I've been really tired this week and can't figure out why. I have slept SO much, but can't seem to get more than a little bit at a time. I don't know if it's the crazy weather, getting my 2nd Covid vaccine or just laziness. We are gearing up for a pretty big storm here tonight so at least the weather will be conducive to my current state!
Here are some of my faves from this week:
Mustard Seed Journals
Y'all! I just love these journals. A friend told me about them last year and I have since ordered several for friends. Not only are they fun to customize for people I love, but the quality is great AND she ships them fast. If you are looking to be more consistent in your prayer life, a journal is a fun way to do it. She also has sermon note journals and a few journey through the Bible ones. It brings me joy to support small businesses like this. Y'all go give Lisa some love at Mustard Seed Journals.
I can't tell you how happy it makes me to look at this basket full of eggs. I missed them when the Royal Chicks were in Texas. Brian would occasionally bring some up, but now, I can literally walk outside and collect my breakfast. Since moving to the farm--or maybe since Covid started--I have been craving fresh. Fresh veggies, fresh fruit, fresh eggs, fresh meat. I have found myself making things more from scratch than buying a box or mix. While it's true I'm home all day and have more time to do things like that, I also know that I feel better when I know where my food comes from. Also, it goes back to supporting the small business. Local farms are fewer and farther between. If I had any shade of a green thumb, I would totally be a farmer, but I have to rely on Brian and Granny because my thumbs are pretty black. I'm kinda like hospice for plants--I care for them before they meet Jesus.
Anyway, do you shop local for your eggs and produce? Where's your favorite place to get your food? Do you have a favorite Farmer's Market or store you shop?
It's silly, and just dirties up another dish, but I love putting baked goods onto Gran's cake plate. It's just so much more inviting than a Tupperware container or pan with foil over it. I have been on a baking kick lately (as the scale will tell you) and am always dreaming up something pretty to make and put in the dish. This weekend it's going to be some strawberry cookies I found a recipe for. Hope was here last weekend, so I made a double batch of her favorite oatmeal cookies (my mother in law's recipe) so there was plenty of dough for her to munch on too (I mean, let's face it...part of the joy of cookies is eating the dough). Do you have a pretty dish for your cookies? Show me a pic!
I am a sucker for a good campfire. I love everything about it--the warmth, the colored flames, and most of all--the smell. We have been known to rust our out portable fire pits from the amount of use they get. A few years ago, Brian just bought a ring from Tractor Supply and it works great here at the farm. The other night, Brian decided to burn a bunch of brush and bark and it was heavenly. He was listening to an audio book and I had my kindle. It was peaceful (did I mention Caroline was in the house with Granny so it was just me and Brian?) I grabbed the makings for a smore and had a great time. Have you ever substituted Peeps for marshmallows? My friends Karen and Cindy let me in on the secret several years ago on one of our camping trips and Y'all! I can't go back. I buy extra peeps at Easter and freeze them so I have them any time of year on my smores! If you haven't tried it, you gotta do it and let me know what you think. Just thinking about the carmelized sugar is making me crave one right now!
I know I have posted about this a few times and I am sincerely not doing it to brag. I'm just so dang proud. I have said for years I want to write a book, but just haven't taken the steps to do it. I blog sporadically on an outdated site because technology is hard for me and I don't want to start over. Since moving here to the farm, I have had a thought about writing a book about the seasons of life and including life with someone suffering with dementia. But I'm not an expert and really don't want to be. It's such a hard thing to even describe because it changes from day to day and sometimes even hour to hour.
So I've dragged my feet. Thankfully, I have this writing group that allows me to join in 2xs a month with them. I'm not consistent--things get crazy sometimes with Granny and I miss it--but every time I zoom with them, I leave encouraged. These people are crazy talented and you never know what they will bring to the table.
I shared this poem with them a few months ago and they suggested I get it published. Someone mentioned The Perennial Gen--an online magazine for people in midlife. I emailed the poem to my family to make sure they were ok with me sharing it and other things like it with the world. They were all encouraging, but I still sat on it until last week. I wrote a silly bio and sent it in, fully expecting not to hear back from them anytime soon. Just a few days later, the editor emailed me to say they were including it--that it took her breath away and even though they don't really publish poetry, they would do it for this piece. You won't be surprised that I cried.
Since then, I have had more thoughts on a children's series I want to do--have even written rough drafts to 2 of the stories. I feel like one of those home cooks on Chopped or Food network Star. I've never had any formal training to write anything--let alone kids books. Who am I to throw myself in the ring with people who have studied it and actually know what they are doing? But, y'all. This is how Lovepacs started. With just an idea and a fast-beating heart.
So here I go again. We'll see how it goes!
If you haven't read my poem (which, btw, I did not mean to be a poem--it just flowed out that way), here is the link: When She Sleeps She Forgets
I'll leave you with some of my favorite pics from around the farm this week:
2 comments:
I just reading these!! Your blogs are so inspiring, encouraging and funny.
Awww! Thanks, Denise! I'm not sure many people read them, but they are fun for me--both to find things I love and to have them to look back on in a few years. I appreciate your kind words!!!
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