Merry Christmas 2015

'Nuff said. 

One Fine Day

I seem to have fallen silent in this space lately. I've been sewing, solo parenting until the last week, and otherwise occupied although my thoughts are often on things I'd like to write about. But the opportunities are fleeting and here I am, on the 23rd of December with just a moment to pop in and wish you all the best this holiday season. 

We had friends in for pizza, wings and drinks last night and reconnected in a way that we haven't in years. Today a morning of coffee with friends turned into a day of friends and family coming and going, reluctant to leave this warm place, kids sliding on the hill, snacks and laughter and friendships remembered.  Never have I been more convinced that our authentic life will bring us peace and joy. When good people gather and are sorry to leave you know you are doing something right. Wherever you are, whatever your lot in life, I wish you contentment. No one knows what the future will bring. But if you are safe and warm and content you are doing well indeed. In case I don't make it back before Christmas Day, I wish you peace,contentment, friendship and good health in the coming year. 

The Power of 10

This morning as I tidied my kitchen I thought, as I have many times before "good enough". And I almost left things and moved on to the next task on my list. But lately I'm really thinking about how much I can accomplish in 10 minutes. I can haul my day's worth of wood into my house and sweep up the trail into the basement. I can make all the beds, clean the toilets and pop in a load of laundry. I can fold a load of laundry and actually put it away. I can even write a brief blog post. 

My kitchen as I might have left it:

My kitchen as I did leave it, 5 minutes and 53 seconds later:

I did not sweep the floor or do the dishes. I merely put some clutter in its place and the effect on my mood throughout the day can not be described. Tidying up so that things look "done" or, if not done then at least "better," makes me feel happier and more efficient. Why not?

Sex-Ed in The Barnyard

On the farm kids grow up witnessing animals going about their business in just about every conceivable way. So much so, in fact, that we usually didn't pay much attention to, say, a bull breeding a cow right before our eyes. But when we hired a ram to service our 4 ewes I knew that there would be questions. My kids have not been around the cattle as much and this summer when I started talking about having baby lambs my 5 year old (J) asked " but mommy how does the baby get in her tummy?". A question I sort of dreaded, to which I replied "well the daddy just kind of jumps on her" SIGH. Not my best work but as much as I'd rehearsed for that moment I still drew a blank. "That's horrifinding!" (My son's description of everything unfavourable). Not much more has been said on the subject, that is, until today. 

Enter Prince Charming. 

When our ram arrived (kindly delivered by my brother from the neighbour's), the 3 year old (O) had fallen asleep on my sewing room floor so J and I quickly hustled out to meet our new guest. It took only a minute to turn him in with the ewes and my brother left--by now I can hear that O is awake and wants to come out. I left for two minutes, three tops, only to return to a crying child and one quite thoroughly bred sheep. 

In hindsight, I might have known the courtship may go quickly, but it didn't occur to me that it would happen while I walked to the house. And I hadn't bargained on it upsetting my boy so much. My poor little soft-hearted goose worried that his ewe that he bottle fed with his gramma was being "bullied and stomped by that big mean ram". It was at once the most hilarious and tender moment with my child. Am I a beast for wanting to roll around laughing at the awkwardness of the situation? Likely, and I apologize for it I don't mean to be offensive. At the same time I felt a lump in my throat for his simple love for his animals. A farmer's love. He wants to see them cared for and never come to harm, and I was extremely proud. I tried to be matter of fact in stating that it doesn't hurt her or she would walk away from the ram, and it's the way that we get our baby lambs in spring. I had an eloquent speech up my sleeve about how all things are born from a seed....I'm sure I would have messed it up....but thank goodness he seemed content to know that it's not hurting her and that the ram will not be staying long. Seriously, I am hoping that these barnyard scenes become less traumatic for us both! Now that's country living :)

Mission Accomplished

Our annual craft sale has come and gone and I am left with a feeling of "where did the last month go?"

It was a much better turn out this year; in fact it got so busy that people couldn't get through to our booth. In the end I made about the exact same amount as I did last year but for some reason felt disappointed. So tonight I am reminding myself that although I had hoped to make more money, I did accomplish several things:

• I learned how to bind a quilt and managed to bind 3 by hand (1 throw size and 2 baby)

• a lady offered to buy the throw sized quilt, which I had on display (I had already given it to my friend whose mom had passed away)

• the first set of pallet board signs sold out (I made a second set of 5 at the last minute so have some inventory for next year)

I did not have a craft table thinking that it would make me rich :) a friend and I enjoy doing crafts and the busy work helps us get over the hump of the seasonal change. We had a great visit and I was overjoyed to see old friends come out to support a local event. My kids got their picture with Santa and I believe they will remember forever the suspenseful few moments while Santa searched for their names on the naughty/nice list!

The afternoon portion of the craft sale slowed down and I didn't make the profit that initially seemed possible. But all of my other goals were met. I learned how to do the binding on my quilts and was offered a fair price for one although I could not accept. I was commissioned by a friend (and paid in advance) to sew a baby quilt, and I've already got it started. 

I used some power tools while Husband is away working and reminded myself that I am more capable than I believe. I used to be so independent but having small kids and someone to ask has made me soft. All in all, I had a day out and some great social time and felt very supported by people that matter. That in itself is an accomplishment :)

Busy Days

For anyone holding down a real job, it might seem crazy to put hours of time and energy into making crafts to sell for mere dollars at a sale. I like to create things and my kids are independent enough now that I can spend a bit of time sewing while they play or colour. Most of it, though, I do at night. I had a very productive few days and I hope to sell at least half of what I've made. The weather is supposed to be better this year (last year it was cold with a wicked wind). 

I'm feeling a bit tired of it all, really, but I have enjoyed the sense of urgency (briefly). Now I'd like to go back to sewing because I want to :) How is your weekend shaping up?

Quietude

Isn't it funny how quiet and still a snowy morning can be?

 This quiet, the expectant silence waiting for the sleep that winter will bring...this I seek in my heart and mind. For the first time in perhaps ever, at least since I was a child, I look forward to the methodical pace of winter. Wood hauled in, ashes hauled out. Plow snow, shovel snow. Play in snow. Sleigh ride. Hunker down. Rest. Sew. Read. Snuggle my boys and savour savour this precious window in their childhood. For if there is one age I remember, and one season, it is the excitement of snow and decorating cookies and making cinnamon buns and waiting for the bus to drop off my brothers so we could eat our homemade treats that we had made for them. And I do remember the quiet. I played with my not-a-barbie doll in a cardboard box that I had made into a doll house and the dramas of her glamorous life were acted out in my mind where only I could hear. That Christmas Santa delivered a doll house, a real house, for my not-a-barbie and I don't believe there's been a gift so special since. The wall paper in her bathroom matched the wall paper in ours, her bedroom carpet the white plush shag of our discarded bathroom mat. She was like a movie star.

There are no more jobs calling me outside. Every year my interest in the garden wanes before I have completed all my jobs and now there is snow on the ground and I can give myself permission to focus my attention indoors. Rooms that need cleaned top to bottom and things that need sorted and tidied and oh so many things to sew. 

Quiet. The quiet pace of our lives slows still more for this season. But my boys will continue to grow. I will tire of the repetition of my daily routine by February and I will drag myself to spring with gritted teeth and big plans for the yard. This I know. This year I enter winter without dreading the length and severity of it. I know that we will make it through. We will be productive, in our way, and we will greet spring with the joy that we now welcome winter. I am ready. Bring it.