Let's German Schmear the Brick!

In my years of Pinterest perusing, whenever I would come across a brick fireplace with the German schmear technique…I would fall in love again and again. I think my first exposure to this idea was on Fixer Upper…when Chip decided on a whim to schmear the fireplace. LOL! So when it came time to build our woodburning surround in our sun room, I knew exactly what I wanted!

This method dates back centuries…and it turns out different every time, much like a unique work of art. And because I want my house to look like a quaint European cottage, this was the perfect choice. I love the distressed, rustic look…and I’m so glad we did it!

But before we could schmear (and yes, that IS a word…even though some people may say “smear”)…we had to BUILD the surround first! We headed down to Hebron Brick in Sioux Falls and picked up some thin brick from their Americana series. We chose the Bell Tower color because we wanted a little variation in tone.

We wanted to try something fun…and decided to do herringbone on the floor. It turned out so fantastic…Matt amazes me every time with his endless skills! Oh, and do you see the front windows completely covered in ICE?! It was a sure sign that this warm little corner is highly necessary in South Dakota! :)

The most stressful moment occurs when you’re putting the mortar on for the first time. Ok, Matt wasn’t stressed, I was a little stressed. After watching 29 tutorials…he was like “just let me do it babe”. LOL!

Here is the finished product! So perfect! The floor turned out with more coverage than the wall, but over time it will wear down as the wood is piled up. You can see that we also got the pine put on the celing and the dry wall is starting to get finished. All that’s left now is to finish the trim and paint! We’re planning to get that done in early December so we can decorate our very first upstairs room for Christmas! The hardwood will go in sometime in the spring.

And just a peek at what it looked like when we moved it!! Lots of changes and many more to come!!

Our first fire…just in time for my birthday! The stove is a Blaze King Ashford 30…and we got it on marketplace for $500! It’s a super high quality stove that will heat our entire first floor if we would ever lose power in the winter. Hooray for self-sufficiency!

I’m so excited and thankful to have the glow and cozy warmth of a woodburning stove this winter. Be sure to scroll through the process photos below and ask any questions in the comments!

The Changes of Year 44

Today was my birthday! And I have to say…my 44th year on this earth was remarkably different than ALL the others. Priorities shifted. Thoughts changed. Relationships deepened. It felt a bit like this planter…restful and content, with a bunch of new thoughts flowing out of my head! Here is a little walkthrough of what happened…

I stayed home. A LOT. And I liked it. Which felt super strange after spending the last 8 years in constant travel mode. Even with our home in constant construction, it’s still a cozy and peaceful haven. The farm and the surrounding land has a powerful calming effect…the combination of trees, nature, animals, and the distance from town makes it irresistible to me! It’s quite common that I go to town only once a week…which would have seemed intolerable just a few years ago!

In February, I decided to read through the entire Bible this year. And then later in August, I knew that I was to lead others in a New Testament study as well. Nothing has ever molded my faith and my life in this way. It was transformational. Because of this intense time of seeking Jesus, I let go of many things that were holding me back. Possessions, ideals, habits, and even people. It was sometimes a painful pruning…but I can’t imagine life any other way now. You cannot encounter Christ on a daily basis and walk away unchanged. I’m going to be leading a study of the entire Bible starting in January 2022…so be on the lookout for those details if the idea of that lights up your heart!

I came down with Covid in late May/early June…and while I didn’t know it at the time, it would dramatically slow down all the plans I had for the rest of the year. I’m still working through the after effects…aka “long covid”, with cardiological & neurological issues popping up occasionally, along with crazy fatigue if I overexert myself physically or mentally. I am working with a natural practitioner and finally feel like I’m turning a corner with it…but it’s been an interesting and humbling 6 months. Rest has never been high on my priority list, and this season has an element of forced rest that I’m learning to embrace and now enjoy.

During this resting time…we created a magnificent garden! It was exactly what I needed…healing to the soul and rewarding beyond my wildest dreams. I have MUCH to say about this process and I’m writing it all up in a different post for you. The gardens will play a big role in what we are creating here at the farm for years to come.

During my 44th year, I felt much like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. There was an unmistakable metamorphosis that took place. And while I may look the same on the outside, I have been truly transformed on the inside.

In my 45th year…all of these experiences and transformations will have words put them them here on my blog. I hope you’ll continue to come back and read about all of it…I’m excited to share it with you.

Glow Up Serum (Your New Favorite Thing)

THIS right here friends…this is my favorite. I never knew how easy it was to create such a luxurious serum…I use this daily and it makes my skin feel SO good. These oils are coveted in the beauty industry…they smooth the skin, reduce inflammation, support cellular health, reduce redness, soothe acne, and increase moisture levels.

I have made this as a gift for many people that I love and they keep bringing me their empty bottles and asking for “MORE PLEASE!”…because it’s just that good.

And the best part? You can get Copaiba and Rose on dōTERRA’s BOGO sale starting today! If you already have an account…just grab that BOGO Box or wait for the daily deal.

If you have been wanting to get dōTERRA oils, but don’t have an account, shoot me a message and I’ll get you all set up with a FREE membership. This gets you 25% off retail with no strings attached! And I’ll plug you into my private customer education website…where we have ALL the fun! The oils you will receive can be used to make the serum…but are you can also use them for anxious feelings, muscle pain, sleep, and more! Multi-purpose is where it’s AT! And yes…I’ll personally teach you how to use them in all the ways!

P.S. I order my organic carrier oils on Amazon and have made a list for you of all my favorite oil goodies!

P.S.S. If I was a beauty blogger, I would have fancy time-lapse effects and all that jazz on my video…but you just get to see me, making my serum, in regular time. LOL! Enjoy!!