Thursday....February 26, 2015....

Woke with a terrible back ache.  I have never had a back ache before and it is horrible!  I feel for anyone that says they have a back ache.  No idea why even!  Took my time getting around this morning.  Finally went to the barn...in the inch of snow that had fallen in less than the three hours I had been awake.  It was starting to stop and expected to melt right away...got to the barn let the chooks and ducks out and grabbed an armful of hay and a scoop of feed for the goat and cow...dropped them and ran for the cottage to call the Lumberjack.  Sometime in the wee morning hours Indie decided to kid.  She is such an amazing kidder!!  They are tiny little bucks all white cleaned up and nursing and trotting around.  Moved them to an area of the barn to be away from the cow with their momma.  They are snuggly and absolutely adorable.  There goes the idea of eating them!!!  UGH!  Why oh Why do they have to be so darned cute.  Called a friend that has a goat farm and we are going tomorrow to pick up a newly born baby girl.  We wanted a doe to have for breeding in the fall to get a good rotation going here.  My sister came and brought two of her children for a visit and see the babies.  They are hoping to move to the area soon and have a few acres for the children to get out and run.  Firefly called shortly before her supper to "name" the babies.  So Petunia for the doe and Olaf for the buck.  We will keep Olaf for breeding and the other buck we will be giving to my sister onced they get moved.  His name is Lubert.  The incubator is onced again full and hoping for a good hatch in three weeks.  The baby chicks will be going out to the barn this weekend as well.  Ready to call it a night already and its early even.  Took some time this afternoon and took a wooden wall calendar holder painted it and put all of my bumper stickers, buttons and post cards on it to hang on the wall.  LOVE it!  Now to collect more!!  Also took some time to take some pics of the most recently finished wall in the kitchen.  One more to go then to the floor.
Be well,
Lisa

Wednesday....February 25, 2015....

Was struggling with just a hint of cabin fever and today was one of the days this week I planned to be away from home.  Never the less as soon as I drove out of our driveway I was already homesick.  I love being here at the cottage.  But being away was good for me today as well.  Some time with my sister, some shopping, and a three hour coffee date with Marcy.  Just what the soul needed.  Home after seven and the Lumberjack was already working on the kitchen walls some more and had the barn chores complete.  We settled into bed early with no reading this evening.  Some snow is predicted tomorrow.  Less than an inch.  Im so over the winter now.  The last couple of days have been a spoil with sun and warmer temps.  The coffeehouse we went to today is a must for many more trips.  The coffee was one of the best in the area and the atmosphere was awesome as well.  It was an old bank and we had the vault room all to ourselves for the entire three hours.  Wish I had gotten some pics of the interior but one of their signage will have to do.
Be well,
Lisa

Tuesday....February 24, 2015....

What a bright sunny day.  Albeit COLD.  The wind was blowing which only made it colder.  The cottage warmed up nicely though with the addition of the sun.  Another day at home tending to all things that need to be done.  Made a new batch of deodorant.  This time I went for Grapefruit Oil in hopes of some warmer weather.  A batch tends to last about six months so it will be a nice refreshing scent until fall.  Breakfast this morning was leftover banana bread with a few chocolate chips and it was sooooo good smeared with a huge smearing of butter and a glass of raw milk.  Still no goat babies but it wont be long.  Honestly Im praying she holds out until the middle of March.  Warmer and the cow will be in his own barn and yard.  Well waiting on the Lumberjack to get home.  He went to pick up a much needed extra wheelbarrow off of craigslist and is just now on his way home.  Dinner and dishes are done and his supper is keeping warm along with a piece of depression era cake for dessert.  Wont be doing much to the kitchen this evening.  Possibly tearing off a piece of drywall that needs removed and thats about it as the time is marching on for the evening jobs.
Be well,
Lisa

Monday.....February 23, 2015....

Wow two posts in one day.  Would say im making up for last week no?  It was a good day a very good day especially compared to the last week.  The sun shone for most of the day.  A wind blew making things very chilly outside but the snow is melting nicely.  Three pup walks and two barn trips outside with just a few blocks moved in the garden to make a spinach bed and my outside time was done.  Inside was glorious.  Even had to crack a window as it was too warm in here but not quite ready to let the fire burn out completely.  Breakfast was absolutely delish!  A fried egg with some leftover buttered spinach and cranberries and raw milk!  YUM!!  The floors were cleaned, reading done in two books, much knitting completed but so much more to do...exercising and yoga...check!  Dinner is over the dishes are washed and put away the evening barn chores are done and the Lumberjack is working on another strip of wall in the kitchen.  Soon will be time to settle in for the night with some evening reading aloud before calling it quits.  A few pics from the day.  The favored part of them...those chasms that are caught in each.  That little suncatcher I made and put in the kitchen window is the best thing I have made in awhile.  Today as that window was slightly cracked I walked into the kitchen when a breeze blew the suncatcher and OMG...there were these chasms everywhere in the kitchen bouncing around absolutely stunning!
Be well,
Lisa

The Daybook....

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

                                                                      For Today:
                                                      Monday, February 23, 2015

Outside my window......Heavy grey skies, cold and the ground frozen from yesterdays thaw.

I am thinking......How excited im getting for so many things that spring brings...the garden...new life on the farmstead....a new grandbaby....long bike rides on the trails with the family....picnics by the lake....yes im kind of excited for spring.  As I will be excited for the winter its next turn about.  I love the change of the seasons...that I long for the next one always!

I am thankful for.....Timely packages with small treasures from friends.  Thank you Peggy its absolutely lovely!

I am wearing......Black yoga knit maxi, grey and black striped long sleeved tee, jean vest, black and grey floral infinity scarf, black flats and hair in a messy bun!

I am creating......I have been spending countless hours in this snow storm working on the shrug  Must have it halfway finished by next wednesday.  And the Lumberjack seemed a bit creative yesterday himself.  Came in with my Alex and Ani bracelets on a bracelet holder he made for me.  Determined to finish three pages that need completed in the art journal.

I am going......It would seem that as spring and thaw and mud comes I am going to have to be cleaning this living room floor DAILY....washing that is!  So looking forward to putting that door in the kitchen!

I am wondering......If next weekend could be our first bike ride on the trail??!!

Quote of the week.....

I am reading......(Hoping to pick up speed here a bit and include a review when finished each book)

Three at onced.  Yep!  One Second After is our evening read aloud together.  Grub Is a quick one.  And The Homesman is a novel that im wanting to finish to see the movie!

I absolutely love this book and am sure it will take some time to work my through each recipe I am wanting to give a go!

Buttered Spinach!  We definately loved it and its simplicity.  Instead of a chopped cooked egg I used some dried cranberries.  Which only means that I "have" to make it again this week to use the egg!

I am hoping......That my very nice camera can be fixed.  We will see.  Meanwhile I am so thankful for this tiny little one that works just fine.

I am learning......To test all garden seeds for germination before planting!!!!

Around the farmstead......Matilda is looking much like I feel at the end of this winter.  The trip to the thrift shop should prove a new look for her come the middle of march sometime.  Her presence makes me so happy in the garden!

In the kitchen.....  Coconut custard pie, and homemade alfredo sauce for a white garlic and fresh tomato pizza was in the kitchen this week.  The week ahead looks so promising in there.  I actually made a menu...lets see if I actually stick to it...lol

I am pondering.....Onced again the upcoming baby shower.  The closer it gets the more nervous to put it all together I get.

Pins on the agenda.....(NEW...trying to acutually "use" the pins I pin thinking putting them here will help and add when they are finished)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/452048881322973460/

One of my favorite things.....Three meals a day with the Lumberjack!!!  Love when he is home from work.

Plans for the rest of the week......Meeting a friend I have not seen for awhile for coffee, the livestock auction to see what I can find to bring home, shopping for some plants and pots for the almost finished kitchen, trip to the photo shop for some photos and a camera fix, and a stop at the thrift store.  Morning shopping with the girls on Friday then afternoon shopping with the mother in law.  A family birthday gathering on Sunday.

A photo from the week past......Yesterday the sun came out and allowed us much time to play and be productive.  The house plants absolutely loved it as well!

Been M-I-A lately....

Its been a tough week since Monday.  Things are moving slowly here at the homestead.  I have struggled with a very major sinus infection and the medicine took quite awhile to take effect and left me feeling worse in the very beginning.  Feeling much better at the end of the weekend here.  All beit a little down in the dumps so to say.  There is about 6 inches of snow outside from yesterdays storm...or so the Lumberjack tells me...as I am in major denial and refusing to believe its there.  Ducking my head under the covers and waiting on it to pass!  So ready for some nice weather.  Maybe if I "felt" better it wouldnt be so bad but it just compounds it all really.  Anyhow headed to the kitchen to make some waffles for breakfast before starting on the finishings of the second wall.
Be well,
Lisa

The daybook.....

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

                                                                      The daybook
                                                                  Feburary 16, 2015

Outside my window....SUCH extreme cold.  Two pup walks down and two barn trips over.  One of each to go and thinking I may dig out the lumberjacks face hat!

I am thinking....It may be time to start making connections more locally.

I am thankful for.....How thankful I am that we are able to raise our own organic non gmo meats and dairy as a trip to the store and a walk down those aisles made me gasp at the prices!

I am wearing.....Grey leggings, Grey long sleeved knit top and a comfy grey and white striped tunic over with some wool socks!

I am creating......STILL working on the tabletop water garden.  Looking lovely so far!  Needing to do some journaling in the art journal.  Taking this slow week to put together a few handmade gatherings here at the farmstead for friends and family this summer...more to come there!  And praying I can get that purple shurg done in time for our Anniversary hike!

I am going.....To be keeping this fire roaring all week as it is to be frigid all week long...praying for warmer temps next week!

I am wondering.....If we can possibly get the entire kitchen complete before the next family birthday gathering?

Quote of the week.....After a lunch date with Tess last week...this quote is perfect!  On the horizon!!

I am reading....."The Homesman" by Glendon Swarthout.  Just starting but anxious to finish as I want to then watch the movie...and both daughters are impatiently waiting their turn.  Also Lumberjack and I started another outloud read..."One second after" by William Forstchen

I am hoping.....To get signed up for some very interesting classes this next session....lol.  Definately details forthcoming.

I am learning....Learning more and more about plants and starting seeds indoors.  This is always a time of learning for me as im never going to be "there".  Love that there are always new things to learn in growing our own foods.

Around the farmstead....Peeps are growing and moving all around the bathroom hoping to get them to the barn next week.  Indie still not delivered.  No work was done at the barn this weekend as we worked hard to finish the kitchen one wall.  Many new seeds started indoors and even some transplanted already.

In the kitchen....  Warm apple crisps for two on a frigid evening in.

I am pondering.....A baby shower that is fast approaching.  Need to make some lunch dates with a few ladies to pull the details together and soon.

One of my favorite things....EVERY SINGLE DAY I GET TO SPEND WITH THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plans for the rest of the week.....Looks to be a good week to get the knitting done and maybe complete the book.  Only one day away this week.  A day trip with my sister to do some shopping at a local health food store, bookstore, thrift store and crafting supplies.

A photo from the week past.....Lunch date at Hard Times Cafe with Kari last week.  My first and my last!  I was not a fan of their food but the company more than made up for it!

A kitchen wall....

What a long day.  It has been absolutely freezing outside.  We are staying warm and toasty here by the fire however.  Spent the day completing the long wall in the kitchen.  This was the hardest of all of the four walls needing done in there as it is where I do most of my work and where I have most of my kitchen supplies.  So these things were absolutely everywhere while we were working.  It was stressful to say the least but im over the moon excited with the turnout!  We are waiting until we finish the entire room to decide on black or white appliances.  As it goes right now we have one of each so it will be easy to see which we prefer.  Now for some good things to come of that kitchen area!  Oh and there are before and after photos.
Be well,
Lisa