Blessings in Life

My Vintage Beauty

Today in the hallway I ran into a colleague/friend and after a bit of chit chat, she looked at me and out of the blue, said “your house is good for you”.

And I realized over the last four months that a slow but good change has been happening in this girl’s world.  For starters, I feel comfortable going on a solo girl date (just me) and sitting outside to enjoy downtown Moscow in the late afternoon at my fav Mexican restaurant.  So, on any given Wednesday you most likely will find me sitting outside enjoying a nice cold one while either reading, writing or people watching.  A small but glorious indulgence.   

A couple of times I have even slipped down to the historic Kenworthy theater to catch a second run movie.

Sunrise over a wheat field by my house

 

And with the start of harvest this year,  I have not felt an emptiness or any depression.  I see the whirlwind of activity happening around me and I  still love the smell of harvest.  Now viewing it from a neutral setting still gives me that needed farm fix, and  I find harvest a thing of beauty rather than a painful part of seeing my old life happening without me.  I haven’t gotten to the point where I can see my own farm being harvested, but maybe someday.  Farmer Joe and I have settled into a more comfortable amicable relationship and he fills me in on what is happening on my farm.  He also patiently answers my questions and gives input when I need technical expert advice when putting together an article for the magazine.  I think we both are in very good places in our personal lives and just that in and of itself is a healing feeling.

It's old, in need of repair.. but I love this barn

I’ve started dating again and found a very special someone.  He is an unexpected bit of blissful happy for me and is so good for me in so many ways.  We are slowly introducing each other into our each other's lives.  It has just worked out that I see more of his world than he has seen of mine, but that will change.

 

Here is what I’ve found.  Change can be good for the soul. And sometimes life will change the road you travel and how you choose to travel that road is your call. I’ve seen enough sunrises and sunsets to know I have and am living a good life. I’ve felt the small little arms of my baby girls around my neck, I still enjoy hugs from the grand angels, I continue to be surrounded by a loving family and know I have the kinds of friends who are loyal and have my best interests at heart, my dog adores me, I’ve laughed so hard I’ve almost peed my pants and I’ve also felt despair and sorrow. Through the peaks and valleys of life I know that the good Lord has always been there, helping and guiding me through it all. And for that I am blessed.  And from all that has come down my pathway, there are so many life lessons that continue to impress into my heart and soul that I wonder if I’ll ever have enough time to share what I see through this girl’s world.  

As always, thank you for stopping by.  My goal is to start blogging more on a weekly basis.  As always, it does my heart good to hear from you (www.swheatfarmlife@gmail.com) , so let me know how you are and I’d love to know what resonates “happy” in YOUR life or what simple pleasures that you indulge in.  All my best, Gayle

Wee Hour Thoughts, Maybe a New Beginning

A favorite picture on this girl's farmstead

 

Well my friends, I awoke at 2:02 am with lots of thoughts and emotions rolling around in this crazy farm chick brain of mine.  And while I started pouring out my feelings for a blog post… it quickly felt like the words and ideas would be good material for the next Home and Harvest magazine issue… of which the deadline is looming. So I switched gears and thought I would quickly update you from the last time I wrote. 

While I am still anxious about selling my sweet place and moving….. which is why I am sitting here by the fireplace and writing in the wee hours of the morning -  I’m excited and scared. Tomorrow I’m headed to Moscow to see a vintage farmhouse on a few acres and the listing says the house has been restored.  The pictures look enticing and I wonder if I will feel a sense of being home?  Earlier in the week, I took a long walk pondering on where I should move and the future.  Could I live in town? Like have neighbors and sidewalks?  Then thoughts  or perhaps a longing for  another little farmstead were still clinging to my soul and I saw an ad for a small little place for sale.  It’s just outside the city limits of Moscow…. And well it looks perfect. Or at least my idea of perfect.  So I’ll head back to bed, hope I can sleep and I’ll update you, to be continued……

As always, feel free to email me at swheatfarmlife@gmail or leave a comment.  Talk to you soon.  All my best, Gayle.

Happy Valentine's Day

A Valentine's Day picture drawn by Miss B

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope this day finds you happy, healthy and that you have a special someone to share the day with. 

A couple years ago I read the book on the 5 Love Languages, and the book confirmed what I already knew, that  mine was "acts of service", this was the way I showed my love for a person and the way a person could also make me feel really loved and special. 

I love to spoil the people that I come in contact with, so I had a cute cozy guest cottage built on my farm in order to spoil guests who want to stay on the farm and sit smack dab in the middle of gorgeous farm fields.

On  this project of mine, Randy's expertise has been a godsend.  He along side me, has worked tirelessly to get it to completion.  I think up the design ideas and he makes it happen.  (And yes, I know how lucky I am!) And of course I do have to brag a bit, he does excel at doing "acts of service" that makes this farm-chick's heart smile.

So before that sweet man of mine and I head out to go find a vintage door plate for the guest cottage, here's a quick peek at our progress.  Final touches are underway an I'm so excited!!


The B&B almost finished!

This was getting the copper pipe shower curtain installed.

Randy adding the shower rod

 Here's the outside of the guest cottage, it will be decorated in Rustic Industrial Glamor.  I can't wait to show you the final results. 


The Cottage


 

And of course, those iconic red lighted hearts that  sit on the vintage truck at the entrance to my farmstead. 




Love

Thank you for stopping by and as always, if you have a question, thought or comment - feel free to email me at swheatfarmlife@gmail.com.   Before I leave you for the day, I wanted to share a very favorite saying, that I read everyday.  "Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen" ~ unknown

 

Wishing you a very wonderful Valentine's Day.  All my best, Gaye

A Farm-Chick's Christmas Message

Christmas 2015

My Christmas Wish Letter To You,

I’m sharing my Christmas letter that I have sent out to family and friends, because after all if you take the time to read my blog, then I consider you virtual family.  (best part of being virtual family that is that you most likely will escape my warped humor and being asked to take join me in some of  my goofy adventures)

 

Christmas greetings to you! With the onset of the holidays, my focus naturally shifts to the people that are in my life and the role they play. Perhaps it is because I find myself spending more time together sharing holiday meals and gathering in one another’s home.  For me, it’s a time when memories are made over good food and conversation. I like to think of it in terms of another layer of love that gets frosted on in the sweet memory category (guess you can tell I’ve had my share of frosting things this season!J)  But seriously, for me these last three years on my own I have been the lucky recipient of so much kindness, love and caring from those around me.   I can’t even begin to tell you how simple gestures can warm up a heart and soul.  And if you add in a bit humor to the mix, well all the better. The way I see it, a happy life is a lot like baking, as it takes all sorts of different kinds of ingredients in the right doses to get the desired end result.  For my personal recipe of happiness, it goes like this - sift in a truly wonderful man (Randy), with time spent with family & friends, add a big dollop of laughter, sprinkle in a bit of solo time and then frost it with things that inspire  passion, and as Martha Stewart would say, “it’s a good thing”.   

On a quick personal note, this past year I added chickens and a new rescue farm dog into my life. Randy and I enjoyed a few days in the Arizona sun last Spring – so it was good to know we travel well together too. He’s a good sport and doesn’t flinch (too much) when he’s accompanied me on a few adventures to find that perfect yard art (an old truck) that now graces the entrance to the driveway of my home.  I get the privilege of writing for a wonderful publication call Home and Harvest Magazine as well as my blog and also continue to get paid to lovingly harass the constituents that I work for at WSU.

So in the crazy and sometimes scary world, the message that I would like to share is that kindness begets kindness.  If you are like me, there are so many things that I regret not doing, having good intentions and never getting around to do them or to show someone just how much I care about them.  And so another goal for the New Year is to not be so task oriented, try to be present in the here and now, be more spontaneous, and take the time to do more kind acts.    I pledge to enjoy those sunrises and sunsets more, spend more quality time with the people in my life and as always smile & laugh every day.  I invite you to join me in standing united for the goal of “you must be the change you wish to see in the world” ~ Gandhi

I wish  for you a very joyous Christmas and Happy New Year.

Hugs and kisses,

Gayle

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Planting Seeds for a Good Life

Today while on Facebook I saw I had memories to look back on, and so I took a moment to look.  The images were of the usual cast of suspects that I call my family celebrating  Thanksgiving, and while some are no longer here either by death or by choice, it was a poignant reminder of how vastly different my life is today from just three short  years ago.  That period  in my life was probably one of the most painful to go through, but I’m actually grateful for those hard times because it forced me to take stock of my life. 

Changes, some voluntary, some not made me decide that I needed to live life like a “Friday night instead of a Monday morning”.  I had forgotten somewhere along the way that life was special and to give myself permission to enjoy it.   And I was determined to start embracing the magic in life again and celebrate each day. When you start at ground zero, it forces you to slow down and assess what is important and what is not.   Funny thing is, living life is a lot like farming, you have to plant and sow the right kind seeds which will grow and yield and be bountiful.  Seriously, farmers can only grow certain crops that are best suited for the climate and conditions of their land, and so it is the same for a person.  You have to decide what your own landscape is going to look like and then roll up your sleeves and get to work.  Is it easy? Hell no! But eventually the sun breaks out of the storm clouds and you get a glimpse of something great in the making. And that is why as Thanksgiving rolls around it is more (to me) than just a holiday of food, family  & football, it’s time to take stock of where you have been and if what you are growing in the garden of your soul is thriving.  If it is, then keep on doing  what you are doing; if it isn’t then you have some work ahead of you.  For me, I am still planting good things, sometimes I have to dig up what wasn’t working and of course, always be on the lookout for weeds.  Cuz just like gardening, if you let the bad seeds start, they will try to overtake all your hard work. J

On the farm front, the winter wheat is beginning to show a tint of green due to the welcome moisture we’ve been getting.  The equipment has been put away until Spring and it’s quiet on the farm.  This is the time that those in the Ag industry get to slow down and recharge their batteries.  I wrote more about that in the magazine called Home and Harvest and I invite you to check it out. It’s a wonderful publication.

My kitchen is one of my favorite places to putter. create and relax

Today I’m trying my hand at a vegan, gluten free pumpkin pie for my baby brother, Barry. Of course, I’ll be making the regular pumpkin pies too.  And just for my sweetheart, Randy – well he’s coming over tonight and we’re going to whip up a batch of banana/blueberry muffins for his work mates.

After the holidays, I’ll post pictures on the At Home on the Farm page, and if the vegan gluten free pie is good, I’ll post that recipe on the pumpkin page.  Good thing my brother is always a willing guinea-pig for my baking experiments…..

As always, thank you from the bottom of my heart that you took time out to stop by.  I wish for you  a blessed Thanksgiving.  And before I conclude, here’s a wonderful quote:

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings”   › William Arthur Ward

Blessings to all, Gayle