What's happening around the farm!

Well, a farm it will soon become.  The house is starting to come together.  It actually looks like a house now!

The windows have been delivered!  I can't wait to see what they look like when they're in!

Here are some pictures of the main level.  This is the entry way.  Above, there are 3 skylights which let in a TON of natural light.  This may be my favorite part of the house.  It's large enough for a table, coat rack AND Christmas tree.  When you walk in, you can look up to see the staircase and up to the second floor.

Here is a view of the entryway from upstairs.

Overlooking The kitchen.  Hard to tell because it's still boarded up, but there is a bay window at the front that overlooks the farm, and two skylights above.  There will be a wood burning stove in the corner near the stairs with an exposed pipe all the way up.  The ceilings are super high, giving it an open feel, but rooms are still separated like I love!

Here is the living room, gas fireplace to the left between the windows.

And, here is the dining room.  It's connected to the living room and right off of the entryway.   Another one of my favorite features is that extra large bay window that looks out over the farm.  I can't wait to be sitting at that table and look out over a snow covered field.  (You know, that ONE day in February since we live in the south?)

Let's head upstairs.  This is the master bedroom, it's at the back of the house.  It's a good size room.  Looks large here because bathroom walls aren't in yet. I wanted smaller rooms.  You should see one of the other bedrooms.  It's super small, and it's one of my favorites.  It just feels cozy and so farmhouse-y that way.

And here, the master bathroom.  Another large bay window, and in that bay window will sit my clawfoot bathtub.  I can't wait to soak, and look out over my farm.

There's two other bedrooms upstairs here.  And, a fourth bedroom on the main level which will be a guest room and playroom.

And, were getting closer to that farm status.  I planted a small garden for the fall this year.  You know, because I don't have enough on my plate, I decided to plant a garden that will need tending to that is 20 miles from where our rental home is.  I don't do easy, apparently.  We've got 3 different types of lettuce, spinach, collards, broccoli, onions, some green peppers, jalapenos and tomatoes still going strong, and I've got a blueberry bush in there.  We love blueberries and will add some more of those in the spring!  And, I bought 40 mixed tulip bulbs to plant in the garden for some spring color!

Each night, Laila and I head out to finish up planting and water the garden. She's a pretty happy doggie when she's out there! 

That's what's happening so far on the farm!  I feel like it's all coming together so quickly, but moving in seems so far away still!  Thanks for stopping by!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Happy 4th!!

Happy Fourth of July from our family to yours!! 

Breakfast Burritos: Spinach, Green Pepper, Eggs and onions!

These breakfast burritos are awesome! I love the spinach in them for an extra healthy additive and energy, but you can always leave that out or substitute for something else, bacon or sausage even! These freeze great, and are huge money savers compared to HotPockets or Breakfast sandwiches. Not to mention eating out when you're in a hurry, or in need of a grocery trip and its slim pickin's for breakfast! 

First, I chop up one green pepper and half a yellow/sweet onion. Throw it all in a pan with a tbsp of butter. Cook on low to soften. I start with green pepper and let that cook while chopping onions to give it more time to soften. When the onions are translucent, they're done! 

While these cook up I chop about 1/2 or 2/3 bag of baby spinach. It wilts on the pan, so doesn't have to be too small. I also mix up in a separate bowl a dozen eggs. 

Add spinach to pan and let wilt. Doesn't take long. 

I then transfer all of this to a separate bowl to hold and use as I assemble each batch. 

Back to the pan. I start with another dab of butter. Add in about 1/2 cup of eggs or so. A handful of the spinach/pepper/onions mixture and sprinkle on some cheese. Here I've used cheddar, but A Pepper Jack blend is SO much more delicious! You can also sprinkle a bit of pepper and salt if you like. I usually leave salt out. Let this cook up until it's just about cooked, but not over cooked. Remember, these are headed to the freezer to be reheated later, so they'll cook some more then too! 

Now, let's assemble our burrito! Each of these "batches" make two burritos. You can cook in larger batches if you have a bigger pan, or even a bigger stock pot. I lay out a piece of Saran Wrap, then lay on a large soft tortilla. 

Fold in the "short side"....

Over goes the long sides....

Then roll it over! 

Fold over the Saran Wrap, then place into gallon bag! Store in the freezer! To reheat, pull one out, take out of plastic wrap and wrap in paper towel. Defrost in microwave then zap about 30 seconds or so until it's warm through the middle. I like to stick mine in the oven on 350 degrees after defrosting to crisp up that crust! 

Enjoy! 

Shopping list!

One dozen eggs

Bag of baby spinach or homegrown about 2-3 cups

One green pepper

Half of a sweet onion

Shredded Pepperjack cheese (or cheese of your choice)

Soft Tortilla wrap

Be completely humble & gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

A New Beginning

Today, we set off on a new adventure. After just two short years in this home, we have listed it for sale. We begin our journey to "the farm life". This house is amazing, the neighborhood and location, also, perfect. It's in the county, not the city!  God is calling us for something else, something more.  There's a bigger picture here. 

When we moved into this home, I distinctively remember saying "we are never moving again". I looked at our new, beautiful home, hugged my husband and said "this is it, we're home". And in that exact moment, I'll never forget it, God went "nope". If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans, right? So, here we are. For sale. Let me show you around!!

Come on in! 

When you first walk in, to the left is a formal living room.

And to the right, the dining room. I love extending this table out as far as it goes to feed my family for holidays and special events! 

Straight back takes you to the Family room with a gas fireplace and a bay window that overlooks the woods. 

And, here's the half bath we passed getting back to the family room. 

All of the rooms flow well into each other, and off the family room, which also attaches to the dining room, is the eat in kitchen! There's more counters and the stove on the other side of the refrigerator, just didn't snag a pic of it!

Ready to head upstairs? There are 4 bedrooms upstairs. I only currently have pictures of 3 of them because my daughter was napping. Up the steps to the right, as you past a large linen closet there is the spacious master bedroom. 

Not one, but two walk in closets. Yes my friends, my husband loves having separate closets, he also loves that I cleaned it up for pictures ;) This one is "hers", which is really large. 

And this one? This color coordinated, always perfectly organized closet is "his". 

You can see the sinks on the right here, and down in the back is the shower and toilet, which has a door. 

This is bedroom #2. 

And bedroom #3. Bedroom #4 isn't currently pictured because my youngest was napping, and I never wake sleeping children :) 

Another full bathroom up here to service these bedrooms. 

Let's head to the basement! One of my favorite spots to retreat! It's completely finished and the storage down here is amazing! Just wait and see! It also has the 5th bedroom of the house and a full bathroom with double sinks! 

Here is the first main space. It's got heat and air conditioner down here. 

Here's another view of that space from the other end of the room. Room in between for a desk space! 

And here's the other end of the basement.

Turn to the left and there is a closet, and then the bedroom and bathroom. This bedroom we use as a playroom. It's really nice to keep that mess in one place, and then shut the door!! 

Check out this closet in that bedroom. This is just one of the closets in this room. I know! It's storage central down here, and this isn't even the end of the closets!! 

Here is that full bath right outside the bedroom. 

And, out the back door downstairs is one of my favorite spots! The covered patio! So cool during the summer, we just sit back and watch the kids play. And, check out the large shed! 

And the woods, make the perfect scene! 

Back inside, because the basement tour isn't over yet, we enter the mother load of storage!! THIS!!! This is amazing. Am I right? Am I right? 

And here we are, full circle back out the front door! The cul de sac has been great for the girls, riding their bikes, drawing with chalk, but it's time to say goodbye. Were leaving the cul de sac, and headed to farm life!! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Xoxo

Jennifer 

“But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28

Hearty Crockpot Chili Mac

Tonight's dinner was so good I just had to share it! I love finding meals that we all eat, including my two year old and four year old. The best part? With one recipe we have a ton of leftovers! Leftovers do my budget good! 

I will give you the link to the recipe I used. I didn't change much. I used a can of crushed tomatoes instead of the tomato juice just because I had it on hand, but then I cooked my noodles separately since it was a little thicker. I brown my beef right in my crockpot before I add any other ingredients as well. Serve it up with some crusty rolls and you've got yourself a great meal! This is definitely going on my winter dinner rotation. 

Get the recipe at http://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/hearty-chili-mac/

Waiting on a Snow Day

I've been rearranging my house a bit. We've lived here for a little over a year, and I really believe you have to live somewhere awhile before you can really get a feel for how it's supposed to be set up and be able to make it a functional room- not to mention- spend no money on furniture. Rearranging is my thing. I do it a lot. I like to keep things fresh. And you know, keep my husband guessing when he gets up in the dark. 

Don't mind the mess. Kids were coloring. It's hard to keep them entertained on such cold days! But, this is entering my family room from the hall. I love how big this room is. I want it to feel cozy but I wanted to keep it pretty open, so there's still play space. I love the light that comes in from our Bay window that looks out into the woods.  A dark TV cabinet is on the way for the corner which will really help this space. Keepin' it real....we're having a pajama day! We have a lot of those when we don't go anywhere. 

Here I've got some of my winter decor on the fireplace with some lit heart garland from The Dollar Spot at Target. 

I love the snow. I'm still crossing my fingers  and hoping we're about to get some. 

Turning the corner into the kitchen is my chalkboard- which I love - beckoning for some more snow days. 

That's all that's going on here lately! Cold, stuck inside- just waiting for white fluffy stuff to fall. 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Xoxo *Jennifer *