Farm Fresh Eggs & Custom Egg Carton Stamps...

In true spring fashion, our chickens are laying colorful eggs like it's their job. (I guess it kind of is! :) They were hit or miss during the colder, shorter winter days, but now they seem to be making up for lost time. And we're not complaining!

I love our custom egg carton stamp, which makes gifting eggs so much more fun. I'll share the source for the stamp along with other fun labels, stamps, and accessories to personalize your homemade or farm fresh goods...

Vintage European Farmhouse Finds...

Hi Friends ~ The snow continues to fall as I write this post. We have lived in the Seattle area for over 18 years and have never seen anything like this! The snow is so deep that it's a workout just to walk out to the chicken coop. Hats off to you who live in the midwest and endure heavy snow throughout the winter! 

We now have about 16 - 18" of snow and it is incredibly beautiful. However, in our area, we don't have heavy snow equipment, so life as we know it comes to a grinding halt. My mom has said it's almost like a forced Sabbath rest for us all, and it does feel that way. Schools have been closed for several days as we have gotten wave after wave of snow storms. Even many restaurants and shops close. People hunker down and some who don't, we wish they would. (Most drivers here are not used to driving in these conditions!)

The highlights for us have been a late night family snow walk around our property with the dogs, taking in the beauty and fun of snow, and meeting up with my sister so that the cousins could sled together.

(Affiliate links included below.)

I thought I'd take this snow day to share with you some recent vintage farmhouse finds, including this zinc trough from Europe. I'll be taking many of these items (and more!) into our shop space inside of M&M Antiques in Monroe, Washington just as soon as the roads are cleared and the store is re-opened! In case you're not a Seattle local but still looking for a zinc trough, you can find them here.

Snow Day!

Hi Friends ~ Thanks so much for stopping by! We are on our third day of official no-school snow days here in the Seattle area. I think it's the longest stretch we've had since our kids have been school age! We got about ten inches of snow - not exactly the polar vortex of the east, but that is a ton for our area. 

Antique Turkey Crate Coffee Table...

I enjoy using raw wood tones to add warmth and depth to a mostly white room. We recently acquired this antique turkey crate, which we are using as a coffee table in the living room. 

I have long-admired chicken crate coffee tables, but had never actually seen a turkey crate. They are basically like a "double-decker" version of a chicken crate, which makes sense since they were used to transport turkeys, which are larger than chickens. I had planned on adding casters to the bottom of the crate, but when we moved the turkey crate into the living room, it was already the perfect height.

An Update on Our Babydoll Southdown Sheep...

Hi Friends! We've had our Babydoll Southdown sheep for about five months now, so I thought I'd give you a little update. We've really enjoyed having sheep - they add personality to our mini farm, life to the barn, and are about the sweetest animals you could imagine. 

They are helping us keep grass and foliage down in certain areas on our property, and I am thinking of ideas for how to use their cozy wool. But primarily, they are our pets. ;)

Lavender Season!

It's that time of year! The bees are busy... And you'll find me gazing at the lavender in the yard wondering how long I can keep it growing - because it's beautiful and I love the scent - or if I need to harvest it for drying.   

Happy New Year! {and Heart of the Farm Planner}

(Product was received in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links are provided.)

Happy 2018 friends! I'm feeling excited and hopeful about the coming year, and hope you are too.

My husband and I have an on-going debate about our family calendar. He wants me to input everything into my iPhone so that we can sync-up calendars. I agree that this is helpful. 

However... I am a visual person. I'm also a list-maker. And there are about a zillion things I attempt to get to each week (key word - attempt ;). I'm not going to spend the time inputting each of those little things into an online calendar. Plus, I like to be able to look at a week at a time. Or a month at a time. For me, there's still just something about paper and pen. 

Last year, I admired this beautiful planner made by Cory at Heart of the Farm Planner. 

And this year, I'm over the moon to have one! 

Our Mini Farm in Numbers...

Hello and welcome to our little farmstead! 

As of Thanksgiving, we will have lived here for four years! Some of you know the story of our search for a mini farm... but the quick version is this: When our three sons were 10, 7, and 4 years old, we wanted to find a place where they could roam free, explore and play to their hearts' content. We hoped for a home with some land and a barn. Our boys really wanted a dog. We pictured somewhere just passed the city limits, but still close to family and our boys' school.

We prayed and prayed. We couldn't shake the desire. When we found this place, it just felt like home. It had everything we were looking for (except marble kitchen countertops and updated bathrooms, but you know what I mean ;).

Early Fall on the {mini} Farm...

I interrupt the regularly-scheduled decorating post, to bring you some glimpses of our mini farm (and buy myself a little time as I work on two upcoming fall home tours ;).

Hope you enjoy this first weekend of fall, however you spend it...

A Country Home Tour {TheFarmhouse31}

Oh Friends. Get ready for a serious dose of farmhouse inspiration! 

I met Resa Bartlett through Instagram. Her feed is stunning. I asked her if she would be willing to give us a tour. Thankfully, she said yes!

I hope you enjoy learning about Resa, and her family's charming, 
117-year-old farmhouse...

Farm Sign

It's spring break here for us this week and we have been blessed with an amazing dose of sunshine. We've had some of the boys' friends over to play and have been enjoying time outdoors. After a couple days of play dates, I felt the need to create (something other than snacks ;).

Happy Autumn on the Farm...

Happy first official day of Fall!

Last week, my sister texted me, saying there was a "vintage antique country" sale being advertised by where she lived. Vintage, antique and country. 

This was serious. We were on it.

I found this rustic vintage wood scoop that I filled with our *new* colored eggs...

Faith For A Farm {Meg's Story}

I received an email, a few months ago, that I don't think I'll ever forget. It was from a dear lady, named Meg, who had a simple question about a pillow she'd seen in one of our pictures. We exchanged some emails, and through them, I learned a bit of her amazing story. With her permission, I'd like to share it with you...

In the first year of our search (for a farmhouse) our agent called us about a house that seemed to have all that we were looking for.  When she mentioned to the other agents in her office that she was going to show it to us, they asked her if her buyers were renovators because the place needed to be gutted and renovated.  We were willing to paint, paper, carpet, but we were not renovators, so the appointment was cancelled.

Three years later we were still looking. We had seen everything available on the market. We were only looking at new listings with our criteria as they came on the market.  One day our agent called letting us know about a house that was coming on the market that day and we ran over to look at it.  As we pulled in the drive, something clicked with our agent and she said, "Remember that house that you wanted to see three years ago that needed to be renovated?  I think this is that house!" And it was!!!

Welcome To Our Fall Home Tour!

Welcome!

Perhaps you're visiting as part of the Blogger's Fall Home Tour 2015 hosted by Cozy Little House. I'm excited to be a part of the tour and am so glad you stopped by today!

I'm Julie, and I live here, at our little farmstead, with my husband, our three growing boys, our dog, two cats and chickens. I enjoy decorating in a vintage farmhouse style with a soft, sun-faded palette.

How to Bring Farmhouse Style Outdoors {10 Ways}

Comfortable. Casual. Welcoming. Rustic. 

These are some feelings that come to mind when I think of farmhouse style outdoors... Where a hurried life seems to slow down and the quiet beauty of nature is all around.

A place for family and friends to gather.

Whether you have an actual farmhouse with acreage, a suburban home in a neighborhood, or an apartment with a small entryway and balcony, there are ways to incorporate farmhouse style right where you live.

1. {Wood crates} A vintage bulb crate next to our front door serves as a rustic shelf for a pitcher of flowers. Fresh cut flowers are a quick & easy way to freshen up a porch.

Wood crates are also good catch-alls for toys and balls.

2. {Ticking fabric, grain sack and burlap} for cushions and pillows add that classic farmhouse feel. 

3. {Old tin buckets} as planters for a simple "just grabbed these out of the barn" ambience. ;)

A repurposed chicken waterer is right at home on the front porch. I found this one at a yard sale for just a few dollars  (I loved the rust for decorating, though it wouldn't work well for chickens ;). You can also find them at antique stores. New, you can expect to pay $20 - $25 for this size (2 gallon). 

4. {Chippy, weathered furniture} brings a comfortable feel to a covered porch. Use an old dresser for a plant stand, gardening tool storage, or simply a focal point.

5. {Vines} I'm so grateful to our home's previous owners for planting beautiful vines around the property. Here they are, growing up the side of our laundry/mud room.

And along a fence, vines, grapes and hops add old fashioned texture and greenery.



6. {Gates} are functional, but can also add farmhouse appeal. 

For an easy way to incorporate a gate or two, prop them up on a porch or entryway. The picture below is from our fall porch last year. I used an old gate and section of fencing on the porch to add more of that "pumpkin patch" feel. ;) I found the gate and fence at a yard sale, but similar pieces can be purchased at Lowe's or Home Depot. 

7. {Arbors} add architectural interest year-round. They can support beautiful vines and wisteria during the growing months. In winter, string lights up on arbors for a "happy" dose of light, when darkness comes early. 

This arbor, set off of our gravel driveway, marks the entrance to our front yard.

8. {Outdoor seating} invites you to slow down and take in the scenery. I recently moved this bench out near the chicken yard so that we could sit and watch the chickens (may sound weird, but it's peaceful :). Is there a special place on your property - maybe in the garden - where a bench might encourage you to enjoy the view awhile longer?

9. {Outbuildings} like a chicken coop or garden shed open up lots of possibilities, as well as provide you with another charming backdrop. 

10. {Farm fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers} evoke simple country living perhaps more than anything. If you don't have space to plant fruit trees or build raised garden beds, consider a container garden where strawberries, tomatoes and herbs can be tended and enjoyed.

Find ideas on decorating with farmhouse style inside here!

And now I'm wondering, where is your favorite spot at home to enjoy some time outdoors? Or, is there a view you most love, looking out your window? I'd love to hear!

So glad you stopped by...

Xo

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Simple Summer Country Joys...

Do you ever crave slowing down the clock and enjoying some simple country living? Maybe with loved ones or just some time alone with your thoughts?

May I suggest blueberry picking? 

Our boys and I headed out to a local farm. (Don't you love this sign? ;)

Tin buckets in-hand...

For one of the few times this summer, the boys got quiet ;) 
and lost themselves in the task of picking. 

There was a peacefulness of being out in that blueberry farm with one activity to focus on. Even our boys noticed with one of them saying, "I love it out here." 

We picked about 4 pounds of blueberries. We could have picked more, but football camp was calling to our oldest. ;) 

We left the farm with our little treasures, along with a sweet summer memory.

The short drive home wasn't too bad either...

Happy summer day!

Xo

Farm Fresh Vegetables & Summer Recipes

These are the "glory days" of our humble little garden.

Each day it's changing. Some vines are becoming weighed down by burgeoning squash, while other vines - yielding long green beans - race upwards on our new teepee trellis.

I'm happy to report that although this is our second summer here, our boys still find joy in discovering the vegetables and bringing in the harvest.

The sense of wonder isn't quite as earth-shattering for them as it was last year (as first time "farmers")... But, I think I am making up for the difference. Maybe my excitement is because I'm learning just a little bit more each year. Maybe it's because we've planted a few new types of vegetables. Maybe it's an independent spirit emerging, you know, "living off the land." 

Or, maybe it's because I need to get out more these days. ;)

Whatever the case, I wanted to share a few recipes that we are enjoying, specifically as it relates to our bumper crops of green beans and zucchini... 

Baked Parmesan Zucchini is a total YUM. 

It's a healthier version of zucchini sticks with no deep frying involved. (You bake it first and then broil for a few minutes for that crispy finish.) You can find the recipe here.

Another great seasonal recipe is One Pan Greek Chicken. 

They had me at "one pan." You too? 

The recipes calls for chicken thighs, but I used chicken breasts, halved. The recipe also calls for baby red potatoes... we had baby yukon gold and they worked well too. Perhaps most importantly, this dish makes a delightful home for our garden's green beans! Find the recipe for this flavorful meal here.

And of course, due to our boys' requests, there's sure to be plenty of Zucchini Bread this season. Their favorite is made from this recipe. 

The other excitement going down in our garden is... the corn is coming!

The lavender is in bloom...

The snow peas are ready. 

Hello mushroom and snow pea stir fry. Oh, how I've missed you!

And I'll close with a confession. Last night, I came into the house and said, "Guess what guys?! We have little pumpkins in our garden!" Later I realized that these (below) are, in fact, acorn squash. (And our first acorn squash, at that.) 

Quien supo?! (Who knew?!)

Are you enjoying any fruits of your labor? 

Or perhaps fresh produce from a farmer's market? Tis the season!

Enjoy...

Xo

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