Simple Acts of Kindness

Winter sunrise

I like to think I’m a grateful person and focus on the positive and just go with the flow.  But last Sunday, as I was sitting in the long line of cars waiting (impatiently) to go through Dutch Brothers coffee stand, I was feeling annoyed. Once again berating myself for over-scheduling my day and wishing I hadn’t promised my sweetheart, Randy, I’d bring him back a latte.  Cramming too many things into a short time span is a bad habit of mine.  I get so busy trying to get everything checked off my “to do list” that I forget to enjoy the journey!  

(Sunrises and sunsets  - a beautiful start and end to the day)

A golden glow on the farm last summer

You see Randy was back at my house doing a handyman project; I had a brief work meeting with a good friend and then invited her & her hubby over for dinner (lemon-garlic chicken breasts & pesto sauce with pasta – recipes here).  My mind was mentally focusing on tasks that needed to get done after this last stop, and then a very wonderful thing happened….. as I pulled up to get the drink I’d ordered, the barista said, the man in front of you paid for your drink! (Thank you Mr. White SUV with a California license plate), and in that moment a feeling of wonderfulness enveloped me.  I’ve often paid for others drinks in line at the coffee shop or at lunch, but I’ve never actually had it happen to me.  And let me tell you, it felt so good. 

Driving home, I remembered a conversation with my friend Kristi when I recounted how last year on the anniversary dates that marked my entry and exit of married life, that on each of those days I had received a call (out of the blue) about being nominated and receiving an award for outstanding excellence.  Seriously! This happened once in January and then again in May.  I was dumbfounded and Kristi said, “you realize those were not random happenings, it was the universe bringing you blessings exactly when you needed them”.  It made me realize how easily I could overlook the everyday magic that happens by rushing around and this was nature’s way of giving me a much needed thump alongside the head to slow down and see the miracles.  My goal (once again) is to do just that and to really live in the present - which this time I know I'll get the upper hand and succeed. =)

As you go about your day, remember to be good to yourself, know that you are unique and special, keep your eyes open for those little miracles and make sure to pay it forward with simple acts of kindness, whenever you can and most of all, slow down and enjoy the journey.  Xoxox.  All my best, Gayle 

My yard-art truck with it's newest holiday decorations just in time for Valentine's Day

PS thanks once again for stopping by and feel free to email me if you have comments, questions or thoughts at swheatfarmlife@gmail.com

Also the next blog will be more about the really cool Valentine's Day heart display, made by that amazing man of mine!! Stay tuned. I also have a new cake recipe to share. 

Perspectives of Ordinary

My farm name when I became the sole "woman owner"
This graces the pink painted front door of my shop  all adorned with frosty snowflakes

The sky and rolling hills are the same color; it’s an all white scene.  It reminded me of a conversation long ago while in Mexico when a man commented that he would love to see what a snowy landscape would look like.  Having grown up in the Northwest where a white winter setting is the norm, it never occurred to me that this would be something on someone’s bucket list.  It gave me a whole new perspective of viewing the ordinary through someone else’s eyes.  Perhaps that is why urban folks like reading posts about combines, tractors and quality time spent with back-pack sprayers.  For farmers, it’s a commonplace way of life, but to the urban dwellers, it’s a peek into a whole new world.  I still recall my dentist visit last June, when a new technician asked me what I was going to do the rest of the day and I told her I had gravel to move, so it was going to be quality time on the tractor. Her reply was priceless, “this is why I love Idaho, back in New York, no one owns their own tractor…. Especially a woman!”  Lol

Hard to tell where the sky ends and the hills begin
A frosty beautiful morning on the Palouse

I still recall my dentist visit last June, when a new technician asked me what I was going to do the rest of the day and I told her I had gravel to move, so it was going to be quality time on the tractor. Her reply was priceless, “this is why I love Idaho, back in New York, no one owns their own tractor…. Especially a woman!”  Lol

My personal tractor,  "Maisy" normally gets to be inside, but
I have a building project on-going in the shop, so she sits outside patiently
awaiting Spring

I guess it is true, because like to read about people who live in urban areas, as it is a lifestyle foreign to me.  Last Spring, I had the opportunity to travel to Tucson, AZ and where I was staying, it was all pavement and concrete.  Across from the hotel, there was an apartment complex and a woman and her young child were sitting on  a patch of fake green grass and I wondered if they knew what it felt like to feel the real grass under their toes, or smell the scent of fresh dirt or find serenity in open spaces. I wondered what their life was like, but at the same time, I gave a silent prayer of thanks for ending up living life for many years as an Ag producer.

Lulu the farm dog

My little piece of paradise
Iconic windmill and red barn

As 2016 is now officially here and just a few hours old, I can’t wait to see what the new year will unveil.  It’s a new story in the making and one that I will willingly share with you, from my eyes to yours wherever you are.  As always, I welcome comments, questions and thoughts.  I’m just a click away, swheatfarmlife@gmail.com. xoxo Love,  Gayle 

Reflections and Happy Wishes

A truly beautiful view out my kitchen window.
 A winter wonderland 

The saying on the pillow says it all..... LOL!

It’s New’s Years Eve and looking back, it’s been a good year with more ups than downs.  Who could ask for more?  Of course, those of us in the Ag industry always hope for good crops, timely rains and high market prices (it’s just that farmer part of us! Lol).   But in my personal life, as the year is drawing to a close, I’ve cherished the journey, the good (and yes) the bad times, as I’ve learned lessons from both.   What I do know is that whatever happens, you have control of how to react and are the captain of your own ship.   My hope, for not only me, but for you is to let go of the things in your life that you may have outgrown and make way for living a life that suits you. Let yourself discover new beliefs and lessons that are good for you, let the sun shine in your heart and soul and may you move gently into the life that is the right fit.  May you be kissed everyday by the love of your life, see the smile from those you hold close and keep (or find) that childlike magic in everyday adventures.

As always, thank you for taking the time to stop by.  Definitely feel free to drop me an email at swheatfarmlife@gmail.com or leave a comment.

I wish you a very rewarding and blessed 2016.  All my best, Gayle

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

Embracing Fall

Good Morning Friends,

I awoke early, thank heavens it wasn’t an ungodly hour to get up. I’m sitting by the fireplace, watching the band of an orange glow that is just is peaking over the rolling hills I call home and it delights me every time I see it.  The fields by now have all been either seeded into winter wheat or disked up and will wait until early Spring before anymore field activity will take place on them.

 A view from my living room, watching the sun come up

An early morning snack...the "girls" have discovered my newly seeded "no water grass seed" under the straw....
yup it's a smorgasbord! 

Fall is my very favorite season.   When nature makes her bright splashes of color  known, it just signals a time to want to nest (yup just like the chickens) and stay indoors to bake and cook as well as getting a chance to reconnect with family and friends.  Maybe that is why  the colors I chose in my home reflect  what Fall means to me.  I use lots of golds, reds, oranges, rich browns and  green.  It’s sort of a hodge podge of color, but it you look outside, it is the same way, and for me, it works.

So come along and I’ll you a home tour….

Yard art... all decked out in Fall's bounty, straw bales, corn stalks, and pumpkins galore!

My  Angel's on a day at the farm.

It was so much fun decorating with the pumpkins that I grew... plus  daughter Jen  loaded me up with different colored ones from her  garden .

Next., a peek inside

Ready for tour #2?



As always, thanks for stopping by.  I'm just a click away at swheatfarmlife@ gmail.com or comments are welcome. =)   All my best, Gayle

Thoughts & Pictures from the Farm-chick

A  favorite view from my back porch - the glorious rolling hills called the Palouse

I awoke to one of my favorite sounds..... rain. My mind was once again urging me to get up and write at 3:37a.m., but I forced myself back to sleep before jotting down a thought for the blog.  So friends as I sit here by the fireplace, cup of coffee next to me and  getting to chat with you, a nice way to start the day.  I've put an Apple Cider Pound cake in the oven and on a whim decided to try to bake a gluten/vegan version of that same cake (for my baby brother Barry) who has allergies galore.  I'll post the recipe soon, but first decided to see if there was a difference in apple cider. The really yummy stuff that looks like "Fall in a Container" and only available during September and October.....or the generic stuff you can buy in a store any day.  So stay tuned I'll post the recipe later today.  Then just to complicate stuff I am also trying another glaze to go with the cake, an Apple Cider glaze... yumm.

Apple Cider Pound cake with Salted Caramel   Glaze

What is on the agenda today?  Well lots.  I want to work on the blog. Perhaps you've noticed some of the simple changes Kristi has been making.  Ideally it would have been better to scrap this site, and start with something new, but I didn't want to as I wanted to keep this URL because I didn't want to lose anymore readers.(which happened when I changed URLs from my old blog name to my new current one). You have been with me as you saw what my life looked like before as a farm-wife, then as I rebuilt my life from the ashes of divorce.  Because you are important to me, I'm hoping you will like the changes on the blog that are coming! (promise)

I'm still toying with what I want the blog  to look like and frankly, I'm having a hard time because I don't just focus on one thing..... nope  that would be way too easy.  My passion is writing about how our food is grown, but the balance is to give just enough information, not be boring and provide a personal glimpse of  what life on the farm looks like (and then try to make it somewhat interesting).... then there is my passion for making huge messes in my kitchen, which normal people call baking. So do I just have one page? Or pages devoted to those topics? hmmmm.  Oh and then there is the other messy passion, refurbishing furniture. So friends, please let me know what you want.(pretty please)

One of my "projects"  the barn is my new shop! And the white cottage
is where I'll put up my bed and breakfast guests.

This building project has been a lesson in patience.... today Randy and I get to finish sanding so the inside of the cottage can be primed, then the really fun stuff, I get to decorate.  I'm so excited to show you...

My shop will allow me to do projects like this over  the winter (below) in my shop and NOT in my bedroom like I've been doing.

A buffet that I redid with homemade chalk paint

Geez!! What is a girl to do? So many things to write about....

Since it rained I'm toying with if this is the right time to re-seed my lawn with the "no water" grass seed to get it started for a no work lawn next summer. Rain is forecast but so is wind, guess I'm make that decision shortly.  The really cool thing about this seed is that it is grown my area farmers and I'm thinking I can do a field trip to the seed company's site to show you.  Yup, by now you realize there is lots going on in this crazy farm chick's brain.

Miss N, Miss M, Miss B for a day on the farm

Of course, one more pic of these cuties.

My yard art all staged for Fall!

Well, more to come!  Gotta go -but come back later as I'll be posting the recipe for the cake and if the vegan free cake turns out, I'll post that one too.

As always, thank you for stopping by. If you want to share any thoughts, ideas or whatever, I'm only a click away at Swheatfarmlife@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog too.
 All my best, Gayle

Upgrades & Revamping for the Farm-Chick

Well it’s 2:12a.m. and this crazy farm-chick brain of mine wants to write.  I just wish I could reprogram my creative writing moments to a more reasonable time, (big sigh)  but I guess it’s when all the chatter that is rattling around In my brain finally quiets down…….  Fortunately for me this has occurred on a week-end and here I am, propped up in bed happily writing to you.  My new dog, LuLu, who now shares my bed, looked at me with sleepy eyes,  like “are you crazy?” rolled over , let out a big sigh and went back to sleep.

If you follow my S-Wheat Farm FaceBook page, I promised to write more. My passion to be a positive  voice for Ag has never wavered; it’s just been finding time or rather making time to write.  So often, I think I need to tell you this or that…and I’m not at a spot where I can do it. 

I lost so many readers when I moved my URL, but the former title of Idaho-farm-wife was a reminder that my life is different now.   I needed to “rebrand” not only me, but everything around me.  While the view out from front kitchen window is the same…

The kitchen window view

I’m changing up the landscape.  Literally !  It’s been a revamp of my house, my yard, this blog, gosh… my life too.  Plus I’m in the midst of a building project and a new writing project, children’s books.   It finally donned on me that my life now is in  “harvest mode” .  I’m finally producing what I’ve been working to cultivate for a long time.

With that, I hired a computer guru, and friend, Kristi to redo the blog.  Not only that but she will be helping me illustrate the children’s books.  I’ve also tapped the creative mind of daughter, Jen too.  I like it when I have people so much smarter than me to drag along in my projects. (poor souls).

Anyway – I wanted to let  you know the changes are coming and I’ll share all of them with you.  So please have patience as Kristi and I develop a game plan.

As always, feel free to email me at swheatfarmlife@gmail.com or leave a comment on my FB page, the blog or whatever. Hearing from you is like the frosting on the cupcake.

All my best, Gayle

I know I've been missing in action..... so here's a quick peek ..... my focus has been finally getting all the outside "wants" done.  This meant getting "yard art" towed in and installed in my flower bed.  I have a few other surprises to show you too!

... an unexpected "bonus day" yesterday with the grand-angels.

The grand-angels, Miss M, Miss B and Miss N

Toting home my treasure on a smoky summer day.
This treasure  will be converted into a bed

 

 

 

 

As I've been slowly working to change up my farmhouse to truly reflect my style to  "Farm Chic" my sweetheart, Randy completely indulges my whims (yup I know I'm a lucky lucky girl) and here is my indoor want list... a bed made out of an old truck! 

The beginning of the project

Randy and  his son working on it in his shop

All done! Pictures really don't do it justice, it's an amazing piece of work



Then Randy surprised me with a bench out of the doors.  Daughter, Jen painted the sign and decorated up the old time car window trays.

Hey thanks for stopping by,  I love that you take time out of your day to come by and see me! Truly =)  !   I couldn't resist showing a few pictures and I've got a blog in process,  plus some yummy recipes to share. Just like my house, my blog will be getting the much needed re-do and upgrade too! 

As always, feel free to email me at swheatfarmlife@gmail.com.  Enjoy your Sunday, all my best, Gayle

Same Breed, New Variety

Wheat is as much a part of the outside of my world as it is inside.  A quick trip around the inside of my house and you will know that I have a serious case of  loving wheat.  Not only to bake with, but my home is adorned with wheat bouquets throughout, wheat dishes are stacked neatly in my cupboard, there is a wheat chandelier that I lugged home on a plane from Long Beach, CA that sits amid other various wheat decorations on my walls.  And what I find a bit strange is how I relate life (or at least mine) to a wheat plant. So it wasn’t so out of the ordinary when the thought struck me one morning that my life resembles a wheat plant that has emerged as an enhanced and altered version (a GMO) from the old variety to a new breed in order to adapt to a new environment. (basically I culled the old traits that I never liked in myself and adopted ones that I do like and ones that fit better).  Looking back the transition just seemed exactly like an "enhanced" wheat plant.  And speaking of enhanced wheat plants....  I’ve spent time in wheat labs and know that the researchers will take desirable characteristics and develop them into an existing plant to enhance the overall plant, for  instance WSU researchers are working on developing wheat varieties that will grow under severe drought conditions — “desert wheat”   and that this research is to focus on identifying genes that will increase wheat yields under drought stress.  Pretty amazing stuff.

And while I’m still a tom-boy that would rather be playing in the dirt with the tractor than sitting behind my desk, now I’m just a more feminine version.  The manicured nails inside the work gloves makes me happy as well as my growing collection of cowboy boots.  They are now seen as normal gear for me and when I don’t have boots on; people now comment that I’m missing my signature look.  I find that funny.   What I have discovered are some traits that have surfaced again, such as my fun loving side and my mischievous nature has firmly entrenched itself in my everyday life,  but  most importantly is the sheer unabashed delight that I find in living.  I again see the “beautiful” in life and I feel like me again.

While perhaps my outward appearances has changed a bit (and as my daughters both said, ummm for the better!), what I find most important is the quality of people that I like to surround myself with.   I know who my true friends are, some are made up of family, and  the others who are like family to me, these are  the ones who have been at my side through everything.  And I value the ones that kept me close to their heart, the ones who reached out if not daily, but regularly to let me know they had my back.  I’ve also been fortunate to have found love again and he is my version of Mr. Wonderful.  His name is Randy.  This is the guy who goes along with my crazy ideas and doesn’t complain (really).  For example, a couple of weeks ago, I sent him a text later in the evening (on a work night) that there was going to be a meteor shower and to come join me as  I was going to set my clock at the 1:00a.m. so I could see it.  And yup, he drove the 30 minutes from his house to mine, where he aligned the lawn chairs side by side and we wrapped up in blankets and watched nature put on a show.  Or earlier in the summer, when he agreed to participate with me and my niece, Sarah, in a mud run/obstacle course.

This was the guy who did a magnificent semi belly flop/dive into the first mud hole, lost his sunglasses and but still emerged smiling.  Of course after he extended his hand to help me out of the mud bog, guess I wasn’t dirty enough and he pushed me back in….. so yes he has just the right amount of being “sweetly evil” to keep things interesting.  He is now hooked on Pintrest and because of that, he now has a “project” to build for me.  And he’s excited about it too.  I can’t wait to show you when it’s done.   He thinks I’m funny, and he loves my quirkiness, and tells me that I’m perfect (I’m not) as he’s seen me show my  flash of temper.  He appreciates my straightforwardness and my refusal to put up with his crap  (his words not mine).   He regularly tells me I’m beautiful and that he admires my passion for helping others.  He doesn’t complain when I make a mess at his house when cooking and lets me bring my dog over too.  He gives me my space and tolerates my aversion to talking on the phone.  We’ve been dating now just over a year and we’ve both seen enough from our past failed marriages that we value the good, accept our  differences  and  both vow to  being respectful and keeping up communication as priority.  I seriously didn’t think a relationship like this could  exist or at least for me, but it does.

Randy has once again in indulged  me in a "project" and here is what I had him tote home for me.

Randy working on the project

In case you are wondering what I'm using it for, well this is my Christmas present. It
is going  in my house as a bed.  The back of the cab will be the headboard, the tailgate will be the foot-board!  Yup a very unique piece,and  I must say and I'm an excited little camper!  =) Stay tuned as I show you more of the project as it comes together.

As always, I love hearing from you and you can always email me at swheatfarmlife@gmail.com , and don’t forget to watch for the upcoming issue of Home and Harvest magazine.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing my blog into your life, it truly warms my heart.  All my best, Gayle