sunshine and dirt...

I finally found my motivation yesterday, after writing I took my coffee out on the deck and sat with my babies soaking up the sunshine. While doing a bit of research on the best time to start planting different seeds in my area.  One thing led to another and before long I was covered in dirt, my boxes were ready and after a couple of hours, the first garden of the year was planted.  It felt wonderful! I didn't call anyone, I simply turned on the different podcasts that I listen to, pulled out the seeds from my stash and got busy.  

Spending time outdoors is so important.  Too many folks avoid it nowadays, we fail to remember the great need we have on a very deep level to spend as much time as possible in nature.  It's been proven that the smell of dirt acts like a natural anti-depressant.  And that spending time in the sunshine and fresh air have a host of benefits.  Increasing your serotonin level, your vitamin D and strengthening your immune system. All while lowering stress, blood pressure and lowering your heart rate.  I think all of those factors greatly improved my energy level and improved my overall mood yesterday. 

After hours of playing in the dirt, planting peas, carrots, bok choy, lettuces, several different kinds of spinach and about 10 different varieties of radishes I was no longer in a funk.  I was ready to tackle more of the items on my to do list. 

freshly washed in today's rain

Before I knew it the backdoor was scrubbed and prepped for painting, so of course I decided to take advantage of the beautiful day before today's rain.  I almost got finished before the little wildlings decided to run out and brush up against it.  That bright white makes it look so clean and fresh out there.  The difference is unbelievable.  I might still put in a sliding door, I still do not like the struggle with the one that is there, but... I might wait a year or so.  We'll see. 

I bought the paint for the front door.  It's going from blue to a deep "forbidden red" - I think it looks more like barn red, but what do I know. I knew I wasn't going to have time to complete that project yesterday, I haven't even scrubbed it all down.  And I knew rain was heading our direction today, so it will have to wait.  Maybe tomorrow afternoon or Sunday, after the current rain ends and before the next cycle of it begins.  

I'm pretty thankful for the rain, we sure haven't had much for a fairly long time and I have been a bit concerned at how low our rivers have been. Not to mention that my sweet garden much prefers the gentle rains to my pour pitchers of water over them. 

The babies got lots of walks in parks yesterday afternoon, I will admit that this staying light later thing is pretty sweet, at least for puppy walks!

We even took the babies for a walk in the moonlight, did you see that moon?  Holy cow it was lovely!  Huge and bright.  I saw a meme today that had me laughing "Feeling kind of cute, might make everyone crazy later", completely accurate.  People are far more affected by the moon than they give it credit for. I remember conversations with friends back when I worked about it being a full moon and being able to tell by the behaviors of many people. I need to dust off my good camera to take pictures.  My phone simply doesn't do it justice. 

Today's rain will give me the excuse to stay inside and tidy the house, clean up the daily (hourly) puppy killing fields.  They kill at least one or two toys a day.  Seems the only one Belle doesn't slaughter is a tiny teddy that she loves to carry around in her mouth. Although she is also currently pretty happy with the new rope ones daddy brought home yesterday. 

I'm not sleepy, I'm playing... as she falls asleep

I will switch to my painting clothes before long and I do some inside painting today.  I just need to figure out how to block the babies from helping, Belle currently has white frosting on her ear, tail and spots on her hip from all her assistance yesterday.  And those are just the spots I didn't see and wipe off of her.  

And I can't forget that I have a couple of other projects to work on that aren't house related.  The sewing for my grand daughter and I am finally ready to start on the featherweight case.  It's beyond damaged and not able to be used, so today I will start the reconstruction and giving it a face lift.  That will take a few days at best, so I figured I'd get started now.  This one actually belongs to my sister in law and we will be seeing her at the end of April for quilt week, so I need to get with it, I want to give the wood glue at least 48 hours to cure and strengthen those weak joints, right now all that is holding it together is the tattered fabric that remains still glued to the wood.  In all fairness it is from 1948 and has earned the right to need some TLC.  

The full moon doesn't make me crazy, it gives me tons of energy and the best way to burn off that energy is to stay busy. I get fussy when I don't have projects to work on, Hubs has been a tad upset that I haven't been spending the evenings sitting in the living room watching tv with him.  I struggle to do it when I don't have a project I want to work on - and "THAT" sweater isn't it at this point.  I simply can't love it! I've tried, it isn't happening.  We need a small break up before I start working on it again. A friend of mine just gave me the perfect distraction!  She ordered the cutest Highland Cow.  I cannot wait to start working on that in the evenings.  I really do enjoy making crochet critters.  

Are you doing something that fills you with joy?  Spending some time outside in the sunshine?  Have you noticed a shift in your mood after you do?  Life is too short to not have things that fill us with joy and purpose... 

love and peace...

p.s. I am fanatic about orange roses - my Papa used to grow them for me... and my sweet Hubs found a beautiful bouquet yesterday, so I thought I would share!

 

adventures await...

Dreary, wet and cold.  Yep, this clan sure knows when to plan a camping/floating trip.  Last week it was miserable hot, almost unbearable.  I was absolutely dreading camping in that kind of weather.  I do not like to be hot.  Not in the least! So I guess I had better not complain when the temperature drops to around forty tonight.  Gonna be loading up some serious quilts and heavier blankets. Hadn't planned jackets, now I am thankful for the collection of waterproof Trout jackets we have. 

I am looking forward to all the fresh air.  Time in nature fills my bucket. I will admit I am a bit hesitant to float in colder weather, I am sure the view will be breathtaking, the unspoiled view usually is.  But that water is going to be nippy.  I am not sure how these stupid knees are going to handle climbing in and out of the raft.  They aren't very stable right now and moving them takes a great deal of effort.  It will definitely be an experience!

I can't wait to sit outside with the family, to laugh and to carry on.  Sounds like the girls are plotting a good time, I am sure they will sleep well to put it mildly. The whole family won't be together, some extended family is joining us, yet, I will miss the ones not with us.  I am going to seriously celebrate the time we spend with those that will be gathering together.  Cold and wet or not! I am so filled with gratitude for every moment in time that I get with Hubs and the kiddos.

This will be our first family adventure ever with Hubs' oldest daughter, hard to believe we only met her less than a year ago.  She, and her whole branch of the family, fits our puzzle perfectly and we cherish the time with them.  It is the first camping trip in far too long with the girl and the family.  I think the last time we camped together we still had our land in Sullivan, about 9 years ago. Time definitely flies. 

I selected a primitive camp site for us. For a couple of reasons.  Some of my fondest memories of camping where with Hubs and the boy at Crappie Cove in Illinois at Carlyle. Gathering sticks for our little fires, fishing together, fighting the chill as we washed our hair in the cold water, before we got smart enough to warm it.  The crispness of our breath and coffee/cocoa as we sat outside in the morning haze and enjoyed time together.  The boy has always had a sharp wit and he could reduce Hubs to absolutely tears of laughter with just a random comment or quip. 

I could have probably chosen a cabin or a less primitive site, ya know the kind with water and electric.  I just didn't feel compelled to do that. Besides the cabins were going to require me bringing as much stuff as camping and cost me over $50 per night more. I am longing for the closeness that roughing it brings.  The joy of cooking over a grill (yep, I did resort to a gas grill - I'm not completely nuts!).  Sitting by a warm fire and just enjoying the family.  It's going to feel wonderful. 

We probably didn't coordinate as well as we should have, the girls' site is close to ours, but the oldest girls site is further away.  She has a camper, they don't do well in the primitive sites. It's all good, we will get some exercise walking to each other and I am sure sweet Hubs will make at least a dozen friends. He can't help himself. 

yesterday morning

Me... well, I'll be the silent one walking beside him.  I'm not big into making new friends. In fact I am trying to figure out what kind of project to bring with me. For the two hour drive I will finish up my wall hanging, but then what? I don't want to expose my precious block of the month to the elements and I don't really have anything else in the works right now. It's actually been working its way through my brain since yesterday. I don't even have a knitting or crochet project set up, I have babies coming, but don't know if they are boys or girls so don't really want to start sweaters, although I guess I could make one of each so I am ready.  I know that I will go nuts if my hands have to be still for three days!  Yikes! Might have to spend quality time looking for beautiful crystals, rocks... oooh this might be the weekend I finally find my hag stone! Running water and all. 

last night

I guess I'd better get back to work.  I didn't pack yesterday, I'm working on Hubs' family recipe for baked beans, and I need to make some lists.  Honestly, it's been so long since we've camped that I am afraid that I will forget a crucial element. 

I'm looking forward to sitting around with Hubs' and the family, talking about nonsensical stuff, dreaming out loud under the stars. I'm looking forward to roasting marshmallows and laughter. 

Hubs' said the most awesome thing yesterday, he told me that I am happier and less stressed than I have been in so long.  It gave me pause for a moment... but he's right.  Even these stupid knees aren't making me fussy or causing me to be snappy.  It brought me great joy and an equal amount of sadness to realize that I had been reflecting that amount of emotion onto my loved ones.  But here is to happier times in life!

Off to chase some joy.... See you later this weekend...