~ bring a bit of The Farmhouse with you after every visit ~

Monday, December 31, 2012

Festive Forest

I am thrilled to have my vintage christmas tree
and holiday decorations included
in the Rusty Hinge "Festive Forest" blog post.



image by me


Sunday, December 30, 2012

Sunday Still Lifes - Holiday Decorations

We've had an amazing time up at The Farmhouse this past week
for a legitimate vacation...Long overdue!
This was our first Christmas spent here and I enjoyed
decorating with the random items that we had around the house.
Since we bought the house in December of last year we had already brought up our vintage green sparkly tabletop tree. At the last minute I grabbed two boxes of my vintage Brite Rite ornaments which made the space very festive. 

Here are a few highlights of our holidays...Enjoy!














Saturday, December 22, 2012

My Guest Blog Profile ~ VanessaLarson.com

My friend Vanessa recently asked to profile me
and my design style on her fabulous new blog, all about

food . fashion . design . paris

She is highlighting friends that inspire her every Sunday
and her focus was on me last Sunday. How very cool is that!

Check out the post.



Monday, December 17, 2012

Local, Artist & Eco Luxuries Gift Guide

It's getting down to the wire
with only 7 days left until Christmas.
I tend to procrastinate and leave my shopping
until the last minute. I also do my best to make my gifts
or be creative with my giving, but if time has run out for you like it has for me...I've compiled a couple feel good gifts
that might delight your friends and family:






























Enjoy the essence of the season with friends and family!
Stay calm and remember what it is all about for you.

Happy Holidays!




Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Midweek Inspiration...'tis the season!

I've been bitten by the holiday bug a bit earlier
than usual with the festivity of the season. I think it is all my time spent on Pinterest and all of the truly inspiring images.

Here are a few of my favorites...



























Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season!

Watch out for some inspiring holiday projects next week...




Friday, November 23, 2012

Thanksgiving Blessing & Dressing

Thanksgiving is so rich in tradition; I love it! My husband and I have hiked "over the mountain and through the woods" from our house to my parents home at the beach (about four miles) for the last 10 years. It is such a refreshing way to arrive; a little tired, super hungry and ready to enjoy the company of family and friends. Giving thanks for the simple and complex things and moments present in our lives right now. We are blessed to have each other, our animals, our friends and families and our health.



By no means am I a food stylist (as will be apparent below) or a food blogger (also apparent below), but I do love great food! And every once in a while I make something that's pretty fantastic. I am lucky enough to have a husband that cooks 90% of our meals...Yes, I'm spoiled! I do however, have a few favorite recipes that I love to cook for special occasions, whether that's a casual Sunday dinner with my sweetie, a potluck dinner party with friends or Thanksgiving dinner with family. Here's one of my all time faves and a tradition for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Dressing

Ingredients:


  • 1/2-1 yellow onion (This year I only used 1/2 an onion, because we had it in the fridge from the dinner the night before)
  • 1 bin (about 8-12) mushrooms (I used small crimini mushrooms, but any would be fabulous!)
  • 1 bunch of celery
  • 1-2 apples ( I used one from the neighbors branch that reaches into our yard & a fuji apple)
  • 1-4 Tbsp herbs (this year I used sage & oregano from the garden)
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 1 box breadcrumbs (the past few years I've used the cornmeal version from TJ's, but any will do)
  • 1 box (or 4 cups) Veggie Broth
  • 1/2-1 stick salted butter
  • 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 (or more) glass(es) of Chardonnay (I'm usually a Sauvignon Blanc gal, but this calls for a little fuller wine) or a nice Pinot Noir


Directions:
  1. Pour yourself a glass of wine.
  2. Dice the onion & set aside.
  3. Clean the mushrooms with a wet paper towel or cloth. Slice mushrooms & rough cut them into small chunks.  Set aside.
  4. Dice the entire bunch of celery & apples into rough chunks. Set aside.
  5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  6. Place veggie broth in a saucepan on medium to low to warm.
  7. Place 1/2 stick (4 Tbsp) of butter in a large stock pot on medium to high heat. Add olive oil, so butter doesn't burn.
  8. Add onions & stir until soft.
  9. Chop herbs & set aside.
  10. Add mushrooms to stockpot with onions & stir until gently sautéed.
  11. Grease a baking dish on the bottom & sides. Set aside.
  12. Next, stir in celery & apples & saute until slightly soft. Keep lid on so the moisture is retained. Crack pepper into mixture.
  13. Turn heat off & add breadcrumbs. Add herbs & fold mixture into breadcrumbs so vegetables are evenly dispersed.
  14. Slowly add the veggie broth into the mixture & again gently fold mixture until the breadcrumbs are saturated, but not smashed.
  15. Add salt & pepper to taste.
  16. Scoop the mixture into your greased baking dish & cover with foil.
  17. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil & bake another 5 minutes to create a slightly crispy top layer.
  18. Remove, serve & enjoy.


This recipe can be modified in so many ways:
  • I've used pear in place of the apple before
  • Some people might like cranberries
  • You could definitely use stale bread instead of the lazy boxed version
  • Homemade broth would definitely be a nice touch
  • You could add garlic
Let me know your favorite dressing (or stuffing) recipes.



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Midweek Inspiration...gratitude

This says it all...


This year I am grateful for:
my husband & best friend
my MBA in Sustainable Enterprise
being frugal
running a half marathon
my parents
my animals; Buckaroo, Sammy & Fritzie-girl
who came with the house we bought last year
the sunshine & the rain
my boss, mentor & friend
being able to create a home of our own
my health


What are you thankful for this year?


Monday, November 19, 2012

Monday Mood Board #3 - Industrial Farmhouse Chic: kitchen

A bit of our inspiration:



We are struggling with our small kitchen...
I've had dreams of a big open kitchen / dining room 
with an island & a huge farm table.
The perfect spot to gather
with friends & family to share a meal & laughter.

We just don't have the layout to create
the specific vision that's been living in my head for years,
but even with our limited floor plan
we look forward to creating our super welcoming
Industrial Farmhouse kitchen.

Here's our basic hit list to create this cool, but welcome space:
            • professional-style appliances
            • barn lighting
            • metal accessories
            • weathered wood
            • open shelving
            • white bead-board walls
            • & a subtle pop of color.




Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Midweek Inspiration...to do's


There are the little to do's that we all put off ~

making a doctor's appointment
cleaning the fridge
updating your linked in page
balancing the check book
ironing that pile of clothes
talking to the tax guy


And then there's that other list...

traveling through Europe
going back to school
opening a home furnishing's & accessories shop
learning how to weld
starting a family in a new town
buying a house

I've ticked off 2 of the five on my list...What's on your list?







Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Midweek Inspiration...Perfect Moment

We must always reflect on what we have in front of us
and be grateful for the moment.  Beauty surrounds us in the most unexpected places.

It's time to take that next step...make it perfect!


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Midweek Inspiration...without

We've been so busy the last few months
that I've been neglecting my blog,
but we all still need a little inspiration
to get through the week.

Keep it simple & pure...



Monday, July 2, 2012

Barn Light Electric Giveaway

Barn Light Electric is having an AMAZING giveaway! 

The Winner gets a $1000 Barn Light Electric gift certificate! 



Wow!!  The possibilities are almost endless...front porch light, kitchen pendant lights, bathroom sconces, and the list goes on...

And even if you don't snag first prize, second and third are pretty awesome, too!

2nd place - $500 gift certificate
3rd place - $250 gift certificate

Enter in three easy steps:

  1. Take a look around Barn Light Electric's incredible website, and pick out a few of your favorite things that you would love to have adorning your own abode. (pretty easy, right?)
  2. Then feature your choices on your personal blog.
  3. At the bottom of the post, include directions for entering so your followers can enter, too.
(you can just copy and past the instructions below to make it easier!)
So here's my wish list:
These galvanized metal sconces would be perfect beside all of the exterior doors (front, mudroom, garage, dining room and for the cottage entrance.)

And in the kitchen, three of these would be perfect over the big farm table.
And then to finish the look, two of these sconces would be amazing in the bathroom above the pedestal sink.

Obviously I have a galvanized metal theme going on here at
The Farmhouse. I think these would all stand out perfectly against the white backdrop and would highlight all of
the rustic elements throughout.
Fingers crossed!


How to Enter:
  1. Look around online at Barn Light Electric and pick lights you’d love to own
  2. Feature your lighting picks on your personal blog, and link to the lights if you can!
  3. Copy/Paste these rules at the bottom of your blog article so others can enter
  4. Once your personal article is up, you must email your blog link to:marketing@barnlightelectric.com to be qualified to win. The contest ends Monday, July 2nd, 2012
  5. Don’t have a blog? Find out how you can enter by reading the Official Rules