weekend snapshots

just stopping by to say hello on this busy monday morning!

this weekend was full in all of the right ways. 

we harvested greens from the garden along with summer's tomatoes & bell peppers. 

we cleaned up our guest room just in time for two sets of visitors!

we hosted three little ones & their mama. we made waffles, colored, read books & finished puzzles.

little packages for our guests are my favorite (details & blog post coming soon!).

& as always, lots of eating. homemade pizzas, salad from the garden, pintos & bacon, cornbread & so much more.

not shown:
- farm party & live folk music with dear friends
- a visit to my favorite coffee shop for their signature delight espresso.
- thrift shops & flea markets galore
- deep cleaning the laundry room (oh so fun!)

- hosting a noonday party for the sweetest of gal pals

what did you do this weekend?

love,

natalie

coffee with lauren of elle & co.

good mornin' & happy friday, y'all! 

i won't spoil the surprise too much, but head on over to lauren's blog elle & co. for an interview & coffee date with little ol' me.

 i'm chatting about our farm, seeking balance & even how i drink my coffee!

love,

natalie

p.s. photo by nikki toth photography

housewarming gift basket idea for under $10

there's nothing quite like getting a little housewarming basket full of homemade goodness from your neighbors.

that is, unless your neighbors happen to be a bit on the crunchy side. bless 'em.

you see, i've been craving banana bread lately. actually, i've been craving all of the bread things lately.

so in an effort to justify my baking cravings & stick to my paleo eating plan, i made two loaves of refined sugar-free, grain-free bread. 

yes, we gave our new neighbors hippie bread. 

(i used this recipe from against all grain if you're into that sort of thing)

just in case the hippie bread wasn't their thing, i made it better with a cute basket. i pulled out some of my favorite recipe cards by lesley of recipe for crazy & jotted down the recipe for them, too. 

i wrapped the bread in parchment paper & tied it with string. i even got out my little stamps & made them a sweet welcome tag with washi tape & fabric details.

i snatched up these little word cards at the antique mall recently. this "home" card is just perfect for a housewarming gift. you could even make your own with plain card stock & letter stamps.

i also added a card with our contact information. i always include our phone numbers so neighbors can easily get in touch.

paired with a candle & a fresh bouquet of flowers from the garden, this basket came together for less than $10!  

how do you love on your new neighbors? i'd love to read your ideas!

love,

natalie

date night idea: drive-in movie for under $15

friends, dating is fun.

why do we not put more time & energy into this? 

why do date nights go forgotten & time together unintentional?

i'm preaching to myself here, y'all.

friends, dating is fun.

& dating is necessary.

luke & i try to date regularly. sometimes i get stuck in the thick of workaholism or busy seasons happen, but we set aside budgeted money every single month ($50) to date each other.

go ahead & fit "date night" into your budget. it's worth it, friends. even if it's $10 a month for a red box movie & a bag of snickers, set aside money to date your partner. 

i use the word "date" intentionally here. i think we too often forget to really date our partners.

do you remember your first date with him or her? how did you feel? what did you do?

my people, let's recreate these events, feelings, butterflies, conversations, kisses & cuddles.

again, i'm preachin' to myself, too.

i truly believe our relationships are investments & what we put into it is returned to us. too often luke & i get stuck into the boring routine of dinner out. don't get me wrong, going out to eat is fun, but i get absolutely giddy when we plan creative dates. it brings about those first date butterflies. 

when luke suggested we pack up the farm truck & go to the drive-in movie, i'm not quite sure i could have loved him more. it was so much fun!

it cost less than $15, too. we packed up the back of our truck with sleeping bags, quilts & pillows. we brought our own snacks, popped our own popcorn & paid $14 to get in. we watched the film in the back of the truck & held hands while munching on our little treats & drinking coca cola from mason jars (his idea! he's the cutest!)!

essentials for a drive-in movie date night:

- radio: allows you to tune into the radio station to hear your movie

- snacks: we brought popcorn with nutritional yeast & salted butter, peanut m&ms, tortilla chips, salsa, & candy corn.

- drinks: we brought coca cola  & sprite with a cooler of ice.

- blankets, pillows, sleeping bags: provides a comfy space & keeps you warm

what are some of your favorite date night ideas? how do you plan intentional time with your partner?

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big hugs to these small businesses, makers & bloggers for supporting natalie creates this month:

the barefoot seamstress

happenstance co

the honaker homemaker

arch+craft

the rosy life art

the classic butterfly

if you would like to support my blog, click here. this small fee includes an ad on the sidebar & an optional giveaway for my readers/ig followers! the fall months are the perfect time to sponsor; holiday shopping is just around the corner! there are just a few spots available for this upcoming month so purchase an ad today! it's easy & oh so fun.

love,

natalie

the shop is open!

hooray! my shop is now open & stocked with reversible headbands & happy flags!

i'm offering a little treat to blog readers, too! just enter "BLOGTREAT" at checkout & receive 20% off your order. yay!

love,

natalie

fall mantel inspiration + autumn bucket list giveaway!

it's almost autumn, but around these parts, we're seeing little hints already. 

we have begun collecting wood for our winter wood stove & wrapping ourselves in blankets during the evening hours. the days are cool, which our garden & animals really love, & that warm autumn light is absolutely magical. 

hints of autumn also mean autumn mantels.

...pumpkins, happy flags, red & orange tones, bright leaves & whatever else might strike my fancy.

i keep a little basket in our guest bedroom closet of seasonal decor. it's so exciting to pull out my little bits of festive goodies to decorate our home for the seasons.

i have become a big fan of clipboards. if you've stuck around for long enough, you know this.

my dear friend, sara of the rosy life, gifted me this print. i clipped it to one of my favorite rusty clipboards & placed it on our mantel. it's the focal point of our decor & the best reminder of the good stuff about autumn.

i now want to curl up with a book & rest next to the cozy fire, yes? grab me a slice of that homemade apple pie while you're up! 

sweet sara is offering up one of her autumn bucket list prints from her rosy life etsy shop to a natalie creates reader! 

it's simple to enter this giveaway...

1. check out sara's shop & browse a bit. what's your favorite print in her shop?

2. leave a comment with your email address & one activity you plan to add to your autumn bucket list this season!

3. follow sara on instagram @therosylifeblog

happy winning, friends! 

love,

natalie

 p.s. sara is offering 20% off in her shop with the code "ROSYLOVE20." grab yourself a print right now, y'all!

-- giveaway closed! congrats to elizabeth for winning! sara will contact you soon! --

i am a workaholic.

something changed this summer. something inside of me shifted, altered & grew off balance.

this summer, i became a workaholic.

tears well up when i even begin to type that word.

workaholic.

isn't that for the ceo of walmart & the highly successful business suit type? 

no, it actually fits quite nicely into my story... the long days, the numerous cups of coffee, the sleepless nights, the insomnia, the to-do lists & the neglected relationships.

it explains the poor judgement, the grumps & the weight gain. 

i am a blogger & a homemaker & a workaholic.

i lack work boundaries & life balance. i push myself until the wee hours of the morning & set my alarm to pop up before daylight. all for the sake of a to-do list & the approval of others.

friends, does this ring true in your life?

how did we get here?

do you need rest? i need a nap.

& change. 

i wish i could wrap this up with a pretty bow on top & entitle this blog post, "how i conquered workaholism & found balance", but i would be lying.

i continue to struggle & lack rhythm. i still say yes far too often than i should, but i am finally recognizing my need for rest & balance.

so here i am, telling you i need change.

here i am sharing my guts out, sharing my inner most flaws & doubts.  

here i am sharing my mantra for this week:

seek balance & fight workaholism by

+ getting a full seven hours of sleep each night

+ eating well

+ saying no at least once this week

----

friends, i would love to read your stories & journeys. i would love to read how you find rest & balance each week. 

love,

natalie

roasted cinnamon & maple glazed butternut squash recipe

let's talk about squash.

a few weeks ago we harvested acorn & butternut squash from the garden. y'all, it's a christmas miracle that we managed to snatch up some squash before the squash bugs & vine borers got ahold of them first. 

down here in the south they give you gold medals if you can manage to grow squash. we deserve a blue ribbon for that basket of squash goodness.

so naturally, we had to share the bounty from our garden with friends. we invited our dear farmer friend over for a little dinner on the patio & served up some delicious butternut squash.

i love experimenting with vegetables from our garden & this recipe is no different. i'm not one for measuring so you'll have to bare with my "pinch" of this, "little of that" & "dash" of this. 

i also love that this recipe is one you can pop into the oven & go about your business until the timer is up. it's a hands-off, no-nonsense sort of recipe & really, those are the best kind.

roasted cinnamon & maple glazed butternut squash

serves four

1 butternut squash

extra virgin olive oil

dash of cinnamon

maple syrup to liking

sprinkle of sea salt

sprinkle of freshly cracked pepper

sausage (optional)

preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. cut your butternut squash in half & scoop out the insides, leaving the skin on. place your halves of squash, face up, on a baking sheet. dribble just a tiny bit of good olive oil onto your squash, making sure it covers the entire surface. add a dash of cinnamon & a sprinkle of sea salt. sprinkle a bit of freshly cracked pepper & drizzle maple syrup to liking on top. place your dish in the oven & bake for 30 - 40 minutes until the squash is soft. you may serve it on the side just like this or add cooked sausage to make a stuffed squash entree. eat & enjoy!

let me know if you try this dish! i'd love to read your thoughts!

love,

natalie

the barefoot seamstress tote bag giveaway!

there are two articles of clothing in my life worth investing in: shoes & purses. 

i really wear my shoes. from farm chores to scavenging junk among piles at thrift shops & yard sales, my soles see miles & know hard work.

my purses & totes carry my life. at any given moment inside my purse, you're likely to find a craft project, books, my daily planner, our cash budget wallet (by miss money bags- love her!), a measuring tape, & bits of life chicken-scratched on tiny pieces of paper fluttering throughout. 

my bag is my come-along friend, up for any adventure & tucked among rusty goodness stuffed in the back of my tiny hatchback car. 

so i was absolutely thrilled when becky sent me her new desert horizon tote bag from her shop, the barefoot seamstress. 

y'all, becky is the real deal & this bag is not playing around. 

it has deep pockets inside for storing chapstick, pens, your phone & more. it also has sturdy leather straps perfect for carrying weight, like that over-due library book. also, can we just talk about it's cute factor? i've been carrying this tote for over two weeks now & it's the highlight of my outfit every single time. 

it's your lucky day because the barefoot seamstress is offering the desert horizon tote bag to one lucky natalie creates reader! it's easy peasy to enter. simply -

1. visit the barefoot seamstress shop & browse her beauties.

2. follow @thebarefootseamstress on ig or like "the barefoot seamstress" on facebook.

3. comment with your email address & one piece in your wardrobe you often invest in!

i'll pick a random winner next wednesday, september 17th, at 8 am CST. happy winning!

love,

natalie

p.s. head on over to the barefoot seamstress right now & get your shop on! becky is offering a generous 20% off with the code "nataliecreates" until september 18th. yay!

--- comments closed! congrats to natalee for winning the giveaway! -- 

gift basket idea for the gal pals

sometimes life's rough & we just need a good ol' perk-me-up gift basket from our girls.

can i get an amen?

if you don't already keep a basket or box of little last minute, quick gifts - do it. 

i keep my basket of little gifts in my guest bedroom closet. i pick up things here & there that tickle my fancy or are on clearance for a great price. when i need a gift, i look through my basket & pick out items that would fit that person's interests & style. 

this is perfect for those moments when you feel the urge to give but you don't have the budget or the time to run to target. 

when my gal pal mentioned that she was going through a particularly challenging season, my tribe of lady friends pitched in a couple of dollars each & we made her this basket. we included a bottle of izze & straws, nail polish, a cinnamon roll & a bouquet of flowers to add a bit of happy to her day. 

i even re-used the colorful izze box, which is just the cutest. from trash to treasure, i say. 

a bit of crinkly turquoise paper from amanda's shop along with sequins, gold, a clothespin & the perfect card to reminder her that she is indeed "beauty full."

this little package came together in just a handful of minutes & brightened her day!

how do you love on your gal pals? i'd love to read your ideas!

love,

natalie

the honaker homemaker giveaway + my gallery wall in the works

i absolutely love supporting small artists, bloggers & makers on my blog. hands down, it's in my top ten list of fave things about this space.

so when lauren of the honaker homemaker contacted me about featuring her string art "create" sign, i squealed in delight. the word "create" means so much to me & her work is absolutely stunning.

also, i just so happen to have the perfect spot for her piece within my home...

we're working on a family wall gallery in the hallway leading to the bedrooms. it's just a wee bit awkward at the moment as it only features photos of luke & me (incredible, beautiful photos by my gal pal nikki of nikki toth photography, that is!). 

side note: you people with the littles are lucky. framing photos of your chillins is totally acceptable. thirty-four photos of our faces? *uncomfortable*

we're working on it.

collecting photos of our extended family, that is. ahem.

but i just can't tell you how excited i was to add my little create sign to our gallery wall. it's just the perfect pop of color & compliments my painted frames so well.

& for one lucky reader, you can take home this beauty, too!

the honaker homemaker is giving away one string art "create" sign to one lucky reader!

it's oh so simple. 

1. grab a cup of coffee & browse the honaker homemaker shop!

2. like the honaker homemaker on facebook or ig @thehonakerhome

3. leave a comment below with your email address sharing your favorite product from lauren's shop & how you would feature it in your home!

i'll pick a random winner at 8 am cst on wednesday, september 10th.

happy winning, friends!

love,

natalie

p.s. get your shop on right now with the code "CREATE20" for 20% off your purchase!

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giveaway closed! congrats to auntie carrie for winning the honaker homemaker "create" sign giveaway!

top tips for thrifting

if you've been around these parts for any time at all, you'll quickly find out that i'm the gal trying to save a buck or two. i love a good bargain & i'll wake up at the crack of dawn on saturday for a promising yard sale. almost every single piece of furniture in our home is purchased secondhand & i'm pretty proud of that little known fact. 

 i am often asked how i find such great treasures while thrifting. today i am here to share my top tips for finding those affordable treasures while thrifting:

1. go often: i thrift or go to yard sales about three times a week. i have a schedule that i follow & a list of stores i visit on specific days. by visiting your local shops often, you'll find your own rhythm & favorite shops for certain items you're looking for on a regular basis. 

2. know your location: knowing where to find the best secondhand treasures for the best deals is key.  take a map or locate your gps app & hit the road. stop at every interesting yard sale you see. once you've explored your town & surrounding areas, you'll find the best places to shop. i visit yard sales every saturday in the same parts of town & i am rarely ever disappointed. find those hot spots in your area & get to thrifting! 

3. shop smart: thrifting is in large part about finding a deal. sometimes i cannot live without an item & i purchase it for more than i'd otherwise pay. more often than not, though, i stick to a budget & only spend what i really think the item is worth. if i feel like a price isn't quite within my budget, i'll ask for a discount of about 30% off. if the seller won't budge, i pass. that means something better is just up the road, friend.

4. celebrate the quirky: thrifting is a fun way to express yourself within your home! i love purchasing items i normally wouldn't purchase or even see at a big box store. the bird chair on the left was purchased for just $5 at goodwill & adds such a pop of fun to our bedroom. don't be afraid to mismatch patterns & colors. if you love it, make it work within your home. don't be limited to what you think you should like. 

5. see potential: thrifting has a lot to do with seeing the potential in an otherwise forgotten item. i picked up that dirty, old wooden box at a sale. i brought it home, cleaned it up & moved it into our living room. it now serves as our coffee table & it even has extra storage inside for board games. the glass bookshelf below now sits in our dining room with crates full of cloth napkins & hand towels. a bit of cleaning, a fresh layer of paint & a new perspective can turn a secondhand item into a gem perfect for your home. 

6. have fun!: most importantly, have fun thrifting! invite a group of girlfriends or your mom to bring along on your thrifting adventures. personally, thrifting is my weekly retreat & i savor the quiet time walking down the aisles of my local thrift shop. it's my favorite hobby & i absolutely love the thrill of the junk hunt. 

what are your top tips for thrifting? please share!

love,

natalie