Unexpected Lovely Start to 2019

Some serious bliss and indulgence

Greetings and blessings to you on the first day of 2019

Sometimes unexpected quiet days are truly a treasure to cherish and indulge.  For some reason the unplanned day to spend in pj's by the fire just evolved and it feels like a guilty pleasure of pure bliss.  The snow-covered ground with its bone chilling temperatures make me feel grateful to be able to snuggle in the warmth of the sunroom and fireplace.

Words and a Masterpiece of Life

Last night's sunset was a glorious color that took my breath away

Hello friends

I’ve neglected my blog a bit and it’s not that I forgot about writing to you, it is just the opposite, as you are on my mind a lot and I’ve felt guilty…..  To explain my absence, I’ve been focusing on getting a solid start on a book that I’m working on which is about the art of healing and lessons 101 of creating a new life. I finally reached a point where I feel I’m ready to open up that part of my life, plus I’ve been feeling the nudging by a higher power.  To be honest, it has been brutally hard going back to a dark time in my life, and I tried two times before in the last five years to begin, but I quickly found I wasn’t ready. Both times threw me into a depression, so I’ve been a bit tentative as I have begun forging forward on the book. My idea of the ideal writing time was over the winter months, all cozied up to the fireplace, but I found that I have to balance it with what energizes and restores my sanity, which is being outside and playing in the dirt.  And the last few random days of sun and warm temps have been good for this farm-chick.  So when the words begin to flow, I have to decide where do they fit? A start for a Home and Harvest article, this blog or the book?  Imagine words swirling around like smoke and each story concept has a specific direction, so random notes, thoughts and ideas get sorted as best I can.  Of course, ideally, I would love to write full time, but it’s that pesky thing about wages and medical benefits and working full time off the farm which dominate my days for the time being.  Having three on-going writing projects keeps me up at night.

All I know is that today is all I have and I need to connect more with you as it honestly helps me connect more with me.  I think I need to just jot down a few words, add in a few pictures and share the world as I see it in a more simple way. And when the long heartfelt blogs need posting, well it won’t be so long between times.

Tonight I learned an acquaintance that I knew from attending one of the very first Dinner on the Farm events a few years ago  had passed away.  Nels was a kind man who had applied to be a guest as he wanted to understand how wheat was grown and connect to the farmer.  From that experience he took that knowledge back to his new business venture, Panhandle Artisan Bakery and fabulous as well as tasty works of art became a mainstay in stores and the farmer’s market.  I remember him talking about surviving his first year in business and he was jubilant about continuing the second year. 

Seriously, nothing warms this girl’s heart more than to see someone make their dreams come true and create their success story.   It also makes me once again realize that our life here on earth has an expiration date known only to God, and that we need to cherish each day as it is precious and meant to be lived fully.

RIP Nels - You will be missed

And as I close, I want to repeat my words from the article in  last Home andHarvest Magazine, live your passion, do what makes you happy. Even if it isn’t full time, it still can fill up your heart and soul.  Write your own success story, your masterpiece awaits and you are worth it.

Till the next time we meet, take care.  If you want to share what your masterpiece from your life is, well I’m just a click away at www.swheatfarmlife,net , and I’d love to hear from you.  All my best, Gayle

Enroute - A Life Journey

Me, the dogettes and my vintage tractor

Sometimes memories feel like a cozy blanket, when you wrap yourself up in it, you feel snug, warm and content.  Having some of the best Christmas memories still fresh in this girl’s mind, I have to confess I still have a holiday glow.   This year it was more to do with the gathering of close friends that feel like family, as well as those you are connected to by blood that made me count my blessings as new memories were being made at my new farmette. My youngest daughter had arrived on the 22^nd but was enroute right after the holidays to start a new life with her man in Hagerstown, MD. Her life was literally “enroute” as her household contents, including her dog and car were headed across the country. Knowing she would fly out on December 26, we enjoyed some good mom and daughter time, hanging out in jammies, drinking coffee in the morning, wine at night and realizing from here on out that Christmas would be different and that the reality would be we may not spend holidays together every year due to children's schedules and just life in general.

                                          Our first morning chatting and looking for recipes for Christmas dinner.                                                                      P.S., I'm going to be in big trouble if Miss Kaitlyn see's this picture... Lol)

An informal shot of a fun game we were playing after dinner ( I won one hand) yahoo

My girls, mom and me

A blessed day with almost all of the family. It was a good day.
We were missing Kaitlyn's man & his kiddos, my man, and Doug & Edie's boys

My brothers, Doug, Barry, mom and me

 

And today, as I anticipate a bright new shiny 2018 year ahead, I enjoyed morning coffee looking over a frosty landscape, compiled a music playlist, read poignant thoughts from friends & families on social media and mentally began composing a New Year’s blog post.

The term enroute has captured my attention with it’s official definition “on or along the way”.  It was sort of an “aha moment” as I thought, “yup we are all enroute in some form or fashion whether or not we realize it”.   For me, it’s going to be my theme for the year.   I read something from Lisa Hammond that just spoke to me, and it said, “sometimes on the way to your dream you get lost and find a better one.  Life is too short to not follow your heart.  Make a life list  instead of a to-do list and constantly add to it. Learn, start and go.  Yup it’s gonna be a wonderful 2018, and I’m excited to share some of those life lists through words, pictures and who knows??? Maybe drag you into a few crazy adventures with me.  

As always, thank you for taking time out of your life to come take a peek at mine.  I wish you  a splendid year and hope that you seek your own “life list”.   I would love to have you send me a note or update on where your enroute adventures take you.  As always, I am only a click away at swheatfarmlife@gmail.com .  All my best, Gayle