Gratitude Sunday!

(Yep, that's yours truly)

Time for another gratitude post. I love writing these almost as much as I love reading them!

This week, I am grateful for...

-The chance to see some very dear friends tomorrow. We see them every few weeks, but that's just not enough. I think of them as older siblings, and they've been there for our family through some really crazy times. Love you, hippies!

-Finding out yesterday that I am not, as I previously thought, the only pagan at work. I have absolutely nothing against other faiths (in fact, I embrace them all), but sometimes, it does get a little lonely around the workplace.

-My new tea, Fidnemed Nighttime tea, from Mountain Rose Herbs. I've had it for two weeks now, and while I only use it on weekends (because that's when I work part time), it has so far passed with flying colors. It's gentle, but when you fall asleep, you really fall asleep!

-My pumpkins are finally getting their color, and my Musquee de Provence pumpkins are finally producing female blossoms. Also, we seem to have stopped losing the plants to the heat and lack of water, yay!

-The lovely orange I got from dyeing some wool with coreopsis flowers. I had seen some photos, and I realized that I had some of the flowers in my haphazardly planted "just flowers" bed. I plan on planting an entire bed of them next year!

-Also, I have to mention that I am so grateful that my mother has taken it upon herself to water my rose bushes if I happen to be at work when they need it. She really doesn't like roses, and I promised her she wouldn't even have to touch my bushes, but she's done it of her own will, and that makes me smile.

That's it for now. I'm off to knit my delicious shawl and cut out pattern pieces!

The sewing bug strikes again

A few weeks ago, I was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers, Farmama. Her lovely, sturdy overalls seem like just the thing for working out in the garden and berry patches.

I always had this notion in my head that overalls were somehow less than desirable. I'd only ever seen someone wear overalls and look good in them once, and now I realize she looked good in them because she wore them for the right reasons. They weren't a fashion statement - they were practical, comfortable, and protected her from the elements. Aha! That's just what I need! The more I delve into homesteading, the more I leave behind what's "fashionable" for what's practical and comfortable. With that mindset, I've come to see well-worn, well-loved overalls as a thing of joy.

I tracked down an old pattern, bought it, and then tackled the task of finding fabric I liked for them. My "old brain" drove me for a while. I looked for something light but sturdy, something printed and pretty, but then one night, as I was reading Country Women: A Handbook for the New Farmer, it hit me. It was really quite stunning. I stopped cold. I laughed at myself. Overalls should be work clothes, silly!

I'm waiting on 5 yards of heavy, striped denim to arrive now. I also splurged a tad on two 3 yard lengths of cotton shirting and a pattern that's very close to my favorite shirt ever. The shirts may not turn out to be terribly sturdy, but they will work as a go between for the gardens and the outside world this fall.

This is going to be a learning process for a long time, I'm sure. There are times when I wonder how I ever made it this far in life without realizing some things, and there are times when I realize I've known certain things forever. It's fascinating, challenging, but overall, it's full of enjoyment and growth.

Sunday Gratitude post

I figured that today, I would join Taryn from Wooly Moss Roots in a gratitude post. I've been wanting to do this for a few weeks now, but have always seemed to get distracted, so here goes:


-My mother giving me her copy of Country Women: A Handbook for the New Farmer to read. This was published in the 70s by a group of farming feminists. Mom told me as she handed it over that she'd read it cover to cover and it really touched her. I can see why. Not only is there a ton of information on many subjects (the section on wells, and the one on outhouses I find particularly interesting), but the journal entries scattered throughout have really gotten to me. They put into words how I've been feeling more often than not lately, and it's good to know others have gotten through this transition from submissive girl to independent woman.

-The sheep that provided the beautiful wool I just finished spinning last week. It was a variegated Rambouillet fleece I purchased a few years ago. It spun up like an absolutely dream, and knits up even better.



-Finally getting some recognition at work from my "big boss" for all the work I do. It was nice to hear it had been noticed, and I'm flattered they seem to be "grooming" me, even if the job itself is entirely against my nature and not something I want to do for much longer.

-Coming home from said job and going out to check the herbs, roses, veggies and berries. What a lovely way to reconnect to the land after all the hustle and bustle of "civilization."

-Finding old friends online and discovering that our relationships are as strong as ever. Also, for friends I have lost over the years, whose memories still bring me so much love and joy.

-Seeing my best friend relaxed and happy.

And finally, for all the fathers in my life. None of you are perfect, but you are all wonderful and much appreciated!