Sheepish

of.field.and.forest

Almost 5 years ago in this very space I started capturing my days in photos and words.  My life looked very different then - the little details of which at risk of becoming forgotten were it not for the pages kept here.  This blog holds proof of time spent - mostly good with healthy bits of reality thrown in.  Because truly that is what makes a well-lived life is it not?  I recognize and appreciate the fact that I am  lucky to have that as my reality.

It is therefore with a small amount of melancholy that I realize that my presence here is drawing to a close.  Like I mentioned, things are different now and this forum no longer fills all that I need it to.  There is a new business idea percolating - slowly becoming more real. And one that requires more than a blog can offer.  

From now on I can be found here - of field and forest.  I will be writing there much like I have been here.  Likely with less of the small-child raising bits and more of the small-business raising ones. :-)

I hope you will join me.

xoKaren

Stalled

There are days when my morning begins with thoughts of work. Etsy shop updates. Blog posts. Business plan worksheets.

Somewhere though the path of my day shifts.  I veer towards the seemingly unimportant. Rearranging furniture.  Washing floors.  Daydreaming.

Many times I offer myself only reprimands about such behaviour and wasting time.  Sometimes I allow myself to sink into it and recognize that this too is part of the process.

Today was a good day.

xo

 

Taking to task

Happy New Year folks!  The beautiful sunrise that greeted me on New Years Day is one that I took as an omen of the year to come.

It would seem that Deathcab for Cutie's song "So this is the New Year" has become a thing as part of my tradition surrounding this day.  Without thinking about it,  the song joins me the instant my eyes are open.  The chorus spends time circling around inside my head - ear worm style.  It is not a song I have listened to recently or one that reflects my outlook on things to come.  Despite it's melancholy tone, the phrase "so this is the new year" is one that resonates with me.  It captures my sentiments as I spend my day with the ordinary and the extraordinary.  

 

The transfer of all old calendar information to the newest edition is another part of my welcoming in of the new.  As an early-riser this time of day finds me at my best.  It is also the quietest time of the day with everyone else still asleep.  With coffee nearby and pen in hand I begin the process of filling in the blank slate.  And for a brief time it feels as though things are under control.  I admit to placing much importance on the look of this journal of sorts, and spend time seeking out a worthy one up to the task of being the keeper of our days.  This year's choice (on the right)  is put out by Taproot magazine and can be found here.

 

Although I am not technically one for resolution-making, I did have time throughout our holidaying to state some intentions for the coming days, weeks and months.  What I came to was the commitment to finishing the old before beginning the new - regardless of the medium.  My mending pile of woollens was the first to tackle.  One morning spent with a darning needle was all it took to work through the pile.  

There is also a growing number of small, yet unfinished home reno projects in my life.  Again - many of said projects require an insignificant amount of time and effort that upon completion come with a huge sense of satisfaction.   This little red cabinet is one that has been waiting for months to be put into place.  A curbside find of many years ago, it's pretty red facade the perfect juxtaposition on a white wall and a black woodstove.  Checking this one off the list was big - not only pretty but also functional...it does a kickass job of  holding our matches. ;-)

And.  The tree.  As I mentioned, I love a tree indoors... until I don't.   This year the turning point was January 1.  Consequently, our tree has taken up residence outside our back deck and has a new lease on life as being shelter and food for our animal friends.  As a way of giving thanks to this tree and all the others we have cut down over the years, a plan for planting saplings come Spring has been formulated.  And we will welcome birch, balsam, among others to live on our homestead.

I am motivated to keep working on the projects that are taking up space in my head.  In doing so, I hope to make room for all that is waiting ahead.  That is my wish for 2017.

xoKaren

 

 

The Days After

I am going to go out on a limb here and state for the record that this year my love of Christmas was given a run for it's money by thoughts of the days after.  The December whirlwind of full-time winter farming, LittleWool making and all that is Christmas prep felt at times like a race to the finish line.  

Don't get me wrong, our familiar holiday traditions foster a mindful and lovely vibe.  Each gift is purchased or made with careful consideration - books and tools and craft supplies bringing much joy to both the giver and receiver.  Of note - it is surprising how much preparation is required to achieve such simplicity.  A fact that I must promptly forget each year once the festivities begin.

And now, with all holidaying behind me I find myself with a string of commitment free days.  Days spent with the possibility of spontaneous walks on our homestead with no intended destination. Walks with the unhurried pace that allows for the delivery of carrots and apples to spots we know our animal friends will find them.  

Mornings and afternoons spent with books and fibre as my inspiration.  Always with a coffee or tea in hand.  Sometimes in the company of friends or family, sometimes in the quiet of morning alone while those I love are asleep.

Balance has been struck.  And as such I have been able to make room in my head for hopes and dreams for the coming year.  As we make ready to ring in 2017 there is space for the idea of possibility.

It begins with this little old shed.  And remains the subject for another post.

xo

The Darkest of Nights

The Wheel of the year has turned.  And we find ourselves on the path of returning light - despite the reality of much cold and dark still to come before Winter gives way.  This is a time that traditionally has been one of quiet and introspection.  One of remembering and of planning for the days to come.  Full of ceremony and as much a part of the cycle as that of planting seeds or bringing in the harvest.

This is a truth I am compelled to honour.  

With hope and light, I wish you all a Happy Solstice.

xo 

 

Gratitude for a wintery weekend

Thanks in part to a stint of Wintery weather, this weekend was spent close to home.  There was some shovelling, it's true.  And plenty of woodbox filling as well.  But there was actually time - albeit brief - for nothing at all.  

Our first homestead cut tree was brought indoors and decorated.  I love having trees in the house.  Until I don't.  Which is usually sometime around January 2 or 3.

 

Come to think of it, this weekend felt a bit like a practice run for the holiday break that I envision starting next weekend.  

Have a great week folks.

xo

 

The Gift of a Day

Proof to me that the universe is watching.  Because the fact that songs like "It's a Good Life if you don't Weaken" and "If We Make it through December" have been running on repeat through my head for the past month just weren't indication enough.  When day one of the work week begins with a headachy kid, it doesn't matter what was on the list of things to-do. The powers that be have other plans.

A forced stop.

A quiet day at home.  With little bits of holiday decorating and making thrown in.  An opportunity to teach the sick one about essential oil mixing.  Catching up on LittleWool custom orders.

Small things that have a disproportionate impact.  The opportunity to catch my breath.

xo

 

LittleWool - On the Road

It is with growing acceptance that I acknowledge the fact that December is right around the corner.   Over the past couple of months my days have been spent attempting to balance farm work with wool work.  Oh yes, and the daily routines of home and family.  Of note to me is the extreme lack of time spent with friends - a reality of the times but first on the list to remedy come January.  

This sweet LittleWool number and I have been a thing for six holiday seasons now.  A fact that fills me with the same happiness as it did on season 1.  

This year my LittleWool creations are available in a few spots around town.  All of the wonderful folks who work so hard at their own small business ventures deserve to have a light focussed on them.  Keeping things real in a time of big box madness. (The fact that I am posting this on the nefarious Black Friday is not lost on me).  

The Village Quire

Wabi-Sabi

The Grotto

Thanks for all your support.  The heart you put into your spaces does not go unnoticed.  And your friendship is perhaps the greatest gift to me.

Lastly, I am participating in two shows in the coming weeks.  

This weekend I can be found at Linda Hynes Pottery for her Open Studio along with Milkhouse Farm and Dairy.  If beautiful pottery, delicious cheese and pretty fibre are your thing, then you don't want to miss this one.

And of course, the show that I cut my teeth on so many years ago happens December 3 in Ottawa.  My old reliable Fisher Park Pop-Up Market.  

Happy weekend all. Farm work is calling.

xo

 

Hello October

I have a hard time putting to words all that goes on within my head when this time of year comes around.   There is much work to be done to get both garden and home ready for the arrival of cold days.  And, as with all shifts of season it can feel like time simply will not allow for everything to be done.  

Yet.  This season is the one that comes easiest to me.  Days of making ready are lived fully in each moment - working alongside every living thing.  In tune with the rhythm of the earth.  

Hello October.  I am so glad you are here.

 

The pursuit of Handmade

There is life.  And there are often times when it remains simply about keeping ones' head above water.  Times when the extent of "handmade" includes getting dinner on the table. Times when it has to be enough to fall into bed remembering all that has been done and not what didn't.  

In an attempt to keep things light and pretty in this space I feel that maybe sometimes this crucial piece of information gets missed.  The pursuit of handmade is a choice that comes hand in hand with my choice to try and live a life subject to what is important to me.  This step, that of taking time to think and then create allows for a thought process that helps me remain on this path.  It's not that I don't I get waylaid.  

As I mentioned in my last post, this Summer the garden has been the centre of my handmade focus.  And it started in Spring with a fence.  

I am very happy with this fence.  Of the postholes I dug.  And set posts in.  And backfilled.  Many times over.  The wood gleaned from our property...some of it from old falling down fencing, some freshly cut a stones throw away.   I am sure there will be a time in the future when the fence just is and always has been, but for now it is reminder of time spent and grounds me to this place.  The creation of gates lives on the list for next year.  

There is also now at least a small chunk of each day dedicated to LittleWool.  With the impending arrival of my busy season I am attempting to be ahead of the game....even if only for a little while.  

And here we are at Friday.  The weekend presenting an opportunity to create without the distraction of the everyday routine and the necessity of outside the home paid labour.

Wishing you a wonderful day and weekend ahead.

Karen