Rich

I am a planner, a dreamer, a believer in the good, the happy and the glass is half full type of gal.  I'm sure most of that comes from growing up in a loving supportive home, but i think that other bit comes from being myself and loving the person i am.  

Sometimes my plans and dreams are not my reality just yet, and it frustrates me.  I come here, to this space, to hash it all out.  This space is my reflection on the good and the not so good.  Although i am worried of the future, i also know to be patient and that these things can't be rushed.  

But my reality right now?  It's awesome.  Its so awesome.  Lets not rush, to get to the next appointment, to run home and do the dishes, to quickly blog and take a photo.  I need to remind myself to savor this time in our journey.  To sleep in late and have spur of the moment road trips.  To take away a bit of that schedule i love, and replace it with life.   

This weekend was the good.  It was the pure, the rich life i love so, so much.

Saturday was the perfect fall day.

The air was crisp.  The chopped wood filled the air with that fresh cut sent.  Oh how i love that smell.  

That smell of autumn.

Just a light breeze to dry my fresh laundry

A quick pass (or two) over the garden to make sure its nice and tilled.

To finally falling back into the groove of cooking and baking.  A fresh pound of bacon split between corn chowder and bacon, green pepper and onion quiche.

A loaf of Banana bread.......

to use up the three rotting banana's that were rounding up far too many fruit flies in the kitchen.

Pumpkin pie with homemade crust.  (The other half was used for the quiche!)

An afternoon rest just before the rain came.

Yes, these were picked a few weeks ago, but we finally got an area ready in the basement for carrots, potatoes and apples!

We made applesauce a few weekends back, it turned out amazing!  The first batch i only flavored with cinnamon.  The second, with cinnamon and syrup!

I also made some peanut butter cookies to pack in lunches this week.

The early morning haze over the fields surrounding our home.  It's quite cozy in the mornings, drinking coffee with my love, watching the fog lift and the sun rise.

This morning we woke early, had a bowl of cereal together with coffee.  Then headed over to the farm to put up some more syrup.  An hour after we were home, we had another customer, good timing!

This weekend was my favorite.  A whole lot of living with my husband.  An exuberant amount of laughter, which he knows i need right now.  A whole lot of love and conversation about the future and our life.  A pint of Ben & Jerry's mint chocolate cookie and a slice of pumpkin pie.  A lot of picture taking and editing.   Some baby sewing and a ton of baking.

Not a lot of driving and going, nor a lot of cleaning mind you..ahem...

But we did have a whole weekend full of life,

right here,

at home.

{ By the Sea }

{ What I loved about my weekend on the Cape }

·         Watching my youngest niece explore this unfamiliar environment, and learning to trust the sand beneath her toes, and the water splashing on her face.

·         Seeing my mother, now a grandmother teaching her oldest granddaughter to ride her new bike.  The cycle continues.

·         Dancing in the misty rain with the kids, while feeling like a kid myself.

·         Watching my dad play non-stop with his grandson.  His love overflowing throughout each child.

·         Smiling as she devours Oreo’s, then grabs my hand to head out for a bike ride around the block. 

·         Realizing that life flows on, and goes by so quickly.  Families grow and expand and the love continues.

·         Looking at my sister-in-law, loving those new lives inside her, and feeling so grateful she is my brother’s companion.

·         Learning patience and overwhelming love from my brother and his gentle approach to every situation with his children.

·         Feeling so grateful to be a part of their lives.

·         Watching him soak up every single second of his life.  Through games and laughs and explorations.  He is thoughtful and so sweet, that nephew of mine. 

·         Being near the sea and relaxing completely.

Life is short, and sometimes stressful, but oh so wonderful.

Refresh

An afternoon summer storm hit today.  After days on days of nothing but pure sunshine and hot, humid temps, the rain was much needed.  Our gardens and lawn needed the drink.  As i was on my way home from feeding the pigs, trying to beat the storm, it hit.  The wind pushed against the truck, the trees blew around me, the road was there by memory alone.  It sure did get my heart racing.  

It sure did make me feel alive.  

Once home safe and inside the comfort of my home, i laughed!  I laughed at how scared i was of a bit of lighting and wind.  I laughed at how vibrant i felt.  I dropped my things, grabbed some water and dinner and snuggled up with my pup on the couch.  Hubs has been working nights recently, so naturally my guard is up more than usual.  Its funny how one person can help you feel so grounded.   When hubs is here, my worries vanish. 

Yet when the lighting, wind and rain crashed against the windows, i felt a sense of calm embrace me.  I felt so, so safe.  This home we built, its solid and filled with love.  I felt that deep peace within me, reading my book and eating my dinner.

The storm was typical of most summer storms.  It came and went within the hour.  It was so needed and i am grateful indeed.  I had time today to relax completely and our land drank it right up.

There is a beautiful calm after the storm.  A beautiful light.  Warm air that smells so refreshing.  Today is the first day that i have really been so grateful for a storm.  The first day that i saw all of the beauties of these weather patterns.  I thought about our children in the future and how if it was just mama and the kids home, i would put on a full out dance party and let them know that the summer storms are something to live too, not be afraid of.  If daddy is home, they might sit on the front porch and watch the storm coming in with their father's calm and wise words to comfort them.  

Embrace Life & Refresh your Views.

Bloom

Throughout a person's life, they meet many people.  People smiling behind a service counter, teachers, fellow workers, hikers, campers and the list goes on.

Some people have an profound influence, an effect on me.  Some people look at me, listen to my thoughts and value my opinions.

My husband is one of those people. I met him fresh out of college, ready to take on the construction world.  I met him exactly when i was ready.

I have seen myself do a three-sixty since being in his presence.  I'm now excited to show my suppressed interests and inspirations.  I no longer worry about how i will fit in, or who i am supposed to be in this one beautiful life.  I just be myself, one hundred percent.  I am now doing and feeling the things i was interested in as a child, a time when i was my true self.

He has let me find myself and feel strong & beautiful in whatever i do.  He tells me every single day how much he loves that i am his wife.

He is my happy, and i am totally his.

Today is his very, very special birthday.  Happy birthday to my life-long companion.

Thank you huni, for letting, and encouraging me, to bloom.

"Take, for joy's sake, from these hands of mine a little honey and a little sunlight."

                     

                                                                                                             - Osip Mandelstam

(All photos above taken in mid-may 2012 at Bean Hill Farm & Home.)