Boho Graduation Party

I honestly cannot believe that my little girl has all grown up and ready for this great big world! Now exactly half of my children are leaving our nest and this Mama has mixed emotions about it all. There is something so amazing to see the child that you have loved, taught, healed, kissed, looked after, worried about, prayed for, cried over, fought with, obsessed about... (you get the idea), looking at you with her big brown eyes and declare that she is an adult. Um, excuse me?? And I just want to say THANK YOU to all of my friends and family for putting up with this crazy woman I became while wanting EVERYTHING to be perfect for her Graduation Party~ Breakfast in the Barn. 

We, and when I say "WE" I mean Daddy....my amazingly patient husband, finished this new little project on our farm just in time for the big day! Nothing like a huge deadline looming over us to get it finished. ( I highly recommend deadlines such as this :) 

THANKS DAD!!

When I planned our other daughter's grad party in 2012, we had it on our back deck/porch. Well, even though it was pretty, it was kind of crammed and this time around I wanted it more spread out. And this daughter has a little different style....so a Boho Party in our new barn was what needed to happen.

Now before you declare me a horrible photographer, in all of my craziness of the day, and because my REAL camera was being used to take pics with all of the guests and the graduate as they arrived, I took most of them with my cellphone, ugh, when will I learn??

We used vintage windows that I picked up at various antique stores and junkin sales. I see great things for these in the future! 

We showcased some of Sierra's favorite dreamcatchers that she has made and blankets, pillows, rugs, tapestries, and decor that are her signature Boho look. 

The guests signed a book called I Wish You More and got to leave their wishes for her.... I still haven't signed it myself, too emotional......

I have had these old sofas in our basement, loved on old relics, that I've hoarded. But now they had a reason to shine...and added to the eclectic vibe we wanted. 

I purchased these chairs and this table from World Market. Which will eventually be on our back porch. Ordered them online and I love them even more than I expected to!! 

This next seating arrangement was a way to hide a huge pile of barnwood that we have stored in this barn. So I made a long bench out of it with some quilts and pillows. Sierra's crate/storage chest that was a past 4H project was a great coffee table.  

I cannot tell you what a dream come true this was for us to give a party in this barn for our little girl High School Graduate. And as fun as it was to show these pictures to you all, guess what? I did not take ONE SINGLE PHOTO of the food table!!! Well, a lot of work went into it and I'm so mad that I don't have anything to show for it....we had donuts (20 dozen!), scrambled eggs, sausage links, bacon,  fruit, coffee, and orange juice. I guess it was all yummy....mother and hostess of the day didn't get one bite. HA! 

And to quote one of our favorite new songs by Tim McGraw....

"I know you have mountains to climb, but Always Stay Humble and Kind"

Sierra, you will do great things in this life, graduating is not the end, but a beautiful beginning! We could not be more proud of the athlete you are, the friend, sister, daughter you are, the performer/ singer you are, the Honor Student you became, and one of my best friends. Congratulations baby girl! 

Hey, maybe I just found what I should write in her guest book!? 

Obsessed Much Mondays: Hospitality and HOME

This Monday's obsession? Our home and hospitality.....

Lately, it seems, there has been a slew of reasons to have parties and get-togethers. And one thing that I truly love is sharing our home. My children, on the other hand, do not like the fact that they have to help clean for such events! (cue the dramatic fights discussions) But, in the end...they all agree that it is worth it. 

I recently co-hosted a baby shower at our home for our niece. It was so much fun! And I think it was a success...

When there is a party at our home, even if it is a birthday for one of my children...I plan it out and make it as festive as feasibly possible like it's my job! 

What I NEED to get better at is the day to day hospitality....learning to let go of the perfectness that my home does not have on a day to day basis. When someone comes through my messy garage and into our even messier mudroom to enter my home, my head turns red with embarrassment.  I don't always have my garage door closed, so I think people take the shorter route into our home...but I really wish that they would take the prettier route onto the front porch and into our entryway.  I know down deep that people don't care, and it's not about having a perfectly put together home...it's just about sharing it and making them feel welcome! For some reason I don't have the same anxiety over dirty dishes....because there will ALWAYS be dirty dishes in my sink. So, if you are reading this...and you are coming over to my home, come to the front door for a more prettier entrance but don't look towards the kitchen sink. (kiddingnotkidding) Sorry, got off track, moving on....

I was so excited when the lil baby mama wanted to take her maternity photo-shoot here at our farm. It was so much fun to do, and even though I am not a professional photographer, I think they turned out pretty good. It helps that Irishman Acres has some amazing natural backdrops....

I believe in sharing your home. It's a reflection of who you are. I take pride in the fact that Baileyhusband built it, and together we raise our family here. I love making it feel all comfy and cozy and home-y. Inside and on the outside. Yes, I am a little OBSESSED with it actually....this home is my playground. 

I secretly wish that I could make a living at this. HOME is my passion. I love helping family and friends turn their house into a home. Not by pushing my style onto them, but by helping them find theirs. I am working on a post about our style and what I call it....that will be done soon, I hope. 

It wasn't always this way. When we were first married, we had a ton of things happening. We started a family right away, Baileyhusband started his own business, and we built this house.(all within the same year!) It was all quite overwhelming and we were just trying to survive. 

Now, our hobby and passion is making our life here at Irishman Acres into something beautiful that we love to share. It is not a bragging sort of sharing...it's a form of sharing that artists do with gallery showings, or singers do at their concerts. We feel that we are lucky enough to have a little piece of paradise, and it was all given to us by the Man above's sweet blessing and compassion! So, why not share it? 

I'm a fan of dreaming and planning, and we dream and make lots of plans. If the Lord is willing, maybe someday we can make a little income with our home and farm....don't know how yet...but it would be nice! ;)

Today, we are sharing our home with three little visitors that are ages 3, 2, and 1. They have stayed here at Aunt Kimmi and Uncle Dum Dum's for the whole weekend, and let me tell you that it was a quick reminder to us that after not having a toddler in our home for over 6 years, you quickly forget what it is like! 

There are plenty of ways to practice the fine art of hospitality in the near future....my sister's daughter will be staying with us while she attends a local college and we have been busy getting a room ready for her, while doing a little switch-a-roo with our oldest daughter. And I have my co-workers from school coming over tonight for a little time together before school starts. 

So, there you have it. My obsession for this Monday has been about sharing our home.... from our FRONT DOOR! ;) 

All decked out for the holiday weekend!

Hope everyone had a beautiful holiday weekend.....

we had over 200 friends and family over for a party on Saturday....

lots of work goes into getting the home and farm ready for that many people.

Still recovering from the exhaustion....(in a good way).....and still trying to clean up!

~Kim

Our Thanksgiving Table

Warmth, love, laughter, family, food....

That is what is going to be around our home tomorrow.

Today, I am a busy little bee getting ready for the 20 feasters that will be around our dinner table!

I still like to do a centerpiece for our table, but keeping it low will allow for better conversation.

And believe me....us 4 SISTERS and our mama will sit there for about 5 hours telling stories, laughing, catching up, and planning our next holiday get-together...Christmas! (and the shopping trip we take together the day after this great meal we are sharing.)

Our kitchen island is ready for it's BIG JOB of being the "Dessert Station".

My mama is bringing all the pies....so I have left room for all her beautiful goodness.

The backdrop of our dessert station is the Turkey Platter that is a family heirloom. 

Technically, it should probably be used for serving our turkey on...but since it is so sentimental, I just can't bear to actually use it. :)

I am now working on the "Beverage Station", followed by hor d'oeurves appetizers munchies, and of course the main course and side dishes. I am clearing my counters of EVERYTHING so we have plenty of room for all this Thanksgiving food. 

The Beverage Station

For 20 people ranging in ALL ages....I like to have a variety of drinks for the meal and dessert. 

We are planning on serving tea (2 flavors), ice cold WATER....which is better for filling your tummy with actual food instead of drink....and hot tea, cocoa, and coffee for dessert. 

Planning it all ahead of time makes for a more relaxing holiday for this hostess. We serve the food buffet style...and have tables set up all over our great room so we can all be together.

Now if only this were the end of getting ready for guests....

Off to clean toilets! :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND FOOD- FILLED Thanksgiving!

~Kim

Happy Independence Weekend

Well, I couldn't call it Independence DAY, so we called it Independence Weekend, since we celebrated it on July 7th: here are some details of our annual party we host for about 150 of our closest pals!

Even the barn got dressed up for the occasion.

After a weeklong gussy-ing up around the farm and yard...

After painting the garage and powerwashing the floor......

After sweeping the entire driveway.......

After smoking all the meat......

After de-weeding our playground.....

After adding sand to our volleyball court.....

After cleaning and re-cleaning our home......

After buying all the buns, drinks, coolers, ice, etc......

And planning a HUGE firework display......

It's ALREADY OVER...and I don't have many pictures to show this year :(

There was fun had by all, including my little man who is COVERED in WET SAND.

Some got really creative with the food they brought to share...who has the time for this? So cute!

Sierra got to show off her cows to some "City Kids"....just kidding, these little brothers are alway so inquisitive about the cows, and loved to opportunity to pet them.

The firework display was over the top this year and many said it was the

 "Best one yet!"

I got to enjoy some wonderful time with family and friends, old and new!

We never know what the weather will be like, who will show up, or how it's going to end.....but I am, and always will be, so grateful for the times we have with truly the greatest friends (and family) that this BAILEYFAMILY can call "theirs".

We hope next year brings as fun and happiness....and hopefully more pictures!!

I guess that shows how much fun I was having, that I didn't stop long enough to take much:) Now to get some much needed rest, then cleanup the after-party mess, and then rest some more! ~Kim