART on the Farm classes have begun registration and you can see more about those classes here (or on my sidebar)...seats are limited, so please register soon

If coming from out of town, I am so thrilled that the Holiday Inn Express has created a room block and ALL rooms are the same price for you!! even the King Executive Suites!!  to see more go here

This is a lot of information I know, but so much needs to be said when it comes to this event.......there is much more to it than just stuff on tables or haystacks.......it's all our creative efforts joined together to both inspire you and to give you the opportunity to purchase all HANDMADE and USA made items crafted by our hands - all of us involved........

Here's an idea:

Gather a few of your friends that you haven't seen in awhile, or that you see all the time and love being around....create a closer connection to them by planning a trip to the farm..........here's even a little something for you to send them in your e-mail...

If you gathered the "three of you"....split the hotel room ($97.50) three ways...it's only: $32.50 per person!

This is an event I don't want you to miss!

Take Jill's jewelry class Friday night, go shopping afterwards, go back to your plush hotel room, have a few cocktails, laugh and giggle, tell stories and eat some snacks while watching a movie...

the next morning, grab a cup of coffee (and their famous cinnamon rolls at the hotel) and head back to the farm just after the sun rises to walk the prairie (rain or shine) to Jen's class to learn how to create a unique art under glass creation with the inspiration you will find on our farm and in the back 3 acre prairie...shop some more and enjoy a class by the famous artists Jeanne Oliver from Colorado...she is teaching two classes that are both unique and beautiful to create under the skylights in the horse barn...

don't forget to grab a few cupcakes and sit under the trees and enjoy the farm!!

(that sounds like a great weekend if you ask me)

bringing your blankets to picnic or relax out in the prairie is highly encouraged :)

xo+blessings,

greener pastures

sometimes we can get stuck in a rut

sometimes it is because we are put there...made to stay there...either because we tried to escape into greener pastures when we weren't supposed to or because the boss knows what's best for our well being

or maybe a little of both

wherever we are made to stay....we still can make friends....

sometimes some really great friends.....that take care of us......know that we are where we are in life for whatever reasons, but still love us anyway

I live and breathe this farm...this life...watching her is like watching my memories when I was a girl

not on a farm, but the constant joy I felt within my heart when I was outdoors

that joy has not gone away

especially with her around...

I wanted to always touch and feel...explore and be quiet outdoors...

It's not like God was surprised when she was born...He knew...He knew what I needed

and because I was open to life, He gave her to me...

 I was able to see this at this very moment with my fourth child

not the first...not the sixth...the fourth

He knew...

there is no way I could have planned that...no matter how hard I tried