The highlight of this month (as in every February) is Ellie’s birthday. Our girl is six. I am so proud of what a smart, kind, enthusiastic, giving, curious person she is. It’s amazing to watch her grow and learn and see who she is becoming.

We celebrated with treats at school, a trip to a butterfly conservatory, a party with friends here at the farm and dinners (yes, plural) with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. It’s been a big birthday month.

Online, it’s easy to present a “highlight reel.” Only those moments that are shiny and idyllic. We have lots of those in our life. But there’s also reality. A sixth birthday is exciting. It’s also exhausting, and there are lots of big feelings to go with that.

Baking cakes, finding the right presents, planning special outings, designing an epic scavenger hunt, and coordinating everything all take a lot of energy too. (Though it’s worth it for all of the fun things I was able to do with our girl.) While my mood swings have been less than Ellie’s, I’m ending this month pretty tired.

But it’s winter break for the college, so I will be taking advantage of not teaching to regroup this week. My to-do list is a bit ambitious, but hopefully I can find some rest too.

Amongst the busy birthday-ness of the month, here are some things that caught my attention.

This historic mansion is for sale. I can’t decide if my favourite feature is the porch or the staircase.

Beyonce’s new song has been stuck in my head since the Super Bowl. It’s certainly catchy, but I wouldn’t mind some peace and quiet. (Anyone want to learn the dance with me?)

Anything can be listified. Ellie got this book for Christmas and it’s been so interesting to read together. (It is great for “stumble upon” learning.)

My book of the month. (I’ve ordered book two in the hopes that I’ve found a new mystery series to read.)

Inspiration for my next trip with Ellie. (Matt’s Mom’s family is Swiss, so that gives us a great excuse to go, right?)

I will be finishing February with marking, lesson planning, catching up with some clients, income tax prep, sap boiling, a trip to the dentist, lunch with my Mom and hopefully meeting up with another friend. My big hope is that I’ll have time to work on the finishing touches for Ellie’s room, so I can share a reveal of that soon. It’s a leap year. Maybe that extra day will do the trick.

Have you had any special celebrations in February? How are you spending your leap year?

How has the beginning of 2024 been for you? Ours has been up and down. We had some birthdays and get-togethers, and we had some lows. We sledded in the fields and skated on the pond, and then watched the water level rise in a big thaw.

Friday was Matt’s and my 16th wedding anniversary. The day hurts less, but it’s still hard that he’s not here for it. As I was heading out to pick up Ellie from school, I turned on my music in the car, and the first song that came on (when I picked a random shuffle) was the song we danced to at our wedding.

At first, I wasn’t really in the mood. I believe I said something like, “Really? You think I can handle this right now?” But then I quickly switched to being grateful. Matt, my Dad, his Mom, the universe, whoever was sending me a message, and it was coming from a place of love.

Some people would say that moments like this are just coincidence. But I don’t agree. For me, they’re a sign that the universe is on my side. That Matt is still with me. That there is so much love.

So I turned off shuffle and put the song on repeat. Once from Matt to me, and the second time from me to him. Because while I receive what the universe gives me, I also want to send goodness out.

Here is some more giving and receiving, from me to you.

These mystery day trips were my favourite gift to give this Christmas–and they worked for kids and adults

What can the construction industry learn from Taylor Swift?

Three words to describe Arnold Schwarzenegger: surprising, impressive, thoughtful

See how many people you can smile at tomorrow

This is the song (“Through the good times and the bad, I’ll be standing there by you”)

This week, I’m finishing off the month with something new. I’m donating blood today, which I haven’t done in many years. I’m also hoping to make a few tweaks in Ellie’s room or mine… or both if the universe is on my side.

How was January for you? Does anyone else see signs from the universe? What are you hoping to accomplish this week?

Like so many people, I am watching what’s happening in Palestine and Israel (and Ukraine, Sudan and other places) right now. Like many people, I don’t know what to say. But I feel I need to say something.

Harming and killing people is wrong. Destroying and taking people’s homes is wrong (this goes for Indigenous peoples too). I believe that supporting groups or people who carry out these acts is wrong. Not speaking out for a ceasefire and working for peace is wrong.

I teach Ellie that people are different. Some people think differently than us, live differently and have different opinions about what’s important. But they deserve care, respect and peace. They deserve a home and they deserve to live.

Within our lives, we can determine our own values and make our own choices. But we are part of the world. As I wrote on Remembrance Day, it is my responsibility—everyone’s responsibility—to care for and protect each other.

Here are some other things in my thoughts these days.

On Canada Project is working to bridge information gaps, challenge divisive rhetoric, and lead important conversations grounded in human rights.

What would you do if you knew when you were going to die?

Grief is full of choices (life is too)

September has been full, but good. School is going well for both Ellie and me. I’ve discovered I enjoy teaching. When I hook the students and see them light up is such a great moment.

We started the month with one last campout and ended with putting out the bird feeders. The leaves are changing, the nights are cooler, but there is still lots of sunshine and warmth. We’re soaking it up as much as we can.

Here are other things we were up to this month.

This video has me thinking how I can repurpose more materials when I build the chicken coop. Anyone have any old screen doors?

Would you choose this toilet for your home? (If you had $12,000 to spend on a toilet.)

Matt’s Dad grew great cherry tomatoes several years ago. I saved the seeds and grew delicious tomatoes this year. So I’m saving seeds again.

We made our tried and true brownies twice this month

Ellie is learning to read, and it’s coming so quickly. This joke book and this series have been laugh-out-loud hits.

We’ll be ending the month with another full week. But amongst work, school, errands and appointments we’re making time for fun. We’ll be meeting up with my friends for dinner at a local riverside hotdog stand. Friends, food and a great venue is always a special time.

How has September been for you? What have you been reading, baking or watching? Is anyone else saving seeds or moving plants indoors? Anyone else squeezing in al fresco meals or even campouts?

The new well garden has attracted a snake. Ellie has adopted it as a pet, and the snake seems to be just fine with that. He appreciated the picture that she drew for him and occasionally lets her pet him. I love seeing her comfort and gentleness with animals of all kinds.

Summer is a time of animals, plants, the outdoors and family, and we’ve been doing all of it. This summer has also had some hard times, some of which I will write about later. I try to meet the lows with love, and savour the moments of joy that we have.

We had a cottage week with my family, which is always the highlight of our year. Growing up, my siblings and I were at our grandparents cottage every weekend. We swam, waterskied and played with a big group of cousins. Now, we give our children that experience, though only for one week of the year. Watching them learn to ski and swim, seeing how they help and encourage each other, and being together as a family is so special. Giving each other our time, presence and love is very important. The most important thing I can do.

On a lighter note, here are some less important things that I enjoyed this month.

This real life Hobbit House is beautiful.

I still look at our grain silo and think of the possibilities.

How is this math right? I feel old.

This book has changed the way I think about the rest of my life… and my breakfast.

Kid’s book of the month: Greek Myths & Mazes. A cool way to introduce Greek myths. Ellie has loved the mazes and the stories.

I made myself a cup of plantain tea on a particularly bad air quality day after watching this video.

I know everyone says it, but it’s hard to believe that we’re already halfway through summer. As I’m looking ahead to August, I feel like time is going to fly even faster. I’m hanging onto as much as I can and making sure Ellie and I continue to work through our summer bucket list.

How’s summer going for you? Have you had any getaways? Do you have any wildlife (or weird “pets”) hanging around your house?

Summer has officially begun. We marked the solstice with a bonfire and our first campout, which felt like a great way to celebrate–although I have to admit the reality of sleeping on an air mattress is not so great.

Ellie is done school and, like last year, I’ve made the decision to “do summer.”

There’s been a bit of an adjustment to being around each other all the time. But we’ve had picnics, playgrounds, and water fights. Met up with friends, visited a local festival, worked in the gardens, picked strawberries, had family parties, watched hay baling and kept an eye on the patio construction. There have been late nights and sleeping in.

We’re off to a great start (air mattresses aside), and I’m looking forward to soaking up the season.

Here are some other things I’ve been up to this month.

I reread one of my favourite books of all time. It’s still wonderful.

Donating to a land trust, with a twist

“The last demographic that progressive people still mock with impunity.”

I bought a basic soaker hose at the dollar store last year, and it’s been great in our garden. I also have these quick connectors for changing fittings quickly.

Are your most important relationships getting your leftovers?

In case you were wondering, strawberry icing on chocolate cupcakes is a good idea.

This week, we’re finishing off June with wrapping up our patio. I am not so patiently waiting to set up the furniture. The reveal will be coming soon.

How has the start of summer been for you? Are you going camping this summer? Who else is a strawberry fan? What’s your favourite way to eat them? Anyone else feel too old to sleep on an air mattress?

I’m looking back over May thinking what a full month.

We had a getaway with Matt’s family and celebrations for Mother’s Day, Matt’s Dad’s birthday, and several of Ellie’s friends. There was a quick work trip plus getting set up for a new contract I’m starting this fall.

We toured a local regenerative farm, and came home to our first cut of hay for the year. I sold Ellie’s little play set and received a load of mulch to go around her treehouse—all preludes to building her new swing set. We hauled home some rolls of fencing from the end of someone’s driveway, so that’s a prelude to the coop. We had our first asparagus harvest, our vegetable seedlings are growing so well, and I’m crossing my fingers that the garden is somewhat manageable this year.

There’s goodness and work and challenges and fun. I know I say it often, but we truly try to fill our lives with as much joy and love as possible. As May comes to an end, I feel like we’re doing that well.

Here are some timely links

Ticks have been bad for us this year. Cigo has been their main target. Here is an article I wrote about protecting your dog and yourself from ticks.

My favourite source for rhubarb recipes (and most recipes)

Required reading. This book shows how racism becomes so embedded in a culture.

I first used Oxiclean when I washed Ellie’s diapers. This month I used it to whiten a pair of pillowcases. It’s still magical. (The generic brand has always worked fine for me.)

My first weeding venture through the vegetable garden left me with a sore back–then a sore hip. These stretches helped.

I owe you an update on Ellie’s new room. Here’s a beautiful, thoughtful, fun room in the meantime.

We’re ending the month by starting a big project. Our patio kicks off today. I am so excited to see this space come together. I will be back next week with an update.

How was May for you? Do you have any exciting projects underway?

Welcome to the last week of April. Ellie’s room makeover is almost done. She is so excited to start sleeping in her new room, and I am excited to share the finished product here soon.

A highlight of April for me was Easter. Easter is my favourite holiday, usually because it’s a bit quieter than Christmas or Thanksgiving. I think having a child changes that, and this year was definitely not quiet, but we still had a great time. We hosted dinners, including one with Matt’s aunts who have not been to the farm in several years. We celebrated my nephew’s second birthday. We had two egg hunts. And of course, Ellie soaked up every second and every sweet.

April is also my Dad’s birthday and my parent’s wedding anniversary. We got together and acknowledged those occasions as well.

I’ve learned over the years that it’s important to me to take every opportunity to be together. It’s worth it to invite everyone, cook all the food, share all the candy, remember those who aren’t with us and sometimes even cry a few tears. Sharing time with those around us–whoever can be there–means a lot to me.

Here are some other occasions and reminders from this month.

Speaking of occasions, our forsythia is blooming. When we first moved to the farm, the forsythia bloomed on April 2. It hasn’t been that early since–and some years it hasn’t flowered at all. This year, the branches are covered in blossoms by mid-April.

I want to try this adult Easter egg hunt next year.

A great update for an oak kitchen

My friends and I did a Half Baked Harvest dinner several weeks ago. I made this salad and it was a huge hit. (Everything everyone made was delicious.)

“Life can be cruel, as you know. But it can also be kind. Filled with wonders. You need to remember that. You have your own choice to make. What’re you going to focus on? What’s unfair, or all the wonderful things that happen? Both are true, both are real. Both need to be accepted. But which carries more weight with you? The terrible or the wonderful? The goodness or the cruelty? Your life will be decided by that choice.”

All The Devils Are Here by Louise Penny

I’m finishing off the month by putting the finishing touches on Ellie’s room. Pictures on the walls, sheets on the bed, clothes in the closet. In amongst some work and hopefully some outside time too, of course.

How was April for you? Did you celebrate Easter? What’s blooming where you are? Any favourite recipes to share? What are you doing to wrap up the month?

It feels like spring has sprung here. We’ve seen our first robins, red wing blackbird and turkey vulture. There were a pair each of mallards and hooded merganser ducks paddling in the pond over the weekend. And this year’s sap run is coming to an end with a very decent quantity of syrup.

Perhaps a result of changing season, I’m feeling more motivated.

It’s a welcome change. I have been stalled for a while, which is not a comfortable place for me. I like being productive, but I have made no progress on Ellie’s room makeover or on bringing in some new contracts for work. These are important, but I’m not being disciplined in how I spend my time.

When March Break came along, I gave myself a little break from the blog to try to reset. I like writing, and I like posting every week (schedules and deadlines definitely work for me). But I had lost some mojo So I went back to my word of the year and chose to take a break.

I worked, read, prepared our income taxes, updated my consulting website, and took a small trip for a new client. Ellie and I started going swimming each week and had a fun March Break together. We marked Matt’s 44th birthday, which was hard. I thrifted a great furniture score for Ellie’s room and found some contacts for potential new work.

And my motivation and energy are returning. I’m looking forward to sharing more about Ellie’s new bedroom, starting to work outside and hopefully kicking off patio construction.

For now, here are some of the things I enjoyed this month:

This account has the best parenting–and human being–advice. They also have a new name.

Chef’s Table is my go-to for something easy, inspiring, fun, and uplifting to watch. Mashama Bailey, Lennox Hastie and Tootsie Tomanetz episodes are favourites.

“You should know when enough is enough.” So much inspiration from the first 100 episodes of People I (Mostly) Admire.

Made this pie for Matt’s birthday. Ellie’s verdict: “Daddy would really like this.” Yes, he would.

Ellie is really into non-fiction (or as she calls them, “information books”). This story was a hit and led to a movie, more inspiring animal stories and daily dolphin role playing.

I’m aiming to finish off March with being disciplined. I am putting the finishing touches on some pitches for work, prepping Ellie’s room for painting (more to come), and depending on the weather and my productivity, maybe doing some coop clean-up.

How was March for you? Do you have any tips for being disciplined? Who else works best with a deadline? Has spring arrived where you are?