26 minute read
4 RECIPES TO TRY THIS NEW YEAR
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Not a fan of the same boring oatmeal every morning? Add a savory twist to the breakfast staple with the addition of a cooked eggs and sautéed mushroom's!
YIELD: SERVES 2 PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES COOK TIME: 12 MINUTES INGREDIENTS: 1 CUP QUICK-COOKING ROLLED OATS COARSE SALT AND PEPPER NONSTICK COOKING SPRAY 2 LARGE EGGS 1 CUP SLICED MUSHROOMS 2 TABLESPPONS BUTTER FRESH BASIL IN A SMALL SAUCEPAN, BRING 2 CUPS OF WATER TO A BOIL. ADD OATS AND A PINCH OF SALT. STIR AND REDUCE HEAT AND SIMMER FOR ABOUT 5 MIN. HEAT A SMALL SAUCEPAN AND ADD BUTTER. ONCE MELTED, ADD MUSHROOMS AND SALT AND PEPPER AS DESIRED. SAUTE 3-5 MINUTES AND REMOVE FROM HEAT AND PLACE MUSHROOMS IN A SEPERATE DISH. IN THE SAME SAUCEPAN, SPRAY SLIGHTLY WITH COOKING SPRAY IF NEEDED. ADD EGGS AND COOK UNTIL WHITE IS SET AND YOLK IS STILL RUNNY, ABOUT 3 MINUTES. SEASON EGGS TO TASTE. SERVE OATMEAL IN BOWL TOPPED WITH EGG, MUSHROOMS AND FRESH BASIL ENJOY!
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Packed with flavor, and simple to make, these shredded beef tacos will become a family favorite. It requires a little patience, but worth it! Prepare overnight for lunch the next day. YIELD: SERVES 3 TO 4 PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES COOK TIME: 6-8 HOURS
INGREDIENTS: 2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL, DIVIDED 2LBS BONELESS CHUCK ROAST 2 TEASPOONS CHILI POWDER 1 TEASPOON CUMIN 1/2 TEASPOON SMOKED PAPRIKA 1 CUP BEEF STOCK 2 TABLESPPONS TOMATO PASTE 1 SMALL ONION, DICED 5 TABLESPOONS MINCED GARLIC FRESH CILANTRO TO GARNISH DICED ONIONS TO GARNISH CORN TORTILLAS WHISK TOGETHER CHILI POWDER, CUMIN, AND SMOKED PAPRIKA IN A SMALL BOWL. RUB SPICE MIX OVER BEEF, COVERING EVENLY ON ALL SIDES HEAT 1 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL IN LARGE SKILLET ON MEDIUM HIGH HEAT. PLACE BEEF IN SKILLET AND SEAR ON EACH SIDES UNTIL BROWNED. REMOVE FROM HEAT AND ADD TO SLOW COOKER. ADD THE REMAINING OLIVE OIL AND DICED ONION TO SAUTE PAN. SAUTE FOR 3 MIN. ADD GARLIC AND SAUTE AN ADDITIONAL 1 MIN. ADD BEEF STOCK AND STIR PAN TO DEGLAZE IT. ADD TOMATO PASTE AND MICED CHIPOLTE, WHISK UNTIL COMBINED. BRING TO A BOIL, REDUCE HEAT AND SIMMER FOR 3-5 MINUTES TIL SAUCE HAS THICKEND SLIGHTLY. POUR THE SAUCE OVER BEEF IN SLOW COOKER. COVER AND COOK ON LOW FOR 6-8 HOURS, OR ON HIGH FOR 3-4 HOURS, UNTIL BEEF SHREDS EASILY. WHEN DONE, SHRED BEEF WITH 2 FORKS. TOSS TO COAT WITH REMAINING JUICES. WARM CORN TORTILLAS IN FRYING PAN FILL TORTILLAS WITH BEEF. TOP WITH ONIONS AND CILANTRO AS DESIRED.
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This flavorful dish is delicious and quick and easy to prepare. Perfect for those busy nights when you don't have hours to spend in the kitchen. Just pop on the grill and it's ready in less than 10 minutes!
INGREDIENTS: 1 POUND PORK TENDERLOIN 1 TABLESPOON TOASTED SEASAME SEEDS SPICE RUB: 1 TEASPOONS KOSHER SALT 1/2 TEASPOON COARSE GROUND PEPPER 1/2 TEASPOON GARLIC POWDER 1/4 TEASPOON GROUND CINNAMON HONEY SEASAME SAUCE: 1/2 CUP HONEY 1/4 CUP LOW SODIUM SOY SAUCE 2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL 1 TABLESPOON HOISON SAUCE 1 TABLESPOON MINCED GARLIC 1 TABLESPOON MINCED ONION 1 TEASPOON SESAME SEED OIL 1/4 TEASPOON CRUSHED RED PEPPERS, OPTIONAL 1/4 CUP COLD WATER 2 TEASPOONS CORN STARCH
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TIP: YOU CAN USE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FRUITS AND TOPPINGS. IF YOU PREFER, SAVE BLUEBERRIES FOR TOPPING ONLY AND USE EXTRA CHIA SEEDS FOR BLENDING. YOU CAN ALSO USE YOUR SWEETNER OF CHOICE.
COMBINE ALMOND MILK, CHIA SEEDS, 1/2 CUP BLUEBERRIES, MAPLE SYRUP, VANILLA EXTRACT AND CINNAMON IN A BLENDER.; BLEND UNTIL SMOOTH. POUR INTO 3 GLASSES. CHILL UNTIL SET, 8 HOURS TO OVERNIGHT. SERVE CHILLED. ADD REMAINDER OF BLUEBERRIES AS TOPPING.
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Friendships are formed in many ways and for many different reasons. They can begin early in our lives, blossoming over idyllic experiences; in college when we are eager for new opportunities, or later in life when we have been molded by the life we have lived. Regardless of how, or when, these friendships take shape, many can agree that the strongest ones are forged from shared experiences. Most of us hope to find others who understand, or who are empathetic, towards the things that we have gone through. There is no greater feeling than finding others who are as willing to help you navigate the hard times as they are to help you celebrate the good ones. When you find these people, your people, things just seem to fall into place a little easier.
The pandemic changed many friendships. Some felt disconnected while others found themselves drifting away from each other. In a time where we may have needed each other the most; people had difficulty staying connected in a rapidly changing world. Many began turning to social media to help lighten the heaviness of what they were facing, and through platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok, found others with shared interests. That is how this group of ladies found one another within the barndominium community. In various stages of their barndominium journeys, each willingly shared the knowledge and skills they developed along the way to help each other navigate the challenges of building. Through the many ups and downs, they supported one another and formed a strong bond in the process. Recently they were able to meet each other in person, further cementing the connection they formed online. While they continue to cheer each other on through the build process, they found a new calling- helping others who may be struggling to start or finish their barndominium build. After all, the beauty of friendship is when you are stronger together than apart, and these amazing women are proving there is strength, and grace, in numbers.
Photo: Carly B. Photography
It was 2020, the global pandemic hit, and quite instantly all of our lives changed overnight. Our family took the chance of a lifetime and purchased The Medallion Manor in LaPorte, Indiana. This is a 101 year old barn that spent it’ s past as a hay / dairy farm, a world famous winery, and many well known restaurants.
Like most others, our family started spending most of our days at home, and our social interactions had moved to calls, and virtual connections. With that being said, it allowed me the time, I most likely would not have had, to share our story on social media. Quite instantly we had hundreds of people from near and far reaching out that connected to our story. Whether they had previously been to the barn, worked there, or have a love for barns / barndominiums. It was through those connections that I met all of my “barndo friends ” . I was welcomed with open arms to this community of housewives that are all restoring / building barndominiums just like us, all over the country.
It started off as a way to just share our progress, but quickly turned into lifelong friendships. Meeting these amazing women has allowed me the chance to grow not only professionally, but they have also helped me grow as a person. They are there day and night to lift me up when times are tough, and I do just the same for them. Construction can be stressful, but having a support system makes it not only manageable, but that much more fun. They have offered some great ideas, and resources for our project, and I think they may be just as excited as we are to see the finished project! Sometimes, the best things (or should I say people), can surprise you, when you least expect it!
Photo: Avery Gardner Photography
Josh and I were born and raised in Tennessee and decided to plant our roots about an hour from our hometown. In February 2019, Josh noticed the perfect piece of land for a home as he drove home from work. It was not listed for sale, but he found the owner and surprisingly they were willing to sell. We purchased 18 acres and began to make plans for what we wanted on the property. Josh had the idea of a barnhouse and after lots of research and long discussions, we decided that a barnhouse would be the perfect option for our future, for many reasons. IG: @lifeatchristmasville
The first being that we could make this home completely unique and customize the interior plans to fit our needs---a 40’ x65’ 2 story house with a 10’ breezeway/dog walk connecting to a 30x40 garage. Another reason was that we could incorporate shop/garage space into our build and not have to build our home and then build a shop later. And lastly, we really liked the industrial look and design of so many “barndos ” we saw on social media. Since we had gained so much inspiration from the social media community even before starting to build, I knew I wanted to document our journey. So the account @lifeatchristmasville came to life.
After adding other accounts who were also building barnhouses, we all quickly connected through the weekly #barndotour. After a few months, it quickly became more than just connecting over our build journeys; we started to bond and encourage each other through daily life challenges. Recently, several of us were able to meet in person and grow our friendship even more. This community has truly been a blessing and exactly what I didn ’t know I needed. Everyone ’ s home building journey has up ’ s and down ’ s but when our build took a major setback, this community supported us and helped in any way they could to help us get back on track. For that, I will forever by thankful. Cheers to social media inspirations that become your biggest encouragers and best friends.
Photo: Avery Gardner Photography
It took me sitting down to write something for this magazine to really pause and think about how extraordinary some of the things are that I deem as “ normal every day life ” . Leaving our front door unlocked. Roads where everyone waves at each passing vehicle (or tractor). Summer days dipping in a stock tank to cool off. Letting our kids run wild ’til past dark because we all just take turns feeding supper to whatever neighborhood children end up at our table. Country music and swing dancing in the neighbors barn. Literally riding horses in to the sunset…I could go on and on.
Living in a barndominium, for us, has always been first and foremost about quality of life. We built our current home inside a 40x80’ pole barn that was storing hay on our land. And, while that wasn ’t exactly our initial plan, the idea grew on us. For one, we ’ ve always liked minimalist living and had already spent a year of our life traveling the U.S living out of a 180 sq ft Airstream, so really a barn looked like a mansion to us! And, in our mid-twenties at the time, we wanted to be mortgage free. ”Barndominiums ” weren ’t really a term or a trend back then, but nonetheless we decided to give a go.
We spent everything we had (and let’ s be honest, probably some we didn ’t!) To renovate the barn in to a 1600 sq ft home with a 200 sq ft attached shop. Fast forward 6 years and our sweet little home has brought us so much more than we bargained for…namely, a new career!
After building our own home ourselves, and “low key ” helping others do the same, we decided to make it official and open Back Forty Buildings (an Architectural Design and Engineering firm) in 2020. While our company has now grown to include a number of employees aside from myself, I still personally am involved with each project (hundreds of which we ’ ve completed over the past year!), and I still cry every time clients send me pictures of their builds!
When I’ m asked what I think of “living in a barn ” , I struggle to find the words. Most people talk about features when asked about their home. The cabinet color. The walk in closet. The fabulous kitchen island. And that is great! For us it’ s just different. To some people, this life would probably be the exact opposite of desirable, and it’ s certainly not luxurious! We don ’t even have internet or reliable cell service in our house. Earlier this year we bottle raised a goat that lived in my daughters bedroom. And, I still wash laundry in my shop. However, I love about living in our barndominium isn ’t really anything about the structure itself…it’ s the type of lifestyle it’ s given us. Slow. Wholesome. Simple. Connected. And I’ll be darned if that isn ’t the richest lifestyle on earth. IG: @back_forty_buildings
In 2007 while my husband Jared and I were building our 1st home we lived in a barndominium. We had always said when the time came to downsize and sell our first home, we would want to build a barndominium. The time was right. We sold our home in the middle of a global pandemic to build our forever home on 10 acres, on the farm that’ s been in my family for over 75 years. Most of my family still lives there.
I knew exactly where I wanted our home to sit. I wanted my front porch overlooking the silos at the dairy farm where my brothers used to milk cows, and the back porch facing the hayfield where I grew up riding horses, and could see the most gorgeous sunsets. This place holds such a sentimental value.
I knew when we started this journey I wanted to document it on Instagram.
Our goal building our forever home was to downsize. Our kids are grown, and we knew we didn ’t need a huge house. We also wanted to keep it simple. One level 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 3 car garage, with an open floor plan. We wanted to build something cost effective, which has been more than a challenge with increases and shortages. We went with a 40x70 hybrid shell, which is steel trusses, I-beams and cable system designed to withstand hurricane force winds. We designed our own floor plan. Our total living space is a little less than 2,000 square feet. We plan to build a detached shop for the extra toys and greenhouse.
I already knew the handle I wanted. My granddad’ s nickname was Junie or Junebug and that's how @june _ bugfarms was created. Early in the summer, Sarah Beth had the idea to get us all together for a girls weekend, and her and I got to planning. I never thought by creating an Instagram account, about my home build journey, that I would gain these strong women in my life, who encourage each other daily. We laugh together, cry together and lift each other up. We have each other's back in everyday life. We have formed a very special bond. These ladies are the puzzle piece I have been missing, and didn ’t know I needed. IG: @june_bugfarms
Photo: Kari Fabri Photography
This journey of ours began 2 years ago, we were happy with our home in a nice sought out neighborhood, but we wanted more space outside. We started looking for houses with land and quickly realized how big the mortgage would be on what we wanted. Then my husband threw in the "why don't we just buy land and build our house" . I'm pretty sure I laughed because although we always said how amazing it would be I never thought it was possible. Now here we are living on our 6 acres of land in a 10x20 shed that we converted to be our very own cozy little cabin.
Since my husband is a Union Ironworker and we have many trade friends who can help if we don ’t know something along the way, we are building our barndominium ourselves debtfree. It is taking a little longer than if we went the traditional route by getting the loan and having the mortgage. However, we think that the small sacrifices we are making now will be huge in our families future! The current status on our home.. we have our footer poured and we hope that come early Spring 2022 we will be able to move full steam ahead! When it is completed, it will be a 40’ x 60’ , 3-bedroom 3.5-bathroom, almost 6,000 sq ft home! We absolutely love to entertain so we have a guest loft area and the full basement will be half garage and half entertainment space. The goal is to be living in it, even if it isn ’t 100% completed by Summer 2022.
IG: @theculleyexperience
You have to let go of a set completion date, and embrace the stage you are in
Photo: Kari Fabri Photography
My husband and I have been dreaming of this barn build for 10 years! We love the idea of taking something so rustic and making it beautiful! We also love the idea of how unique it is. We love the trickery of people driving up to our home and thinking “they leave in a freaking barn ” then being blown away once they walk inside. We have always been the couple that marches to the beat of our own drum so when we finally got the opportunity, we decided to call it “That Damn White Barn ” . I mean in all reality what better name could we have chosen after such a long wait?!
We have always wanted a monitor style barn in order to preserve the traditional exterior of the barn look. But the inside, well the inside would be nothing short of amazing! My husband spent months drawing the interior floor plans, driving me crazy in the process, as he pored over every painstaking detail.
Construction can be stressful, but having a support system makes it not only manageable, but that much more fun.
The plans then had to be approved and permitted by the county building inspector. Once that hurdle was cleared, we moved onto Metal Pros in Carrollton, Georgia for their approval. We then made decisions on metals such upgrading to heavier gage metals, four-foot centering for the structure, soffit, etc. The plans were then sent for construction. Upon completion, the 2200 square feet building was delivered and installed onto a structural slab.
One of the self-contracting perks is the ability to source from local companies and bargain shop. A con of selfcontracting is that all the financial responsibility is on you.
Our build is taking a little longer than expected but we will be debt free at the end of this journey. We are still about 3 1/2 more months out from realizing a lifelong dream so when you look at like that, it’ s nothing! IG: @thatdamnwhitebarn
The #barndotour started in January 2021 as an attempt to connect Barndominium accounts of all types and sizes in. . I was 4 months pregnant and living 1,000+ miles away from my family, we were just starting our build and we ’ re hungry for insight. (In a time of general distancing, I had tried FB groups, with no success.
Early on in the tour I noticed several accounts with genuine interest, investing time and energy in each other ’ s build. It was easy to see that they were in the same boat as us, excited and ready to make real connections. I was alone a lot due to my husband’ s work , so I went for it, added them all to a group and asked them if they ’d like to connect.
We would share a message in the group chat like “ we got insulation!” , “Made a new post” , or “I tried making a reel, tell me what you think” and before you knoew it we were chatting about our kids, pets, frustrations…and when I had my son, the ladies in that group were some of the first people in my life to see his little face. Our weekend trip in Nashville trip was our way of making sense of all that closeness. Sarah Beth handled the logistics of getting us into an AirBnB, we booked flights, and then the planning got serious. We went a little overboard with themes (obviously Real Housewives won), and everyone contributed something like cookies, house decor, mugs, shirts, tiny barns, and by the time the trip came, we were all decked out.
Meeting these ladies and sharing our journey has done more to preserve my sanity this year than almost anything else. Although I didn ’t know I needed a cheerleading squad in my life, I have one now, and I couldn ’t be more grateful for their company on this bumpy road. IG: @woodys_barndominium_build
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If you began your build journey shortly before, or after, the pandemic started, chances are high that things didn't go as planned. The construction industry faced unique challenges in balancing supply shortages with increases in labor and material costs. Maintaining deadlines took a back seat to ensuring quality in a volatile market. Costs weren't the only things on the rise , as everyone struggled to keep emotions in check.
If you struggled to keep things together, you weren't alone. While practicing patience is much easier said than done, it is essential for anyone considering embarking on their build journey anytime soon. The ladies want to share things they have learned along the way.
B e p a t i e n t w i t h y o u r b u i l d e r a n d c o n t r a c t o r s . T h e r e a r e s h o r t a g e s i n l a b o r a n d m a t e r i a l s , a n d t h e y a r e o f t e n d o i n g t h e b e s t t h e y c a n .
T h e r e a r e a l o t o f m o v i n g p a r t s t h a t n o n e o f u s h a v e c o n t r o l o v e r r i g h t n o w . -Holly
D o n ' t b e a f r a i d t o s h a r e y o u r e x p e r i e n c e a n d a s k q u e s t i o n s . T h e r e a r e a l w a y s o t h e r s w h o c a n h e l p y o u a n d y o u n e v e r k n o w w h o y o u m a y h e l p b y s h a r i n g w h a t y o u a r e g o i n g t h r o u g h w i t h o t h e r s . -Keesha
E n j o y t h e p r o c e s s , e v e r y m o m e n t . U n d e r s t a n d t h a t t h i n g s m a y n o t g o a s p l a n n e d a n d i t m a y t a k e l o n g e r t h a n e x p e c t e d . S h a r e t h e e x p e r i e n c e w i t h y o u r f a m i l y , i n c l u d i n g y o u r c h i l d r e n . T h e y w i l l l e a r n a l o t a n d t h e y w i l l t e a c h y o u a l o t a l o n g t h e w a y . -Kristy
L e t g o o f t h e i d e a o f a c e r t a i n c o m p l e t i o n d a t e . Y o u w a n t t o p l a n , b u t t h e r e a r e m a n y t h i n g s r i g h t n o w t h a t w e c a n ' t c o n t r o l . B y l e t t i n g g o o f t h a t , y o u c a n f o c u s o n t h e t h i n g s y o u d o h a v e c o n t r o l o v e r .
-Amber
C o n s i d e r y o u r c h i l d r e n a n d f a m i l y a s y o u p l a n y o u r b u i l d .
T h i s w i l l b e t h e i r h o m e t o o . T h i n k o f w a y s t o i n c l u d e t h e m i n t h e p r o c e s s a n d m a k e t h e m f e e l a p a r t o f i t . Y o u w i l l b e b u i l d i n g m e m o r i e s a l o n g w i t h a h o m e . -Megan
D o n ' t g e t d i s c o u r a g e d , I t ' s i m p o r t a n t t o m a n a g e y o u r e x p e c t a t i o n s . E x p e c t d e l a y s a n d e x p e c t t h a t t h i n g s m a y n o t b e i n b u d g e t . -Sarah Beth
