The Moments In Between

Fridays seem to be a good place to start a tradition- a place to lay out the moments in between that frame our lives and give way to moments of joy. This week the moments seem to focus on family:

A child, sick and feverish off and on, who still managed to smile and laugh.

A puppy, struggling with various housebreaking issues that had everyone on edge with perpetual clean up duty, was still able to inspire feelings of affection and smiles in her human family.

After moments of exhausted irritation between duties of furry, feathered and human kin, there were cuddles and the knowledge that everything really is okay.

When we take the time to review the moments, they can add up to a bounty of wealth- the kind of wealth that money can't necessarily secure for us. You just have to keep looking for the positive- a treasure hunt that provides certainty of bounty.

The Moments in Between

It is my belief that the moments in between are what tell our stories in a way that the bigger, flashier moments can't quite grasp- A formation of clouds brief and fleeting against a startling blue sky.

A small waterfall, flowing over rock and moss, snow and ice as the earth awakens.

 An indoor garden, the plants lovingly tucked into the soil of their new home (just like us).

These are where we tell our stories, in these small moments that give way to hope and to what my mother calls the little thank yous everywhere. It begs us to ask ourselves what our moments in between look like.....

In Search of Magic Moments

It has been a long time since I posted anything here and anyone who followed the older posts knows that there was struggle here in this new place as we adjusted and readjusted. I am hesitant to take on something that I may struggle to maintain but the amount of inspiration I feel these days seeks to inspire others if only with words or a photo.

Perhaps, life without struggle is far less creative, I can only imagine it is. This has forced new growth and abundance that I could only have dreamed of. In the face of the challenges we have come across, I have bent and wavered, fallen and gotten up, hoped and cried and found that time after time I belong right where I am, though I am not always sure why this is. I sit in gratitude most days in awe that all that has happened.

There have been mounds of art made and a multitude of new undertakings. There are new farm animals and pets (we said goodbye to some of our furry family members last summer after two car accidents). There is now a barn with color and life and murals that has stopped traffic and brought  smiles. There is an enclosed porch to bask in as the weather finally begins to warm in this northern place and the greenhouse awaits the seeds we have set aside for the garden.

So much has changed. So much has stayed the same and so much gratitude is to be found in the moments of each and every day......

Oh Those Kids- What's a Girl to Do?

As some may recall, one of my favorite parts of moving to land to homestead was that I could, once again, keep goats- my favorites being Nubians with their gentle playfulness and their giant floppy ears.

Without a barn, things were pushed back for the spring and summer but I still had dreams.-- Well, that was the original plan until we realized that the barn might not be up until August (hopefully way before then) and the poison ivy by the river and other brush would be up and well established- and probably procreating- by then and we needed goats to get ahead of that.

So, we started looking- we figured that if we found one early, we could build a temporary goat shelter out of the numerous pallets we have been collecting for our eco-barn and use tarps to wrap it up nice and wind proof- not pretty but workable.

Looking for a goat without spending well over $100 is pretty challenging. It really is. I thought we could find a free or very cheaply priced goat that was healthy, easily, but everyone scooped them up - if there were any- before we reached the ad. That is, until we saw a small ad on a local website that listed a wether who would be ready when he weaned from his mother in a couple months. We jumped and two days later were cuddling the little fella and saying "Yes please!" to the kind farmer and his family.

I asked all the questions about CAE & CL and worming and shots and all the technicalities that goat keepers keep track of. The buck was sweet as was the doe (these being the parents) and our little guy- he just wanted to be held and cuddled- and to nurse, of course. So, we rejoiced as we headed home, leaving him behind in the pin with his sister and mother. We had 2 months to build a shelter and find a companion for him- you can't have just one- they are very social-- so we made plans. We laid out the goat pen and designed the pallet moveable shelter and then we looked for a companion.

We started looking again but this time, thinking that if we could find a doe, this one with good milk line, we could wait to breed her and then we could have fresh milk and make cheese again. But finding a doe- let alone a Nubian- was not only challenging but expensive (oh that elusive money!) and then WHAM! I saw her one evening online (thank you Craig's List)- she was darling and so I called- and she was reserved. I left my number, just in case, and then, the following day in the midst of inventory building, I got a call saying "If you want her, come and get her."

I have never raised a bottle-fed baby of any sort, being a staunch supporter of extended breastfeeding and natural parenting, so it is odd that I would adopt a goat of only 4 days old who would be nursing on her mother (if left to do as nature intended) for another 2 months, at least. But I knew that if I didn't take her, someone else would. Frantic and suddenly terrified, I called my husband. There wasn't even a moment of hesitation as he gave me a big "What are you waiting for- go get her! We'll make it work!" and I was off like a shooting star- with a laundry basket by my side.

And so, there is one waiting with his mother on a farm not too far away- for the day he will join us here. We plan visits with him at least once a week if not more.- And there is one leaping and bounding in our kitchen and following us around as she gets used to these smooth floors and bleats to us when she doesn't know where we are (goodness forbid that we would dare to visit the bathroom!). She plays with the cats and drinks from a beer bottle (what a lush!) with a nipple on the end.

And us? Well, as things fall into place and we wait for things to settle in, we are doing fine, taking each moment in with gratitude and playing with our cats, our dogs, our guinea pigs and our goats- as we make soup, beans and rice and play board games or tell stories (and write them!). I am thanking the Universe for this cornucopia of gifts and finding peace and trying to practice trust in this path we are on. Certainly something spectacular is happening and all will be well, I just have to trust in this divine path......

Making Do With What You've Got

I'm sure you've heard that one before. But it takes on so many new meanings throughout life. With our change of location came a serious (and, admittedly, scary) change of finances. And that certainly forces creativity on a new level. Where, before, it was fun and funded (mostly), now it is a find and make art situation.
The project I recently faced was a revamp of the kitchen. We hadn't really organized it- 7 months ago when the moving truck showed up, I sort of unpacked and shoved things around. Then, when the hubby arrived, I waited for him to make it into what he needed- since he is the chef. But a few days ago, I got the itch- a serious itch. So I unloaded everything and started fresh- with the help of a new soul friend egging me on and hauling butt on those cupboards.

With drawers and cupboard re-organized, I looked at the drawer, once the holder of all things silverware, newly organized with my overstock tea (yes, I have an addiction- can you ever have enough tea?) and then to the counter- now full of homeless silverware.
I wanted to do something creative, something that was both practical and funky. So, I pulled some cans from my recent obsession with coconut milk banana shakes and washed them thoroughly and hammered down any sharp edges.
And then, you'll never guess-- then, I pulled out Mod Podge and fabric- I know-- GASP!! I bet you didn't see that one coming- Hehehehehehe. And I sat down and decoupaged them. I cut out a little fabric spoon, fork and knife and put those on the cans so that they were "labeled" and then I let them dry. And when they were, I loaded them and put them on the counter (which still has it's characteristic squeak because it still isn't properly attached- we'll get there) and just like that my kitchen had some funky matching action.

Next up? Well, a pot rack I designed- designed with desperation and some serious form meets function action- well, I hope- we haven't made it yet- but I see it in my head- that counts, doesn't it?
Did I mention we are also busy drawing property layouts for this little farmlette? Where will the garden go? Where will the barn? What about the berries and grapes? And the orchard?
 Oh there are things to be done!