Anyone know where March went? I don’t know whether it was March Break, the time change, spring coming (and then going), being in a fog because I had a cold most of the month, looking ahead to Easter, or what happened, but this month seemed to disappear.
March Break was a lot of fun. We did small little things around home. Went out for a few meals. Saw some family. Our usual lowkey, fun time together.
Being sick is obviously not as much. But it’s been an opportunity for me to practice rest and go to bed early.
In the blur that was March, here are a few things that caught my attention…
Ellie is deep into Greek myths (this book is still a favourite, so much so that I bought Ellie her own copy for her birthday so the library could have theirs back). This podcast retells kid friendly versions of many classic stories including numerous myths, which has been a huge hit.
We’re also deep into BBC nature documentaries. This one was our gateway and this one has been the best so far. We’re working through the first Planet Earth series currently.
This week I have a field trip with my students, a trade show with one of my clients and then Easter. Easter is my favourite holiday, so we will be rounding out the month with egg hunts, dinners, lunches and family.
How was March for you? Anyone else feel time flying by? How are you celebrating Easter?
Has anyone been around long enough to remember the guess what posts I used to do? In the early days of the blog I would occasionally publish a picture of some part of something and say, “Guess what?”
Blogs have changed so much. This blog recently turned 12. Incredible.
The answer to today’s guess what is that some progress is being made on the finishing details in Ellie’s room.
It’s also that we had a great March Break, so not that much progress was made.
(And if you guessed that I am reweaving a bamboo blind by hand… that answer is also correct.)
How is March going for you? Have you taken any breaks? Are you working on any projects? Do you have any hobbies you’ve been doing for 12 years? Is anyone here who’s been around since the beginning of the blog?
Saturday marked 12 years since the farm became ours. Ellie, Cigo and I had a great day. We had nowhere to be, nothing pressing to do and no one to see. We kept the gate closed (which has always been a sign of a good day for me) and boiled sap, crafted, swung, tidied, played and enjoyed our time together.
Sometimes I question the farm. Is it the right choice for us?
Would life be easier or happier if we lived somewhere else? A neighbourhood where Ellie could play with other kids or ride her bike on asphalt. Somewhere we could walk to the library or the park. A yard where I could handle the grass and snow myself (but still have room for a garden and chicken coop).
I follow a few bloggers who have downsized or tried country living and then returned to town. They write about how happy they are and how it was the right move for their families. Should I consider changing my mind?
On Saturday, those questions didn’t enter my mind. We had a balance of work and play, inside and outside. Cigo had two big runs (and reminded me that it’s pointless to give him a bath at noon if I’m going to let him go for another run after lunch). Ellie played on her swing (who needs a park?), rode around in the trailer, understood the need to do a little early season outside clean-up and was willing to help, explored along the creek, experimented with her loose parts obstacle course and so much more.
She is an independent, confident, capable child, and the farm is a huge part of that.
I asked Ellie a few weeks ago if she’s ever considered living somewhere else. She looked at me like I had three heads, and said, “No.” She loves the farm, and I hope that I can continue to build that feeling for her.
Part of my desire to stay on the farm is her future. I am not optimistic about climate change and the future of the world. The farm is protection—food, self-sufficiency, safety—if she needs it someday. It’s also my chance to do a little bit for climate change—protecting nature, sequestering carbon, restoring soil and forests.
It’s also Matt. The farm was both of our dreams, but when we got here I saw that the farm was vital to Matt in a deep way. I don’t want to betray that.
There are other good reasons to be here, both practical and emotional. Financially, we can live here fairly affordably. Philosophically, I believe this lifestyle is good for us. Creatively, I love a fixer-upper house and the property, barn, gardens and house inspire me so much.
No matter the questions, I come back to how important the farm is to me spiritually. Rereading my previous farm-iversary posts, the theme that is constant through the past 12 years is how special this experience is and how meaningful it is for me. That is still true.
The spirituality of it has changed over the years. Now it’s less about the beauty and peace of the property and more about experiencing it with Ellie and seeing her thrive and enjoy it.
We go through seasons in life, and this season is about her. This season is also likely the source of some of my questions. Managing the property on my own with a young child is a big juggle. I’m not doing as many projects as I want to because I can’t right now. But going through the weekend where she took on some of the work and recognized the need to care for the farm filled my spirit.
This farm, her, me. Matt and the generations that have been here before us. The animals, plants, water and life. There is magic here. I am grateful for the 12 years that we’ve had, and I’m here for the future of our family at this farm.
Home on 129 Acres 