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The Kids’ Handmade Ornaments

In Farm Life, How To by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

I really cannot claim to be overwhelmingly crafty. I do, though, enjoy a fun project now and then – particularly when it gives the kids a distracting chance to make a controlled mess. Salt dough ornaments are one of those projects. It’s hardly a tradition. We don’t make them every year – but I have made them for the first Christmases …

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Living the Life

In Farm Life by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

Some days, it’s really easy to count the things I’m not grateful for: I’ve held on to too much weight after having the kids, I don’t ever have any time to slow down, everything is stressful, our renovation still isn’t done, I can’t fathom starting the next phase of work on the kitchen, the dishes aren’t done, the house is …

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Let There Be Lights

In Farm Life by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

Over the past few years, we’ve really struggled to do the house up in all its Christmas garb the way we’d like. Juggling young kids, a renovation, two full-time jobs and multiple full-time projects – decorating is usually the very last thing on our list. And, it usually gets booted off before we can ever even consider busting out all …

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Our Annual Christmas Tree Chop

In Farm Life by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

Every year, we pick a fresh pine from a local tree farm to bring home for the holidays. With only one exception (the very first year we met), we’ve continued this tradition since before we got engaged, got married, had kids and bought a farm. It’s honestly probably the most consistent and reliable thing in our lives. This year didn’t …

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A Little Bit of Christmas

In Farm Life by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

We’re getting a smidge of a head start on our Christmas decorating with the assembly of my vintage 8′ Evergleam aluminum tree. I snagged this stunner last winter when a Facebook friend listed it for sale along with the original color wheel. My jaw dropped then and I’ve been in complete shock that I was actually able to grab it …

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Celebrating Veterans Day Weekend with Our Veteran Friends

In Community, Farm Life by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

The whole family is excited to be celebrating Veterans Day weekend on the road and out of the house. Typically, I wouldn’t include our non-farm stories on the blog – but Farmer Crossley’s past experience in the military is a pretty significant underpinning of our lives. Plus, our Veteran friends in Oklahoma have an outdoor wonderland of their own that was …

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The Pears are Ripe

In Farm Life, Orchard Hill by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

Last year, we lost the pear tree to an early freeze and Cedar Apple Rust. This year, we lost some of the pear tree to another early freeze and a lighter case of Cedar Apple Rust. But, some of the pear tree is thriving. And, Isai is loving it. We’ve been grabbing pears for a quick bite while we roam. …

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The Ladies are Laying

In Farm Life, Harvest, Livestock by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

Our sweet ladies in the henhouse are working overtime apparently. They’ve finally hit an amazing stride of delivering half a dozen eggs every single day. You guys, it’s so many eggs. So, we’re on a mission to be a little more entrepreneurial in what happens with these golden butt nuggets. We’ve explored some options on price, distribution methods, packaging, etc. …

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Morning in the Front Pasture

In Farm Life by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

This morning, the front pasture looked like the biggest, purest breath of fresh air. The early sunshine glowed over the bright blue sky. The rich green grass popped in contrast. It was stunning. As I was heading into the office, I couldn’t help but snag a couple of photos from the end of the driveway. “Heading into the office.” It …

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Haunted Shed Party and Pumpkins

In Farm Life by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

Nana’s house is always a pretty special place. Tonight, she surprised us all with a haunted shed party. We planned for a night of chili and pumpkin carving – but when we arrived, the entire shed was dark and decorated for creepy fun. The kids had a blast playing in her homemade corn crib. This is a fun activity typically reserved …