Thursday, March 12, 2015

Around Here












I have eased slowly back into my morning rituals over the last few days, soaking in the morning quiet of our home, exercising and meditating, journaling, and reading. It feels good, and somehow a little different, maybe just a deeper appreciation for this time, and our home. Being away does that, brings a greater awareness to the many blessings in life.

As I sat reading yesterday morning the birds began their morning song. It is gaining in strength each day as more and more birds return and gather around the feeders. The light slowly filled our home, and I snuggled a little deeper under a quilt, with tea in hand, hoping to squeeze in one more chapter before the house woke up. I did get that chapter in, by the way.

The days have been beautiful since our return. The sun has been shining, and we have enjoyed days upon days of temperatures above zero. The snow is melting, the windows have been open airing out our home, and laundry has been drying outside. I have spent time in the garden this week, shoveling out the cold frame and tunnels. It felt so good to feel the dirt in my hands, and let it slowly filter through my fingers. If the weather cooperates I am hoping to have a few seeds in the ground in the next week or two. Nothing too much, a few cold hardy vegetables such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and salad greens, and I may just take a little gamble and throw in some carrots and beets. While I puttered in the garden, Reece was playing in the snow, coaxing the chickens from their coop, and enjoying the warmer temperatures minus his winter hat.

A sure sign of spring around here is tapping season. We tapped the few sugar maples we have around our property this week, and look forward to gathering the sap and boiling it down over the next few weeks. We don't ever get a lot of syrup, but we get enough to last a few weeks, and sometimes to share a small jar or two. Really though, for us, it isn't about the syrup, it is about the process, and the connection to a small part of nature.

The winter books have been put away, and the spring books are slowly making their way onto the shelves. I love transitioning the books each season, bringing out old favourites, remembering the moments over the years of reading each book to Reece the first time. I often wonder when he will tire of these books, but each season brings a new enthusiasm for them, and he greets each one with new eyes, and a little more wisdom then the year before.

We have welcomed the extra light at the end of the day by resuming our after dinner family walks. This a ritual that dates back almost 18 years, when Justin and I first moved into our home. Since we live rurally, we can't enjoy these walks during the winter, although we have tried. We have tried headlamps, flashlights, and even parking the car at the end of the road with the headlights on to light our way, but nothing seems to work. The fact is once the sun goes down in the country it is dark. And so we look forward to this time of year, soaking in the last bit of the sun as it sets, walking up the country road, sometimes laughing and chatting, other times lost in our own thoughts. It is a simple pleasure, really, but so filling on so many levels.

So, things around here are good. Life is moving slowly, and simply, just the way we like things, and I will continue to soak up every bit of goodness that gets thrown my way.

37 comments:

  1. We were in the garden with issa also yesterday, and the weather was so hot! Lovely to get back to the ground :) And thanks a lot for the beautiful dolphin postcard :) issa loved it!!!

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    1. It is lovely to get back to the ground, to feel the earth in my hands. Yay, you got it, so happy to hear he loved it. I will let Reece know. xo

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  2. Wonderful post- so full of gratitude and goodness. Enjoy the birds and your walks...spring is a wonderful thing!
    xo

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    1. It certainly is. I think the winter to spring transition is one of my favourites, so full of hope. xo

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  3. it is dark here in winter as well, no street lights, and creatures big and small are around. Also teen drivers who whip around corners so it's just not safe to walk in the dark. Love how you are snuggling into your home, your routine, and your daily life. Life is good :)

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    1. Thank you Karen, it feels good to be getting back to our routine, and soaking in the goodness of home.

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  4. So glad everything's good around you, lovely post and photos, really enjoyed it!

    Have a nice day!

    Lluisa xoxo

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  5. reading your post made me a little homesick !!! i love the pic of Reece and the chicken...

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    1. Awe, sorry Erica. I am sure you are having a wonderful time though, and soon enough you will be back at home too.

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  6. Oh yes, when the sun goes down it's really dark so I never walk unless I have a flashlight.
    I was a way for a few days and now that I have returned home I know exactly what you mean about having a different look, but it's all wonder.
    PS- I love the Sun Egg!

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    1. It's a great story isn't it? I think my favourite spring book is How Robin Saved Spring...such a special story, and so well illustrated.

      It's funny how getting away gives us a new perspective, I love it!

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  7. All that snow makes it hard to think of it as Spring over there! But I'm glad it feels that way, the little patches between seasons always seem exciting.

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    1. Ha! It feels like spring, I swear. The sun is shining, and the snow is melting. In fact I was outside this afternoon sitting on the front porch letting the sun warm my face and enjoying the smell of spring. It was lovely.

      I agree, and this transition from winter to spring is always the most exciting to me.

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  8. Wow! All that snow. And I can almost taste the maple syrup.....
    And, for the record, best chicken ever. Permanent bad hair day!

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    1. I know, we still have quite a bit, but it is melting a little more each day, and there is rain coming on the weekend, which will take more of it away.

      Ha, we love out Top Hat chicken, such a special treasure she is.

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  9. I was thinking of how springy your photos looked and then I saw all the snow you have! It's great when the weather is just a bit warmer and the sun is shining...it makes a big difference. Glad you've been able to enjoy the extra daylight. I much prefer setting the clocks ahead...it being light at 7pm just makes me so happy :)

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    1. Yes, still lots of snow, but it really is starting to feel like spring out there. The sun shining in all her glory makes a huge difference, as does the extra light at the end of the day. So good for all of us.

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  10. Beautiful photos as always - love the moss on the bark in particular...

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  11. That's about what it looks like around here--lots of snow still, but the sun shining down.

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  12. So, do you find that your seeds germinate in those temperatures? I have never had much luck.......lovely pictures :)

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    1. We are going to find out, this will be the first time planting this early. I will only be planting in the cold frame to start, I am warming the soil right now, and will check the temperature of it next week and then go from there. I will keep you posted :)

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  13. You have warmed my day... The weather has not been so forgiving here. Although we did enjoy a 5'C day yesterday, but we were back to -19'C with the wind today. Should warm up for us next week, but we are also suppose to get a foot of snow. LOL! My mom always called March storms "the warm snow that melts the cold" I'm going to have to pick your brain about chicken keeping this summer to get ready for next year. You have some happy healthy winter chickens there!

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    1. Oh goodness, I am sorry Yanic. We have nothing but warmer temperatures in the forecast. A little rain tomorrow but them back to sunshine.

      Yes, of course, will do my best to answer any questions you have :)

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  14. The weather yesterday was simply divine! I love all your pictures but I dare say that the chicken ones (especially the one of Reece and the chicken) are my most favorite! xo

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    1. We have been so blessed this week with the weather. Reece actually spent more time outside then inside yesterday...I love those kind of days. Awe, thanks. He has such a blast with the chickens this week.

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  15. gorgeous photos! i LOVE that chickens hair-do :) what fun! mmm.... morning routine and evening walk.... sound wonderful. i have also noticed the strengthening bird songs. one of my favorite parts of spring :)

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    1. Thanks Jenny. Yes, that is a Top Hat Chicken, their plumage is amazing! I love the birdsong in spring, every day growing in strength, and in numbers...always a lovely time of the year for me.

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  16. We brought out the spring books too this week. :) We have many of the same books you do. I love that blonde chicken with the mane. :)

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    1. It's fun, switching up the seasonal books, isn't it? Always exciting around here. Thanks, she is such a sweet chicken.

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  17. Wow the garden is slowly emerging form its white cocoon. And that chicken is amazing. Coolest chicken ive ever seen!

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    1. Slowly, but surely :) And it feels awesome! Thanks, she is pretty awesome.

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  18. I'm so happy spring is heading your way. I can't believe how much snow the east coast has received this year. Makes me *almost* feel guilty about our very early melt. I can feel your excitement at getting your hands dirty again! Happy seeding and gardening to you, your tunnels look amazing for the amount of snow you've had. Hurrah for season extenders! We have a few going on at the moment. :)

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    1. I know, we certainly got hammered, but you know, it really was wonderful, and we have enjoyed it so much.

      Thank you, I actually can't believe how well they held up. Happy gardening to you too!

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  19. I love that feeling of coming home and seeing everything with fresh eyes, you notice all the goodness that can just get hidden in day to day living...
    Thank you so much for my lovely postcard...a letter is on it's way or maybe even there now? I hope you are all having a good weekend - enjoy that sunshine! Em x

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    1. Yes, that is exactly it Em. It is so good, and even a week after being home, I still have that feeling. It might have something to do with the arrival of spring this week too :)

      You got it, awesome! No letter yet, but I will keep an eye out for it. We had a great weekend, thanks, hope you and your crew did too. Much love to you Em. xo

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