Saturday adventures...

Mostly just some pics of the day.  I had wanted a leather cuff so Larry bought some leather and made me one.  Absolutely LOVE it...now just need to find a small silver toggle to replace the plastic one.  Also today I was able to go to both the farmers market and yoga all within walking distance of each other.  Bought some yummy pea shoots and white turnips!  A weekly mtn hike and home for the evening.
Be well,
Lisa

Ahhhh Friday!....

Oh dearest mailman some days I love you...and somedays.....well we will just leave it at that.  Some good reading right there.  And good information for using all of those lovely oils that I have been storing up.  A lovely Friday it was.  Had plans to be at home until my Sister called and had an impromptu trip to Frederick to do a little shopping.  Home Goods was on the agenda it was my first time and well probably my last.  It just cannot compare to Marshalls and TJ Maxx.  Lunch out was amazing as usual.  Home to let the pups out for a little and a call from a dear friend for some late night pizza and wine.  The dark starry sky some wine and good company was the perfect way to end a perfect day!

Be well,

Lisa

My Daybook....

http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...Grey skies and a chilly breeze.

I am thinking...How much smoother life is now that I am home onced again.

I am thankful...A husband willing to make decisions when I just cant.

In the kitchen...A few new recipes...Tabouli for one...and lots of bowl foods for summer!

I am wearing...Grey and black yoga pants, grey yoga pullover and the most comfy sweater I have ever bought!

I am creating...A home on paper just waiting to put it all together in the cottage!

I am going...To be working on the calendar for the next few months!  Its filling so fast.

I am wondering...How many new character traits I am going to learn during this waiting period.

I am reading...Rurally Screwed...a novel...funny, corky, and just plain fun for the summer.

I am hoping...To retain all of the character traits I learn as im sure they will be put to the test many times.

I am looking forward to...The many dinner dates hubby and I have on the calendar.

I am learning....Patience!!  In so  many ways I am being tested here!

Around the house...Laundry, meals, meal planning with a few new recipes added each week, walks, hooping.

I am pondering...Which activities to keep and which to ditch for the summer.  No time for them all unfortunately.

A favorite quote for today..."You don't always need a plan.  Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens"~Mandy Hale

One of my favorite things...Larry tucking me in and letting me sleep when he leaves for work with a kiss on the forehead!

A few plans for the rest of the week:....A new meal on sat complete of new recipes, traditional mtn hike to the falls, a walk around the property and meeting the family for a bike ride on the trails and a family picnic afterwards.

A peek into my day...

Waiting....waiting...waiting....

So much waiting.  I am so not good at this!  I keep attaining more and more absolutely amazing things for the cabin.  All made with such love and character to continue in the spirit of a wabi sabi home.  Its so hard to pack it up until the right time to put it all out.  Today was a lovely day.  Warm and now settling into a storm with a very nice cool breeze blowing through the windows.  Helped Cassie clean today at a lady she works for then we had lunch together an a quick trip to Marshalls!  My I LOVE that store.  A quick stop to the market for some meats and the thrift store with just a couple more treasures.  Larry was to get home much later than usual so I took to the hoop and some great tunes.  Felt so good to let it flow with no worries!  A three mile walk and dinner for him and ready to settle in for the rest of the evening waiting on this storm.
Be well,
Lisa

Lovely memorial day....

That oven right there....its GOING to happen!  Larry bought me a cast iron pizza pan today a very large one.  Come next spring the guys in this family will be busy spending an afternoon helping to build one of the gorgeous outdoor bread oven.  Artisian pizzas and breads will be flowing out of that!!  Had a great memorial day.  Good food, good company and good weather.  Ready to face the week ahead with a little more umph in the step!!  Oh and alot of planning!  Seems a redneck fourth of july bbq is on the agenda and there is so much planning and creating to be done!
Be well,
Lisa

End to a long week..

More than a week ago I had decided it was time to quit my job.  However as in Lisa fashion I found many reasons to keep on keeping on there.  Today that came to an abrupt end.  The week was fairly uneventful.  Work mostly.  I am so eager to get started on the property however we are at the point where only the work that needs hired out is to be done.  So I sit and wait...and I am NOT patient at sitting and waiting.  End of the week found me at my weekly yoga class and the opening day of our local farmers market before onced again heading to work.  Home last night and learned that firefly is sick.  A terribly high fever.  In the med express then to the er.  If things dont work themselves out with her fever there is a chance she will have to have a spinal tap to see what is going on.  A very restless night and so much time crying and praying.  Today as I was preparing for work Larry finally convinced me it was time to call it quits.  I couldnt go.  Not worrying about her.  I just cant put myself out there anymore.  It turned out to be a blessed day!!  I quit my job...spent the afternoon with some friends...met a very interesting believer and had quite the conversation...dinner with my love...and a weekly mountain hike to our favorite falls.  Yep he was right.  It was time.  Now onto the life I know and LOVE!
Be well,
Lisa

Weekend Photos.....

Time with the Kimble family.....

                                                      Larry hung this beauty for me on the property....

We had a family dinner and made Larrys mom and dad steps to make the backyard more accessible for them.  Hope they enjoy it this summer!

                                                               Bathing Beauties.....

                                     
                                                               End Result!!

The end to a very enjoyable weekend. We also hired an excavator to level the property and make it completely ready for the cottage to be delivered in ten weeks.  So happy that is done.  Now to tackle the week ahead!

Be well,

Lisa

Cordial Season Begins...

We absolutely love these in the winter.  Makes the long wait so worth it!  The first to be made of the season of course is the Rhubarb.  The winter evenings are so much nicer with a warm cozy fire, a book, and a cordial glass full of summers bounty!  Today turned out to be very pleasant in spite of the horrible storms that came in last night.  Things dried up nicely by the end of the day.  Spent the morning with some Reggie time and a nice long walk, A stop at a local vintage store turned out to be quite dangerous for me.  Bought an old metal three shelf type of stand with rollers, a bright yellow cast iron under and enamel over oven dish with a lid, and a gorgeous avocado green pitcher.  Lunch with Larry then more errands.  Had an appt with the company building the cottage to get final prices.  Have had my eye on a terrarium lately....scored that at an amazing 60% off!!  A quick run to the liquor store and farm market.  Home and made the Rhubarb Cordial and now to relax for the rest of the evening while I wait on that man of mine to get home!
Be well,
Lisa

Husband Love.....

The end of a very stressful day and He brings me some goodies home!  Some of my favorites both old and new.  An organic Orangelon cantelope, a bottle of some new to me but oh so amazing Woodbridge Double Reserve Bourbon....thank you Maureen!, and some of my old stand by and amazing Noosa Yogurts!  He is so amazing!  Cassie did well through the surgery.  They will be running some tests to be sure there is no reason for a problem in the future...one that can be helped anyhow.  These things are out of our control but they dont hurt any less.  She is in good spirits but the next few days will be difficult for her and Karl.  Katie is such an amazing young lady as well.  She is so loving and compassionate with her sister.  We are truely blessed with some of the best adult children in the world!  Now...to sit and sip and relax for the rest of the evening with that gorgeous man.
Be well,
Lisa

Emotions....

Set out with a day full of plans.  However how quickly they can change!  Breakfast with the mother in law and a visit from Cassie.  Then some shopping.  Headed to WV to have tea with a new friend and yoga instructor and herbalist.  A very interesting afternoon.  So much knowledge to be gained and thankful to have met.  Decided to stop at Fireflies school and meet her mom and pick her up as a surprise!  She was so happy and I of course.  Cassie had a call in to her midwife and they requested her to go to the er for a sonogram.  Thankful that I could be there to go along.  Things did not turn out as we had hoped.  My mothers heart is so terribly broken.  I would do nearly anything to take any and all of the pain that my children feel and carry it for them.  I know God has this and will see them through this difficult time but it hurts so badly.  Left the hospital and visited with a very very dear and old friend...much advice and love poured out.  Home with some solid decisions being made.  I am home onced again...and home I will stay!  Work outside of the home just doesnt suit our family.  I am first a wife and mother here on this earth and am much needed there.  Its time now that we have settled on the property to come home onced again.  The thought of Larry having to be there struggling without me to help him to accomplish this dream we have had for so very very long is too much to bear.  We started this together nearly 30 years ago and will see it through together as well.  Tomorrow will be a day full of tears and prayers and I would covet anyones prayers for our family as they go through this difficult time onced again with our oldest and her husband.
Be well,
Lisa

http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...Everything is SO green, a nice cool breeze is blowing, birds are singing and sun is hidden.  Going to need a light sweater today!

I am thinking...How quickly I have made connections and establishing relationships in a new area.

I am thankful...For local co-ops that provide us with so much local organic produce, meats, dairies and grains!

In the kitchen...FISH!  Have been craving and consuming lots of fresh fish.  Especially local fair traded salmon of which we know our farmers!

I am wearing...Green and white Maxi....LOVE! Mustard colored sweater and black flip flops for the day.

I am creating...An open space for our cottage.  Much labor of love here!

I am going...Today....Breakfast and shopping with the mother in law, a visit to a organic herb garden in Berkeley Springs to have tea with the owner, and a long overdue visit with a dear friend to share a bottle of wine this evening.

I am wondering...How much longer I will be working away from home.

I am reading...Not much time at the moment.  Hoping to pick up a new book off the shelf soon.

I am hoping...That all of the estimates come in a timely fashion for the property.

I am looking forward to...Sunday with family!

I am learning....How hard it is to want to be in one place while being in another.

I am pondering...What the next eight weeks look like.

One of my favorite things...Rising early and seeing my husband out the door.

A few plans for the rest of the week:...Coffee date tomorrow afternoon before a yoga class, errands on Friday, Work, time spent clearing the land and a family work day at the mother in laws on Sunday with a cookout.

Let the wild rumpus begin!!!

We settled today on the property.  Are now the proud owners of four wild and wonderful west virginia acres!  I went and helped larry clear some more trees today and had I known just how dang hard it was to do so I would have definately paid someone to do it for me!!  We are halfway through it now so will finish.  Made a pretty dire decision today however.  We decided to forfeit the solar power for the grid.  We have the lines so close to the house it seems silly not to.  And with the heat of summer I just cant see myself living without the ac!  There are just some luxuries just worth paying for!  So we will be hooking to the grid onced the cottage is up!  Took a pic of us with the painting I made.  Wanting to modge podge this picture onto the painting to hang in the cottage as a reminder of the beginning.  Learned very quickly that more than likely these personal pics wont be exactly "pretty".  But hey thats real and that is very important to us.  To keep this real and raw.  Home and ready to relax!
Be well,
Lisa

Creating Art....

Called off work today as it was a rough night.  Not quite sure what or where this yuck came from but am ready to see it off!  Spent most of the day lying around resting at home.  We did run a truck load of stones up to the property.  Took advantage of a day of no plans to create some art.  My own mothers artist heart would have been proud for sure.  Maybe not so at the outcome but just to know I put a brush in my hand.  I have some fond memories of her sitting on the beach in California painting for hours while my brother and I played.  A beautiful mothers day here full of memories!
Be well,
Lisa

Clearing land....

On Monday while we were walking the property boundaries we marked off the 40x40 spot we want to have excavated for the cottage.  Today Larry met James there and they set out to work on the spot...only they "completed" it!! Karl had to watch Firefly as the girls had a wedding to attend. Larry is sore and tired as well as James.  Both are home and settled in for the evening.  I unfortunately had to work.  Monday will find us marking off the area for the barn and driveway as well as cutting the driveway out.
Be well,
Lisa

Making time to breath...

The week here has been so busy and the weekend ahead looks the same.  I started on a five day work cycle on Tuesday and it wont end until Sunday.  Monday of course I find myself off and very much looking forward to the long awaited settlement.  Thursday work was slow so a quick escape was offered and I TOOK IT!!  Did a little shopping and had a text to meet a very dear friend for a coffee date in the evening.  Yes please!!  So refreshing to say the least.  Now to finish up the next couple of days ahead and then its time to head full on into the summer life schedule around here!
Be well,
Lisa

The birthday boy!

Larrys birthday was Sunday...and of course I had to work.  He took full advantage of having the entire day with nothing to do.  Washed and waxed my truck and let me take his.  Took the little man to the mountain for his weekly hike.  I did get off a little early and we took a impromptu trip to Target...dangerous place!  Monday he left work early and we picked firefly up after school and took her to dinner.  Then we parused the property for a few hours and met the previous owners.  Lovely people.  Marked off the area that will need to be cleared for the cottage.  Then back to Cassie and Karls to have a coffee and cupcakes to celebrate!
Be well,
Lisa

The Daybook...

http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...Puffy white clouds, blue skies and trees budding with beautiful green leaves.

I am thinking...Even when things "seem" off they turn out so good!

I am thankful...The ability to love so many with so much love its uncontainable!

In the kitchen...Salads and lots of them lately.  Really craving greens!

I am wearing...Grey jeggings, linen tunic, black cami, and those black flip flops with a new toe ring...FINALLY!

I am creating...Space in my daily life for nothingness!

I am going....Running errands and shopping today, Hooping and yoga at a studio tomorrow, working the weekend and then celebrating that dear husbands birthday with family on Monday.

I am wondering...How this adventure would have turned out 10 years earlier.

I am reading...One second after.

I am hoping...For a busy season at work this weekend.  Makes time go so much faster.

I am looking forward to...SETTLEMENT!

I am learning....more like remembering..how good it feels to dance and feel free.  Add a hoop to that and WOW!

Around the house...Spending so little time here.

I am pondering..EVERY SINGLE WORD HERE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw

A favorite quote for today..."For I am yours, and you are mine"

One of my favorite things...Conversations with complete strangers!

A peek into my day..

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10 days!!!!

Ten days to go until settlement!  Woha!!  Seems like time has went so fast and yet so slow all at the same time.  I now weird.  We are sooooooo ready to get physically working on this project.  I have been working nearly 40 hours a week and will continue to do so as long as I have the hours available.  The extra cash is so nice to have and well come October I will have all the free time I need or want.  Spent some time over the weekend at some friends home learning more and more of their solar power system.  Feeling much more confident about how it all works and that we can have great success with it.  The weather has been stormy and rainy so laying low at home when not at work.  Found the nicest pair of womens work gloves I have absolutely ever seen.  Just had to buy them!  Leather and sturdy yet absolutely adorable!!  Well the day is calling!!

Be well,

Lisa