Tuesday 30 September 2014

Balance

I was inspired to write about this topic after reading the comments on one of my favorite blogs - soulemama.  Folks were asking her how she "does it all" and does it well...and does so much.  I have to admit, I've often wondered that about Amanda but I find it inspiring, not discouraging which is what I think was happening for a few others.  We have to look at all she does objectively I think.  Of course you are only going to see the beauty and perfection of her days, her life is her business.  I only have 2 kids and everyday is a balance of need, want and necessity.  I need to make lunches, go grocery shopping, work and eat.  I have to feed the animals.  I want to shower and shop and the weather doesn't always cooperate with the work that needs to get done at the farm.  But it is always fun.  And even if you are bone tired and un-showered the rest of the day - it's worth it.  So after working from home today I helped cover a neighbors pool with a leaf guard, moved the horses over to our pasture, made and ate dinner, pulled out my dying tomato plants and sun flowers, loaded hay into the back of the truck and brought it down to the garden to cover the strawberries, fed the chickens and collected the eggs, did dishes, collected the blankets off the line, showered the kids, filled out forms for school, put the kids to bed and then sat down to write this post on my iphone before bed.  Usually (always?) we have dirty dishes next to the sink and the laundry is never completely done.  TV?  Nope.  Up at 5:30 am to start again.  If this farm has taught me anything it's how to make the most of your time and energy.  Which is why I get how Amanda does it.  It's not easy but if you like a good, honest day of work - it is a good life.

Friday 26 September 2014

Page views and followers

Hello to everyone who took a look at my blog in the last 24 hours...a record number for me.  I'm fairly new to this space, deciding to start a blog after moving to a farm last fall.  I love it here.  It's my dream to be surrounded by trees and stars with the added perk of boarding horses in the winter.  I'm learning all the time and it's hard work!  I follow Jenna at Cold Antler Farm and Soulemama and get my inspiration from them.  Since I'm just figuring out this blogging thing and making time for it when I can, I appreciate that people are taking the time to read it and comment on it...that makes me feel good.  So welcome to my little piece of the internet.  Please feel free to follow me, apparently having followers is a good thing.

Thursday 25 September 2014

In my kitchen





A bit more canning - this time spicy green beans.  Up next when I can find the time - carrots!  My "work from home lunch" of spinach, zucchini (from my garden), mushrooms and lots of ranch dressing.  Fresh baked bread is a staple around here every week.  I found a simple recipe for butter tarts that worked out well.....they lasted 2 days in my house.  And a little obsession I had for a week when my friend brought me fresh grape tomatoes and basil...add feta and voila a nice light snack.  This week I'm making focaccia bread for the first time.

Wednesday 24 September 2014

A life in pictures

I don't know about you, but I often look through my camera roll for inspiration to write a post.  Sometimes I take a picture and it inspires an entire post but you've probably noticed that my posts are usually filled with pictures.  You want to know something though?  I never print the pictures.  Ever.  The last time I had pictures printed was when my youngest noticed that she didn't have her very own photo album of baby pictures like her sister did.  So I went on a special mission to ensure she felt just as special with her own album.  And I have so many pictures I would frame...so many wonderful faces and special moments that I've captured.  I'm going to make it my mission to print some of these pictures this year..and have them framed and given to some of the special people in the pictures.  Here are some of my favorites from the last week:
Moon

The horses are back for their stay with us over the winter

 More pickled green beans - spicy this time
 Spider web in the morning light
The sun burning off the fog this morning

Monday 15 September 2014

Country fairs and fall gardens

My oldest daughter and I went to our local fair on the last day of it's run.  I missed the farmers market and only saw a few animals so I promised next year we would go on the Saturday from start to finish.  We did see our first smash up derby, some calf's, had fresh lemonade a beaver tail and french fries.  We also looked at all of the winning vegetables, quilts, baked goods, art, photography and preserves.  There was a blacksmith there and chain saw competitions.  My girl won 4th place for her art work and we talked about submitting our best vegetables for next year's fair.  It was a great day.
Tractors - pic taken from ferris wheel


My garden is almost done for the season...just the sunflowers, raspberries, kale, pumpkins, celery and squash to go.  On the weekend I swept out the bottom of the barn and cleared up the cobwebs.  Cleared all the weeds out of my perennial gardens, hacked down some weeds around the raspberry bushes and mowed the lawn.  Our weekends are so busy right now and they are about to get busier when the leaves start falling.  I'm happy to report that I can't see any of the leaves changing yet and the weather report says it is getting warmer next week.  Just when we thought fall had settled in we get another little dose of summer, just the way it should be!



Have a great week!





Friday 5 September 2014

This Moment

{this moment}

. . . . . . . . .
{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 
Linking up with www.soulemama.com


Thursday 4 September 2014

Summers end

I'm realizing since moving here how much I enjoy cooking.  When I'm in the right mood, I will spend all morning cooking as I did last week with the chicken stock and bread.  That chicken stock was used in a turkey soup as well as the gravy for my turkey dinner.  I hate to see anything go to waste and even though I feel like I've eaten enough kale this summer, since it's still producing I'm still finding little ways to incorporate it.  I had 6 days in a row at home - from Thursday to Tuesday and spent a lot of time with family and outside and eating leftover turkey - so not a lot of cooking was done just a lot of savoring the last of the summer.






 Did you know that horses love to eat sunflowers?