Winter. Characterized by the pursuit of warmth from things other than the sun.
Things like the way the light casts shadows in a very different way than is warmer times.
And perfectly timed new releases from favourite authors.
Winter. Cold comfort. Beauty of a different kind.
xo
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 force with which I look forward to and love the holiday season is matched only by my feelings for the arrival of January. It brings with it a voice of reason after what can easily be described as a month-long bender.
A feeling that the future is wide open is what inspires the mapping out of our year. At such an early stage of the game, the process is based entirely on dreams and ideals. Things like, build a beautiful fence around those beautiful garden beds....construct a pretty woodshed made from only the best board and batten cedar....and replace all the old and tired bedding in the house. It is a happy spot to live for awhile, before the realities of dealing with the snow inside our attic (ahem!) or upgrading insulation take over.
It is a month of possibility my friends. A clean slate.
Successful woo-ing of pregnant barn cat. Unexpected immersion into the land of house pets, but just the kick in the pants we needed.
All chores pertaining to the gathering, chopping and stacking of wood remain at the top of things to do - regardless of whether it is my list, or his. Hazel still lives in the blissful world of a 10 year old who is happy to help without the thought of time pressures and snow falling.
There are now 4 raised garden beds in varying stages of readiness. And while it will suffice for now, I am harbouring the thought that it won't be enough once I buy my seeds. Without fail, every year, I am overzealous in my seed purchasing.
The weather so far has been very sympathetic to newbie rural folks. For this we are grateful. The list of all we hoped to get done by the close of this first year here is mostly covered in check marks. Extra things were written on to provide the satisfaction of checking them off as well.
Happy Monday folks.
Little wonder that a touch of melancholy came rolling through this morning along with the chilly winds and rainclouds. It is hard coming back down to the everyday after a perfectly perfect weekend.
That said, the feeling passes through with the wave that accompanies the acknowledgement of all that I am and all that I have. From where I stand the future stretches out with many ups and without a doubt an equal number of downs. But there is a good solid base on which we stand. Whether present in body or spirit we are together.
And for that I am infinitely glad.
Happy Monday.xo
After a long stretch of days guided by sunshine, rain greeted us this morning. Truth be told, while I thoroughly enjoyed the warming power of the sun, it was starting to feel like time for some water. It's restorative powers of washing away the remnants of winter...the sand, the salt and the little grey piles of resilient snow, felt overdue.
Our weekend was spent exploring the property my folks will be moving to. A nice little 2-acre lot with a small house. The kiddos spent time do what kids do best. A sight that always bring relief to this Mama's heart and mind. Proof that while the statistics say one thing, the innate curiosity and love of the out-of-doors lives on strong.
And Sunday. My "work" day - spent with my hands deeply mired in batting, roving, soap and hot water. Creating in the moment, prompted by the knowledge that soon my days will be spent in the company of boxes and packing tape. And in quick succession, the reversal of said process.
Happy Monday all.
Our Saturday was spent in the company of a whole whack of fluffy...and if you don't appreciate the value of "cute" in the world of today than you might want to look away. Seriously. Do it now.
Okay then. Consider yourself warned....here we go.
When we left the fine folks at Milkhouse Dairy there were somewhere in the neighborhood of 110 lambs...ranging from 2 weeks to 2 minutes old. Pretty amazing stuff. But don't let my words distract you.
It truly is a barn full of joy. Entering the door would melt the hardest of hearts. Cait and Kyle are two of the most amazing and impressive people I know.
And, you are quite welcome for the visuals to get your Monday started off right.
It is hard for me to believe, but I have not picked up my camera in over a week. It's as if every ounce of creative inspiration has hit the road and left me deeply mired in the preparation of selling our home. And while the tasks of painting and sprucing up a room are ones that I give myself over to and enjoy fully, this time it is different. This time, I am trying to read what I think it is others would like to see in our home.
I am unsettled by thoughts of what it will be like to open up our home to judgement of others.
I am keenly aware of the rules of house-listing as they stand with the masses. Remove all personal effects that would make it hard to others to imagine themselves living in your house, no photographs, "neutral" paint colors....and none of these rules sit well with me. I understand why they exist but I cannot subscribe to them. There is plenty of color on our walls, and photographs too. To me, these gestures indicate a personal connection to a home.
This house has been good to us - it has watched our family grow and change within it's walls. My hope is that a family who feels similarly will carry on in right here.
Happy Monday all.
My intentions for the day are clear. I have a list in front of me....post office, Village Quire, custom hat order, laundry....and on it goes. Yet, I am finding it hard to get my feet out of slippers and into my boots. The urge to do nothing is strong in this one.
I suppose another coffee is in order.
With the inaccurate setting of an alarm clock and a dead car battery we find ourselves abrubtly thrown back into our everyday reality. Fitting that this also happens to be a Monday.
Now, Monday. If I may have a word. Are we still friends? Maybe you too are struggling with the return to the marking of days and your role in the neverending passage of time. Or, could it be that you organized the above-mentioned road blocks to grant us just one more day in the blissful holiday state of mind.
Regardless. Here we are. Back to Mondays - with a fresh year stretched out in front of us. With me trying to remember that perspective is everything and good things are everywhere.
Enjoy the day all.
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