Friday......January 30, 2015....

The wind is blowing so wildly here tonight at the cottage.  But its toasty inside.  Home after a very long but enjoyable day. Some shopping with the girls....and I bought myself a pair of leather leggings...yes leather leggings!!  I could not even believe I did but came home and put on a tunic and pair of black pumps and WHOA!  Best deal of the day too at four dollars! And since this is a place that I hope to some day look back and just reflect all of the good and bad in this life will take a minute and share one of my favorite parts of the day.  While walking in a store and past a sign Cassie says....look mom they are having hula hooping lessons.  I of course took a pic of the ad to take home and look further into.  Turned to her and said wow you really do love me dont you.  She then says....well you know we do laugh at you but yes yes I do.  I will absolutely treasure that moment.  I pray I always give them something to laugh at and and am so glad that they love my quirky ways. After being away from home most of the day I really wanted to climb in some comfy pjs and relax but we had plans to meet some very long time friends that were visiting the town here for dinner at our local favorite restaurant.  Tried a new sandwich tonight and it was absolutely amazing!  Home now and definately ready to settle in with some Hulu and the love of my life.
Be well,
Lisa

Wednesday....January 28, 2015...

It was so refreshing to feel the sun on my face all day today.  It was cold still but the sun was so warm streaming in those windows.  I have yet to finish the homeless scarf but determined before bed to have done so.  Three pup walks and many trips to the barn just to be outside!  I will have to do evening barn chores by myself this evening as the Lumberjack wont be home until fairly late.  We found a used Anderson locking screen door for only 40 dollars and he is leaving work to go an hour away to pick it up.  We have been wanting to put another door in the cottage for awhile now and as we are getting close to getting the addition on we will need to have one before we complete the kitchen.  I did spend some time today starting the leeks.  So excited to be able to play in dirt and watch something emerge over time.  Well dinner is ready and I must eat alone and keep his warm.
Be well,
Lisa

Tuesday.....January 27, 2015....

What a non productive day it seems!  Not that it really has been but it just feels so slow and drawn out.  I have struggled with a sinus headache for two days now.  Attempting EOs and the netti pot with no success this time around.  Lumberjack is bringing home some claritan d which always knocks it out of me.  I did manage to tend to the barn chores three out of the four times needed today.  And walk each pup.  The goal was to finish half of the scarf I casted on last night and by the end of the evening will have that accomplished also.  Stained the wood trim around the woodstove tile but the pic was not good at all.  Also, was tired of looking at a terra cotta pot that was a pale green so painted it a bright red and now really enjoying looking at it often.  It was a knitting and gilmore girls kind of day for sure.  I will however be calling this an early night and settling in with some good reading onced dinner and dishes are over for the day!
Be well,
Lisa

Monday....January 26, 2015....

Well we were prepared for a major winter snow storm.  We hardly slept much anticipating and waiting....Lumberjack called off to be home.  And then we got not even nearly 2 inches of snow.  All mostly gone by evening...and then it began again.  This time around this evening it seems we are getting some pretty good amount out there.  I do love having him home with me.  Breakfasts together and early dinners.  He finished hanging the wood trim around the woodstove stone hearth area.  I will stain this tomorrow.  Then its just to finish the grout which I really really dislike.  But it must be done.   I finished a quarter of the purple shrug im hoping to have done for our Anniversary in March.  Desperately need to knit a grey pair of mitties for this Saturday but received an invitation to participate in the "Scarfs in the Park" event in a larger town not more than 30 minutes from here.  Our home town actually.  So instead im about to cast on a gorgeous burnt orange and make a scarf. Also replanted a last chance plant from Lowes this afternoon.  One for the kitchen window where there is plenty of sunlight and one where we had originally hung a blanket but finding the blanket gets used more than hung up. Dinner and dishes are done as well as all barn chores.  Wood is in for the evening and the plowing will wait until morning.  Settling in with a few Waltons episodes and knitting.
Be well,
Lisa

The daybook.....

http://www.thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

                                                                  For today:
                                                               January 26, 2015

Outside my window.......A light fine snow.  Not laying terribly yet just enough to make a mess but predicted to be more as the day goes on.  Lumberjack stayed home and I am so glad.  Schools were cancelled also so no worries of loved ones traveling.

I am thinking.....A little silly but Im already thinking of valentines day out!  Planning the day this week.

I am thankful for.....The many resources we have locally for good fresh non gmo organic foods.

I am wearing.....Or wore last time I went out....A victorian grey silky tunic, Stonewashed skinny jeans, and black boots.

I am creating.....Knitting like a fool to get the mitties done by Saturday.  Working in the art journal which I am loving immensely! And finishing the item for the valentines swap!

I am going.....To be enjoying the next three days tucked in right here at home by the fire.

I am wondering.....About the incubated eggs.  Its always stressful wondering what will come of them if any!

Quote of the week.....

I am reading.....Finally finished "Eggs in the coffee, sheep in the corn"  Passing it along via a fb group I am in on Homesteading.  Starting now "A year in Provence"  By Peter Mayle.

I am hoping.....For good weather over the weekend.  Cold is very good for the coming weekend...but snow is NOT!!

I am learning.....When to say no!  Had plans and tickets for an event on Sat am with Firefly....Snow was slushy and slippery.  Should have said NO...Cassie and Firefly ended up in a ditch hanging on the side of a cliff.  All is well no one hurt and car is fine but what a scare!!

Around the farmstead.....Needing to get some mushroom plugs ordered.  Leeks being started indoors.  Eggs to hatch in only two weeks.  And preparing for some rabbits.

In the kitchen.....Its been a good week in the kitchen.  After a trip to DC and home with some fresh fish which will be on the menu this week ahead.  So many eggs so Quiche for breakfast on our Sunday mornings together.  And a special dessert...a coconut raspberry bundt cake which was absolutely divine!

I am pondering.....A little hard to imagine with the image here.  But while in a local historic town this past week for coffee with Maureen I saw this in a little store.  And I am "pondering" doing something very similiar in the bedroom when we add it.  These are ribbons....all sizes, styles and several colors.  Some solid and some  patterned.  Im thinking of having a friend paint a bare brown tree with limbs on a wall and then using ribbon to create the leaves of the tree.

One of my favorite things.....Snowy days being tucked in here by the fire with the Lumberjack home from work!

Plans for the week ahead......Home for the beginning of the week and happy for that.  A trip to Frederick on Thursday for a dentist appt for Firefly which is always accompanied by a cafe of some sort, Shopping with the girls in town on Friday, Dinner and a walk through Chambersburgs Ice fest with a friend on Saturday and most definately CHURCH on Sunday!

A peek into one of my days from the past week......Traveling knitting!

Sunday.....January 26, 2015.....

A lazy morning at home with the lumberjack meant an enjoyable breakfast together.  He ran to town afterwards for a newspaper and home quickly.  Spent the day mostly relaxing.  Managed to get a load of laundry washed and is drying by the woodstove nicely.  Worked some more on clearing the woods only to decide at the end of the day to use the side were not working on to put the kennel for the meat birds.  Met a new family online we will be going to visit soon that has some muscovy duck eggs for us to set in the incubator.  One of the issues we have had here at the cottage has been condensation with the onset of the colder weather.  We have taken several steps to try to eliminate it and they have all worked in one way or another.  The final step today is the addition of ceiling fans.  The one in the living room is now in and we will see in the morning if it is completely successful.  If so...we will finally start to finish the ceiling.
Be well,
Lisa

Sunday Salon....

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Time:    8:56

Scene:    Coffee in hand still in jammies.  The woodstove is firing away and the little fan on top is whirling crazily.  The room is dimly lit with a few twinkle lights on the mantle.  Pups are lazying near the stove and knitting is beside me waiting patiently.

Todays Plan:      We are skipping church one more week then its to attempt another one locally next week.  We WILL find a home church with this move!  To hang a ceiling fan in the cottage living room, some baking, and more clearing of woods.

Drinking:    COFFEE with cream!

Listening to:  Some bluegrass on pandora.

Saturday.....January 24, 2015.....

WHAT a day!  We had tickets to a frozen meet and greet event at a baker/cafe a little over an hour away and were to meet some friends but the weather over night had other plans.  Honestly it was nothing more than a slushey mess!  But that makes for the worst driving.  Cassie was to meet us and we were to pick up Firefly....well we were there waiting when she called...she was off the road and literally hanging on the side of a cliff! We flew to her and grabbed Firefly and her out of the car and into our truck.  Poor baby was scared, shaking and crying.  Told a fib...that the event was cancelled due to the weather.  Karl came and they got her out.  All were home safely and in no time at all the sun came and melting everything!  We were home for just a little then left again and met them in town and took Firefly to lunch while they had a date lunch.  Left her with them at Target and Lumberjack dropped me off at my sisters where I got myself cleaned up for the evening and we headed out to meet Tess and two other women for an evening of entertainment, education and a call to awareness.  Our niece owns a dance studio and her own traveling dance ministry company called Neshema.  They have this event every year to raise awareness and funds for Human Trafficking.  A lovely evening!  Home late but with an awakening.  Ready to face a new day tomorrow!
Be well,
Lisa

Friday.....January 23, 2015....

Absolutely NO motivation today!  Woke late because of getting home late.  Barn chores and headed out the door in a flash to get a few things before the coming snow storm they are predicting.  Before I left though I looked at a corner of the living room and thought...ugh!  So while out I bought some paint and home to unpack and even before starting dinner VOILA!  Fresh coat of paint a little pop of color and Im happy!  Lumberjack came home early concerned about the weather.  This gave us a little time to work together in the garden.  Only thing left now is raking, making beds and planting!  Settled in with some hulu for the evening and definately not much on the agenda for the rest of the evening.
Be well,
Lisa

Friday.....January 22, 2015

Well we made the trip to DC.  I am so very glad Karla knows her way around there so well as i would have never gotten us home even yet.  A few appts, much shopping and dinner at the most amazing place!  They had Poutine!!!  Could not even believe it but they did and I had it!!  So much goodness there.  Duck fat fries, duck fat gravy, cheese curds and conifit.  We shopped mostly at the high end specialty stores.  Brought home a few rare treats to enjoy the next couple of weeks.  And enjoyed great laughter and music with a dear friend.  Home before midnight and seriously dropped into bed after loving the pups and the lumberjack!

Wednesday.....January 21, 2015....

FINALLY!!!  Finally the living room floor is complete!  Oh my goodness that seemed to take forever!  I am totally smitten with it however.  Completely done with skid/pallet wood.  Stained in a Honey Oak and a semi gloss clear poly.  The smell has been overwhelming and I am about DONE for the day.  Add to that the fact that it snowed...just enough to make a mess really!  Pups have been walked, knitting worked on, barn chores complete and Fried cabbage and boneless pork chops are cooking away for dinner.  Just waiting on the Lumberjack to come home and retire early with me this evening.
Be well,
Lisa

Tuesday.....January 20, 2015....

I will never be so happy as when Iget this living room floor FINISHED!!  I absolutely despise the smell of the stain and poly.  Trying to do it in sections and with open windows to not overwhelm myself.  This morning after coffee and morning barn chores I did quite a large area of it.  Banked the stove down good and left the cottage!!  What a good day to get out.  And I am so proud of myself for venturing into a new area!  I am always heading to my old areas and today agreed to meet a friend at an area closer to my neck of the woods.  Why oh why have I not been going in this direction till now??  It was amazingly LOVELY!  Find myself thinking I may want to retire in Virginia!!  The area we went to was in the Old Town area....where the streets are closed to traffic and are paved with brick...old structures and cute businesses.  Im definately making a few more trips there and soon.  Coffee at this french cafe was so good.  Home and ready to settle in with the fumes no less....ugh!  Larry is bringing home pizza and we are renting a movie on amazon!  Not much on the agenda after evening barn chores here!
Be well,
Lisa

The Daybook.....

http://www.thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

                                                                    For Today
                                                               January 19, 2015

Outside my window.......Grey skies, gusty winds, light snow, occassional rain/ice shower, chilly and just all out beautiful!

I am thinking....Of a dear couple friends that lost his brother suddenly and all the hardship put on them as there is no one else to tend to absolutely everything.

I am thankful for.......LIFE!!!  And an abundant one at that.  I am thankful that I get to rise everyday with a new agenda.  That I get to live here in this wonderful little town and create this little cottage for the Lumberjack and I and that our grown children and grands are close enough to come and visit.

I am wearing......Jean skirt, leggings, boots, comfy tee and cardigan.  Out to pick up a few things this afternoon

I am creating.....Finished the grey scarf....need to make the mitties by the end of the month.  Working on the purple shrug.  Stopped working on the blue cardy for a little, and on paper thinking about what I want to make for the swap at The Simple Womans Blog.



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I am going......To spend a little bit of every day this week working on the living room floor to completion.  To be completely clearing the garden area of brush.  To be setting some seeds to start indoors.  And to be getting some soil for the garden to get the spinach in the ground next week!

I am wondering.....Exactly what im going to wear to the funeral this weekend.  May have to check out some places while out today.  My wardrobe is not funeral ready.  Maybe its time for that little black dress to have for everything!

Quote of the week......

I am reading.....STILL  Eggs in the coffee sheep in the corn.  Extremely determined to have it done in two weeks now!

I am hoping......To get to the movies and a dessert/coffee cafe the end of the week for a date with the Lumberjack.

I am learning......How different each and every church is on the inside!  Not looking for the perfect church but praying for the perfect one for us at this time in our life!

Around the farmstead.....Not many changes this week.  We did clear some more woods.  Not going to put up the meat bird kennel until we have the corner cleared of the trees.  The eggs are set for almost a week now.  So excited to see what if anything comes of it.  Meatball is still with Indie which im giving us a two week challenge to change.  Starting some seeds indoors this week some time.  Also getting the soil to start some beds outside and get the spinach in the ground early next week.

In the kitchen.....No pics here onced again.  Very determined to change that this week ahead.  Meals were simple last week as the week was so very busy.

I am pondering.....The said swap.  A great valentines day with the Lumberjack.  A nice Valentines day gift for the grown children and one for firefly.  The outcome of the living room floor and how much im going to love it when it is COMPLETE.

One of my favorite things....Mornings as this.  The flurries are flying the sky is heavy and grey, but the inside of this little cottage is warm and cozy the fire is flickering away and it is dimly lit and the coffee is hot and creamy.

Plans for the week ahead....A quick run to town this am for some fresh cilantro and a stop at a few thrift stores, Coffee in VA with a friend tomorrow as she looks for homes there....AHHH  someone is moving closer to us!!!   Before this coffee date thinking I will try out a new to me farmers market only 30 minutes from me and on my way to meet her. The trip to DC with a friend that was changed from last week to this one coming.  A very very special treat sat am...Going with Tess her daughter and firefly to a meet and greet of who else but Elsa and Ana.....at D'Lish bakery!  Lunch after with the Lumberjack and then headed to the city for the memorial service.  Sunday is most definately a church day as we have missed quite a few sundays to find a home fellowship!

A peek into the day of the past week.....Or 3 peeks as it is this week.  LOL.

                                                         
                                                            The best local organic pizza

                                                              The goat herder pizza delish!

                                                        We split dessert....Krumpes bread pudding!