Things I'm Loving Today

It snowed quite a bit overnight last night.  So much so that the schools should've been closed.  The streets were slick and hazardous.  This morning I safely shuttled the older two to school then came back to get Little.  Little wasn't happy.  She thought her class project, an Archimedes Screw, was too large.  She was mortified to bring it to school.  And what does a mortified eight-year-old do?  Especially when said child's mother refuses to get a hack saw and make her project smaller?

That child cries.  No.  Scratch that.  She screams.  All the way to school on icy roads.  Now granted her  school is only a mile away.  But a screaming mile is oh so much further than a singing mile.  Just sayin'.

There are also two busy intersections on the way to school, one of which a frazzled Mama, skidding across the ice, went straight through without stopping (though a very serious attempt was made).  Thankfully this skid occurred at just the right time and an accident did not occur.  Things could have been much different.

Did a brush with death stop the temper tantrum?  Oh no.  Not in the least.  Little was kicked out of the car at school -- sent off bawling into the snow storm.  Yes.  This morning started off well.

As it turns out there were several Archimedes Screws of nearly the same design and size.  The fuss was all for naught.

The remainder of my day was spent nesting; cleaning, baking and cooking.  Oh yes.  And I shoveled the walk.  'Tis one of the fringe benefits of a snow storm -- an upper arm workout.

Despite our fragile start to the morning I find myself quite grateful.

Here's what I'm loving today:

• An anonymous neighbor who plowed our sidewalk (thus cutting my shoveling time in half)
• Fresh baked bread
• Winter soups and stews
• Sour beer
• Edwardian Farm to accompany me on the treadmill
• The wherewithal to get on the treadmill after shoveling snow
• Sore muscles borne from hard work
• Kittens who play in the snow
• Near (and thankful) misses while navigating icy roads
• Indoor tulips that hint of spring (even if it's in the 20's tonight)
• Snow ever so slowly sliding from the chicken coop roof
• Three eggs (two brown and one green) despite the auspicious weather
• Hot hot showers
• Thrifted winter boots

xo. 

{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.

Play along with Soulemama.  

My First Quilt -- WIP

Many moons ago (more than I'd care to admit) I began sewing a quilt.  A flannel quilt made with fabulous Anna Maria Horner fabric.  I pieced it and made the back in a timely manner.   Then it was sandwiched and pinned.  Then I stalled.  I found other things to do.  

A few weeks ago I quilted a few more rows.  Then I stalled again.   Perhaps our lack of winter is lessening my enthusiasm.  And yet I can't wait to see it draped over the couch.

So today I brought it back out.  I drew a few more quilting lines and am hoping to take it to the machine tomorrow.

This quilt is far from perfect (after all I hardly know what I'm doing) but it will be perfect for our needs.  I can't wait to have it finished.

*** *** ***

I found a new obsession today -- Edwardian Farm.  I watched it while run/walking on the treadmill.  I felt sort of silly.  I mean, really, if I lived there life would be a workout -- no need to make time to exercise.  But my life is a bit different.  Ah well!

xo. 

Ponderings

This will be a marking post.  Me talking to myself.  Wondering.

First off I made myself coffee today.  I'm rather proud.  I nearly bought a coffee because I wanted froth and the batteries in my thrifted frother are dead.  But then I remembered our immersion blender.  Yes -- it can froth milk.  And I did so without making a gigantic mess.  $3.50 saved.  Every little bit puts me that much closer to my dreams.

I had another revelation today.  I no longer need to buy sawdust for my chickens.  Honestly I should have figured this out ages ago.  Alas I did not.  Instead I had to find this; a Sunset article from a brilliant person in my hometown.  Pine needles!  I can use pine needles.  And let me tell you we have these in abundant supply.  Doh!


Next I'm wondering if I should start the process to become a Master Beekeeper.  I'm sure I could learn a lot.  I'm sure it would be good for me and good for my bees.  But I'm not sure I should commit more of my time.  And then there is the cost to consider.  I've already purchased another set of bees and am in need of a second hive.  I'll have to ponder this one for a bit.

My raspberry plants have started to come up.  This seems early to me but we've had quite an odd winter.  Now I'm wondering how to best protect them from deer.  I think I'll try chicken egg spray (20% whole chicken eggs and 80% water).   According to the Colorado State extension this is quite effective.

I'm also thinking about my garden.  I don't think I'm going to plant my raised beds this year.  They are right in front of my hives and my activities last year bothered the bees a bit.  My plan is to simply seed the beds with a wildflower mix.  This will look nice and please the bees to boot.

I'd love to get some troughs like these and turn them into raised beds further over in the yard.  The troughs, of course, would still be susceptible to deer.

Growing is so difficult here and I'm still longing for a greenhouse.  This would solve two problems -- the plants would be kept warm *and* protected from those pesky hoven creatures.

Finally I need to give my yard a good and thorough cleaning.  My poor neighbors have such a neat and tidy yard.  And we have no fence in between.  Despite all their efforts they are forced to see our haphazard area.

Seems I'm thinking a lot about the outdoors.  Looks like I'm ready for Spring!

xo.

Today

xo.

Someday

I'm feel tired today.  And melancholy.  It's cloudy out.  Gray.  This is a tough time of year.  Everything is muted.  Brown.  Dull.  I crave green, abundance and growth.   I want a farm.  This one would do.

Today we went for a drive.  I found a property or two.  Only one thing is stopping me; a lack of financial wherewithal.  Little says it's easy to come up with the money.  Just save.  She volunteered her $170.00.  The Boy anted up $500.00.

Between the three of us (Little, myself and the Boy) we have $671.00.   Only $93, 329.00 to go.  Just save.

If only we had sold our house at its peak.  If only it were worth more now.  If only my education hadn't cost so much.  If only we'd spent less and saved more.  If only.

And really I have no right to complain.  It's not like I have a bad life. In fact it's rather good.  Who am I to shirk what I already have?  The blessings I've been given.

But I can't help it.  I continue to dream.  Continue to hope for the life I will have someday.  Someday.  


xo.

{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.

If you feel inspired play along with Soulemama. 

xo.