farm chick favorite

FIKA

 

Fika [ pronounced fee-ka ] is Swedish for coffee break.  

I love these mugs!! These mugs are from the Bishop Hill Colony Store. Every time I walk into the Colony Store, I see these mugs sitting on the shelves. So, I decided to buy two for myself! They are in many colors but decided to for the blue and yellow... colors of the Swedish flag. These will also make great gifts for friends and family.

 

I will be using these mugs a lot this winter!

 

#farmchickfavorite

rustic Christmas ornament

[ a rustic Christmas ]

I love decorating...especially for the winter. Decorating for winter creates coziness in my rustic farm home.

 

 

When I decorate, I decorate for the winter months. I can enjoy my winter décor for much longer. In my home, I have four decorated trees. My winter décor incorporates greenery, pinecones, candles, snowmen, blankets and pillows. It creates a very warm and cozy feel in my rustic farm home.  

 

rustic Christmas ornament...

clear glass ornaments

chalkboard paint

chalk

jute twine

 

Lightly and evenly spray chalkboard paint over the glass ornaments. Spray a second coat of chalkboard paint over the glass ornaments. Let the ornaments completely dry. Cover the ornaments with white chalk. Use an eraser to wipe the chalk all over the chalkboard paint. A word [ peace, joy, merry ] may be drawn on the ornament with chalk. Cut strands of jute twine. Tie the twine onto the ornament as a rustic hanger. 

 

farm chick favorite

Oh, Target.

These trees! I am in love with these bottle brush trees from Target!! For $3 per tree, I had to bring a forest of them home with me. They are 10 inches tall and are great to decorate a small space.

 

The bottle brush trees are perfect with my rustic farm décor during the white winter months. They are so simple. And, they add a little glam to my rustic style. I love them glittering in white and silver. They coordinate well with my décor. Such a great find at Target!

 

#farmchickfavorite

Friday on the Farm

Cornstalks were baled. Just in time! These bales of cornstalks will be used as bedding throughout the winter months. Cornstalks keep our cows and calves dry and warm during cold and snowy weather. Over 80 bales were rolled up. And, we have already started using cornstalks due to the weather.

forage peas: week 5

Week 5!

Sunshine last week and rain on Sunday and Monday. The forage peas have changed over a week. We are going into colder temperatures this week.

mint chocolate s'mores

Fall is for s'mores. These are my favorite s'mores to make.

 

chocolate graham crackers
mint chocolate chips
mint marshmallows

These are a fun twist on a fall favorite. I started making these chocolate mint s'mores for my nieces. And, they were a hit. For these s'mores... I used chocolate graham crackers. Mint chocolate chips were sprinkled on top of the graham cracker. Then, the mint marshmallows were placed on top of the mint chocolate chips. And, it was topped off with another chocolate graham cracker. Microwave the s'mores until gooey. And then, enjoy!

[  I love chocolate. I love mint. And, I love enjoying s'mores in the fall. So, these are life.  ] 

forage peas: week 4

It is week number 4!

Austrian Winter Peas were no-till drilled on October 2. I checked the field of peas this morning to scout the weekly progress. We have had favorable growing conditions for the forage peas. This has been nice for growth going into winter.

rustic boho bedroom

[ rustic farm chic bedroom ]

Slowly, I have been styling my bedroom finding the perfect décor. I started with my antique bed and designed from there. My bedroom is a room I want to be comfortable, rustic, funky, and a little frilly. It is of a rustic boho inspiration.

 

My bedding coordinates but does not match because I wanted it to be unique. The fitted sheet is tan, and my flat sheet is brown. My comforter is a turquoise and white pattern + a nubby turquoise blanket [ a find @ Buc-cees in TX ]. I love pillows... so I have a lot of them. From shopping trips to Junk Gypsy in Round Top, Texas, I found two pillows... a 'dream big' pillow, and a pillow in shape of a camper 'wherever you go, go with all your heart'. So cute!

At the foot of my bed is a wood bench my dad made me years ago. On it, is a basket with pillows to add a soft and comfortable touch. I have a pillow from one of my favorite local stores, and a frilly cowgirl pillow from a road trip to Texas. I also have a pretty fern for some texture.

My nightstand is a file cabinet I painted. It holds a brown glass lamp, a 11 x 14 b & w framed print of O6, an antique turquoise ball jar, and a felt letter board with a message of 'but first... cows'. The file cabinet also neatly stores my favorite ball caps.

cow hide love

The carpet was torn out to show the original hardwood floor. And, I ordered a 6 x 9 sisal rug from Wayfair to compliment the floor. A cowhide rug also coordinates with the sisal rug. As a cow chick, I absolutely love my cow hide rug. These rugs add character, texture, and warmth to the room.

My curtains are from Target. They are a medium tan fabric with black stitching. The curtain panels are drawn together using jute twine. Along side my windows... I have two old, large wood doors. They were salvaged from a house. These gorgeous doors enlarge the wall and windows. They have so much charm. And, they add a lot of character to my bedroom. The antique doors are also perfect to hang photos!

 

From a barn on our farm, I found a chippy white paint table. It adds a rustic boho edge to my room. I adore it. I also have an old wood ladder leaning against the wall as a functional interest piece.  

I am in love with my bedroom. It has taken quite some time to style...but it was well worth it. My room is so cozy after a day on the farm.

Friday on the Farm

 

It was a busy Friday on the farm. We were able to get quite a bit of work done on a nice fall day.

We have very happy cows. Two herds of cows are now grazing cornstalks. After corn is harvested, we open up fields for cows to graze. Grazing cornstalks ( stover ) in fields extends the grazing season through fall. The cows eat the corn residue ( husks and leaves ) and grass in the waterways.
 

[ view agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

forage peas: week 3

I checked on the field of peas today. Oh my goodness. I love this snap of the forage peas. It is a favorite.

chippy bedroom table

 

Years ago, I found a table out in a shed on the farm. Of course, I just had to clean it up and bring it into my house. It was perfect in my rustic farm home. The chippy white table now had a cozy spot in my bedroom. For years, I was not sure how it use the old wood table but loved that it was in my bedroom.

 

 

On a recent visit to Bishop Hill, I found two vintage lamps. I was so excited to buy them to style my rustic home. I love these lamps! The lamps no longer work, but I thought they would add character. They have so much charm! When I carried them into my house, I started thinking about where I wanted to use them in my décor. After a little thought, I decided to set a lamp on the chippy white table in my bedroom. Oh my goodness. Perfect! It could not be more perfect.

 

oh, my heart.

An old wood crate was already sitting on the table to store some of my accessories. Then, I had an idea that would coordinate with the table, lamp, and crate... an old photo and frame. A framed photo of my grandma was given to me. It all looked so amazing together. My heart actually fluttered!

 

These light pink, glass dishes were a find at Junk Gypsy in Round Top, TX. They look vintage. I thought they would be so sweet to keep jewelry. I think they are perfect for this chippy table.
 

antique finds

Beside the table, is a pink metal stool I fell in love with this adorable stool at an antique store. It was a fun find from my road trip to Texas in September. I knew I would have the perfect use for it in my home.    

 

I am so excited about my bedroom table. My taste is not frilly but do like the pink, white, and antiqued brass palate. It is whimsical. The inspiration for my bedroom was rustic boho. Sigh. I love my bedroom so much. And, the chippy wood table will be so adorable as a makeup table and as a cute way to organize some of my accessories. All I need is an old mirror.

Friday on the Farm

 

Between unloading corn and filling a grain bin, I checked on the field of rye. The rye has grown about two inches since last week. Through the corn residue, the rye is growing. The field of rye is starting to green.

 

forage peas: week 2

It is week two for the forage peas.

The forage peas were no-till drilled on October 2. And since then, the peas have received a good amount of moisture. The field of forage peas have had a nice start to growing.

 

Hopefully favorable weather conditions will continue for further growth into winter.

I look forward to scouting the field of Austrian Winter Peas next week!

fall chalkboard

I did not want summer to end and soaked up every last moment of the sweet sunshine. But, I finally said good bye. Hello, fall.

 

 

It's time to decorate! And, I do like decorating for fall. With the change in season, a change in the chalkboard. This antique slate chalkboard is such a sweet and simple way to decorate my rustic farm home.

pumpkin cranberry bread

[ Pumpkin Cranberry Bread is perfect for fall day  ]  

2 1/4 cups      wheat flour
1 cup      brown sugar
2 teaspoons      baking soda
1 tablespoon      pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon      salt
2      eggs
1 cup      honey
1 can      pumpkin
1/2 cup      vegetable oil
1 cup      cranberries
 

Mix the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt together. Combine the eggs, honey, pumpkin, vegetable oil, and cranberries in a bowl. Blend well. Add the mixtures together. Spoon the batter into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes.

 

The Pumpkin Cranberry Bread is delicious! Enjoy it with a cup of warm apple cider!

cranberry oatmeal cookies

[  my cranberry oatmeal cookies are a favorite to make during the fall  ]

3 cups      oatmeal
1 1/2 cups      wheat flour
1 teaspoon      baking soda
1 teaspoon      salt
1/4 teaspoon      cinnamon
1/2 cup      butter
1 cup      brown sugar
1 teaspoon      vanilla
3      eggs
1 cup      cranberries

Cream together the butter and brown sugar. Beat the three eggs. Add to the mixture. Stir in the vanilla. Mix in the oatmeal, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon. Fold in the cranberries. Roll cookie dough into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes.

 

Enjoy this cookie this fall!

farm chick favorite

So, I am addicted baseball caps...

On my road trip to Texas, I found a cap [ and tees ] at Lazy J Ranch Wear. I fell in love. How can I not love a cap with a Hereford bull?!

This is my favorite new cap! You will be finding me wearing it all the time.

#farmchickfavorite

Friday on the Farm

So, I am checking on the field of rye this morning. It is snowing. The flakes of snow were falling from the sky and melting on the rye.  

[ agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

a moment in Bishop Hill

Between farm errands and chores, I decided to enjoy a moment in Bishop Hill. Though dreary, it was the perfect day to enjoy a lingonberry iced tea from the Bishop Hill Bakery. I walked along the brick sidewalk covered in the colorful fall leaves. It was so peaceful.

 

I walked to one of the many cute shops in Bishop Hill. That morning, I went to Peasantworks. There, I purchased two old lamps I had seen earlier this summer. I will style them in my farm home. These lamps will be adorable with my rustic décor.

forage peas: week 1

We drilled peas on October 2 [ post from seeding peas ] and rye on October 3. The Austrian Winter Peas are forage peas. They will be chopped and bagged next spring as silage for our cows.

emerging peas

Today, I scouted the field. I was happy to see that the forage peas were emerging! And, I am excited to see how much they grow next week!

coffee protein shake

[ coffee + chocolate + milk = delicious ]

 

Here is a shake recipe I am very excited about sipping on in the morning! Coffee and chocolate is a great way to start the day.

4 ounces      brewed coffee
4 ounces      milk
1 scoop      chocolate protein powder

[ i will add a favorite fruit, peanut butter, or chocolate chips ]

Add the ingredients together in a blender. Blend until completely mixed. Pour into a glass and enjoy your morning!

farm find

 

So, I loaded up my truck with a hog creep feeder from the farm. Since it is no longer used, I thought it would be great to repurpose it at my house. It will be so crazy cute in my rustic landscaping! This summer, I bought a few native Illinois prairie plants [ Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Blue Flag Iris, Purple Prairie Clover, Sky Blue Aster, Spiderwort, and Wild Petunia ]. The rusty creep feeder will perfect nestled within the native plants. It will be such a cozy spot outdoors.

A large section of a tree truck had been sitting along the driveway to a pasture. After driving past it many of times, I finally decided to pick it up with my loader tractor and haul it to my house. I thought it would be so fun to grow flowers in it! The tree trunk had decomposed enough that it would be perfect as a rustic planter. When I dropped off my 'new' planter beside the pig creep feeder, my heart fluttered. They looked amazing together!

I am so excited to create a cozy area in my backyard to relax after a long day on the farm. It will be so much fun to landscape and decorate. I am thinking a fire pit will also be needed...    

Friday on the Farm

Austrian Winter Peas were seeded in a field. Eight acres of winter peas will be used as forage. Next spring, they will be chopped and bagged as silage for our cows.

austrian winter peas

Rye and Austrian Winter Peas were drilled in a field where corn was chopped for silage. Seeding rye and peas on the field will protect the soil from erosion. The rye and peas will be chopped and bagged next spring as forage. It should be great forage!

peas and rye

It rained this morning, so the forage peas and rye should have a great start to growing. It look forward to seeing the progress of the peas!

forage peas

We no-till drilled peas into a field. The Austrian Winter Peas are a forage pea. These forage peas will be chopped and bagged next spring. We will use the pea silage as feed for our cows.
 

Austrian Winter Peas

The peas were seeded at a rate of 50 pounds per acre. And, they were drilled at a depth of 2 inches. Soil conditions were ideal for seeding the peas. We purchased fifty pound bags of peas to be seeded over an eight acre field. 

The peas will be an excellent forage. The pea silage will be high in protein. From what I have read, tonnage and percentage of protein depends on the maturity of the peas when harvested. When peas are beginning to blossom, they yield 1 to 2 tons per acre and are 15 to 20% protein. When peas are developing pods, they yield 1.5 to 3.5 tons per acre and are 10 to 15% protein.

I had been wanting to grow peas as forage for our cows. After two years, we decided to plant the winter peas. I am so very excited to watch them grow!

 

Friday on the Farm

Harvest started. Today, I hauled corn in from the field into a grain bin to fill. I always enjoy watching the bin fill as loads of grain are hauled into the site. Golden kernels of corn sprinkle down from above.  

[ view agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

Friday on the Farm

We finished baling hay for the 2018 season!

 

It is so nice to have our hay rolled up for 2018. We have been busy cutting, tedding, raking, baling, and moving hay over the past four months.

 

During the hay season, we baled 400 large round bales and 1800 small square bales for our cows, calves, and bulls. We feed the round bales throughout the winter and spring. And, we feed the square bales to our pregnant cows during calving season in the spring.

 

I love seeing the new growth of alfalfa, clover, and brome after it has been cut and baled. It is beautiful to see the tender, emerald green leaves glowing under the warmth of the late summer sun.

[ view agriculture photos @ monicastevens.blogspot.com ]

farm chick favorite

One of my favorite finds from Texas was a Longhorn...

It is a Longhorn made of small branches. Oh my goodness. When I saw this Longhorn at a shop outside of Brenham, TX... I had to rope it. Ugh. It is so flipping cute! [ post from my road trip to TX ]

 

This Longhorn now has a new 'pasture' at my rustic farm home in IL! I am in love with it! It is just what this cow chick needed.

 

When I returned home from my road trip visiting Keri, I decided to turn my Longhorn out on my patio to graze. Since it is a planter, a beautiful plant will be a nice accent. We are nearing fall, so I bought a purple mum and kale. These plants will add a pop of color and texture throughout the fall. My Longhorn looks so cute on my rustic farm patio! In love!

 

 

When Illinois weather turns cold and snowy, I will have to bring my Longhorn inside for the winter.



#farmchickfavorite

farm chick favorite

Adorabull!

 

On a road trip through the old stockyards in Fort Worth, I found a cute western shop. Lazy J Ranch Wear is such a funky shop in the cow town.

 

There were so many sweet Hereford tees and caps! This cow chick roped a cap, tee, and tank. I was so excited.

lazy j motel tee

In love. I am in love this retro print! I had to lariat this Hereford tee. This black tee is absolutely perfect to wear with jeans or shorts. I can see myself styled with a bandana in my hair. 

Hereford and squash blossom tank

I also had to lasso this tank. A Hereford bull in a squash blossom... Ugh! This is so incredibly cute! It is adorable worn as a tank top, or with a cardigan or jean jacket. I am so excited to wear this tank top! It will be perfect with jeans, shorts, capris, or skirts.

 

#farmchickfavorite