A Day in the Life of a Farmer's Wife

{Old railroad tie and homemade strawberry-rhubarb pie on the dining room table}

For the big 2-6, I got a fancy new camera that I have not the slightest clue how to use (yes, I thought zoom and focus were the same thing) but busted it out for the first time at my sister and brother-in-law's house in IL. And by house, I mean pretty much the most immaculately clean and perfect little farm house ever (even though it's not so little). We all sometimes wonder if she doesn't have a little bit of Stepford Wife in her. I'm only joking because I'm jealous I'll never be half as domestic. For example, the homemade pie you're seeing above...she baked two of before I managed to even roll out of bed. It's pretty clear that she takes after my always-organized Aunt Cindy and I'm more like my Mom....who can be found organizing her 47 bottles of nail polish when there's a whole house to clean. With all that cleaning, she did find time to decorate every little nook and cranny. I absolutely love her use of old mementos from family members that have passed and antiques from stores in the surrounding small towns.

xx,

Shanelé

p.s. If anyone knows of any good photography classes in NYC, do tell. 

{Variety of antiques atop a ledge between the up and downstairs}

{The farmer's wife herself, old chair and carpet that she vacuums 2x/day (nuts) so you can see the lines -- which are not evident in the photo b/c her 6'4" husband had just finished doing 'carpet angels' to mess them up}

{Chicken coop hung with a watering can inside & old pew from local church} 

{Bumbleberry (blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, apple, rhubarb) pie}

{More antiques, including my Grandma's old license plate, atop the kitchen cabinets}

{Barnwood picture frames holding old photos of their grandparents}

{Antique plow and and old barn window sitting on another church pew}

{No knob untouched or corner empty}

{Wooden-barrel side-table and antique laundry basket next to an old wagon wheel}

{Piece of an old porch turned upside down with a memory box of our great grandma}

{The window sill which is home to my sister's wedding ring as she washes dishes}