That Cuteness Overload

Micro-farmin' is hard work and we do admit to growing weary at times.  

You can give it your best shot and have things still go very wrong.

Feed prices go up. and up.  and up.

Animals still need all the same care when you're busy.

But sometimes, you just gotta soak up the cuteness.  

I have been very affectionately calling this black and white bun-bun, "Spot."  In a house of fancy names full of literary connations and deep meanings, the Blossoms are revolting.  I just can't help it!  I helped "Spot" get fed by his mama when he was only a few days old.  He had a rough start, but he's making great strides now.  

What These Days Sound Like

If you stopped by, this is what you'd probably hear:

~ Repetitive vocal warmups at any time of day.

~ Chapters of the Bible being recited in a Blossom2's signature high speed style.

~ "Get back to work!"

~ Tracks from the Christmas program being played.

~ Pages turning.

~ High speed piano melodies.

~ Alphabetical reciting of the names of the 12 Tribes of Israel.

~ Hurried steps up the stairs.

~ Nonsensical poems being invented on the spur of the moment.

~ Whirring bathroom vents.

~ "Can I get a snack?"  

~ The tea kettle heating up for the fifteenth time.

~ Little whines from Binney because we aren't currently focused on her.

~ Long silence in the bathroom, followed quickly by, "Are you reading in there???"

~ Vibrating buzzing text message alerts.

~ Strains of Christmas melodies, traditional and new.

~ Sisters counting out timing for younger sisters.

~ Jingling bells that herald, "The cat's on the wrong side of the door again."

~ Mindless whistling.

~ Crowing roosters.

~ Grinding pencil sharpener motors.

~ Screeching 1970s desk chair.

~ Oven timers announcing that the dog treats are done.

~ Thump! The cat king has jumped down from his current throne.

~ "When is it lunch time?"

~ Doors opening and closing.

~ Wit, zingers, and roasts.

~ Stove timers reminding us that our fifteenth cup of tea has finished steeping.

~ Clicking of the computer mouse.

~ Tapping of the computer keys, formulating assignments.

~ The crunch of gravel announcing the latest piano student's arrival.

~ "What's for supper?"

~ Crunching and ripping of Binney's toy deconstructions.

~ Laughing.  At each other.  At ourselves.  At absurdity.  Laughing.

~ Soft voices reading Tolkien's Father Christmas Letters.

~ "Five minutes til we head out, girls!"

~ Tom's kingly purring.

~ Binney's barking announcements that a leaf has tumbled across the yard (again.)

~ Bubbling and sizzling supper on the stove top.

~ "Time for supper!"

Someday when it is always quiet here, I'll read this, remembering with a smile the joy of each day together.

Work in the Woods

It was just a temperate autumn day in which we all ventured to the home of an old friend to get wood.  While no one enjoys hard physical labor, it is satisfying to know that each log means warmth, a fact I do remind the Little Blossoms of when they start whining.

Plus, hard labor does make you feel like a beast when you're finished!

I found myself scrambling to grab my phone for pictures.  

This morning in the woods was sweet for me. 

Maybe it was the camaraderie between us.  

Maybe it was conquering a large task.  

Maybe it was the teamwork.

Maybe I was remembering all the investment thus far and all the character training we've soldiered through to get here.  Maybe it was that.  (And there is so much more to go.)  

Maybe it was the entertainment, silly jokes, and laughter when I slipped on the ramp, fell off the trailer and rolled across the ground.  

"That was kinda impressive, Mom!"

"I'm glad you were the only people that saw that."

Whatever it was, it was sweet.

Not my Own

We had the first snow this week.  It was beautiful!  I was a bit surprised that it panned out as actual white stuff.  So many weather events seem more like clickbait than anything.  I try not to get wrapped up in the panic.  I'll admit though, as the Hollow became wintry white, I threw a fist in the air and declared, "WE MUST MAKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES."  

Blossom2 obliged me and whipped up a batch of gingerbread that didn't last 8 hours.

Watching the little Blossoms gleefully ski in the wintry quiet with Binney frolicking nearby was a sweet moment on a hard day.

When I say hard, I actually mean challenging.  

So many friends and family members are going through very real trials.  I don't mean to compare my days with the burdens they find themselves under.  The trials around me, that ripple into our lives, give me good perspective on the challenging days.  

I have certainly done my part in making our days more challenging ~ when my patience has worn oh-so-thin and I cease suffering long in the conclusion that my children no longer ought to be trying me in this way.

And the snowball effect continues.  

"Lean not on your own understanding."  

In challenging moments that seem to become insurmountably challenging days, whose understanding will direct my next step or influence my next word or inspire my perseverance for the days ahead?  

Not my own. Inarguably not my own.

Dusk and Dawn

I thought you might enjoy a collection of dusk and dawn photos from life over the past few months.

Blossom1 has certainly sipped the joy from each unique moment.

From truck pulls to fundraisers,

To pedal pulls

and new friendships...

These days are full.

So very full.

And I'm thankful for each moment.  

Is each moment easy?  

No, but someday, I'll miss this.