chaos lurking...

I didn't want to get up this morning.  I guess I should have listened to that internal voice.  The one that said, just rest a bit longer. That soft whisper that was saying you really need to simply not start today right now. Did I heed that voice, of course not.  My brain had already shifted into high gear, my to do list today is long, filling the day completely.  So up I jumped.  Not ready, but ready at the same time. 

Sweet Hubs was definitely on his j.o.b., a steaming cup of amazing coffee was in my hand almost as soon as I came in with the pups.  I always go out back with them in the morning.  It centers me to stand in the midst of my treetop garden bathed in the early morning light.  It's always a bit before the critters start waking up so the only sounds are the lingering mysterious night sounds.  There is always the train in the distance and the miscellaneous sounds a mixture of cars, trucks, motorcycles and the occasional ambulance (we live in close proximity to quite a few senior living areas).

So far so good... coffee, watching Hubs play with the pups like he does every morning.  A bit of time to actually catch up on our daily plans before the chaos. 

Chaos definitely was waiting.  Shortly after our playmate pup arrives I always fix the pups their breakfast.  Hubs too, but today thank goodness he simply wanted coffee and cereal.  It was a complete blessing. I started heating the meat that was going in with their kibble, grabbed a bowl to put the rest of the meat in for later and I smelled something very off.  

My still sleepy brain couldn't place it sadly and moments later I walked barefoot into a fresh pile of very soft poo.  SERIOUSLY? Hopping around on one foot trying to clean it up before it was a bigger disaster, while trying to reassure the pup that it wasn't her fault and I understood.  I was engrossed with fixing breakfast and didn't see her frantic dance at the door. Thank goodness for Hubs jumping in to keep breakfast from burning as I hopped to the closest sink.  Who knew I was still so flexible?  I sure didn't.  After scrubbing my right foot, the sink and washing up the floor, I returned to the task at hand.  For a moment... because evidently her tummy wasn't feeling the best and she'd left another carefully place pile by the kibble container.  Yup, you guessed it.  Stepped straight into that one with my left foot.  Definitely a morning of repeats.  

I was seriously paranoid after those two events.  I did manage to feed them breakfast, wash up everything and get my day back on track. But, whew folks, that is not how you want a day to start. 

I'm taking a short break to finally have my breakfast and cool off.  We are moving into another extreme heat weekend, so I decided to be a sweetheart and mow the grass as the next few days are going to be much hotter.  Someone remind me why I moved to the mid-west, because this girl seriously despises the hot weather. 

I knew that Hubs would have tackled it for me, but he shouldn't be out in the heat either, and I also knew that time touching earth was going to improve the day. Before I mowed I gathered as much of the plantain growing in the yard as I could without killing the plants.  I had several that slid up from the earth with their roots attached.  I decided those were a gift and planted them in my raised bed.  Fingers crossed they grow and spread.  I will gladly part with that bed for a medicinal purpose.  Who knows that might become my herbal/medicinal garden next year.  If you come over as see a bed full of "weeds" don't be judging, you might be the next person to benefit from my "weeds".  As I was harvesting those leaves to get into the dehydrator, I also noticed that I have been gifted with some purslane, I may be transplanting some of that also.  

Finally, as I was finishing up with the mowing I noticed that I have a beautiful red rose starting to bloom.  The deer have left me so few to actually enjoy.  Day was completely reset. 

My to-do list is still super long and of course the mornings events added to it, but all in all it's all okay. 

Today will find me doing my chores, getting the plantain drying, chopping up all the beef hearts I was able to get yesterday - my pups LOVE them, and I need to get the trays in the freezer. I also need to get a few batches of plantain salve made up, I've been gifting it out left and right and need to make sure there is still some for our ouchies, itchies and the like. It will include planning my fall garden, yup we're hotter than Hades, but it's time to plan. And of course I need to get busy sewing.  Christmas will be here before we know it and I have quite an ambitious plan this year.  We'll see how it goes. 

Before any of that happens, I need to head up and shower.  Because I know me, I will dive head first into that list (yup, I know it doesn't all have to happen in one day) and slowly forget that I never got there until it's time for me to make dinner for Hubs. 

I guess my lesson for the day, has been to listen to that inner voice.  To know when it is trying to give you a solid warning and to slow down.  It was my own fault this morning.  I was so focused on tasks at hand that even though my brain, and several senses were warning me, I failed to notice.  

Thank goodness for the time in the yard and gardens, even it was hotter than heck.  I'm ready for the rest of the day. 

Ya'll have a blessed one!  And if you are in this hot bubble... stay cool and safe... 

much love, 

b

seclusion...

It's just a touch past 8 am... I already feel like I've put in a full day's work.  This heatwave (better known as summer in the mid-west) is in full force.  The humidity is unreal, making it seem far hotter than it really is.  I get up super early all the time, it's who I am.  During the season of ick, better known as summer around these parts it is a pure blessing.  I accomplish all of my outside tasks in the early morning coolness as the sun just starts to lighten the skies.

I have one set of garden beds that are still drinking in the semi-cool water, I'm giving that one a few more minutes than the rest.  My poor hydrangeas are seriously protesting this season, longing for the cool, wetness of spring time.  They are being complete drama queens, laying down each afternoon in complete surrender, offering up their tender leaves to the heat of the afternoon.  Pleading for an extra pitcher of water to quench their dire thirst.  Only to be fresh and beautiful in the morning light. 

Will the pretty blue make it... not this year.

Yesterday was spent in the kitchen, we'd picked up 20 lbs of Georgia peaches and 10 lbs of Washington cherries over the weekend and I needed to process them all. I still have about 5 lbs of peaches to go, but they are destined for a few cobblers and any that are left will be canned or freeze dried to savor later in the year when they are not readily available, we'll be able to open and enjoy a taste of summer.  

I've been experimenting with my freeze dryer, having moved on from making candies for the kiddo's.  Now its fruits and veggies.  I've fallen in love with freeze dried fruits, the intensity of them is unreal.  There is a batch of peaches in there right now, and cherries are on trays in the freezers waiting their turn.  If you have never tried freeze dried cherries, I highly recommend them! I started on the fruit journey a few weeks ago, when my dear friend and I crazily decided to go blueberry picking.  Over 11 pounds of fresh blueberries later, I definitely had to do something before they went bad.  Next I'm hoping to try some veggies, I've heard they are the most delicious chips when done correctly.  True veggie chips... 

This season has brought me another precious surprise, my Rose of Sharon is finally in full bloom again.  As I stood there in the quiet watering it this morning, I was remembering the first time I knew what it's name was and how much I treasure it.  My oldest and closest friend was here for my 50th birthday, and as we stood outside she told me what it was.  The next summer my grandson damaged all of them while trying to remove the honeysuckle that was taking over everything on the hillside.  I feared they would never return.

For years I've had a random bloom here, a random one there, but never a full covering of the beautiful flowers.  This year is different.  This year is brilliant. I just wish I could photograph it for you to enjoy, sadly, there are so many trees behind it that it fades into the background. I would love to have even more of them, anyone ever successfully grown one from seed?

skeeter plant anyone?

chocolate cherry tomatoes
maybe by July 4 

the holy basil is incredible this year
may be able to harvest for teas

I've really been wrapped up in my garden, yard and house this year.  I've felt a strong need to simply be.  I'm not engaging in much.  I'll glance at the news and socials off and on, but mostly I'm not.  I feel like so much is playing out all around us and I don't want to participate. 

Maybe that is selfish, I'm not sure.  Maybe it is more a case of self-preservation. I'm tried of the ugly, the insanity, everywhere.  I hardly go out and about because it is like a blanket over humanity.  I'm tired. 

I took the youngest grand to the pool the other day. I walked in circles in the lazy river, following her ever bobbing head as she stayed just ahead of me, I was subjected to so much taking place all around me. I was stunned.  The conversations, loud and obnoxious were distasteful.  The ugly was strong.  

I watched so many parents/grand parents... who knows maybe babysitters or siblings, show up with kiddo's not much older than our dragon.  They would put their stuff on a chair, tell the kids to go play and sit down with their phones, never once reengaging with their children.  I watched kids longing for attention, doing everything they could to get some.  It was heart breaking. Because when the cute stuff didn't work, they settled for bad and mean, anything to get the person ignoring them to have to engage. 

Waiting in line for her snack, we were forced to listen to a high school boy, intent on "impressing" the bikini clad girl.  The profanity in the midst of all the kids was so intense, he loudly vocalized thoughts on maintaining a job - disheartening, what girls wanted in a guy (he has a lot to learn I'm afraid), how school was a waste of time (hmmmm), and on and on, it was a long wait in the direct sun.  It was so bad that dragon asked to go play in the water nearby and she would come back when I got closer.  

There is just so much that is overwhelming.  I understand that things change, that each generation has to find their own rhythm and make their own rules, but dang... Young man, just showing up and doing as little as possible, is probably not going to move you forward to self sufficiency, especially since you feel that an employer cannot fire you as long as you are simply there.  

I often tell Hubs that it is our generations fault.  He's a boomer, I'm the first of Gen X.  We were the ones with the super strict parents, with good reason, but who can see that as a kid?  We were the original latch key kids, the ones that made our own way, as long as we were home when Dad whistled and those street lights came on. We rebelled, we didn't want that for our kids.  Hmmmm... wondering now if a bit of restraint in that area would have been good.  

a little nap on the ride home...

It all moves in cycles, the weather, growth of people, decline of people, money, economies, governments, education, the list is quite endless.  We are going through a very interesting time.  I'm sure we survive it, I'm sure we find commonalities and the like.  I guess I am becoming an old woman (yikes, I actually had the young kid at the pool tell me I was a senior the other day, I am still over a month from 60 thank you very much). 

For now, I feel strangely drawn to the peace I find in my own little spot in the world. Time with Hubs, chattering about hopes, dreams and plans. Puttering in the gardens, saving seeds for the next season.  Spending hours working on quilts and other art projects, feathering my nest with beauty. Spending time in person or on the phone with dear friends.  My life is full.  I don't need the chaos of the external world.

Before the summer is over, I hope to make a few barn quilts, I want to hang them on my backyard gates.  Slowly but surely we are creating a peaceful, sanctuary/outside living room on the lower patio.  Some of the work will wait until it cools in early fall.  

Now that the grass and flowers are growing where the Bradford pear tree used to stand, it's so enjoyable to sit down there. Once the temperatures chill off a bit, we will build a lattice wall to grow some clematis on. The one thing we've noticed is that in removing the trees we have forsaken a great deal of privacy.  A living wall will be beautiful. I may even paint a few smaller barn quilts to hang on the concrete walls, although I would truly love to paint the walls, the concrete is simply ugly. 

Ahhh... plans. 

Since Hubs is not home for lunch today, I'm going to plant up the planter he just got me and head up to the sewing room for a few hours.  I have a lot I want to accomplish and this brutal heat is definitely leading me inside to hide. 

I hope you are finding the pure beauty in your lives....

love and prayers, b

regrets?

There is a beautiful soft breeze blowing through the house, the sun is shining and it's nice and cool.  This is how springtime should be in my book. It's been a busy couple of weeks and I am flat out tired.  Like roll up the streets, dim the lights and call it a day.  Sadly, that isn't going to happen.  And it's far too late in the day to consider laying down for a quick nap.  So, I guess I'm just going to power through.  Although I am also going to sit here for a bit and rest.  

Do you have a lot of regrets in your life?  I spent time pondering that, among other things today, as I worked through my list of things to do.  I've really struggled lately with keeping up and these past few days I have been laser focused on getting things done.  One of the things I have been really diving into today while I was busy making soap, was about regrets.  Well, actually, one thought lead to another and so on and so on, the regrets conversation was the last one I ended up on as I was making the last batch of soap and finishing up my chores. 

I don't really have many regrets, I've always been the kind of person that considers things that didn't turn out quite like I expected as a learning experience.  I've always looked at things to see what I could learn from them.  So they aren't really regrets.  Except for one thing.  I can't go back and change it, and altering it in my life now doesn't change it either.  I would have loved to have lived my life to stay home and raise my own babies.  

I deeply regret all the jobs I had to take instead of the having that time with my kiddo's.  There were windows of time where I worked two or three to supplement our income, being a military wife meant you rarely got the seniority that would bring good raises.  I often wonder if they know how deeply cherished they are and that I would have worked around the clock to provide for them, but desperately wanted to just be home rocking my babies. That is my regret, that is probably my greatest heartbreak, and it is why I do anything I can to be there for my kiddo's and my grands. And it's also probably a big contributing factor to why my pups are so spoiled. 

I mean they get to have play dates!

What led me to that question was a winding trail that started with my mentally going over all the work of the past couple of weeks.  I am so thankful to be able to simply take care of my Hubs, my Pups, my home and yard.  I love being a homemaker.  I was pondering why they were ever able to convince women that they had greater value as an employee for someone else. 

This of course led me to my current aches and pains from getting the garden planted, moving dirt and putting out so much grass seed, cooking meals, making soap, doing laundry (oh wait that one hasn't happened this week).  Yesterday I spent over 5 hours taking care of the yard and garden.  Planting tomatoes, beans and peppers, harvesting lettuce and adding flowers to random pots to bring the pollinators into the garden.  Carrying dirt and compost up and down stairs and supplementing with egg shells, Epsom salts and the like. Repairing beds and trellises and adding lights to the yard.  So much needed done, and I am still not finished. 

Today, all these thoughts started creeping in at about hour 4 of soaping and doing chores.  I might love doing things in a far more "old fashioned way", I know that I thrive on knowing I am doing the best I can for my family, eliminating chemicals and the like.  I also know that there is no way on earth that I have it as tough as my ancestors did.  As I was using my little electric floor cleaner, instead of a traditional mop and bucket I started to really notice the time savings. When I started mixing the first batch of soap, I was finding myself feeling beyond grateful for the microwave that I heat my oils in and my immersion blender that is used to mix it all together in moments not long minutes.  The longest part of soaping for me is waiting for things to cool to temperature.

Mom... my treat ball is empty...

I pondered how women of old must have been so bone weary all the time.  I also gave credit to how their work load probably kept them in better shape than this woman is currently in.  Or maybe it didn't.  Maybe it caused premature aging and wearing out of the body.  I didn't really go too far down that path of inquiry. 

I just paused to go and pull the brownies that I made for tonight's dessert out of the oven, as I was coming back in, I thought about how helpful that tool is too.  No adding logs to keep it at the right temperature, no constant minding it. 

I am sure so many of our modern tools made the idea of going to work and bringing home a paycheck seem like an incredible opportunity.  Freedom even.  I can appreciate the sense of stability it brought to be able to not only contribute, but to be able to take care of yourself if need be. 

I get it, really I do.  But so much got lost on that journey to independence.  At least for me.  I don't begrudge anyone following their dreams.  I don't feel any of us need to be cookie cutter.  For me, it was a loss I can never bring back, those choices of long ago definitely had ripples into now. 

Yup, I find myself going down some interesting thought paths while I am puttering away at my daily lists.  I am thankful for the life I live now, I am blessed.  I cherish taking the time to do the things, not squeezing them into my little moments of free time.  But I do get tired.  My muscles hurt.  The arthritis I've had most of my life barks at me at the most inopportune times. And yet, I am happy. 

Tonight the girls will come for dinner, I can't wait to serve them a nice schnitzel dinner, to chat with them and spend time laughing and savoring the moments.  I wish my boy was close enough to join, sadly he's not.  I miss him being near, last night as I made my tea in the cup he bought me years ago (I save it only for tea at night, I never want anything to happen to it) I thought about him again, missed him more and sent him a small note.  He's busy living his life, but I always want him to know I think of him.  It's easier with the girls, they live close, I can drop everything and do something with them, I can't do that with my boy.  Hopefully, they all realize that I would do anything for each of them. 

One of my greatest treasures...

Yep, I have one regret, but I've also learned so much from it.  From all of them.  So... what about it, do you have any regrets?

ordinary...

After a cold and dreary Sunday it was wonderful to wake up to clear skies.  Everywhere you turn there is vibrant color and that beautiful sense of rebirth.  I always say autumn is my favorite, but then spring arrives and I seriously question myself.  I cherish the awakening.  Don't get me wrong, I love winter, it just seems to go on a bit too long. Summer... well, summer is what it is.  I love it for the growth in my gardens, for the opportunities to spend time on the river with my grands and pups.  It's just so muggy and hot here in the Midwest. If it mother nature could just tone it down a bit... oh well... life is what it is and you have to take the good with the bad. 

We were blessed to have time individually with both of our grands and our girl this weekend.  It was so much fun.  That little one has impeccable timing and called for us to hang out just as we were heading to MADE to pick up her ceramics. Quick detour and we had the little in tow and a different plan for the afternoon.  Because when you are bringing her along, you simply cannot just pick something up.  You definitely need time to play and explore.  Which is exactly what we did.  We of course had to stop for her ice cream flight at her favorite spot. If you are local to St. Louis, we highly recommend the ice cream flight at The Fountain on Delmar, they have lots of grown up options also.

how to contain a dragon

pondering her pot

ceramic bowls by the dragon

One of the crafting opportunities was to make macrame hanging baskets, and one cannot make hanging baskets and forget to put flowers in them.  So a quick stop at Home Depot on the drive home and we were ready for her to plant. And of course we had to make a special one for mom, that would last longer. 

the treasure for Mom

My gifts from my girl

Grampa's gift

When we drove her home our girl took a break, she is in the process of changing her house, she is a complete whirlwind when that happens, so the hour with her was also priceless. 

We'd wanted to take our little dragon to the earth day celebration, but it was insanely packed and none of us had the emotional desire to put ourselves in that position.  Hubs and I headed out to go alone on Sunday morning, but heavy rain started just as it was about to start. 

We quickly switched our plans and ran other errands and such. I had gone to a local garden club pop up and decided to buy some perennials.  Lots of perennials.  Today will be a day of planting, or at least starting to. After surveying the grass that is coming up we determined we needed more seed.  We have a few areas where there is a combination of birds and washout, we are determined to have a pretty lawn where that tree used to live. I'll be heading out in a moment to do more patching to the green. 

The oldest grand sent me a text message to ask for a ride home from work.  It was awesome to pick her up with one of her favorite beverages in hand and sit in the car chatting for far too long!  It feels like forever since we've just talked.  I felt blessed in ways there are no words for. We talked about everything imaginable and then realized we'd killed the time between her getting off of work and heading back for a staff meeting.  Not a problem, we talked some more while we drove back to her work.  Hubs was napping and I rarely get time with just my girl.  I cannot tell you how much I have missed that. She and I used to spend many hours together, traveling and doing, just the two of us.  Then she grew up, darn it, they always do. 

Our boy sent us pictures out of the blue, I miss him something terrible, but he has his own life to live.  They look healthy and happy, a mom simply cannot ask for more. I might have memorize the pictures by now I've stared at them so long. 

Beau trying to guilt dad into more treats

Not sure why we won't move up his med time
he has decided it is "snack time" and he was ready

All in all... this weekend didn't go at all as we'd planned.  But we caught up with kiddos, ran into friends, did some errands, relaxed and enjoyed life.  I am not sure it can be much more perfect than that. 

Today is the day for catch up.  I am looking for the birthday gift request from the oldest.  It has to be perfect ya know (I love what she's asked for too!).  Doing my chores, gardening, cooking, finishing orders, basically I'm living my everyday, ordinary, amazing life!  

I hope this last Monday in April, brings you the start of the perfect week.  One that might have a few opportunities to switch it up and move forward.  I am starting to treasure those instances. 

love and peace, b

There was actually a blue bird visiting

cherish the moments...

Thank you Lord for this beautiful morning.  It's August and after a few mornings where you could barely breathe outside due to the heat and humidity, there is a soft breeze blowing and a mild temperature.  As I am watching the sun sneak through the trees I know it won't last, I mean it's August after all.  So I am going to simply sit here and enjoy it.  

Hubs helps me water the treetop garden every morning and afterwards he usually slips back down to his office to work.  I noticed my garden needed a bit of attention this morning, so I've been out here for almost the past hour in the coolness of the morning.  As I have harvested the radish seeds that were ready (since the hail destroyed them, I decided to experiment) I'll be planting the ones I harvested next season, I have been listening to the world wake up.  The distant sound of hammers as the multitude of roofers working in the neighborhood are rushing to beat the heat slowly increasing in intensity as it got closer to acceptable working hours, was drowned out by the birds, cicadas, crickets and heaven only knows what other creatures singing their morning songs.  It's an odd mix of the natural and man made sounds.  Air conditioners and cars, the occasional plane and train.  All of it melding together in a strange symphony.  It's been peaceful. 

I was thinking about my unconventional life and cherishing the blessing of it.  My finger tips softly stained from the seed pods as I cracked them open.  The scents of the garden blending with my coffee.  Everything took such a beating in May when the hail storm went through, looking out into the trees I am finally seeing new leaves on trees that I feared would not survive. My non-traditional garden for me is bringing me so much joy, I was noticing it's time to succession plant the cowpeas, as they are losing their leaves, time to put all of their energy into the long seed pods.  

I cherish these quiet moments. 

Last week during a moment of rest I was browsing X and someone shared a photo of the typical schedule for a 1917 housewife.  I had to save it.  I was definitely laughing to myself as I realized it was very similar to my life.  Sure I have modern conveniences that make for a slightly easier day, allowing me more time to do things like make quilts and get ready for craft fairs. I wondered if it must have been a list from a city dweller of the day, because there wasn't much time devoted to the garden (although maybe they knew secrets that have been lost to time?).  

My house is definitely not Better Homes and Gardens, it's more "there appears to have been a struggle", there are plates with seeds drying, jars cooling, projects in processes.  There are pup toys everywhere and a light sprinkling of puppy glitter everywhere.  It's a bit of chaos, filled with love and joy.  Who could ask for more?  When my life was dull and empty it was immaculate.  I don't miss the sparkling clean, I love this chaos, to me it means my life is ever changing and flexible. It means things are going on all around me, filling my days with love, joy and laughter.   

I love this life.  There are people that often ask Hubs, when I am going to return to the work world.  To the hustle and bustle that has been created for us.  I love his answer.  Never (at least if we can help it).  I work harder now than I ever did in the "work world" the difference is that now it is to make a home.  To take care of my primary role, to be a wife, mom, grandma and pup-mom.  I get to spend my days taking care of those around me.  There isn't a paycheck to be had that is as valuable as that incredible feeling. 

Today will be crazy busy here at my little suburban homestead.  I have been neglecting a lot of things rushing to complete a special project before tomorrow.  As I put the last stitches in last night, I was overjoyed.  I can't share it yet, but I will.  So today is a day of catching up, laundry, ironing, vacuuming, dusting, all the everyday things have been being touched, but not done. I haven't baked bread and there are peaches waiting to be made into cobbler.  The watermelon that wasn't as sweet as Hubs likes, turned out amazing in the dehydrating sample, so I need to chop that up and finish dehydrating it.  Our youngest grand daughter fell in love with it and might have finished off the whole batch last night. 

I need to harvest some okra for dinner and finish the last of the corn cob jelly.  I've also got to run out to the goat farm for milk and make a quick stop in the city to pick up the grands' projects they made when we went to Made for Kids the other day.  Both girls created art with the 3D printer and they are ready. 

All of that is before I can finally service my new 301A.  I did tell Hubs it was to be my birthday present, so I am guessing it's a good thing it won't be finished until right before my birthday. It's going to be a crazy busy day. A good busy.  

what 3 gallon bags of elderberries
looks like dehydrated. 

I want to clear up my to do list before this weekend.  I want to spend the weekend gathering wild elderberries and mullein.  The things that we have forgotten in this life are incredible.  Both will serve us well over the winter to prevent colds and illness.  With none of those nasty side effects included. 

Maybe a lot of the insanity and problems in our world would go away if we followed that old saying... Idle hands are the devils play ground. I rarely have a moment to be idle.  I rarely have time to simply sit and surf.  A moment here and there at the end of the day, but that's about it.  

I'm well guarded while working in 
my sewing studio.  No one is getting 
past my security team. 

Well time's a' wastin, I need to fix some breakfast and get busy with those chores.  Thanks for joining me out here in the early morning sunshine and breeze.  It's been a wonderful start to a great day.  Again... thank you Lord for the blessings. 

love and peace, b

finding inspiration...

Wasn't it only yesterday that I was removing all of the heavy sun blocking curtains from the windows to allow more of the natural warmth to shine in?  Raising blinds to allow the brilliant sunshine?  Pretty sure it was. Yet this morning found me hanging them back up to block out the heat and keep the house cooler. It seems like we were under strong freeze warnings just a few days back, and here it is pushing almost 79°.  

I am definitely not complaining, simply wondering how time has flown past so rapidly.  I don't even feel I've slept in between.  I guess it is true what they say about time flying the older you get. 

Hubs and I ran away to the country this weekend, it was not only resurrection weekend, but also his birthday weekend.  Definitely causes for celebration.  Top it off with a tulip festival at one of my favorite Heirloom Seed farms with two of the people that inspire me beyond belief speaking and a chance to be completely disconnected.  Yep, sign me up.   

Hey sis, Dad has the snacks on the other side
I think I can reach them...

Mom, Dad is not sharing

nothing like a campfire

There is so much going on in the world, so very, very much. I needed a moment.  A chance to step into peace and rest.  So did Hubs.  Things are so intense.  I feel in my gut that they are going to be getting even more intense.  I know we needed a chance to completely disconnect. 

The campground was definitely not a favorite, in fact it's officially on the will not return list.  Sad.  Because it has incredible potential.  I would love to own one like it and really put some time, love and attention into it.  As it was... I 100% do not recommend it.  Thankfully it had very few folks staying at it, so it was relatively peaceful, as long as you could block out the incessant noise of the highway.  

He needed a better view of the campground

He's not spoiled... geez...

too much time running in the sun... nap time

It didn't matter, we weren't there to simply sit and stare at the highway.  We are fussy about the kind of campgrounds we select, I loathe feeling like we are camping in a parking lot.  I love green space, walking areas, a little bit of distance between us and the folks around us.  I seriously prefer to not camp in front of a massive burn pile that is almost the circumference of my home, thank goodness we were able to move our spot and not have that up against the back of the camper. 

So we loaded up the pups and went exploring. 

We spent time in a little town called Ava, traipsed through several antique shops.  Found a few things at the second shop, including a beautiful antique appliqued quilt top for a mere $29.  It's pristine and I cannot wait to spend countless hours quilting it. 

We tried to find a nice hiking trail that didn't include a water feature, because frankly Belle is a pure water dog, if it is there she will find it.  Beau is just as bad, although he usually displays a touch of restraint. Sadly the only one we found was far more difficult than either Hubs or I were up to. Shoot, even the pups were struggling with the steepness of the hills, so we didn't feel like we were completely out of shape.  Mildly, not completely. All in all we found spaces for the pups to romp and wear themselves out, we gathered firewood and roasted marshmallows in the evening as the sun was setting and putting on a beautiful display.  We played cards late into the night and early in the morning. 

The tulip festival was wonderful, if a bit overwhelming for me.  I spend so much time either solo or in incredibly small groups that I was frazzled by it all.  I couldn't wait to hear Rory Feek and Jess Sowards speak, they both are strong Christians that live a faithful and devoted life.  They inspire me to no end.  

We took the pups and they did incredible, although you could tell it was all a bit much for them also.  Hubs had been resting on a bench with the pups while I looked at some of the covered tents to see the wares that folks were selling inside.  Those truly are my people.  

The ones that go to homesteading festivals.  Where you can step back in time, where ladies are in their long skirts and men are wearing their jeans or overalls. Seeing folks walking around with their shopping baskets loaded with a variety of plants, seedlings, essential oils and natural healing items.  The beautiful things that you would have found in a pioneer village found at every corner. 

As I returned to tell Hubs that I had found the garlic bulbs and the seed potatoes that I was wanting and we could pick them up as we were leaving, he was excitedly calling me to hurry to him.  I found myself feeling a bit frantic, like I'd left him in the sun for too long and he was not feeling well or something of the sort.  

Hubs and I were blessed to meet Rory

No, it wasn't that at all.  I was intent on taking him over to listen to the live music playing at the top of the hill.  He was equally intent on letting me met Rory Feek.  I can't even remember how the conversation started, but it was wonderful.  He and his daughter's teacher we complimenting me on my puppies and how beautiful and well behaved they are and telling me that they loved my sweatshirt.  I was busy complimenting him on the inspiration that he has liberally shared with the world.  He offered to take a picture without it even occurring to us. I was intent on gathering more information about his Homesteading event that is coming up, as he was asking us if we were going to come and sharing all about it.  We ended up with a few photos and great memories.  We both shared why that particular part of Missouri draws us back.  It's such a blessing when you realize you share so many thoughts and ideals with someone that has blessed your life without ever knowing you.  A bit later I was blessed to meet his little girl, she is beyond precious.  

We went our way, they went theirs.  After enjoying some live music sitting on hay bales in the sunshine I really was worn from the swarm of people.  All so kind and loving, friendly and considerate, but oh so many of them.  My anxiety was high enough that I was ready to go.  I really wanted to hear Rory and Jess speak, but I simply couldn't take all of the swirling wonderful chaos. I told Hubs we needed to go.  

He argued intently with me, knowing that was the sole reason I had wanted to come.  I was content with having shared an incredible conversation with Rory, I was willing to leave. It was well over two hours before they were speaking and I simply couldn't.  I tried, I wanted to, but I simply couldn't. 

I definitely felt peaceful driving back to the camper.  I had designated myself the driver for the weekend, Hubs has been under a lot of strain lately, so I chose to give him the freedom to rest and unwind. 

Hubs was not okay with it at all. Tucking the pups in the air conditioning for the nap, we headed back out to the farm.  A big jar of fresh squeezed lemonade and front row seats later, that he made sure we got and we enjoyed over an hour of story telling and listening to the difference that pure faith had created in both of their lives.  My inspiration factor was through the roof.  

Rory Feek and Jess Sowards

While Hubs was getting us seats inside, I had the opportunity to say hello to Jess inside one of the planting tents.  I'm not a big one for hero worshiping.  I am a firm believer in the fact that we are all equals and no one is above another. But having the chance to tell people that you have been inspired by that they have made a difference in your life, is super powerful. 

We spent our resurrection Sunday among people of strong faith.  Surrounded by blessings and the bounty of this life.  My heart was bubbling with joy. I had wanted to attend a sunrise service, those are the ones that fill my heart with absolute joy for some reason.  But try as I might, I couldn't find one.  Instead I spent time in prayer and thankfulness while Hubs was out romping in the woods. I cherished the solitude as I reflected. 

I am finding so much in my life that is connecting with the path Jesus prepared for us.  I finally feel I am walking the path I was long intended to walk.  I closed my calendar this morning as I was carrying it to the other room. I'd picked it for the colors it had, for the calming sense it brought me daily, I'd forgotten the verse on the cover... "for I know the plans I have for you" Jeremiah 29:11.  I guess the Lord thought I needed the reminder and the conviction to step out further on things.  The ones I've been looking at longingly, but afraid to take the running leap off the cliff. 

The final sunset of the trip... always bittersweet

It's been a busy morning, it will be a busy day.  I hope that you are taking time to pray, to reflect on everything that is going on at this time and to prepare.  I feel we have been lulled into complacency in many ways.  We need to break out of that.  

Rory has spent almost a full year disconnected from the internet.  I am not sure I could do it.  Although listening to him speaking on Sunday has definitely inspired me to step back a bit from many of the things that are clouding my vision and spend a bit more time leaping off cliffs.  I am moving back into my busy time of the year, the garden is waiting for love, there are many tasks and projects that need my attention. I may not have acres and acres surrounding me, but I am still very much a homesteader, and my home needs tending. 

Well... time to build a potato box and learn how to grow spring garlic... 

much love and prayers...