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

summer road trip: 2018

[  IL - TX  ]

. follow your arrow...mine pointed towards Texas . 
 

So, I road tripped to Texas this summer...I love road trips! They are full of adventure and are good for my wandering gypsy spirit. I decided to drive to Texas to visit my friend, Keri...we always have a great time. And, it makes my heart smile with wonderful memories made.

On the way to Texas, I always pit stop in the Fort Worth Stockyards. During the summer, I love enjoying a burger from The Love Shack while sitting outside and soaking in the sunshine of Texas. This time I tasted the Dirty Love Burger...beef with bacon and quail egg. Yumm! It was so good! And of course, I have to go to the White Elephant Saloon for a cold beer... on tap was Revolver Blood and Honey.

Before leaving the old stockyards, I wandered into Lazy J Ranch Wear. Oh goodness. I loved this shop! Their Hereford tees and caps were crazy cute. This cap was adorable! It is my new favorite. I will most definitely be going back to their shop. [ tees will be in a future #farmchickfavorite blog post ]

On a pit stop in Waco, I rambled into The Findery. There, I found two pillows for my kitchen chairs. I had been wanting rustic pillows to make my kitchen chairs cozy. They are perfect!

 
A great way to live life...


lemon lavender cupcake

And while in Waco, I obviously roamed into the Silos Baking Co for cupcakes at the bakery! Of course, I brought home cupcakes for my parents to enjoy... chocolate with vanilla icing. I would be more than happy to back to the Silos Baking Co if my parents wanted more cupcakes...

 

One morning, I prowled around Whistle Stop Antiques in Giddings. Oh my goodness. I wanted all the things. This antique store was absolutely amazing. Seriously. I wish I had driven my truck to haul home everything I loved. I cannot wait to stop at this antique shop again! There were so many antiques that would be perfect for my rustic farm home. Berry baskets and flat, wash pan, chicken feeder, corbel, cow bell, and stool are what I picked at Whistle Stop Antiques. I am very excited to style them in my home!



This painting! Strolling around Round Top, we found this painting outside of a shop. I am in love with it. It is gorgeous!

Keri [ and Berkley ] and I enjoyed chatting over lunch in Round Top at The Garden Co. It is such a beautiful café to gather for lunch! And of course, we had iced coffees for the road.

 

my longhorn

We meandered through the Rustic Center. I loved seeing all of the beautiful clay pots and fountains. I ended up buying a longhorn while in Texas... a longhorn made of tree branches. It is a favorite! I am looking forward to displaying it on my patio. [ a #farmchickfavorite blog post to be written ]

 

A trip to Texas is not complete without a pair of boots. We stopped at South Texas Tack where I found a gorgeous pair. I love the smell of a boots.  

 

 

Sunsets on a cattle farm in Texas... it does not get much better. The sun through the Live Oak trees was glorious. I am very thankful for great friends that let me visit their cattle farm. 

While in Texas, I do love shopping and going to fun places to eat or have a drink... but, I enjoy spending time with a fellow cow chick. It is always great to see my good friend, Keri [ and Berkley ]. It is good for my soul. Every time I visit, I have such an amazing time and memories to forever cherish.

For the road back to the farm in Illinois, I had to have a little Blue Bell on the way... the perfect way to end an spectacular road trip.
 

homemade chalkboards

[  chalkboard  ]

For a summer celebration, I was in need of a chalkboard...

 

 

In my dad's garage, I found a small, left over piece of plywood. I brought it to my house and cut it into two. These two sections of plywood each measure 16 x 42. They are a perfect size.

 
After sanding the plywood, I spray painted them in a flat black paint. On one side of the plywood sections, I sprayed the boards with black Krylon chalkboard paint to create a slate finish. With the chalkboard paint, they are able to be write and erase.

Once the chalkboard paint dried, I used white chalk to cover the boards. A paper towel was used to wipe the chalk across the boards. Enough chalk remained to create a rustic look. The boards were then ready to design for the celebration!

I now use them in my house as décor. So simple and sweet!