Quick Country Unwind

This weekend was a quick trip to Niobrara to relax with my parents and get my fix of fresh country air and small town life. We had an amazing meal of super fresh sweet corn (gifted by our farmer), herbed butter from our garden, and steaks from another local farmer in the area.

 

Took the dog out to the land for lots of exercise and some pond swimming.

 

Spent time on the river during the day enjoying the sun and then again that evening watching the sunset while out riding the ranger. One of those things lately I realize I don't do enough - enjoy the sunrise and sunsets.

 

 

We stalked old barns for a possible barnwood wall in my brother's kitchen.

 Even the super early drive home was pretty and relaxing. Views like this and very little traffic always make me feel at peace.

Little White Church Version Two

Some of you may remember I talked this last fall about really really wanting to save a precious little white country church from demolition. Click here if you want to read more. You know that crazy childhood dream to get married in a country church and all.... Well sadly I did not win that battle as someone had already staked claim before I and scrapped the poor place. Heart braking really to see the shell of it in Niobrara. Now this church is free for the taking if one moves it. I will be the first to admit it is far from a dream church.

 

Vinyl siding, wood paneling, no cool stain glass or unique features. But it is a smallish church and could easily be moved (listen to me - probably nothing easy about it) to our land and become that perfect little white chapel in the country.

A spot for couples who want a unique country wedding or for me if that day ever miraculously happens. Do I even attempt this? Am I better off just starting from scratch and replicating an old but new chapel some day?

Winter wonderland Weeked

A few weekends ago while we were cheering on the Creighton Jays at a basketball game it started to snow. At the time they were predicted maybe four inches. My parents suggested I should come home with them and hibernate in the shack with a fire and movies. I figured why not. It has heat, we just got the sate light installed so endless tv options, I had a book I was reading, and lots of cozy blankets, plus wine and snacks.

I woke up the next morning to way more than four inches of snow! But man was it gorgeous. I love when it snows out in the country. Everything has the pretty blanket of white and it sparkles.

It had snowed all night and was still snowing pretty heavily. Big gorgeous flakes. Without a doubt I was grateful it was Sunday and I was in no hurry to get anywhere.

Instead I decided might as well throw more logs ion the fire, find a few movies (as the sate light quit working), and relax with some wine. Quite the perfect snowed in Sunday. Don't worry I didn't drink even half of this wine!

 

 

I easily could have stayed snowed in another day or two. Was awesome to not have anywhere I needed to be and no "chores" to be done. Nothing to do but truly chill. So glad my parents fixed this adorable shack back up. I'm always so proud of my dad and brothers that they built this from scratch. It's the perfect easy hideaway when needed.

Adding a Little Christmas Cheer to the Country Shack

 

My dad and brothers actually built this adorable country shack years ago as a “playhouse” of sorts. Now that it’s all fixed up and habitable we thought it would be fun to spend Christmas eve cozied up inside by the fire watching movies.

 

I decided this warranted a few decorations to make the shack more festive. Luckily there are an abundance of cedar trees growing wild that I was able to snip some branches off, plenty of pines to gather cones from, and discounted poinsettias at the store.

I might still add a tree or string of lights but we are close to ready for a snuggly Christmas Eve movie night after the Christmas Service.

Shed Crushing

 

The country shed at my parents is still very much a work in progress. I'm not afraid to admit I did NOTHING on it for several months.

However, now that I found out the fireplace actually works great (my dad hates real fires and initially claimed it was broken....) I am motivated to finish the sprucing so I can enjoy some cozy weekend nights snuggled up.

I did manage to sneak away from lives duties last weekend for a few hours of relaxation and to add a few new touches.

Next up is hanging curtains, a bit more furniture, finishing the baseboards, and some art or wood in the bedroom.


My new girl crush Sarah Schneider not only has the camper of my dreams she also has a very very perfect shed, of course stocked full of anthroplogy goodies.

 

Because of her I did buy that cute turquoise bar cart from Ikea.

What do you all think? Do wood to match the wall of the shed upstairs in the bedroom area as well? It looks cozy in Sarah's place (first name basis is totally normal right, I'm not a stalker or anything....).

I do wish my almost perfect shed had a bathroom - game changer that would be! Probably not all that difficult to add as there is electricty and water right nearby.

All the photos of Sarah's amazing place are from her website Love, Sarah Schneider. Follow her on instagram for all kinds of cuteness.

The Shed Progress

 

Progress is being made on my future weekend getaway. This lovely shed is undergoing some much needed TLC after several years of neglect and a little storm damage.

 

I can’t wait to get the walls painted, new flooring installed, and fill the place with furniture and accessories.

 

It’s just so peaceful out in the country and will be a welcome break from the hectic daily race known as life.

 

So far it’s been mostly all tearing out of old dirty carpet, furniture, and patching up damaged walls. However, Sunday when the sun finally came out after a thunderstorm filled morning I did take some fun gold spray paint to the deck chairs and planted a few colorful flowers in a new pot. Can’t wait to fill more  pots full of flowers for a true county oasis.



Niobrara Insta Snaps

Many more pictures to come this week but a few Instagram snapshots of my weekend of relaxation.

Something about that fresh country air and no civilization in sight.

The little dusting of snow was quite pretty and believe it or not the weather was halfway warm.

Except for the day of the pretty bright blue sky - that day was downright frigid.

But fresh air and a final walk was a must before heading back to the rat race in the city.

Pretty red barn - in desperate need of a paint job. Thanks Niobrara for always working your magic on me!!

I’m Feeling Crafty

As the weather starts to cool outdoor activities will become less appealing and craft projects will start to entice me.

 I love these cowboy boots! What a fun way to spice up a pair of old boots or even a thrifty find!

I might just have to tackle this one stormy winter day! Thanks Farmers Trophy Wife for the idea, and even more thanks to Stars for Streetlights for actually coming up with this great DIY project.