Friday, July 29, 2016

Our Farmhouse Tour I: Living Spaces

Four months ago, we moved into the farmhouse!
The weeks have flown by since then, with all the adjustments that come with a move
and settling into a new routine.
 But we are loving living here on the farm, and it truly feels like home to us.

This house was built 23 years ago, and is the home my husband spent the majority of his life in.
I hope we can create as many wonderful memories for our family as he had
growing up here!


The loft is an open room upstairs with an attic-style toy room inside the door you see to the left. 
My favorite part is that the mess is where I can't see it! :)
The children have spent hours of playtime up here.


I found this lovely end table at the Embellish Flea-for-All a few weeks ago!
I hope to get a large area rug and a coffee/game table yet for this space.


Eddie purchased this roll-top desk before we were married and had it restored.
It was a beast to move {not that I know from actual experience or anything!}, but I'm happy that we found a corner where it fits well.
My sister found this antique desk at an auction.


Our neighbors gave us this piano, and I am so happy to have one to use until I find my baby grand!
Hadassah loves to play it, and is already asking when she can start lessons.


Pictured here are the stairs that go down into the kitchen area.
I love that this space is open so that I can stay connected with the children while I'm working in the kitchen!


This is a view of the kitchen from the loft. I have big plans for this room...someday!
After working in a narrow, galley-style kitchen,
this one feels huge!
There is plenty of space for my little helpers to join me when I'm baking.


Next, we'll head from the kitchen into the living room.




This window gives me a great view of the back yard where the swings and sandbox are,
and I can watch the cows walk from the fields into the barn {a good thing since I forget to get them in some days until I see them heading down the path!}
This bench was originally black and I wanted to update it. My sister suggested using a spray paint with primer in it, and I'm happy with the results! 


The afternoon light that streams through this window is perfect for all my plants!


The desk came from Craigslist, and is still one of my favorite pieces!
I keep the children's art supplies in here, so it gets plenty of use. 


This is our main living area, where we relax, watch movies and read books.
I'm planning to purchase a rug, which will really warm up this space, but I still haven't decided exactly what  I want! Rugs are much more of a commitment than pillow covers or lamps!
Any suggestions on what style/color I should get?
I also want to get some art for my huge frame (also from my sister!) and a plant to fill the empty space in the corner.


 The coffee table gets so much use: our stack of library books and magazines
are stored underneath,
and we have played quite a few rounds of Berenstein Bears and Candyland right here!


The buffet is multi-functional, with the TV on top and books and DVD's inside of it.
I love the upholstered chair I got from Target a few months ago!



Another angle


We found a matching set of Lazy boy recliners on Craigslist for a steal,
and they are Eddie's favorite places to relax!


It's been fun taking you on a tour! I'll be back sometime in the next couple of weeks with photos from our bedrooms!

 xoxo, Ruby

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Nicholas Turns 3!


This little guy had a birthday a few weeks ago,
and I think I'm still in disbelief that my baby is 3!!!


His birthday landed on Bible school week, and I felt bad that we couldn't have a party with his friends because of that. But he didn't seem to notice!


He helped me make the icing for his birthday cake. It had to be blue, of course!


Grandpa & Grandma celebrated his birthday the day before when we were in PA
and they gave him a tool set. 
He was so proud of that gift, and he wanted those tools on his cake!


It may be the plainest birthday cake a child has ever had,
but he was happy!


Papa bought him his gift, so it wasn't wrapped.
He was told not to peek,
but I think he may have just a little! :)


He was so happy with the farming toys he got!
Honestly, I think Papa had as much fun buying and giving him the gift as Nicholas had in getting it!


                           A few days later, we were at the river with the Showalter family, 
                               and they celebrated his birthday, along with several others.
He was quite pleased that he had 3 birthday "parties"!
I shouldn't have worried about him missing out :) 


Nicholas is our busy little guy,
and loves to help!
Working with Papa is his very favorite, and he often gets to ride the tractors
and "fee-wheelers" as he calls them!


He was so pleased about this bowl of mint tea that he cut all by himself!
(And I can't get over how different he looks with long hair on this picture!)


At the beginning of summer, he didn't like the water at all.
But after Papa spent some time swimming with him, he started to love it!


 He's fearless, and you'll often find him jumping off the diving board!



He adores his sister, but he's often the one to get them in trouble!


He keeps us laughing with his crazy sense of humor! 


He loves the outdoors, playing with his friends
and riding tractors.
He's determined, and tender-hearted, and we couldn't love him more!
   Happy 3rd birthday to our Nicholas Edward!