winter chalkboard

winter [ chalkboard ]

I LOVE this old slate chalkboard!! It is actually one of my favorite decorative pieces. I repurposed it for my farm house décor. And, it is displayed in my kitchen along side of rustic barn board shelving I pulled out of a barn. They look so adorable together!

 

Throughout the year, I scribble on the slate chalkboard. For this winter, I chose some of my favorite words and phrases. I think it looks nice! Every time I look at the chalkboard, it I am in the spirit of Christmas.

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

 

#cattlegypsystyle

O9 photo styled

[ O9 ]

 

This is one of my most favorite cow photos I have taken...O9. I mated and framed a 16x20 black & white print for myself. It is in my living room where I can enjoy it every evening after working on the farm.

 

The O9 framed photo sits on a barn board bench my dad made for me. The bench is behind the couch as you enter my living room. Since the bench is wood, I styled it with colors of black, yellow, and turquoise for a rustic look. 

To the far side of the barn board bench is the black & white print of O9. On the opposite, I placed a framed black & white 5x7 print of my sweet farm dog, Rosco. I have two old brass keys for a little character. A yellow candle in a grapevine wreath and antique, turquoise Ball jar add a pop of color! From a visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards, I have a sugar mold that props up the framed photo. During the winter...I add a pair of wooden skies, and a black and white herringbone print pillow that has a white embroidered snowflake. Both are from Target. So cute! I really like how this is styled!

 

#cattlegypsystyle

farm chick favorite

Love this room spray from The Cow Patty!



the cow patty

I bought wax melts and room spray in the scents of fall frenzy, hazelnut coffee, and homespun. And, the hazelnut coffee smells wonderful in my farm home! This was a fundraiser for Sigma Alpha at Western Illinois University. As a Sigma Alpha and agriculture grad from WIU, I was happy to support!

 

These wax melts and room sprays from The Cow Patty are perfect gifts!

#farmchickfavorite

Friday on the Farm

It was a gorgeous sunset. As I was feeding cattle, I enjoyed the beauty of the sun setting behind the barn and feed shed. I stood in amazement. The sky was a watercolor with shades of purple and orange. Peaceful.

 

[ agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ] 

farm chick favorite

FARM

market tote

I wanted a tote to carry what I need into work...and this was perfect! It is a market tote from Southern Farm Co. The tote is 100% cotton canvas with the black FARM logo on the front. The bag measures 19.5 x 15 x 5 and has two sturdy straps. I am so excited about using this cute tote!

There are so many cute things at Southern Farm Co!

#farmchickfavorite

farm chick favorite

Confidence...wear it like makeup
I love this bag so very much!

 

This bag is made of canvas material that is tan in color. The interior is a blue and white striped ticking. It also has a small pocket on the inside. The bag measures 9 x 11 with a zipper. It is cute inside and out!

 

I found this adorable travel bag at Southern Farm Co.
So cute y'all!

#farmchickfavorite

black walnut cake

Black Walnut trees are close to my heart. They grew in our cattle pastures. And, I grew up on a farm in Walnut Grove Township, Knox County, Illinois. Here is a recipe for a delicious Black Walnut Cake!

1/2 cup      butter
1 1/2 cups      sugar
2 cups      whole wheat flour
3 teaspoons      baking powder
3/4 cup      milk
4      eggs
1 cup      black walnuts (chopped)
1 teaspoon      vanilla

Cream together the butter and sugar. Sift in the flour and baking powder. Slowly add in the milk. Mix in the chopped black walnuts and vanilla. Beat well. Blend in the eggs to the mixture. Grease and dust a 9x13 pan with flour. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

 

This black walnut cake is perfect for fall and winter!

peanut butter cookies

Another classic fall favorite is peanut butter cookies! I was looking through an old Illinois Shorthorn Lassies cookbook of my grandma Stevens and found this recipe!

 

 

1 cup      butter

1 cup      peanut butter

1 cup      brown sugar

1 cup      granulated sugar

3 cups      whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon      baking soda

1 teaspoon      salt

1 teaspoon      vanilla

2       eggs

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Blend together butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Add peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix ingredients well. Shape dough into one inch balls and place on a cookie sheet. Or, press balls of dough with a fork to flatten making a crisscross. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cookies cool.