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.)

One Year

Just three Years ago we met....

Two years ago he proposed on the land we would eventually build our home on...

And one year ago today, we said our Vows at Bean Hill Farm under the bright sunshine of an early day in June.

Oh my, i can't believe it has already been a year.

I am so grateful, every single day, to have this wonderful man to share my life with.....

                                     

Here's to many, many more <3

(all photos courtesy of  Genevieve & Julianna Photography  :)

Maple Banana Muffins

A few Sunday's ago, while i began gathering my ingredients to put together my mother's banana muffins, i decided to forgo the usual route.

You see, we are maple farmers, my husband & I.  We make syrup in late winter, early spring.  This task of splitting wood to fuel our boiler, of tapping, collecting, boiling & bottling is so very much a part of our family.  Maple syrup is surely a treat, but it is also a natural resource for us.  A pure sugar that we have at the ready, at all times.  After the spring rush of our regular & wholesale buyers, we almost always make sure we have enough to get us through the year.  

Yet i still find myself buying white sugar.  And every single time i ask myself why am i doing it?  

In my mind, i have wanted to make the switch for awhile now.  Over the past few years i have begun compiling recipes that use honey & syrup.  I have thinned the 'usual' cookbooks and switched them out for new & refreshing recipes.  To my great relief, some of my really well worn cookbooks from the early 19th century, already use syrup & honey, once again making me love them that much more.  

I can see us using maple syrup and honey more than white sugar.  However, i am by no means a purest, so i do realize that there will be the need, now & again, for some old fashioned chocolate chip cookies :)  

My goal is to feed our family a balanced diet.  One of mostly local & homegrown foods.

On that wonderfully warm Sunday morning, i started the switch.  

Maple Banana Muffins

1 stick of butter

1 cup of maple syrup (i usually use grade A, dark amber or B for baking to enhance the maple flavor)

2 fresh eggs

3 mashed bananas

scant over 2 cups of flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking power

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream butter and syrup.  Add eggs & bananas.  Sift all dry ingredients into wet mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. 

Enjoy.

Garden Prep

A few weekends ago we brought in some fresh local manure, some topsoil and some fence posts.  It was wonderful to be outside, getting ready for the season ahead with my husband.

More updates to come very soon!

Today

"I'm gonna clear my head,

I'm gonna drink that sun,

I'm gonna love you good and strong,

While our love is good and young.."

-Indigo Girls

I'm enjoying the sight of fresh snowflakes as they gather on the land.

Sketching farmhouse's from "Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn" 

and completely loving it.

Reading from David Budbill's "Happy Life"

The simplicity of the poems is refreshing

Reading passage's from Amanda Soule's "The Rhythm of Family"

I can't say enough good things about her writing and pictures....truly inspirational.

Remembering some recent outings to local antique shops.  

I could spend hours in them....imagining life years ago....

Crisp grapes and green tea in the morning

Coming home to a playful man and pup.

With homemade beef stew a-top the cook stove,

Bringing warm and flavorful aroma's throughout the house,

Made from scratch by my husband.

Love.

Time to go create something......