Category Archives: Country life

Odds & sods

Posted on by

4

Happy last Monday of March. This was a special month. We marked 7 years of living here at the farm. And we marked Matt’s 40th birthday. There was lots of time with family, more sunshine and warmer temperatures.

Matt holding Ellie while he blows out the candles on his birthday cake

It feels like we have finally turned the corner into spring. The skating rink that was our driveway has turned into a mud strip. We tapped some maple trees to make syrup. The skating rink that was the pond is melting.

Tapping maple trees

I was down at the pond one morning last week and discovered that there is some serious construction going on down there. We have beavers again and they are building lodges and taking down trees all around the pond. (When we first moved to the farm, I spotted a beaver one night… and I think I’m just as excited now as I was then.) I shared a video on my stories (it’s saved in my highlights).

To cap off the month, I’m sharing another round-up of some interesting things I’ve come across recently.

  • Baxter’s coyote encounter is very fresh for us. This video of a dog playing with a wild coyote, is a nice counterpoint to our violent incident. In other unlikely wildlife-dog news, this dog made friends with a wild deer.
  • “Marriage is a journey, it’s a changing of singleness to oneness. A removal of yourself and our natural desire to put ourselves first, and laying down our life for another.”
  • There’s still a place for blogs. This month’s Instagram and Facebook outage were “a reminder of the importance of cultivating and maintaining influence across a variety of digital channels.”
  • The One Room Challenge kicks off next week. I’m actually thinking about participating, albeit on a really small scale. I’ve been ever so slowly been cleaning out the dining room to prepare for painting. I’m thinking the ORC might be helpful to keep me on track and actually get this project done. (See my previous ORC projects: the laundry room, master bedroom and my office.) Are you participating?

My writing elsewhere:

We have a pretty quiet week ahead. I’ll be working on a few freelance writing projects, and Matt has one appointment. Hmm, maybe I can get a headstart on the dining room.

How are you finishing off March? Did you have any special celebrations this month? What’s been inspiring you? Any unlikely animal pairings to share?

Odds & sods

Posted on by

12

Our girl is officially one year old! I know everyone says time flies, and it definitely does. But when I look back over the past year and think of everything she’s learned and how much she’s grown, it feels like it has to have been a year.

It’s amazing to watch a human grow.

Collage of 12 months of baby photos

We celebrated with a big pizza party with Matt’s and my families. It was really special–and also completely overwhelming. So many people. So many presents. So much food. We ended up delaying Ellie’s final tractor picture to the day after her birthday because it felt like we were trying to do too much. But I managed to finish a tractor cake for the big day–after Matt did an emergency run back to the grocery store for more icing sugar.

Baby with tractor pedal car

Tractor birthday cake

Our other excitement this month came courtesy of Baxter. He met up with someone or something in the woods and came home with a few gashes. One on his neck ended up needing stitches. He was not happy with his vet visit–nor the haircuts that were needed for his IV and to assess his various wounds. But we are happy that his injuries were relatively minor, that we have an amazing, kind, caring, gentle, skilled, generous team at our vet, and most of all that he’s home safe. He’s now on leash any time he’s outside, especially since he is completely fixated on the woods, apparently looking for a rematch.

Baxter looking into the woods with stitches in his neck

And now on to some of the inspiration I’ve come across over the last month:

Rambling Renovators living room

  • Jen at Rambling Renovators has amazing style, and she is going behind the scenes, sharing her process of how to decorate a room. She shared how to start and how to layout the furniture. Bonus, she’s updating her daughter’s room, which is a super fun project… not that I’m planning Ellie’s tween bedroom yet… much.
  • A reminder to not get stuck in our to-do lists and make time for family and fun
  • I’ve never made macaroni from scratch. But I’m trying to find an alternative to Matt’s favourite Kraft Dinner. I had high hopes for this vegan version (Chloe’s recipes have great flavours), but it was not a hit. Deb’s endorsement of Martha’s (non-vegan) version is making me think it’s the way to go. Any suggestions of how to get the flavour of KD with more real ingredients?
  • “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Inspiration from Arthur Ashe via Thelma Golden in In The Company of Women by Grace Bonney.

My writing elsewhere:

Did you celebrate anything this month? Or have any excitement courtesy of your pet? Do you have a macaroni recipe to share? What’s inspiring you these days?

Odds & sods

Posted on by

7

Happy Monday, everyone. I hope that you had a great weekend.

Matt and I marked our 11th wedding anniversary on Saturday (and I have to insert here that this month marks 21 years since we started dating). The past year has been full of a lot of reflection for me, as I think about changes in our family, all the things we have accomplished together, and the many plans we have for our future. We’ve shared so much–not all of it easy–and to feel part of such a strong unit is something I never take for granted.

We celebrated just the two of us with a nice dinner out on Friday while my Mom watched the baby. It was awesome to sit and talk without distraction. Any parents out there who can identify?

Anyways, on to today’s post. I began this odds & sods series last year as a way to wrap up the month, sometimes share something a bit more personal, and pass along some of the inspiring and interesting things that I’ve come across. I enjoy writing them every month, so it’s something I’ll be continuing this year. Here is this month’s round-up.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Brc9LgXhf2d/

Kit and I bought our farms at approximately the same time. I admire her animals, hardcore DIY, all-in approach to life and commitment to authenticity.

Good life lessons from Mr. Rogers

Be okay with your life and your goals and don’t compare yourself to others

The best look. Inside a dog’s. Mind.

I am really enjoying podcasts. A few recent listens that were particularly interesting and inspiring:

My writing elsewhere:

We’re wrapping up January by reconnecting with some friends this week. Matt’s planned a trivia night, and I’m having brunch with five ladies I’ve been friends with since grade school–one of them since kindergarten. In other exciting news, Baxter, Matt and I are all visiting the dentist this week. I’m not sure how we managed to line our schedules up like this, but that’s what we’re doing. Ellie’s six teeth are exempt for now. What are you up to this week?

Word of the year: Slow

Posted on by

9

I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to be here. Actually, I wasn’t sure I was going to be here last week.

A couple of times over the last few months, I’ve thought about taking a break from blogging.

Between the baby and the rest of our lives, we don’t have a  lot of time for projects or home improvements, so I don’t feel like I have as much material to write about.

As well, sometimes blogging has felt like a luxury among all of the other ways I could be spending my time.

Frost covered fields at sunrise

But obviously writing is important to me.

I love writing for the same reason that I love home improvements–they’re both creative outlets for me. While home improvement is a way for me to turn off my brain and not think for a little while, writing is a way for me to think more deeply, work through things and process parts of my life.

And these days, my brain feels very full.

So I’m here. And as I did last year, I’m going to start the year with a word to help guide me through 2019.

This year, my word is “slow.”

Since having Ellie, I’ve found that I’m often rushing. With a baby, I have a narrow window of naptime, or “she’s-content-playing-by-herself-but-this-won’t-last,” or “we-have-to-eat-dinner- bath-and-go-to-bed-before-she-gets-overtired.” So whatever I’m doing, I try to do it as fast as possible. I’d like to slow down and focus on what I’m doing.

As well, I want to remember that I don’t always have to be doing. Sure there are always things to do. But sometimes reading my book or sitting down with Matt and Ellie and Baxter is the thing I should do.

Sitting in front of the fire

Scene from yesterday: I could take down the Christmas stockings. Or I could sit here with my feet up.

Life is short. Usually shorter than we want. Occasionally shorter than we can ever conceive. We have to do our absolute best to live a life that we are satisfied with. I want to feel good about what I do, who I am with and how I spend my time. And the word “spend” is important. Time is valuable. Time is precious.

This year I will be slow and savour my time.

A look back at 2018

Posted on by

6

What a year it was. I kicked off 2018 by sharing the news that I was pregnant. Ellie arrived at the end of February and we haven’t looked back. Our new family was absolutely the highlight of last year. We had some low times too–my Dad’s death and some other moments too hard for me to talk about yet. But Ellie is always light and joy and love.

Ellie–or rather her nursery–was also the source of some of the top posts on the blog last year.

I shared the reveal of her colourful, farmy, happy space and then dove into the details of various DIYs and other projects we completed in this special room.

Turquoise gender neutral nursery

Some of the most popular posts were her DIY Moroccan pouf (and a round-up of other poufs you can make yourself), the blackout window treatments (and how to pleat Ikea curtains), and an easy, low-budget Eames Hang-It-All.

How to make your own Eames Hang-It-All

A feature of the nursery is my favourite Strandmon wing chair from Ikea. I finally wrote a proper review of this chair, and it quickly became one of the most popular posts of last year.

DIY Moroccan pouf free sewing pattern

Just before Ellie arrived, I finished a project that’s been in my plans for awhile–a new coffee table for the living room. You all liked it as much as I do, and it ended up also being a top post of 2018. I used the Benchwright plan from Ana White, modifying it to have drawers on both sides. This table turned out so well, and the extra drawers are very helpful now that the baby is turning into a complete busybody.

DIY Benchwright Coffee Table

Obviously, our lives now revolve around that busybody. We didn’t do quite as many projects in 2018, but I can’t complain about how we spent our time. Sharing the farm with our little family is all I want for 2019.

An evening walk

Posted on by

2

Most of the time, walking with Baxter is a highlight of my day. I love getting outside. The quiet of the farm and the dog clear my mind or give me space to think things through. Usually, Ellie is with us and we savour the farm, the three of us together.

Like me, Sarah in Illinois is trying to slow down and be in the moment. Her time with her favourite furry fellow, Blitz, is special for her too.

The older I get, the more I try to find ways to improve myself. One way I do this is to try to slow down and appreciate things around me. Especially everyday things that I tend to take for granted.

One thing that I realize I am very lucky to have is a nice quiet safe road to take Blitz on walks.

This road is mainly used for field access so most times of the year it is untravelled.

I take a leash with me just in case but for the most part Blitz is free to roam. There are always smells for him to check out.

I got in a great habit of going on a 20-30 minute walk every day after work. However, now that time changed and our daylight has shortened, we don’t get to go nearly as often.

I sure do miss those sunsets!

Blitz and I will both be anxiously awaiting spring and longer daylight hours.

Do you have a favorite walking spot? Do you dread the dark days of the winter months? Do you take the time to watch sunsets/sunrises?

This looks like a great spot to spend time with Blitz, Sarah. We do road walks occasionally at the farm, but our road is pretty busy, so usually we walk in our fields–not a hardship at all!

I find that one “bright” spot of shorter days is that I catch more sunrises and sunsets.

Odds & sods

Posted on by

6

Happy last week of November. I hope everyone had a nice weekend and a great Thanksgiving.

I know everyone always says that time flies, but I am seriously amazed that it’s already the end of the month–and one month from now will be Boxing Day. Hard to believe.

I’ve really been trying to be in the moment over the past few months and not look too far ahead. I want to savour my time with Ellie and Matt. It’s not about what’s next. It’s about what we’re doing now and enjoying it. Admittedly, life isn’t always enjoyable, but moments are temporary. If Ellie needs to be held a little while longer, I’ll give her that, because someday she won’t want to sit with Mama.

Speaking of the passage of time, our baby is 9 months old now. She’s been out as long as she was in. Ellie shared her 9 month birthday with what would have been my paternal grandmother’s 104th birthday, which made the day even more special. We marked the occasion by taking another photo of our girl with her tractor.

Ellie sitting on her tractor

Looking back over the rest of the month, here is a round-up of some things that have caught my eye.

Kitchen refresh by The Handmade Home

A really smart kitchen refresh

A checklist for making green home improvements

I’ve realized I have many feelings about names… and apparently others do too

How dog agility applies to all dog training

The world is better than we think (my book recommendation from Obama)

Worrying is praying for stuff you don’t want

Say yes to your life. Because… this is it.

My writing elsewhere:

How we care for our barn cat

Livestock Guardian Dogs – An Introduction

Why does my dog refuse to walk with other people?

We’re gearing up for a busy week here. We have a bunch of appointments, including a doctor visit for Ellie and her last swimming lesson. We’ve loved swimming and will be buying a pass to go on our own until Ellie’s eligible for the next level of lessons.

We’re also preparing to host some of Matt’s extended family for our annual month before Christmas party this weekend. It’s always so nice to see everyone and spend time together. While Christmas has obviously already hit the blogosphere, this party is my cue to start decorating and start getting my head into the season.

What’s ahead for you this week? Are you in Christmas mode yet? Or are you, like me, trying to live in the moment?

Odds & sods

Posted on by

2

We’re at the last post of October.

Are you ready for Hallowe’en? Our Hallowe’en is going to be pretty low key. We’re having dinner with my sister and her kids, and then our little goblin will be going to bed at her regular time while her cousins go trick or treating (candy is definitely not on Ellie’s safe foods list).

Our road is not safe for walking, especially after dark, and even if it was the scarcity of houses makes the effort not worth the return for trick or treaters.

A highlight of our celebrations will be admiring cute pumpkin bum.

Jack o' lantern on Ellie's bum

I’m wrapping up the month by sharing another round-up of some of the odds and sods that I’ve been thinking about, that have caught my eye or that we’ve been working on around the farm.

I love discovering new blogs through the One Room Challenge. This season there is a great diversity of projects.  Here are a few that I’m following. Are you participating? Or watching any rooms in particular?

  • House of Brinson – A very old house, with very serious issues.
  • Old Home Love – A fancy room for a little girl.
  • SG Style – A small space. So much DIY.
  • Jewels at Home – I was drawn in less by the project (a teen boy’s room) than I was by the blog itself: a woman named Julie who is using the same blog template as me. I found my blog twin!
  • Schroedl Interiors – A slightly quirky room that’s going to become a super cute library (with fun whale wallpaper)

I’m still sorting out my daily Mom style. I try to make a point every day of doing my hair (to justify paying for my haircut) and putting on earrings (don’t feel dressed without them). Beyond that, my uniform is jeans and T-shirts (or turtlenecks as the weather gets colder) with the occasional button down or drapey cardigan.

I’d like to feel a little more polished (although perhaps not as fancy as the picture above). Two new-ish to me blogs and one old favourite are helping me find style inspiration. What helps you feel prepared for the day?

  • I devoured Emily’s blog when I first found it. I love her style, her sewing skills and how she thinks and writes about it all. I’ve read a lot about wardrobes and how to make your clothes work together, but her approach of thinking of clothes as a collection was a lightbulb moment for me.
  • Putting Me Together has made me think about some of my clothes in different ways and try new colour or shape combinations. It’s a great source for casual Mom-wear that still looks put-together.
  • Another ah-ha moment for me was listening to Sherry talk about her wardrobe (aka uniform) on Young House Love Has A Podcast. Her GPA analogy and wanting to fill her closet only with straight A clothing clicked for me. (She also wrote a post.) I started the closet clean out and quickly filled a garbage bag. I have more to go, but I feel like I’ve started to boost my GPA.

Gerrard Gethings portrait

I’ve kept journals for a very long time. They’ve taken different forms over the years and for the past little while this blog has been my journal. At the end of September I started using a pen and notebook again. I was inspired after hearing about The Kindness Journal on In The Storyhouse Podcast (episode 15, if you’re interested). The prompts are quick and truly help me to focus on the good things that happened each day. Do you journal?

My writing elsewhere:

Have a good week, everyone. If you’re celebrating Hallowe’en, have fun, be safe and enjoy your treats.

Thanksgiving

Posted on by

4

Ellie holding a red leaf against the blue sky

Hello everyone. Happy Monday. Today is a special Monday for my fellow Canadians and me. It’s Thanksgiving, so I’m taking a moment to reflect on all of the things I am grateful for. Thank you all for reading and following along with our lives.

Today, I am especially thankful for…

My husband, my daughter, my dog and my cat. You are all the best, and I’m amazed that I’m so lucky to have all of you in my life.

My Mom, my sisters and brothers. Tough times bring us closer together.

My Dad. Herons and monarchs and other signs that tell us he’s still with us.

Matt’s family, our extended families, my friends. To feel so loved and supported is amazing.

This special farm that we get to call home.

Skilled and caring doctors, nurses and midwives. Modern medical science.

Mexican food. Italian food. Seafood. Dark chocolate. Dill pickle chips. Really, all food.

A hot shower, a good night’s sleep (never take that for granted) and lazy mornings.

Writing and how it helps me to process my thoughts, make a living and document our lives.

Whatever you are doing today I hope that you have a wonderful day.

Odds & sods

Posted on by

5

Do you guys like the round-up/links/personal posts that so many bloggers do on Fridays? I enjoy them. They usually have a few links that are interesting to me, and they give me some insight into the person behind the blog.

The Odds & Sods posts that I do every so often are kind of my version of these types of posts (odds and sods was a phrase my paternal grandmother used instead of saying odds and ends).

I’m thinking about making O&S a little more regular. Not every week, but maybe at the end of every month. What do you think? Is this something you’re interested in?

I’m going to put one out there today. Please share any feedback you have.

The Fall 2018 Canadian Bloggers Home Tour happened a couple of weeks ago. I love seeing bloggers come together and supporting each other. Plus, I am proud of the talent, diversity and creativity from my fellow Canadians. I encourage you to check out all the homes on the tour. Here are some stand-outs:

  • I love the style of Vin’yet Etc’s living room, and even more I love her hummingbird and the connection to her mom. We see so many signs that my Dad is still with us, so this resonates with me so much.
  • Beautiful neutrals, blue-green glass, flowers and one of my favourite foods (charcuterie) from So Much Better With Age.
  • Thalita from The Learner Observer is someone I connected with a looooong time ago. I’ve loved seeing how she’s built her career, her family and her lovely home. Thalita also published a real life (didn’t even put her bra away) tour.

In other home and real estate news, Justin Bieber is apparently going to be our neighbour. (What does it say about me that I didn’t recognize him in the twitter pics? And I misspelled his name when I first typed it? #notabelieber)

Ellie eating food for the first time

Ellie turned 7 months old yesterday. She’s been eating food for about a month now. She quickly began devouring her meals–and decimating my baby food stash. We’re still in the basic puree stage, but we’re looking ahead to more complex meals (and a time where dinner does not end up in her nose). Do you make your own baby food? What are your baby’s favourite foods? Do you have any good recipes to share?

  • Once Upon A Farm (with Jennifer Garner) has an interesting business model: they make organic baby food, but they also publish the recipes in case you want to make it yourself.
  • I’ve saved recipes for month of baby food–although I feel like my girl may go through this in less than a month.

Apparently I’m in a feminist kind of mood right now.

My writing elsewhere:

I hope you all have a good week. We’re wrapping up September with a date night for Daddy and Mama, hopefully a trip to the swimming pool (a test run before Ellie starts swimming lessons next month) and a very special family project that I’ve been wanting to do for years.

What’s on tap for you?