playing in mud puddles

Soothing to the soul

So, we  all go through challenging times, right? Some more challenging than others. Some, I drag myself through by the last strength found in the corner of my pinky toe. 

I always notice that coming through these times, I RISE ! Rather evangelical sounding, I know, but I feel that strength rising up and out of the pain. I have a bit more energy. A bit more peace. A bit more patience. Room for things - creativity, laughter, perspective, stillness, breath, and joy.

Why share? Well, some, after challenging times are moved - moved to paint, to prose, to travel.

I seem to be moved to smaller things. Currently, I am moved to crochet. Yep, that's it. Crochet.

My friend, Madeliene, gave me a lovely gift - a crocheted dishwasher / cloth. Her grandmother had crocheted them, and now she does. Well, I think of her every time I'm washing up, wiping the benchtops. Beauty in simplicity.

And there you go, crocheted dishwashers/ cloths. I can't stop making them. The rhythm found in my hand cradling the needle, cradling the cotton - a gentle meditation for a busy mind. Soothing my soul.... beginnings

Chicken Tuesdays

So, yeah, I'm a bit obesessed with chickens. I reckon every old person's home should have a chook pen, as they are so hilarious to watch. I find myself particularly drawn to Australorps (well, they're probably a bit of a mix, but, I'm TOLD they're Australorps (which are all black) and thus, I embrace the red flecks on some of their chests as UNIQUE ways of telling each chook apart. 

Anyway, I digress. Due to my obsession and the fact that they are just so cute, we currently have about 30 - 40 (there was a fox recently) chickens free ranging around our land. Lucky for them (the chooks) we live on 5 acres with a dairy farm next door and very understanding neighbours. Therefore, lots and lots of grass and freedom. 

30 - 40! you're thinking... I know... and you know what I'm going to say.... But, they're just sooo cute when they're a day old at the shop.

I buy them as day old chooks to prevent getting roosters, as I am not tough enough yet to kill them myself. PROBLEM - in our last batch 4 of the "guaranteed to NOT be roosters - day old chooks", ARE ROOSTERS! 

Hmmmmm... multiple roosters means lots of noise before sunrise. Not sustainable. 

Here's a pic of little boy feeding some of those chooks - I love how confident and assertive and gentle he is around them all. Reminds me of how lucky we are to live where we do. 

How are your chooks?

Sweet Monday

Hoping your cup is half full today... Happy Sweet Monday

10!

I can't believe 2 of my 4 are double digits!!

Bless!

Love

My little boy and I were sitting in the driveway the other morning. We had just been weeding the horse paddock together. We sat in stillness, resting and gazing upon imminent Spring. Watching the beauty which surrounds us, suddenly, he burst... "I HEAR HIM!"

In spite of his tiredness, he jumped up and RAN the length of the remaining driveway, climbing up and opening the gate with vigour. Dad was home. 

Opening the gate created a distance between them.

Dad stopped the car and jumped out, while little boy jumped off of the gate. They ran to each other and embraced. A joyous reunion after being apart for two days - nearly a lifetime in a little boy's life.

Watching from afar, I noticed this ... the excitement felt was so strong and pure, it was as if his heart leapt out in front of him - full of pure and whole delight. He ran, as if chasing his heart. Running with confidence, knowing nothing was lost - all was safe. When they - father and son - embraced in that excitement, both of their hearts wrapped together -  and then, in that circle of each other's arms, a little bit of both of their hearts were put into both of their bodies. Their pure joy intertwined and grew - deepening their unsaid understanding of themselves and each other. 

 

And, judging by the empty bowl (already! didn't even last 12 hours with our hungry monkeys), the were not only pleasing to the eye, but delicious as well. Thanks for the recipe - found in the wonderful internet mag WhipUp! Action Pack: Issue 5

Yummo!

What's cookin' at your place today?

What's cookin'?

Baking day today. Well, actually, we've been baking nearly every day lately, which is not always the case. So, let's roll with it - ha ha - considering we did just that. We made savoury biscuits a.k.a crackers for the first time - using our new (vintage) rolling pin and Danish vintage cookie cutter! Found it in the fab Etsy shop, the fox and the spoon... ahh bliss. Thank you Maria!

The recipe we used was very simple and quite successful as you can see.

Chicken speak again...
With many chickens come many eggs. For a bit, our dogs were enjoying the bounty - ahem. Now that we have THAT situation under control, (it was pretty funny - the dogs and us creeping around to find the egg before the other - a twisted easter egg hunt , perhaps?) WE HAVE EGGS! Lots of them. Lots and lots of them.

In spite of living the lush life of having eggs for breakfast, frittatas for lunch and dinner, and cakes, and sorbet, and ice cream - we still have a surplus (how lucky are we?!)

Hence, today the home entrepreneurship has begun. Welcome, the birth of Henrietta's Eggs. Free Range, mostly organic eggs from well loved chickens.

Labels are being made. Eggs are being nestled in their cozy cartons - how exciting!

This gorgeous spotty lettuce is growing in our garden! The name of the lettuce refers to the red spots as trout swimming in a stream - how poetic.

A successful seed story! I have a very on again off again relationship when it comes to growing things from seed. It's funny, the pride I feel when a seed that I put in the ground grows into something beautiful... as if my placing it in the Earth had anything much to do with the miracle of the magic within a seed. But, this is a success and to that I give thanks.

How does your garden grow?

Chicken Happenings

It's been raining here for about 5 days now. Good for the raintank (our water supply), the garden and the dams. The chickens, however, are getting a bit tired of all the wet feathers. This lovely little hen, has decided our towel basket right outside our front door is a much cozier nesting box than any others. She has been telling her mates, and a chicken celebration is happening! We are getting about 4 - 6 eggs a day from this spot (and I have to say, I'm not complaining that I don't have to face the rain to get fresh eggs either).

How are your chickens?