cotton flower

photograph by rinne allen

a day on the farm

we have written about our many visits to sweet olive farm here on the blog. it is such special place to us all and we enjoy all of the peaceful moments that we have out there. 

my daughter and i love to go and help do chores whenever we have a spare moment. it seems that those days are few and far between, but always welcomed. 

we recently went out and helped scoop up poop for the day and help socialize some of the new animals. we are so lucky to have this special place in our community that rescues animals and provides educational opportunities to our community.  we love you sweet olive farm! 

photographs and words by kristen bach

dried gomphrena

photograph by rinne allen

spread love

photograph by rebecca wood

heirloom corn

photo by rinne allen

fall minestrone soup

what a week!
thankfully yesterday we got a little bite in the air and some much needed rain.  this called for a big pot of homemade soup to fill our home with warmth and  comfort!
i looked to our bounty from our CSA box and what we had in the pantry and decided to make a fall veggie minestrone soup.  i served it beside a batch of some warm herbed  focaccia bread.
fall minestrone
ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium size onion
3 ribs of celery
2 small sweet peppers or 1 large
2 bulbs fennel
3 cloves of garlic
1 quart of vegetable stock
1 large can of diced tomatoes
1 small can of crushed tomatoes
1 can garbanzo beans
1 can of red kidney beans
salt and pepper
1 Tbsp of sweetener (can sugar or maple syrup works great)
1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 cup elbow noodles
a handful of diced basil
directions
-dice your onion, fennel, celery, and peppers, salt and pepper
-in a large dutch oven, saute in olive oil on low for 15 minutes
-add diced garlic
-saute for 5 more minutes
-add the stock, tomatoes, beans, sweetener, and salt and pepper to taste
-cook at medium heat for 30 minutes or so and turn to simmer until you are ready to eat
-just before you are ready, add noodles , cheese, and basil
-enjoy!  


 

dahlias

photograph by rinne allen

dyeing with flowers

photographs and words by kristen bach

night shadows

photograph by rebecca wood

abandoned shack

i have seen many shacks that look just like this one.  somehow they never get old.  i love peeking inside and getting a glimpse of what once was and seeing how the vines have worked their way in and are making it their home.  it is part of southern beauty.

photographs and words by kristen bach

fall light

photograph by kristen bach

a forgotten home

we were driving through milledgeville, georgia and this home caught my eye.  this traditional southern home was by far the largest, most stately home on the street.  It made me wonder, why was it left here to rest...why was it forgotten.  

it is now in major disrepair, covered in vines...left for the squirrels but was once a home to someone.

photographs and words by kristen bach

mexican sunflowers

there is not much color left in the garden, between fall and the 60+ dry days we have had. the brightest pop in the garden right now are these mexican sunflowers with their rich orange and velvety petals.

arrangement and photographs by rinne allen

a glimpse of fall

photo by kristen bach

Our recipe guide!

with each change of the season it takes a bit for me to find my groove. i struggle finding comfort with what to wear..... what to cook.....the time change.....new schedules.  this weekend while i was struggling with food to prepare for the family, i clicked over to the beauty everyday recipe guide and got inspiration from all of our previous recipes!  it was so fun to see what we have all made throughout the years and prepared through the seasons!

so if you are stuck in the kitchen like i have been these days, visit our guide!  tonight, i am going to make the autumn pie!

fall leaves

photograph by kristen bach

by the river

if you're looking for the antidote to feeling hurried, stressed out, or anxious, the answer is nature. spend an hour or two at your nearest nature park, woods, or botanical garden. the japanese have a word that translates into 'forrest bathing', and studies have shown it reduces stress and calms your nerves and helps depression, too. pack a snack, your water, a sweater, and get lost in the woods! leave your phone in the car. unplug. breathe in, and walk. . . . 

photographs and words by rebecca wood

screen and sun

photograph by rinne allen

hawkes creek farm

i visited yvonne at hawkes creek farm this weekend. a glorious fall day to visit a real treasure. the house was built in 1840 and is largely intact. all wood walls inside and patina to die for. when you first come in the driveway, it is all but obscured by the deep shadows of ancient oaks. inside is poetry…..

photographs and words by rebecca wood