Decorating Styles

There are so many decorating styles out there --- Primitive. Chic. Country. Beach. Romantic. Rustic. Coastal. Prairie. Cottage. Shabby. Western. --- and the list goes on and on. With all these styles to choose from, it can become a little overwhelming. And of course, each style means something else to each individual. 

My style is really a style that is all my own -- Country FarmHouse Style. As you will see, Country FarmHouse Style is a modge podge, mixed media of style combinations. A little of this, a bit of that and a pinch of something more. Decorating is a feeling --- a feeling of what home is to you. A feeling of comfort. A feeling of joy. Most importantly, a feeling of LOVE. 

I won't pretend to be an expert in the decorating field, believe me, I have many friends who put me to shame - I am in awe of their homes. I am not new to decorating, but my decorating style has evolved over the years --- in fact, some of it has changed completed --- and I do have lots of experience in choosing items and decorating on a budget. In fact, one of my favorite furniture pieces came from a dumpster -- 25 years ago -- it is still a focal piece in my home today. I hope that my blog posts and photos will offer you some inspiration -- as a newbie or someone who has been decorating for years. And maybe this is just the therapy I need --- to become a blessing, encouraging and inspiring others, while getting back to doing what I love.

I like the color WHITE but you won't find too much in my Country FarmHouse. Can you imagine white in my house with four kids, one that is special needs, eight grandchildren, a dog, a cat and husband who works in the construction field?? Yikes! But you will find lots and lots of CREAM, ANTIQUE WHITE, TEA-STAINED --- just enough white without worry *smiles*.

I also like a Simple Decor. Simple as in Less Cluttered. On a Budget. Living within my Means. As a stay at home mom for the last 27+ years, we have learned to live on just one income. Yes, I do have my own sources of income including my handmades and my various website items but that is not always a steady income and of course, it also depends on my availability of time. 

I love roses but you will not find big cabbage roses within my decor. You will, however, find simple Country Flowers - like Sunflowers, Lilacs, Daisies - and a few simple other floral arrangements.

You may also find that some of our remodeling projects take a bit longer to complete than others. Why? My wonderful husband and I prefer to do most things ourselves, even if it takes a few more months. Plus with a busy schedule as mine, which includes running our Country FarmHouse, caring for and homeschooling a special needs daughter, along with making sure we find family time (a very important priority to us!); a husband who is as busy, if not more so, and a busy schedule for our special needs daughter, as she competes in many Special Olympic events, our time can be very limited -- we thank you for your understanding and patience.

As you look through my posts, my pictures and as you follow along with me on this newest journey, my only goal is that you find INSPIRATION. It will be a great blessing to me if I can help just one other person find a "sense of belonging" in their own home.

COME ALONG and JOIN me on this INCREDIBLE GOD-GIVEN JOURNEY ... Helping you INSPIRE your IMAGINATION into REALITY!!

Country FarmHouse Blessings,

Country FarmHouse Decorating Inspirations

After many months of soul / heart searching, I am going to walk down the path that I believe God is leading me to do. One of my greatest loves was and continues to be --- DECORATING my HOME! I took great strides in decorating my home with a Country, Faith Inspired flair. It has been only recently that I am feeling this INSPIRATION AGAIN! And I am excited.

I am hoping to other INSPIRATION to others as they look through photos that I will be posting here, on the website, facebook and in my Decorating Portfolio. And of course, Prim 'n Purdy will continue to offer products available for purchasing too. These will include our HANDMADE items, vintage / redecorated items (FarmHouse Finds) and of course, a few new, hand-selected items from our wide assortment of vendors. 

On that note, let's start our New Journey with a little grouping that I put together over the weekend ... this photo is the area above our kitchen sink. The previous owners of our Country FarmHouse added an addition to the house but this is probably where the window overlooking the backyard was originally. I wish I had a BEFORE photo but this area has been changed and redecorated so many times that I wouldn't even know where to begin to look for the Original Before Photo.

Personally, I love the windowsill as it is but this can also be a harder area to decorate because there isn't much to work with. Unfortunately, the light above the sink needs to be replaced -- that will be another post. While looking at this grouping again this morning, I decided that the lantern will need to be moved. I also think a wonderful fabric valance of black homespun material will add some color and character to this space --- AGAIN, watch for updates to follow in the coming days!

Please continue to follow our Prim 'n Purdy Blog, our Facebook Page and our Website as I am looking forward to bringing you IDEAS and PRODUCTS that INSPIRE your Imagination into Reality.

Country FarmHouse Blessings,

Stepping Over the Threshold ...

For too long, I have avoided my studio. I know what you are thinking --- but wait, I see your posts about working on projects, etc. While I do work on projects, I don't work in my studio --- I work in the living room, my bedroom, the kitchen table --- everywhere EXCEPT my studio. I worked really hard last year at moving this room; I even moved it into an entirely different room, but I still just can't seem to "work" in it. I thought if I moved my room, remodeled, redecorated, even changed it from an office to a studio that all would be okay. Not the answer. Didn't solve my dilemma. 

You see, my office aka my studio, was the room that Mike and I spent a lot of time in --- more as he grew older. We had the most beautiful talks in my office --- and there are just so many memories. I can remember Mike coming home from school, even high school, and tell me that it was time to put down whatever I was working on because it was "Mike Time" --- just a little room in the house but what things we shared. We talked about school, life, his hopes and dreams, girlfriends, the things he wanted to accomplish in life, what I was making for dinner, and dessert too --- So Many Memories and MOMents that will forever be cherished in my heart.

BUT TODAY, I decided that it was TIME ... 

Time to step over the threshold and start moving forward. I opened the window and dusted its frame; letting the warm breezes and the sounds of the birds comfort me --- knowing that this is the journey God was telling me to take. I won't lie and tell you it was easy --- I had many MOMents of thoughts and tears. Although, I had to take a few breaks (most of them out of that room), I feel as if I accomplished something --- not a lot but at least I cleaned off the sewing table and the floor around it. And I also decided that this is something I NEED to do ... so I will set a timer, if necessary, and just organize and straighten until this room is completed and I can get back to designing, cutting fabric and sewing AGAIN. 

I know I can do this ... God has been asking / telling me to take this step and I've been trying to hold off as long as possible ... lots of perseverance, good thoughts and prayers ... but I WILL DO THIS with God's help!

Country FarmHouse Blessings,

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

HomeMade Macaroni and Cheese

This can be left as a Creamy Mac 'n Cheese or Bake it --- whatever you prefer

Ingredients
3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk, I use 2% milk
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
16 ounces process cheese (Velveeta, is our preferred brand), cubed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

Cook the macaroni according to package directions. While the water is boiling and noodles are cooking, it is the perfect time to cube your butter and processed cheese and measure out all the other ingredients. Drain noodles - set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour and gradually add milk. Cook and stir until thickened -- about 2 minutes.

Reduce heat; stir in sour cream, process cheese and Parmesan cheese. Stir and Cook until cheese is melted. Add salt, black pepper and ground mustard. Stir until blended into cheese mixture.

Add noodles to cheese mixture and voila! You have Creamy Macaroni and Cheese.

If you want Baked Macaroni and Cheese, add combined noodles and cheese mixture to a baking pan (I use a 12" x 9" pan). Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees until golden brown --- approximately 25-30 minutes.

This a GREAT side dish for any meal --- hot dogs, pork chops, chicken, ham, turkey, etc. ENJOY!

Country FarmHouse Blessings,

Lori's Oven Tacos

Need a Fast and Easy Recipe - this one is sure to please. When all the kids were living at home (we are talking 3 teenagers - 2 of them boys), I needed fast, easy recipes that were also a crowd pleaser.

Lori's Oven Tacos
Ingredients
Ground Beef (1 1/2 - 2 pounds)
Salsa (we use the jar salsa - Mild Type Salsa)
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix (optional, but it adds flavor), you can also use a store-bought version
1/4 c water (use only if you choose the seasoning mix option)
Taco Cheese
Tortilla type shells

Extras, if desired: Lettuce, Sour Cream

Brown ground beef and Drain. Mix in salsa, seasoning mix and water. Spoon the beef/salsa mix into the soft shells and place shells in a 13" x 9" pan. You will be stacking the shells horizontally so that there is a soft fold (like a regular taco). Just keep doing this until all the beef/salsa mix has been used. You can then add your taco cheese - as much or as little as desired. Bake in oven at 375 degrees until shells are lightly brown.

Let cool for a few minutes and add your own toppings - lettuce, sour cream, etc.

Note: When my 2 boys were high school, they played varsity football and each family took a turn cooking for the entire varsity football team. I made these at one of the dinners and we didn't have any leftovers --- of course, I made 3 pans full *smiles*

Country FarmHouse Blessings,

CrockPot Chicken Noodle Soup

This is an original recipe from the FarmHouse Kitchen of Lori Homeyer

I do NOT always use recipes. I am a cook who uses the little bit of this, dash of that, kind of system; but as I was making my Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup, I measured everything (yes, I have witnesses).

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients: 

6 chicken broth bouillon cubes
2 chicken breasts --- cut into small pieces * I always cook my chicken fresh, but you can also purchase the "pre-packaged" chicken, if you prefer
Liquid Chicken Broth - (I use enough to cover all the ingredients plus some) 48 oz container AND 32 oz container
1 c chopped celery
2 c chopped carrots
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 1/2 teaspoon all purpose salt-free seasoning (I make my own, but it includes the following ingredients: onion, parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper, lemon peel and paprika)
1 bag of wide egg noodles (use these later**)

In the crockpot, add all ingredients except for the noodles. Cover and let cook/simmer at a low temp for at least 3-4 hours. Shortly before dinner will be served, cook noodles on the stove. After noodles are soft, drain off excess water and add to the crockpot. Let warm for about 15 minutes --- use this time to set the table. 

Voila! Dinner is ready to be served.

**I have had many people ask, why don't you add the noodles to the crockpot right away. Well, I did that once and the noodles were very sogging; not appealing to look at or eat, in my opinion.

Country FarmHouse Blessings,

Let's Go Hiking

Mountains and Valleys

While working out today, I couldn't help but thinking of it as "Climbing the Mountain". In my mind, I could picture this beautiful mountain view with hiking and biking trails --- it was beautiful. Of course, when I opened my eyes, I was still riding my stationary bike, pedaling along in hubby's office. But for just a MOMent, the scenery was magnificent.

Sometimes the trials of life are when we learn the most --- the most about God, about ourselves, how we respond to difficulties and most importantly, what are we going to do to overcome the obstacle. I'm not saying that I like trials, who does??!! But during the trials while walking the valleys, the lowest and darkest times (at least it seems that way), we also know that we have no where to go but UP!! Up the Mountain, we MUST Climb --- crawling, scratching and during times, hanging on for dear life. But just imagine the view when we finally reach the TOP --- that place where God wants us to be; that point in our life that we need to reach in order to walk along the path (the journey) that He has chosen for us.

As I was "climbing THAT mountain" during my workout, it made me start thinking of all those "unfinished projects" that I have; those things that I have started and some just need one or two more things and they'll be complete. I don't want to be that way with God. YES, I want to be a W.I.P. "Work In Progress", but I don't want to be unfinished --- I want to continue to be obedient to Him and walk along my chosen path.

About halfway through my workout, I am struggling a little. Struggling because of an injury. Struggling because I am trying new things --- more biking, less running. Struggling because "am I really doing all that God has asked of me?" So what do I do? PRAY. Isn't that what we all should do --- the devil just loves to see us struggle; it's a great opportunity for him to start giving us reasons to doubt our Lord. Well, the devil can just take a flying leap off that mountain, I am thinking to myself, because God and I got this handled.

Now, God, what were you saying? Oh yes, two verses keep coming to mind. The first, of course, is one that most of know: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." And then, I remember Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Yes, I am understanding --- I am a W.I.P. and that's okay. I am doing what God wants and I am right where God needs me to be.

I know that there will always be trials and difficulties along my mountain trail. But with God's strength and His help, I will continue to crawl and claw my way out of the valleys; sometimes just hanging on for dear life knowing that God has a Perfect Plan "just for me". And that Perfect Plan includes a VIEW from the HIGHEST Mountain.

Are you struggling with daily life things right now? Do you feel like you are running the same trails (difficulties) over and over again? Are you reaching out to God; knowing that He has the answer you are seeking? Take some time today to put your focus back on God. Read His Word. Pray. Have some Quiet time with Him ... He will show you the answers you are seeking and guide you back on the right trail --- the right path you need to be taking.

Country FarmHouse Blessings,

Sharing A Lil' Southern Charm ....

Due to time restraints, I decided to post one of my favorite recipes ...


Country FarmHouse Sweet Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

3 Family Sized Tea Bags
Pinch of Baking Soda (I use 1/8 teaspoon)
1 cup of Sugar

Directions: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat. Add a pinch of baking soda to the water. Add Tea Bags. Cover. Allow to sit for about 10-15 minutes. Pour into a gallon pitcher and add sugar. Stir. Then fill the remainder of the pitcher with cold water. Stir again. Refrigerate. Serve over ice cubes.

This is the best Sweet Tea...everyone loves it!

Baking Soda will take the bitterness out of the tea and will also darken the tea. You will not taste it nor does it change the taste of the tea.

Enjoy!

Country FarmHouse Blessings,

FRIDAY is FOR ....

FANTABULOUS FUN

Fridays in our home our casual and fun. We like to things out of the normal or "just because". It's a day that even our homeschool lessons are fun and simple --- since we homeschool all year long this doesn't present any problems in our actual lessons or learning. We call Fridays' Fabulous ... the start of a wonderful weekend spent together as a family and with family. To honor "Fabulous Friday", I decided to start something new on my blog too.

FANTABULOUS FUN FRIDAYS. I know you are asking yourselves, what is she talking about *smiles*. I am going to mix things up and share many different, unique, fun, interesting, creative things on Fridays. I might talk about homeschool projects, FarmHouse Finds, fun things to do over the weekend (in our area, of course), creative ideas/projects that I am working on or even just simple things - a fun quote, a song that we love, etc.

For our FIRST FANTABULOUS FUN FRIDAY, I decided to talk about a Fun New Project that I've been working on. BUT first, I am to tell you that someone at American Patchwork & Quilting magazine MUST have been reading my mind. I received their April 2013 and finally had the opportunity to look through it. I am inspired (and who wouldn't be) but this is what caught my eye --- they have a quilt called "Color Me Crochet" and it's very similar to what I am working on --- the difference, of course, is that MINE really is CROCHETED!!

This is the "Color Me Crochet" Quilt in their April 2013 Magazine ...

Now here is what I have been working on since the end of January (or maybe the very beginning of February) --- it was supposed to be a birthday present for my husband's 50th birthday ~ better late than never *smiles*

As you can see, I am still making progress. The first photo shows my mix of granny squares --- crocheted and ready to be "sewn" together. The middle photo shows a few of my "sewn" 9 patch squares. The last photo shows A Work in Progress ..... My Version of a 9 Patch Afghan.

And here's another of my Work in Progress --- 9 Patch Crocheted Afghan

I hope this inspires you to have a "FANTABULOUS FUN FRIDAY" and a Wonderful Weekend too. See you on Monday *smiles*!!!

Country FarmHouse Blessings,