Sunday....January 18, 2015.....

Its been a busy weekend but a joyous one at that.  Oh the fame lolololol.  Yesterdays polar plunge has plunged me into the front page of our local newspaper!  Finding my "Rhythm" thus far in 2015 to be blissful.  Both the fast and the slow of it all.  Taking it all in one day at a time.  Listening the rhythm of our life in all that it has to offer.  Never liking the beat of my own drum any better than this year thus far.  Today woke slowly.  The sun shining.  Lumberjack made a trip to his work to take some things into the dumpster and return a work vehicle.  We have been given all of the old barnwood we want from a friends old dairy barn and the work van makes it nice to haul it.  Onced he got home I had the house completely cleaned for the day ahead.  We ate some lunch together, had a cup of coffee and set outside to work on clearing a little more of the woods.  He wanted to work a little more on the woods and I set off on a mountain walk with the little man.  Rain came quickly as did the Lumberjack to save the day...and my hair and clothes!  Home and rested before the entire family came.  We wanted to set a new standard/tradition here on the farmstead.  To celebrate birthdays onced a month when there was one.  This month we had two we celebrated.  In making new traditions I made a gorgeous burlap and fabric birthday banner.  Hoping to use this every celebration throughout the years to pass to one of the girls.  We give each birthday individual their choice of celebration foods...James chose an apple pie made from said farmers we were given the barn wood as he loves her apple pies....Cassies choice was a local bakeries cupcakes....chocolate with vanilla frosting...from Cindys Sweets.  Both were delicious and the company was priceless.  The noise...the mess when they are gone...I would not trade it for absolutely anything in the world.  Well time to settle in with the Lumberjack and the pups for some television time.  Thinking a date night is in order and possibly through the week to see the movie "American Sniper" and a trip to Everything Cheesecake for dessert.
Be well,
Lisa

Saturday.....January 17, 2015....

I AM POOPED!  I rarely every stay away from home this long  at one time.  Left here at nine am and finally home at ten.  Ready to seriously collapse into bed!  Lumberjack got home around two to spend the evening with the animals and working outside while I was gone.  I know he missed me but sometimes I think he really enjoys time here alone as I do during the week.  Did a little shopping with coffee in hand of course early this morning.  Then a change of clothes and headed to a mountain lake for my first ever polar plunge.  It was for the humane society there were literally hundreds of people.  They had to cut five inches of ice off of the lake yesterday to prepare.  It was cold and amazing.  I would definately do it again.  A hot shower and cleaned up and a tiny rest at my sisters then a little more shopping before meeting a friend in town for dinner.  The most amazing goat cheese pizza and oatmeal stout beer and dessert....krumpes donut bread pudding of which we shared of course!  Home and done till tomorrow!
Be well,
Lisa

Friday.....January 16, 2015

I woke this morning earlier than usual for me to get the barn chores done and cleaned up and ready to go do some shopping with the girls.  Guess what was outside to meet me????  THE SUN!!!  So bright and shining coming up over the mountain...what else was I to do...but take a selfie with that old girl I have missed sooooo much!  It was chilly in the morning but warmed up nicely by the end of the day.  A few good finds at Target for the new baby and Firefly and the pups of course.  A quick trip to Michaels was a good one.  And then theres TJ max....ahhhh....TJ Maxx.  I love that store.  A few baby shower gifts, more baby clothes and then ME!  A realy adorable silky summer tank for only 5 dollars!!!  A run to Giant with the girls then it was home for me.  The  stove needed to be replenished the pups needed walked and I needed to have some down time before the Lumberjack came home.  Getting a little nervous about tomorrow mornings polar plunge....but im ready at the same time.  Its all in the "Rhythm"....."Marching to the beat of my own drum".....my word and saying for the year 2015.  Many more adventures coming after this one!
Be well,
Lisa

Thursday.....January 15, 2015....

Last minute change of plans for the day.  Im definately not complaining as there is so much to be done here at home and we just re-scheduled the day for next week.  The rest of the week will be a flury so a day at home was very welcoming.  Spent the day knitting on the purple shurg, creating half of the pink flamingo costume as my sister is creating the masks, barn chores, working in the garden, many a walks through the woods with the pups and even one alone, working on the art journal and setting some...no a ton...of fertile duck and chicken eggs in the incubator.  Less than 30 days and meat for the freezer in the fall is hatching!  Evening barn chores are done and smoothies are for dinner.  Waiting on the Lumberjack to get home to bring in the evening wood and settle in together for the evening.
Be well,
Lisa

Wednesday.....January 14, 2015

It was not like it was to be expected outside from the very beginning today.  No news of any snow and where did this cold come from again?!  Had some coffee and devotional time then a quick make of the barn chores and cleaned up and ready to go...wait...gotta walk the pup!  Hes so spoiled.  Met the Lumberjack in town for a quick hello and hug then to the dreaded...ugh...walmart for dog bones.  The only ones the pup will chew!...Yep hes spoiled!  Central tractor for a new and much needed incubator!  Chicks start tomorrow!!  Met my sister at starbucks for coffee and a treat while we discussed these Pink Flamingo costumes my niece and I are to wear for the polar plunge in just THREE days!  What was I thinking!!  Nah...it will be fun and something adventurous off my list!  Shopping at a few stores and home with a two week supply of feed for the animals.  Another pup walk and im done for the night.  I think im even going to let the lumberjack take care of evening barn chores.  I will stay right here and tend the fire and make dinner.  Tomorrow looks promising.  Was to go to D.C. with a friend but her appt got re-scheduled so that will be next week.  Looking forward to the day at home working on the costumes and keeping warm...and maybe working some more on the garden.  Spinach is going in very soon.
Be well,
Lisa

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

Joining with The Simple Woman in my first swap of the 2015 year.  What a better way to rid the winter blues!  Slip on over and join!!

Be well,
Lisa

The Daybook.....

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

                                                                          For Today:
                                                                     January 12, 2015

I am thinking........About a soon baby shower.  That I need to get it all in gear and together.  Maybe at least on paper by the end of the week?

I am thankful for.....This little plot of land and the opportunities it offers us.

I am wearing.....Vintage brown cord bibbies, wool socks and a teal long sleeved tee.  Extreme comfort clothes on this icy day at home.

I am creating......Still the blue cardy, and the purple shrug but started a quick grey scarf and grey mitties as I got a vintage coat and need them to match.

I am going......To be cuddled in this cottage all day long till the lumberjack gets home.  Its rainy and icy out and theres no place I would rather be today!

I am wondering.....About meal worms....it seems I have misplaced a beetle...my only beetle till today.  I know its there as there is no way out but I cant find it!  Determined!!

Quote of the week.....

I am reading.....Still Eggs in the coffee, sheep in the corn.  A good but slow read determined to finish.

I am hoping......To continue getting so much done around here on a weekly basis.  We have put things on the inside on hold trying to get the outside ready for spring and it just seems like there is so much to do and so little time.

I am learning.....That hard work in a day makes for the most amazing nights sleep ever.

Around the farmstead.....More clearing of the woods, A kennel to be put up this weekend coming for the meat birds, hoping to get meatball the cow away from indie the goat before she kids.  And eggs being set to incubate on Wednesday!

In the kitchen.....No pics this week.  Not entirely sure why.  Lots of sprouts and juicing going on in there.  Today some real belly filling comfort dinner on the menu....sardine bake and sour dough biscuits!

I am pondering.....Anything green!  So glad I bought some last chance plants in the fall to rescue and enjoy the greenery they offer all winter long...

One of my favorite things.....Lazy pups!

Plans for the week ahead.....Its to be a crazy week ahead, making up for the lack of business last week I suppose....Costume creating on Wed with the sister...pink flamingos!  Trip to Baltimore on Thursday with a friend for some shopping and lunch.  Shopping and lunch with the girls on Friday.  A polar plunge...hence the pink flamingo costumes...on Saturday with my niece and the entire family.  Lunch date with the Lumberjack on Saturday.  Dinner and a movie Saturday night with a friend.  And two birthday family celebrations on Sunday here at the cottage.

A peek into a day of the past week.....

                                                 Cabin fever cured...lunch out with a friend.