Reset: Do the Thing

Last Saturday, we had the opportunity to run up to the cabin to fish for the day.  

I was so conflicted because Saturday is homestead work day and my much-needed catch-up day.  It seems I'm always behind in some way these days.

It's a struggle between making the memories and keeping a semblance of order.  The Rugged Mountain Man and several family members encouraged me to go, fully understanding my dilemma.

My brother and sister-in-law say it this way,

"Do the thing."

The thing you'll wish you'd done in ten years. 

Do the thing.

Hike the moutain.

Soak up the sunshine.

Take the drive.

Go fishing.

Revel in the time with your Blossoms.  

There is merit to maintaining order in your home and homestead, but for a task-oriented person like me, I truly needed the reminder to go, to rest.

So, we trekked to one of my most favorite places in the world, and embraced the slower, unplugged pace.  

We breathed deeply, 

fished hard, 

laughed together, 

and refreshed our minds in the woods.

It was 100% worth it, but for every person who struggles with this, the work was still waiting for me.  I did still feel behind when I returned and truthfully, I didn't meet all those tasks with grace and patience.  I eventually marshalled the Blossoms to pitch in and get a handle on a few things.  Most things these days are an ongoing process, rather than a task that stays completed.  

The Lord is working on my heart and attitude, and maybe the time out in the sunshine, resting my mind was the reset point for more good things that He's doing in me ~

Right now, in the trenches.

In the busy times.

In this high demand season.

I want God to form my character in the good and easy times, 

but truly, He does more to shape me in the busiest times.

Dominique

A Little Cabin Trip

I'm tempted to always say no. I often see the burden of increased work load that a request brings on and I'm the gatekeeper for simplicity and managable time demands.

Good intentions...

but there's a time to say "yes."  

The younger Blossoms asked for one more "quick overnight to the cabin."

I blocked it out and even though I could think of twenty more things I could and probably should accomplish at home, we packed and journeyed to our "happy place."

Full stop.

Hard reset.

Twenty-four hours of mountain simplicity and connection

to reorient and realign.

Splashing through the creek in rubber boots,

Snapping pictures to watercolor later,

Tramping up and down leaf-strewn banks to see, to explore, to observe,

Waving on a friend's trail cam,

Perching on old stumps, giggling and making faces,

Standing on the creek bed and listening,

really listening,

Admiring the last vestiges of splendor in the underbrush of this beloved eastern wild area,

Snuggling down in favorite chairs with books and tea and snacks on a porch that is a porch,

Painting pumpkins and laughing at a mustard yellow table 

that holds as many wholesome memories as our own home kitchen table,

Crafting home-cooked breakfast together,

Savoring October rain, 

pitter-patters, 

heavy droves,

in-between smatterings,

repetitious sounds on a mismatched shingled roof

that lulls better than any sound machine.

We climb back in the van, mentally checking off the packing up clean up list, 

and without hesitation, they say, "Thanks for bringing us, Mom."

Dominique

October Nuggets

 "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Look across the table and smile.  

Breathe a sigh of gratitude when you're dishing up the plates at supper.

Say yes when they want to go for a walk together.

Look up and really listen when they're chatting about the "little" things.

Revel in the reds and the yellows around us.

Write a prayer and wait in the moment to lift up your heart.

Burrow down in your hoodie and savor the autumn air.

Smile for more than a hot second.

Grab a hand, touch a shoulder, tweak a nose.

Throw something appley in the oven just because.

The Lord seems to be using the splendor of the season to lead me in gratitude and joy.

Dominique

More Signs of Fall

Blossom3 and Blossom4 decorated their shelves in all their autumn artwork.  

They've amassed quite a collection!

I built these shelves out of the ends of old pallets for this precise reason.  I wanted to Blossom3 especially to be able to switch out and display her artwork on her own.

Meanwhile, I updated the mantle in the living room.  I don't spend a lot of time decorating but snagging some pretty things from the box in the basement and my stash in the cupboard takes about 5 minutes or less.  I'm not ashamed to reuse some of the same pieces year after year.

It's so good to bring beauty into our home and encourage ourselves to celebrate good things!

Over the years, I've found that embracing the seasons is a good and practical way for me to 

"smile at the days ahead."

"Happy Fall, Y'all!"

Dominique

Rabbits for Fun Things

Sometimes we use our rabbits for extra fun things...

Like Sunset Milkshakes!  

Blossom4 and Weston won the Cutest division of our Dress Up Your Fair Animal contest this year!  

It tickled me that she came up with this idea and executed it all on her own.  

(Thankfully, Weston mostly behaved himself for the contest.)

Dominique

WHAT JOY

"WHAT JOY for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises!" 
(Psalm 84:4)

"WHAT JOY for those whose strength comes from the Lord..." 
(Psalm 84:5)

"...WHAT JOY for those who trust in you." 
(Psalm 84:12)

My joy has so much to do with where I live.  
Do I live in chaos?  
Do I live in discontentment?

Or do I live in His house?

Joy comes from clinging to His presence and staying there.  Joy comes from praising Him!

My joy is connected to where my strength comes from.  Relying on Him FULLY promotes joy in my life.  It's hard to be joyful when I'm doing all that I do in my own strength.  

My joy comes from trusting in Him.  I can't trust in myself or "fate."  ONLY HIM.  

Friend, if joy is eluding you today, ask yourself~
    ~Where am I living?  In chaos and discontentment far from His presence?
    ~Where is my strength coming from?
    ~What or who am I trusting in?

I encourage you to kneel down and start fresh.

Social Media Pt. 2

 I don't know what everybody's so worried about.

I let my girls have facebook.

Now THAT'S colorful.

By far, my most favorite thing we've done this year is a local Color Run/Fun Run 5K.  A couple of friends came up with the idea and roped Blossom1 and Blossom2 into participating.  They are pretty willing participants in any adventures these days.

They went all out by painting fluorescent stripes on their socks the night before.  They jogged and walked in preparation for the event.  

They bought matching pink bandanas for headbands.  

They made sure they had brilliant white shirts so all the colors would show up "dazzingly."  

Morning dawned stifling and sunshiny.  We pulled up in our well-loved minivan and learned about the course.  It was a local road that we were all familiar with.  Of course, there had to be a big hill involved.  

As temperatures climbed hotter and hotter, we got pre-color/pre-race pictures.  As they started to mill around the starting line, I meandered on ahead to the first color station.  I'm a Color Run rookie, so I wanted to photograph all the color fun.  They jogged past me, now greenly grinning.

After I watched them forging forward on the course, I set my sights on a good spot to stake out for in-progress pics of their return trip.  I soaked in the sunshine and basked in the beauty of rural PA.  I smiled happily to myself as I thought of them doing this together.  In this season, 

I'm a facilitator.  

I'm a logistics coordinator.  

I'm the "momarazzi."  

I'm the water bringer.  

I'm the ibuprofen dispenser.  

I'm the "You CAN do it" yell-er!  

I'm the "I'm so proud of you" voice!

And I'm happy.

On Green Hills

A few weeks ago, the younger Blossoms got to experience a special treat ~ an invitation to a birthday party at a horse farm & ministry.  

It was an hour's drive from here to there, a drive with friends and gorgeous backwoods Pennsylvania scenery. Glorious puffy clouds, shyly greening hills, and delicately adorned blossoming trees.  The wholesome and encouraging mama to mama conversation was like manna to me.  Twas a morning drive that filled my soul!

We arrived to a farm, perched atop another newly greened hill.  We met up at the Barn and were given basic informative riding instruction.  Then, we saddled up.  

Some of the girls are new to riding, so first they were led around the huge ring.  Eventually, ALL the girls rode independently.  

I was so proud of each girl, grinning and concentrating on their handsome steeds! 

Blossom4 might just have the Rugged Mountain Man's horsemanship skills.  I was astonished at her independence and nonchalance on her horse!  At only ten years old!!!

I sat on wooden steps with blue skies outside and sunshine streaming in.  A friendly collie acted as official greeter.

We moms chatted and fellowshipped and marveled at the beautiful weather.  The makings of a most memorable day stirred in my soul.

After a delicious picnic lunch and delectable cupcakes, all of the girls ventured out into the blue skies and onto green hills.

The giggles and grins and chatter and chipper comments made me smile.  

When life is busy, it matters so much when we soak up the beauties and blessings in it.

 What an incredibly special day!

Grace

Life seems always busy these days.  I plan to the best of my ability.  I say no.  I get sucked in.  I say yes.  I balance.  I pray.  I think.  I plan.  I work harder.  I work smarter.  I delegate.  I wake up and do it all over again.  Again and again and again.  

I'm just trying to be faithful with what the Lord has given us 

and where He has led us.  

Sometimes, the grace I need to keep going comes from soaking up beauty in the Lowe's parking lot.  

It was just me, the Rugged Mountain Man, and Binney... because a Golden Retriever is an essential part of choosing a new grill.  

And time just with the Rugged Mountain Man chatting in the truck on the way so we can finish a sentence or two.

We just finished up the Fine Arts season at the Network Fine Arts Festival last week.  It was earth-shatteringly AMAZING.  To see the culmination of months of hard work!  

To watch our young people S T R E T C H outside their comfort zones.  It's so so so good.  

When Blossom1 went to the State Fair Queen competition, she didn't want to me to be burdened by all that needed to be done, especially the parts that had to be handled by me and not her.  

I was happy to do it!  

Until you have your own children, can you really understand what I mean when I say, 

"Baby, when you shine, I shine."  

This sums up a lot of what I do on a daily basis.  Things like making a dragon costume when I feel like reading a book.  Or hunting down Fairy Godmother glasses in the basement for a Fine Arts costume.  Or giving feedback on a dramatized quoting when I just want to go to bed.  Or listening to ANOTHER piano solo.  Or coaching Blossom3 through her worship dance, just one more time.

"Baby, when you shine, I shine."  

It makes me so happy to watch them shine.  It's all my dreams coming true.  

Sometimes the grace for another day comes, gazing out over a beautiful vista while we pose the Fine Arts team for pics.  

Sometimes the grace for another day comes when I lounge on my parents' back porch, stuffed full of ham, mac and cheese, and my mom's best homemade rolls, whilst the small fry perfect the redneck holiday celebration with Ranger rides and mud... and blue skies and breezes.  

May you grasp grace for demonstrating faithfulness another day, friend!

Gazing at Joy in these Moments

The girls and I took some time to wind down last night.  We just chilled and colored.  Christmas bookmarks and Christmas coloring pages were so relaxing!  We got a kick out of the gnome bookmarks!

Binney is excited for Christmas!  The Blossoms were delighted to pick out her Christmas presents last night.

I enjoyed pulling together the girls' Christmas program costumes.  The chicken costume isn't pictured.  It took some time to finish even these quick versions.  The Blossoms were happy, so I'm happy.  Besides, I don't get very much time to be creative, so this was a fun reprieve.  I still had to push aside all the other stuff I had to do that was swirling around in my head.  It's making those choices to enjoy the moment that go a long way.  Now, when I look at their costumes, I smile and think about the fun they're going to have up on stage together.  

The Little Blossoms got to attend a Santa's Workshop, where they made all sorts of fun crafts.  

Pretty sure that crafting might be their love language.  

We got Christmasy and spent the day crafting and embracing the season with friends surrounding us.

It was such a fun day!

It's not often that these two girlies squeeze onto the same chair anymore, but it made me happy to see them enjoying something Christmasy together.  

Sometimes we find joy when we take the time to see it in all the everyday moments around us.  This is a busy life and I'm determined to hold on to the intangible good.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain."

10 Reasons Why I'm Struggling to Embrace Fall

1. I haven't had a spare two minutes to redecorate my mantle.

2. I still want to go swimming.  

3. The Blossoms still want to go swimming.  

4. I have no idea when I will rotate clothes.  

5. I haven't had a break in the schedule since the middle of May.

6. I already drank all my good Chai, and the stuff from Walmart is MEH.

7. I am getting pale already.

8. My jeans are all angry with me.

9. I can no longer walk at 6:15 am because it is too dark outside.

10. My tea now gets cold MUCH quicker.

Hope you laughed, friend!  All joking aside, the apples, pumpkins, and mums are just beautiful.  The fragrance in the air is deliciously nostalgic for me!  The tips of red in the sugar maples are my favorite thing to spot at the end of our road.  

I've learned that I don't have to have all the feels, all the time.  Autumn is here.  I can laugh about everyday life and throw a cinnamon stick in whatever hot cuppa I'm drinking.  I can pick out a new hoodie, even when I gotta peel it off ten minutes later.  

"Yet, I smile at the days ahead."

(quoting the Proverbs 31 virtuous woman)

Social Media

I don't know what people are so worried about... 

I let the Blossoms have Snapchat.

Introducing Miss Bianca

When we lost Rory, it was very, sad and strange going down to one dog.  We were grateful for every extra moment we had with Jake.  

There's never replacing any family hound ever, but when you're a dog-loving household, these canines are a big part of everyday life.  It's hard to go without them, so we honor their memories by passing the torch.

When the Rugged Mountain man, who hates to shop, asked what I wanted for Mother's Day, I told him it was pretty obvious.  It was a timely holiday giving us a timely excuse to get a timely pup.

Enter Miss Bianca!

Named for the classy lady mouse in the beloved Rescuers and Rescuers Down Under movies of the Blossoms' and my childhoods, our new English cream golden retriever pup has charmed us all.

And just because we're a family of fancily named ladies, we tacked on the middle name "Josephine."  All good names should be yelled off the back porch with a hint of a Southern drawl, just to be sure they're legit.

She already has a thousand nicknames, just like all the hallowed hounds who have gone before her.  Blossom3 is keeping track, just to be sure.  

Little Miss Binney is a sweetheart!  She had one week of adoring "Pappy Jake," before he died.  He loved having a pal again and would wait for her when it was time to go somewhere.  She was careful and respectful around him, never tripping him up or pesting him to play more than he could handle.  She looked for him for days after he passed.

As the now reigning queen of our home and Hollow, she loves ice cubes, chewing pig ears, going down to the creek, and "oinking" her little contented noises at us.

Her favorite toy is a sour cream container!  

She's quickly learning the ways of the Hollow ~

that it's her job to bark at intruders and predators,

that making her rounds on this micro farm is at minimum a morning and evening affair,

that cleaning off the supper plates is a job requirement,

That slopping in the creek is THE BEST.

She's growing and learning so quickly.

We still miss Jake and Rory, but we're thankful for the good that Binney is for our hearts.