oh hey FRIDAY // 5 on Friday // Farm Life & Santa Clauses

Happy Friday friends! 

Random things going on this week from work to crafting to getting ready for our pictures Sunday to getting Coach's gift ready for our 2 Year Anniversary Monday.. TWO years! We have survived another year and I can say it only continues to get better. 

Busy weekend ahead and I am still DYING to get our Christmas decorations going in our house.

So. Excited.

1.

The trees are turning BEAUTIFULLY in the pasture! Oh my goodness. The gold one in the back is my favorite popping out near the wedding site! We are taking our fall pictures Sunday so I hope the wind holds off so there will be some color left!

2.

Shane and his Dad have been working on the barn this past week. They have done such a great job on it!

3.

SO. US!!

My Mom sent this to us and it's just hilarious!

4.

Can you say Olan Mills pose? These puppies just crack me up.

5.

I finished these last night! 

When I found them on Pinterest I was super bummed there wasn't a tutorial... BUT stop traffic! You'll be seeing one from me this week!

 Hope your weekend is awesome!

Fabric Garland Tutorial

Here it is! 

I had SOOOO much fun with Amber when we got together for a little garland making. We saw the idea at the Hoschton festival we all went to and she let me dig thru her scrap fabrics in her studio to make my very own! 

She made hers for her mantle and actually used lights as her twine. One of the fabrics she used was an old bridesmaid dress and it ended up being GORGEOUS! Word on the street is her tree is already up too. I can't WAIT to see it!! 

Well let's get started!

You will need:

fabric of your choice

scissors or handle rotary cutter

cutting board

twine

iron (if fabric needs to be smoothed)

1. 

Start out by cutting your fabric into 9x2 strips. 

I started out with the scissors but soon changed to the rotary because its faster and easier. Amber is a pro-fess-ion-al with that tool. 

Just a warning you will cut and cut and cut and when you feel like you are finished I suggest to cut a little more.

2. 

I tied a knot at the end of the twine to make sure my fabric didn't slide off..

3.

And then I just started tying and tying and tying. Some were double knotted and some were single... like the corduroy because it was super thick so most of that fabric was a single knot.

4.

Tie the end of the twine when you reach your desired length and enjoy your garland!

Amber pointed out that I'll be able to use mine for not only Christmas but July 4th and more!

YAY! 

It's What's for Dinner... Paleo Style

I sure did miss you guys yesterday! My plan is to catch up with all you guys today! The going to bed early at a decent hour has continued the past few nights.. WHOO HOO I'm on a roll! Seriously tho, 10:30 bedtime and I've been getting a good 8-9 hours restful sleep. I'm. Loving. It! 

Yesterday was a FULL day, and I just didn't make it here because I knew I would miss my bedtime if I would have opened my laptop. 

BUT, I wanted to share with you a new recipe I found last night for us to try for din din.

PALEO CROCKPOT JAMBALYA SOUP

Ingredients:

5c. chicken stock

4 peppers - any color you want, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

1 large can of organic diced tomatoes (leave the juice)

2 cloves garlic, diced

2 bay leafs

1 lb large shrimp, raw and de-veined

4 oz chicken, diced

1 package spicy Andouille sausage

1/2 -1 head of cauliflower

2c okra (optional)

3 tbsp Cajun seasoning 

1/4 c Frank's Red Hot (or hot sauce of your choice)

Or you can make your own Cajun seasoning:

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

(yields about 2/3 c)

1. Put the chopped peppers, onions, garlic, chicken, cajun seasoning, Red Hot, and bay leafs in the crockpot with the chicken stock. Set on low for 6 hours.

2. About 30 minutes before it's finished, toss in the cut up sausages.

3. While this is cooking quickly make cauliflower rice by pulsing raw cauliflower in the food processor until is resembles rice.

4. For the last 20 minutes, add in the cauliflower rice and the raw shrimp. Note: you can choose to quickly stem the cauliflower rice in the microwave and serve the jambalaya OVER it as well.

Doesn't sound just delicious??? 

Coach was helping me unpack groceries yesterday and he picked up the sausage and said, "YOU bought sausage???!" Yes honey... just for you I bought sausage. I didn't mean for you to see that it was "all natural, no hormones", but hopefully you will still eat it.

SOURCE // Life as a Plate