The Angels are singing - can you hear them?

Michal Paul (my darling brother) and Miss Kelly in awe of it all!

Every time you hurriedly dawn the doors of yet another store, shopping for gifts for the ones you love and there's a volunteer ringing The Salvation Army bells and you donate to this noble cause.....

An Angel sings!

Every time you hug a friend and share good cheer, truly wishing them the very best in life and a blessed Christmas.....

An Angel sings!

Every time a new born child enters this world and cries for the first time embraced in his mothers arms.....

An Angel sings!

Every time you give of yourself; your time, clothing, food, money for shelter for those in need.....

An Angel sings!

Every time you hear sleigh bells ring and children, both big and small laughing, as a horse drawn sleigh pulls them across a snow glistened landscape of magic, innocence and delight.....

An Angel sings!

Every time a new believer comes to know his Lord and Savior for the first time.....

A Choir of Angels sing! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH!

For this is truly what Christmas is all about!

Merry Christmas to all and may YOU hear.........The Angels sing in joyous exclamation for You!

Musings from the farm this Christmas 2011!

XOXOXOXO Kelly

The Twelve days of Christmas! More than a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

On the first day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of my undivided time and attention.......

On the second day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of genuine encouragement and enthusiasm.....

On the third day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of creativity and energy.....

On the fourth day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of Simple Seasonal Pleasures: baking, crafting, conversations, making lasting memories and such.......

On the fifth day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of tenderness.....

On the sixth day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of good cheer.....

On the seventh day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of beauty-----found in nature, art, music, animals and above all people.....

On the eighth day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of communication-----positive, honest and and loving.....

On the ninth day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of surprise! Just because.....

On the tenth day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of Childlike wonder and faith "I believe in them, who they are and are becoming" ......

On the eleventh day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of freedom, freedom to be all that God calls them to be without judgement or criticism.....

On the twelfth day of Christmas, I gave the ones I love:

The gift of unconditional JOY and LOVE!

So ~ this Christmas, let the Holy Spirit work thru you, For it is to be about a Season of "GIVING" - not getting; but what I have found to be true, is that when you give these gifts that I am talking about ~ you, also will receive the "gifts" ten fold!

Merry Christmas! May we all partake in God's gift of Grace and Love and Let there truly be "Peace on Earth, Good Will towards men."

Musings from the farm on a "Snow Kissed" day, truly; a Beautiful Winters day indeed! XOXOXO Kelly

Ordinary things can be Extraordinary! It's all in your attitude!

A desire to grow, have adventure and become a better person; a more interesting person, a "fun" person to be around......tells me that I need to INTENTIONALLY lean into life more; SAVOR each moment as it unfolds, BE FULLY ENGAGED, and be OPEN to the "NEWNESS" of life each day! 

BE GREATFUL!  It's an ATTITUDE thing; it's an up to YOU thing!  SO............What's ya goin' doing friend?  I hope you'll set down your CROWN....... ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES ........ and do EXTRAORDINARY things today ! 

     Musings from the farm!  

XOXOXOOX Kelly ( at Grandma Elsie's kitchen sink)



Real Fruit! Fruit of the Spirit!

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. (Gal. 5:22-23)

It's easy to Love, give and do when things are going "our way" when we have plenty and feel safe, comfortable and secure. But....real love, genuine kindness, joy and goodness comes when the opposite circumstances are taking place; when things are tight, when we feel stretched or fearful. When we give from our personal stash, our best, our reserve; when we pay someone a compliment and encourage them instead of competing, comparing, judging or being jealous; honestly wanting the very best for another----then we're truly being kind and living goodness! Integrity is doing the right thing no matter what, especially when no one is watching or would ever know. 

Faithfulness and self control: I don't think that you can be good unless you've been tempted to be bad. Yes it's nice when life is smooth, easy and going just as we've planned............but we learn and grow most when life deals us difficult situations; when we must choose what we'll stand for; making a tough call....but making it none the less....and doing the right thing.  When we get to the other side we can celebrate, reflect, share and rejoice. Real temptations, struggles and conflict-----they're really not so much "around" us as they are "within" us.  When we conquer our fears, we climb to the top of the mountain and we can watch the most beautiful sunset and know that it is well with our soul.  For we are at peace with the choices that we made today.  Doing life together, encouraging one another. Living a joy filled "Fruitful" life.  So-----Be the change that you want to see in the world and the world will change!

Faith, by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  (James 2:17)

"You can not keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." (Martin Luther)

So, today, when life happens-----------and it will, YOU CHOOSE LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL. Due this for God, yourself and your fellow man.

Musings from the farm on a December day!

Love and Hugs always, Kelly

Going Fishing

My brother and I were very blessed to have my Grandma Elsie and Grandpa Paul in our lives. My brother, Michal Paul, and I spent a lot of time with them because my parents owned businesses and were working all the time to try and provide a nice life for us.

One of the things we did alot with my grandparents was camping. What great memory-making fun we had! Preparing for the trip, driving to the destination, choosing a private spot, setting up camp, exploring the lay of the land, making camp fires, cool crisp mornings waking up to the smell of bacon and eggs cooked in a cast iron skillet, yum; the best smells and breakfast ever. We hunted for frogs by moonlight, brushed our teeth in the cold creek water, ate golden smores', played cards, and fished everyday! What a perfect classroom for relationship building and lessons of life. Now at the time I didn't realize it but grandma and grandpa were teaching my brother and I "life lessons." They were 100-level courses in patience, respect and tenderness for all living things of the natural world, plant identification and so on. Beginners sessions in the importance of preparation and hard work for the end result of a warm inviting campfire to enjoy at the end of the day, fish to fry for dinner, setting up and taking down camp "shelter" and teamwork; an understanding and commitment to community. And especially for me, the frequent whispers of, "Kelly, hold still, be quiet, and be patient and wait; if you want to the fish to bite!" Yes, these were, and still are, great life lessons; ones that I still work on and remember fondly today.Oh how thankful I am for Grandma Elsie and Grandpa Paul. I wouldn't trade these times for the anything!

So as I am bundled up and stocking the fireplace with wood, looking into the fire here at our farm, I remember those days with warmth and tenderness in my heart.Today I am gathering natural things to display on our rustic mantle. There is fresh greenery, log slices, pine cones, candles, a family photo I bring out each Christmas of a horse drawn slay in the snow in Waterville, Washington and a magical snowman; like the ones we use to make. I think back to my experiences and times with my brother and grandparents and our great camping adventures and of learning, exploring and living. With a grateful heart I can close my eyes and be right back at Foggy Dew Campground once again. As I "dew" there is a warm flood of wonderful memories spent with people I love. I can see and smell the campsite, feel the fire and hear the sounds of nature all around me; doing life together, simple things but things that really matter........I wouldn't trade my growing up years, our camping experiences with my grandparents and brother for anything. As you set up your tree and hand your Christmas decorations I hope you'll pause and take the time to think upon and reflect on some of your childhood memories. Family, Christ, His birth and why He came... these are the things that truly matter.Yes I am blessed and so are you. Now if you'll excuse me----I think, if only in my memories, I'll go fishing for a while.

XOXOOXO Kelly

"Come follow me", Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men". At once they left their nets and followed him.

Mathew 4: 19-20

SPREAD JOY!

Do you know how you do this! Be authentic! Be real! Be selfless! Care about others more than thinking about yourself! Give sincere compliments! Encourage! Rejoice in others successes! Embrace them, hug and LOVE them! With no agenda or attachments! Simply support them with your undivided time, experience and resources!

Share from your heart what is real; what you have learned from "your" mistakes and successes and truly------LISTEN-------truly listen to where the other person is coming from! Live out Loud! Spread and nurture------REAL TRUE No-Strings-Attached JOY And see what happens! Then-----------Share a Cupcake to Celebrate!

Musings from the farm! Kelly

Simple Abundance

ABIDE (v.) dwell, reside, live, stay; tolerate, endure, submit, remain, stay. ABUNDANCE (n.) plenty, sufficiency, profusion, luxuriance, fullness, and so on! SIMPLIFY (v.) clear, clean, disentangle; come down to earth "I like that one"! Call a spade a spade "like that one too" (adverb) Simply, purely, solely, only, unadorneadly; in the raw, in plain terms; (adjectives) plain, homely, homespun, earthy “I like that" down-to-earth, ordinary. Soooo---------- take the ordinary and make it Extraordinary with your touch!

I'm learning and I'm longing to SLOW DOWN, take big deep intentional breaths and just be still. I love life, nature, and the natural, rustic, uninterrupted, un-hurried life at the farm! Real beauty, awesome, natural incredible art. Real raw art in the trees, the foliage and the woodland creatures. To watch as they unfurl and uncurl and change right before my eyes with each new passing day; each new season! They blow to-and-fro without an explanation, recognition or worry. Just doing what God intends and asks them to do. I long to be more like nature! Unafraid, non-competing, unhurried, not worried; simply living one day at a time and joining in communion with everything around me. Complimenting, encouraging, and connecting; all the while, living in beautiful harmony with what's set before me.

I want to know who I really am, in order to do what I was meant to do; to really find what I've been looking for all my life! MUSE: To ponder, consider, or deliberate at length. "I went into the woods to find myself, to be quiet, unhurried, without an agenda; not to be "The Queen" but a quiet woodland elf, to co-exist, to just be....surrounded by nature; more beautiful than I, with so much to teach me. Me as the student and nature, my simple surroundings; the teacher. It's a beautiful dance just between me and my creator; in his grand ballroom! Not man made, but God made......The most beautiful work of Art of all! I think I'll have this dance and stay for awhile! I'm not going to worry, or hurry, excuse me while I DANCE, LIVE, and LOVE! I'm going to Abide! And if it shall snow....while then I'll make a snow angel! Why don't you come and join me!

Musings from the farm, Kelly

Fellowship!

Real fellowship is about Experiencing LIFE together!  It includes unselfish loving, honest sharing, serving, sacrificial giving, genuine sympathetic comforting, and Really  REALLY listening (put down and turn off your cell phone for a while, it won't kill you, I promise! ) Friendship, Fellowship, "Due to others what you'd want done to you"   Integrity!  Genuine LOVE! 

It's what God's all about!  Christmas!  It's all about Him!  Not me and you!  He came for us!  Oh happy day!  He wants us to LIVE OUT OUR DAYS IN FELLOWSHIP with one another!  Try it, you might like it! 

Big fat juicy hugs and kisses from the farm!  XOXOXO

Junkin' Jewels Workshop

Come Join Sheila at The Peacock Cafe
in Leavenworth, KS
for
Junkin' Jewelson
Saturday, Nov 19th from 2-4 pm
Workshop Fee: $45

Learn easy jewelry techniques as we create a one of a kind piece of wearable art.  Please note this class uses vintage finds so no two will be the same.  If you have a favorite vintage item bring it along so you can repurpose it into a treasured piece.

Supplies Needed:  If you have Round Nose and Flat Nose Pliers please bring them.  If not a limited amount of tools will be available for students to share.

Invite and girlfriend and come make it a day!

Come for fabulous lunch and yummy dessert. Then finish it off your day with a creative workshop shared with other creative souls.

Seating is limited so call now to reserve your spot.

913-651-9914

Reflections of the Past Workshop

Come Join Sheila at The Peacock Cafe

in Leavenworth, KS

for

Reflections of the Past

on

Saturday, Oct 22nd from 2-4 pm

Workshop Fee: $35

Come create this soldered mirror treasure.

Learn how to “rub” off the mirror backing to create a one of a kind look into the past as you look to the future. Then we will be using simple soldering and aging techniques to complete.

Invite and girlfriend and come make it a day!

Come for fabulous lunch and yummy dessert.  Then finish it off your day with a creative workshop shared with other creative souls.

Seating is limited so call now to reserve your spot.

913-651-9914

Boo Bitty Banner Workshop

Come Join Michaele at The Peacock Cafe

in Leavenworth, KS

for

Boo Bitty Banner Workshop

on

Saturday, Sept 24th from 2-4 pm

Workshop Fee: $15

Come create this cute, festive banner to welcome Halloween in this year.

Students will leave the workshop with a “bitty banner” created with boo-tiful paper, tulle, tatty lace and trim remnants and glittery cardstock

Students please bring scissors and a low temp glue gun to class.

 

Invite and girlfriend and come make it a day.

Come in for a delicious lunch, top it off with a yummy dessert.

Then finish it off your day with a creative workshop shared with other creative souls.

Seating is limited so call now to reserve your spot.

913-651-9914

Autumn in Beige Workshop

Come Join Nora at The Peacock Cafe

in Leavenworth, KS

for

Autumn in Beige Workshop

on

Saturday, August 20th from 2-4 pm

Workshop Fee: $40

Nora will be combining beautiful fabrics and textures to create this unique purse. She will be teaching easy weaving techniques and using simple sewing to complete the purse.

Please note that some of these fabrics and laces will be different from the picture shown as Nora will be using some lovely vintage finds to make each purse a one of a kind treasure. 

Some may not be able to complete this project within the class period,
but easy instructions will be given to complete at home.

Come make it a day.

Come in for a delicious lunch, top it off with a yummy dessert.

Then finish it off your day with a creative workshop shared with other creative souls.

Seating is limited so call now to reserve your spot.

913-651-9914

Getting Creative

Saturday, we all go creative with Sheila as she taught an amazing solder/stamp art workshop at The Peacock Cafe! 

 It was so great to have some fabulously ladies join us in our creative workshops.

Mark your calendars now for August, 20th from 2-4 pm.  Nora Neeley will be teaching Autumn in Beige purse workshop.  Be looking for pictures and more information posted tomorrow.



Let Your Heart Take Flight Workshop--Rescheduled

Due to summer schedules we will be rescheduling the class until July 30th...

Come Join Sheila at The Peacock Cafe

in Leavenworth, KS

 for

Let Your Heart Take Flight Workshop

on

Saturday, July 30th from 2-4 pm

Workshop Fee:  $40

 We will be combining soldering, metal stamping and using blackening techniques to create this one of a kind artwork.  This can easily be made into a necklace for those wanting to create a beautiful piece of wearable artwork. 

 Or finished like shown, for a lovely decor to hang in your home or give as a gift. 

 

Come make it a day.  Come in for a delicious lunch, top it off with a yummy dessert. 

Then finish it off your day with a creative workshop shared with other creative souls.

Seating is limited so call now to reserve your spot.

913-651-9914

Picnics and Polka Dots Bunting Class at The Peacock!

Would you like to learn how to make paper and ribbon bunting and picnic-inspired cupcake toppers for your summer parties?  If you're in the Leavenworth, Kansas area and would like to join me (Michaele Sommerville) and Sheila Rumney for some papercrafting picnic-y and polka-dotty fun, call or drop by The Peacock Cafe (phone:  913-651-9914) to register today!

The class registration, materials and instruction fee is $30.  Participants will make and take party bunting and a set of cupcake toppers.  Don't be surprised if you use these party items as templates for other celebrations and holidays throughout the year: 4th of July, birthdays, weddings, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's, Easter... the possibilities are endless!

Please bring scissors (for cutting paper) and a low temp glue gun and sticks.  I'll provide the paper, ribbon, buttons, fabric, lollipop sticks and instructions!

Hope to see you soon (June 18, 2011, 2-4 p.m. to be exact!),

Michaele

Happy Easter

Wishing you a joyous Easter.

Farmgirl Kelly

Creativity at The Peacock

Sweet & Charming Soldering Workshop $35
Sat, May 14th 2-4 pm
at The Peacock

Michaele Sommerville and Sheila Rumney are teaming together to bring you Sweet & Charming Soldering Class. Learn simple techniques to soldering around wooden dominos and glass charms. 

Each student will come away with 2 soldered charms that you can combine together as a drop or wear as 2 soldered charms. Multiple images for the glass charm will be provided.

Call the Peacock at  913-651-9914 to reserve your spot.  Limited space available so call now.

More Inspirational Workshops Coming

Sat, June 18th 2-4 pm
at The Peacock

Retreat at Farmstead

Earlier this month, we had a Christian Women's group to Farmstead for a weekend retreat filled with delicious food, a creative workshop taught by Sheila Rumney and women coming together to share and connect.

It was incredible time here at the Farm...  seeing spring bursting forth...

 Women creating, sharing, laughing....

  creating and connecting.

 

Thank you ladies for making Farmstead your retreat destination.  We hope to see you again here at the Farm!

Are you looking at a beautiful place to host your next event or retreat?  We will customize your food and creative workshop to suit your group's need.  Call Kelly at 816-858-0120 to schedule your next event at the Farm.

Farmgirl, Kelly

What do I...

and these two creative ladies...and this talented ladyand this place all have in common?
We will all be bringing you inspirational workshops to The Peacock!  So save these dates:

April 16th, 2 - 4 pm  -- The Vintage Nest Workshop
May 14th, 2 - 4 pm -- Sweet & Charming SolderingWorkshop
June 18th, 2 - 4 pm  -- Inspirational Workshop - Details Coming Soon

Pictures and more information coming soon!

Happy Spring

Today is a gorgeous day!  Hope you take time to go out an enjoy...



A Girl Can Dream

of warm sunny days, sitting here and enjoying the fresh country air...

Bloomin' with Inspiration

There is nothing quite as exciting as getting together with like minded girlfriends for dinner and conversation. Last night was an incredible night filled with laughter, prayer, great conversation and bloomin’ forth with inspirational classes that we will be presenting at The Peacock Café starting in April. More details coming soon!

The Peacock Café

Hello Farmstead Friends!

I'm Michaele Sommerville from Twigs and Tulle and I am ~*thrilled*~ to be guest-posting here for Kelly at Farmstead Lifestyle!

I met Kelly two years ago when a friend invited me along to Farmstead's Hootin'-Annie's Farm Festival and darlin's, Farmgirl Kelly caught me hook, line and sinker with her creative exuberance, sharing heart, fabulous fashion sense, joyous spirit, boundless energy, smiling eyes and talent for making the ordinary extraordinary:

When news spread that Kelly had brought a taste of Farmstead to Leavenworth in the form of a wonderful new café, I knew I had to take my friends to see and taste the magic that was certain to win over hearts and tastebuds:

The Peacock Café is a "swanky, hip boutique bakery" located at 109 N. 5th Street in Leavenworth, Kansas, across from City Hall at the corner of 5th Street and Shawnee:

Open the doors, step inside, and take in all of the Peacock's perfection:

... and when you're ready to enjoy a blissful lunch (followed by dessert and coffee, of course!), take a gander here:

You can build your own sandwich by choosing the meat, cheese, bread and fixin's, but take my advice and add a bowl of Kelly's wonderful soups or salads to the side... the ~perfect~ lunch combination!

When you're ready for a sweet treat, *do* consider sending the Diet Angel perched atop your shoulder off on a mini-vacation:



Kelly's carrot cake was so good I almost forgot to put my fork down to take a photo!  See the crumbs?  There are several wonderful blends of coffee bagged for sale and brewed at the Peacock Café, so indulge yourself and take some home for your next wake-up pot:



You're certain to see Kelly bustling to and fro with her friendly staff when you visit, so say hello and admire the wonderful apron she's probably wearing, a ~dreamy~ repurposed flour or sugar sack:



The Peacock Café is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.  If you're local (or driving through for a visit!) and wanting to order take out, make sure to call before the noon rush:  913-651-9914

Keep visiting Farmstead Lifestyle for more updates on Farmstead events and the Peacock Café or find them on Facebook here and here!

Happy eating,

Michaele