The School House Autumn Open House + 30% Off Pillow Sale

This past weekend, we hosted our first event at The School House.  When I spotted it last year, I knew that I'd want to host events here and open it up to the public.  It is just such a special little sturdy place that feels like a step out of time - I love the feeling I get every time I walk through the doors.  It was so fun to just let others come out to our favorite spot and experience it.  

I took the photos on Friday night after we'd finished setting up - it was a beautiful night.  It was raining the next morning, of course, but it made for a cozy day inside.

What I love about The School House is that it sits on the edge of a corn field, on a gravel road, with its classically simple  and stately facade - unassuming and humble.  Inside, it is a bustling country workshop.  How wild is it that I can run an online company from my house, and it is all lovingly packaged up in this charming small town school house in the country?  

Sometimes I just can't get over it.

My best helper.

She's been so excited about welcoming everyone and entertaining their kids : )   Here, she set up the kids welcome area complete with a School House Scavenger Hunt and bowl of candy for prizes.  She was in charge.

We set the mudroom up with hanging baskets and wraps displayed.  And rain boots and a spot for umbrellas in the big old crock - because it was pouring!

Shop Hanging Baskets & Wraps >

Welcome to our one room school house : )

We set up the sofa with all of the Fall Pillow Covers - Acorn Block Print, Slate Ticking Stripe, Gold Fleur.  I love how they all go so well together for mixing and matching and an eclectic, but cohesive look.

The Pillow Sale - 30% Off + Inserts Available Online

I purchased my go-to Pillow Inserts from Ikea for the Open House this weekend.  We have some leftover, so I've added them for purchase to the online store to pair with our Cushion Covers.  They are marked up slightly from what they would be at Ikea, just to cover my cost and the cost to ship them to you - Hopefully you'll find it more convenient than having to source your own inserts.  I'm open to always having them in stock if it is something you like!

Pillow Inserts >

This week, the entire collection of Pillows is 30% off, use code : PillowSale-30 at checkout.  

We have a big Farm Table that sits right in the center of the school house - we use it for packaging up products, spreading out big projects and parties, of course.   It is the centerpiece of the room.   I wanted it to be the picture of a bountiful fall table.  

The Acorn Block Print Farm Table

I set it with the Acorn Block Print Napkins & Table Runner, then piled so many pumpkins down the center.  I reserved some Acorn Linens to use just for this table setting.  I didn't want them to sell out before I was able to set this table : )  I also a mix of Cafe & Grey Taper Candles tucked in between the pumpkins, along with sprigs of bittersweet in my little Cream & Sugars for a little polish and color.

Shop Baskets >

The pie safe was loaded with Baking Supplies and Garden Pots.  The Pots will be available later this year for the Holiday Collection... with paper whites.  

The island was set up with wrapped packages featuring my wrapping paper designs and ribbons.

Shop Wrapping Paper & Ribbon >

To a bit of my surprise, my favorite part of the entire day was watching Emma.  I knew she was excited, but to see her enthusiasm for sharing the school house and her baking skills with the kids that were visiting, was so special.  In the past when she's helped me with in-person work events, there has been a little bit of me juggling the role of a "perfect parent" and a "perfect hostess" - not an easy task.  I think the spirit of the school house made us both relax a little - we were both just so glad to be there and share it.

We baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts & Orange Cranberry Scones for everyone in the morning and had coffee and hot cider, then had samplings of Pumpkin Cupcakes and Braised Beef & Vegetable Soup in the afternoon.  

Emma did some halloween cupcake decorating demonstrations and then let the kids decorate their own. She really enjoys having a captive audience : )

The outhouse was part of her scavenger hunt - "Where did the girls go to the bathroom?!"

I didn't take too many photos during the day, because that's what happens when real life people are around!  My friend Kirby (15009farmhouse, who happens to live down the road) was nice enough to let me take a photo of her browsing - and I loved that she was wearing her Autumn Blanket Wrap : )

Thank you to everyone that came out to visit with us and see our little country workshop.  We loved having you.

I wish it was the weekend again already : )

Shop the Pillow Sale, 30% Off with code : PillowSale-30

Things to Do in Lexington, Mo!

This post is mainly for our customers coming to the Open School House this weekend, but also useful for anyone local looking to day trip out to Lexington.  It is the town I grew up in and where much of my family still lives.  It is a quintessential Mid-West historical small town.  Thanks to its affluent historical past (Lexington was larger than Kansas City during the Civil War era), there are many beautiful Antebellum homes and buildings.  We still love just driving around looking at the old neighborhoods (South Street, Main Street & Franklin) and admiring the older homes, and old fashioned tree lined streets.

I've compiled a list of my must-sees while in town.

More information about all of these sites are available on the Lexington website.
Lexington Missouri Website


Fahrmeier Farms
9133 County Farm Road, Lexington MO 64067

My cousin owns a produce farm and pumpkin patch right outside Lexington.  They've got beautiful pumpkins and mums as well as so many kid friendly activities.  They have lunch available and treats, too!

Orchards are a big thing around here!  Here is a list of all of the local favorites.

The Lafayette County Courthouse :

It was built in 1847 and is the oldest courthouse in continuous use west of the Mississippi River. It is known far and wide for the cannonball embedded in the upper left column, a remnant of the Civil War Battle of Lexington I, fought on September 18, 19 and 20, 1861.^[2]

Anderson House, Museum & The Civil War Battlefield : 

Lexington was the site of the largest battle in the western campaign of the American Civil War. The battlefield on the bluffs of the Missouri River is now a state park where the trenches in the battlefield are still visible today. Experience the historic Anderson House that was utilized as a hospital and seized by both sides in the battle known as the Battle of the Hemp Bales. Historian-led tours and a pristinely preserved museum of artifacts and stories make this a must-see national heritage destination.




Main Street :

There are many darling stores on Main Street.  Here are some of my favorite spots :

The River Reader & Coffee Shop, 1010 Main Street

This is Emma's favorite bookstore.  This is also the spot in town to get coffee.  Amanda that also works at the School House works there on Saturdays, so say hi!

Antique Stores - a list of all, here

There are many, many antique stores on Main Street.  Here are my favorites :



Blackthorn Antiques, 1115 Main
The Country Peddler, 1112 Main

Old West Octoberfest

I picked this weekend for our Autumn Open House because there are some really fun activities happening in Lexington.  The Main Street will be buzzing with activities, details below!

Old West Octoberfest in Downtown Lexington, complete info here >

Historic Trolly Tours : 11am, Noon & 1pm (leave from 10th Street & Franklin Street), $5

Art & Photography Show : The LEX, 11 South 11th Street, 10am - 4pm

 
Downtown Craft & Antique Vendor Booths on Main Street (maybe relocated due to weather), 10am - 10pm

Craft Beer Tasting : 4pm - 7pm, 1111 Main Street at the P&H Events Center, $15

Kids Activities : 11am - 2pm, Scarecrow Building, Cowboys, Pumpkin Painting & Entertainment across from the Courthouse on Main Street

Toffee Topped Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

In an effort to be 100% transparent, I used a cake mix to make these cupcakes.  I think it was a Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix, to be exact.  If you have read this blog for a while, you know that I'm not afraid of or embarrassed by a cake mix.  I use them all of the time for shortcuts - especially when I'm making cupcakes.  Maybe it is just me, but I think that homemade cupcake batter can be a little finicky... it can roll over the sides, it can deflate, etc., and I wanted these to look just perfect in my new Gold Striped Cupcake Papers.  And it was easy.  I was really in the mood for a Fall-ish spice cake topped with creamy, cream cheese frosting and these were everything (and more!) than I had hoped.





People tend to not think about texture as much as they should.  I had a gourmet ice cream sundae at a fancy restaurant this summer, and the combination of textures was unbelievable.  I can still taste (feel it?) right now.  This cupcake combination of creamy frosting, moist cake and crunchy toffee has the same effect - in a very fall way.

Even though I used a mix, I thought I should provide you with some sort of recipe if you want to make some from scratch.  Here is my favorite, very dense and delicious spice cake recipe.  If you are making them from a box like me, just follow the baking directions and the frosting instructions.  Enjoy!

Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Toffee
makes about 12 cupcakes



1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves
2 eggs
1 cup milk
6 tablespoons of melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
....
4 ounces of cream cheese (1/2 block), room temperature
1 stick of butter
2 cups of powdered sugar (or more)
toffee candies (I used Werther's Original, which are caramel candies), chopped

In a mixer, combine sugar, flour, baking powder, soda, salt and spices.  Stir to combine.  Add egg, milk, melted butter and vanilla.  Mix on low until combined.  Beat for 1 minute on medium high. 



Scoop into cupcake papers, I used Gold Striped Papers ($6.50) for a little festive touch.  



Bake at 350 for 13-15 minutes, until tester comes out clean, or cupcakes spring back to touch.  




For cream cheese frosting, combine cream cheese and butter in a mixer until blended together.  Add powdered sugar and mix for 3 minutes on low.  Frost using an 18" Piping Bag with the tip cut off.   I did a basic, easy swirl - you can just scrape it off and start over if you need some practice.  I try not to do toooo much frosting, just a good ratio.  

I used Werther's Original caramel candies, because my grocery store didn't have toffee, except with milk chocolate.  So, I just chopped up the candies with my knife - it worked great.  



These were so tasty and perfect for breakfast, I mean an afternoon snack with coffee.  What are your favorite Fall desserts?  The next on my list is soft pumpkin spice pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies with a cream cheese butter icing.  That will have to wait until next week... when I can find my rolling pin!



Products Used :


Gold Striped Cupcake Papers, 100 for $6.50
Disposable Pastry Bags, 20 for $14.50