Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!!!

S

Not posting lots of pictures just sending out lots of holiday cheer to all filled with lots of love & creative magic!!!! Merry Christmas!!!! xo Laura

Perch.. my little cottage/studio

Hi blogging Friends we are  making some progress here...I have been pulling together some of  my favorite old  finds & having fun putting at all together creating my cottage/studio space.

I have named her Perch. She will be a gathering place where friends will visit, enjoy the beautiful scenery here at the farm, sit back, relax on the porch, make some pottery, sew together, style a photo shoot or spend the night in this sweet little cottage studio.

My little porch filed with some of my favorite flea finds that I have collected over the years.

some artwork up above & my special angel to remind us to look up & trust.

Dante's cow..he is waiting for me to plant a garden of flowers..soon I keep telling him..soon. Maybe when you come visit you can help?

my favorite place to rest & be alone...not very often.. but when I do the energy in here is very serene & peaceful.

I love my little Perch Studio & hope you will come visit one day. visit me on facebook to stay connected . xo Laura

Verbena nested treasures

Hi out there...just a little shout out to let you know, we are renovating this coming week & my  mom Edie will be taking over the second room with all her amazing creations...there isn't a day that goes by that I hear how much you miss Edie's  food & special  treats.. she really is the pioneer of  pleasing the palette!!!!

See you all soon...xo Verbena Girl.

I

LIGHT UP OCALA.

It's that time of the year...LIGHT UP OCALA!!!! This Saturday 2:30-8:30


The most magical experience for all, so come visit us... Verbena we are located in Downtown Ocala  the historic  Marion Block building...the original Opera House.

We are having a renovation sale... out with the old in with the old..
Dante will be out front selling his vintage car collection.

We have missed you all see you Saturday xo Verbena Girl

Laura's Chicken Soup for your soul

Hello out there in blogland...is any one there? I have been so out of touch from blogging but think it's time to share something special & delicious with you. The one thing I love to do is cook. Family members  close friends know  have been cooking forever. I can spend all day in the kitchen especially this time of year.

If you want to make a delicious & healthy pot of Chicken soup try this. It's a little work but you will love the way it comes out.

Nothing like a steamy pot of home made soup when the air is crisp...chicken soup cooking in the house makes the house smells so good. I hope this is easy to understand & you give it a try...miss you all I will be back with update next week on the studio/playhouse & my store redo.

I have been out of touch but this crab is slowly coming out of her shell.

enjoy!

the bottom of this post has the recipe so you can print it out.

nothing like the real thing!

my antique ginger jar where I store my garlic

garlic to ward off evil spirits

be sure to skim off that fat & scum

this comes in handy when I skim off the bad stuff

root vegetables are in season now..love them

celery leave the leaves

turnip

parsnips

be sure to add the leaves from the celery

chopped veggies for your soup

fresh dill

smells so good!

Laura's Chicken Soup for your soul recipe

one nice size whole organic chicken
carrots-4 chopped
one large vidalia onion ( I like the sweetness of these)
parsnips-2 chopped
turnips-2 chopped
celery-4stalks chopped with leaves love the leaves

garlic- 5cloves smashed & chopped
fresh dill
sea salt pepper to taste
water ( I buy a gallon of spring water) or water of your choice.

clean chicken in fresh cold water using kosher or sea salt
place in large soup pot
remove skin from large onion put in pot
fill with water to cover the chicken
partially cover on medium heat
 for about an hour
IMPORTANT be sure to skim off the scum as chicken cooks

as chicken is cooking, I usually cut up all the veggies, place in a separate bowl...set aside
when chicken is done turn off heat, remove onion put in bowl to cool off
put cover back on pot & let the chicken sit for about a half an hour or more.

remove chicken  a little hard  to do as it will be cooked be careful not to get any bones in the pot I usually use to big serving spoons put chicken in a bowl & let cool off.

in the meantime check again to be sure all scum & grease is skimmed off the soup.

turn heat on stove back to med
slice up that onion that has been cooling put in soup pot
put all chopped veggies in soup pot
remove skin from chicken & pull off & break up nice bite size pieces of meat as much as you like but not too much  put in soup pot

REMEMBER you will have a lot of chicken left I usually make chicken salad or wrap up what I do not use for another meal. I usually freeze a few containers.

o.k. hope you are still with me

partially cover & simmer for about half hour be sure to stir, check & skim off any addition fat.

 DILL I put in last I love dill chop a big hand full & throw in some more if you like.
turn off heat keep cover on for another half hour.
then what I do I take about three or four big scoops from my laded right from the pot & puree it in my blender not not too much & put it back in the pot...stir it up.
salt & pepper to taste.

It really is delicious... a few things you can add
little Italian pastas, orzo or noodles
sometimes I chop up kale & add it to give us some extra iron.

always love to sprinkle Italian  cheese

Enjoy!!! Let me know if you get a chance to make it & how it turned out.
contact me if you have any questions.

xoxo Laura

My little soulfull nest..

As they say  "when it rains it pours"  not to go into to all the details..these past few months have been life changing for me. A few months ago I started to built a little studio here on the farm. just as construction was halfway there...life took an unexpected turn...my life changed...my dear  father passed away...my precious son had to be admitted into the hospital to treat his Prader Willi & have ear surgery.. so my little soul full nest had to wait for me to return. Now I am back & am very grateful I have this special little place to retreat to. It's like a fresh start, a place to meditate, create, work on my new art &  find little peace. Perfect timing I say!  I have a way to go to get it in order & make it my soulful little nest...here are some pics I took this morning as some of you have been asking me what happened to that little studio..

grass to grow, flowers to plant..food for my soul here

still have to remove the stickers on the windows & sweep the sand from a storm while I was away.

it's been a tough journey but in my heart I know my new path will give me a fresh start to find some peace, work on my art & share a special space with loved ones. please stop back soon to see our little soulful nest. xo Laura

Beautiful Tribute to my father

tribute to my father Robert Venosa by Carlos Santana thank you Carlos!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sztLU_KLN0

ROBERT VENOSA

thank you all for so much love & overwhelming  support at this heartbreaking time. There are no words to describe how much I love my father. He has my heart in heaven with him.  I know he is painting  the colors of the skies for all of us to see. I saw it last night! Love you dad so proud to be your first born daughter. Laura

 ROBRT VENOSA


January 21, 1936 to August 9, 2011



Dear Friends and Community,



...A great soul has completed his earthly journey and graduated to the next level.



The great Venosa left his body on Tuesday August 9, 2011 at 6:56 PM.



His transition was graceful and accomplished in the same composed and calm manner that he exuded throughout his life.



I feel honored to have been able to accompany him to the gate, having walked 30 beautiful years together in this life.



Robert had a long and brave healing journey with cancer and showed incredible strength on this path as well as tremendous courage in facing this great dragon.



He believed in the natural healing ability of the human body and proved the doctors wrong time and again, who only gave him a few month’s to live upon his diagnosis over eight years ago.



He was a powerful human being. Together he and I, held the piece of his physical struggle safely tucked away from the eyes of the world like a precious pearl.



It is with great sadness that I’m sharing this news today but also with

deep gratitude, for his magical and special life; fully lived.



Even in death he gave those surrounding him a powerful initiation into the scared mysteries of the unknown.



We will carry him in our hearts forever, remembering the light he shone on so many. He so appreciated the light that others shone upon him.



In loving memory of my great love, compañero, best friend and artistic accomplice.



Martina Hoffmann

And The Children: Steven, Laura, Marcus, Celene, Christan

and family.


one of many inspiring articles written about him

CLEANING YOUR PALLET.

As you know I am working on the "little house on the farm" or studio I should say. I have not named her yet. Have some thoughts..anyway a few years back I saw a great idea in a little shop in in Saint Augustine..they had  set up in the middle of the store three tall tables made out of  old wooden pallets. painted in muted shades with touches of vintage wallpaper glued on each slate, slightly hanging off , that was it for me  it was love at first site for me...or love at first bite.. right we are talking about pallets here.........................this is when my love affair with pallets started...oh and crates that's another post.

Being on a budget brings out the most creative resources in one...like finding a Hugh stack of pallets down back on the farm.

mmmmm made me think.. and then with the Internet anything is possible...see what I mean..

I think my studio will have this feel. I am loving all white with  pops of  my bohemian colors..as much as I love the French Nordic look that is very popular at this time & is  timeless...I will keep that for my bedroom.

all creative and arty things come in all colors shapes & sizes..my colors will change as time goes on..what are your colors?

this is my absolute favorite..love the sea green painted pallets mixed with the white & linen colors..my favorite...and  branches to make a tent under your special resting space!!!!

another great idea..sectional seating...sorry Restoration Hardware..we don't need you right now!

who would think pallets could be so serene in a setting like this?

I LOVE THIS

THIS IS BRILLIANT!  I  WILL DO THIS TO STORE & DISPLAY SOME OF MY BOOKS, MAGAZINES & CARDS..ALSO GREAT FOR A KIDS ROOM ( NAILED TO THE WALL)

SO HOPE YOU HAVE CLEANED YOUR  PALLET A BIT & HAVE A LITTLE INSPIRATION. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW YOUR THOUGHS...I WILL POST MY VERSIONS SOON. XO LAURA

( all pictures are from the web, pinterest etc. )

Things are looking up!

I have this little dish I purchased in an antique mall that has a hand painted picture of a sweet little bird it says "Look up & trust" & I do...I prayed for a space of my own to work & create..Thoughts, prayers, meditation definitely manifests into what you dream...

I love this porch. I found it on the web..sharing a inspiring photo..I love ticking, clotheslines & old wicker..& would love to sit here with some ice tea & dream with you.

We just had a crazy rain storm..I took these pictures right before it started...take a peek I will keep up up to date. Next week I will be painting like a mad woman....here is to all your dreams...

looking up this is a very old chandelier I have had for years. It is big & will hang on the little front porch.

standing looking out the side door that will go into into my garden path.

this will be the view facing West where I will eventually have a garden, potting sink &  small deck..in time. 

keeping the ceiling exposed painting everything bright orange!!!! no just kidding just making sure you are with me.

I am painting it all white. keep the beams exposed to hang my chandliers.

hello in here.. you smell great..love the smell of fresh cut wood. For some reason reminds me of my childhood.

Remember to always keep your chin up & look up & trust no matter what. I am very grateful for all I have & wish all  great blessings & beautiful dreams to all of you. xo Laura

studio progress...

Well just a little as we have been getting a lot of rain.

The windows above

I purchased last week for the studio. They came out of an old Church here in Florida.. I was so excited as I wanted to put them somehow high up atop . but so far does not look like they will work. Maybe I can hang them?

rainy Friday..all day..

But this afternoon the sun came out & we were able to get part of the roof up! There will be a tin roof. The floor will be concrete  I am looking into how to stain or do something to the floor. Everything will be painted white I think. I am open for suggestions always. Keep in mind working with material avail. here on the farm.. some leftovers are just fine with me. I love leftovers. keep you posted as we progress.
I think I will give her a name.. any thoughts?

My Sacred Little Space...

Every creative soul needs a sacred space where they can go. my sacred spaces have always been  my garage  that I cluttered & messed up , ... my old living room ( seen here on my side bar)..living here on the farm I created  a small studio space in the sitting area in my bedroom.. oh bad fueg shui!!! This creative mess has taken over that area & now most of my kitchen Island.. dining room...I can no longer work this way...So after many nights praying for finding a small shed to put all this stuff in the man upstairs answered my prayers... we are building a real studio.. one that hopefully will not blow away..working with materials that are available here on the farm & some salvaged I am sharing & will keep you up to date as my sacred space progresses...who knows I might just move in!

this lovely corner inspires me ( j d arch)

I will make a beautiful garden on the side.. this is my little garden for now.

lets go

as of today

put the kids to work!!!

 Olivia learning how to bull float the concrete some inspiration below...

love the windows

so sweet I can small the roses

love rustic too

little gypsy space would make me happy..

big Gypsy space makes me real happy!

one of my favorite spaces is the conservatory in Practical Magic  you know  their shops name was Verbena

I will keep you posted as my special sacred space progresses....they are calling me outside...aahhh..back to work in the heat. xo Laura