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"In folly's cup still laughs the bubble joy." Alexander Pope

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Chicken Shaming: A New Hobby for the Farm

August 9, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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Chickens: the creator of eggs, nature’s alarm clocks, and delicious Sunday afternoon dinners. Not that I would dare to consume any of my beloveds at the farm. I would, however, shame a few of them, which has become quite the trend on Instagram.

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Procrastination Links 07.29.19

July 29, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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The warm weather continues here in Wisconsin. I hope you find a few moments of air conditioned peace. During your next lemonade break, check out my favorite links from around the web.

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Garden Furniture Passed Down or Stolen

July 26, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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This week’s post is a little sloppy because the weather is fine so I am required to report for weed duty. They are unstoppable, the bindweed, the lamb’s quarter, the farter’s button, overrunning every inch of our idyllic little farm like the oligarch tourists swarming over Lake Como.

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In Family, Farm Tags monches farm, francois carre, sunburst chairs
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Procrastination Links 07.15.19

July 15, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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It’s going to be a hot one in Wisconsin this week. Perfect for taking a dip in a lake. I hope you are staying cool wherever you may be. If you need a little break this week, check out my favorite links from around the web…

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In Procrastination Tags procrastination
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Getting to Know Our Chickens

July 12, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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Lots of people in the Milwaukee area know our farm well. It was a thriving business and a popular destination for over forty years. When folks learn that we are the new owners, the first question they ask is, “What about the chickens?”

The chickens are staying. As of Monday, we are in charge of their welfare. All thirty-nine of them. Scott and his staff are done renting and we are keepers of the coop.

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In Lessons, Farm Tags chickens, farm, Jane Goodall
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Procrastination Links 07.08.19

July 8, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing Fourth of July weekend. If you need a little break as you head into the week ahead, check out my favorite procrastination links from around the web…

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15 Favorite ONLINE Antiques

July 5, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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I’ve written about how to shop an estate sale before, guaranteeing that you will net high quality furniture, art, and household items at bargain basement prices. I don’t understand why, when I attend an estate sale, it’s not like Back Friday. Perhaps people don’t have the time. Perhaps there is the stigma of buying something used something once owned by a person who now might be dead.

Or maybe people are intimidated by the rules. My husband being one. Here’s a funny story:

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In Lessons, Vintage Finds Tags Chairish, Estate sales, Ebay, vintage
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Procrastination Links 07.01.19

July 1, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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July is officially here and we will be taking full possession of the farm! I’m looking forward to sharing posts about the gardens, chickens, and antique glass house in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you need a little break check out my favorite links from around the web this week…

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Procrastination Links 06.24.19

June 24, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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I am off to a writing workshop at the University of Iowa this week. And after that we will be taking full possession of the farm! I’m looking forward to all of the projects and gardening that await us! If you need a little break this week, check out my favorite procrastination links from around the web…

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In Procrastination Tags procrastination links, link love
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Bonnet House: Come for the Monkeys, Stay for the Art

June 21, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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In its heyday, the mangroves at Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sheltered a barrel of wild monkeys who so loved their mistress, Evelyn Bartlett, that they seemed to know exactly when she was en route from Massachusetts. By the time she arrived for the winter season, they were gathered in the branches overhanging the porch, awaiting the toast points with strawberry jam that Evelyn fed them.

It seems outrageous, calling to mind Mrs. Thurston Howell III, doesn’t it? But such are the privileges of the very very wealthy. And what good fortune that Evelyn Bartlett (whose maiden name was indeed Fortune) did not sell her valuable property to Fort Lauderdale developers, that instead she donated all 35 acres to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.

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In Travel Tags Bonnet House, Evelyn Bartlett, Frederic Bartlett, Fort Lauderdale
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Procrastination Links 06.17.19

June 17, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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The farm has been keeping me busy these days, especially the never-ending weeding! But I couldn’t love the gardens more. If you need a break this week, check out my favorite procrastination links from around the web…

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In Procrastination Tags procrastination links, link love
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A Handy Man to Have Around

June 14, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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English is not his mother tongue but that doesn’t stop my dad from going through the fine print on contracts. “Part and labor for one year,” he reads aloud to me.

I correct him. “Parts,” I say.

“Do parts include silly putty?” he asks me.

“What are you talking about?”

He had noticed a leak coming from the new air conditioner. The front panel is attached via round bolts threaded through oval holes. Which explains the minute threads of cooled air escaping past his outstretched hand. He calls the HVAC guy and tells him to bring his silly putty.

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In Family Tags Father's Day, Persian, DIY reparis
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Procrastination Links 06.03.19

June 3, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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I am off to a writing workshop at The Clearing in Door County, Wisconsin this week. I’m looking forward to some time focused entirely on writing. If you need a little break this week, check out my favorite procrastination links from around the web…

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In Procrastination Tags procrastination links, link love
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Big Little Lies and Max

May 31, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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It’s back! Season Two of that wonderful whodunit/howdunit/whydunit Big Little Lies, executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, will air on HBO beginning Sunday, June 9th.

Longtime blog readers will remember my erudite young friend Max who hated La La Land. Our disagreement made for a good blog post. Max has strong opinions and backs them up. Also, he’s a classy debater. And he is currently working in L.A. as a producer. So I like turning to him for an insider’s perspective. What follows is our chat about Season One. It took place two years ago. I jotted it down. (Yes, I often write down the clever things you people say to me.)

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In Reviews Tags Big Little Lies
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Procrastination Links 05.27.19

May 27, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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As we remember those who have served our country, I hope you have a day filled with sunshine, picnics, and time spent with family and friends. If you need a little break as you head into the week ahead, check out my favorite links from around the web…

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In Procrastination Tags procrastination links, link love
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Book Review: The Baltimore Book of the Dead

May 24, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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I don’t mind thinking about death. I am not repelled by its possibility. (There’s a joke.) My fear of it has dissipated as my children have grown and I have become so contented in life. Also, I’d much rather beat my husband across that meridian.

Now that I’m well into my fifties and traversing the shadowed side of the mountain, what lies below in the valley seems interesting. My sense of adventure is aroused. When I draw my last and my body begins the process of turning out the lights, then might I learn what is next. Ah! The chance to discover the big fat unanswerable question — how is that not very very thrilling!

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In Reviews Tags book review, baltimore book of the dead
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Procrastination Links 05.20.19

May 20, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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I spent a wonderful weekend in Washington D.C., one of my favorite cities, visiting one of my sons and seeing Monticello for the first time. Now that I’m home, I’m looking forward to the warm weather coming to Wisconsin later this week. If you need a little break this week, check out my favorite procrastination links from around the web…

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Procrastination Links 05.13.19

May 13, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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I hope you had a wonderful weekend celebrating all of the special mothers in your life. Spring has finally arrived in Wisconsin and we are enjoying a beautiful sun-filled day. If you need a little break this week, check out my favorite links from around the web…

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In Procrastination Tags procrastination links, link love
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Our Plans for the Farm: A Short List

May 10, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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I’m going to share a bunch of ideas we’ve discussed for this farm. In case you’re new here, we purchased a farm that is currently a perennial plant nursery and a gift shop. We did not purchased the actual business, though, so we have been considering all manner of proposals. This has been fun, especially for someone like me who is a squirrel and scampers after anything shiny.

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In Family, Farm Tags Farm, farmers market, e.b. white
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Procrastination Links 05.06.19

May 6, 2019 mithra ballesteros
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Please join me at Past Basket on Thursday, May 23rd, 7pm for a workshop on paint color. I will be teaming up with Past Basket owner Linda McFadden to help you learn how to tame the process of selecting paint. Click here to learn more about the event and RSVP. Until then, check out my favorite links from around the web this week…

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In Procrastination Tags procrastination links, link love
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Welcome! I'm Mithra (pronounced Mee-thra). I'm an interior stylist and a writer. I'm also a vintage and antiques lover. I have an online shop, Finder Not Keeper, where I sell my best finds. (That's a white lie. I keep the best finds.) Read more about me and the blog here. 


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Instagram posts

A few days back in the ‘Quon. All of February is the price I’m willing to fork over for one week in September.
A few days back in the ‘Quon. All of February is the price I’m willing to fork over for one week in September.
Latest blog post about our new outdoor shower and the differences of opinion between this guy and his mother (me) on how it should be used. #linkinbio
Latest blog post about our new outdoor shower and the differences of opinion between this guy and his mother (me) on how it should be used. #linkinbio
Brainy, brave, kind, genuine, indefatigable, funny, patriotic, fair, hard working, gentle, strong, iconic.
Brainy, brave, kind, genuine, indefatigable, funny, patriotic, fair, hard working, gentle, strong, iconic.
Those aren’t my hands forming baguettes. But I took the pic. @heat_her_all_a_man has it down  and I’m ready with my salted butter and honey. What do you eat with baguettes?
Those aren’t my hands forming baguettes. But I took the pic. @heat_her_all_a_man has it down and I’m ready with my salted butter and honey. What do you eat with baguettes?
Surveying the herb garden after a good weeding session. Basil took a hit the last couple weeks but everything else is flourishing like summer lasts forever.
Surveying the herb garden after a good weeding session. Basil took a hit the last couple weeks but everything else is flourishing like summer lasts forever.
First restaurant account for @littlelaurentide! Also first time eating out since the snow was flying. Really really fun night. (Not to mention that building’s white with black trim paint color scheme is 💯)
First restaurant account for @littlelaurentide! Also first time eating out since the snow was flying. Really really fun night. (Not to mention that building’s white with black trim paint color scheme is 💯)
Surprise lilies, also known as naked ladies, fit in well here at the farm for reasons we will let you ponder.
Surprise lilies, also known as naked ladies, fit in well here at the farm for reasons we will let you ponder.
This is son #2, the farmer. Walter is working hard to turn this place into a sustainable organic farm. Follow us @littlelaurentide for the latest on how mother and son align, clash, argue, hug.
This is son #2, the farmer. Walter is working hard to turn this place into a sustainable organic farm. Follow us @littlelaurentide for the latest on how mother and son align, clash, argue, hug.
On the blog today, the newest bachelor at Little Laurentide. Will he draw viewers or is he a train wreck along the lines of Juan Pablo Galavis? Read the latest blog post to find out! Link in bio.
On the blog today, the newest bachelor at Little Laurentide. Will he draw viewers or is he a train wreck along the lines of Juan Pablo Galavis? Read the latest blog post to find out! Link in bio.
On the blog today: a tour of the best places on the farm to sit for a spell. And I write a bit about what it’s like to cohabit with a son who used to give me every kind of gray hair. He could teach a polar bear how to be grumpy and I could teac
On the blog today: a tour of the best places on the farm to sit for a spell. And I write a bit about what it’s like to cohabit with a son who used to give me every kind of gray hair. He could teach a polar bear how to be grumpy and I could teach a grizzly bear how to be grumpy. It’s a new world for the two of us, farming together, and can you guess how it’s going??

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