12.25.2014

Christmas Week....


Christian and I started the week off right by taking in this gem. I am now in love with Moses. Thanks, Christian Bale.
 Christmas Eve was a foggy and majestic day...all day. It was BEAUTIFUL!!
 I did some last minute shopping and looked down at the perfect moment to see this in front of Trader Joe's.....
 The porch view after I had settled in.... still foggy....
Christmas day was filled with last minute wrapping, reflection, goats in Christmas attire, lunch and presents at mom's with my brother and sis-in-law (Christian spent Christmas with his mom and siblings as well) and a little dog-sitting... Dale is a good boy, but he does not like his picture taken like my animals... ha! 
I thought this was cool.... I zoomed out as fast as possible while snapping this pic.... It doesn't take much to amuse me, I guess...
We have this neighbor that stops by from time to time and he came by to wish us a Merry Christmas and shared a little insight on his wealth....


Baby in her new dress/ sweater vest and me in my new jammies.....

12.20.2014

Gifts for guys..... and gals - I would actually like most of these ;)

It's a bit too late to get these things online now in time for Christmas, but if you are also making 'after Christmas' plans with folks like me, there is still time!! Most of these are relatively affordable except for the badass telescope that is every kids dream, right?!?!? Christian & I are headed out to my grandma's house for a pre-Christmas lunch and family get-together. What are you doing? Last minute shopping? Last minute gift making? Wrapping? I will be doing all of the above when we get back home! I am a bit behind!!

To find out more info on each item, the pictures are active links as well! Just click on the pic and be taken to the site I grabbed it from! Happy Saturday!!!
http://uncrate.com/stuff/paddle-your-own-canoe/

http://shop.coolmaterial.com/products/beer-soap-4-pack

http://www.brasstelescopes.com/designer_series.html

http://shop.onefortythree.com/collections/frontpage/products/plywood-guitar-hook

http://www.amazon.com/Paddle-Your-Own-Canoe-Fundamentals/dp/0451467094/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419088182&sr=1-1&keywords=paddle+your+own+canoe

12.19.2014

Frugal Friday! Gifts Under $20!!

More fun  gifts for friends!! Click on picture to be taken to website to order! This is probably the last day to order off the web if you want it in time for Christmas!!!!













Happy Fridaaaaaay!! Ultimate Christmas Mixtape!

Happy Friday !! I have made an extra long mixtape since I neglected the midweek mixtape this week. A good mix of classic and non traditional music on this one, but it's ALL Christmas! I noticed I haven't posted too much about Christmas happenings this year, but with the benefit now behind me (it was a success!!) I have some catching up to do!!! I will slow down a bit this weekend to take photos of our tree, home, and maybe even some goats wearing bells ;) I am so excited for Christmas even though I haven't really bought any presents - being in my very first year as a homeowner makes you poor in the pockets, but rich in life! I did buy the farm a few Christmas presents though! I bought a couple of Colorado Blue Spruces seedlings just to see if they might actually take root and make some live Christmas trees for decorating in the future!!  .... Only time will tell! I grabbed these photos off a google search for "Christmas tree forest"... Can you tell what my place might look like in a decade or so? Ha!








12.16.2014

Two Cents Tuesday: My Skincare Raves.....

I am happy to say that over the last few years, I have finally figured out what my skin needs. I have always struggled with acne, and a few years ago I started changing up a few things. With a few diet changes and a few new habits I am starting to really feel good about my skin!! Of course I think a lot had to do with the stress factor and how having the farm AND home is really awesome FREE therapy...

I started making my own miracle wrinkle salve with a mxture of  lavender oil, coconut oil, and grassfed beef tallow at the end of last year...I use it every single day under my eyes, on my laugh lines, and on my lips after I get out of the shower every single morning! I know that will gross some people out, but I do have to admit that in the course of a year, the results are amazing! 

I also soak in a bath with an entire bottle of Bragg's Raw Apple Cider Vinegar once a week. It keeps my skin soft and smooth. 

If I do wear makeup, I only put a few dabs of Sonia Kashuk Creme Blush in Petal and L'oreal Telescopic Mascara in brown. I am a firm believer that as you get older, less make up is better (and makes you appear youthful!)

At night before bed, a few times a week I use the Freemans Black Sugar & Charcoal polish/ mask, rinse off after about 10 minutes... 

I also decided to try to go gluten free as much as possible. This means that at home I ALWAYS EAT GF. When out to dinner with friends or at holiday meals with family, I am not as strict. Usually after these rare indulgences, my face breaks out. Not that big of a deal, but who doesn't want to look their best, right? So my experiment of going GF has proven to me that I am sensitive to it. We do not have anything containing it in our house and all of my 'Sweet Stuff Sunday' treats are GF. It is actually amazing at the alternatives to wheat flour- I really don't go without anything that I love! 

I also try to remember to use Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate under my eyes just before I go to bed. I have had the same bottle for over two years and still have just under half a bottle. It's seems expensive, but lasts FOREVER!!! 

...annnnnd last but not least, I have been oil pulling. There is a lot of debate over what benefits this can actually have, BUT since I have been doing this, I never have chapped lips, my teeth seem less sensitive and whiter, my face seems more hydrated, supple, and healthy, and I also believe it helps with minor headaches and sinus pressure. Notice I said seems. That is because it works for me for the above reasons and may not work for everyone, but for me, it works many wonders. 





To find out more on the things listed above,  (in the post above, I have included direct links to purchase the products)  I am including links to articles explaining the benefits for acne prone skin below:
#1. Lavender oil benefits for acne
#2. Grassfed tallow benefits for skin
#3. Apple cider vinegar for acne and skin
#4. (link to purchase this can be found in the post above)
#5. (link to purchase this can be found in the post above)
#6. Review of Freeman's Charcoal & Black Sugar mask
#7. Gluten & Acne
#8. (link to purchase this can be found in the post above)
#9. Oil Pulling info

12.15.2014

Merry Monday: Gifts for Friends....

Merry Monday!! Click on each picture to be taken to direct site for more info! 
http://www.amazon.com/Anderson-Collection-Matt-Zoller-Seitz/dp/081099741X

http://www.orvis.com/p/orvis-fatwood/3r88?adv=584384&cm_mmc=Orvisbrand-_-Tm-x-home-us-exact-_-Tm-fatwood-home-x-x-x-x-_-orvis%20fatwood&gclid=CJzBqY_jqcICFYtr7AodbDkAuw

http://www.richardebishop.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26_35&products_id=1216&zenid=9j32usfc9drj7frb61smqnt3o6
http://www.biscuit-home.com/store/frida-kahlo-candle/dp/3557