Pic-Nic

Pendleton Throw, Black

Hiking up into the hills or into a woodsy area for a nice lay down with a basket full of delicious food and a pillow or two can be a great pass time.  When I plan a pic-nic today I have a rather hard time finding a blanket or two and very often if not all the time end up taking two or three beach towels which is a real hassle.  So naturally when I saw the Pendleton Throw at Anthropologie I knew it would be quite useful.

The Charm of Mason Jars

As I've become more informed about prepackaged and processed foods I've been doing a lot more cooking.  I've begun to pickle my own vegetables, and make my own sauces and jams.  I had a cabinet full of jars waiting to be used, jars I've saved from the past, now... the jars all in a row are being utilized for pickling and storing.  So, when my sister bought me a set of 9 16oz mason jars I was more than enthused, I can pickle once more! And how charming these mason jars are!  They come in a variety of sizes and can withstand heat, and they look absolutely county beautiful all lined up in a row with their colorful fruit and veggies inside.

Farm Fresh Refrigerator Magnets

State Fair Magnets (6 pack) $34.00 @ Anthropologie

Now look me in the eyes and tell me you don't think these are just the cutest little magnets you've ever seen!

Getting creative country-style: 12-Twig Crayons Set

12-twig crayons set $28.00 @ Chasing Fire Flies

Non toxic and and hand-made these twig crayons are perfect for some country drawing, plus they would make one helluva gift for older or younger.  So who feels like sitting out on the porch to sketch a little bit of nature now?

A chicken coop for your chicks

I go on and on about growing veg and feeding chickens but I've never really tackled the subject of where the little chickadees will stay, a chicken coop of course!  The great thing about chicken coops is most often than not you can build it yourself, from very basic to not-so-basic, they're all pretty simple to make and probably lots of fun to make as well.  Get creative!  Here's a few chicken coops to get your imagination going.

In my endeavor to put some helpful information regarding building your own chicken coop I ran into a blog called Free Chicken Coop Plans that seems to have loads of information on the subject.  Should you seriously be thinking about raising your own chickens I hope the site helps.

Eating Big Sur

the veg are separated into boxes, netted but also gated

Over Labor Day weekend I went to go visit a friend in Big Sur.  There up in the mountains over looking the ocean on one side and the mountain full of trees on the other a beautiful home resides.  They are solar powered and they have vegetable garden to die for. 

tomatoes

and more tomatoes!

Green chili

Strawberries!

Have no idea what these are but they were growing there too

Persimon

Pomegranate

I'm in the fig tree, picking and eat fresh figs

There was much that wasn't documented such as all the different berries and the grape vines that crawled around the property.  One day, I will have a garden such as this!

Country chic denim top

One of the top 10 things that I related to the country-side is... denim, I know, how stereo-typical of me, but it's true.  When I think of clothes in the country-side I immediately start thinking prairie skirts and denim.  But of course this doesn't mean you have to live out of style and out of the loop in the country, hence my post today on my find at GAP, the 1969 Ruffle back-tie top in color, Big Sky, which very much looks like?  Yes, you've guessed it, denim!

1969 Ruffle back-tie top $54.95 @ GAP

Country love elsewhere: Denmark

It dawned me that my love for the country and Provence, France has resulted in many posts on country living in France.  And so with my new found acceptance that there are countries all around the world, I must explore.  First, Denmark country homes!

A bicycle for your travels

I don't think I've ever shared this with my readers, but I don't drive.  I have a license and I used to drive up until about a year ago until I decided not to drive, anymore.  And so, ever since, I haven't driven, and I love it.  Sure it's a bit harder to get around town and the distance that you can travel is some what limited but I find it rather wonderful in many ways, I'm sure many of which you can easily name off the top of your heads:  Being green, exercise, the wind in my hair, exercise, being green, no money wasted on gas, insurance, registration and maintenance.

Anyway, being such a fan of bicycling now I know that bicycling will very much be a part of my life in the country as well, so I decided to put together the perfect bicycle for the country.

My current bicycle has a basket attached to the back which I find to be most useful since the bike serves as my main mode of transportation, I find it especially helpful on Sundays when I visit the Farmer's Market and dump all the produce I've just bought into it.  Thus I do believe that at least a basket will be necessary for a country bike.

In the city amongst the many cars passing you by you need a horn while in the country you'll probably only need a bell.

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