farm chick favorite

A friend { Cindy } and I enjoyed a lovely night at Lucia Nights in Bishop Hill. We walked the quiet streets lined with luminaries on a calm and chilly December evening. It was so peaceful. Such a beautiful sight of candles filling the windows of the historic buildings in the Swedish settlement. It was a great evening with my friend.   

We casually strolled to Peasant Works that is nested in a beautiful old barn. I have always admired the décor... it is so unique. And in the winter, the barn is absolutely stunning. At Peasant Works, I found a pair of earrings I loved. They are crafted by Barnstorm Ironworks. The earrings are designed from reclaimed wood. So much fun! I am excited about wearing them.

Breathtaking. Seeing this barn at night was breathtaking!

 

christmas bedroom decor

I could not resist. This year, I decided to add a little Christmas cheer to my bedroom décor.

 

 

Along side the windows in my bedroom are two large, antique wood doors that I repurposed as unique and charming décor. On one of the antique wood doors, I attached a set of old antlers. This year, I decided to add ornaments to the antlers. I found these pretty lavender and gold glitter ornaments. Then, I used jute twine to hang them from the tines of the antlers. Adorable!

These bottle brush trees! I am in love with them. So, I decided to buy a few more this year. These ivory bottle brush trees from Target are perfect to style the chippy table in my bedroom.

Just a little touch. So simple and sweet. These little bottle brush trees give so much Christmas spirit. 

banana pumpkin dog treats



Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a dog. The stockings [ filled with banana pumpkin dog treats ] were hung by the chimney with care...

 

2      eggs
1      banana
1 cup      pumpkin
3 cups      wheat flour

Mix the eggs, banana, and pumpkin together. Add in flour. Stir ingredients well.

 

Dust a flat surface and rolling pin with flour. Roll out the dough to 1/8" and cut the dough into shapes. [ I used a cookie cutter in the shape of a dog bone. ] Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 16 - 20 minutes. Let the treats cool before storing.

 

The pups will enjoy these banana pumpkin dog treats on Christmas day! 

strawberry banana dog treats

Wishing the pups a Merry Christmas!

 

 

1      banana

5      strawberries

1      egg

1/3 cup      all-natural peanut butter

1 cup      wheat flour

1/2 cup      oats

 

Mash the banana. Dice the strawberries. Combine the egg and peanut butter with the strawberries with the banana. Add in the flour and oats. Mix the ingredients well. Knead the dough into a ball. I rolled the dough into small balls and placed on a baking sheet.  

 

Bake the treats at 300 degrees for 20 minutes. Let the treats cool before storing.

 

Lucy + Diesel loved these strawberry banana treats!

peanut butter dog treats

So, I decided to make homemade dog treats as Christmas gifts for the sweet dogs in my life...

2 cups      wheat flour
1 tablespoon      baking powder
1 cup      all-natural peanut butter
1 cup      milk

In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Mix the milk and peanut butter together in another bowl. Add the ingredients together and mix well.

 

Knead the dough in the bowl. Dust a surface with flour and roll the dough out to a thickness of a 1/4 inch. Cut into shapes. [ I used a circle ] Place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 360 degrees for 22 minutes. Let the treats cool before storing in a container.

 

[ I bundled 6 treats together with twine and placed in a paper bag to look super cute! ]

 

* These treats are taste tested and dog approved by Diesel and Lucy! 

farm chick favorite

While in Texas for Antiques Week, I found an amazing cowhide wristlet shopping at The La Vida Loca. Absolutely in love with it.  

 

 

When I saw this wristlet, I knew I needed it. Gorgeous.... leather, cowhide, fringe, and fur. Oh my heart! 

I seriously cannot stop swooning over it * heart eye emoji * This wristlet is so much fun! And, I am so excited it is mine. Looking forward to wearing this sassy wristlet with a cute and casual outfit. It really makes a statement.        

2019 cornstalk bales

Cornstalks have been rolled up. It was just in time... they now look like frosted mini wheats for cows.

 

Every year, we rake and bale cornstalks to use during the winter and spring months. The cornstalks are used as bedding for cows during the winter and for the cows and calves during the calving season in the spring. We are anticipating another rough winter. So this year, we rolled up over 100 bales to be prepared.

 

Cornstalks are also fed to our cows. They are fed in a ration with hay and silage. It works well for us. And, our cow enjoy it.

farm chick favorite

i am just a girl who loves cows...

Perfect... this tee is perfect for me! So, it needed to be in my closet.

[  shop for this tee on the website of Amanda Radke!  ] 

The sleeveless tee will be so cute styled in so many different ways... with shorts, boyfriend jeans, or a maxi skirt. It will be sweet to wear in the summer and adorable in the fall with a chambray shirt, cardigan, or a blazer. And, the accessories to go with this tee! Oh my. So much fun.

inline wrapping hay

Three years ago, we wrapped round bales of hay for the first time. The weather would not allow us to bale hay before forecasted rain. So, we decided to set our baler in order to bale high moisture hay. The bales were then wrapped to ensile. Wrapping the bales allowed us to bale hay despite unfavorable weather conditions.

 

Over the past three years, we have continued to wrap hay. This has given us so much flexibility in baling. And, it stores our high quality hay outside for the winter. Wrapping bales shelters the hay from weather... rain, snow, and ice. So, it preserves the quality and nutritional value of our hay. 

2019 corn silage

 

Preparing for winter, corn was chopped and bagged this fall. The silage will be used to feed our cows throughout the winter. Along with the corn silage, the cows will also be fed hay and cornstalks.  

 

 

Two 150' bags were filled with corn silage. That is 300 tons of cow chow. Hay is in short supply this year due to a frigid winter, wet spring, and dry summer. And, we are anticipating another rough winter. We chopped and bagged double the amount of corn we normally do to ensure we have the quality and quantity of feed we need for our cows.

 

A sample of the corn silage was collected and sent off to Dairyland Laboratories for feed analysis. As cattlemen, we like to know the quality of the feed to meet the nutritional requirements of our cows.

Farm Chick Favorite

I am in love with these earrings 💜

 

On Instagram, I wandered into Burlap Bovine. Oh goodness! I then grazed through the Burlap Bovine shop on Etsy. Such beautiful, handcrafted leather earrings. This cow chick just had to have a pair.

 

I ordered the large teardrop earrings in the acorn color. The stitching adds a cute and rustic touch. Love these earrings so much! They are absolutely adorable! So classic. And, they will be perfect to wear throughout the seasons.   

 

I mean. Even the earring holder is adorable! I can't even.

farm chick favorite

These earrings!

Keri and I were wandering around Round Top during Antiques Week. And we came across a booth with beautifully handcrafted jewelry. Oh goodness.

So much gorgeous jewelry at Cross My Heart. I fell in love with these earrings! Cowhide and a little sparkle... perfect for this cow chick. They are simple and fun and will make a casual outfit super cute! 

Friday on the Farm

 

It was stunning. The sunset tonight made me slow down. I took the time to enjoy the moment. The colors were just incredible. The sun made the corn look like it was on fire. My dog, Diesel was with me in my truck. I think he even was in awe of the sunset.

finds from Texas

Oh, Texas. I love you.

Texas Antiques Week! I was at Texas Antiques Week! Oh my goodness. I have been wanting to go for a very long time... and was able to go!  For a girl that absolutely loves rusty, old junk... it was heaven! It was incredible. We wandered through the charming towns of Round Top and Warrenton. So much stuff! Oh my... literally all I could say everywhere we walked. It was so much fun to experience with my friend, Keri and her mom!
 

I have wanted an antique dough bowl for a long while. Antique dough bowls are so neat! They have so much charm. Knowing I was going to Texas, I wanted to find one at Antiques Week. I picked this dough bowl at Nomadic Trading Company. I love it so much! It is beautiful in my rustic farm home.    

The next stop was at a Jennifer Casebeer Art booth. Oh goodness. I wanted so many pieces. They are so unique and beautiful! After so much thought, I chose this cream cow on an antique tin. My heart is all aflutter. I am swooning over it. I am sure I will add to this rustic painting very soon.

 

When I saw this used Texas road sign, I knew it was driving back home with me to Illinois. So much fun! I am not sure where or how I am style it...but, it will stellar. I am in love with it. This road sign is a perfect find for my road trip to Texas!

So, I have been dreaming of an antique dress form. I was on a mission to find one in Texas. And, I found the perfect one. My heart fluttered when I wandered into it. It was ridiculously exciting! I was going to repurpose the antique dress form to hold accessories. It was exactly what I had in mind. I absolutely love how it looks in my bedroom. The dress form is displaying the cowhide earrings, leather wristlet, and felt hat I bought while in Texas.  

  

At an antique store in Smithville, I found these vintage Texas plates. Texas, black & white, stars, and rust... had to have them! All of my favorite things.

My first adventure to Texas Antiques Week was amazing! Texas Antiques Week was such an incredible experience. And, I am so glad I was able to go with my Keri and her mom! I am already looking forward to the next time, Texas!

lavender lemonade

Inspired by a road trip to Texas...

On my way to visit my friend, Keri, I stopped at the Magnolia Market and the Silos Baking Co in Waco, Texas. Soaking in the warmth of the sunshine, I decided to order a lavender lemonade from the Magnolia Table food truck and enjoy the afternoon. It was so so good! { of course, I had to try a lemon lavender cupcake, too!  }

1 tablespoon        dried lavender
1 cup        sugar
2 cups        boiling water
1 1/2 cups        lemon juice
2 cups        water

In a measuring bowl, add the dried lavender. Pour the granulated sugar over the lavender. Gently press the lavender into the sugar. Pour two cups of boiling water over the lavender sugar. Stir until the sugar has melted. Cover the bowl and let it infuse for 30 minutes. Strain the lavender from the syrup. Stir in the lemon juice. And, add two cups of water. Serve with a desired amount of ice.

concrete planter

On Pinterest, I found ideas for flower pots made out of concrete. I thought they were super cute and wanted to try it myself!

I used a plastic bowl and a cup to create my mold. Before pouring in the mix, I sprayed the inside of the bowl and the cup with cooking spray. I let it set until fully dry before removing the mold. Then, I sprayed the concrete planter with a sealant for protection.

 

At Lowe's, I picked out a few succulents I thought were cute. Of the three, I chose one for the concrete planter.  It fit perfectly in the planter!

I hope to create more planters... in all sizes and shapes. And, I will try to make bowls and candle holders too! The concrete may be stained for more of a rustic look.

farm chick favorite

[ lattes and a dream ]

A goal of mine for 2019 was to journal...

I absolutely love this journal from Target! It is so so cute! And, I this girl does run on iced lattes and a dream. Ha!

This journal inspired my goal of penning my thoughts. In June, I finally decided to start my journaling. It was something I felt my heart really needed. And, I am so glad I did. It has been a wonderful way to note the small things in life I love and appreciate.

baked cavatelli

[  Happy Fall  ]

Here is a warm casserole to enjoy this fall!

1.5 pounds      beef
1 [24 ounce can]      tomato sauce
1 teaspoon      garlic salt
1 cup      mushrooms
1 [12 ounce box]      rotini pasta
4 cups      mozzarella cheese

Brown the beef and drain off the fat. Slice fresh mushrooms. Add the sauce, garlic salt, and mushrooms to the beef. Let it simmer. Use a light coat of cooking spray on the bottom of the 9 x 13 pan. Place half of the pasta and meat sauce in a 9 x 13 pan. Add half of the cheese. Use the remaining pasta and meat sauce. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the top. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

kitchen table styling

In the kitchen of my rustic farm home, is a beautiful old table and chairs of my grandpa and grandma Stevens. This family table is iconic of my farm home.  So, I absolutely love to style it.

A black tablecloth is draped over the walnut table. From Magnolia Market in Waco, is a table runner I fell in love with. The black striped ticking is accented well by the black tablecloth. They are perfect together! I love rich and warm tones. They have a rustic feel I love.

 

At the center of the antique table are vintage finds. I love layering my favorite pieces in styling my home. A pewter bowl from an antique store holds one of two pottery bowls my parents gave to me. On a galvanized cake stand [ from Magnolia Market ] displays a vintage plate from an auction, the second pottery bowl, and an antique Ball canning jar. The turquoise jar adds a pop of color to the table. I really love this look!     

kitchen shelving

. a farm find .

Years ago, I found shelves in a barn on our farm. When I spotted it, I fell in love. It needed to be in my rustic farm home. Fantastic pick off the farm!

 

 

The rustic wood shelving is a focal point in my kitchen. Over the years, it has been so much fun to style. The old shelving has so much charm. And, I add my rustic farm chic style to it. A 2.5' x 5'  antique slate chalkboard leans against the wall beside the shelving. The two look great together. In love!

[  Recently, I decided to make a small change in décor to the shelving. To our old cattle farm sign, I added antique ceiling tins and photos. Both needed the perfect spot in my home. On the shelving was it! It created a neat layered look. And, I am really into layering with my décor. This also added more height to the shelving against the wall. I am in love with how it looks!  ]

The barn board shelving is styled with some of my favorite things...

wooden family farm sign [ Jolen Shorthorns ]

tin ceiling tiles

a 1912 b&w shorthorn bull photo

purple glass lightning rod from a local antique store

antique brass numbered tag from our farm

antique turquoise Ball jars

turquoise insulator

dark brown pottery bowl [ my parents gave to me for a birthday ]



antique brass cow tag from our farm



On the second shelf are more favorites from the farm...





1965 WIU judging team





framed b&w print of my dad as a young boy on a Farmall H
antique Farmall oil can 
framed b&w print of my dad with the 1965 WIU judging team going to the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago

horse shoes

 

And, I could not resist this photo of my dad as a toddler with his favorite dog. So cute!

antique berry baskets [ found in Texas ]
antique Ball jars
vintage plates [ purchased at auction ]

On the second shelf, I placed the antique berry basket I fell in love with at an antique shop in Texas. To it, I added the dishes and turquoise jars. The dishes are so simple and sweet! They have a scalloped edge that is so cute. I love them! I made two stacks with the dishes to fill the shelf and to also display the antique jars. I sat a jar beside and on top of the dishes. This really added color to the shelf.  

 

Illinois Shorthorn sale catalogues
American Shorthorn Association membership certificates
Western Illinois University bull test certificate
The Shorthorn World

On the bottom shelf, I have some history from our 1943 Shorthorn cattle farm. My grandpa had kept catalogues from Illinois Shorthorn sales when he would sell heifers. I especially love seeing prices he had written in with pencil. In one catalogue there is a two-page photo with his cow herd grazing in the pasture. So special! In an issue of The Shorthorn World, he had placed a farm advertisement.



As a photographer, I adore photographs. They are always incorporated in my décor. Old family farm photos, or moments on the farm...they are in my rustic farm home.

This old shelving brings so much warmth to my farm kitchen. I love having it hold so many wonderful pieces. It makes my heart smile every time I see it.
 

farm chick favorite

I love baseball caps! I am obsessed with them.

And, I absolutely LOVE caps from Bad Bitch Cattle Co! I have been wanting this cap for a while. So, it was a birthday gift to myself.

My favorite color is purple. And, add cheetah print. This BBCC cap is perfect for me!