sometimes you forget

thoughts that make me feel peace

heading back to the pacific northwest

where i feel most at home.

walking through the damp forest

smelling the earth

touching the trees

sitting still and breathing.

a simple cottage on a running stream.

large pained windows overlooking 

the garden, clothes on the line,

quiet meadows blanketed with morning fogs.

feathers and wildflowers in glass containers in nooks.

bread rising in the sun

soup boiling atop the woodstove.

shelves with pinecones, rocks, shells and treasures

collected by the little ones.

coffee on the front porch, my dog curled around my feet.

fluffy bed next to an open window

chickens clucking in the yard

barefoot gardening

fresh dinners from the harvesting

rainy walks down by the creek

rocking next to the fire nursing my baby 

records quietly playing

much to smile about

::life moves forward::

homesteading on my mind

there are plans to travel next summer

to find land we can tend, gardens we can grow, and that simplicity we are longing for.

i outgrew this midwest town moons ago

but for some reason it is where i have needed to be.

it is where i will nurture this growing life inside of me

where we will summer

where we will watch the leaves turn to glorious shades

and where we will winter and birth our little one.

this said, plans are in the beginning stages for our relocation 

to land we will steward out west.

so in this time of nesting we are honing our skills 

for a more sustainable life ahead.

Z is a proficient wood crafter and extremely handy. 

i look forward to seeing his creations.

i want to learn candlemaking, soap making, make butter, yogurt and cheese.

learn to knit, sew clothing, bake varieties of breads and goods,

continue educating myself on gardening, primitive pottery,

simple food preparation, canning and preserving,

fishing and fileting, the list goes on and on...

i am working on a new space to document these adventures

in the meantime

over the next two weeks: 

- blueberry picking 

- followed by: my first time making blueberry jam

- freezing blueberries to enjoy this fall and winter

- blueberry cobbler, pancakes, smoothies, and icecream

- butter making (hoping to find a source for raw milk)

- yogurt making

- lots of nature hikes (so glad to be moving past the morning/all day sickness)

- swimming

- crafting

- trying three new recipes

so much

life is very full right now.

in the winter my spirit grew quiet and i went inward.

the sea spoke to me and i let the tide take away pain

and return healing waters.

in spring i blossomed.

new buds of discovery emerged, 

and growth began to happen.

growth from seeds i was diligent to plant and nuture.

there were many tests.

there are always tests to reaffirm, remind and strengthen.

in the spring i also blossomed with a new love

and a new life that has begin to grow inside me.

 as summer washes over me there is a purging,

a chance to see inside myself and

apply all i have learned.

my belly is full of love, and a future i have always dreamed of.

i was given all that i have desired

was created for

have been working towards.

i am finally ready.

soon i will be creating a new place to reflect and share

one that represents this new place i am entering.

stay tuned